First Congregational Church of River Edge
109 Continental Avenue, River Edge, NJ 07661
201-261-1712
Pastor Joe's Office Hours: T-F 9 AM - 1 PM
Office Hours: M, T, TH. 9 AM - 4 PM
Wed 9 AM - 2:15 PM
Fri 9 AM - 12:15 PM (remote)
Sunday Worship -- Service @ 10 AM
Church School (starts at 10 AM during worship until Children's Message, then youngsters are lead to their
classrooms (September-May).
Communion is offered the first Sunday of each month
with grape juice and gluten free bread.
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!
Log on to our Facebook page
First Congregational Church of River Edge, NJ -- that is replacing all other church Facebook pages.
Our current Instagram page is--firstcongregationalriveredge
Our new YouTube channel is -- (Look for the blue icon with hands and hearts)
https://www.youtube.com/@admin109-h6f
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
TO ALL FCC-RIVER EDGE MEMBERS -- FCC-River Edge's Annual Meeting will be held THIS Sunday, February 8th immediately after worship. Your attendance is critical. Thank you! There will be plenty of time left in the day for pre-game parties and the Super Bowl!!
Mark Your Calendars for Ash Wednesday Worship Service on February 18
To mark the liturgical season of Lent, join us for our Ash Wednesday worship service on February 18 at 7 PM. The service will include handbell soloists alongside the Chancel Choir. Ashes will be provided.
If you can't make the service, drive by the church as early as 8:30 am where Pastor Joe will mark you with ashes and bless you on your way. He will be waiting in the parking lot; if the weather is inclement, he will wait for you in the sanctuary.
Tackle Hunger and Donate Soup Now Through SUPER Bowl Sunday
To continue our annual tradition of "Tackling Hunger, drop off your soup donations through Super Bow Sunday on February 8. All canned soups donations will go to the Center for Food Action and St. Peter's Church food pantry in River Edge. Each year our church scores a touchdown for donating hundreds of cans of soup to these worthwhile organizations that help the underserved.
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.
FCC Music Ministry Celebrates Black Culture Through Music In February and All Year Long
At FCC-River Edge, we celebrate Black culture and history throughout the year as part of our commitment to equity, representation, and diversity in music. During Black History Month, each week we will showcase works by Black composers or selections inspired by Black history. We will sing gospels and spirituals, and more! And our Handbell Ensemble will offer a variety of beloved spirituals.
Come listen -- not just with your ears but with your hearts -- to the stories, prays and histories carried in this music.
Tackle Hunger and Donate Soup Now Through February 8
To continue our annual tradition of "Tackling Hunger," drop off your canned soup donations now through Super Bowl Sunday on February 8. A soup collection box is now available in the church entryway.
All canned soups donations will go to the Center for Food Action and St. Peter's Church food pantry in River Edge. Each year our church scores a touchdown for donating hundreds of cans of soup to these worthwhile organizations that help the underserved.
FCC-River Edge Volunteers Needed for a "Chili" February Day for Family Promise
On February 24 and 25, a volunteer crew will cook, assemble and deliver 170 chili dinners with side dishes for Family Promise's Walk In Dinner Program in Hackensack. Volunteers are needed to make this happen.
Sign up sheets are available during Fellowship Time or see Inge. As the Mission Team will tell you, this activity helps those less fortunate and gives volunteers a chance for fellowship for a good cause! Bring a friend -- Many hands make light work!
Volunteer cooks gather for a past cook-in for Family Promise's Walk in Dinner Program. FCC River Edge has been participating in this worthwhile program for several years and is just one of the mission activities we get involved in to support this organization.
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!!!!!!!
