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Before I get on with the thought
of the month, allow me to thank you profoundly for your kindness to my family for your year-end gift. Your
generosity is astounding! Thank you!
That said .
. . What’s new?
The year is, of course; be sure to remember to end the documents
you date with a “2007”. (It usually takes me a few weeks to get with the new program.)
But that’s not all that’s new around here.
We have two new study programs
starting in January that could be very helpful to your growth in Christ.
First, a number
of church members will be working our way (quickly!) through Garry Wills’ “What Jesus Meant.”
He has a fascinating take on what he believes Jesus was getting at, and his point of view is very different from
what often passes as Christianity in our culture. Whether or not you agree with Wills, his book
will provide ample fodder for good conversation and spiritual growth. This group will meet at 8:30 on Sunday,
the 7th and the 21st of January in the Library.
Second, the Carpenters will be starting a new
study regime called “The Making of the New Testament and the Birth of Christianity.” Bill Reindel
will be our leader, and we hope to include some of the new technological resources that we are developing in the library to
enhance the program. The Carpenters meets on the 2nd and 4th Sundays of each month at 8:15 in the Library
(but you can come earlier for conversation). It’s a men’s group, but it should be noted that
it’s open to ALL men, not just to those who have been attending for several years. Think about it,
guys; has your life changed to the point where you have a little time on Sunday morning to share with some good friends?
Why not come on by and share in the discussion?
Now that I’ve mentioned
it twice, I’ll be a bit more formal about noting that the Library is undergoing a rebirth into a media center.
We’re keeping reference books, but by and large we are working hard at developing a web-based resource room and
environment that will be more conducive to conversation and media-assisted technologies. We’re not
there yet, but stop by some time and see what’s emerging.
And while we’re on the
subject of “the web,” surf on over to our developing website at www.pascackreformedchurch.org. It’s
by no means all done yet, but it has places for a guest book, information about services, links to several missions we support,
a page where you can refer a friend, copies of sermons, some photo galleries, and, we hope, a page where you can download
messages for your iPod or MP3 player. (And a whole lot more)
All of these
new things we’re doing have a common theme. We are doing what we can to “know Christ and make
him known,” as some churches used to define their mission. We know Christ more fully by being in
conversations with one another (so, also, see the notice inside about the Conversation Café), conversations in which
the Holy Spirit gets a word in edgewise about God’s Word for our time. We make him known by publicizing
the good works we do in Christ’s name and inviting others to come share in what we are privileged to enjoy.
So
put this on your list of New Year’s Resolutions: “I am going to get involved in one of the
new things going on at church this year.” You won’t be sorry you did!
A Happy and Healthy New Year to All! January Happenings… If you have not yet picked up your 2007 offering envelopes, please do so,
and save the church the cost of mailing. They are on the table in the Parish House lobby.On the same table, there are 2007 calendars—take one (or more) home
They are courtesy of Bob Spearing.
The Sunday School Teachers are scheduled
to meet on Thursday, January 4, at 7:30, to make discuss the next units and to begin making plans for Children’s
Sunday.
On Friday, January 5, at 9:00 a.m., the next Conversation Café will be held in
the Heritage Room. The topic to be discussed this month is the role of Christianity in Global Economics.
All are encouraged to attend. Coffee and snacks will be provided.
On Sunday morning, January 7,
a new discussion group will meet at 8:30 a.m. in the Heritage Room. Garry Wills’ book, “What Jesus
Meant” will be the subject. This is a thoughtful analysis of Jesus and his message. All
are invited to attend. Copies of the book are available for $15 in the church office. Because
we only have three sessions to discuss the book, it will be very helpful to have read the first few chapters
of the book prior to the first session.There
will be two more meetings of the group: January 21 and February 4, also at 8:30 a.m. in the Library.
The Morning Circle starts the new year at the home of Linda Reindel, at 10:00 a.m. on Monday, January 8.
The Carpenters convene on Sunday, January 14, at 8:15 a.m. in the Library. Their second monthly meeting
will be on the 28th, same time and place.
The group begins a new discussion series--The
Making of the New Testament and the Birth of Christianity. It will
provide a wider perspective for understanding the miracle of Christianity, and will provide a new way of looking at an old
question. All
men of the church are invited to join the group. On January 14, at 11:30 a.m., the Consistory meets in the Library.
Consistory members: please start planning your contribution to the Annual Report, which will be compiled this month.
Start the year by coming down to the Westwood Diner at 8:30 a.m. on Tuesday, January 16, for the monthly Church Family Breakfast.
There is a new
selection of books for you to browse through, and take home.
Check the table in the Heritage Room on your way downstairs after worship.
Joyce Beyer says there’s still time to sign up for the Prayer Chain that the Senior Sunday School class has
started. Please place your name, address and phone number in the box in the Parish House lobby.
Any questions? Contact Joyce at 201-263-1036. January Birthdays Is your name on our Birthday List? If not, call
the office any morning, and we’ll add you and your family to it.
2
Joyce Spencer, Conner Ten Hoeve, John Locke III 15
Edna Smith
4 Karl Eymold,
Dennis Brizzolara
16 Gail Ritz
7 Jeanne Werner
17 David Ten Hoeve
8 Jack Stober
21 Bobbie Bienkowski
10 Stephen Fan, Peter von Bradsky
23 Jody Ludwig
11 Ed Carter, Carl Weil
24 Joseph Howard
12
Andy Green
27 Barb von Bradsky
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