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.
Our Special Needs Ministry Teen & Young Adult Group meets regularly on the 2nd Friday of each month. On January 10, come ready to stretch and learn some basic martial arts moves with our friend Mr. Jason. Volunteers are encouraged to join us and share in the fun!
Students (6th - 12th grade), meet us at FunBag Cornhole on Rt 37 in Toms River for a little friendly cornhole competition to kick-off 2025!
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 14 at 10 am.
KidMin Tuesday is back starting January 14 at 4:45 pm. 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. And of course, there’s snack time, too!
Can you believe there's just about a month left to Night to Shine, a prom for Special Needs individuals age 14 years and up, sponsored by the Tim Tebow Foundation! Help us through an EPIC bash by volunteering (pctr.org/nighttoshine) or donating something from our Amazon Wishlist which you can find at pctr.org/shinelist
Join us on January 25 at 11 am for presentation from NJ Coalition Against Human Trafficking to learn more about the growing problem of human trafficking in our state. This is part of our Deacons efforts to better understand the problem and consider how God may be calling us to serve those at risk.
Let’s make some music together! Handbells, (6 pm) Women’s Ensemble (6 pm) and Sanctuary Choir (7 pm) will return to a regular rehearsal schedule starting this Thursday. New voices are always welcome! Kids’ choir returns January 26 at 9:45 am. Our Worship Team practices on Wednesdays at 6:30 pm.
We’ve picked out some great titles for this year’s Book Discussion Group! Bring a lunch and join us to talk over our next book, The Last Days of Night, by Graham Moore
There are 123 honored guests, plus their families, buddies, and an assortment of other volunteers headed our way on February 7th for Night to Shine, a prom for individuals with special needs sponsored by the Tim Tebow foundation. We need YOUR help in getting our spaces prom ready for them! Join us after worship on February 2 (about 12 pm) to start decorating and transforming our rooms into a spectacular winter wonderland! Can’t make it on Sunday? Connect with us in the office as volunteers are needed for other set-up times during the week and...
Need some warmth in winter? More light for the darker days, and peace from the world's hustle and bustle? Join us for our Contemplative Prayer Workshop in the Sanctuary at 7 pm on February 3. This interactive guided workshop provides a shared time for quiet prayer and private reflection as we consider various aspects of our life with God.
Join with members of the Sanctuary Choir to learn music for our Spring Concert. The concert is scheduled for Sunday, May 18, and will feature favorite patriotic songs accompanied by a full orchestra. Rehearsals take place on Thursday nights staring February 6 from 7:45-8:30. Singers from 6th grade and older are welcome to join us, no previous experience required! Contact Josh Melson for more information: [email protected].
PCTR is hosting Night to Shine sponsored by the Tim Tebow Foundation on February 7, 2025 and we need your help making sure our guests have a sensational time! Night to Shine is a prom night experience, centered on God’s love for people with special needs age 14 and older. We’ve got an extensive list of volunteer roles to be filled. Sign-up to help at pctr.org/nighttoshine.
We’re excited to host this year’s Night to Shine, a prom for Special Needs individuals age 14 years and up, sponsored by the Tim Tebow Foundation, on February 7, 2025 from 6-9 pm. We’re even more excited to have you join us! If you’d like join us, visit pctr.org/nighttoshine (click the graphic on the left to open the full listing and view the link). Please note that our in-person event is at capacity. Details about the virtual event will be available shortly.
The Annual Meeting of the Congregation and Corporation of the Presbyterian Church of Toms River will be held on Sunday, February 16, 2025 at approximately 11:45 a.m. in Fellowship Hall, following the 10:30am service. The purpose of the meeting is to hear and see the way God has moved in and through each of us in 2024, to present the 2025 Budget, approve the 2025 Terms of Call for Pastor Robbie Ytterberg, receive year-end reports and address such other business as may appropriately come before the body.
We’ve got plenty of wonderful opportunities to grow in groups, go and serve, and worship in 2025! If you didn't receive one, grab a January/February booklet from the Welcome Center, or check out a copy of it online at pctr.org/booklet.
Kids, grab your parents, your grandparents, and your friends! We’re going to have a blast at our Family Fun Night!
Families with children in 3rd - 5th grade interested in participating in Disciples' Communion, join us after worship at 12 pm on February 23 for our Disciples' Communion information meeting.
We’ve picked out some great titles for this year’s Book Discussion Group! Bring a lunch and join us to talk over our next book, "The Little Liar", by Mitch Alborn
Guys, join us for a two-day men’s retreat at PCTR on February 28 (6:30 - 9:30 pm) and March 1 (8 am - 12 pm). We’ll share a couple of meals together. Get to know other guys - make new friends, connect with old friends. Grow in relationship with either other and with God. This event is $25/person and you can register online at pctr.org/mensretreat
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 Sunday afternoons at 12 pm on the following schedule: March 2, March 9, and March 16
Join us on March 2 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!
