Our hearts and prayers are with our country

Today's heart-breaking events in Connecticut snap all of us into the reality of our vulnerability as humans. Yet at the same time, as followers of Christ we have hope and know the truth of the resurrection. God has a plan.

Although the death of children and their teachers makes no sense to us, we believe in a God of providence. A God who loves all, knows all, and is forever present with us in times of distress and in times of joy. Our God can make things that are evil eventually result in good we never imagined possible and this is the power of the Almighty to love, create, and act constantly and consistently for the good of God’s plan for all of creation. 

It is at times like today that we reach out for our families and loves ones, share hugs, tears, and consoling words, and also come before our God in fervent prayer for healing, peace, and wholeness for all people.

The congregation of Central Presbyterian Church joins our country today as we cry out to God for relief from the evils and pain of this world forever seeking the promised peace that will come with the return of our Lord Jesus Christ.

SHARING TREE SHOPPING A HUGE SUCCESS!

On Sunday, Dec. 9th, 38 CPCers went shopping to purchase gifts for local children in need.  We had students from 6th through 12th grade along with several adult leaders.  The students shopped for toys, clothing, and other requests from families and children whose Christmas will be extra special due to the generosity of CPC.  After shopping the youth wrapped all the gifts and shared dinner together.  The Sharing Tree is an annual tradition at CPC supported by all our members no matter their age!

Advent Blessings at CPC

On Dec. 2 Central Presbyterian Church kicked off the season of Advent 2012 in a big way!

During worship we honored our members who have been a part of the life of CPC for 35 years or more!

We began our Sharing Tree ministry and our book drive!

We also held our 2nd annual Living Nativity on the front lawn of the church and welcomed close to 500 people for the live protrayal of the story of Christ's birth followed by carols, cocoa, cookies, and crafts in the church auditorium.

Give Thanks with a Grateful Heart!

On Nov. 18th at both our 8:30 and 10 am worship services the congergation had the opportunity to share aloud and in writing on large white boards what they are thankful for as they look back over the past year.  Here is what was shared:

CPC is thankful for:

Trust

Good Health

Generosity of Power Workers from elsewhere

Blessings I take for granted

Family

CPC

Being an American

Grew up in church

All that has been done for my family

Our free country – USA

Love, peace and joy in the world, and the gift of life for everyone

CPC and our granddaughters

Our new granddaughter, Ceci

CPC-TV reaching out to our community

The uplifting power of SHIP for our youth

The dedicated efforts of the Pastoral Nominating Committee

CPC becoming a real home to our family

CPC pastors for leadership

Children, husband, parents, community feel in Summit, resilience of CPC

Everything in my life – high, low, happy, sad, in my life’s experiences

Kelsey, Courtney, Katie, Dad in heaven with Carly

All you blessings

Will’s intelligence and drive to fight diseases

For the gift of music and 10 years of cancer survivorship

Richard Johnson – SHIP

The hard work of the PNC

Our pastors and members

Family, health and restored power

Our church family

Our CPC family, life, health and future

Health, family, friends & grandchildren

Faithfulness of all my friends at CPC

Miracle of insulin and medical advances

Pastor John, Pastor Charles, and Pastor Cynthia

The Kitchen! Filled with food, overflowing with joy.

The caring and sharing spirit in this church

Healing of my grandmother

Godmother Jane

Friends that are family

Our church family and all their love and support

Sense of purpose and an ability to help and share with others

Love and support of friends and family

For the dedication of our PNC

Good health of family and friends

Second chances, 2 wonderful children, church, family and my wonderful husband, music

My wife, 3 beautiful children, parents, CPC, Summit and great friends

All my friends and family who were safe/unharmed throughout the ordeal of the storm.

The hospitality for members of the church who assisted me with getting to/from work

Hospitality in other’s home following the storm

My mom surviving surgery & love of family and friends

Family, church and electricity

Thomas Edison, sun, flowers

Family, husband, children, super parents that took me to church

That our country has chosen to move forward!

My grandmother who is 106 years old!

