The Newsletter of the
Stewartsville Presbyterian Church
550 North Main Street
Stewartsville, NJ 08886
908-859-1399
E-mail us at: spchurch@bellatlantic.net
Visit us at: http://home.att.net/~sp_church
May-June 2001
D
ear FriendsLunch pails have really changed. Joshua, our grandson, and I went Wal-Marting to buy one for his lunches.
I was expecting the traditional "Your father’s lunchbox". You know the one. The kind "Men" carried when they went off to work. The lunch pail was a rectangularly shaped box with rounded top and made of metal. It had a handle on the outside and an aluminum wire holder on the inside lid, probably painted black? Remember them? "Real Men" used to carry them to work before there were mega-corporate-cafeterias, and nouvelle-cuisined-lunch carts.
Well, surprise me! If a salesperson hadn’t helped us, I would still be wandering the aisles. I was prepared for the thought of a Barney or a Disney lunch pail, the kind our kids might have had, which was simply a plastic version of "Your father’s lunchbox". But I really wasn’t ready for this latest technology. Josh knew exactly what he was looking for, and what the new lunchbox looked like, but I didn’t.
Did you know that now they are made of what looks like a light plastic cover over soft foam, with a little sandwich-shaped compartment, and other pockets for fruit, drinks, and a place for an ice pack. It is designed in such a way that it circulates the coolness around the food it contains and keeps everything nice and fresh.
It lacks the same nostalgic look as Dad’s lunch pail, and it doesn’t look like it would be comfortable in a coal mine or a muddy construction site, but it really is quite functional and ideal for the occasion. Though it pains me to admit it…it probably is a better idea.
Some new things really are better. Years ago, if our cars were still running after 100,000 miles we thought we’d had a great car. Now, certain kinds of "pre-owned", not "used" cars with 100,000 miles require a mortgage to purchase them, because there is still so much life left in the car.
As one who confesses openly that they would be perfectly content if the whole world remained exactly as it is today, I must admit that though God changes not, God always seems to be about new things.
Need I remind you of all the newness that Jesus brought into this world? "A new commandment I give unto you" said Jesus, "That ye love one another; as I have loved you." It was a New Covenant that our Lord created and it is in Christ that we become new creations. So, perhaps there is something to say for a new song, even as we await the new heavens and the new earth.
Grace and Peace….
Pastor Roan
MAY 2001
GREETERS FOR MAY
May 6 Frank and Mary Baylor
May 13 Bill and Sue Schisler
May 20 Unavailable
May 27 George and Eleanor Earling
ELDERS SERVING COMMUNION IN MAY
Preparation: Thomas K. Thomas/John VanDecker
Serving: Peggy Smith, Thomas K. Thomas, John VanDecker, Frank Baylor, Ralph DeHaas, George Earling
ELDERS SERVING COMMUNION IN JUNE
Preparation: Bob Hurte and Bob McFarlane
Serving:Fred Gary, Bob Hurte, Bob McFarlane, Peggy Smith, Thomas K. Thomas, John Van Decker
May 6 – Mary Lou Gary – Acts 9:36-43; Psalm 23; Revelation 7:9-17; John 10:22-30
May 13 – Tim Loyle – Acts 11:1-18; Psalm 148; Revelation 21:1-6; John 13:31-35
May 20 – Barbara Hurte – Acts 16:9-15; Psalm 67; Revelation 21:10, 21:22-25:5; John 14:23-29 or John 5:1-9
May 27 – Jay Miers – Acts 16:16-34; Psalm 97; Revelation 22:12-14, 16-17, 20-21; John 17:20-26
INFANT BAPTISM
Allison Scott Horton, daughter of Scott and Kimberly Horton received the Sacrament of Infant Baptism April 29, 2001. Allison was born September 28, 2000 in St. Luke’s Hospital in Bethlehem, PA. Allison resides with her family and sister Kaitlyn in Easton, PA.
