JANUARYFriday, 1st HAPPY NEW YEAR!

Saturday, 2nd

9:00 am Praise Team Rehearsal

Sunday, 3rd

8:00 am Praise Team Rehearsal9:15 am Choir Rehearsal10:00 am Worship Service/Communion

Sunday School1:30 pm Elijah’s Promise

Wednesday, 6th

6:30 pm Men of St. Paul’s7:30 pm Confirmation Class

Thursday, 7th

7:30 pm Adult Choir Rehearsal

Saturday, 9th

9:00 am Praise Team Rehearsal

Sunday, 10th

8:00 am Praise Team Rehearsal9:15 am Choir Rehearsal10:00 am Worship Service

Sunday School11:30 am Children’s Choir6:00 pm Sr. & Jr. Youth Groups

Monday, 11th

7:30 pm Consistory

Wednesday, 13th

7:30 pm Confirmation Class

Thursday, 14th

7:30 pm Adult Choir Rehearsal

Saturday, 16th

9:00 am Praise Team Rehearsal

Sunday, 17th

8:00 am Praise Team Rehearsal9:15 am Choir Rehearsal10:00 am Worship Service

Sunday School11:30 am Children’s Choir

Wednesday, 20th

7:30 pm Confirmation Class

Thursday, 21st

7:30 pm Adult Choir Rehearsal ****TIDINGS DEADLINE****

Saturday, 23rd

9:00 am Praise Team Rehearsal

Sunday, 24th

8:00 am Praise Team Rehearsal9:15 am Choir Rehearsal10:00 am Worship Service11:30 am Children’s Choir6:00 pm Sr. & Jr. Youth Groups

Monday, 25th

7:30 pm Ministry Teams

Wednesday, 27th

1:00 pm Adult Bible Study7:30 pm Confirmation Class

Thursday, 28th

7:30 pm Adult Choir Rehearsal

Saturday, 30th

9:00 am Praise Team Rehearsal

Sunday, 31st

8:00 am Praise Team Rehearsal9:15 am Choir Rehearsal10:00 am Worship Service

Sunday School11:30 am Children’s Choir

Pastor Rich takes Friday Off.

UPCOMING EVENTS:

February 19-21- Youth Group RetreatMarch 5 – Applebee’s Flapjack Fundraiser

JANUARY 2016

Greetings,

Mountain climber Russell told the follow-ing story.

After scaling a 350-foot rock wall, my climbing partner and I came face-to-face with a massive ice formation—thick, solid, and vertical. Too good an adventure to pass up, we began crunching into the solid wall of blue-green ice with our ice axes and the spikes of our climbing boots.

Suddenly and unexpectedly, I lost my nerve. We had no support ropes, and the thought that any fall would be catastrophic filled my mind. My friend moved closer and assured me that my technique was looking good. As I dug my axe into the ice, he hammered it even deeper with his own—making sure it was secure. Near the summit, he smiled and reassured me once more, and I topped out feeling happy, relaxed, and confident.

As we ready ourselves for a new year I am sure just as in years past we will have moments of great joy and excitement. We will have a once in a life time experience. We will be surprised by the unexpected. Unfortunately, some of these moments to remember will come with some challenging mountains that we too will have to climb. We will have moments of uncertainty. We will have disappointments and heartaches. We will have moments of temptation.

It is for those moments that Jesus told His disciples, It is better that I go for when I go I will send my Spirt. Jesus refers to the Holy Spirit as “the Advocate.”

“All this I have spoken while still with you. But the Advocate, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you all things and will remind you of everything I have said to you. Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.”

The Greek word for advocate is paracletos. It means “One called alongside.” Jesus knew that His disciples, that you and I would need someone to walk with us. We would need someone who could walk so close that He could guide our every footstep, preventing us from going down the wrong path, and assuring us when times get tough. So Jesus sent the Holy Spirit to lead them and us into all truth (John 14:16-17).

Having the Spirit alongside us doesn’t mean that he will get the job done for us. We must individually walk by faith as we go through the trials of life on earth, just as the disciples did. But as we stay in step with the Spirit, He encourages and helps us. When we’re in danger of stepping off the right path, He guides, corrects, and assures us. And when we fall, He intervenes and restores us. The Holy Spirit will provide us with rest and peace, even in places of peril.

For each day of the New Year ready yourself by asking God to be filled with His Holy Spirit.

Godspeed,

PASTOR RICH

WORSHIP03 COMMUNIONMatthew 2What’s your Motivation?

