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The Weekly + Thursday, December 18, 2014
We are an Open and Affirming & Just Peace congregation welcoming
all of God’s children into our community of faith.
Cresskill Congregational Church, UCC
85 Union Avenue
Cresskill, NJ 07626
201.568.0608
[email protected]
www.cresskillucc.org
www.facebook.com/cresskillucc
Dear Members and Friends —
This is one of my favorite times of the year. I realize
that a part of me is sad because most of my most beloved
family members have long since passed. But their spirits of
love and joy are with me—and I can feel them. In a way, I
am celebrating their memories as they are tied to my festive
feelings this season.
For others, this season isn’t so joyful and filled with
Christmas fun. And yet, from what we hear on the
television, radio, and streaming through our Internet Spotify
account are songs and words filled with what may feel like
forced joy—as if the feelings of Christmas are manufactured to help sell us presents, to
buy stuff, and feed our economy. From everything from Santa’s presence on a plethora
of car commercials to the toys advertized in practically every mailing sent to us, in all
these ways it might feel that our emotions are being toyed with (pun intended).
As we know, this season is about more than that. It is about Jesus and the
retelling of the Christian story. It is about hope and expectation; it is about looking
forward to Jesus’ return as much as it is a celebration that he already arrived (albeit 2,000
years ago). This season, chock full of music, carols, and Christmas nativity scenes isn’t
meant to force an emotion on us, but rather to remember how much God loves us and
how that love is realized in the person and promise of Jesus Christ.
I love the story of Jesus even if sometimes it’s tough to explain to others what that
might look like. I am reminded of a story I recently read that might illustrate my point.
Nancy Ortberg tells an honest story about learning the importance of letting our words be
loving, when one time her words were far from it. She explains her story.
I needed to do some last minute Christmas shopping but was having difficulty
finding a parking space. I finally spotted an old couple walking very slowly to
their car. I thought, ‘If I can follow them down the aisle and wait for them to get
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into their car, that parking space will be mine!’ So I waited patiently with my
blinker on.
The couple put their gifts in the trunk, and he opened the door for his wife. I
thought, ‘This is no time for chivalry. Get in the car and go!’
They pulled out slowly, and as I was ready to turn in, a beat-up old van pulled in
front of me and stole my space. I got out of my car and had a chat with the driver.
Had my mother been there, she would have washed my mouth out with soap. I
chatted with such interesting words that he backed out of the parking space.
I felt good initially. I thought, ‘I’m good. I stood up for my rights. I’m pretty
feisty.’ But then the verse came into my head that says, ‘The things that come out
of the mouth come from the heart, and these make a person ‘unclean’ (Matthew
15:18).
What Nancy learned is how her words can be either loving or hateful and she
realized that in this instance they were hateful. Being reminded that we are to love one
another with our words and our works is important and helps to demonstrate how we
apply this season to our lives. We can look at it as a seasonal reminder of the importance
of God’s love.
One way we can apply the love of God is by hearing it when others sing about it.
This coming Sunday, we’re going to hear our choir perform particular selections from
Benjamin Britten’s work titled, A Ceremony of Carols. In it, we’ll be reminded of God’s
love for us in both the choral anthems and the Scripture. As we listen, let us be mindful
of the ways we can relate God’s love to others and how we can live the love that is
available to all who call upon the name of Jesus.
See you on Sunday,
Yours in Christ,
the Rev. Dr. David C. Bocock, Pastor
Community News + Events
The church office hours are Monday through Thursday, 10:00 AM - 5:00 PM. If you
would like to speak with the pastor at a different time, he is available by appointment.
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Facebook Church is an online faith study and liturgy. Every Wednesday by 12:00 Noon,
a new liturgy is uploaded for your faith journey. It is a time of spiritual refreshment.
You are encouraged to participate at your leisure.
Choir Rehearsal is held every Tuesday evening at 7:30 PM and Sunday morning at 9:00
AM. If you would like to sing in our choir, please contact Julie Schmidt or Cheryl
Woertz.
