Stewardship Sunday / Coat

Drive

Pg. 2

D. Witkowski Concert /

Glassbrook

Vocal Ensemble

Pg. 4

Retreat Registration

Form

Pg. 5

Wedding Celebration /

Deacons Corner

Pg. 6

Poinsettia

Memorials Pg. 7

FIRST PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH

November 2017 Volume 8 Issue 11

Special points of interest:

Church Community

News - pg. 3

Prayer Requests -

pg. 8

Church Calendar

Inside this issue:

Editor: CAB office@1stpresrahway.org

STONY POINT RETREAT

Registration form on page 5.

Deadline for registering s

November 16th.

From Pastor Erin...

TOWER CHIMES

“Therefore do not worry, saying, ‘What will we eat?’ or ‘What will we drink?’ or ‘What will we wear?’ For it is the Gentiles who strive for all these things; and indeed your heavenly Father knows that you need all these things. But strive first for the kingdom of God and God’s righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.”

Matthew 25:31-33

J esus asks us to not worry about the necessities of life. We are

human and tend to worry about how to feed our families and

provide for ourselves, and whatever life may throw at us. As

people of faith, we share our worries with the Lord so that we might be

free to experience the reign of God amongst us. We exercise our trust

in God.

This stewardship season I invite you to think about the last part of this

sentence, “and all these things will be given to you as well.” To strive

for the parts of God’s reign means to sow seeds of the gospel and the

fruit of the spirit. When we, as a faith community, strive to work along-

side the Holy Spirit, we find that in Christ we have all we need. I’m

excited to see what all these things might be.

What gifts might God be ready to use in you? What ministry might be

strengthened by your gift? Who might be blessed by your gift to the

ministry here at First Presbyterian Church? By sharing your pledge

with the church you are exercising trust in the Lord.

We are blessed to be in such a giving community who shares their

time, talents, and gifts. Building community couldn’t happen here if

people didn’t step up to lead on session, clean the bathrooms,

organize coats for our coat drive, teach Sunday School, count

offerings, or welcome people to worship. I ask you to consider how

your pledge might enliven what God is waiting to do in us.

I thank you in advance for faithfully considering to continue, begin, or

increase your pledge to the reign of God expressed at First

Presbyterian Church of Rahway.

May God continue to richly bless you!

Page 2 TOWER CHIMES

Time to Give Prayerful Thought to Your 2018 Pledge

“Stewardship” – What do you think of when you hear that word? Many of us think immediately of money. We recall that time in our congregation’s life when we are asked to make a financial commitment for the coming year. At some level, however, we are aware that stewardship is more than money. Stewardship is how we live out our calling as followers of Christ. Stewardship is what we do after we say that we believe.

Stewardship is how we use our God-given gifts; it is how we use our talents, our time, and our treasure. These are very familiar words, yet they carry a ring of truth. Stewardship is the way we use all our resources to carry on Christ’s work of reconciliation in the world.

Each year your pledges have enabled our church to respond to the many needs in our local community and around the world. We responded to the needs of the Rahway Food for Friends or-ganization after they left their luncheon site at Second Pres. and relocated in Davis Hall. We have given support to Rahway Food for Friends since its inception in 1991 and hold our annual “Souper Bowl” food collection to benefit this community group.

We extended a welcome and supplied space for the YMCA Early Learning Readiness program and have been a host site for the Rahway Board of Education “Homework Helpers” afterschool program since 2007. Speaking of youth programs, our Sunday school, our ReDirect program, and our Youth Group rely on our pledges.

We have given generously to those in need with our November coat col-lection, our Christmas Giving Tree, and our donations of home supplies for Home First.

We have supported Aids Awareness by acquiring and displaying the Aids quilt panels and invited speakers to attend a service to educate the congregation regarding this ongoing epidemic.

In the next few weeks, please give prayerful consideration to your pledge. By making a pledge, we as a church can continue to do the work of God here on earth.

