The Presbyterian Church BASKING RIDGE, NEW JERSEY FOUNDED CIRCA 1717

September 21 and 22, 2019

New Worship Schedule Begins

We warmly welcome you to worship at The Basking Ridge Presbyter ian Church. We pray that you will be encouraged in your journey of faith and drawn closer to God by your experience with us.

Amplification Headsets So that all may enjoy the worship service, sound amplification headsets are available from the ushers for those who need assistance with hearing.

Welcome

Nursery Care Our warm and loving Nursery is staffed for our Sunday morning worship service with two child care providers caring for children through age 2. Parents may leave their children while they attend worship in the Sanctuary. The worship service will be live streamed into the Nursery for parents who wish to stay with their children and watch the service.

Genesis 32:9-13, 32:22-30 New Revised Standard Version

9 And Jacob said, “O God of my father Abraham and God of my father Isaac, O Lord who

said to me, ‘Return to your country and to your kindred, and I will do you good,’ 10 I am not

worthy of the least of all the steadfast love and all the faithfulness that you have shown to

your servant, for with only my staff I crossed this Jordan; and now I have become two compa-

nies. 11 Deliver me, please, from the hand of my brother, from the hand of Esau, for I am

afraid of him; he may come and kill us all, the mothers with the children. 12 Yet you have said,

‘I will surely do you good, and make your offspring as the sand of the sea, which cannot be

counted because of their number.’” 13 So he spent that night there, and from what he had with him he took a present for his brother

Esau,

22 The same night he got up and took his two wives, his two maids, and his eleven children,

and crossed the ford of the Jabbok. 23 He took them and sent them across the stream, and like-

wise everything that he had. 24 Jacob was left alone; and a man wrestled with him until day-

break. 25 When the man saw that he did not prevail against Jacob, he struck him on the hip

socket; and Jacob’s hip was put out of joint as he wrestled with him. 26 Then he said, “Let me

go, for the day is breaking.” But Jacob said, “I will not let you go, unless you bless me.” 27 So

he said to him, “What is your name?” And he said, “Jacob.” 28 Then the man said, “You shall

no longer be called Jacob, but Israel, for you have striven with God and with humans, and

have prevailed.” 29 Then Jacob asked him, “Please tell me your name.” But he said, “Why is it

that you ask my name?” And there he blessed him. 30 So Jacob called the place Peniel, saying,

“For I have seen God face to face, and yet my life is preserved.”

Order of Worship

Saturday, 5:00 p.m. - Westminster Hall

(Please prepare prayerfully for worship and be sure all cell phones are turned off.)

CALL TO WORSHIP

*GATHERING SONGS I Sing the Mighty Power of God

Open the Eyes of My Heart

TIME OF PRAYER Leader: Lord, in your mercy People: Forgive us.

STATEMENT OF FORGIVENESS Leader: Take comfort in the assurance

that even those things that are hidden from memory, or are too deep for our words,

are not beyond God’s forgiving love. People: God, who knows us completely

bestows pardon and peace. Thanks be to God.

SONG Lord, Prepare Me

SCRIPTURE Genesis 32: 9-13, 22-30

MESSAGE Wrestling With God Rev. Dennis W. Jones

OFFERING

SPECIAL MUSIC As the Deer by Martin Nystrom

PRAYERS OF THE PEOPLE Michelle Ortega

THE LORD’S PRAYER (unison)

Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name. Thy kingdom come, thy will be done, on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread, and forgive us our debts as we forgive our debtors; and lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil.

For thine is the kingdom and the power and the glory, forever. Amen.

ANNOUNCEMENTS

*CLOSING SONG Step By Step

WORD OF BLESSING

Special thanks to our Greeter this evening, Michelle Ortega.

Order of Worship

10:00 a.m. ~ Sanctuary September 22, 2019 25th sunday in ordinary time

(As the prelude begins, please prepare prayerfully for worship and be sure all cell phones are turned off.)

PRELUDE Celebration Fanfare by Ron Mallory

Knox Bell Choir

WORDS OF WELCOME Dr. Maureen Paterson

CALL TO WORSHIP Leader: When we fear the future, People: Faithful God, deliver us! Leader: When our fate seems uncertain, People: Faithful God, deliver us! Leader: When a new day brings dread, not promise, People: Faithful God, deliver us! Leader: You can do anything through us, People: Faithful God, deliver us!

*OPENING HYMN I Sing the Mighty Power of God HYMN 32

PRAYER OF CONFESSION (unison) God of life, we confess to you that we have been careless in our thoughts, cruel in our words, shameful in our actions. We are indifferent to a world made sad by want and wastefulness; we pass by on the other side when we see our neighbor in need; we wander from your ways and into our ways. God of life, we confess to you that we cannot journey through life alone. Guide us, aid us, clear our path, that we may begin anew.

