The Voice of FRC - December 2024
The Newsletter of the Franklin Reformed Church
973-667-7022 Church Office
From the Pastor’s Desk
“When You did awesome deeds that we did not expect, You came down; the mountains quaked at Your presence. From ages past no one has heard, no ear has perceived, no eye has seen any God besides You, who works for those who wait for Him.” Isaiah 64.3-4
For those of you who know me, you will not be surprised that I have some feelings
about how our culture has “disposed” of Advent. And no, not just the culture, but many church congregations as well. I know congregations who have already decorated for the Christmas season, and yet Advent hasn’t even started. Others have modified their liturgical color for the season of Advent from purple to blue.
Historically Advent was considered a penitential season, like Lent. The
shift of colors moves the church from penitence to peace (the attribute associated with the color blue).
Penitence is an outward expression that demonstrates repentance. Think of the Roman
Catholic tradition of confession, after which the priest will subscribe some form of penance, generally in the form of reciting prayers. This spiritually pays in full the pledge, to turn away from sin through confession, that has been made.
By now I am pretty sure some of you may think that I have wandered off into the
liturgical weeds! But and there always is a “but” isn’t there? But I like the traditional purple
paraments and the idea that Advent is indeed a penitential season. A time for us to spiritually pay in full what we have done or left undone. It comes in many forms, and one is prayer of confession, which for us is a communal confession as opposed to an individual confession.
During the season of Advent this year we will share prayers of confession in worship as
we consider the virtues of Advent: hope, love, joy and peace. We hope for the return of Jesus and the full institution of God’s Kingdom; we seek to find the road that God has made between us and God; we commit to the call of John the Baptist to make ourselves ready through turning our lives around and the shalom that God has promised in a chaotic and problem drenched world.
Please do not think that I want to disregard the hope, love, joy and peace that you
might traditionally think of in terms of Christmas. The hope that the baby born has indeed already saved us, the love that God shows in sending His own Son into the world, the joy of the holy family at this amazing gift of new life, and the peace of a silent and holy night. Christmas has its own season, for twelve days, and we should certainly turn to these gifts on Christmas Eve.
Advent, however, is a time of waiting. Isaiah speaks to the people in exile and reminds
them that they need to experience a time of waiting until a full restoration can be accomplished. God’s response in Isaiah 65 is “Here am I, here am I!” If we wait on the Lord, God will be faithful. If we attend to our call to live as God’s people; if we wait in hope, live in love, rejoice in God’s promises and find a peace only God can give us, then when we approach the manger bed of Jesus will we find the true celebration of Christmas. One which fulfills our longings and abates our fears and reminds us of the true meaning of the seasons of both Advent and Christmas.
This and That
Sunday, December 1st is a busy “church day.” Discovering God will meet that day at
10am, and we will create Advent Calendars based on the Jesse Tree (the theme for the year is Trees in the Bible). Communion will be celebrated during worship, which is also the first Sunday of Advent. The Consistory will meet after worship.
Consistory will meet next on Sunday, December 1st. We will be addressing
several different “futures” as we continue to seek God’s guidance. We have prayed, studied Scripture, invited God’s presence to be with us and engaged in deep thinking together. Everyone who is part of our church family is invited and encouraged to submit a scenario, defined as an imagined or projected sequence of events, especially any of several detailed plans or possibilities, as to what you may have discerned that God might have in mind for the future of this community. To include them in continuing to unfold what God may be saying among us, please leave them at the church office or
submit them to frcnutley@optimum.net. We will continue to receive scenarios so that they can be presented to the Consistory at their January meeting.
Discovering God Leaders and Learners have selected the theme for 2024-2025: Trees in
the Biblical narrative. We will meet once in December, on the 1st. Jainie will be our leader as we create Advent calendars based on the Jesse Tree.
In January we will be learning about olive trees in the Bible. Diane M. will be our leader.
Join us! Discovering God meets on the 2nd, 3rd and 4th Sundays of each month at 10 am. We gather both in person and via ZOOM using the same link that is sent out for worship.
Consecration of Gifts was made on Sunday, November 24th. We gave thanks to God for the bounty that God has showered on us, and the generosity that many have made in response. We also blessed those who brought fresh fruits and vegetables for Marion House, as well as praying for the residents and staff there. Thanks also for Diane M. who delivered the produce to Marion House.
If you have not yet returned your Commitment Card for 2025, please send it to or drop
it off at the Church Office. Thank You!
