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FEBRUARY 2020
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FIRST PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH 298 MAIN STREET HACKETTSTOWN, NJ 07840 REV. BRIAN MERRITT, INTERIM PASTOR OFFICE: 908-852-4011 e-mail: [email protected] Church website, http://www.fpchackettstown.org Editor: MaryAnn Simmons [email protected]
FIRST PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH HACKETTSTOWN, NJ
CHURCH OFFICE: (908) 852-4011
Interim Pastor: Rev. Brian Merritt Choir Director/Organist: Lorinda Ravo Treasurer: Al Ravo Financial Secretary: Deborah Gulick Shepherd Head Usher: Kim Newton Church Secretary: Mary Lightfoot Sexton: John Mark Wojcicki
2020 SESSION Class of 2020 Class of 2021 Class of 2022 Jim Butts Sandy Archer Jennifer Aquino Grace Clegg Jami Lynn Arcilla Carl Erickson Jim Simmons Erin Roguso Diane Hull
Clerk of Session: Donna Erickson
2020 BOARD OF DEACONS
Class of 2020 Class of 2021 Class of 2022 Patricia Butts Jen Bramley Ellen Bergman Gilles Djongang Linda Burroughs Barbara Cors Sharon Heil Justin Simmons Chris Roguso
2020 HEAVEN SENT NURSERY SCHOOL BOARD OF TRUSTEES OFFICE: 852-2006 Director: Jen Bujno
Carl Erickson - 2020 Patricia Butts - 2021 Vedanira Fernandez - 2022 Connie Quinn - HS Parent
Rachel Becker, Floyd Smith’s granddaughter Jeff Beddow Joan Beddow The Bodycomb Family Mary Brodt Eris Bunnel Barbara Courtright Pam Covert & her dad Jim Alisa Dartnell’s mother Families in Nebraska FPCH Friends of FPCH Roger George ( father of Gwenn Bartku) Terry Gretchen Dorothy Knauer Judy Kolwicz
The Landiak Family Emily Ligarzewski Maikuu congregation, Kibwezi Kenya Diana Merzoian Members of the Armed Forces Barbara Pace, niece of the Prestopines Shirley Pennington Holly Pippas Elizabeth Robitsch The Roome/Trimmer Family Mark Tilney Those recovering from surgery Those struggling with addictions Ruth Weber Barbara Yankiv
PRAYER LIST Please keep the following in your prayers:
DATES TO REMEMBER: FEB 202001: Secret Valentines Giving begins through Feb 9; Decorate the church for Souper Bowl of Caring - 10 AM 02: Sunday:Worship and Communion - 10:00 AM;Sunday School; fellowship; Joyful Noise Ringers rehearsal - 11:10 AM; Unity Chimers rehearsal - 11:30 AM 02: Souper Bowl of Caring donations accepted. Wear your favorite football team jersey to church today. 05: Yarn Girls - 1 PM in the Conference Room 06: FPC Ringers - 6:40 PM in the Music Room 06: Senior Choir - 7:30 PM in the Music Room 08: Men’s Breakfast - 8:30 am in the Chapel 09: Worship - 10 AM - led by Jeanette Hile; Sunday School; fellowship; meet your Secret Valentine at Fellowship hour; Joyful Noise Ringers rehearsal - 11:10 AM; Unity Chimers rehearsal - 11:30 AM 09: Lehigh Valley Phantoms Hockey Outing - 3:05 PM 12: Bible Study - 7 PM in the Conference Room 13: FPC Ringers - 6:40 PM in the Music Room 13: Senior Choir - 7:30 PM in the Music Room 14: Happy Valentine’s Day 15: Ladies’ Breakfast at the River Star Diner - 9 AM 16: Worship - 10 AM; Sunday School; fellowship; Joyful Noise Ringers rehearsal - 11:10 AM; Unity Chimers rehearsal - 11:30 AM; VBS Planning Meeting - Conference Room 18: Session Meeting - 6:30 PM - Conference Room 19: Ladies Who Lunch - 12 PM at the Main Street Cafe, Hackettstown 20: FPC Ringers - 6:40 PM in the Music Room 20: Senior Choir - 7:30 PM in the Music Room 22: Bowling Outing at Oakwood Lanes - 6:30-9 PM 24: PLEFF dinner - 6 PM at Mama’s on Mountain Ave 23: Worship - 10 AM; Little Lights Choir sings; Sunday School; fellowship; Joyful Noise Ringers rehearsal - 11:10 AM; Unity Chimers rehearsal - 11:30 AM 25: Shrove Tuesday 25: Deacons Meeting - 6:30 PM in the Conference Room 26: Ash Wednesday 27: FPC Ringers - 6:40 PM in the Music Room 27: Senior Choir - 7:30 PM in the Music Room
CHOIR NOTES BY: LORINDA RAVO
February 2: I am a Seeker The Senior Choir Women’s ensemble sings a lovely anthem about a call to discipleship.
