THE Bethlehem star

Prayer List………....….….....2 Thank You……………...…....2 Church Finances……..…....2 PNC Update………….……….3 Session Update……………..3 Virtual Fellowship.…….….3 Virtual First Friday………...3 The BPW Agenda…………..4 Behind the Scene…………..5 2020 Graduates……………..5 Mother’s Day Memories..6 The New Normal…………...6 Growing for Good………….7 Mission……….…......…….….8 Credits……………...….…......8

IN THIS ISSUE

June 2020

Dear Friends in Christ, When you read this letter, you may be finding yourself struggling with the realization that we will be in the pandemic situation for a longer haul than you first expect. The road ahead certainly looks more difficult than at first. If you feel this way, take heart! We have a promise from Jesus himself that the Holy Spirit is here to sustain, inspire, encourage, and go before us to prepare a way. God is also always working for the good – to help those who are on the front lines and those who are working to find a cure. May God’s inspiration and wisdom be upon them all. I am glad to say that our ministry goes forward despite the virus threat. Worship, fellowship time (“coffee hour”) after church, mid-week Spiritual and Bible study, and commissions continue via Zoom at this time. Any group in the church has the option to meet virtually! Please speak to me if your group would like to meet. It was good to chat with you over last few months as I worked through the church’s directory list. I am grateful to God that our congregation has not yet been directly affected (no current member) by illness due to the virus. Let us pray God’s favor to continue with us. Unfortunately, we have no other choice at this point but to keep our church building closed until further notice. When it is possible, session will closely examine the options before us and present the safest and wisest course of action. Your health and safety are our highest priority. I continue to walk beside you at this time. If you need to reach me, please note I can be contacted at 862-324-3247 or revwidmer@aol.com (Please note this number and email are different than the church office). We can also meet “in person” by holding a virtual call via Facetime or the like. In the meantime, please stay safe and may the Holy Spirit bless you and keep you.

Warmest Regards,

Pastor Dave LIKE US ON

Evan Acocella and Michael Young (instrumental and vocal soloist, respectively) and the Cantilina

Singers welcomed summer with their magnifi-cent music during worship services on May 24th. Thank you Evan, Mike and the Cantilina Singers

for a great job.!!

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Jim O’Neil at the passing away of his brother Michael

Helen Hofgesang at the passing away of Bob her brother-in-law

Joan Mathews

Bob Negoescu

Gordon Youngs

Robert Ashfield

Bebe Sellers

Bob Smith, former Scoutmaster Troop 119

Owen, Mike and Priscilla Wallace’s nephew

Daniel, Bob and Joan Schultz’s son

Bob, Ed Allen’s brother

Doreen Dowling, Carrie Matis’ friend

Tom Kugler, Dan Weiss’ nephew

Betty, Aunt of Jane Weiss

Nancy Rossnagel, Jill O’Neil’s mother

Alan Van Camp, Eileen Kandl’s brother

Mike, Rhonda Witwer’s Friend

Mark Reeder, friend of Marsha Atkinson

Sallie Bell, friend of Marsha Atkinson

Davie Weiss, Dan’s brother

Janine Dolce, friend of Carrie Matis

Cindy, Dan Weiss’ niece

Deborah Gecik, friend of Karen Hoff

Geoff and family, friends of Priscilla Wallace

Judy, sister-in-law of Deejee Youngs

Please contact Pastor Dave at (862) 324-3247 to add or remove names from this list.

CHURCH FINANCES

Thank you Pastor Dave and Congregation

For your prayers, cards, for all the beautiful

messages that have been given to us during

Don’s illness. With much appreciation.

Thank you.

Audrey

Results for the first four months of 2020, through April 30,

are showing signs of stress as the COVID-19 situation con-

tinues Expenses overall are pretty much on target for the

first four months of the year. Because of the unseasona-

bly warm winter, the lack of snow and the savings on heat

as the manse and the church are not being used have re-

sulted in expenses being slightly below budget. Our pledge

income is lagging, as we should be at 33%. Special Easter

gifts has fallen off significantly, we will be hard-pressed to

meet our budget. One Great Hour of Sharing offerings

totaled $1467 through May 10, compared to $1565 last

year, so we have maintained our support for this program.

We have applied for and received a Paycheck Protection

Loan of approximately $25,000. This loan, if used for pay-

roll costs, is forgivable. This has not been included in the

figures below. We can expect this to have a positive effect

on our final results, and we project that we will be able to

keep our deficit for the year in the planned range for 2020

with this extra support.

We have established an on-line giving facility on our web-

site which has yet to yield any significant results, but we

are hopeful it will generate some income.

