The Weekly + Thursday, March 5, 2015

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The Weekly + Thursday, March 5, 2015
We are an Open and Affirming & Just Peace congregation welcoming
all of God’s children into our community of faith.
Cresskill Congregational Church, UCC
85 Union Avenue
Cresskill, NJ 07626
201.568.0608
bo@cresskillucc.org
www.cresskillucc.org
www.facebook.com/cresskillucc
Dear Members and Friends —
Today, I read these two great quotes. One
was by Will Rogers. He said, “Even if you're on the
right track, you'll get run over if you just sit there.”
The other is by that famous witty person,
Anonymous. S/he said, “For every person who
climbs the ladder of success, there are a dozen
waiting for the elevator.” These laziness quotes are
funny to me because I have observed them to be
true.
There are varieties of ways we can be lazy. For one, works takes effort and it is
so much easier if we can get other people to do our work for us. Add a little guilt,
whining, or a little cajoling, we can sometimes talk others into working for us. I am
thinking of Tom Sawyer and his famous fence painting operation.
We can also claim indifference, especially when our favorite TV shows are on
and we have chores to do. I know some guys who can justify nearly anything they want
to do—throw some fancy words around and make promises they have no intention of
keeping until before long they’ve convinced you, me, and themselves that they don’t
need to work. We all get tired of that soon enough and stop expecting anything from
them, which may be their intention.
Until recently, we’ve been convinced that all laziness looked alike. In truth, it can
be different—especially if a person suffers from ADHD, Post-stress Traumatic Disorder
(PSTD), or Depression. Laziness or a lack of interest can point to mental and emotional
maladies and it’s important that if we see a loved one experiencing an unexpected change
in mood or ability, we follow up with them. Our nosiness can help someone who is
unable to help him or herself.
Laziness can be caused by a variety of issues. As people of faith, we are called
upon to help those who suffer from any malady. Just as laziness can be an emotional
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disorder, it can also reflect spiritual disorders too. One particular result of laziness is a
lack of spiritual zeal and faithfulness. For some, laziness can suck the zeal and joy of
following God right out of you. For those who learn the lesson early, maintaining one’s
spiritual practices are necessary if you are to keep the joy of one’s salvation as well as
make use of the benefits of a strong faith.
On Sunday, I’ll be speaking more about this and we’ll turn to Scripture to
examine how attentiveness and mindfulness can help us maintain the joy of our salvation.
I hope you can join me then.
As a calendar reminder, this coming Saturday at 7:00 PM in the Social Hall we
have a special treat for you. We will host a presentation called, Understanding Social
Media and How Our Kids are Using It. This presentation will help ensure your children
and grandchildren surf safely. Jack Flynn, Jr. will be leading the presentation and
discussion. Jack is the Director of Student Conduct for St. John’s University in Queens,
NY. He’s given this presentation before and everyone who attended loved it. If you
haven’t heard him, plan to attend. You will definitely benefit from it.
I hope the rest of your week is peaceful and dry-ish.
See you on Sunday,
Yours in Christ,
the Rev. Dr. David C. Bocock
Community News + Events
The church office hours are Monday through Thursday, 10:00 AM - 5:00 PM. If you
would like to speak with the pastor at a different time, he is available by appointment.
Facebook Church is an online faith study and liturgy. Every Wednesday by 12:00
Noon, a new liturgy is uploaded for your faith journey. It is a time of spiritual
refreshment. You are encouraged to participate at your leisure. Be sure to look out for
Facebook Church 2.0—it is coming soon! We’ll experience this midweek devotion and
faith study in a whole new way.
Daylight Savings Time is nearly here. On Saturday, remember to set your clocks ahead
one hour!
Our Wednesday evening Soup Supper and Advent Bible Study continues each
Wednesday at 6:00 PM through Lent. We'll eat soup, watch a DVD, and discuss the 7
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Deadly Sins and their corresponding virtues. It'll be fun! The cost is $5 for the soups and
refreshments. Look for the signup sheet in the Social Hall.
