BOONTON FIRST PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH • September 2014

Faith, Hope and Love in ActionDear Saints

Idon’t know if you agree but it seemsthat we had the most glorioussummer weather that I can ever

remember. No extreme heat waves, norolling black-outs, no unbearably muggydays, no destructive thunderstorms, nosevere flooding. Perhaps it was a gift fromGod after three really hard years of bizarreand disastrous fall and winter storms.

I hope you were able to enjoy theweather and acknowledge the gift offrequent clear and sunny days, cool nightsand starry skies. I did… but not without afrequently disturbed and broken heart.While summertime in the northeast wasbeautiful and the livin’ was easy, theprofusion of shocking headlines ofdisasters, atrocities and tragedies tookaway some of the joy of the gorgeousweather: Israel and Palestine are back in anopen war, Russia continues to surge intoUkraine and rebels in the conflict shotdown a Malaysian airliner, ISIS kidnappedover 300 children and has been routinelytorturing and killing innocent people, racialtensions reached a boiling point inFerguson, MO smacking of the 1950’s andone of the world’s great actors, RobinWilliams took his own life.

Old testament scholar WalterBrueggemann rightly says “When God’slove and devotion is totally ignored,human relationships become unfaithfuland society disintegrates”. I believe he’sright. Brueggemann’s quote points to all of

the aforementioned events, but it also callsus into question. It calls into question OURactions and inactions, OUR decisions andindecisions, OUR judgments of self andothers, OUR choices for or against God. Italso calls for the serious and crucial needfor connection with one another through,with and in God’s love.

Unless we consciouslychoose to find connection toGod with and through oneanother, we too will bepart of fueling unfaithfulrelationships and the dis-integration of church,community and society.

There are many ways that we asindividuals can seek and find connection toGod but one thing is for sure, withoutconnection to one another we cannot govery far for very long. That’s whyeverything that Jesus did, he did in andwith community. And so should we.

I know, I know… most of us are already‘super-busy’ ramping up for back toschool, seeking new routine’s when kidsgo off to college, adjusting to retirement,another child on the way or unavoidablehealth changes.

Fall can be a time of helpful transitionbut for many of us it is also greatlystressful. As you woefully pack awaysummer supplies and memories, ramp upfor school, and attempt to weave familyschedules, sports, clubs, community andchurch events into a cohesive whole, this is

actually the BEST time to also getreconnected or connected to your churchand the relationships herein. These are thevery relationships most likely to sustainyou when you are trying to navigate therapids of transition.

A few weeks ago I missed a call fromone of our younger members who had

just started their first year of col-lege. They had only been there a

few days so naturally I was alittle concerned and quicklyreturned the call. To my greatsurprise they had called to re-

port that their first class(World religion) was being

taught by a pastor and author whohas done some pastoral leadership in our

area, knew me and was very close friendswith one of our members! This student wasthrilled and delighted at the connection soclose to their home while they are so faraway. It eschewed all of their angst aboutmaking connections, being stretched in anew academic and life setting and it re-minded the student that they are alwaysconnected to God with and through us. Canyou say that you are that well-connected?

I hope you’ll make every effort to be apart of sustaining and growing theconnections in our church so that you canbe part of fostering faithful relationshipsand work for the up-building, not thedisintegrating, of our society.

Connecting with you in Christ,

♥ Jen

TThhee SSppiirree

Connectwith God

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NNOOTTEESS FFRROOMM SSAARRAAHHNNOOTTEESS FFRROOMM SSAARRAAHH http://www.fpcboonton.org

SEPTEMBER 2014

“O day of peace that dimly shines through all our hopes and prayers and dreams,Guide us to justice, truth, and love, delivered from our selfish schemes,

May swords of hate fall from our hands,our hearts from envy find release,Till by God’s grace our warring world shall see Christ’s promised reign of peace.”

Ever wonder how to shareyour ‘treasures’ in a musicalway without singing or playingan instrument at FirstChurch-Boonton?? ISO (InSearch Of) – interestedperson(s) who would like toshare their ‘treasures’ bysponsoring new anthems forFall 2014 ($45 per anthem).Please contact SarahFrederick via phone 570-947-6330, e-mailbabbleon247@yahoo.com, orin-person if interested!

