The Friendly News The First Presbyterian Church of Woodbury Heights September 2013

Dear Friends, When we went to the Outer Banks this summer, we took a day trip to Ocracoke Island, the southernmost point of the Outer Banks. We took our two oldest grandsons (Hayden, eight, and Ben, six) with us. You need to take a ferry there, and the boys thought it was great fun to drive the car on the boat. Ocracoke was also a hideout for the notorious pirate Blackbeard, and an exhibit about his ‘career’ prompted Hayden to announce that he wants to be a pirate when he grows up (but a good one). There is also a small cemetery in which are buried four British sailors. They were on one of several British ships patrolling our coast during World War Two that was torpedoed by a German submarine. And there is a lighthouse there – which brought disappointment to Ben. You see, last year, Ben had climbed up to the top of two other lighthouses in the Outer Banks, and he wanted to climb this one, too. But we were told that no visitors were allowed at the top. And Ben wanted to know why. And be assured that Ben was not one to accept either ‘Because’ or “I don’t know.’ Fortunately, a park guide was there to explain. It seems that the lighthouse lens is uncovered, and that visitors had to stay away, because dirt and oil from clean human hands could damage the lens and keep the light from shining as it should. Ben was satisfied.

But it did make me think. We often refer to Jesus as the light of the world. That’s a common theme in the Gospel of John. But while Jesus is the light, we are the ones who are called to reflect that light. Which is not always that easy. Because let’s face it, our hands (and the rest of us) are not all that clean. Our attitudes toward others, our failure to share true Christian love, our hesitations to help out, our embracing of comfort and convenience, and how many other things that damage our Christian witness can sure keep us from reflecting the light that Jesus shines throughout the world. It’s our call; it’s our responsibility; it’s our witness to the rest of the world. As we move into our new program year and a new year of opportunities to make the world a brighter place and chase away the shadows, let us each think about how we can better make the light so shine that others may see it and give glory to our Father in Heaven. In Christ, John

SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 8

WE RETURN TO OUR 11:00 AM WORSHIP SERVICE . ALSO, RALLY DAY BEGINS AT 9:30 AM FOR ALL

OF OUR SUNDAY SCHOOL CLASSES!

Keep in your prayers Bob Rebyak

and Arnie Shannon who are in Inspira Hospital, Chuck Elliott, Dick Shaw, and Gary Young (Mae’s son).

Our sympathy is expressed to the family of Joe Benkert, who passed away during August.

Congratulations to Matt and Tara (Holleny) Hines on the baptism of their son, Mason.

Congratulations to Craig Mangano, who just retired as the police chief for West Deptford!

A big thank you to all who have volunteered to teach Sunday School and be a part of our Christian Education program. Without them, we couldn’t do what we do. They will be dedicated on Sunday, September 8th during worship, so you will have the opportunity to see all of them.

Big thank yous as well to all of our Choir members (Cherub, Youth, and Sanctuary) and to our Bell Choir members who bring so much energy and life to our worship together.

Golf Outing

Our annual golf outing was a big success. Lots of good fun, good fellowship, and good food, not to mention a day that was neither too hot nor too humid – perfect for golf. Thanks to all who sponsored, thanks to all who played, and thanks, most of all, to Mike Woodrow, who co-ordinated the entire event! Our sponsors were: Susan Shunk, Bon Voyage Travel; Compass Wire Corp.; McGuiness Funeral Home; Smith Funeral Home; Jim Golding, Window Tech; Helen Geserick, Plant Service Corp.; Chuck & Joyce Elliott; Helen Draper; Lois Cooper; Pat & Dudley Wilkins; Steve & Michele Elliott; The Belcher Family; the Montufar Family; The Reim Family; the Taylor Family; The Board of Deacons; the Men’s Group.

ADULT SUNDAY SCHOOL

Begins September 15 at 9:30 to discuss the Parables. Please join our lively group and discussions.

UPCOMING EVENTS! SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 15 – We will celebrate Mission Sunday. Rev. Gary Salmon of Family Promise of Gloucester County will tell us how we can help address the issue of homeless families – of which there are many in our county. SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 22 – A representative from one of our local funeral homes will meet us after worship to talk to us about pre-planning funerals (which is not just something for seniors to do). And he’ll have coffee and doughnuts! SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 29 – A representative from the Presbyterian Foundation will be here to talk about preparing a will and allowing our Christian witness to follow us after we die. (Did you know that 60% of Americans die without a will?)

