First Informed: The Good Newsletter June 2018 Edition The Official Newsletter of the First Reformed Church of Saddle Brook, NJ |
|
|
From the Pastor ~ "Why We're Here" Rev. Christopher B. Wolf, Pastor of the First Reformed Church of Saddle Brook |
|
|
I came across this quote the other day, "The church is not for you. You are the church existing for God's glory and mission to the people in the world (Pastor Philip Nation)." This is important to think about. Churches that exist to cater to members and their preferences for worship, music, activities and style are doomed. Of course a church should serve the needs of the members - absolutely. But there is a big difference between serving people and pleasing people. Unfortunately too many churches have chosen the latter - pleasing people - as if a church is a grocery store. That is the point of this quote. We are the church - the body of Christ - and our purpose is to give God glory and to bring light to darkness and hope to despair for everyone around us. Our blessings come not from how much we "like" church but from how clearly Christ is revealed through us as we reach the community and world. You've heard me share my definition of church, "The church is God's vehicle for compassion and salvation in the community and the world." I celebrate how we have grown toward fulfilling this; and I encourage us to pray that we continue to embrace "existing" for God's glory and the mission to love and save people." |
|
|
Visit with Pastor Christopher Pastor Christopher has two open visiting hours at the church each week - when members and people in the community are invited to stop by to talk and pray: Mondays 10am to 12pm and Thursdays 1pm to 3pm. Please feel welcome to call him there at 201-843-6672 during those hours and/or stop by and visit. In addition, you can always make an appointment with him when it is more convenient. You can also reach Pastor Christopher at the parsonage, 201-546-8307 or via email at cbrianwolf@gmail.com. Christopher's Chat Pastor Christopher does weekly messages entitled "Christopher's Chat". These messages offer encouragement and inspiration for those in need as well as a better understanding of his weekly sermon topics. All episodes of Christopher's Chat, our weekly worship services and other videos can be viewed on our YouTube channel - youtube.com/firstreformedsb1900. |
|
Upcoming Scripture Readings and Sermon Topics June 3 ~ Children's Day ~ Scripture Reading: Matthew 18:2-6 June 10 ~ Pastor Christopher Away ~ Guest Minister June 17 ~ Father's Day ~ Scripture Reading: Proverbs 23:22-24 June 24 ~ Sermon: "Trust", Scripture Reading: Psalm 37:1-13
All upcoming scripture reading and sermon topics through June 2018 can be viewed on the church website.
|
|
|
Vacation Bible School Update ~ June 2018 |
|
|
Planning and registration for Vacation Bible School are well underway. We held another teacher/leader meeting on Wednesday, June 6th. We will be having a meeting for all volunteers. The date of that meeting is to be determined. Registration is now open for all students entering pre-k (and age 3 by June 1, 2018 and potty-trained) through 6th grade in September 2018. If you are interested in registering your child, please click the button below to access our VBS page to register online or download a registration form. Volunteers are still needed to assist in various areas, including decorating and setting up, crafts, snacks, games, and as classroom assistants. If you are interested in volunteering, you may sign up on the VBS page or hallway bulletin board, or speak with me anytime by calling the church office at 201-843-6672. I hope you will all come aboard and join us for a fun-filled VBS as we learn how Jesus has rescued us! I encourage you all to share this VBS event with your friends and family. CLICK HERE to share our Facebook event. ~Thomas Van Winkle, 2018 VBS Director |
|
|
The Sunday School celebrated the end of another successful school year at the annual Children's Day celebration on Sunday, June 3rd during worship. The students received certificates and participated in various parts of the worship service. We also gave out scholarships to two graduating high school seniors - Josh Marren and Haley Larsen. Congratulations to both Haley and Josh. We wish them well in their future faith and academic journies. |
|
|
Church Bell Restoration Project |
|
|