There will be a meeting of the Board of Deacons on Sunday, December 21 at 11:30 AM
in the Virla Room. It’ll be a quick meeting as we review our Christmas Eve service
responsibilities.
The remaining Advent season schedule is as follows:
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Friday, Dec 19 at 12:00 PM, Ladies Aid Luncheon
Sunday, Dec 21 at 10:00 AM, Carols of Christmas Service
Wednesday, Dec 24 at 7:00 PM, Christmas Eve Service
The Ladies Aid Society annual Christmas party luncheon will be held at Griffin’s in
Cresskill on Friday, December 19 at 12:00 Noon.
This all inclusive lunch with choice of a delicious
entrée is available for $25.00. Please bring a $10
grab bag gift to partake in the festivities. A sign-up
sheet is available in the Social Hall and all questions
can be directed to Barbara Emer at 201-266-4239.
This year the Board of Outreach is sponsoring our annual Coat Drive. We will be
collecting clean and gently used coats to be donated to various charities around the
community. We will be collecting them through January 31. We will donate them
several times between now and the end of January. Look for the coat bin in the Social
Hall.
If you are interested in promoting your Church event or project to the community
through local newspapers, feel free to contact Carole Lotito, using our new online PR
Request Form. The link is also posted on our website. http://bit.ly/CresskillUCCPR.
Carole will create a flyer (and send you the file), register your event on MyBergen.com
and NorthJersey.com (and other sites where appropriate), and/or create and distribute a
press release based on your request.
Please continue to submit your internal promotion requests (CUCC website,
newsletter, bulletin, Facebook) to Theresa Muti. More comfortable with a pen and paper?
Hard copies of the PR Request Form are available in the church office. Please complete
and mail to Carole Lotito, 67 Pierce Avenue, Cresskill, NJ, 07626. To speak with Carole
directly, please call (201) 294-7309.
One ministry we provide is to offer you the opportunity to bring one can of food per
person every Sunday to be donated to the Cresskill Food Pantry, which benefits nearly
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50 families in our borough of Cresskill who are in need of assistance. You can bring in
your donations to the church during the week or on Sunday. John and Dot Pontician take
the donations to the pantry at the beginning of every week.
THIS COMING SUNDAY
You are invited to join us for worship and a special presentation of carols on December
21, 2014 at 10:00 AM. Our choir will be performing Benjamin Britten's Closer to God:
Selections from his Ceremony of Carols. This is a musical performance and offering to
God you won't want to miss!
COFFEE HOUR
Following our morning service, you are invited to get acquainted and catch up with new
and old friends alike during our Coffee Hour. If you would like to help serve and provide
light refreshments during our time of fellowship, please locate the signup sheet in the
Social Hall.
Joys + Concerns of the Congregation
Starting your day with a prayerful devotion can provide added
spiritual strength for what lies ahead. We recommend
the daily devotions found online at the UCC's Daily devotional
webpage.
Every Sunday morning, we collect prayer requests and lift
them up during the service. We also post those requests here
including their name, for you to pray for them.
If you would like to submit a prayer request now, you may send an email to Pastor Bo at
[email protected] and it will be posted shortly.
These prayers are posted as of December 18, 2014.
Please pray for:
General prayers of faith and well-being
Praising God for Larry Bischoff being cancer free!
The family and friends of Bari Moscitti, who passed away
The family and friends of Ralph Werner who passed away
Peace for Kathleen Lewendowski as her life's end draws near
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Margaret Brenneiser who is moving to a new home.
Judy Russell
Nellie Hutchinson
Charmaine, whose husband recently passed away
Marcia and Alicia Hartkopp-Ross
Thanks for Joel Rosenkrantz on his new job!
