CNRC The

“WHAT SHALL WE DO, SO THAT WE MAY WORK THE WORKS OF GOD?” JOHN 6:28

COLTS NECK REFORMED CHURCH 732-462-4555 OFFICE@CNRC.CHURCH 139 ROUTE 537, PO BOX 57, COLTS NECK, NJ 07722 COLTSNECKREFORMED.ORG

DECEMBER 2018

WORSHIP AT 9:15 & 11AM DECEMBER 2

First Sunday in Advent: Prayers of Peace

We light the first advent candle; music by Joyful Ringers and Jubilation!; we celebrate the

Lord’s Supper DECEMBER 9

Second Sunday in Advent: Hands of Hope

We light the second candle; music by Echo Ringers and

Sanctuary Choir; present our Christmas gifts

DECEMBER 16 Third Sunday in Advent:

Live Out Love The advent wreath grows

brighter with third candle; music by Sanctuary Choir

DECEMBER 23 Fourth Sunday in Advent:

Jesus Brings Joy Joy is seen in the light of the

fourth candle; a spirited service with our children’s choir as we

worship with “friendly beasts” at a live Nativity

Informer REFORMED

A time to gather in Worship CHRISTMAS EVE

Monday, December 24, the 1pm service is a family service in

which the message of Good News will be conveyed in an interactive way that is especially geared to children of all ages. Our impromptu pageant is a tradition! This service will be in the sanctuary.

The three later Christmas Eve evening worship opportunities (4pm, 7pm, and 9pm) will be in the sanctuary

and are traditional Christmas Eve services with carols and candles. Music will be offered by the Celebration Ringers and Jubilation! choir at 4pm and nursery care will be available. The Exultation Ringers, Senior Choir, and instrumentalists will offer music at 7pm and 9pm.

Sunday, December 30, 2018 First Sunday after Christmas. We worship this morning at 11am only. Coffee and fellowship will be prior to worship - at 10:30am in Fellowship

Hall. Please bring a plate of Christmas cookies to share. Church School and youth choir rehearsals will not be held. Alumni Bells provide musical leadership.

CHRISTMAS GIFT PROGRAM 2018

CLICK HERE FOR DETAIL

SOUNDS OF Christmas

Sunday, Dec. 9, 2pm in the Sanctuary

HOPE FOR THE WORLD Concert

Our Jubilation! choir, Celebration Ringers, and Alleluia Jazz

instrumental ensemble present music sacred and secular that is sure to bring on the Christmas Spirit. This free concert can be enjoyed by all ages! Bring your friends and family!

Season of Advent Christmas

CALENDAR

More info

COLTS NECK REFORMED CHURCH 732-462-4555 OFFICE@CNRC.CHURCH 139 ROUTE 537, PO BOX 57, COLTS NECK, NJ 07722 COLTSNECKREFORMED.ORG

REFORMED INFORMER DECEMBER 2018

Learn and Serve

FOCUS ON A time to gather in Fellowship

Adult Fellowship Christmas Party Join your Church Family Friday, December 14, graciously hosted at the home of Kathie and Wayne Nolte, 93 Stone Hill Road, Colts Neck. 7pm-10pm. Leave the White Elephant at home this year, just bring yourself and be yourself among friends. Sign up in Fellowship Hall to share either an appetizer or dessert. $7 covers drinks, paper products.

Christmas fun for Middle School Youth Youth grades 6-8 gather for the Drive Through the Christmas Story and a Christmas party with games and goodies! December 8, 4:30pm-8:30pm, meet at CNRC. Sign up in Fellowship Hall. Christin Outwin 732-682-9266 or Karen Nestorowicz 732-804-7013

Christmas Caroling Singing with the Seniors

Saturday, Dec. 15 Brandywine Reflections in

Colts Neck, 11:15am Wednesday, Dec. 19

Reformed Church Home Old Bridge, 10:30am

Dear Friends,

Change is challenging. Who doesn’t enjoy the status quo? Familiarity brings comfort; we like what we know and we know what we like. So why instigate change?

FOCUS ON FAITH HERE

Senior Youth Christmas Party at the Horans’, 28 Village Lane (grades 9-12) for good old fashioned fun, food, and fellowship. White Elephant grab bag $15 Saturday, Dec.15, 6-10pm. youth@cnrc.church

Elementary Youth Group Gingerbread Creations Gingerbread Houses with Kristine Schmocker. Friday, December 7, 7pm-9pm. Creativity, fun and fellowship as children grades 2-5 decorate their own to bring home and enjoy for the holiday season. RSVP as soon as possible so that supplies can be fully stocked. Please sign up in Fellowship Hall or contact Jeanne Sokol at 732-939-4425.

Feeling blue this Christmas season about someone or something? There will be a small tree with blue lights on the table in the church narthex on which you can hang prayer requests.

