1. religion and spirituality
2. christianity

Atco Presbyterian Church
A Joyful Noise
VOLUME 5, NUMBER 5
NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2014
Pastor’s Page
ADVENT-ageous
I
t’s hard to believe it’s November already! Shouldn’t it still be summer?
Yet, that’s why we love New Jersey—the gift of the seasons; the wonderful changes in the weather: watching the leaves transform in color and
float down from the trees, raking the leaves (okay, we don’t really like that
part, but it does mean we don’t have to cut the grass anymore!), breathing
in the crisp, chilly air, then watching the first snowflakes melt onto children’s extended tongues. It’s that time of year!
There’s also the craziness that seems to define our lives during this
season: school is in full gear, your work expectations triple, sports kick in,
and preparations begin for several holidays (Halloween, Thanksgiving,
Christmas, and New Year’s). All the shopping ahead, visiting, preparing,
planning, cleaning, decorating, and yard work can be overwhelming.
DON’T LET IT BE! Refuse to miss out on the opportunities of this special
time of year—the joy, the beauty, the laughter, the worship.
Jesus is still the reason for the season. He brings meaning to everyday of our lives. He offers direction, purpose, forgiveness, and opportunities to really celebrate. DON’T MISS OUT! DON’T GET DISTRACTED
OR DISCOURAGED! Come worship and celebrate the JOY of the season!
Pastor Joe
1
The United Presbyterian
Church
2259 Atco Avenue
Atco, NJ 08004
856-767-5602
[email protected]
www.atcopres.org
Pastor
Rev. Dr. Joseph E. Beggs
Church Secretary
Kaye Abbamondi
Editor
Karyn Crislip
Mission
Knowing Christ and making
Him known.
Inside this issue:
Pastor’s Page
1
Sunday Preaching
2
Advent Schedule
2
Faith & Fellowship
2
Message From the
Corporate President
3
Deacons Report
5
Session Reports
6
Birthdays and
Anniversaries
7
Koininia Page
Insert 1
Ministries Directory
Insert 2
A JOYFUL NOISE
Sunday Preaching Calendar
Nov 23, Sun: Christmas decorating, 6:00 pm
Nov 9: Stewardship Sunday–consider what your commitment to Jesus
Christ and to His Church in this community means to you.
Nov 16: John 12:23-50 “Did you hear that?”
Nov 23: John 13:1-17 “Unless I wash you!”
Special Service
Nov 25, Tues: Thanksgiving Service, 7:30 pm
Nov 25, Tues, 7:30 pm, Thanksgiving Service.
Nov 30:
Dec 7:
Dec 14:
Dec 21:
Dec 24:
Dec 28:
Gabe says, “No Fear…Just Do it!”
Joseph: Learning to believe
Herod: Who cares about a baby?
Zedekiah: Dad was right
Christmas Eve: Light in the Darkness
One service: 10 am

Contagious Christianity
Build spiritually strategic relationships;
 Direct conversations toward
matters of faith;
 Communicate our faith and explain biblical truths in a style
that is personal and natural in
everyday language; and
 Respond to the most common
objections to Christianity.
Becoming a contagious
Christian is a proven course designed to equip believers for effective evangelism in today’s world.
Join us in Fellowship Hall downstairs.
Nov 22 Sat: Church yard work, 9
am – 12:00 noon
Going on now! Sundays at 9:45 am.
This 6-week study will help you
realize your goal to share Jesus effectively. We will learn to demonstrate a contagious Christian character as we learn how to:
2
Dec 6, Sat: Living Nativity, 7:00 –
9:00 pm
Dec 20, Sat: Christmas Variety
Show, 7:00 pm
VOLUME 5, NUMBER 5
Ongoing
(Please see the Ministries Directory for contact information for each
group. All meetings are at the
church unless otherwise indicated):
Bluebirds, last Thurs of every
month, 1:00 pm.
Chancel Choir, Thurs, 7:00 pm.
Handbell Choir, Tues, 7:00 pm.
Junior Choir, Mon, 6:30 to 7:10
pm.
Koinonia Groups, See Insert 2.
Prayer Meeting, Thurs, 7:00 pm.
Praise Dancers, Tues, 6:00 pm.