Contemplative Prayer is way to connect with God through silence and stillness. Join us on Monday, March 3 at 7 pm for our next Contemplative Prayer gathering. There will be a guided outline to help you walk through the process with intention and focus.
Ash Wednesday marks the start of the Lenten season, a time to prepare for Easter Sunday. It is a time for confession and repentance. Join us for worship on Wednesday, March 5 at either 12 pm or 7 pm.
Pull up a seat around a table this Lent for Stories and Meals. This is an unique opportunity to get to know others at PCTR through a pot-luck style dinner among 6 or more. You can volunteer to be a Host and open your home, or be a Guest and bring a portion of the meal. Sign-up now as groups will be forming soon. Gatherings will take place during Lent. Stop by the Welcome Center for more info or to register or visit pctr.org/lent.
Hey kids in K-5th grade! KidMin Tuesday is back this week! In addition to our usual activities, there will also be a chance to sing with our Kid’s Choir and learn the music we’ll be singing on Palm Sunday in worship! Join us Tuesday, March 11, at 4:45 pm.
Guys, we’re heading to Bury the Hatchet (1256 Indian Head Rd, Toms River) on March 19, 7 - 9 pm for an evening of fun and friendly competition. Whether you’re a seasoned pro or a first-time ax thrower, this is a great opportunity to relax, socialize, and enjoy some fun. Register at pctr.org/ax
If you or someone in your family has served in any branch of the US Military, this one’s for you! Join us for our Veterans Breakfast on March 29, 9 am - 12 pm. Grab a postcard invite (or two or three) in the Welcome Center to share with a friend! We’ll have a great meal, an opportunity to connect with other veterans, and a chance to learn about benefits and services available to veterans. RSVP to [email protected].
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 the list in the Welcome Center between March 9-30th. Please note, we need individually wrapped, single serving sized packages of the following candy which has been selected to avoid common allergens: Skittles, Starbursts, Double Bubble Chewing Gum, Hi-Chew, Jolly Rangers, Swedish Fish, Sour Patch Kids, Laffy Taffy.
Speaking of eggs...come help us stuff all those plastic eggs with candy after worship on March 30 (about 12 pm)! This is a great opportunity for volunteers of all ages to pitch in!
Grab your work gloves, some gardening tools, and help us spiff up the grounds at our next PCTR Clean-up Day on April 5th. 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!
The Ocean Classic Concert Series will welcome Keith Calmes, for a unique concert featuring classical guitar from a seasoned pro.
On Palm Sunday we remember the fanfare and jubilant welcome of Jesus as he rode into Jerusalem on the back of a donkey for Passover. Just days later he’d be arrested, tried, crucified, and buried by the same crowd. Join us for worship at our regular service times: Saturday, 5 pm (Contemporary Worship), Sunday, 9:30 am (Traditional Worship), or Sunday, 10:30 am (Contemporary Worship.)
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 by 4/13
At this somber worship service, we remember the Last Supper and read through the scripture detailing the final days of Christ’s life from the Passover meal to his death on the cross. Join us for this unique and moving candlelight service on Thursday, April 17 at 7 pm.
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 18 and take as long as you need to work your way through each prayer station.
Bring your best egg hunting basket, bucket, or bag (and your friends!) & head to the free parking lot located at 27 Irons St, Toms River any time between 12 – 3 pm on April 18 for our Easter Egg Scavenger Hunt. We’ll give you clues to help you find each egg stop in our hunt and share a bit of why Good Friday is so good! Stick around at Huddy Park after for food trucks, games, face painting, and the Easter Bunny! More info at pctr.org/egghunt
Meet us at Huddy Park on the river in downtown Toms River 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.
Join us for worship this Easter (April 20)! There are three worship services at PCTR: 8:30 am (Contemporary), 9:30 am (Traditional), and 10:30 am (Contemporary) Get more info about each at pctr.org/easter
Kids (age 3 through 5th grade) send Mom and Dad out and join us for a bunch of fun at Parents’ Night Out on May 2 from 6:30 pm to 8:30 pm! We’ll share a pizza dinner and tons of fun with games and crafts! Register at pctr.org/parentsnight
Lace up your walking shoes and join our team for Villages in Partnership’s Water Walk. Our team, the PCTR Water Walkers, is aiming to raise at least $2000 in support of VIP’s work in Malawi. Join our team and walk with us or donate to one of our team members. Find more info on how to participate at pctr.org/waterwalk or grab an FAQ sheet in the Welcome Center. Walk & fundraise throughout the month of April!
Keep up to date on what’s happening at Presbyterian Church of Toms River.