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August 3, 2016
Page 1 of 8
INSIDE THIS ISSUE
Worship Schedule 2
October OAM/Brown Bag
Event 2
Church School Schedule 3
Church Family in Prayer 4
Reading Acts of the Apostles 5
Blood Drive 5
Adult Meetings & Events 7
Clothing Drive 7
Focus is available the first
Wednesday of each month.
Next issue: 9/7/2016
Deadline: Wednesday, 8/29/16
PASTOR’S THOUGHTS
Hope is a powerful thing. It inspires us to keep going toward a goal that
we think will enrich our lives or change our situation for the better. It
motivates us to get up and work towards something valuable that we
need. It also inspires our faith. Revelation 21 and 22 speak of a new
place for us when all is made right in the world and God’s reign is real-
ized in our new heaven and new earth. This will be a place where tears
are wiped away and living water flows through the streets bringing heal-
ing to all nations. We hope for that time and that place!
What would change in our world today for it to more resemble the com-
ing kingdom of God? There would certainly be less violence, less racial
discord, less hunger, less abuse, less misuse of power, less loneliness,
less reliance on drugs and alcohol to make it through the day. There
would be more kindness, more love, more justice, more understanding of
abundance, and more connection to our neighbors both on our street and
in our region.
Faith in God through the life, death and resurrection of Jesus and hope in
God’s coming kingdom is what we are given as inspiration to be a
Church that stands up and moves to the center of the world’s greatest
needs. When the body of Christ is able to be identified less as a place to
go for an hour a week and more as the living embodiment of God’s love,
mercy, kindness and justice, we begin to grasp the hope that is promised
to the world. I don’t think that all of what is to come is left for the fu-
ture. We are to live in the glimpses of God’s kingdom today. We are
called and invited and privileged to be a part of it. We are meant to be
the hands that wipe away tears and we are meant to bring the waters of
life to those who are thirsty.
(Continued on page 8.)
OF SPECIAL INTEREST IN THIS EDITION
■ Kerygma sing-up deadline (3) ■ Hymnal Purchase deadline (4)
■ Good News! (4) ■ Per Capital (5)
■ “Finding a Way to Say Thank You!” (6)
Pennington Presbyterian F A I T H C O M M U N I T Y S E R V I C E
REGULAR WEEKLY
SCHEDULE Sunday – 10:15 AM
FOLLOWED BY FELLOWSHIP HOUR
Childcare Available
Please sign up to provide re-
freshments for Fellowship Hour.
Sign-up after church in Upper
Titus.
Please keep current on your
stewardship pledge.
It supports PPC cash flow
and is 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: [email protected]
Web: www.pennpres.org
www.Facebook.com/pennpres
13 S Main Street Pennington, NJ 08534
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CHILDREN/ YOUTH/ADULT CHURCH SCHOOL
Kick-off or Rally Day is September 11, 2016
SUNDAY PREACHING SCHEDULE
August 7 Rev. David Hallgren
August 14 Rev. David Hallgren
August 21 Rev. Nancy Mikoski
August 28 Rev. Nancy Mikoski
CHOIR REHEARSALS RESUME IN SEPTEMBER
New Kerygma and The Thoughtful Christian classes for adults
Children from pre-kindergarten through twelfth grade; and new con-
firmation class open to eighth and ninth graders
Youth groups, too!
See the full line-up on page 3 of this FOCUS.
Bell Choir –All ability levels welcome. If interested, contact Laura
McMillan at [email protected]. Rehearsals resume 9/8
@ 6:45 pm.
Adult Choir - Thursday, 8:00 p.m., beginning 9/8.
Gloria Deo Choir (grades 6-12) – Thursdays starting on 9/15
Cherub Ensemble (pre-K-1st grade) and Genesis Ensemble (grades
2-5) also resume in September.
If you are interested or have questions, please contact our Director of
Music, Bill Alford, at [email protected].
SUNDAY WORSHIP SCHEDULE
■ PER CAPITA – See special appeal on page 5 of this FOCUS.
Mark Your
Calendars!
The Older Adult Min-
istry of PPC is pleased
to announce that on
Friday, October 7,
the On-Stage Seniors
of McCarter Theatre
will perform
monologues based on
stories gathered from
community retirees.
You won’t want
to miss this!
More information
will follow soon.
Page 3 of 8
SEPTEMBER 11, 2016 WILL BE A BIG DAY AT PENNINGTON PRESBYTERIAN.
IT’S THE FIRST DAY OF CHURCH SCHOOL!
Church School will Kick-Off at 9:00 am on Sunday. You should go directly to your classroom as outlined below.
We have many devoted returning church school teachers and some new teachers too. We offer a loving, supportive
environment where children are encouraged along their faith journey. In addition to classes before worship, during
worship service the sermon theme is presented during “time with Children” in a way that young children can under-
stand and apply to their lives. We will continue to have two adult church school classes, one more focused on the
Bible and one more focused on social issues. Please join us!
