FOR YOUR ATTENTION....
Reminder: As announced last month, the Congregator goes digital this month as part of our cost saving efforts. Limited hard copies are available in the Narthex on the first Sunday of the month. Also you can find it on this website. Just click below or on Church news on the top. In addition, hard copies can be mailed on an individual basis by calling the church office at 201-261-1712. You are invited to leave a voice mail with your request and address.
And...you can now find us on Instagram! It's another way to stay in the know, learn more our church and get inspired! Sign up today!
Scroll down for details
Coming Up In May -- Get Involved...Serve Others.. Have Fun...Discover All That We Are Doing !!
FCCRE's Instagram is up and running! -- Kimberly Grippo has joined the Webmaster team and she has hit the ground running! Her efforts to launch Instagram in our social media "tool kit" is yet another way we can keep members in the know and increase our exposure to the community! Bravo!
Family Promise Hike for Hope -- May 3 -- Last chance to join the Pilgrim Flyers on their 3 mile walk for a good cause. Or, if you can't participate, you can do your part my making a donation to the team!
Annual Rummage Sale Prep and Event - May 16, 9AM-2PM - Start bringing your donations now, help with set up, work the sale! And spread the word to friends and neighbors! Help us set a new record -- profits go to support Women's Fellowship and Mission Team projects and activities. See Michelle about how you can help this worthwhile cause (and get your own shopping done!)
Family Promise Walk In Dinner -- May 20 -- Join the FCCRE Mission team and others on May 19 and 20 to help prep and cook for another Walk In Dinner. This time the menu is Italian! See Inge to sign up for various tasks -- from shopping for ingredients, cooking and baking and more!
Be Cool -- Donate to FCCRE 's Air Conditioning Project -- Ongoing -- Our fund-raising project to install an air conditioner in Fellowship Hall and Pilgram Hall. Watch the thermometer rise without the heat as we move towards our $35K goal. Learn how YOU can help make are goal by scrolling down.
A great day at the Hike for Hope
An inspiring signpost on the walk
Annual Thrift Sale Scheduled for May 16, from 9 AM-2 PM
Volunteers Needed -- for Set Up and the Day of the Sale ! Lend a Hand When You Can!!
Set Up Hours -- Tuesday, May 12, anytime 9 AM to 2 PM; Day of Sale, 8:30-3:30. Contact Michelle Henzinger with questions.
Donations Now Accepted for Annual Thrift Sale
Preparation has begun for our annual thrift sale, scheduled for Saturday, May 16, from 9 AM to 2 PM -- and we need STUFF !!
Collection is now underway for clean clothes, shoes, handbags, small household items, and more! Children's toys, stuffed animals and games are also a big hit. Leave your donations in the Choir Room in Fellowship Hall now until Friday, May 15.
We are also accepting donations from our friends and neighbors.. As always, profits from the sale go to support Women's Fellowship and Mission Team projects.
First Congregational Church of River Edge
109 Continental Avenue, River Edge, NJ 07661
201-261-1712
Sunday Worship -- Service @ 10 AM
You can worship by Zoom. The instructions for entering via Zoom are:
To join by computer (or smart phone):
1) Click on this link: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/892501398pwd=24giuCfuaNnquGF1xa6dVMkA2Dymtl.1
2) Follow the prompts to get Zoom (Meeting ID: 892501398).
To join By Phone:
1) Call +1 646 558 8656
2) Enter this Meeting ID: 892501398#
(It will ask for participant ID; there is no Participant ID--simply enter #.
Please look around and come back to our new website often for updates!
If you don't already use these group titles, please join, "like" it and share!
When making an online donation, you can designate your contribution to a specific project/fund by attaching a note.
Inclement Weather Policy:
Decision to cancel Sunday worship due to inclement weather will be posted on this website and Facebook
Church office voicemail will be updated
(201-261-1712 Ext 100). by 8:30 am
One of the important projects FCCRE is working on is raising funds for air conditioning in some of our frequently used areas. Any donation (large or small) will help us with the mission. You can use the donation page and add a note to specify for the AC. Checks are also acceptable.
Help us reach our goal and create a more comfortable space for Worship, Fellowship and Faith! Thank you for considering this important project.
Be Cool...Donate Today to Church Air Conditioning Project
In Case You Missed It...Did You Know?
The Mission Team and other volunteers came out for a Second Sunday St. Patty's Day celebration on March 22. About 45 guests were treated to a pizza dinner and dessert, followed by Irish music, and an Irish-themed craft. A good time was had by all.
FCCRE contributed $550 during a five-part campaign called "5 for 5" offering campaign
From the Stewardship Corner....It's Not Too Late To Pledge for 2026!
