/

September 6, 2017

Page 1

INSIDE THIS ISSUE

Worship Schedules 2

Music Rehearsal Sched-

ules 2

Childcare Schedule 2

Local Recycling Event 3

Church Family in Prayer 4

Yard Sale Reminder 6

Meetings & Events 7

Sunday School Classes 7

Praying for Our World 7

Youth Group Schedule 7

FOCUS is available the first

Wednesday of each month.

Next issue: 10/4/17

Deadline: Monday, 9/25//17

PASTOR’S THOUGHTS

This year our session has been engaging in intentional holy conversa-

tions. These conversations are a spiritual practice that will inform

our strategic planning and lead us to re-evaluate our current vision

statement and to formulate new goals and priorities for the coming

five years.

At the heart of these holy conversations are three critical questions.

Who are we? What has God called us to do or be? Who is our neigh-

bor? Bible study, reflection and prayer guide our meetings. We are

mining local demographic information, the results of the large U.S

Congregational Life Survey that we took back in March, and our con-

gregation’s responses to questions about perceived needs in the

Hopewell Valley and hopes for our future. We are hopeful that these

holy conversations will bear fruit for our future.

Our session is made up of a variety of faithful women and men who

love God, love Pennington Presbyterian, and love the world beyond

our doors. Some have been members here for a few years. Others for

thirty years or more. In using the Gallup organization’s Strengths

Based Leadership assessment, we discovered that we have elders and

pastors with strengths in all four leadership categories: executing, in-

fluencing, relationship building, and strategic thinking.

The season of the Holy Spirit that we celebrated over the summer

will continue to guide our session this fall as we listen, pray, and dis-

cern our future together. It is the Holy Spirit who gives gifts for the

good of the church and the world, and it is the Holy Spirit who ena-

bles a group we call the session to discern and to lead. Please hold us

up in your prayers and ponder those three important questions with

us: (continued page 8)

OF SPECIAL INTEREST IN THIS EDITION

■ Brown Bag, Greece Trip Meetings & Shalom (3)

■ Special Appeals from Deacons & Parish Callers (4) ■ Mission Update (5)

■ Memorial Garden Update (3) ■ Are you current on key items? (6)

■ Meet Seminarian Intern Kelsey Holderman (8)

■ 2017 Appeal from Stewardship: Bearing Fruit of Jesus (9)

■ Explorations Classes (10) ■ Local Recycling & Musical Events (3 & 6)

Pennington Presbyterian

F A I T H C O M M U N I T Y S E R V I C E

Who are we? What has God

called us to do or be? Who is

our neighbor?

Let’s join together this fall for

worship, education, fellow-

ship, and service as we dis-

cover answers together!

(continued on page 8)

Hemming a skirt for a neighbor

Inviting the new student to sit

with you at lunch

Cheering at the soccer game

Talking around the dinner table

Forgiving unkind words or ac-

tions

May God’s love flow in and

through us, wherever we go and

REGULAR WEEKLY

SCHEDULE Sunday – 10:15 AM

FOLLOWED BY FELLOWSHIP HOUR

Childcare Available

from 8:45 am

In Room 209

Please sign up to provide refresh-

ments for Fellowship Hour. Sign-

up after church in Upper Titus.

Please keep current on your stew-

ardship pledge & Per Capita pay-

ments ($32.98) Staying current

supports PPC cash flow and is

greatly appreciated.

CHURCH STAFF/CONTACT

Pastor:

Nancy Mikoski

Associate Pastor:

David Hallgren

Music Director:

William Alford

Office Administrator &

FOCUS Editor: Eva Szakal

Financial Administrator

Pam Paluzzi

Office phone: 609-737-1221

Fax: 609-730-9665

E-mail: office@pennpres.org

Web: www.pennpres.org

www.Facebook.com/pennpres

13 S Main Street

Pennington, NJ 08534

Page 2

WORSHIP SCHEDULE

9/10 Rev. Nancy Mikoski

9/17 Rev. Nancy Mikoski

9/24 Rev. Nancy Mikoski

10/1 Rev. Nancy Mikoski

SUNDAY WORSHIP SCHEDULE

)

Children, Youth, and

Adult Christian

Education Classes

And Youth Programs

Begin on September 10.

Childcare is available at

8:45 am starting on

September 10.

SPECIAL FEATURE:

MUSICAL PROGRAM SCHEDULES

PPC BOOK GROUP FALL 2017 PLANS

On September 18, at 7 pm, the group will discuss “Hillbilly El-

egy” by JD Vance. New members are welcome. Groups meets in

the Upper Room. Contact Karin McAnlis if you’d like to join

(karin117@comcast.net.)

