First Informed: The Good Newsletter

December 2019 Edition

 

The Official Newsletter of the

First Reformed  Church of Saddle Brook, NJ

From the Pastor ~ "A Prayer For People in Difficult Times"

Rev. Christopher B. Wolf, Pastor of the First Reformed Church of Saddle Brook

O Lord, still somehow hear my praise, because I have no words. Be my light in this darkness. Lift my empty hands to reach out to others in need. Graciously rain down on this wasteland. Be a strong breeze; I'm stuck. Be the merciful sunrise after the longest night. Keep finding and forgiving this distracted, ungrateful heart. Stay awake with me when I can't sleep. Come close and whisper the truth; these lies are dreadful. Know, understand and heal these wounds and bruises. Carry me when my strength is gone. Touch and awaken my soul like a beautiful, remembered dream. Only you can teach me how to live and rejoice again. This ragged, tattered, faded faith is still here. Amen.

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 - firstreformedsb1900.

Upcoming Scripture Readings and Sermon Topics

December 1 ~  Sermon: "The One Who Lifts Up My Head", Scripture: Psalm 3 and Matthew 2:20-21

December 8 ~ Sermon: "The Sum of All....Peace", Scripture: Isaiah 9:6-7 and

Matthew 2:3-8

December 15 ~ Sermon: "Shout Aloud and Sing for Joy", Scripture: Isaiah 12:2-6 and Matthew 1:18-25

December 22 ~ Sermon: "An Everlasting Love", Scripture: Jeremiah 31:1-6 and

Romans 5:8

Christmas Eve ~ Sermon: "Announcing Peace and Salvation", Scripture: Isaiah 52:7-10

December 29 ~ Sermon: "Overwhelmed With Joy", Scripture: Matthew 2:1-12

In this Month's Newsletter

  • Annual Christmas Play 2019
  • Invitation to Sing Hallelujah Chorus
  • Calling All Carolers!!! 
  • Christmas Eve Service
  • Saddle Brook Pastor Returns Inspired from 'Powerful' Trip to Israel
  • Consistory Update
  • Man Up Men's Ministry
  • Coffee Hour
  • Clothing Drive
  • Prayer Cloth Ministry
  • WorshipServe Schedule
  • Upcoming Birthdays and Anniversaries
  • Church Calendar December 2019

Annual Christmas Play 2019

On Sunday, December 8th, the Sunday School put on their annual Christmas play for the congregation, family and friends. They presented the story of the Nativity and the Birth of Jesus Christ. This year, the play and Vespers Dinner was held immediately following the

worship service in the afternoon. All students did a phenomenal job in telling this Christmas story! A special thank you to Frank Arnone, Sunday School Superintendent, and all the Christian Education Teachers and play directors for their coordination with this program. Special thanks to John and Ellen Plog for their work and dedication in designing this year's set. Also, a special thanks to all those on the Fellowship Committee who put this dinner together. Also, Santa Claus visited us from the North Pole! 

 

Click the button below to view more photos on our Facebook page.

View Photos

Invitation to Sing Hallelujah Chorus

Sunday, December 15th during Worship

Please join us in our annual tradition of singing G.F. Handel's Hallelujah Chorus at the Third Sunday of Advent this Sunday, December 15th during our 10:30am worship service.

Calling All Carolers to our Christmas Caroling Event!!!

Sunday, December 22nd at 5pm

We invite everyone from our congregation and community to go Caroling! Take an hour break from the gift wrapping, football games and preparation for Christmas. Let's spread the Joy of Christmas throughout the neighborhood around the church.

 

After caroling, come back for Hot Chocolate and Cookies! Donations of cookies or other desserts are welcome and appreciated.

 

Come in your favorite Christmas Hat and Gloves! Feel free to invite your family and friends. Parents and grandparents - feel free to bring the kids for a great family time and great memories.

 

Let's spread the Light of Christmas around the neighborhood. Snow or shine!

Christmas Eve Service

Tuesday, December 24th at 5:30pm

We invite you to join us on Christmas Eve - Carols, THE Story, Joy, Wonder, and more. You will be welcomed like it’s a homecoming. 

 

"Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is the Messiah, the Lord." (Luke 2:11 NIV)

Invite People on our Facebook Page

Saddle Brook Pastor Returns Inspired from "Powerful" Trip to Israel

SADDLE BROOK - In recognition of nearly a decade of service, members of the First Reformed Church of Saddle Brook as well many people in the community sent its pastor Rev. Christopher B. Wolf to Israel in early November on a Holy Land pilgrimage to inspire, renew and thank him. 

 

According to Rev. Wolf, the trip accomplished its purpose - inspiring and renewing his ministry and spiritual growth. He said visits to the Garden of Gethsemane, Capernaum, the Sea of Galilee, and the The World Holocaust Remembrance Center in Jerusalem moved and touched him in life-changing ways.   

 

"This powerful mix of lament, joy, yearning, peace and home - I had never experienced anything like it in ministry and life," said Rev. Wolf about his experience at the Kotel or Wailing Wall in Jerusalem (pictured above).

