2011 Red Bank CROP Walk to End Hunger

The church had a fine representation today at the 31st Red Bank CROP Walk, a 5 mile walk against hunger sponsored by Church World Service.

Memorial Service to Honor the Life of Joan Horky

First Presbyterian Church Members

Joan Horky, member of our church family since 1992, passed away peacefully on September 20. Joan served the First Presbyterian Church as Elder and Deacon and was an active member of this congregation until her illness a few years ago.


Joan is survived by Herb and two children: Steve (currently of Long Island) and Terry Jo Rule, and two grand daughters – all of Michigan.


Please keep everyone of them in your prayers,


Grace and Peace,


Pastor Scott


The arrangements are as follows:
Viewing: Sunday, September 25 - 1:30-3:30 p.m.
Bedles Funeral Home
212 Main Street, Matawan
Ph: 732-566-1962
A reception at the church will follow.


Memorial Service - 4:00 p.m.
First Presbyterian Church of Matawan
883 Highway 34
Matawan, NJ 07747


A reception will follow immediately in Fellowship Hall.


Condolences can be sent to her husband, Herb at:
12 Van Ethel Drive
Matawan, NJ 07747

Irene's Aftermath on a Monday Afternoon

In the aftermath of working five days with local governments and the Red Cross in shelters and around town, I stopped by the church this morning out of curiosity to check out what was going on.  I followed the sound of a wet vac to the darkened fellowship hall.  There Rev Scott Cupp joined myself and Kay Kniering and Sis Demarco.  Barbara DeVilbiss worked the vac methodically across the floor taking up water that had leaked in.

Rev Cupp said the church and the manse, like much of Matawan had no power in general, but a single "hot" circuit was found.  This allowed us to plug in the freezer and refrigerator and operate the wet vac.  Sis had checked on church members and was taking flowers for visits I believe.  Kay was picking up some flowers as well.  We all shared stories and well wishes as Barbara wrapped up her lone task.

I received an e-mail from the Jersey Coast Chapter of the American Red Cross with this link to make donations.  Please feel free to give an undesignated gift, as the funds will be spread to cover all of the local, regional, national and world disasters.

Backpacks for Education Provided by MA Rotary

Photo by Chelsea Naso

Matawan-Aberdeen Patch reported that the local Rotary has provided 113 backpacks to local school children.  Some will be reserved for children at the Manna House, a transitional program for homeless women and children.  The rest will go to the Matawan Aberdeen Regional School District.

Last week's Matawan Aberdeen Rotary Club meeting was attended by Rev. Scott Cupp and church Office Manager June Nicora.

The Rotary Club is a major supporter of Mission Matawan, a community outreach of the First Presbyterian Church.

October 1 Interfaith Event: Meditation

Local Interfaith Event

You are invited to the annual Shanti (peace in Sanskrit) event sponsored by the Monmouth Center of World Religions and Ethical Thought (www.interfaith-mcwret.org). The event will be held on Saturday Oct. 1 from 4PM to 7PM. There is no need to register and the event is free. Light refreshments will be served. The event will take place at the Unitarian Universalist Meeting House on 1475 West Front Street in Lincroft, NJ 07738.

The keynote speaker will be Dr. V. Swaminathan. The subject will be meditation (dhyana); a tool to help one to attain inner peace. Dr. V. Swaminathan will describe the principles of meditation “to help one to be just oneself”. A brief practice session of meditation will be included.  For more information contact Joe Ritacco, Member of FPC Mission Commission and Board Member of MCWRET

Submitted by Joe Ritacco

9/11/11 Standing Together: An Interfaith Witness for Peace

Members of the diverse faith communities of Monmouth County are invited to come together to the North Beach of Sandy Hook on the evening of September 11, 2011. At sunset, 7:12 PM, we will stand together in silent reflection to honor the depth of our losses ten years ago and to bridge our differences, in hope and action for peace. Following 10 minutes of silent reflection, we will greet each other with our wishes for peace. All ages are welcome.

