Circuit Rider Letter
May 2012
by Pastor John DiGiamberardino

Holy Communion
May 6^th

We celebrate the sacrament of Holy Communion on the first Sunday of every month. The other day I had someone come up to me and ask if we were going to have communion in April. I told them we skipped Sunday morning Communion in April because Palm Sunday fell on the first Sunday of the month. We celebrated Holy Communion on Maundy Thursday during Holy Week. It would have been interesting to have communion on Palm Sunday because we had an extra 100 people in services this year.

Through April our Sunday School has been taking time to educate and communicate with our children and their parents the meaning and importance of Holy Communion.

Circuit Rider Letter
March 2012
by Pastor John DiGiamberardino

What Is LENT?

The season of Lent has not been well observed in much of evangelical Christianity, largely because it was associated with liturgical worship that some churches were eager to reject. However, much of the background of evangelical Christianity, for example the heritage of John Wesley, was very "high church." Many of the churches that had originally rejected more formal and deliberate liturgy are now recovering aspects of a larger Christian tradition as a means to refocus on spirituality in a culture that is increasingly secular.

Originating in the fourth century of the church, the season of Lent spans 40 weekdays beginning on Ash Wednesday and climaxing during Holy Week with Holy Thursday (Maundy Thursday), Good Friday, and concluding Saturday before Easter. Originally, Lent was the time of preparation for those who were to be baptized, a time of concentrated study and prayer before their baptism at the Easter Service. But since these new members were to be received into a living community of Faith, the entire community was called to preparation. Also, this was the time when those who had been separated from the Church would prepare to rejoin the community.

Circuit Rider Letter
January 2012
by Pastor John DiGiamberardino

From the Pastor's Desk

Shout for joy to the LORD, all the earth.
Worship the LORD with gladness; come before him with joyful songs.
Know that the LORD is God.
It is he who made us, and we are his; we are his people, the sheep of his pasture.
Enter his gates with thanksgiving and his courts with praise;
give thanks to him and praise his name.
For the LORD is good and his love endures forever;
His faithfulness continues through all generations. Psalm 100

Praise the Lord! Here we are at the beginning of another year. It is hard for me to get my mind around the reality that it is 2012. The changing year allows us time to reflect on our lives.

Circuit Rider Letter
November 2011
by Pastor John DiGiamberardino

The Ten Commandments

Praise God from whom all blessings flow! This is an exciting time for our church. We have begun a church-wide focus on the Ten Commandments. Many are meeting weekly in small groups to look deeper into the meaning and relevance of each commandment in their lives today.

The scripture says, “For everything that was written in the past was written to teach us, so that through the endurance taught in the Scriptures and the encouragement they provide we might have hope.” (Romans 15:4)

Circuit Rider Letter
September 2011
by Pastor John DiGiamberardino

"Sixty percent of Americans can't name five of the Ten Commandments"
- USA Today 03/07

CHURCH WIDE STUDY
Ten Commandments in Ten Weeks
September 11 - November 13

(9/2007 Kelton Research and 10 Commandments Commission)

• 35% of American's can recall all six Brady kids from the Brady Bunch
• 25% could name all seven ingredients of the Big Mac
• Only 14% can accurately name all Ten Commandments

What is the church wide study all about?

Every few years we provide the opportunity for the entire church to study God’s Word together. This year you are invited to take part in a study on the Ten Commandments. Throughout the summer we have looked at the life of Moses. We have seen his birth, education, sin, calling, leadership, and his obedience. He has led the people to the mountain of God. For forty days he communed with God on that mountain and God gave him the Decalogue. It was the law of God for the people of God. It showed them how to live in relationship with God and with each other.

Circuit Rider Letter
May 2011
by Pastor John DiGiamberardino

"No Time For Fooling Around"

There are many people who have greatly influenced my life. One of them is Milton Collins. When I arrived in Port Republic as the pastor of the church in 1993, I was 30 years old. There was an assistant pastor at the church, Rev. Milton Collins. What was interesting about this was that he had been a local pastor at this church for over 27 years, from to 1954 to 1981. I had first met him when I was a youth, about 15 years old, at Delanco Camp. We used to call him Uncle Milt and now I am his pastor. It was a humbling experience.

When I became the pastor of that church, he was very respectful even though he was my elder by a number of years and knew the people and area much better them me. He would always call me pastor. There are many things that he would say that I remember so clearly. We often went out to eat lunch at Allens Clam Bar in New Gretna and he would always order the oyster stew. When it came to the table he would say, “Pastor, you are going to need to let me take my time.”

