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Haiti Update

I want to update you about the unfolding situation in Haiti and ask for your prayers and continued support.  You can donate now online.

As many as 3 million Haitians were affected by the devastating 7.0 earthquake last Tuesday. Many have lost their homes and loved ones. We are supporting the efforts of World Vision as they bring immediate relief to the region.  World Vision has more than 800 Haitian staff as well as a dozen international disaster response experts responding throughout affected areas.

World Vision is rushing 18 metric tons of basic relief supplies to the quake zone. We are supporting their distributions for families and providing food, clean water, and emergency medical care. The country's infrastructure has been devastated, and the magnitude of this catastrophe is enormous. Click here if you’d like to donate now.

Thanks to US government grants, our gifts to World Vision are being multiplied 3 times.  If you've already given a gift, thank you. If you’d like to make a donation today, you may donate now.  We are forwarding the money from our members and friends first thing in the morning, so your gifts will be counted among those to receive the supporting government grants.

Thank you for joining with the church to make a united expression of support to our neighbors in Haiti.

Yours in Christ,
Pastor Steve

PS  We are still working to coordinate future relief of clothes and supplies with a Haitian Church in Asbury.  We will let you know more about this in future weeks.

 

A Ministry Worth Supporting

Your support of First Presbyterian Church is making a vital impact.  Many people throughout the community have felt the tender embrace of a Presbyterian Lay Pastor in a hospital room or at the bedside of a dying loved one.  Hundreds of people are fed through our food pantry. People have built warm friendships at our community meals; experienced supportive comfort, counsel, and material assistance from the Deacons and church staff.  The Presbyterian Preschool, Music School, Sunday School, and youth groups are meaningful sources for family support for people of all ages. The newly established Christian Life Learning Center is providing many helpful adult courses.  Our weekly services of worship are filled with a diverse collection of inspirational music, relevant biblical messages, and a warm mixture of spiritual reflection and good humor.  Our recently expanded facilities now provide space for us to offer broader services to the community.
As we prepare for Stewardship Sunday this week, just think of the great needs our church is addressing.  In the past several months we have been responding to unimaginable tragedies faced by residents of our Jersey Shore:  the senseless loss of life from a rash of teen suicides; the cascading hardships to schools, families and businesses due to the shaky economic environment; the personal trauma and challenging adjustments experienced in our post 911 culture. There are always couples trying to maintain healthy relationships; families coping with substance abuse; parents facing challenges with their children; workers confronting bleak situations on the job; seniors maneuvering through a confusing maze of complex health and residence choices.  Many people are looking for spiritual support.

Since our founding in 1848 we have been sharing the message of Christ's love.  The ministry has expanded over the years.  The mission of love remains constant.

This Sunday, November 1, is an opportunity for you to offer a pledge for the 2010 ministry.  Your support is dearly needed.  With your continued contributions in 2010, we will be able to maintain our ministry.

This coming year we plan to support staffing and programs that will make a significant advancement in our Christian witness on the Shore.  With your increased support we will be able to expand our ministry to be an even stronger witness for Christ throughout the community.

We are making a difference through the way we give and serve.  As you prepare your pledge for 2010, please pray that God will move in the hearts of many, so that Christ will continue his ever expanding reach of love, through the faithful service of our church. 
 
Thank you and God Bless You!
 
Pastor Steve
 
PS  You may bring your pledge card on Sunday, or make a pledge online right now by clicking here.

PSS  You may read more about some of our many ministries by clicking any of the areas in blue.

Food Pantry Appeal

Some people have a challenge putting food on the table during our present economic down turn.  The Community Food Pantry is providing needed help. But the food is running out. A gift as small as $5 can help.

By offering a donation you are providing vital assistance to families in our community who need help.  Mickey Kuntz, the Deacon co-ordinator of the pantry says, "We've seen a four-fold increase of need in the past year."  You can help assist Mickey, the Deacons, and many volunteers who are feeding the hungry.

The Food Pantry is a ministry of a consortium of Shore area churches and is housed and managed by the First Presbyterian Church of Manasquan.  By offering a tax deductible donation you are joining the faith community to say - "We Care!"

I thank you on behalf of Mickey, the Presbyterian Deacons, and all the churches of The Manasquan Ministerium.  Be assured that you are making a difference with your loving gift.

God Bless You,

Pastor Steve Davis

P.S. You may also drop off food donations at the Pantry 9 am -5 pm any weekday.

