Ewing Presbyterian Church

100 Scotch Road

Ewing, NJ 08628

609-882-3673

ewingpres@verizon.net

www.ewingpres.org

The newsletter of

Ewing Presbyterian Church

February 2015

Transition Thoughts

As we begin this year, 2015, EPC continues to grow

in strength and vitality. Our worship continues to

be the vital core of our life; our ministry and

mission continue to strengthen as we find more

ways to reach out to touch the people of our

community and bring change to their lives. The

ministry of our Deacons has grown as they connect

the people of our congregation and beyond, with the

generous care of our God. We are connecting with

other faith communities, and have learned to bring

their concerns and hopes into our own. And we are

slowly bringing down walls of distrust and pain that

have long existed.

And yes, the business of our church continues.

Here are a few highlights from our Annual Meeting

of the Congregation and Corporation, held January

25th

:

Gerrie Apsotolos, Nancy Coleman, Alice Olson,

Chuck Ranson, and Bob Schofield were elected to

serve as Elders. Wayne Allen, Becky Lovett,

Jennifer Magdelinskas, Sandy Pezzillo, and

Elizabeth Ranson were elected to serve as Deacons.

Pam Hoffman and Mary Hough were elected to

serve on the congregation’s Nominating Committee.

The Bylaws of the congregation were changed to

allow an annual meeting in November for the

election of officers. This will allow for the election

and training of officers so that they might begin

their service at the end of January each year.

Annual reports were shared and received. The

music ministry of the church was celebrated, with

special thanks expressed to Carol Houghton,

Marianne Lauffer, and all the members of the

choirs. The work of the Deacons was lauded and

kind words spoken for the pastor. Thanks were

expressed for the improving condition of our

buildings, and the good work of Wayne Berens and

Don Lovett.

Jonathan Savage reported that the financial situation

of the congregation is stabilizing. He sighted the

congregation’s response to the Building on the

Foundations Campaign, the growing strength of

pledges, the continued efforts at reducing expenses

led by the steep reductions in personnel costs, all as

important parts of stabilizing the financial situation

of the church. Appreciation was expressed by all

those present for Jonathan’s determined work in this

area.

I share with you my thanks for and to the dedicated

staff that serve this congregation; to Pam Rauh goes

a special thanks for her initiative, her thoroughness

and commitment, shown in her work as our Office

Manager.

The year ahead will offer us many opportunities,

challenges, and possibilities for our ministry in the

name of Jesus Christ. I look forward to working

and worshipping with you all.

In Christ’s service,

Paul Rhebergen

February Worship at EPC

Sunday, February 1

4th

Sunday in Ordinary Time

9:30 a.m. Worship

The Sacrament of the Lord’s Supper

with Extended Communion

Rev. Paul Rhebergen Preaching

Deuteronomy 18:15-20, Psalm 111;

1 Corinthians 8:1-13; Mark 1:21-28

Sunday, February 8

5th

Sunday in Ordinary Time

9:30 a.m. Worship

Scout Sunday

Rev. Paul Rhebergen Preaching

Isaiah 40:21-31; Psalm 147:1-11, 20c;

1 Corinthians 9:16-23; Mark 1:29-39

Sunday, February 15

Transfiguration of the Lord

9:30 a.m. Worship

The Ordination and Installation of Officers

Rev. Paul Rhebergen preaching

2 Kings 2:1-12; Psalm 50:1-6;

2 Corinthians 4:3-6; Mark 9:2-9

Wednesday February 18

Ash Wednesday

6:00 p.m. Simple Soup Supper

7:00 p.m. Ash Wednesday Service with the

Imposition of Ashes

and the Sacrament of Communion

Sunday, February 22

1st Sunday in Lent

9:30 a.m. Worship

Rev. Paul Rhebergen preaching

Genesis 9:8-17; Psalm 25:1-10; 1

Peter 3:18-22; Mark 1:9-15

Wednesday, February 25

7:00 p.m. Lenten Prayers and Study

Thursday, February 26

Worship and Fellowship at

Trenton Psychiatric Center

Deacons’ Doings

February is upon us and you may wonder what the

deacons do to keep busy during the cold, dreary

winter months.

