On Saturday, January 28th from 4 to 6 pm, you are warmly invited to a special farewell reception at the church honoring our Associate Pastor Lauren Scharstein, celebrating her 4 & 1/2 years of ministry with us, and sending her forth with our love and profound gratitude. I hope to see you there, as I know you'll want to join your church family in expressing your affection and appreciation to Lauren, whose final Sunday with us will be the next day's worship service at 10 am. Refreshments including light fare and dessert will be provided, and there will be a brief presentation honoring and thanking Lauren.
Beginning in late February, Lauren will take on a dual ministry in Nairobi, Kenya, where she will serve on behalf of the Presbytery of East Africa as a chaplain ministering to young girls rescued from early-arranged marriages and as a chaplain to young women and girls who are refugees.
God has blessed you, Lauren and all of us together with a special relationship--one that will continue on as she and we move forward on our shared journey of faith in Jesus Christ. I look forward to being with you on January 28th.
Peace,
Pastor Greg
SPECIAL CONGREGATIONAL MEETING
Sunday, January 29th ~ after worship
SUNDAY SCHOOL SCHEDULE
January 22 - Regular Sunday School Class
January 29 - One Room Sunday School for Pre-K through 3rd Grade
SAVE THE DATES!
Friday, February 3rd - Friday Night Live (4 & 5th Graders)
Third Graders Receive Bibles - Sunday, February 26
SATURDAY PLAYGROUP FOR YOUNG FAMILIES
Parents with preschool children are warmly invited to gather at the church for a morning of fun and fellowship on Saturday, January 28th, from 10 a.m. until 12 p.m. This will be a special time for you and your children to spend time together in a playful setting and get to know other families with children in the church. Please feel free to invite another family! Breakfast goodies and kids’ crafts! Contact Mary Beckhusen with questions or for more information.
MIDDLE SCHOOL YOUTH GROUP
Middle Schoolers (Grades 6-8) meet weekly on Wednesday nights for a meal, fellowship and faith building activities, from 7-8:30 p.m. at PCUM. All youth and their friends are welcome!
SENIOR HIGHS
Meet Sunday, January 22 - 6:00-8:00 p.m.
CAN YOU SERVE HUNGRY NEIGHBORS?
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 are needed for the following dates in 2017: February 4 & 18, March 4 & 18, April 1 & 15, May 6 & 20, and June 3 & 17. Volunteer opportunities for servers are available February 18, March 18, April 15, May 20, June 3 & 17. Please contact Martin Gritsch (gritsch@verizon.net) if you are interested in cooking or serving, would like to get more information, or if you have any other questions about MESH.
PASTORS’ SUNDAY MORNING BIBLE STUDY CLASS
The Pastors' Sunday morning Bible study class meets Sundays at 8:30 a.m. in the Library (off Fellowship Hall). Come, contribute to this weekly time of fellowship and fun as we develop our Bible-reading skills, get to know each other, and discover together God’s Presence and voice in our everyday lives. See you there!
NEW OPPORTUNITIES GROUP
PCUM's 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 the table in fellowship hall. If you would like a copy emailed to you, please let us know. Contact Mark DiBenedetto at mdibenedetto4@comcast.net.
SAVE THE DATE
PCUM’s is planning a Progressive Dinner Night on Saturday, March 4th. Mark your calendars now!
Oh, the Places We'll Go! is PCUM’s theme for the fall stewardship campaign to support this church’s many worthwhile ministries in the year ahead. If you haven’t yet pledged to be part of Christ’s work in and through this church in 2017, pledge cards are available in Fellowship Hall or by emailing the church office.
You can support PCUM's ongoing capital campaign by purchasing gift cars for Shop Rite, Kings 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 (by check or cash) during Coffee Hour on Sunday morning or you may purchase them any other time by contacting Erika Cowan (pcumerika@aol.com or 973-222-7186) or David Starr (rratsdm@gmail.com or 973-253-2155).
JOYFUL NOISE CHOIR
The 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 month the choir rehearses on January 22 and 29. They will sing in worship on Sunday, February 5. 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. Upcoming rehearsals: 1/19, 1/26, 2/2, 2/9). They will sing in worship on Sunday, February 12. For more information, contact Children's Choir Director Julie Platte at juliebplatte@gmail.com.
YOUTH CHOIR
Youth Choir (6th 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 once a month. Contact Anne Marie Juliano (jajulianos@gmail.com or (973)-930-5074 for more information.
CHANCEL CHOIR
PCUM's adult choir normally rehearses on Thursday evenings at 8:00 p.m., but will rehearse on Wednesday nights at 7:30 p.m. for the next few weeks: 1/18, 1/25, 2/1 & 2/8. For more information, contact Director of Music Ministries, Anne Marie Juliano at jajulianos@gmail.com or (973)-930-5074). All singers are welcome!
"Do not forget to do good and to share with others,
for with such sacrifices God is pleased.“Hebrews 13:16
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!
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 Deacon Victoria Herzberg at VLHerzberg@verizon.net.
COFFEE HOUR HOSTS ARE NEEDED
!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. Coffee Hour Sign Up: http://www.signupgenius.com/go/30e0a4ba4af2aa4fb6-pcum
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.
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