John Russell
The folks in Ferguson, MO that they may find peace & justice
The family and friends of Christine Donovan who passed away
The family and friends of Faye Viner who passed away
The family and friends of James Blasi, Sr. who passed away
Jeff, Donna, Morgan, Allie, and Harper
Safe travels for Cory's cousin Joni
An easy transition for Joni back into life
The family and friends of Andy, who passed away
For Sam who is personally morning Andy's loss
Safe Travels for Anita and Bob Zimmerman
Beverly Noble who is mourning the loss of her son, Tad
Don Crabtree to let go of his fears
Philip McLendon
Bless our country and our leaders.
Robert Smith
The Kassing family as they deal with familial mental illness
Those who struggle with addictions that they won't give up
Health & Healing
Axa Duran's medical issues
Ed Minkler for peace during cancer treatment
William and Lynn Roettger recovering from their surgeries
Michael Miller for insightful decision-making
The Franco family
John, Nicole, and Will Marshall for healing and peace
Comfort and recovery for Robert O'Dell
Ed Walsh, suffering from a stroke
Healing for Pastor Bo's atrial flutter
Luke, a 3 year old fighting cancer
Opal Horvat
April
Shane Lee Rivera
Marti Conklin
Baby Gregory, who is having surgery this week
Gloria and her nephew, both diagnosed with cancer
Jonathan for healing from many illnesses
Walter Halden, with kidney stones
Tom O'Brien, with health concerns
John Pontician
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Joanne Maneri who is having surgery
Tatiana Logan
Samantha Zimmerman, healing from hip surgery
Lisa Pontician, healing from thyroid surgery
Gloria Hermo, healing from a herniated disc
Devotion + News + Tidbits
UCC Daily Devotion
from http://www.ucc.org/feed-your-spirit/daily-devotional/
None like You
December 18, 2014
By Anthony B. Robinson
"In this is your greatness, Lord God, there is none like you . . . ." - 2 Samuel 7:22
This verse is part of a prayer of David somewhere in the midst of his great run from
giant-slayer to king. Praising God, David says, "There is none like you," no other god
like you.
Is that just holy hyperbole, something that all people declare of their deity, something
each religion says of its god? (After all, who wants a god that's like all the others?)
Maybe, but remember David's story. He was the last kid picked for the team. In fact,
when the team gathered for pre-game warm-ups he was nowhere to be found. He was
down on the back forty mucking the sheep while his older, smarter, bigger, stronger
brothers were under review by the coach, a.k.a. God's prophet, Samuel.
But after Samuel had looked over all the big, strong, smart and most-likely-to-succeed, he
asked father Jesse, "Do you have any other sons?" "Well, yes," said Jesse, "there is one,
the youngest, he's small, out with the sheep." "Bring him," said Samuel.
"This is the one," said God to Samuel. "Anoint him."
How odd is this God! (I'm reminded of Walt Breuggemann's remark that "The strangest
thing about the Bible is God.")
To say "none like you" is not just saying, "you're the best." It is also saying, "God, you
never cease to surprise us. You never cease to do things in unexpected ways, through
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unexpected people. Just when we think we have you figured out, you surprise us once
again.
You come to us as a completely vulnerable, flesh-and-blood baby who is born, not in the
right neighborhood, but in the wrong one, and who is born not to the perfect family, but
to a—well—different kind of family, in a different kind of way . . . and yet it is all
perfect, just perfect.
God you are odd. There is none like you. Thanks be to God.
Prayer
Keep surprising me God, keep coming in ways and people I don't expect. Amen.
About the Author
Tony Robinson, a United Church of Christ minister, is a speaker, teacher, and writer. His
newest book is Called to Lead: Paul’s Letters to Timothy for a New Day. You can read
Tony's "Weekly Meditation" and "What's Tony Thinking?" at his website,
www.anthonybrobinson.com.
Finding hope and unity in a weekend call for action
Written by Anthony Moujaes
December 16, 2014
UCC members among the many people of faith, lining up along 16th Street in
Washington, D.C. Photo by Sandy Sorensen.
As tens of thousands lined up and marched the streets in Washington, D.C. this
weekend—the latest witness by people of faith following the deaths of African
Americans at the hands of white police officers—United Church of Christ minister the
Rev. Sid Fowler recognized something powerful was happening.
