Sunday, September 18, 2016 PCUM's Kick-Off Sunday Celebration 10:00 a.m. Worship & Summer Sunday School
with PCUM's Chancel & Youth Choirs
Pastor Greg Horn preaching
This Sunday, the PCUM family of friends and members will start off the new “church year” of ministry in Christ’s name with Kick-Off Sunday’s annual worship celebration and special time of fellowship immediately afterward. Festivities will be held on the East Lawn (weather permitting). Come for the music, games, fun, family, friends and food and, of course, information on how YOU can be involved in PCUM’s many ministries! Be a part of your church family’s 2016 “homecoming” – as a relaxing summer moves into an exciting year of worship, service, and faith-building in the Body of Christ!
Thank you to PCUM's summer Sunday School teachers for sharing their time and talents to help God's Word speak to the children of PCUM. You are special to us and we appreciate all that you do!
Erika Cowan
Maria Gonzalez-Block
Judy Grey
Emma Gritsch
Sophie Gritsch
June Miller
Deb Morton
Jack Morton
Nadine Pearce
Eric Perkins
Laura Phillps
Diana Stewart
Millie Tourtelot
Melody Williams
It’s back-to-school time! On Sunday, September 18th, there will be a special blessing of all school-aged children as part of the regular worship service. All children in preschool through 7th grade should bring along their school backpack for a special Backpack Blessing. During the service, the children will be invited forward for a specialmoment of prayer and blessing.
Let’s send the PCUM kids into the new school year assured of God’s promises and the loving support of their church family! Be sure to join in the worship service and to include all of the young people in your prayers as they go back to school.
KEEPING OUR PROMISES TO PCUM’S CHILDREN!
Volunteer teachers are still needed to join a rotating team of Sunday School teachers willing to share themselves, their time, their questions, and their love with this congregation’s amazing children. Lots of guidance and support provided! Can you help? Please contact Mary Beckhusen, Director of Christian Education (mary@pcum.org) or Pastor Lauren Scharstein (lauren@pcum.org).
GROWING IN FAITH AND FELLOWSHIP
PASTORS’ WEEKLY SUNDAY MORNING BIBLE STUDY CLASS begins again Sunday, October2nd at 8:30 a.m. in the Library (off Fellowship Hall). Come, learn and contribute to this time of fellowship and fun as we develop our Bible-reading skills and discover together God’s Presence and voice in our everyday lives.
MEN’S BREAKFAST CLUB: All men in the PCUM family are invited to a monthly men’s group, which gathers the 1st Saturday of each month to get to know each other better, focus on our journey of faith, and have a good meal. Next meeting: Saturday, October 1st, from 8-9:30 a.m. at PCUM. For more info, contact Tom McElwee at tom@navstem.com.
THE BETH MOORE VIDEO BIBLE STUDY, Living Beyond Yourself: The Fruit of the Spirit at continues through October 2nd, at 8:15am Sundays in the ROK (Room Off the Kitchen). Each video presentation is on a single topic, with a 45-minute video followed by peer leadership discussion. Each session is self-contained. Contact Lyle Landon at lyleclandon@gmail.com with further questions.
PASTOR LAUREN’S BOOK CLUB will meet Tuesday, October 4th at 7:00 p.m. at PCUM to discuss the book, “My Grandmother Asked Me to Tell You She’s Sorry” by Fredrik Backman. All are welcome!
NEW OPPORTUNITIES GROUP meets on Mondays at 2:30 p.m. The New Opportunities Group is for people seeking jobs - full time, part time or consulting. We meet weekly to brainstorm, network & provide encouragement to one another. The people at PCUM have a wealth of experiences and connections! We would like your help. To learn how, please pick up the flyer at our table on Kick-Off Sunday. You might be surprised at how helpful you can be. Contact Mark DiBenedetto if you have any questions at mdibenedetto4@comcast.net.
CALLING ALL MIDDLE SCHOOLERS (Grades 6-8)! Middle School Youth Group kicks off this Wednesday, September 14th, from 7-8:30 p.m. in Fellowship Hall. All you are welcome for a time of fun, food and faith with Pastor Lauren!
CONFIRMATION CLASS for 8th Graders starts Sunday, September 18th, at 8:45 a.m. in the Confirmation room upstairs in the North Wing. For more information or to register your child, please contact Pastor Lauren at lauren@pcum.org or 973-747-3984.
SENIOR HIGH YOUTH KICK-OFF - Sunday, September 18th, 6:00 -- 7:30 p.m. in the Youth Room.
SAVE THE DATE!Senior High Youth Sunday will be Sunday, October 23rd. Contact Pastor Lauren if you would like to participate!
YOUTH SERVICE OPPORTUNITY @ M.E.S.H. - 6th & 7th Graders will serve at MESH on Saturday, October 1st, from 6-8:00 p.m. Senior Highs will serve at MESH on Saturday, October 15th, from 6-8:00 p.m. Contact Pastor Lauren to volunteer.
JOYFUL NOISE CHOIR for ages 2 1/2 through 1st grade rehearses in the choir room twice a month right before Sunday school class starts. This is a great opportunity for PCUM’s youngest singers to begin to foster a love of singing and lead their church family in worship! This season, the choir sing in worship on the first Sunday of each month and at the 5:00 p.m. Christmas Eve Service. For more information, please contact Denise Silecchia at denise@pcum.org.
