A message from Pastor Summer -- July 2016

 If you want to do your heart some good, you should come to Vacation Bible School.  Amidst the heartache of this world and the divisiveness that surrounds us, Vacation Bible School is a welcome celebration.  There is no greater joy than spending time with the children of our church and our community.  This year, we were on a “Cave Quest.”  We spent a week telling the stories from the Bible that lifted up the gifts Jesus has given us.  We celebrated the gifts of hope, courage, direction, love, and power.  We learned new songs like “He is the Light of the World” and sang old favorites like “All God’s Critters Got a Place in the Choir.”  We had the chance to make butterflies, salamanders, and cave goo.  We learned about the creatures who make caves their homes and had their own lessons to teach.  We ran and played outdoors and enjoyed refreshments to cool us down.  We laughed, prayed, learned, sang, and built friendships old and new.  For everyone, from 3 to 90, the week was a special time together.

What is the magic of Vacation Bible School?  We are certainly blessed with a wonderful, creative, and caring staff, but it’s more than the program we run.  In this crazy world of ours, an intentional faith community is a gift, even if it’s only for a week.  We need to come together.  The church has always recognized this fact.  God built us for community.  “Where two or more are gathered in my name” that is where God is made known.  Vacation Bible School simply gives us the opportunity.  Certainly, we all felt God’s presence as we gathered together.  I was so taken with each thank you offered by the children as they left on Friday.  The staff shared the same gratitude.  Everyone is planning to come again next year.  The good news is that Vacation Bible School need not be an end.  We have many more opportunities to gather as an intentional faith community.  Every Sunday, we have the chance to come together for worship, learning, and fellowship.  With every one of those experiences, we have the opportunity to be in community.  We have the chance of God being with us.  Every Sunday is an occasion for healing, renewal, and joy.  It’s the same joy we experienced at Vacation Bible School.  Do your heart some good.  Join us this Sunday.

Peace,

Pastor Summer

Chrismon Class

Have you always admired the Chrismons that hang on our church Christmas tree?  Have you wished you could make/have a Chrismon to hang on your own tree?  Betty Lanka has offered to teach a class on making Chrismons on July 25th from 10:00am - 2:00pm.  Come when you can and leave when you need to.  Bring a lunch if you want.  There will be a small cost to cover the supplies.  We will be making simple designs, but if you are already skilled in this craft, Betty will have more complicated patterns available for you.

Please sign up for this class in the church narthex or call the church office to reserve your spot.  If you would like Betty to schedule another class at a different time, please indicate that on the sign up list.  Let us know a day of the week and time that would work for you.

SAVE THE DATE!

After a long hiatus, the Steak and Lobster Party is returning on Sunday, September 4th (Labor Day weekend), hosted by Ron & Joanne Rupp.  The cost will be approximately $20/person and covers the cost of either a lobster or filet mignon steak, wine, beer and other related costs.   Everyone brings an appetizer, salad/side dish, or dessert.  Lots of fun!  Please sign up on the sheet in the narthex, or call/email Joanne at 908-832-5220 / jzrupp51@gmail.com.