Preparing for Retirement Class – Wed 10/30 at 7pm

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.

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.

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

7:00-9:00 PM

No need to register; all are welcome.

NBRC Service 10/26/2008 – The Integrated Life

Podcast: Play in new window | Download

In the audio podcast of this Sunday service, the Scripture reading begins at 18:40sec and the Sermon begins at 20:00sec.

Scripture: Matthew 22:34-40

Sermon: “The Integrated Life”

The integrated life. Ahh. An integrated life is like a finely tuned machine—everything working in rhythm. Remember the last new car you’ve driven? I am thinking about when we bought our Corolla new two years ago. The engine ran quiet—maybe like a centered heart. The brakes were responsive like a good conscience. The acceleration was smooth like a healthy pace of life. It handled the curves perfectly like a flexible mindset. It went so far on a tank of gas like smart financial plan. The integrated life.

Then I had an accident with the van. Suddenly the vehicle seemed to be falling apart. At first, I noticed a fender hanging slightly, so I thought Whew! Got away with minor damage. Only to find some days later smoke pouring out of my engine. Turns out I had a hole in the radiator leaking antifreeze. So I towed it in to get that fixed. After haggling with the insurance company and dealership over the repaired radiator, come to find out that the heat no longer worked. That was the water pump for which they had to remove much of the engine again to fix. Let this symbolize the un-integrated life. The blown radiator may symbolize angry attitudes. The broken pump might be like broken family relationships. The fender might be like spending habits weighing down with debt.
What is the key to an integrated life? Read more

Join us Friday 11/14 to help raise money for NBRC Preschool’s Playground Fund

Vendor Night and Bake Sale
Friday, November 14, 2008
5:00-8:00pm

Over 20 vendors will be in our Fellowship Hall and first floor classrooms for our FIRST ANNUAL VENDOR NIGHT and BAKE SALE.

Download Vendor Night flier (PDF)

Would you help us?

Please help by baking some “home baked” yummy peanut and tree nut free treats to sell at Vendor Night.

Pies, loaves of bread, and cakes may be wrapped whole. Cookies may be grouped into ½ dozen per bag and brownies and cupcakes may be wrapped individually.

Please drop off all baked goods to the Preschool’s kitchen no later than Friday, 11/14 at 5:00pm.

If you have any questions, please contact Paula Wein at 732-302-9144 or Christine Levesque at 732-537-9175.

Download the bake sale flier (PDF)

NBRC Service 10/19/2008 – The Money Trap

Podcast: Play in new window | Download

In the audio podcast of this Sunday service, the Scripture reading begins at 24:30sec and the Sermon begins at 25:55sec.

Scripture: Matthew 22:15-22

Sermon: “The Money Trap”

It scares me to think this way, but there is an enemy of your souls that wants to trap you with a good thing: money. That enemy used taxes and religious taxes to trap Jesus.

The Herodians and Pharisees had only one thing in common: they hated Jesus, so they set a trap. The Herodians who benefited from Rome’s support said, We want Jesus to tell his followers to pay their taxes. The Pharisees who opposed Rome’s occupation said, We want Jesus to tell the people to not pay Roman taxes but the temple tax to God. So the trap pitted Caesar vs. God. If Jesus chose Caesar the Pharisees could run negative cam-paign ads against him accusing idolatry because they thought only God was to rule the Jews; if Jesus chose God then Rome could arrest him. Master, is it lawful to pay taxes to Caesar? The people perked up their ears because their furrowed brows worried how to pay up to 42% in taxes?!—21% temple tax and up to 21% Roman taxes! Seeing the trap Jesus asked, Show me a coin… Give to Caesar what is Caesar’s and to God what is God’s. Whoa?! Jesus avoided the trap by declaring us citizens of heaven and earth.

But as citizens of Caesar’s and God’s realms how do we avoid the trap of financial fears?! Read more

Young Pioneers and Church School Mission Outreach

Operation Christmas Child brings joy and hope to children in desperate situations around the world through gift-filled shoe boxes and the Good News of God’s love.

This program of Samaritan’s Purse provides an opportunity for people of all ages to be involved in a simple, hands-on missions project while focusing on the true meaning of Christmas–Jesus Christ.

