Announcements
Session Update: November 2021 to January 2022
Here is a summary of Session Activity over the last three months. Please continue to hold this hardworking group of people in your prayers as they seek to make wise and faithful decisions for this church community. Session receives monthly reports and recommendations from our various ministries and taskforces to guide its deliberations. Meetings usually run for two-and-a-half to three hours and are typically held on the last Wednesday of every month.
Among many other things Session:
Elected Sandy Sherrard as President of the Corporation, replacing Stan Krystek who is no longer. Thanks to Stan for his service.
Addressed the Boy Scouts of America Chapter 11 Bankruptcy Settlement. HPC is a Participating Chartered Organization in the Bankruptcy Settlement, and in 2020 filed a “Proof of Claim” to enable HPC to make a claim for payment in this bankruptcy case if need arose. Session was presented with options including to vote for or reject the settlement. On the advice of our attorney and from the Presbytery Session determined that Hopewell Presbyterian Church need take no additional action in the matter of the vote on the Boy Scouts of America Chapter 11 Plan of Reorganization.
Approved the use of the sanctuary for the Girl Scouts on January 9 at 3pm.
Approved the applications for membership of Seminarians Breeann Blumenthal and Ruth Amadio.
Approved the appointment of Deborah Jodrey as full time Minister of Youth Outreach and Director of the Hopewell Youth Collective.
Approved applications for time off by the Pastor.
Approved the next steps for the Sanctuary Taskforce Consultants’ Proposal for Upgrading the Sanctuary. Detailed discussion on this major project is ongoing.
Approved the Church’s Child and Vulnerable Adult Protection Plan. Prepared by Deborah Jodrey, this comprehensive document aims to secure a safe church environment for all our children, youth and vulnerable adults.
Formally adopted the Mission Giving Policy prepared by the Generosity ministry.
Authorized Pastor Melissa Martin to select and hire three interns from Princeton Theological Seminary for the 2022-2023 Program Year. These positions include two pastoral interns and one youth intern to support HPC youth programming and the Hopewell Youth Collective. The PTS internship for the Hopewell Council of Churches will be supervised by one of the other Council pastors.
Approved the 2021-2022 Mission Giving budget presented by the Generosity ministry. About $26,000 will be disbursed under this heading. This forms only a part of our overall outreach effort.
Ian Burrow
Clerk of Session
Mental Healh Worship & Wonder
While it’s still cold and we are still masked up, we will be hosting Worship and Wonder after worship on Sundays (11:45-12:30). This is an opportunity for conversation, connection, and education. For the month of February, our learning will focus on Mental Health and Faith. Nurture and Growth has chosen this topic because it is one of the missional foci identified by the Justice & Service Ministry for the 2021-22 program year.
2/6 - Mental Health in the Bible - Michael Paul Cartledge II (Ph.D. Candidate at PTS)
2/13 - FAITHfully Caring for Mental Health - Rev. Miriam Diephouse-McMillan (Chaplain at Trenton Psychiatric Hospital)
2/20 - Reflections on Mental Health & Faith - Student Pastor Ryan
2/27 - Intergenerational Service Activity supporting Mental Health - Student Pastor Ryan & Katie Rosenson
Bible Book Study
Love the gospel of John? Curious about it? Over the course of this spring Pastor Melissa’s sermons will be focusing on this book of the Bible. For those who want to dig a little deeper, we are also starting a Bible book study using Reading John for Dear Life by Jamie Clarke-Soles. Clarke-Soles offers unique perspectives on this unique gospel. Each chapter of the book addresses major themes in the text and offers reflection questions which will help you connect the story of Scripture to the story of your own life. This book group will take place on Monday nights starting Feb. 28 from 5-6pm in person. If you are interested in that group, contact Laurie B. If you need help obtaining the book, contact Lucy.
Scam Alert
Occasionally churches are the target of some unscrupulous activity, with someone posing as the pastor and asking for "help" from unwitting congregation members. Every church with a website is a potential target. It works this way: the scammers go to the church website and comb through newsletters for names, emails and cell phone numbers of church members. They also learn the name of the pastor from the website. Then, they "phish" for additional contact with members by creating a false but believable email address (or a random phone number for texts). They send vague messages posing as the pastor, asking for help with an unspecified matter, and instruct victims about how to contact them, via email or text. Unfortunately, there's no good recourse for such scams, as they haven't hacked existing emails or phone numbers and there's no effective way to trace them. The best defense is to be aware of any suspicious communications and DO NOT RESPOND. Simply delete them, or if you're unsure, check by calling or writing the Office or Pastor at their official church numbers and emails.