Jeff G. is organizing our poinsettia display again this year. Those who have ordered in
the past will be contacted by Jeff during the first week of December. The cost this year is $16 per plant. Anyone who has not ordered a plant in the past and wishes to do so this year, please contact Jeff by December 10th.
Giving Tuesday is December 3rd. Let me make a pitch, if you are inclined to donate that day, for Camp Warwick and the Warwick Conference Center. If you need more information contact Pastor Jill.
The Town Holiday Tree Lighting will take place on Sunday, December 8th, 5:30 to
7:00pm on Franklin Avenue. After the event you may make your way to Vincent United Methodist Church for their Live Nativity.
Friends will gather on Saturday, December 14th at 9:30am, to decorate the Sanctuary
for Christmas. All are invited to come and lend a hand. The “crew” will go out for breakfast following.
Those who would like to be included in the Church Christmas Card, please be in touch
with Jeff Grieco. We are asking for a donation of $10. per family if possible. The deadline to be included is December 15th.
doorjam’s Advent and Christmas Concert will be on Sunday, December 15th, at 4:00pm. A Soup Supper will follow the concert. A list has been posted for those who are able to help this year. We need assistance in setting up, donating pots of soup or casseroles, breads, crackers, dessert items, and clean up. Also invite your friends and neighbors to attend; it is always a good way to celebrate the holiday season.
Christmas can be a difficult season for those who are grieving or struggling from
whatever life has brought. On Thursday, December 19th there will be a Christmas Solace Service at Holy Trinity Lutheran Church at 7:30pm. Pastor Jill and Pastor Nancy will lead the service. All are
invited to attend.
Candle lit Christmas Eve service will be held on Tuesday, December 24th, at 7:30 pm.
Please join us as we celebrate the birth of Jesus.
We are again participating in the “Gifts of Hope” ministry this year. Please make
donation checks to “Reformed Church in America” with the memo: “Gifts of Hope.” Deadline for participation is 12/29/2024. We will gather on 1/5/2025 to choose gifts that will be purchased based on the generosity of the “gifters.” This year some possibilities include health care, sewing machines, chickens, goats, and/or cows. Gail M has graciously agreed to spearhead this ministry this year. You can speak to her for more information. Checks can be given directly to Gail, dropped off at the
church office or in the offering basket, which are marked clearly for “Gifts of Hope.”
In September Jainie, Vicky, Linda R. and I attended a continuing education event
sponsored by Princeton Theological Seminary “The Future of Church Property.” By chance we learned that Jainie was quoted in the Baptist Standard’s article regarding the event (which we attended online). I would encourage you to read the article entitled “Church Leaders Urged to Re-imagine Future of Buildings.”
https://www.baptiststandard.com/news/nation/church-leaders-urged-to-reimagine-future-for-buildings/ or go to www.baptiststandard.com and search for the title of the article.
We want to assure folks that the new doors for the east side of the Community House have been ordered. When they arrive, our contractor will schedule a time to install them.
Generally, Communion occurs on the first Sunday of each month, unless otherwise
decided by the Consistory. If you are unable to attend services in person, the Pastor is available to bring Communion to your home. Please call the church office to make a request.
It takes a church! I am grateful to God for all those who have lent a hand, taken on a
task and shown their commitment to the ministry of our congregation over the last month:
• Bob and Doug S., who filled some potholes in the church parking lot.
• Gail M for taking on the Gifts of Hope program this year
• Church ladies who hosted a repast for the family of Janis Wolfe
• Robert W, Jim T, and Loretta who keep up after our buildings and cemetery
• Jainie and the church ladies who organized the “Church Family” Thanksgiving Dinner again this year.
• Jeff G. who helped AnnMarie with the All Saints candles, works with our Florist and
coordinates flowers for the Sanctuary on Sundays and Holidays.
At the September Consistory meeting some general decisions were made about
celebration events for the year 2025, the 170th Anniversary of the founding of this congregation. Currently we are planning a Quilt Show and Open House, a Sunday School Reunion in the summer months, with a picnic - Jeff reminded us that the Sunday School, established prior to the Church, will celebrate 200 years of learning in 2025, a “field trip” to the Van Bunschoten homestead in Sussex, NJ, an Anniversary Dinner, and doorjam’s Christmas Concert. If you are interested in helping to plan any of these events, and we do need your help, please be in touch with Pastor Jill or any member of
Consistory.
.As a reminder: with the exception of Elders meetings, all church gatherings are open to
every member of the Congregation, including Consistory meetings. If you are interested in attending any gathering that is announced, contact the church office for more information. Consistory minutes and financial reports are always available upon request.