10Psalm 139, Ephesians 2Made by God, WHY?

17Genesis 50:15-21, John 2:1-11A Different Perspective

24Jonah - select versesDid You Say Something, God?

311 John 1:3-2:2A Closer Walk

MEN OF ST. PAUL’SThe men of St. Paul’s are invited to gather on Wednesday January 6th at 6:30pm for supper and fellowship.

Sr. YOUTH GROUPOur 6pm Sunday schedule of meetings will change for January. Instead of the 1st and 3rd Sundays we will meet the 2nd and 4th Sundays. This means we will meet on January 10th and 24th.

Sr. YG MISSION TRIP 2016

Destination - Chattanooga, TNThe week of July 9 - 16.Registration forms are included in this Tidings.

FINANCIAL Nov YR to DATE

Income $28,627.87 $235,694.80Expense $22,316.10 $259,957.24Gain/(Loss) $ 6,310.97 ($24,262.44)

COMMUNION OFFERINGJanuary’s communion offering will be given to the Milltown Fire Department in support of their dedication to serving Milltown and the surrounding communities.

2016 CALENDARSThey are available in the narthex, church office and social hall. Take an extra one or two and give them to your neighbors, family or friends.

ADULT EDEvery chapter of the Bible is great because God wrote it. But there are certain chapters that speak to our hearts and minds in an especially deep way.Romans 8 is one of those chapters. Join me in a 4 week study of Romans 8 starting Wednesday, January 27 at 1pm.

SUPERBOWLPOOL

This is a Fundraiser for the Sr. Youth Group Mission Trip. We are starting a Super Bowl Squares fundraiser to raise money for the Senior YG Mission Trip. We are using the FootballSquares.net website for our Super Bowl Squares fundraiser pool. The Super Bowl is on Sunday, February 7, 2015 at 6:30pm.Look for details as to how you may pick your boxes in the pool and help the Sr. Youth Group. You will have 2 games to choose from, a $10 game and a $20 game.

PRAYER of the MONTHOur Father and our God, as we stand at the beginning of this new year we confess our need of Your presence and Your guidance as we face the future.We each have our hopes and expectations for the year that is ahead of us—but You alone know what it holds for us, and only You can give us the strength and the wisdom we will need to meet its challenges. So help us to humbly put our hands into Your hand, and to trust You and to seek Your will for our lives during this coming year.In the midst of life’s uncertainties in the days ahead, assure us of the certainty of Your unchanging love.In the midst of life’s inevitable disappointments and heartaches, help us to turn to You for the stability and comfort we will need.In the midst of life’s temptations and the pull of our stubborn self-will, help us not to lose our way but to have the courage to do what is right in Your sight, regardless of the cost.And in the midst of our daily preoccupations and pursuits, open our eyes to the sorrows and injustices of our hurting world, and help us to respond with compassion and sacrifice to those who are friendless and in need. May our constant prayer be that of the ancient Psalmist: “Teach me, O Lord, to follow your decrees; then I will keep them to the end” (Psalm 119:33).I ask in the name of our Lord and Savior, who by His death and resurrection has given us hope both for this world and the world to come. Amen

WORSHIP ONLINEMISSED Sunday worship? You don’t have to. By clicking on URL below you be directed to St. Paul’s very own youtube site.https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCII6N0njctlY1Ke8MXK7ybg/feedLet us know what you think?

THANK YOU…To those who served at Elijah’s Promise on December 6th.Kimberly GeorgeDr. Grace KothariAnn MalyshkoMargaret Schmidt

Our next date to serve at Elijah’s Promise is January 3rd.

Following are the steps involved in this project:. Every first Sunday of the month we

gather at 2:00 pm at 21 Nelson St. in New Brunswick.

. Prepare the food and serve between 2:00 pm & 4:30 pm.

We invite volunteers to be part of this noble cause. If you are interested, please contact Margaret Schmidt at 732-390-0169.

BREAVEMENTOur sympathy to the families of Harold Hoppes, who died 12/4; and Joan “Tess” Jacques, who died 12/13.

ATTENTION ON-LINE SHOPPERSDo you know that every time you make a purchase on-line you could be making financial contribution to the church.Go to iGive.comFill the form and choose St. Paul’s Church as your cause.  Whenever you purchase something from Amazon, eBay, Best Buy, or any of the 1,700 on-line sites log in through iGive and a percentage of your purchase will be donated to St. Paul’s Church.  It is a winwin, a win for you and a win for the church.

