MAY 2015
News Bits
First Presbyterian Church of Blairstown, New Jersey
BTOGETHER
ound
Pa s tor ’s M e s s a g e
It was a few years back one
Saturday morning during a
church spring clean work day
when, just for fun, I thought I
might take a bottle of Windex and attempt to clean the
stained glass windows in the
Sanctuary. This was a huge
no-no. The windows were
dirty. I mean really, really,
really dirty. It amazed me
that any sunlight could penetrate through those windows;
the dirt was caked so deep.
I remember inspecting the
lead as well. Ouch! The lead
holding the windows together
was brittle and ready to
break. I thought to myself it’s
amazing the windows didn’t
collapse and cave in. Brian
Walsh pointed out the deterioration of the windows on
Sunday morning and questioned whether something
ought to be done about them.
I didn’t disagree, though I
thought to myself “This is going to be one expensive project if and whenever we get
around to getting the job
done!”
Those original windows were
installed back in 1870, nearly one hundred and fortyfour years ago – installed
when the present church was
built. They had weathered
many a howling winds and
winters, so as the accumulation of dirt on the windows
and the deteriorated lead
came as no surprise, I decided any cleaning I did on
those windows that Saturday
workday wasn’t about to
make much difference. No,
this job needed someone with
professional stained glass
windows restoration skills.
This job needed Cathedral
Crafts from Winona, Minnesota. We hired them, and
what a fabulous job they did
bringing life to and bringing
light through our windows!
I call to mind how the windows used to be and how
they now are, because Sunday, May 3rd, the stained
glass windows will be dedicated during the service of
worship – to the glory of
God! The Chancel Choir will
lead the congregation with
soul stirring music. Singing
group, Kelly and the Perks,
will also join us and lead us in
worship with their spirited
revivalist songs. Songs, scripture, the sacrament of holy
communion, the sermon –
May 3rd we’ll give thanks to
God for God’s faithfulness,
for God’s forgiveness, for
God’s guidance, for God’s
abundance, during the time
the windows were removed,
restored and, now, reinstalled.
Yes, the job is done. What a
joy to see the rich colors in
each window not only shining
but illumining God’s light and
love onto us, gracing us and
reminding us that God is taking care of us. On our part,
we’re like the people in Nehemiah’s time, after they had
rebuilt the temple in Jerusalem after it had been ransacked and left in ruins: “We
will not neglect the house of
our God” (Nehemiah 10:39).
I hope that you’ll attend worship that Sunday. Come, participate and celebrate with
gladness and gratitude,
God’s faithfulness and forgiveness, God’s tireless ability to look over us and care
for us. Let us never loose
sight of that!
See you in worship,
Pastor David
by Faith
Inside this issue:
Session News
2
Deacon Notes
2
Presbyterian Women
2
Stewardship & Finance
3
Worship & Music Ministry
3
Christian Ed Ministry
4
Other Bits of News
5
Daily Prayer List
7
Birthdays & Anniversaries
7
Sermon — May 3, 2015
Dedication of the
Stained Glass Windows
Musical Guests: Kelly & the Perks
1
N
ew s B its
S e s s ion New s
HABITAT FOR
HUMANITY
Fruit
Iced Tea
Sandwiches
Chips
Baked Goods
Water
Our church will once again
be providing a hearty lunch
for about 12 to 15 Habitat
for Humanity volunteers at
their work site on
Saturday, May 9. There is
a sign-up sheet in the
Fellowship Hall for those
who would like to donate.
Any questions? Please
contact Joan Cameron at
(908) 459-9068. The lunch is
greatly appreciated by the
Habitat volunteers so any
assistance would be greatly
welcomed!
Please drop off your lunch
donations at the OC by 10
AM on Sat., May 9.
Excerpts from the Session
meeting held on April 16,
2015. Session approved the
following requests and recommendations:
1) The Session accepted with
deep and profound regret
the resignation of Nancy
Bair from Session effective
immediately. We are extremely grateful for her
service on Session.
2) A request from Pastor Harvey to pay the $4,000.00
fee to the New Jersey
Dept. of Environmental
Protection for the NJ Flood
Hazard Area Permit application. The application was
prepared by Dykstra Associates in Newton as part of
the feasibility study for the
proposed additions for the
new staircase and elevator
at the rear of the church.