Church Library
Winter is a fine time to enjoy a good book from our church library. Delve into a favorite section of the Bible with a Bible Reference, find comfort with a book from the Devotions and Prayer section, discover how other Christians navigate their lives with an Individual Christian Living book, or escape with a selection from Christian Fiction. All of these and more categories are available to you on Sundays or anytime the church buildings are open during the week. The main library is on the second floor of the Education Wing, but in the small lounge on the first floor you will also find shelves full of books which have been studied and loved by recent small groups. Books for older children and young adults are in the main library room. With your younger children, browse through the books on the special shelves on the landing outside the Godly Play room. Borrowing is self-service but if you have questions or would like a book delivered to you, contact Carlana Sargent.
The Role of HPC Deacons
The PCUSA Book of Order defines the role of a Deacon as one who shares, “in the redeeming love of Jesus Christ for the poor, the hungry, the sick, the lost, the friendless, the oppressed, those burdened by unjust policies or structures, or anyone in distress.” The 11 members of the current Board of Deacons take this charge seriously, but what did this look like in Hopewell in 2021? How may you see the results of the Deacons in action?
One of the Deacons’ most critical callings is to establish relationships within our church family. Each church member and friend of the Congregation is assigned to a Member Care Team. This team consists of one Deacon and one Elder. Consider it your personal safety net and liaison to your church family. We regularly reach out to our in-care members and intentionally show our concern, love and support. The Deacons maintain the church’s prayer list and we welcome the opportunity to share your prayers of celebration or intercession. Please reach out to your Member Care Team if you have a prayer concern. If you don’t know who your assigned Deacon and Elder are, please call Lucy in the Church Office.
Not only do the Deacons nurture individual relationships, but we provide outreach to specific groups within the Congregation. We compile and ship care packages to our college students who are away from home. We maintain a SPLASH program where a monthly spiritual guide is sent to new parents. We provide meals to new parents, members with an illness, bereaved families and anyone experiencing an unexpected hardship. Our hospitality extends to providing comfort to the grieving by hosting receptions following funerals/memorial services. We also facilitate rides for people who can’t get to essential appointments.
Our care does not extend only to those who attend worship. As the pandemic has shown us, the church has no walls! We regularly call and visit members to strengthen those relationships established by our Member Care Teams. If someone is unable to come to church to receive Communion, the Deacons, accompanied by Pastor Melissa, may visit a member in their home or hospital and share Communion. If you would like a home visit or would like to receive Communion at home, please reach out to any Deacon, Pastor Melissa or Lucy in the Church Office.
We all experience unexpected obstacles. Whether they be medical, financial or spiritual, please reach out to the Deacons for support. Pastor Melissa recently used the term in her sermon “womb to tomb” and that is the totality of care provided by HPC and administered by the Deacons. There is no membership requirement to receive Deacon support. All support is offered to whomever needs it by the redeeming love of Jesus Christ! The Deacons in Hopewell are hard at work spreading that love.
2022 Per Capita
Officially “Per capita is an opportunity for all communicant members of the Presbyterian church through the governing bodies to participate equally, responsibly, and interdependently by sharing the cost of coordination and evaluation of mission; and of performing ecclesiastical, legislative, and judicial functions that identify a Reformed Church, while at the same time strengthening the sense of community among all Presbyterians” (GA Minutes, Part I, 1995).
In essence: “Per capita is a set amount of money (apportionment) per member that congregations pay to the larger Presbyterian Church (USA). Every Presbyterian shares in the benefit of the PC (USA)’s system of government, so every Presbyterian is asked to share the expenses associated with coordinating and performing the functions of that system.”
The annual per capita amount is a combined request from a congregation’s Presbytery, Synod, and the General Assembly. The 2021 General Assembly budget determines the individual capita rate that provides:
Expenses for bringing commissioners and advisory delegates to a General Assembly
The cost of bringing together Presbytery and Synod church leaders for training events, as well as those who serve on permanent GA committees
Tools to develop and administer ordination exams
Travel expenses of the Moderator and Vice Moderator of the GA
The call system and other work that helps all Presbyterians discern their vocation
Information, advice, and council to Presbyteries and pastors about immigration issues
The Presbyterian Historical Society
The production and distribution of the Book of Order, Book of Confessions, and other GA publications
A Presbyterian presence at ecumenical groups and gatherings in the United States and worldwide.
