Author: Isabella Dougan

Posted on

SUNDAY, AUGUST 9, 2020: WORSHIP SERVICE MUSIC

COME SING WITH US!

We Want to Worship With You

Click here to enjoy ‘Sweet Hour of Prayer’ – YouTube

The text of  Sweet Hour of Prayer appears to come from William W. Walford (1772-1850), an obscure, blind lay preacher who served in the hamlet of Coleshill, Warwickshire, England, in the mid-19th century. But his hymn has touched hundreds of thousands of lives on both sides of the Atlantic, expressing the genuine joy he found in prayer.

This hymn goes to the heart of one of the most intrinsic Christian practices: prayer. For Walford, prayer was an intensely private affair where one seeks refuge from temptations and trials and pours out the depths of one’s soul before God who already knows our “wants and wishes.” [UMC]

Written by Isabella Dougan

Posted on

 Sunday, August 9, 2020: Children’s Book

At Children’s Time, Pastor Skitch will read aloud the children’s book “When God Made You” by Matthew Paul Turner and Illustrated by David Catrow. This book will make a good gift for children of all ages.  The story is inspiring and the illustrations are awesome.

The message from this book is that every child is uniquely made and God loves each one as they are, for they are all special to him. They must continue to learn and grow into the person they are created to be.

To follow the worship service and listen to Pastor Skitch read Click here

Written by Isabella Dougan

Posted on

PASTOR JENNY APPRECIATING OUR SCHOOL LEADERS

Thank you, Teachers, School Administrators, Board of Education Members!

You have been the center of the latest major dilemma and debate in our country as school districts are working out what education will look like in the coming academic year. It feels like impossible work, with a vast number of needs, opinions, wants, pushes, and pulls. In a conversation with parents from Elliot’s school this week it was noted that “a fix for one family is a break for another.” How do those who have decision-making power and a stake in these decisions begin to weigh all of the factors and lead us forward?

I do not have a magic answer here, by any means. I do wonder if we might continue seeking the Kin-dom of God as we approach these matters, from whichever place we do so. Does anything become clearer when we continue to ground ourselves in the Kin-dom values, such as the Beatitudes and Parables, Jesus teaches and lives?

I’m not going to try to name all of our teachers, school administrators, and BOE members in our congregation, because I will miss way too many of you. But know that you are in my heart and my prayers. We celebrate you and encourage you in this very difficult time. And we likewise encourage our families with school-aged children who are also making difficult decisions, enduring extra anxiety and uncertainty, and continuing to be part of a teaching team with our kids’ professional teachers.

Be well, be safe, wear masks, and keep social distances.    

Pastor Jenny.

To watch what NJ schools will look like this Fall click here

Written by Isabella Dougan

Posted on

JULY 26, 2020: “Jesus Speaks in Parables” and “God’s Love”

“He put before them parables: ‘Have you understood all this?’ They answered, ‘Yes.’ And he said to them, ‘Therefore every scribe who has been trained for the kingdom of heaven is like the master of a household who brings out of his treasure what is new and what is old.’”

“We know that all things work together for good for those who love God, who are called according to his purpose. In all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. For I am convinced that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor rulers, nor things present, nor things to come, nor powers, nor height, nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord.”

Written by Isabella Dougan

Posted on

SUNDAY, JULY 26, 2020

 

COME SING WITH US!

We Want to Worship With You

Click here to enjoy  ‘Blessed Assurance’ Christian Worship Song Lyrics -YouTube

“Blessed Assurance,”  a well-known Christian hymn, is on the list for the Summer Hymn Sing, before the 10 A.M. worship service. The lyrics were written in 1873 by blind hymn writer Fanny Crosby to the music written in 1873 by Phoebe Knapp. The popular song reflects Crosby’s walk of faith, as expressed by the apostle Paul in Philippians 1:21, “For to me, to live is Christ and to die is gain” (ESV).” [Wikipedia]

Written by Isabella Dougan

Posted on

COMMUNITY SERVICE SPOTLIGHT

Thank you, Cornerstone Community Kitchen!

Cornerstone Community Kitchen (CCK) has been continuing its mission of addressing hunger needs in our community, but in a very different way than they did pre-COVID. They continue to gather food items from a variety of sources, including prepared meals from TASK, produce from farms, and non-perishables.

Our volunteers put these items together into take-out packages that are distributed to guests through the door that leads to the fellowship hall, where the guests are waiting outside to receive them. The clothing closet has also opened in a limited, but exciting way, with selected items available outside for people to choose from.  Kudos to the CCK team who has re-imagined their ministry in light of these challenging circumstances.