My family & friends and my Jersey family at CPC – Happy Thanksgiving

The graciousness, caring, and spirit of people and communities

Openess of CPC that allows everyone to get involved – makes you feel part of a family

Dad & Mom

A job I love

Grandchildren

Family

Friends

And for the thanksgivings shared aloud which were heard in the sanctuary and by our congregation who worships via the televised broadcast.

Thanksgiving

On Nov. 18th we celebrated Thanksgiving through music, prayer, praise, and sharing during our worship services.  The Middle School students headed up our food drive which collected donations for Summit Helping Its People and the Nuevas Fronteras Soup Kitchens.  In the afternoon, our Senior High students served meals at Iglesia Presbiteriana and at multiple roadside locations in Plainfield.

 The pantry at Nuevas Fronteras is now full of donations from CPC!

A Hurricane and a Blizzard cannot stop us from serving our Lord!

After Hurricane Sandy and now a Nor'easter with 6 inchese of snow many of our CPC members and friends remain without power.  Yet we press on in ministry.  The church is open 9 am to 5 pm today and tomorrow as a warming station with snacks, hot coffee, and fellowship!

This past Sunday our worship was filled with warmth, fellowship, song, praise, and prayer as we came together to rally ourselves to the joys of caring for each other despite the chaos around us.

We will celebrate at the Lord's Table at both our 8:30 am and 10 am worship service on Nov. 11th

We will celebrate Stewardship Sunday in conjunction with our Thanksgiving worship on Nov. 18th

Our membership celebration luncheon has been postponed until Dec. 2nd

Middle and High School Advent Opportunities

Food Drive

Sunday, November 18^th    10pm-12pm in the CPC auditorium

Sorting and loading food to benefit the Soup Kitchen at Nuevas Fronteras Church in Plainfield & SHIP

Sharing Tree Ornament Making

Wednesday, November 28^th  6:00pm-8:00pm at the Engle’s Home

Sharing Tree Greeters

Sunday, December 2^nd & Sunday, December 9^th at 9:45am

Greeters at the glass doors for Sharing Tree information

Confirmation Sharing Tree Shopping/Wrapping

Sunday, December 2^nd   11:00am-1:00pm, at church

Middle School Sharing Tree Shopping and Wrapping

Sunday, December 9^th   5:00pm-8:00pm

Senior High Sharing Tree Shopping and Wrapping

Sunday, December 9^th    5:00pm-8:00pm

Sharing Tree Sort/Load Fest

Sunday, December 16^th  11:00am-1:00pm at church

Community Service Hours/Confirmation Points/Key Club Service Hours Given for all!

Contact cbetz-bogoly@centralpres.org for info about the above events

Autumn Excitement at CPC!

Our 2nd and 3rd Sunday youth missions are attracting lots of interest from youth as well as having a big impact in the communities where we are serving meals to those in need. 
 

4 Middle Schoolers and Pastor Cynthia serving dinner at SHIP on Oct. 14th

   

Senior High Students preparing to serve a meal at Las Amistades de Front Street Soup Kitchen in Plainfield on Oct. 21





Agape Worship followed by a Drum Circle at CPC on Oct. 21



Our Sunday School, Confirmation, and Adult Spiritual Development Programs are also offering great opportunities for members of all ages to learn, grow, connect, and serve!



Spark Sunday School for ages 3 & 4 on Oct. 21 with their teacher Melissa MacPherson.

AGAPE WORSHIP & DRUM CIRCLE

AGAPE CELEBRATION

The Lord's Supper

at the Table of Christian Fellowship

Sunday, October 21, 2012 at 5 pm

A thought to frame our evening together: 
When and where do you see, taste, hear, smell, feel, and know the goodness of God?

The Agape, or “Christian love feast,” is a fellowship meal and worship service.  The Agape Meal reminds us of the many meals Jesus had with his disciples in the Jewish tradition.  After Jesus had gone up into heaven, the new church gathered for worship Sunday evenings.  Since they went to Synagogue on the Sabbath (Saturday), their Sunday evening Christian service was a different kind of experience as they embraced their new identities as followers of Christ.

