Dear CCGR Family,
Sunday morning Worship Service continue to be live-streamed at 10:00 a.m. https://
Please note:
We are planning to return to in-person services after nearly 14 months without. May 2nd, 9th, 16th, & 23rd will be live streamed only. On May 30th we will hold a 10:00 am social distanced outdoor service on the east side lawn of the church.
Then, barring any further outbreaks, the church will be holding in-person worship services in the sanctuary once again, beginning Sunday, June 6th at 10:00 am. We still intend, though, to adhere to all CDC recommendations. Precautionary measures such as social distancing, masks, no hymn singing, and open windows will all be followed.
We realize that many of you have been vaccinated at this point. Services will continue, though, to be live streamed for those unable to attend in person.
As always, thank you to Boyd Lowry for his dedication to CCGR and technical expertise, enabling us to view our weekly services from home, and to Janet Montroy for providing us with her wonderful music, and bringing such talented vocalists and musicians to our church services.
To reflect on recent Sunday messages Pastor Terry shared with us, please take a look at the below summaries.
Sunday, May 2nd Service
Sermon: “You’re Still The One” – Pastor Terry
Music Director, Janet Montroy
Prelude: “In Thee is Gladness” – Dale Wood
Piano Solo: “Come, Thou Fount of Every Blessing” – Mary McDonald, Janet Montroy
Gospel Reading: John 17: 20-26, Nancy Walters
Piano Solo: “Spirit of God, Descent Upon My Heart” – Mark Hayes, Janet Montroy
Postlude: “March” – Henry Purcell
In his May 2nd Sermon – “You’re Still The One” (based on Scripture Reading John 17:20-26), Pastor Terry shared how — including him at earlier stages in his life prior to entering the ministry — prayer continues to be of an after-thought for many. It seems to create ‘vulnerability’ in some people. In our society, they think it is a sign of weakness or neediness and, therefore, avoid it altogether. But in ministry, Pastor Terry shared that this is not what he has found to be; people are willing to share their concerns and uncertainties, and welcome prayer. Ministry, as a result, has strengthened his prayer life.
Jesus, in His final discussion with His disciples, stressed how important prayer is — for them, as well as for all future believers. He shared that prayer is for anyone who believes. Jesus prays for us that, as believers, we are invited to receive the ‘gift of prayer’.
Prayer requires no certain pattern to follow. It can be in solitude, with others, anyplace, or any time of day or night. It is a conversation with God, stemming from one’s own heart. God is there always for each of us. He always listens and hears us and will answer when He feels it’s the right time. His desire is for all believers to be ‘one’ – that ALL the world would come to know Him. Being ‘one’ means ‘unity’ in our ‘diversity’ — that each and every one of us has the opportunity to know Him and His Love. And through knowing Him, His desire is for ALL to share with Him.
As we develop our relationship with God, we also build our relationship with others. Prayer is the key to building these relationships. It guides us and strengthens us. We are reminded from this message with a beautiful act of love it is to pray for one another. And, our love for each other reflects our love for God.
As believers in our church family, we are ‘united’ in prayer, and how blessed are we to have this gift of ‘oneness’ to share. As diverse as we each are, we have the gift of ‘unity’ in our ‘diversity’. Praying for one another in our church family and extended family is an ‘act of Love’ that Jesus has passed down to us, binding us all together.
Sunday, May 9th Servic
Sermon: “Feminine Wisdom In The World” – Pastor Terry
Music Director, Janet Montroy
Prelude: “Love Divine, All Loves Excelling” – Wilbur Held
Solo: “Home” – Heather Sorenson, Beth Valenti – Mezzo Soprano
Gospel Reading: Proverbs 31: 10-12 & 25-31, Chris Montgomery
Solo: “We Shall See Jesus” – Diane Wilkinson, Beth Valenti
Postlude: “Ye Servants of God” – Robert Hobby
In his Mother’s Day sermon, Pastor Terry spotlights the seven traits of a motherly woman of God, drawing from Proverbs 31: 10-12 & 25-31.
He reminds us that Proverbs is part of the wisdom literature of the Bible that is concerned with the realities of the human experience and how it relates to God.
In the passage, which brings the Book of Proverbs to a close, the focus is on wisdom in the form of a feminine figure, which is seen as a source of order and success in life. Here we are shown the many gifts of a motherly follower of Christ. Nowhere in the Bible, says pastor Terry, are these gifts more clearly and thoroughly outlined than in this text.
