The United Methodist Church At Mount Tabor 5 Simpson Avenue P.O. Box 29 Mount Tabor, NJ 07878-0029 ADDRESS SERVICE REQUESTED
Time Value – Please Do Not Delay
THE UNITED METHODIST CHURCH AT MOUNT TABOR NEWSLETTER
TIDINGS
JANUARY 2016 CALENDAR OF UPCOMING EVENTS
SUNDAY MORNING MINISTRY GREETERS/USHERS January 3 Bob Newman & Jeff Dickerson January 10 Blake Davis & Sue Meyers January 17 Krysta Keller & Jill Downing January 24 Michael Ververs & Harrison Weaver January 31 Sue McCrostie & Barbara Strub WORSHIP READERS January 3 George Hemenetz January 10 Hilary Ververs January 17 Harrison Weaver January 24 Sharon Dickerson January 31 Lucas Lori-Kratt & Bob Newman CHILDCARE January 3 Chrissy Weaver & Nicole Zinckgraf January 10 Krysta Keller & Jeanne Believe January 17 Linda Hemenetz & Jessica Zinckgraf January 24 Sarah Lefsyk & Jamaal Parker January 31 Jill Downing & Hannah Ververs COMMUNION STEWARD January 3 Karen Kelly February 7 Deb Scala COUNTERS 1st Sunday Bob & Anne Newman & The Lemanowicz Family 2nd Sunday Zinckgraf Family & Megan Crouse 3rd Sunday Bob & Nancy Gerardi & Karen Kelly 4th Sunday Dickerson Family & Ververs Family 5th Sunday Bob & Anne Newman & The Lemanowicz Family ACOLYTES January 3 Harrison & Lucas January 10 Danny & Amy January 17 Jamaal & Lili January 24 Jeanne & Gracie January 31 Sara & Lucas SUNDAY SCHOOL ASSISTANTS January 3 Janet Ryans January 10 Nancy Gerardi January 17 Dale Lennox January 24 Chrissy Weaver January 31 Janet Leonard
WORSHIP NEWS!
10:30 AM Worship Time
CURRENT SERMON SERIES: “Hymn Stories: The Carols of
Christmas” Jan 3: 2nd Sunday after Christmas; Hymn Story: Songs of Light Jan 10: Celebration of Epiphany (visit of the Magi). Hymn Story: Songs of Seeking Jan 17: 1st Sunday after Epiphany; Pastor Amanda away Jan 24: Celebration of the Baptism of the Lord; Renewal of Baptism Service Jan 31: 3rd Sunday after Epiphany
CALENDAR OF UPCOMING EVENTS (continued)
JANUARY 3rd
SUNDAY SCHOOL for Children and Youth returns this Sunday, January 3rd, at 9:15 am! Hope to see you there. New faces are always welcome! ADULT CLASS also resumes on January 3rd, at 9:15 am. ADULT SUNDAY SCHOOL CLASS Now through January 10th: “On This Holy Night”. An exploration of writings from various authors regarding the Christmas Story. Books available for purchase. January 17th through January 31st: Serendipity Bible. A no-prep discussion on scripture for all levels of Biblical understanding. Fun, casual conversation!
JANUARY 10th
There will be a visit from the Islamic Society of Morris County, Q & A session, and luncheon. See page 13 for more information.
We wish each and every one of you a safe, healthy, and happy New Year!
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‘And she brought forth her first-born son, and
wrapped him in swaddling clothes, and laid
him in a manger.” – Luke 2:7
What is your “prized possession”? What is something you “brought forth” and hold dear? It may be a child or children; it may be something very different – an award, a completed project, the book you’ve always wanted to write, a piece of art passed down through generations, a vacation home, even your favorite coffee mug. We all have things, living and inanimate, that “mean the world to us”.
What does Jesus mean to you?
Perhaps you have a nativity, or crèche, in your own home. If so, you place the baby Jesus, lovingly, in his swaddling clothes, among the animals in the stable. He’s a prized possession – the most important figure in the scene. Many people, when displaying their nativity, will add the baby Jesus last, in a “save the best for last” mentality. And that’s all good…but don’t stop there.
