The First Presbyterian Church of Cranford invites you to celebrate Christmas with us.  This December, discover the wonder, joy, and awe that awaits you as we light the candles, retell the Christmas story, and sing familiar Christmas carols.  We believe everyone should be blessed by an encounter with the Holy Spirit and leave renewed and ready to share their experience with others.  We promise to do our best to provide you with that opportunity.  Come, let’s celebrate Christmas!

Cranford United Methodist Church invites you to lend a helping hand to local families in need. The church is holding its next Drive-Thru Food Drive on Saturday, Jan. 14, 2023 from 10am – 12pm in the church’s parking lot.

Place your bags in your trunk, drive up, pop your trunk and volunteers will remove them, no contact needed! Your food donations will be given to Cranford Family Care and St. Joseph’s Social Services.

Cranford United Methodist Church’s parking lot is located next to the Cranford Library.

Can’t make that date? There are bins outside near the Little Free Pantry in the church’s parking lot where donations can be dropped any time. Visit us at cranfordumc.com to learn more.

The First Presbyterian Church will be accepting dropped-off donations between 3 and 5 pm outside Bates Hall on Springfield Avenue. Donations being sought include wrapped/bagged sandwiches, diapers and wipes, new socks, gloves and hats, pantry items, and women’s sanitary items.

Questions may be directed to Janice Grievious ([email protected]), Cindy Hannen ([email protected]), Phyllis Howard ([email protected]) or Skip Winter ([email protected]).

https://www.tapinto.net/towns/cranford/categories/press-releases/articles/first-presbyterian-church-to-host-martin-luther-king-jr-day-of-service

You’re invited to the 1st Galentine’s Chocolate Walk on February 9! Tickets cost $20 and will get you a tote bag, a candy box, and a passport to pick up gourmet chocolates! Ticket holders will also receive a special offer booklet from participating stores. Grab your friends for a fun evening out of shopping, sweets, and treats!

This week when you go food shopping, please consider picking up a few items for families in need. Join us at the next Drive-Thru Food Collection Saturday, March 11, 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. in the parking lot of Cranford United Methodist Church. Did you know that as of March 1^st, NJ families who receive government funds for food (aka food stamps/SNAP) are receiving less money because pandemic funds have expired? With the high cost of food biting into all our household budgets, let’s keep up our efforts to help our neighbors. Fresh produce and non-perishables are requested. Hope to see you on Saturday!

Place your bags in your trunk, drive up, pop your trunk and volunteers will remove them, no contact needed! Your food donations will be given to Cranford Family Care and St. Joseph’s Social Services. Please be sure that there is no expired food.

Here are some suggestions for donations. Cranford Family Care and St. Joseph’s social Services are particularly in need of these items, but anything you can provide is appreciated!

-Oil

-Mayonnaise

-Canned meals

-Kids snacks; juice boxes

-Baked goods

-Jelly

-Sugar

-Flour

-Diapers size 2; Baby wipes

-Dish detergent; Laundry detergent; any cleaning products

-Tuna

-Pasta

-Peanut butter

-Paper goods: 8oz. hot and cold cups, toilet paper, napkins, paper towels, heavy duty paper plates.

-Plastic utensils

Hardy fresh fruit and vegetables are also needed, such as potatoes, garlic, onions, carrots, sweet potatoes, apples, pears and oranges.

Cranford United Methodist Church’s parking lot is located next to the Cranford Library.

Hope to see you on Saturday! Can’t make that date? There are bins outside near the Little Free Pantry in the church’s parking lot where donations can be dropped any time, 24/7. Visit us at cranfordumc.com to learn more.

You will learn how to defend yourself! This is hands-on seminar designed to provide women in the community with the skills and mindset needed to defend themselves through a combination of preventative measures, heightened awareness, and practical hands-on training in self-defense techniques. Among the topics to be taught: escapes from stranger and non-stranger attacks, wrist release, choke defense, strikes, hair grabs and ground drags and how to get out from under an attacker. Participants will also practice yelling and learn how to set boundaries and assert themselves.

The seminar will be led by Jen Pittman, currently a Supervisory United States Probation Officer. She has received specialized training from the Federal Law Enforcement Training Center in Charleston, South Carolina, and has instructed her fellow officers in defensive tactics and use of force since 2011. She is also a graduate of the Gracie University Survival Tactics program and has been a Gracie certified instructor since 2019. Jen has previous training in various forms of martial arts, including Taekwondo, Muay Thai Kickboxing, Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, Judo, and Krav Maga. She is also a Black Belt.

The seminar is hands-on and participants are must wear comfortable clothing.

The seminar will be held at THE MAX Challenge of Cranford, 777 Walnut Avenue, Cranford, New Jersey. Cost is $30 per person; women ages 16 & up are welcome (under age 18 must be accompanied by an adult). Participants must register in advance. A portion of the proceeds will go to Family & Children’s Services. To register, call Cesar-Kai at 908-967-6571.

The Spring Hop returns this year and will take place on April 1st from 1-3pm! To take part, just purchase a Spring Hop tote bag – supplies are limited. Children will be able to pick up eggs at 20+ downtown businesses and every participant will also win a Golden Egg! Registered participants can pick bags up starting at 12:30pm the day of the event at Eastman Clock Plaza.

Tote bags cost $10 and can be ordered through Eventbrite.

The event is rain or shine – no refunds.

Register Here

There is nothing like waking up on Easter morning and sharing in the amazement the women who discovered the empty tomb must have felt! Join us outside in the spring air as the sun rises, celebrating the triumph of life over death and light over darkness. Bring a flower from your garden and flower the cross in the front lawn. Some will also be provided.

It will be an exciting Easter worship service at FPCC! With joyful shouts we say “Christ, He is risen!” and respond with “Indeed, He is risen!” Children will brighten the Sanctuary by carrying flowers forward and placing them on the Chancel (the front of the Sanctuary). After the children’s message, “Busy Bags” will keep little ones entertained. Together, we will celebrate Easter with open Communion (all are welcome to join in!) In a beloved tradition, you are invited to come forward to sing the “Hallelujah Chorus” with the choir at the end of the service. This service will also be livestreamed to Facebook and YouTube.

Come for worship, and stay for our Easter Egg Hunt! There will be fun games for families in the Bates Hall gym. In case of inclement weather, the Egg Hunt will take place indoors. (Egg Hunt intended for children ages 12 and under)

Get ready for:

Humpty Dumpty On The Wall
Egg Relay Race
Wobbly Egg Bowling
Carrot Toss (“Cornhole” for Kids)
Family photobooth
Easter Craft Station

Pre-registration for the Egg Hunt is requested so we can ensure enough goodies for all!
Register on our website: https://firstprescranford.org/easter