It is amazing to be part of this church. Though I am pastor, I do not always see myself (or Stephanie) as the leaders. Sure, we have a particular leadership role, but what I'm saying is that there are so many leaders who are moved by God's Spirit and lead major aspects of the church's life and ministry. It is because of the plethora of ways that God has raised up leaders here that we've become a wonderful church.

If I were to start listing ministries and missions that are run out of RCHP that are NOT run by Seth and Stephanie, the list would be just immense. This is as it should be. When we are caught up in the Spirit we all become ministers and agents of transformation.

I have found that my new role at RCHP is to be a cheerleader for the work of God's Spirit among you. It truly seems to me that my job is to recognize how wonderful you are doing, and to celebrate the revelation of God that I see in and through your work in our community. My job is to also urge you on, during the rough days of leadership, and to encourage you to dream of new ways of responding to God's love.

When we first got to Highland Park, 13+ years ago, we were looking for leaders-and God has delivered! I am wondering if now what we might need are more cheerleaders.

Leadership is hard work. And leadership, in a busy church, sometimes goes unrecognized or it is less-recognized than it might be if there was less going on!

Can I invite you, RCHP, to become cheerleaders for each other? As I see it, cheerleaders are enthusiastic about victories, but also supportive and pull for their team when the team is struggling. Even when losing we want to be cheered on and to be reminded that we can go on, that we can do better, that we can rise again. The game is still worth watching, and playing! This is a job of no small importance.

Our bible verse this month is, "Encourage one another and build each other up." Paul said that to the church in Thessalonians-a church that was doing really well and was growing in faith and love. And I say it to you, RCHP. Encourage one another, and build each other up. I imagine that through that encouragement and building God will continue to bless us more and more.

Peace friends,

Pastor Seth

November 16th-Voices of Praise singing in worship, A testimony from Bob and Pamela Valesquez (victims of Hurricane Sandy) 2nd service only

November 19th-Pastor Seth recently held a new members class on Tuesday, September 11th. For anyone who missed the class you are invited to come meet with him for a class at 11am on November 19th. Those who come to class can join with other new members on November 23rd!

November 22nd-Saturday, November 22nd, is one of the most wonderful days of our church year. For many decades the Annual Bazaar has been a place for congregants and the community to gather to sell homemade goods, and other goods, with proceeds going to benefit the work of RCHP. Come and make a day of it, on November 22! The lunch will be prepared by Yana Pangemanan and others from the Indonesian community, together with the youth group. The Mission Dinner will be prepared by members of our church who represent cultures from around the globe.

November 23rd-Matching Gift Sunday

Each year our church finds itself in a deficit as we get near the end of the year. It is the nature of the flow of our finances that it turns out like this. Particular bills are owed earlier in the year. By November, however, we hope and pray to get caught up! One key way for us to get caught up is through matching gift Sunday. On November 23rd all offerings up to $9000 will be matched by a handful of anonymous donors who have committed to matching that figure. If you can stretch a little, as we approach the end of the year, please do so on November 23rd! We thank God for our generous donors for the matching fund.

November 23rd-The Gospel Choir will lead worship for the last time in 2014 on November 23rd. Please come and enjoy their songs and prayers! 

November 23rd-This year our Interfaith Service will be held at Trinity United Methodist Church on Montgomery St. in Highland Park. We invite you to come to the Potluck at 5:45pm and to the worship service at 7pm. Come and enjoy Thankful Dance from the Whirling Dervish Youth from the Turkish community as well as songs and prayers from Buddhists, Jews, Christians, Hindus and Sikhs. We are blessed, too, with two tremendous community choirs.

November 27th-RCHP has gained permission from Elizabeth Detention Center to hold a worship service inside the detention center on Thanksgiving Day!!!! This is a big deal. If you are able to assist Student Minister Chris McNabb with this worship service please let him know.

November 29th-RCHP Choir and Philomusica will be teaming up to lead Christmas Caroling and tree lighting in town on November 29th. 

November 30th-The First Day of Advent is November 30th, and we will celebrate communion. We will also hold a potluck on that Sunday between worship services at 10am.

November 30th-Advent Preparation Night 5:30-8pm. We'll gather to eat a potluck meal, create Advent wreaths, write Advent cards, share in a short Advent devotional, and sing carols. All ages welcome.

December 6th-On December 6th you are invited to be part of our Annual December Nature Hike. We will go to the woods next to Donaldson Park and decorate the trees for Christmas. We'll hang ornaments for Deer, birds and squirrels..bringing God's creation alive for God's creatures! Meet at church at 9am to hear a quick Christmas book and then we'll travel to the woods together.

December 6th-On December 6th, from 10:30-11:30am, come and get a costume for the 2014 Annual Christmas Pageant. We will be looking for angels, shepherds, wise men and wise women as well as Mary and Joseph. We will enact the Christmas pageant at both the 9am and 11am services. You are invited to be part of it once or twice!

December 12th-On December 12th the Children's Sunday School program is hosting a soup and bread supper at 5:30pm, followed by an outing to Middlebush Reformed Church, where we'll experience their Living Nativity. Living Nativity is a great medium for sharing the Christmas story. In addition to hearing the story while walking outside, kids will get to see a manger scene with real animals and a church choir of angels!!!

December 13th-On December 13th join the pastors for an afternoon of singing for shut-in members from our community. We will depart from the church at 1pm.

December Music-All the church is invited to be part of the Christmas Choir that is preparing for a special Sunday celebration on December 21st.   This would be a great way to give choir singing a try, as you prepare to make a new year's resolution to join us every week!!!!!!

December Mission-Each year New Brunswick social workers help us identify children who will have a sparse Christmas. We are giving names of children and we are invited to purchase gifts for them. We invite you to purchase an item of clothing and an educational toy for a child this season. We will have ornaments on the tree in the sanctuary starting November 30th and we will collect presents at the end of the Christmas Pageant at each service on December 14th.

December 20th-The large contingent of Indonesians within our church will be hosting an Indonesian language worship service on December 20th. ALL ARE INVITED TO ATTEND.   Then, after worship, all are invited to a wonderful Indonesian Christmas Feast. Even if you do not attend the worship service you are invited to attend the dinner!!!!

December 21st-On December 21st the Chancel Choir will lead both services with special music. On the 21st the church will be adorned with your memorial poinsettias.

December 21st-Christmas can be a difficult season for people going through loss. At 7pm on December 21st you are invited to come and mourn with others who are experiencing "the longest night" in their lives right now. Come to mourn, and come to receive a word of hope about God's presence in your mourning and God's presence beyond this time. 

December 24th-We will hold our annual Christmas Eve services at 7pm and 11pm. At 7pm we invite individuals and families and small groups from within the church to share songs, dances, poems, and art. At the 11pm service Pastor Paul the Youth Group will guide us in worship.