CHILDREN'S CHOIR: Parents of 2nd - 5th graders: PCUM’s Children's Choir ministry teaches children to love music and lead their church family in worship. Kids not only learn the song, but they also learn how to sing. They also grow spiritually, grow in confidence and self-discipline, and grow to feel more at home in their church. Rehearsals are Thursdays from 4-5:00 p.m. in the Choir Room, starting September 15th. For more information, contact Children's Choir Director Julie Platte at juliebplatte@gmail.com.
YOUTH CHOIR (7th grade - HS) rehearses after worship on Sunday (11:30am-12:00pm) and before Youth Group on Wednesday (6:30-7:00pm) in the choir room. Youth Choir sings and leads worship on the third Sunday of every month. Contact Anne Marie Juliano (jajulianos@gmail.com or (973)-930-5074 for more information.
CHANCEL CHOIR rehearsals for adults are Thursdays at 8:00 p.m. in the choir room. First-time (and sporadic) singers are always welcome! For more information, contact Director of Music Ministries, Anne Marie Juliano at jajulianos@gmail.com or (973)-930-5074).
Opportunities to Serve
CAN YOU SERVE HUNGRY NEIGHBORS & HELP MAKE M.E.S.H.? – Help make or/serve an evening meal to homeless neighbors on a Saturday evening right here in Montclair! PCUM is part of the Montclair Emergency Services for the Homeless (MESH). Cooks & servers are needed for September 17, November 5 & 19 and December 17. Cooks only are needed for October 1 & 15 and December 3rd. To volunteer, please contact Martin Gritsch at gritsch@verizon.net for more information or to sign up!
PCUM’s "A Lot to Grow" Garden - All of the fresh veggies and herbs grown in PCUM’s garden are donated to The Human Needs Food Pantry in Montclair to help hungry neighbors in need. Any and all are welcome to help harvest and weed Thursday mornings at 9:15 a.m. Contact Lyle Landon at lyleclandon@gmail.com for more information.
COFFEE HOUR HOSTS NEEDED – New online sign up is convenient and easy! PCUM’s weekly Sunday Fellowship Time/Coffee Hour is an important ministry and a great way to get to know people. Will you sign up to help one Sunday? The Deacons supply everything and now it’s even easier to volunteer! Just click on the online link below. You may also contact Deacon Julia Brad juliabrad@comcast.net to sign up and more information or to learn how.
"Do not forget to do good and to share with others,
for with such sacrifices God is pleased.“ Hebrews 13:16
The Deacons meet on the second Sunday of the month at 8:30 a.m. in the church parlor.
Support the Caring Ministry of the Deacons: PCUM’s Deacons minister to the entire congregation, particularly the sick, the elderly and those in need. On Communion Sundays, please look for the green envelopes in the pew racks and give generously to support the Deacons’ work. Thank you!
PCUM Christmas Ornaments Raise Funds for Ministry– Purchase a beautiful Christmas ornament while supporting the Deacons ministry! This 2-D metal ornament made in the USA by a veteran-owned business showcases PCUM’s beautiful building. See the ornament at Deacons table during Coffee Hour where you can purchase one or complete an order form available in the Deacons Corner. Questions? Contact Lisa.Cowan.Brescia@gmail.com or Victoria at VLHerzberg@verizon.net.
Non-Perishable Goods for Montclair’s Human Needs Food Pantry and gently used clothing are collected year-round. Just drop your donations in the baskets in the Deacons Corner (off the narthex).
Worship Flowers: You can dedicate fresh flowers to beautify the sanctuary chancel, remember or honor loved ones, and symbolize the new life God makes possible in Christ, by using the Flower Chart located in the Deacons Corner or by clicking on the online sign up button.
NEW AUDIO-ASSIST UNITS are now available for any worshiper who needs a little extra help hearing what is said, sung and prayed here at PCUM. Just ask an usher. Four new audio-assist units, compatible with the sanctuary sound system, are a gift from generous worshipers. Thank you!
NEW TELEPHONE DIRECTORY: The church office is putting together an updated church member phone directory. If you have recently moved or changed your phone number or email address, please email the church office at pcum@pcum.org with the new information. Thank you!
SUPPORT PCUM'S ONGOING CAPITAL CAMPAIGN by purchasing gift cars for Shop Rite, Kings, Acme and Fairway! Since the cards may be redeemed at any location, they make great gifts. Cards are $100 each, you get full value at the store and PCUM gets 5% of the value of the card. Cards may be purchased (check or cash) at Coffee Hour or by contacting Erika Cowan at pcumerika@aol.com or by phone at 973-222-7186.
PASTORAL CARE: If you are in need of pastoral care or know of someone who is ill or in the hospital, please let contact Pastor Greg at greghorn@pcum.org or 908-868-6441 or Pastor Lauren at 843-616-1370 or lauren@pcum.org.
PCUM STAFF The Rev. Gregory A. Horn, Pastor & Head of Staff The Rev. Lauren W. Scharstein, Pastor for Youth & Families Denise Silecchia, Administrator/Joyful Noise Choir Director Mary Beckhusen, Director of Christian Education Anne Marie Juliano, Director of Music Ministries Sue Sabo, Financial Secretary Julie Platte, Children’s Choir Director Henderson Downes, Sexton
Our mailing address is: The Presbyterian Church of Upper Montclair 53 Norwood Avenue Upper Montclair, NJ 07043 phone:973-746-3854 fax: 973-746-4662 pcum@pcum.org www.pcum.org