 Sponsored by the Monmouth Center for World Religions and Ethical Thought http://interfaith-mcwret.org For more information contact Rev. Virginia Jarocha-Ernst, minister@uucmc.org

Sept 11 Events

Here I will post Upcoming events around the area for Sept 11.  I will update THIS article as information comes to me.

Kay Hetherington of St Joseph's Roman Catholic Church in Keyport writes: "we are having a 9/11 memorial service at St. Joseph's on Sunday 9/11 at 4:00 p.m. It will be an interfaith service and all are
welcomed to come to reflect, remember and to continue to pray for peace."

Rally Day brings together Church Family, Sunday School Classes : Sept 11

The Christian Education Commission is busy making plans for the beginning of Sunday School and our Junior & Senior High Programs.

Sunday School Classes will begin at 9 am for Pre-School through Adult.

We are asking all classes to attend Morning Worship and sit together with their teacher and classmates.  We will dedicate our Sunday School Teachers, Youth Advisors, Presbyterian Nursery School Teacher and Staff during the 10:30 service.

After the service we will have apot luck luncheon in Fellowship Hall.  Cost of admission is free, but please bring a dish of your choice, to share on the buffet table; it may be a meat, vegetable, salad, or dessert.  Beverages will be provided.

Youth Groups will begin September 18th.

First Presbyterians in Minot, ND Help Flood Victims

The flood waters are finally beginning to recede in Minot, ND.  Although there is some warning about the waters rising again near Foxholm, residents are experiencing the all clear in some areas to begin to return home and start the long recovery process of tossing out their wallboard and beginning again.  The Red Cross disaster newsroom have documented the entire process of this disaster, that has affected thousands.

The difficulty of Red Cross, Salvation Army, the National Guard and US Public Health Service officials has been remaining healthy while joining the city and state officials in bringing disaster relief to the city.  The Souris river is heavily tainted by oil and pesticides. 

On one of my evenings free, I read that the First Presbyterian Church of Minot, ND was going to help in a unique way.  They were going to host the opening of the Lincoln Elementary School, until their building was ready to welcome students.  I wrote to the church, and received this reply.

Hello Diana,


Thank you for your recent inquiry about our relationship with Lincoln Public Schools. Here is the short version. Because of the flood damage to so many of our public schools, buildings with capacity (and out of the flood zone) were targeted by the Public School Board as potential temporary locations to house school students. One of their goals was to keep as many of the kids together as they could to give them more of a sense of normalcy since so many of the families’ lives were disrupted by the flood. One of our elders is a school principal at another public school and she was asked if our church might consider hosting Lincoln School. Wanting to help the community as much as possible during this time of crisis, we said that we would gather together our session members and trustees and listen to their proposal. After a time of questions and answers they left and we voted unanimously to move ahead and organized a small committee to work out the details. Our small committee then met with the Lincoln School Principal, the superintendent, the assistant superintendent and the financial person. Both sides spent time figuring out how to make this work with the least impact to our regular everyday activities. We have agreed on everything that is to go into the contract and will be signing one soon. After that meeting many of our members (school teachers, principals, retirees) and others went to work preparing our education (Sunday School) wing for our new guests.


All I can say is that God had his hand in this from the very beginning and had all of the people he wanted prepared and ready. To quote Henry Blackaby, “God is always at work around us.” “God invites us to join him in his work.”


We are happy to be able to provide some normalcy to kids whose lives have been turned upside down and bless them and others at the same time.


His servant,


Mark Frueh / Lay Pastor
Outreach and Discipleship Coordinator
First Presbyterian Church
1000 NE 3rd St
Minot, ND 58703

Death of Kathryn Galloway, Wife of Beloved Pastor

Kathryn T. Galloway, passed away on July 12, 2011 at the age of 96 years old. She was residing in Florida. Kathryn was the wife of the late Rev. Chester A. Galloway, pastor of the First Presbyterian Church from 1949 to his retirement in 1973. During that time Kathryn played a vital and active part in her husband's ministry. A memorial service is planned in the near future at Bedle's Funeral Home in Matawan at a date to be determined.

