LIGHT FROM THE STEEPLE
FIRST PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH, 298 MAIN STREET, HACKETTSTOWN, NJ 07840
OFFICE: 908-852-4011
e-mail: fpch@juno.com
FAX: 908-852-4976
Church website: http://www.fpchackettstown.org
REV. BIRDA BUZAN FERGUSON
BARBARA DEBOER, NEWSLETTER EDITOR
OCTOBER 2015
Pastor: Rev. Birda Ferguson
Choir Director/Organist: Lorinda Ravo
Treasurer: Al Ravo
Financial Secretary: Deborah Gulick Shepherd
Church Secretary: Mary Ellen Lightfoot
Head Usher: Lyman M. Gulick
Sexton: John Mark Wojcicki
Clerk: Sandra Sentner
THE SESSION
Class of ’15:
Carl Erickson
John Mark Wojcicki
Class of ’16:
Dan Gardner
Donald Luques
Pam Covert
Class of ’17:
Diane Hull
Jim Butts
Grace Clegg
BOARD OF DEACONS
Peg Russack
Brian Ligarzewski
Ryan Van Orden
Moderator: Lorinda Ravo
Vice-Moderator: Barbara DeBoer
Corresponding Secretary: Barbara DeBoer
Recording Secretary: Donna Erickson
Treasurer: Brenda Neice
Class of ’15:
Brenda Neice
Donna Erickson
Lorinda Ravo
Cynthia Luques
Class of ’16:
Kim Newton
Haeja Kim
Barbara DeBoer
Charles Lee
Class of ’17:
Alisa Dartnell
Sharon Heil
Patricia Butts
Nicole Keane
HEAVEN SENT NURSERY SCHOOL BOARD OF TRUSTEES
Office: 852-2006
Alisa Dartnell
Pam Venturini
Ginny Plumbo
Kim Ligarzewski
Dear Friends,
I’m on vacation! But I want to remind you about a day too much of the world will overlook: WORLD
COMMUNION SUNDAY, October 4th!
Our congregation celebrates the Lord’s Supper, or Communion several times a year, but on this day,
we recognize that this particular sacrament is shared by most of the world’s Christians.
World Communion Sunday--or WCS--(originally called World Wide Communion Sunday) is, according
to John Dalles, who researched the history of WCS, “a gift of the Presbyterian Church to the larger ecumenical
church.”
It was first conceived in Pittsburgh, PA in 1933 at the Shadyside Presbyterian Church as an “attempt to
bring churches together in a service of Christian unity—in which everyone might receive both inspiration and
information, and above all, to know how important the Church of Jesus Christ is, and how each congregation is
interconnected one with another.”
“The concept spread very slowly at the start. People did not give it a whole lot of thought. It was during
the Second World War that the spirit caught hold, because we were trying to hold the world together. World
Wide Communion symbolized the effort to hold things together, in a spiritual sense. It emphasized that we are
one in the Spirit and the Gospel of Jesus Christ."
Today, World Communion Sunday is celebrated around the world, demonstrating that the church
founded on Jesus Christ peacefully shares God-given goods in a world increasingly destabilized by
globalization and global market economies based on greed.
At First Presbyterian Church in Hackettstown, our elders and deacons will prepare plates of several
kinds of bread to symbolize the diversity of God’s children. In addition, for the first time, we will offer gluten
free bread for anyone who wishes it.
Please join us October 4th at 10 a.m. to celebrate the Lord’s Supper and to support the Peacemaking
and Global Witness Offering, which enables the church to promote the Peace of Christ by addressing systems
of injustice across the world.
I look forward to celebrating with you!
Birda
Birda Buzan Ferguson, pastor
OCTOBER GREETERS
4 Oct
Maria Koskulics - Ramp Door
Russ Reed - Front Door
11 Oct
Beverly Saunders - Ramp Door
Sandy Lindstedt - Front Door
18 Oct
25 Oct
Janette and Donald Hendershot
Cynthia and Donald Luq
GLORY TO GOD
THE NEWEST PRESBYTERIAN HYMNAL
We are enjoying our new hymnals, Glory to God. They
arrived last October and are filled with songs we know and songs
we have yet to learn. The nameplates have been placed into
hymnals for those dedications received to date. Thank you to
everyone who has made a contribution!
There are still a number of hymnals, which may be dedicated in memory of, or in
celebration of, your family members or friends. The cost to sponsor each hymnal is
$15. Please provide the necessary information on the form below. Checks should be
made out to First Presbyterian Church and write “new hymnal” on the memo line.
Given by:______________________________________________________
Number of hymnals _______
Amount enclosed _______ (@ $15.00 each)
Dedications:
In Memory/Celebration (circle one) of:
______________________________________________________________
In Memory/Celebration (circle one) of:
______________________________________________________________
August 2015 Financial $napshot
The Expenses Paid and Income amounts below do not include the funds transferred from the
Endowment to meet the operating expenses.