3) Baptism requests from William and Holly Chadwick
for the baptism of their son,
Theodore Chadwick, on
May 17, 2015 and from
John and Tara Knol for the
baptism of their son, Colton
Joseph Knol, on May 31,
2015.
4) A recommendation from the
Stewardship and Finance
Ministry to conduct a fundraiser to help with the cost
of a new church marquee/
message board.
5) A recommendation from the
Stewardship and Finance
Ministry to sell food at the
town wide yard sale and
to host a fish fry dinner,
date TBD, to raise money
towards the cost of the
stained glass windows restoration.
Deb Albrecht,
Clerk of Session
In April, our food pantry
served 34 families. A few
weeks prior to our distribution
day, we received a large donation of food, paper products, and personal hygiene
items from the first graders at
Blairstown Elementary School.
Every first grader from the
school paraded into the food
pantry, happily carrying in
bags of the items they had
collected. It was a joyful sight
indeed! Our next food pantry
will take place on Saturday,
May 16.
On May 9, our church is preparing and delivering lunch for
workers at the Warren County
Habitat for Humanity site.
Please consider making a donation of sandwiches, chips,
baked goods, or water – there
is a sign up sheet at church or
you can contact Joan Cameron
or the church office.
In the coming months we will
be preparing care packages
for members and friends of
the church who are serving in
the military. Please contact me
at 362-5084 or [email protected]
to
submit names and addresses
of those in the service.
Yours in Christ,
Teri Harvey
De a con No te s
According to the Book of Order, “the ministry of deacon as
set forth in Scripture is one of
compassion, witness and service, sharing in the redeeming
love of Jesus Christ for the
poor, the hungry, the sick, the
lost, the friendless, the oppressed, those burdened by
unjust policies or structures, or
anyone in distress.”
Your
Board of Deacons strives to
fulfill this calling and appreciates all the good works and
assistance provided by members and friends of our congregation.
Blairstown Elementary
School first graders, along
with Food Pantry
Coordinators, Betsy Gervasi
and Erika Wulster, stocking
the Food Pantry shelves
with their donations.
Pr e s byte r ia n Wo m e n
The Presbyterian Women
are extending their offering scholarships to Camp
Johnsonburg for those interested. They will need a
letter from the campers by
May 4. There are also
2
forms to be filled out by
the parents. These can be
obtained from the church
office.
Mark your calendars for
Saturday, May 9 for a trip
to Genesis Farm! Have
breakfast at home then meet
at the Church at 8:45 AM to
car pool to the farm or meet
there at 9:00 AM (address:
41 Silver Lake Road, Blairstown). Learn the history of
Genesis Farm and take a
tour. All are welcome!
MAY 2015
S tew a r ds hip & F i na nce M in is tr y
Every month when Session
meets one of the Elders is
responsible for devotions. In
April, Chester Topolski
shared his thoughts about the
basis of faith and the choices
we make. As I sat there listening, I began to consider
what faith meant to me.
To begin we need to think
about what faith is. According to Wikipedia, faith is
defined as belief, confidence
or trust in a person, object,
religion, idea or view despite
the absence of proof. That
sounds pretty cut and dried,
but what does it really
mean? There is a reference
to faith in the Bible in Matthew 17: 20 He replied,
“Because you have so little
faith. I tell you the truth, if
you have faith as small as a
mustard seed, you can say to
this mountain, ’Move from
here to there’ and it will move.
Nothing will be impossible for
you.” So now I wonder does
that mean if I have faith the
size of a mustard seed, that I
can do anything I want?
I remember a necklace I was
given when I was about seven years old. It was a little
clear ball with a mustard
seed inside of it. I can remember feeling very special
when I was wearing it, which
was almost all the time. Did
that represent my faith at the
time? Perhaps it did. When I
was seven we lived in New-
B IB L E Q UI Z
ark NJ in what I thought was
the best place on earth. I
went to Sunday School at
Memorial Presbyterian
Church and colored some
great pictures as I learned
about Jesus. So perhaps I
was just beginning my journey with Jesus. When we
moved to North Brunswick NJ,
I attended the Reformed
Church and went to Sunday
School, Youth Group, and
church services. This church
was different than the Presbyterian church, but I still
learned about Jesus and so
my faith grew. I still had my
mustard seed.