Upcoming books: (Oct.) “Saints for All Occasions”; (Nov.) “The

Orphan’s Tale”. No meeting in December.

▪ Bell Choir –Thursdays, 6:45 pm (All ability levels welcome. If

you’re interested, contact Laura McMillan at lmcmillan@law-

renceville.org.) – First rehearsal: September 14.

▪ Adult Choir - Thursday, 8:00 p.m. - First rehearsal: September

7.

▪ Gloria Deo Choir (grades 6-12) – Thursdays, 6:45 PM – First

rehearsal: September 7.

▪ Cherub Ensemble (pre-K-1st grade) during worship after Time

with Children – First rehearsal will be announced in worship

bulletin.

▪ Genesis Ensemble (grades 2-5) after worship (during fellowship

hour.) – First rehearsal: September 10.

▪ If you are interested or have questions, please contact our Director

of Music, Bill Alford, at pennpresmusic@gmail.com.

Brown Bag Lunch Time is Approaching

Informational Meetings for Potential Participants

in 2018 Footsteps of Paul Trip to Greece Our first meeting, sponsored by the OAM Committee, will be Friday, October 6.

Our speaker will be John Mincarelli of Recovery Advocates of America, a 501C3 not for profit group that

strives to provide education about the disease of addiction as well as tools to sustain recovery.

Join us for lunch at 12:30 pm and program at 1:00 pm. Bring your sandwich, beverage, fruit and light des-

sert will be provided. Call 609-737-1221, X-10 (church office) with questions.

Page 3

Sunday September 17, at 3:00 pm at Pennington Presbyterian

Sunday, September 24, at 3:0 pm at Presbyterian Church of Lawrenceville

Brochures with details and registration forms are available in the church office

or at http://pennpres.org/footstepsstpaul/

Informational Meetings for Potential Participants

in 2018 Footsteps of Paul Trip to Greece

The group has been active for over 25 years and invites women of all ages to join them in studying the

Bible in a friendly, collegial environment. They are starting this season with the Kerygma study of the

Parables. Contact Madeleine Mansier if you have questions. Mansier@comcast.net or 609-737-0863.

Shalom starts up on September 14, 9:15 am in the Upper Room

Hopewell Valley Recycling Event

On Saturday, September 16, 2017

From noon to 3 pm

At NEW Public Works Build-

ing at 305 North Main Street

in Pennington

Come early. Once trucks are

full, no more items will be

accepted.

(See posters on glass doors

and bulletin board outside of

the sanctuary.)

You may recycle:

• All kinds of paper for shredding; leave in sta-

ples and paper clips (cardboard is not ac-

cepted.

• Clean white, stiff Styrofoam used for shipping

and Styrofoam egg containers (no packing

peanuts; take those to local shipping stores.)

• Wine corks to be recycled into cork tile

Plan Ahead

Bethel AME Church will hold their

Anniversary Celebration

in the PPC Sanctuary

on October 15, 2:30 pm – 4:00 pm

They will host a

Gospel Singing Group.

More details later.

PRAYER CHAIN

Did you know that our church offers the

services of phone or email prayer chain

for those with a need or for those who

wish to lift up a joy?

We welcome all to be a part of this mean-

ingful program. If you are interested, you

may contact Nancy Lehman at nancy.leh-

man@gmail.com, or Barbara and Dick

Pratt at 609-737-2767.

KEEP OUR CHURCH FAMILY IN YOUR

PRAYERS FOR HEALING AND COMFORT

The Stives and Lieboff Families; The Bryan Family;

The Silliphant and Anderson Families; Nancy Stewart;

Charles and Elsa Koczan; The McAvoy Family; Frank

Mason; Maggie Roberts' Family; Lynda Matthei; Annie

Hunter and Family; Bill Schluter; Grace Scheetz; the

Berkowitz Family; Beth Hutton; Ben Cranston; Wayne

Fuller; Margy Coats; & the Stout's son Jeff and family

who had to be evacuated in Houston.

DO YOU HAVE AN HOUR TO HELP OUT A CHURCH MEMBER WITH COMPAN-

IONSHIP? - Several PPC members have requested companionship for their spouse while they run er-

rands, etc. This is companionship to watch TV, talk, visit, etc. Just being present and mindful is what is

needed. It is NOT any kind of specialized, skilled or unskilled personal or medical assistance or supervi-

sion. Anyone willing to provide an hour or more at a time - one-off or on a regular basis - is asked to

contact the church office. Arrangements will then be made between the requester and volunteer.