For 2022, Hopewell Presbyterian’s per capita is $40.00 per member.
MLK Day of Service - 1/17/22
Hopewell Gives Back will again be leading us in a MLK Day of Service. Up to 90 volunteers will be able to be present on the day of the event while anyone else wishing to participate can do so virtually. Projects can be picked up in Fellowship Hall on Saturday, 1/15, from 10:00 AM - 12:00 PM and Monday, 1/17, from 9:00 AM - 12:00 PM.
Sign up is required. Click here.
For more information see the Hopewell Gives Back Facebook page @HopewellGives Back or on their website hopewellgivesback.weebly.com.
Poinsettias are given to the glory of God . . .
Click here to see our complete list of poinsettias given to the glory of God in loving memory and in honor of loved ones.
Get to know our new members!
Ruth Amadio
Ruth grew up in Northeast Ohio and went to college at Kent State University. She is now a first year MDiv student at Princeton Seminary, and is loving getting to know this area of New Jersey!
Breeann Blumenthal
Breeann is originally from Tucson, Arizona. She has five sisters, including a twin! She enjoys crafts, going to coffee shops, traveling, and watching movies. She spent the last few years in Southern California at Azusa Pacific University and how she is currently in her second year of her Masters of Divinity program at Princeton Theological Seminary. While she is still discerning where God is leading her, she is passionate about empowering others and learning about the Bible.
Giving our Gifts: Generosity Ministry Update
In this season of gift giving, the Generosity Committee is delighted to share with you the way they are helping us as a congregation give the gifts we have been given to share. One of the great gifts we have been given to share, is a bequest from Alex & Eunice Sharipen. As we considered how to steward this gift, tithing was the first act of the Sharipen Bequest Taskforce. Through their prayerful work…
$300,000 was given to Presbyterian Disaster Assistance to help with US based emergencies.
They then designated an additional $75,000 for the support the other regular mission partnerships of the church.
To help continue to steward a discernment process around that $75,000 and those regular mission partnerships, the Session formed the church’s Generosity Committee. This ministry strives to give to missions and organizations that help us affirmatively answer the following questions:
Does their mission help us love like Jesus, building up our relationship with God, one another, and the community?
Does this organization help us offer unconditional love to our neighbor?
Does their mission emphasize equity? (Who do they serve? Why?)
Do they have access to other resources? Do they need the money? (Know this through their 990s) If they do need money, is there a specific financial ask?
Do we have a real relationship with the organization? (Would cultivating that relationship be possible? To what degree?)
After developing a thoughtful and prayerful process, the following are the organizations and amounts the Session has approved the Generosity Committee to disburse.
Congregational Care
HPC Deacons Benevolence & Special Needs Fund- $5,000
In addition to the responsibilities of visitation and care, the Hopewell Presbyterian Church Deacons lead the congregation in serving our community by confidentially addressing requests from local individuals and families for financial support. These funds will help the Deacons meet emergency needs when out of funds.
HPC Missions
Creative Connections Playschool - $3,000
This amount was designated for the “Green Fund” the scholarship fund of CCPS, set up to help families in our community afford early childhood education. CCPS “…was founded with a passion to provide a creative, meaningful, hands-on learning environment for children 3-6 years of age. CCPS Director and head teacher, Liz Blankstein, maintains a program inspired by the Reggio Emilia philosophy of early childhood education. This philosophy is increasingly being adopted by early childhood programs in the United States. At CCPS we understand that the classroom is the third teacher and is designed to inspire learning. Provocations are set up for children to make hypotheses, investigate and create …”
Local Partners
Camp Johnsonburg - $10,000
The Johnsonburg Camp and Retreat Center, located in the northwest region in New Jersey’s highlands, was established in 1959 to provide Christian education experiences in support of the Presbyterian Church in New Jersey. They provide summer camp, programmed retreats, spiritual sanctuary, conference retreat venues, special needs camps and four weeks of service to the homeless. Their mission is to provide a place where all are welcome and where all are invited to share, and where gracious hospitality is provided in a joyful Christian community surrounded by the beauty of God’s creation.
