First Informed: The Good Newsletter

February 2020 Edition

 

The Official Newsletter of the

First Reformed  Church of Saddle Brook, NJ

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From the Pastor

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

Pastor Christopher prays for healing with a Nigerian woman through a translator on his trip there in 2008

I got my first Bible when I was around 11 years old. It was a gift from the CCD teacher. And even then I was drawn to and inspired by the stories of Jesus healing people. I was in awe of how He did it. Blind people seeing again. People walking again. Long illnesses coming to an end. It amazed me...that broken things could be restored...and It gave me a mission and a dream. A mission and a dream to be a part of bringing wholeness and joy to suffering and sadness; setting hearts free.

 

Without any conversation prior, the guy who preached at my ordination service, used Mark 5 (a whole chapter on healing and restoration). Well decades later, you know the rest of the story. Healing and restoration are what Jesus was about. It's what I'm about. Putting things back together. (All the while, I'm still putting my own stuff back together too).

 

Through the power of the Holy Spirit, through prayer, through listening, through sharing Scripture and experience, and more. Miracles and cures? Yes sometimes. Often the start of newness and letting go. Most often, the comfort of hope and possibility. It starts with hearts (to bind up the brokenhearted (Isaiah 61:1), and then is physical, emotional and spiritual (as in restoring a connection with God), then families, relationships, dreams, communities and beyond.

 

It's not easy. It takes truth, faith and trust. I wanted you to know that when you are ready to start to put things back together, come to my church (this Sunday we are starting a series on Mark 5). If you want to be a part of putting things back together for others and the community, come to my church. I promise you this, wherever I am, wherever I go, I will keep being about healing and restoration until my last breath.

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 offers 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 can be accessed here.

 

Our weekly worship services and other videos can also be viewed on our YouTube channel - firstreformedsb1900.

Upcoming Scripture Readings and Sermon Topics

February 2 ~  Sermon Series: "Healed and Restored", Scripture: Mark 5:21-34

February 9 ~ Sermon Series: "Healed and Restored" 

Scripture: Mark 5:35-43

February 16 ~ Sermon Series: "Wholeness in the Body", 

Scripture: Psalm 32 and Psalm 38

February 23 ~ Sermon Series: "Wholeness in the Body", Scripture: 1 Corinthians 6:19-20

February 26 ~ Ash Wednesday ~ Sermon: "Turning to the Lord", Scripture: Daniel 9:1-6

In this Month's Newsletter

  • Boy Scout Visit ~ February 9th
  • Testimony Sunday ~ February 16th
  • Community Partnership Event ~ Alumni in Recovery
  • Ash Wednesday
  • Consistory Update
  • Man Up Men's Ministry
  • Coffee Hour
  • Clothing Drive
  • Prayer Cloth Ministry
  • WorshipServe Schedule
  • Upcoming Birthdays and Anniversaries
  • Church Calendar February 2020

Boy Scout Visit

Sunday, February 9th during 10:30am Worship Service

Saddle Brook Boy Scout Troop 213 will be joining us for worship on Sunday, February 9th. They will be sharing their oath with us. We hope you will join us for this service.

Testimony Sunday

Sunday, February 16th during 10:30am Worship Service

Part of the worship service will include a time of thanksgiving and praise. Please reflect on and prepare a testimony of how God has worked in your life. It will be  a great opportunity to thank and praise God here in His house and in the presence of brothers and sisters in Christ who will be encouraged by your testimony.

Community Partnership Event ~ Alumni in Recovery

On January 27th, Pastor Christopher, Alex Kooistra, and other members of the Saddle Brook Community Partnership participated in an event with Alumni in Recovery (a Bergen County non-profit) to fight back against drug overdoses and related issues. 

 

Source of Images: Saddle Brook Township Facebook Page

Pastor Christopher wrote of the event, "Here in Saddle Brook Township, we started pushing back against the darkness. Pushing back against addiction, grief, isolation and more. It's about bringing healing to hurt, redemption from loss, hope to despair, and light to darkness. In the opening prayer, I asked God to give us wisdom and passion to reach people who are battling for their lives; and to offer comfort and support to those who have lost loved ones to addiction and overdoses. Thankful to Mayor Robert White, Police Chief Robert Kugler, community leaders and Alumni in Recovery. This is an important, worthy, difficult battle - that we are committed to fighting."

