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Volume 15, Issue 03
March 2015
Church Street Journal
FIRST PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH, ROCKAWAY, NJ
The Season of Lent, ending on Easter, is the oldest and, arguably, the most
important season of the Christian year. Lent is a time when we especially
encourage all of our members and friends to closely examine their faith, to
discover new ways to build up our individual relationships with God and to
build up our life of discipleship together.
At First Presbyterian, we offer a number of resources to help you in your
Lenten journey. If you haven’t already picked up a printed copy of our Lenten devotional, you can find individual PDF files for each day of Lent on
our website. (www.fpcrockaway.org) Also on the website are the Adult Bible
Study resources that we use from “Feasting on the Word” – if you can’t
make it to Bible study, then use these resources that are not only for Lent,
but for the entire year.
Every Friday during Lent, we join together with other Christian churches
from the community for our annual Ecumenical Lenten Lunches. Each Friday at 12:00 noon, the luncheon is held in our Fellowship Hall, with one of
the churches providing the meal and the message for the day. The schedule
for March is: March 6 - St. Simon the Apostle Roman Catholic Parish (John
2:13-25 – Cleansing of the Temple); March 13 – Teabo United Methodist
Church (John 3:14-21 - “For God so loved the world”); March 20 – The
United Methodist Church of the Rockaways (John 12:20-33 – Jesus foretells
his suffering); March 27 – St. Cecilia Roman Catholic Church (Mark 11:110 - Entry into Jerusalem). There is no luncheon on April 3, Good Friday.
Instead, the participating churches will take part in a joint Good Friday service at 12 noon at the United Methodist Church of the Rockaways, 1
Hoagland Ave. in Rockaway.
Our Easter Sunday worship schedule has changed! This year, we will once
again celebrate with an Easter Sunrise Service beginning at 6:00 a.m. on
Cemetery Hill, led by our Senior High Youth and including communion.
Following the Sunrise Service, join us for our Easter breakfast in Fellowship
Hall. The children’s Easter Egg Hunt will be held at 10:00 a.m., just before
our traditional Easter Sunday worship service at 10:30 a.m. We will stay
with our usual worship schedule this Easter instead of changing service
times as in years past, so mark your calendar – we’ll give plenty of reminders in the meantime!
God Sightings: Stories of Faith and Growth
2015 Lenten Devotional
If you haven’t picked up a copy of the devotional there’s still time! Copies
are available in the Sanctuary entrance or you can find it on our website at
http://www.fpcrockaway.org/2015-lenten-devotional.html. Thanks to all who
contributed to the book.
Committee Work Day
Saturday March 14
9-2 p.m. in Fellowship Hall
Committee work day is a time to review the ministry of 2014 and envision 2015. Everyone
who serves on a committee is encouraged to attend, officers are asked to make every effort to
attend. Bagels and muffins and beverages will be provided, bring your own lunch.
In addition to our visioning work we will have a conversation about the 2015 budget
beginning at 12:30 p.m.. We have some challenges before us, come and learn more.
Budget Conversation II
Sunday, March 15
Following Worship
If you are unable to attend the budget conversation on March 14 (Committee Work Day, see
above) we will have another conversation on Sunday, March 15 following worship. We hope
that you can attend one of these conversations. We will be presenting important information.
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CHURCH STREET JOURNA L
New Member’s Classes to Begin
We love that you are participating in church activities and we’re wondering, have
you been thinking about joining the church? Would you like to learn more about being
Presbyterian and the ministries of our congregation? Sign up for:
New Member’s Classes set to begin on March 8 at 9:15 a.m.
The class will meet for three sessions with new members being welcomed into the
congregation on Palm Sunday, March 29.
To sign up contact the church office: 973-627-1059.
For more information talk with Revs. Sue and Mitch or Diane Knipper.