Condolences can be sent to her son, Chester W. Galloway, 258 Van Dorn Street, Keyport, NJ 07735; her daughters, Barbara J. Dincer, 3544 Westminster Way, Nazareth, PA, 18064-8007, and Terry A. Burd, 9028 SE 120th Loop, Summerfield, FL 34491.

Getting to Minot

On Wednesday I received a phone call from my local Red Cross training coordinator.  "Diana, there's a great need for people to help with sheltering people in Minot, North Dakota.  Are you available?"

Thursday morning I was on an 8:15 flight to Fargo.  From there I picked up a rental car and drove to Bismarck, ND to check in.  I was told that the reason we flew into Fargo and drove 3 hours to Bismarck was because they needed rental cars in the flood zone and the rental agencies up there were tapped out.

Friday was spent travelling from Bismarck to Minot, North Dakota, a burgeoning town of about 36,000 people.  The population there has swelled since 2000 people because of the discovery of oil reserves.  However due to the low lying plains, whenever there is a large snow fall winter with extremely heavily rains, the snow melt results in some flooding. 

The flooding was astronomical in 2011, with waters from the Souris (or Mouse) river and the Missouri running through the area.  During the afternoon I arrived, the midtown was temporarily flooded due to heavy storm activity the night before.  I arrived late Saturday evening to receive my orientation.

The staff conditions are under hardship status here.  The water is non-potable.  I was warned not to use it to brush my teeth or wash my hands or face.  (I stopped at the Walmart to pick up sani cleaner, and industrial size packages of wipes).  I also bought a foam and pillow for my cot, and slept in the gym with a couple hundred other volunteers.  (Clients are housed nearby).  I was also told that due to high staff and short supplies, there is no food for staff.  We will make our arrangements for food elsewhere.  As local businesses are open I don't think that will be a problem.  I was also told to take care of laundering my own linens, however there are no laundry facilities.  I bought six new shirts and more underwear last night as well.  As for food, I will have to walk to local stores nearby and hope to find granola bars and fruit or other durable snacks that will survive in a non-air conditioned environment.

I now await assignment, whether it is client sheltering, client casework, damage assessment or bulk distribution. The clients have been in and out of shelters since May, and some have houses that are totally lost.  Many are angry or upset because they have been informed by FEMA that there will be no funding, depending on their circumstances.   It should be interesting. 

Please keep the folks from Minot in your prayers.

Diana

Mission Matawan Update - 1 July 2011

Based on an unprecedented level of committed energy by teen and adult volunteers, Mission Matawan has completed over 90% of all the requests for help for the week.

Members of our church, the St. Joseph's Church, Breakthrough in Christ Ministry and the general public have swept through Aberdeen, Matawan and Keyport.

Yesterday, we mulched a yard, sprayed 6 gallons of poison ivy spray in two other yards, painted a stairwell, hung a screen door, worked on support posts, and repaired a set of brick steps...most of that was before lunch.

With PNS inspectors working around crews, we trimmed the lengthy row of hedges front the playground in the yard out front.

After lunch we began what is potentially the largest job of all, a cleanup of a former "mini-farm" in Marlboro.  Volunteers for Friday and Saturday will do well to wear long sleeves, long pants and work boots to protect from the noxious weeds and possibility of nails and other sharp objects.  (Note:  the severely allergic might want to give this one a pass).

On Tuesday, our middle school youth and members of Breakthrough in Christ Ministry cleaned up the Matawan Food Pantry.  The online newspaper, the Aberdeen Matawan Patch came and covered much of the action.

On Wednesday, volunteers from the Jersey Coast Chapter of the American Red Cross visited.  They spoke of their recent deployments in Joplin, Missouri.  Frank Wroblewski presented a slide show he created from photos.  Gary Olivero described the role of the American Red Cross historically, and at the local, regional, and national level.

On Thursday evening I was invited to an annual dinner of the Aberdeen Matawan Rotary, which provided a grant to Mission Matawan again this year. Thank you!

On Saturday, members of the church and Mission Matawan participants throughout the week are invited to a potluck dinner/picnic at the home of Peggy Knowles, from 4 - 8 pm.  Peggy's address is available through the church directory, or you may call the church for directions.  The only cost of admission is a dish (main course, side dish, or dessert).

