DECEMBER
Thursday, 1st
7:30 pm
Adult Choir Rehearsal
Saturday, 3rd
9:00 am
Praise Team Rehearsal
10:30 am
A Night in Bethlehem set up
Sunday, 4th
8:00 am
9:30 am
10:00 am
Praise Team Rehearsal
Choir Rehearsal
Worship Service/Communion
Sunday School
1pm-4pm
A Night in Bethlehem
6:00 pm
Junior Youth Groups
****DEADLINE FOR POINSETTIA ORDERS****
****DEADLINE FOR YOUTH GROUP RETREAT
FORMS****
Wednesday, 7th
1:00 pm
The New Testament
6:30 pm
Men of St. Paul’s
7:30 pm
Confirmation Class
Thursday, 8th
7:30 pm
Adult Choir Rehearsal
th
Saturday, 10
9:00 am
Sunday, 11th
8:00 am
9:30 am
10:00 am
Praise Team Rehearsal
Praise Team Rehearsal
Choir Rehearsal
Worship Service/Bethlehem Joy
Sunday School
Christmas Candy by Donna
Monday, 12th
7:30 pm
Consistory
th
Wednesday, 14
1:00 pm
The New Testament
7:30 pm
Confirmation Class
Thursday, 15th
7:30 pm
Adult Choir Rehearsal
****TIDINGS DEADLINE****
Saturday, 17th
9:00 am
Praise Team Rehearsal
Sunday, 18th
8:00 am
Praise Team Rehearsal
10:00 am
Worship Service/Christmas Pageant
Sunday School
1:00 pm
Christmas Caroling
3:00 pm
Sr. YG Christmas Party
Thursday, 22nd
7:30 pm
Adult Choir Rehearsal
Saturday, 24th
5:00 pm
Candlelight Services
8:00 pm
Candlelight Services
11:30 pm
Christmas Reading & Carols
Sunday, 25th
10:00 am
Worship Service with
Members of Milltown Methodist
Monday, 26th
Church Office Closed
Friday, 30th
10:00 am
DEADLINE FOR ALL 2016
CONTRIBUTIONS. ANY
MONIES RECEIVED AFTER
THIS TIME WILL BE COUNTED
IN 2017.
Pastor Rich takes Friday Off.
UPCOMING EVENTS:
January 28 – Applebee’s Flapjack Fundraiser
February 25 – Polar Bear Plunge
DECEMBER 2016
Greetings,
If I was to say a prayer for you this Christmas
what would you want me to pray?
Would you want me to pray for riches, for
health, for peace within your family, for
employment, for…?
I started to think what would I want someone
to pray for, for me?
I would want someone to pray:
for joyful gatherings of family and friends.
for carols that would fill my heart with joy.
for quiet moments to ponder the story of
Jesus’ birth just as Mary pondered the
message the shepherds brought to her in the
manger.
that the birth of Jesus would not be a one day
celebration, but a transforming power that
changes my life.
These are a few of the things I wanted you to
pray for, for me. For these are the very things
I will be praying for you.
I look forward to celebrating the birth of Jesus
through:
worship on Christmas morning and
Christmas Eve.
A Night in Bethlehem on Dec 4th.
for a special time to celebrate my Saviors
birth.
for peace, for God’s perfect peace, to settle
the quarrels and grudges that separate me
from the people I love.
the choir’s presentation of Bethlehem’s Joy.
the Sunday school’s presentation of The
Evening News.
Caroling on December 18th.
for love, for as Paul wrote, “faith, hope and
love abide but the greatest of these is love.”
for hope to sustain me when I am slapped in
the face by life’s uncertainties and
unpleasantries.
Sending cards to our homebound.
May you have a blessed Christmas.
Godspeed,
for God to open my eyes to see the needs of
the homeless, the hungry, the lonely, the
imprisoned, the sick and the dying.
for God to open my heart to the needy.
not to wait till Christmas to share the
message and the purpose of the birth of
Jesus.
Pastor Rich
WORSHIP
4 - 2nd Sunday of Advent
Communion
Romans 15:4-13
Be An Open Book
11 - 3rd Sunday of Advent
Bethlehem Joy
presented by the Choir
18 - 4th Sunday of Advent
The Evening News Hour
presented by our Sunday school children
24 - Christmas Eve Candle Light
5:00 pm & 8:00 pm
Luke 2
The Best Gift
24 - The Christmas Story & Carols
11:30pm - 12am
“And Mary treasured all these things
and pondered them in her heart.”
- Luke 2:19
25 - Christmas
Psalm 97
Give it up for Jesus
DECEMBER PRAYER
Lord, I pray that Christmas would not
sneak up on me this year. I don’t want to
arrive on Christmas morning with only my
gifts wrapped and tasks accomplished. I
want a heart that is full and prepared for
Your coming.