Here are the classes, locations and teachers:
Nursery, Room 209: Mark Fall and Nicole Sanders (During Church School hour, worship and fellowship hour)
Pre-Kindergarten – First Grade, Lower Titus: Dawn Cocco and Julianna Maria
Second Grade – Fourth Grade, Balcony: Sarah Gregg, Katie Michels, Dee Norris
Fifth Grade – Seventh Grade, Balcony: Allison Neary, Zac Calvo
Eighth Grade – Twelfth Grade, the Pit: Anna Bruestle, John Bruestle, Brandon Watson
Adult Ed - The Thoughtful Christian: Dove Room, at 9 am; taught by various leaders; intended to examine our
Christian response to issues in today’s world:
Sept 11 – 18: History of Religion and Politics in America
Sept 25 – Oct 9: Good Politics and Bad Politics: Bill Schluter
Oct 16: Jewish Holiday Celebrations: Rabbi Jan Friedman-Krupnick
Oct 23 – 30: Mass Incarceration
Nov 6 – 27: Angels & Demons, film and discussion
Dec 4: Slow Church: Nancy Schluter
Adult Ed - Kerygma Program “The Bible & Theology”, Upper Room; taught by the
Kerygma Teaching Team; goal is to understand better our faith and our Bible:
Sept 11 – Oct 23: The Trinity: Who is God? Christology: Who is Jesus Christ?
Oct 30 – Dec 4: Ecclesiology: What is the church? Who is humanity?
Jan. 8 – February 12: Soteriology: How are we saved? Authority: Where is authority?
Feb. 19 – Early April: Sacraments: What are the sacraments? Eschatology: What is the Kingdom?
The Kergyma classes are offered on Sunday mornings at 9:00 am and Thursday evenings at 6:55 pm. See
http://pennpres.org/kerygma for more details and a sign up form.
This year’s confirmation class will be open to all 8th and 9th graders. Confirmation candidates will meet for three
spiritual formation retreats. Contact Rev. David Hallgren directly to register ([email protected].) There will
be an information meeting for students and parents on September 25 after worship, around 12:15 pm.
Junior High and Senior High Youth Group will begin September 11. Junior Highs (“Sunday Night Central” group)
usually meet Sundays from 6:30 pm to 8:00 pm, and Senior Highs meet from 7:30 to 0:00 pm. Schedules change for
special events like group outings and local mission projects, which are planned in advance.
Our church has a rich history of strong, engaging church school programs. Come and join us!
CHRISTIAN EDUCATION @ PPC
Remember to register and pay for Ker-
ygma by August 22 for at least Unit 1.
It’s $14 per unit (four units; your choice)
for resource materials. Forms are at the
church office or on the literature tables.
Page 4 of 8
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-
[email protected], or Barbara and Dick
Pratt at 609-737-2767.
KEEP OUR CHURCH FAMILY
IN YOUR PRAYERS
David Anderson; Grace Scheetz; The Yuhas Family;
Virginia Silliphant; Marilyn Rutledge; Manzer Family;
LET’S WELCOME GOOD NEWS WITH PRAYERFUL GRATITUDE.
Nancy and Ron Russell’s son Daniel and wife Meredith had a baby son,
Levi James, born on July 13 in Chattanooga, TN.
David and Hope Anderson’s son David and his wife had a baby boy,
Jacob, born on July 14 in Hawaii.
BE SURE TO ASK TO SEE PICTURES!
(This is a new feature where members of the church family
may share joyful news to be celebrated with prayer.)
As of August 3, we have contributions for 75 hymnals. Our goal is 350.
You may support the purchase of new PCUSA hymnals, Glory to God, by
contributing any amount or you may dedicate a new hymnal in ‘memory
of’ or ‘in honor of’ anyone important to you for $25 each dedication.
The new hymnal was selected and approved by Session after extensive
study by the Worship and Music committee that determined just about all
the favorite songs in our three hymnals are in the new PCUSA hymnal,
plus many new ones. Some golden oldies no in our current hymnals will be
back as well.
Forms are on the literature tables and the church office.
YOU HAVE UNTIL SEPTEMBER 18 TO SUPPORT THE
PURCHASE OF NEW HYMNALS.
May God dwell in our hearts,
and guide our hands and
hearts.
THE TAHDZIU COM-
MUNITY CAME TO-
GETHER AROUND
VBS AND CLEAN
WATER. THEY EX-
PRESSED GRATITUDE
WITH MUSIC &
WORSHIP.
