The Presbyterian Church

BASKING RIDGE, NEW JERSEY FOUNDED CIRCA 1717

January 25, 2015

When God saw what they did,

how they turned from their evil ways,

God changed his mind about the calamity

that he had said he would bring upon them;

and he did not do it.

~ Jonah 3:10

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

Childcare and Sunday School Childcare for infants and children under age 3 is available in the church nursery all morning. Pagers are used to contact parents during the worship service when necessary. 9:00am Children ages 3-5 yrs. may go directly to the Preschool Program, Jesus & Me.

10:15am All children ages 3-grade 8 are invited to attend Sunday School after the Message for Children. Youth in grades 6-8 may go to the Middle School class in the church house library, all Sundays except the first Sunday of the month.

Calendar of Prayer Sessions and Congregations are invited to pray for the congregations, pastors, members and staff of the Presbytery of Elizabeth during 2015. This week, we pray for First Presbyterian Church, Bernardsville.

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

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

Welcome

Who Does God Call Us to Be? We are a vibrant, warm and welcoming community of faith. Those who worship here come from a diverse range of backgrounds and would describe themselves in a rich variety of ways.

We acknowledge our doubt, our struggles, and that we are all quite human and imperfect and that we are each at a unique place on our faith journey.

We find our unity, our common identity, in Jesus Christ and together we seek to joyfully worship God and energetically minister to the needs of the world on God’s behalf.

We gather in anticipation of being transformed by the power, purpose and presence of God among us, and go forth equipped to love God and neighbor more deeply and more whole-heartedly.

We believe that faithful leadership of a church requires being open to new possibilities, tak-ing risks and learning from mistakes as we try again.

Honoring the past, we are convinced that God calls us to a new future.

~The Opening Paragraph of Vision 2017 of the Presbyterian Church in Basking Ridge

Order of Worship

9:00 a.m.—Chapel;10:15 a.m.—Sanctuary

January 25, 2015 3rd Sunday after Epiphany

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

PRELUDE (9:00) I Will Arise and Go to Jesus Early American, arr. Eleanor Whitsett

Tom Porter, cello

(10:15) Aria Flor Peeters

LIGHTING OF THE CANDLES (10:15) Acolyte, Armani Jackson

CALL TO WORSHIP Dr. Maureen Paterson

Leader: From God comes my salvation. Psalm 62: 1-2 People: For God alone my soul waits in silence.

Leader: God alone is my rock and my salvation. People: God is my fortress; I shall never be shaken.

*HYMN 719 Come, Labor On ora labora

PRAYER OF CONFESSION (unison)

Forgiving God,

we repent of all the ways we turn from you. Jonah 3: 1-2,10

You call, but we do not listen;

you show us your path, but we prefer our own way.

Forgive us, heal us, and lead us back to you,

that we might show mercy to others.

In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen.

SILENT REFLECTION AND CONFESSION OF SIN

PRAYER RESPONSE (unison) O Lord, Have Mercy (sing once) Hymn 578

*Those who are able are invited to stand.

ASSURANCE OF PARDON

*RESPONSE OF PRAISE Glory to God, Whose Goodness Shines on Me Hymn 582

*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.

WORDS OF WELCOME

PASSING OF THE WELCOME PADS

MINUTE FOR MISSION Souper Sunday Paul Klippel

MESSAGE FOR CHILDREN (10:15) Jacqueline Obregon (Children ages 3 through grade 8 may go to Sunday School)

*HYMN 720 (10:15) Jesus Calls Us galilee

SCRIPTURE LESSON Jonah 3: 1-5, 10 p. 860

Leader: This is the Word of the Lord. People: Thanks be to God.

SERMON Running from God? Rev. Dennis W. Jones

PRESENTATION OF TITHES AND OFFERING

SOLO (9:00) How Beautiful are the Feet G.F. Handel

Melinda Porter, soprano

ANTHEM (10:15) How Lovely are the Messengers Felix Mendelssohn

Sanctuary Choir

*DOXOLOGY (unison) 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.

