1. religion and spirituality
2. christianity
3. catholicism

The STEEPLE
Succasunna United Methodist Church
March 2015
In This Issue
Holy Week & Easter Services
Palm Sunday, March 29:
9am and 11am
Holy Thursday, April 2:
7:30pm
Good Friday, April 3:
3pm Crosswalk
7:30pm Tenebrae
Easter Sunday, April 5:
6:30am at Horseshoe Lake
9am and 11am
Save the Dates
21
Saturday
Christian Outreach Project
Spaghetti Dinner
5pm / 6:15pm
29
Sunday
Palm Sunday
Egg Hunt
12:30pm
Pastor’s Pen
2
Worship Update
5
Upcoming Events
6
Update From the
Finance Committee
9
Trustee’s Highlights
9
Small Groups
11
Sunday School
Happenings
12
91 Main Street
Succasunna, NJ 07876
973-584-7349
www.sumcnj.org
office@sumcnj.org
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Pastor Juel’s Pen...
Bishop Schol and The Greater NJ Annual Conference of the
United Methodist Church has embraced The Call to Action Plan,
which invites congregations to deepen their vitality in several
areas of congregational life. In last month’s newsletter we looked
at our 2015 goals in six areas of church ministry: worship, reaching
& making new disciples, small group ministry, mission, giving and
leadership development. Below is an update on our ministry.
Worship
rd
 An ecumenical Good Friday service is planned for April 3 at
7:30pm at Succasunna UMC.
th
 Youth Sunday is being organized for the 9am and 11am worship services on April 12 . Samantha
Humphries has volunteered to be our preacher! More information to follow.
Mission & Giving
nd
 Mark the date August 22 for a Saturday of Service in Monmouth County with A Future With Hope –
Hurricane Sandy Relief.
 Our numbers serving at Red Bird Mission has doubled to four members. We are in the home stretch
of our fundraising for this July mission trip. Praise God!
Leadership Development & Small Groups
 Eleven from SUMC attended the District Day of Learning at Butler UMC this February. See above
picture!
 Three new lay servants from SUMC will be trained by the conference this month. Amen!
 In April two laity will be attending The Church of the Resurrection’s Congregational Care Ministry
Seminar, made possible by a grant for leadership development awarded to Succasunna UMC by our
conference.
As we move forward in ministry, may we know that these goals do not equate our faith, but they
are signs and fruits of our faith. We are saved through the blessed Lord, Jesus Christ. It is God’s
saving grace that calls us to worship, community and service. What we do in our lives and through the
church gives testimony to all that God has done for us. In this Lenten season, I invite you to remember
that God’s grace is always available; God is ready to receive us to make us more than what we can
become on our own.
Grace and Peace, Pastor Juel Nelson
Many asked for a copy of this reflection that was shared at Ash Wednesday’s worship service.
“For most of my life I have struggled to find God, to know God, to love God. I have tried hard
to follow the guidelines of the spiritual life—pray always, work for others, read the Scripture—
and to avoid the many temptations to dissipate myself. I have failed many times, but always
tried again, even when I was close to despair. Now I wonder whether I have sufficiently
realized that during all this time God has been trying to find me, to know me, and to love me.
The question is not ‘How am I to find God?’ but ‘How am I to let myself be found by him?’ The
question is not ‘How am I to know God?’ but ‘How am I to let myself be known by God?’ And,
finally, the question is not ‘How am I to love God?’ but ‘How am I to let myself be loved by
God?’ “God is looking into the distance for me, trying to find me, and longing to bring me
home.” From The Return of the Prodigal Son: A Story of Homecoming by Henri J.M. Nouwen
(New York: Image Books, 1992).
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Scout Sunday—February 8, 2015
Join us for Lenten Soup Suppers
Wednesday Evenings From 6-8pm
Please join us for engaging discussions, fellowship and a delicious soup meal every Wednesday of
Lent.
Our Lenten Soup Suppers this year will be Table Talk Vol. 2, which is for the whole church family.
Table Talk is designed to bring all ages together for dinner, fellowship, study, and to engage in
conversation about key stories of the Bible. The topics and leaders will be as follows:
February 25
The Beatitudes Led by Ted Nelson
March 18
The Last Supper Led by Doug and Maribel Wilson
March 4
The Least of These Led by Mary Chowhan
March 25
The Crucifixion & Resurrection Led by
Jessica Dingman
March 11
The Great Commission Led by Cari Cruz
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SUMC Softball Angels Need You!!!!
The Angels Softball team is gearing up for our 2015 season and we need new players!
We play in the Fellowship Division of the North Jersey Christian Softball League and it’s all about
fun and fellowship---with just a little bit of competitive spirit!
