UPCOMING EVENTS. . .
 EVERY Sun 8:30 AM Choir 9AM ESL
10AM Worship & Faithworks
2nd & 4th Mon. Hand in Hand, 7:30 pm
Tue-Fri 7-8AM Prayer Service
Wed 10 AM ESL Bible 3:30 PM Bible
Thu 10 AM Korean Bible Study at PCFL
 
Mon 5/12 Finance Mtg. 7PM
Wed 5/14 Women’s Wed Lunch 12AM Cho’s
Thu 5/15 Session 7PM
Sat 5/17 Presby. Day WS Pres.Rwd. 9-4PM
Sun 5/18 Rev. Esther Kim Art Recpt’n 11AM
Thu 5/22 Men’s Luncheon 6:30PM
Sun 5/25 Rev. Bob Tomlinson
Fri 5/23 C. Buckley Vacation Day-Ofc. Clsd.
Mon 5/26 Memorial Day-Office Closed
Fri 5/30 PCFL Book Grp. An Irish Country Dr.
Sun 6/1 Kiddie Sunday Rev. Susan Friedl
Tue 6/3 Primary Election 6AM-8PM
Sun 6/8 PCFL Picnic Rev.Bob Tomlinson

One in Christ, All in Christ----Presbytery Day May 17

Presbytery Day is a day for members from around the Presbytery of the Palisades to worship and praise God in a dynamic and multicultural setting. The event will be held this Saturday, May 17^th at the Westside Presbyterian Church in Ridgewood. There will be exhibits and workshops, youth activities, Worship Service, and a wonderful Multicultural Feast. For a brochure, questions, and registration please contact Phil Harder or call the office at PCFL.

 (201 891-0511) On Sunday, May 18^th there will be a special event called “Unity In Christ” sponsored by Fig Orchard. An Ecumenical – Multicultural Worship, a celebration in word, music, liturgical dance, and fellowship with Rev. Tony Campolo preaching will be held at 6:30 pm at Pilgrim Church at 18 Essex Road, Paramus. For info. Pls. Call The Fig Orchard at 201 337-8180 or E-Mail astridmz@verizon.net. 

Church Family…

Robin Mainardi prayed for her friend, Nicole who is leaving and moving away. She gave thanks for her grandmother who is feeling better after working with a physical therapist.
Chungja Cho gave thanks that her mother, Soo Hee Kang, was with her at Sunday Worship on Mother's Day. It is the answer to her prayer.
A prayer was offered for Josie Adam's and all her family. Josie's father has died. May the grieving family know the comfort of God.
Okey Chenoweth offered prayers for one of his students - Matthew John, who came to this country from India. Matthew John has completed one tour of duty in the military in Iraq. Following a time off from fighting, Matthew John is now being sent back to Iraq for a second time. The young man is Roman Catholic and has asked for prayers. Okey offered prayers for all of our country's soldiers who are fighting the war in Iraq and Afghanistan.
Esther Kim prayed for the l00,000 plus people who have died in Burma following the cyclone. She prayed that relief may come to those who have survived.
Mary McColl prayed for her brother Ed who is out of work and looking for a new field of work.

This Sunday… 
May 18, Rev. Esther Kim will preach a sermon entitled “The Body of Christ” based on Ephesians 1:15-23. Let us hear how organizations like Sears and Chrysler have coped with dramatic cultural and demographic changes that have reshaped their environment in which they operate. And let us ponder how PCFL will move forward together. Julie Sibbald will preach for the children. Grace Oh will sing a special song “The Lord’s Prayer.” Please join us at 10am.

PCFL Hosts Overflow Shelter

PCFL is once again hosting the Overflow Shelter at St. Alban's Episcopal Church in Oakland. This is the homeless shelter program that we used to have in our building during June and July each year. We have signed on for just the one night, Tuesday, June 3. Some volunteers have already asked to help out but we still need two overnight hosts for the late shift from midnight to 6:30 AM. We also need food providers for breakfast or lunches for up to ten homeless guests. Please think seriously about volunteering for this wonderful project. It's just the one evening and it means so much to our brothers and sisters in need. Call Debbie Vreeland 201-337-7969 or e-mail me at KV405@aol.com to sign on or to get detailed information.