*HYMN 69 Here I Am, Lord here i am

BENEDICTION

POSTLUDE Sinfonia from Abdelzar Henry Purcell

CALL FOR ANNUAL MEETING OF THE CONGREGATION

The Annual Meeting of the Congregation of the Presbyterian Church in Basking Ridge, New Jersey, Part I (Statistical and Financial), will be held in the Sanctuary on Sunday, Janu-ary 25, 2015, immediately following the 10:15 a.m. service, for the purpose of receiving the Statistical and Financial reports for 2014; for consideration of the Local and General Mis-sion Budgets for 2015; for acting on the Pastors’ Compensation for 2015; and for such other business as may properly come before the Congregation. ~Tina Bramel, Clerk of Session

Annual Reports are available outside the Chapel and in the Narthex.

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

~ In loving memory of Patrick Zaccheo, by his family.

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, to celebrate an occasion or simply to contribute to the beauty of our service. There are two pier openings on February 8 and 15 and one pier opening on February 22. If you would like to donate an ar range- ment, please contact Debbie Schaub at 908-507-3844; e-mail: debbie.schaub@verizon.net.

flowers

Church Family

Join us for Coffee and Fellowship between services beginning at 9:45 a.m., hosted by Debbie Carroll, and after the 10:15 a.m. worship service, hosted by Glen and Suzanne Price.

Sunday Small Group—Today at 9 a.m. in the Church House Parlor The 9 a.m. Sunday Small Group is discussing Marcus Borg’s book The Heart of Christiani-ty. While written in 2003 this book is just as relevant for today’s believer as it attempts to help us understand what it means to be a follower of God and how to live a life of passionate faith. Books are available in the Church Office for $10. New members are always welcome.

Adult Small Group

Ladies Who Brunch—Small Group—Meet Today Ladies Who Brunch will be meeting at 11:45 a.m. today at Market Restaurant, 995 Mt. Kem-ble in Harding (just past Talbots on Rt. 202). All women welcome. Invite friends!Reservations required. Contact Linda Rhyne at 732-567-2464 or Lrhyne@aol.com.

Early Bird Study Group—8 a.m. in Church House Library The Early Bird Bible Study group began a new study based on The God I Never Knew: How Real Friendship with the Holy Spirit can Change Your Life. The group has been meeting for two years now and, though there’s a core group of eight who find it hugely rewarding, there’s always room for more – to go wherever the Spirit leads. Join us at 8 a.m. in the Church House Library.

Invitation to Small Group on Tuesday Evenings You are warmly invited to join the small group meeting on Tuesday evenings, 7:30 p.m., at the home of Bob and Eleanor Taylor in Basking Ridge. On January 27 the group will begin a six-part DVD series on Embracing Emergence Christianity by Phyllis Tickle. The group is focused on open searching and questioning, and in this series we will discuss the concept that great upheavals have occurred every 500 years in culture and religion, including Christi-anity. Was the last such upheaval at the time of the Protestant Reformation in the 1500s? May another such upheaval be in process now?

Tickle is the founding editor of the Religion Department of Publishers Weekly and has writ-ten more than three dozen books on religion and spirituality, including The Divine Hours series on prayer. She is a lay Eucharistic minister and lector in the Episcopal Church. For more information, contact Bob & Eleanor Taylor at 766-2077 or Ellen Greenhorn at 766-2512.

Saturday Sexton The Church is looking to hire a sexton to support the needs of our new Oak Table Service. Hours are every Saturday evening from 3 p.m. until approximately 6:30 p.m. Primary re-sponsibility is the preparation of the worship space which requires the ability to set up and break down tables and chairs, and move heavy objects. The potential for snow shoveling, or other outdoor work is possible. Please contact Janet Bentley in the Church Office if you are interested in an interview.

Church Staff

Bibles & Bagels Bibles & Bagels, the Middle School Sunday School is back to its regular time. Middle school students attend the 10:15 service in the sanctuary and meet their teachers in the Nar-thex following the Children’s Message to be led to the Church House Library. They meet their parents in Westminster Hall following service. We will not meet February 1 but will pick up again Feb. 8, 15 and 22.