Jesus is more than a figurine in a crèche – much more than just another “prized possession”. Jesus lived, breathed, talked, walked, healed, served, saved, died, and rose gain. Allow that baby Jesus in the nativity, that pretty piece of wood, plastic, or
plaster, to point you TOWARD Jesus, but never substitute it for the real thing – Jesus is here, with us today, calling our names. WE are HIS “prized possessions”.
As we take down the decorations, put away the nativities, and leave the tree by the side of the road, don’t “box up” the real Jesus. As we pack away our baby Jesus figurines, may we do so gently; but may we also embrace the real Jesus with a bear hug – you won’t break him, I assure you.
And now that we’ve found Him, let’s hold on to Him all year.
Happy New Year!,
Pastor Amanda
CHOIR REHEARSALS are held every Thursday, 7:30 pm, in the sanctuary. Join us!
Tidings The United Methodist Church at Mount Tabor January 2016
“A Christ-Centered Family – Inspired, Inclusive, and Inviting.”
Pastor’s Message
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MEMBERS AND FRIENDS IN THE MILITARY Lauren Luther, US Marines, Mt. Tabor resident
Erin Parker, US Air Force (former church member/son of Kathy & Chris Parker) Michael O’Neil Drew Greenlees, US Navy, serving in Iraq
Graduate of Parsippany Hills, grew up in Glacier Hills
Mike Sgambati, US Air Force, living in New Mexico
Husband of Melissa Meyers
Alex Degrosky, friend of Deb Scala
ANNOUNCEMENTS
BITS & PIECES
Do you have something to announce? The deadline for the weekly bulletin will be Thursday at 9:00 am. The deadline for the monthly Tidings newsletter will be the 20th of each month.
PRAYER CHAIN
Our church has an active prayer chain whose members regularly receive requests for prayers for specific needs. Although most often it concerns health, the need may be in another area as well. To place a request for prayers, it is suggested that you call the church office at 973-627-4243 or email the church office at [email protected] .
PRAYERS NEEDED
Please keep the following people in your prayers: Donna Wojcik Stan Wojcik David Ober, Jr Jeanne Apgar Eloise Margus Fran Ober The Ober Family Terry Ober Pamela Fisher Family of William Wylie Tina Miller & Family Kay Hutchinson Family of Josie Campbell Kathy Davis Family of Hilda “Misty” Smith Linda Abrahamsen & Family
JANUARY
HAPPY BIRTHDAY!
Jan. 3rd Sarah Lefsyk, Jeffrey Corcoran
Jan. 5th Glen DiOrio, Megan Zeh & Cheryl DiOrio
Jan 9th Adrienne Anzalone
Jan. 14th Michael Anzalone
Jan. 23rd Ronald Anzalone, Jr.
Jan. 26th Dorothy Henderson
Jan. 27th Wendy Finnerty
Jan. 31st Melissa Meyers
If you are not receiving the Tidings electronically, please give us your email
and we will send it to you. Paper, printing, and postage costs are high. If you can do
without the paper, please let us know.
Located on the lower level of the United Methodist Church at Mount Tabor, 5 Simpson Ave., Mt. Tabor, NJ
HOURS: Wed. 10AM-2PM Thurs. 10AM-2PM & 4PM-8PM & every
Saturday from 9AM-1PM
CURRENTLY CLOSED FOR THE HOLIDAY BREAK.
RE-OPENING SAT., JAN 2nd
Volunteers are needed. Join the fun! To volunteer
call Nancy Gerardi or Deb Scala.
For church members bringing donations – please place them OUTSIDE the back closet in Memorial Hall. Thank you! DO NOT directly donate furniture. Furniture must be scheduled for inspection through the church office prior to donation. We gladly accept donations in good condition. We allow ONE BAG of donations during shopping hours, if you have more, please contact the church office at 973-627-4243 to make arrangements.
PLEASE DO NOT LEAVE DONATIONS OUTSIDE.