Hear Ye, Hear Ye!

The fall season for the musicministry at First Presbyterian has

begun! Rehearsals will be resumingthis month and all are welcome,veterans and newcomers, –join inmaking joyful music together.

Special thanks to those musicianswho shared their time and talentsthis summer both in our sanctuaryduring morning worship and at theBoonton Fireman’s Home duringthe monthly services. Your musicalcontribution truly enhanced theworship services!

The Chancel Choir plans toparticipate in Boonton Day, Sunday,September 28, on Boonton Main

Street—time to be announced.Come hear and support the choir forthis outreach endeavor.

Fall Rehearsal Schedule Resumes:

Chancel Choir ~ Thursdays, September 4th (7:30–9pm)

Hand Bell Choir ~ Thursday, October 2nd (6:15–7:30pm)

If you are interested in becoming amember of any of the above-men-tioned choirs, please call or e-mailthe organist/choir director, SarahFrederick (570-947-6330, bab-bleon247@yahoo.com). Hope to seeyou at the next rehearsal! ♥

Thank you for the generous and thoughtful wedding gift to Cloud 9Living. We look forward to choosing an adventure outing and

sharing our experience with you. You are truly a giving church familyand we are grateful to have your love and support as we begin ourmarried life together.

Love, Bryan and Sarah Berta

Dear FPC Boonton,

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A Few Snapshots of Our Wonderful Wedding.Love, Sarah and Bryan

(Roomful Of Christian Kids)

It has been an exciting summer for members of the ROCK.With great thanks to the congregation for your amazing sup-port we were able to travel to Union Beach, New Jersey to de-construct a home destroyed by Hurricane Sandy. We workedthrough a group called Teameffort. They coordinated thework site as well as the worship experience for our entiregroup along with the other groups that attended. Allen Whipple, Marisa Crozier, Martel Roberts and Robin Ger-shaw led the group of 8 kids, — Val Whipple, Abby Kopp,Amanda Roberts, Abby Hettrick, Brian Lanigan, Brendan Kelly,James Roberts and Louis Lin.

This Mission Trip was so much more than just the labor thatwas done during the day. The theme of this year’s serviceprojects was “Broken but redeemed through Christ”. Each day was started with prayer and breakfast. Once we ar-rived at the site, we prayed about the work that we were aboutto do. With each board that was removed from the home, eachwindow removed, and the floor tiles that were scraped off thefloor we were asked to remember the family that had lived inthis home and that had so many memories there. We workedwith a group from Albany deconstructing the home and build-ing a shed to store the things that were not destroyed in thestorm, as the new home will be built. A lot of the good lumber,and siding from the house was reused to build the shed.Other items removed are being reused, recycled, sold (coppertubing or other metals) or given to another homeowner.

After dinner, our evening was spent in the chapel followed by asmall discussion group. The songs, games, energizers and themessages were all so well planned that each night built up tothe final night of chapel that left almost all in tears. We are allbroken in someway. We all have things in our lives that try tobreak us BUT we are always help up and redeemed in CHRIST.HE is always with us. HE blesses our every breath and is thereto carry us through every moment of our lives. The best part of the entire trip was watching the group realizethat a mission trip is not only about the construction project.The spiritual mission is so much greater than most expected.For me, this was a blessing to be able to take this group onthis trip and I am truly grateful to the congregation for all oftheir financial assistance.

On Wednesday evening, we wrote thank you notes to everyonewho donated. If you did not receive a note from a member ofthe ROCK – PLEASE let me know. I want everyone to know howmuch we appreciated your support and want everyone to re-ceive a personal note from a member of our group. We can’twait to share our experience on September 21st for MissionSunday.

The ROCK will meet on 9/21/14 for our first meeting of the2014-2015 season. If you are currently in high school youare welcome to join the ROCK and bring your high schoolfriends. This is a planning meeting and we will, of course,order lunch. We are all looking forward to another excitingyear with this Roomful Of Christian Kids.

♥ Robin Gershaw

ROCKROCK

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FIRST PRESBYTERIANCHURCH BOONTON

BBiibblleess ttoo55tthh GGrraaddeerrssSEPTEMBER 21

FALLSUNDAY

September 21

Save the date!!

