Pastor's Christmas Card

Every year, the arrival of Christmas cards at our house grows increasingly smaller—a direct reflection of the ever-growing cost of cards, and stamps, and nearly every other basic necessity. Once upon a time, the US Postal Service was the only means to send Christmas greetings to loved ones near and far. But with the advent of the technology age sending our Christmas greetings no longer requires a stamp, as this email newsletter clearly demonstrates. No longer must we rely solely on the Post Office to reach out to one another with our Christmas greetings.

The Christian faith is an amazing, transforming faith that has adapted itself to peoples and cultures throughout its 2,000 years of history. Once upon a time, Christians did not send cards to one another to celebrate Christ’s birth. In fact, in the First, Second, and Third Centuries, simply being a Christian was dangerous to one's well being. Hundreds of Christian martyrs died at the hands of Rome. That is, until the Fourth Century when the Roman Emperor Constantine declared Christianity the official religion of the Roman Empire. No longer would the faithful be forced to hide behind closed doors, and December 25th was officially declared the day of Christ’s birth. 

Although today we know that December 25 is not an accurate date for Jesus’ birth, (the precise date remains unknown,) it is far more likely that our celebration should be sometime in late September/early October. Yet, keeping the date of December 25th as the fulfillment of God’s promise to send us a Savior, and celebrating his arrival as an infant born in a manger correlated with God’s light shining brightly during the darkest days of the year, is a most appropriate Christian tradition.

Some things change… as they must and even as they should. Some things do not… like the reality of the Light of God breaking forth into our world of human sin an suffering, to set us free. While our traditions and celebrations change, the reality is, we who have been touched by the love of God in Jesus Christ still proclaim the freedom and power this story contains, and gratefully share our joy with one another by celebrating Christ’s birth on Christmas Eve.

Our world may change. Our traditions and celebrations may change. But one thing never changes… the abundant, sacrificial love of God that was born to us so long ago. 

A JOYFUL AND BLESSED CHRISTMAS TO YOU ALL!

With love,

Pastor Arlene and Ron Romaine

3rd Thursday Men's Dinner Club - TOMORROW!

WHAT: Thirsty 3rd Thursday Men's Dinner Club

WHEN: December 19th from 7 to around 9pm

WHERE: Seven Lakes Station, 80 Orange Tpke, Sloatsburg

HOW: Meet at Church at 6:30pm if you want to carpool. Recommended - parking is limited

WHY: To share some laughs, good food, stories, reminisce, and spend time with friends

RSVP: To Bill Reilley at billr89@optonline.net or text to 973-255-6334 so that we can make reservations (or to answer any questions)

This is a monthly gathering that is celebrated on the 3rd Thursday each month. If you can't make this one, you can still request to be put on the list to get a reminder next month. Cheers!

Sanctuary Renovations

Immediately after worship on December 15, Neil McDonald and Heath Fudge spent the afternoon removing the old, worn, red carpet from the risers in the sanctuary, in preparation for improvements designed to make the most of our worship space and increase the potential for growing our church’s music ministry.

As our church’s Music Director and Director of the Skyland Music Academy—a free music program for community children—Neil has expressed the need for modifications to the risers in order to meet this growing ministry’s needs. After meeting with the Session who approved the use of Memorial Funds for the project, our worship space is being transformed in time for Christmas!

NexTrex Recycling Program Update

A few years back, Owen Schouten, one of our boy scouts, began the NexTrex Recycling Program at CPC, creating a receptacle designed to collect plastic bags, bubble wrap, and other forms of plastic wrap that would otherwise go into the regular trash, and add to our world's plastic pollution problem. This program has been a HUGE success! So successful that the original bins are simply worn out, and can no longer handle the amount of plastic we receive!

How does the NexTrex program work? The plastic left inside our bin is collected and turned into earth-friendly composite Trex-brand decking. As part of the program, non-profit organizations can also keep track of how much plastic is collected, and receive a free Trex composite bench after collecting 1,000 lbs. of plastic. 

Currently, CPC is partnering with Robin Canetti from the Bloomingdale Animal.Shelter Society, who aids in collecting the plastic, keeps a record of how much is being collected, and helps deliver it to our local drop off at Stop & Shop in Haskell. Together, we are earning a much-needed bench for B.A.S.S. and actively partnering with others in our community to make our world a better and cleaner place! 

The new collection container can be found at the side entrance of our building, along with more details about what gets recycled, inside the bin. THANK YOU to Chip Cronauer for putting the new bin together and for ensuring this important ministry continues. If you'd like to help with the collection and drop off, contact the church office..

SMA Christmas Concert

The Skylands Music Academy concert was presented to an enthusiastic audience in a packed sanctuary. If you missed it, here are a few photos of a very happy and successful occasion!

Preaching God's Word in the World Read more