Help me this season to be active in waiting
for You. Give me eyes to see, ears to hear
and a heart to understand the signs, beauty,
and wonder of the One I am waiting for.
This season give me an awareness of the
carols, the cards, and the people around
me. Remind me of the truths of Christmas:
with You all things are possible, even
when I am like Zechariah and Mary with
hearts that don’t understand.
When promises seem impossible. God
remind me once again “with God all things
are possible.”
This Christmas, fill my heart with the
Christmas message. Don’t let fear, pain, or
sadness steal Your promises. I want to
celebrate You as a promise making and
promise keeping God. Amen
MEN OF ST. PAUL’S
The men of St. Paul’s are invited to gather
on Wednesday December 7 at 6:30pm for
supper and fellowship.
Sr. YOUTH GROUP
A NIGHT IN BETHLEHEM
Sun. Dec 4th
1pm - 4pm
Join us for an amazing night in Bethlehem.
Kids and families will explore the city at
the time of Jesus’s birth. Through hands
on experience you’ll find out about the
most important baby ever and learn that
Jesus came to save us.
Please bring a food item for the Milltown
Food Pantry.
Sun. Dec 4th
1pm - 4pm A Night in Bethlehem
Sun. Dec 18th
1pm - Christmas Caroling followed by a
Christmas Party
YOUTH GROUP RETREAT
Fri - Sun, Feb. 8-10, 2017
Registration form is included.
PLEASE NOTE THE DEADLINE IS
DECEMBER 4TH!!
MISSION TRIP 2017
A TEST OF OBEDIENCE
July 9 - 15
Registration form is included.
PLEASE NOTE THE DEADLINE IS
JANUARY 8, 2017
Sunday, December 18th
1:00 p.m.
Christmas Caroling to the Homebound
Do you ever get tired of giving your
offering? For some people one offering is
one too many. We take an offering every
week because God has commanded His
people to be generous. Yet if we are not
careful we can get resentful of the weekly
offering. The offering, like nothing else,
tests our obedience to God’s Word and our
faithfulness to Him. But sometimes we get
weary.
Galatians 6:9, 10, “Let us not become
weary in doing good, for at the proper
time we will reap a harvest if we do not
give up. Therefore, as we have
opportunity, let us do good to all
people.”
DECEMBER’S BENEVOLENCE
NOVEMBER 13
JR. YOUTH GROUP
Sunday, December 4th
6 to 8 p.m.
Devotion & Letter to Ronnie: Christopher
Rucinski
Theme: Caring for God’s Creation
Snack/Help: Tracy Rucinski
December’s benevolent distribution, 7 &
1/2 of November’s income including the
communion offering, will be used to
purchase gifts for the family we are
adopting through Embrace Kids Holiday
Wishes.
NURSING HOME GIFTS
Our Christmas tradition of collecting
toiletries and other misc. items to be
distributed to the residences at the
Reformed Church Home in Old Bridge will
continue this year.
You will find boxes wrapped in Christmas
paper in the narthex of the church and the
social hall for you to deposit your donated
items.
A complete list of items needed will be in
Sunday’s bulletins. December 11th is the
deadline to bring in gifts.
FINANCIAL
Expenses
Income
Gain/(Loss)
Oct
$20,435.82
$31,336.13
$10,900.31
Yr To Date
$241,242.71
$205,266.55
($35,976.16)
CONGREGATIONAL MEETING
The budget for 2017 was approved.
Karen Gourley, Beckie Rumen, Greg
Reeves, Nicholas Bamond & David
Hasting was elected to serve a first term
and Robert Ramsen to serve a second term.
COMING IN JANUARY
Sermon series:
Half Truths
1. Everything Happens for a Reason
2. God Helps Those Who Helps Themselves
3. God Won’t Give You More Than You
Can Handle
4. God Said It, I Believe It
5. Love The Sinner, Hate The Sin
Applebee’s Flapjack Fund Raiser
January 28, 2017
8am - 10am
The Senior Youth Group is hosting this
fund raiser for the benefit of the church.
TEAM ST. PAUL’S
Will you join Team St. Paul’s?
Team St. Paul’s will gather on Saturday,
February 25 to take part in the Polar Bear
Plunge in Seaside Heights.
The plunge is SO much more than just an
icy dip in the Atlantic. It is a benefit for
Special Olympics who provide year round
sports training, competition, leadership
opportunities and health screening to more
than 25,000 athletes.
Text YES to Pastor Rich at 301-503-7530.