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ALISON’S ANGELS In Celebration of Those Who Serve The First Annual Alison’s Angel Award was given to Kay Hutchinson for her years of dedicated service to the church. The award was celebrated on December 13th. Pastor Amanda and Sue Meyers presented Kay with the certificate the next week. The award plaque, which is located in the narthex, reads as follows: “Alison Ober served this church humbly and without reservation. This award is presented yearly in her memory, and in honor of all those who volunteer their assistance in the life of the church in the name of Christ.”
DODI’S “VACATION” Dodi will be out of the office from Monday, January 4th, through Friday, January 8th, for a family medical issue in Florida. If you have an emergency, you can reach Pastor Amanda in the office at 973-627-4243 or on her cell at 973-978-5162. Please keep Dodi and her family in prayer.
PASTOR AMANDA’S VACATION
Pastor Amanda will be on vacation from Thursday, January 14th, through Tuesday, January 19th. For emergency pastoral care needs, you may contact Rev. Ed Carll at 973-627-1041 or his cell at 908-400-2914.
A NOTE FROM JEFF DICKERSON
SPRC2015
It's a new year and a new chapter in the life of our church. As I step down as SPRC chair after about 4 years, I reflect on the changes I've been a part of. The SPRC chair handles matters concerning the paid employees of the church, and it was Pastor Jennifer that asked me to chair it. In the last four years, we have gotten a new pastor, a new secretary, a new cleaning person (or two), a new child care employee (who recently resigned), and last but certainly not least, a new music director. We've come a long way! I took the torch from Bob Newman who continues to bring so much experience to the committee and I pass it to Deb Scala, who cares deeply for our church family and its employees. I have no doubt that Deb, Bob and the committee will help take our church to the next level and I look forward to seeing exactly what that looks like! If you ever have any questions, concerns or comments regarding the paid employees, you have every right to express them. Confidentiality is of the utmost importance so you can remain anonymous if you so choose. Thank you Bob, good luck, Deb and god bless you both!
Jeff Dickerson
(And we thank you, Jeff, for your leadership!)
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TRUSTEE CORNER Welcome to the New Year. I would like to recap what the trustees have been working on over the past year. It’s been a busy year with the start of our capital campaign and keeping up on the basic maintenance of the church and parsonage. Some of the most recent additions are new lighting for the outside of the church and parking lot as well as updating to LED bulbs in the sanctuary. Although you may not notice, the new lights will save on our monthly electric bill. We had a good turnout for the fall cleanup at the end of November and were able to clean up the leaves, clean the roof and gutters as well as install the crèche and new lighting. Thanks to all those who helped! We also replaced the water fountain in the upper hallway of our education building (thanks Wayne). We continue with the capital campaign and hope to reach our goal for this year so we can proceed with the other projects on our list. The next project is repairs to the parking lot including filling cracks, patching holes, seal coating and repainting lines. We look to the support of our congregation to reach our goal this year, and many thanks to all who have donated in the past. We will keep you updated each month on our progress. Mike Zinckgraf
CAPITAL CAMPAIGN GOAL (3 YEARS) $35,000 DONATION TO DATE $10,228.72
LIVE NATIVITY A Live Nativity was performed at the Montville Reformed Church just before Christmas. Four of our very own “Angels” performed. Pictured are Nicole Zinckgraf, Morgan Dickerson, Jessica Zinckgraf, and Taylor Dickerson. They are such a beautiful group of angels!!
SUNDAY SCHOOL PRESENTATION
On Sunday, December 20th, we were treated to the Sunday School Christmas Presentation. The Youth Class directed this special play and did a great job!
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SOUTH CAROLINA FLOOD RECOVERY We received a thank you note from the South Carolina Conference of the UMC for all of your generous gift card donations for the flood victims. “Dear Rev. Amanda Hemenetz, On behalf of the South Carolina Annual Conference of the United Methodist Church, I want to express our sincere thanks to your church’s gift of donated gift certificates. Thank you for your role in being the hands and feet of Christ. Blessing, Chelsey Faircloth”
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CHRISTMAS EVE
Our Christmas Eve services were just beautiful!! The Hand Bell Choir performed at the 4:00 pm service as did our Dancers and they did a wonderful job!! The Chancel Choir sang at the 11:00 pm service and did excellently!! Thank you to our very talented choirs and to all who participated in the services to make them so special. We even got a visit from Santa!!