We will take the opportunity to taste traditional Seder meal food items and imagine sitting at table with our Lord Jesus and his disciples.  In addition, we will share potluck meal offerings and dessert.

Our guest percussionist tonight is Richard Reiter.  He has a B.A. in Psychology, M.M. in Music Education, New Jersey Music Teacher Certification, as well as being a nationally acclaimed jazz musician and Emmy Award winning composer. Reiter has become one of the area's most prominent drum circle facilitators.   
Check him out at http://richardreiter.com/DrummingCircle.html

Childcare will be offered from 5 to 7 pm free of charge.

This worship service will begin immediatly after the CPC New Members' Class.  It is a chance for current members, friend sof the congregation, and new members to be at table together.

Sounds of the Season

 Central Presbyterian Church is hosting a
“Sounds of the Season”
Family-friendly Organ Concert
on Saturday, Oct. 27th at 4:15 pm

We will be sharing refreshments as we listen to music
that has been associated with spooky movies in our modern culture
but we will reclaim it for its composers' original intent;
it's use as worship music.

 

Here are some reasons why some Christians feel that Halloween should be ‘reclaimed’.

Reclaiming our celebration

Christians are faced with alternatives: to ignore Halloween altogether; to go along with it without making any comment or protest; or to reclaim the festival for ourselves. The name ‘Halloween’ means ‘All Hallows’ Eve’, as it marks the evening before All Hallows’ or All Saints’ Day, celebrated in the Christian calendar on 1 November. It was the Christians who adopted the celebration of All Saints at the same time as the Celtic start of winter, based on the fact that through Jesus, the light of the world, all darkness is banished. All Saints should be and can be a celebration of good over evil, recognizing the power and authority of Jesus, surrounded by his saints and followers in all ages.

Light is better!

There is certainly a morbid fascination in darkness, death and fear that is attractive to children. Many children live in a hard world, where there are many things that cause them pain and put them in danger. The society we have created is a difficult place for children, and there is enough darkness and evil to be going on with. We can take this opportunity to celebrate light: the light in the world which makes it open, good and bright, but also the light of Christ, who brings light to the dark places. Light is better for children.

Fear or love?

Christians can reflect on what motivates us, and what we stand for in our world. We have the spirit of love, and all the attributes associated with love that we read about in 1 Corinthians 13. Love conquers fear, and love defeats hatred and pain. Why then support or be ambivalent about a festival based on fear and horror, the superstitions of an earlier age, before the love of Christ was known and shared?

Cutting commercialism

In the same way that Christmas has been taken over by items and attractions that have nothing to do with Christ being born, so Halloween has been absorbed into our materialist world. The ever-increasing profile of Halloween puts pressure on individuals to go along with the crowd, and within that the truth of the light of Christ and the celebration of All Saints is lost, and the sinister and worrying aspects of Halloween are trivialized and hidden under cheap plastic horns and tacky outfits.

Communion Readiness

As we look ahead to next Sunday, we are preparing our headrts for the reality of World Communion Sunday when churches around the world join in community through the sacrament of the Lord's Supper.  Each church on earth is invited to break bread and share the cup within the same 24 hours as all other churches no matter their denomination or nationality.

At CPC, World Communion Sunday is a festive day of worship and breaking bread together.  The 10 am worship service usually lasts longer than the traditional hour allowing for more music, praise, prayer, and the sacrament.  Our Sunday School students remain in their classroom for a bit longer this day as well.

One step in preparation was for our 3^rd graders and their families to join together last night for a Communion Readiness class and Seder meal at church.  We gathered first in the sanctuary to gaze at the stained glass window that depicts the Lord's Supper.  The students, their families, and I had the opportunity to retell the story of Jesus' Last Supper with his disciples.  We then joined together in a traditional Seder meal, as the disciples did that last evening with Jesus during Passover.  This was a great chance to learn some history about the heritage of Jesus and the Jewish faith, as well as discover how Jesus gave new meaning to many traditions familiar to his disciples thereby transforming them for use in the reality of the salvation found through Jesus Christ.