Sophie’s Porch will not be meeting Thursday, March 5 due to a snowstorm. However,
they will meet again on Thursday, March 12 at 8:00 PM. This semester, we are meeting
in a new place: Ranchero Cantina, 214 Kinderkamack Road, Emerson, NJ. Jack Rickly
will be moderating the conversations. Come for the great food and beer and stay for the
awesome conversations.
Join us on Saturday, March 7 at 7:00 PM for a FREE
program for the entire community here at our church
called, "Understanding Social Media and How Kids
are Using It." Our guest speaker, Jack Flynn, Jr., is the
Director of Student Conduct for St. John's University in
Queens, NY. He'll lead a conversation about how high
school and college students are using social media and
learn tips for promoting responsible use. We ask for
Adults only; reservations are appreciated by calling the
church office.
Our church’s Just Peace Committee encourages the support of President Obama's veto of
the keystone pipeline. The rejection of the Keystone XL pipeline has been a key 2015
legislative agenda of the national United Church of Christ according the Justice and
Witness Ministry.
We would like to thank everyone who has been
advocating for the rejection of the pipeline. Many
members wrote to the President encouraging his veto and
now we are celebrating this veto which occurred this past
February 24, 2015. Actually, the President vetoed
Congress' bill that would have forced him to approve the
pipeline. It's not exactly the same as rejecting the
pipeline, but according to 350.0rg, it is a big deal!
Now the 350.org organization is encouraging supporters to make "our closing
argument to the President" by reading and signing your name to the Unity Letter against
Keystone XL: www.350.org/unityletter/. You will see in the letter all the reasons for the
rejection and the many people who have already signed this letter.
It is hopeful that the President will reject the pipeline once and for all.
One ministry we provide is to offer you the opportunity to bring one can of food per
person every Sunday to be donated to the Cresskill Food Pantry, which benefits nearly
50 families in our borough of Cresskill who are in need of assistance. You can bring in
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your donations to the church during the week or on Sunday. John and Dot Pontician take
the donations to the pantry at the beginning of every week.
If you are interested in promoting your Church event or project to the community
through local newspapers, feel free to contact Carole Lotito, using our new online PR
Request Form. The link is also posted on our website. http://bit.ly/CresskillUCCPR.
Carole will create a flyer (and send you the file), register your event on MyBergen.com
and NorthJersey.com (and other sites where appropriate), and/or create and distribute a
press release based on your request.
Please continue to submit your internal promotion requests (CUCC website,
newsletter, bulletin, Facebook) to Theresa Muti. More comfortable with a pen and paper?
Hard copies of the PR Request Form are available in the church office. Please complete
and mail to Carole Lotito, 67 Pierce Avenue, Cresskill, NJ, 07626. To speak with Carole
directly, please call (201) 294-7309.
THIS COMING SUNDAY
You are invited to join us for worship on March 8, 2015 at 10:00 AM. The Scripture
lessons is Romans 12:9-21. The title of the sermon is, "Righteousness Is Not for the
Lazy." Jimmy Smith is the Lay Leader for the Service.
COFFEE HOUR
Following our morning service, you are invited to get acquainted and catch up with new
and old friends alike during our Coffee Hour. If you would like to help serve and provide
light refreshments during our time of fellowship, please locate the signup sheet in the
Social Hall.
Joys + Concerns of the Congregation
Starting your day with a prayerful devotion can provide added spiritual strength for what
lies ahead. We recommend the daily devotions found online at the UCC's Daily
devotional webpage.
Every Sunday morning, we collect prayer requests and lift them up during the service.
We also post those requests here including their name, for you to pray for them.
If you would like to submit a prayer request now, you may send an email to Pastor Bo at
bo@cresskillucc.org and it will be posted shortly.
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These prayers are posted as of March 3, 2015.
