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Abundant Life News and Notes

November 16, 2017
Weekly message from Pastor Chris ~ pastorchris@abundantlifewyckoff.org


Giving Thanks
 
This Sunday at Abundant Life Reformed Church is Thanksgiving Sunday. The theme of our worship service is thankfulness! We’ll be singing harvest/thanksgiving songs, and there will be a Thanksgiving celebration meal following the service. I hope you’re planning to attend!
 
I think Thanksgiving is my favorite holiday—and not only because there is a Cowboys game on TV! I have very fond memories of gathering with family around a table full of food, sharing laughter with those that I might only see once or twice a year. I get a bit nostalgic thinking about those times: the sights and smells of turkey, potatoes and gravy, and cranberry sauce bring me right back to the table of my childhood. I’m thankful for those memories.
 
This week, I’d like to share with you how thankful I am for the privilege of serving as your pastor, and for the opportunity to be your friend. I consider it pure joy to share the good news of Jesus Christ with you each week, but more importantly, I’m incredibly thankful for the times when I get to walk alongside of you, in joy and in sorrow, in celebration and in mourning. Thank you for words of encouragement and prayers of support along the way!
 
On Sunday, after we’ve been stuffed like the Thanksgiving turkey, I’ll get in the car with Sarah and the kids, and we’ll begin our travels back to spend Thanksgiving with our families in the Midwest. Please pray for good weather and smooth roads, and a time of rest and relaxation for us in visiting with our loved ones in Iowa and Chicago.
 
What are you thankful for today?
 
I look forward to seeing you on Sunday, when we’ll express our thanks together to Jesus Christ, who gives us Abundant Life!
 
Blessings,
Pastor Chris
 
This Week's Events:

11/16 - Worship Comm., 5:30 pm
            Consistory, 7 pm
11/19- Worship Service, 10:30 am
           Thanksgiving Lunch
           following Service
11/20 -  Priscilla Circle, 1:30 pm
             AA/Pos. Thinkers,6:30 pm
11/21 - Choir Practice, 7:30 pm
11/22 - NO Bible Study
11/23  - Office Closed

11/24 - Office Closed 

For full Abundant Life calendar, visit our website.
Serving this Week:


Hospitality: Sharon Hansen
Nursery: Sharon Hansen & Emily Keizer
Transportation: John Curtin
Children's Sermon: Wendy Keizer
Scripture Reader: Bill Galloway

Liturgist: Henry Keizer

 

If you are unable to serve this week, please contact Beth in the office.
 

This Sunday at Abundant Life
 
"Joy at the Harvest"
based on 
Isaiah 9:1-7
Announcements
Please Note - Bible Study will NOT meet on Wednesday, November 22nd.  We will meet again on Wednesday, November 29th.  

Thanksgiving at Abundant Life:  On Sunday, November 19th we will have our annual Thanksgiving Dinner, following our worship services. Contact Nancy Gerritsen with any questions.  Thank you!

Pageant Rehearsals: Next Sunday, the Christmas Pageant parts will be assigned during Sunday School.  The children will use their Sunday School time to rehearse their parts until the annual Christmas Pageant on December 17th. 

Wreaths Across America -  On December 16, National Wreaths Across American Day, volunteers will honor the 225 veterans laid to rest at the Wyckoff Reformed Church Cemetery.Saturday.  The goal is to place a live balsam fir wreath at the headstone of every veteran.  To sponsor a wreath, send a check with payment of $15, made payable to Wreaths Across America, c/o Wyckoff Reformed Church Cemetery, 294 Everett Avenue, Wyckoff, NJ 07481.  All checks must be received by Friday, November 17, in order to be processed for the December 16th  public ceremony, which will take place at noon at cemeteries across the nation. For additional information, contact Janet Schulz, 201-891-3784.

 Donations Sought
-Heritage Manor Nursing Home at Christian Health Care Center (CHCC) in Wyckoff is in need of bingo prizes for resident activity sessions. Items  requested include small picture frames, note cards and stationery, crossword puzzle and word-find books, socks, scarves, ties, costume jewelry (necklaces, clip-on earrings, pins) and other knickknacks. Four-ply yarn and crochet hooks larger than size G would also be appreciated for our crochet group. Items may be dropped off at CHCC at the Commons reception desk (use 700 Mountain Ave. entrance). If you have any questions, call Diane Barbera, RN, RAC-CT, at (201) 897-5305.

Youth Group Service Event : Feeding the Homeless Dinner (and breakfast and lunch!) - The Youth Group will be meeting at Cedar Hill Reformed Church in Wyckoff on December 1st at 7 pm.  We would like to collect $10 gift cards to Dunkin Donuts to distribute to the homeless at this event.   They can be handed to Cheryl or placed in Cheryl’s mailbox in the office.  A list of food items will be distributed soon, so check your emails for details regarding menu items, drop off/pick up times, etc.  Contact Cheryl Rozema for more information.


Christmas Song Fest - On Sunday December 3rd at 6:00 PM at Living Word Reformed Church, 21 Pleasant View Drive in North Haledon, several area churches will again be joining together for an evening of praise and celebration of the beginning of the Advent Season. The music will be accompanied by a blend of piano, organ, and praise band instruments. The offering will be for the work of New Hope Community Ministries. Plan on joining in and bring a friend that likes the carols of the season. Light refreshments will be served following the service.

Holiday Bazaar- The GEMS Girls' Club of Covenant Christian Reformed Church will hold their annual Holiday Bazaar on Saturday, December 2 from 9:30am to 2pm.    Shoppers are invited to browse a wide variety of gift items and decorations for the Christmas holiday.  Oliebollen will be available for purchase.   Located at 400 North Haledon Ave, North Haledon.   Purchases help benefit Covenant’s GEMS ministry for girls in 1st through 8th grade.

Holiday Concert -  On Sunday, December 17th at 6 pm, join us at Abundant Life for a holiday concert presented by the Saddle Brook High School Concert Choir and Brass Ensemble.  Find the flyer to share with friends and family here.  

  
Work as Worship Retreat - On February 23, Abundant Life will be hosting the "Work as Worship" retreat.  God has a purpose for us on this earth. That calling is to be on mission for God where He has placed us. And since many people spend the majority of their waking hours on the job, we have to stop compartmentalizing life into “spiritual activities” and “work activities.” How are we living examples of the gospel while we work? Abundant Life will be hosting a local 2017 Work as Worship Retreat, where eleven influential business leaders and pastors will discuss what it looks like to connect faith and work. Taking place as a live event in Dallas, it will be web-streamed to over 2,000 churches around the world, including Abundant Life.  Registration is open!  Please check out workasworshipretreat.org more information or visit our registration site here.  


 
November Benevolent Offering: Holland Christian Home

November Food Bank Donation: Emmanuel Cancer

 

If you or a loved one has a need to be placed on the Prayer List please call or email Pastor Chris (pastorchris@abundantlifewyckoff.org) or leave a message on the office answering machine.   
 

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