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Newslet ter o f the South Branch Reformed Church

From the

Pastor... The season of thanksgiving is upon us! Soon we will be gathering in a Thanksgiving Eve Service to offer our continued thanks and praise to God before we gather to give thanks at our own dinner tables. We will gather to give thanks to God as we prepare SBRC for 2017 through our annual Stewardship drive and dedicate to God our tithes and our gifts.

In this season of thanksgiving, I would like to take this space to offer thanks to people from SBRC whose work often happens “behind the scenes”.

First, I would like to thank Tyson Stramaglia and his dinner crew! It is so wonderful to have people seek me out during the dinners to commend your gifts and talents in the kitchen. Thank you all for your time, energy and dedication to give SBRC such a positive name in our community!

Second, I would like to thank Irene Foley! It has been said a number of times and I will say it again, “SBRC hasn’t looked so beautiful outside in such a long time!” Thank you Irene for the time, energy and dedication that you have given to SBRC and making it shine outside so that people will be welcomed to see us shine inside!

Finally, I would like to thank Joe LiBrizzi, Steve Hubscher, Dick Coates, Tom Kletz and all who help maintain the physical property of SBRC. We have spent some late nights and long weekends working together to keep our 166 year old building safe, warm and inviting. Thank you for your time, energy and dedication.

I know that I have missed a name or two or even groups. I do apologize and please know that it was not missed intentionally! There are many who labor very hard for SBRC and our membership.

Truth be told, I give thanks to God for each and every one of you and the part that you play in our family. I pray that together we seek to be what God is calling us to be. I pray that God will continue to keep us in His love and care. I give thanks for each of you!

Also, please know that I am sure that all of those that I have mentioned would love some help! So, if you are interested in a more active role in the church dinners, Tyson can surely find a place for you. If you have a talent for gardening, Irene would love some company. If you enjoy taking care of old buildings and helping maintain their look, the property committee is always looks for a few extra hands.

Let us continue to express our thanks to God in our worship & in our praise!!

In Christ,

November, 2016

Youth Group News 2

Christmas Poinsettia 2

Lectionary Readings for

November

3

2015 Church Dinners 3

Congregational Meeting &

Covered Dish Luncheon

4

Birthday & Anniversary

List

4

Monthly Calendar 5

Inside this issue:

South Branch

Reformed Church

870 River Road

Hillsborough, NJ 08844

Office: (908) 369-4956

Fax: (908) 369-4602

Web: www.sbrchurch.org

Menu

Roast Beef Peas & Carrots

Mashed Potatoes Cole Slaw Pickled Beets

Cottage Cheese Assorted Desserts

Coffee, Hot & Iced Tea, Lemonade

——————————————————————

Adults - $15.00 Children (ages 6-10) - $6.00

Children (age 5 and under) - FREE

Our Roast Beef Dinner & Bake Sale will be held

on Saturday, Nov. 5th from 4:30 to 7:00 PM with

Chef Tyson presiding over the kitchen.

A sign-up sheet has been posted for donations &

helpers!

Take-Outs are available. Call (908) 369-4956 for

reservations!

Roast Beef Dinner & Bake Sale!!

PAGE 2 CONTACT

Treasurer’s Note…….

The offering donation for September was $7,975 (four Sundays -$1,998 average). We need $2,303

weekly to insure we make the budget as written. We started the month $4,555 in the red and ended

the month $9,712 in the red. September is a month where several large quarterly payments are made

in addition to our regular expenses. Now that summer is over, it is time to kick off the fall season and

gain some ground toward making our budget.

Year-to-Date Comparison

Jan – Sept 2015 Pledge Receipts -$86,350 Jan – Sept 2016 Pledge Receipts - $77,998

Weekly Average -$2,158 Weekly average - $1,950

Youth Group News:

Two major projects are underway for our Youth Group members. This year, the Youth Group will be partnering with the Hillsborough Police Department on the annual “Stuff the Bus” program for the food

pantry. Last year South Branch really stepped up and provided a large amount of food, personal care products, and household supplies that nearly filled the bus. Once again we ask for your support in “Stuffing the Bus” donations can be left at the church either by the sanctuary door or by the parking lot entrance.

Also in November– Thanksgiving Pie Fundraiser! We are excited to offer delicious pies provided by Norz Hill Farm Market for sale to help celebrate the holiday while helping the Youth Group. Apple, Dutch Apple, Cherry Streusel, Mixed Berry, Pecan, and Pumpkin pies are available. All pies are 9 inches and are priced at $12.00 each, orders are due by November 13th . Orders can be placed with any of the Youth Group members during coffee hour or by emailing Joanne Powell directly joannepowell1@verizon.net. Pies can be picked up after church on Sunday, November 20th.

On Sunday, November 13th, youth group members will be getting the sanctuary ready for the holiday season by rolling up their sleeves and doing some fall cleaning. The entire church is going to shine!