Youth Group, every 1st and 3rd
Tues, 6:30 pm.
Women’s Circle of Friends, 4th
Tues of each month, 12 noon at
Ocean’s Restaurant in West Berlin.
Bluebirds
As this issue of the newsletter is
printed, we will be preparing a little
pre-Christmas bazaar in conjunction
with a western Ho-down, an evening of fun and music. Soon we will
be compiling a list of shut-ins to
remember at Christmas as we try to
bring a smile to those in need of a
little cheer.
If you haven’t come across
it, yet, we have note paper with a
lovely picture of our church as it
looks today. It makes a nice little
gift. See any Bluebird.
As always, we urge you to
join us. The ladies meet on the last
Thursday of the month at 1:00 pm
at the church. Look for changes in
times during the holidays.
We are always glad to see
new faces and look forward to using
new ideas to further the message of
cheer.
Jean McDowell
Message From the
President
Sunday Schedule
Contemporary Worship Service:
Do not be conformed to this world,
but be transformed by the renewing
of your mind. (Romans 12:2)
Have you noticed how committed
the people are who do not believe in
God and the gift of Jesus? Atheists
and those subscribing to many of
the far out religions take great
pleasure in distorting the Holy Bible and what it says. The world
hides the aggressiveness of the
Muslims in their quest to stamp out
Christians. We are told to be tolerant. We are told to not acknowledge
Jesus in the public forum while we
are asked to accept and be
“tolerant” of any other beliefs.
The greatest threat is to our
children. They view programs that
celebrate alternative lifestyles as
being normal, while promoting unGodly family and personal values.
Many of their textbooks are tilted
toward what is now being called the
“Progressive”
viewpoint.
And
worse, we are told that our beliefs
promote hatred. Today’s colleges
follow the “Progressive” focus by
promoting the feel good approach
to how to live. They teach that
“you are entitled” to certain things
even if you did not work for them.
This world has targeted our next
generations. Their greatest tool is to
mis-quote the Bible, question its
authority, or pretend that the Bible
is no longer relevant.
The verse above from Romans tells us not to accept what this
world tells us but to work at renewing our minds. You and your children cannot be misled if you have
an understanding of what the Bible
actually says. I thank God that we
3
8:15 am
Traditional Worship Service:
11:00 am
Sunday School:
9:45 am
_________
Summer Schedule:
Contemporary Worship Service:
Thursday, 7:30 pm
Traditional Worship Service:
Sunday, 10:00 am
A JOYFUL NOISE
are a Bible-preaching and Bibleteaching church. Through our Kononia groups and Sunday school
classes, we are making a strong effort to help everyone learn what the
Bible says to renew and enhance our
level of Bible knowledge.
As parents, we have an obligation to ensure that each of us and
our children have a firm foundation
in God’s Word. If you and your
family know the Word, no one will
be able to fool you into accepting
false doctrine.
Bible study must become a
part of our daily activities, followed
by weekly reinforcement during our
worship services. May God continue
to bless you and your family.
Anthony L. Clark
Looking After You
How wonderful to know that Jesus
is always there for you! How would
you like to be His helper? Maybe
He is using you to bring someone
else into the light of His love. Remember that lady who used to sit
next you in church? She hasn’t been
out lately. If you can’t remember
her name, find her picture in the
directory and give her a call. Who
knows? He does!
Jean McDowell
Deacons Report
Recently, the deacons took over our
Sunday services to present the various activities that we are involved
with during the year. The fall season is already upon us and soon we
will be busier than ever preparing
for Thanksgiving and then Christmas. As always, we appreciate your
generous contributions to our food
bank and other requests along the
way.
Jean McDowell
Worship Committee
I hope you see the Lord at work in
our church. I hope you feel His
presence in our worship services.
Singing praises to our Creator, praying together with our church family,
sitting with a quiet heart, and listening to the Word of God being
preached by Pastor Joe all create a
beautiful atmosphere of worship! The people we worship next to
week in and week out are our family. The visitors or guests walking
through the doors of our church for
the first time are potential family
members. Let's do our best to make
them feel welcomed. Let's do our
best to help them to feel the Lord's
presence in our services!
Coming up, we have Stewardship Sunday on November 9th.
