Worship Time is 10:30 AM every Sunday

During this time of "Stay at Home", worship videos are

available after 6:00 AM on Sundays and can be watched any time.

Live Zoom Fellowship time (11:30 AM) is happening! Check Friday's email or contact the church office for log in information.

Juneteenth Celebration Worship Service

Friday, June 19, 2020 7:30 p.m.

I invite you to join us for a Juneteenth Celebration this Friday.  I believe it is the first Juneteenth observance at Prospect. Racism and the impact of racism on life in the United States cannot be ignored.  Racism has a history that can be traced to the very beginning of our country.  For people of color, this history and reality is well known.  Among those who are white, the history and realities of racism are little known at best, often ignored, and sometimes denied. One response is to initiate this observance of Juneteenth.  The celebration will be on June 19 at 7:30 pm. Here is the zoom link
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/83250073554?pwd=VzRPM1d0SzRrd3lqTkZ3cWU2NSs4Zz09

Meeting ID: 832 5007 3554
Password: 317065

A Juneteenth Day Celebration is described as follows:
“Juneteenth (June 19, 1865) is the oldest known African American celebration. On June 19, 1865, slaves in Galveston, Texas, received word of their emancipation; two months after the Civil War ended, and two and a half years after the Emancipation Proclamation went into effect on January 1, 1863” Africana Worship Book, Valerie Bridgman Davis, editor.

The celebration will include readings, prayers and a brief reflection followed by a time for open discussion and conversation. It is my hope and prayer that this represents one part of Prospect’s response.  I hope to learn and listen to history and stories that I do not know.  I pray that this will lead to eyes opened, ears unclogged and hearts changed.

Stewardship Dedication Sunday

If you have not mailed or emailed your pledge card for this year’s Stewardship Campaign, there is still time. You can email your pledge to This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it or go to the stewardship website, (Click here for Stewardship info page). God is at work in each one of us and through the Prospect community. This is our way of thanking God and continuing the ministry of Prospect together.

Interfaith Hospitality Network Items Needed

The Interfaith Hospitality Network is continuing to support the families through the current health crises, to help ensure their survival, both health-wise and economic.  The office is appealing for assistance in providing the families with some basic supplies. Here are the items which are needed: hand sanitizer, cleaning supplies, Clorox wipes, dressers (they need 5), hair conditioner - Pantene, Nutrisse, Garnier, Cantu or any other brand, disposable gloves, T-Shirts and shorts - sizes 4T to 12/14, and Target, Walmart, or Children's Place Gift Cards for summer clothing for the kids.

In addition, one of the families is in dire need of a car.  If you or someone you know is willing to donate or sell a vehicle at an extremely low price, please advise.

Please let Frank Hendricks know if you would like to make a donation, by emailing him at: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it or call his mobile, (973) 951 4415. The plan is to collect donations in Maplewood, on Saturday June 13th, from 11:00-11:30 am in Memorial Garden at Prospect Church. Let him know if that time doesn’t work and he’ll figure out an alternative plan with you. Thanks in advance to all who are able to help.

Prospect Hunger Program Continues to Help the Hungry

We learned recently, that the Our Lady of Sorrows  MEND(Meeting Essential Needs with Dignity) food pantry is being strained by the vastly increased number of hungry families needing their services. These families are overwhelmingly from Maplewood and South Orange. Sometimes we refer to our “Two Towns” as a bubble. A bubble of affluence and inclusion. It would surprise some to learn the 24.9% of our population fits into the category described as ALICE (Asset Limited Income Constrained Employment). These are our neighbors, and they are hungry.

The Church of Jesus Christ can respond. Since the stay at home order and required social distancing began in March, The Prospect Hunger Program has been contributing $350 each month to MEND, the amount it would have spent on lunches it takes to Newark to feed the homeless at Penn Station. In addition to that contribution, the Prospect Hunger Program will begin In June to accept contributions made to PHP and send them monthly directly to the MEND food pantry at Our Lady of Sorrows. If you wish to participate in this mission, please send in the donation by way of a check made out to Prospect Presbyterian Church with a notation of PHP/MEND donation, OR if you give electronically, in notes portion, designate PHP/MEND and/or contact This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .

Johnsonburg Church Retreat 2020

The annual Prospect Church retreat at Johnsonburg was March 6-7. If you'd like to see the photos, check out this album!

https://www.facebook.com/pg/prospectchurch/photos/?tab=album&album_id=10157066947905922

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MISSION SOUP

Chef Alex Biggs and Prospect’s youth made “Mission Soup”! The Mission Soup project is an annual fundraiser that benefits the Sr. High Summer Mission Trip. Each year it raises     almost $1,000 to help pay for the van rental, adult chaperone fees, and other costs related to the mission trip so that families pay only the YouthWorks fee ($360 per student this year).

