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Trinity Sunday
Scripture
Deuteronomy 7:7-11
John 15:9-17
Sermon
Rev. Dr. J. Michael Walker
Guest Preacher
(biography beow)
"The Church"
Liturgists
Rev. Casey Aldridge
Allison Neary
Evelyn Marion Keneman
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Trinity Sunday celebrates the Christian doctrine of the Trinity, the three Persons of God: the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit.
Worship will be in person in the sanctuary at 10:15 AM or on live stream.
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Meet Rev. Walker
The Rev. Dr. J. Michael Walker is an honorably retired member of the Presbytery of Central New Jersey. A graduate of Union Theological Seminary in Virginia (now Union Presbyterian Seminary), he served churches in North Carolina, Virginia and Missouri before joining the national staff of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.). He retired as Executive Director of the Board of Psychological Examiners and the Board of Social Work Examiners in the New Jersey Office of the Attorney General. He is married to the Rev. Joyce MacKichan Walker. They are the parents of two children.
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Morning Prayer
"Creator God, I wake this morning to the beauty of the world as though it were the first morning of creation. As the light of the sun rises on all that you have made, I pray that my spirit may rise also. Help me to be ready to greet you however and in whomever you make yourself known to me today. Help me to pause in moments of this day to glimpse the beauty you have made, offered as gift and sign of your abiding presence. I entrust myself and those I love to you this day, knowing that you promise to be with us always. In your holy, triune name I pray. Amen."
Evening Prayer
"O God, my Advocate and Comforter, I rest in you. The evening falls and the darkness does not overcome me, for you are my light. You are the Light of the World. I bring you the passing cares of this day, and the deeper cares of my life and those I love. Breathe peace on all that stirs in me and whirls around me. Breathe peace into every troubled place and person this night. Shine on us, in us, and through us. I know that when I awake, I will still be with you, Holy One who is Source, Word, and Wisdom. Amen."
From "Feasting on the Word Worship Companion Year C Volume 2" Kimberly Bracken Long, ed. WJK. Louisville. 2013
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- The Kids Zone is now part of this newsletter. We will post here information most relevant to families with young children.
- Starting this week and running throughout the summer, there will be special bulletins for children 3+ and 7+ with puzzles, artwork, and games that are based on the scripture driving the sermon. You may print these off at home and we will also have copies with crayons in the sanctuary. Let us know in the church office how you like this feature and if you want us to continue it through the school year.
- This week we've also posted photos from the special Pentecost celebration last week.
- We've also placed the reminder that you may sign up for special family newsletters with invitations to young family-focused events.
- Jump to the Kids Zone here.
- Hold June 13th after worship to says fond farewells to Rev. Casey Aldridge and Megan Coiley as they set off on the next leg of their respective career journeys.
- New articles for both the This Week or This Month issues are due on Tuesdays. Monday is even better.
- Isles' Forum Starting June 7th: Free, virtual programming about community development and environmental challenges and solutions: ISLES is a community development and environmental nonprofit organization in Trenton. In June, it is hosting a free, week-long virtual series of webinars, workshops, panels, and more to explore community development and environmental challenges and solutions. Topics include housing, lead safety, gardens, education, policy, and more. This is a great opportunity to learn more about important trends impacting our larger community, including big-picture systemic and structural issues. Register for individual (virtual) sessions on Isles' website.
- May 30th is Memorial Day, and there will be no youth events, including SNC. Pastor Casey has some fun planned for our youth in June. Be to check out his emails for details.
- The date for the memorial for Dick Pratt has been rescheduled to August 21. (The prior date was 8/14.)
- Thank you to our new Pen Pal Ministry volunteer. You know who you are! Please continue to prayerfully consider becoming a pen pal to a woman at the Edna Mahon Correctional Facility for Women. Periodic exchanges (perhaps every 4 to 6 weeks) of brief notes of Christian friendship is the expectation. There are ways to protect your privacy to the extent you want. Do you Have a few minutes to invest in brightening someone's life and reminding them there are people who care? Contact the church office for more information. Just information. This is not a commitment.
- Masking exception: The Session at its recent meeting officially recognized that some in our church family for reasons of health have been advised by their physician to not wear a mask for an extended period, such as worship. Those in this situation may attend worship without wearing their masks. All others must wear masks. Thank you for understanding and supporting this protocol.
