BOONTON FIRST PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH • September 2016

Faith, Hope and Love inDEAR SAINTS,

In one of the most well-known textsof Ecclesiastes (3) we hear “For

everything there is a season, and atime for every matter under heaven:”This is the preamble to the famous textthat highlights the polarities of life.

It has been an unusual season ofsummer this year both in the churchand beyond. Within the church, whenwe normally have no meetings in July,quite a few committees were at work,meeting to care for the life, missionand ministry of the church. This wasnecessary but unusual.

The August weather that followed(and still is), unusual. The temps andthe humidity from NJ to Maine. havebeen unprecedented. At one point, inmid-August, the entire mid-Atlanticcoast was have said to have dew-pointshigher than…the AMAZON jungle!

Usually when I return from vacation,in mid-August the NJ weather offersclear, warm days and cool nights. Andthat weather also helps me dive intothe Fall planning, meetings and thecreative co-brainstorming that I usuallydo. But …that has always includedSarah and Norma, our music directorand our admin. and now our Parish As-sociates, Pastors Sherm and Lorrie.

Most of you know... Norma is set-tling in to her new life in Dallas afterleaving in December and we’re stillseeking the new, right admin. Sarahwill be taking maternity leave after theoutdoor worship service September 4.Lorrie and Sherm will also be takingextended time off through most of Sep-tember as Lorrie recovers from sadly,another cancer surgery, Sept 9th.

All of this transition has beenpreying on my mind, and I have beenpraying about it since I returned fromvacation. But since I believe that allanswers to life are answered…at thebeach…I ran down for a few hours, tocatch the sunset and ponder…

“For everything there is a season,and a time for every matter underheaven:”

I arrived about 6 PM, about to plunkmy chair at the waters edge and here’swhat I saw. Two women, seeminglyabout 25–30 years apart, who appearedto be Mother-Daughter, calmly‘packing up ‘camp’ from a long day ofadventures with three boys, ages,roughly, 5–10. One of the boys lookedto be related the younger mother, theother two, had features and skin color,vastly different.

The women were kind but judiciousin getting the group to pack up their

salty, sandy, scrambled stuff and theyworked together (mostly) like a well-oiled machine, save, a loose soccer ballbeing flung about flirting with therising tide.

But then they didn’t leave.

After completely packing up theircaravan, they gathered themselvesonce more and headed, as a team, upthe beach. I couldn’t figure out why,they’d pack it all up and THEN go fora walk.

I continued to turn my chair into thesetting sun, while keeping an eye onthe sandy caravan while praying for arich sunset.

The sunset was great.

BUT it paled in comparison to thereturning 5-man (ok, person) caravan.

They were all holding as much asthey could of discarded cups, deflatedballoons, lost water bottles, juice boxesand sandwich bags, broken beachbuckets and shovels from bothunwitting and uncaring beach go-ers.

WOW!

They then added the ‘flotsam andjetsam’ to their bumbly caravan andpushed on. Their voices joyous andsilly and grateful, all the way.

TThhee SSppiirree

Continued on next page (p2)

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NNOOTTEESS FFRROOMM SSAARRAAHHNNOOTTEESS FFRROOMM SSAARRAAHH http://www.fpcboonton.org

SEPTEMBER 2016

“O day of peace that dimly shines through all our hopes and prayers and dreams,Guide us to justice, truth, and love, delivered from our selfish schemes,

May swords of hate fall from our hands,our hearts from envy find release,Till by God’s grace our warring world shall see Christ’s promised reign of peace.”

Hear Ye, Hear Ye!The fall season for the music ministry at First

Presbyterian has begun! Chancel Choir rehearsals willbe resuming this month and all are welcome, veterans andnewcomers, to join in making joyful music together.

Special thanks to those vocalists and instrumentalistswho shared their musical gifts and talents this summerduring morning worship. Your musical contributiontruly enhanced the worship experience.

Fall 2016 Rehearsal Schedule:Chancel Choir ~ Thursday, September 15th

(7:30 - 9pm)

Weekly 9:15am Sunday morning rehearsals are in thechurch sanctuary

Hand Bell Choir ~ OFF for fall 2016, REHEARSALSWILL RESUME SPRING 2017

Please give a warm welcome to Mrs. Christina Jonaswho will be filling-in as organist/choir director as I startmaternity leave 9/5/16 to prepare for the birth of Baby BoyBerta. She will be the organist and will also be directingthe Chancel Choir through early January 2017.