ST. PAUL’S IS GOING MOBILEST. PAUL’S CHURCH APP – HAS BEEN LAUNCHED!For your smart phone or tablet or computer. Download it now @

1. Itunes or Google2. Our facebook page3. Our website www.stpaulsmilltownnj.org

click on links1. Click on direct link

https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/st.-pauls-church-nj/id1064226529?ls=1&mt=8https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com. echurchapps.stpaulschurch

LETTER..

Dear Dawn, Jeffrey & the Wonderful Volunteers at your church,

Thank you for your many kindnesses, support and hospitality. It truly meant so much to my son and myself. We are grateful and humbled by the thought that so many people come together to help others in need. Your help and consideration encouraged me to feel that I could overcome this hardship in my life.

Sincerely,Former FISH guest

RIGHT NOW MEDIAHave you accepted your invitation to our Right Now Media site? It should be in your email. If it isn’t, check on www.rightnow.org to sign up.

You will be connected to a library of videos, movies and children’s programs. There are videos about marriage, parenting, Christian living, finances, as well as videos for kids, youth, men, and women.  There are topical and Biblical studies you can do alone, with your family or with some friends.  

MEMORIAL FUND

WAYNE MITEKKathleen Mitek

MAX FRYFrank & Christien Soltesz

LLOYD PULDALois Monaghan

BARBARA SHANABROOKAl Shanabrook

GENERAL FUNDGIFTS

Lynn SimmsMichael & Christine D’AngeloDerek & Kristin Jimenez

PASTOR RICH, PASTOR APPRECIATION MONTH

Stephen & Rita Migliore

PATRICK & LISA MCGUIRE, ChristmasKen & Judy Skalla

MICHAEL & NANCY DUFFY, ChristmasKen & Judy Skalla

KEN & JUDY SKALLA, ChristmasMichael & Nancy Duffy

FISH Robert & Barbara Cassaday

ELIJAH’S PROMISEDr. Grace Kothari

CAPITAL IMPROVEMENT FUND

Dr. Grace Kothari

SCHOLARSHIP FUND

FLORA THOMPSONMarjorie Conger

HAROLD HOPPESBeverly Christensen

Music at St. Paul’sThank Yous!

To all who made our Advent and Christmas music extra special, especially:

Children’s ChoirElana KircherSteve KircherCJ KircherPraise BandMarisa KeiserAdult ChoirLessons and Carols readers

Choir Schedules

Our choirs will enjoy a short break after the Christmas pageant (Children’s Choir) and Christmas eve (Adult Choir).

Children’s Choir resumes on Sun., Jan 10, 11:30 – noon in the chapel.

Adult Choir resumes on Thurs., Jan. 7, 7:30 – 9 in the choir room.

Both choirs welcome new singers!

Epiphany

In the church calendar, the time from Jan. 6 till Ash Wednesday (this year, on Feb. 10) is known as Epiphany. We remember the epiphany that the wise men experienced when they visited the young Christ, and we also explore the ways that God manifests himself to us. Listen this month for songs about the wise men, about light, about discovering who Jesus is. We will sing “We Three Kings,” “As With Gladness Men of Old,” “Never Once,” and others with this themes. May your Epiphany season be a time of drawing closer to our Savior.

HEAD USHERS FOR

JANUARY3 Consistory Team #210 Rebecca Jones17 Fran Christ24 Chuck Rucinski31 Frank Devine

GREETERS FOR

JANUARY3 Arlene Mowery & Jane Osman10 Lorraine Fisezi17 Curtis & Joan Peck24 Connie Michael & Carol Calantoni31 Ken Skalla

*Greeters are asked to arrive at church by 9:20 a.m.

GREETER COORDINATOR Judy Skalla

*************************** NOTICE TO ALL

In an effort to cut costs, beginning with the February Tidings, only shut-ins and out of area members (without email) will have the Tidings mailed to them. If you have an email address, please allow us to send your Tidings via email. Send a note to this effect to carolstpauls@optonline.net

Hard copies of the Tidings are available in the Narthex. Please take a copy after worship.***************************

Consistory MinutesDecember 14, 2015

IN ATTENDANCE: Joanne Ciaccio, Frank Devine, John Garback, Steve Kircher, Dick MacDowell, Debbie Paley,

Rob Ramsen, Tanya Roberts, Chuck Rucinski, Sean Sullivan, Don Wesen, and Rich Weyer.

