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 |
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Pastor Christopher prays for healing with a Nigerian woman through a translator on his trip there in 2008 |
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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. |
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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. |
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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. |
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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 |
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In this Month's Newsletter |
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- 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
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Boy Scout Visit Sunday, February 9th during 10:30am Worship Service |
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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. |
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Testimony Sunday Sunday, February 16th during 10:30am Worship Service |
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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. |
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Community Partnership Event ~ Alumni in Recovery |
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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 |
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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." |
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Ash Wednesday Service Wednesday, February 26th at 7:30pm |
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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. |
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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 |
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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. |
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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. |
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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. |
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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. |
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Are You In Need of Prayer? |
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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. |
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"For my house will be called a house of prayer for all the peoples." ~Isaiah 56:7 |
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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 |
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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 |
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Church Calendar ~ February 2020 |
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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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