November 2017 | 1 Dear Friends, How grateful I am for all the ways in which you reach out to encourage me, and especially through the month of October. My favorite gift of all for Pastor Appreciation was this picture from our Children’s Ministry. What a gift these precious ones are to our church family. As I look at this picture, I am reminded of an article entitled “Rules for children in the worship service” written by Cindy Beal of Justice and Peace Consulting. One. If you find that you're sitting in front of a child and they can't see, lean to the side. Two. If the children seated behind you are rustling papers, hand them a crayon. Three. If there is a baby that is crying, offer to take it from its parent and walk to the back of the church and rock it for a while. The parent really needs a break. Four. If the teenagers are whispering give them some candy. The rustling and crinkling will replace their whispering. Five. If an adult complains to an usher about the noisy children near them, offer to trade seats with that adult and then apologize to the parents of the children. Six. When a child is running around giving everyone high-fives during the time of passing the peace make sure to give them an extra fun high-five, and then high-five the next five adults that you see. Seven. If a child has worn tap shoes to church and is dancing on the wood portion of the floor, slip the sheet music for "The Entertainer" to the pianist and roll with it. Eight. When the children can't hear because an adult around them won't take off their puffy jacket and it keeps squeaking and distracting the children, offer to help them off with their jacket and go hang it up for them where it goes. Nine. When the three-year-old insists on standing on the front pew turned backwards looking at the rest of the people, give the child a pair of very dark glasses. That will prevent the child from catching any adult's eye, which would lead to distracting them. This will protect the adults who as we know have very short attention spans and are easily distracted. Ten. When a child in front of you is very squirmy, and then they finally turn around and you realize suddenly, "Oh, it's Jesus!" take it in stride and play Got Your Nose till he turns around to the front again. Let’s follow these rules as we follow Jesus joyfully together! See you in church! Tracey Our Mission Clinton Presbyterian Church is a welcoming congregation called to share Christ’s love. Vision We will live out this mission through: Inspiring Worship, as we praise and glorify God, Engaged Discipleship, as we grow deeper in our faith, Nurturing Relationships, as we love and care for one another, Transforming Mission, as we embody God’s love in service to the world, Faithful Stewardship, as we express our gratitude to God. C linton P resbyterian C hurch November 2017 91 Center Street Clinton, NJ 08809 908.735.5029 www.clintonpresbyterian.net From the Pastor
Transcript
November 2017 | 1
Dear Friends,
How grateful I am for all the ways in which you reach out to encourage me, and especially through the month of October. My favorite gift of all for Pastor Appreciation was this picture from our Children’s Ministry. What a gift these precious ones are to our church family.
As I look at this picture, I am reminded of an article entitled “Rules for children in the worship service” written by Cindy Beal of Justice and Peace Consulting.
One. If you find that you're sitting in front of a child and they can't see, lean to the side.
Two. If the children seated behind you are rustling papers, hand them a crayon.
Three. If there is a baby that is crying, offer to take it from its parent and walk to the back of the church and rock it for a while. The parent really needs a break.
Four. If the teenagers are whispering give them some candy. The rustling and crinkling will replace their whispering.
Five. If an adult complains to an usher about the noisy children near them, offer to trade seats with that adult and then apologize to the parents of the children.
Six. When a child is running around giving everyone high-fives during the time of passing the peace make sure to give them an extra fun high-five, and then high-five the next five adults that you see.
Seven. If a child has worn tap shoes to church and is dancing on the wood portion of the floor, slip the sheet music for "The Entertainer" to the pianist and roll with it.
Eight. When the children can't hear because an adult around them won't take off their puffy jacket and it keeps squeaking and distracting the children, offer to help them off with their jacket and go hang it up for them where it goes.
Nine. When the three-year-old insists on standing on the front pew turned backwards looking at the rest of the people, give the child a pair of very dark glasses. That will prevent the child from catching any adult's eye, which would lead to distracting them. This will protect the adults who as we know have very short attention spans and are easily distracted.
Ten. When a child in front of you is very squirmy, and then they finally turn around and you realize suddenly, "Oh, it's Jesus!" take it in stride and play Got Your Nose till he turns around to the front again.
Let’s follow these rules as we follow Jesus joyfully together!