As we look toward this coming Sunday, and every day, may we remember the sacrifice of Christ which results in the grace we receive through forgiveness.  Jesus used the simple elements of food and drink to trigger the memory of who He is and what He has done for us, so each time we eat and drink we can remember we are loved by God.

~Pastor Cynthia

Confirmation Retreat

8 students and 4 leaders had an AWESOME autumn weekend at Camp Johnsonburg!

We have a lakeside campfire with s'mores, took a nature hike where we found a snake, did team building activities, went boating, studied our catechism books, played board games until 1:30 in the morning, and began the journey that is Confirmation together.

Please keep all 14 students who are beginning this faith journey in your prayers.

Intentional Faith Development at CPC

This Sunday, Sept. 16 we kick-off our intentional faith development small groups for the Fall Festival of Faith.  These 3 small groups will be reading and discussing the book "Forty Days of Fruitful Living".  To help encourage all adult members of the congregation to attend one of these groups, the Children & Family Ministry Team will once again be offering Faith Adventure.

Faith Adventure meets from 11:15 am to 12:15 pm in the Children’s Center for study, fellowship, and lunch.  All 1st through 5th graders are invited.  For the next 6 weeks we will be watching and learning from a video series focused on the Ten Commandments.

The nursery will also expand its care to include children from birth through Kindergarten from 11 am to 12:30 pm.

These additional Children's programs will allow for parents to attend a small group.

Also, Middle School Students are invited to join for choir rehearsal at 11 am.

Parents please take the opportunity to participate in one of the intentional faith development small groups.  The one is room 2-B led is especially designed for you!

School is just around the corner

As our CPC students and families gear up for another school year to begin next week,
we have been gearing up for exciting ministry programs!

Sept. 9th is Rally Day!

We will have worship at 8:30 am and 10 am, followed by a picnic on the Maple St. lawn and in the auditorium with a bounce house, face painter, glitter tattoos, special live music, and fun, fun, fun!

A CHANGE for this school-year is EVERY Sunday ALL students from pre-K through middle school will come to worship at 10 am in the sanctuary and then be dismissed during the service to head to their classrooms guided by their teachers.  This will allow for more worship exposure for our children and youth as well as a chance for them to still engage in meaningful Christian Education and relationship building in Christian fellowship.

FAITH ADVENTURE RETURNS on Sept. 16th.  This is a program geared toward kindergarten through 5th graders whose parents are engaged in small group intentional faith development at the 11 am hour; from 11 to 12:15 students are welcome to the Children’s Center for a bible lesson, games, and lunch.  Pre-K Sunday School students are invited to join the nursery caregivers at 11 am if their parents are staying for small groups.

Our FALL FESTIVAL OF FAITH will focus on the book "40 Days of Fruitful Living".  This study is an opportunity for all church members from the newly confirmed to the life-long members to engage with each other in one of 3 small groups that meet at 11 am for book discussion, study, prayer, and fellowship with their peers.  For parents of young children, the small group led by Pastor John is specifically designed for you!

Middle School Sunday School will kick off the year continuing with our re:form video series that received rave reviews from the students this past school-year!  Also, Middle School mission events will kick into gear in October.

Senior High students will have multiple options from Confirmation class, Senior High gatherings, and mission events.

For the youngest of God's children our Sunday Morning Nursery will be open from 9:30 am to 12:30 pm beginning Sept. 9th for youth ages birth to 3 years old; at 11 am we expand to include students in pre-K in the nursery.  Remember we always have at least 2 and usually 4 caregivers trained and dedicated in the safety and Christian nurture of our youngest children here every Sunday morning.

If you have any questions please do not hesitate to contact the church office 908-273-0441, visit the church website www.centralpres.org, or simply show up Sunday morning and engage in the exciting ministries that are alive, thriving, being innovative, and growing at CPC!

Summer Sunday School

After 9 weeks fo Summer Sunday School at CPC it's hard to believe we only have one week left!

