We exist to connect people to full life in Jesus. Cultivating the sort of relationship with Jesus that yields full life is rooted in community –more specifically, a community that is striving to know Jesus. Below, you can find an up-to-date list of opportunities to get connected here at PCTR.
Join us for worship this Christmas Eve. We have four services to choose. 2 pm - Afternoon worship - The Sensory Room will be open at this service. 4 pm - Family Worship Service - Kid's Choir will sing & we'll have glow sticks for the final hymn 5:30 pm - Contemporary Worship - This is a candlelight service. Praise band will sing. 8 pm - Traditional Worship - This is a candlelight service. Sanctuary & Angel Choirs will sing.
We pack a bunch into Tuesday afternoons with our elementary-aged friends. We start with time to play together, then we get into smaller groups to talk with our friends and leaders about Jesus. This session meets weekly January 6 - February 3 and then will return after a short break to meet weekly from February 24 to March 24.
Children ages 1-5 and one of their favorite adults are invited to a morning of crafts, Bible stories, music, and, of course, play time! Together we’ll learn more about God’s love for us. Invite a friend! Our January get together will be the SECOND Tuesday of the month (1/8) at 9:30 am. Also mark your calendar for February 5.
Students grades 6-12, let’s go for the gold! We’re kicking off 2026 with our own version of the Winter Olympics. Channel your inner Olympian and come ready for a night of friendly competition. Bring a friend!
On the second Friday of each month, teens and young adults with special needs and disabilities gather for an evening of pizza, fun, and friendship. In January, come ready to stretch and learn some basic martial arts moves with our friend Mr. Jason. Volunteers welcome!
This historical novel, written by Margaret Cotton, is rich in extensive research, encourages us to search for our purpose in life, our commitment to others, our confidence in God, and the price we are willing to pay for a more just society and nation. Come with your thoughts and questions and join our discussion led by Margaret! Books will be available for purchase and light refreshments will be served.
As we try to navigate life after the death of a loved one, we can feel isolated and alone. This is the space Grief Share steps into. This weekly group offers support to people grieving the death of a loved one. It’s a place where you can be around others who understand the pain of your loss and how you feel as you come to terms with it. A new session begins January 13 at 10 am.
This January we will have the opportunity to prep and pack over 100,000 meals with our partners, Feed My Starving Children (FMSC) MobilePack, and we need YOUR help to do it! FMSC will provide all the supplies. We’re mustering up the manpower! These meals will be shipped around the globe to children who need it. Register online at https://give.fmsc.org/pctr. Sign-up for one or more time blocks in the three day span. Open to everyone aged 5 and up.
This foundational course is for anyone who has questions about the Bible – whether you have been reading the Bible for years, or you are thinking about getting your first Bible. We will spend four weeks answering questions like: Is the Bible reliable? Where do I start reading? How do I read it? What is the difference between the versions of the Bible? Does the Bible apply to us today? How do I read and study the Bible?
Due to inclement weather, PCTR will be closed. All activities on Tuesday, 1/27, including office hours, have been canceled.
Grab a meal at BJs (1275 Hooper Avenue, Toms River) on January 29 and a percentage of each meal will be donated to support PCTR’s 2026 Night to Shine, a prom for Special Needs Students 14 yrs and up sponsored by the Tim Tebow Foundation. Flyers will be available in the Welcome Center and online as the date gets closer!
Mustard Seeds is THIS Thursday, Februrary 5 at 9:30 am. Children ages 1-5 and one of their favorite adults are invited to a morning of crafts, Bible stories, music, and, of course, play time! Together we’ll learn more about God’s love for us. Invite a friend!
Our concert choir is getting ready to start rehearsing for this spring’s concert (May 17) and we’re looking for new voices to join us! No audition, all welcome! Weekly PCTR Concert Choir rehearsals begin Thursday, February 5. Rehearsals are held at the church in the large music room, generally Thursdays from 7:30-8:30pm.