A mustard seed is like any
other seed in that it needs to
be planted and nourished to
grow into a large tree. To me
my journey with Jesus began
in Newark going to the
church my father had attended his entire life, and learning the basis of faith. My
faith continued to grow
through my teen years as I
was confirmed and tried to
put my faith to work. In addition to the teachings of the
church, I was extremely lucky
to grow up in a family that
followed God’s teachings
and ,as they say, “practiced
what was preached”. Now,
as an adult, I find I’m growing my faith as I participate
in this church community.
So here’s my question for
you: do you practice your
faith? Does your faith grow
or is it still the size of a mustard seed? Does your faith or
lack of faith affect the decisions that you make in your
life? I would like to think that
if we all work to have our
faith grow as a tree does
from a tiny mustard seed
then we all may be able to
move mountains.
Gail Weber, Chair
Worship & Music Ministry
Don’t miss the May 3rd
stained glass celebration with
Kelly & the Perks! Community
members of all ages are welcome to attend and enjoy the
group’s alt-bluegrass, American roots music (with a gospel
influence). We will take time
to appreciate the restored
windows as they were nearly
150 years ago and enjoy the
musical contributions Kelly
Planer, Dave Coin, and Dave
Imhof – who have become
First Church favorites.
Summer is just around the
corner. Looking ahead, worship during July and August
will again be held at 9 AM in
Fellowship Hall. Watch for a
spruced-up,
more
“worshipful” look and feel to
our downstairs space this
summer.
Mark your calendars for a
community concert to com-
memorate the church’s 175th
anniversary. On Sunday, Oct.
18, world music duo Simple
Gifts will present a 3 PM
performance in the sanctuary, with a reception to follow.
Thank you to everyone who
had a part – whether large
or small – in making our Easter week services such a great
success!
Sandy Crisafulli, Chair
According to Acts 2, on Pentecost
some people accused the disciples
of being drunk. Why?
A. Because they were still asleep
at 9 in the morning.
B. Because all the wine was gone.
C. Because they were all speaking
in foreign languages.
D. All of the above.
Answer: (See Acts 2:4, 13.)
JOIN US!
Don’t miss
the May 3rd
stained glass
celebration
with Kelly &
the Perks!
3
N
ew s B its
Chr is t ia n E d M in is tr y
Youth Group
Join the Youth Group
on May 17
at Oakwood Lanes!
Everyone is welcome!
Email [email protected] for
more information.
The Youth Group hosted the
egg hunt on the 29th of
March and participated in
the Sunrise Service on Easter.
The next Youth Service is on
June 7. On May 17, they will
be going bowling (everyone
is welcome). This outing has
already been approved by
Session. The Youth Group is
looking for volunteers in the
nursery as well.
May Sunday School Dates:
May 3 Sunday School
May 10 (Mother's Day) - children will attend the
first part of the service and then do a craft in FH
May 17 Sunday School
May 24 Sunday School
May 31 Sunday School
June Sunday School Dates:
June 7 Youth Service - no Sunday School
June 14 Teacher Recognition - no Sunday School,
children will attend first part of the service and
then have activities
TIME
SNACK
NTED
A
HELP W
Recycle Used
Greeting Cards!
The Faith Works Sunday
School class will take your
used cards, separate the
fronts from the backs, and
send only the fronts of the
cards to St. Jude’s Ranch for
Children to be made into new
cards which are sold to raise
money. St. Jude’s Ranch for
Children provides services to
abused, abandoned, and
neglected children and families in Nevada and Texas. A
basket for cards is on the
communications table in
Fellowship Hall.
4
The First Presbyterian Church of Blairstown invites all children to Move, Act,
Care, Follow, and Share at G-Force: God’s Love in Action Vacation Bible
School. Explore and experience serving God and others with active love!
The fun begins August 3rd and ends August 7th from 9 AM until 11:30 AM at
the Outreach Center, 35 Main Street (next to the Blairstown Post Office).