Circuit Rider Letter
March 2011
by Pastor John DiGiamberardino

FROM THE PASTOR’S DESK

We have been studying the letter of James to the church. This letter is for everyone who desires to grow. It was written to those who have responded to the grace of God. It was written to those who have confidence that they are a child of God. It was written to those who desire to grow in holiness and want some practical direction on how to live.

Some feel James and Paul contradict each other. Paul teaches that you cannot be saved by works, we receive salvation by faith and by faith alone. James seems to assert in this passage that faith alone is insufficient for salvation, and to be effective, faith must be accompanied by works. Some think that James is focusing on works alone and Paul on faith alone.

Circuit Rider Letter
January 2011
by Pastor John DiGiamberardino

A New Decade

When I walked into the office today I saw Janice putting all the churches activities on the "master" calendar. This month marks a new decade according to our calendar.

I like to plan. It is good to look ahead and see what is happening next. I write things down on my calendar and usually set a calendar for at least a year in advance. I plan out my sermons for the year. I plan my vacations. I sit down with the staff and we evaluate how things have gone and see what will continue and what will change. I was already talking to someone about the possibility of having a tree lighting here at St. Paul's next Christmas.

This is the time when we change the date on our checks and begin thinking about how we cannot believe it is 2011. It is a new decade.

Circuit Rider Letter
November 2010
by Pastor John DiGiamberardino

From The Pastor’s Desk

In September we started a new class at St. Paul’s, Financial Peace University. Over 60 people are participating in this class. We hope to offer the class again in the spring. Please let the office know if you want to be part of the spring class.

There are 2 myths involving money and the church. The first is that people don’t want to talk about it and the second is that people really don’t want to give. However, Jesus spoke often about money and we actually want to give, the problem is that most Americans are enslaved by debt and literally unable to give. We have become slaves to money instead of allowing money to serve us. Have you collected a lot of stuff you never or rarely use? Is there a charity or mission you would love to support financially if you could just afford it?

Circuit Rider Letter
September 2010
by Pastor John DiGiamberardino

Throughout the summer we have been thinking about what it means to be a Christ Follower. In John 4 we read about a Samaritan woman who has an encounter with Jesus. Just like the woman at the well, to truly be a Christ follower we must come to terms with our desperate need for God. We must deal with our propensity to live a life of duplicity and sin, and deal with our ‘stuff’. The good news is that God is a God of broken people who doesn’t just forgive but transforms! Have you come to that place where you realized that you really need God in your life? Has your relationship with Christ been just about forgiveness of has it transformed your brokenness?

As we read John 4 we realize that just as there is a powerful physical thirst for water, there is equally a powerful spiritual thirst for living water in which only God can fill. The problem comes when you try to fill that spiritual thirst with temporary things instead of Jesus Christ. Not only is it unsatisfying to build life around the temporary things of this world but it also leads to disheartening exhaustion and grief.

Circuit Rider Letter - June 2010
Desperate Households

For the past few weeks we have been looking deeper at what we believe and why we do what we do. We looked at Why Church, Why Communion, Why Marriage, Why the United Methodist Church, Why Baptism, and Why the Bible. Many have shared how these messages have helped them understand more fully who we are as followers of Jesus Christ. During the month of June we will be focusing on families.

The family today is under attack. Everything seems to be drawing families apart rather than together. There are very few activities in our culture today that people do together as a family. Relationships are discussed in terms of singleness and individual choice rather than corporately or in groups. Many families used to eat at least one meal together every day. Today when dinner is being discussed each person is allowed to have something different as a main course and parents will travel from fast food place to fast food place to satisfy each person in the family. Even when it comes to television, each person has their own and can choose what show they want to watch separated from everyone else.

Circuit Rider Letter - April 2010

Throughout Lent we looked at walking in the Footsteps of Jesus.  We saw things that Jesus did and we studied and learned the many things Jesus taught.  One of the hoped for outcomes of learning about Jesus is that we would desire to be in a personal relationship with Him.  It is not just knowing about the things that Jesus did that brings us to a relationship with Him, but learning to live and love as He did.

Circuit Rider - February 2010

Well, we all made it safely back from our pilgrimage to Israel and journey to Egypt. This past month a group from St. Paul's headed to the Holy Land. It was a long flight, almost 13 hours each way, and very long busy days. Our day would begin at 6 and end after 7 each evening. I thank God for the opportunity to make this trip. The last time I was in Israel was in 1997. I was surprised at how many things changed in just 12 years. When I went before I was interested in seeing those places where Jesus had done ministry. This time I was more interested in what was happening today to the people and their environment.