Souper Sunday— February 1 in Westminster Hall Mark your calendars for our annual Souper Sunday Fundraiser for the Senior High Fellow-ship's summer Workcamp. This mission trip, which will take place July 11-19, 2015, is an integral part of the Senior High Fellowship and serves a community in great need near The Carpenter's Boat Shop in Pemaquid, ME. At this fundraiser, there will be a variety of soups available and congregants are invited to stay for a sit-down lunch or grab soup to go. There will be an opportunity to make a donation at the door.

Youth and Young Adult Ministries

Sr. High Fellowship (grades 9-12) - meets TONIGHT in the youth center from 7-9 p.m. Are you stressing over finals, or just a heavy homework load? Join us for a night of relaxa-tion and de-stressing as we gather for dinner, games, music and other fun and relaxing ac-tivities. Bring your yoga mat and a friend!

Middle School Fellowship (grades 6-8) - meets this Wednesday, 1/28 in the youth center from 6-7:30 p.m. Join us for a discussion about disobedience! Don't forget, we always have dinner, music and a game. Feel free to bring a friend. See you there!

Attention Middle School Parents As many of you know, dinner is served to the youth on Wednesday nights during Middle School Fellowship. This time for dinner is a key element to creating bonds among our youth through discussion and conversation. This cost for pizza is supported by both the Youth Fellowship budget as well as generous donations from parents biweekly. We ask those of you who are willing and able to help the Middle School Fellowship continue in their relationship building, both with God and each other, by signing up to provide a dinner for 15~20 people or covering the cost of the pizza. The need is specifically for February, and going forward. You can find sign-ups on the church website and you can even pay online! Thank you for your continuous support for this ministry.

Oak Table Service/Come As You Are Our new alternative worship service begins this Lenten season! The Oak Table Service will be an informal and interactive worship experience for people of all ages–wherever you are on your spiritual journey. It will take place on Saturdays at 5:00 p.m. in Westminster Hall beginning February 21, 2015. Children are welcomed to attend with parents and the Nursery will be available as a mother’s room.

New Worship Service

Membership

Exploring Membership Class—Save the Date! February 8, 11:15 a.m.—1:45 p.m. in the Church House Parlor Are you interested in becoming a church member? We extend a warm invitation to our “Exploring Membership” class on Sunday, February 8, 11:15 a.m.—1:45 p.m. in the church house parlor, 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.) Call the church office at 908-766-1616 for further information.

God’s Co-Op Pantry God’s Co-Op Pantry’s Administrative Team (PAT) has a marvelous opportuni-ty for someone who enjoys working with numbers. The Pantry is starting its fifth year of helping those in need in the Somerset Hills area. One of the many ways to help this local mission of BRPC involves keeping track of the number of food bags distributed to the customer base. Please call Karen Fitzsimons at (908)766-7657 for more information.

Opportunity to Give and Serve

Please donate canned Tuna for the month of January and canned corn for the month of Feb-ruary to God’s Co-op Pantry. Donations may be brought to the church house. Thank you for your support!

Interfaith Hospitality Network Share with God’s people who are in need. Practice hospitality.—Romans 12:13.

Homeless families will again be staying with us in our church house from Sun-day, February 15th – Sunday February 21st. Please stop by after services to learn about Interfaith Hospitality Network and how you can volunteer for this meaning-ful mission. We invite you to sign-up to host dinners, evenings and overnights, as well as pick up and return linens, help to set up the space before their arrival and clean up after they leave. Thank you for your faithful support and generosity, as we serve God by serving others! For more information or to sign up, you may call Koert VanderVoort 908-930-3575 or Joan Eichhorn at 908-350-3110. Sign-ups can be done on our website too at brpc.org @ ministries @ signups @ IHN.