We started out in January by taking down all the

holiday decorations. We would like to thank all

those who assisted us after church. The job was

done quickly and efficiently.

The Simple Soup Supper will be held on

Wednesday, February 18 at 6:00 followed by an

Ash Wednesday worship service at 7:00. The

deacons are responsible for providing the food and

hosting the event. We will be making 3 kinds of

soup after church on the 15th

so join us if you’d like

to help. Help is also needed setting up and cleaning

up on the 18th

. You can sign up on the table in the

vestibule at church.

The third gathering for the people of South Fork has

been rescheduled to February 22nd

with a snow date

of March 1st. These gatherings have been well

received by the people attending and we look

forward to doing this again.

There is a sign-up sheet located on the bulletin

board in the lobby for providing refreshments at

coffee hour. If you bring something, it is really

helpful if you can put it on a serving plate and place

it on the table. The ushers are now responsible for

doing the set up and clean up due to the change in

the sexton’s duties and it is often difficult for us to

get everything accomplished before the worship

service. Also help with clean-up is always

appreciated.

Be watching for a date for the great chili contest,

probably in early March.

As usual remember to bring nonperishable food

donations for Mercer Street Friends on the third

Sunday of each month. There will now be a cheery,

little red wagon to put them in, and they will

become part of our offering that Sunday.

The board wishes to thank the outgoing class of

deacons – Ruth Savage, Ruth Tantum, Jen

Magdelinskas and Bette Schubert. The board looks

forward to greeting the class of 2017 at our

February meeting.

Give someone a Valentine’s hug and tell them they

are special this month.

__________________________________________

Our Church Family

In Loving Memory…

Katherine Stoneking, 91 November 22, 2014

Alice Filor, 82 December 28, 2014

Edith Sims, 82 January 12, 2015

Mildred deFlesco, 99 January 18, 2015

Lolomi MacLaury, 91 January 26, 2015

__________________________________________

Seniors

The Seniors’ group met on January 6th, and because

of low attendance, we called our speaker and

canceled her visit, hoping to reschedule her later in

the spring.

Our next meeting will be on February 3 and our

speaker will be Richard Stoneking, on the topic of

his choice. Richard is known to many of us through

our physical therapy needs over the years.

__________________________________________

February Adult Education and Faith

Development at EPC

February 1st

Passionate Presbyterians: 4 Centuries of Unity

and Diversity

“That Old Time Religion” or “The New

Knowledge”:

The Problem of the “Essential and Necessary”

Tenets

Rev. Dr. Marianne Rhebergen leads the 3rd

of 4

sessions on the history of Presbyterians

February 8

Passionate Presbyterians: 4 Centuries of Unity

and Diversity

Developments in the 20th

Century and A

Confessional Church in the 21st Century: Where do

we go from here?

Rev. Dr. Marianne Rhebergen leads the 4th of 4

sessions on the history of Presbyterians

February 15th

Congregational Café Conversation 3

Pastor Paul and the Transition Team invite all to be

part of this conversation on the question of the place

of worship for our congregation.

February 22

Exploring John Calvin

Wayne Allen will lead an exploration of of John

Calvin, the “father” of Presbyterianism. In this

session we will learn about who he was, and what

shaped his thinking.

March 1

Exploring John Calvin

Wayne Allen will lead the exploration of the major

ideas of John Calvin and their role in the

Presbyterian understanding of God and church.

Presbyterian Women

Calendar of Events

Coordinating Team

Sunday, February 8th

Noon

Gerri Apostolos, Moderator

Tabitha Circle

Tuesday, February 10th

9:15 a.m.

Vergene Wieman, Hostess

Lydia Circle

Tuesday, February 10th

10:00 a.m.

Janice Rockmore, Hostess

Ruth Circle

Wednesday, February 11th

7:30 p.m.

Sylvia Allen & Louise Armbruster

Hostesses

Mission Sewing

Tuesday, February 17th

10:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m.