BOONTON DAYSEPTEMBER 28

First Day ofSUNDAY SCHOOL

September 14

Sunday School BeginsCommissioning of

Sunday School TeachersSunday, September 1410:00 am Worship Service

We have a new seminary internstarting with us this September!

Meet Scot Mc Cachren (pronouncedMik-kathrin).

Scot is a middler (second-year) student atPrinceton Theological Seminary, and is amember of the Presbyterian Church inMorristown with his wife, Linda and theirtwo daughters, Emily (21) and Julia (17).Scot is an ordained Elder and Deacon andhas served on various committees including

Pastor Nominating, Adult Education, and Youth Ministry. Scot has also beena youth group advisor, a Sunday School teacher and has led numerousmission trips. Scot holds a B.A. from Catawba College with a major inTheatre Arts, and an M.A. from Drew University in 19th Century History.Previous to seminary Scot worked for twenty years in the insurance industry,primarily as a manager of Training & Development. Scot enjoys Bluegrassand Appalachian Mountain music, reading and writing poetry, playing withhis dogs, and Atlanta Braves baseball.

Scot will be working with assisting with our youth groups, leadingSeekers, leading in worship, preaching twice a semester and doing pastoralcare under the supervision of Rev Jen to complete his Field Educationrequirement. Welcome Scot! ♥

Welcome! Scot McCachren

You Have Watched Over MeLiving Lord, you have watched over me,and put your hand on my head,during the long, dark hours of night.

Your holy angels have protected me from all harm and pain.To you, Lord, I owe life itself.Continue to watch over me and bless meduring the hours of day.

Jacob Boehme (1575-1624), Germany

PPTTGG Prayer To Go

SUNDAY

10:00 WWoorrsshhiipp OOuuttddoooorrssOOuuttddoooorrss(Backyard)

Guest Organist:Linda Blank

11:15 Lemonade

7:00 A.A.

10:00 WorshipCOMMUNION

Deacons Fireman’s Home

11:15 Lemonade in Library

7:00 A.A.

10:00 WorshipFirst Day

SUNDAY SCHOOLCommission Sunday

School Teachers11:15 Lemonade in Library7:00 A.A.

10:00 WorshipFALL Mission SundayFALL Mission SundayBibles to 5th GradersBibles to 5th Graders11:15 Coffee Hour

Deacons Meeting5:00 Conservatory7:00 A.A.

10:00 Worship11:15 Coffee Hour

BOONTON DAYMain Street

7:00 A.A.

MONDAY

LABOR DAY

OFFICE CLOSED

7:30 SESSION

First Day of

3:00 Conservatory

3:00 Conservatory

3:00 Conservatory

TUESDAY

3:00 Conservatory

4:00 Presbytery MtgJohnsonburg

7:00 A.A.

3:00 Conservatory

FIRST DAY OF FALLFIRST DAY OF FALL

3:00 Conservatory

3:00 Conservatory

WEDNESDAY

7:00 PresbyAires

3:00 Conservatory

7:00 PresbyAires

3:00 Conservatory

7:00 PresbyAires

3:00 Conservatory

7:00 PresbyAires

3:00 Conservatory

THURSDAY

7:00 Cub Scouts

7:30 Chancel Choir

Patriot DayPatriot Day

3:00 Conservatory

7:30 Chancel Choir

3:00 Conservatory

6:00 Girl Scouts7:30 Chancel Choir

7:30 Chancel Choir

3:00 Conservatory

7:30 Chancel Choir

FRIDAY

7:00 Cub Scouts-Pack 201

6:00 Conservatory

7:00 Cub Scouts-Pack 201

SATURDAY

11:00 Conservatory

11:00 Conseervatory

10:00 Conservatory

7

14

21

28

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8

15

22

29

2

9

16

23

30

3

10

17

24

4

11

18

25

5

12

19

26

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13

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2014

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SSEPTEMBEREPTEMBERBirthdays

2 Jack MiddletonNatalie Pisarcik

4 Allison ScardenaKeelie Nickel

6 Kathryn Veliky11 Kayla Whipple

Kristine Hecker13 Connor Johnson14 Mike Stora15 Babette Whipple16 Bryan Nickel17 Linda Aldrich