Chubby’s Project - $5,000
Chubby’s project is motivated by the desire to “…nurture the mind, body and spirit of our community.” They describe themselves as a”… hyper local program dedicated to food justice and building connections within the Hopewell community. ”Through our lunch program and food pantry, The Project aims to nourish the community’s mind, body, and spirit by creating a full circle of connection between recipients, volunteers, donors and food service workers.” “The Chubby’s Project, a non –profit corporation, and Chubby’s of Hopewell, LLC (the restaurant ) are two different entities working together. The restaurant provides meals, buys food and packaging at cost, infrastructure and labor, and the Project pays for the restaurant contribution using funds from grants and private donations.”
Arm in Arm - $2,500
This charity has its headquarters in Trenton, NJ and helps people who need food, housing and job support to connect with people who want to help. “Arm and Arm is a place where community comes together to make sure we all have the most basic needs of food and shelter and, as possible, the livelihood to maintain them.” They believe that when the entire community is thriving everyone benefits. It was started in 1980 by members of Nassau Presbyterian Church and Trinity Church to help those needing financial assistance. It was originally known as The Crisis Ministry but the name was changed in 2016 to focus on the collaborative partnerships of linking those needing help with those offering help.
Rescue Mission - $2,500
The Trenton, N.J. Rescue Mission’s goal is “… to help put an end to homelessness – one person at a time.” Over the years people have been helped through the Mission’s Shelter, the Behavioral Health Center, Vocational Development Programs, Supportive Housing, the Thrift Store and the Food Pantry.
Trenton Area Soup Kitchen (TASK) - $2,500
TASK’s mission is to “… feed those who are hungry in the Trenton area and offer programs to encourage self-sufficiency and improve the quality of life.” The Deacons and other church members help on a regular basis to serve meals to those in need at the Soup Kitchen.
National & International
Friends for Health in Haiti - $20,000
This amount will help cover the rebuilding of latrines in Haiti. Click here to learn more. The mission of Friends for Health in Haiti is “… to improve the health of the people of Haiti in a caring, compassionate manner as a reflection of our Christian faith.” Over the years, HPC has supported Dr. Katie Wolf. She developed a primary care clinic and maternity center located on the northern coast of the southern peninsula. Friends for Health in Haiti was founded by Dr. Wolf in 2006 which was also the same year she moved to take up permanent residence there. Because of the funds raised by Friends for Health in Haiti, Dr. Wolf was able to purchase land for a primary care medical clinic. This new clinic opened in March, 2014. In 2017 the Mission Committee of the New Brunswick Presbytery sponsored a work camp for church members to travel to Haiti to help Dr. Wolf.
Presbyterian Disaster Assistance - $20,000
Presbyterian Disaster Assistance is a program of the Presbyterian Church U.S.A. that helps congregations to witness to the healing love of Christ by caring for people who have experienced catastrophic events. It is involved in long term recovery assistance such as natural disasters, the covid-19 crisis and provides help for refugees. This $20,000 was specifically directed to support Afghan refugees.
As we approach the celebration of the Christ-Child we are filled with wonder and awe at God’s amazing gifts. “Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is Christ the Lord.” (Luke 2:11) Jesus taught that the most important commandment is to love the Lord with all your heart and strength (Deuteronomy 6:4-5) and to love your neighbor as yourself. (Leviticus 19:18) We are able to show our Christian love by supporting those in need through the extraordinary Sharipen gift. The shepherds were frightened but the angel of the Lord appeared to them and said Do not be afraid for I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all people.” (Luke 2:10) Let us be thankful for this good news of the birth of our Lord and Savior.
In Christ,
Pastor Melissa & Ruth Mortensen
Generosity Ministry
Giving Tuesday
You might have noticed that your email inboxes, social media feeds, and maybe even your snail mailboxes are full of messages from your favorite non-profits and organizations encouraging you to consider them on this day that has become known as Giving Tuesday. The Tuesday after Thanksgiving became known as Giving Tuesday back in 2012 with the purpose of creating a "global generosity movement unleashing the power of people and organizations to transform their communities and the world."
