OLD BERGEN CHURCH NEWSLETTER

Editor: Emily Carlin

STAFF Pastor:

Rev. Jonathan Brown

Ministries: All Members

Clerk of Session:

Johnnie Lovejoy

Secretary:

Bernadette Williams

Custodian:

Mario Curis

Music Director:

Chris Johnson

Bookkeeper:

Michael Rems

CHURCH OFFICERS

Elders

Deacons

Trustees

CHURCH GROUPS

Alter Guild

Church Life, Music and

Worship

Personnel

Sunday school

SPECIAL EVENTS

1st Sunday-Sunday School,

Communion

2nd Sunday-Sunday School,

Children’s Day

3rd Sunday, Sunday School,

Morning Worship

4th Sunday, Sunday School,

Morning Worship

5th Sunday, Sunday School,

Morning Worship, Healing

Service

Psalms 78:3 “Which we have heard

and known, and our

fathers have told us.”

Signs of summer… We have now moved into the unofficial season of the summer

and with temperatures in the 80’s, it really does feel like summer. And so our

thoughts drift toward all those things that the summer brings.

Here at Old Bergen Church summer has its own markers: Confirmation, Children’s

Sunday, the Church Picnic and Summer Worship Schedule, to name a few. Summer

doesn’t necessarily mean a slowing down, but it does initiate a change of pace. I

invite you to take a few moments and read through the news and announcements in

this newsletter to learn more about what is happening at Old Bergen this summer.

Some highlights include:

- The Consistory Session approved a new illuminated sign with programmable

messages to be installed near the front steps on Bergen Avenue.

- We signed a letter of agreement to participate in Family Promise; an

interfaith family shelter project that may get underway next winter.

- Children’s Day is scheduled for Sunday, June 14th – with the children

providing special music and worship leadership. Kayla Badree will bring the

sermon message that day.

- The Sunday School Picnic will be held on that same day, June 14th, following

worship in the side parking lot. Hamburgers, hotdogs and drinks will be

provided. Church members are encouraged to bring a side dish or dessert.

- Beginning June 21, Sunday School will take a summer break and worship

will begin at 10:00 AM. We will continue to meet in the sanctuary.

- We will host a youth group from Sarasota, Florida June 14 through 19. The

group will be here doing Superstorm Sandy recovery work as well as

assisting with some projects with local agencies. Volunteers from Old Bergen

will provide dinner for the group on Monday and Wednesday evenings.

- Stay tuned for other exciting ministries and programs in the works this

summer; we hope to have a return of Café del Soul (open mic and coffee

house), the annual Whitewater Rafting trip, perhaps a summer barbeque, an

art fair, and more.

It is my prayer that the patterns of summer will provide opportunities for each of us

to grow and deepen our faith. And that will be led and refreshed by God’s Spirit as

we continue to Make a Space for Grace in the heart of Jersey City.

Grace & peace,

Pastor Jon

“Making a Space for Grace”

JUNE 2015

Old Bergen Church of Jersey City

1 Highland Ave.

Jersey City, NJ 07306-4509

Phone 201-433-1815 Fax 201-433-0788

http://www.oldbergenchurch.com

Old Bergen Church, 1 Highland Avenue, Jersey City, NJ 07306-4509,

oldbergenchurch@gmail.com, 201-433-1815, Office Hours: Monday-Friday 9:30 am-2:30 pm

NOTE FROM THE DEACONS

The deacons had their meeting later in the month of May due to a

conflict. The deacons are going to provide some food for the church picnic in

lieu of the scheduled coffee hour as originally planned. We are also going to try

to sell the Christmas cards from the previous years. We have some good news to

report-we finally received $1000 of the $1448 monies from 2014. When the

balance is received the contract will be signed and the membership fee paid. But,

your donations are still greatly needed! More discussion was done on the CWS

refugee program. We are looking forward to cooking some meals for the youth

group staying at the church in June. There was the training session for the

deacons, elders and trustees on May 23. Please remember to bring in personal

toiletries for the Midnight Run hamper in the parlor. Also, if you need help with

projects or just need company please sign up on the Companions For Christ

paper and someone will be matched to the need. And, finally as usual the duties

of the deacons were discussed and assigned for the month of June. Our next

meeting will be June 21 following the service.

Deacons’ Corner Non-Perishable Foods

are still needed for the

Food Pantry. Here are

some suggestions:

Jan-Fruit

Feb-Peanut Butter

March-Snacks

April-Tuna

May-Powdered Milk

June-Juice

July-Soup

August-Pasta

September-Rice

October-Cereal

November-Sauce

December-Vegetables

GOOD NEWS FOR

THE CHILDREN There are Children’s

Worship Bags in the

Sanctuary that include

children’s worship

bulletins and crayons.