Jim Cowan

18 Edna Austin19 Grace Keoppel

Megan KellyLisa Mastrangelo

22 Tucker Reed26 Erin Galloway27 Claudia Yanez28 Beatrice Beatty

Leslie Smith-FicaroRobert George

29 Elaine Oussoren

MEMORIALIZEMEMORIALIZE Loved OnesLoved OnesIn Memory of Given ByDoris Callahan . . . . . . . . . Connie & Tim KellyFrank Wiswall . . . . . . . . . . Louise deBonaventura. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Anna deBonaventura. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Anna McCullochMildred & Aldrich Nix . . . Donald Nix

FOR THE MEMORIAL FUND

Please Note: Donations can be specified to any church Fund

Over the summer the deacons werevery busy participating in the

following missions:

On August 30, the deacons servedsausage and peppers, green salad, fruit andcake to those in need of food for the bodyand soul at St John’s Church. YourDeacons do this 4 times a year on the 5thSunday of any month. Our next time toserve this mission is on Nov. 29th. Watchfor a sign up on the bridge for you to signup with your interest in helping with thisworthwhile mission. Your deacon’s fundcovers the cost of the meal, we are lookingfor people to help serve the meal.

On August 1st, we delivered $150 worthof lunch food, snacks and fresh fruit to theNew Bridges 70001 GED Program. Weare doing this every other month with an-other church. This food helps the studentsto focus on their studies and not on theirhungry bellies.

The Deacons Fund also funded Vaca-tion Bible School is summer. We believedthat it was important to have childrenenjoy a week in our church learning aboutthe love of Jesus Christ.

The Deacons and church members

continued to serve the Firemen’s Homeon the 1st Sunday of each month. TerryCharlton continues to get our churchmembers to offer a sermon for the men atthe home. If you haven’t been asked butwould like to participate in this mission,please contact Terry and let her know thatyou are interested.

PEACEMAKING OFFERING

The Deacons continue into the fall withthe PEACEMAKING OFFERING. Thisoffering is collected on October 2nd,World Communion Sunday. At ourrecent meeting, weighing different options,we voted to give our 25% of thePeacemaking Offering to AmericanFoundation for Suicide Prevention thatoffers many services including Out of theDarkness Walks. If you would like to readmore about this, you can go to AFSP.org

COAT DRIVE

I know it’s still hot outside but as youclean out your closets to make way foryour fall/winter clothing, remember thatthere are many in our community that needa warm coat to get through the wintermonths. A large box will be placed on thebridge during the months of Septemberand October to collect your GENTLYUSED and CLEAN winter coats, gloves,and scarves.

The Deacons continue to serveour congregation and many othercharities. If you have anyquestions, please contact a deaconand continue to read the Spire forfuture updates. ♥

DEACON’S DOIN’S

Pleasecontinue to

use the greenenvelopesprovided.

BoontonFood Pantry

The Deacons continue to collectnon-perishable food and per-sonal care and cleaning items forthose in need through BoontonSocial Services. Your generousdonations are delivered to BSSon a regular basis.

Your continued support of thepantry is very important andvery much appreciated.

For Your Support

BETTY KELLY’S FAMILY —Tim’s mother and mother-in-law- of ConnieKelly. Betty is now enjoying heavenly rest as she passed away on August 25.

Prayers are asked for peace and comfort for the family as they mourn their loss.

THE VERDUGA AND TIMMBERMAN FAMILIES — lost their sons Calvinand Jack in a tragic car accident in Randolph. Please keep their families in

your prayers.

CARLO COLASUONNO’S FAMILY — as they mourn the passing of Carlo(Judy Caggiano’s daughter-in-law’s father), who was called home to his Lord

on July 1. Please keep the families in your prayers.

♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥

MAE WISWALL — is home andrecovering well from intestinal issues.

Prayers are asked for patience, strength,healing and a full recovery. Praise the Lord!

VACATION BIBLE SCHOOL — Wehad 29 kids!!! Thanks and gratitude for

all the many wonderful and skilled volunteerswho made this both a blessing and asuccess!!!

PRAYERS OF GRATITUDE FOR AWONDERFUL YOUTH MISSION

TRIP — Thanks to all who supported thetrip; as well as the adult advisors, MartelRoberts, Marisa Crozier, Allen Whipple, andespecially for Robin Gershaw’s leadership tomake it a reality and a success. Praise God!