Income
Expenses Paid
Net Operating Income / (Deficit)
Amount Needed from Endowment
August
$13,726.60
$15,332.03
($1,605.43)
Year To Date
$108,675.56
$121,391.06
($12,715.50)
$1,500.00
$12,000.00
The 2015 Per Capita is $33.00 for each of the 238 members of our Church. The total amount due in
2015 is $7,854.00 or $654.50 monthly. The 1st and 2nd quarterly payments of $1,963.50 each were
made in March and June to the Newton Presbytery. The September and December quarterly
payments remain for 2015. In August, $0.00 was received for the Per Capita bringing the Year To
Date total to $3,560.00 or 45% of the annual amount due.
Please contact Al Ravo if you have any questions or would like to discuss Per Capita, the Church’s
operating finances or the Endowment Funds.
ANNUAL ROAST BEEF DINNER
Our church will hold its annual roast beef dinner on Saturday, October 17, 2015 from 4:00
p.m. to 7:00 p.m. at the Chapel. It will include family style roast beef, mashed potatoes & gravy,
green beans, coleslaw, bread & butter, beverages and dessert.
Tickets cost $13.00 for adults and $8.00 for children (age 12 and under). Advance purchase of
tickets is strongly recommended as only a limited number of tickets may be purchased at the door.
Take-out dinners will also be available if tickets are purchased in advance.
To buy tickets, sell tickets or for further information, please contact Vicky Lee (908) 813-3418
or Barbara Yankiv (908) 852-3025. Tickets will be sold after worship in the rear hallway to the
parking lot entrance.
This is a church event and we ask that you sign up on the volunteer sheet that will be posted in
the sanctuary to bake a dessert, set up, serve, clean up, etc. Our “Dinner Planning Team” is doing
the organization, but we rely on our church members to help make
this dinner a success.
Thank you,
The Church Dinner Planning Team
CHOIR NOTES
Music for the month of October at FPCH!
October 4: One Bread, One Body-Senior Choir
On this World Wide Communion Sun day, the Senior Choir sings a new hymn that is from our
hymnal. Hymn #530 has the refrain: “One bread, one body, one Lord of all, one cup of blessings
which we bless. And we, though many, throughout the earth, we are one body in this one Lord.”
October 11: Jesus Loves Me-Little Lights Sunday School Choir
Abundant Praise-FPC Ringer
This morning, our “Little Lights Sunday School Choir” makes their official debut! For the past several
weeks, the children of our Sunday School have been learning the timeless song “Jesus Loves Me”
and “Jesus Loves the Little Ones”. Today, they will be sharing what they’ve learned for our
congregation.
The FPC Ringers will be providing a joyous anthem today as they ring Abundant Praise.
October 18: All The Way My Savior Leads Me-Senior Choir
Fanny Crosby’s beloved hymn was inspired by Psalm 23, and Cam Kirkland has written a beautiful
arrangement that builds to a soaring and inspirational climax “This I know, what e’re betide me, Jesus
led me all the way.”
October 25: If you Trust in God-Senior Choir
The message of this morning’s anthem, arranged by Tom Fettke, is one of a question of faith and commitment.
LITTLE LIGHTS SUNDAY SCHOOL CHOIR
This month, our Sunday School students debut as our newest choir at church: the Little Lights
Sunday School Choir. During the children’s sermon, Pastor Birda and Lorinda have been helping the
children learn the wonderful Sunday School songs that the adults in our congregation
learned in our own childhood. On October 11, they will sing for the first time during 10
am worship. What a joy to bring these ageless songs to our children!
HONORING A LOVED ONE THROUGH MUSIC
Would you like to remember or honor someone special by having their favorite hymn played either
before or after worship? Lorinda will be happy to incorporate your loved one’s favorite hymn into the
prelude or postlude (you choose!) on a birthday, anniversary, or other special date. Just let her know
the song you’d like played, and the date on which you’d like it played during our worship service. We’ll
even note your special choice and loved one in the bulletin if you’d like!
TEACHING OUR CHILDREN ABOUT TITHING
Halloween is a splendid opportunity to teach our children valuable lessons about both
tithing and helping others! We’re asking all of our children who go out Trick or Treating
on Halloween (or at any Halloween activities leading up to the “big day”), to put aside
10% of their candy. On November 1, we hope that our children will bring that “tithe” of candy
to church with them and add it to our Candy Tithe offering that morning. All donated candy will be
sent to an organization that will send the treats to soldiers serving away from home. We hope to
teach our children (and our congregation) about setting aside a portion of our blessings to give to
God’s glory, and about how, when we all work together, we can serve God and God’s people.
Hint: for our older children, this can also be a good opportunity to work a math lesson into Halloween!