We have a baby

changing station located

in the restroom at the

rear of the Sanctuary

We are holding a special

“children’s celebration

time” on Sunday at 9:30

am in the Chapel There

are announcements,

children’s choir and

surprises!

Adult Bible Study on the Gospel of John is held Sunday morning at 10:00 am in the Parlor and

Wednesday nights at 7:00 pm in the Chapel of Peace.

Adult Bible Study Class Set amid the intensely modern and cosmopolitan world of Corinth, where philosophy

and mystery abound, Paul’s first letter to that church speaks clearly to us still today. So many foundational scriptures, familiar to most by reference to chapter and verse

alone, are found in the first letter to the Corinthians. The “love chapter”, “the body is a

temple”, “the body requires a variety of members”, and the words of institution for the Lord’s Supper may immediately spring to mind. No Bible study group should miss

spending time with Paul as he instructs this troublesome congregation on how to “walk the walk” as well as tackling hot button topics that remain with the church today:

Paul offers concrete examples of how a believer’s thoughts are affected by genuine

faith in Christ. Having the “mind of Christ’ affects the way we value ourselves, others and the world in which we live. It does not generate selfishness, fear, or factionalism.

The minds of Christ radiate humility and peace-individually are corporately.

Old Bergen Sunday School News

We appreciate all the mothers and women who we celebrated in May with a small token to show our thanks for all who are involved with the children of Old Bergen Church.

In June we will show our appreciation for the Fathers and men in our congregation in the same manner.

The youth showed their interest and caring for the older members through a lovely

luncheon with exciting conversations on May 17th which was enjoyed by all. THANK YOU.

We look forward to the time of graduations and school endings for the year. Our Sunday school will hold Children's Day Celebrations on June 14th with some song,

dance, bell ringing and participation in aspects of the service. Please make it a point to

join us for this joyous time. The Sunday school sponsored picnic will be held that same day, and is the last day of

classes for this 2014-2015 session. The teachers wish all the graduates a big congratulations.

Blessings Gail Pantozzi, Superintendent

CHOIR Calling all Choir Members Old and New!! Lift up you voice in song. Speak to Chris

Johnson if you would like to join the choir. It is a lot of fun!!! Chris is sending emails with the song of the week so you can practice at home!! Also, an Old Bergen Church

Facebook page is in the planning stages, more info to follow! The choir will meet each Sunday at 10:30 am in the church Parlor. Anyone is welcome each Sunday to rehearse

the day’s hymns and responses. From time to time the choir will also practice special

music for special occasions. Those who are Sunday school teachers can meet the choir in the Parlor at 10:45 am or as soon as you are able. Come make joyful noise to the

Lord! Visitors are invited to join even if it is for one week.

ANNOUNCEMENTS

Love on the Move-

We are looking for

volunteers to help move

people who are in need

of rapid re-housing

Remember- If you have

any questions or

suggestions for a

sermon; put them in the

Spiritual Curiosity Box!

Knitters-We are making

prayer shawls as a

physical symbol of our

care and support. If you

are interested in learning

to make one or would

like to request one be

made for you, contact

Susan Kornutick.

Adult Literacy- We are

conducting Adult

Literacy Classes on the

second and third

Saturday of the month.

Contact Shirley

Thompson if you are

interested in

volunteering.

Companions in Christ

We would like to start a

program in which

congregational members

assist elderly members

with errands, fixing

things, chores, etc. If

you are interested in

volunteering or know

someone who might

benefit from these

services, please contact

Emily Carlin at 201-915-

0788.

JUNE BIRTHDAYS 1 Leah Maharaj 2 Warren James Williams

5 James Spangler 5 Nicholas Spangler 6 Ravin Basdeo 6 Sumintra Suzanne Rampersad 9 Ariyana Evangeline Harry 19 Victoria Thompson 22 Ryan Gangaran 23 Suzanne Rampersad 25 Jacob & James Carlin 28 Shane Tyler Rambaran Jr 30 Jericho Nerahoo 30 Grayson Felix Nerahoo

We are updating the Old Bergen Church Yahoo distribution list for our OBC church members. The Yahoo group manager, Emily Carlin, will be deleting the members whose e-mails are no longer valid. Once we have the correct e-mail address they will be re-invited to the group. Our E-group is the quickest way to send and receive OBC announcements and the OBC monthly newsletter. Please contact Emily at books1127@verizon.net. In addition, if your name, address, telephone number or e-mail address has changed over the past year, please contact Bernadette Williams in the church office to update your

information.

Youth Fellowship-

Middle school and High

School young people are

encouraged to join us once a

month for regular youth

fellowship. We typically

meet on the fourth Sunday

after worship.