Please pray for:
General prayers of faith and well-being
Henry Hecht
Ruth Braun who is recovering from acute bronchitis
Prayers for Judy Russell
Collin Crabtree for courage to step into the future
John Lupardi for peace and comfort
Families struggling with addiction and separation
The family and friends of Barbato Galluzzi as they mourn his passing
David and Chrissie for healing, peace, and wise choices
The Pontician Family
Raymond Worsham, brother of Roy’s mom Betty, who passed away
Vicki and Clifton Lewis as they mourn their mom's passing
The family and friends of Michael & Denice Tabacchi
Elsie Schinkel who is recovering from shingles and chicken pox
Alice Hilliard as she adjusts to life in a nursing facility
The soul of Larry Sachs who just passed away of brain cancer
Larry as he gets used to a new and different life, working part time
Healing for the Alpine Community Church community
The Burgess family on the birth of their baby girl, Jane Catherine
Prayers for Maggie and Tim as they start a new life together
Dottie Fischer for the loss of her partner Bob
Margaret Brenneiser
Hattie Parks
Carolyn and Jim Smith
Dave Reeves for clarity
Brendan for direction & God's light
Pat Bailey who is mourning the loss of her mother
Our leaders in Congress to be touched with God's wisdom
John Russell
Don Crabtree for strength in setting boundaries
Bless our country and our leaders.
Those who struggle with addictions that they won't give up
Health & Healing
Lisa Pontician who is in a NY hospital fighting an infection
Naomi who is battling cancer
Michael and his mother still struggling to find jobs
Alice who is undergoing testing of her heart
Jeff Hargrove who continues to fight a virus
Suzanne Schneider for recovery from surgery
Brian Morris, diagnosed with Leukemia.
Karen Minkler for healing
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All people who are troubled and ill
Axa Duran for medical issues
Aldo Vandermolen's brain scan to evaluate his brain cancer
John Curcio facing surgery this week
Joan Flynn as she enters rehab this week after a fall.
Harriett Schwarz who is having eye surgery Wednesday
Pat O'Brien who is in rehab after his hernia operation
Lisa Pontician for healing and making good health decisions
Tony and Valerie facing major surgery
Jeffrey Hargrove
Clifford to start getting well from health issues
Scott Fleming as he continues his battle with ALS
William Roettger who is recovering from back surgery
Cory Bartlett
Families struggling with addiction and mental health issues
Bernice D'Ippolito as she recuperates at Brentwood
Karen and Ed Minkler
George Zimmerman
Samantha Sestok
Luke, a 3-year-old fighting cancer
Barbara Laidlaw
Kristen Stanzak as she rests
Robert O'Dell, father of Sarah, for healing
Baby Gregory who is having surgery this week
Gloria and her nephew who are both diagnosed with cancer
Samantha Zimmerman for healing from hip surgery
Gloria Hermo for healing from a herniated disc
Devotion + News + Faith
UCC Daily Devotion
from http://www.ucc.org/feed-your-spirit/daily-devotional/
Silence and Mystery
March 5, 2015
Written by John Nelson
"… and after the fire a sound of sheer silence." - 1 Kings 19:12
Many of us remember the King James translation of this verse: "… a still small voice."
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Lovely and evocative: after all the cataclysmic sturm und drang, comes something nonthreatening, even intimate. Other translations give us "a soft whisper," "a low whisper,"
"a gentle blowing," and the like.
But something has always appealed to me about the New Revised Standard Version,
which reaches beyond audible voice and wind to "a sound of sheer silence." The opposite
of the roaring of earthquake, gale, and fire. The absence of anything that a human ear
might recognize: a silence that spoke volumes.
At a recital, a singer and a pianist performed folk songs: beautiful poetry, exquisite
music, world-class performers who transported us with their artistry. One of the songs
ended on the softest of notes. Every ear in the hall stretched to gather in the last tender
waves of sound. The singer finished. The pianist suspended his hands just above the
keyboard and held the pedal down as the strings' vibrating grew smaller and smaller. We
couldn't tell when the music stopped. His hands remained above the keys as we leaned in,
listening to the memory of the last chord. I was so rapt I forgot to breathe. Finally, he
dropped his arms and applause exploded.
