Loss is a universal human experience. We can lose friends, spouses, parents, and children. We can experience the loss of health, the loss of a job, or the loss of a future we had anticipated. Elder and Licensed Social Worker Janet Lee and Deacon and Stephen Minister Pat Lee will facilitate a "Life After Loss" support group to help us process the experience of loss -- no matter what kind it is. Please fill out the form below to register.
Easter Celebration
We we will gather for one worship service at 10:15 a.m. in our sanctuary, followed by an intergenerational celebration with a butterfly release and Easter Egg hunt. To add to the colorful festivities of the day, purchase a spring plant for our sanctuary (daffodil, lily or tulip) in honor of or in memory of a loved one. After the service you may take your plant home. Click the button below to order yours and choose your payment method.
Painted Lady Butterfly
This year we are adding a new element to our celebration — a live butterfly release! Individually boxed painted lady butterflies will be delivered the the church on dry ice the night before Easter, and will warm up overnight just in time for our butterfly release at 11:30 AM on Easter Sunday. Click the button below to order one or more butterflies to release in memory of or in honor of a loved one.
Good Friday Tenebrae Service
Our Good Friday Tenebrae Service remembers the events Jesus experienced during the last week of his earthly life. The word Tenebrae is Latin for "shadows" or "darkness." A candle is extinguished after each Scripture reading of the story from his entrance into Jerusalem on Palm Sunday through the night of Jesus’ burial on Good Friday. The service includes some dramatic visual and sound effects and ends in darkness and silence. Begins at 7 p.m. in the sanctuary.
Maundy Thursday Service
Due to a death in Pastor Julie’s family, our Director of Spiritual Growth Meghan Pringle and youth group leader Holly Hansen will guide our youth and their families in an participatory experience of humility and servanthood. Anyone in the congregation is welcome to join them. Paricipants will hear how Jesus gave his disciples a new command to love another and washed their feet. Participants will be invited to take part in an optional hand or foot-washing experience. For those who would like communion, see option below at Lincroft Presbyterian Church.
Palm Sunday Potluck Brunch
Reserve your spot at our Palm Sunday Potluck Brunch on April 2 in Fellowship Hall, immediately after our 10:15 AM worship service. (No Beacon service that day.)
Tell us what you plan to bring to share for the meal by choosing an item on the online or in-person sign up list.
Cliffhanger Adventure
On Sunday October 30 bring your GRIT, and an adventurous spirit for this fun event. As we prepare to wrap up the theme of Cliffhangers that we have looked at for Sunday Bible School in October, we have planned an exciting afternoon for ALL AGES! After the 10:15 Sanctuary Service will have a picnic - bring your own brown bagged lunch. Then we will head to Shark River Park for the CLIFFHANGER Adventure! We will be on the Black diamond trail, so wear old sneakers and clothes.
Youth Group Fall Festival
On October 27 during our regular Youth Group time we will have a Fall Festival!. There will be a small firepit and s’mores! Bring a friend and dress for the weather, we will be outdoors.
Congregational Meeting
The Session of The Presbyterian Church on the Hill has called a Congregational Meeting for Sunday, Oct. 23, 2022, immediately following our JOINT WORSHIP SERVICE at 10:15am, for the purpose of electing deacons and elders.
Red Bank Crop Hunger Walk
The Red Bank CROP Hunger Walk is coming up on Sunday, October 16. We’d love to form a team from PCOH as we have in years past. It is a great event to raise money to fight global hunger while having an enjoyable afternoon with families and friends from our church community. Sign-up materials will be provided later this month.
Community Yard Sale
On October 8, we will be participating in the Ocean Township Community Yard Sale to raise money to support our food pantry. If you would like to donate household items, toys, etc. , they can be placed in the bins in the rear of the sanctuary or on the table just inside the back (RT.18) entrance. Items must be clean and in usable condition. We are not accepting clothing at this time, except for coats which we will save for our October coat drive. If you would like to help at the yard sale on October 8th, sign up at the Mission table in the parlor.
Rally Day - Sunday, September 11.
Rally Day - Sunday, Sept. 11
Discovery Time begins at 9:15 AM. with singing and introduction of new opportunities for learning and mission.
Sanctuary Service at 10:15 AM - with Commissioning of Teachers.
Little Lights Worship after Children’s Time
Congregational Picnic on front lawn at 11:15 AM. Games, food, live music, door prizes, and an ice cream truck! Sign up online or on Fellowship Pad.
The Garden of Gethsemane (back half of brick classroom)
When they arrived at the base of the Mount of Olives, it was late at night. Jesus and his closest friends came to a garden called Gethsemane (“Geth-SEM -a-nee. “) Jesus walked a bit ahead of the rest of the group. He looked as if he was upset about something. The disciples had never seen Jesus like this before. He told them, "My heart feels heavy, and I feel very sad. Please stay here and be on the look out while I pray."
