The Presbyterian Church

BASKING RIDGE, NEW JERSEY FOUNDED CIRCA 1717

January 18, 2015

"The first service that one owes to others

in the fellowship consists of listening to them.

Just as love of God begins with listening to his word,

so the beginning of love for our brothers and sisters

is learning to listen to them."

— Dietrich Bonhoeffer, Life Together

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 Westminster Presby-terian Church, Berkeley Heights.

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 18, 2015 2nd Sunday after Epiphany

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

PRELUDE Steal Away to Jesus (9:00) Spiritual, arr. Charles Callahan (10:15) arr. Raymond Haan

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

CALL TO WORSHIP Dr. Maureen Paterson

Leader: God calls us by name, and we answer, “Here I am!” People: God calls us by name, and we say, “Speak, for your servant is listening.”

Leader: Let us worship the God who claims us, and calls us, People: and sends us forth as children of blessing and promise.

*HYMN 757 Today We All Are Called to Be Disciples kingsfold

PRAYER OF CONFESSION (unison)

Ever-seeking and ever-speaking God,

We confess how one-sided our conversation with you often is.

We are so eager to speak. We are so eager to tell you about our wants and our needs.

We so often forget the importance of listening.

We so often fail to pause and be quiet and be still.

God help us to learn again how to wait upon you,

how to listen for your still small voice,

how to listen for your life-giving and life-directing word.

Forgive our reluctance to risk, and to trust, and to listen.

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.

*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

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

*HYMN 721 (10:15) Lord, You Have Come to the Lakeshore pescador de hombres (vv. 1, 3 and 4)

ASSURANCE OF PARDON

SCRIPTURE LESSON 1 Samuel 3: 1-20 p. 247

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

SERMON Sacred Listening Rev. Dennis W. Jones

PRESENTATION OF TITHES AND OFFERING

SOLO (9:00) Come Sunday Duke Ellington

Nancy DiSisto, mezzo soprano

ANTHEM (10:15) This Little Light of Mine Spiritual, arr. Neil Johnson

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 700 I’m Gonna Live So God Can Use Me i’m gonna live

BENEDICTION

POSTLUDE Two Spirituals Charles Callahan

I Want to Be Ready/ Go Down Moses

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. 2015 Offering Envelopes are available in Westminster Hall

for those who requested them.

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

~ In loving memory of David DeGennaro, by his family.

~ In celebration of the 88th birthday of Bob Taylor, today, January 18, by his wife Eleanor.

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

Interim Director of Music Ministries We welcome Clifford Parrish today as our Interim Director of Music Ministries following Mary Lou Stevens’ retirement. Cliff has been a church musician for 50 years, serving Bap-tist, Methodist, UCC, Episcopal, and now, Presbyterian congregations. He has also worked in various educational institutions with ages ranging from 5th grade through college, most recently at Fairleigh Dickinson Universtiy and Villa Walsh Academy. In addition he is very active as a director and music director for theater, serving on the board for Chester Theater Group. Cliff holds a BME degree from Jacksonville University (Florida) and MM degree in conducting from Westminster Choir College in Princeton. He lives in Bernardsville. We are fortunate to have such a gifted, experienced music director available to serve us through Lent while the Music Director Search Committee completes its effort to find a long term succes-sor to Mary Lou Stevens.

Music Ministries

Join us for Coffee and Fellowship between services beginning at 9:45 a.m., hosted by Ken and Evelyn Helland, and after the 10:15 a.m. worship service, hosted by Mark and Jo-elle Strona.

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.

Sunday Small Group—Today at 9 a.m. in the Church House Parlor Today the 9 a.m. Sunday Small Group will begin a discussion of Marcus Borg’s book The Heart of Christianity. 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 will be available in the Church Office for $10 for those who need a copy. New members are always welcome.

Adult Small Group

Ladies Who Brunch—Small Group—Meet Next Sunday, January 25 Ladies who Brunch will be meeting at 11:45 a.m. on Sunday, January 25th at Market Restau-rant, 995 Mt. Kemble 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.

Bibles & Bagels Resumes Today Bibles & Bagels, the Middle School Sunday School is back to its regular time today. Middle schoolers are to attend the 10:15 service in the sanctuary and meet their teachers in the Nar-thex when dismissed, to be led to the Church House Library. They can be picked up in Westminster Hall following service. The next few meeting dates are: January 25th, February 8th and February 15th.

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 is an integral part of the Senior High Fellow-ship 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 do-nation at the door.

Youth and Young Adult Ministries

Middle School Fellowship Retreat—February 20-21 Join us for our overnight retreat for Middle School students at St. John the Divine Cathedral, NYC! We will leave on Friday, February 20 at 3:30 p.m. and return on Saturday, February 21 at 11 a.m. Tickets are $85 per person but this price is subject to change if more than 15 students sign up! Please RSVP to donnaanderle@brpc.org and send a $40 check deposit made out to the church, ATTN: Donna Anderle, by Monday, January 19 to secure your spot!

Early Bird Study Group Begins New Study—8 a.m. in Church House Library The Early Bird Bible Study group is starting with a new study, based on The God I Never Knew: How Real Friendship with the Holy Spirit can Change Your Life. Meeting at 8:00 a.m. in the Church House Library, we will discuss another subject that’s often overlooked for in-depth study. 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 at the table for more – to go wherever the Spirit leads.

Membership

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

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.

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.

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 to God’s Co-op Pantry. Donations may be brought to the church house. Thank you for your support!

Join Us for these Upcoming Services and Events!

January 25 Annual Congregational Meeting following the 10:15 am Service

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

February 18 Ash Wednesday

February 21 Oak Table Service/Come As Y ou Are

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...

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 18

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 Fellowship Time, 11:15 am ............. Westminster Hall Nominating Committee, 11:30 am ... Parlor Senior High Fellowship, 7:00 pm .... Youth Center MONDAY—JANUARY 19

Church Office Closed for Martin Luther King Holiday

TUESDAY—JANUARY 20

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 Personnel Council, 7:00 pm ............. Parlor

Knox Bell Choir, 7:30 pm ................ Knox Room WEDNESDAY—JANUARY 21

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

Middle School Fellowship, 6:00 pm Youth Center

Stephen Ministry, 6:30 pm ............... Parlor

Sr. High Youth Council Meeting, 7:30 pm Library

THURSDAY—JANUARY 22

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

FRIDAY—JANUARY 23

Book Group, 7:30 pm ...................... Library

SATURDAY—JANUARY 24

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