Students, staff and teachers are heading back to school.

There’s a slight chill in the air.

The days are getting a little bit shorter.

What does this mean?

Rally Day, of course.

This coming Sunday, September 13th, is Rally Day at St. Peter’s.

Worship begins at 10:30 am.

Followed by Fellowship Time and a Town Hall Meeting.

Also, we’ll have an opportunity to look at some old photos and books from the archives.

Please join us for worship, fellowship, and some storytelling and remembering.

Advertisement

This past week, a few youth and Pastor Sara joined with over 70 other youth and congregational leaders from throughout the summer for confirmation camp. We had a great week together at Cross Roads Outdoor Ministries! rainbow1ed-170x115Thanks to all who planned and participated!

sun-drawing-thealieness-giselagiardino-400

The sun is shining and the trees are green. It must be summer.

Starting this Sunday, June 28th, worship at St. Peter’s will begin at 9:30 a.m.

Also, on June 28th, will be our annual hymn sing during worship. So please join us, as we sing all our favorites.

A few announcements for folks at St. Peter’s:

This Sunday, May 17th, after church, we’ll be having a Town Hall Meeting to discuss the work of the Future Task Force with an open forum to share thoughts, questions and ideas.

And on Sunday,  June 7th, we will be having a Special Congregational Meeting. Dear members, please do what you can to be here for this meeting.

Thanks!

-Pastor Sara

This past Sunday was our Annual Church World Service Blanket Sunday. In this small way we can be a part of a huge movement to serve God’s people around the world. We are still taking donations (just $5 buys a wool blanket for a family in need) or you can go to the CWS website and support them, too.

imagesAmong the many ways that we connect with our neighbors is through the Friends of Stony Brook Reading Program.   Members from St. Peter’s and the community go into the classrooms at our neighboring Stony Brook Elementary School and read with children.  It’s a wonderful program where relationships are built between generations and cultures, and all experience the joy of reading and community.  This spring is our 3rd year of this program.  We are grateful for the good work of the teachers and staff at Stony Brook and this chance to work with them and the wonderful young people of our community.

Alleluia! Christ is Risen!

Christ is Risen indeed! Alleluia!

We had a lovely Holy Week and Easter here at St. Peter’s.   God used so many people to proclaim and live the message of God’s love for us in Jesus.   We are grateful for the dedicated work of our confirmands, choir, altar guild, ushers, readers and all who participated in worship (including the people of Holy Cross and St. Stephen) for their work and ministry and joy.

As Jesus met with the community gathered in those first resurrection appearances,  Jesus comes to meet us and give us hope and comfort- and a mission.  So we go forth, to proclaim the good news: Christ is Risen! Alleluia!

Beginning on Sunday, April 5th, Annual Palm Sunday Breakfast at 9:15 a.m.
Worship with Holy Communion, Palm Procession and the Reading of the Passion from the Gospel of Mark at 10:30 a.m.

palm-branches-100px1

Maundy Thursday Worship with Holy Communion at 7:30 p.m. on Thursday, April 9th

last_supper1

Good Friday Worship with Holy Cross Episcopal Church and Trinity Reformed Church at Holy Cross Church on Friday, April 10th at 7:30 pm

crucifix2

Easter Vigil Service especially for Families, Saturday, April 11th at 7:30 pm at St. Stephen Lutheran Church, South Plainfield

morerc1

Easter Celebration, the Resurrection of our Lord
Sunday, April 12th at 10:30 a.m.

resurrection

spring-2008-red-bud-treepreview3

i thank You God for this most amazing
day: for the leaping greenly spirits of trees
and a blue true dream of sky; and for everything
which is natural which is infinite which is yes

(i who have died am alive again today,
and this is the sun’s birthday; this is the birth
day of life and love and wings: and of the gay
great happening illimitably earth)

how could tasting touching hearing seeing
breathing any-lifted from the no
of all nothing-human merely being
doubt unimaginable You?

(now the ears of my ears awake and
now the eyes of my eyes are opened)

– e.e. cummings

5000_loaves_fish_432x432

One of the practices of  Lenten is almsgiving.  This practice of faith involves sharing ourselves with those who are in any need.  This work of generosity and compassion  is essential to following Jesus.

I wanted to lift up the work of one organization that is doing miraculous work for and with people in great need in our community- FISH Hospitality Program. FISH serves homeless women and families in our community by providing shelter, meals and other services.  Through the shared work of many churches and individuals, this organization does a great deal of important and transformative work.

They are always looking for volunteers, along with food, and clothing for infants and children. And, like all non-profits these days, they could use financial support, as well.  Check out their website for more details and ways of supporting their important ministry.

-Pastor Sara