Volume 15, Issue 02
Church Street Journal
FIRST PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH, ROCKAWAY, NJ
February 2015
This year’s annual Ecumenical
Lenten Lunches of Rockaway
will begin on Friday, February
20 and go through March 27.
Each Friday at noon in Fellowship Hall, we’ll begin with a lunch
served by that week’s church hosts and followed at 12:30 by a brief
Lenten worship service. This year’s theme is “Leads Me Into Life.”
The weekly church hosts and the Scripture lessons for that week are:
February 20 - First Presbyterian Church
Mark 1:9-15 - The Baptism & Temptation of Jesus
February 27 - Holy Trinity Lutheran Church
Mark 8:31-38 - “Take Up Their Cross and Follow Me”
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 11:1-10 - Entry into Jerusalem
(Palm Sunday)
April 3 – Good Friday: All Participating Churches
**The Good Friday Service does not include lunch and will be held at 12 noon at
the United Methodist Church of the Rockaways, 1 Hoagland Ave., Rockaway**
God Sightings: Stories of Faith and Growth
2015 Lenten Devotional
In 2014 our congregation began to recognize that our personal stories of
faith combine to show us God’s story among us. When we share our faith stories,
we see how we are connected, and how we can support each other through the
challenges and the blessings of life. This year, our devotional is a sharing of these
stories. The devotion will be available on Sunday, February 8th. The season of
Lent begins with Ash Wednesday on February 11.
The Annual Meeting of the Congregation will be
Sunday, February 8, immediately following worship.
The purpose of the meeting is to review the committee and other organizational annual reports, and to receive the report of the
Nominating Committee and elect officers.
All committees must submit reports to the office no later than January 25.
Email: [email protected]
Or drop them off during office hours—M-F, 9-1
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CHURCH STREET JOURNA L
Mardi Gras
Pancake Party!
S UN DAY,
FEBRUARY 22
$8.00 for adults
$5.00 for children 12 and under
Without reservations you will be charged:
$10.00 for adults and $8.00 for children 12 and under at the door
Want to help out? Contact Rev. Sue Trigger
Come for an evening of food and fun festivities
for the entire family!
A Jr. High
We’ll have tasty pancakes with delicious toppings and sides.
Fundraiser
There will be bingo with small prizes, and activities for kids.
SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 22
4-7 P.M.
First Presbyterian Church
35 Church St.
Rockaway, NJ 07866
No tickets will be sold in advance!
We simply ask that you make a reservation
and pay at the door.
You can reserve your spot by calling
Phone: 973-627-1059
E-mail: [email protected]
VOLUME 15, ISSUE 02
the church office at 973-627-1059 or by
signing up after worship in Fellowship Hall.
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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.
Do You Often Feel Overwhelmed by Life?
Come to the
Overcoming Anxiety and Depression Support Group
The group is currently reading the book, “Sleeping with Bread:
Holding What Gives You Life,” by Matthew, Sheila Fabricant, and Dennis
Linn. The Linn’s are both counselors and Biblical scholars who combine
these disciplines to help reader’s find faith and healing. This book focuses on the spiritual
discipline of the examen as a means of dealing with depression. The group meets the 2nd and
4th Wednesdays at 6:30 p.m. in Rev. Sue’s office. For more information contact Rev. Sue.
Come Knit and Crochet with Us
Thursday, February 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.
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CHURCH STREET JOURNA L
Lillian Argueta
Mary Anne Henselmann
After a well-deserved break at Christmas, you Stephen Ministry trainees, Lillian Argueta
and Mary Anne Henselmann, and the Stephen Leaders have returned to their training sessions with in-depth discussion, practices, prayer and reading. They’re about half-way
through the preparation to serve our congregation in this caring ministry! Please continue to pray for them as they read and discuss new ideas, incorporate these ideas with what
they have already learned, and transform this information into caregiving skills.
February 18, 7 p.m.
With the imposition of ashes
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This year Christmas day was different for many of our volunteers. Christmas morning volunteers when to the Faith Kitchen in Dover and prepared and served 175
guests at the soup kitchen. The kitchen has our Community Breakfast cooks doing
their magic. They prepared pork, turkey and beef options with the appropriate sides
and salad. The reminder of our volunteers where the servers; seating and giving the
guests a catering feel.
Our team started at 8:00 am cooking and setting up. At around 11:00 am around 40 meals
were packed and delivered to shut-ins. At around 11:15 am to 12:30 pm we served. After
12:30 pm came everyone’s favorite time “Keep Up”…..
Taking liberty for talking to all that were there it was a great time to start our Christmas
day giving the greatest gift to others “US”.
Getting ready to prepare dishes
Getting the tables ready
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Having too much fun over the stove…
Do they really know how to cook it?