CNRC Nursery School Christmas Camp It’s the most wonderful (and busiest) time of the year! Take some time for yourself while your children enjoy this new event that brings kids together, ages 3 to 9 for Christmas crafts, decorating Christmas cookies, early fellowship experience and much more! Summer Camp Counselors will be on the team this winter to spend the day with your children from 10am - 2pm, Saturday, December 15. $20. To reserve space for your child, contact Stacey Savage, See MORE 732-462-4662 nurseryschool@cnrc.church

Faith

Sing & Ring Together Jubilation! Alumni

Christmas Eve 4pm Service Meet at 3:15 to rehearse

Celebration Alumni Dec. 30 11am Service

Meet at 10am to rehearse See HERE

COLTS NECK REFORMED CHURCH 732-462-4555 OFFICE@CNRC.CHURCH 139 ROUTE 537, PO BOX 57, COLTS NECK, NJ 07722 COLTSNECKREFORMED.ORG

REFORMED INFORMER DECEMBER 2018

Advent Devotions Advent is the time when we prepare to celebrate the birth of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. The name of this season is taken from the Latin word “adventus” and it means “coming”, for not only do we celebrate the birth of Jesus but we also receive the blessing of the coming of Jesus daily into our hearts, and we anticipate the second coming of Christ in his glory.

There are many ways that you can participate in this season of Advent. There are four Sundays in Advent (December 2, 9, 16, and 23). During these Sunday worship services we will have special Advent liturgies.

You can also sign up to receive Advent devotions from the Reformed Church in America in your email. Just head over to www.rca.org/adventdevos and sign up. If you’re already on the list from years past, the first devotion will show up in your inbox on the first Monday of Advent. (And if you have found them valuable in the past, considering telling a friend!)

At Home with the Word, a daily Bible reading schedule, also restarts with Advent. Check out lectionary readings for 2018-2019, broken down day by day: www.rca.org/athome

Please enjoy these devotions each day. They are a wonderful addition to your Christmas traditions.

By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.

– John 13:34-35 Your Daily Prayers are Needed... Please include the following members of our church family in your prayers this month. In addition to your prayers, they may really appreciate an occasional card, call or (if local) visit. If you are available to visit members of our church family and would like to be added to our rotating list of visitors, please contact Dianne O’Hara in the church office at cnrc.care@cnrc.church or 732-462-4555. This requires a commitment of one visit every 2 – 3 months. Kristin Howlett, daughter of Ken and Lonnie Howlett, ongoing health

concerns Daniel Kibler, son of Nancy and Robert Kibler, autoimmune diseases Noelle, a friend of the Horan family, dealing with depression Emma Sklair, health concerns Tim Slisky, son of Vera Santucci, ongoing medical concerns All residents of the Reformed Church Home including, Ruth Carmeli (mother

of Margaret Carmeli-Peslak), Marge Flock and Irene Kiefer.

Prayers and Condolences for... The family of Marianna Clowes who died on September 29, 2018. Marge Flock and family on the death of her brother, Horace Franz, who died

on October 13, 2018. Leny Banat and family on the death of her aunt, Ester, on October 27, 2018. Debi Jensen and family on the death of her aunt, Katherine Davis, on

October 28, 2018. Brenda McQuerrey and family on the death of her brother, Richard Bailey, on

October 29, 2018.

Congratulations and Blessings to... Danielle and Ben Mieczkowski on the birth of their daughter, Charlotte

Brielle, on September 28, 2018. Cheryl and Ben Caudill on the birth of their son, Wesley Alexander, on

October 11, 2018. Pete and Karyn Engelman of the birth of their grandson, Laine, on November

10, 2018. Proud parents are Kyle Engelman and Brian Westrick.

More About Congregational Care HERE Health and Wellness HERE

About our Worship Service The 9:15 &11am worship services contain the same sermon, hymns, prayers and music. The 9:15am service coordinates with church school educational opportunities for age 3 to grade 7 including a “gospel for children”. Professional nursery care for infants and toddlers is provided at both times; the worship services are simulcast in a “family room” where parents can bring small children to this more relaxed environment.

COLTS NECK REFORMED CHURCH 732-462-4555 OFFICE@CNRC.CHURCH 139 ROUTE 537, PO BOX 57, COLTS NECK, NJ 07722 COLTSNECKREFORMED.ORG

The Story of Love is passed on as church choirs of all ages gather to praise our Lord, singing From Generation to Generation during Worship, Sunday, Oct. 28.

With His guidance, look what we did!

ELECTION DAY EVENT 2018

EAT, PRAY, GIVE - MISSION JAMBOREE

Family friendly sharing of 30 CNRC missions. A celebration of good work enjoyed Sunday, Oct. 21. Learn MORE

REFORMED INFORMER DECEMBER 2018

Sunday, January 6, 2019

Epiphany We greet the new year

giving thanks to God our Creator at two worship

opportunities: 9:15am. and 11am. The two services are identical with the exception

of a “Gospel for Children” offered at 9:15. The

sacrament of communion will be celebrated. On this

Epiphany Sunday we lift up the story of the

Wise Men. The Sanctuary Choir sings.

WOMEN’S RETREAT Women’s Overnight

Retreat. Friday & Saturday Jan. 25-26 at The Chateau

Inn, Spring Lake One day on campus option:

Sunday, Jan. 27 12-5pm. Sign up in Fellowship Hall.

Important Info HERE

Next Month

This annual tradition brought us together where fellowship, teamwork and outreach met lunch, dinner and bazaar for a successful event of mission. All proceeds went to supporting those in need. Election Day pictures and MORE