The adventure includes music that will energize your ears, interactive Bible
fun, super science projects, cool crafts, delicious snacks, great games, and
more. To be part of excitement at G-Force Adventure Park call 908-459-9068
MAY 2015
O the r B i ts of New s
Book Club
The FPCB Book Club will meet
again on June 3 at 7:00 PM,
hosted by Betsy Gervasi, at
the home of Erika Wulster.
Our reading selection is a
mystery novel by Patricia
Hawkins: The Girl on the
Train. New members are
always welcome, please
contact Ellen Nagy with any
questions: 362-7260.
A prayer for Mom
A young boy had been misbehaving,
so his mother sent him to his room.
Sometime later, he came out and told
his mom he’d prayed about the
matter. “That’s good,” she replied.
“If you ask God for help to not
misbehave, he’ll help you.”
“Oh, I didn’t pray for help
behaving,” said the boy. “I prayed
for God to help you put up
with me.”
May 10th
5
N
ew s B its
Children’s Center Preschool &
Kindergarten has limited openings
for the September 2015 school
year.
Please call Marlene Wilburn, 908362-7887 or email: [email protected] to learn
more about the Preschool and
Kindergarten programs offered.
SAVE THE DATE:
Please join me on June 6 for
a motorcycle ride/silent auction to benefit The Puppy
Rescue Mission at Garden
State Harley Davidson, 1775
Rt. 10E, Morris Plains, NJ. The
Puppy Rescue Mission is a
5013c national charity devoted to raising funds and
assisting in rescuing the animals our military men and
women have bonded with
while serving our country in
war zones.
You do not have to ride to
come and enjoy meeting our
soldiers and the animals they
love—win a silent auction
item and meet some incredible people.
The animals in the Middle
East are considered garbage
and are treated as such. The
atrocities ISIS is committing to
people has been done to
animals for years. We cannot
leave the animals our soldiers
love behind.
Please
check
o u t 1916 or send a donation to
www.thepuppyrescuemission.org me at 21 Maines Lane, Blairand join us for a great day.
stown, NJ 07825.
For more information or to
Thank you so much,
make a donation, please
Marion Satterthwaite
contact me at (908) 362-
Local resident and church
member, Tom Cramer,
enjoying the outdoors.
Photos reprinted with
permission from the Blairstown
News facebook page
Tom Cramer has organized a fishing contest to
take place on Saturday,
May 9, from 8 AM to 4
PM at Blair Lake. A $5
donation is requested for
those ages 17–65. Prizes
& gifts awarded. There
will also be concert, service of patriotism, and a
memorial service for Ervin
“Sonny” Shipps at 2 PM in
Fellowship Hall.
6
MAY 2015
O ur Da ily Pr a ye r L is t
Christians Abroad: Our sister
church, Mathare North, Nairobi
Kenya and those living in fear
of persecution: Africa, Asia,
and the Middle East
Prayers for America:
Men and Women Serving
in the Armed Forces: Kelly
Ashton Holleran, Jeremy Britton, John Brotzman, Michael
Hudson, Matthew May, Doug
Swift
Economic Hardship: The
unemployed and those struggling financially
1
4
5
6
10
11
13
15
21
27
28
29
David Harvey
Mary Paulson
Kurt Oelschlager
Michael Nagyhetenyi
Zack Burke
Erik Wilburn
Robin Orcutt
Justin Alan Nicholls
Todd Fennell
Larry Schumacher
Jessie Wilburn
Emily Bowditch
Doug Swift
Margret Wilson
Jessica Quinn
Charlotte Sliver
Paul Chipko
Marian Hillsdon
Sarah Kapitko
Healing for Friends and
Families with:
Cancer: Sue Bailey, Maria
Bartalota, Maren Bell, Pat