Those who donate $10 will receive a pint of soup, while those who donate $20 will receive a quart. It will be hard to choose from this year’s varieties: Italian Wedding, Chicken Tortilla, and Vegetarian Tomato Basil. Containers of frozen soup will be available each Sunday in Fellowship Hall while supplies last. Thank you for supporting our youth as they prepare for their 2021 Mission Trip!

Mission Soup sales will resume when the building is reopened. All funds raised will go towards 2021 Mission Trip.

Middle/Senior High Discussion

Middle and Senior Highs will “meet” via zoom Sunday, June 7^th at 3:00 PM for the timely discussion, “Responding to Racism.” We are all affected by racism. How can we respond to it in ways that are antiracist?  Prospect youth are encouraged to be part of this important discussion! The link for this meeting is in the email… no email? Please contact the church office if your student would like to be included.

Adult ConnectEd

ConnectEd for Adults will take a break for the summer. May 24th would have been the ConnectEd closing celebration.  Over the summer months Rick Boyer will lead a devotional and prayer time by zoom on different nights of the week.  The zoom gatherings will include some reflections on a Scripture reading.  Then there will be time to touch base and offer prayers for one another and our world.  Watch the announcements for the schedule.

ConnectEd is the new name for Prospect's educational ministry! The name comes as the result of a year of discussion and reflection on how the name "Sunday school" is perceived by those inside and outside the church.  For some, it creates images of something for young children only or something academically-oriented.  We learned that Sunday school began in the 1700's as a movement that sought to teach the poor boys of London how to read.  It was truly school on Sunday.  In truth, not many of us want to go to school on Sunday!  But we do want to come to Sunday morning education at Prospect where we find community, joy, fun, family, and learning!  It is our hope that ConnectEd is a name that better captures what all ages will find in Prospect's educational ministry!  Classes are held each Sunday morning from 9:15 - 10:15, September - May, for ages two through and including adults. Childcare is available to those under age two.  Speak to Rita if you have questions about how you can get connected.

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Liturgists Needed

Liturgists are the people who help to lead worship on Sunday mornings.

Please sign up today after worship, by using the sign-up sheet in Fellowship Hall

or contacting the church office. Ushers and Fellowship time hosts are also needed!

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Good Neighbor Coffee

Prospect's Good Neighbor Coffee meets every Wednesday from 8:30 - 9:30 a.m.

Meet us at the sidewalk in front of the church, weather permitting, Inside in front of Fellowship Hall, if not.

Get your cup of coffee, and meet some of your neighbors!

There will be no Good Neighbor Coffee during August.

Good Neighbor Coffee will resume when the building is re-opened.

There are many times when church members are in need, or when church members can offer their help to others. Below are some suggestions of when to call the church office:

*When you or a family member is sick or in the hospital;

*When there is a death in the family; when there is a birth in the family;

*When you need prayers or counseling or spiritual care;

*When you are planning a marriage;

*When you are moving or you get a new neighbor;

*When you would like communion served at home.

You can reach the church office at 973-763-2090 or email at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .

Prospect Hunger Program

Each month the Prospect Hunger Program brings bagged lunches to Newark to feed the homeless living in and around Penn Station. The lunches are bagged assembly line style during Fellowship Hour.

Please join us on the third Sunday of each month after worship for both fellowship and lending a hand to create the lunches.

Per Capita

In January of each year, Prospect asks members to contribute to the church's per capita payment to the Presbyterian Church (USA).  Per capita is the church's per member share in the basic operating costs of being a local, regional and national denomination.  It helps to pay for staff that offer support and ministry to congregations as they seek pastors and other staff.  It provides for the cost of maintaining offices. It covers the cost of holding meetings for the participatory government of our denomination. The cost  for 2020 is $31.25 per member. There is a blue envelope in your offering envelopes for this offering, or, write "per capita" in the memo line of your check.

Special Needs Parking

Please make a note that our Special Needs Parking on Sunday mornings has been expanded from the front of the church near Tuscan Rd. up to and including the front of the manse.

Prospect Nursery

Just a reminder that the nursery is available during the ConnectEd and worship hours for children up to age five (Pre-K).  We hope to have many children using the nursery this school year.  Please check the sign-in list by the door and volunteer to be a helping parent occasionally.  Even if you are signed up for a particular day, you will only be asked to stay and help if the nursery if very full.  Holly Evans is the nursery coordinator.  Please contact her at  This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it with questions or to sign up to help.

Camp Prospect

Camp Prospect is a play-based program that helps build friendships and a sense of community.  The unique mixed-age environment and engaging themes allow children to learn and explore through arts & crafts, music, movement, water play and more. Camp Prospect is open to preschoolers and kindergartners. Camp Prospect           offers these daily camp sessions from 9:00 AM to 1:00 PM. Camp begins June 22 and goes through July 31, 2020, new theme/session every two weeks.