First Informed: The Good Newsletter

April 2019 Edition

 

The Official Newsletter of the

First Reformed  Church of Saddle Brook, NJ

From the Pastor

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

When we think of peace - we usually think of discovering or finding it; or creating it for ourselves through things, even though temporary, such as drugs, alcohol, food and other escapes. We're often trying to make or add peace to our lives. And yet, for all our efforts, so many of us still experience such turmoil and anxiety and conflict.

 

When we look to the cross, we find good news. The cross reveals that, in fact, peace is not something that we add to our lives...peace comes through subtraction. At the cross, Jesus through his shed blood, achieves peace and reconciliation for us with God by paying for our sins. The cross shows that in order to be reconciled and have peace with God, something - namely our sins, has to die. Likewise in ourselves and in our relationships - instead of thinking "more" or "better" or "finding peace" - pride, greed, agendas, warped desires - all have to die if we are to experience peace.

 

Peace with God, with others, and within ourselves is not found in addition; it's comes through subtraction. In this season of Lent, let us reflect on how much we yearn for peace; how we need forgiveness for all the sinful ways we have sought it; and how we must subtract or put to death at the cross, those things that separate us from God, from others, and from the peace "that surpasses all understanding" in our daily lives. (Summary of March 17th - It Causes Me To Tremble).

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

April 7 ~  Lenten Series: "It Causes Me To Tremble", Scripture: Matthew 16:24-26

April 14 Palm Sunday ~ Sermon: "Cheers and Tears", Scripture: Luke 19:28-44

April 18 Maundy Thursday ~ Sermon: "Until We Meet Again", Scripture: Luke 22:7-20

April 19 Good Friday ~ Sermon: "He Breathed His Last", Scripture: Luke 23:44-49

April 21 Easter ~ Sermon: "Remembering His Words", Scripture: Luke 24:1-12

April 28 ~ Sermon: "Hearts On Fire", Scripture: Luke 24:13-35


All upcoming scripture readings and sermon topics through April 2019 can also be viewed on the church website.

Holy Week 2019

We invite you to join us for our Holy Week services as we remember the events that led up to the Crucifixion of Jesus Christ. Please check out our schedule of Holy Week services below.

PALM SUNDAY

Sunday, April 14th at 10:30am

Please join us for our Palm Sunday as we commemorate Jesus Christ's triumphant entry into Jerusalem. The Sunday School will be participating in their annual Palm Processional at the beginning of the worship service. A breakfast will follow the service downstairs in the Van Wyk Fellowship Hall (more info below Easter Sunday service information).

 
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MAUNDY THURSDAY COMMUNION

Thursday, April 18th at 7:30pm

We invite you to come around the table at our Maundy Thursday Communion Service upstairs in the Overflow Room (rear of Sanctuary) as we commemorate the Last Supper and the Washing of the Feet.

 
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GOOD FRIDAY TENEBRAE SERVICE

Friday, April 19th at 7:30pm

We invite you to complete the journey to the cross at our Good Friday Tenebrae service. Scripture readings from Luke 23, reflection, singing, diminishing lights.

 
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Easter Sunday Service ~ Sunday, April 21st at 10:30am

We invite all to join us as we remember the Resurrection of Jesus Christ at our Easter Sunday service on April 21st at 10:30am. Whether it's your first time or it's been a long time ~ you will be welcome here :)

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Palm Sunday Breakfast

Please join us for our Palm Sunday breakfast following worship on Sunday, April 14th downstairs in the Van Wyk Fellowship Hall.

 

Donations of bagels, muffins and fruit are needed. 

If you plan on attending, please sign up by clicking below so we can prepare enough food for everyone.

Sign Up for Breakfast

VBS Update April 2019

Planning is still underway for our 2019 Vacation Bible School program. 

 

VBS will run from Monday, August 5th through Friday, August 9th from 9am-12pm each day with a closing program at 11am.

 

We are in still need of many volunteers to ensure a successful and blessed VBS

program this August. If you feel led spiritually to volunteer, please click the button below to fill out the online form or sign up on the hallway bulletin board.

 

I look forward to seeing you all at our VBS in August! 

 

God's Blessings,


Thomas Van Winkle
2019 VBS Director

Sign Up to Volunteer for VBS

A Communion of Love and Remembrance

Life is a lot like communion, right? There's revelation and salvation in the breaking. Pouring out leads to forgiveness and satisfaction. Some of the best moments of life happen when gathered around a table. We see that remembrance has the power to eclipse grief, loss and separation. Often, it's the basic things that lead us to see the bigger picture. We learn that true love requires sacrifice - brokenness and blood. It's not just in our heads; it's all the senses, as well as heart and soul. When we pause and focus, we discover the sacred. This wonderful dance of grief, love, truth, memory, joy, separation, reunion, gratitude, and awe. There's no substitute for being in the room - presence. Life, faith, everything is better when shared. Holiness isn't complicated - obedience, bread, and cup. Those moments when we realize how loved we are (that He would die for us). When we realize what, or rather, for whom we should live our lives - as a "thank you." It feels so good to be invited. That we need nourishment and healing beyond food and medicine. Through Him, With Him, In Him, in the unity of the Holy Spirit. Amen.

 

By Pastor Christopher

Consistory Update

Consistory continues to support, care and provide for members during difficult times. New outreach plans are being developed and the committee will meet soon. Plans for the new bell housing are ongoing. The church has been blessed with many visitors during the first part of this year. The church's financial health is good through the first quarter.      

Man Up

Man Up, First Reformed's men's ministry, met on March 28th at the Dutch House Tavern in Fair Lawn. The next gathering will be held on Tuesday, April 23rd at 6:30pm at the Saddle Brook Diner. For more information about our Man Up men's 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.

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 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 ~ April

 

April 7

Greeters: Teresa and Justin Cali

Announcements: Teresa Cali

Liturgist: Evelyn Leseberg

Offering: Christian Education Students

 

April 14 Palm Sunday

Greeters: John and Haley Larsen

Announcements: Martin Ferullo

Liturgist: Kimball Woelfel

Offering: Tony Alia, John Plog,

               Rich Stasion, Chris Winnie

 

April 21 Easter

Greeters: Elders

Announcements: Kevin Kooistra

Liturgist: Alex Kooistra

Offering: The Chinchars

 

April 28

Greeters: Christian Education Students

Announcements: Frank Arnone

Liturgist: Jen Wolf

Offering: Christian Education Students

April Birthdays and Anniversaries

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

 

Birthdays

April 4 ~ Brian Wolf

April 13 ~ Alexis Chinchar

April 14 ~ Thomas Wojcik

April 16 ~ Emily Cruz

April 16 ~ Diandra Ocot

April 21 ~ Julie Kooistra

April 24 ~ Herbert Larsen

April 24 ~ Catherine Wasdyke

April 25 ~ Audrey Stasion

April 26 ~ Sara Paccone

April 28 ~ Joseph Marren

April 30 ~ Evelyn Leseberg

 

Anniversaries

April 4 ~ Ebele and Joyce Bruining

April 14 ~ John and Linda Casbar

 

"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 ~ April 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"

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

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