Chapelccino

Writing from the heart of Chapel on the Hill. You can almost smell the coffee...

Tuesday, December 21, 2010

Christmas Eve Candlelight Concert



A silent night in Bethlehem, a shining star in the sky, a Savior born to save us from our sins...

Join us this Friday, December 24th, 8:00 p.m. as we celebrate the birth of Christ.

Chapel on the Hill
in Cedar Grove, New Jersey, will have a Christmas Eve Candlelight Concert. It will be an evening of majestic, Christ-edifying music, against the backdrop of our beautifully decorated colonial-style sanctuary.

It's a night worth remembering.

Sunday, October 24, 2010

From today's bulletin


Blest to be a blessing, privileged to care.
Challenged by the need apparent everywhere.
Where manking is wanting, fill the vacant place.
Be the means thru which the Lord reveals His grace.

Thursday, September 03, 2009

Remembering Katrina, and Lakeshore Baptist Church

Pastor Don Elbourne has posted a video clip, showing what he saw when he returned to his church, Lakeshore Baptist in Mississippi, four years ago today. It was the first time he was able to get there after Hurricane Katrina.



A few weeks after this was filmed, Chapel on the Hill sent a team of men (Pastor Bill Breckenridge, Frank Scerbo, Cliff Cherry, Blaise Wylie, Nate Abrams, Jeff D'Angelo, Mark Schoonfield, and Bill Hodgetts) to work in that devastated place. Two more teams of Chapel men went down in subsequent trips (Pastor Bill, Bill Hodgetts, Frank Scerbo, Pat Arthur, Scott Enchelmaier, Jeff D'Angelo, Blaise Wylie, and Mark Schoonfield, and then Pastor Bill, Pat Arthur, Scott Enchelmaier, Mark Schoonfield, Johnny Fabrazzo, Steve Hangge, Marc DiEdwardo, Stan Zimmerman, and Frank Scerbo). Later Pastor Bill and Donna-Jean went down, and then Chapel sent a team of women (Donna-Jean Breckenridge, Maria Hangge, Bethany Abrams, Elisa Fabrazzo, Arleen Zimmerman, and Debbie Capolino).

We also sent down many shipments of food, clothing, school supplies, Christmas gifts, cooking supplies, and cash, all provided by Chapel on the Hill.

We continue to send our prayers. To see what is happening at Lakeshore now, go to Brother Don's church blog: rebuildlakeshore.com

and pray for Lakeshore Baptist Church, and the people of that community, as they continue to share the Gospel and to be the hands and feet of Christ.

Wednesday, May 13, 2009

Because eternity matters most

In our church, we pray for people's needs. Most often, the requests have to do with physical concerns, and that's normal.

But what matters most is the heart, and a person's spiritual life.

This weekend, Chapel on the Hill will lead a youth retreat in the mountains of Pennsylvania. We are thrilled to be able to speak to these young people about their walk with God. Make that their 'run' with God, as we focus together on Hebrews 12:1 & 2, and "Looking Unto Jesus."

We ask you to pray for them, and for us!

Leaders: Pastor Bill and Donna-Jean, Bethany and Nate.
Young People attending:
Alison, Matt, Gretchen, Nathan, Samantha, Timothy, Amanda, Mike, Melissa, Johnny, Delora, Andrew, Elizabeth, Jordan, Lindsey, Peter, Hannah, Daniel, Jessica, Mike, Vietta, Michael, Taylor, PJ, Emily, Jerard, and Erick.

Please pray - because eternity matters most!

Friday, April 10, 2009

"I Will Arise"

Several of Chapel on the Hill's Cross Culture young people presented "I Will Arise," choreographed and directed by Bethany Abrams.

"Death will have no victory..." video

It was an incredible night - we praise God for the Chapel Choir, under the direction of Pastor Anderson, as they sang songs of worship and adoration, and also for the message we heard.




The whole world will sing...

Redemption's Story



Tonight at 8 p.m. at Chapel on the Hill, the Chapel Choir, Cross Culture Drama Group, and Pastor Paul Anderson will present "Redemption's Story."

Because it matters more than anything...

(Our Easter celebration of the Resurrection will begin at 9:45 a.m. Sunday with Chapelccino, then our Morning Worship at 10:30 a.m.)

Saturday, December 27, 2008

In Their Own Words

The people of Chapel on the Hill have sent in their Notes of Praise, telling what our church means to them.

Here are those notes, in their own words.

Coming to church on Sunday helps me to become a better person all week. It is like medication for the spirit. Stop taking it and you go back to your old ways.

I have enjoyed the opportunity of meeting some great people and appreciate the beautiful music.