February 9: Hymn of Promise-Women’s Ensemble Spirit of the Living God-Joyful Noise Bell Choir Natalie Sleeth’s popular hymn, “Hymn of Promise” features a provocative text that relates both to our present life and our hope of eternal life, as expressed in I Corinthians 15:35-58. Our Joyful Noise Bell Choir plays an arrangement of the hymn “Spirit of the Living God”, accompanied by Boomwhackers.
February 16: SOLOIST
February 23: With Thanksgiving and Praise-Women’s Ensemble Jesus Shall Reign-FPCH Ringers We Love-Little Lights Sunday School Choir Our Women’s Ensemble finishes the month with a lively piece that paraphrases Psalm 100.
Our Little Lights sing “We Love” with our little guys playing the boomwhackers today! The FPCH Ringers plan an arrangement of the hymn “Jesus Shal l Reign”, a hymn b y I s a a c Watts, based on Psalm 72.
DECEMBER 2019 FINANCIAL $NAPSHOT BY: AL RAVO
The Expenses Paid and Income amounts below do not include the funds transferred from the Endowment to meet the church operating expenses. November Year to Date Income $25,149.17 $193,392.07 Expenses Paid $15,502.23 $187,801.04 Net Operating Income/ Deficit $ 9,640.94 $ 5,591.03 Amount Needed from Endowment $ 0.00 $ 0.00
The 2019 Per Capita was $37.00 for each of the 215 members of our Church. The total amount due in 2019 was $7,955.00 or $662.92 monthly. In December, $236.00 was received for the Per Capita bringing the total amount received in 2019 to $3,931.50 or 49% of the annual amount due.
The 2020 Per Capita is $39.00 for each member o f the Church.
Please contact Al Ravo if you have any questions or would like to discuss the Church’s operational finances, the Endowment Funds or Per Capita.
LITTLE LIGHTS SUNDAY SCHOOL CHOIR
Our Little Lights continue to delight us! In January, we debuted our Boomwhackers as the children sang "Kum Bah Yah". In February, the children will be learning the song "We Love" which is based on 1John 4:19, and they'll be singing it in church on Feb. 23.
JOYFUL NOISE RINGERS & UNITY CHIMERS Hooray for young people learning new things and leading worship! I am so proud of our two instrumental ensembles for children here at FPCH: the Joyful Noise Ringers and the Unity Chimers. The kids are so very faithful in their attendance at rehearsals, and take their music very seriously! A reminder that while I’d love to welcome EVERY child to the Joyful Noise, ringers must attend at least 3 rehearsals each month to be able to ring in church! Thanks for your understanding!
VACATION BIBLE SCHOOL
“T.H.I.N.K. BEFORE YOU SPEAK-THE POWER OF WORDS!” BY: LORINDA RAVO
We are excited to announce that from July 27-31, 2020 FPCH will be hosting kids ages 3 to those entering 4th grade at our annual
VBS program. This year, we’ll be decorating with a carnival theme and using the letters of the word THINK as inspiration for our daily lessons: Before you speak, realize that what you say must be True, Helpful, Inspiring, Necessary, and Kind.
It takes many, many people to create an exciting, fun-filled week, and if you’d like to be part of the fun, please let us know! We will also be, next month, letting you know how you can help us ou t f i nanc i a l l y, a s we l l . Questions? Check with Lorinda Ravo, this year’s VBS coordinator.