This idea that generosity can transform our communities and world is not a new one to folks of faith. The prophet Malachi said this:
Bring the full tithe into the storehouse, so that there may be food in my house, and thus put me to the test, says the Lord of hosts; see if I will not open the windows of heaven for you and pour down for you an overflowing blessing. -Mal 3:10
Much like the invitation of Giving Tuesday, the Prophet Malachi helps us hear God's call--and how good is God that we are invited to participate in care for the world and the ministry of the church? This was a favorite verse of our dear friend Dick Scheetz. Dick was a believer in the principle that giving is a gift, one that overflows with blessing, and he was always inviting everyone he knew to give more--including the church! Dick knew that this was not just a call to individuals, but as a community as well.
HPC responded to this invitation by allocating 11% of the church’s tithes, offerings, and income to missions. For the 2021-2022 year, that is projected to be approximately $41,000. This money will be allocated by the Generosity Ministry and includes both giving to Mission partners, allocating funds for Benevolence and Special Needs, and for the Pastors Discretionary Fund. At the November Session meeting, the Session voted on a set of guidelines to direct the way we allocate funds. Click here to see how we are developing the website to offer clarity on these practices.
This $41,000 for mission giving is not the cap on the way we give. We give generously through the time of our staff and through the use of our building. Financially speaking, 63% of the budget goes to staff and 20% goes to building.
This past weekend we used our building to host approximately 30 people from the Chubby's Project and HPC community who were looking for a place to celebrate Thanksgiving. We then took the overflowing blessing of leftovers and made an additional 30 Thanksgiving meals for those who regularly receive deliveries from the Chubby's project.
When it comes to staff, this year we allocated our funds to build up our staff who are dedicated to caring for the children and youth in our community. Deborah Jodrey has not only worked to build up our weekly Youth Lunches for HPC youth but also to design and develop the Hopewell Youth Collective, with the goal of serving all the youth of Hopewell and all the churches of the Hopewell Council of Churches. Additionally, Katie Rosenson has helped us jump feet first into offering Godly Play during worship. The blessings of this of this work are on full display each Sunday as our youngest lead us in the Passing of the Peace--a few of whom are pictured below.
We are currently half way through our church's fiscal year and up until this point we have received $191,521 through tithes and offerings (not including designated gifts), and we have had $201,326 in expenses, creating a gap of $9,805. Consider what God could do through you if we not only fill the gap--but continue fill our storehouses to overflowing. We say "continue" because (as many of you know) we received a substantial bequest from Alex and Eunice Sharipen. At the recommendation of the Sharipen Bequest Taskforce, Session has tithed 12.5% of this fund, dispensed a portion on amazing projects like updating the Sanctuary and starting the Hopewell Youth Collective, and set up an endowment which will continue to fund big projects that promote new ministry through HPC. For more on this, click here. We hope that the recently started projects we have grown to love and our general operations can continue to be sustained through you.
So again we ask you to dream with us about what God could do through you if we not only fill the gap--but continue fill our storehouses to overflowing!
Barb Pauley, Chair of Financial Stewardship
Pastor Melissa
Historic Thanksgiving Eve Service
History was made at the Old School Baptist Meeting House on Thanksgiving Eve!
Every so often you get to see history made before your eyes. And, history was made at the Old School Baptist Meeting House in Hopewell New Jersey on Wednesday November 24th 2021, when for the first time people who are not men led worship from the pulpit.
Some context is needed to explain why this day was so significant. The Old School Baptist congregation was established in Hopewell in 1715. In 1747 they built a meeting house on the site of the present building, erected in 1822.
The “Old School” Baptists were so-called because of the way they valued the role tradition played in their faith. This dedication to tradition played out in many different ways, including the following: They did not allow musical instruments to be used in worship. They felt that church schools and missionary activities were impious. They did not permit women to lead worship, seeing the pulpit as a sacred space reserved for the leadership of men.
The congregation in Hopewell ceased to exist in the 1970’s, and now the property is lovingly maintained by a board of trustees and an endowment set up for that purpose. The church is used each year (pandemics permitting) for a Thanksgiving Service hosted by the five-congregation Hopewell Council of Churches (two Baptists, Methodist, Presbyterian, and Roman Catholic). While the town Hopewell has had female clergy since 1986, out of respect for the Old School Baptist Church’s tradition and as a gesture of support for those female clergy, all the clergy in attendance chose to lead worship from the floor, instead of the pulpit. Last year, spurred by reflection shared by Rev. Greg Smith in the Hopewell Council of Churches book study, Rev. Melissa Martin—with the heartfelt support of the entire Council—took steps to revisit the tradition of who is permitted to enter the pulpit of the Old School Baptist Meeting House. With gratitude for the connections of Pastor Dennis O’Neil, Chair of the Hopewell Council of Churches, the approval for a change in practice was given.