Most importantly, as we are learning distance worshipping

and care, the church’s expenses are continuing even

though we aren’t using our building. Yes, we have turned

down the heat and aren’t using the inside and parking lot

lights, but expenses for internet/telephone, insurance and

the office equipment lease continue. Our hard-working

staff is providing great support for our worship, and we

have continued to keep everyone on the payroll. So

please keep your donations coming and your pledges cur-

rent. We are checking mail daily, so it is OK to mail checks

to the church. Thanks for your help in these times.

2020 to April 30

2020 Budget %

Pledge Receipts

$36,228 $120,544 30.1%

Total Income (w/o Steeple &

Unbudgeted Reserves)

$50,866 $175,044 29.1%

Expenses $71,524 $220,690 32.4%

Difference $(15,570) $(33,258) 46.8

By Alan Ford

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THE PNC has continued to work hard toward our goal of finding a new pastor for our church. We have recently had both a virtual interview and an in-person interview with a prospective candi-date. Although we have been cautious we have not been dissuaded from our mission. The pro-cess has been very interesting and the PNC continues to work together in harmony.

SESSION: We are keeping a close eye on the current conditions and we have received some recommendations from Presbytery with regard to steps to be taken to reopen the church at some point in the future. The safety and wellbeing of the congregation is on our mind and is of the utmost importance as we move forward.

By Mike Young

If you haven't joined the "virtual" Fellowship

Hour you are really missing out on some con-

versations, news and great fun. Come see your

fellow BPC members as you rarely see

them...at home, relaxed with their favorite bev-

erage and sharing their thoughts, prayers and

stories as you never knew them. What a great

way to get your Sunday started with church ser-

vices at 9:30am complete with Pastor Dave's

message, music, biblical readings, prayers and

spiritual blessings. Then at 10:30 we "virtually"

spend time with each other as a community of

Presbyterian friends and families. Check out

the instructions on how to join us on Sunday on

our web page and watch for an email from Mari-

lyn Ford with information as to joining fellow-

ship*. As someone once noted...if you snooze

you lose...so wake up and join us this Sun-

day. You will receive a weeks worth of bless-

ings in just a few short minutes. Come on and

follow the Bethlehem Star to “in home Fellow-

ship Coffee Hour!”

HANGING WITH THE BIG DOG!!!

Featured artist Audrey Kreitner returns as First Friday Community Night goes virtual! Coming to you from the socially distanced family rooms, garages and patios throughout the Northeast, First Friday returns as a live broadcast over YouTube on June 5. Keep and eye on the BPC Church First Friday web page (https://bethlehempc.org/firstfriday/) and the Events on our Facebook page (https://www.facebook.com/bethlehempc/) for the YouTube Channel where the Live broadcast will appear at 7:00 pm. We’ll also hear a tale from MaryAnn Patternini who has roots in the New Jersey Storytelling Network but now lives in Vermont, as well as another former First Friday headliner, Laura Wootton. First Friday program advisor Jackie Ward and her father Dennis are slated to collaborate with guitar and song as they have in earlier open mics, and the Bethlehem Singers may also bring something to the fes-tivities, whether new, or reprising an earlier First Friday performance. By Mark Fresolone

By Rick Landolfi

June 5th

*contact the church via email for details on joining

fellowship if you have not received them

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Bethlehem Presbyterian Women

Please stay safe and virus free. Follow the rules of

physical distancing. Stay connected!

JUNE—FLAG DAY SING-A-LONG

SEPTEMBER—BPW COFFEE HOUR

OCTOBER—FALL SOUP SALE

NOVEMBER—PULLED PORK DINNER DECEMBER—COOKIE SALE

Dr. Brenda H. Watson and the

FLA Medical Group The Acocella Family

Stan and Helene Cantilina

Eileen Kwasnick

The Family Promise Project Before all activity was suspended, the BPW voted to initiate the Family Promise Project. This project asked donors to bring personal care items to the collection point at the church. We are asking that our generous donors keep your donations at home until such time that we can collect them and forward them to Family Promise. We are asking for personal care items such as: diapers, baby wipes. toothpaste, toothbrushes, mouthwash, combs, deodorant, shampoo, conditioner, bar soap and soc

Marilyn and Al Ford (Al is off camera)

ALSO : Frank Acocella MA Graham III

Dr. Ann Stoddard and the Veterans and Staff at

VETERANS HAVEN NORTH

Bebe Sellers

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By Mike Young

In spite of Social Distancing!!! In spite of Distance Learning!!!

In spite of No Prom or Senior Night!!!

