SHARING THE FAITH
“Happy New Year!” It’s a phrase, a wish for someone, a positive energy thought sent out for the benefit of another…it’s a good thing to say, and so I wish it and say it to you all, “Happy New Year!”
Being happy or at least pursuing happiness in the New Year is important, so to get the New Year Ball rolling, here are several quotations that others have expressed about being happy in the New Year or at anytime. Like when we say, “Happy New Year” to each other, the authors had a good purpose behind their words:
“Happiness is not a destination. It is a method of life.” Burton Hills
“The secret of happiness is not in doing what one likes to do, but in liking what one has to do.” Anonymous
“Happiness comes of the capacity to feel deeply, to enjoy simply, to think freely,… to be needed.” Storm Jamieson
“You can never be happy at the expense of the happiness of others.” Chinese Proverb
“One of the things that I keep learning is that the secret of being happy is doing things for other people.” Dick Gregory
“In the end, it’s not the years in your life that count, but the life in your years.” Abraham Lincoln
“Happiness is a state of activity.” Aristotle
“The best and most beautiful things in this world that bring us happiness cannot be seen or even heard, but must be felt with the heart.” Helen Keller
“I have given you an example that ye should do as I have done to you. If ye know these things, happy are ye if ye do them.” Jesus Christ (john 13:15,17)
The quotations are from diverse people and different times in history, and all of them give some insight into how to be happy in the New Year, but it is only Jesus who is profound enough to say that happiness will come to you if you and do as He has done. This statement by Jesus, “…Ye should do as I have done to you” is a precursor of what He is really talking about; to be happy is to “love one another as I have loved you.” (John 13:34) This is the New Mandate of Jesus Christ.
In the New Year, for those of us who believe in Jesus Christ, shouldn’t we truly want to have a Happy New Year in 2012? …Then we ought to do as He has first done for us: Love is the answer.
A blessed and Happy New Year to you all!
Pastor Don
RESTORING OUR 1834 CHURCH
PROJECT UPDATE FROM THE PROPERTY
AND I&S MINISTRIES
AND THE PASTOR
Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year to all:
This message is a 3-part update on the progress of Phase 2 of restoring our 1834 Church. The first part is written by the Property Ministry, the second by I&S, and then is closed by comments from the Pastor Don.
From the Property Ministry: Phase 2 work started the end of November with the structural repairs to the outside wall on the Route 10 side and to the outside wall in the third alcove. Some small surprises were found but were easily remedied. We installed a temporary fence, due as required by the state for the Day Care Center, so that as the children walk past the work area to get to the playground, they can be kept safe and out of the work areas.
The bulk of the work will start after the first of the year. We are in the process of approving the architects’ drawings to be submitted to the town for approval and permits; once that is done the real work begins. Your Session has met with the general contractor to go over the plans, and to develop a budget and time line for completion of the work. There are some really nice upgrades to look forward to. We need to bring this part of the building up to present day codes and requirements. Our goal is to be back in Parish Hall by April 1, 2012.
There will be plenty of opportunities for sweat equity from our members during this phase of the restoration to help keep the costs under control and stay within budget.
Some of the upgrades are: The Fellowship Hall level will now be handicapped-accessible with wheel chair accessible restrooms, will have new lighting, and we will have an updated kitchen. We are able to reuse the dishwasher, stoves, and one refrigerator. This is a large savings for us.
From the I&S Ministry: As we move into the Phase 2 restoration, the church will be encountering some challenges financially. We are still awaiting some recovery from our insurance claims. Also the church is in the process of applying for an equity line of credit, but this has not been finalized. Frankly, as of this date, the church doesn’t have the funds available to complete the Phase 2 restoration given the anticipated costs of the project. May God show us the way forward in our time of need.
From the pastor’s point of view, we have decided to “Opt for the Spirit” during this wonderful season of Advent, and allow the congregation to focus on preparing spiritually for Christmas. Just after, however, we are planning for an open, Congregational Q&A/Information Meeting to talk about the project. This information meeting is planned for Sunday, January 8th after worship. The primary point of discussion to get a sense from the congregation about the long-term future options for our church, given the facts of our situation; for as we all know, there may be more floods are in our future. Depending on the outcome of the January 8th meeting, there may be a docketed voting item at the Congregational Meeting on January 29th about how to go forward with a 5-year plan for our church.