Want to help make the night extra special for our guests? We’ve got an Amazon Wish List full of decorations and other items needed to pull off a spectacular event! Take a look at pctr.org/wishlist and consider donating an item or two.
Our team is starting to plan for the 2026 Night to Shine on February 13, 2026 and we need YOUR help making sure our guests have a sensational time! Night to Shine is a prom-type event for Special Needs individuals age 14 years and up, sponsored by the Tim Tebow Foundation and hosted at the Presbyterian Church of Toms River. We’ve got an extensive list of volunteer roles to be filled and we’re opening VOLUNTEER registration for it now. Sign-up at pctr.org/ntsvolunteer. To find a full list of roles we're looking to fill visit Night...
Ash Wednesday marks the start of the Lenten season, a time of preparation leading into Easter Sunday. Join us for worship on Wednesday, February 18 at either 12 pm or 7 pm.
On February 21, 9-11:30 am, join us at "Love, Loss, and Living," a seminar that explores the unique, yet universal experience of moving from loss to life. Christy Morford, our guide, is a Certified Grief Educator and Companion, having studied extensively with Dr. Alan Wolfelt, an internationally known author and expert on grief and loss. Christie is a member of Manasquan Presbyterian Church and a personal friend of Pastor David. She's blessed to share what she has learned through her own grief journey and through the mentorship of Dr. Wolfelt. Participants are invited to bring...
Friends, in anticipation of heavy snowfall and high winds, PCTR will be closed on Monday, February 23. Scheduled meetings and activities for PW, Adult Discipleship, and Next Gen Students have been canceled. The scheduled Deacon Executive Board meeting has moved to Zoom.
The snow may have stopped, but the cleanup continues! The church will be closed again on Tuesday, February 24. Meetings and activities scheduled for Tuesday have been canceled, including KidMin Tuesday, Grief Share, PW circles, and commission meetings.
Kids, grab your parents, your grandparents, and your friends! We’re going to have a blast at our Family Fun Night! There will be snacks, bounce-houses and loads of fun for the whole family!
We’re launching our next New Member Gathering! Learn what it means to be a member at PCTR. At the end of this 3-part class, you’ll have the opportunity to join the church as a member. Sessions will take place on Sundays from 12 pm to 1:30 pm on the following schedule: March 1, March 15, March 29. Lunch will be served. Register at pctr.org/newmember
The Annual Meeting of the Congregation and Corporation of the Presbyterian Church of Toms River will be held on Sunday, February 8, 2026, at approximately 11:45 am, following the 10:30 am service. The meeting will be held in person only in the Sanctuary. The purpose of the meeting is: to hear and see the way God has moved in and through each of us in 2025, to receive year-end reports, to present the 2026 Budget, to approve the 2026 Terms of Call for Pastor Robbie Ytterberg, to address such other business as may appropriately come...
Join us on March 8, 2026 at 6pm when PCTR’s handbell choir will join other area choirs for a unique and fun festival of music at our 25th Annual Ecumenical Handbell Festival! The concert features bell choirs from St. Paul's Lutheran Church (Beachwood), Tower Hill Presbyterian Church (Red Bank), and Presbyterian Church of Toms River and will be led by guest director Hyosang Park.
Grab your work gloves, some gardening tools, and help us spiff up the grounds at our next PCTR Clean-up Day on March 21st. We'll get started at 9 am and will wrap up by noon. There's plenty of work for everyone, no matter how green your thumb is!
It takes a lot of candy & plastic eggs to host our annual Easter Egg Scavenger Hunt-8,000 stuffed eggs to be exact! You can help make it happen by donating candy from this year’s specific list. Donations can be brought to the church between March 1-22nd. We're collecting: Skittles, Starbursts, Double Bubble Chewing Gum, Hi-Chew, Gummy Bears, and Sour Patch Kids. We’re also collecting juice boxes and snack-sized bags of chips for the hunt.