It’s a good time to start praying
about your commitment to the
church. We will have our Thanksgiving service on Tuesday, November 25th, at 7:30 pm. This service is
always a special time of giving
thanks to God for His many blessings. Come out and be uplifted, especially if you have never been to
the Thanksgiving service before! The service on November 30th
will be a “Church Family Day” service and will start at 10:00
4
am. Before the service, the Youth
Group will host a fund raising
breakfast at 8:30 am downstairs in
Fellowship Hall. This service will
start the first week of Advent. Wow, Christmas is coming
already! Speaking of Christmas, our
10th annual Christmas Variety Show
will be held on Saturday, December
20th, at 7:00 pm. Be sure to mark
your calendars! This is one event
you don't want to miss! Look for a
signup sheet in the near future and
showcase your God-given talents.
The Solid Grounds Coffeehouse will be held on Friday, November 7th, the first Friday of the
month, downstairs in Fellowship
Hall. We had over 30 people come
out to the October Solid Grounds
Coffeehouse. Praise God! If you
haven't been out yet or if you haven't attended in a while be sure to
come out to this casual, relaxed
time of worship. Bring a friend,
too!
VOLUME 5, NUMBER 5
One of the strongest needs
we have in church right now is for
volunteers to help in the nursery
during the 11:00 am service. There
are currently only about 4 volunteers helping in the nursery—we
need more help! Many new families
with young children have been
coming to both the 8:15 am and
11:00 am services. What a blessing!
We want to keep them coming back
and allow them to worship God by
providing a reliable nursery schedule. Sara has no problem finding
volunteers for the 8:15 am service.
(Thank you, volunteers!) We need
more help during the 11:00 am service, however. Even if you can only commit to twice a year, that will
still be a huge help. Even if your
children are grown and out of the
home, this is a selfless service to
our church and to the families with
children. If you can help out, please
contact or see Sara Troendle.
Worship Committee meets
the 3rd Monday of the month at 8:00
am at church. Come out and attend
a meeting. See how you can get involved in your worship services! You make this church amazing! Thank you for allowing me to
serve Christ and our church.
Chris Troendle
Faithful Stewardship
The leaves are turning beautiful
colors and falling, clocks are turning back, and it is time to set our
sights on 2015. This year has been a
challenging year for our church financially. We are, however, beginning to be able to meet our operating budget. A prayerful thank you
goes out to all the members and
attendees of our faithful church.
This coming year, the focus
of the Stewardship Committee is
faithfulness. Faithfulness is primar-
Youth Group
ily honesty and dependability. Honesty in our relationship with God
and dependability is in our commitments. God has given each of us
gifts and talents to be used faithfully by us for His glory. It is by faith
that we receive these gifts and it is
our responsibility to always do our
best with them to honor God. Being
honest and dependable is what is
expected of Christians. We are to be
the light in the midst of darkness.
As this light, we are called to honor
God in all we do. Being honest with
God will make us honest in all
walks of our lives. When we make a
commitment, we need to follow
through to the end, to be like Samuel. This year, step out in faith and
pledge from your heart for God,
then make it your goal to meet that
commitment to the best of your
ability.
Our annual Stewardship
Dinner and Commitment Sunday
are on November 9th. The dinner is
“pot luck” and will begin at 5:45
pm. Look for a sign-up list and prepare your favorite dish to share.
Let’s make 2015 a year that
we can say we all have done our
best for God, our church, and our
community. Let’s pray that it will
be a year in which our faithfulness
will have an impact all around us,
showing God's love and the light of
Christ in all we do.
Susan Sinelnik
5
Youth group is under way and we
are so excited by the number of
youth we have coming out on a regular basis. We kicked off the year
with a bonfire movie night. We all
enjoyed watching the movie God's
Not Dead. What a great message
and if you haven't seen this movie I
highly recommend it. We will be
gearing up for our Midwinter Advance (Keswick) trip. That means
that we will be fundraising to help
cut the cost, so look for our upcoming fundraisers in the bulletin and
our weekly announcements. One of
our big fundraisers this year will be
a youth-sponsored breakfast that
will take place November 30th at
our family service. We also updated
our youth group Facebook page.