The congregation should be comfortable in knowing that sweeping strategic decisions regarding our church go beyond the authority of the session alone, and belong to all members of the church. The session’s responsibility is to, along with members of the church, implement the plan that will be agreed by the whole congregation. In the meantime, please continue to pray for our church.
Blessings to all for a Merry Christmas and the Happiest of New Years,
Dale Cowley (Property Ministry) John Hartmann and Peter Stancato (I&S Ministry) and Pastor Don
WORK DAY – JANUARY 7TH
Your Property Ministry is having a Sweat Equity Work Day on Saturday January 7th starting at 8:00 AM to work along with our general contractor. He is need of our help to drop the remaining ceilings in parish hall and the kitchen. Due to the type of work I am asking for men only.. sorry ladies your time will come later.
If you own a wheel borrow I would ask you to bring it with you, dust masks and safety glasses will be provided due to the amount of dust that will be present,
There is a signup sheet on the board outside of the church office please sign up. By you signing up to help it will help us to save funds that can be used towards other expenses of the project.
Members of senior high that go to mountain top we can use your help as well
Morning coffee and lunch will be provided, so please sign up so we know how much food and coffee we will need.
Thank you
Property Ministry
Our FAItHBOOKING ministry has sent more than 60 cards filled with prayers, love and support to loved ones and church members during 2011.
We can have an even greater impact with more friends in faith joining us.
You are cordially invited to join us on any of the following dates for some fellowship, prayer and do your heart some good while you lift others up in spirit! We meet at 9am in the upstairs classrooms and you only need to bring a serving heart and perhaps a name/address of someone who could use our blessings and prayers!
· January 8
· February 12
· March 11 (Daylight savings begins)
· April 15 (3rd Sunday)
· May 20 (3rd Sunday)
· June 10 (final meeting before summer)
If you would like help making a personal FAItHBOOKING album to celebrate your own personal God stories, you can learn about that too!
Please contact Kris LeDonne with questions or rsvp's. 973-599-0204 or
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.
Materials for card making are provided at each gathering and Creative Memories album materials are available for ordering, which raises funds for this ministry.
The Homeless Solutions meal is served at the Morris County Shelter on the fourth Sunday of every month. We are always in need of volunteers. If you have not served a meal, please consider signing up. This is truly a rewarding experience, which touches the lives of those served, and touches the hearts of those who serve. The Homeless Solutions food pantry is in need of the following: Salad Dressing, 50 lbs. of sugar** & Iced Tea Mix
The Deacons would like to thank everyone who donated sugar to help us meet our commitment of 50 lbs. of sugar a month. **
**If you would prefer to make a monetary donation, please place it in an offering envelope, marked “Homeless Solutions”. The loose offering will be designated to the deacons on the first Sunday of the month, as we need to replenish our funds after the flood. **
Thank you for all of your efforts to help our church grow in faith and discipleship for Jesus Christ!
THE ANNUAL CONGREGATIONAL
MEETING WILL BE HELD AFTER WORSHIP ON SUNDAY, JANUARY 29TH.
The 2012 per capita apportionment is $29 per member (same as 2011). This is a ‘head tax’ budgeted item that our church is obligated to pay to Presbytery each year. Any contributions that could be offered to help offset this expense would be greatly appreciated. There are offering envelopes in your box that can be used for this purpose.
Thank You.
Club 3:16
Sunday January 8th
Meeting 5:00-6:30 pm
Sunday January 15th
Movie Night
Time & Place TBA
Sunday January 22nd
Meeting 5:00-7:00 pm
Sunday January 29th
Meeting 5:00-7:00 pm
If you have any questions please feel free to call Joanne at 973-599-0006.
SHYF
Senior High Youth Fellowship
Sunday January 8th
Meeting 5:00-6:30 pm
Sunday January 15th
Movie Night
Time & Place TBA
Sunday January 22nd
Meeting 5:00-7:00 pm
Sunday January 29th
Meeting 5:00-7:00 pm
If you have any questions please feel free to call Joanne at 973-599-0006.