Clerk of Session Needed
The Session is looking for someone who is currently not serving on Session to serve as the Clerk of Session. The job requires email accessibility. The clerk receives the minutes of the committees and assembles
them for Session meetings. He or she will also take minutes of the Session meetings and submit them for approval by the Session. The clerk
prepares meeting dockets in consultation with the pastors. The role also includes correspondence to and from the Session and maintenance of
the minutes book. If you would consider serving in this role, please contact Rev. Sue or Mitch
We Need Candy and Eggs, Please
The Jr. High youth sponsor the annual Easter Egg Hunt at 10 a.m.
Easter Morning. We are in need of plastic eggs and candy to fill
them. If you would like to donate, please bring your items labeled
for the Jr. High egg hunt. (We are also collecting Easter basket
supplies for the community baskets) Bring your donation to the
church office or to Rev. Sue.
Thank you!
VOLUME 15, ISSUE 03
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Palm Sunday—March 29
10:30 a.m.— Worship with reception of new members
5:00 p.m.— Evening worship followed by potluck (bring a dish to share)
Maundy Thursday— April 2
6:30 p.m.— At The Lord’s Table—join us for a Mediterranean style
meal, in the traditional style. Please RSVP to the church
office to help us prepare enough food.
Good Friday—
April 3
12 (noon) - Ecumenical worship service at the United Methodist
Church, 1 Hoagland Ave., Rockaway
7 p.m.
- Good Friday Tenebrae
Easter—April 5
6:15 a.m. - Sunrise Service led by the Sr. High youth on the cemetery
hill.
7:00 a.m. - Sunrise breakfast in Fellowship Hall immediately
following the service.
10:00 a.m.- Easter Egg Hunt. Children bring a basket and meet at the
back door (behind Fellowship Hall.)
10:30 a.m.- Easter worship. PLEASE NOTE: We will not be
changing the worship schedule this year. We will have one
service at our regular time.
5:00 p.m.- The 5 p.m. service will not be held.
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CHURCH STREET JOURNA L
Please continue to pray for our Stephen Ministry trainees, Lillian Argueta and MaryAnne
Henselmann, as they near completion of the training sessions and a retreat with the whole
Stephen Ministry Team before they are commissioned on Sunday, April 12 during worship. Then they will be able to receive their first caregiving assignments. But their training will be far from over. Continuing education is an important component of Stephen
Ministry training. They will meet twice a month, along with our current Stephen Ministers, even after they begin meeting with their care receivers. The goal is for Stephen Ministers to continually enhance their skills and learn new ways to care. We want them to
provide the best care possible for their care receivers. Please continue to hold the whole
Stephen Ministry team in your prayers.
PER CAPITA APPORTIONMENT: Per Capita Apportionment is a fundamental way in
which all of the nearly 11,000 congregations and governing bodies of the PC (USA) are
connected and allows its members to participate in the work of the wider church. General
Assembly and Synod apportionment amounts have remained the same, however the Presbytery of Newton increased their share of per capita apportionment by $0.68 for fiscal
year 2015, bringing the total to $33.00 per active member (328 for Rockaway as of
12/31/2013), with the following breakdown:
Individual
Rockaway
General Assembly
Synod of the Northeast
$7.09
3.90
$2,326
1,279
Presbytery of Newton
22.01
7,219
TOTAL
$33.00
$10,824
To help defray the cost, members are invited and encouraged to pay the $33 per capita
amount. This is a completely voluntary payment. Approximately 25% of the members
contributed for 2014. All money received is greatly appreciated. There is a Per Capita
Apportionment envelope in your box of envelopes for this purpose. Thank you very
much.
VOLUME 15, ISSUE 03
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CHURCH STREET JOURNA L
Easter basket items are being collected
for baskets going to low income children
in Rockaway Borough and Rockaway
Township. Needed items are baskets
(medium sized), large cellophane bags,
grass, candy, small toys, small stuffed
animals, crafts and school supplies. This
mission opportunity is being coordinated
by Lunch Bunch 2 one of the small
groups that are part of the GIFT ministry. We will be assembling
the baskets in Fellowship Hall during coffee hour on March 22.