 

Rev. Wolf looks forward to sharing his insights and experiences in the coming months with the congregation and community. "Especially after visiting Capernaum and the Sea of Galilee, where Jesus started his ministry, I was so vividly reminded of why the work we do is so needed and important - communicating about salvation and reconciliation, healing, feeding people, being people of grace, hope, justice and prayer," said Rev. Wolf.

 

Helping people heal and grow in faith, and leading churches to connect with and serve their communities have always been the cornerstones of Rev. Wolf's ministry. Returning from the trip, he is even more committed to and focused on his mission. "This trip, for which I am so thankful, has only sharpened and intensified my passion and calling to serve Christ and people." 

 

"We talk about walking in Jesus footsteps as disciples - now I have literally walked and followed his steps. I believe it marks a turning point for my faith and ministry," Rev. Wolf said. 

 

For more information, visit with Rev. Wolf on his Facebook and Instagram accounts on which he posted updates, pictures and stories from his journey.

Consistory Update

The Consistory has been working hard to care for and provide for families and individuals in need. It would like to thank Deacons Herb Larsen and Elaine Crisafulli for their faithful service. Michael Coleman and Mary Marino have been nominated for the office of Deacon. As per the Reformed Church in America Book of Church Order, their names will be printed in our weekly bulletins for three weeks.

 

The Outeach team is planning for some new ministry in 2020. Despite several needed buildings and grounds expeditures, the financial position of the church is healthy - the Consistory is thankful to members for their generous giving and encourages them to continue in 2020 to enable the important ministries of the church.

 

The Consistory approved a new refrigerator for the parsonage recently as the old one was having trouble keeping food fresh for a while. The Consistory approved catering for this year's Vesper Play and Dinner on December 8th.

 

Man Up

Man Up, First Reformed's men's ministry, will hold its next gathering will be held on Thursday, December 19th at 6:30pm at the Saddle Brook Diner. 

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.

Clothing Drive

Our continuing clothing drive will accept bagged donations of clothing, clothing accessories, shoes, bedding, household linens and towels, handbags, wallets, jewelry, and backpacks.

 

All items must be of usable quality. We cannot accept toys, stuffed animals, books, cookware, dishes, curtains, pillows, breakable items or furniture. All donations can be left outside Pastor's garage doors.

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 my house will be called a house of prayer for all the peoples."  ~Isaiah 56:7

WorshipServe Schedule ~ December

 

DECEMBER 1ST

Greeters: Christian Education Students

Bell Ringer(s): Giovanna Gentile and Brianna Sandstrom

Announcements: Frank Arnone

Liturgist: Christian Education Students

Offering: Christian Education Students

 

DECEMBER 8TH

Greeters: Ryan and Justin Cali

Bell Ringer(s): Evelyn & Angelina Young

Announcements: Frank Arnone

Liturgist: David Dapcic

Offering: The Calis

 

DECEMBER 15TH

Greeters: Evelyn and Angelina Young

Bell Ringer(s): Joe Van Winkle

Announcements: Lynne Van Wyk-Wojcik

Liturgist: Kevin Kooistra

Offering: Gloria Blauner, Mel Hendrickson, Herb Larsen, Rich Stasion

 

DECEMBER 22ND

Greeters: Elders

Bell Ringer(s): Lynne Van Wyk-Wojcik

Announcements: Sherry Dapcic

Liturgist: Brooke Chinchar

Offering: Donna Arnone, Debbie Brunner, Evelyn Leseberg, Debbie Peluso

 

DECEMBER 24TH - CHRISTMAS  EVE

Bell Ringers: The Coleman Family

 

DECEMBER 29TH

Greeters: Deacons

Bell Ringer(s): Kimball, Colin and Amelia Woelfel

Announcements: Kathy Alia

Liturgist: Lynne Van Wyk-Wojcik

Offering: Deacons

December Birthdays and Anniversaries

We would like to wish the following a very blessed and happy birthday and anniversary:

 

Birthdays

December 4 ~ Susan Tensfeldt

December 6 ~ Brian Bailey

December 7 ~ Nicholas Palino

December 9 ~ Gale Hendrickson

December 9 ~ John Tensfeldt

December 17 ~ Joseph Peluso

December 21 ~ Howard Gunter

December 22 ~ Ann Ocot

December 26 ~ Marilyn Johnson

December 30 ~ Kevin Kooistra

December 31 ~ Jessica Garretson

 

Anniversaries

December 2 ~ Vincent & Donna Quatrone

December 14 ~ Andrew & Cathie Alia

December 29 ~ Elizabeth & Thomas Bailey

 

"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 ~ December 2019

First Reformed Church of Saddle Brook

5 Ackerman Avenue

Saddle Brook, New Jersey 07663

 

Worship ~ 10:30am

Sunday School and Adult Bible Classes ~ 9am (September-June)

Email: freformchurch@optonline.net

Pastor: Rev. Christopher B. Wolf

 

Like us on Facebook: facebook.com/firstreformedsaddlebrook

Follow us on Twitter @firstreformedsb

Follow us on Instagram ~ "reformedsbnj"

Get Our Latest Updates
Subscribe
5 Ackerman Avenue, Saddle Brook, NJ, United States
201-843-6672

Share on social

Share on FacebookShare on X (Twitter)Share on Pinterest

Visit our Church Website  
This email was created with Wix.‌ Discover More