(
READING ACTS OF THE APOSTLES AS A CONGREGATION
Rev. Nancy Mikoski will meet after worship on the last Sunday of August to discuss Acts. Below is
the remainder of the assignments. The full schedule is on the website at http://pennpres.org/reading-
acts/. You need not be current on your reading to join in the discussion. Nancy will be building on and
linking to Acts in special fall programs that will be enriched by her reflections and experiences during
her sabbatical this summer.
Page 5 of 8
Aug. 7-13 Acts 21, 22 Paul is in Jerusalem, visits with James and is arrested.
Paul gives witness to his conversion. Aug. 14-20 Acts 23, 24 Paul in the hands of council – a group of them want to kill him.
Paul’s defense before Felix at Caesarea. Aug. 21-27 Acts 25, 26 Paul calls upon the Emperor.
Paul witnesses to his conversion and invites Agrippa to join in his belief. Aug. 28 -
Sept. 3
Acts 27, 28 Paul heads to Rome but a storm keeps him shipwrecked in Malta.
Paul visits Rome and preaches.
CALL FOR PAYMENT OF OUTSTANDING “PER CAPITA” CONTRIBUTIONS
Have you made your 2016 Per Capita contribution?
The Stewardship Committee reminds all members that your Pennington Presbyterian is a connected
church - and happily so because we benefit continually from our vital association with Presbyterian
Church (U.S.A.).
With the reward comes the related obligation to contribute an amount every year for every member of
the church -- including young adults who may no longer live at home, but are on the church roll. This
amount per individual member this year is $32.50 and adds up to a sizeable 2016 obligation of over
$16,000 for allocation by the national church to New Brunswick Presbytery, the Synod of the Northeast,
and the General Assembly.
We know well the value that comes with being “connected” Presbyterians with all the vital services and
support provided by our national church and regional Presbytery of New Brunswick. At this point, how-
ever, we are at but of a fraction of the way to covering this per capita expense for our membership. Please help the church avoid mailing you a reminder in late
August, and make your payment --- marked "Per Capita" either
on the check you submit or the envelope if paying with cash.
Questions? Please contact Pam Paluzzi, financial administra-
tor, in the church office who will be happy to provide answers
or point you in the right direction. (609-737-1221, x-11)
Thank you!
Peach Festival with Music to Benefit Trenton Urban Prom-
ise will be held at the Penning-
ton United Methodist Church
August 13 from 5-8 pm.
See details at
http://pennpres.org/localevents
LOCAL BLOOD DRIVE – PLEASE DONATE!
There is a blood shortage this summer. Donate
on Saturday, August 27, from 8 am to 1 pm @
St. Matthew's Episcopal Church. Reserve at
www.redcrossblood.org. Enter sponsor code:
STMatthewsPennington. Receive Dunkin Do-
nuts coupon for free iced coffee and a donut.
Page 6 of 8
On July 17, twenty-three members of our congregation and two translators arrived in Tahdziu, Mexico,
which is the poorest community in the state of Yucatan. We were welcomed warmly with a lovely worship
service on Sunday night and went to our hotel for devotions. We were very excited and a little apprehensive
about what the week would bring. Monday is the day when the real transformation in all of our lives began
in earnest.
As our VBS teen and adult leaders worked with a group of 100-140 children aged two through 12, there were
moments of laughter, prayer, rousing song, and love. We shared Bible stories and received the blessings and
warmth of every child who attended VBS. On Friday, July 22, the entire VBS group walked two blocks to
the water system for our water celebration. As we sang and worshipped together with the adults who had
worked so hard on the system and adult education program all week, we all felt God’s love and the impact of
the double love command – to love God and love one another with all our hearts.
The adult education group, led by Nancy Russell and Sandy LaCasse, met each morning to learn creative and
ongoing ways to share with the community the uses of safe water (drinking, cooking, brushing teeth, and car-
ing for babies) and the importance of hand washing and hygiene. Some of the women spoke only Mayan, so
Sandy translated Nancy’s instructions into Spanish, and then one of the students translated from Spanish to
Mayan! In the afternoon, the morning students brought other women from Tahdziu to learn from the morn-
ing students. The women embraced the order of worship for our water celebration and presented three songs
during the very special event.
The water system installation group, led by Chris LaCasse, spent long days assembling all the components –
from pipes to pumps to filters – for the reverse osmosis and softening water purification system and for the
bottle washing, disinfection, and bottling stations. Our partners had worked for over six months remodeling
a small 10x12 cinderblock building into an attractive, clean, and functional basis for the water system. The
Mexican health department has stringent rules for the cleanliness and flow of water systems from dirty to
clean, and the building had to be remodeled to follow this plan. There was a problem with one pump, but the
group tackled it admirably and by Thursday, the system was up and running! At Friday’s water celebration,
300 people thanked God and our partnership while sipping cups of safe and healthy water from the new sys-
tem!