- Friends: Here’s a meaningful Memorial Day event that honors our heroic veterans and also acts on our growing consciousness about race and race equity. After the parade, around noon, there will be a gathering at the Pennington African Cemetery, which was started because local African American soldiers who died defending the Union could not be buried in the cemetery near our church. So, this event honors veterans going back to the Civil War. This year’s program will feature Cecelia Hodges, a well-known local speaker, as well as students from the Pennington School. There will be packaged refreshments. The cemetery is at the end of a long lane (best to park elsewhere) so set your GPS for 413-417 S Main Street in Pennington. (If you want to learn more, here is a brief article by Angela Witcher, President of the Pennington African Cemetery Association, about the history of the cemetery.)
In Christ, Rev. Nancy Schluter, Pastoral Assistant
Look for this sign
- Hold June 13 for celebrating Megan and Casey.
- Three memorials have been scheduled:
August 21 - 2 PM - Dick Pratt*
September 18 - 11 AM - Jean Cooper
September 25 - 2 PM - Ruth Morewood
* The date for Dick Pratt's memorial is a new date. It was rescheduled after last week's newsletter was released.
- Through the first week in June, help the Mission, Peacemaking, and Justice committee support Thomas Maul-Swicinski's Eagle Scout Project by contributing Food and Hygiene Items for the homeless. Thomas is working with HomeFront. Collection boxes with the list of desired items will be at the side entrance between the glass doors. Thank you for being mindful of our homeless neighbors.
- HOPEWELL VALLEY MOBILE FOOD PANTRY -- Please continue to support this vital local community resource to help those struggling with food insecurity. You may leave your donations at the church in the vestibule between the glass doors, or you may take your donation directly to the Hopewell Valley Mobile Food Pantry. Please avoid glass containers and focus on healthy food. Low salt and low-fat choices are appreciated.
- Please continue to support the drive for diapers for HomeFront. You did a great job on the Mother's Day Challenge, and now let's keep up the momentum. Tell your neighbors about the need and encourage them to drop off diapers and wipes as well. Pull-up training pants and larger sizes are usually in short supply and are especially appreciated.
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Our Interns Are Taking Flight toward Their New Pastoral Duties ... We Wish Them Fond Farewells
In the name of the congregation, each has been presented a gift of appreciation.
A note of thanks from Christine James:
It has been truly an honor to be a seminary intern with you all these past two years. It has been a joy to grow while learning from you all.
As I leave it is truly bittersweet. I am excited about my next chapter but I will truly miss you all. For my next chapter, I will be going to a small town named Covington in New York which is about 30 mins from Rochester, New York. I will be a solo pastor in a small church in a dairy farming town. This will bring me a lot closer to my home in Michigan and will also bring me to a part of New York that I really enjoy and think is beautiful. I am nervous and excited. However, I want you all to know that I have truly appreciated my time at Pennington Presbyterian Church and I will miss you all.
Take care and God bless you all,
Christine James
A note of thanks from Matt Heisler:
Dear Pennington Presbyterian Church, I am so thankful for my time with you and was so blessed by your faith, care, and witness to Christ. I wanted to give you an update about what is going on with our little family. We are all settled in our apartment in Tigard, Oregon. Amelia has started to wave and say “Hi!” which we have gotten the biggest kick out of as new parents. Grace is loving her RN position at Shriners Children’s Hospital in Portland; the views from the hospital are particularly incredible as the building is situated on a hill overlooking the city. Finally, I graduated with honors from Princeton Theological Seminary on May 15th and was surprised and elated to receive the Henry James, Sr. Award for work that “reflects the inquiring spirit of Henry James Sr., and the regard for psychological awareness and complexities for which his illustrious sons, psychologist-philosopher William James, and novelist Henry James, are famous.”
I accepted the position of Interim Director of Ministry with Youth and their Families at Lake Grove Presbyterian Church in Lake Oswego, OR, on May 1st and am currently being considered for the permanent position. If you’d say a prayer for that process, I would be greatly appreciative. Though our time together was a disruptive season with many changes and challenges, I was so blessed by my time with all of you. Your warmth and care even came through the screen on Zoom calls and YouTube services. I learned much from you in the ways of care for one another especially as you traversed an unknown landscape – life during a pandemic! I will cherish my memories with you all and you are in my prayers. I have shared contact info with Eva, so please do keep in touch!
In Christ,
Matt Heisler
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The Wileys and their children were already active in the life of our church, but they've now made it official. They transferred to PPC from the First Presbyterian Church of Lambertville.
Please help welcome them by introducing yourself and saying 'welcome' as soon as you have an opportunity.
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- Links to the scripture-based kids' bulletins. For ages 3+ and for ages 7+. (When available, we'll also include the answer keys: 3+ and 7+.) This week we also have a special coloring page.