WEDNESDAY EVENING BIBLE STUDY Are you interested in learning more about the Bible while connecting with other FPCH church members and friends? Then the once a month Wednesday evening Bible Study is for you! The study, under the leadership of Ryan VanOrden, meets from 7 : 0 0 - 8 : 0 0 P M o n t h e s e c o n d Wednesday of each month. The group is currently using a relevant study guide as we delve into the book of Job. Even i f you haven ’ t been attending, you’ll be warmly welcomed by all-and…..there’s cookies (or pretzels, or other snacks). We hope to see you there!
PHOTO COURTESY OF LORINDA RAVO
Second, getting to any goal of substance takes work. We have too many dreamers that have ideas without the necessary elbow grease involved in getting to their end. When I started a New Church Development we took almost a year in planning, research, and preparing for small success or calculated failure. Nothing is accomplished without work. We cannot hope that we will have the church or society that Jesus expects if we think that we can subcontract the work out to others. You must work, every one of you, to make this the community of faith that Jesus wants it to be in Hackettstown. Last, we must believe that the work we are doing will make a difference. Sometimes it seems we do work with very little result, very little fanfare. We need to take seriously the gift of encouragement and give that to our fellow followers of Jesus Christ. The tasks may seem tedious or may be glorious, but they are all meant to further the Kingdom of God. We need each other’s help to grow. There is no such thing as individual salvation. We must accept help from others and be the help others need. So, now there are binders in the meeting room and every time I see these binders I will attempt to remember that the work we put into them was a small thing toward the glory of God.
Brian Merritt
Dear Friends,
No one who knows me would ever accuse me of being organized. All you need to do is look at the filing system I have employed on every surface of my office to know this. Yet, that does not mean that I do not like order. I could scarcely be called a good Presbyterian if I did not affirm our assiduous interpretation of Paul’s order to the church in Corinth that everything should be done decently and in order. That is why when Charles Lee suggested that I put together binders for the session with pertinent information I became overly enthusiastic. Imagine binders in the meeting room that had all the necessary information at each elder’s fingertips. In the midst of getting the annual report, the bulletin, the agenda for the session, and putting together the directory I decided to start the project in earnest. At one point, while Mary was writing on each tab, she said, “did you really think you were going to do this alone by the session meeting?” She was right. I needed help. As I stood back from that project (which is still ongoing) I realized three things about myself that I am sure are not entirely unique. These are three things that helped me work on the small repetitive job of working on these resources. First, small things are important. Too often we want to jump to the big, the bold, the solution. This comes at the expense of the small things that buttress big things. We need to focus on the small, repetitive, and menial to achieve our goals. These are sometimes more important to the end result than we could have ever imagined.
A NOTE FROM OUR PASTORA NOTE FROM OUR PASTOR
GET READY FOR THE ANNUAL
SOUPER BOWL OF CARING BY: LORINDA RAVO
A simple prayer: "Lord, even as we enjoy the Super Bowl football game, help us be mindful of those who are without a bowl of soup to eat" inspired a youth-led movement to help hungry and hurting people around the world. This prayer, delivered by Brad Smith, then a seminary intern serving at Spring Valley Presbyterian Church in Columbia, SC, gave birth to an idea. Why not use Super Bowl weekend, a time when people come together for football and fun, to also unify the nation for a higher good: collecting dollars and canned food for the needy? Youth could collect donations at their schools and churches in soup pots, and then send every dollar DIRECTLY to a local charity of THEIR choice. The senior high youth of Spring Valley Presbyterian liked the idea so much they decided to invite other area churches to join the team. Twenty-two Columbia churches participated that first year, reporting their results so a total could be determined, and then sending all $5,700 they had raised to area non-profits. That was 1990. Since then, ordinary young people have generated an extraordinary $75+ million for soup kitchens, food banks and other charities in communities across the country. In addition, hundreds of thousands of youth have experienced for themselves the joy and satisfaction of giving and serving, inspiring people of all ages to follow their generous example.
On February 2, we’ll be participating, for our 21st year, in this nationwide event. Wear the apparel of your favorite football team, High School, College, or Pro, to church that day and resolve to donate at least $1 to our soup pots as you leave morning worship. We’ll be donating our proceeds to our own Board of Deacons who will use it for hunger relief right here in our own community! In these past 20 years, Souper Bowl of Caring here at FPCH has raised over $5,500 to help alleviate hunger right here in our own Hackettstown area!