Our theme this summer was how God uses water in the Bible.  We talked about the creation of water in Genesis, the use of water to cleanse the earth in the story of Noah's Ark, the water involved in Jonah's encounter with a whale, Jesus' baptism in water,

Jesus calming a storm on the open water,

and we had 2 water fun days as well as a visit from

Mad Science when we did smoke and bubble experiments. 

Next Sunday, Aug. 26 we will culminate our water themed summer by having a free-will bake sale to add more funds to our summer offering towards clean water projects in Malawi.

We kick-off the school-year Sunday School program on

Rally Day, Sunday, Sept. 9 with worship, nursery care,

Sunday School for ages 3 through 8th grade,

and an all-church picnic including music on the front lawn,

food, a face-painter, and a bounce house!

Please join us as we continue our tradition of

fun and excellence in CPC Christian Education programming!

SUMMER NIGHTS AT CPC

Summer Nights at CPC 

Wednesdays from 6 to 8 pm

July 11, 18, & 25

Co-sponsored by the Children & Family Ministry Team and the Alternative Worship Team.

Each night will include worship time, dinner, and separate activities for adults, youth, and children.

• On July 11 and 18, we will have a coffee bar, run by Cupa Cabana, making to-order: lattes, cappuccinos, hot chocolates and fresh fruit smoothies.
• On July 11^th, Mad Science will be leading a hands-on demonstration all about Slime for the kids and youth, while for the adults Emily Campbell will be leading an introduction to Lost in Transition: The Dark Side of Emerging Adulthood, talking about how we, the adult church members of CPC, can help our young people navigate a much more complicated world than we grew up in.
• On July 18,  Steve Prothero, professor in the Department of Religion at Boston University and New York Times best-selling author of Religious Literacy , will lead the adult discussion while the kids enjoy a dj and video making session and the youth are led in a lesson by our summer intern.
• On July 25^th, the Rev. Dr. Robert Morris from Calvary Episcopal and Interweave will present a program on walking a prayer Labyrinth.  The kids and youth will be engaged in a hands-on mission project this evening as well.

We are asking for a donation of $5 per person, $20 per family for dinner each evening.

Confirming our faith

In the Presbyterian Church (USA) when an infant is presented for the sacrament of baptism the parents and congregation agree to nurture the child and raise the child in the faith so that when the child reaches the age of maturity he or she can confirm his faith and claim his or her identity as a follower of Christ for themselves.

This year we have 13 students in our Confirmation Program at CPC.  I have been meeting with them one-on-one to discover how the confirmation program impacted them, what they liked or disliked about it, what they love to do, what inspires them, what they wish the church would do for them, how they think they can be active in membership here, and if there is anything that annoys or confusing them about the way we live out our faith here at CPC.

The conversations have been fruitful, interesting, inspiriting, and a bit heartbreaking.  Each student has different things to share and some of the stories are affirming, others sort of confused, and yet others are still seeking to discover what their faith means.

This is fantastic!  The Holy Spirit is really working on the hearts of these students to challenge them, enliven them, and even knock them a bit off-base and this is all good in the Lord's eyes.

I am blessed and honored to be a small part of this transformative and self-affirming process as these students take ownership of their personal faith identity.

May God richly bless each student and bless our congregation with their gifts for years to come!

EASTER AT CPC

We just kicked off the Community Good Friday Children's Walk at CPC with over 70 people!!!

At noon today is our Good Friday Worship Service in the Chapel followed by the middle school studnets preping the lunches for the Bridges Run.

Tonight the Senior High Studnets will be taking the 300 lunches to the needy and homeless.

On Easter morning we will be praising God for the reality of the resurrection of our Lord Jesus Christ in many ways!

6 am Sunrise Worship in the Memory Garden with contemporary praise songs and visual arts
9 am Sanctuary Worship with the children's flowering of the cross
11 am Sanctuary Worship and Children's Program in the Auditorium

Hosanna!
Hallelujah!

PALM SUNDAY AND EGG HUNT

We had a very festive and full Palm Sunday worship at 10 am with a palm procession led by the children & youth of our church.

After worship children from birth through 5th grade hunted for 1,000 eggs hidden all over the church grounds filled with toys and candy.