We are thankful for member pledges we have received to date that help carry our legacy forward; however we have reached a point where our income is no longer keeping pace with our expenses, and our reserves have been stretched thin after too many years of imbalance. To remain open, active and able to serve our community, we need your support. If you have not yet made your pledge for 2026, we sincerely urge you to do so. Your commitment today helps secure the future of our church and the ministry we share. See Jane Sillane or any member of the Stewardship Team with questions.
Put Service to Work ... Volunteer! Make It a New Year's Resolution!
If you are working on setting your New Year's resolutions for 2026, now is the time to add new commitments to your list. If you have some free or want to MAKE TIME, there are a number of volunteer activities at FCC-River Edge that need more hands. Join the fun and volunteer -- one day at a time or more!
Be A FCC-River Edge Volunteer -- Fellowship, Fun and Service
Fill in as a Church School Volunteer when a teacher is not available on a Sunday morning. Curriculum is provided in advance so volunteers can prepare when a teacher is scheduled to be off. We also have a more URGENT need to form a group of volunteers willing to teach our youngest class (first and second graders) on a rotating basis and with enough volunteers there could be only a once a month commitment, Contact Nicole Babington for more information.
Consider hosting Fellowship Time after worship as a family, individual or with some church friends! It can be as elaborate or as simple as you prefer! The main ingredient is Fellowship! Sign Up sheets are available in the Commons or in the hallway.
Become a Greeter before Worship -- All you need is to set your alarm to arrive at church a little early, and the only requirement is to bring a warm smile and friendly welcome ! Look for the Sign Up Sheet in the Commons or in the hallway.
Join the Usher Team - Help prepare the sanctuary for worship; light candles, set out flowers and supplies, greet worshippers, distribute bulletins, assist woshipers to their seats and collect the offering. See Richard Metz or email him at richardrmetz@gmail.com.
Volunteer
A New Year Begins For Church School At Any Time Of Year
Interested in our FCC-River Edge Church School program? It's never too late to enroll new children. For more information about our program, see below or contact nbabington@fccriveredge.org. You can also print out an online Registration Form by clicking the button below.
Need a registration form? CLICK BELOW
FCC River Edge Serves As Community Hub With Available Rental Space
FCC River Edge is an important part of of our community, serving as a house of worship, as well as a hub for local events and activities.We have welcomed smaller churches to use our sanctuary, and provided space for a nursery school/day care center, an after school theater program, and piano and dance recitals, to name a few. We have also opened our doors to a Japanese school to use our classrooms and offered our rooms to a variety of non profit groups.
We are now expanding our reach to the community by providing rental space when our rooms are not in use — whether it’s for a one time event or for a weekly/monthly schedule. Consider using our downstairs hall for a celebratory event or our rooms for business opportunity and more! The possibilities are en endless
For more information and to see photos of some of available rooms, click the Rental Opportunities button. To schedule a tour, contact the Church Office at 201-261-1712.
Get All The News That's Fit To Print With The Congregator -- Right Here
FCC-River Edge's monthly Congregator is a great place to keep "in the know"' about church activities. For your convenience, you can always have it at your fingertips right here! Find this great reference and our church calendar all in one place!
Watch A Past Worship Recording -- At Your Fingertips
Beginning in May, we have created a new library archive of past recorded worship services, It's the next best thing to being there in person or on Zoom! Listen to some of your favorite sermons and music anytime you like! And remember, you can always tune in every Sunday for the live service! Great features, especially when you are on vacation and can't make worship!
Nicole Babington, Director of Faith Formation
Our Church Staff
Slavina Zhelezova, Director of Music Ministry
Keri Lampey, Office Manager
The Reverend Pastor Joe Medlin
A Message From Our Pastor
Greetings from FCC, River Edge!
One of my favorite authors, Sister Joan Chittister, says this about community, "Community is the coming together of unrelated people for the sake of a particular vision or goal."
Here at First Congregational Church, our vision is to embody God's hope and love to all of our neighbors far and wide. We acknowledge the challenges of following the radical teachings of Jesus in a society riddled with fear, hate and greed
Yet, we continue to push on!
We strive for this in numerous ways as we worship and serve together, and as we work for the common good of humanity.
If you are searching for such a faith community, then please visit us or reach out to me personally. We would love to meet you!
Peace and Blessings,
Pastor Joe
The Reverend Pastor Joe Medlin
revjmedlin@aol.com
Post Script from Pastor Joe
After the last song is sung.....Pastor Joe reminds us: Don't let this be the last song you sing today.......and don't forget to dance!!!!!!!