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It was a reminder that even in moments of grief, light finds a way to shine through.
"The people in the march were people of all kinds of color, and we were observing on
how there was incredible hope," said Fowler, pastor of First Congregational UCC in
Washington, D.C. "In spite of the pain and people holding up signs, 'Black Lives Matter,'
there is hope.
"Something is breaking through."
The nation's capital has been the center of public demonstrations about police shootings,
school shootings and calls to address racism and gun violence in the last few days. Tens
of thousands rallied during several events this weekend, beginning on Friday, Dec. 12,
with the "Not a Protest, But a Promise" candlelight vigil that stretched 6.5 miles along
16th Street. The vigil was a response to recent grand jury decisions in New York City and
Ferguson, Mo., where police officers killed Eric Garner and Michael Brown, but were not
indicted.
"It was an amazing weekend in terms of clarity and commitment of our congregation,"
said Fowler. About 30 members of First Church took part Friday in the candlelight vigil.
"We were all along 16th Street and it was powerful, in terms of talking to people along
the street and in traffic, in a call to work against racism," Fowler said. "An incredible
moment."
UCC members line up along 16th Street in Washington, D.C.
A day later, on Dec. 13, crowds of people from across the country gathered for Saturday's
"Justice for All March," where thousands stood with the families of Brown, Garner,
Tamir Rice of Cleveland and Akai Gurley, four black males—ranging in age from 12 to
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43—killed by police in the past half-year. Buses brought participants to the District,
including a group of almost 60 people from the Michigan Conference of the UCC, and a
busload from Cleveland, on hand to protest Rice's death. The 12-year old was shot by a
police officer who saw the child carrying a pellet gun in public.
"We're hoping this energizes and motivates us to go home and make changes in our own
neighborhoods," said the Rev. Michele Humphrey, pastor of Imani UCC in Cleveland,
who attended with members of her church.
On Sunday, some of the attention focused on the second anniversary of the shooting at
Sandy Hook Elementary as faith communities took on the issue of violence from a
different angle.
The National Gun Violence Prevention Sabbath weekend has been a cornerstone in the
national conversation about gun violence, and, in particular, what people of faith can do
to prevent it. The interfaith event is usually observed in March, but was moved to
December to commemorate the anniversary of the Newtown, Conn., elementary school
shooting on Dec. 14, 2012.
"After Newtown, many across our nation—politicians as well as average citizens—said
that things must change, that it is no longer tolerable to live in a nation that averages 3 to
10 times the number of gun deaths per capita than every other developed country in the
world," said the Rev. Matt Crebbin, pastor of Newtown Congregational UCC in
Newtown, Conn. "And yet, many mass shootings and thousands of gun deaths later, not
one significant piece of gun safety legislation has passed Congress."
"We can quickly and effectively reduce the plague of gun violence in our midst," Crebbin
said. "The collective health of all our people requires more from our leaders and from us.
May all of us find the compassion, wisdom and courage to take the steps needed to bring
healing to our nation."
Fowler believes that the faith community as a whole must lead the way in ending issues
of race and violence, and pointed to the rallies this weekend as examples.
"Look at the vigil. To plan it was very fast, but there was agreement from all faith
communities to come together," he said. "The next steps, whatever they are, are pulling
communities of faith together for partnership and action."
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'It Meets My Needs' and Other Bad Reasons for Choosing a
Church | Not all reasons for choosing a church are created equal.
By Aaron Loy
December 11, 2014
Aaron is a husband, dad, church planter, coffee addict, insatiable learner and chronic
dreamer. He's the founding pastor of Mosaic Lincoln. You can find more of his writing on
his blog or on Twitter.
Like many in my generation, I’ve done some moving around and with each new move
I’ve had to begin the difficult process of searching for a new church home. If you’re like
most, a day is coming when you too will be on the search for a new church to call home.