Sylvia Allen, Leader

Mark your calendar for the

Mission Luncheon

Tuesday, March 17th

Noon

Tabitha Circle, Hostesses

__________________________________________

Cookie Recipes – Janice Rockmore

At the PW tea last month, I was asked for cookie

recipes and I promised to get them in the newsletter,

but I did not specify which one. Use your own

discretion on this.

Scottish Shortbread

1 pound unsalted butter 1/2 teaspoon salt

1/2 cup granulated sugar 4 cups flour

1/2 cup confectioner’s sugar (10x)

Soften butter, add sugars and cream together. Sift

flour/salt mixture and add to butter/sugar mixture

and knead gently. Roll out flat on a cookie sheet

and refrigerate at least one hour. Cut into pieces

and place on ungreased cookie sheet. Preheat oven

to 350 degrees. Reduce heat to 275 degrees and

bake approximately 30 minutes until a light creamy

color. Do not overbake.

Miniature cheesecakes

24 vanilla wafers 3/4 cup sugar

1 pound cream cheese 1/8 teaspoon vanilla

2 eggs

Place a vanilla wafer in the bottom of a cupcake

paper cup. Mix all other ingredients until

smooth. Fill each cup 3/4s full. Bake at 350

degrees for 20 minutes.

Pecan Puffs

1/2 cup butter 1 cup pecans, ground

2 tablespoons sugar 1 cup flour

1 teaspoon vanilla Confectioner’s sugar

Beat butter until soft, then add sugar and blend

until creamy. Add vanilla and beat again. Stir in

pecans and flour. Place 1/2 teaspoon batter in balls

on a greased cookie sheet. Bake about 30 minutes

at 300 degrees. While puffs are still hot, roll in

confectioner’s sugar and then roll them in sugar

again.

Youth Group News

He reached down from on high, he took me;

he drew me out of mighty waters...

He brought me out into a broad place;

he delivered me, because he delighted in me

~Psalm 18:16, 19

Dear friends, I hope your winter has been restful

and full of joy! I have missed seeing you in January

as I have been away on vacation in sunny

Minneapolis! As we move toward the spring, all of

our regular youth programs will start up again. I

hope to meet up with all of you over the next few

months, checking in, sharing joys and concerns, and

planning for our youth. I pray you and your families

are blessed with joy and courage, peace and hope.

Please reach out anytime by phone, email,

Facebook message, or carrier pigeon.

Love, Pastor Katie.

Where to Find Katie:

Sunday Worship:

2/1: Ewing

2/8: Lawrence Road

2/15: Covenant

2/22: Lawrence Road

katiesmulligan@gmail.com

(805) 448-9641

http://facebook.com/groups/mmtnj

Jr. High Fellowship: open to students in 5th-8th

grade

2/8: Roller Skating! 1-5pm at the Rolling Thunder

Skating Rink. Cost is $10 per person. Meet at

Lawrence Road Presbyterian Church

2/22: Pizza & Movie Nite at Ewing Presbyterian

Church, 5-7:30pm.

Jr. High Camp Johnsonburg: May 15-17. A

weekend retreat for students in grades 6-8 at Camp

Johnsonburg. Fellowship, games, music, good

conversation, friends, and fun. Cost is $105.

Transportation will be provided from the church.

High School Fellowship: open to students in 9th-

12th grade

Every Wednesday at Lawrence Road Presbyterian

Church, 6-8pm. Dinner at 5:30pm. Begins February

1. Friends are welcome!

L.O.G. (Love of God) High School Retreat: April

17-19. Join us for a student-led weekend of

fellowship, games, great food, worship, prayer,

singing, and friends. Cost is $50 per student. Retreat

will be at Lawrence Road Presbyterian Church.

L.O.G. Team Weekends: for L.O.G. team

members. Please save the dates--more details

coming: February 20-21, March 6-7, and April 10-

11.

Holy Imagination Retreat: for older youth and

young adults, ages 14-24. March 27-29. Cost is $50

per person. Our theme for the weekend will be hip

hop, justice and resistance--we'll be looking at

music and lyrics written by others and writing our

own. No experience required! Retreat will be held

at Camp Johnsonburg and transportation will be

provided from the church.