It is never too late or early to think about how you can love, protect and provide for your family and friends in the event you die or become incapacitated. In fact, your planning now is a huge gift and intentionality allows you to decide who would care for your children, discern how the assets God has entrusted to you are used, and what kind of end of life care is appropriate for you. This seminar on March 28th at 9-10:30am will help you identify the questions you need to consider and discuss with loved...
On Palm Sunday we remember the triumphant welcome of Jesus as he rode into Jerusalem on the back of a donkey for Passover. Join us for worship on March 28 (5pm) or March 29 (9:30 am and 10:30 am).
If you'd like to donate an Easter lily ($12 per plant) in memory or celebration of a loved one, you can pick up a lily donation envelope in the Welcome Center or online at pctr.org/lily. Donations should be made no later than March 29.
Kids in grades K-5, come sing with us at Kids Choir! We’ll be rehearsing on Sundays at 9:45 am in the Haven starting March 1. We’ll learn a new song that we will sing in worship at 9:30 am and 10:30 am on Palm Sunday, March 29.
Has the “Ready to Die” sermon series stirred up questions for you? Join Pastor Robbie and Pastor David for a Q&A Conversation on Tuesday, March 31 at 6:30 pm. Bring any of your questions and let’s see if we can learn together what God says about these challenging issues. If you want to submit a question ahead of time, email [email protected] or fill out a card in the Welcome Center.
At this solemn worship service, we remember the Last Supper and read through the scriptures detailing the final hours of Christ’s life from that Passover meal to His death on the cross. Join us for this unique and moving service on Thursday, April 2 at 7 pm. The service will be livestreamed at pctr.org/live, as well as on Facebook & YouTube.
Travel through the last hours of Jesus’ life and reflect on his death and sacrifice through this tactile, self-guided experience in our sanctuary. Stop by any time between 9 am and 1 pm on April 3 and take as long as you need to work your way through each prayer station.
Make plans to bring your kids, your grandkids, your neighbor’s kids, and your friend’s kids to hunt for eggs with us! We’ll have postcard invites you can pick up to help you invite everyone you know! On April 3, join us downtown Toms River, starting at the Iron Street parking lot. The hunt is on between 12 pm - 3pm. Jump in at any time. We’ll wind our way through town following clues for eggs and then gather at Huddy Park for games, great food, and loads of fun!
Meet us at Huddy Park on the river in downtown Toms River on Easter (4/5) at 6 am for this special early morning Easter service. Dress for the weather and bring a chair or blanket to sit on if you wish. This is a great opportunity to invite a friend to watch the sunrise over the river and attend worship with you.
We’ll have two opportunities to worship at a Contemporary Service on Easter Sunday (4/5). Join us at either 8:30 am or 10:30 am. At these services, music will be led by our band, which includes guitars, keyboard, bass, and drums. These services in Fellowship Hall will include a thought-provoking, Biblical, gospel-centered message from one of the pastors. Grab a seat in one of the rows of seats or at a table. We’ll have coloring sheets and crayons for the kids!
If you’re looking for a more traditional worship experience on Easter Sunday (4/5), we’ll be in the Sanctuary at 9:30 am. Music in our traditional service is led by our choir, and will include organ, piano and brass. The service includes a thought-provoking, biblical, gospel-centered message from one of the pastors. Grab a seat in a sanctuary pew or in the chapel. We’ll have coloring sheets & crayons for the kids!
Registration is now open for our Women’s Retreat on April 17-18. This year we’ll be taking a closer look at what it means to rely on the power of the Holy Spirit. This two-day retreat will include dinner on Friday night, as well as breakfast and dinner on Saturday. Cost is $135 per person. Scholarships are available. Contact Pat Grill for information. Register online at pctr.org/womensretreat or grab a copy of the form in the Welcome Center.
Ocean Classic Concerts is pleased to host ensemble132. This unique performance featuring virtuosos chamber musicians will take place on April 19, 2026 at 4 pm.