Artist of the Month

January Artist of the Month Please stop by the church house to be awed by the latest display for the month of January. The beautiful display features the precious doll collection of Marilou Howe. These exquis-ite dolls were actually made by Marilou with beautiful life-like faces and gorgeous clothing, including one doll made in the likeness of her son Willem wearing his actual dutch shoes. If you would like to be featured as our Artist of the Month in the future, please contact Janet Bentley in the church house.

Dear Members and Staff of BRPC, Thank you so very much for such a wonderful service, gifts and reception last Sunday. I was overwhelmed by the outpouring of Chris-tian love showed by all of you. The gifts of the beautiful music quilt and the amazing anthem commissioned from Charles Callahan were so unex-pected and glorious. The quilt is on my sofa and I will see it daily. I will remember the beautifully sung anthem on “Now Thank We All Our God” for the rest of my life. And, I am overwhelmed by the very, very generous monetary gift from all of you. It was wonderful to be able to greet all of you with hugs and best wishes at the reception.

It has been a great joy of my life serving as the Minister of Music at BRPC for the last 21 years. This is a very special congregation - one full of caring, loving, Christian people who love and serve each other, the community and the world. I have grown in my faith and have been hon-ored to be a part of this congregation and to share in ministry with you.

You are a wonderful singing congregation! I will always remem-ber the thrill of playing the organ and piano and leading you in song in this historic building.

I will miss all of you and this place and wish God’s richest bless-ings upon you and your ministries in the years to come.

With love and thanksgiving,

Mary Lou Stevens

A Note of Thanks...

Music Ministries

Sanctuary Choir Rehearsals Do you like to sing? We'd love to have you sing with us. Sanctuary Choir rehearsals are on Thursdays at 7:30 p.m. in the Knox (Choir) Room. Please contact Cliff Parrish at 908-696-0411 or cparrish@brpc.org if you'd like to join us.

Bell Choir Rehearsals Continue

Alpha Bell Rehearsals are on Tuesdays at 6:15 p.m. There are openings in this group. Knox Bell Rehearsals are on Tuesdays at 7:30 p.m. This group has a full complement at this time. Contact Cliff Parrish as above if you are interested. Youth Choir and Youth Bells Youth Choir and Youth Bells for grades 6-12 meet on Tuesday afternoons in the Sanctuary. Bells meet at 4 p.m. and Choir at 4:45 p.m. Please contact Cliff Parrish at 908-696-0411 or cparrish@brpc.org if you'd like to participate.

In the Event of Snow… During the week when there is a snow storm and the roads are not safe to travel, our church office mirrors the Bernards Township public schools. When they cancel school for the entire day, our church office will be closed and all events are cancelled. When they have a 2-hour delayed opening, so do we, and the church office opens at 11:00 a.m. When they have an early dismissal, we generally cancel afternoon and evening events. All weather related clos-ings are posted on our church website (brpc.org) and on the phone answering machine (908-766-1616). Our priority is to ensure the safety of our congregation and staff and others who are part of our ministry.

If a serious weather event occurs on a Sunday, we encourage you to exercise your own judgment in discerning whether it is safe to drive to church. If you have a leadership role on a particular Sunday morning -- including teaching Sunday School, singing in a choir, or serving coffee – your health and safety is still our main concern and we urge you to exercise your own judgment on whether it is safe to drive to church. Over the years we have can-celled Sunday morning worship on extremely rare occasions. In the event of a cancellation or modification of our Sunday morning schedule, all details will be posted on our church website and on the phone answering machine.

Church Snow Day Policy

Sermon Notes

It’s About BRPC’s Future!

We need your help in identifying the best candidates for important leadership positions at BRPC. A sense of God’s call to serve, coupled with a willingness to serve, is much more important than any particular set of skills or talents. Please prayerfully consider those who play significant roles in the life and activities of BRPC today, who bring experience from another church, who may have new and imagi-native ideas for the future, and who will dedicate their energy to moving God’s work for-ward. Since you know yourself much better than does anyone else, please feel free to submit your own name if you believe that you are called to serve. All active members of the congregation are eligible for nomination at the May, 2015, congregational meeting. Elders—constitute the Session, the ruling body of the church, and have full responsibil-

ity for policies, personnel and programs of the church. They also operate as chairs of the various Councils and committees.

