"Hope and Prayer" Gatherings to be held in Saddle Brook

SADDLE BROOK – In a time of extended unemployment, sickness, crime and violence, struggling marriages, the pressures on young people, and more - it’s easy to be overwhelmed - but help is on the way.

First Reformed Church will be offering a series of “Hope and Prayer Gatherings” in and around the township to offer encouragement and rally the community. 

“People are suffering and struggling. Our communities need more than political and economic solutions. The time is now to turn things around; and it starts with prayer,” said the church’s pastor Rev. Christopher B. Wolf.

Rev. Wolf said that the church prays on Sundays for the community and it is essential to take compassion and the power of prayer beyond the church walls.

“We believe in the power of prayer and have seen God at work in many, many lives through prayer. So we are bringing that prayer power and hope directly to people through these gatherings,” Rev. Wolf said.

The format for each of the gatherings, which begin at 7pm, will include a welcome; brief talk about relevant issues and insights for each topic; an interactive discussion; a group prayer; and then an opportunity for individual prayer. Light refreshments will be served.

·      Tuesday, March 11 – Youth and Schools (Saddle Brook High School Cafeteria, Mayhill Street) Young people, parents/guardians, teachers, aides, administrators and everyone concerned about our youth are invited to show support, discuss issues and pray (for students, teachers, administrators and schools).

·      Tuesday, March 18 – Service Personnel - Military, Fire, Police, Ambulance – (Saddle Brook VFW, Market Street) – Current, active, retired and veterans are invited to be thanked, discuss issues, and be prayed for.

·      Monday, March 24 – Economy and Jobs – (Saddle Brook Marriott) Current and potential business owners, people looking for jobs, as well as others struggling with finances are invited to attend, be encouraged and prayed for.

·      Tuesday, April 1 – Physical and Mental Health (Saddle Brook Senior Center, Market Street) Come receive encouragement and prayers for healing for you or on behalf of a family member or friend. 

·      Thursday, April 10 – Families (First Reformed Church, Van Wyk Hall, Saddle River Rd. Parking Lot and entrance; Ackerman Avenue and Saddle River Rd.) Discussing, praying for and about marriages, widows and widowers, separations and divorces, relationships with parents and children, and other family issues.

Rev. Wolf emphasized that these gatherings are open to all faith traditions as well as people who haven’t attended church in a while, even to those who have never attended church. “These gatherings are based on meeting needs of people regardless of where they are spiritually,” he said.   

“Our communities and citizens are facing unprecedented challenges today. Yet, because of these gatherings and the prayers, families, service personnel, businesses, young people, and people with illnesses will be encouraged and moved; consequently our communities will be stronger and more hopeful,” Rev. Wolf explained.

This series of gatherings are for residents of Saddle Brook, Fair Lawn, Elmwood Park, Rochelle Park, Lodi and Garfield, though it will have a focus on Saddle Brook. Attendees are welcome to bring a donation (canned goods, pancake mix, cereal, baby supplies, pasta, etc.) for the Saddle Brook/First Reformed Church Food Pantry and can let organizers know they are coming or ask questions via frcsbpraying4u@gmail.com. For more information please call 201 843 6672 or visit www.firstreformedsaddlebrook.com