DEACON’S  CORNER:  

Summertime means time to relax but… The Deacons are always available for members’ needs. Please contact the church office if you wish a deacon visit or to inform of someone else in need for a visit. Past news:

• The annual Sunshine luncheon was a success! Approximately 20 folks attended back in April. • Beeswax candles were purchased for the alter to cut down on fast meltdowns. • Graduate luncheon was held June -congratulations to Diane Belcher, Jenna Rebyak, & Kyle Reim! • Father’s Day gifts of various items were handed out to fathers (pencils, pens, key chains) instead of giving religious

tracts…let us know if you have new ideas for next year. • Special worship: was held July 21, 4pm dinner, 5 pm worship

Upcoming Events: Blood Drive: October 8

FYI in the PEWS: Did you know that Deacon’s maintain the “papers & pencils in the pews” approximately once/month? Here’s what is there (or should be there):

• A Visitor card (please call this to our visitors’ attention to fill in & place in the offering plate)

• A few green papers for your children & you to write on (makes for some interesting reading if you leave it behind! J)

• Prayer requests cards for you to fill in & hand to head usher before service for Rev. to read at prayer time.

• Offering envelopes to fill up & place in offering plates.

• A purple Deacon’s request card to fill out as needed & place in offering plate or give to Rev. or any deacon.

• Pencils should be placed with point down unless they are broken then place it upward so we can see it easier to replace.

• It takes a deacon 1 to 2 hours to go pew to pew to replace items. Thank you for monitoring your children with these items. Only the green papers should be scribbled on…please continue using the drawing pads and “Dear God” books in the Narthex for your children. And thank you for returning them to the basket after worship service.

Important reminders for ongoing events: *Gift cards for the ShopRite and Acme Food Markets are available for purchase every Sunday after church. (see Joyce Woodrow or call 468-0645) *Food Collection: Any & all non-perishable food or items are welcomed, but to help make it easier we offer the following suggestions: Sept. – Canned juice, tea, coffee, crackers God Bless - In Christ’s service, Your Board of Deacons: Jeff Brenner, Clay Cary, Cassandra DeFinizio, Kim DiNoia, Joyce Elliott, Nicole Good, Connie Harley, Maureen Keane, Linda Kershaw, Kristen Lynch, Judy Milio, Carol Siciliano, Joe Williamson, Nancy Zane Joyce Woodrow, moderator

PRAYER QUILT MINISTRY For those of you who are new to our church, I'd like to let you know about our prayer quilts. Back in '03 we became part of the Prayer Quilt Ministry . . an interfaith outreach ministry which has chapters throughout the world. The purpose of the ministry is not to make and distribute quilts, but to promote prayer through the use of the quilts. The quilt is simply the prayer carrier. As of this date, we have made and distributed 435 quilts and have had some wonderful feedback from the recipients. We ask that you check in the Narthex each Sunday to see if a quilt is there. Please then tie a knot and say a silent prayer for the recipient. Remember that a knot consists of two ties . . too many people forget that! We don't have much occasion these days to tie a real knot, as Velcro has taken over!! Also, if you are requesting a quilt, it is extremely important that the recipient of the quilt believes in the power of prayer. If you have a request for a quilt, just write the person's name and reason for the quilt on a piece of paper and give it to me, or give me a call at 856-384-1565. On the first Thursday of the month at one o'clock, a group of us meets in the church lounge to put together the quilts. We certainly would like to see some more helpers. Absolutely no sewing is required. I can't thank everyone enough for the support you have given us in this endeavor. Pat Wilkins

FOOD FOR THOUGHT! Rather than worry about serious matters, the Prime Timers give much thought to that eternal question, “Where shall we eat lunch this month?” Therefore, our group met at Riverwinds Restaurant in July for a delicious meal. There were twenty-two of us enjoying each other’s company and good food. August found us visiting The Olive Garden in Deptford. Sixteen of us made our presence known with our gaiety and conversation. Everyone was pleased with our food, service and the fellowship. We will be going to National Park in September for our annual picnic. Anyone wishing to join us, should contact Pat Pol or Geri Sincavage. All will bring their own lunch and dessert will be provided.