GOURMET GROUP NEWS
FPCH is home to 4 “gourmet groups” that meet each month. New members are always welcome to join in any time your schedule permits. The groups, and their coordinators are:
Men’s Breakfast: meets 2nd Saturday of each month at 8:30 am in The Chapel at 291 Main Street. Coordinator: Don Luques.
L a d i e s B r e a k f a s t : m e e t s 3 r d Saturday of each month at 9:00 am at the River Star
Diner on Rt. 57. (Separate checks, too!) Coordinator: Deb Gulick-Shepherd.
Ladies Who Lunch: meet 3rd Wednesday of each month at noon at a different area restaurant each month-and they a lso request separate c h e c k s . C o o r d i n a t o r : Sharon Heil.
P L E F F (Presbyterian Ladies Enjoying Food and Fun) meet 4th Wednesday of each month at 6:00 pm at a different area restaurant each month-and they also request separate checks. Coordinators: Winnie Slachetka and Pat Butts.
GREETERS FOR FEBRUARY 02: Chris and Jennifer Bramley
09: Kathy Maier and Muriel Stellingwerf
16: Mike and Jessica McDonagh
23: Al and Jen Aquino
A GIGGLE A DAY…
We’ve often heard it said that laughter is the best medicine. If that’s true, then you can get plenty of healing medicine by checking out the Family Friendly Humor bulletin board opposite the church’s conference room on the office level of the building. That board is changed monthly and is sure to bring a smile to your face!
FINANCIAL REPORTS ARE NOW AVAILABLE
Everyone should have received the financial reports for 2019 by the end of the first full week of January. Offering envelopes for 2020 have been distributed. If you did not receive envelopes but would like a box, please contact Deborah Gulick Shepherd, the Financial Secretary and she will see that you get envelopes. Thanks!
This month, in honor of the month of February, I have selected some readings about love, as well as a collection of sermons for your reading pleasure. Happy Reading!
Strength to Love, a classic collection of sixteen sermons preached and compiled by Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., is a volume of his most best-known homilies. Collectively these sermons present King's fusion of Christian teachings and social consciousness, and promote his vision of love as a social and political force for change.
Love You Forever is a Canadian picture book written by Robert Munsch and published in 1986. It tells the story of the evolving relationship between a boy and his mother. The book was written after Munsch and his wife had two stillborn babies. They have since become adoptive parents of three.
Finally, keep an eye out for a new Chicken Soup for the Soul book that will be published in early February (the 5th to be exact). Believe in Miracles: 101 Stories of Hope, Answered Prayers, and Diving Intervention by Amy Newmark will feature our very own Rebecca Ruballlos who penned “The Great Physician”. Be sure to pick up a copy so that you can read about Rebecca’s story about her brother who was considered a miracle baby at the time of his birth.
I hope you enjoy these titles!
BOOKS FOR YOUR READING PLEASURE BY: MARYANN SIMMONS
GOD’S LOVE ENDURES FOREVER Please keep the Roome/Trimmer families in your prayers. Ruthanne Roome, 67, of Hackettstown, passed away peacefully at home on Friday, January 3rd, 2020. A memorial service was held at The First Presbyterian Church of Hackettstown, New Jersey on Saturday, January 11, 2020 at 11 am. Ruthanne was raised in Cedar Grove, New Jersey and graduated from Cedar Grove High School in 1970. She earned her bachelor's degree in Social Work at Cedar Crest College in 1974 and earned an MSW at NYU in 1979. Ruthanne had a love for social work her initial job was at Mount Sinai hospital in East Harlem, NYC. During her time at Mount Sinai, she took a tour of Russian hospitals. During her career at Mount Sinai, she lived in Greenwich Village, NYC for 17 years. In 1994 Ruthanne moved back to Cedar Grove, NJ where she pursued her love for gardening. In 2001, moved to Budd Lake, NJ where she began her career at the Crane Fund Co. and raised her children Robert and Samantha Roome. Four years later she met John Trimmer who in 2007 became her devoted, loving, husband. She had a creative eye for nature, decorating, and photography. Throughout the years she loved bringing nature indoors. Ruthanne is survived by husband John Trimmer of 13 years, children, Robert and Samantha Roome, sister, Wendy Roome and spouse Alice Levine of Murray Hill, NJ. mother-in-law, Lavinia Trimmer of Califon, NJ, brother-in-law, Charles Trimmer of Sayreville, NJ and Eric Trimmer of Allentown, Pa. Let us give thanks for the God of the Resurrection, whose love brings us hope and peace.