The air was filled with the sounds of laughter, waving palm branches filled the sanctuary, famillies smiled together, new and old friends worshipped and played together.

Truly the beginning of Holy Week has been triumpant at CPC!

OASIS MUSICAL WAS FANTASTIC!!!!

This past Sunday youth from our OASIS program (One and All Sharing In the Spirit) led worship with the musical "Under God's Sea in 3D".

Young people from age 3 to 11 participated in the musical and several of our middle school students led worship with prayers adn scripture readings as well as the youth choir who sung the offertory.

These young people were an amazing witness to the power of Christ to work through each person, no matter their age, to share the Good News!

Our Lenten Journey

On Feb. 22nd we began our Lenten Journey by recognizing the we are all dust and to dust we will return.  The reailty of knowing that we are mortal and can only find eternal life through the acceptance of the salvation freely given by Christ to whom we belong is a reality that is unfortunately yet to be known to each person.

As we journey together, I invite all students in grades 6-8 and your families to come to the chapel at 10:15 am on Sunday, March 4th for a special worship service around the Lord's Table.  Come to reflect, come to be fed, come to know and be known, come to journey...

SOUPER BOWL OF CARING A HUGE SUCCESS!

Thank you to all the youth who volunteered and the church members who donated money and food to make the 2012 SOUPER BOWL OF CARING a HUGE SUCCESS!

We raised over $300 and collected overr 50 canvas shippoing bags full of food to donate to the SHIP (Summit Helping Its People) breakfast and lunch programs for those in need in our community.

THANK YOU!

Nationally over $12 million was raised on Feb 5th to fight hunger in the US - and as a bonus the GIANTS WON!

http://www.tacklehunger.org/

getting into the swing of things

Now that the Christmas and New Year's Holidays are over, school is back in session, and the long weekends of early January are over...things finally feel like they are back in their rhythm.

The "Balancing Act" book study started last week and one of the questions for the discussion was "When did an unexpected event cause you to explore afresh your spiritual journey?"

We can fall into routines out of obligation, convenience, or lack of imagination.  One thing that should not become routine is our spiritual journey.

Some of us are in worship every week at the same time in the same place and then we head home for the week only to come back to the same place at the same time to worship next week.  But sometimes that time in between worship services doesn't seem to be affected by the time we spent in worship.

The gift of the small groups and the book are that they are not routine, it’s new for CPC to be meeting in small groups and this book is new to everyone.  It's a chance to see this book "Balancing Act" as that unexpected event that causes us to explore afresh our spiritual journey.  It’s the kick in the pants some of us may need in order to grow in our faith, increase in our prayer life, and find fellowship with our brothers and sisters in Christ.

If you have not taken the opportunity to get a copy of the book, I would invite you to.  The book groups resume on Feb. 5th before and after the 10 am worship service and even if you missed the first gathering you are welcome to join any of the groups in the weeks to come.

Allow yourself to interrupt the 'swing of things' and change your 'routine' to include this chance to discover the unexpected with others as we journey in faith together.

Christian Unity Service this Sunday!

CPC is part of a parternship which for years has gathered 3 congregtions together for worship, learning, and fellowship.
Wallace Chapel, Fountain Baptist Church, and Central Presbyterian Church gather and share in the leadership of a worship service in celebration of our Christian Unity which coincides quite appropraitely with Martin Luther King, Jr. Day.
This coming Sunday, CPC has the honor of hosting the Christian Unity Service at 10 am.

I am eager to be a part of this event!
Our worshippers will have the oppurunity to stand side by side with Christians they may not have crossed paths with otherwise.  Our young people will be blessed by an experience of worship and learning on their level at which they can meet new Christian friends.

January has not slowed down at CPC.  After the season of Advent, Christmas, New Years, and Epiphany we are now headed to an exciting month including the Christian Unity Service, the Women's Retreat, hosting a meeting of Elizabeth Presbytery, and our annual congregational meeting.  This is all in addition to the year-round ministry programs of CPC.

It is an exciting time to be a part of the life and ministry of the body of Christ at CPC!

~Pastor Cynthia