Thus, on November 24th for the first time in the history of the building, persons who are not male lead worship from the pulpit. They include:
Eden Thompson, a young woman of color and member of Second Calvary Baptist, who led the call to worship—making her the first to lead from the pulpit;
Lorraine Donahue, a leader in the Hopewell Council of Churches and member of the Hopewell United Methodist Church;
Tori Paquette, student of Princeton Theological Seminary and intern for the Hopewell Council of Churches;
Rev. Melissa A. Martin, Pastor of the Hopewell Presbyterian Church, who gave the sermon from the pulpit.
Such things no longer seem particularly unusual. That they took place here, however, is profoundly symbolic.
To mark this historic occasion, the clergy of the town of Hopewell developed and presented the following statement:
In gratitude for the work of the Holy Spirit in the hearts of all God’s children,
In gratitude for the churches and local leaders who are committed to the growth and care of our community,
In gratitude for our common calling to do justice, love mercy, and walk humbly,We as the undersigned clergy of the Hopewell commit ourselves to guiding the council—through which we influence the wider community—in finding ways to celebrate the service, care, and calling of all God’s children, inclusive of their gender. We do this so that every girl, boy, and child of this community may know that they are loved and respected by the wide family of faith.
To do this we commit to exploring the history of gender within our community and churches.
To do this we commit to continuing our ecumenical dialogue, realizing that as an ecumenical group we have a unique opportunity to stretch and learn, and to walk alongside one another in acts of celebration, repentance, and reconciliation.
To do this we commit to learning more about the role gender has played in our society and world—discerning how communities of faith and churches can both learn from and speak into this conversation.
This statement we make today, Thanksgiving Eve Nov. 24 2021, in celebration of the first time persons who are not men have been allowed to lead worship from this pulpit.
Rev. Dr. Willy L. Mafuta
Rev. Melissa A. Martin
Pastor Dennis O’Neill
Rev. Stephen Sansevere
Rev. Gregory Smith
Additional gratitude was offered over the course of the Thanksgiving Eve service. They include:
The leaders in the community and trustees of the building—as well as John Buck for preparing the space for the service.
Nelly, a young woman of color who was excommunicated from the Old School Baptist Meeting House in connection to the fact that she chose to bear a child although unwed. Nelly was identified by Rev. Greg Smith during the Hopewell Council of Churches book study on If These Stones Could Talk, and it is her story that officially kicked off the process of inquiry into the tradition of women in the pulpit.
Rev. Kim Richter, Rev. Ginny Smith, Rev. Kate Glurich, and Rev. Laura Steele, the female clergy who have served the town of Hopewell.
The countless female lay leaders who have served on the council of churches and in the individual church communities.
Current clergy of Hopewell: Rev. Dr. Willy L. Mafuta, Pastor Dennis O’Neil, Rev. Stephen Sansevere, Rev. Gregory Smith, and Rev. Melissa Martin who penned the statement on the clergy’s behalf.
Members of the Hopewell Council of Churches, namely Liz Blankstein, Pat Dansberry, Jean Davis, Lorraine Donahue, Lyn Farrugia, Deborah Jodrey, Rev. Dr. Willy Mafuta, Rev. Melissa A. Martin, Pastor Dennis O’Neill, Tori Paquette, Janet Riemer, Rev. Stephen Sansevere, Rev. Gregory Smith, Clarence Thompson.
And Eden Thomson – for leading the way!
Additional gratitude goes to Charlie Ashton for organizing the music for the event, the Brooks Ensemble for giving profound musical testimony, and the community of Hopewell.
This long list of gratitude demonstrates the importance of the entire community in creating change—the kind that makes it possible for us to see history made before our very eyes.