Spring FPC Family Coffeehouse Raises Fun and Funds

The First Presbyterian Church held its semi-annual coffeehouse on Friday, 3 June, 2011. There were about two dozen acts, most by church members, and attendance was estimated at over 100.

Don Day and the "Don-ettes"

The coffeehouse was started several years ago, and has, in recent years become one of the main fund raisers for Mission Matawan, a community service project that helps homeowners maintain their independence and fix their residences.

This year featured a special performance by the Mac-ettes, a tap dance group, as well as Don Day's entourage, the "Don-ettes", pictured here. About $700 was raised for Mission Matawan, which manned the kitchen.

Special thanks go out to Starbucks of Matawan, who provided the hot and cold beverages for the event.

Music Fest for Manna House - 14 May 7 pm

This year marks the 25th anniversary of Manna House, a unique transitional housing program where homeless mothers and their children live together, learning to break the welfare cycle.  First Presbyterian was one of the founders of Manna House in 1986.

For 15 years, Music Fest, an interdenominational music festival, has raised money for Manna House, and First Presbyterian has participated.  This benefit concert is organized by volunteers and all of the funds raised to directly to Manna House.  The Independent ran the press release in its April 28th Bulletin Board stating:

The annual event, which raises money for Manna House, will feature performances by singers and instrumentalists from area houses of worship. This year’s participants include First Presbyterian Church, Matawan; Cross of Glory Lutheran Church, Aberdeen; St. Benedict Catholic Church, Holmdel; St John’s United Methodist Church, Hazlet; New Light Baptist Church, Keyport; and Gethsemane Lutheran Church, Keyport.

Mark your calendars and join us!
Saturday, May 14 at 7 pm    
St John's Church, Hazlet

For more information on the event, or if you wish to make a donation, contact Dr E Graham McKinley per the press release.

Coming Soon... Preview of Mission Matawan 2011

April 23 Lenten Devotion

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April 23 Mark 15:42-47 The Burial of Jesus  These verses of Mark are found immediately following Jesus' death on the cross.  Jesus died a few hours before sundown on Friday and Jewish law prevented anyone from doing work or traveling on the Sabbath.  Joseph of Arimathea, a Jewish leader and secret follower of Jesus, went to Pilate to ask for Jesus' body. Pilate was surprised to learn that Jesus had died already and gave the body to Joseph.  Joseph then took Jesus' body, wrapped it in linen and placed it in a tomb.  After that, Joseph sealed the tomb with a large rock.  Mary Magdalene and Mary watched as Joseph sealed the body. In thinking about this passage, I am first struck by Joseph's actions.  Joseph was an honored Jewish leader who secretly followed Jesus. He took a huge risk by going to Pilate to ask for Jesus' body and then preparing the body for burial.  If any of  Joseph's  Jewish colleagues saw him with Jesus' body, Joseph would certainly have had a lot of explaining to do.  Joseph did what he knew was right.   For him, the reward, knowing Jesus received a proper burial, was greater than the risk to his reputation. How many times do we take a risk to do what is right?  If you're like me, more often than not, you shy away from a risk because you're fearful of the consequences.  The consequences, real or imagined, outweigh the reward in our minds.  I think this passage is showing us that sometimes we have to take a risk for what we believe in.   If Joseph did not risk his image by doing what was right, Jesus' body may have been taken by the Romans or he may not have received a proper burial.  Without  Joseph's simple action, the outcome of the Easter story may have been entirely different.  Joseph did what he could for Jesus.  Jeremy Szoc

First Presbyterian Church | 883 Highway 34 | Matawan | NJ | 07747

New Views in Blogger

Now this blog may be viewed in timeslide format.  Once in "views" you can select various ways of seeing our First Presbyterian articles:  sidebar, snapshot, mosaic, and flipcard.  The snapshop format lets you easily see artwork or photos that have been used recently.

Also you may return to a normal view.  So far the feature is in testing mode.