September Birthdays 9/01 Nicole Good Connie Harley 9/04 Bob Korn Dorothy Simcox 9/05 Matthew Geserick Paul Milio 9/08 Gary Kuehnapfel, Sr. 9/14 Jean Shivers 9/17 Helen Geserick 9/18 Sadie Heydler 9/23 Brad Gilmore 9/25 Amanda Gillette 9/27 Ed Johnson Jennifer Lloyd 9/28 Rachel Eachus 9/30 Bob MacDermott 10/01 Carter Bagnell 10/03 Helen Draper Lauryn Elliott Anniversaries 9/10 Walt and Kay Pierson 9/11 Beth and Clay Cary 9/14 Gary and Diane Kuehnapfel 9/18 Bill and Maureen Lex 9/19 Jim and Shirley Golding 9/23 Bob and Nancy MacDermott 10/01 Howard and Nicole Good 10/05 Steve and Michele Elliott

ESTHER CIRCLE

Our September meeting will be Tuesday, September 10th at 7pm at the home of Sherry Outten. Please come out and join us for fellowship and bible study. We welcome all ladies of the church. Any questions, please call Bonnie Dawson at 415-1450.

Mission News for September, 2013

Gary Salmon, CEO of Family Promise, will be speaking to us on Sunday, September 15th, on the Homeless situation here in our own area – and in other states. He certainly is dedicated to helping families in this position. He will also be upstairs after church showing a DVD presentation. I know you will want to hear his message – it is so important. Thank you everyone who bought and filled backpacks for the Seeds of Hope Ministry. These backpacks will be donated to children in Camden who have a parent or parents who are incarcerated. Many of these children would have no school supplies at all if we – and other organizations and churches – did not donate these items. Thanks to John and Denise Pitchford for delivering them. Six of our church members went to Cathedral Kitchen recently to help with the serving of meals to people who might otherwise go without good nutritious food. Dottie and John went for the first time, Margaret Schneeman (a new member of our church), Kathy Pedicone, Maureen Keane and Kim Di Noia also went. It was the first time for Margaret and Kathy – and Kathy drove. Thanks to all of you. We go again on October 8th. I think I have enough volunteers for that day. December 27th is the next date that we go and so far I have one member who has volunteered. I also want to thank those of you who donated water for Brenda and Bill’s street ministry in Camden. It was very much appreciated. THANKS TO EVERY ONE OF YOU WHO HAVE BEEN SO GENEROUS WITH YOUR TIME AND MONEY DURING THE SUMMER MONTHS.

25 BACKPACKS WERE DELIVERED TO THE SEEDS OF HOPE MINISTRY!

Notes from the Organ Bench September 2013

by Quint Lerch

Music Appreciation/Teacher Recognition Sunday – September 8th The first Sunday of 11AM worship in September, after a long and (for this year) unusually wet summer, is always an exciting time for me. It means a time of getting together once again as a family of faith. Fall signals a time when we renew our faith, our relationships with one another and look to God for renewed guidance. One of the keys to helping us renew our faith in God is through education as we experience it with our Christian brothers and sisters as we grow in faith and in watching our children grown in their faith too. And the other key to helping us renew our faith is the way in which we express and respond to God’s love. One of the most important and expressive ways we do that as a worshipping church is through music. What would a worship service be like if we couldn’t express ourselves in music? As a musician, it wouldn’t be very satisfying. But even if you can’t play an instrument, or don’t feel you’re very musical you can always sing, hum, tap your feet or clap. And if you can do any or all of those things, and most of us can, it is a very simple, personal and important thing that we do in response to God’s abiding love. And if you sing, or play an instrument, it’s probably because someone, a teacher, took his or her time to teach you. And if you take that idea even further, a Sunday school teacher probably taught you some of your first songs and told you some of your first Bible stories. So as you sit in the pew on September 8th, and as we acknowledge those ringers and singers and teachers who devote their time and talents in service to our Lord and to all of us, let us remember those special people in our lives who have brought us closer to God through music and through education. Give them your thanks and your blessings.

