Church News
COUNTING COMMITTEE
The fiscal year for The First Presbyterian Congregation of Connecticut Farms is January 1 to December 31. Thus, any monies you give after the last Sunday in December will appear on your first 2012 statement. We ask that you please do not put tape or place stickers on your envelopes.
To save on postage, please pick up your pledge envelopes in Westminster Hall.
PLEASE NOTE!!! Your envelope number has changed. We would appreciate your writing your name on the envelopes for the next two months. Thank you
Facilities
Well a new year has started and there are still many areas of the church that need to be addressed. Unfortunately, we are unable to address most of the issues due to lack of help. The committee is stretched thin as with many of our committees. We need volunteers to walk up to the committees and ask, "how can I help". This is your church as well as our church, and we, the committee, cannot accomplish much without help.
Our organ is in need of repair. We have been blessed by a gift from the late Rev. Howard McFall. A search for a organ repair person/company has been met with barricades. if anyone should know of an organ repair person/company please feel free to leave a message or speak with me.
Once again if you should have any questions please feel free to contact Ed Novak or Kevin Egbert.
FOOD PANTRY FREEZER
Sometime between December 22 and December 26, someone had gone into the Food Pantry freezer and did not close the door properly. We lost over $300 in frozen foods. The only people that should be going in this freezer are members of the Food Pantry Board. Thank you for your cooperation in this matter.
MISSION COMMITTEE
Having fully recovered from last months slip on the ice, I look forward to Fall's challenges. Not the least of which is keeping Rev. Bobbie from reaching for the Book of Order and asking "Is that even legal?. So away we go. Food Pantry in September saw 64 families' needs helped. I want to thank as always the volunteers who helped make that possible and your generous support and donations.
The next Food Pantry date is October 15th. We can always use the usual food items, but we are running a little low on soups. Friday Happening is coming together for our first date on October 7th.
I believe that doing it 4 times a school year will allow our much appreciated volunteers enough time to recover in between. I have seen Bob Glaser's face as he cranks out hot dogs in June, not a pretty sight.
So sign up now and get a front row seat to the Greatest Show on Earth, as Gladys asks "Is that really music and 75 cents please." You have to be there to see it.
We are working on our next project and as soon as our lawyers stop laughing and say ok, we will announce it. Thanks for all the help.
SOUPER BOWL OF CARING -- Sunday, February 5, 2012
More than 20 years ago, the Souper Bowl of Caring began with a simple prayer from a single youth group: "Lord, as we enjoy the Super Bowl Football game, help us to be mindful of those without even a bowl of soup to eat."
Since that day, more than $81 million has been raised for local charities across the country through Souper Bowl of Caring. It has become a powerful movement that is transforming the time around Super Bowl weekend into the nation's largest celebration of giving and serving.
Through this mission, young people learn what it's like to make a positive difference in the world—as they collect food, raise money and volunteer to work in charities that provide shelter to the homeless, food to the hungry and compassion to those in need.
Be part of this movement that is sharing God’s love with those in need. Please give generously on Super Bowl Sunday. Every dollar goes to: CFC FOOD PANTRY (Our 2012 Souper bowl of Caring charity of choice.)
NURSERY SCHOOL
For the 2012 - 2013 school year in-house registration starts January 26, 2012, for children who are already enrolled at Connecticut Farms Church Nursery School. Outside registration begins March 1, 2012. Anyone interested, please call 908-964-8544 to visit and take a tour of the classsrooms, gym and playground.
The new school year runs from September 10, 2012, to June 14, 2013. Half and full day classes are available for children 2 1/2 to 5. Children must be potty trained to enroll.* Since we are a private nursery school, children from any town are welcome.
The aim of CFCNS is to make the first step away from home a happy and secure one. The school is licensed by the State and has certified teachers and director and a staff trained in First Aid and CPR.
For more information, visit our nursery school web page. Children from ANY town are welcome.
*Free DVD on Potty Training available to parents.
In January and February, the Nursery School students will be working on fun winter and Valentine's Day projects that incorporate shapes and letters. The Pre-K classes finished up on an alphabet book and will start putting letter sounds together to create words. They will also continue to work on numbers from 12 to 20. They will learn to recognize their telephone numbers, too!