Summarizing the traits, Pastor Terry says this woman of God possesses moral excellence, integrity and character; is trustworthy and faithful; is diligent, energetic and hardworking—managing her household well; and is one who demonstrates compassion toward others, especially those in need. She is also productive and successful—taking the initiative to get things done; instructive, wise and strong; and mentally, physically and spiritually engaged—instructing her family regularly in faith.
The woman we encounter in the passage is not a woman of perfection, Pastor Terry points out, noting that a woman who possesses any of the qualities and seeks to attain more should be praised. He also asks us to keep in mind that all of the traits would be of benefit to not only women but to all who believe.
What is the key to unlocking these traits? Pastor Terry reminds us that if we absorb God’s words, call on God in prayer and seek God passionately, God will give us the reward we have earned.
“Praying for people not only has impact on their life since you are helping usher in the hand of God when it corresponds to His will, but praying for others also changes your heart towards that person. So, we should always pray for each other, because prayer creates unity,” and we are comforted to know others are praying for them.
Remember, the Holy Spirit intercedes for us and God knows your heart even if you can’t find the words to pray.
Please continue to pray for all of our church members and families. We each are faced with challenging issues — some because of loss and grief, some for health issues, family conflict, loneliness, or some other type of situation.
Special prayer requests continue for: the Mapes/Lange/Glass family; the Sinkway/Emery family; the Strickland family;
Anne Allen, Debbie Azzarone, Doris Adler, Kim Briggs, Trudy Carhart, Beryl Ferrari,
Jean Franklin, Bob Freudenrich, Donna Nihen, and Janice Roed.
Private Prayer ChainFor those more ‘private’ prayer requests, it gives us comfort knowing our church has a small group ‘CCGR Prayer Chain’. We share prayer needs in confidence on a regular basis those prayers shared with us that you would like to be kept private. If you have a need for prayer that you feel you would like us to share confidentially amongst the small group Prayer Chain, please email requests to:
Candy Hall – candy.hallccgr@gmail.com
Donna Nihen – blackvelvet1299@aol.com
and Pastor Terry – pastor@communitychurchgr.com
God Bless,~Donna & Bob
for Connie Sinkway – Saturday, May 22nd
A worship service to celebrate the life of Connie Sinkway will be held in the sanctuary on Saturday May 22, 2021 at 2 PM with festive prelude music beginning at 1:45 PM. Connie’s faith and commitment to Community church was strong and her friends and her church family sustained her. We are grateful to you all for caring for us over the last few years and welcome you to join us in the sanctuary. Our family recognizes the need to be cautious about indoor gatherings and strict protocols will be followed; limited and spaced seating, masks, hand sanitizing, and if you are not in good health, the choice to join us from your home. The service will be live streamed and/or recorded and those links will be available on the church website or Facebook page. We look forward to honoring our mom’s life with all of you.
With gratitude and friendship from Connie’s family:
Dave and his wife Gabrielle and their children Lily and Adam.Robin and her daughter Meg, son Zach and his wife Katie and their children Parker and Avery.
Jody, along with Diane and her husband Don and their children Garret and Trevor.
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Vision Planning Update! We want to hear from you!
Members of the Vision Planning Committee thank those who have shared their ideas about the church and our community through Zoom.
We will be reaching out to everyone because we really want to know what you think. We hope that when you are contacted, you will be able to find the time to take part. After all, it is Your Church. Now more than ever, your input will be helpful in shaping the future!
Your friends, the Vision Planning Committee: Pastor Terry, Lynn Meyers, Boyd Lowry, Fran Milde, Reggie Aber, Kyle Breitweiser and Candy Hall
Our next book selection is “Caste: The Origins of our Discontents”, by Isabel Wilkerson
We will be meeting on Friday, May 21, at 7:00 p.m.
All Welcome!
MAY BIRTHDAYS1 – Cheryl Wardrop
4 – Matthew Bieszard
14 – Jodi Stewart
19 – Jack Fogarty
Ageless Grace Continues at 9am on Wednesday morning
Come to Fellowship Hall or via Zoom –
Join Sara Lowry for our weekly Ageless Grace class- a brain health fitness program. The zoom link is sent to all members prior to Wednesday.
Religious Communities of Glen Rock
Religious Communities of Glen Rock is continuing their weekly messages of hope, unity and healing each week on facebook.com/
For other news around town:
Don’t forget to check glenrocknj.net and glenrocklibrary.org for additional community news and updates
And finally, please remember to support Community Church – your church:
You can donate on our website: https://