Calling All Singers - Youth and Adult! If you love to sing, First Presbyterian of Woodbury Heights has one of the best choirs around and if you have a love of singing, we would love to have your voice. If you are an adult, our Sanctuary Choir can use your voice and your joyful spirit of music making. We sing most Sundays at the 11AM worship service with a warm-up rehearsal at 10:30AM and regular weekly rehearsals on Thursdays at 7:45PM beginning on September 6th. If you want more information, please call Quint Lerch at 235-8780. If you are a young person from grades 4 and up, the Youth Choir is for you. We rehearse on Sunday mornings at 9:30AM and we will have our first organizational meeting and rehearsal on Sunday, September 15th. Carol String and Quint Lerch will lead this group and you will have opportunities to both sing and ring bells.

Summer Music Participants Many thanks to all those people who shared their musical talents in worship this summer. Your willingness to sing or play an instrument enriched our worship experience and touched our hearts beyond measure and we appreciate your preparation, participation and your gift of music. Thanks too for the help of our guest organists/pianists, Carol McDaniel, Ammie Davis, Linda Kershaw and Kris Lott.

Important Upcoming Music Program Dates Thursday, September 5th at 7:45PM – Sanctuary Choir Rehearsal

Sunday, September 8th at 11AM – Music Appreciation/Teacher Recognition Sunday Sunday, September 15that 9:30AM – Youth Choir has first rehearsal in Sanctuary

Save the Dates! – World Communion Sunday Oct. 6th with Mt. Zion members Annual Joint Choir Spaghetti Dinner – Sunday, October 20th – 5 to 6:15PM

(We count on your support, as the dinner is our only fundraiser and the sole means for purchasing new music for the Music Department)

September  

2013  

“To  every  thing  there  is  a  season,  and  a  time  to  

every  purpose  under  the  heaven:”    Ecclesiastes  3:1  

Sunday   Monday   Tuesday   Wednesday   Thursday   Friday   Saturday  1   2   3   4   5   6   7  

Worship                10:00  AM  

      Bell  Choir      6:45-­‐7:45  Sanctuary  Choir    7:45-­‐9:00  

   

8   9   10   11   12   13   14  Sunday  School  Rally  Day  9:30AM  Worship  returns  to    11:00  AM  

Prime  Timers    Picnic  ,  Noon,    National  Park    

Esther  Circle  Meeting              7:00  PM  

  Bell  Choir      6:45-­‐7:45  Sanctuary  Choir    7:45-­‐9:00  

   

15   16   17   18   19   20   21  Sunday  School  9:30  AM  Worship              11:00  AM  Mission  Sunday    

Sarah  Circle  12:00  in  the  Lounge    

  Mission  Committee  6:30  PM  Session  7:00  PM  

Bell  Choir      6:45-­‐7:45  Sanctuary  Choir    7:45-­‐9:00  

   

22   23   24   25   26   27   28  Sunday  School  9:30  AM    Worship              11:00    AM  

  Deacons              7:00  PM  

  Bell  Choir      6:45-­‐7:45  Sanctuary  Choir    7:45-­‐9:00  

   

29   30   1   2   3   4   5  Sunday  School  9:30  AM  Worship              11:00  AM  Wills  and  Christian  Witness                  12:15  PM  

           

6              World  Communion,          Mt.  Zion  Visit      

           

We Presbyterians believe that Our God is a steadfast God, and our Historical Committee has been constantly reminded of this as we have been finding, sorting and preserving the documents and artifacts acquired in the past 103 years of our church’s history. Many of you have pictures and items from our church (through the years and up to present day) that we want to include in our displays. If possible, copies will be made and the originals returned to you. A special bin will be in the Narthex for pictures and documents. We ask that you put your name on the back and add any other information you may have- names of those in the photo, the event, approximate year and any other tidbit that would be of historic interest. September 15th will be the last Sunday for this collection as all must be readied for display. We want to share all of this with you on Sunday, October 27th, when we will be celebrating All-Saints Day. During this special service we will honor the dedication of our members who have entered God’s Kingdom this year, Communion will be served, and following the worship service the Men’s Group will host a Coffee Hour. Before, during and after the service, you will have the opportunity to look at displays of pictures, documents, and artifacts. This seems the perfect opportunity for us all to witness the blessings that our church and our congregations have received in the past. With your help, we will glorify God for the goodness He is giving us today, and pray for His continued guidance in our future.

PRESERVING GOD’S PRESENCE Throughout the Generations Can You Help?