Thank you all for your love and support as the Frederick/Berta families get ready to celebrate thisexciting addition to the family. ♥

Dear Saints (Continued)WOW!

It reminded me… with so manygaps and transitions in staff this fall,we all need to make an effort to doour part.

We WELCOME Christina Jonas(no relation to the Jonas Brothers) asour temporary Music Director whileSarah is away on maternity leave

(Sept 5, 2016 – January14, 2017).

We THANK Debbie Stora (andMike) for being willing to step-up andfill in as our temporary admin, (2Minutes after her retirement fromBHS) until we can place the rightperson.

We PRAY for Lorrie (and Sherm) aswe expect her next surgery to be herlast!

I WELCOME YOU, to step-up, show

up, and ask what needs to be done,started or completed, while our staffis in flux.

And I pray that you not only enjoyyour family life and recreation, BUTTHAT YOU WILL TAKE TIME TO DOYOUR PART, TO HELP SUSTAIN THELIFE, MINISTRY AND MISSION OFTHIS CHURCH TO WHICH WE WEREALL CALLED.

Serving the Creator with you.

♥Rev. Jen

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SS aa rr aa hh ’’ ssSS aa rr aa hh ’’ ssfinal service before herfinal service before her

maternit y leavematernit y leaveSEPTEMBER 4

OUTDOOROUTDOORWORSHIPWORSHIPSUNDAY

September 4 (see page 8)

MISSION MEETINGSUNDAY

September 18 afterServices

Save the date!!

ST. John’s LuncheonOCTOBER 1

First Day of

SUNDAY SCHOOLSEPTEMBER 11

All children grades Pre-Kthrough 8th grade are

WELCOME

In the busyness of this day, grant me a stillness of seeing, O God.In the conflicting voices of my heart

grant me a calmness of hearing.Let my seeing and hearing my words and my actions

be rooted in a silent certainty of your presence.Let my passions for life and the longings for justice

that stir within me be grounded inthe experience of your stillness.

Let my life be rooted in the ground of your peace, O God, let me be rooted in the depths of your peace.

PPTTGG Prayer To Go

Reminder: You’re not theReminder: You’re not theonly one... only one... lol

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It’s Always Appreciated!

It’s Always Appreciated!The Board of Deacons uses your donations to helpsupport many people in need. The monies used to dothis work in the community DO NOT come from theregular Sunday collection. This is a separate collection.You can support the Deacons by using the small,

GREEN ENVELOPESlocated in the pews.

Deacon’s DoinsWe are grateful for theWe are grateful for theblessings of your support.blessings of your support.

Abig thanks to those who volunteered their time tocook and serve food at the St. John’s Luncheon and

Dover Faith Kitchen missions this past June.

As we ramp up for our Fall activities, the Deacons inviteyou to volunteer your time to cook and/or serve meals forSt. John’s Luncheon (OCT 1) and Dover Faith Kitchen(OCT 24).

Our Fall Coat Drive is coming up. Please keep us inmind as you look over your cold weather outerwear.Collection boxes will be on the Bridge soon.

Peanut butter and jelly, nutritious soups, personal careproducts are always needed at the Boonton Food Pantry.Thank you for your continued donations on the shelvesoutside Reighert Hall. ♥

Love 2 Learn is looking forward toopen school on

September 12th with an exciting2016-2017 school year.

We are always looking fornew students to join us.

Our program is for children from3 to 5 years of age and runs daily

from 9:00 AM to12:00 PM. For more information, please

call 973-334-2410 or find us onfacebook.

Please note that the Missioncommittee

will meet onSeptember 18 after worship -

11:15 am.

Meeting

foryour

support

SUNDAY

10:00 OUTDOORWorship

Deacons Fireman’s HomeSarah’s Maternity leave begins

11:15 Lemonade in Library

7:00 A.A.

PATRIOT DAY10:00 Worship

COMMUNION1st day SUNDAY SCHOOLCommission SundaySchool Teachers11:15 Coffee Hr.7:00 A.A.

10:00 Worship

11:15 Coffee Hour11:15 MISSION Committee

Meeting

7:00 A.A.

10:00 Worship

11:15 Coffee Hour

7:00 A.A.

MONDAY

LABOR DAY

OFFICE CLOSED

7:00 SESSIONFirst Day of

TUESDAY

3:30 Conservatory

7:00 A.A.