Communities of Light & Tree Lighting
You are invited to join us on Monday, December 6th, at 5:30, as we partner with Womenspace for their 20th Annual “Communities of Light” event. We will be placing candles around the HPC property and lighting them as a symbol of hope for people impacted by domestic violence, sexual assault, and human trafficking. After lighting the candles, we will gather outside to sing a few carols and light the Remembrance Tree in honor of those who have gone before us and those in our community who have been impacted.
Advent Devotional Emails
Every weekday morning in Advent, the church office will be sending out an email with a song recommendation for the day to help prepare our hearts for the Advent of Jesus.
There are two ways to enjoy this. First, make sure you are signed up to receive these emails. If you have received similar emails in the past, you are already on the list. If not, click here to sign up. The second way to enjoy this is to share a personal favorite for this series. All you need to do is choose a song that is special for you in this season and email it to Lucy along with a short paragraph explaining why you like it. And it would be great if you include a link to a video and maybe the lyrics. Please send your contributions by Monday, December 6th.
Worship & Wonder: What is it?
Hello HPC Community,
As you have likely heard, this Advent season, we are taking a different approach to our traditional “Wisdom & Wonder” time. Instead of meeting before our worship service from 9:15-10:00, we will be meeting after worship from 11:45-12:30. This new meeting time also comes with a name change. We are calling this new time “Worship & Wonder,” a subtle name shift, but an intentional one that comes with new meaning. Each Sunday in Advent, our youngest worshipers will be unwrapping a gift in our worship service during the Call to Offering. Each of these gifts will be a special Advent symbol, such as Advent wreaths and ornaments, that come with a beautiful history that links them to Christian communities throughout the ages. After learning about these Advent symbols in worship, everyone is invited to gather in Fellowship Hall to make these Advent symbols and spend time in community with one another. In this way, we are intentionally connecting what we are doing in our worship together with a time of education and community, hence the name “Worship & Wonder.”
This shift is in part motivated by continued COVID-19 precautions and the cold winter weather that quickly approaches. As you know, we have been gathering outside the Welcome Center after the service to share a time of fellowship and food. As the winter weather sets in, continuing our outdoor fellowship time will become increasingly difficult. Therefore, instead of forgoing our fellowship time, we are merely changing its form. Although there will be no food or drink to comply with masking guidelines, all are welcome to participate in this intergenerational time of fellowship and creativity. It is our sincere hope that this time of “Worship & Wonder” invites you into a renewed sense of expectation for the arrival of the Christ Child this Advent season. We hope that these Advent symbols will take on new meaning as we craft them together and that they will evoke new memories that you will create as you share in this time of intergenerational fellowship with one another.
To see what we have planned. Click here.
Student Pastor Ryan
Stained Glass Window & Stewarship Update
Submitted by Scott Megaffin
A two-part message and update of Stewardship and the impact gifts can have on Hopewell Presbyterian Church.
As many know HPC was the recipient of a very generous gift from Eunice and Alex Sharipen. The love that Eunice and Alex held for our church was fractionally reflected in their gift, but perhaps even more so in their desire to provide an enduring impact on the Hopewell Community.
The main sanctuary window is just one example of how their financial gift is being utilized to support the mission of HPC. As the accompanying pictures illustrate; age, weather and insects had an effect on the window. The timing of God’s grace and the gift from Eunice and Alex has provided HPC the opportunity to work with Epiphany Studios to restore the window and bring back the brilliance it represents to the HPC Sanctuary.
The Epiphany team of window restorers removed the original window, transported it to Maryland to their shop and fully resorted both the lead structures that hold the stained glass, but also the lead and framing which comprise the window itself.
This is a meticulous process of first tracing the window, matching the glass colors and then reapplying the lead so that the glass is securely fitted. They have also removed the wood frame and are currently reconstructing the framing with construction grade mahogany. Epiphany is also matching the trim work so that it is exactly like the original design. They ordered custom wood carving tools and have cut and crafted each piece of the new trim to the same design as before.
The window is targeted for re-installation before Thanksgiving of this year.
Wise people have said that our goal as followers of Christ is NOT to know every detail of the future. Instead, OUR GOAL is to hold the hand of the One who does; and NEVER, EVER let go!
On Sunday, Melissa preached from First Kings, the story of Solomon. He lived a life wholly for God and a life tragically fragmented by divided love.
As the son of David, Solomon understood that his love of the Lord, if to prosper must find application in the ways in which he led his people. So he undertook the building the Temple in a way so that it would secure their prosperity in God’s kingdom. As Solomon pursued the Lord in his statecraft, he found successes without precedent. He was a very prolific and successful king.