Sharing God’s Bounty Love Makes Us Do It
A young girl was dying. Her only hope lay in a complete blood transfusion, but she had a very rare blood type. Only her brother, even younger than she, had the same type blood. His parents and doctors explained the situation to him, giving him time to ask questions. He agreed and, without delay, he was laid on a bed, the needle was pushed into his tiny vein, and slowly his blood seeped from his small body into the bag hanging from his bed. He lay quietly as the nurse stood next to him, ready to attend to any need he might have. “How do you feel?” she asked. “Ok,” he answered, “but, Nurse, when do I die?”
What love this little boy had for his sister. What must he have thought when his own parents seemingly agreed, even asked him to sacrifice his life to save his sister’s?
The boys’ love for his sister can help us see how much Jesus loves us. Jesus suffered abuse, torture, persecution, and death for all of us. “Greater love has no one than this, that he lay down his life for his friends” (John 15:13). He demonstrated his tremendous love not because of our worthiness, but because he is a God of tremendous love. Jesus’ love for his heavenly Father and for us changed the world. Through his death and resurrection from that death, we through faith have received the forgiveness of our sins and life eternal. God’s love to us in Christ is that power that enables us to love him. “We love because he first loved us” (1 John 4:19).
The love of Jesus empowers us to be his stewards. Because of Jesus’ love, we change from people giving to a need to people responding out of love. Certainly, we give to needs such as our church budget, Christian causes, and people, but our primary reason for giving is out of love and commitment to Jesus. When needs arise, Jesus opens our eyes and hearts so we can respond to those needs. However, our primary reason for giving is a desire to express our gratitude and thanksgiving for our Lord and the love that he shows us every day. Because our love for Jesus is our motivation for giving, our giving becomes joyful. Love changes our giving from an obligation to a privilege.
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BUILDING ON GENEROSITY CAPITAL CAMPAIGN FUND
BY: AL RAVO
CONGRATULATIONS, HEAVEN SENT SCHOOL RECEIVES 2019 AWARD FOR BEST OF
HACKETTSTOWN IN CHILD CARE First Presbyterian Church of Hackettstown has much to be thankful for. This past October, our very own Heaven Sent School was named one of the best schools for child care by the Hackettstown Award Program. The school staff of eight facilitates five morning based programs - two four year old classes, two three year old programs, and a new “Little Angels” program which includes 2.5 year olds held on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 9:00 - 11:30 AM. Full capacity enrollment features 56 spots for the five programs and the school continues to be fully enrolled as it moves forward into 2020. Each year the Hackettstown Award Program identifies companies and private schools that they believe have achieved exceptional marketing success in the local community. This October, Heaven Sent Nursery School was selected based on the quality of the education provided to the youngsters. The Award Program annually honors the achievements and accomplishments throughout the Hackettstown area. It works exclusively with local business owners, trade groups, and professional associates to recognize the small business community’s contributions to the US economy. Congratulations to Jennifer Bujno and her staff who continue to teach and influence the children of Hackettstown on a daily basis!
The Building On Generosity donations envelopes were placed i n t h e S a n c t u a r y l a t e i n December of last year. A picture of the envelope is at right, and the envelopes can be found in the middle of the pew seats and on the tables at the front and back of the Sanctuary. Please use these envelopes when making donations. The architect managing the work on the church exterior is requesting bids from contractors to do the work during January. A meeting will be held between the architect and contractors to address any questions and clarify the work to be performed. The contractor selected will need to coordinate work with Lamb Studios who will be installing the protective covering over the stained glass windows at the same time. Once bids are received from contractors in February the architect will meet with the church to review and discuss the bids. The estimated cost of the remaining projects is $625,000.00. Through memorial donations to the building fund, interest from the endowment funds and multiple estate bequests and commitments to the church, $425,000.00 is readily available leaving $200,000.00 needed to be raised. As of the end of December, donations of $45,036.00 have been received. Thank you for supporting the capital campaign. If you have any questions about the ‘Building On Generosity’ capital project, please talk to any member of the campaign task force: Diane Hull, Charles Lee, Al Ravo or Rev. Brian Merritt. To make a donation to the campaign, please make the check out to the First Presbyterian Church of Hackettstown, on the memo line write ‘Building On Generosity,’ and mail it to the church, put it in the appropriate envelope (see above) and place in the collection plate on Sunday, or give it to Al Ravo. Cash donations can also be made by placing your donation in the appropriate envelope (see above) clearly marked with your name.