2012 PER CAPITA
The Per Capita payment for 2012 is $36.60 per member. Our Session is required to pay this amount to the Presbytery for each member. We request that you donate your Per Capita to offset this expense separate from your regular pledge amount. If you have not donated your 2011 Per Capita of $36.60, please do so as soon as possible.
Friday Happening...
...is next scheduled for March 2nd and please put it on your calendars.
We had the last one in early December. Our volunteers did a great job, but I want to thank Frank Green and Charles Lin. They were outnumbered, but managed to keep control at the door and were with me to the end of clean up. The kitchen crew managed to keep things moving and hold on to their sanity. We had a very full house that night.
I had this idea, which I got from a forward by Rev. Bobbie, about a outreach called Iron Man which is a attempt to connect with young athletes. I thought I could be the symbol of the program and use a picture of me in a speedo. So I came out in my speedo to show Sheila. She started laughing so hard she had to sit. I told her laughing soon turns to crying and she said "Not tonight". Looking for a more friendly outlook, I told this to Session, and the sight of Kevin's mouth hanging open and Rev. Bobbie draped on the table ended another Big Idea.
BOY SCOUTS: THIS MONTH IN FOCUS
The first week of February is often referred to as Scouting Anniversary Week and the first Sunday in February is called Scout Sunday. This commemorates the founding of the Boy Scouts of America via a National Charter from Congress on February 8, 1910. Also, February is National Scouting month. Scouts across the country are asked to attend services at their Church or Synagogue. On February 12th, Boy Scout Troop 68 and Cub Pack 68, and their families will be attending church services at Connecticut Farms Church. All Scouts and Scouters past and present are invited to attend and wear the Scout uniform.
This month's theme for our weekly troop meeting will be Basic Cooking skills. Scouts will continue to do service projects including working at the C. F. C. Food Pantry.
Also, the troop is running a newspaper drive. If you are interested in helping us, there will be a trailer in the church parking lot on the second Wednesday until June from 7:00 pm. till 9:00 pm. All bundles must be tied with natural twine. In addition, they should be no higher than 12 inches, and weigh no more than 25 lbs. Bundles can be either in plastic or paper bags. All proceeds will be turned over to our general funds. For more information, please call Mr. Lewis at 688-3165.
BOY SCOUT SUNDAY -- FEBRUARY 12, 2012
WORSHIP ETIQUETTE
In preparation for worship, take the opportunity to speak to God, respecting each other's desire to meditate. During worship be mindful of others and the worship leaders and do not move around the sanctuary. At the close of the service, greet one another with joy. Thank you.
CHOIR - MEN NEEDED!
Dewey is putting out a request for at least 4 - 5 men to join the Sanctuary Choir. Many men believe they simply can't sing, but Dewey says "if you can speak, you can sing - and I can teach you how!"
Men of all ages are welcome, no prior music experience is necessary, and there is no need to be able to read music. There is one rehearsal each week on Sundays at 9:00 a.m., with flexibility for those involved in other church activities; such as, Sunday School (occasional additional rehearsals for cantatas are minimal and TBD).
Come try it out next Sunday - just bring an open mind and heart, and discover what a joy spirit-led singing can be! Alternatively, if you know someone in the community who enjoys singing? Invite them to come and speak to Dewey.
Remembering First Presbyterian Congregation of Connecticut Farms in Your Estate Planning
Bequests for the benefit of the First Presbyterian Congregation of Connecticut Farms should be made to the First Presbyterian Congregation of Connecticut Farms, which accepts, manages and distributes gifts on behalf of the Congregation. The following sample bequest language will ensure that your gift directly benefits the First Presbyterian Congregation of Connecticut Farms for the purpose you specify.
"I give, devise and bequeath to the First Presbyterian Congregation of Connecticut Farms, a nonprofit congregation headquartered in Union, NJ, the (sum of $____________or (_____percent of my estate) or (the property described herein) or (the remainder of my estate)."
OR
Simply add First Presbyterian Congregation of Connecticut Farms as a beneficiary to your IRA, 401K, deferred annuity or other retirement plan assets.