Jesus knelt down by a big tree. He knew all the pain and suffering he was about to endure. He prayed to God, "Father, I know that I am about to go through some horrible things; I wish I wouldn't have to, but it doesn't matter what I want, I will do whatever you want. Jesus chose to take the journey to the cross, even though he knew how awful it would be.
Take a moment to kneel and pray that God’s will would be done in your life. Imagine what it would be like to pray this knowing that you would soon be beaten and killed like a criminal.
When Jesus had finished praying, He went back to where the disciples were. The disciples tried to keep their eyes open, but when they started praying, they fell asleep. Two more times Jesus came back to them and was disappointed to find them asleep again. The third time Jesus woke them saying, "Are you sleeping again? Enough! Get up. It is time to go. The one who will betray me is here.”
Just then Judas was coming towards them with a crowd of soldiers and their leaders carrying swords and clubs. Judas walked up to Jesus and gave Him a kiss on the cheek. This was a signal to the chief priests that this was Jesus, and that He was the man they were looking for.
The soldiers arrested Jesus. He did not fight back. One of the disciples tried to stick up for Jesus with his sword. Before the situation got out of hand, Jesus said firmly, "Enough!"
The disciples didn’t know what to do. They were afraid that they might be arrested for being with Jesus, so they disappeared and left Jesus to be arrested alone.
Let’s go see where the soldiers and their commander took Jesus.
The Upper Room (Fellowship Hall stage)
After Jesus rode into the big city of Jerusalem on a donkey, the crowds waved palms and laid their coats on the road, like they were welcoming a king. The crowds followed Jesus to listen to him teach. His closest followers and friends were called “disciples.”
The priests and other leaders of the city did not like Jesus and wanted to get rid of him. They tried to find a way to kill Jesus but they couldn’t do it with so many people around. One of the disciples named Judas had a bad idea. He told the temple leaders that he would help them capture Jesus if they would pay him money.
Jesus and his closest friends were all Jewish. Every year Jews celebrated a special meal called Passover. Jesus invited 12 of his closest friends to eat it with him. When they all sat down to dinner, Jesus told them he knew one of them would betray him. The disciples looked at each other in shock. Jesus told Judas to go and do what he had planned to do. Just then Judas got up from the table and left the room.
Jesus thanked God for the bread and shared it with the disciples and said, "Take this and eat it. This is my body which is given for you". Then he took a full cup of wine, thanked God for it and said, "This is my blood, which will be poured out for many people so their sins may be forgiven." They all took a sip from the cup.
Then Jesus said, “I will not be with you much longer. But do not worry. Do not be afraid. I will come back. You are my friends. Love each other as I love you.”
After the Passover meal, Jesus went out toward the Mount of Olives, and took a few of his friends with him. Let us walk together to the place where they went.
Journey to the Cross
“Journey to the Cross” - Sunday, April 10
On Palm Sunday, worshipers of all ages are invited to participate in a multi-sensory, immersive experience of the last week of Jesus’ earthly life. Enjoy a light lunch and lesson in making palm crosses while you wait for your group’s turn to walk through different classrooms of the church that represent scenes from Holy Week.
Click HERE to sign up for your time slot - 11:30,11:45, or 12
Self-Guided Tour
Introduction
Welcome to our guided Holy Week walk called “Journey to the Cross.” We hope this multi-sensory experience will help you to understand the final events in the life of Jesus before his death.
You will encounter sights and smells and sounds that those living in the first century might have see, smelled, and heard.
Just a couple notes before we begin:
This is journey is something we will do as a group, but each person will have their own experience.
Some scenes are interactive. If you prefer not to participate in the activity, please feel free to simply watch and reflect on what you see, hear, or feel.
And please remain silent for the duration of the walk.
Membership Class
Thinking about joining PCOH? Consider attending our next Membership Class on Sunday, March 6, immediately after the worship service in Fellowship Hall until 1 p.m.
Pastor Julie will lead an interactive, multi-media class that covers what it means to be a Presbyterian Christian and a member of this congregation. Lunch is included. By attending the class you are not joining the church, but learning about what joining entails.
To sign up, CLICK HERE.
Church Membership Class
If you have been visiting our church and have considered making it your church home, join Pastor Julie for a Membership Class on Sunday, October 3 after the worship service and learn what it means to be a member.
She will lead an interactive class (that includes lunch!) that covers what it means to be a Christian, a Presbyterian, and a member of a PCUSA congregation. By attending the class you are not joining the church, but learning about what joining entails. The dates to join and be introduced to the congregation will be later in October. Email Pastor Julie with any questions.