Rider Christian Fellowship: Every Tuesday, 5:30-

7:00. Dinner and discussion group for college aged

students at Rider in the downstairs chapel office

(Gill Chapel). If you would like to help feed college

students or adopt students in other ways, please

contact Katie for more information!

Monthly Prayer Vigils with UMIO: Every month

we gather on the first Monday to pray for Trenton

and surrounding communities. We pray specifically

for homicide victims and their families and then

share a simple community meal of soup and bread.

Please join us on first Mondays, 6-8pm at Covenant

Presbyterian Church. February 2nd, March 2nd, and

April 6th.

__________________________________________

Ordination & Installation

of

Lory Ryan

as

Pastor

of

Christ Presbyterian Church

Marlton, New Jersey

West Jersey Presbytery

Sunday, January 15, 2015

3:00 p.m.

Jovon Sykes – Facilities Manager

Even though we welcomed Jovon Sykes, our new

Facilities Manager to the Ewing Presbyterian

Church staff a few months ago, it is time to learn a

bit more about Jovon.

In addition to his duties at EPC, Jovon is an active

musician appearing in venues from North Carolina

to New York City. He is passionate about his music

and actively participates as a freelance musician on

most weekends. He is a bass guitarist, but also

plays drums, and is currently learning to play the

piano. “Learning the piano is hard on many levels,

in addition to learning to read music,” states Sykes.

Most recently he has joined a group called the

Arcade Symphony which is made up of 2 basses, 2

guitars, a drummer, a keyboardist, and a vocalist.

He explained that the group plays a variety of music

including R&B, country, jazz and rock. Most of his

experience is playing gospel music which is not

surprising since 95% of his gigs are church related.

Jovon comes to his love of music and in-born talent

through his family. “My whole family is musical;

both singers and musicians.” He and his three

brothers enjoy jamming together whenever they can

find the time and the opportunity. One of his

brothers lives in Connecticut. The next musician in

line in the Sykes family is Jovon’s 2 year-old son,

Aidan. “He has a miniature guitar and yells bass,

bass, whenever he wants me to play with him.”

“Even though Aidan has his shy moments, he is

energetic and playful. We are beach buddies; he

just loves the water and our favorite beach is

Wildwood.”

In his free time, which is rare, Jovon loves to bowl.

Currently scoring in the 220’s, he is aiming to bowl

a 300 game! He also enjoys basketball and football

and is a diehard LA Lakers fan.

His hope is to one day own a chain of studios which

would include facilities for recording, production,

and instruction. “I also want it to be a place where

people can come to learn the production side of

recording and offer clinics in production.”

In his short time here at EPC, Jovon has found

everyone very friendly and welcoming and vice

versa. And as Pastor Paul wrote in the Annual

Report about Jovon: “we welcome his ready smile,

his compassionate presence, his skills, and his

efficiency.

Welcome aboard Jovon!

__________________________________________

2015 Per capita - $30.00

Mark Achtemeier to Speak at Ewing

“The Bibles Yes to Same Sex Marriage”

On Friday evening, February 22nd

, the Ewing

Presbyterian Church will host Mark Achtemeier for

a time of presentation and conversation on Scripture

and marriage.

Mark has served the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A)

for more than three decades as a pastor, theologian,

and writer. He is the author of The Bibles Yes to

Same-Sex Marriage: an Evangelical’s Change of

Heart. John Buchannan, the former moderator of

the PC(USA) and editor of The Christian Century

wrote, “With his skills as a distinguished biblical

scholar, his pastor’s heart, and his personal

integrity, Mark Achtemeier carefully explores what

Scripture says, and does not say, about same-sex

relationships and marriage.

Come join us at 7:00 for an evening of dessert and

conversation.

__________________________________________

Around the Presbytery

On Sunday, February 8, 2015 at 5PM, Titusville

Church is hosting a Bluegrass Concert featuring

The StoneHearth Bluegrass Band. Bitter Bob's food

concessions will be there at 3:00 p.m. Tickets are

$15 and family pricing is available.

