First Informed: The Good Newsletter April 2018 Edition The Official Newsletter of the First Reformed Church of Saddle Brook, NJ |
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From the Pastor ~ "Upside Down, Inside Out" Rev. Christopher B. Wolf, Pastor of the First Reformed Church of Saddle Brook |
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So Jesus gathers his disciples together for a pre-game talk. They've gathered on the mountain near him but in the visible background are people who needed him and who had just been healed by him. Basically Jesus is saying to the disciples, and to us here today, "this is what this is about; this is why I have brought the Kingdom here." "Blessed are the...poor in spirit, those who mourn, the meek, those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, the merciful, the pure in heart, the peacemakers, and the persecuted." Matthew 5:3-10 What this is about? More like "these" are what it's (God's Kingdom) about. The primary thing we should notice and remember about Jesus' message here is that it is about people. The substance of the Kingdom of God is God and people who need him. As strange as it sounds, often churches make church about stuff other than people - the building, the music, the budget, the programs, traditions, visions and strategies, the reputation and more. Why? Dealing with "stuff" is easier. Ministering to people - that's difficult, messy, and requires compassion for others. But Jesus, here in this essential message, is clearly saying that what is valuable, what is worth fighting for are these people. When the poor in spirit, the grieving, the meek, and the others in his list are the center of ministry and activity we do as individuals and congregations - the Kingdom will be visible. And speaking of these people - did you notice what they all have in common? There is a common thread. They all desperately need God - whether poor in spirit, grieving, persecuted, meek, thirsting for righteousness, merciful, pure in heart, peacemakers - all have to rely on God to do or be these. I have and will continue to experience and be many of these people - the thing is to be these unashamedly. We are ambassadors of God's Kingdom. Our churches are embassies of that Kingdom. I tell you with great passion that Christians and churches that commit to more fully representing this Kingdom of God and to finding, reaching and caring for people who need God today - will certainly find themselves turned upside down and inside out - but will also find themselves closer to the Kingdom than ever before. Amen. |
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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 April 1 ~ Easter Sunday ~ Scripture Readings: John 20:1-18 and Acts 10:34-43 April 8 ~ Series: "Alive! - Power", Scripture Readings: 1 Chronicles 16:23-31 and Revelation 4:8-11 April 15 ~ Series: "Alive! - Eternal", Scripture Readings: John 3:16, John 5:24, and John 6:40 April 22 ~ Series: "Alive! - Abundant", Scripture Readings: John 10:10 and 2 Corinthians 5:17 April 29 ~ Series: "Alive! - Precious", Scripture Readings: Psalm 139:13-14 and Galatians 2:20
All upcoming scripture reading and sermon topics for 2018 can be viewed on the church website.
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Walk With Me Please listen to "Walk With Me", Pastor Christopher's radio show, on Wednesday nights from 7-8pm on YFN Radio. You can listen to his show on the Internet on www.yfnradio.com and www.tunein.com. |
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Vacation Bible School Update ~ April 2018 |
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The kit for this year's Vacation Bible School has arrived! I have begun the process of looking through the manuals and will begin sharing them with all leaders and teachers. I am planning on having some leader meetings starting later this month. I am thankful for all those leaders and volunteers who have signed up to be a part of this year's "Shipwrecked" VBS. We are still looking for teachers to join us for a fun year of VBS where we learn how Jesus has rescued us. For more information, or if you are interested in volunteering for this year's VBS, please click the button below to visit our VBS page. A sign-up sheet is also posted on the hallway bulletin board. ~Thomas Van Winkle, 2018 VBS Director |
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Consistory has approved the installation of underground sprinklers around the church property for watering the flowers and planted areas. In addition, Consistory approved a donation to a community event for families and young people that will present a grief support speaker. Consistory continues to maintain the buildings and grounds and provide pastoral care to many church members and people in the community. |
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Man Up Man Up, First Reformed's men's ministry, met at the Saddle Brook Diner on March 26th. The next meeting will be held on Thursday, April 26th 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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Our most recent pick-up for the clothing drive was this past Tuesday, April 10th. Thank you to all those who came out to help load the truck. 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 ~ April April 1 Greeters: Ross and Roberta Palino Announcements: Danielle Brunner Liturgist: Kathy Alia Offering: The Ocots April 8 Greeters: Teresa and Justin Cali Announcements: Teresa Cali Liturgist: Evelyn Leseberg Offering: Christian Education Students April 15 Greeters: John and Haley Larsen Announcements: Martin Ferullo Liturgist: Kimball Woelfel Offering: Tony Alia, John Plog, Rich Stasion, Chris Winnie April 22 Greeters: Elders Announcements: Kevin Kooistra Liturgist: Thomas Van Winkle Offering: The Chinchars April 29 Greeters: Christian Education Students Announcements: Frank Arnone Liturgist: Jennifer Wolf Offering: Christian Education Students |
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April Birthdays and Anniversaries We would like to wish the following a very blessed and happy birthday and anniversary: Birthdays April 4 ~ Susan Redvanly April 4 ~ Brian Wolf April 13 ~ Alexis Chinchar April 14 ~ Robert Redvanly April 14 ~ Thomas Wojcik April 16 ~ Emily Cruz April 16 ~ Diandra Ocot April 19 ~ Phyllis Conover April 21 ~ Julie Kooistra April 24 ~ Herbert Larsen April 24 ~ Catherine Wasdyke April 25 ~ Derek Rayside April 25 ~ Audrey Stasion April 26 ~ Sara Paccone April 28 ~ Joseph Marren April 30 ~ Evelyn Leseberg Anniversaries April 4, 1956 ~ Ebele and Joyce Bruining April 14, 1984 ~ 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 |
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Church Calendar ~ April 2018 |
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