SILENT REFLECTION AND CONFESSION OF SIN

ASSURANCE OF PARDON

*RESPONSE OF PRAISE We Are Forgiven HYMN 447

We are forgiven, We are forgiven.

Thanks be to God. Thanks be to God.

We are forgiven, We are forgiven,

Thanks be to God. Thanks be to God. *THE PEACE Leader: Since God has forgiven us in Christ, let us forgive one another.

The peace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you all. People: and also with you.

Leader: I invite you to turn and greet one another with a sign of Christ’s peace.

.

MESSAGE FOR CHILDREN Stacy Currie

O Come, with Body and Mind by Helen Kemp

O, Come, with body and mind. O, Come, with spirit and voice. Bring the whole person, bring the whole person, Come, let’s sing and rejoice.

(Children ages preschool –grade 5 are invited to attend Sunday School. Middle School students are invited to Bibles & Bagels. Nursery care is available for children ages 2 years and younger.)

*HYMN This Is the Day the Lord Hath Made HYMN 681

ANNOUNCEMENTS AND OPPORTUNITIES FOR MINISTRY

SCRIPTURE LESSON Genesis 32: 9-13, 22-30 (p. 29 OT) Armani Obregon

Leader: This is the Word of the Lord.

People: Thanks be to God.

SERMON Wrestling With God Rev. Dennis W. Jones

PRESENTATION OF TITHES AND OFFERING

OFFERTORY I Will Sing of Thy Might by Eugene Butler

Sanctuary Choir

I will sing of Thy might, O God; I will sing of Thy love in the morning, For Thou hast been a fortress, a refuge from the distress.

O my God, my strength, I will sing praise to Thee!

Blessed be God in His sanctuary; great is God and greatly to be praised! Come behold the works of the Lord our God.

I will sing of Thy steadfast love!

*DOXOLOGY Praise God From Whom All Blessings Flow HYMN 606

Praise God, from whom all blessings flow; Praise God all creatures here below; Praise God above, ye heavenly host; Praise Father, Son, and Holy Ghost. Amen.

*PRAYER OF DEDICATION

PRAYERS OF THANKSGIVING AND INTERCESSION

THE LORD’S PRAYER Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name. Thy kingdom come, thy will be done, on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread, and forgive us our debts as we forgive our debtors; and lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. For thine is the kingdom and the power and the glory, forever. Amen.

*CLOSING HYMN Blessed Assurance HYMN 839

*BENEDICTION

POSTLUDE A Festal Postlude by John G. Barr

*Those who are able are invited to stand.

Join us for Coffee and Fellowship in Westminster Hall following the service, hosted by Donna Van Blarcum.

The Flowers on the Piers this morning are given to the glory of God:

~ By the Axt Family, in loving memory of Doris and Russ Ballantyne.

~ By Dave and Laura Govan, in thanksgiving of their 17th Wedding Anniversary.

The flowers that grace our sanctuary each week are gifts from members of the congregation. Flowers may be given in memory or in honor of someone or to celebrate an occasion and cost $42 per pier. There is one pier opening on October 13 and two on October 27. If you would like to donate an arrangement, please contact our new flower coordinator Ellen Johnson at 908-285-1638; e-mail address, flowers@brpc.org.

The Flowers in the Narthex are from the Memorial Service for Jean Loizeaux, held here in our Chapel yesterday, and the Wedding of Lynda McHugh and Patrick Noonan, held here in our Sanctuary yesterday.

flowers

Church Family

Our Greeters this morning are Leslie Mensak and Judy and Michael Pasnik.

Online Sermons Recorded audio sermons from most Sundays are available on the church website at www.brpc.org. To access, click on the Sermons link under Worship and Music on the main menu.

Narrative Lectionary Series "I Love to Tell the Story" is the church-wide theme for 2019-2020. Using the Narrative Lectionary we will be reminded of the sweeping story of our loving God and God's love for us as precious children. We will also continue to tell the story of the ways that Basking Ridge Presbyterian Church lives out its faith each week in this community and the world at large. As we hear the stories of our faith from Scripture we will engage once again in sharing the ways in which God is working and present in our own lives, learning from our own stories of uncertainty, pain, joy and grace.

In Westminster Hall and in the narthex you will find bookmarks that detail the Scriptures and themes for this coming year - please take one home and place it in your Bible. Read along each week as you prepare to come to worship, stay connected to the story when you are not able to be present. We are excited about taking this journey together and writing the story of our faith together.