The league has a ten game schedule beginning in May and running through mid-July. We start the
season with a few practices in April. Games begin at 6:30pm, and are held on weekdays. Our
designated play day for home games has historically been Tuesday evening, weather permitting.
We play five games on our home field, Port Morris Park, and five “away” games, at fields
generally located no further than 30 minutes from SUMC.
This co-ed league is made up of youth through adults of all ages---there is a spot for everyone! It
is a great opportunity to do something together as a family. You must be 15 years old to play, but
younger cheerleaders are always welcomed. The game is played with high arc pitching, which is
easy for anyone to hit, and we are happy to make accommodations for those with difficulty
running.
There is a nominal $10 fee required to help cover the cost of
supplies. All you need to play is a desire and a mitt---we supply
everything else!
Registration deadline is
April 1. “Don’t delay
we
need you to play!”
For further information please call Coach Megan Ruppel at 973989-5605, or email meganruppel@gmail.com or team secretary,
Karin Ruppel, at kbr31@aol.com.
Missions Food Pantry
The missions committee would like to thank all those who brought in items for our Food Pantry.
The items are donated to Roxbury Social Services and distributed to those in need. Each month
we will be collecting specific items. The box for these items is located in back of the sanctuary
and in the entrance way to our church school. The list for the coming months is:
March
April
May
June
July & August
September
October
November
December
Soups/microwave meals
Breakfast foods
Canned meats
Juice boxes
School supplies
Side dishes
Paper goods
Thanksgiving foods
Christmas foods
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Worship Update
Good Friday Ecumenical
Tenebrae Service
Easter Sunday Schedule
On the 7 Last Words of Christ
April 3, 7:30pm
Ecumenical Sunrise Service
6:30am at Horseshoe Lake, 72 Eyland Ave.
Follow the road around to the “island.” The
service will take place near the water by the
war memorial or in the pavilion if it rains.
Tenebrae is a Latin word that means "darkness"
or "shadows." The service comes from the
monastic tradition where, along with other
daily worship, "Tenebrae" was the last service
on the eves of Holy Thursday, Good Friday and
Holy Saturday. As we hear reflections on the
seven last words of Christ from the cross,
candles will gradually be extinguished. Join in
this moving service at Succasunna UMC with
Ledgewood Baptist Church and The First
Presbyterian Church of Succasunna.
Breakfast
Served between 7-8am at
The First Presbyterian Church.
Contemporary Service
9am with Communion
Traditional Service
11am with Communion
What is a “Cross Walk?”
Each year on Good Friday members from
Succasunna United Methodist Church, The First
Presbyterian Church of Succasunna and
Ledgewood Baptist Church participate in a walk
carrying a cross. There are several stops along
the way allowing for a time of prayer and
reflection. It is also during these stops that
another set of volunteers will carry the cross.
The group is growing; those who have
experienced the cross walk come back again
and again. Why don't you join us this year?
We’ll be meeting at 3pm at Ledgewood Baptist
Church. If you do join us, be prepared to walk
about half a mile and since it’s usually cold,
dress appropriately. Then at 7:30pm at SUMC,
there will be a Tenebrae service on the 7 Last
Words of Christ. Hope to see you at these
events!
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Building Better Moms
Spaghetti Dinner
Building Better Moms will be hosting a
“Cooking Together” event on Friday March 13,
2015 starting at 6-8pm. A King’s Supermarket
cooking instructor will be assisting us as we
prepare a special themed menu.
All are
welcome to join us. We encourage you to
bring a friend, your grandkids or your own
children (ages 4 and up) for a fun evening
together. Registration forms are available in
Fellowship Hall at the Building Better Moms
bulletin board.
SUMC youth fellowship is holding its annual
spaghetti dinner on Saturday, March 21.
Proceeds from this dinner will benefit the
Christian Outreach Project. Donations are very
much appreciated!
Cost: $5.00 per adult and $2.00 per child (4-12
yrs. old). RSVP by Wednesday, March 4,
2015.
Please visit our bulletin board in Fellowship
Hall to read what our small group has been up
to. Any questions, please contact Tami Haupt
at
sumcbuildingbettermoms@yahoo.com or
973-598-5499.
Save the Date
Family Breakfast
The next UMM-sponsored Family Breakfast
will be Saturday, March 28 at 8am.
Make your reservations now because seating is
limited. Tables are filled on a first come, first
served basis.
Seating times are 5pm and
6:15pm and prices are $10/adult and $5/child
(3-10 years old). Meals are also available for
take-out between 4:30 and 5pm and gluten
free options are available.

For reservations, contact: Lori Hollis at
973-598-1988 / lahollis@gmail.com and
provide the following information:
Name, address, phone number and email.
Number of adults/children and which
seating is preferred.
 Total number of meals ordered, the cost
and whether any are gluten free.