Pastor's Report October 2009

The Church is abuzz.  You can read all about it here.  Let me highlight three things:

First:    Thank you!  Your contributions make this ministry thrive. To show appreciation for all you do, our friend, Lee Wiesert, has prepared a DVD of our Dedication Celebration. Lee's gift to you will be available at church this Sunday.

Second:    This week is World Communion Sunday.  We encourage all our children to come to church with their parents at 11 a.m. to participate in this Holy Sacrament with their family.
 
Third:    As you know, this is a challenging time for many people. Our Community Food Pantry is helping meet vital needs.  Yet it is running bare.  You can help right now with a gift as little as $5.

Thanks for all you do to help!  It is a joy to worship, fellowship, learn and serve together.
 
Yours in Christ,

Construction Update

During the last month visible and notable progress has been accomplished with our Church renovation project.  Here are some of the highlights:

• Structural steel has been installed on the new addition and also inside the Church itself.
• A “patch paving” on South Street has been completed.
• The electrician and HVAC(heating, ventilation and air conditioning) continue to rough out systems.
• Church Restoration Group has installed a subfloor in the church.
• The mason has finished the brick tower on Virginia Avenue.
• In addition, new brick for the addition has been delivered.

Are you wondering what those two “islands” in the Church parking lot are for?  The Manasquan borough engineer requires the islands to maintain a traffic flow pattern in the parking lot.  Our Project Manager, Bob Burkitt, also tells us that there will be additional parking lot lighting in each island, and each island will be landscaped with a decorative tree. There is a reason for everything!

We have Bob Burkitt, Church Restoration Group(CRG) and our Steering Committee to thank for their dedication and commitment to this project.  To show our appreciation, in this season of giving, the Steering committee hosted a Christmas luncheon on Thursday,  December 18th for all the CRG construction workers. The CRG team was extremely appreciative of this kind gesture and enjoyed, coming together, in fellowship, prior to them all leaving for a much needed Christmas break.  They will be back to work right after the holidays!

Our “Sneak Peek”, guided tour, of the construction progress has been scheduled for March 1, prior to the congregational meeting.  You can check for construction updates and view photographs of the changes taking place on our Church website: www.fpcom.org

A Budget Update

Financial and Budget Update
As of January 7, 2009

We are still in the process of finalizing our financial records for 2008, but our preliminary reports indicate that due to the generous response of you, our church family, the Church will complete the year with a small favorable balance.

A good number of you responded to our earlier message and have contributed extra funds to offset the previously predicted deficit for 2008.  Also, the church family has responded by making year end contributions to complete their 2008 pledge commitment in full.  We are so thankful for your generous response.

To date, we have received pledges for 2009 totaling $515,000.  While this represents an increase in pledge dollars over 2008, it remains lower than the various Commissions have requested in their 2009 budgets to cover programs and services.   As mentioned previously, the Elders have made major reductions in our 2009 budget. Our Finance Commission is still striving to produce a balanced budget for 2009 to see what, if any, further reductions in expenses can be made.

Thank you again for all you are doing, and your continued support of our programs and services.

The 2008 Deficit

 

Our congregation is doing a tremendous job in making up the 2008 deficit in our budget.  At the latest budget meeting, it was reported that with present commitments, we are now only $38,000 in the red.  We still have many expenses here at the end of the year.  We need the continued generosity and extra gifts of many to help us end the year with a balanced budget.  Thank you to all those who give so generously.

The 2009 Budget

 

The Finance Commission is making a diligent effort to present a balanced budget for  2009.  There are several ways we are doing this.

1.           Cutting Expenses

                

We have made major reductions in several areas.  We have cut a staff  position and reduced staff benefits.  We have also reduced some programs and paid for other essential programs from reserves.  Through this process we have reduced the proposed budget from $693,982 to $619,756.  One elder said:  “We have bled the budget about as much as we can.  Any further cuts would require amputation of ministries.”  Even with these major cuts we are still about $80,000 low in our budget for next year.  Beyond the cuts we have made there are three additional ways we seek to balance the budget.