ADDITIONAL CHRISTMAS CARDS RECEIVED AT FPCH
At the time of our printing of the January newsletter, not all of the Christmas cards were displayed within the church. As of December 30th, these people’s cards were located and they should therefore be recognized for their receipt: Joan Beddow, Terry Gretchen, Jane Petty, and Fred and Sandy Sentner. Thank you and I apologize for this omission.
FEBRUARY BIRTHDAYS 5: Blair Gulick 6: Shaun O’Brien 9: Kyle Gulick 11: Andrea Sobolewski Calla Merritt 13: Mary Brodt 14: Brenda Zellars 18: Dan Gardner 19: Joan Grover 20: Alexis Bravakis 21: Jim Simmons 23: Christian Cochran 26: Lorinda Ravo 26: Heather Alfano- DeRosa
FEBRUARY ANNIVERSARIES
17: John & Sharon Wojcicki
CONGRATULATIONS TO ALL FOR ANOTHER YEAR OF HAPPINESS, GOOD HEALTH, AND GOOD CHEER!
THANK YOU NOTES FROM OUR PARISHIONERS
This month we received thank you notes from Joan Beddow and Terry Gretchen. Their heartfelt thanks are written below.
Thank you for your thoughts and prayers. It's been a very difficult five months. I'm hoping the worst is behind me and I will soon be able to get to see you all at church. Thank you also for the cards, fruit basket, and cookies. Thank you for the hospital visits and home visits too.
Sincerely, Joan Beddow
I have many happy memories of the years Ray and I were members of First Presbyterian. I think warmly of the friendly members with whom we worked at so many functions - a lot of hard work and a lot of fun. All my best, Terry Gretchen
A NOTE FROM THE EDITOR This past month, we saw children singing and enjoying the beauty of music through the use of boomwhackers. We witnessed the Gregorys become members of the church, and we installed new members as Deacons and Elders. We also had our annual meeting
to report on the events of 2019. N o w t h a t February is upon us, w e m u s t b e c o m e mindful of the start of our Lenten season. To that end, I invite you to think not only of what you can do at this time to live a life as Christ did, but to live a life as Christ did at all times. Remember to participate in the Secret Valentine with the Sunday School children, join in the fun with a bowling outing, and go
out to eat with one of the Gourmet Groups. I wish you a beautiful February and look forward to seeing you all at Church. All my best, MaryAnn Simmons
DID YOU KNOW?… BY: DEB GULICK-SHEPHERD
In 1889 John Karr, Manager of the Electric Light Company, brought a proposal before the Board of Trustees to light the church for one year for $100. It was approved as soon as sufficient funds were at hand. In 1890 the Trustees moved to use an Electric Bell in place of a Jingle Bell. In 1891 electric lights were placed under the gallery.
STAINED GLASS WINDOW OF CHURCH TO BE RESTORED
DESCENDENTS OF PHIL GREEN BENEFACTORSBY: DIANE HULL
During Christmas the church received a very gracious donation in memory of Phil Green. This donation had two conditions. First, the stained glass window - “The Road to Emmaus” is to be completely restored, and second, a plaque is to be hung by the window in Phil’s memory, with the inscription: “This window is restored to the Glory of God in memory of Philip R. Green by his grandchildren and great grand- children. 2020.” If you look upstairs you can see the window was removed during the week of January 21st and was sent out for restoration. It should be back in approximately four or five weeks. Once the window is installed, the plaque will be put in place. On behalf of the church, I would like to thank Phil’s family for this wonderful gift. If you have any questions, please feel free to contact me (Diane Hull) after church.
PHOTOS COURTESY OF DIANE HULL