Remember our Shut-

Ins Lorraine Holmes at

Liberty House

620 Montgomery Avenue

Jersey City, NJ 07302

Dorothy Wellinghorst at

Reformed Church Home

1990 Rt. 18 N

Old Bridge, NJ 08857

Margaret Page at

Hamilton Park

525 Monmouth Street

Jersey City, NJ 07302

Dorothea McNeese

Chandler Estate

1569 Teels Road, #12 D

Pen Argyl, PA 18072

PLEASE REMEMBER:

If someone is on the prayer

list and needs to be removed

please contact the church

office. Thank You.

CHURCH WEBSITE- The church has a new website address. Please pardon our appearance as we update this site. www.oldbergenchurch.com

PRAYER CONCERNS

Allan Boodoo Charlotte Carlin Zenny Williams

Lisa Matthews Angella Goolcharan Edgar Andrada

Dottie Stalter Lucy and Matt Burns June Ali Sean Ramnauth Dirus Singh Dan Aaron

Mavis Deodat Alice Aiello Victor Strom Dorothy Wellinghorst Marie Ennis Kathy

Alberta Forst Emma Houghton Donna Nadia Harridam William Carnemola

Janelle Rowland Natalia Ahmad

Kulwant Sookram Connie Latham Elenor Longo Catherine Skipper

Margaret Carrol Williams Family Ogbonnay Oji Oscar Gravensade

Renee Madiu Trevor McLean

Tricia McLean Rhett Stalter Steven Kishlansky Dor Green

Vivian Evangel Laurie Combs Franklin RogerS Linda

Jeanette Rhinesmith Barbara Stark

Fabros Family Ivan Deodat Warren Williams Valessa Shivprashad

Reverand Daniels Sally Aly

Mission Support

In addition to our support of Char and David Alexander who serve in Taiwan, we have taken up direct support of Nancy and Shelvis Smith-Mather, mission workers in the Republic of South Sudan. Read more about their work with RECONCILE to build peace in this new nation following years of civil war and conflict. www.presbyterianmission.org

If your birthday or

anniversary has been

missed, you do not

receive this newsletter

or you have recently

moved, changed your

telephone number, e

mail address, etc.

please contact the

church office. In

addition, please notify

us of any new births

along with the baby’s

date of birth for our

records. The

congregation has

grown this year and

we want to ensure that

we have everyone’s

correct contact

information. Thank

you.

Additions? If you have something for the newsletter, KUDOS or articles, please submit it to Pastor or the church secretary for publication. The newsletter is an ongoing project. There will be no newsletter in July and August. The deadline for the September newsletter will be August 15th.

Submitted by Susan Kornutick

White sands burnt hot beneath my feet as I ran out on the beach;

and water games were fun to play with anyone in reach.

I walked through parks, beneath the trees, and blessed God for the sight

of shining sun, full fluffy clouds; a glowing moon at night.

I think God made the summer time fro man to analyze

the beauty of His bounteous world, the glory of His skies.

I hope you have a lovely time each day the summer through;

but keep in mind throughout that time that God is there with you.

Memorial Day

Every year on Memorial Day we place flags on the graves of our fallen Veterans.

“My fellow Americans, ask not what your country can do for you, ask what you can do for

your country.” President John F. Kennedy

Old Bergen Sunday School sponsors an ongoing collection of old eye glasses, also including your unused glass cases. Look for the light blue "shoe box" in the sanctuary with a pair of used eyeglasses atop. Open and deposit whatever eyeglasses and case you do not have use for. We will see that they get redistributed and recycled for a good cause through an organization that does exactly that. Thank you for your donations.

FOOD PANTRY-Note to the

Congregation from the

Deacons

With the economy the way it

is we are getting more clients

AND the prices are much

increased for the food we

have to purchase from the

food bank-the USDA and

SFPP are free commodities

but we do purchase food

each month. Therefore we

need YOUR help in either

financial contributions,

which will go toward the

food pantry, or in food

donations. The list of the

foods you can contribute is

on page 2. THANK YOU

from the Deacons and the

people we feed each month.

Your help is needed to either

donate food or monetary

contributions throughout the

year. Also, if anyone is able

to assist Betsy with the food

pick up the 2nd Saturday of

the month that would be a

great help so please let her

know. Remember you can

put the donated food in the

cans designated for the food

or you can put it on the stage.

Miracles do finally happen-

yes, we did receive the

balance of the 2013 money

from Let’s Celebrate.

Although we received the

contract from Let’s Celebrate

we still have not received

any money for 2014. The

Deacons decided to stay with

Let’s Celebrate next year but

are waiting until they receive

the check for 2014 until they

send in the membership fee.