Deacons—carry out a ministry of care, communication and hospitality to the members. Trustees—responsible for the corporate/financial operations including the overall care

and maintenance of the church properties.

The Financial Review Committee verifies the statistical and financial records of the

church. The Nominating Committee selects candidates for election to the boards.

To make a suggestion, please complete the form below and return it to the Church Office.

The Nominating Committee: Rev. Dennis Jones (ex-officio), Butch Cooper (Trustee), Don Grossmann, Jeff Schaub, Peggy Harris (Deacon), Jean Wadsworth, Chris Whitlock, and Nancy Bedner (Elder, Chair). —————————————————————————————————————— CHURCH OFFICER CANDIDATE FOR NOMINATION Candidate Name:________________________________ Office:_________________________________________ I believe this person would be a good candidate because:

Weekly Calendar

SUNDAY—JANUARY 25

Early Bird Bible Study, 7:45 am ...... Library Worship, 9:00 am ............................. Chapel Preschool JAM program, 9:00 am ... Ed. Bldg. Small Group, 9:00 am ...................... Parlor Fellowship Time, 9:45 am ............... Westminster Hall Worship, 10:15 am ........................... Sanctuary Sunday School, 10:15 am ................ Westminster Hall Bibles & Bagels, 10:15 am .............. Library Congregational Mtg. 11:15 am ........ Sanctuary Fellowship Time, 11:15 am ............. Westminster Hall Nominating Committee, 11:30 am ... Parlor Ladies Who Brunch, 11:45 am ........ Off-Site Senior High Fellowship, 7:00 pm .... Youth Center MONDAY—JANUARY 26

Little Spirit Program, 4:00 pm ......... Ed. Bldg. Adult Ed. Comm., 7:00 pm .............. Geneva Rm. Deacons, 7:00 pm............................. Parlor Tree House Board, 7:30 pm ............. Library

TUESDAY—JANUARY 27

Oak Tree Quilters, 9:00 am……..Gen. & Middle Rms. Spirit Program, 3:45 pm ................... West. Hall

Youth Bells, 4:00 pm ...................... Sanctuary

Youth Choir, 4:45 pm Sanctuary

Alpha Bell Choir, 6:15 pm ............... Knox Room

Communication Practice, 7:00 pm ... Library

Knox Bell Choir, 7:30 pm ................ Knox Room

Small Group, 7:30 pm ...................... Off-Site WEDNESDAY—JANUARY 28

Women’s Bible Study, 9:30 am ....... Parlor

Middle School Fellowship, 6:00 pm Youth Center

THURSDAY—JANUARY 29

Sanctuary Choir, 7:30 pm ................ Knox Room Scout #351, 7:30 pm ……………... Youth Center

FRIDAY—JANUARY 30

SATURDAY—JANUARY 31

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

Donna Anderle .................................... ext. 17

Director of Ministries to Children Jacqueline Obregon. ........................... ext. 14

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

Interim Director of Music Ministry Clifford Parrish ............................... 953-9809

Director of Children’s Music Ministry Beth Donley ................................... 953-9809

Seminarian Kayla Kelly .............................. 816-401-3666

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. Pam Smith .......................................... ext. 12

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

Sexton Staff Peter O’Connor .................................. ext. 16 David Brownlee

Ministers

All the People

Clerk of Session Tina Bramel

President of Trustees Rudy Hyzer

Moderator of Deacons Pamela Meyers

Join Us for these Upcoming Services & Events!

February 1 Souper Sunday—Senior High

Fundraiser for Maine Workcamp

February 8 Exploring Membership Class 11:15 am—Church House Parlor

February 17 Shrove Tuesday Pancake Supper 6 p.m.

February 18 Ash Wednesday

February 21 Oak Table Service/Come As Y ou Are