Souper Bowl of Caring ~ February 5, 2012
Over 20 years ago it all started with a simple prayer:
“Lord, as we enjoy the Super Bowl football game,
help us to be mindful of those without even a bowl of soup to eat.”
Sunday February 5, 2012, over 130 million people all over the world will tune in to the Super Bowl football game. There will be parties with abundant food, friendship and fellowship. At the same time, there will be people worrying about clothing their families, looking for shelter and hoping for a warm meal.
On Super Bowl Sunday our youth will join tens of thousands of other youth around the country to demonstrate Gods love by loving our neighbors through a different kind of bowl… the Souper Bowl of Caring.
It’s a simple, yet significant act of caring for others. We will hold soup pots at church doors to collect money for those who are hungry and hurting.
2011 nationwide: 15,835 groups generated
$9,583,628 in cash and food items for local charities!
Our church will donate our Souper Bowl collection to Homeless Solutions and Market Street Mission. Since the Souper Bowl of Caring began in 1990, over $50 million has been given to help those in need. None of this money ever goes to the Souper Bowl of Caring headquarters. Please support us on February 5th in this effort to love our neighbors by dropping your dollar in the soup pot as you leave church.
We will also be holding a food drive for the food pantries at the Interfaith Council for the Homeless and Market Street Mission. Please help stock those food pantries!
Those who need help may not know the name
of the person who cared, but God does.
And our young people are developing hearts
for giving that can last a lifetime.
Please show them your giving hearts too!
Thank you.
ADULT SERVICES SEMINAR INFORMATIONMany thanks to Vivian Cohen and Margaret Reitmeyer for their hard work in organizing the seminar on Senior Citizen Services that was held on December 1st at the Hildale Presbyterian Church. Those who attended found that the seminar was very well done, and provided valuable information about accessing Senior Citizen services in Morris County.
Below are listed the names and contact information for those who made presentations that day. In addition, the names and contact information for the vendors that were there are also listed in addition to other lists of available Senior Citizen services.
Eldercare locator (Administration on Aging)
800-677-1116
www.eldercare.gov
A first stop for nationwide information on services for the elderly. Locate area agencies on aging throughout the U.S. by country.
New Jersey EASE (Easy Access Single Entry)
800-564-4656 (will connect you to the county office from wherever you are calling in NJ)
877-222-3737 (Morris County)
Provides information on what programs and services are available through each New Jersey county office on aging.
New Jersey Self Help Group Clearinghouse
800-367-6274
www.njgroups.org
Information and contacts for more than 4,500 support groups in New Jersey.
National Family Caregivers Association
800-896-3650
www.nfcacares.org
Caregiving advocacy organization with tips and statistics on caregiving in America.
National Association of Professional Geriatric Care Managers
520-881-8008
www.caremanager.org
Website explains the role of care managers and points caregivers to local
resources.
National Alzheimer’s Association
800-272-3900800-883-1180 (Greater NJ Chapter Caregiver Helpline)
www.alz.org
Information, education, and support to caregivers of those with dementia.
Medicare
800-633-4227
www.medicare.gov
Information on Medicare, health plans, programs, eligibility and enrollment.
Family First HomeCare
Joyce Marlin – Community Liaison
973-328-7700
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Municipal Housing Liaison – Senior Services Advisor
Kelli Schanz973-428-2497
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Family Service of Morris County
Lucille H. Deutsch, CALA, CMC
Director, Geriatric and Caregiver Outreach
973-538-5260 ext 226
www.fsmc.org
Hospice of New Jersey
Jody Sheppard
Provider Relations Coordinator
973-893-0818
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BLS Eldercare Financial Solutions
Barbara Steinberg, CEO
973-406-7100 ext 101
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www.blseldercare.com
Senior Bridge – Managing Couples Chronic CareSara Sapienza, Director of Professional Relations
973-533-1730
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ww.SeniorBridge.com
Tom Hollerbach – Golden Years Real Solutions & Services
908-343-1171
www.GoldenYearsEquity.com
Donald M. McHugh – Certified Elder Law Attorney
973-577-6010
If you require additional information from our church, please contact Pastor Don, or our Deacons.
