FOCUS August 13, 2008 on what's happening at the Pennington Presbyterian Church Calendar WEEKLY SCHEDULE   LOOKING AHEAD… Sunday 8:00 & 9:30 AM – Summer Worship Services. The later service is followed by a coffee hour   Wednesday 7:00 PM – Pastor Nominating Committee   SEE YOU ON SUNDAY! ~~~~~~~~~ Though many regular church activities slow during the summer months, there are still costs to cover and bills to pay. Keeping current on your Stewardship pledge is appreciated! August 20 – Grace Notes   August 25 – Communications Work Group   August 27 – Grief Support Group   August 28 – Home Front meals   SAVE THE DATE Tercentennial Celebration at Howell Farm with joint 11 AM service including Ewing Presbyterian Sunday, Sept. 7, 11 AM – 4 PM   RALLY DAY – September 14   PNC CANDIDATE HERE – September 21   WORSHIP SCHEDULE  Sunday 8:00 AM & 9:30 AM services (Upper Titus) August 17, 24, 31 Paul Rhebergen will deliver the sermon   OUR CHURCH NEWSLETTER Next issue of FOCUS: September 3 Deadline: Friday, August 29   CHURCH SCHOOL NOTICE Classes for all ages resume in September. Rally Day is Sunday, September 14.    CHURCH OFFICE NEWS During the months of July and August the church office is open 9:00 a.m. to 12 noon. However, phone voicemail is available as well as e-mail and the drop box in the vestibule wall outside the office entrance. You will find the church phone number and e-mail address under the heading of every issue of Focus.   OFFERING ENVELOPE ALERT Please pick up your envelopes at church sometime during the week or on Sunday morning. Our new fiscal year started on May 1st. Please note: If you cannot pick up your envelopes, you may send in your checks with “contribution” written in the memo line. If have any questions please call Sheila Mills at 737-1221 x 11.   GRACE NOTES Food, fun, fellowship and music for everyone! Join us for our last event of the summer on August 20. Questions? Call Karen Schmutz (865-6693)   MARK YOUR CALENDAR! This year’s Harvest Festival will be held on Saturday, October 18. Questions or ideas? Call Clark & Marji McAvoy (882-5201).   REMINDER ABOUT PER CAPITA This year’s per capita payment is $21.74/member, for a total projected expense of ~$13,000 for our church. We ask that each family cover the per capita cost for those family members who are members of PPC (8th graders and older). Please realize that in the financial planning and budgeting of this congregation, the Per Capita Apportionment is considered separately from your pledge or regular contribution.   BOWLING LEAGUE Any male, high school age or older, interested in bowling in the YMCA Bowling League on Monday evenings (beginning September 8) should contact Bob Peeck at 771-4133.   HELP NEEDED FOR WOMEN’S LUNCHEONS Marty Scheirer and Irene Anderson have graciously coordinated these luncheons for several years. We have also had men volunteering to run the kitchen and/or pick up the food. Many thanks to all of you! Sadly the time has come for Marty & Irene to step down. If anyone is interested in running the Women’s Luncheons, please call Marty Scheirer at 215-860-3608 for details.   THANK YOU FROM… Grace Clarke: “Many, many thanks for your prayers, notes, visits and special treats which I received while in Merwick Rehab recently. Love to you all”   HIGHLIGHTS FROM THE PNC “So, with great joy and thanksgiving your Pastor Nominating Committee is pleased to announce that we have in fact nominated a pastor.” Please see “Interim Thoughts” insert for details!   - The Pastor Nominating Committee: Sue Hostler, Ernie Kimmel, Madeleine Mansier, Galen Meyer, Jim Rigel, Mary Schulz, Sheryl Stone, Joe Tully, Ellen White   SAVE THE DATE for the kick-off of our 300th Anniversary Celebration! (See this week’s insert for more information) Sunday, Sept. 7, 2008 we'll get things started by joyfully congregating at Howell Living Farm jointly with Ewing Presbyterian Church. This venue will be similar to how our forefathers worshiped -in individual homes and barns. Afterward, there will be games, tours of the farm and nearby schoolhouse - also an early place of worship and "Sabbath School", a picnic and pig roast. As we connect with our heritage, let us break bread like our predecessors did. Bring a picnic lunch with you for your family as well as something to share with the group. Join in the spirit of the day by preparing foods from that era. Utilize native bounties and make items such as cornbread, jams, jellies and homemade bread, pickles, relishes, pies made from local fruits such as apples, peaches and blueberries. Sign up for the pig roast after worship or by calling or e-mailing the church office for our planning. Suggested donation for a pulled pork sandwich will be $5. See you there! Ten volunteers needed at Howell Farm on Sept. 7th to help with games and activities. Call or e-mailSheryl Stone (737-7862- salstone@verizon.net)if you would be willing to be a farmhand for a day!   