FELLOWSHIP HOUR
HOSTS NEEDED:
January 8, 15, 22, & 29
February 5, 12, 19, & 26
You are responsible for providing treats
and milk for coffee. Sunny D generously
provides juice for kids.
Coffee, cups, plates, napkins, plastic
utensils and sweeteners are provided.
SIGN UP TO HOST
@ coffee hour or
contact:
Julie Park 732-545-4266
[email protected] or
Tracy Rucinski 732-545-6982
[email protected].
CHRISTMAS CANDY
BY DONNA
Candy will be sold after worship on Sunday, December 11. Proceeds to benefit
Mission Trip ’17.
MEMORIAL FUND
FLO TOROK
Ken & Judy Skalla
Doris Weber
Janice Weber
Carolee Kowal
John Kowal
Arlene Kuhlthau
Alice Ochs
Arlene Nora
Fran Christ
WAYNE MITEK
Kathleen Mitek & Family
SCHOLARSHIP FUND
FLO TOROK
Marjorie Conger
Helen Soulea
In memory of my wedding anniversary
with my late husband, December 5, 1942
Helen Soulea
ORGAN FUND
FLO TOROK
Ruth Karren
Arlene Mowery
BILL MORRIS
Pete Herral
Honor of Jean Morris
Pete Herral
Music at St. Paul’s
WANTED: DECEMBER SOLOISTS
Interested in playing a musical instrument
or singing in worship this December?
Please speak with Emily!
ADULT CHOIR
Sun., Dec. 11, 10 am - Choir presents
"Bethlehem Joy" by Stan Pethel during
morning worship.
Sun., Dec. 18 - Christmas pageant -- no
choir
Sat., Dec. 24 - Choir will sing at the 8 pm
service
Choir on vacation until Thurs., Jan. 5.
CHILDREN’S CHOIR
In December, Children’s Choir rehearsals
are devoted to Christmas pageant music.
All children grades 1 – 6 are encouraged to
attend, whether they are in the choir or not!
Regular Children’s Choir rehearsals will
resume Sun., Jan. 8.
Consistory Minutes
November 14th, 2016
In Attendance: Rebecca Jones, Rob Ramsen,
Greg Reeves, Kathy Shanabrook, John Garback,
Joanne Ciaccio, Julie Park, Steve Kircher, Chuck
Rucinski, Don Wesen, Frank Devine, Becky Rumen, and Pastor Rich Weyer
-Meeting called to order by Pastor Rich at 7:34pm,
we watched a Right Now Media video on God’s
vision being the compass for ministry, and then
Pastor Rich lead prayer to begin the meeting.
-October’s meeting minutes were approved without change. Motioned by Rob R./seconded by
Frank D.
Correspondence:
-None
Finances:
October’s finances were reviewed and approved.
Motioned by Kathy S./seconded by Julie P.
-November’s communion distribution will now be
going to World Renew (Haiti Hurricane relief
fund) and Red Cross; both charities are receiving
$1,003.00. Motioned by Julie P. /seconded by
Kathy S.
Consistory:
Communion:
-December 4th, 2016- Team 1 (Communion teams
are asked to leave some communion sacraments
for Pastor Rich to distribute to the homebound of
St. Paul’s.)
-Ministry Team meeting will discontinued, Task
Oriented Groups will be formed for all ministry
projects.
Communion Offering:
-December’s distribution-Embrace Kids Foundation
Worship:
November 20th, 2016 Bruce will be preaching,
looking for volunteers to assist with he service.
Ministry Teams:
Church and Family:
-Christmas Card Sunday- December 11th, 2016
cards will be in the social hall for all congregants
to sign to send out to our homebound members of
the church.
-Boxes will be places in the narthex of the church
for the collection of items that will be given to the
nursing home.
Spiritual Life: -Joint Thanksgiving Service will be
held at the Methodist Church on Sunday, November 20th, 2016. Looking for people to assist and
represent St. Paul’s Church during the service.
Education:
-Sunday School, Junior Youth Group, and Senior
Youth Group are all running smoothly.
-Sign up for the Youth Retreat.
Property:
-Paving west driveway of education building; still
looking for bids for the project.
-Last project for the Fall Work Day will be scrubbing the wall by the kitchen counter in the social
hall.
-Adding one more coat of wax to the social hall
floor before winter.
-Discussion on increasing security in the social
hall for Good Day School children, recommendation by the Milltown Police Department. Follow
up with what are the specific recommendations in
order to make changes. (Metal doors for social
hall closet with panic button/covers over the door
windows and keeping blinds closed when children
are present).
Old Business:
-A Night in Bethlehem is ready, different scenes
and interactive booths such as carpenter, bakery,
manager, and painting sites. Expecting to have
100 children participate from the community.