3:30 Conservatory

3:30 Conservatory

7:00 Worship Comm.Meeting

WEDNESDAY

TBD Conservatory

6:30 PresbyAires

6:30 PresbyAires

10:00 PW BIBLE STUDY

6:30 Conservatory

6:30 PresbyAires

3:00 Conservatory

6:30 PresbyAires

THURSDAY

7:30 Chancel Choir

7:30 Chancel Choir

FRIDAY SATURDAY

10:00 Conservatory

OCTOBER 1

St. John’s Luncheon

4

11

18

25

5

12

19

26

6

13

20

27

7

14

21

28

1

8

15

22

29

2

9

16

23

30

3

10

17

24

2016

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SEPTEMBERBirthdays

2 Jack Middleton

Natalie Pisarcik

4 Allison Scardena

Keelie Nickel

6 Kathryn Veliky

11 Kayla Whipple

13 Connor Johnson

14 Mike Stora

15 Babette Whipple

16 Bryan Nickel

17 Jim Cowan

19 Grace Keoppel

Megan Kelly

Lisa Mastrangelo

22 Tucker Reed

27 Claudia Yanez

28 Beatrice Beatty

Leslie Smith-Ficaro

Robert George

29 Elaine Oussoren

manyTHANKS

We need flowers for weekly worship.If you want to honor an anniversary, birthday, mile-stone or faith-event or remember a loved-one, pleaseconsider giving flowers in their honor or memory.They’re done by a professional florist ( Marilyn Ward)and are also, often distributed to the hurting, thehungry or the home-bound. Max $40.Just call the office the week (or more) before to reserve.

LESLIE SMITH FICARO — whose mother MARY SMITH, passed away peace-fully in August. She would have been 100 years old within 2 weeks of her passing.

Please keep Leslie and the family in your prayers.

FRANK PETRUCELLI — whose wife JOAN passed away August 1st. Please keepFrank and the family in your prayers.

LANIGAN AND MORRA FAMILIES — who grieve MATTY MORRA— age 32,who lost his battle with addiction. Please pray for the Morra and Lanigan families.

MARJORIE ROLLER — whose father BRUCE BAVER, passed away August12th after a fall. Keep the families in your prayers.

JAY EVELETH — whose brother STIMSON passed away August 8th after an in-jury and illness from a car accident. Prayers are asked for his wife and children.

THE SILLICK AND ESTLER FAMILIES. — DORIS (former member and sisterof Beansie) passed away in late July, after a long battle with Alzheimer’s.

ROBIN GERSHAW — a friend of Robin’s, ANN MCGOWAN, passed awaypeacefully in late August. Please pray for Robin and her family.

FREDA — cousin of John Crozier. Her partner and caregiver, CHRIS NUTT, passedaway. Please pray for Freda during this sad and difficult time. ♥

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JJOOYYSS//HHOOPPEESS

MMAAYY GGOODD CCOOMMFFOORRTT ......

IINN OOUURR PPRRAAYYEERRSS:: CCoonncceerrnnssJOE HORDNES – is home from rehab

but is still unable to walk. Please prayfor strength and healing for Joe and Lisa.

JIM KLINGES — cousin of MikeCurran., Leukemia has returned for the

3rd time. He started chemo again and ishoping for a clinical trial. He’s 21 yrs. old.

NICHOLAS SOTO — son of friends ofthe Currans, was diagnosed with

neuroblastoma. He is receiving chemohoping to shrink and remove a tumor in hisabdomen. Nicholas is only 16 months’ old.

THE HOUSE FAMILY – friends of theKearny’s, who were involved in a car

accident. The husband died and the wife isin critical condition. She needs our prayers

JENNY TERHUNE — is having adifficult pregnancy. Prayers are

requested for strength and courage forJenny and Kristine.

GERRY LONGO – cousin of BarbLanigan, was diagnosed with liver

cancer. Prayers are requested for success-ful surgery and a positive spirit.

DORIS HORNICK — is sufferingfrom Dementia/Alzheimer’s. She is at

home resting. Please pray for her and forher family of caregivers as well.

JOANNE ALTOMARE – wife of afriend of John Crozier, who is

undergoing painful treatments for BloodCancer. Prayers are requested for Joanne,her husband Bill and family.

RUBY L. PARKER – mother of acolleague of Ellen Scardena, has been

hospitalized for over a month with multiplehealth issues.

ANN WEHRLE— Margaret Tom’ssister, has finally been diagnosed with

a cardiovascular problem. Now they canwork on fixing it.

SONDRA SHEPPARD – ElaineOussoren’s sister in law, was diagnosed

with a brain tumor. Prayers are requestedfor healing and further treatment.