PRAYER FOR THE GRIEVING AND THE ILL

AYERS FOR JULY

Page 4

Father, I pray for our friends and their families

who are grieving and hurting. I ask you to help

them through this season of loss. I reach out to

you, the father of compassion and the source of

every comfort, asking you to touch them with

your unfailing love and kindness. Be their God

who comforts them as they're going through their

struggles, and bring them through the tough things

ahead. Come alongside them in their pain, and

strengthen them so they'll one day be able to help

others who face the same struggles. Amen.

(2 Corinthians 1:3–4; Psalm 33:22; 1 Samuel 20:14a)

God, when they're hurting, help them find their

joy in you, for it's your joy that will be their

strength. Help them to trust you as their God of

hope. Fill them with your joy, peace, and hope by

the power of the Holy Spirit. Help them experi-

ence the love, joy, and peace that are the results of

His life in them, no matter what they're going

through. Amen

(Nehemiah 8:10b; Romans 15:13; Galatians 5:22)

(

MISSION @ PPC

1. The 2017 Peacemaking Offering will be received on Sunday, October 1, which is World-

wide Communion Sunday. Two-thirds of the amount our congregation contributes will be

used by the PCUSA to help spread peace throughout the world. This year, the 25% kept by

our congregation will be donated to Presbyterian Disaster Assistance, specifically for Hurri-

cane Harvey and flooding relief in Texas. Please look for additional information about this

offering.

You can also assist victims of the Texas disaster now by contributing to Presbyterian

Disaster Assistance at pda.pcusa.org. or to the American Red Cross at

https://www.redcross.org/donate/hurricane-harvey. There are many relief agencies,

but we recommend these two because we are confident that your donations will be

used to help the victims. Please keep everyone affected by Hurricane Harvey and its

aftermath in your prayers.

2. Thank you to all church members who contributed clothing to our annual drive for the Rescue

Mission of Trenton. Your generosity makes it possible for the Rescue Mission to raise the

funds necessary to support its many outreach programs to people in Trenton and Mercer

County.

3. The Mission Committee is sponsoring a special worship service at 5:00 p.m. on Sunday, Oc-

tober 1, intended to provide comfort and support for those who are suffering from addic-

tion, and for the people who care about them. The Committee has been working for about a

year now to identify ways in which our congregation can respond to opioid addiction in our

area and we have decided to begin our outreach by sharing the love of God and ourselves with

those who may be feeling helpless and without hope. We will be providing flyers and an-

nouncements with further details about the service throughout the month of September. Please

join us in this ministry if you are able.

4. The customary 3rd Saturday of the month local mission is postponed until October in defer-

ence to the Yard/Rummage Sale to benefit youth missions.

5.

.

Page 5

MEMORIAL GARDEN DEDICATION ON 9/17

If you have been in the church parking lot lately, you may have no-

ticed there's some digging going on in our cemetery as you enter the

Memorial Garden on the right side of the driveway. The workers are

in fact Boy Scouts, friends and family of Noah Lehman Borer who is

working on his Eagle Scout project. He is building a walkway to en-

ter the Memorial Garden, which will make it easier for people to en-

ter even if they need the help of a cane, wheelchair or just the arm of

a good friend. The Eagle Scout project coincides with the plans to

add a new way the Memorial Garden can be used - as a place to scat-

ter the ashes of a loved one as an alternative to a more traditional bur-

ial with a casket. The dedication will be on Sunday, September 17,

following the morning worship service. Please plan to be a part of

this blessed occasion!

As of end of August,

ready for the Pavers &

Landscaping!

YARD SALE FUNDRAISER ON SEPTEMBER 10 FREE WILL FUNDRAISER

SEPTEMBER 16 TO BENEFIT PPC TO BENEFIT VOTEVET.ORG AT

YOUTH MISSIONS PENNINGTON METHODIST CHURCH - 4PM

ON SEPTEMBER 16, SATURDAY, 9 A.M. TO 2

P.M., THERE WILL BE A YARD SALE. IT WILL

BE RAIN OR SHINE.

Donations may be dropped off in The PIT

through Thursday, 9/14, from 9:00 am to 4:30

pm. Please, no clothing, shoes or electronics.

Please let your neighbors and family know to

contribute and buy to support this worthwhile

cause.

ARE YOU CURRENT?