The Confirmation Class of 2018 is currently working with the Buildings and Grounds Committee and the Consistory on planning a restoration project for the church bell. The Confirmation Class unanimously agreed to this project to serve God and members of the faith community. The bell is still operational today. However, the bell and bell yoke are in need of polishing due to long-term exposure to weather. The bell shelter is also in need of restoration. We will attempt some safe home remedies, including polishing the bell. However, it may need to be professionally restored. We pray you will join us and assist with either working on the bell or donating toward its restoration. |
|
|
This church bell is an integral part of our church's history. After the first service was held on May 5, 1901, the need arose for a church bell. With the help of the Ladies Aid Society, the Sunday School raised $31.85 ($902.55 in 2018 USD value). After the Ladies Aid Society received approval from Consistory in 1901, the bell was constructed by E.A. Williams Son and Foundry of Jersey City and placed in the steeple. Their name appears on the bell today. The bell would later be moved to the bell tower that was constructed sometime after the Education and Fellowship building was constructed in 1925 (where our current church building stands). Speakers were eventually added to the bell to play music to invite the entire community to join us to worship God. The church bell survived a terrible fire that destroyed the Education Building on December 20, 1952. The church bell was rung for the nation's bicentennial on July 4, 1976. Later in that same year, the original chapel, which was built in 1900 and stood where the Ackerman Ave rear parking lot is now located, was demolished along with the bell tower. The bell was then lugged to and stored in the boiler room until it was resurrected and restored and put on display in a newly built shelter in the late 1980s. The bell was rung at our 90th Anniversary Celebration held on May 4, 1991. The bell and its music were a welcome and expected part of Sunday worship. Through this effort, we hope to restore the bell to make it once again be a part of our community. |
|
|
Consistory is considering some important buildings and grounds issues. They will meet on Monday, June 18th at 7:30pm. |
|
|
Man Up Man Up, First Reformed's men's ministry, met at the Saddle Brook Diner on May 24th. The next meeting will be held on Thursday, June 21st at 6:30pm at the Saddle Brook Diner. For more information about this ministry, CLICK HERE. |
|
Coffee Hour We invite you to join us for a time of fellowship after worship each week. Please check the sign-up sheets on the bulletin board outside the upstairs kitchen for Sundays that are open to host. |
|
|
We continue to accept bagged or boxed donations of clothing, shoes, accessories, bedding, linens, curtains and towels. All donations may be left outside Pastor Christopher's garage doors in the Ackerman Avenue parking lot anytime. |
|
|
Are You In Need of Prayer? |
|
|
Our vision is to be a powerful place of prayer for our congregation and community. We have a dedicated email address where you can send your prayer concerns ~ frcsbpraying4u@gmail.com. Also, we have a "live chat" button on our website where you can also send your prayer requests. We also have a prayer cloth ministry here at First Reformed. Prayer cloths (like the prayer cloth pictured to the right) are given out to those in need of physical and spiritual healing. For more information on this ministry, CLICK HERE. |
|
|
"For my house will be called a house of prayer for all the peoples." ~Isaiah 56:7 |
|
|
WorshipServe Schedule ~ June June 3 Greeters: Christian Education Students Announcements: Frank Arnone Liturgist: Christian Education Students Offering: Christian Education Students June 10 Greeters: Ryan and Justin Cali Announcements: Paul Cali Liturgist: David Dapcic Offering: The Cali's June 17 Greeters: Evelyn and Angelina Young Announcements: Lynne Van Wyk-Wojcik Liturgist: Kevin Kooistra Offering: Gloria Blauner, Mel Hendrickson, Herb Larsen, Rich Stasion June 24 Greeters: Deacons Announcements: Sherry Dapcic Liturgist: Robert Troyano Offering: Donna Arnone, Danielle Brunner, Debbie Brunner, Debbie Peluso |
|
June Birthdays and Anniversaries We would like to wish the following a very blessed and happy birthday and anniversary: Birthdays June 1 ~ Pastor Christopher Wolf June 5 ~ Lilliana Festa June 7 ~ Emmerson Winnie June 11 ~ Alex Kooistra June 13 ~ Ross Palino June 20 ~ Megan Paccone June 24 ~ Sarah Shehu June 24 ~ Brad Stankiewicz June 29 ~ Allison Bekas June 29 ~ Emily Bekas June 29 ~ Jonathan Bekas June 30 ~ James DeBoer Anniversaries June 4 ~ Paul and Mary Marino June 5 ~ Chris and Nicole Winnie June 9 ~ Rich and Kathleen Shanahan "For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the LORD, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future." ~ Jeremiah 29:11 NIV |
|
|
Church Calendar ~ June 2018 |
|
|
|
|