Please join us if you would like to participate in this project. For
Information call Betty Shuman or Nancy Martinez.
Easter Morning Breakfast
Following the Easter Morning Sunrise service, our church has had
a long running tradition of gathering together for breakfast and
Easter egg hunts. This breakfast can be as elaborate as eggs, pancakes, bacon, to as simple as bagels and donuts with coffee and tea.
The time is never too early to start thinking about Easter. If you’re
interested in coordinating this event; gathering volunteers, developing the menu, please contact the newsletter editor at
[email protected].
VOLUME 15, ISSUE 03
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SAVE THE DATES
FINDING GOD IN THE QUIET PLACES: A FPCR Spiritual Renewal Retreat. Saturday, May 9th 9 a.m.—7 p.m. at Camp Johnsonburg
VACATION BIBLE SCHOOL: July 27-31
Watch for more details on these events in next months newsletter
INCLEMENT WEATHER
If there is inclement weather on a Sunday morning ( snow, sleet, ice)
please call the church office 973-627-1059 (answering machine message) or Donna Van Duyne 973-625-3912 to see if Sunday School has
been cancelled for that morning. Thank you.
Come Knit and Crochet with Us
Thursday, March 26
6:30—8:00 p.m.
If you can knit or crochet, or if you want to,
We hope you will join us. We need more crafters.
Church Library
Did you know that our Church Library is located in the Parlor which is
outside of Fellowship Hall? Please feel free to browse and choose one of
the books to borrow. We have all genres including historical, fiction, nonfiction and informational. Please remember to sign out your selection.
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CHURCH STREET JOURNA L
Rockaway Holiday Wishes
December 2014
Without the generous contributions from many local businesses, churches, families, organizations and schools, this program would not exist.
This past December, we provided Holiday Gifts for over four hundred children.
On behalf of the children and their families, please know, every donation is sincerely appreciated and thank you so much for making a difference in the lives’ of the children in our
community.
Thank you again! Brenda Budd-Dunn, Holiday Wishes Coordinator
DEACONS’ FUND
Have you wondered what happens to the funds that go into the green envelopes from your offering box? The Deacons' Fund helps support the the ministry of Congregational Care.
The Member Assist Fund is administered through the Deacons' Fund and has existed for over
20 years to give financial assistance to members of FPC of Rockaway in time of emergency or
crisis. These situations include the loss or reduction of income or financial need due to unusual
circumstances like fire, flood or excessive medical expenses. The funds are dispersed at the discretion of committee which consists of three church members and have been used for such
things as the restoration of utilities to the home or fuel oil to stay warm in the winter
months. Your offering in the Deacons' envelope found in your pledge box will enable us to continue to help out our fellow members in a time of need.
Come one—come all to the church on Saturday morning, March
28th for breakfast. The breakfast will include eggs, pancakes
and coffee.
It is free so please come out and enjoy. Tell your neighbors.
Better yet bring them with you.
VOLUME 15, ISSUE 03
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Sunday Morning, 9:15 a.m.
Monday Evening, 7PM, BK Room
FEASTING ON THE WORD IS FOOD FOR
THE SOUL!
Is your soul hungry?? Do you feel a yearning for
something but don’t know what it is? Come to
Adult Bible Study and satisfy that craving! We are
a loving bunch of folks who have fun as we study
God’s Word and feed our souls. We don’t have all
the answers, but we have a great time asking the
questions!
We hope you will come and join us on Sunday
mornings at 9:15-10:15am in the BK Room taught
by Diane Knipper and Tom Winger and Monday
nights from 7-8pm in the BK Room taught by Diane
Knipper and Rich Basile. If you would like to look
at the weekly curriculum on line, go to the church
website www.fpcrockaway.org , click on More and
then Educational Opportunities and scroll down to
the Feasting on the Word curriculum. The lessons
are listed by date. If you have any questions or
would like
In Renegade Gospel, pastor and author Mike
Slaughter presents Jesus and his challenging message to inspire us during Lent, Easter, and through
the year.