See you in church! Tracey
Our Mission
Clinton Presbyterian Church is a welcoming congregation called to share Christ’s love.
Vision
We will live out this mission through:
Inspiring Worship, as we praise and glorify God,
Engaged Discipleship,
as we grow deeper in our faith,
Nurturing Relationships, as we love and care for
one another,
Transforming Mission, as we embody God’s love in
service to the world,
Faithful Stewardship, as we express our gratitude
to God.
Clinton Presbyterian Church November 2017
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91 Center Street
Clinton, NJ 08809
908.735.5029
www.clintonpresbyterian.net
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November 2017 | 2
The Mission Ministry Team extends a huge thank you to all
who participated in our third
Be The Church Day.
After gathering in Fellowship Hall to begin the day with song and prayer, teams headed out
to serve at the following organizations:
Flemington Food Pantry
Market Street Mission
Clinton Conservancy
Good News Home for Women
Friendship Center for New Beginnings
Meanwhile back at CPC, the kitchen was a hub of activity as meals were prepared for SHIP
and our kids put together birthday bags and made cards for our Thanksgiving Baskets.
Thanks for being the church!
in Review
November 2017 | 3
Everyone loves Play-doh! On Children’s Sunday we had fun playing and remembering that just as we can always start over when we make a mistake with play-doh, so too we can always start over with God.
To end our service we came up with 95 things we love
about church (a hint to Martin Luther’s 95 theses!) and posted them to our big red door!
Thanks to the kids’ chorus for their beautiful singing and to Tristan Dornbusch for playing his saxophone.
November 2017 | 4
These pumpkins were entered together by the children in Sunday School
into the Town of Clinton's Pumpkinfest on October 27.
November 2017 | 5
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Upcoming in Worship
November 5
Communion All Saints’ Sunday
November 12 Seminary Intern, Marry Morrow preaching
November 19 Service of Thanksgiving
November 26 Christ the King Sunday
November 26 immediately following worship
We will start decorating the Sanctuary on Sunday, November 26 and would love to have your help. It is a time of fellowship and great fun to watch the church transform for the Christmas season.
It has been our custom in the last few years to pause on the first Sunday in November to
remember with gratitude the lives of members our congregation who have passed away in the last
year. This year, we would also like to include remembrances of loved ones from your extended
families who have died since last November.
If you would like to have your loved one remembered on this date, please reach out to
Rev. Henry or Cathy Nace, chair of worship ([email protected]) to share their name.
Thanksgiving Inter Church Service
Where?
Clinton Church of the Nazarene 80 Beaver Avenue, Clinton NJ 08809
During the October 22 Children’s Worship Service, our young children honored God as ushers and greeters, singers and readers. Our 3rd graders were presented with their Bibles. In Sunday School, our children decorated pumpkins to represent CPC at the Town of Clinton’s Pumpkinfest. They transformed little pumpkins into fun and zany creatures, together signifying God’s children at our church.
In addition to worship practice and pumpkin decorating, our K-5th graders talked about Creation. We discussed the Bible (What stories are inside? How is it organized? Can you hold 66 books at once without dropping them?). We introduced the Lord’s Prayer. In November, we’ll hear about the Reformation. Our Pre-K class learned about Adam and Eve, Ruth and Samuel – talking about choices, family, kindness and listening to God.
Nov 5 Sunday School class - Last day for the Robot Challenge! Nov 12 Packing Thanksgiving Baskets Nov 19 Sunday School class
Nov 26 No Sunday School – Thanksgiving Break
THANKSGIVING BASKETS
During Sunday School on November 12, Pre-K through 5th graders will assist CPC’s Mission Ministry, packing boxes with Thanksgiving food donations for local families in need. The kids contributed to this cause through our Sunday School Robot Challenge. They were challenged to fill the conveyor belt of our classroom robot with donations in just a few weeks.
Sunday School students learn that there are 66 books in the Bible.