JOSEPH PRUNIER — TerryCharlton’s brother, who is now home

and under Hospice Care.

STEPHEN – friend of Betty Tilli, wasdiagnosed with cancer. Prayers for

healing are needed.

BOB & JEAN BIRRELL – friends ofLynn Ware. Bob has late stage prostate

cancer, but is responding well to a newdrug trial. Jean is still in rehab recoveringfrom a stroke. ♥

Pray in the spirit ATALL times and on everyoccasion. Stay alert andbe persistent in yourprayers for all believerseverywhere.–Ephesians 6:18

JOHN LAWLESS – A relative of EvelynThiel, was not doing well on Dialysis. A

donor was found and his transplant tookplace on Tuesday. Prayers are requested thathe doesn’t reject it and for healing. Prayersare also requested for the family of the 18year old donor for their gift of life in themidst of their grief. Praise God!

SHARI NICHOLSON – former member,Is now in temporary remission. Praise

God! She is still in pain and has 2 more setsof Chemo to go. Her Dr. feels she will be incomplete remission after these next months oftreatments. Please pray for Shari and herparents, Gordon and Nancy.

ELSIE FORCE – has been moved fromSt. Clares to Merry Heart and is ready for

visitors! Praise the Lord!

BEANSIE ESTLER — is at MerryHeart and is steadily improving! Don and

Beansie will be relocating to Rochester assoon as Beansie is well enough to move;hopefully in September!

♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥

First Presbyterian Church513 Birch St • PO Box 157Boonton, New Jersey 07005973-334-3535 • FAX 973-334-3549Website: www.fpcboonton.org

Rev. Jennifer M. Van Zandt, MinisterSarah Berta, Christina Jonas: Music Director(s), Parish Associates: Lorrie & Sherm Skinner

RRRReeeemmmmiiiinnnnddddeeeerrrr ::::Please remember to provide any informationyou need published in the monthly SpireNewsletter, by the 15th of eachmonth — to ensure that the informationwill be included.

GOD IS ON THEMOVE!!

C O M E T O W O R S H I P I N T H EC H U R C H

B A C K Y A R DB A C K Y A R DI f y o u c a n h e l p, a r r i ve e a r l y t o

s e t u p c h a i r s f o r t h e s e r v i c e

SUNDAY

SEPTEMBER 4SEPTEMBER 4 - 10 AM• Dress casually • Bring a blanket if you sit on the grass

It will be Sarah’s final service beforeher maternity leave.

COFFEE Hour will be in the LibraryIn Case of Rain

Worship will be in Reighart Hall

DID NOAH FISH?— A Sunday school teacher asked, ‘Johnny, doyou think Noah did a lot of fishing when he was on the Ark ? ‘’No,’replied Johnny. ‘How could he, with just TWO worms.’

HIGHER POWER — A Sunday school teacher said to her chil-dren, ‘We have been learning how powerful kings and queens werein Bible times. But, there is a Higher Power. Can anybody tell me whatit is? One child blurted out, ‘ Aces!’

MOSES AND THE RED SEA— Nine-year-old Joey was askedby his mother what he had learned in Sunday School. ‘Well, Mom, ourteacher told us how God sent Moses behind enemy lines to lead theIsraelites out of Egypt . When he got to the Red Sea , he had his armybuild a bridge and all the people walked across safely. Thenhe radioed headquarters for reinforcements. They sent bombers toblow up the bridge so no one could follow.’ ‘Now, Joey, is that reallywhat your teacher taught you?’ his Mother asked. ‘Well, no, Mom.But, if I told it the way the teacher did, you’d never believe it!’

THE LORD IS MY SHEPHERD— A Sunday School teacher de-cided to have her young class memorize one of the most quotedpassages in the Bible - Psalm 23. She gave the youngsters a month tolearn the chapter. Little Rick was excited about the task - but he justcouldn’t remember the Psalm. After much practice, he could barelyget past the first line. On the day that the kids were scheduled to recite in front of the congregation, Ricky was so nervous. When itwas his turn, he stepped up to the microphone and said proudly,

‘ T he L ord is my S hepherd, and that ’s all I need to know.’

LOT’S WIFE — The Sunday School teacher was describing howLot’s wife looked back and turned into a pillar of salt, when littleJason interrupted, ‘My Mom looked back once while she was driving,’he announced triumphantly, ‘and she turned into a telephone pole!’

SUNDAY SCHOOL HUMOR