DEACONS AT WORK INSIDE AND OUTSIDE OF THE CHURCH
Our church’s Board of Deacons are a hard working and very busy group of dedicated servants of
God! Throughout the summer, they hosted an ice cream social after the VBS Closing Program, they
prepared Communion for our morning worship, they assisted people in need in our community with
grocery and gas gift cards, and by providing funding for the Domestic Abuse center and the Summer
Food Backpack Program, co-sponsored by the North Jersey United Way and St. James Church. As
the summer ended, the Board of Deacons spent a VERY busy weekend hosting our second Free
Market, followed by a Free Soup and Sandwich Supper.
On September 11, we welcomed donations of clothing, food, household items, sports equipment,
toys, baby items, and more. As the donations came in, we turned our Chapel into a “store” and
displayed all of the items that would be offered on Saturday morning. At 9:00 am on September 12,
we opened our doors to the people who were waiting patiently outside and welcomed them to come
in a take whatever they needed-without any need to pay for what they took. What a blessing for all of
us to be able to do God’s work in our community. If you’d like to see pictures of the Free Market, go to
the church’s Facebook page!
OFFERING REMINDER!
The cash/loose change in the Offering Plates on October 4, World Communion Sunday, will be
received by the Deacons for their ministries and missions.
CARDS ON THE PIANO
Do you sign the cards on the piano each Sunday? These cards go to those in
our church family who can no longer come to Sunday Morning worship, and it
gives us a chance to reach out to them, and let them know that they are missed, and that they’re not
far from our thoughts. If you know of someone who could benefit by receiving a card filled with loving
messages, please let the church office or a member of Board of Deacons know!
SCHOOL LUNCH PROGRAM
During the month of October, the Deacons plan to again provide funding for children in our
community who might have to skip lunch during the week, because of economic hardship in their
family. We provide the necessary funds for children who don’t qualify for free school lunches, but for
whom the cost of a hot meal-or any meal, each day is prohibitive. Thanks to all who donate to help us
implement this program that makes a difference in the lives and health of children!
ADOPT A FAMILY
The Board of Deacons implemented an incredible program last year. Our “Adopt-a-Family” program
allows us to help local families three times a year: in November, February/March, and May. With the
assistance of the school nurse at Hatchery Hill School, we are given the names, ages, and needs of
children in the school who face economic hardships. Last year, our congregation showed your
generosity as you purchased clothing, shoes, and toys for the children.
We are again looking forward to implementing this program, and you’ll be hearing from us again.
Thank you for your kindness and generosity. We received a note from a little girl last spring that
thanked us for her new clothes. As we read the line “I wore my new dress for my Spring Concert”, we
all looked at each other with tears in our eyes and knew that we were so lucky to have God working
through our congregation to help others!
SHARING GOD’S BOUNTY
FOR OCTOBER
Living for Jesus
German Theologian Martin Luther said, “If someone would knock on my heart and ask, ‘Who lives
here?’ I would say, ‘Martin Luther once lived here, but he has moved out and Jesus has moved in.’ ”
In Galatians 2:20 the apostle Paul wrote that he, too, lived for Jesus. “I have been crucified with
Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of
God.”
Who or what do you live for? If we live for ourselves and the things of the world, we will focus our
attention and energy on amassing more and more things. It is easy for money and possessions to
become overly important because our society tells us that more is better and that happiness and
success can only be achieved by having the newest and best things. To find happiness and success,
we work long and hard.
King Solomon, who was wealthy and wise, tried almost everything and found no satisfaction with
things of the world. In Ecclesiastes, he tells us that he tried wine and women; he built houses,
gardens, and parks; he bought slaves, herds and flocks, and amassed silver and gold. “I denied
myself nothing my eyes desired; I refused my heart no pleasure . . . Yet when I surveyed all that my
hands had done and what I had toiled to achieve, everything was meaningless, a chasing after the
wind; nothing was gained under the sun.” (Ecclesiastes 2:10-11). Regarding money, Solomon wrote,
“Whoever loves money never has money enough; whoever loves wealth is never satisfied with his
income. This too is meaningless” (vs. 5:10).
In closing the book of Ecclesiastes, Solomon wrote, “Now all has been heard; here is the
conclusion of the matter: Fear God and keep his commandments, for this the whole duty of man. For
God will bring every deed into judgment . . .” (Ecclesiastes 12:13-14). The only thing that finally gave
Solomon’s life purpose was living for God. Likewise, we as Christians understand that Jesus is the
only person who can give us lasting peace, comfort, and security. He alone meets our needs. Jesus’
tremendous sacrifice showed us his love for us and his love compels us to love him and live for him.
Filled with Jesus’ presence in our lives, we are empowered to overcome the pull of the world.