From the Kitchen Window
The time has gone by far too swiftly, and now I realize that I've been looking out of this kitchen window for twenty-five years!
How about that, when we first moved in on June 24th, 1976(back in the 20th century), we were 33 years old with four children ages 2-12! Although it seems like only yesterday, it was in many ways a different world.
In our home that knew no VCRs, remote controls, cordless phones or CD players, we were a busy, happy family, trying to become accustomed to being
so involved in the life of the church.( this was our first church) Things were always happening unexpectedly, it seems, and so we got used to that, too.
God has worked in many "unexpected" and mysterious ways in our lives and in the life of our church. We have seen fire and flood, accidents, deaths of many of our friends and loved ones, but many more joyous events such as weddings, births, anniversaries, festivals, and last year's celebrations of the 150th year of our church. Through it all, God has
provided guidance and comfort, courage and consolation, and a deep sense of the faith of our fathers(and mothers).
Thank-you prayers go up constantly for the good life He has given us here in Stewartsville, and all the many dear friends who at times are more like family than family.
My children will tell you they saw their mom cry on that day in 1976, because she was overcome with gratitude for the way our new congregation
had stocked all the cupboards in our house with food! Quite a big day in our lives! To those who were actually in the church at that time, I thank you once again for your kind and generous spirit.
God bless,
CALENDAR FOR MAY
Tues. May 1 10:00 Bible Study
Wed. May 2 7:00 Senior Choir
8:00 AA Meeting
Fri. May 4 11:45 May Friendship Day at Pilgrim Presbyterian
Sun. May 6 9:00 – 9:30 Jr. Choir Practice
9:30 – 10:30 Adult Bible Study
9:30 - 10:30 Sunday School
10:45 Worship Service
Mon. May 7 7:30 Deacons Meeting
Tues. May 8 10:00 Bible Study
Wed. May 9 7:00 Senior Choir
8:00 AA Meeting
Thurs. May 10 7:30 Grange
Sat. May 12 6:00 Mother/Daughter Banquet
Sun. May 13 9:00 – 9:30 Jr. Choir Practice
9:30 – 10:30 Adult Bible Study
9:30 – 10:30 Sunday School
10:45 Worship Service/Mother’s Day
Mon. May 14 7:30 Session Meeting
Tues. May 15 10:00 NO Bible Study today
Wed. May 16 7:00 Senior Choir
8:00 AA Meeting
Sun. May 20 9:00 – 9:30 Jr. Choir Practice
9:30 – 10:30 Adult Bible Study
9:30 – 10:30- Sunday School
10:45 Worship Service
Mon. May 21 7:30 Women’s Assoc.Mtg.
Wed. May 23 7:00 Senior Choir
8:00 AA Mtg.
Thurs. May 24 6:00 Council of Churches Annual Dinner Mtg. @ Wesley United Methodist
Sun. May 27 9:00 – 9:30 Jr. Choir Practice
9:30 – 10:30 Adult Bible Study
9:30 – 10:30 Sunday School
10:45 Worship Service
3:00 Chapel Service at Lopatcong Care Center
CALENDAR FOR JUNE
Sun. June 3
9:00 – 9:30 Jr. Choir PracticeMon. June 4 7:30 Deacon’s Meeting
Tues. June 5 10:00 Bible Study
Wed. June 6 7:00 Senior Choir
8:00 AA Meeting
Sun. June 10 9:00 – 9:30 Jr. Choir Practice
9:30 – 10:30 Adult Bible Study
9:30 – 10:30 Sunday School
10:45 Worship Service/Children’s Day
Mon. June 11 7:30 Session Meeting
Tues. June 12 10:00 Bible Study today
Wed. June 13 7:00 Senior Choir
8:00 AA Meeting
Thur. June 14 7:30 Grange Meeting
Sun. June 17 9:30 Father’s Day Breakfast in
Fellowship Hall
10:45 Worship Service
Mon. June 18 7:30 Women’s Assoc. Mtg.