The 4:00 pm service was maxed out with 125 people attending! Isn’t it great when the sanctuary is full!!
A very special thank you to Dawn Zinckgraf and the Ministry of the Arts members for their hard work to make the sanctuary a beautiful vision!
A SPECIAL TREAT
A special treat was given to us on the Sunday after Christmas! The beautiful gift of violin and piano music! Thank you to the Markerts for this Christmas gift!
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CHRISTMAS EVE FLOWERS DEDICATIONS
Poinsettias Given by: In loving memory of: Bob & Nancy Gerardi Our daughters – JoLynne Sheldon & Sandra
Gerardi Rosas
The Scala Family Joanna Esposito
Barbara Strub & Family Parents, Helen & Lester Evans, Anna Strub &
Husband, Donald Strub
The Corcoran Family Alan Blazure, Harry, Madeline, Linda &
David Corcoran
Wilbur & Jill Downing Jill’s Parents, Mahlon & Ila
Wilbur’s Parents, Wilbur & Phyllis
Our Grandparents
Wayne & Elva Neumann Diana Neumann
Pat Fox Hopie
Audrey Phillips Loved Ones – Harold, Todd, & Helen
Anne Lane, Pat & Bill Lane Paul Lane, Bill & Dorothy Stephenson
Carolyn Fagan Ella and Austin Tuttle
Henry Henes Hope Henes, Gloria Henes, Hope Shaw &
John Selingo
Nancy & Ken Miller Irene Yeager
Bonnie & Larry Zeh Our Moms and Dads
Anne & Robert Newman David William Newman
George & Linda Hemenetz George Hemenetz, Sr & Francis Polst
Jeff, Sharon, Taylor, Morgan & Auntie A
Carly Dickerson
Chuck and Betty Eichlin Charles & Mary Eichlin
Eichlin & Francis Families Jon Eichlin
Jennifer Francis Mary Wescott
Dennis & Tina Hackney Ron & Louise Hackney
Betty Eichlin Jay & Kay Horacek
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Poinsettias Given by: In loving honor of: Sandy Cisco The Christmas Season
Bonnie & Larry Zeh Our Grandsons
Harrison, Logan, Ryan, Jake & Delcan Grandma and Pop-Pop
Poinsettias Given by: In loving honor of: George & Linda Hemenetz Given with prayers of Peace on Earth
Our children, George III, Diana, and Richard
Our grandchildren, Liliana Roeder & Greg Hemenetz
Taylor, Morgan, & Carly Dickerson Our Grandparents Anna Dumford and Ron & Marie
Dickerson
2015 Christmas Donations
Donations Given by: In loving memory of: Jewel Burns Robert Burns
Ken, Laura, & Sara Lemanowicz Roger Taylor
Amy S. Grant Donald M & Phoebe A. Grant
Bill D. Wylie III
The Grandparents Berge & Grant
The Scala Family Joanna Esposito
Donna & Stan Wojcik Our Parents
Dawn, Michael, Jessica & Alison Ober and Bob & Clara Zinckgraf
Nicole Zinckgraf Our Parents and Grandparents
Sharon, Jeff, Taylor, Morgan, & Laurel & Mary Abney and Ron Dumford
Carly Dickerson
The Scala Family Barbara Scala Roberto (Joe’s Step Mom)
Donations Given by: In loving honor of: Jewel Burns 6 Great-Grandchildren
Ken, Laura, & Sara Lemanowicz Nancy Taylor
Donna & Stan Wojcik Our Grandchildren (Connor, Brenna & Carley)
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BAPTISMS HERE AT UMCMT On Sunday, December 27th, we celebrated We also celebrated 3 Baptisms on the Baptism of Willow Grace Pulliam. Willow December 6th, for Ned Stroh, Leonora is the daughter of Jessica Pulliam and Leo Claire Constance Stroh, and Simon McKay. She is also the granddaughter of Edward Stroh. This is the family of our Wayne Englehardt. All the best blessings to Music Director, Rachel Caldari-Stroh. you Willow Grace! We wish you all blessings and welcome
Ned Stroh as a full professing member!