When that day comes, you may want to think twice before using these all-too-common
reasons for making your choice:
1. “The Pastor is Really Good.”
Perhaps no other man apart from Jesus has had a bigger influence on the church than
Paul. But here’s the thing: neither you nor I would have been a big fan of his preaching
style. Paul had a reputation for being unimpressive in person and giving contemptible
sermons (2 Corinthians 10:10). One sermon in particular was so bad it lulled a
parishioner to sleep who then fell out the window to his death (Acts 20:9).
Needless to say, if he were still alive today, Paul would probably not be a staple on your
podcast feed. He wouldn’t be invited to speak at your favorite Christian conference. Most
large churches probably wouldn’t even consider hiring him for a teaching pastor position.
This is the same guy God chose to preach before dignitaries and kings, to plant churches,
and write much of the New Testament. Apparently God has very different criteria than
we do.
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If your primary goal is to be entertained, follow an entertaining pastor. If your primary
goal is to know Jesus, follow a pastor who can lead you to the throne. If you don’t know
how to assess which is which, ask yourself whether people walk away from the worship
gathering thinking, “Wow, that pastor is good,” or “Wow, our God is good.” Few people
would have said the first statement about Paul’s preaching, but many thousands
experienced the second as a result of his ministry.
2. “The Doctrine is Spot On.”
Is theology important? You bet it is, but what a church believes is not necessarily
reflected by its name, affiliations or statement of faith. If you want to know what a church
really believes, pay attention to how its people live.
They say they believe in a God who cares about the oppressed? Pay attention to who they
advocate for. They say they believe in the great commission? Watch how willing they are
to inconvenience themselves to see it fulfilled. They say they believe in grace? Watch
how they treat others, particularly those they disagree with.
By all means, weigh with serious consideration what a church believes before calling it
home. Just don’t look exclusively to a formal statement to tell you what that is.
3. “They Have a Great Kids’ Ministry.”
As a dad of three, I can fully appreciate the importance of taking kids into consideration
when choosing a church home. But let’s get something painfully clear: pastoring your
kids is your job. You can’t outsource that. It is your most important vocation, and no
church or program can do it for you. They need to hear and see it from you first. And the
good news is when it’s happening at home, you can do without what most consider a
“great” kids’ ministry.
For the record, I want my kids to love church. I just want them to love Jesus more. And
that can happen without bounce-house evangelism or ski balling for Jesus. In fact,
sometimes those things just get in the way. Most important is that we as parents are
teaching and modeling for our kids what it means to follow Jesus and that there are other
godly men and women in their life to do the same. And this can happen without all the
bells and whistles.
Furthermore, if shopping for the best kids’ program is our primary motivation for
choosing a church, we are modeling a consumer approach to church that may very well
shape our kids as much or more than any curriculum, which brings me to Point 4:
4. “It Meets My Needs.”
While the details of what we are looking for may vary, too often the primary factor in
choosing a church is what we get out of it. This is a dangerous approach to church
selection, and quite honestly, it flies in the face of the Gospel.
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Why? Because it positions us as a consumer before we even show up. It suggests that the
church exists to meet our needs. Anyone see a problem here? Our primary call as a part
of Jesus’ church is to contribute, not just to consume. We are to die to self (Mark 8:3435), to lay down our life for others (1 John 3:16), to consider them more important than
ourselves (Philippians 2:3).
So go ahead; be thoughtful and deliberate as you choose a new church home, but please
understand the purpose of the church as you consider your criteria.
Perhaps then the “right” church for you isn’t the one that offers you the most or where
you feel the most comfortable. In fact, the right church could be the one where you’re
most uncomfortable; where you get less and give more; where Jesus, rather than your
preferences, is the object of worship. Perhaps the right church is the one where some of
your needs go unmet, but where you get to be a part of meeting the needs of the world.
The right church just might sneak up on you. It may not look anything like you expected.
And once it has your heart, somewhere along the way you might even forget to ask,
“What’s in it for me?”