For more info, please contact the church at 609-

737-1385.

***

Kingston Presbyterian will be holding a

GriefShare Support Group. GriefShare is a weekly

video seminar featuring some of the nation's

foremost experts on grief recovery topics. Each

seminar is combined with a small group discussion

time to allow group participants to talk about the

content of the seminar and about how they are

dealing with the death of their loved one. Group

meetings are held on Wednesday evenings from 7-

9pm in the church assembly room. The sessions

will begin on February 11th.

Nursery School Notes

February is the month in which all of us at Ewing

Presbyterian Nursery School really focus on the

people, pets and things that we love. The children

enjoy giving and receiving Valentine cards and

have fun during their classroom parties. We also

enjoy taking this special time to talk about the

message of love that Jesus taught us.

2 year old class – Mrs. Contento - Our classroom

was decorated for winter in the month of

January. We had great fun making snow crafts as

we learned the colors black and white. We even

went bowling (in our classroom). The weather has

not been good for outdoor activity, so we have

gotten creative and played many indoor games.

This month we will work with the color red. We

have made so many friends and now is the time to

show them how much we care. Valentines will fill

our room and we will have a party. At the end of

the month we expect a special visit from Clifford,

the big red dog, and also everyone’s favorite Elmo.

3 year old class – Mrs. Genovay – During the

month of January, our class focused on the themes

of Winter, Story Dramatization and Names. In

February we will talk about the 8 basic colors

through games and projects. The children will learn

about the different shapes, along with their

likenesses and differences. They will earn about

numbers and the importance of counting.

We will also talk about Ground Hog’s Day,

Valentine’s Day and Presidents’ Day. The highlight

of the month will be our Valentines’ Day party!

Children will also learn about Chinese New Year

because it occurs in February this year.

4 year old class - January was a busy month. We

learned about winter and started our letter-a- week

themes. We started Gym and everyone loves it. We

have started our Safe and Sure Program. Miss Stacy

will be coming in every Tuesday in January and

February to show us ways to keep ourselves safe.

February is going to be a fun filled month. We have

started some Valentine projects and have more to do

before our Valentine Party. We will be learning

how the post office works and how mail travels. We

are looking forward to our Pajama Party during P

week.

First Aid Course – Ewing Presbyterian Nursery

School will be sponsoring a First Aid

Adult/Pediatric CPR program on Thursday,

February 5th

from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Eddie Gallon

will be our presenter and he makes the subject

matter interesting and fun! The cost is $45 and we

may allow up to 30 participants. If you are

interested, please send your completed form (in this

newsletter) and money to the nursery school office

no later than Monday, February 2nd

. Questions?

Contact Suzie Wentworth at 883-5364 or

epns100@verizon.net.

EPNS 50th

Anniversary – This school year is

Ewing Presbyterian Nursery School’s 50th

year of

joyously playing and working with young children!

Our goal is to help children learn to love learning,

and to provide a strong foundation for their

education in future years.

Prayer Requests for healing,

wholeness and God’s special presence.