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BELL CHOIR
We’re taking a little after-Christmas break, but we will keep you posted on upcoming rehearsals. Questions? Contact George Hemenetz at [email protected] New ringers are always welcome.
STEWARDSHIP
It’s that time again! If you have filled out your pledge card already, your envelopes are labeled and waiting in the Narthex for you. If you haven’t filled it out yet, there are blank ones in the Narthex as well, as well as one attached here. If you would like to receive envelopes but not pledge at this time, please call the office to make arrangements. Thank you to those who have pledged!
QUESTIONS ABOUT ISLAM?
QUESTIONS ABOUT ISLAM?
We are living in a time in which many questions and concerns regarding the Muslim religion are being asked and raised. We are very pleased to welcome The Islamic Society of Morris County to join us on Sunday, January 10 for a presentation on the basics of Islam, followed by a ‘Q&A’ session. We will talk with each other following worship, from 12noon-1pm. Lunch will be provided. This event is FREE, and open to all. Spread the word!! **Questions for the ‘Q&A’ will only be taken BEFOREHAND. Please submit questions to the church office via email. Questions will also be collected during worship on 1/3/16.
SUPPORT A LOCAL FAMILY IN NEED Rosmira Trujillo, of Denville, died suddenly at the age of 41, leaving behind 4 children, one of which is a student of Taylor Dickerson. Donations to the family can be made out to ‘Denville Social Services,’ and mailed to Township Hall, 1 St. Mary’s Place, Denville, NJ 07834. Write ‘Trujillo family’ on the memo line of your check.
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WELCOME
The United Methodist Church at Mount Tabor is a community of faith-filled friends who seek to grow closer to God through the ministry of Jesus Christ, and by the guidance of the Holy Spirit. We celebrate the history of Mount Tabor, and look with hope toward the future. Everyone is welcome here; everyone is cherished here; for everyone is a child of God. All are welcome to participate with us in our journey of faith, regardless of background, theological stance, or personal characteristics. We rejoice in God creating us to be a diverse family; and we strive to follow the Spirit’s leading as one, while maintaining and upholding our individuality. Because of the current official stance of The United Methodist Church, we feel it is important to state a welcome to those of all sexual orientations and gender identities – You are welcome here. God loves you just the way you are; and so do we.
OUR TEAM IN MINISTRY
Pastor: Rev. Amanda Hemenetz Parsonage: (973) 784-3758
Email: [email protected]
Pastor Emeritus: Rev. Carolyn Fagan Home: (973) 285-3965
Email: [email protected]
Church Administrative Assistant: Dodi Skovronek Office: (973) 627-4243 Fax (973) 627-0601
Email: [email protected]
Church Council John Ryans (973) 625-3660 Finance Kevin Davis (973) 971-9927 Church Lay Member Ken Miller (973) 539-8231
to Conference Church Lay Leader Bob Newman (973) 627-2494 Ministry of Art Dawn Zinckgraf (973) 538-5039 Mission Outreach Sarah Lefsyk (973) 810-5305 Music/Worship Rachel Caldari Stroh (973) 876-9846 Staff Parish Relations Jeff Dickerson (973) 625-2879 Sunday School Hilary Ververs (973) 625-7310 Treasurer Ken Miller (973) 539-8231 Trustees Mike Zinckgraf (973) 538-5039
___________________________________________________________________________________________________________ The United Methodist Church at Mt. Tabor publishes Tidings monthly. Please address correspondence to:
The United Methodist Church at Mount Tabor 5 Simpson Avenue
P.O. Box 29 Mount Tabor, NJ 07878-0029
Website: www.mttaborumc.ning.com Email: [email protected]