As we try to navigate life after the death of a loved one, we can feel isolated and alone. This is the space Grief Share steps into. This weekly group offers support to people grieving the death of a loved one. It’s a place where you can be around others who understand the pain of your loss and how you feel as you come to terms with it. The next set of 13-sessions begins April 28th, meeting every Tuesday morning from 10 - 11:30 am.
Walk with us in support of Villages of Partnership! Join PCTR Water Walkers and raise funds for VIP’s annual Water Walk. Our goal is to raise $5,000 as a team to support the cost of building one clean water well in Malawi. Sign-up now through the end of April. Join us on May 2 for VIPs Water Walk celebration in Allentown or online! To join our team or to donate to our team, visit pctr.org/waterwalk for more details.
Children ages 1-5 and one of their favorite adults are invited to a morning of crafts, Bible stories, music, and, of course, play time! Together we’ll learn more about God’s love for us. Invite a friend! Next get together is May 7, 9:30 - 10:30 am.
Ladies, what would it look like to rely on the Holy Spirit? We’re going to dig deeper into this question with Anne Graham Lotz’s book Jesus in Me. Join us for a special women’s group discussion on one or all of the following dates: May 9 & May 30 - at 9:30-11:00am (Saturdays) & May 15 & May 29 at 6:30-8:00 pm (Fridays).
Good company with a side of ice cream? Yes, please! Our Elder Care team is teaming up with Next Gen Students for an afternoon of sweet treats and even sweeter conversations with fellow seniors and students. Enjoy a dish of ice cream with all the toppings at 2:30 pm (5/17) and then head over into the Sanctuary for an afternoon of beautiful music at our Spring Concert!
The Confirmation Experience is an opportunity for students to explore what they believe. Join us on May 17th and celebrate the completion of this important milestone as this year’s class of students share their personal statements of faith after worship (about 11:45 am) on May 17. This is a great way to support and celebrate the next generation!
Our Ocean Classic Concerts' season will wrap up with our annual Spring Choral Concert featuring music for choir and orchestra. This year's concert will feature Antonio Vivaldi's "Gloria" and selected spirituals from John Rutter's FEEL THE SPIRIT. Join us on May 17, 2026 at 4pm for this amazing afternoon of music.
Memorial Day weekend is the unofficial start of summer here at the Jersey Shore. We’re going to officially embrace it with a Summer Fun Family night on Friday, May 22 at 6:30 pm. Join us for ice cream, water games, and sidewalk chalk hosted by Next Generation Children’s Ministry.
Join us on May 30th for our first VBS workday. We’ll be prepping some of the materials and pieces that will help us convert our every day spaces into a spectacular rainforest for this July’s Vacation Bible School. Join us on 5/30 from 9am - 12pm.
Next Gen Students, let’s wrap this school year up and kick-off summer with a night on the boardwalk on June 1! Students currently in 6-12th grade, grab a slice with us at Sawmill and ice cream at Kohrs. Bring some money for games at the Park Arcade. If you need a ride, meet us at PCTR at 6pm, OR meet us at Sawmill in Seaside Heights at 6:30pm. RSVP at pctr.org/summer. Indicate if you are carpooling with us or meeting us there. (Pick up at 8pm at the Boardwalk or 8:30 at PCTR)
Gaming, social media, and interpersonal relationships can be tools used by human trafficking organizations to target teens and young adults. Next Gen students, parents, teachers, and others who want to learn more should plan to attend this Human Trafficking Awareness event on June 6 from 10 am - 2pm to more about how traffickers target teens and how to help the next generation be alert and safe. Light breakfast and lunch will be served.
We need some help building up our stash of snacks for Vacation Bible School! We're accepting donations of the following: classic animal crackers, pretzels, original Cheez Its, original Oreos. Grab a shopping list in the Welcome Center and bring your donations back by June 21!
Keep up to date on what’s happening at Presbyterian Church of Toms River.