Jam, Creamy Peanut Butter, Corn, Green Beans, Yams, Applesauce
November 2017 | 7
Preschoolers (3 and 4’s) meet in the green room K-2 meet in the blue room Grades 3 - 5 meet in the coral spice room
Middle School Class (grades 6-8) Meet in the downstairs classroom Spice Rack curriculum
High School Class Meet in the Wolverton Building Groove Bible Study series
Adults (begins at 10:50) Meet in the downstairs middle classroom This fall we welcome Mr. Rodney Weems to lead us in thought provoking adult forums on November 5 & 12.
November 5: Gossamer? Invisible? Really Dangerous! What is it? If you know, then no need to come. But if you don't, we hope you'll join us.
November 12: Commissioned in the Lord's Army What if before the great commission to the apostles in Matthew, there was as an even greater first commission before that? And what if every day we're all living it out in one of two ways, whether we know it or not?
Mr. Weems graduated from the U.S. Naval Academy in 1981 with a degree in physics. In the following five years, he served as a Surface Line Officer and diversity facilitator. He has also been an artist and math teacher of over 25 years experience gained in the inner city and suburbs. Mr. Weems believes that we are all here on this earth to help each other and currently works towards that end as a programmer of math learning software, and as a writer, speaker and volunteer.
am Women’s Morning Bible Study Tuesday mornings in Fellowship Hall 10:00 am NUMBERS - a 6 week study which began on Oct 24 We aren’t perfect Christians. Often, we are a people who struggle to keep our faith, we sinfully rebel against God’s promise, and we struggle to follow the leadership of the church. We too, then, might find that Numbers speaks to our own realities if we are honest with ourselves.
Women’s Evening Bible Study Our evening bible study meets in the Wolverton Building at 7:oo pm. Throughout the fall and winter months we are exploring the New Testament encounters between Jesus and six women and asking how we are called to develop and invest our gifts and talents to move church and society closer to the kingdom vision. Contact: Tracey at [email protected] Meet: November 1 & 15
Men’s Breakfast & Bible Study We meet at 7:30 am in Fellowship Hall. All men are welcome to join us for conversation, food and prayer.
EEEnnngggaaagggeeeddd DDDiiisssccciiipppllleeessshhhiiippp As we enter in to a season of giving and service – aren’t you grateful to be able to serve alongside a church family as wonderful as CPC? We are a group of others-focused individuals doing God’s work in our community; that’s a pretty great thing to be a part of! Our Sunday Funday & CHAOS crews are looking forward to making a difference together in and around Hunterdon County this holiday season.
But first, let’s recap October! WHAT a fun month, y’all! We had So. Much. Fun! Game Night, Harry Potter Palooza, and Zombie Night rocked our youth group worlds! Just look at the pictures – so many laughs, so many memories made!
Our Sunday Funday crew may be future zombie makeup artists…. Intern Mary Morrow and Maggie were appropriately made up into very scary people. Somehow the interns always end up at Zombie Night for makeup! Our CHAOS crew was sorted in to their respective Harry Potter houses (Gryffindor, Slytherin, Hufflepuff, and Ravenclaw) and competed through the night to gather points to be the winning house. They put the lightening bolt on Harry, competed on the Quidditch field, and defeated Voldemort in a Horcrux Hunt. I’m sure they’ll be happy to tell you who the winning house was – great fun had by all!
We hope you’ll join us in November for “Night at the Museum” Movie Night on 11/5 outside the Hunterdon Art Museum! Also join us for a “Pie Party” on 11/19 to bake pies for friends in our community who are in need of help for Thanksgiving. Bring your friends, come prepared to have a blast! We can’t wait to see you!
Coming up!: 11/5 – Outdoor Movie Night at Hunterdon Art Museum 11/19 – Pie Party 12/3 – TBA 12/17 – Christmas Party
We’re seriously having so much fun & we are so grateful to have y’all along for the ride with us!
*CHAOS & Sunday Funday meet the 1st & 3rd Sunday of each month
(keep an eye out for “5th Sunday”, coming to you select months of the year)!
Engaged Discipleship NNNuuurrrtttuuurrriiinnnggg RRReeelllaaatttiiiooonnnssshhhiiipppsss Fair Trade and Alternative Gift Bazaar Sunday, November 19
On November 19, immediately after worship, the Deacons will be hosting a fair trade bazaar in Fellowship Hall. Merchandise from Women’s Bean Project and SERRV, two organizations that work to eradicate poverty by providing job opportunities and fair wages to unemployed and impoverished women and support for artisans and farmers worldwide, will be available for order or purchase. Products include gourmet food items, handmade jewelry, home décor, and handicrafts. Start your Christmas shopping with gifts that make a difference. Cash, check or credit cards will be accepted.