Looking into December, it looks like our trip to New York City with Pastor Steve will be December 10th. Our members are full of ideas of places to see and things to do. It is shaping up to be a great day!

Lectionary Readings for

November

Nov. 6th - Haggai 1:15-2:9

Psalm 145:1-5,17-21

Job 19:23-27

Psalm 17:1-9

Thess. 2:1-5, 13-17

Luke 20:27-38

Nov. 13th - Isaiah 65:17-25

Isaiah 12

Malachi 4:1-2

Psalm 98

2 Thess. 3:6-13

Luke 21:5-19

Nov. 20th - Jeremiah 23:1-6

Luke 1:68-79

Psalm 46

Colossians 1:11-20

Luke 23:33-43

Nov. 27th - Isaiah 2:1-5

Psalm 122

Romans 13:11-14

Matthew 24:36-44

PAGE 3 CONTACT

Adult Prayer Class

The Tuesday evening prayer class will continue to meet on Tuesday evenings at

Thanksgiving Eve Service

Our Thanksgiving Eve Service

will be held on Wed., Nov. 23rd

at 8:00pm. Take a break from

your holiday preparations and

join us to give

special thanks to

God for all of his

continued

blessings!

Greeters & Coffee

Hour

Opportunities to

Greet on Sunday

and/or host Coffee

Hour are still

available! Please

sign-up and help

keep this important fellowship

activity going strong!

Sunday School News

The Sunday School annual Advent activity will take place on Sunday

December 4th, beginning at 10:00am. All children should report directly

to the Fireside Room for this very special activity.

2017 SBRC Dinner Dates!

Jan. 28th - Roast Pork

March 11th - Corned Beef

April 22nd - Roast Beef

Sept. 16th - Ham

Oct. 14th - Chicken Cordon Bleu

Nov. 4th - Roast Beef

Women’s Group

The Women's Group worked busily at their October 16th meeting, preparing 3,586 stamps to be sent to Florida for funds to prepare Spanish Sunday School materials. Our deep thanks to the people of the congregation who faithfully clip and bring in stamps. The stamp basket in the Office is never empty. The River Blindness Prevention program received $21 in change this past month.

In November we will again be placing a large laundry basket at the front of the sanctuary which we hope will be filled with clean, warm socks for homeless veterans at Apostles House in Newark. We've been having warm weather lately, but soon the bitter cold will arrive and we hope to help in some small way.

-Lynne Diehl

A very Happy Birthday and a blessed year ahead to those who are celebrating a birthday in November:

2 - Andrew Heckman

3 - Joe Foley

6 - Holly Kowalenko

7 - Hans Stockman

11 - Beverly Kelly

12 - Mary Ellen Taylor

13 - Mindy Shifflett

16– Avery DeCicco

16- Cooper DeCicco

17 - Kyle Wengryn

18 - Betty York

24 - Tim Rollender

24- Joanne Powell

25 - Jeanette Hubscher

26 - Cindy Sheridan

28 - Katelyn Sheridan

Also, congratulations and Happy Anniversary to:

4 - Walt & Barbara Wengryn

12 - Albert & Danielle Bowden

14 - Craig & Meghan Fitzgerald

27– Joe & Irene Bogdan

A Congregational Meeting will be held on Sunday, Nov. 13th

in the Dining Room following worship! The purpose of this

meeting is to review and discuss the proposed budget for

2017 as well as to receive nominations for the Consistory

and Endowment Committee.

A Covered Dish Luncheon will be held at the same time. A

sign-up sheet has been posted on the bulletin board. Please

plan on joining us for a wonderful meal

and good discussion about the upcoming

year.

PAGE 4 CONTACT

Congregational Meeting & Covered Dish Luncheon

SBRC & CROP Walk Continue On Together!

Birthdays & Anniversaries

SAVE THE DATE!!!

Be sure to mark your

calendars and reserve

Sunday, Dec. 4th to attend

the SBRC Live Nativity.

There will be two shows:

4:30pm and at 6:00pm with

refreshments available

following each show.

If you haven’t come in the

past, please don’t miss out

on it this year! It really is a

great time for all involved

and is the perfect way to

kick-off the Christmas

Season.

Live Nativity! CROP Walk took place this year on October 16th.

Many thanks to all of our walkers for representing

SBRC on this important day! Contin-

ued thanks to all who supported our

Team with generous monetary dona-

tions!

PAGE 5 CONTACT In

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2016

Share In God's Love

South Branch Reformed Church

870 River Road

Hillsborough, NJ 08844

Rev. Stephen Eckert ~ Pastor

Mr. John Colaiacovo ~ Music Director

Mrs. Erica Lenzo ~ Church Secretary

Mrs. Maureen DeMarco ~ Preschool Director

Mrs Maritza Acosta ~ Sexton

Daylight Saving Time ends on

Sunday, November 6th!! Be sure

to set your clocks back one (1) hour

on Saturday evening before going

to bed. If you don’t, you will

probably

beat Pastor

Steve to the

church on

Sunday.