Metro Community Church

Today, the Elves were busy at Metro’s Office

metro — Wed, 12 Dec 2012 05:18:34 +0000

Praying in Color at the Closter UG

metro — Thu, 29 Nov 2012 04:32:26 +0000

As the Closter UG met tonight, we would all try something new…praying in color! Each of us grabbed paper, markers and colored pencils and went to work. What an amazing, reflective new way to pray to our awesome God.

Thanksgiving UG style

metro — Thu, 22 Nov 2012 03:33:48 +0000

The Closter UG met tonight for fellowship, dinner and a time of thanksgiving. More than 20 of us gathered (everyone’s family was invited too) for a pitch-in taco bar and dessert. Fun was had by all! Of course, the babies were the stars of the show!

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As we finished our yummy dessert, we shared what we’re thankful for and Metro was mentioned a few times. We are so thankful for our church family. Happy Thanksgiving everyone! Thank you God, for Metro!

Message from Pastor Peter

metro — Wed, 21 Nov 2012 23:07:53 +0000

Happy Thanksgiving Metro! As we look back this year, Metro has much to be thankful for. Our thanks doesn’t just come from the good things that have happened to our church, but it also comes out of the challenges we faced in 2012. Our natural tendency is to only be thankful for the good things in life, but the Apostle Paul commands us in Philippians 4:4 to “rejoice in the Lord ALWAYS, I will say it again: Rejoice!” Paul penned these powerful words while he was in prison. Difficulties and challenges were a part of Paul’s everyday life, yet he learned to rejoice in them. Therefore, it is not only important to be thankful for the good things in life, but the crucial thing is to be thankful for the “not so good” things in life. Our difficulties and challenges can be a wellspring of joy and peace for us to discover if we can learn to be thankful in them. This is what differentiates us from the world.

Regardless of where we are in life, we have much to be thankful for because God has accepted us. This acceptance is not conditional upon our obedience to him, rather it comes through Jesus’ death and resurrection. In this Holiday season, rejoice in the fact of how much God loves you through Jesus Christ. If we can do this, then we can stand together as a church and worship God with a thankful heart. Happy Thanksgiving Metro!

A Sunday to be thankful…

metro — Sun, 18 Nov 2012 23:08:54 +0000

[slideshow]The Metro Merge students presented 100 Operation Christmas Child gifts during 2nd service today. What a wonderful way to start the holiday season and reason to be thankful! We also celebrated three baptisms today. Two women presented their testimonies and were baptized in first service and a young man shared his story and was baptized in second service. What wonderful cause for Thanksgiving! And, after our morning services, we enjoyed our traditional Thanksgiving Lunch together. We have so much to be thankful for.

Metro Women’s Ministry Blessed to Blessings

metro — Sun, 18 Nov 2012 12:21:30 +0000

What a wonderful time was had by the women who came to the Women’s Ministry event last night at the church office. Sharing gifts, playing games and hearing testimonies of God’s blessings this year in an atmosphere of worship encouraged each woman’s heart.

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Metro Teachers Retreat Away

metro — Sun, 18 Nov 2012 12:13:45 +0000

Our Metro Kids and Merge Teachers took time to retreat this weekend. Not only did they enjoy being together, but each was given time to be alone with God. They come back to us this morning rested and renewed and ready to serve Metro’s children.

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Serving those hit hard by Sandy

metro — Sun, 18 Nov 2012 01:13:48 +0000

Two teams from Metro met up to be a part of Samaritan’s Purse’s response to Hurricane Sandy today. The first shift team of which I was a part met up at North Jersey Vineyard church bright and early at 7:30AM. After a quick orientation, 17 of us from Metro we were sent out together to scrape off and bag the insulation under mobile homes in a mobile home park in Moonachie. Even though many of us didn’t have very expert skills in the construction field (and many references were made on how we wished Pastor Kevin had been with us to represent us as our staff handyman!), I think I speak for the entire team when I say we felt so privileged and humbled to have been given the opportunity to be Jesus’ hands and feet in the midst of such devastation. Groups from all across the country came together to lend a helping hand to the hurting right here in Bergen County, and it was such a blessing to worship God together as part of this larger Christian body.

Liz shares: Today I was a willing servant but I didn’t know what to expect. I came to clean but I got so much more. We went to help a Sandy flooded area to help with the relief. In doing so I met 3 wonderful ladies. “Oma” Martha, Patricia, & Tina. We talked a little and they shared their stories. Three generations of personal suffering. Then Sandy hit them with another blow. What I have learned about them is that through it all, they still have a servant heart. Martha the matriach,Patricia the mother to all and Tina the mother who lost two children to illness and struggling to take care of her Autistic toddler. Through it all they cook meals for the community, babysit small children and just look out for each other. I don’t see it as I served them as I do that they ministered to me. I definitely was blessed.[slideshow]

Women’s Flag Football Tournament

metro — Tue, 13 Nov 2012 13:16:07 +0000

This past Saturday, 18 girls and 6 coaches represented Metro amongst a total of 11 churches at the annual Women’s Flag Football Tournament at Overpeck Park in Leonia. This day was a culmination of nine weeks of grueling practices. Beginning at 8am, Metro played their hearts out in a total of three games before being eliminated in the first round of playoffs. While no touchdowns were scored, the team walked away with full hearts and big smiles, confident they had played their hearts out and exemplified good sportsmanship with each other and other churches. This is the team’s third season and over the years, it has shown to be a great opportunity for Metro women to get to know one another and build up a strong sisterhood.

If you are interested in participating next season, contact Vicki Loo (vickiloo82@gmail.com).

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Maria’s view of the Health Fair

metro — Tue, 13 Nov 2012 13:09:39 +0000

A year and a half ago, I met with Pastor Peter to discuss the possibility of forming a medical ministry at Metro. His first request was for us to throw a health fair to administer free flu shots to the community. Not only did I have NO IDEA how to coordinate a health fair, but I didn’t know any other medical professionals at our church except for a couple of friends who were nurses or medical students. Yet by God’s grace, a bunch of medical professionals (including practicing physicians, residents, medical students, dentists, optometrists, pharmacists, nurses and nurse practitioners) emerged from the masses, and we were able to throw our 1st Annual Metro Health Fair for the Englewood Community this past Sunday on November 11, 2012. Despite the recent hurricane storm that prevented us from finalizing plans until the day before the fair, we were able to work together to provide free flu shots and medical, dental, and vision screenings. As it turned out, several families from the Englewood community (totaling about 20 people) stopped by to benefit from these services. Although it may seem like a small number, those that came were extremely grateful and expressed their heartfelt thanks! Here were some of the highlights from the health fair:

Most of the families that stopped by could only speak Spanish, which limited our ability to communicate effectively with them. Fortunately, we had several Spanish-speaking volunteers, including Linda Swanson and Linda You, who did an amazing job welcoming them and explaining the various medical services available to them. One family in particular, with a mother and two children, connected with them so well that they were excited to come back to Metro and even signed up for Metro Kids!
One woman was so excited about the health fair that she asked if we’ve been doing it every year. When we mentioned that it was our first time but we planned on doing it every year in the future, and she said, “That would be great!”
We had so many leftover flu shots that a large number of Metro members and visitors (over 40!) had the opportunity to get free flu shots!!

Personally, the best part of the health fair was to see how many amazing Metro members were willing to use their talents and skills to serve the Englewood community for God’s purposes. I was challenged by the enthusiasm and energy that they showed to reach out and connect with the people. What a blessing that they could offer not just physical, but also spiritual healing to the community!! We look forward to working together again next year to make this a yearly outreach event to the Englewood community!!!

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