The mission of Women's Bean Project is to change women's lives by providing stepping stones to self-sufficiency through social enterprise. Women's Bean Project is a transitional job training program for chronically unemployed and impoverished women. The program helps them earn the job readiness, interpersonal and life skills to create a new future - for themselves, their families, their community and their economy.
SERRV is a nonprofit organization with a mission to eradicate poverty by providing opportunity and support to artisans and farmers worldwide. They believe artisans and farmers around the world should have the opportunity to break the cycle of poverty and support their families through fair payments and respectful relationships. SERRV believes education is a crucial tool needed for families and communities to break the cycle of poverty. By providing education for children and fair wages to adults, SERRV and its fair trade partners are having a direct impact on poverty and are giving children hope and opportunity for a better future.
Deacon Update Deacon of the month/Nancy Paul
Welcome to Fall! The Deacons had our first prayer gathering to pray through the directory at our October Deacon meeting. We feel that this is an important new offering that will bring our whole congregation closer. The second ‘Be The Church’ Day was a huge success!
Here are a few things to put on your calendar: The Fair Trade Bazaar is scheduled for November 19th. We are also in need of items for the Thanksgiving baskets that will be assembled in November. Come out and help deliver them to the wonderful families in our community. This is always a great day of fellowship. Meal Donations: Please consider volunteering to provide a meal for those in our church community who are in need of an extra helping hand. Specifically at this time, we are looking for people to bring meals to Doris Cramer. To sign up please follow the link below. Your support is greatly appreciated! http://www.takethemameal.com/meals.php?t=OUPH0645 Food Pantry Donations: We continue to collect toiletries and non-perishable food for the Open Cupboard Food Pantry here in Clinton. You can bring your donations to church and put them in the baskets by the door in front of the sanctuary. If you would like to provide cash, instead of actual items, there is an envelope in the baskets for that as well. We thank you for your support. The food pantry is always very appreciative of our donations.
It has been a tradition at CPC for many years to distribute food baskets. As needs increase and families are stretched more and more we are eager to continue with this ministry. We would like to ask for your involvement as we seek to share Christ’s love.
There are three ways in which you can help:
Purchase non-perishable items -You are invited to purchase the items on the shopping list and return them to Fellowship Hall until November 5. Monetary donations
Perishable items will be purchased by the Mission Team for a reduced rate at ShopRite. Donations of any amount will be gratefully received prior to November 1. Mail checks to the church office or drop them in the offering plate, clearly marked “Thanksgiving Baskets”.
Basket Delivery November 18 Delivering the baskets is a big task. We’d be grateful for lots of help! Time commitment is between 9 am and noon. To sign up, contact Sandie Lundeen at 908-730-6958 or [email protected]
Please help us to make this an all-church effort! Shopping List Canned Sweet Whole Kernel Corn Canned French Style Green Beans Canned Sweet Potatoes Canned Jellied Cranberry Sauce Jar of Applesauce/no unsweetened Herb Seasoned Stuffing (bag) Can/Jar of Turkey Gravy Apple Juice (64 oz.) Can of Coffee Box of Tea Bags Peanut Butter Crackers Box of Dry Pasta Jelly/Jam
Our tree will be in the back of the Sanctuary on Sundays: November 12, 19, 26 and December 3.
Please take this opportunity to help our friends and neighbors in need, many of whom we support during the year through our mission outreach. Let’s help make this a Merry Christmas for them all!
This year you will see ornaments for children of local families, children whose families are in Family Promise (homeless network), single moms and their children at Friendship Center for New Beginnings in Flemington, Family Promise in Hunterdon County, Relief Bus, children and teens in Maine, elderly men at the Hamburg Center in PA.
Each ornament describes an individual need for a gift. Please take one or take several and purchase the items that are needed.
Please return all gifts UNWRAPPED and place them under the tree by Sunday, December 3. Tape the ornament(s) to your gift(s). You can also include wrapping paper and tape to go along with your gifts.
