Dear CCGR Family,
First, thank you once again to Boyd Lowry for his technology talents, enabling our church to have these virtual services — keeping us closely connected. I know I speak for all of us who have had the opportunity to view these services weekly.
It’s so worth rewatching Pastor Terry’s inspiring sermon from last Sunday, May 24th, based on the scripture of John 17: 6-19 beautifully read by Nancy Croland. https://www.youtube.
It reassures us that no matter what threatening opposition we are faced with in this world (i.e., violence, evil forces, habitual wrong behaviors), we — as Christians having a personal relationship with God — are assured of spiritual protection.
Our country — our world — has been broken more than ever; we have been threatened by this COVID-19 war — living opposite from how God wants us to live — in isolation, apart from each other. His desire wasn’t/isn’t for us to be apart. Jesus wanted all his disciples to be together ‘in harmony’, just as God wants us all (of all His world) to be in harmony, as well, and come to know Him. As the lives of Jesus’ disciples revealed His character, we are encouraged to be together as Christians, and to share with others, just as they did.
Through our faith and trust in God — through our sanctification — we can be assured He will bring us through and out of this unfamiliar threatening dilemma we have been faced with, despite the ongoing opposition that entices us daily. God is here to protect us from this opposition, but we are to continue sharing God’s Love with others who need to know about it. We, as Christians, are to live in this world, and not of this world. And, God has given us the qualities we need to do this — the qualities of mind, heart, and character.
If we continue to stay focused on God’s Word, it can do nothing but give us hope and reassurance. No, we are not assured that we will live without problems; but having a ‘life in Christ’ provides us the avenue to help us get through our problems. And as Pastor Terry said, “Jesus did not pray that we should be taken out of the world — but rather we should be able to overcome the restrictions we face and find victory. If we follow Jesus, we are in His hands, and in the protection of Him and His Father.”
In this day’s worship, we are gifted with Jeanne Jones O’Brien’s beautiful solo of Laura Story’s ‘Blessings’. Words of this song (see below) are so perfect for all of us — what we are going through now and what we each go through during trials of our life. With reference to the ‘life trial’ pandemic we are all now going through, could it possibly be a ‘mercy in disguise’, as the song refers to? Hard as it may be to believe, and to even try to accept, sometimes we have to wonder if God is speaking to us through our trials. He wants us to grow closer to Him.
What beautiful organ and piano music by Janet Montroy, as always. Her ‘Joyful, Joyful We Adore Thee’ and ‘America’ were wonderful. Just love watching Janet play the keys of the organ; what a gift she has, knowing how to play these two beautiful instruments, and what a gift it is to hear her play!
“BLESSINGS”
We pray for blessings, we pray for peace
Comfort for family, protection while we sleep
We pray for healing, for prosperity
We pray for Your mighty hand to ease our suffering
And all the while, You hear each spoken need
Yet love us way too much to give us lesser things
Comfort for family, protection while we sleep
We pray for healing, for prosperity
We pray for Your mighty hand to ease our suffering
And all the while, You hear each spoken need
Yet love us way too much to give us lesser things
‘Cause what if Your blessings come through raindrops
What if Your healing comes through tears
What if a thousand sleepless nights are what it takes to know You’re near
What if trials of this life are Your mercies in disguise
We pray for wisdom, Your voice to hear
We cry in anger when we cannot feel You near
We doubt Your goodness, we doubt Your love
As if every promise from Your word is not enough
And all the while, You hear each desperate plea
And long that we’d have faith to believe
‘Cause what if Your blessings come through raindrops
What if Your healing comes through tears
What if a thousand sleepless nights are what it takes to know You’re near
What if trials of this life are Your mercies in disguise
When friends betray us
When darkness seems to win
We know the pain reminds this heart
That this is not
This is not our home
It’s not our home
‘Cause what if Your blessings come through raindrops
What if Your healing comes through tears
And what if a thousand sleepless nights are what it takes to know You’re near
What if my greatest disappointments or the aching of this life
Is the revealing of a greater thirst this world can’t satisfy
And what if trials of this life-
The rain, the storms, the hardest nights
Are Your mercies in disguise
“Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance.
Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything.” (James 1:2-4)
“And not only this, but we also exult in our tribulations, knowing that tribulation brings about perseverance; and perseverance, proven character; and proven character, hope; and hope does not disappoint, because the love of God has been poured out within our hearts through the Holy Spirit who was given to us.”
