First Informed: The Good Newsletter October 2018 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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Hello! Here is a recent week at First Reformed Church of Saddle Brook: Meaningful, passionate, worship and singing; a message about coming home to God (Welcome Home series); young people presenting deep, powerful faith statements as part of confirmation; sick people being prayed for and visited; food insecure people getting help; connection and fellowship; care, listening, and encouragement; a Bible study about hospitality (openness to God and others); a lot of prayer; ministry and outreach via social media; leadership and participation in the Saddle Brook Community Partnership; and advocacy in Trenton on the issue of human trafficking. It's an exciting time! Thank you for your support and prayers. Please continue to pray, participate and serve in our ministry here. |
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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. 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. |
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Upcoming Scripture Readings and Sermon Topics October 7 ~ World Wide Communion and Confirmation Sunday ~ Series: "Strengthening Our Core - Empowered", Scripture Reading: John 15:1-16 October 14 ~ Series: "Strengthening Our Core - Loving", Scripture Reading: Philippians 1:3-8 October 21 ~ Series: "Strengthening Our Core - Missional", Scripture Reading: Matthew 9:35-38 October 28 ~ Series: "Strengthening Our Core - Hopeful", Scripture Readings: Romans 8:28-39 and Revelations 21:1-7 All upcoming scripture readings and sermon topics through October 2018 can also be viewed on the church website.
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World Wide Communion and Confirmation Sunday |
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Sunday, October 7th at 10:30am |
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During our 10:30am worship service on Sunday, October 7th, we will join churches throughout the world in participating in the Sacrament of the Lord's Supper (Holy Communion). Also, five young people will be confirmed as new members of the congregation - Justin Cali, Ben Grater, Giancarlo Peluso, Nolan Shanahan and Thomas Wojcik. Congratulations to all as they take a major step forward in their faith journeys. We invite you all to join us for worship this Sunday, and every Sunday, at 10:30am. |
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"Chronicles of Narnia" Reading Discussion |
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We invite you to join us for our reading discussion group on The Chronicles of Narnia series by C.S. Lewis. There are seven books. They are relatively quick reads and carry a Christian theme of salvation. We are hoping to develop a multi-generational discussion group for the series. We will meet on the following Mondays at 6:30pm in the Clements' Room: October 15, 22, 29. |
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There will be a sign-up sheet on the hallway bulletin board for this discussion group. Please speak with Pastor Christopher or Kathleen Shanahan for more information. |
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First Reformed Church Halloween Party |
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Saturday, October 27th at 7pm in the Van Wyk Fellowship Hall |
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We are planning a fun night of fellowship for the Halloween season on Saturday, October 27th at 7pm downstairs in the Van Wyk Fellowship Hall (accessible from the Saddle River Rd. parking lot). There will be many fun activities and games for kids and families at our Halloween party. If you are interested in attending, please click the button below to sign up. Donations of desserts and other refreshments are appreciated. We hope to see you all with your costumes for our Halloween party! |
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Operation Christmas Child |
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It's almost that time of year once again! We are planning this year's Operation Christmas Child packing party. Please visit the church website to view more information, including our shoe box checklist, by clicking the button below. The exact date and time of the packing party is yet to be determined. For further information, or if you have any questions, please speak with Lynne Wojcik or Tommy Van Winkle. |
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If you are on social media (Facebook, Twitter, Instagram) please check our church pages or Pastor Christopher's pages for content to share. You can help us extend our church's impact and reach by sharing. We are also only 19 likes away from reaching 500 on our Facebook page. Please help in our effort to communicate Christ to others. |
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Inspired by the Confirmands' service project, the Consistory is working with a professional to have the church bell restored as well as the design and construction of a new "home" for the bell once completed. |
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The bell will be removed for restoration on Saturday, October 13th (Time TBD). We invite all confirmands and their parents to attend. Click the button below to hear an update from the Confirmation Class. |
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Consistory is considering candidates for new elders and deacons. |
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Man Up Man Up, First Reformed's men's ministry, met on September 20th at the Saddle Brook Diner The next gathering will be held on Wednesday, October 17th at 6:30pm at the Saddle Brook Diner. For more information about our Man Up men's ministry, CLICK HERE. |
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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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We encourage you to support our clothing drive. We are planning another pick-up before the end of this year. 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. |
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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. For more information on this ministry, CLICK HERE. |
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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 ~ October October 7 Greeters: John and Haley Larsen Announcements: Martin Ferullo Liturgist: Kimball Woelfel Offering: Tony Alia, John Plog, Rich Stasion, Chris Winnie October 14 Greeters: Elders Announcements: Kevin Kooistra Liturgist: Thomas Van Winkle Offering: The Chinchars October 21 Greeters: Christian Education Students Announcements: Frank Arnone Liturgist: Jennifer Wolf Offering: Christian Education Students October 28 Greeters: Rich and Audrey Stasion Announcements: Catherine Wasdyke Liturgist: Michael Coleman Offering: The Colemans |
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October Birthdays and Anniversaries We would like to wish the following a very blessed and happy birthday and anniversary: Birthdays October 3 ~ Cassandra Winnie October 5 ~ Rosalie Shoeman October 9 ~ Carol Martin October 10 ~ Kelsey Slattery October 13 ~ Madison Slattery October 17 ~ Giovanna Sandstrom October 18 ~ John Lamond October 25 ~ Brooke Chinchar October 25 ~ Nicholas Cruz October 26 ~ Paul Marino, Sr. October 28 ~ John Casbar October 28 ~ Wendy Chinchar October 28 ~ Dominic Defablis October 30 ~ Margaret Thieme Anniversaries October 3 ~ Herbert and Geraldine Larsen October 8 ~ Diane and Howard Gunter October 30 ~ David and Heidi Larsen "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 ~ October 2018 |
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