Christian Stewards do not dedicate their time, their talent, or their treasure so that they may
become God’s, but because they are God’s.
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www.parishpublishing.org
THANK YOU!
All God’s creatures have a place in the choir--but maybe not in the manse?
As many of you know, the manse of First Presbyterian Church was visited by several critters
this year! We had bats (fun on Halloween, but not every day), two opossums (a baby and an adult), a
very large ground hog, and a skunk!
Thanks to the Session for hiring a local business to rid the pastor’s house of bats. Thanks to
Dan Yankiv for safely trapping the ‘possoms, ground hog, and skunk who visited the back porch and
taking them to a new home!
I have renewed appreciation and respect for Noah, who, according to Genesis, protected so
many animals on the Ark during the Great Flood!
OCTOBER BIRTHDAYS
1: Alex Galbreath
Tim Gelsinger
3: Jolene Venturini
Randi Venturini
5: Molly Gorczyca
6: Larson Jones
7: Sara Kshatri
Justin Hughes
8: Lyman M. Gulick
10: Chris Bramley III
11: Zachary Calhoun
12: Pam Covert
Amy Wiedemann
13: Tracey Gelsinger
Sarah Wojcicki
14: Linda Allegri
16: Sandy Archer
19: Pat Stone
Sharon Wojcicki
21: Deborah Gulick Shepherd
22: Heather Dartnell
25: Brielle Plumbo
28: Vanessa Neice
29: Allison DelPlato
30: Guy Collina Jr.
OCTOBER ANNIVERSARIES
2: Floyd & Lucy Smith
3: George & Dorothy Landiak
6: James & Jacqualine Grover
8: Chip & Amy Cochran
17: Don & Linda Allegra
PRAYER LIST
Please keep the following in your prayers:
Dottie Agens
Betty Brodo
Rachel Becker, Lucy & Floyd Smith’s granddaughter
Mary Brodt
Jane Buzan
Barbara Courtright
Pam Covert & her dad Jim
Heather Dartnell
Maria and Garry Ferguson, Birda’s in-laws
FPCH
Dorothy Hammel
Bob & Rosalie Hollenfer
Miki Kellum
Dorothy Knauer
Judy Kolwicz
Dottie & George Landiak
Barbara Ligarzewski
Janet Lowery
Maikuu congregation, Kibwezi Kenya
Diana Merzoian
Those in the Armed Forces
Gail O’Brien
Shaun O’Brien
Barbara Pace, neice of the Prestopines
Helen Pace
Edith Payton (mother of Sharon Heil)
Elizabeth Robitsch
Pamela Sampson (daughter of Barbara Courtright)
Lauren Scavo (niece of Glenn Ferguson)
Barbara Sly
Lucy Smith
Dean Starr
Mark Tilney
Ray Van Orden
Amy Wiedemann
DATES TO REMEMBER FOR
1:
1:
2:
4:
October 2015
FPC Ringers; 6:40PM in the Music Room
Senior Choir: 7:30PM in the Music Room
Adult Bible Study; 10:30AM -! 2:00PM at the Chapel
Worship, World Communion, and Sunday School; 10:00 AM;
Sanctuary
5: Blood Drive: 3:30 – 8:30PM in the Chapel
5: Building & Grounds; 6:00PM
7: Yarn Girls; 1:00PM; in the Conference Room
8: FPC Ringers; 6:40PM in the Music Room
8: Senior Choir; 7:30PM in the Music Room
9: Adult Bible Study; 10:30AM -12:00PM at the Chapel
10: Men’s Breakfast; 8:30AM in the Chapel
11: Worship and Sunday School; 10:00 AM; Sanctuary
14: PW Ruth’s Circle Bible Study; 11:00 AM in the Conference Room
14: Adult Bible Study; 7:00PM in the Conference Room
15: FPC Ringers; 6:40PM in the Music Room
15: Senior Choir: 7:30PM in the Music Room
16: Adult Bible Study; 10:30AM -12:00PM at the Chapel
17: Ladies’ Breakfast; 9:00 AM at the River Star Diner
17: Roast Beef Dinner; 4:00 – 7:00PM in the Chapel
18: Worship and Sunday School; 10:00 AM; Sanctuary
20: Session; 6:30PM in the Conference Room
22: FPC Ringers; 6:40PM in the Music Room
22: Senior Choir: 7:30PM in the Music Room
23: Adult Bible Study; 10:30AM -12:00PM at the Chapel
25: Worship and Sunday School; 10:00 AM; Sanctuary
26: Building & Grounds; 6:00PM
27: Deacons; 6:30PM; in the Conference Room
28: PW Meeting; 11:00AM in the Conference Room
29: FPC Ringers; 6:40PM in the Music Room
29: Senior Choir: 7:30PM in the Music Room
30: Adult Bible Study; 10:30AM -12:00PM at the Chapel