We hope everyone has been enjoying the “virtual” musical additions to

our Sunday Worship services. This photo is a peek at one of our “post

production” folks who help make it all possible. Meet the

“Mad Musical Genius” behind our distance-performed en-

semble productions: our own Charles Asbury. Together

with Mark Fresolone’s sanctuary-style sound effects and

screen art, Charles makes it possible for choir members

and soloists to collaborate without ever leaving their

homes. This photo captures Charles hard at work in his

electronic “laboratory” taking multiple voice tracks from the choir mem-

bers and magically matching them up with Helene’s piano

tracks. Voila! He's blended remotely-recorded Individual piano and

vocal tracks into a seamless musical masterpiece. Charles can cut,

paste, edit and tweak the roughest cuts (believe me they can be rough!)

into wonderful sounding final productions. Great job Charles!

Thank you Charles for all of your efforts on behalf of the Bethlehem Presbyterian Church and especially for your magical mystery talents that make us sound so much better! We can’t wait for the next edition of “BPC Tracks by Charley”.

HONORING THOSE WHO SERVED AND DIED HONORING THE USA

SUNDAY, JUNE 14 MONDAY, MAY 25

If you know of other graduates, those earning certification, etc. please email the church.

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Mother’s Day at the Kids Table!!! By Bebe Sellers

This Mother’s Day my family came up with an ingenious way to celebrate with me. They set up a special table with table cloth, napkins and candles in the foyer of their home. This was just outside their breakfast area where they ate, instead of in the dining room. So while observ-ing social distancing, because I live in another location, we were able to share our Mother’s Day prayers, delicious food and family jokes during a full meal that had been delivered earlier from a local restaurant.

The event was even enjoyed by the family dog, “Odie” who rested his chin on my leg during the entire meal. We had so much fun, we plan to do it again just for laughs.

Greg is off camera!! MOTHERS DAY WITH MY FRIEND!!

By Rhonda Witwer

Like many of our routines and habits, this year was different. This year, I'm stay-

ing with a dear friend, Ruth, in Indianapolis. It's easier to bear isolation and quaran-

tine when you live with someone rather than being alone. On Mother's Day, Ruth

reminded me that I made her a Mom because she is my daughter's Godmother. I

also called my own mother!

This Mother's Day, I made a lemon cake - I needed the familiarity and taste of

something I loved. It was the same recipe I have made many times for the church. I

usually get a single slice before it disappears at the church! This year, however,

Ruth and I ate the whole cake in less than 2 days! I have since made a lemon pie,

which lasted only 23 hours! For me, these were bright and cheerful and a reminder

that we still have much to be grateful for.

I often wonder what is meant by the “new normal” in reference to congregations

returning to the church building. Some think it means no choir, no passing of the

peace and maybe even no communion or no passing of the offertory plate. Perhaps it

means not using the hymnals or pew Bibles. But as I think about it, it simply means

the return of the congregation to the building. After all, it is the congregation that

makes the building a church. So what will the congregation do when they return—

wear face masks, sit ten feet apart? The changes will simply be changes in practice.

With time, those practices will change again. However, the people will remain the same. That is why is has

been so important to remain connected during this crisis of social distancing. Call a friend, worship virtually

on Sunday join the fellowship hour after worship. Other ideas that have been brewing include the resurgence

of the prayer group, and the introduction of Virtual First Friday, and even virtual Sing-a-longs. When you are

approached with one of these ideas, of if you come up with an idea of your own, share it and make it

happen to keep the congregation connected.

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From: Eating Well—May 2020 Submitted by June Paillex

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BETHLEHEM PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH

2 Race Street Pittstown, NJ 08867

Be a community of faithful believers who love the Lord Jesus

Christ and endeavor to live our lives as examples of that love.

Live with deep commitment to serving those in need in our

community and throughout the world by generously sharing

our time, talents and resources.

Glorify God and grow in our faith through: uplifting worship,

generous fellowship, and enthusiastic learning inspired by

scripture. Warmly welcome others to join us in our faith jour-

ney.

MISSION STATEMENT

Phone: (908) -735-5733

Email: bpchurchnj@gmail.com FAX: (908)-735-4312

Website: www.bethlehempc.org Facebook: www.facebook.com/

bethlehempc

Rev. David Widmer Interim Pastor

Helene Cantilina, Director of Music Alan Ford, Treasurer

THE BETHLEHEM STAR is a publication of the Bethlehem Presbyterian Church. For this edition the writers include Pastor Dave, Al Ford, Mark Fresolone, Rick Landolfi, Bebe Sellers, Rhonda Witwer and Mike Young; photography by Marilyn Ford, Eileen Kwasnick, June Paillex Bebe Sellers, Rhonda Witwer and Mike Young; graphic by Mark Fresolone; editing by Marilyn Ford; typing and layout by Bebe Sellers.

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