We will posting pictures, videos,
and announcements there. “Friend”
us at Atco Pres Youth Group!
If you know of any youth
who don't attend our group, please
don't hesitate to give them our contact information and encourage
them to reach out to us. We have a
lot of fun in our group meetings and
special events, and we would love
to share the fun and our love for our
Lord and Savior with new members.
We meet every other Tuesday from 6:30 to 8:00 pm. Please
feel free to contact me at
A JOYFUL NOISE
[email protected] (856-2201522) or Amy Troendle at [email protected]
(856-2178514).
Greg Schipske
Missions Committee
The goal of missions is to reach out
and impact the world for Jesus.
Praise God that we have the ability
to serve Him. It takes no special
talent to serve. He only asks that we
have a willing heart. As we look
throughout the Bible, most of those
who served also felt they did not
have the necessary skills required to
do the job, but they stepped out in
faith. Faith as small as a mustard
seed is all that we need to accomplish the mission He sets before us.
A mustard seed is pretty small,
when you think of all that God has
provided for you, taken you
through, and healed you from.
When you think of all that you have
seen Him do--His great creation and
all that is within it. All that He asks
is that when He says to us “follow
Me” we just need to have a tiny
speck of faith to follow and do what
He asks. We know that when we
follow Him, all will work out for
our good. We know this because of
His promises and because of our
experiences in life.
So, will you step out in
faith? Will you trust that He called
you and thus will give you all that
you need to accomplish the mission? Do you know that you are a
light upon a hill that cannot be hidden? There are people out there
who need your light. They are lost
in the darkness. They are crying out
for help.
Let’s start the day with an
earnest prayer, asking God to give
us a heart of compassion, eyes that
see, and ears that hear. Then ask
Him to use you. A world of help
can start with a sincere “How are
you?” “Are you alright?” “You look
like you need to talk. What’s going
on?” When you get the “I’m fine”
response, ask “Are you sure you’re
fine? I’m here if you change your
mind.” You’ll be surprised what
people will share and even more
surprised how you can help them.
There are other ways to
reach out. Look for the 2014 Giving
Catalog. There will be copies available on the round table near the
front door. Please pick a gift/
blessing to give to those in need.
Use the envelope provided in the
Giving Catalog and place it in the
offering plate. There is no deadline
as there are always needs.
Coming up, let’s go out to
the community. If you’d like to go
out on a Saturday and distribute free
food to those in need, please contact
me. Here are the details. We will
need food donations as well as donations of your time. We will go out
in the church bus and distribute the
food to people in different areas.
We need people and food or funds
6
for food. If you’re interested in
helping, contact me via email
([email protected]) or call
856-516-0497 and leave a message.
Cheryl Nduati
Meet Our New
Members!
Gillian Henry
Husband: James; Daughter:
Scarlett
215 Lakeshore Drive
Marlton, NJ 08053
410-615-4467
[email protected]
Occupation: Retail Buyer.
Hobbies: Gardening, cooking,
crafts
Fran Ewan
Husband: Gene
401 Church Street
Atco, NJ 08004
856-753-0130
[email protected]
Occupation: Retired Nurse
Hobbies: Walking, painting,
singing, playing organ
VOLUME 5, NUMBER 5
Paula Wojciechowski
Greg Muhs
Jay Sorge
Adam Troendle
Linda Richardson
Toni Clark
Rob Bealer
Rich Brimfield
Cole Fallon
Don Russo
Matt Sorge
Travis Vanacker