Dabar: Mortal

Ezekiel; Matthew (e.g.) 9:6, 10:23

I'm not at all convinced that the writer of Ezekiel meant to make as big a contrast between the prophet and God as the NRSV's choice of "mortal" seems to do. In fact, what it translates seems to be about the same phrase that Jesus is said to use to describe himself, "son of man." But in fact our tradition holds that Jesus was setting himself apart from other 'children of the earth.' I wonder if all this distinction helps or hurts us? -- BKS   

Welcome Women’s Wed.Lunch

Please join us for fun, food, and fellowship at noon on May 14. We will meet at Chung Ja Cho's, 400 Hillview Terr., Franklin Lakes, 201-337-7933. Bring any type of food to share, enough for 6 people. Signup sheet and directions are posted on narthex bulletin board. For further information, contact Esther Kim or Barbara Fernstrom.

Reflection on New Member Outreach

(Multicultural Conference-III)

 Most of us have been attending church on Sunday throughout our lives. It was a commandment, a tradition, and for some it was a requirement of our faith. As the routine of Sunday morning took hold in the hard drive of the brain, the church experience for some became a comfort; a reliable escape from the mundane and minor aggravations that cropped up during the week. Others dropped out along the way and throughout the years became disinterested. For those who remained, listening to a good sermon was a truly inspirational gift. It was a peaceful and powerful “time out”, contributing to personal transformation. The fellowship with the church community contributed to the comfortable feeling of home. Referring to our church as a home is a heartfelt sentiment and is important for sustaining members.

Many people perhaps unknowingly seek the comfort, faith, and fellowship that our church provides. Our eagerness and sincerity to have faith and do good works in a world that is forever in need of reconciliation and repair, salvation, and transformation is very compelling. To do justice, love kindness, and walk humbly with Our God (Micah 6:6a 8) is indeed a calling that we hear. 

Yet an aspect of this reconciliation that is so vital to world peace requires a deeper comprehension, a compassion, for all people who are searching for healing and spiritual renewal. To go beyond our traditional outreach as a church is a call that is at the heart of Christian discipleship. We can discover new venues for a more meaningful outreach yet preserve the safety and comfort of the church we love.

The New Member Outreach in principle seeks to “pierce the illusion” of the physical reality. When meeting a stranger, the first reaction is to observe his or her appearance. This first impression may or may not be favorable. The question to ask is this: is it fair to make a judgment based on race, ethnicity, gender, or other preferences? Upon establishing a personal relationship with such a stranger through conversation, one may reach a deeper level of acquaintance and trust.

If you believe that there is a part of each of us that is eternal, then the physical form is just a superficial barrier or an illusion of a three dimensional reality that we experience on earth. The eternal energy is a shared bond that can be experienced by living within a deeper level of spirituality and relationship with God. This energy when blessed by the Holy Spirit can change the way we perceive another human being. It is magnanimous and not the limited perception of human nature.

At the Multicultural Conference we listened to Pastor Jin S. Kim explain the mission, the vision, and the identity of his church, “The Church of All Nations.” His congregation is multicultural and offers services in several languages. He also wrote an article, “Beyond The Comfort Zone” which appeared in “Congregations Magazine.” Jin S. Kim states, “that he is most comfortable with other second generation Korean Americans because of their unique and shared experience.” “This reservoir of shared experience can move us immediately into building a personal relationship.” 

Pastor Jin S. Kim is truly committed to the vision and mission of his church and yet could be so honest to admit that it is so much easier to make friends with those with whom we have much in common. Part of the church’s identity statement reads: “We are committed to being honest, transparent, and vulnerable with one another, just as Jesus modeled for us.”

It is challenging and thought provoking to seek friendship where cultural origins, language, and life experiences are significantly different. The rewards of reaching beyond our comfort zones are to know that our small role in a local church actually contributes to peace in the larger world community. Also the personal gain is in the beauty and excitement of learning and experiencing something profound and full of compassion as was witnessed in the mighty acts of God at Pentecost. -- Respectfully, Mary D. Guidetti-McColl 

Center For Food Action
PCFL and CFA love an over-flowing food basket-thanks for last week’s generous food offerings. Keep those bags coming, please!

Congratulations…To PCFL’s own Esther Kim, who is due to
receive her Doctor of Ministry degree next Saturday, May 17^th at Drew
University. Please wish her well when you see her.

May 18 Art Reception 11AM

Please welcome May artist Rose Pizzi this Sunday, right after worship service. She will be receiving members and friends of the PCFL Gallery from 11AM to 1PM and will answer questions about her unique art form, paintings done on wood with oil. Refreshments will be served. The public is invited to attend and the show is free.

Save The Date
The annual PCFL Picnic is on Sunday, June 8^th at 11AM.

Presbyterian Church at Franklin Lakes web: http://www.pcfl.org
e-mail: pcflmgr@yahoo.com

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