After the notes ended, he had played the silence.
Perhaps that was the heart of the performance — and the song, for all its beauty, was
warm-up and introduction for the voiceless, soundless, breathless mystery to follow.
Prayer
God of mighty presence, sometimes I have forgotten that you contain more dimensions
than I have yet known. Bless you for your eloquent, powerful presence in the mystery of
absence. Amen.
About the Author
John A. Nelson is Pastor and Teacher at the Niantic Community Church, United Church
of Christ (UCC/UMC), in Niantic, Connecticut.
Commentary: 'We who believe in freedom cannot rest'
March 5, 2015
Written by M. Jaramillo
These lyrics from "Ella's Song" written by Bernice Johnson Reagon several years ago
ring as true today as they did then. These words painfully remind us that the quest for
freedom in this country is slipping through our fingers.
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"Until the killing of Black men, Black mothers’ sons is as important as the killing of
White men, White mothers’ sons, we who believe in freedom cannot rest until it comes."
Freedom from violence and discrimination has not come for Black mothers’ sons. Until
that happens, none of us can be safe in a nation that claims freedom as a basic
fundamental principle in our democracy.
Twelve-year-old Tamir Rice was shot and killed by a police officer right before
Thanksgiving last year in a playground right across the street from his home on the west
side of Cleveland. He was fooling around with a toy gun that a friend had given him. I
can only imagine the horror that Samaria Rice felt when two boys ran across the street
and knocked on her door to tell her that Tamir had just been shot by the police. As she
ran across the street in panic, she came upon the scene only to find that she couldn’t get
close enough. But Samaria Rice, a Black mother, has endured the pain of losing her son.
In the middle of her grief, soon after Tamir’s death, she courageously appealed to the
world, saying that violence was not the answer under any circumstances.
Now, as grief continues to swell in her heart, Samaria Rice has been told that Tamir
caused his own death. Even though a videotape shows otherwise, the City of Cleveland
now defends itself in a wrongful death lawsuit filed by the Rice family, says that Tamir
and his family are "directly and proximately" responsible for what happened. The city
claims that Tamir caused his own death "by the failure to exercise due care to avoid
injury." Let's not forget that Tamir Rice was twelve years old. He was a child. I do not
believe under any circumstances that Tamir expected to be shot and killed by police
while playing with a non-lethal gun.
A few months ago, in a Witness for Justice titled "We Are All Affected," I shared that
tragedies like the death of Tamir Rice are just minutes away in our own backyards.
Cudell Recreation Center in Cleveland, Ohio, where Tamir Rice was killed, is just five
minutes away from my home. On a recent Sunday afternoon, I visited the very place
where it all happened. There is a playground right outside a recreation center for kids,
surrounded by a neighborhood where families come and go every day. Symbols of love
and remembrances fill the space. So that we never forget, this space should now be
blessed as holy ground in memory of Tamir Rice.
"… Until the killing of Black men (and boys), Black mothers’ sons is as important as the
killing of White men, White mothers’ sons. We who believe in freedom cannot rest until
it comes. We who believe in justice will not rest until it comes."
With Special gratitude to Bernice Johnson Reagon for Ella's Song.
The Rev. M. Linda Jaramillo is a National Officer of the United Church of Christ.
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Wrestling With God When He Doesn’t Seem Good
A few things to remember when it's hard to believe God is there.
By Karyn Noll
March 3, 2015
Karyn Noll is the Office Manager at International Justice Mission’s Headquarters in
Washington DC. You can follow her on Twitter at @karyn_noll.
There are days when I feel like I’m in the middle of an invisible tug of war. On one side
is my childhood faith, an easy hope in a good and loving God, and a Sunday school
answer for just about everything.
On the other side is a front row seat to a brutally unjust world, a seemingly absent God,
and an overwhelmed human race.