Topics include: Discovering the Rebel Jesus, Revolutionary Lifestyle, The Most Important Question You Will Ever Have to Answer, Seeing Jesus
Today, The Way of the Cross, and Resurrection.
Each session is supported with material on a DVD
by the author.
We will begin on Feb 24 at 9:30 and continue for
the 6 weeks in Lent. If you wish to purchase a
book ($15), please call Betty Shuman or the
church office. You are welcome in the class discussions even if you do not purchase the book.
For information contact Betty Shuman through
the church office.
Church School News
Sunday School, 9:15 a.m.
FOR KIDS, PRESCHOOL
HIGH SCHOOL
TO
During the month of February, the children
learned
about the power of prayer,
further information, contact Diane Knipper at 973how they could help and serve others, the story
895-5289 or [email protected].
about the surprising change in Jesus, and Lent.
Come join us!
Please continue to look at our bulletin board outside of the sanctuary. This month it was created
by the 4th and 5th grade class. The children will be
coming home with their “fish banks” to begin fillTuesday 9:30am-11am – B K Room
ing for our One Great Hour of Sharing program.
Fish banks will be due back on Palm Sunday,
Join us in Lent as we read and discuss the book,
March 29.
“Renegade Gospel: The Rebel Jesus,” by Mike
Slaughter.
Central to the Christian faith is a man who denies all The children in Sunday School would like to
thank everyone who donated bears for the “Joined
our pre-conceived notions about what God should
in Remembrance Teddy Bear Program”.
look like. Joining his movement will mean coming
If you are interested or would like more inforto terms with the real Jesus, the rebel Jesus.
mation about this, please contact Donna Van DuyJesus didn’t come to start a religion. The rebel Jesus ne (973-625-3912).
came with a renegade gospel to start a revolution.
You and I are invited to be a part.
Tuesday Morning Bible Study
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CHURCH STREET JOURNA L
"Is
it spring yet?? Senior Highs had a great February with a successful National Souper Sunday with proceeds going to the food closet, a very sweet Valentines
themed Bake Sale, and a weekend retreat to the Poconos.
Our last Souper Sunday of the year will be March 1st.
Keep your eyes and ears open for tickets to the Spaghetti
Dinner.
As always, thank you for your support!"
Thank you for your continued support of the Senior
Highs!
WORSHIP HOUR CHILDCARE
The Christian Education Committee would like to announce a change to Worship
Hour Childcare. Beginning in January, the ages for children to go downstairs after
children’s time will be PreK to grade 3. Children from grade 4 and up will stay in
church with their parents. All children are always welcome to stay in church for the
entire service.
The Christian Education and Worship Committees would like to thank all those who have
agreed to help with Worship Hour Childcare. The following is the schedule for January
and February. If you cannot do your scheduled Sunday please try to switch with someone
or contact Donna Van Duyne. (973-625-3912)
March 1 – Linda Kirby
March 8 – Barbara Trappe
March 15 – Pat Warren
March 22- Nancy Martinez
March 29 - Amy & Andre Krajcsovics
April 5 – EASTER
April 12 – Linda Sunderman
April 19 – Jodie Adessa
April 26 – Lillian Argueta
VOLUME 15, ISSUE 03
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EASTER FLOWERS AND MUSIC
Brightly-colored flowers and special music are traditions we enjoy during Easter.
Funding is provided by your donations.
Would you like to help carry on this tradition? A donation of $10 to the Easter
Flower Fund buys one Easter plant. A donation of any amount to the Music Fund
enables us to enjoy wonderful music for Easter Services. You may also choose
to honor someone with your gift, as a tribute or memorial. All contributions and
honorees will be listed in the Easter bulletins unless anonymity is requested.