Norma Cook
John Zahoroiko
Nancy Welsh
Jean McDowell
Lilly Sinelnik
Ed Nachman
Michelle Rowley
Kaye Abbamondi
Mary Nachman
Cara Milner
Rena Milner
Jackie Chapline
Vera Rushton
Margie Smith
11/1/xxxx
11/1/1963
11/2/1977
11/3/1982
11/4/1952
11/5/1946
11/5/1977
11/6/1976
11/6/2003
11/7/1958
11/8/1982
11/10/1984
11/11/1929
11/11/1951
11/13/xxxx
11/14/1929
11/18/1985
11/21/1978
11/22/xxxx
11/23/1957
11/24/1977
11/24/2012
11/24/2012
11/27/1966
11/30/1931
11/30/1951
Marge McKelvey
Don Harbert
Tim Beggs
Ann Nduati
Kristi Clark
June Hale
Martha DeAntonellis
John Rowley
Judi Tapper
Vince DelMonte
Bill Shinn
Boston DellaVecchia
Jenny Gameron
Ryan McGuckin
Susan Rowand
Jennifer Miller
Nichole Bealer
Jackie Evans
12/4/1948
12/5/1933
12/5/1990
12/5/1993
12/6/1981
12/6/2008
12/7/1943
12/8/1942
12/9/1939
12/10/1991
12/10/1960
12/11/2009
12/11/1932
12/11/1981
12/12/1964
12/20/1979
12/21/1977
12/22/1980
Wendy Shinkarow
Heather Crump
Jordan Ciooco
Tara Ferguson
Amy Troendle
Sandy Russell
Daniel Watson
Bill Baker
Jean Shockley
Carol Ranck
Todd Crump
Ronald Ranck
Caroline Steer
Shawn Reynolds
Jim Shockley
Weston Schneider
Josh Abbamondi
Jeff Erbig
12/22/1989
12/22/1994
12/22/1998
12/23/2000
12/24/1986
12/24/1942
12/24/2004
12/25/1932
12/27/1939
12/27/1948
12/27/1963
12/27/1968
12/27/1978
12/28/1970
12/28/1932
12/29/2011
12/31/1982
12/31/1982
John and Colleen Rucci 11/1/1997
Nick & Monica Batastini 11/1/2008
Chad & Alicia Regn
11/7/xxxx
Lee Ann and Greg Gallaher11/19/1968
Al and Donna Christy
11/22/1992
Russ and Carol Ranck
11/23/1968
Ron and Fran Webb
Bob and Marge Pasternak
Sue and Alex Sinelnik
Bob and Carol Iles
Gary and Brenda Rushton
7
12/12/1987
12/14/1968
12/22/1979
12/30/1967
12/30/1995
The Atco United Presbyterian Church
2259 Atco Avenue
Atco, NJ 08004
NONPROFIT ORG.
U.S. POSTAGE
PAID
CHERRY HILL NJ
PERMIT NO. 84
Current Resident or
8
Koinonia Groups
With the new season under way, why not resolve to join a Koinonia group this year? Our Koinonia (which means
“Fellowship”) ministry is designed to help us grow spiritually no matter where we are in our walk with the Lord. It is
in small groups like these where we can experience tremendous growth in our faith, trust, and knowledge of the Jesus
Christ. Make it a point this month to earnestly set out to seek the Lord, grow in the knowledge of His Word, and
deepen your relationship with Him and with others in the church. Jeremiah 29:13 says, “You will seek me and find
Me when you seek me with all of your heart”.
(Please see below for a list of groups, what they are studying, the leaders, contact info. and where they meet.
Please call Jeff Erbig at 856-566-0377 or e-mail him at [email protected] if you would like more information or
are interested in starting a new group.
DAY
TIME
GROUP
MONDAY
(Every - beginning 9/8)
7:00 PM
GOD’S AWESOME
PEOPLE
WEDNESDAY
(Every)
9:30 AM
WED. A.M. BIBLE
STUDY
WEDNESDAY
(1st & 3rd, beginning 9/17)
7:00 PM
THE GOD SQUAD
WEDNESDAY
(Every-beginning
9/24)
7:00 PM
WEDNESDAY
(1st & 3rd)
7:00 PM
FRIDAY
(2nd & 4th, beginning 9/26)
6:30 PM
SATURDAY
(Every)
11:00 AM
SISTERS IN CHRIST
KINDRED SPIRITS
JOSHUA’S TREE
GOD’S WORD
STUDY
“CRAZY LOVE”
LEADERS
HOSTS
CHRIS TROENDLE
(609) 707-6109
KRISTI CLARK
(609) 519-7665
CHRIS & SARA
TROENDLE
“DAVID - A MAN OF
PASSION & DESTINY”
(New, beginning 11/12)
PASTOR JOE
(856) 767-5602
DOWNSTAIRS
YOUTH ROOM IN
CHURCH
“1 & 2 TIMOTHY, TITUS, PHILEMON”
DON & MARY
HARBERT
(856) 767-5807
DAVE & BEV
THOMPSON
PAULA
WOJCIECHOWSKI
CINDY MCBRIDE
(856) 767-4799
IRENE BORELLI
(856) 340-9331
DOLLYLICCESE
“LOVED BY GOD”
“TBA”
“JAMES: HOW FAITH
WORKS”
“THE JOURNEY NUMBERS”
SATURDAY
(TBA)
10:00 AM
DAUGHTERS OF
THE KING
“TBA”
SUNDAY
Every, beginning
9/7)
9:45 A.M.