Belcher, Linda Caprario,
Samantha Elwell, Dr. David,
Nancy Klock, Laura Mack,
Caitlyn McMorrow and her
family, Nathan Orsini, Ann
Porrovechio, Andrew Shan,
Robert Talmadge, and Barbara VanderHart
Illness and Injuries: Joe
Arena, Mary Artuso, Oscar
Ballestero, Isaiah Barlalotta,
Mary Ann Bausewein, Rob
Blankenhorn, Kyle Canonico,
Mary Chalito, Richard DeChiara, Rev. Dick Gibbons,
Kathy Hoyer, Don Fennell,
Rachel Fezzie, Marian and
Graham Floyd, Alan Galentine and Family, Dana Hei-
7
8
9
12
13
16
18
26
28
31
Marsha & Stephen Terwilleger
Larry & Maureen Schumacher
Jim & Chris McGrath
Gary & Lori May
Marian & Graham Hillsdon
Holly & Bill Chadwick
Cathy & Don Nicholls
Gail & Ben Weber
Betsy & Peter Peterson
Sharon & Paul Jeges
Robin & Walter Orcutt
delberger, Deb Holsten,
Marcia Kost, Erika Ohland,
Jay Ohland Jr., Bob Schmidt,
Kelsey Shingledecker, Mare
Tripp, Peggy Walters, Bryan
Wilson, David Wilson, Betty
Zenock, Audrey, Kathy Z.,
Monica, and Tracy
Prayers of Condolences:
To the family of Ernest Schuckert, cousin of Jean O’Brien
To the family and friends of
Joke VanHuisstede, a close
friend of Lola Szekula from
Holland
To the family and friends of
Lucy “Cookie” Kise
If you have an address of
someone serving in the
armed forces that might
like to receive card(s),
please forward their mailing address to the church
office so that we may publish it in our News Bits and
bulletin. Card(s) may currently be sent to:
Colonel Douglas Swift
1ECEG
Unit 61239
APO AE 09309
May 25, 2015
Is it enough to think today
Of all our brave, then put away
The thought until a year has sped?
Is this full honor for our dead?
Is it enough to sing a song
And deck a grave; and all year long
Forget the brave who died that we
Might keep our great land proud
and free?
Full service needs a greater toll,
That we who live give heart and soul
To keep the land they died to save,
And be ourselves, in turn, the brave!
—Annette Wynne
Bible Quiz Answer: C
7
N
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FIRST PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH
OF BLAIRSTOWN, NEW JERSEY
Post Office Box 385, 1 Main Street
Blairstown, NJ 07825
Church Office: 35 Main Street
Phone: (908) 362-5254 Fax: (908) 362-8060
Food Pantry: (908) 362-5769
Children’s Center: (908) 362-7887
E-mail: [email protected]
Website: fpcbnj.org
BTOGETHER
F
ound
by aith
C ale ndar of E ven ts — May 2 0 15
Sun
Mon
Tue
Wed
Thu
Fri
1
Sat
2
9:00 AM OC Girl Scouts
3
4
5
6
7
9:00 AM Choir Rehearsal
5:30 PM OC Girl Scouts 7:00 OC-W/CE
9:45 AM OC - Faith Works
8:00 PM OC-AA
10:00 AM Worship/Communion
1:30 PM OC-Knitting Group 7:00 OC-Admin
10 Mother’s Day
11
13
9:00 AM Choir Rehearsal
10:00 AM Family Worship
8:00 PM OC-AA
17
18
8:45 AM OC-Youth Group
9:00 AM Choir Rehearsal
9:45 AM OC - Faith Works
10:00 AM Worship / Baptism
June News Bits
articles due!
5:30 PM OC Girl Scouts
8:00 PM OC-AA
24
25 Memorial Day
8
9
2:00 PM at 1 Main
Concert & Service
Stained Glass Windows Dedication
9:00 AM Choir Rehearsal
9:45 AM OC - Faith Works
10:00 AM Worship
12
14
15
16
1:30 PM OC-Knitting Group
19
20
9:30 AM OC Food Pantry
21
22
23
1:30 PM OC-Knitting Group 7:00 OC-Session
26
27
28
9:00 AM OC Girl Scouts
29
30
1:30 PM OC-Knitting Group
8:00 PM OC-AA
31
9:00 AM Choir Rehearsal
9:45 AM OC - Faith Works
10:00 AM Worship / Baptism
8
CE:
Christian Ed Suite (35 Main St.)
OC: Outreach Center (35 Main St.)
FH:
Fellowship Hall (1 Main St.)