New Business:
-Looking to install interior handrails leading to the
sanctuary, replacing the exterior handrails, and
removing the center railing in the sanctuary.
-Painting the lines in the parking lot, Spring 2017
project.
-Addressing Declining Momentum and Numbers
of our church.
-Discussion on what is St. Paul’s vision
and how are we bring God’s love to the heart of
the community.
-Looking into the 24toDouble program,
which involves training the leaders of the church
on how to promote passion in volunteering in the
church’s ministry, how to re-build the church, follow and act upon the church’s vision, and how to
ignite the congregation to invite people to the
church.
-Christmas Eve Services: 5:00pm, 8:00pm, and
Krystal Ramsen will be having an 11:30pm service caroling and reading of the Christmas story.
Motioned by Steve K./seconded by Don W.
Future Dates:
-December 12th, 2016- Consistory
-January 1st, 2017-Team 2 Communion
-January 8th, 2017- Ordination/Installation of newest Consistory members.
-January 9th, 2017-Consistory
Meeting Adjourned at 9:40pm. Motioned by
Steve K./ seconded by Kathy S.
Respectfully Submitted, Rebecca Jones
SHELVES ARE BARE
Are you willing to help fill the shelves of
the Milltown Food Pantry. Would you
bring 1 food item to church every Sunday?
THANK YOU TO ALL – for donating food
items for the Milltown Food Pantry. Please
continue bringing in food items for the remainder of the year. We will deliver goods
each Monday. If you know of anyone in need,
please refer them to the Municipal Building
daily between 8:30am and 4:30pm. Food
Pantry is for Milltown residents.
HEAD USHERS FOR
DECEMBER
4
Consistory Team #1
11
Garret Conger
18 Grace Kothari
24
5 pm Bob Burnett
8 pm
25
Peter Herral
GREETERS FOR
DECEMBER
4
Lorraine Fisezi
11
Joan & Curtis Peck
18
Sandy Muller
Christmas Eve Candlelight Services
5 pm Connie Michael & Carol Calantoni
8 pm Greg Reeves
25
Judy Skalla
*Greeters are asked to arrive at church by
9:20 a.m.
GREETER COORDINATOR
Judy Skalla
Join us December 18 as we go
Christmas Caroling.
ST. PAUL’S CHURCH
Founded in 1872
So. Main St. & W. Lakewood Ave.
2016 CONSISTORY
Elders:
Dianne Andreula
Joanne Ciaccio
Frank Devine
Rebecca Jones
Julie Park
Greg Reeves
Don Wesen
Rev. Richard H. Weyer, Pastor
Emily Sensenbach-Gopal,
Director of Music
Church Office 732 828-0020
FAX # 732 828-0027
[email protected]
www.stpaulsmilltownnj.org
Please leave a message if no one is available.
Church Secretary Mrs. Carol Lagowski
Office hours: 9:00 a.m.-1:00 p.m.
Financial Secretary Mrs. Debbie Paley
(address inquiries to church office)
Please address all financial inquiries to the
Church Office.
NEXT TIDINGS DEADLINE –
Thursday, December 15th
Deacons:
John Garback
Steve Kircher
Dick MacDowell
Robert Ramsen
Chuck Rucinski
Emma Rumen
Kathy Shanabrook
Sean Sullivan
********************************
Save time and prevent mistakes by writing
your parishioner number on your checks
and envelopes. Example: 002W
********************************
Please notify the church office if any of the
following changes occur in your household: address change, phone number
change, email change, marriage, separation/divorce, death, birth, adoption, adult
child(ren) moving out, or a family member
being moved to a rehab. or nursing home.
We would like to keep our membership list
up-to-date, but we need YOUR cooperation to do so!
ST. PAUL’S CHURCH
62 South Main Street
Milltown, NJ 08850
(732) 828-0020
DECEMBER, 2016
ADDRESS SERVICE REQUESTED
DATES TO REMEMBER:
December 4 – Communion
A Night in Bethlehem
Poinsettia orders due
SYG Retreat forms due
December 7 – Men of St. Paul’s
December 11 – Bethlehem Joy
deadline for Nursing Home
Gifts
December 18 – Christmas Pageant
Christmas Caroling
December 24 – Candlelight Services
4pm & 8pm
11:30pm Christmas Readings &
Carols
December 30 10:00 am DEADLINE FOR ALL 2016
CONTRIBUTIONS. ANY
MONIES RECEIVED AFTER
THIS TIME WILL BE COUNTED
IN 2017.
TIDINGS
Worship Service
Sunday School
10:00 a.m.
10:00 a.m.
Rev. Richard H. Weyer, Pastor
DATED MATERIAL
November 22, 2016