As a special bonus...if you contribute to the Flower Fund, the plant is yours
to take home or you may donate it as a gift to one of our homebound friends.
Fill out this from and send it with your check to the Church office to arrive no
later than MARCH 29th.
FROM ______________________________________________________________________
IN MEMORY OF __________________________________________________________
OR
IN THANKFULNESS FOR ________________________________________________
OR
NO. OF PLANTS _________
_________________
(Please check one) I will
Music Fund Donation:
Amount Enclosed $
□ will not □ pick up my Easter plant.
Amount Enclosed $ _________________
Please be sure to check the correct box(es)
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CHURCH STREET JOURNA L
Schedule of Events
Worship & Sunday School
March 2015
Sun
Mon
Tue
Wed
Thu
Fri
Sat
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20
21
22
23
24
25
26
27
28
29
30
31
March February 1,8,15,22,29
Sunday School and Bible Study—
9:15am
March 1,8,15,22,29 Worship 10:30
Worship & Potluck 1,8,15,22,29 —5pm
Committees and Groups—meeting dates and times
SUNDAY:
3/1—1st Sunday Food Collection
3/1- National Souper Bowl Sunday
3/8,22 JR High Youth 6:30 FH
3/8,15,22—New Members Classes
3/15— Cong Care—BK 11:30—1pm
3/8—SR High Meeting—7PM
3/29 Palm Sunday—New Members Received
3/29 New Member Breakfast w/Session
MONDAY:
3/2,9,16,23,30—Bible Study BK 7PM
3/9 Finance Meeting 7pm BK
3/23—Sara Circle 7:30pm
3/23 Peacemaking—BK 7:30
TUESDAY:
3/3,10,17,24,31—Bible Study 9:30am
3/3— CE Meeting—BK Room 7pm
3/10,24 SM:NB 7:30 Parlor
3/10,24 SM: NB2 7pm BK
3/3,10,17 SM 6pm-10pm Lounge
WEDNESDAY:
3/4– 7pm Worship
3/11,25—12noon Lunch Bunch too—BK Room
3/11,25— Overcoming Depression/Anxiety
Group 6:30 pm
3/11—7pm Outreach
3/18—7pm Session
THURSDAY:
3/5,12,19,26—Genesis Bells 6:15pm, Church
St Ringers 7pm, Adult Choir 8pm—Choir Loft
3/12,26 TEKS—at Basile’s 7pm
3/26- Woven in Love 6:30pm BK
Friday:
3/6,13,20,27 Lenten Lunch FH 12pm
SATURDAY:11/1
3/7—Men’s Breakfast 8-10am
3/14 Committee Work Day—FH 2pm
3/28 –Community Breakfast 8-11am
3/28—SR High Spaghetti Dinner 5PM—8PM
DAYLIGHT SAVINGS TIME CHANGE:
SUNDAY, MARCH 8TH SPRING AHEAD ONE HOUR.
VOLUME 15, ISSUE 03
Page 13
We'd like to thank you for your continued support of
the Food Closet. The demand for help is constant -about 130 families come to us each month for help. We are able to meet this need because of the
support that we get from this church and all other areas of the community. Please drop food off on
the first Sunday of the month or whenever you can! Items needed most: cereal, tuna, peanut butter, macaroni and cheese, beans, crackers, coffee, tea and hot chocolate. Please think of us when
you go grocery shopping. Any questions, please call Linda Kirby 973-316-0598.
Thank you for your continued support!
Linda Kirby
Winds of March, we welcome you,
There is work for you to do.
Work and play and blow all day,
Blow the winter cold away.
http://www.canteach.ca/
The boys and girls at PCCNS had a flurry of activities this month! Despite the weather, we enjoyed our visit to Monkey Doodles, a trip to Fitness Factory, and a visit to the theater at the
Mayo Art Center in Morristown. We also enjoyed a visit from a dental hygienist!