THOMPSON GALLOWAY — son ofStephanie and Gordon, was born July 5,

6 lbs., 9 oz., 19 inches. Praise God for thishealthy baby, younger brother to Erin.

♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥

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Please continueto contribute

your change tothe

“Drop-in-the-Bucket”Font.

JJOOYYSS

AANNDD GGOODD SSHHAALLLL GGRRIIEEVVEE WWIITTHH ......

IINN OOUURR PPRRAAYYEERRSS:: CCoonncceerrnnss

ROCCO SAVIO SCONZO — Threeyear-old son of Rocco and Marie

(friends of Connie Kelly) had a braingrowth removed. He is recovering, but maystill suffer from seizures.

MAGED MEHANI — friend of BettyTilli, is awaiting a kidney transplant.

Prayers are asked for strength for him andhis wife and for a donor to be found.

JOE CURR — Robin Nickel’s dad, wasdiagnosed with esophageal cancer.

Prayers are asked for the right treatment/healing and strength for Joe, and for hiswife and daughters.

EDINA RENFRO — tenant in themanse. Edina’s cancer has spread to

her spine & liver, but is being held at bayby chemo. Please pray for Edina, her husband Mike and their two children.

MARY DIXON WITKE — friend ofMarilyn Ward, has being diagnosed

with ocular melanoma metastasized to the liver. Keep Mary in your prayers.

JUDY CAGGIANO’S FRIEND —has widespread stage 4 cancer. Please

keep her in prayers.

KAREN GAZDELSKI — GayleLobb’s friend, had surgery to remove

breast cancer and is undergoing chemoand radiation.

TED MALLORY — friend of theHomeijers, is undergoing treatment for

brain cancer. Keep Ted in your prayers.

DIANE PHILIPS — Donna Kurley’sfriend, is diagnosed with cancer and

undergoing chemo. Please pray for Diane.

ANTONETTA WOZNIAK — JasonSumowski’s grandmother, is in the

latest stages of dementia. Please keepAntonetta and family in your prayers.

OUR MEN AND WOMEN IN UNIFORM — Let our prayers be

with all soldiers. We will continue to holdall our service personnel in our prayersuntil they ALL come home. ♥

First Presbyterian Church513 Birch St • PO Box 157Boonton, New Jersey 07005973-334-3535 • FAX 973-334-3549Website: www.fpcboonton.org

Rev. Jennifer M. Van Zandt, MinisterSarah Frederick, Music DirectorNorma Moreno, Administrator

MESSAGE OF LOVEfrom the

Candle Cane Brigade

FPChas celebrated the birthdays ofour senior members with semi-

annual birthday parties. We are all blessedand have learned many lessons from thesemembers. We treasure them and all the giftsthey bring us.

Each month, one of the ladies from the“Brigade” will offer a “tip” for living a goodChristian life. We pray you’ll find inspiration inthem!! ♥

MESSAGE FOR SEPTEMBERFROM ELSIE FORCE

“It is amazing how many ways a‘Thank you’ or a ‘God bless

you ‘ can help show God‘s loving care.”

RRRReeeemmmmiiiinnnnddddeeeerrrr :::: Please remember to

provide any information you need published in themonthly Spire, by the 15th of each month —to ensure that the information will be included.

GOD IS ON THE MOVE!!C O M E T O W O R S H I P I N T H E C H U R C H B A C K YA R D

SUNDAY • AUGUST 31, 2014 • 10 AMDress casually • Bring a blanket if you would like to sit on the green area

In Case of Rain - Worship will be in Reighart Hall

BBOOOONNTTOONN DDAAYYSSuunnddaayy,, SSeepptteemmbbeerr 2288

NNoooonn –– 44::0000 ppmmMMaaiinn SSttrreeeett,, BBoooonnttoonn

Save the Date!

Main Street, Boonton will be abuzz with activity on Sunday, September28th and we will be there to help spread the good news of the gospel.We’ll have games for the kids, face-painting, a bake sale, and ourchoir will once again share the gift of music with passersby. Get in onthis fun-filled day by volunteering an hour of your time to let the com-munity know that First Church Boonton has something special goingon under the spire. For more information or to volunteer, contactConnie Kelly at kelly51@optonline.net. ♥