Please bring any coats and/or blankets to church during the month of November, up to and

including, the last Sunday of the month, November 26. You may also drop off coats/blankets at

the church office on Monday-Thursday, 10AM-3PM. Your donations will be distributed on a

Saturday in December at one of the Rahway “Food for Friends” weekly luncheons held in Davis

Hall. Those dining at the luncheon will have an opportunity to select a garment or blanket that

will help keep them warmer during the upcoming winter season.

Page 3 VOLUME 8 ISSUE 11

1-Mimi Z.

1-Will M.

2-Candy T.

2-Kevin C.

2-Dana M.

3-Caitlin G.

4-Samantha Nicole V.

5-Jennifer C.

7-Carol H.

7-Marlene V.

9-Jesse T.

12-Jonathan R.

13-Constance H.

14-Stefany Tyler V.

16-Kennedy N.

16-Melissa L.

18-Christopher Daniel S.

23-Robyn K.

28-Harold W.

30-Rosalind C.

7-Robyn & Bryan

24-Lauren & William

25-Bridget & Kennedy

Our Mini Flea Market will be held on Saturday, November 18,

from 9am-3pm, and will feature Christmas items and jewelry,

as well as some of the regular things. Please save the date!

This will be an inside flea market, and we are hoping to have

a bake sale. Items can be dropped off at the church office

Monday through Thursday, from 10am-3pm. If you need a

pick-up, please call the church office at 732-382-0803, and

we will try and arrange one. We can no longer accept VCRs,

VHS tapes, TVs, encyclopedias, computers, books, or used

clothing. Sign-up sheets for workers to help with setting up,

selling, etc., are in Davis Hall. Food will be provided for all

volunteers.

Fortunately our flea markets have become a huge financial

success and help us not only to meet our budget, but to con-

tinue our programs as well. Even though this is inside, we

will still need a lot of help. Please plan on helping on Novem-

ber 18 so we can have another successful endeavor.

Again, a special “thank you” to all the people who work

throughout the year on getting ready for our sale events, they

continue to be WONDERFUL!

NOVEMBER 18, 2017

9AM-3PM

Joyous News to Share…

Emma Rose

October 17 / 9lbs 6oz. / 22”

Parents: Steven & Elizabeth

Share with friends on FB...

Page 4 TOWER CHIMES

As some of you may remember, we were blessed to have

jazz pianist and composer, Deanna Witkowski, join us for a

worship service in October 2015. This November she will join

us once again for a concert in our Sanctuary, which will in-

clude some music from her new album, Makes the Heart to

Sing: Jazz Hymns, due out in the beginning of November.

All are welcome to come and enjoy Deanna’s amazing musi-

cal gifts. Please spread the word and invite family, friends,

co-workers, etc. What a wonderful way to spend a Sunday

night, relaxing and listening to great music as the

holidays approach.

About Deanna:

Deanna has received widespread renown for her work in combining jazz and

liturgy. She is the winner of the 2002 Great American Jazz Piano Competi-

tion, and she has released six critically hailed albums over the past two dec-

ades, with each new project revealing a steadily evolving sensibility marked

by melodic invention and emotional connection. As an accompanist, she's

toured with soul-steeped vocalist Lizz Wright and held down the piano chair

for ten years in the Jim McNeely-led BMI/New York Jazz Orchestra. Her projects as a leader feature

fellow heavyweights like bassist John Patitucci and saxophonist Donny McCaslin.

Sunday, November 19th

7:00-9:00pm

Suggested donation of $10

“If, among contemporary pian-ists, Brad Mehldau and Bill Charlap represent the gold standard, then Deanna Wit-

kowski deservedly ranks as their

sterling sister.” -Jazz Times

GLASSBROOK VOCAL ENSEMBLE

Sunday, December 10, 2017

7:00pm

Page 5 VOLUME 8 ISSUE 11

Below is the registration form for the retreat being held the second

weekend in December: Friday, Dec. 8th & Saturday, Dec. 9th.