Then there’s me—somewhere uncomfortably in the middle—grasping for meaning or
clarity and often finding neither. Skimming the news online or reading my own tattered
journal quickly reminds me the world is falling apart, and most of the time, I am too.
Signs of fear, regret, racism, loneliness, insecurity or just ordinary disappointment
permeate my Twitter feed by day and my anxious mind by night.
I trust God is present and good, so I try my best to turn worries into prayers as I lay in
bed. I ask for help and rattle off a list of things I’m grateful for—the lullaby I’ve long
relied on to usher in divine peace. This time, it’s not working.
I lift my eyes up to the hills. Where does my help come from?
Sometimes I don’t know. Hymns, sermons, verses, books and friends remind me that the
God I believe in understands suffering, enters into it and sent a Savior to the earth to take
it on Himself. This is the pillar of my faith.
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But more often than I’d like to admit, it doesn’t feel like enough. Dwelling on the
promises of God, if I can muster the strength to remember them, does not always take
away the pit in my stomach, the questions looping in my mind, or the heartache that
keeps me awake.
The reality sets in: There will always be a discomfort on this side of heaven.
Circumstances will rarely turn out the way we want, the world will surprise us with its
depravity, and we will remain imperfect people with imperfect responses to imperfect
situations.
Sometimes the distraction of discomfort is so great it becomes hard to hope for anything
better and nearly impossible to see where the mess ends and redemption begins. These
times can be hard to walk through and difficult to articulate to others.
And as if wading through the normal tornado of human emotion isn’t enough, a heavy
dose of guilt usually tops everything off—guilt when the God we want to trust doesn’t
feel like our refuge or our ever-present help in times of trouble.
This is part of the wrestle. The in-between moments right in the thick of unhealed
wounds, unmet desires, unanswered questions or unyielding pain. Sometimes it’s a short
bout; other times it’s a long, drawn-out, frustrating journey.
In the particularly unsettled moments of life, there are a few things I try to keep in mind:
Wrestling With God in the Throes of Life is Completely Normal.
Scripture provides countless examples of people arguing with God, angry with God, or
literally wrestling with God (Genesis 32). Part of being human means recognizing things
can be kind of awful on earth, whether it’s something we observe or something we
experience deeply and personally. Part of being a Christian means learning to trust that
God is not taken aback when His people put on gloves, step into the ring and lift our fists
toward heaven. Though we doubt and tarry, throw punches and collapse in a heap, we
have a steadfast Father who is not fazed by our questions, emotions or struggle.
It Could be Right Where God Wants You.
Because so many of us flee from discomfort the moment it nears, embracing tension of
any kind seems counterintuitive. Choosing to accept where we are right now, with the
struggles we face, the questions we have and the limitations we feel sometimes forces us
to stop striving. This is the real practice of being still—admitting exhaustion and thereby
making space for God to enter into our mess in the unique way only He can.
Grace Will Come, in Large Doses or in Small Bits.
Grace comes in so many forms—it is the language of God’s love. Small things bring
hope: laughing uncontrollably with a friend at a YouTube clip or the unexpected kindness
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of a stranger on public transportation. Big things bring hope, too: a new career or a
restored relationship. We can be so busy looking for an answer or solution to fix the
tension we're in that we miss much of what God is doing around us right now.
Heaven Awaits.
And in the darkest moments, the oft-quoted line from C.S Lewis in Mere Christianity
brings a bit of grace in the form of a reminder: “If I find in myself desires which nothing
in the world can satisfy, the only logical explanation is that I was made for another
world.”
There are many ways the world is good and we can bring pieces of goodness to it. But
when I’m experiencing deep despair or overwhelmed by pervasive evil, I remember I'm
not really meant to feel at home here. Strangely enough, that gives me peace.
My help comes from the Lord, Maker of Heaven and Earth.
When I lay my head down to sleep, these reminders are my comforts—where I find rest
in the wrestle. It is not up to me to ask the right questions or pray the right prayers. It is
up to me to let go of guilt, to look for small doses of grace, and to thank God when it
comes.
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