Checks can be dropped off at the office
between 9am and 2pm, Tuesday through
Friday.
Book Club Meeting
Our next book club meeting will be 7pm on March 19 at Janet Fischlein’s
residence. You are invited!
The Devil in Pew Number Seven by Rebecca Nichols Alonzo and Bob DeMoss is the
amazing, true saga of relentless persecution, one family’s faith and courage in the
face of it, and a daughter whose parents taught her the power of forgiveness.
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A Note of Thanks
Faith Kitchen
Many thanks to all caring members for the get
well and birthday cards sent to me.
I
cherished them all. It is so nice to have so
many friends. When the weather improves I
hope to be at church.
Dear Succasunna United Methodist Church,
Thanks for your thoughts and prayers. They
all help.
At Dover’s “soup kitchen,” we currently serve
over 100 people daily, Monday through
Saturday. It is only through donations of food
and monetary contributions that we are able
to feed as many people as we do. We served
a total of 42,988 meals in 2014.
God bless you all.
Doreen Wright
For Your Expression of Sympathy
Dear Friends,
Thank you for sharing your love and prayers
with our family as we remembered our
mother’s life.
Love & God Bless,
Sherry & Curtis Carter & the Stoops Family
Thank You From Social Services
On behalf of the Township of Roxbury Social
Services, Janet Wald, Director, extends her
sincerest gratitude to SUMC for our donation
of nine $10 ShopRite gift cards, as well as our
$300 donation in November. Our donations
are a significant element to Social Services’
ability to maintain the food pantry program
and continue to distribute much needed items
to the less fortunate families of Roxbury.
Thank you so much for your generous donation
of to Faith Kitchen. We really appreciate your
support.
We will continue, with God’s help, to provide
these nutritious meals. Your support of Faith
Kitchen is very much appreciated.
Sincerely,
Trink Prinz Schwartz, Director, Faith Kitchen
Diaconal Minister, ELCA EMT
Red Bird Mission
Thank you to those who purchased chili at
our sale on February 15. The proceeds,
combined with the offering collected at the
Ash Wednesday service, amounted to over
$800 to be used for the Red Bird Mission trip
to Kentucky this Summer!
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February 9, 2015
Dear Succasunna United Methodist Church:
Thank you for taking part in Trick-or-Treat for UNICEF, the original Kids Helping Kids® campaign! Your
gift of $278 to the US Fund for UNICEF, received on Friday, January 23, 2015, ensures that UNICEF can
make a better world for the world’s most vulnerable children.
Thousands of children under the age of 5 die every day and they don’t have to. UNICEF’s lifesaving
interventions and programs around the world have helped reduce the number of child deaths by nearly
50% since 1990, and yet 17,000 children still die every day from preventable causes.
UNICEF’s solutions are simple, proven, and highly cost-effective. Your Trick-or-Treat for UNICEF donation
will help provide:




Lifesaving vaccines and insecticide-treated bed nets
Emergency relief following natural disasters
Educational opportunities
School-in-a-Box kits, and much more.
We are so grateful you have joined us, along with thousands of schools, clubs, volunteers, and local
communities. We wish you all the best and look forward to your ongoing partnership in the coming years.
Caryl M. Stern
President and CEO
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An Update From the Finance Committee
Historically January has proven to be a difficult month financially for the church. This is due to
greater expenses such as snow removal, higher utility costs, and annual workers’
compensation. Weekly envelope giving was slightly down for the month, which more than
likely was due to lower attendance because of the severe winter weather. We thank all of our
church family for their generosity. Your gifts do make a difference!
Blessings, the Finance Committee
Marge Peletier, Chair
Trustees’ Highlights
This Winter the Trustees have been updating the Wesley rooms with new paint, carpeting and
valances. Stop by to see the rooms—they look great! Thanks to all those who volunteered their
time to complete this project.
Bereavement Notices
In the case of the passing of an immediate family member, please provide the following
information if you would like the church to notify the congregation by email:
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


Name of deceased
Relationship to church member
Date of birth
Date of death
Viewing location, date and hours
Funeral date and time
Please email the office with the above information: office@sumcnj.org.
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ShopRite and Sussex Meatpacking Gift Cards
How much does your family spend on
groceries? If you spend $100 per week, then
on an annual basis $260 would benefit
Succasunna United Methodist Church by
purchasing ShopRite gift cards. For each gift
card purchased the church receives a
donation of 5%. This is an easy fundraiser for
SUMC and would not cost you anything in
addition to what you are already spending on
groceries. In 2014, $2,387 was donated to
our church through this program. Thank you
to all the households who participated.