View More Photos on Saddle Brook Facebook Page

Ash Wednesday Service

Wednesday, February 26th at 7:30pm

We invite you to join for our annual Ash Wednesday service on February 26th at 7:30pm. Ash Wednesday marks the first of the 40 days of the Lenten season.

 

The sermon for this service is entitled, "Turning to the Lord", based on

Daniel 9:1-6.

Invite People on Facebook

Consistory Update

The Consistory had its first meeting of the year on January 13th and it set the tone for a year of powerful ministry. It continues to provide material and spiritual support for many in the congregation and community. Unfortunately two building repairs were needed - the refrigerator in the Van Wyk Hall kitchen and the Ackerman Avenue door.

 

The Worship Committee held a meeting to listen and share perspectives on worship; the meeting was productive. The Outreach Committee provided another hot breakfast to Food Pantry patrons. The Food Pantry renovation project continues.

 

Pastor Christopher, attended the January Classis meeting to represent Consistory. Pastor Christopher, who also supervises Rea Avenue Reformed Church, attended its Consistory Meeting.

 

The Finance Committee has produced a 2020 budget which has been approved by the Consistory and will be presented to the Congregation at the Congregational Business Meeting following worship on February 16th. Finance Chair Kevin Kooistra said that even with all the buildings and grounds expenses in 2019, it was a healthy year financially for the church; and he thanks the congregation for their faithful giving. Finally, the Consistory elected and appointed its 2020 leadership:

 

President - Pastor Christopher Wolf

Vice President - Kevin Kooistra
Clerk - Catherine Wasdyke

Treasurer - Robert Troyano

Financial Secretary - Donna Arnone

 

Ministry Chairs

Buildings and Grounds - Michael Coleman
Worship - Giovanna Gentile
Finance - Kevin Kooistra
Outreach and Missions - Kimball Woelfel
Fellowship - Linda Casbar and Mary Marino
Christian Education - Frank Arnone

 

Man Up

Man Up, First Reformed's men's ministry, will hold its next gathering will be held on Tuesday, February 18th 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.

There will be a clothing drive pick-up on Tuesday, February 11th at 3pm. If you are able to help load the bags into the truck, please speak with Evelyn Leseberg or John Plog or call our church office at 201-843-6672. Those who plan on assisting with the pick-up should plan to meet by Pastor Christopher's garage doors in the Ackerman Ave. rear parking lot by 2:40pm.

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 ~ February

 

FEBRUARY 2ND

Greeters: Tina Hendrickson 

                Melanie Valenti

Bell Ringer(s): The Colemans

Announcements: Kathleen Shanahan

Liturgist: Rhonda Smith

Offering: Tina Hendrickson, Sarah and Mario Shehu, Melanie Valenti

 

FEBRUARY 9TH

Greeters: Gale and Mel Hendrickson

Bell Ringer(s): Breanna Marino

Announcements: Kimball Woelfel

Liturgist: Amelia Woelfel

Offering: Elaine Crisafulli, Paul Marino, PJ Marino, Thomas Wojcik

 

FEBRUARY 16TH

Greeters: John and Linda Casbar

Bell Ringer(s): David Dapcic

Announcements: Lynne Van Wyk-Wojcik

Liturgist: Nancy Linder

Offering: Maya Marren, Erwin Ocot, Joseph Peluso, Kimball Woelfel

 

FEBRUARY 23RD

Greeters: David Ludvik

                Kevin Kooistra

Bell Ringer(s): Michael Van Winkle

Announcements: Catherine Wasdyke

Liturgist: Michael Coleman

Offering: Mel Hendrickson, Herb Larsen, Joe Van Winkle, Michael Van Winkle

February Birthdays and Anniversaries

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

 

Birthdays

February 3 ~ Justin Cali

February 5 ~ Colton Larsen

February 14 ~ Kaytlin Arnone

February 18 ~ Mary Marino

February 19 ~ Ryan Cali

February 22 ~ Jennifer Wolf

February 23 ~ Douglas Marren

February 23 ~ Joshua Marren

February 24 ~ Ryan Tensfeldt

February 25 ~ Breanna Marino

February 28 ~ Winifred Caputo

 

Anniversaries

No anniversaries this month

 

"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 ~ February 2020

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-May)

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"

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5 Ackerman Avenue, Saddle Brook, NJ, United States
201-843-6672

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