On Tuesday, December 5 at 7 pm the Mission Ministry will gather in Fellowship Hall to pack up all the gifts for mailing or local delivery. You are welcome to join us.
The Giving Tree is a simple and enjoyable way to help others during the Christmas season.
Thank you all for your support of those in need this Christmas!
TTTrrraaannnsssfffooorrrmmmiiinnnggg MMMiiissssssiiiooonnn Family Promise and New Opportunities for CPC
Family Promise has an important mission: to provide a temporary home for people of Hunterdon County living without one and to help them get a new start. Family Promise is the only homeless shelter for children and their families in Hunterdon County.
In 2018 we have agreed to act as a host church for the weeks of February 25 - March 4 and September 2 - September 9. We will have homeless families coming to CPC at the end of each day, arriving for dinner, the evening and overnight. They will leave in the morning to go to jobs, school or the day center in Flemington.
We need a couple volunteers to coordinate and oversee all the details of our hosting weeks. Beyond that we will need many volunteers to help care for families who come to our shelter here at CPC. You can cook a dinner, provide grocery items, spend a night, read a book to a child, provide transportation to the next host church.
The opportunities are many, but right now we need 2 volunteers to coordinate!
This is a real chance to step up and help our neighbors in need of shelter until they can find permanent housing and get a new start in their lives.
Children’s Sunday School is off to a great start. We have a short fellowship time together right after worship and encourage the children to come to the classroom for snacks rather than to the Fellowship Hall. Plans for community involvement by decorating pumpkins for the Pumpkin Fest and packing Thanksgiving Baskets as well as digging into the Bible and learning about prayer are keeping everyone focused on Jesus and discipleship.
Fellowship and Member Care Plans are being made for Trunk or Treat on October 31st in CPC parking lot. The Advent Breakfast will be held on December 17th when we gather for the Nativity Event in the Fellowship Hall. There is a need for two people each Sunday to prepare for coffee hour. More volunteers are needed.
Mission The team has organized the Day of Service on October 21. The next opportunity to serve on the Relief Bus is October 27th at Port Authority in Newark, followed by November 18th at Port Authority in New York City. Thanksgiving Baskets will be packed by the Sunday School children on November 12th. Plans for the Giving Tree and a possible Clothing Drive are being discussed.
Operations The team is in the process of making repairs to the manse and exploring possible renovations to the Manse. Finances and budget for these items as well as salaries and contracts were discussed.
Session The Session approved the following: Certificate of transfer requested by Prosper United Methodist Church of Prosper, Texas for Wilhem and Elsje Terblanche The use of the Fellowship Hall by Gabriella Puzstai on October 21 The use of a downstairs classroom by Cathryn Rosa for once a week Yoga and Art Therapy class and an upstairs classroom for a one-time use
Worship Plans are underway for the busy Advent season. The team is hoping to involve all members in the various opportunities. The Hanging of the Greens will take place on Sunday, November 26th after worship. All are encouraged to help decorate the sanctuary and the church.
Youth The team is discussing the Sunday morning curriculum and how it would best meet the needs of the youth. A Movie Night is scheduled for November 5th at the Clinton Art Museum. Night at the Museum will be shown outside by the falls around 6:00 pm.
5pm Family Service As a congregation we will retell the story of
Christ’s birth with the angels, the shepherds and the sheep. Don’t miss this special service.
11pm Candlelight Communion Service Come and be lifted in joy through Word
and Song as we welcome the Christ child and usher in Christmas Day at this candlelight service.
Worship Service – December 17 @ 7:30 PM
The holiday season can be difficult for many reasons. It can be hard to come and worship God joyfully because of the loss of a family member or a friend, the end of a marriage, illness, loss of work or other trying change. We will offer a quiet meditative worship service that makes time for remembering, time for sharing our
hurting places with God, and time for preparing our hearts for the coming of Christ. All are welcome.
Join us on Wednesdays, December 6, 13 & 20 for a
service of prayer and reflection. 7 pm in the Sanctuary
Cookies & Cocoa Join us in Fellowship Hall after the Clinton Christmas Parade on Friday, December 1.
We also plan to have all our kids Pre-K through 5th grade on our float.