Sermon Series for Program Year

I Love to Tell The Story: Background and Discussion– Begins October 6 Would you like to know more about and discuss the biblical texts used in our worship? If so, we invite you to join us in a new series of background presentations and discussions about the Bible and the Narrative Lectionary biblical texts used for this year’s sermons, “I Love to Tell the Story.” This series, led by Charles King, will be held most Sundays from 8:45-9:45 a.m. in the Church House Parlor, beginning on October 6. If you attend the Sunday service, these meetings will help prepare you for that service. If you come to the Saturday service, we invite you to come again on Sunday and learn more about the texts and join in the discussion about them. All are welcome, whether you are a relative beginner in studying the Bible or a sea-soned expert.

Spiritual Development

The Story of the Early Church- Women’s Bible Study Wednesdays, 9:30 a.m. Women's Bible Study has begun with a new study on the book of Acts. We meet on Wednes-day mornings at 9:30 a.m. in the Church House Parlor. All are welcome to join us as we ex-plore the beginnings of the early church and reflect on the way the Holy Spirit worked in their lives and still works in ours today. Come when your schedule allows for a time of study, prayer and fellowship.

The Story of Others: Dialogues On The Refugee Crisis—Begins Tues., October 1 Join us as we explore eight unique perspectives from experienced authors from renowned organizations such as World Relief and Church World Service that provide insight into refu-gee stories and experiences. This Tuesday night study should be a good chance to become even better informed and possibly find ways to take action and to help. We will start on Tuesday, October 1, gathering at 7:15 p.m. and starting our study at 7:30, in the church house parlor. Feel free to buy the Learner book from Amazon. Please join us! For more infor-mation, please contact Ellen Greenhorn. Our study themes are:

What are the differences between refugees, asylum seekers and immigrants? What do they encounter and experience?

What can we do (as Christians, as the church) to have meaningful engagement with peo-ple who really need our help?

The study also helps us practice approaches and ways to have conversations about (any) difficult topic.

Women’s Ministries

Cultivating Spiritual Resiliency—A Woman’s Retreat We extend a warm invitation to our women’s retreat led by Linda Metcalfe. Cultivating Spiritual Resiliency will be held on Saturday, September 28 from 9 a.m.-3 p.m. at the Fellowship Deaconry. Lunch will be provided. Please register online at brpc.org. The cost is $35.

FALL YOUTH MINISTRY UPDATES

Middle School Fellowship meets Wednesdays in the Youth Center from 6-7:30 p.m. After dinner, we offer a variety of activities, that include spiritual, service, social and study. This is for all 6th - 8th graders.

Middle School Bibles and Bagels meet on Sundays (except for 1st Sunday of the month). We begin in worship and head to the library about 10:15 a.m. for a lively discussion on rele-vant Biblical topics, while eating fresh bagels. Our first session is today!

Middle School Fall Retreat will be October 18 - 20 at the Fellowship Deaconry. Come for a fantastic weekend of fun, fellowship and faith!

Senior High Trip to Dorney Park—Sunday, September 22 after Sunday Worship We will leave right after worship at 11 a.m. and return about 7:30 p.m. The cost is $40 for the Park ticket.

Senior High Youth Fellowship begins October 13 from 6-7:30 p.m. We meet about twice a month and begin with dinner, followed by service, spiritual study and social activities.

Confirmation Class will begin on October 6, and is offered for youth in 9th and 10th grades. This is an intensive, wonderful time to learn more about our Presbyterian and Chris-tian faith, and is a fantastic way to grow in faith.

Calling All Caring Adults—Become a Guardian Angel to our Young Adults! We are looking for volunteers to be Guardian Angels to our College –Aged Young Adults. Guardian Angels will support them through notes and an occasional goodie bag. If you are interested, please contact Heidi Vigeant at heidivigeant@yahoo.com or 908-962-0385. Reg-istration forms can be found in the narthex.

NEW THIS FALL: 1) Confirmation Retreat at the Jersey Shore on Oct. 11 - 13.

2) Next Level Small Group High School Bible Study will begin on Wednesday nights, beginning on Oct. 30. Senior High youth selected three exciting possible topics; Relationships, Faith and Science, or Justice. We will meet from 7:45 - 9 p.m. All are welcome!

Youth and Young Adult Ministries

Music Ministries

Here’s how you can be part of the music program this year. You don’t have to be a pro or need to know a special handshake to get in. If you sing or play an instrument, we want to meet you. Take a look at these opportunities and contact us today to get started! SINGING

Children’s Choirs PreK - Grade 5. Part of Children’s Midweek Ministry. Tuesdays at 4:15 p.m. with Beth Donley. Sing one Sunday a month at the 10 a.m. service.