Page 6

Prayer for

Our Children

God our Father and our Mother, we pray for the

children of our hearts- those whose images we

carry in our wallets and very being is as close to

us as breathing. Their faces are etched on our

souls: We know their going in and their coming

out; their feelings and their foibles; what makes

them laugh and what engenders tears. There is

nothing we would not do to make them safe and

happy.

Also make room in our hearts, we pray, for all

those children of the world whose images are

etched on the very heart of God. You know, O

God, what they need. There is nothing you would

not do to make them safe and happy. Grant us

your heart for all these children, all these whom

you love. Stir us to action so that there is nothing

we would not do in your name to make them safe

and happy. Amen.

• Is your address, phone number and email address

correct in the directory? Contact the church of-

fice@pennpres.org or 609-737-1221, extension 10

to update us. If you need a PDF or physical copy

of the directory to check, just ask.

• Are your grown children listed correctly? Contact

church office@pennpres.org or 609-737-1221, x-

10.

• Is your funding of ‘per capita’ for each member in

your household up to date for 2017? This year’s

level is $32.98 per member.

• Do the Deacons have the right college address for

your children for the care packages they send out

during the year? Keep Carol Meyer up to date

about any changes. caroljor-

danmeyer@gmail.com.

SEPTEMBER MEETINGS AND EVENTS 9/8 10:00 am Older Adult Ministry planning meeting

9/10 9:00 AM Sunday School begins (see below for class-

rooms)

9/10 6:30 pm

7:30 pm

Middle School Youth Group starts up

Senior High School Youth Group start up

9/11 7:300 pm Disciple Team meets

9/11 7:30 pm Christian Education, Membership, Mission, &

Worship & Music committees meet

9/16 9a to 2 p Yard Sale (rain or shine)

9/17 After wor-

ship Memorial Garden Dedication (see page 5)

9/18 7:00 pm PPC Book Group (see page 2)

9/19 7:00 pm Support Team meets

9/19 7:30 pm Facilities, Stewardship & Communications

committees meet

9/25 10:30 am Parish Callers meet

9/25 7:30 pm Session meets

9/26 7:00 pm Personnel committee meets

Our world needs peace.

Add your prayers for the peoples of the world

- one country at a time.

9/10 Italy

9/17 Ivory Coast

9/24 Jamaica

10/1 Japan

Sunday School Begins September 10

Page 7

Classroom assignments for Children and

Teens:

NURSERY - Upstairs Nursery Room 209

Caregivers: Nicole Sanders & Mark Fall

Pre-K – 1st Grade - Lower Titus Classroom

Teachers: Dawn Cocco & Julianna Maria

2nd Grade – 4th Grade - South Balcony

Teachers: Sarah Gregg & Dee Norris

5th Grade – 8th Grade – Room 206

Teachers: Ellen White, Katie Michels & Al-

lison Neary

Senior Highs - South Balcony

Teachers: Anna Bruestle, John Bruestle &

Kelsey Holderman

Learn more about Adult Christian Education Classes for

2017 at pennpres.org/Adult-Sunday-School. Classroom

assignments for Adult Classes are:

Bible Foundations – Sundays, 9 am in Upper Room –

First Class: 500th Anniversary of the Reformation; us-

ing as text: “The Annotated Luther: The Roots of Re-

form” vol. 1 led by Rev. Dr. Gordon Mikoski (of-

fice@pennpres.org); learn more on page 8 of August FO-

CUS.

The Thoughtful Christian – in The Dove Room (#208)

@ 9 am (no sign-up expected – just come)

• First series: Sept 10 – Oct 1; “The Bible in Our

Everyday Life” led by Rev. David Hallgren (nothing

to buy)

• Second series: Oct 8 – Oct 22; “Holidays of the

Three Abrahamic Religions” with guest leaders

NEW CLASS: Parent Coffee and Conversation Hour

–Sundays @ 9 am, in Heritage Hall- Informal Discus-

sions based on “99 Way to Raise Spiritually Healthy Chil-

dren” by Karen Long Bostrom, facilitated by Allison

Larthey; no need to buy the book & no homework. You

may also join the private “PPC Parenting” page on Face-

book.

Small Group Discussions on Prayer – Thursdays, Sept

14 – Oct 26, from 6:55 to 7:55 pm in Upper

Room; will use the text “With Open Hands”

by Henri Nouwen – led by Rev. Nancy Mikoski

(Amazon, etc.) (Nancy@pennpres.org.)