CHURCH STREET JOURNA L
Waiting for the door to open….
Getting the utensils ready
Scrip will be available after church
every week. Scrip order will be going
in on February 23rd. If you can’t
make it to church or if you miss buying
Scrip then, you can call Holly Lenhardt at 973-879-0486 or email her
at [email protected].
VOLUME 15, ISSUE 02
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Come one—come all to the church on Saturday
morning, February 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.
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
A Gift of Love “Joined in Remembrance
Teddy Bear Program”
During the month of February, the church
school is asking the children and church members to make a special offering by donating a
new Teddy Bear to this wonderful ministry. The Teddy Bear Program
was created by one of our church members, Lori Donaldson. The
bears are given to families who have experienced the loss of a newborn. The bears will be dedicated to God’s ministry of caring on February 15th.
A Note of Thanks
The Christian Education Committee would like to thank everyone who donated
hats, gloves, mittens and scarves that hung on our mitten tree. These
“ornaments” were distributed to children in our area during the month of December.
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Sunday Morning, 9:15 a.m.
Tuesday Morning Bible Study
Monday Evening, 7PM, BK Room Tuesday 9:30am-11am – B K Room
IT’S NEVER TOO LATE TO MAKE
A NEW YEAR’S RESOLUTION!
We all make New Year’s resolutions to eat better,
stop smoking or workout more. Do we ever think of
working on our “spiritual muscles??”
How about making a resolution to start attending
Adult Bible Study!! All classes are held in the BK
Room. Here’s when we meet:
Sunday Morning 9:15-10:15-am—We use the
Feasting on the Word curriculum. We study what
the pastors preach each Sunday. Come and get all
the “behind the scenes” info on each Sunday’s scripture lesson. Taught by Diane Knipper and Tom
Winger
Monday Night 7-8pm—For all you folks who like
to sleep in on Sunday mornings, this is a repeat of
Sunday’s lesson. Check out the Feasting on the
Word curriculum at the church website
www.fpcrockaway.org under Educational Opportunities. You can even download each week’s lesson!
Taught by Diane Knipper and Rich Basile
Tuesday Morning 9:30-11:30am—The topic of
this study is chosen by class members (see more info on this study in the newsletter). Taught by Betty
Shuman.
So give one of these studies a try and see what you
think. We think this will be one resolution you will
want to keep! Need more info?? Contact Diane
Knipper at 973-495-9312 or [email protected].
COME JOIN US!
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We are reading and discussing of the book
“Where God was Born” by Bruce Feiler. This story of the journey by the author to Israel, Iraq and
Iran, the land where the 3 major Abrahamic faiths
began is part geographical, part autobiographical,
part theological. Traveling into the midst of political unrest he discovers the roots of all 3 religions
and it helps him understand his faith and deepen
his relationship with God.
This group meets every week from 9:3011:15 in the B King room, to learn together, pray
together and laugh together. We begin each session with a sharing of joys and concerns where we
develop a network of disciples who care for one
another. This book was published in 2005 and you
may find it in used book stores.
For information contact Betty Shuman through
the church office.
Church School News
Sunday School, 9:15 a.m.
FOR KIDS, PRESCHOOL
HIGH SCHOOL
TO
We have been excited to see that our average attendance has continued to be 35 children or more
each Sunday. We have been discovering more
about God’s word through our lessons from the
“Feasting on the Word” curriculum.
During the month of January, the children learned
about being children of God; being the light of
Jesus by praying and helping others. They learned
about Jesus’s baptism, understanding that God is
always with them and learning ways that they can
be disciples of Jesus by following his teachings.
If you are interested or would like more information about this, please contact Donna Van Duyne (973-625-3912).
CHURCH STREET JOURNA L
In February the Senior Highs hosted the National Souper Sunday which benefitted the Rockaway Food Closet on 2/1. We are leaving for the Retreat to Mont Lawn in
Bushkill Falls PA on the 13th and return on the 15th. While there we will enjoy the
snowy outdoors, a warm fireplace and some comfort food. We will have a bake sale
fundraiser on 2/8 with Valentines themed goodies.