Once again we reached out to

the Jersey City schools for

food donations for the

holiday season and their

generosity was amazing. The

numbers are on the rise again

regarding the food pantry

clients. Also, the shelves

are pretty much empty

after the distribution day

so we do still need any

donations you could bring

to the church. Much

thanks from the food

pantry since we won’t

have to purchase as much!

Thanks!

MIDNIGHT RUN-This is an ongoing project with

the Old Bergen Church Deacons and St Peter's

College to help the homeless in the area. In the

church parlor there is a hamper dressed in lady

bugs. While you are doing your spring cleaning

and beyond please bring any personal sized toilet

articles (soap, shampoo, conditioner, deodorant,

toothpaste and toothbrushes, etc) to the church

and put them in the hamper. St Peter's will collect

them when we have enough donated and make

up bags to give to the homeless. Thanks!

FAMILY PROMISE – INTERFAITH FAMILY SHELTER

Area congregations continue to make plans for launching a housing alliance for homeless families in Hudson County. Did you know that there is no homeless shelter in Jersey City that currently can take a complete family unit with two parents or boys over the age of fourteen? We are seeking 13 congregations who can share in this project by providing overnight housing up to four weeks a year for two to four families at a time. Old Bergen Church is considering a commitment to this project, which would include meals and overnight accommodations at the church for a week at a time. On May 13th the Consistory Session will decided we will commit to this ministry (which will begin in 2016)

On Saturday, May

16, 2015 we held our

Confirmation retreat.

FOSTER CARE MENTOR PROGRAM

What happens when young people “age out” of the foster care system? Some fall through the cracks. Some turn to gang affiliation and crime. Some just wander through the challenges of life without any family, support, or connection. Volunteers at Temple Beth El are seeking

volunteers who will serve as mentors to these young people. Specifically, they are looking for individuals who will meet once a month for a meal, to

sit with a young person (ages 18 – 25) and accompany them on life’s journey; one meal, once a month – usually on a Sunday evening. Please contact Pastor Jon if you are interested or if you would like to learn about

this program.

Older Adult Appreciation Day

CALLING ALL CRAFTERS! The crafting group has resumed meeting every other Friday from 1-3 pm in the Church Parlor. The group is open to anyone who enjoys knitting, crocheting and crafting. Please contact Susan Kornutick if you have any questions.

Congratulations

We would like to

extend

congratulations to all

of our graduating

students this June.

Jamie Harry,

Rutgers University

Edwin Scott,

Bachelor’s Degree

Adrienne Santamaria

Bachelor’s Degree

Victoria Williams,

High School

Diploma

Notes from the Consistory Session The consistory session met on May 13, 2015. The session approved a LED sign

for the church so we are more visible and can post announcements. The sign

should be installed by July. We will host a PDA group from Sarasota, FL from

June 16-19, 2015. Donation rates for facilities usage and parking will be

increased.

Mideast Summer Conference Our friends at the MidEast Evangelical Church on Sip Avenue are in need of

teachers for their summer conference. The conference starts at 7:00 pm on

Thursday, July 2, 2015 and end on Sunday, July 5, 2015 at 2:00 pm. They need

teachers for the evening service on July 2nd, Friday, July 3rd two sessions, one at

3:00 pm and one at 6:00 pm, the same for Saturday, July 4th, and Sunday one

session that starts at 11:00 am. Please contact Pastor Jon if you are able to help.

Old Bergen Church, 1 Highland Avenue, Jersey City, NJ 07306-4509,

oldbergenchurch@gmail.com, 201-433-1815, Office Hours: Monday-Friday 9:30 am-2:30 pm

Community Connections

NJ TOGETHER

On May 18, 2015 more than 290 leaders from over 37 congregations gathered at

Old Bergen Church to report back on our listening campaign. Publically, 28

congregations reported that they listened to 2.767 people. Based on report

backs, the major issues commonly raised were crime, safety and policing, youth

and education, housing and homelessness, public services (potholes, sanitation,

etc) and jobs. This summer workshops will be held to narrow down major

themes into workable issues for improving the city.

Baptisms and

New Members

On May 3, 2015 we

welcomed Adel

Hussein into

Christianity and to

Old Bergen Church.

On May 17, 2015 we

baptized Magnus

Israel Yancy.

Magnus is the son of

Magnus and Felicia

Yancy. He is also

the grandchild of

Harriette Harris-

Davis. Welcome to

the world Magnus!

Officer Training

On May 23, 2015 we held our annual officer training

day.

Summer Schedule

Children’s Day and the Sunday school picnic will be held

on June 14, 2015. Summer worship schedule will begin

on Sunday, June 21, 2015. Worship service will be held at

10:00 am for the summer. The Adult Bible Study on the

Gospel of John will continue Wednesday nights at 7:00

pm at least until the end of June.