WISDOM SEEKERS
“FIVE THINGS GOD
USES TO GROW
YOUR FAITH”
9
(MARLTON)
(Child care provided)
(MARLTON LAKES)
(ATCO)
(MARLTON)
SUE SINELNIK
(856) 768-3697
RON WEBB
(856) 728-9777
ROB CAVALLARO
JEFF & KAREN
ERBIG
(856) 566--0377
JEFF & KAREN
ERBIG
ANN MARIE DICROCE
(856) 767-5525
MARIA
DISCIULLO
(609) 605-1494
ANN MARIE DICROCE (ATCO)
PASTOR JOE
(856) 767-5602
ROOM IN BACK OF
SANCTUARY
(ATCO)
BILL ZOPPEL
(MARLTON)
(PINE HILL)
(Children Friendly)
DOWNSTAIRS
IN THE CHURCH
Ministries Directory
Bluebirds
Jean McDowell
856-767-0438
Bowling League
Don Harbert
856-767-5807
[email protected]
Chancel Choir
Patrick Riley
609-567-3927
[email protected]
Christ Chimers Handbell Choir
Patrick Riley
609-567-3927
[email protected]
Junior Choir
Gail DelMonte
856-767-2623
[email protected]
Kononia Groups
Jeff Erbig (Director)
856-566-0377
[email protected]
Men’s Fellowship
Pastor Joe
856-767-5602
[email protected]
Praise Dancers
Karen Erbig
856-566-0377
[email protected]
Carol Ranck
856-767-5251
[email protected]
Second Chapter
Sandy Russell
856-767-4444
[email protected]
BOARD OF DEACONS:
Moderator
Jean McDowell
856-767-0438
Bereavement
Lorean Foster
856-768-3745
Patrick Riley
609-513-3505
[email protected]
Food Bank
Budget and Finance
Buildings & Grounds
John Sachs
856-582-7764
Johnsachs_homeimp@ verizon.net
Christian Education
Tony Clark
856-768-1486
[email protected]
Church Life & Fellowship
Bev Thompson
856-767-9029
[email protected]
Denise Sachs
856-582-7764
Michelle Rowley
856-768-2987
Holiday Baskets
Amelia Meyer
856-740-1086
[email protected]
Honey Brogden
856-767-9274
[email protected]
Missions
Cheryl Nduati
609-725-2926
[email protected]
Judi Tapper
856-809-0790
[email protected]
LAY Ministry
Jean McDowell
856-767-0438
Nurture
Jeff Erbig
856-566-0377
[email protected]
Special Projects
Anna Moore
856-627-2279
[email protected]
Transportation
Carol Ranck
856-767-5251
[email protected]
Treasurer
Sara Troendle
609-417-5098
[email protected]
Visitation
Vacation Bible School (VBS)
Gail Del Monte
767-2623
[email protected]
Jean Shockley
856-767-0167
Marge Regan
856-767-2970
[email protected]
Women’s Circle of Friends
Mary Harbert
856-767-5807
SESSION OF ELDERS:
Clerk
Michelle Gameron
856-768-5511
[email protected]
10
Outreach & Discipleship
Gary Rushton
856-782-0766
[email protected]
Stewardship
Sue Sinelnik
856-768-3697
[email protected]
Sunday School Superintendent
Holly Reynolds
856-809-0560
[email protected]
Worship
Chris Troendle
609-707-6109
[email protected]
Youth Group
Grades 3 and up
Greg Schipske, Elder and Leader
856-768-2545
[email protected]
Assistant Leaders:
Amy Schipske and Amy Troendle