Steve K. called the meeting to order at 7:35pm. Pastor Rich showed a video from RiteNow Ministries about the stresses of preparing for Christmas.

Minutes from the November 9th meeting were presented and approved with a motion by Frank D, 2nd John G. One correction regarding the Gold Medal contract. It stated "Early bird’s will receive 3 years and get the 4th year free." The correction is "receive 2 years and get the 3rd year free". CORRESPONDENCE: None

FINANCES: November’s Financials showed us in the black $5,812.10 for the month of November. Year to date we are $24,000 in the red. We will be receiving a $7,203.55 credit from PSE&G for overpayment on our equal payment plan.Direct Energy contract is up. Request to switch back to PSE&G to save approximately $.20 per thermal unit ($.61 vs. $.46). Motion to switch to PSE&G by Dick M, Rob R 2nd. and approved.

CONSISTORY: Communion January 3rd - Team 2Communion Offering: January: Milltown Fire Department February: Wounded Warriors

MINISTRY TEAMS

Church FamilyAdvent family night – Sunday, December 13th was a success and lots of funCaroling – Sunday, December 13th. Visited 5 familiesNext ministry meeting will be Monday, January 25th.

Spiritual Life Worship Keepers program – Jeff Creighton found nothing wrong with the computer so there is no need to replace it.

Education:

Sunday School – Pageant went very wellYouth Group – going well

PropertyFall work day – Sunday, November 15th - went very well and had good turnout. Old Business - Worship Survey Results - Pastor Rich compiled the top responses. Next step: Spiritual life team will discuss and report back to congregation.Shoe Collection – We will be receiving approximately 500 pairs of shoes being donated by the warehouse that Mark Hahn works at.

New BusinessThe new Church test app is up on android but still pending for Apple. Frank D. suggested cleaning/maintenance of the pews. Pastor Rich will follow up.Debbie P. suggested a luncheon to honor/thank the Sunday school teachers, choir and praise band.Joanne C. suggested a fund raiser of Rada Cutlery. She will get information and set up.

Future Meeting Dates: January 10 - Ordination and Installation of new Consistory.January 11 – Consistory meetingJanuary 25 - Ministry Team meeting

Adjournment:- Motion to adjourn by Dick M., 2nd Frank D- Meeting adjourned at 8:50 pm- Prayer concerns were solicited

Respectfully submitted,Joanne Ciaccio

ST. PAUL’S CHURCHFounded in 1872

So. Main St. & W. Lakewood Ave.

Rev. Richard H. Weyer, Pastor

Emily Sensenbach-Gopal, Director of Music

Church Office 732 828-0020FAX # 732 828-0027

stpaulschurch@optonline.netwww.stpaulsmilltownnj.org

Please leave a message if no one is available.

Church Secretary Mrs. Carol LagowskiOffice hours: 9:00 a.m.-1:00 p.m.

Financial Secretary Mrs. Debbie Paley (address inquiries to church office)

Please address all financial inquiries to the Church Office.

NEXT TIDINGS DEADLINE – Thursday, January 21st

NEXT COMMUNION DATEJanuary 3

2016 CONSISTORY

Elders:Dianne AndreulaJoanne CiaccioFrank DevineRebecca Jones

Julie ParkGreg ReevesDon Wesen

Deacons:John GarbackSteve Kircher

Dick MacDowellRobert RamsenChuck RucinskiEmma RumenSean Sullivan

********************************Save time and prevent mistakes by writing your parishioner number on your checks and envelopes. Example: 002W********************************Please notify the church office if any of the following changes occur in your household: address change, phone number change, email change, marriage, separation/divorce, death, birth, adoption, adult child(ren) moving out, or a family member being moved to a rehab. or nursing home.We would like to keep our membership list up-to-date, but we need YOUR cooperation to do so!

ST. PAUL’S CHURCH62 South Main StreetMilltown, NJ 08850(732) 828-0020

JANUARY, 2016

ADDRESS SERVICE REQUESTED

DATES TO REMEMBER:Jan. 3 – Communion

Elijah’s Promise Jan. 6 – Men of St. Paul’sJan. 10 - Jr. & Sr. Youth GroupsJan. 11 – Consistory

TIDINGSWorship Service 10:00 a.m.Sunday School 10:00 a.m.

Rev. Richard H. Weyer, Pastor

DATED MATERIALDecember 21, 2015

NON-PROFIT ORGANIZATIONU.S. POSTAGE PAID

PERMIT #50001NEW BRUNSWICK, NJ 08901