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Welcome to the First Reformed Church

The First Reformed Church of Pompton Plains is a progressive Christian community with doors open wide to all people, regardless of category or faith experience. Our primary purpose is to walk with people in their faith and lives, seeking to grow in relationship with God and one another, and to serve as a light in the community and beyond.  What visitors usually notice first is the open spirit of our members who come from a variety of backgrounds with diverse sociological, political, and thought perspectives.  We like to say that there is room in our pews for all people. At this church, you will find relevant, progressive teaching, heart-felt worship, honest friendships, constant prayer, and compassionate care for those in need.  So whether you’re a spiritual seeker who’s just starting to ask questions about God, or a committed Christian who wants to sink the roots of your faith even deeper, you can find a home at First Reformed Church. The First Reformed Church of Pompton Plains has served the community for over 265 years and occupies a central place in our historic town. The front door is directly opposite the entrance to the Town Hall across the main thoroughfare of the town, the Newark Pompton Turnpike. In its long history many dedicated clergy and laypersons have enriched the quality of its ministry.   Our sanctuary is exquisite and reflective of colonial days. Its features articulate the integrity and simplicity of Reformed worship. It is a place where people gather daily for private prayer, and weekly for exuberant worship. It is open weekdays at 6:45 am and throughout the day to allow people in the community and the church a quiet, sacred space to pray and meditate.

CORE VALUES

Core Values communicate what is most important – what really matters – to a church. They are the very beliefs that the church builds its life, ministry and mission around. Our Core Values will guide what we ‘do’ as a church and how we utilize our assets, specifically staff, volunteers, facility, and finances. In such, our core values will be evident in our behavior and action.  The following are our new Core Values. 

BOLD HOSPITALITY

Our church is a welcoming, safe and accepting place for all people. We respect different viewpoints and embrace the spiritual and intellectual journeys of everyone. We welcome all experiences, gifts, challenges and insights, believing that we will be enriched as a community. 

INTENTIONAL CONNECTIONS

We encourage and support people to be authentic with God and one another, sharing their rough edges and struggles. We believe that people can best experience the rich life God intends for them when they are connected with others: serving and being served, challenging and being challenged, forgiving and being forgiven, teaching and being taught, giving and receiving.


TRANSFORMATIONAL FAITH DEVELOPMENT

We embrace the wonder and mystery of all God’s creation, recognizing that it is too profound and complex to be simplified or neatly packed into a box.  We value progressive Christian teaching that challenges us to follow Christ and grow in spiritual vibrancy through prayer, the study of Scripture, worship, fellowship, service, and meditation.

INSPIRATIONAL WORSHIP

We strive to create an environment for worship that is inspiring, engaging, meaningful, and relevant.  We believe in worship that is Biblically-inspired, leading us into a more complete relationship with God. The splendor and span of God’s creativity calls us to be innovative. Therefore, our congregation embraces various art forms and musical styles within our worship as we accept that one style does not fit all. 

PASSIONATE MISSION AND SERVICE

By discovering our spiritual gifts and passionately using our God-given talents, we seek to have a transformational effect on our local community and beyond. We carry this out by following the example of Jesus Christ through caring, helping, sharing, teaching, serving, and respecting others. Our church culture is one that values innovation and therefore we seek to nurture, develop and unleash the gifts, dreams, and passions of individuals who desire to impact the culture and community.
  

OUR MISSION

The mission is the primary goal that God has called us to accomplish.  It describes what we attempt to do for God and people. It offers a guideline for decision making, focuses on the future, inspires unity, shapes strategy, and enhances our effectiveness. It answers the question ‘what’ are we to do?


- CONNECT with God and one another

-  CELEBRATE through participation and worship

-  CULTIVATE disciples of Jesus Christ

-  CONTRIBUTE to our community and beyond


Our Vision

Worship Services

Each Sunday, the church offers two worship services.

• An 8:30 AM informal worship experience, is held in our Friendship Hall or, in summer months, outside behind the Manse.

• At 10:00 AM, please join us for a traditional worship experience in our sanctuary.

• Communion is celebrated on the first Sunday of each month at both services.

Experienced Nursery Care on Sunday

Experienced, consistent, professional childcare for babies and toddlers (2 years and under) is provided in the nursery during the 10:00 service. When a parent drops off a child, the child is signed in and the parent is given a vibrating pager. The pager serves to reassure the parent and also provides the caregiver immediate contact with the parent if necessary.

Christian Education Opportunities

With approximately 100 children in attendance each Sunday, our Church School Program offers both social and educational opportunities to all. At 10:00 children begin worship in the sanctuary with their parents and are dismissed for Church School during the service. Up to three teachers are assigned to each class where an age-appropriate curriculum is presented for all children, ages 2 years through Senior High. In addition to Sunday mornings, our Junior High and Senior High groups gather for fun, learning and service activities. Through teamwork, they learn more about themselves, their peers, their faith, their place in the Church, the local community and the larger faith community.

Adult Education Opportunities

• Short-term classes and seminars are held on a variety of creative topics.
  
• Men’s Bible Studies 1st & 3rd Saturdays, 9:00 to 10:00 am, Keator Parlor 2nd & 4th Saturdays, 7:15 to 8:00 am, Keator Parlor • Women’s Bible Study, Every Tuesday, 10:00 am, Keator Parlor, September through June
  
• Fellowship Club (Senior’s Group) Every Wednesday, 9:30am to Noon Grace Chapel, September through June
  
• The Reformed Church Women’s Guild All women of the church are invited to the four opportunities a year to gather socially as a larger group.
  
• Circles – small groups that meet monthly for Bible study and fellowship. Various times are available to meet the varying needs of busy lives

Living Our Faith Outside Our Doors

With a strong physical presence in the heart of the community of Pompton Plains in Pequannock Township, the community is in our hearts. First Reformed Church reaches out locally, nationally and internationally. Among the programs with which we are involved are: • Locally New Bridge Services — Contributions of time and resources to  local organizations such as New Bridge Services which helps those struggling with mental illness, at-risk youth, and other individuals in crisis who need long-term solutions

• Pequannock Food Pantry — Organize and host the Pequannock Food Pantry
  
• Parish Nurse Program — Offering programs such as Seasonal Depression seminars and monthly blood pressure screenings
  
• Relay for Life Teams —Church participation in town-sponsored yearly event supporting the American Cancer Society

• North Reformed Church — Partner with the North Reformed Church in Newark to provide clothing, food and other gifts to those in need in the urban area surrounding the church.

Nationally:  Victims of disasters — Donations to aid victims of natural disasters, such as Hurricane Katrina. In fact for nearly 2 years, the church housed a family of seven who experienced devastating loss after Hurricane Katrina.

Internationally:  Support Reformed Church of America missionary families stationed throughout the world Donations to victims of natural disasters around the globe Project Timothy – support our Senior High Youth who annually travel to national and international sites helping underprivileged children

The Church Office

The Office staff is ready and willing to help you in any way possible, whether you want to ask a quick question, find out more about our programs, or participate or work with us in any way!

Feel free to visit the office Monday through Friday from 9:00 AM – 4:00 PM and please do not hesitate to contact us by phone, 973- 835-1144 or email:

reformedchurch@optonline.net

First Reformed Church
529 Newark Pompton Turnpike
Pompton Plains, NJ 0744

Let us know if we can answer any questions you may have.

- Rev. Kathleen Edwards Chase                      Senior Pastor