First Informed: The Good Newsletter May 2018 Edition The Official Newsletter of the First Reformed Church of Saddle Brook, NJ |
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From the Pastor ~ "Where Do You Live?" Rev. Christopher B. Wolf, Pastor of the First Reformed Church of Saddle Brook |
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It's good to be comfortable in a nice chair. You know, how you sink in, it comes to fit your body just right and you easily doze off. But as you may have noticed, in life, when we get too comfortable - with routines, thinking, and relationships = you know what happens - we often get stuck or things get stagnant. This happens with our spiritual lives too. We need to be asking if our permanent address has become "The Comfort Zone." And here's the thing, other than the assurance of His provision and love, there are very few parts of following Christ, and being a church that are "comfortable." See, we miss out on so much when we choose comfort over following His path. Here are some things that usually don’t happen in comfort zones: Healing; Forgiving others; Growing closer to God; Seeking justice; Sharing the Gospel; Sacrificially loving others; Letting go of anger, grief and the past; New starts; Healthier living; Reconciliation with family and friends and more. In our comfort zones, it’s about us – even as believers – but when we step out of the boat (Matthew 14:22-33) then it’s faith – because outside of the comfort zone – we need to rely on and stay focused on Him. So, are you stuck in the comfort zone? Are you ready to step out in faith toward a Godly purpose? And yes, risk involves the possibility of what some call failure…but even if we stumble and fail while moving toward God – it’s still winning. If you have become too comfortable, please share how I can pray for you to move out of the comfort zone. And let's pray for God to guide our church as we continue to leave the comfort zone behind as we worship, love one another, and minister to the community. |
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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 May 6 ~ Series: "Alive! - Daily", Scripture Readings: Deuteronomy 30:15-20 and Romans 10:13 May 13 ~ Mother's Day ~ Scripture Reading: Proverbs 6:20-21 May 20 ~ Pentecost/Communion Scripture Reading: Acts 2:1-42 May 27 ~ Memorial Day ~ Scripture Reading: Psalm 116:15
All upcoming scripture reading and sermon topics for 2018 can be viewed on the church website.
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Saddle Brook Memorial Day Parade Sunday, May 27, 2018 at 1:30pm |
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The First Reformed Church is considering marching in this year's Saddle Brook Memorial Day Parade to honor those who gave their lives. The parade is scheduled to start at 1:30pm on Sunday, May 27th. If we march, we will meet on Fair Lawn Parkway near Schepis Avenue in the northern end of town at 1pm. The parade will start on Fair Lawn Parkway and proceed down Cambridge Avenue to Saddle River Road to Market Street. The parade will end by Washington School. If you are interested in marching with the church or driving a vehicle in this year's parade, please click the button below to sign up. A sign-up sheet will soon be available on the hallway bulletin board. |
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Children's Day Celebration Sunday, June 3rd at 10:30am |
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We are almost at the end of the Sunday School year! The Sunday School will begin preparing for its annual Children's Day celebration, which will be held on Sunday, June 3rd at 10:30am. There will be a luncheon immediately following the service downstairs in the Van Wyk Fellowship Hall. Hamburgers and hot dogs will be served. We are looking for donations of salads and desserts. If you plan on attending, we kindly ask you sign up ahead of time. You may do so by clicking below to fill out our online form. A sign up sheet will soon be posted on the hallway bulletin board. |
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Vacation Bible School Update ~ May 2018 |
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We held our first leader/teacher meeting this past Tuesday, May 1st. I would like to thank all those who attended the meeting. Planning continues to be well underway. Volunteers are still needed to assist with recreation, crafts, snacks, setting up, registration, or working as a classroom assistant. If you are interested in volunteering any time with this year's VBS, please sign up by going to the VBS page using the button below or adding your name to the hallway bulletin board. ~Thomas Van Winkle, 2018 VBS Director |
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An underground water system was installed to care for the plantings around the church. Consistory continues to pray for and serve the congregation. Please consider serving on one of the ministry teams - Worship, Outreach and Mission, Christian Education, Finance, Buildings and Grounds, and Fellowship. |
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Man Up Man Up, First Reformed's men's ministry, met at the Saddle Brook Diner on April 26th. The next meeting will be held on Thursday, May 24th at 6:30pm at the Saddle Brook Diner. For more information about this 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 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 ~ May May 6 Greeters: Rich and Audrey Stasion Announcements: Catherine Wasdyke Liturgist: Michael Coleman Offering: The Colemans May 13 Greeters: Andrew and Lisa Larsen Announcements: Sherry Dapcic Liturgist: Debbie Brunner Offering: John Casbar, Kevin Kooistra, Herb Larsen, Catherine Wasdyke May 20 Greeters: Ann and Darryl Ocot Announcements: Susan Rayside Liturgist: Darryl Ocot Offering: The Chinchars May 27 Greeters: Sherry and David Dapcic Announcements: Ellen Plog Liturgist: Michael Van Winkle Offering: John Casbar, Linda Casbar, Beth Leinweber, David Ludvik |
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May Birthdays and Anniversaries We would like to wish the following a very blessed and happy birthday and anniversary: Birthdays May 1 ~ Donna Arnone May 1 ~ Evelyn Young May 2 ~ April Valenti May 3 ~ Vincent Quatrone May 6 ~ Joseph Van Winkle May 12 ~ Bruce Bailey May 12 ~ Elaine Crisafulli May 12 ~ Grace Paccone May 12 ~ Debra Peluso May 14 ~ Martin Ferullo May 16 ~ Alyssa Quatrone May 17 ~ Andrew Larsen May 21 ~ Lynne Van Wyk-Wojcik May 25 ~ Samantha Palino May 27 ~ Dawn Coleman May 27 ~ Giancarlo Peluso May 30 ~ Jean Wiebe May 31 ~ Olivia Coleman Anniversaries May 4 ~ Daniel and Wendy Chinchar May 6 ~ John and Ellen Plog May 9 ~ Kevin and Julianne Kooistra "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 ~ May 2018 |
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