Easter Services and Weekend Observances: Matawan

Easter services and events for FPC at Matawan will be held on Saturday and Sunday, April 24, 2011 at the following times:

Prayer Vigil:  Saturday, April 23, 2011, from 6 am until 6 pm
Location:  Chapel
Who:  Participants that have registered will attend at their appointed times

Easter Sunrise Service:  Sunday, April 24, 2011 at 6:30 am
Location:  Church Property outside
Hosted by the Youth Group
Followed by a light continental breakfast indoors

Fellowship Breakfast:  9 am
Location:  Fellowship Hall
The church will serve homemade baked goods, hot dishes, fruit, juice, and coffee
All are invited, including the public

Musical Prelude:  10 am - 10:30 am
Location:  Sanctuary
Music offerings led by Justin Ryan, Director of Music

Easter Sunday Worship Service:  Sunday, April 24, 2011 at 10:30 am
Location:  Sanctuary
Who:  All members of the church and community

Good Friday Service: Matawan

The church will have a Good Friday worship service, or Service of Tenebrae, tonight, April 22 at 8 o'clock in the sanctuary.

The word 'tenebrae' is a medieval latin word meaning "darkness".  It's modern usage for the church is during Holy Week, celebrated as the Service of Shadows.  As readings depict the final days and hours of the life of Jesus, candles are extinguished.  At the end of the service people leave quietly to return to their homes.

A Community Good Friday service will be held for Matawan and Aberdeen, New Jersey residents at the Matawan United Methodist Church in Aberdeen, from Noon until 3 pm.  Many area churches are participating and all are welcome to come.  The Matawan Methodist Church is located at the corner of Church Street and Atlantic Ave, Aberdeen, NJ.

April 22 Lenten Devotion

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. Good Friday, April 22 Luke 23:44-49 The Death of Jesus For me, one of the most beautiful parts of the Easter story is the extent to which the human side of Jesus is revealed. From the Garden of Gethsemane to the cross we see a Jesus who is on the one hand authoritative, determined and courageous; and on the other hand a Jesus who is troubled and fearful. He has faithfully followed his father's calling, living the life extolled in the beatitudes and revealing to us the kingdom of God; a journey that has inevitably led him to the humiliation and pain and death of the cross. Jesus does not approach the cross as a God in human form, supremely confident in the knowledge that in just few hours he will rise from the grave. Rather we see a man, fearful of what lies ahead; but also a man with a faith firmly rooted in the love of his heavenly Father. And it is his faith that overcomes his fear (and ultimately death itself). Jesus last words are not some grand farewell, neither are they some final message of great import to his followers. Rather they are a simple expression of trust and obedience: "Father, into your hands I commend my spirit". Each of us, at times in our lives, is overcome with worry and doubt, pain and fear. Like Jesus, we are called to "let go" and trust - to rest in the hands of our heavenly Father and know that there is nothing that can separate us from his love and care. Jesus has shown us the way.     Bryan Ackland

First Presbyterian Church | 883 Highway 34 | Matawan | NJ | 07747

April 21 Lenten Devotion - Maundy Thursday

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Maundy Thursday, April 21 Luke 22:7-23 The Last Supper Jesus sent Peter and John to find a specific house where he would eat the Passover meal with all the disciples.  He knew this would be the last Passover that he would be with them and told them that he would be suffering and fulfilling the prophecy.  He also told them that he knew that one among them was going to betray him. These verses are so important to us as Christians because Jesus, while sharing the Passover meal with his disciples, introduces the institution of the Lord's Supper. He commended breaking the bread and sharing a cup to remember and proclaim his death.  The Presbyterian Book of Order tells us that "the New Testament describes the meal as a participation in Christ and with one another, in the expectation of the Kingdom and as a foretaste of the messianic banquet".  It also reminds us that each time we come to the Lord's Table we are "to actively seek reconciliation in every instance of conflict or division between us and our neighbors".  We also come with thanksgiving for God's work in our world, and remembering Christ's love for us. I believe it is also a time to pray that we do not follow in Judas' footsteps and betray Jesus in our daily lives. We should pray that we try our best to follow in His footsteps and continue to do good works in our own church and in our world. Barbara Dodenhoff

First Presbyterian Church | 883 Highway 34 | Matawan | NJ | 07747

Lenten Devotion Soup and Supper

For those of you that wish to make one of the Lenten Soup and Supper studies, tonight is the 6th and Final installment in the series:  Biblical Models of Discipleship in the New Testament.  The Lenten Devotional Guide prepared by church members is incorporated into the study.