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)
February 1 –
February 8 – Karen Wales
February 15 – Lanie Ballard
February 22 –
March 1 – Linda Kirby
March 8 – Barbara Trappe
March 15 – Pat Warren
March 22- Nancy Martinez
March 29 - Krajcsovics
VOLUME 15, ISSUE 02
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February 2015
Sun
Mon
Tue
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Thu
Fri
Sat
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Worship & Sunday School
February 1,8,15,22
Sunday School and Bible Study—9:15am
February 1,8,15,22 Worship 10:30
Worship & Potluck 1,8,15—5pm
No 5pm Worship on 2/22
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CHURCH STREET JOURNA L
Schedule of Events
Committees and Groups—meeting dates and times
SUNDAY:
2/1—1st Sunday Food Collection
2/1- National Souper Bowl Sunday
2/1,15 Jr High Youth 6:30 FH
2/8— Annual Congregational Meeting
following worship
2/8—Sr High Valentine’s Day Bake Sale
2/22 C-3 Meeting 11:30am
2/22—Mardi Gras Pancake Party 4-7PM
2/22—SR High Meeting—7PM
MONDAY:
2/9 Finance Meeting 7pm BK
2/23—Sara Circle 7:30pm
TUESDAY:
2/3,10,17,24—Bible Study 9:30am
2/3— CE Meeting—BK Room 7pm
2/3,10,17,24 SM:NB 7:30 Parlor
2/3,10,17,24 SM: NB2 7pm BK
2/3,10,17,24 SM 6pm-10pm Lounge
WEDNESDAY:
2/4– 7pm Worship
2/11,25—12noon Lunch Bunch too—BK Room
2/11,25— Overcoming Depression/Anxiety
Group 7pm
2/11—7pm Outreach
2/18—Ash Wednesday Service 7PM
2/18—7pm Session
THURSDAY:
2/5,12,19,26—Genesis Bells 6:15pm, Church
St Ringers 7pm, Adult Choir 8pm—Choir Loft
2/12 TEKS—at Basile’s 7pm
2/26- Woven in Love 6:30pm BK
Friday:
2/13-15– Sr High Retreat
SATURDAY:11/1
2/7—Men’s Breakfast 8-10am
2/28 –Community Breakfast 8-11am
If the above information is incorrect or if an activity is missing from
the calendar, please update the calendar in the office by notifying
the office manager via phone (973-627-1059) or email
([email protected]).
VOLUME 15, ISSUE 02
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Please keep the food closet in mind and also let your
friends and neighbors know. Food can be dropped off
Monday-Friday from 9 a.m. - 1 p.m. in the church office and, of course, any Sunday - especially the 1st Sunday of each month.
Items needed most: cereal, tuna, peanut butter, soup, macaroni and cheese, canned meats and meals,
crackers, canned fruit, coffee, tea, cold drink mixes and vegetables. If you need to drop off food when the
office isn't open or have any questions, please leave a message for me at 973-627-1059.
Thank you for your continued support! Linda Kirby
When February comes I hope to find,
My mailbox filled with valentines.
It is a time for everyone
To join in all the holiday fun.
What a special time of year,
Remembering loved ones, oh so dear.
preschoolexpress.com
January came and went and we would like to thank the Lion's Club for providing a free eye exam to all our students.
We also were able to conduct a wonderful parent workshop on Kindergarten Readiness. Thank you to Doreen Scheetz
and Nicole Parzero from the Rockaway Township School District for volunteering their time to conduct the program.
February is dental health month! The students would also like to thank Flanders Pediatric Dentistry and one of our
very own parents, Mrs. Spillane, for visiting the school and helping promote good oral hygiene.
It is that time of year again and PCCNS priority registration for the 2014-2015 school year will be on February 3rd and
4th and open enrollment will begin on February 5 th. 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
Lent and Easter season coming soon already, my goodness! Make note, coming up in
early April on Palm Sunday we will have a guest musician, trumpeter Joe Romano,
another colleague of mine from West Orange. We work together at Edison Middle
School. He is very, very good. You won't want to miss this one. He used to play in the
Army Band and has recorded with Mariah Carey.
We are very pleased to have Joe Martinoni and John Pope back in the adult choir.
Three cheers for the guys!!
I would also like to extend an invitation to any singers that would like to join our choir for the Lent and Easter
season, please see me!
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
February 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 02
Page 15
FIRST
PRESBYTERIAN
CHURCH
35 Church St.
Rockaway, NJ
07866-3027
WHAT’S INSIDE:
GOD SIGHTINGS, ANNUAL CONGREGATION MEETING,
MARDI GRAS PANCAKE PARTY
2&3
NEW MEMBERS CLASS, OVERCOMING ANXIETY & DEPRESSION, WOVEN IN LOVE, STEPHEN MINISTRY, ASH
WEDNEDSAY SERVICE
4&5
OUTREACH, SCRIP
6&7
COMMUNITY BREAKFAST, CHURCH LIBRARY, TEDDY
BEAR PROGRAM
8&9
CHRISTIAN EDUCATION, SR HIGH, WORSHIP CHILDCARE
10 & 11
CALENDAR, COMMITTEES & GROUP MEETINGS
12 & 13
FOOD CLOSET, PNNC, MUSIC NOTES, SARA CIRCLE,
WOVEN IN LOVE
14 & 15