Sign up for Membership Class HERE
"Touch the Water, Taste the Bread" - Sacraments Class for children and adults
Parents and children ages six and older are invited to an interactive class about our two sacraments - baptism and communion - called “Touch the Water, Taste the Bread”
The class will begin shortly after the worship service ends, around 11:15 and will be finished by noon on September 19 and 26. Choose one date to attend, and mark your preference on the sign up sheet linked to the yellow button below.
Any adults in the congregation looking for a refresher course on Presbyterian sacraments are welcome to join in, too!
Sign up HERE
Rally Day!
Mark your calendars for Sunday, Sept. 12 when we will:
commission our teachers and group leaders
begin a new Sunday School year,
enjoy an all-church celebration after worship on our front lawn with…
party food,
games,
live music,
door prizes and
a pre-paid ice cream truck!
(In case of rain we will move to Fellowship Hall.)
CLICK HERE for online sign up form.
Plan to join us for 10:15 worship and the intergenerational celebration and picnic afterwards (11:15-12:30). If you are not comfortable attending worship indoors, plan to join us for just the picnic outdoors. Bring a lawn chair or a blanket for seating.
We need a few more helpers to assist with leading games and serving on the clean up crew. Contact Jamie Montero or Nancy Kinasczuk if you can help.
Blessing of the Backpacks and Laptops
All children, youth, and adults going back to school this fall are invited to bring their backpacks or laptops up front to the chancel steps for a special blessing and to receive a backpack or laptop case tag.
Advent and Christmas with PCOH
It goes without saying that Advent and Christmas 2020 are going to look a little different from previous years. One thing is certain though with so many uncertainties in our world right now, the message of Christmas has never been more relevant.
As 2020 draws to a close, the truth of the incarnation of Jesus Christ is a life-giving anchor in a sea of chaos. Christmas is a reminder that God came down and dwelt among us. He became one of us and lived life here on earth, experiencing the full range of emotions we all experience in our own lives including feelings that have been all too familiar for many of us this year - the feelings of fear, disappointment, and grief. The Gospel message of Emmanuel God With Us is the only hope for a world gripped by darkness and despair.
In past years, celebrating Christmas has meant a packed church, beautiful music, joyous singing, candles, sharing a Lovefeast and more – all things that are difficult, if not impossible, in this very challenging year……but that doesn’t mean you can’t celebrate!
This year we have decided to re-think and re-imagine many of our long-standing Christmas traditions we know and love with some creative new approaches. With social distancing, virtual worship and limited singing options, we can still have a spiritual, memorable, surprising and memorable experience.
We have a variety of Advent and Christmas resources and experiences available for you.
Music, liturgies, images, video and other resources for our congregation in developing our worship and fellowship opportunities
Family at-home resources for spiritual formation, development and fun
Streaming video and online events for celebration and reflection
“Offline” resources to reach out to those who cannot join online services
Resources for possible outdoor events – when appropriate and safe
Materials for “Blue Christmas” worship to care for those struggling during the Christmas season….
Although Christmas will look and feel a little different this year, remember the central message has not changed one bit and is more relevant than ever for “the Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us. We have seen his glory, the glory of the one and only Son, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth. (John 1:14)
Our prayer is that our message of hope, combined with the comforting ‘familiarity’ of the festive season, will provide an encouraging boost to combat the effects of COVID fatigue.
Wondering Wednesdays
A weekly time for the children of the The Presbyterian Church on the Hill to "wonder" with Pastor Julie Thompson what God might be saying to us this week.
Texts on Tuesdays at Two
Join Pastor Julie Thompson for an interactive experience of engaging the scripture readings for the upcoming Sunday using the platform called Zoom.
Join Zoom Meeting https://zoom.us/j/304027337
Ash Wednesday Service
Ash Wednesday begins the season of the Church Year known as Lent, which begins forty days prior to Easter and is characterized by a focus on repentance, fasting, prayer, and the needs of others.
Ash Wednesday signifies a time to turn around, to change directions, to repent. This first day of Lent reminds us that unless we are willing to die to our old selves, we cannot be raised to new life with Christ.
As the first step in the Lenten journey the Ash Wednesday service invites us to acknowledge our mortality, our sinfulness and our dependence upon the grace of God. We set aside time to reflect on Jesus—His suffering and His sacrifice, His life, death, burial and resurrection.
Worshipers will be invited to receive the imposition of ashes — remains of Palm Sunday palms placed in the sign of a cross on the forehead or back of the hand. During the imposition of ashes the words: “You are dust, and to dust you shall return” (Genesis 3:19) are repeated again and again.