(Romans 5:3-5)
As we continue to remain in our homes during this pandemic, we ask that you continue to keep each other in prayer.
Please continue to keep the Sinkway/Emery family in your prayers. We continue to pray for healing and patience for Connie. She is home, trying to gain strength after her hospital stay, facing each day with determination despite the challenges she deals with, especially from the fractured vertebrae from her recent fall. In addition, it is with sadness we share that Connie’s brother-in-law (& Bob’s brother) Jack Sinkway, passed away early this past week after a long illness. Although Jack wasn’t a member of CCGR, he was well known in our community; many knew him as he was co-owner (with Bob) of Sinkway Plumbing. Robin asked me to share his obituary, especially during this time when a date, if any, of a memorial in celebration of his life is yet to be determined.
Jack Sinkway of Glen Rock, New Jersey
May 7, 1937 – May 24, 2020
Sinkway, Jon G. (Jack), 83, of Glen Rock passed on May 24, 2020. Jon was pre-deceased by his partner Sheilia Lenga and his brother Robert Sinkway. He is survived by his sister- in- law Constance Sinkway, a nephew David Sinkway and nieces Robin Emery, Jody Sinkway, and Diane Stenberg. A graduate of Duke University class of 1959, Jon was co-owner of Sinkway Bros. Plumbing and Heating until his retirement in 2013. His later years included volunteer services with Community Meals and the Valley Hospital. Jack and Sheilia enjoyed their passion for jazz music as active members of the New Jersey Jazz Society and were seasoned travelers. Jack was a trustworthy, generous, meticulous man with a dry wit who was kind and polite to everyone and loved his family and friends. The family is so grateful to Shorena for the care and friendship given to Jack over the last six months of his life. Cremation will be private. A celebration of his life will be held at a later date. Memorial donations in his memory may be made to Valley Hospital or a favorite charity
Additionally, please continue to pray for our church members, families, and those close to us who have shared a special part of our lives — the Allen Family; the Bird-Bennett Family; Jeanne Franklin; the Janssen Family; the Gilligan Family (The family continues to request that no phone calls be made at the present time to Terry G. at her home; however, sending notes and cards are appreciated); the Zucchino Family; & the Ruth Rankin Leaper Family; for Beryl Ferrari; for Bob & Doris Van Ostenbridge & for Rev. Jerry Wright and his family on the passing of his wife, Kay, approximately one month ago.
At this time also, we ask our church family to keep our upcoming middle school, high school and college graduates in prayer. Typically, this is a time of mixed emotions, but more than ever this year as we are faced with social isolation restrictions due to COVID-19, we realize the disappointment of not being able to experience the same level of celebration as others have in the past. We hold all our graduates in our hearts in prayer.
Confidential prayer requests that you would like the small group Prayer Chain to pray for may be emailed to Candy Hall at candy.hallccgr@gmail.com
Again, please try to remember Pastor Terry’s “5 at 5” prayer suggestion — to stop what we are doing at 5:00 p.m., step outside on your porch if we are able to, and take 5 minutes to pray. And if you have children, encourage them to pray also, by writing or drawing prayers of their own, or have them use chalk to write a blessing or a special message on your sidewalk or driveway for those walking by to see.
Church School News (Reminder) ~~
With Pentecost Sunday approaching, Candy Hall has shared some activities with the Sunday school children for them to engage in at home. We all might enjoy, and benefit, from these activities, so please see attachment.
Also….you may continue with the following, if you choose:
– Sending ‘thank you’s’ to anyone who they can think of that have been of essential help (including healthcare workers) to you/them/or someone they know, during this challenging time.
– Donating shelf-stable foods to Community Meals (which is based at CCGR). Drop-off collection site is 385 Bedford Road, Ridgewood, NJ. Community Meals (Inc.) is collecting shelf stable food items for the elderly, homebound, etc. to have on hand in the event CMI is forced to cancel a meal delivery during this time. CMI staff will use these foods to compile emergency bags of food and deliver to their clients who are homebound and most in need.
Please reach out to Candy (candy.hallccgr@gmail.com) regarding more details on Church School News.
Please continue to show your support to CCGR —
Though we cannot be together in person, we continue to be together spiritually as we face this health crisis together. We are gifted with our weekly virtual services and continue to pray for each other. If you’re able during this unprecendented time, please remember supporting Community Church in your time of giving.
~God Bless,
Donna