As I shared on Sunday morning, Jennifer and I discussed my message. She encouraged me to “keep it short and simple” - - to which I replied, “what do you recommend?”
She said, “God loves a cheerful giver” – which was obviously sage advice.
“The Solomon Principle” is described as one of “Joy and Productivity”, interpreted as being cheerful. Solomon could have chosen anything he wanted – courage, strength, even more money, or fame, in his relationship with Good.
Solomon chose to request an understanding heart.
Similar to Solomon, we need not know every detail of the future, yet through giving of our time, talent and treasure; while listening, learning and growing our UNDERSTANDING HEARTS.
We can, together, here at HPC – support the ministries of the present and the future.
Give generously. Give freely. As we grow in Love for Him.
In doing so, we are provided the opportunity to reach up and take hold of the HAND of the One that knows the future.
Hopewell Youth Collective Update
The Hopewell Youth Collective has been hard at work building a float for the Chubby’s Project as one of the many floats that will be featured at D&R Greenway Land Trust’s Halloween event, The Masquerade Parade! If you are a youth and are interested in helping, we need help finishing the float on October 30th from 1:00-5:00 PM. On the day of the event, we need help setting up, (hu)manning the float from 12:00-5:00 PM, and clean up afterwards. Please reach out to Deborah Jodrey at dgjodrey94@gmail.com if you are interested in helping out!
Anyone in the community is invited to sign up to attend the event and support the youth in the community, The Chubby’s Project, and D&R Greenway Land Trust! Check out their website to sign up to attend.
Thanksgiving Lunch with Chubby’s Project
Linda, Dick, George, Barbara, and Cathe at the 2019 Thanksgiving Lunch hosted with Family Promise at HPC.
Partnering with the Chubby’s Project, Hopewell Presbyterian Church will be hosting those in our community who are looking for a community with whom to celebrate Thanksgiving. The idea for this event was inspired by the life and ministry of Dick Scheetz who with Linda led HPC in hosting guests from Family Promise for Thanksgiving Lunch. In celebration of Dick’s life we will continue to host this lunch.
This year the guests of honor will be those served by the Chubby’s Project. The Chubby’s Project is a hyperlocal program dedicated to food justice and building connections within the Hopewell community. Folks from the wider community and church will also be invited to attend, to contribute a side or dessert to share, and/or to cook a turkey to share. Turkeys have graciously been provided through the Chubby’s Project by the Elks.
When: Nov. 25 (Thanksgiving Day) 2:00-5:00pm with hors d’oeuvres at 2pm and dinner at 3:00
Where: HPC Fellowship Hall (80 W. Broad Street)
Who: Anyone looking for a community with whom to share Thanksgiving!
To sign up to join and/or to contribute a side, dessert, or your turkey cooking skills, click below. If you are contributing but are not planning to attend write in your RSVP “Turkey ONLY” or “Dessert ONLY” or “Side ONLY.” If you would like to help set up on Wednesday afternoon at 2pm contact Sandy Ogg or the Church Office. The Chubby’s Project will be providing to-go containers so that left overs may be sent to the homes of the many people supported through the project. Those who sign up will also help put those together!
By signing up you affirm that you feel physically safe meeting for dinner indoors, in-person, in a mask optional setting, with what we can only presume would be mostly vaccinated people.
Sunday of Service - Rise Against Hunger - Sunday, 11/7/2021
This year for Sunday for Service, The Hopewell Council of Churches is planning an event called Rise Against Hunger. It will be held at Hopewell Elementary on Sunday, November 7th, at 9:30 AM. Participants need to sign up online. Click here.
You do not need to donate any money, but if you feel called to offset the cost to the Council of Churches, you may make a donation when you sign up.
Rise Against Hunger is an organization that seeks to feed hungry people around the world and their ultimate goal is to end Global Hunger. The Philadelphia branch of RAH is coming to Hopewell to organize us into meal packing teams. There will be a job for everyone in the school cafeteria. Parking will be easy, right in the lot behind the school. The cafeteria is right on the ground level. Please lend a hand on Sunday November 7th.
There will be a worship service in the evening, held at HPC at 7pm. You may attend in person wearing a mask, or on zoom from the comforts of your home.