We continue to collect items for the NFSB Food Pantry and the Care Closet (personal
care items, paper supplies and cleaning supplies). There is a basket in the entry way of the Cone Building (which is usually open) for your donations. We have all experienced the rising costs at the grocery store, so you know that the need is real. Remember in your abundance those who have
need.
Tuesday Morning Bible Study: We have begun studying Joshua. We have just started,
so please feel free to jump in and join us. Bible study is held via ZOOM, from 10 to 11:30 am. If you are interested in joining us, please send an email to frcnutley@optimum.net with Bible Study in the subject line, and you will be added to the invitation list.
The 2025 Flower Chart will be posted shortly. The flowers may be given for special
occasions, birthdays, anniversaries, in memory of a loved one, etc. The cost for each Sunday is $30. Jeff Grieco will be handling the orders. While blessing us with beauty on Sunday mornings, the flowers are given to a member or friend of the church after each worship service. They go with our prayers for those who receive them.
Well done good and faithful servants who over the years have supported the Purple
Dragon farm share for Marion House. Unfortunately, the program has stopped due to several factors. Thanks be to God for Diane M’s leadership in this ministry over the years, and for everyone who financially supported it. We will begin conversations as to how we might continue to support the residents at Marion House soon.
The RCA General Synod made decisions in 2022 regarding the annual assessments.
Each congregation is being assessed according to a percentage of their annual income, as opposed to the number of members that we record with the denomination. The Classis of Passaic Valley and the Regional Synod of the Mid-Atlantics have decided to do the same. We are grateful to those who have made their contribution towards the assessment amount in 2024. When we have the amount for 2025, we will let the Congregation know.
On the FRC website there is now a page called “Prayer Resources.” On this page you
will find a virtual prayer walk that went with our real-life Good Friday prayer walk. Other prayer resources will also be available and will continue to be added and changed.
From the Historian
Since learning from Pastor Gene Roberts a year ago that the desk in Pastor Jill's office
did come from the Pastor's Study in the Community House, I have come across more information to share with you.
The December 20, 1925, bulletin included this notice:
"The study in the Community House, now being used by Miss Teets as her office, has
been furnished by George A. Holl as a memorial to Rev. William Stuart, former Pastor of this church, and will be known, as 'The Rev, William Stuart Memorial Room.' (The original plaque is still on the door to what is now our Historical room). The desk which was the property of Edgar L. Dickerson and was given by Mrs. Dickerson will be known as 'The Edgar L. Dickerson Memorial Desk.' Members of the Church are cordially invited to inspect this attractive room. We are deeply appreciative to Mr. Hill for his continued thoughtfulness and generosity."
Miss Edith Teets, our missionary to Japan was granted a special leave early in 1925 to
return home to her ailing father in Hornell, New York. Miss Teets used the room on Sunday mornings in 1925-26, to teach and instruct young people who were interested in becoming Sunday School teachers. Until the opening of the Cone building in June of 1986, the room was the Study and office of Rev. Roosenraad, Leonard Jones, and Gene Roberts beginning in November 1927.
George A. Hill was an Elder, Sunday School Superintendent as well as a member of The Nutley Board of Education and its President from 1909-1911. Before leaving Franklin Reformed Church in September of 1927, upon learning of the sudden death of Mr. Hill, Rev. Harold W. Schenck wrote a lengthily "In Memoriam" notice in the September 4, 1927, bulletin.
Rev. Schenck recalled "how grateful I am now for his presence at the last Communion service, and his participation in the distribution of the elements, as an Elder in our great Consistory, to the congregation he loved so much." He also noted "participating as a good citizen in the support of many social and educational agencies, friend of little children and serving as an under-shepherd to lead the lambs of the flock to pastures of religious nurture; loving and kind as husband and father in his home life. - George Hill left a notable record in Nutley. His name will live on."
From the Hart
So, surgery. While it was not something I would wish to do over again any time soon, I
must say the experience wasn’t horrible. I had great doctors, caring nurses, and very little pain. My wounds are healing nicely, and my sister-in-law is staying with me until I am firmly back on my feet. The church ladies are making sure that I get to all my appointments on time and receive all the proper nourishment one can get in liquid form (the primary surgery was in my mouth). And I am told they have researched “Thanksgiving through a straw,” so Thursday’s big meal should prove interesting. I will have a lot to be thankful for on that day – as I have every day. And many of you
have reached out with cards, kind thoughts, and prayers (I don’t go anywhere until I know Shirley is praying for me}, and I am thankful for you too. May you all have a very happy Thanksgiving, and a blessed Advent season.
Till next month,
Lin
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