Registration has begun for the 2015-2016 school year and registration packets are available in
the office. Please help spread the word about our preschool! For further information, please
visit our website at www.rockaway-pccns.com or contact Maria Halkias at 973-586-3665 for
more information about our exciting new programs and registration for the new school year!
Church members receive a 10% discount.
Maria Halkias
So here we are in the middle of Lent. Spring is right around the corner!
Our adult choir will be singing Mozart's "Ave Verum Corpus" for Good
Friday. Our handbell groups will be performing Easter morning. We will
have a guest trumpeter on Palm Sunday. And I am currently working on
bringing another concert to our church for the new concert series I have
started. I'll keep you all posted once the plans have been finalized. If anyone would like to join
the choir just for the Easter season, please see me. We are also in need of one ringer in beginner bells, and two in advanced bells. Please see me if you are interested.
Yours in Christ,
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CHURCH STREET JOURNA L
Woven in Love
Knit and Crochet Ministry
SARA CIRCLE
BEGINNERS AND
Sara Circle meets on the 4th Monday of the Month at 7:30pm. We
meet in the home of a circle member and enjoy refreshments, fellowship and outreach. For more information,
please contact Nancy Kolbusch at 973-366-0873.
VETERANS
Woven in Love has new members
joining all the time!
NEXT MEETING
March 26th, 6:30 PM
THE BK ROOM
We will continue to provide the Church Street Journal
either on the church website or in the Narthex. Only a few
copies of the newsletter will be mailed to those individuals who
either don’t have email or can’t make it to church.
Everybody who has access to the internet has access to
the newsletter. For those of you who have email, the church
office will send you notification when the new issue is available
on the website.
For those of you without access to the internet, check
your bulletin or listen for the announcement in church during
opening time that the newest issue is available in the narthex.
If you have any questions, comments, complaints,
please do not hesitate to contact Wendy at
[email protected] or by leaving a message at the church
office at 973-627-1059 or in person.
The First Presbyterian Church—Rockaway
Co-Pastors: The Revs. Mitchell & Susan Trigger
Ministers: All the People
Music Director: Bonnie Pomeroy
Office Manager: Christine Zelinsky
Cemetery Sexton: Robert Nichols
Newsletter Editor: Bette Ann Lindsay
Clerk of Session: Carl Kline
Phone: 973-627-1059 Fax: 973-983-0090
E-mail: [email protected]
Website: www.fpcrockaway.org
Newsletter deadline: 15th of each month
Send e-mail submissions to: [email protected]
(Please put “Newsletter” in the Subject Line)
PCCNS—973-586-3665 Maria Halkias, Director
VOLUME 15, ISSUE 03
Page 15
FIRST
PRESBYTERIAN
CHURCH
35 Church St.
Rockaway, NJ
07866-3027
WHAT’S INSIDE:
2015 LENTEN DEVOTIONAL:GOD SIGHTINGS, COMMITTEE DAY,
BUDGET CONVERSATION II, NEW MEMBERS CLASS, CLERK OF
SESSION NEEDED, EASTER EGG HUNT CANDY NEEDED
2&3
HOLY WEEK SCHEDULE, STEPHEN MINISTRY, PER CAPITA
APPORTIONMENT
4&5
ONE GREAT HOUR OF SHARING OFFERING, COMMUNITY EASTER BASKETS, EASTER MORNING BREAKFAST
6&7
SAVE THE DATES, INCLEMENT WEATHER, WOVEN IN LOVE,
CHURCH LIBRARY, ROCKAWAY HOLIDAY WISHES, DEACONS
FUND, COMMUNITY BREAKFAST
8&9
CHRISTIAN EDUCATION, SR HIGHS, WORSHIP HOUR CHILDCARE
10 & 11
EASTER FLOWER/MUSIC FORM, CALENDAR, MEETING DATES &
TIMES
12 & 13
FOOD CLOSET, PCCN, MUSIC NOTES, SARA CIRCLE
14 & 15