"God made the world round so we should never be able to see too far down the road"

Isak Dinesen

One thing I've discovered during my 38 years as a pastor is that I have never been very good at predicting where I will be 5, 10, or 15 years in the future. It is one of the ways God keeps me humble. Nevertheless, what I do know is this: wherever we may go, whatever we may do, God will always be there. His faithfulness is a certainty that enables us to take a step forward in trust - whether it be a baby step or a giant leap!

This truth has helped me see that now is the time for me to retire and to trust that God will guide United Presbyterian Church in the future. When Jesus was saying his farewells to his disciples during the Last Supper, he told them, " I am telling you the truth: those who believe in me will do what I do - yes, they will do even greater things, because I am going to the Father" (John 14:12). I am sure the frightened disciples thought, "How can this be? We can't possibly do greater things than our Lord!" Yet, with the power of the Holy Spirit, the disciples spread the gospel throughout the known world, and transformed Jesus' teaching from an obscure offshoot of Judaism to the largest religion on earth.

In the next several months, with the help of Presbytery, Session will develop a transition plan to prepare for a search for United Presbyterian Church's next pastor. Whenever we see someone encountering the unknown in the bible, God's message is always, "Do not be afraid!" We may not be able to see down the road, but God can and He will take us where He needs us to be.

Thank you for giving me the privilege of being your pastor. Wherever I may go, you will always be in my heart.

Grace and Peace,

Pastor Jean

SESSION MET TUESDAY, APRIL 17, 2018 AND TOOK THE FOLLOWING ACTIONS:

YOU ARE INVITED TO SUPPER

Our Lord invites you to sup with Him by intinction at the 9:30 a.m. E3 Service or by passing the bread and cup at the 11 a.m. service. In between services, The Facilities Committee will host a coffee hour. Remember to stay following the 11 a.m. service for the Special Congregational Meeting.

WOMEN IN THE NEWS

UPW will have its meeting on Tuesday, May 1, 2018, at 10:00 a.m. in Fellowship Hall, A discussion of Chapter 5 entitled, "What Are You Chasing?" of the new book, Discovering God's Will For Your Life  by Sheila Walsh will take place during this meeting. All women of the church are cordially invited to join! After the meeting that is done at Noon, those women who would like to go for lunch are invited to go to a local restaurant.

CELEBRATE THE GIFTS OF WOMEN

On Mother's Day, the United Presbyterian Women will lead the 11 a.m. worship service by celebrating the gifts of women in our midst. ALL WOMEN OF THE CHURCH ! You are invited to sing the anthem on Sunday, May 13 ^th – Mother’s Day. It will be “In the Garden” with CD accompaniment. (Based on the familiar hymn) There will be a rehearsal after the 11 am service and Congregational Meeting on May 6 ^th for about 15 minutes. It will be beautiful! Come join in song! We will also go through this anthem on Sunday, May 13 ^th at 10:30 a.m. before service.

LADIES' TEA

United Ladies

You are cordially invited to

Afternoon Tea

Tuesday, June 5, 2018

12:00 p.m.

(We will be meeting at the church and carpooling at 11:00 a.m.)

 

At “One Steep At A Thyme”

170 Gatzmer Avenue, Jamesburg, NJ

$32.00 per person-payable in advance

Includes salad, quiche, scones, tea sandwiches, dessert, 3 kinds of tea and iced tea 

(The cost also includes the gratuity)

  The wearing of your favorite tea party hat is encouraged!!

_____________________________________________________

 

If attending please return this reservation form along with your payment in the amount of $32.00 to Gloria Hanewald or Lois Dixon by May 27, 2018. (checks made payable to United Presbyterian Women)

 

                                                                                                      

NAME:________________________________________

SURVIVORS

Survivors will meet in UPC’s parking lot at 10:30 am on May 10, 2018 for Brunch at Pandora Diner in Mt. Holly, and then proceed to the Smithville Mansion Complex for a tour. This industrial complex was fueled by water power and through the years was home to industries like calico printing, and wood working (foundry) machinery. IF YOU PLAN TO ATTEND MAKE YOUR RESERVATION WITH RITA PETERSON 259-7256 OR EMAIL [email protected]. All seniors of the church and their friends are welcome to join the Survivors for an interesting tour and wonderful lunch with much fellowship.