The dinner portion begins at 6 pm, and includes soups and sandwiches along with hot and cold beverages, and light desserts.  The study portion usually begins around 6:30 pm and runs until 8 pm.

Many church members received notice by email.  For the rest, here is a link.

April 20 Lenten Devotion

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April 20 Galatians 3:28 Law or Faith - The Purpose of theLaw Galatians 3:28 28 There is no longer Jew or Greek. There is no longer slave or free, there is no longer male or female, for all of you are one in Jesus Christ. The occasion for writing the letter to the Galatians is to address the question "Is the Mosaic Law binding on Christians?". We need to remember that the Council of Jerusalem (Gal 2:1-10), as well as the "Incident at Antioch" (Gal 2:11-14, Peter and Paul's confrontation about the Law), had not entirely answered the question. This text could be headlined: Unity in the Body of Christ Paul, a Roman citizen, a Gentile, in Gal 3:28, teaches the Galatians, and us: That the Greek (Gentile) is just as much in Christ Jesus as the Jew. That the slave is just as much in Christ Jesus as the free man. That the female is just as much in Christ Jesus as the male. When we humans of any and every description come into Christ sincerely, we are equally and wholly in Him and are thereby saved - irrespective of who we are, where we are, or what we are. The main thrust of the passage before us has to do with our relationship with God. Is keeping of Jewish law and ordinances necessary to become saved? Paul answers "emphatically no" to this bone of contention. Not by keeping of the law, but by faith in Christ Jesus, sinners of all kinds and caliber are saved. Paul's emphasis was on believers' unity in Christ, not their equality with one another. For those who have been called by God and have properly responded, social distinctions-whether national/racial, conditional/financial, or gender-recede and disappear. Unity comes with God's calling and justification. We are united in our need for a Savior. We are united in our acceptance of His blood for the remission of our sins. We are united through common experience: We all recognize that the only reason we have physical or spiritual life is because of God's grace and mercy. We are united in our receipt of God's gifts and mercy. Gunter Beck

First Presbyterian Church | 883 Highway 34 | Matawan | NJ | 07747

April 19 Lenten Devotion

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April 19 Mark 11:20-25 The Power of Prayer Jesus said, "So I tell you, whatever you ask for in prayer, believe that you have received it, and it will be yours." God answers our prayers!  A simple statement, but one that, at times, can be a bit difficult to believe.  We don't always get what we want.  Things don't work out the way we wanted.  Disappointment, failure and loss are part of life.  We can pray fervently for something and we don't receive it.  So is God really answering our prayers? If we trust God's wisdom, then the answer is yes!  What we want and pray for may not be what we really need.  In looking back at major disappointments, in hindsight, I now understand that if things had worked out "my way", it would have been a huge mistake or worse.  My mother passed away about a year and a half ago.  She suffered from Alzheimer's and other health problems.  I prayed for her healing, but understood that a miracle cure was very unlikely.  As her daughter and caregiver, I had to make very difficult decisions.  I prayed for guidance, for strength and courage.  God answered my prayers!  When there were difficult medical decisions to be made, the nurse practitioner at the nursing home provided me with information and advice, so I was able to make the decisions that in my heart, I knew were right.  God gave me the strength and courage to get through this most difficult journey.  My mother-in-law also lived in the same nursing home and suffered from Alzheimer's.  I wrote and self-published a book about our family's journey, in the hope of helping other families with a loved one who has Alzheimer's.  In writing the book, I came to better understand how God did answer my prayers.  In the midst of the darkness, there was joy and laughter, light and healing. Dear Lord, may we trust in your wisdom, knowing that you do answer our prayers. May we be grateful for all of your abundant blessings. Amen. Riina Van Rixoort