LOOKING AHEAD TO ALTERNATIVE CHRISTMAS MARKET ~ November 2, 9 & 16 Each year we hold our Market, offering alternative ways to gift giving. We feature “A Greater Gift/SERRV”, Heifer Project International, wreaths from Maine and our own PPC Christmas ornaments commemorating our 300 years of Christian worship and witness. In order for this Market to be a success we need people to buy and volunteers to help. You may help set up the Market on one of the Saturdays or help sell on a Sunday morning. One way you can help now is by going through “A Greater Gift” catalogue and marking items you think others will want to purchase. This permits us to send in our order now and receive popular items that may sell out early. Please call Edna Stout (737-1503) to discuss how, when, where you can help. Don’t be shy – we’d love to hear from you! - Edna Stout & Barbara Pratt for the Mission Committee   COMMUNCATIONS VOLUNTEERS NEEDED     The Church Communications Work Group (CCWG) has been formed by Session to enhance and improve thequality of our communications; both internally & externally. Volunteers are needed. From continuing involvement with the overall process, to skill-specific work having a defined duration, to guidance for committees needing communications support or guidance, let us know what you’d be willing to consider doing to help the cause and become part of this team effort. There is plenty of opportunity for both short and long-term contributions. Writing, editing, press releases, digital graphics, database, digital photo, video & audio, PR support, website strategy and evaluation, communications training, overall evaluation … help of all types is needed for the overall program to be as good as it deserves to be. Please consider lending your skillsand contact George White at ghwhite3@yahoo.com or 609-273-9292 to get the ball rolling.   PEW PAINTING Many thanks to all who helped paint our pews in the sanctuary. If you are interested in helping our Facilities Committee on various projects around our church, give Gary Coleman, Clark McAvoy, Nils Stout or Bruce Jeffs a call. Many hands make the load lighter!   OUR CHURCH FAMILY . Please keep Lisa Thorndike, Jack Cooper, Skip Porter, Serena Ashmen, Paul Scheirer, Robina Young and Connie Johnson in your prayers. . Former long-time member Edith Lewry died on July 13. . Congratulations to Lori (Shier) & Andy Beach on the birth of their son George Graeson Beach on July 14.   Pastors: Paul Rhebergen & Susan Fall Administrative Assistant: Mary Coleman Director of Music: William Alford Phone: 609-737-1221 Fax: 609-730-9665 Church Office e-mail: office@pennpres.org Home page: http://www.pennpres.org Newsletter Deadline: Monday 9:00 a.m. Pennington Presbyterian Church 13 South Main Street, Pennington, NJ http://www.pennpres.org

Special Inserts

Interim   We are one great step closer to the end of this interim time. At the request of the Pastor Nominating Committee, the Session has called for a special meeting of the congregation for Sunday, September 21st, immediately following worship, to vote on the call of a new pastor. Your Pastor Nominating Committee will introduce you to the candidate as soon as the Presbytery's Committee on Ministry gives its clearance to do so on September 2nd. You will have the opportunity to read about the person, and then to meet the candidate in a reception on September 20th. On the 21st, the candidate will lead the congregation in worship, and preach. Then the congregation will vote, by paper ballot, on the call of this person to be the pastor of this church. The candidate will then say yes or no to the call, based on the tally of the congregations vote. The Presbytery then, at its October 14th meeting will vote to affirm the call of the candidate as pastor of the Pennington Church. Then, at a later date, probably in November, in a special worship service at the church, the Presbytery will "install" your new pastor.   So, those are the steps that lie ahead of us in calling the new pastor. They bring with them a sense of excitement and anticipation, the feeling of coming to the end of journey. These steps also bring us to the time and task of closing our relationship as congregation and interim pastor. Over the next two months we'll be taking a look back over the work we've done together, the ministry we have shared. We will celebrate and consolidate that which we can see to be the work of the Holy Spirit in our midst. We will mourn and let go of those things we have lost, or have been less than faithful. And we will give thanks for the times of grace we have encountered together. And we will say goodbye to this particular and peculiar relationship we have shared. We will do this in order that you may welcome your new pastor as the one who will, by God's grace, be your shepherd and leader as you move on into the future God has for this church.   