Sanctuary Choir for adults and high school students. Rehearses Thursdays at 7 p.m. Sept - June. Sings weekly on Sunday mornings and at other special services during the year.

Oratorio Choir for adults and high school students. Presents 2 concerts a year. Rehearses Thursdays at 8:15 p.m. Oct - Dec, Jan - Mar.

Saturday 5 p.m. Service music team. Rehearses Thursdays at 6 p.m. & Saturdays at 4 p.m. Solo & Ensemble singing for all ages based on experience and availability. INSTRUMENTS

Youth Bell Choir (Grades 6 - 12). Rings one Sunday a month at the 10 a.m. service. Rehearses @ 11:15 a.m. the Sunday before each scheduled date. Registration required.

Handbell Choirs for adults. Rehearse Tuesdays at 6:15 (Alpha) & 7:30 p.m. (Knox). Each rings once a month at the 10 a.m. service.

Handbell Ensemble for youth and adults. Rehearses prior to worship on scheduled Sundays year round. Rings at the Sunday morning service.

Saturday 5 p.m. Service music team. Rehearses Thursdays at 6 p.m. and Saturdays at 4 p.m. Guitars, percussion, synth and other rock & jazz instruments welcome! Solo & Ensemble playing for band and orchestral instruments for all ages based on experi-

ence and availability. FRIENDS OF MUSIC We invite you to play an important role in the music ministry of BRPC this year by making a contribution to the Friends of Music in Basking Ridge. These gifts enable us to present special music events throughout the season including our Oratorio Concerts, Lenten Music and Medita-tion services, and other dynamic programs with guest musicians. Thank you for your generous support! For more information: Chris Fortin, Director of Music Ministries cfortin@brpc.org 908-766-1616 x22

Beth Donley, Director of Children’s Music Ministries bethdonley3@gmail.com 908-500-1789

Children and Family Ministries

Children’s Mid-Week Ministry Program Join us on Tuesdays for our Mid-Week Ministry program for children ages pre-school– grade 5 from 4:15-5:30 p.m. in Westminster Hall.

Membership

Interested in Becoming a Member? Next Class is Sunday, September 29 We extend a warm invitation to our “Exploring Membership” class and luncheon on Sunday, September 29 from 11:00 a.m.-1:00 p.m. (immediately following the 10:00 a.m. worship service) in the Church House Parlor, located across the street from the Sanctuary building. This is an excellent opportunity to share your faith journey and learn more about the beliefs and ministry of our church. Lunch will be served and childcare will be provided, if requested in advance.

Church Staff

Cara Burchett celebrates 10 Year Anniversary Cara Burchett celebrated her 10 year Anniversary as Pastoral Administra-tive Assistant at BRPC on August 13, 2019. As the personal assistant to the pastors, Cara is the first voice one hears when contacting our clergy! Her other responsibilities include preparing the weekly bulletin, e-mail blast and prayer list. Cara coordinates and prepares the documentation for baptisms, weddings, funerals and church officer training. She also sup-plies invaluable support to council chairpersons and the Clerk of Session. In her words, the best part of her job is “that I get to be a small part of the milestone moments in people’s lives, whether they are joyous times such as baptisms and weddings or the challenging times of struggle with illness or grief. I know that I am privi-leged to be walking these sacred journeys with people and hope that I convey that through my interactions with them.” Cara joined BRPC in February 1986 after moving to NJ from Long Island. A single parent to her son, Christopher, Cara joined Singlemindedness, an adult singles group at BRPC, where she made wonderful lifelong friends and met her husband of 22 years, Peter. Cara and Peter married here in 1996 and welcomed daughter Jessica in 1998. Both Christopher and Jessica were baptized and confirmed at BRPC. Cara and Peter live in Basking Ridge, now as empty-nesters as Jessica is a senior at Elon University in North Carolina and Christopher, 32, moved to Colorado last September. Please join the Personnel Council in congratulating Cara on her 10 year anniversary!

Opportunities to Give and Serve

Market Street Mission Coat Drive—Collection through October 14 As the weather turns cooler we will again be collecting coats for Market Street Mission’s Annual Coat Drive. We are collecting gently used coats for adults and children, along with hats, scarves, and gloves through Oct. 14. Collection boxes are located in Westminster Hall and outside the Parlor in the Church House. These donations will be distributed in Morris-town on November 2nd. Thank you for making winter a little warmer for some of our neigh-bors in need.