This experience takes more than one page to explain fully. In fact, I could write a short book about the
amazing ways God worked through all of us and touched each person, both from Pennington and Tahdziu,
over the period of a week. Right now, though, I am thanking every member of our congregation for the gen-
erosity, love, and profound faith that made this experience possible. We could not have done this without
you and without God.
Thank you -- over and over again!
(On the right: Planning with the
local ladies; Hope was the
photographer)
Finding a Way to Say Thank You
by Hope Anderson
P T
L E
A A
N C
N H
I I
N N
G G
ADULT MEETINGS AND EVENTS Aug 8 7:30 pm Worship and Music committee meets
Aug. 15 --- Rev. Nancy Mikoski returns from sab-
batical
Aug. 15 7:30 pm Membership committee meets
Aug. 16 7:00 pm PPC outing at Trenton Thunder
Aug. 16 7:30 pm Stewardship meets
Aug. 18 3:30 pm HomeFront cooks
Aug. 22 7:30 pm Session meets
Sept. 6 7:00 pm Care Team meets
Sept. 6 7:30 pm Deacons meet
Page 7 of 8
Our world needs peace.
Add your prayers for the peoples of the
world - one country at a time.
Aug. 7 Cocos (keeling)
Island
Aug. 14 Colombia
Aug. 21 Commercial
Aug. 28 Comoros
Sept. 4 Congo
Information about all the countries we
have prayed for is at http://penn-
pres.org/pray-for-our-world/ on Thurs-
day, in time for a summary to reach you
in “This Week @ PPC”.
PPC Book Group
August 15 – Short stories (no
advance reading)
Sept. meeting: Olive Kitteridge
by Elizabeth Strout
Oct. meeting: The Optimist's
Daughter by Eudora Welty
BENEFIT CONCERT BY MCMILLAN & CO
ON SATURDAY, AUGUST 13, FROM 7-9 PM
AT 1867 SANCTUARY IN EWING (www.1867sanctuary.org).
This concert is part of a series of musical events raising funds
to renovate what was formerly Ewing Presbyterian.
Donation is $20.
Summer Office Hours are
to 12:30 pm through
the end of August.
August 7 through August 29
The clothing drive will benefit Trenton Rescue Mission.
You may start bringing in clothes (no shoes) in great shape
starting August 7 (no room before because of VBS.)
Please bring donations in sturdy boxes or bags, and put in
the small classroom off Lower Titus (LT-2 or Holy Lands
Room) with easy access to the ‘dance studio’ door.
PASTOR’S THOUGHTS
If we think that we are waiting passively for God’s
kingdom we embark on an unsustainable way of
life. It would be like holding our breath until Jesus
returns. That would be impossible! No, we are
called to participate in the coming kingdom by act-
ing out God’s love, mercy and justice. Mostly in
small ways, but sometimes in big ways.
Learning God’s way is an important part of godly
action. Studying the scriptures, praying, engaging
in Christian fellowship are discipleship actions.
The only way to know that we are standing on
kingdom space is to follow Jesus there. We learn
his ways and we live the faith he has given to us.
Then, when opportunity comes for us to act, we
are led by the Holy Spirit to speak, serve or act in
ways that distinctly resemble that kingdom vision
shown in Revelation.
Each Sunday we gather to celebrate what kingdom
space we have been a part of during the week. We
share where God has been faithful and we share
where we hope God will show up the following
week. Each week our anticipation builds, but also
our fulfillment because of who we see God to be in
our lives. This life full of kingdom purpose and
kingdom hope is distinct in our culture, but it is
also uniquely meaningful to human flourishing. I
wonder who around us on the streets of Penning-
ton, the Hopewell Valley and in Central New Jer-
sey might just be thirsty for this life. I hope we
can invite them into our celebration sometime
soon! Be on the lookout for them and be the ones
who make God’s kingdom seem more real through
your acts of kindness, service, justice and invita-
tion to join in!
David
REMEMBER TASK AND CRISIS MINIS-
TRY THROUGHOUT THE SUMMER.
NEED KNOWS NO SEASONS!
Items most needed by TASK:
Canned soup,
broth based
Canned tuna
Boxed maca-
roni & cheese
Personal toi-
letries
Instant oat-
meal packets
Pasta
Fruit singles
Juice boxes
Granola bars
Peanut butter
& jelly
Items most needed by Crisis Ministry of
Mercer County:
Canned low-
fructose fruit
Canned tuna,
salmon, &
chicken
Boxed cold
cereal; hot
cereal
1 lbs. dried
beans
1 lb. rice
Canned low
sodium vege-
tables
Canned pota-
toes
Shelf-stable
milk
Peanut butter
Boxed maca-
roni & cheese
Olive and
canola oil
Herbs and
spices
Honey
Page 8 of 8
Page 8 of 8
TAHDZIU COMMUNITY CELEBRATES
CLEAN WATER!