Sun June 24 10:00 SUMMER SCHEDULE BEGINS
WORSHIP SERVICE AND SUNDAY SCHOOL AT 10:00
3:00 Chapel Service at Lopatcong Care Cnt.
Mon. June 25 – June 29 9:30 VACATION BIBLE SCHOOL
COMING EVENTS
June 10/10:45 Children’s Day
June 17/9:30 Father’s Day Breakfast
June 25-June 29 9:30-12 noon Vacation Bible School Begins
JUNIOR CHOIR
JUNIOR CHOIR IS IN A DESPERATE SEARCH FOR YOUTH AGES 8 – 12 TO BEGIN SINGING. IF YOUR CHILD IS WILLING, PLEASE BRING THEN A HALF AN HOUR EARLY TO SUNDAY SCHOOL AND WE WILL TEACH THEM JOYFUL, FUN, UPLIFTING SONGS TO SING TO THE LORD. FOR MORE INFORMATION CALL COLLEEN ROAN AT 859-1399.
A RECOGNITION OF BAPTISM
Anthony Scott DeMasi is a child of the Church. His parents share two Christian traditions. It is the intention of his parents that he share in both of these traditions. He was baptized on March 25, 2001 at St. Jane Frances de Chantal Roman Catholic Church in Wilson Borough.
Anthony will also have a part in the life of this church family. We thank God for Anthony’s life and we welcome him into our lives.
Anthony Scott DeMasi is the son of Scott and Denise (Stone) DeMasi. He was born December 20, 2000 at St. Luke’s Hospital in Bethlehem, PA. Anthony resides on Norma Lane in Bethlehem with his parents and his big sister Katie.
CATHOLIC CHARITIES
Sister Michaelita reported during March – 225 households = 576 clients = 725 bags of food were distributed.
Baccalaureate speaker will be Father Guy from St. Philip and St. James Roman Catholic Church at Pilgrim Presbyterian Church on June 10th at 6:00 p.m.
WINDSHIELD WIPERS
One rainy afternoon I was driving along one of the main streets of town, taking those extra precautions necessary when the roads are wet and slick.
Suddenly, my son spoke up from his relaxed position in the front seat. "Mom, I’m thinking of something" This announcement usually meant he had been pondering some facts for a while and was now ready to expound all that his seven-year-old mind had discovered. I was eager to hear. "What are you thinking?" I asked.
"The rain, he began, "is like sin and the windshield wipers are like God wiping our sins away." After the chill bumps raced up my arms I was able to respond. "That’s really good!" Then my curiosity broke in. How far would this little boy take this revelation? So I asked, "Do you notice how the rain keeps on coming? What does that tell you?" He didn’t hesitate one moment with his answer: "We keep on sinning, and God just keeps on forgiving us."
Submitted by
Bessie Sinclair
SUMMER SCHEDULE NOTICE:
Our Summer Schedule will begin Sunday June 24th. The time is 10:00 A.M. for Worship and Sunday School. We will resume our regular Worship time on Sunday September 9th.
VACATION BIBLE SCHOOL
Vacation Bible School will be held from June 25-th- June 29th. Registration forms will be given to the children. Please see Sunday School teachers for registration forms if you do not receive one. Return registration form to Sunday School Teacher or to the church office. If you would like to help, please contact Colleen Roan at 859-1341.
FATHER’S DAY BREAKFAST
- JUNE 17 -A Father’s Day Breakfast will be held on Sunday, June 17 beginning at 9:30 A.M. in Fellowship Hall. This is an invitation to all men of the church and the Sunday School Children and their Dads, Grandpas, Uncles, or Father Figure. We would like you to come. If you would like to attend, please contact the church office at 859-1399 or tear off the form below so that we may have an approximate number of people attending. Thank you!
Yes I will be attending the Father’s Day Breakfast and I expect that there will be ______ from our family.(# people attending)