Circuit Rider - December 2009

From The Pastor's Desk

What is the message of Christmas? The message of Christmas is, "You matter to God." You matter to God so much that He sent Jesus Christ to earth to let you know that you matter to Him. That's the whole message of Christmas.

There is a word that we'll hear more and more in the next month. The most used word in this season is the word "gift". You will be out frantically searching for gifts, finding the right gift at the right place at the right price. Where did all that come from anyway? The tradition of gift giving began because God gave you a gift at the very first Christmas. God has a gift for you and His gift is Jesus Christ. It's a person.

"The angel said, 'Don't be afraid! I bring you the most joyful news ever announced, and it is for everybody.
Today your Savior is born. He is Christ the Lord. Give glory to God in heaven, and on earth let there be
peace among people who please God.'" Luke 2:10-14

October 2009
50 Days of Faith

In September we began a new series, 50 Days of Faith. You have been provided with opportunities to get connected with God (daily devotional), get connected with others (attend a Small Group), put God's Word in your heart (memory verses), stretch, challenge and deepen faith (attend worship), and to share how your faith has grown (completing survey).

This past year I have done a great deal of reflection about what is important. Economic, financial, health conditions and tragedies are often a wake-up call to realize how important our relationship with God is. As we study the scriptures we learn very quickly that God's love for us is unconditional. There is nothing you can do to make God love you more and there is nothing you can do to make God love you any less. But when you love someone, really love them, your natural, logical desire is to please them, to listen to them.

The Bailout

Through the summer we will be looking at the story of Nehemiah. I would encourage you to read this book as we spend time thinking about how God used Nehemiah. Let me give you a little bit of background.

In 586 BC the city of Jerusalem in Israel was destroyed. Jews were deported over to Babylon which is now Iraq. They were to be kept there for 70 years. But in 537 the first group of Jews were allowed to return. In 516 the Temple was rebuilt. In 458 Ezra led the second group of Jews back to Jerusalem. Then in 445 Nehemiah asked permission from the Persian King Artaxerxes to return to Jerusalem with a third group to rebuild the city walls.

Where is it happening? Jerusalem.

THE HOLY LAND

I took the opportunity to visit the Holy Land three times in my life. The first time was in 1992 and it was called a familiarization tour. It was a group of pastors that went in hopes that they would set up future trips with groups from their churches. In 1994, I led a group of 80 youth from the Southwest District of our Conference. And again in 1996, we took a group from our district of youth and adults.

What Do The Different Colors Mean?

Periodically someone asks me what the different colors mean in the sanctuary. Why do they change and is there any significance? The sanctuary is decorated through the various seasons of the church year with different colors to remind us of the entirety of the Christian story.

The church year begins with Advent. Advent is a season of four week including four Sundays prior to Christmas. Advent calls the Christian community to prepare for the coming of Jesus through the remembrance of His birth, through the Word and Holy Spirit, and in anticipation of His return in victory. The colors are PURPLE or blue, which represent royalty. Each Sunday of Advent has a theme using a wreath with four candles. On Christmas Eve a final fifth candle is lit to represent the birth of Christ.

As many of you know in January I have been approved to take a month renewal leave / sabbatical.  In the United Methodist Church, pastors are encouraged to take a month for renewal once every four years.  I have been serving as a pastor in New Jersey since August of 1988.  I have never taken a renewal leave before.  I am given four weeks vacation a year but have never taken them all at one time.  The thought of leaving for month straight is a little scary.

I wonder what I will miss in people’s lives.  Humbly, I have concerns about people not coming to worship because I am away.  I base that on the fact that when people have known that I am on vacation attendance and giving are both down on those Sundays.  I would hate to see us go through added stress and see our ministries suffer because we start the new year behind financially.

All Saints' Sunday

All Saints' Day (also called All Hallows) is the day Christian's give thanks for all the good people God has placed in their lives who have been a witness and encouragement to them. Hallow is a word not typically used in our society today.  The only time we use "hallow" is in the Lord's Prayer describing God.  Hallow is usually used as a verb, meaning "to make holy or sacred, to sanctify or consecrate, to venerate. The adjective form hallowed, as used in The Lord's Prayer, means holy, consecrated, sacred, or revered.

The custom of commemorating on a single day all those who have previously gone to be with the Lord goes back at least to the third century. All Saints' Day (Nov. 1) is also a day when Christians give thanks for the presence of the Holy Spirit in their lives.