- For lack of volunteers to help plan and staff the special fall event with inter-generational events about clean water, water conservation, and water equity has been indefinitely postponed by the Matthew 25 team. They're busy thinking of other fun things to do in the fall.
- Parents! We hope by now that you are all receiving our “What’s the Buzz” newsletter. This handy email contains information about church school, youth groups, and special family activities and goes out monthly. Right now we want to make sure we have every family with children 0 through 12th grade on our list. If you did not receive “What’s the Buzz” for May, please let Cindy Reeder know as soon as possible! Thanks!
Great Pix from the Pentecost Celebration of the Church's Birthday
First, there is the preparation:
On Saturday, lots of pinwheels were planted in front of our Pentecost celebration banner.
Then, came the fun of the event:
On Sunday afternoon, families joined in the courtyard for a Pentecost celebration that included singing with Mr. Phil, games, and hearing the Pentecost story. It was also fun to see our Zoom friends in person. Everyone left with a "happy birthday to the church” cupcake. It was a wonderful opportunity for the church school families, pastors, and teachers to gather as we ended our Godly Play Church School year.
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Merciful Lord, prepare my heart and hear my prayers in the name of Jesus Christ, Amen.
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Lord God, we remember those who have given their lives as they served our nation. We thank you for their bravery and sacrifice and pray that as a nation we would honor them by seeking truth, mercy, freedom and justice. We pray also for veterans now tempted to end their own lives as they cope with the troubles within. Protect them, O God, and enable your people to extend your loving arms of care and strength, that peace may come. Encourage and sustain our chaplains as they herald your grace and embody your love. Amen.
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Pray for our Community in Jesus' name that these neighbors and friends are wrapped in God's love.
- Our neighbors at the Har Sinai Temple
- Those who are sick with Covid-19 or grieving losses due to the pandemic
- All who are taking the vaccines to protect themselves, their loved ones, neighbors and the world
- All the 'helpers' and 'protectors' throughout the world: healthcare workers, essential workers, teachers, vaccinators, police, firefighters, EMTs, and others doing heroic work
- Healing of wounds caused by racism and injustice
- Strong and healthy friendships and partnerships that seek the good of all people
- Peace and justice for the Israelis and the Palestinians
Continue to Pray in Jesus' name that these members of our church family experience God's healing touch.
Alyssa Torrens Donovan (1); Carol Uhrich (2); Dolores Sherman and family; Marilyn Rutledge; Edna Stout; Jayne and Jay Neary; David Anderson; Marji McAvoy; Bob Fletcher; Virginia Silliphant; Bob Macek; Anna Hillman; Hal Wittlinger's wife Marilyn and his family; Galen Meyer and his family; Edna Neu; Robin Hepburn; Elsa and Charles Koczan; Shirley Norton; Corinne Beyer; Marge Ryan; Michael Berkowitz; Karen Kelly; Dawn Cocco; Caroline Woodward; and all families who are grieving and lonely.
(1) Alyssa is managing a difficult pregnancy; please pray for her and her baby.
(2) Carol is recovering from injuries resulting from a fall, that include her right arm.
Pray for Our Church Family that these friends and neighbors experience God's love in their daily lives.
We pray each week for those listed alphabetically in our church family directory: Janiene, Gary, Jeffrey, and Paige Baxter; Elizabeth, Marvin, Abigail, and Michael Berkowitz; Chris, Corinne, Nicholas, and Marissa Beyer; Janice Black; Judith, Lloyd, and Lindsay Bodden.
Please continue praying for the People of the World that peace may reign in all regions and nations. The pandemic is affecting all corners of the world, most especially the people of India and Brazil, In addition, no part of the world is free of universal challenges that include climate change and the many forms of insecurity that include food, clean water, and physical safety. The ongoing turmoil in many parts of Africa involves terror, instability, armed conflict, and political turmoil, especially in Mozambique, Cameroon, Nigeria, the Democratic Republic of Congo, and the Tigray region of Ethiopia. The latest rounds of violent conflict between the Israelis and the Palestinians need courage and wisdom from both sides to resolve long-standing issues.
"Loving God, you sent your son Jesus to lead us in faith to everlasting life. Give us new birth by water and the Spirit so that we may enter your eternal realm; through Jesus Christ our Savior, and in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, forever and ever. Amen."
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Prayer Chain ...
Contact Nancy Lehman to request prayers. She will distribute the request to the PPC's Prayer Chain. If you want to use a telephone, please call Barbara Pratt.
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