Please help us. We need:

• Shoe boxes
• Gifts
• $7 donations per box

Donations must be received by Sunday, November 3, 2008. A donation box can be found in Fellowship Hall.

Gift Ideas:

• Toys — Small cars, balls, dolls, stuffed animals, kazoos, harmonicas, yo-yos, jump ropes, small Etch A Sketch®, toys that light up or make noise (with extra batteries), Slinky®, etc.
• School Supplies — Pens, pencils and sharpener, crayons or markers, stamps and ink pad sets, writing pads or paper, solar powered calculators, coloring and picture books, etc.
• Hygiene Items — Toothbrush, toothpaste, mild bar soap (in a plastic bag), comb, washcloth, etc.
• Other — Hard candy and lollipops (please double bag all candy), mints, gum, T-shirts, socks, ball caps, sunglasses, hair clips, toy jewelry, watches, flashlights (with extra batteries).
• A Personal Note — In a separate envelope, you may enclose a note to the child and a photo of yourself or your family. (If you include your name and address, the child may write back.)
• Do Not Include — Used or damaged items; war-related items such as toy guns, knives or military figures; chocolate or food; liquids or lotions; medications or vitamins; breakable items such as snow globes or glass containers; aerosol cans.

Examples of how to pack a shoe box can be found at www.operationchristmaschild.org.

Thank you!

INH 15th Anniversary Dinner

Celebrate Interfaith Hospitality Network’s (IHN) 15th Anniversary in Somerset County. A dinner banquet will be held at St. James RC Church on Finley Ave in Basking Ridge.

Special guest speakers, musical entertainment and a silent auction will accompany dinner.

Date: Saturday, 10/25/2008 at 6:30pm

Tickets: Adults $50/person, Children 12 and under $25/person
($20 tax deduction per adult ticket)

More details or call (908) 704-1920.

About IHN:
Interfaith Hospitality Network of Somerset County (IHN-SC) is a homeless shelter and assistance agency for homeless families and single women in the county. IHN-SC provides shelter, meals, and emotional support to homeless families and single women through volunteers at various religious congregational facilities. All volunteers are trained to provide basic services in a supportive and respectful way to stress human dignity and empowerment.

Organ Dedication Recital and Reception

Ms. Diane Bish, renowned organ virtuoso and host of The Joy of Music television series, will play a solo recital on our new Diane Bish Signature Series Organ by Allen Organ Co. A reception will follow in Fellowship Hall.

Date: Friday, 11/7, at 7:30pm at NBRC

Tickets: $10.00. Seating is limited

More info: Contact Pat and John Harmer (908) 526-0191.

NBRC Service 10/12/2008 – Lawrence House Mission

Podcast: Play in new window | Download

In the audio podcast of this service, the Scripture reading begins at 28:00 and the Sermon begins at 29:55.

Scripture: Matthew 25:31-40

Sermon: “Lawrence House Mission”

God has richly blessed NBRC with this early 1800’s farm house to be readied for it’s new use. Elder Scott Pontier explains the mission for The Center for Life Transitions.

Audio Recordings:
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 complete details.

Halloween Party Sunday 10/19

North Branch Firehouse will be the venue for the second annual Halloween Happening on Sunday October 19th from 6:30-8:30 PM. The event is sponsored by the North Branch Reformed Church.

Music, games, and pumpkin carving will be part of the evening’s entertainment, and beverages will be provided. Attendees are asked to bring a desert to share and a pumpkin to carve along with carving supplies.

People of all ages are welcome to attend the Halloween party, and costumes are optional. No sign up is necessary, and there is an optional donation of $2 per person.

The North Branch Firehouse is located near Raritan Valley Community College on Route 28 in North Branch. For more information contact the church at 908.725.2313.

Join us on Friday 10/24 to help raise money for NBRC Preschool’s Playground

Help us raise money for NBRC Preschool’s Playground Fund. Please join us:

Friday, October 24th

5:00 to 8:00 pm

3322 Rt. 22 West, Branchburg Commons Building 12

Kid Junction is donating 50% of all proceeds to the preschool!

$14 entrance fee includes play, tokens and dinner.

Adults are free, but can eat for $5.

For more info about Kid Junction call (908) 252-0055.

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