Acolyte Schedule—11 AM Worship
Mar 1
Kayly Brown
Nicholas Rizzo
Mar 8
Bridget Donnelly
Clara Donnelly
Mar 15
Nicholas Preta
Melissa Priester
Mar 22
Jake Morgan
Jenna Waldron
Mar 29
Natalie Crispino
Michael Crispino
Wanted: Praise Band Leader
Succasunna United Methodist Church, a dynamic, growing congregation, is seeking to hire a
Praise Band Leader. We are looking for a musician who loves the church, is proficient on an
instrument, can coach vocalists and instrumentalists, who is well versed in contemporary
Christian music and comfortable with a variety
of musical styles. Strong administrative skills,
people skills, and spiritual life are required.
Commitment is for a weekly rehearsal and 9:00
Sunday morning worship, about 12 hours a
week. Please submit your resume and cover
letter to Jim Haupt, Staff Parish Relations
Committee Chair, at tball19@aol.com. Please
direct questions to the church office / 973-5847349.
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Small Groups
TABS
Thrift Shop
Would you like to know the Bible better? Plan
to join a fun group of folks at Tuesday Adult
Bible Study. Whether you’re brand new to the
Bible or know it inside and out, you’re
welcome!
Bring your Bible and a little
something to share for lunch (not necessary
the first time you come!).
We provide
beverages and a lively study and discussion of
the scriptures. Bring a friend!
Our inventory is running low and we need your
help to re-stock our shelves! Your donations
are very much needed especially seasonal
items i.e. coats, sweaters, boots and children’s
clothing. Your donations make a difference in
the life of the community and be a blessing to
our church! The shop is open year round for
purchases on Wednesdays from 9:30am to
1:30pm and is open for donations on Tuesdays
from 9-11am.
We continue to meet twice a month on the
second and fourth Tuesdays at 12 noon in the
Wesley room (March 10 and 24). We are
currently studying the New Testament Book of
Acts.
Men’s Study
Join us on Saturday
mornings at 7:30am in
Fellowship Hall to engage
in discussions about
spiritually relevant books
and issues. We continue
our current study entitled
Christianity, Cults &
Religions by Paul Carden.
This publication compares
the beliefs of 21 world
religions, sects, cults, and
new religious groups side
by side from a Christian point of view.
For more information contact Lee Pitea at 862223-7101 or pitea.1@osu.edu or Charlie
Schubiger
at
973-252-3770
or
cschubiger@gmail.com.
Altar Flowers
If you wish to honor the memory of someone,
or celebrate someone’s special day, the sign-up
sheet for altar flowers is posted in Fellowship
Hall. If you have any questions please contact
Barbara Palanchi at 973-584-8291. The cost of
the flowers is $28.
Prayer Shawl Ministry
We meet every Monday from 7-9pm. New
knitters are always welcome—yarn and needles
provided. Please call Nancy Schubiger at 973252-3771 or Melanie Newton at 973-396-7885
if you have any questions or would like to have
a shawl for someone in need.
Congregational Care Ministry
Our Congregational Care Ministry is comprised
of a small group of laity focused on meeting
the care needs of our congregation. We meet
one-on-one with persons in need of contact via
in-person visits, telephone calls, hospital
visits, etc. to lend an ear, offer
encouragement, prayer and support. We also
meet regularly as a team with our Pastor for
supervision and training.
To learn more,
please contact Kim Germain at 973-328-1938.
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Sunday School Happenings
Easter Baskets
Volunteers Needed
Partnering with the Missions Committee each
Sunday School class will be collecting items for
an Easter Basket for a local child in need.
Please check with your child’s teacher for
donation ideas.
Collection ends March 22.
Thank you.
VBS 2015 “G-Force” Committee
2nd Annual SUMC Easter Egg Hunt
Our Easter Egg Hunt will be held on Palm
Sunday, March 29 at 1230pm. Please join us for
fun, games, crafts, and fellowship!
Donations
of
wrapped
candies
are
welcome. There will be a collection box in the
downstairs lobby. Thank you for your support.
We would like to have a planning committee
for VBS this month. The Cokesbury theme, GForce has been selected for VBS in July. With
"G-Force" kids explore how to put their faith
into action. In this mission-focused VBS, kids
experience God’s unstoppable love and
discover how to fuel up and move in and
through life with God.
Please
contact
Jennifer
Antoncich
jantoncich@hotmail.com or 862-219-5599 if
you would like to help with planning the
Easter Egg Hunt and/or VBS!
No Sunday School Easter
Sunday, April 5
Church Staff
Rev. Juel Nelson, Pastor
Audrey Schultz, Director of Music
Charlie Schubiger, Sexton
Debbie Watson, Admin Assistant
Church Information
Office Hours: 9am—1pm
Tuesday—Friday
Phone: 973.584.7349
Email: office@sumcnj.org
Sunday Schedule
9am Contemporary Worship
10am Sunday School
11am Traditional Worship