Please return it to the church office no later than

Thursday, November 16th.

What to expect…

Cost of retreat subsidized by money set aside for our discernment goals

An overnight retreat for any participants and their fami-lies—3 meals included

A time to enhance your connection with God along with other members of our First Pres family

Spiritual activities will be practiced in large and small groups

Personal reflection time will also be included in the re-treat

Fellowship and fun during the Advent season

Page 6 TOWER CHIMES

CALENDAR

Page 6 TOWER CHIMES

Two of our members, Carlos and Erwin, cele-brated their wedding ceremony with family,

church family, and friends on Sunday, October 8th.

What a joyful celebration as two hearts joined as one … thank you for sharing it with us.

May the love and happiness you share fill each day with joy!

DEACONS CORNER

DID YOU KNOW?

The Board of Deacons is responsible for the preparation and clean-up of the Communion elements??

Any ordained Elder or Deacon can serve and GUESS WHAT … we are looking for volunteers!!

Please let the church office know you are interested and a Dea-con will contact you to set a date that is convenient for you!

Thank you for your support!!!!

Page 7 VOLUME 8 ISSUE 11 Page 7 VOLUME 8 ISSUE 11 Page 7 VOLUME 8 ISSUE 11

Would you like to order a poinsettia in memory of a loved one? They create such a beautiful setting in our Sanctuary during the Christmas season. Or perhaps you would prefer to have a memorial to a loved one take the form of a gift to one of our special funds such as the Building Maintenance Fund, Music Fund, 2nd Pres Mission Fund, or other specified fund? Use the form below for the memorial you would like dedicated to those loved ones who are no longer with us.

Please note: poinsettia deadline is Thursday, December 14, 2017

We need to know how many plants we will be ordering so the florist can be contacted on Monday, December 18th. If donating to a fund only, please have the form to the church office no later than, Tuesday, December 19th.

Send your order to the church office or bring it in. Check, made payable to “First Presbyterian Church”, must accompany your order(s). Please do not put the check in the offering plate, and use one form for each memorial, if possible. Extra copies of the order form are available in Davis Hall and in the narthex.

CUT HERE- - - - - - - - - - -CUT HERE- - - - - - - - - - -CUT HERE- - - - - - - - - -CUT HERE

Please print: Donor’s Name_______________________________________________ Phone _________________ Please order the following plant(s): _________Red Poinsettia @ $10.00 each _________White Poinsettia @ $12.00 each

In memory of________________________________________________________________________________ Given by________________________________________________________________________________ ____I wish to leave my plant for distribution by the Deacons to the ill and shut-ins.

____I will pick-up my plant after the Christmas Eve Candlelight Service - Sunday, December 24th*

I wish to give a memorial to:

____Building Maintenance Fund ___Music Fund ___Book of Remembrance

____Christian Education Needs ___Outreach Fund ___Piano Fund

____2nd Pres Mission Fund ___History Committee ___Board of Deacons

____Youth Fund ___Organ / Handbell Fund

*Since Christmas Eve falls on a Sunday, plans on a worship service are still being discussed. Details to follow.

Page 8 TOWER CHIMES

Please consider either calling or sending a card to the church family members who are homebound; call the church office (732-382-0803) if you need phone numbers and/or addresses.

Prayer Requests

Candie A., Eva B., Florence B., Billy, Claudia Browne, Alyne Borst, Bob C., Kevin

Castelluccio, Cathy, Charlie & Betsy, Diane Clark, Anthony D., Jack D., Darlene, Dave,

Dennis’ Family, Ryan Diskin, Donald, Dyan, Joan Fogerty, Gail, Susan Gillette, Carol

Gould, Burt H., Matt H., Brian Hartlaub, Helene H., Ian, Barbara J., Jason, Jesse G., John

-Philip, Ilanda K., Katey, Kenneth, Kevin, Kristy, Edna Lanuto, Lillian, Lily, Barbara M., Joe