Youth Groups

Begin September 10

Sunday Nights – Heritage Hall

Middle School @ 6:30 pm David Hallgren, Karl & Kathy

Marzena & Ellen White Senior High School @ 7:30 pm David Hallgren, Bob Fletcher, &

Kelsey Holderman

PASTOR’S THOUGHTS MEET OUR 2017-2018 SEMINARIAN

(CONT’D FROM PAGE 1) INTERN KELSEY HOLDERMAN

Who are we? What has God called us to do or

be? Who is our neighbor?

Let’s join together this fall for worship, educa-

tion, fellowship, and service as we discover an-

swers together!

In Christ,

P.S. Are you curious about our current Vision

Statement? Here it is:

• To grow in our faith through worship,

Bible study and education.

• To be demonstrably loving, caring, and

supportive as individuals and as a

Christian faith community.

• To serve others so that the quality of

life locally and globally may become

more loving, just, and whole.

• To reflect God’s grace and peace in the

world.

Holy One, you are our comfort and

strength in times of sudden disaster, cri-

sis, or chaos. Surround us now with your

grace and peace through storm or earth-

quake, fire or flood. By your Spirit, lift

up those who have fallen, sustain those

who work to rescue or rebuild, and fill

us with the hope of your new creation;

Prayer in Times of

Trouble & Disaster

Page 8

Kelsey’s

note to in-

troduce

herself to

you.

Dear Pennington Presbyterian Community,

I graduated from The Ohio State University in

2015 with a bachelor degree in middle child-

hood education. The next year, I earned a mas-

ter degree in middle childhood education, also

from Ohio State. I am currently at Princeton

Theological Seminary, working towards a dual

degree: Masters in Divinity and Masters in

Arts and Christian Education Formation.

During most of my time in college and grad

school at Ohio State, I served as a youth assis-

tant at my home church, Liberty Presbyterian

in Delaware, Ohio. It was there that I felt my

call to youth ministry, and I am thrilled to be

able to continue learning about that call and

practicing it at Pennington.

From the first day that I entered Pennington

Presbyterian Church, I felt welcomed and

cared for. It is a church filled with caring peo-

ple, and I am looking forward to learning from

David and Nancy as I have been able to watch

their influence and leadership already play out

in the life of the church. The relationships I

have established with members from youth to

older adults continue to play a meaningful role

in my life and I am excited to be able to watch

those relationships grow as an intern this com-

ing year. I cannot wait to see where God is go-

ing to work in our lives together!

Grace and Peace,

Kelsey Holderman

through Jesus Christ, our

rock and redeemer.

Amen.

The Stewardship Committee has a powerful theme for this October’s Stewardship Campaign:

‘Bearing Fruit for Jesus!: His Grace and Power at Work Within You.’

The Bible refers to Jesus’ reference to the bearing of fruit when He said, ‘Abide in me, and I in you.

As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, unless it abides in the vine, so neither can you, unless you

abide in me. I am the vine, you are the branches; he who abides in me, and I in him, the bears much

fruit; for apart from me you can do nothing.” (John 15:4-5). Fruit characterizes the life of the Chris-

tian steward. It is interesting to note that, in this passage above, Jesus did not say: “You should bear

fruit.” He stated that when we abide in him, it follows naturally that we will bear fruit.

During this summer’s worship services, our theme was Paul’s letter to the Galatians on the presence

of fruit in our lives, “The fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, gentle-

ness, faithfulness, and self-control.” (Galatians 5: 25-26). As children of God, we have this fruit be-

cause His Spirit lives in us. We do not bear fruit as a result of our own efforts, but we do cease to

bear fruit when we give in to our sinful natures.

Christian stewardship is about offering our time, talents, and financial resources in the name of these

fruits of the Spirit. It is through these fruits that we are able to grow and mature in our relationship

with God.

We discover God’s will through his word and through prayer. As Paul prayed for the Colossians, we,

too, can ask God “to fill us with the knowledge of his will through all spiritual wisdom and under-

standing . . . in order that we my live a life worthy of the Lord and may please him in every way,

bearing fruit in every good work . . . “. (Colossians 1: 9-10).

As we enter into this Stewardship Campaign season, we need to be determined and strong in our

commitment to the fruits of the Holy Spirit: to use our time, talents, and resources for the ministry

this church provides in furthering our lives in Christ, and in serving the world.

With Gratitude,

The Stewardship Committee Caryl Chambers

John Coats

Bob Peeck

Rob Thornton

George White

Rev. Nancy Mikoski, ex officio

BEARING FRUIT FOR JESUS

Special page 9

Page 10

Explorations Courses open to Senior Residents of

Hopewell Valley & Neighboring Communities

Classes Begin October 9 Registration Closing Date October 5

More information at www.hvsfsenior.org.