 

2.        Collect outstanding Pledges from Faithful supporters

Some of those who pledged last year have not yet made a pledge for 2009.  If all those that pledged last year would pledge the same amount in the coming year, we would have an addition $58,000 for the 2009 Budget.  This would go a long way in cutting the gap in our budget. But we need to know.  I have had several people who have already pledged tell me that they would make significant family sacrifices to increase their pledge, but they would like to be assured that their fellow members are also making a pledge sacrifice.  So it would be tremendously helpful to know what all our faithful supporters are planning to do.

 

3.        Receive new Pledges 

We also need new pledges.  We are a growing church with many new people calling First Pres home.  New pledges can provide a big boost as we plan for next year.  Perhaps pledging is a new experience and you do not feel comfortable stating what you plan to give, because you are not confident you can do it.  One person told me what they do:  “I write down less, but gave more.”  Of course, this would not be helpful in budget planning if everybody did this, but it would be helpful if you’ve never pledges, to at least give us a little idea.  It would also be nice to be able to go back to some of our old time givers and let them know that many of our newer people have begun to pledge for the first time.

 

4.        Increase Pledges already Given

  

I’ve had people come to me and offer increased pledges since our            Stewardship Sunday.  This has actually helped with about $60,000 of increase pledges to tighten the gap in our 2009 budget.  If you would like to do this, you can go on line and increase your pledge, call us or write us.  If you would like to discuss this with me or any of our elders just let us know.  We’d be happy to share with you, answer your questions and pray with you as you make your decisions.

 

Finally, thank you for all you are doing.  The pledges that we presently have represents a significant expression of generosity on your part.  We have a wonderful church, that is doing so much for Christ in our community.  You run this church.  Your loving gifts and service help bring home the love of Christ to so many. 

Help Requested from our Sister Churches

The deacons are doing a great job administering the community food pantry out of the Baptist church during the Presbyterian Church construction.  The deacons are asking all our members and the members of sister congregations to continue helping out for the Christmas season.  Here's their message to us:

 

Consistent with our Mission Statement that states that assistance from our Food Pantry is “available to anyone who comes seeking help,” our Board of Deacons has provided food baskets and turkeys to 108 families for Thanksgiving.  We were blessed with many food drives and monetary donations from the community that made this possible.  However, we have also promised these same 108 families food baskets for Christmas. 

 

Our resources have been greatly depleted, and we ask that you help us to keep our promise for Christmas, by requesting that your congregations continue to donate food and funds.  We specifically need holiday food items such as frozen turkeys, stuffing mix, instant mashed potatoes, canned yams, canned vegetables and fruits, cake mixes, icing mixes, and pie filling. 

Food donations may be delivered to the First Baptist Church and placed in the bins marked for that purpose at the rear of 51 South Street. 

Same Page with your Kids

A lot of families are enjoying the Cafe Worship following Sunday School.  The music is lively.  The children receive a fun lesson in RADhouse during my message to adults.  The theme in worship is directly related to the topics our children are learning about in Godzone.  In Worship you receive helpful insights for your spiritual leadership in the home.

Family Worship During Advent

I want to invite you to join us in worship as we celebrate Advent and Christmas. 

Family worship can be a very special experience to share together with your children.  Families who come to worship describe it as a spiritual experience where our emotions are touched by the heart of God and our thoughts are filled with the wisdom of God.  In worship, the Spirit of God touches our spirit.  Worship is fun! 

If you don't normally come to worship, I think this is the best time of the year to start.  Join together with us as we magnify the Lord together with the angels, shepherds and wisemen of old.  

Ideas for Christmas Study from Cathy Young

Advent is a time of anticipation and new beginnings.  Oftentimes, Christmas also seems a bit empty, especially if it is overstuffed with presents, wrappings, and unrealistic expectations. This year, you might want to add one tradition to the weeks of Advent with a personal or group study of "The Stars of Christmas."  If you have been thinking that you would like to read the Bible  but have not tried a long-term study or Sunday class, then this four week study might be right for you.  There are so many ways you could complete it.  You can use the study as part of an Advent tradition in your home each week, lighting candles with your family after reading and discussing the indicated passages.  You could invite a few friends or neighbors to share the Bible readings and discussion questions with you.  You can bring the material to an existing small-group meeting and enrich it with this Christmas story.  You can commit to meeting with the Lord, just one-on-one, to reflect on the miracle of Christ.  The material is familiar, but the discussion questions will bring new insights.  I pray you will find a way to participate in this church-wide study.  I know that if you do, your Christmas season will be blessed, and you will surely rejoice in the Christmas message this year!  Merry Christmas!