M., Stanley M., Mary Ellen, Tim Marsh, Dan Martin, Dotti Meyer, Mirla, Nick, Sylvia Nixon,

Richard O., Shane O’Donnell, James O’Leary, Kevin O’Neil, Olga, Olivia, Harry P., Paul,

Phil, Joanne Picarella, Preston, Doris R., Sally R., Ray, Reed, Roger, Allen S., Bob S.,

Laurie S., Savannah, Bob Schmidt, Seymour, Jeanie Spera, Linda T., Steve Thode, Terry,

Janet Tobias, Toni, Dan V., Helen Veeck, Margaret W., Wanda, Patrick Weaver, Christina

Weaver, Philip Weaver & Family, Leslie White, William, Elaine Z.

Those that are homebound: Caroline Balla, Margaret Guile, Doris Kapus, Ida Lau, Sallie

Tyler, Beverly Woolley

Nov. 5th - Patrick Weaver

Nov. 12th - Hazel Rickes

Nov. 19th - Debbie Cornwall

Nov. 26th - Eric & Tara Crowley

NOVEMBER

Dec. 3rd - Margaret Woolley

Dec. 10th - Peter Schmidt

Dec. 17th - Tracie Wiebush

Dec. 24th - Bill, Dana, & Will Marsh

Dec. 31st - Odrigue & Rodrigue Joseph

DECEMBER

Page 8 TOWER CHIMES

Please consider either calling or sending a card to the church family members who are homebound; call the church office (732-382-0803) if you need phone numbers and/or addresses.

Prayer Requests

Candie A., Eva B., Florence B., Billy, Claudia Browne, Alyne Borst, Bob C., Kevin

Castelluccio, Cathy, Charlie & Betsy, Diane Clark, Anthony D., Jack D., Darlene, Dave,

Dennis’ Family, Ryan Diskin, Donald, Dyan, Joan Fogerty, Gail, Susan Gillette, Carol

Gould, Burt H., Matt H., Brian Hartlaub, Helene H., Ian, Barbara J., Jason, Jesse G., John

-Philip, Ilanda K., Katey, Kenneth, Kevin, Kristy, Edna Lanuto, Lillian, Lily, Barbara M., Joe

M., Stanley M., Mary Ellen, Tim Marsh, Dan Martin, Dotti Meyer, Mirla, Nick, Sylvia Nixon,

Richard O., Shane O’Donnell, James O’Leary, Kevin O’Neil, Olga, Olivia, Harry P., Paul,

Phil, Joanne Picarella, Preston, Doris R., Sally R., Ray, Reed, Roger, Allen S., Bob S.,

Laurie S., Savannah, Bob Schmidt, Seymour, Jeanie Spera, Linda T., Steve Thode, Terry,

Janet Tobias, Toni, Dan V., Helen Veeck, Margaret W., Wanda, Patrick Weaver, Christina

Weaver, Philip Weaver & Family, Leslie White, William, Elaine Z.

Those that are homebound: Caroline Balla, Margaret Guile, Doris Kapus, Ida Lau, Sallie

Tyler, Beverly Woolley

Nov. 5th - Patrick W.

Nov. 12th - Hazel R.

Nov. 19th - Debbie C.

Nov. 26th - Eric & Tara C.

NOVEMBER

Dec. 3rd - Margaret W.

Dec. 10th - Peter S.

Dec. 17th - Tracie W.

Dec. 24th - Bill, Dana, & Will M.

Dec. 31st - Odrigue & Rodrigue J.

DECEMBER

FIRST PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH NON PROFIT ORGANIZATION 1731 CHURCH STREET U.S. POSTAGE PAID RAHWAY, NJ 07065 RAHWAY, NJ 07065

732.382.0803 PERMIT NO. 111

CHANGE SERVICE REQUESTED

DATED MATERIAL

Worship with us

Each Sunday at 10:30AM

in the sanctuary

Office Email: office@1stpresrahway.org

Pastor: revehayes@gmail.com

1stpresrahway.org