CABARET COMING!

Little Wolf Players is thrilled to present our 2018 spring cabaret – Totally Rad 1980’s Cabaret. Join the LWP cast for a high-energy show filled with pop and rock hits from the 1980’s.

DATE & TIME

Saturday, May 12, 2018

2:00 PM and 8:00 PM performances

LOCATION

United Presbyterian Church

12 Yardville Hamilton Square Road

Trenton, NJ 08620

PRODUCTION TEAM

Director/Writer: Christopher Neuman

Music Director: Anthony Competello

Choreographer: Patricia Curley

CAST

Nellie Brown

Nicholas Eldridge

Michael Harris

Mark Piltz

Christina Pullen

TICKET INFORMATION:

Tickets can be purchased at the door (CASH ONLY) and will be general admission.

Adult tickets are $15 and children (6 and under) are $5

MAY MISSION

Womanspace is a leading not-for-profit agency providing a comprehensive array of services to individuals impacted by domestic and sexual violence and dedicated to improving the quality of life for women and their families in Mercer County. Imagine if this Mother's Day, you and your children were running for your lives from an abusive partner. Where would you be safe? Womanspace offers the haven that is needed by women in such traumatic situations. All the donations earmarked for Mission during the month of May will be given to Womanspace and its important work.

CALLING ALL MEN!

UPMen - will be meeting Saturday, May 19 ^th  at the Golden Dawn Diner 9:00 am. The diner is located on Whitehorse-Mercerville Road, Hamilton Twp., NJ. Any questions, please contact Jim Dixon phone 609-298-3398 or email [email protected] . Come and enjoy friendship and fellowship!

MAY 20 WE WILL LEAVE THE BUILDING!

If you haven't signed up yet for one of the mission projects we will be doing on Sunday, May 20, 2018, there is still time! In the Narthex you will find sign up sheets for helping in one of six ways: 1) SPRING PLANTING OF OUR TASK AND HANDICAP ACCESSIBLE GARDENS; 2) SEND HUNGER PACKING BY MAKING WEEKEND MEAL KITS FOR KIDS; 3) PLAN AND THROW A PARTY FOR THE RT. 156 GROUP HOME; 4) DONATE CLOTHES, SMALL APPLIANCES, AND HOUSEWARES FOR HOMEFRONT; 5) MAKE THE MCHUGH'S DAY WITH A HOME-COOKED MEAL; OR 6) ADOPT HIGHWAY 156. There is something to do for everyone. You never know how much of an impact your acts of kindness and generosity have, so don't miss this opportunity to make a difference!

WOMEN’S BOOK CLUB

The Women's Book Club will meet on Tuesday, May 22nd at 7:00 pm in the Bertolet Lounge. The book we will discuss is THE RUNAWAY MIDWIFE by Patricia Harman. Midwife, Clara Perry, life takes a nose dive to the point that she needs to reinvent herself. Her journey is one of loss, grief, and guilt to one of love, forgiveness, and redemption.  

All women of the church and their friends who appreciate good books, fellowship, and yummy refreshments are encouraged to join us. June selection: ELLIS ANGELS by Carole Lee Limata.

SUMMER MUSIC

Summer is almost here! Music is all around us The buzzing of insects, grass and flowers blowing in the breeze. It is also a time of singing, playing moving through dance to share our talents in a less formal way! Please consider your talents and ability to share them during our service at 11:00 am service! We are all so appreciative! A sign-up sheet is placed in the Narthex for name sign-up! Thank you!