Hurricane Relief In response to the devastating effects of Hurricane Dorian, the Mission Council will be sending $3,000 for Hurricane Relief through the Presbyterian Disaster Agency. If you would like to make a financial contribution to this effort, please mark “hurricane relief” in the memo section of your check and place it in the offering plate or send to the church office. Your generous support will be greatly appreciated by those who are facing devastating loss and heartbreak.

Interfaith Hospitality Network—Thank You to All Our Volunteers! Once again we hosted a successful week of IHN and our guests were most appre-ciative of all the hospitality and great meals. Special thanks to all who made the week run smoothly: Carol and Richard Skidmore, Tom and Jill Brown, Karen Cokewood, The Bliss Family, Sally Warman, Emma and Loren Alexis, Evelyn Gruening, Debbie and Jeff Schaub, Betsy Fryling, Betty Mills, The Govan Fami-ly, Ruth Bashe, Ronna and George Storm, Suzanne Van Loon, The Holda Family, Marj Rich, Ellen Greenhorn, Rob Brown, Anne Marie Nixon and the Rijksen family. Mark your calendars now for our next week of hosting - November 11 - 17.

The Presbyterian Church One East Oak St., Basking Ridge NJ 07920

908.766.1616 FAX: 766.4450

e-mail: info@brpc.org - www.brpc.org Pastor & Head of Staff Rev. Dennis W. Jones ......................... ext. 15

Associate Pastor

Dr. Maureen Paterson ......................... ext. 11

Parish Associate Rev. Bruce E. Schundler

Director of Ministries to Youth, Young Adults and Their Families

Cathi Reckenbeil ................................ ext. 17

Director of Ministries to Children and Their Families

Stacy Currie. ...................................... ext. 14

Tree House Director Jennifer Nowack. ............................ 221-1619

Director of Music Ministry Chris Fortin ......................................... ext. 22

Director of Children’s Music Ministry Beth Donley ....................................... ext. 22

Church Administrator & Treasurer Janet Bentley ...................................... ext. 18

Assistant Treasurers Liz Messineo ..................................... ext. 21

Nancy Kuhn ........................................ ext. 21

Pastoral Administrative Asst. Cara Burchett ...................................... ext. 19

Church Administrative Asst. Janice Leotti ....................................... ext. 12

Receptionist Michelle Lew ...................................... ext. 10 Communications Coordinator Gary Ingram ....................................... ext. 13

Sexton Staff David Brownlee ................................. ext. 16 Paul Bachem

Ministers

All the People

Clerk of Session Tina Bramel

President of Trustees Jay Link

Moderator of Deacons Donna Van Blarcum

Weekly Calendar

SUNDAY—SEPTEMBER 22

Worship, 10:00 am ........................... Sanctuary Sunday School, 10:00 am ................. Education Bldg. Bibles & Bagels, 10:00 am ............... Library Fellowship Time, 11:00 am .............. Westminster Hall Sr. High Dorney Park, 11:00 am....... Off-Site Nominating Committee, 11:15 am.... Library

MONDAY—SEPTEMBER 23

Leisure Learning, 9:00 am ................ Sanctuary Deacons, 7:00 pm ............................. Parlor Spiritual Dev., 7:00 pm ..................... Geneva Room Tree House Board, 7:30 pm .............. Library

TUESDAY—SEPTEMBER 24

Oak Tree Quilters, 9:00 am .............. Geneva Room Children’s Mid-Week Ministry, 4:15 pm West. Hall Alpha Bell Choir, 6:15 pm ................ Knox Room Knox Bell Choir, 7:30 pm ................ Knox Room Scout Troop #351, 7:30 pm .............. Youth Center

WEDNESDAY—SEPTEMBER 25

Women’s Bible Study, 9:30 am ........ Parlor Bernards Library Volunteer Fair, 5:30 pm Off-site Middle School Fellowship, 6:00 pm . Youth Center

THURSDAY—SEPTEMBER 26

Saturday Music Team, 6:00 pm ........ Knox Room Sanctuary Choir, 7:00 pm ................. Knox Room

FRIDAY—SEPTEMBER 27

Wallace Memorial Service, 11:00 am Sanctuary

SATURDAY—SEPTEMBER 28

Women’s Retreat, 9:00 am ............... Off-site Saturday Worship Service, 5:00 pm . Westminster Hall

Did You Know.... Raritan Valley Habitat for Humanity will honor our own Dick Bedner at their Dream Builders' Gala on Thursday, September 26th. Dick has volunteered for over 14 years to help build affordable homes in our local area. For more information go to www.rvhabitat.org/gala. Congratulations Dick and thank you for your continued commitment to help those most in need in our area.