H. Wayne Berens

Carol Koch Bridges, cousin of Dave Koch

Shirley Brower

Bull Burton

Kacy Chmielewski, daughter-in-law of Virginia Saiia

Eleanor Ciccone, grandmother of Julie & Joey Ciccone

Janet Corbin

Doris Cregar

Joan Disbrow

Rachel Evans & Family

Quentin Fabiano

Karen Fuchs, sister of Laura Wallin

Ken Harvey

Kevin Hecky

Beth Hensler

Lydia Hill, cousin of Cathy Holland

Cathy Holland

Jean Hopkins

Dan Hough

John Kelso, friend of the Saiias

Nadine Kunz, mother of Becky Lovett

Bob & Marion Letts

Robert MacLaury

Charlie Magee, brother of Judy Carapezza

Maureen Magee, sister-in-law of Judy Carapezza

Kevin, Megan & McKenna Maisto, friend of Barb

Salles

Margaret Marcks

Matt Massimi

Samuel Meservey, grandson of Lois Meservey

Sue Milstead

Aaron Morgan

Susan Morris, friend of Dave Koch

Leslie Nevius, cousin of Barb Salles

Pamela Olson

Marissa Porfirio

Cara Pressman, friend of Laura Wallin

Bill Raughley, friend of Jane Perelli

Elizabeth Ranson

Joanne Ranson

Nancy Riemann, cousin of Dave Koch

Robert Rodgers, friend of Laura Wallin

Barb Salles

Michael Bailey Schafer, grandnephew of Mary Hough

Dick & Dottie Schenck

Ralph Sims

Ann Skeeter, mother of George Renwick

Krista Berens - Smart

Jane Snedeker

Ceil Szeg, friend of Bette Schubert

Frank Szachtowski, step-dad of Mike Hecky

Bob Taylor, brother of Virginia Saiia

Gene Taylor

Travis Turner, nephew of Gay McGraw

Skippy Twining, friend of Barb Salles

Leisal Vidal, aunt of Nancy Kriegner

Nelson Wallin, father of Laura Wallin

Harold Walter

Kaitlynn Webster, granddaughter of Nancy Coleman

Mary Lou Weinstetter

Alfred Wensley

Eileen Whang

Marva Wyckoff

Grace & Norm Yates, friends of the Letts family

February 2015

Sunday Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday

1 Souper

Bowl

Sunday

Extended

Communion

2

3

Seniors

Noon

BIG

Committee

6:30 p.m.

Session

7:30 p.m.

4

Orientation &

Officer

Training

7:00 p.m.

5

EPNS

First Aid CPR

Program

11:00 a.m. – 3:00

p.m.

6

7

8

Scout

Sunday

9

10

Tabitha

Circle

9:15 a.m.

Lydia Circle

10:00 a.m.

11

Ruth Circle

7:30 p.m.

12

13

14

Valentine’s Day

15

Ordination &

Installation

Mercer Street

Friends Food

Collection

16

Office Closed

17

Mission Sewing

10:00 – 2:00

Deacons

Meeting

7:00 p.m.

18

Ash

Wednesday

Service

7:00 p.m.

Simple Soup

Supper

6:00 p.m.

19

20

MARK

ACHTEMEIER

SPEAKER

7:00 P.M.

21

EPNS

Open House

10-12

22

South Fork

Gathering

Youth

Movie Night

5:00 – 7:30

23

Breakfast at

Michael’s

9:00 a.m.

24

Session

Meeting

7:00 p.m.

25

Lenten Prayers

& Study

7:00 p.m.

26

Worship &

Fellowship at

Trenton

Psychiatric

Center

27

28

Memorial

Service for

Lolomi

MacLaury

11:30 a.m.

March 1

Second Sunday

In Lent

2

3

Seniors

Noon

BIG

Committee

7:00 p.m.

4

On Sundays

9:30 Worship, FH

10:30 Hospitality

11:00 Adult Ed. &

Sunday School

4:45 Jr. High Youth

Group

On Mondays

5:15 AA, AL

5:30 Yoga

On Tuesdays

7:30 Al-Anon,AR.

8:00 NA, AL

On Wednesdays

6:00 L.O.G &

High School

Youth Group

On Thursdays

4:30 Yoga

6:15 Sanctuary

Choir

7:00 Scouts

7:30 Bell Choir

8:00 AA, AR

On Saturdays

3 pm AA, AL

Ewing Presbyterian Nursery School

100 Scotch Road

Ewing, NJ 08628

American Safety and Health Institute

First Aid & Adult/Pediatric CPR Workshop

The instructor, Eddie Gallon, is a paramedic and makes the course interesting and fun!

Thursday, February 5, 2015 from 11:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.

Cost is $45

Name_______________________________________________

Mailing Address ____________________________________ City/State/Zip

Phone(s) _____________________________ E-Mail

Write checks to: Ewing Presbyterian Nursery School

Please contact Suzie Wentworth at 883-5364 or epns@comcast.net with any questions