WE PRAY FOR:

Healing – for all those ill with cancer, undergoing surgery as well as treatment for cancer including Laura Burdge & Betsy Holderried; Sally Bailey – breast cancer; Sylvia – return of cancer; Steve Gabel – operation & chemo; Nicole Sgizer – brain tumor; Gail – Breast cancer;  Carl – bladder cancer; Lynn L.; Livia – diagnosed with Stage 4 colon cancer; Carol & Al D’Amico; John Demeter; Lenny; Dan Rose; Mathew Johnson; Pam Rose; Scott Rose; John Borek; Bud; Margaret Archibald’s niece – Fiona suffering from rectal cancer; a family member of the LaCrosse family suffering from Crohn’s Disease, her children’s needs as well as help with insurance coverage for treatment; Mike McHugh; for those awaiting test results; Mr. & Mrs. Walter who are both in failing health, as well as strength/support for their family members; John – recovering from surgery/rehab; Linda Ramos; for those in hospital, or, having surgery and in recuperation – including Fred Goldenbaum; Doris Thorn; Helen McKeins; Jaden – surgery on foot; Barb – fell at home badly bruising herself; Jim Jacobs – recuperating from surgery;  Linda Tadlock – suffering from complications from MS & is in the hospital: Reva Rinehart; Lew Rogers – heart; Jenna Ciambelluca; Ruth Zeyack – heart; Debbie Krevor - leg; Brian – hospitalized with a broken neck and back; Mr. Hrabcheck – recovering from pneumonia; Mike – recovering from back surgery; Colton Thibodeau – urinary problems & congestion in CHOP; Girja Singh – hospitalized with pulmonary edema; Matt Machin; Charlie – hospitalized with kidney failure; Fred – heart issues recuperating as well as also home; Crystal Purvis; Rosemary Bateham – suffering from Alzheimer’s and moved to a nursing home in Monmouth Junction; for those in need of improved health including Frank & Marilyn Kostar; Karen & Keith, Donna, Violet, Carl Ezzo; Bill Sullivan – injured knee and surgery to drain it; Susan Anthony; Audrey Barkelow – healing; Eileen – fell & has both stitches and broken bones; Dot Brocaloni; Walt; John; Lisa; Michelle – sore ankle; Tom; Tony; Carl, friends of the LaCrosse family suffering from depression; those having personal problems like Paul McHugh; Carly Mauer; French family – reconciliation.

Concern: Jamie Tracy, Susie Westby, Whitney Garbutt, Denzel Garbutt, and Stephanie Loga, children werved y the Mission of the Good Shepherd in Belize who have "very immediate, urgent needs that only God can help with."

Thanksgiving: for Gracie Spreat passing her exams and boards; for Chris and Ruth Sletvold’s 61 ^st Wedding Anniversary; for Carolyn Reynolds being home from rehab; for the birth of Jonah Robert Machin; that Maeve and Kaira Pinto Singh arrived home safely from Israel and that Nancy, Amanda, and Lindsay Giordano had a safe trip to California and back.

Comfort: for the bereaved family & friends of Dave Carle and of Sue Fleming.

GREETINGS TO OUR MEMBERS AND FRIENDS WHOSE BIRTHDAYS ARE IN MAY

 2 Dan Mucha, Kenneth Smyth

 7 Christian Bernhard, Randy Carpenter, Donna Cruser, Robert Jackson Plummer

 13 Howard Stoeckel

 14 Cindy Chhedi-Gomez, Bob Lasser

 15 Samantha Marie Katz, Rose Wales, Ed Wyrwas

 17 Ray Demeter

 18 Eleanor Bolge, Sandra DePew, Lois Dixon

 21 Christina Catana, Abbigail Hafner

 22 Damon Malloy

 27 Carolyn Reynolds

 28 Nancy Scharnitz

 30 Mike Worek

 31 Alyssa Victoria Martino

MAY HAPPENINGS CALENDAR LINK

http://upcnj.view-events.com