NBRC Service 09/28/2008 – Secular Sam and Charlie Church

Podcast: Play in new window | Download

In the audio podcast of this service, the Scripture reading begins at 24 minutes 30 seconds and the Sermon begins at 25 minutes 50 seconds.

Scripture: Matthew 21:28-32
Sermon: Secular Sam and Charlie Church

Which son did the will of his father? To Americans that seems like an easy answer. Well of course, the son who rebelled at first but eventually satisfied his father’s request by going into the vineyard. It’s clear to us because American culture values two things: honest rebellion and pragmatic action. Clear cut, hands down, Son #1 wins.

But in first century Jewish culture which son did his father’s will was a tougher question. I imagine that Jesus’ listeners might have hemmed and hawed, shifted their weight balancing the pros and cons, whispered to each other: how do we get around this one because he may be comparing his followers to Son #1 and us Jewish leaders to Son #2? We may see evidence for this in the footnote: Did these other manuscripts just get copied down wrong, or was there a debate about what Jesus really said? There could have been a debate because, on the one hand, it was an insult to a Jewish father/Heavenly Father to tell him no; on the other hand, it was a shame to yes dad and God and then not follow through. The real question Jesus posed was which son did the lesser of the two evils?
Read more

NBRC Service 09/21/2008 – Happy 9th Anniversary!

Podcast: Play in new window | Download

In the audio podcast of this service, the Scripture reading begins at 23 minutes 30 seconds and the Sermon begins at 26 minutes 00 seconds.

Scripture: Matthew 20:1-16

Sermon: Happy 9th Anniversary!

Happy 9th anniversary! As most of you know, every year on the 3rd Sunday in September I sit on this stool to symbolize a more intimate setting and reminisce about the past and vision cast about the future—just like you might do at your anniversary dinner!

How blessed I am that this is our 9th time doing this! The average youth pastorate lasts 1.8 years. The average associate pastor lasts 2.8 years. (Those averages either give Mark until June of `09 or June of `10, but since Mark is above average we’ll expect to enjoy him much longer!) And the average senior pastor lasts 7.8 years. So even though 9 years has a way of exposing warts and weaknesses, God is giving us the deep grace to grow together in love and service to Christ. I feel blessed in the sense that Eugene Peterson translates the beatitudes, not with Blessed are…, but with How lucky are…

Thinking of that I feel a little like Lou Gehrig on his last day in a Yankee uniform. I don’t mean to be melodramatic, and this 10th year feels in many ways early in our relationship, not the end, but Lou expresses my feelings on one level…

I am pretty lucky, too. So I ask: How do we experience our luckiness more deeply?
Read more

NBRC Service 09/14/2008 – How Are We To Live Together

Podcast: Play in new window | Download

In the audio podcast of this service, the Scripture reading begins at 26 minutes 05 seconds and the Sermon begins at 28 minutes 45 seconds.

Scripture: Romans 14:1-12

Sermon: How Are We To Live Together
Adiaphora

You are watching the Queen of Daytime television, Oprah. (Just included all the women in my audience and excluded all of the men—guys hang with me.) Oprah’s guests are praising their workplace affairs. This guy and gal were boss and secretary; these two shared a cubicle, and eventually a pillow. As the audience keeps applauding their sexual adventures, a lady with a pearl necklace stands up. Oh no, you say, the church lady! Here it comes. Sure enough she stands up to say, But the 7th commandment says, thou shalt not commit adultery. The crowd jeers. Oprah replies, While I appreciate your spirituality you should not impose your values. After all in that same Bible Jesus said, Judge not that you be not judged. The crowd claps. Case closed. The church looks narrow-minded again.
Are we never to judge? And, if we are to judge, then when?
Read more

Are you losing faith in today's economy?

Are you losing faith in today’s economy? Come learn about the strategies and character that are necessary to succeed in these financial times. Financial consultant Rick Fontana joins his expertise with Pastor Todd Buurstra to address topics like Key Strategies in a Volatile Market, along with topics that you request. All topics will be addressed from both a financial and spiritual perspective.

Both Rick and Todd have a strong interest in helping the community in these difficult financial times. Rick wears many community hats including those of freeholder, 4H member, Elks member, and advisory member to the County Family Health and Services Board. Todd is a board member of the Community Visiting Nurses Association, an on call chaplain at Somerset Medical Center, and a member of the Somerville Area Ministerial Association.

These bi-weekly seminars will take place from 7:00-9:00 PM on:

• Wednesday October 15
• Wednesday October 29
• Wednesday November 12

Location:
North Branch Reformed Church
203 Route 28, Bridgewater, NJ 08807
(908) 725-2313
http://www.NBRC.com

No need to register; all are welcome.

NBRC Preschool: First PTO Meeting Sept 15 at 7pm

The first PTO Meeting will be held on Monday, September 15th at 7:00PM

Bridgewater Health Officer, Peter Leung, will speak on National Preparedness Month and Pandemic Influenza for the first 30-minutes.

The meeting with then be led by PTO Chairperson, Jennifer Russo, and will offer parents a variety of ways to become more involved in our Preschool. We hope to see you there!

NBRC Service 09/7/2008 – How are we to live?

Podcast: Play in new window | Download

In the audio podcast of this service, the Scripture reading begins at 17 minutes 10 seconds and the Sermon begins at 18 minutes 30 seconds.

Scripture: Romans 13:8-14

Sermon: How are we to live? Love one another.

Audio Recording:
Learn how you can listen to the audio files streamed over the Internet, download files to your computer or download files to your portable media player. Visit our Podcast page for details.