And, we will do this as we begin the celebration of 300 years of Presbyterian witness in Pennington and the Hopewell Valley, and as we rally for one more year of witnessing to the grace and joy of Christ in our midst. Just think of what lies ahead in just the month of September: September 7th - the Howell Farm Service, kicking off the Tercentennial Celebration; September 14th - Rally Sunday with the beginning of Sunday School and our regular worship schedule; September 21st - Candidating Sunday and the election of a new pastor, and through it all, our celebration of more than two years together in faithful ministry.   What a way to start the new program year.   May the grace and peace of Christ be with us all. Paul Rhebergen           JOIN IN THE FUN ... as Pennington Presbyterian Church begins a celebration of our first 300 years in Hopewell Valley! Come re-live a Sabbath day from yesteryear – a summer revival camp meeting and community worship in the peaceful outdoor setting of Howell Living History Farm.   CHURCH HISTORY DAY Howell Living History Farm Sunday, September 7, 2008 11 AM – 4 PM   WORSHIP 10 AM - Gather at Howell Farm and walk to worship site 11 AM – Bagpipe procession and early American worship   PICNIC NOON – Picnic and Pig Roast Everyone is invited to bring their own picnic basket. Pulled pork sandwiches will be available for $5.   SUNDAY AFTERNOON AT THE FARM 12:30 – 3:30 PM   SELF-GUIDED TOUR OF HOWELL FARM   MEADOW GAMES Hoop Races, Egg Toss, Bean Bag Toss, Sack Races, Tug of War   DEMONSTRATIONS Shape Note Singing Tour to Pleasant Valley Schoolhouse Site of Sabbath School in the 1800’s   For more information contact Pennington Presbyterian Church Church Office: 737-1221 www.pennpres.org     ~ TERCENTENNIAL SPECIAL EVENTS ~  September 2008 – May 2009 “ … God’s faithfulness continues through all generations.” Psalm 100:5   SEPTEMBER – IN THE BEGINNING   Sunday, Sept. 7th, - 10 AM to 4 PM – Howell Farm “Church History Day” Worship/ Pig Roast & Picnic/Music/Games/Tours Tuesday, Sept. 9th - New Brunswick Presbytery Dinner & Meeting Pennington Presbyterian Church   OCTOBER – HOMECOMING   Saturday, October 18th, 10 AM – 2 PM, HARVEST FESTIVAL Historic Exhibit & Tours/Reenactment/Crafts/Food/Entertainment Sunday, Oct. 19th, 10:15 AM – Homecoming: PPC Clergy, Staff, Members, Family & Friends   NOVEMBER-THANKSGIVING   Sunday, Nov. 2nd, 10:15 AM – All Saints Day /Special Music: Rutter Requiem Wed., Nov. 26th, 7:30 PM - Thanksgiving Ecumenical Community Service Pennington Presbyterian Church   DECEMBER- CHRISTMAS   Fri., Dec. 5th – Pennington Holiday Walk – Sanctuary open to the public for prayer and meditation – Lenox creche on display Fri., Dec. 19th – VOICES Holiday Concert Wed., Dec. 24th – Christmas Eve Services   JANUARY – PEACEMAKING   Reflections on Faith, Community and Service Mon., Jan. 19 - Martin Luther King Community Peacemaking Event Sun., Jan. 25, PM – Hopewell Valley Youth Chorale Concert   FEBRUARY – LENT   Reflections on Faith, Community and Service Sun., Feb. 22, 4 PM - Presbybop Jazz Vespers, Dinner & Concert Wed., Feb. 25th – Ash Wednesday   MARCH – CELEBRATING THE FIRST 300 YEARS!   Reflections on Faith, Community and Service TBD - Special Event with Hopewell Valley Historical Society   APRIL – EASTER   Sun., April 12 – Sunrise Service and Easter Celebration   MAY - LOOKING TO THE NEXT 300 YEARS!   Fri. May 1st - Hopewell Valley Chorus Spring Concert Sun. May 3rd – Older Adult Sunday – Speaker: Freda Gardner   Sat., May 16th, 6 – 10 PM – TERCENTENNIAL CELEBRATION BANQUET   Jericho National Golf Club, New Hope, PA   Sun., May 17th, 10:15 AM - TERCENTENNIAL CELEBRATION WORSHIP   Guest Preacher/Commissioned Anthem/Brunch     Pennington Presbyterian Church   Income Statement       For the Three Months Ending July 31, 2008   Current Month Current Month Year to Date Year to Date Total Budget Month Budget This Year Budget OPERATING FUND INCOME Pledges/Contributions/Loose Plate 25,106 35,758 131,346 107,273 429,090 Use of Building 125 0 4,895 4,930 24,650 Per Capita Contributions 370 275 3,718 825 3,300 Memorial Funds 0 0 0 0 8,000 Youth Offering 0 0 2 0 0 Harvest Festival 0 0 12 0 10,000 Spring Fling 0 0 0 0 0 Total Income $ 25,601 $ 36,033 $ 139,973 $ 113,028 $ 475,040   EXPENSES Total Educational Ministries (867) 0 (1,408) 2,460 12,000 Total Church Administration 1,261 1,998 2,335 6,099 32,000 Total Deacons 116 158 96 475 2,000 Total Facilities 3,189 6,434 18,369 25,020 102,800 Total Older Adult Ministry 0 101 86 304 1,215 Total Membership & Commitment 0 0 1,041 160 800 Total Misson 2,568 1,961 7,981 7,139 29,310 Total Personnel 24,069 25,678 80,898 80,674 323,112 Total Search Committee 0 1,000 164 3,000 10,000 Total Stewardship 0 0 0 0 0 Total Worship & Music 0 450 295 1,730 7,300 Vision Interest Payments 1,093 1,101 3,287 3,303 13,212 Per Capita Payment 1,065 1,065 3,196 3,196 12,783 Total Expenses $ 32,494 $ 39,946 $ 116,340 $ 133,560 $ 546,532 Net Income ($ 6,893) ($ 3,913) $ 23,633 ($ 20,532) ($ 71,492)