First Presbyterian Church | 883 Highway 34 | Matawan | NJ | 07747

April 18 Lenten Devotion

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April 18 1 Peter 1:7 Living Hope  "These trials are only to test your faith to show that it is strong and pure.  It is being tested as fire tests and purifies gold--and your faith is far more precious to God than mere gold. So if your faith remains strong after being tried by fiery trials, it will bring you much praise and glory and honor on the day when Christ is revealed to the whole world." So what trials is Peter talking about?  The big ones, like going through illnesses, death of loved ones, loss of a job, money losses. These things can lead to a response of, "Why God is this happening to me," and can really test our faith.  Or could trials just be the everyday living sort of dealing with morning traffic on our way to work, bad drivers, snowy roads, rude, unfriendly people and situations?  Peter says these trials need to lead us into an experience of God, and use our suffering to purify and deepen our faith.  Perhaps God sends us trials for our probation (not our destruction), to prove our faith, our spiritual goodness; and if our faith can stand the test, God will have the glory for all to see.  A tried faith is more precious than gold.   Prayer: Lord help us this day to accept what you send each day, knowing that your comforting presence and help will with be with us keeping our faith strong to show your glory.  Amen.                  Ruth Wolf

First Presbyterian Church | 883 Highway 34 | Matawan | NJ | 07747

April 17 Lenten Devotion

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Palm Sunday, April 17 Mark 11:1-11 Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord And when they drew near to Jerusalem, to Bethphage and Bethany at the Mount of Olives, he sent two of his disciples, and said to them, "Go into the village opposite you, and immediately as you enter it you will find a colt tied, on which no one has ever sat; untie it and bring it. If any one says to you, "Why are you doing this?" say, "The Lord has need of it and will send it back here immediately."  And they went away, and found a colt tied at the door out in the open street; and they untied it.  And those who stood there said to them, "What are you doing, untying the colt?"  And they told them what Jesus had said' and they let them go.  And they brought the colt to Jesus, and threw their garments on it; and he sat upon it.  And many spread their garments on the road, and others spread leafy branches which they had cut from the fields.  And those who went before and those who followed cried out, "Hosanna!  Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord!  Blessed is the kingdom of our father David that is coming!  Hosanna in the Highest!"  And he entered Jerusalem, and went into the temple; and when he had looked round at everything, as it was already late, he went out to Bethany with the twelve. As we read about Jesus, entering Jerusalem in the Bible, we sense the excitement of this special day.  Men, women and children, spreading their garments and tree branches before him, shouting "Hosanna!  Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord! "Blessed is the kingdom of our Father David that is come. Hosanna in the highest!"  What joy and happiness fills their hearts and souls as Jesus rides into the city of Jerusalem . Do you feel this joy when you read this scripture passage?  They were unaware of what would take place in the days following this event.  We however, are reading this passage on the Easter side of the story.  We know what took place during the coming days that first Holy Week.  Today is Palm Sunday,  let us celebrate it as the men, women, and children did in the scripture passage and say "Hosanna!  Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord." Prayer: Our Lord and Redeemer, may we like the men, women, and children, who shouted praises to you on your entry into Jerusalem, join our voices of praise and thanksgiving for all you have done for us.  Be with us as we enter Holy Week may we be ever mindful of your sacrifice for us. Eleanor Godocik

First Presbyterian Church | 883 Highway 34 | Matawan | NJ | 07747

April 16 Lenten Devotion

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April 16 Genesis 1:24-25 First Story of Creation And God said, "Let the earth bring forth living creatures of every kind..." Animals are such a wonderful creation.  Being an animal lover who was raised with many animals, e.g., birds, dogs cats and more, I remember when I was young and we went camping.   We caught a lizard and we made it a home in a box with moss, rocks and, of course, water.  It was so interesting to watch the lizard change it colors to blend in with its environment. I thank God for his creations, the comfort that the animals give.  The earth wouldn't be the same without these creations. Thank you God for all the living things that you have created for us Susan Blejwas

First Presbyterian Church | 883 Highway 34 | Matawan | NJ | 07747