I have enjoyed singing in the choir and the fellowship of the other choir members has been a blessing to me.

I like Chapel because I like to Praise God there and Sing!

I’m glad I have a special prayer buddy and I likes Chapelccino!!

We are thankful for our wonderful church family and knowing that we are always there for each other.

For me, Chapel has been a place of complete security as I tread through the totally insane world around me.

Chapel on the Hill gives me a chance to serve the Lord – delivering meals to our Christian family, greeting at the door, fellowshipping with our loving Christian family, learning by the preaching, being encouraged by others while we are having our problems, praying for others, getting to meet missionaries, and seeing my own family grow closer to Christ!

We’re visiting family members in another state right now but, as you can see, "you're always on our mind"!!

We thank everybody for their prayers for the healing of those who had ailments, it is so very thoughtful.

Chapel on the Hill is a warm, welcoming family of committed believers. The Ladies Fellowship reaches out to so many needy people with the love of Jesus. The Sharon Bible study means a great deal to me.

Worship and prayer for one another are important at Chapel on the Hill. I felt so covered in prayer when having surgery several years ago and when my mother passed away last summer. So many wonderful things take place at Chapel on the Hill.

Pastor Paul Anderson always brings me back to the Word......for this, I am most grateful and "well with my soul". I praise the Lord for bringing me to Chapel on the Hill.

Chapel on the Hill provides our family a place where the Word of God still remains the main source for guidance and where friends are considered family.

The body of Christ as Chapel teaches me how to seek God daily in our life. Our Pastor seeks the word of God right from the Bible and helps us to use the Scriptures in our walk. Chapel is a very special church and I am very grateful to have it.

I am grateful to have Chapel on the Hill as a home church where the preaching is great and the people are warm and caring.

God has used our Bible preaching pastors at Chapel on the Hill to bring me to my Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. God has also used Chapel to give me a faithful praying church family, and Chapel is where I met my Faith Family Child whom I pray for and who gives some of the best hugs around!

I love going to the Chapel. We have been going there since 1977, when we joined the church. It is a safe haven for me. Whenever I need some support and some prayer help I go to my church family.

I thank God for the sound preaching of the WORD, the strong mission ministry both local and around the world, and the prayer life of the church.

There is a great compassion and sensitivity to the trodden, forgotten, and poor, both within the church and in faraway countries. Above all I appreciate the consistent lifestyle of the pastoral leadership and their families, a generous and loving church body, and the multiple opportunities to be of service all for the glory of God .

Chapel on the Hill has changed my life on so many levels that I don't even know where to begin. My fellowship with the Lord has never been stronger. My clarity of what God expects of me is clear now and I have made many new friends that I cherish.

We have personally witnessed the power of prayer, and the fellowship of a church family.

When in a time of facing a crisis or need, that is when you see God’s blessings flow through this church. It's the power of prayer from the people of Chapel on the Hill that has helped us through this past year.

Thank you to Chapel On The Hill for the biblical teaching, the faithful prayer support, and the faith in action shown by those who have helped my wife. A true “family of God”!

I thank God for Chapel on the Hill. I've learned so much from Pastor's teachings and to be in a church where we all have our ups and downs, but to know that we can pray for one another and be there for one another in our family of God means so much.

I thank God we have a teaching pastor who teaches us from the word of God, helping us to see in scripture the love that God has bestowed on us that we are called the "children of God".

I could go on and on about how much Chapel means to me, but what I would truly like to convey is that the powerful, insightful expositions of God's word each week have deepened and strengthened my spiritual roots and drawn me closer to my Saviour each new day.

Pure Joy, Peace. Awe, His Presence amongst His people who show their pure love for their Church Family and genuine prayerful concern for others is what Chapel means to me.

Through rough times, Chapel was always there to offer nothing but genuine love and prayer. I've learned though Chapel that God would see me though all of life's obstacles.


Chapel on the Hill has answered the question for me, "Can God furnish a table in the wilderness?" Yes, He certainly can, and has - for many years. A table where one can be fed and nourished by the faithful preaching and teaching from the Word of God, not fast food, but the kind of spiritual diet that helps you grow and develop into a mature believer. I thank God for this banquet hall where I have never gone away hungry or become malnourished, enabling me to walk each day in His strength and by His grace.

Chapel on the Hill is where unconditional love is shared by those with whom I will spend eternity together with Jesus! Chapel is HOME!

Wednesday, December 24, 2008

Merry Christmas!


...from Chapel on the Hill.

Friday, November 07, 2008

Missions Weekend

It's an exciting weekend at Chapel on the Hill. We are having our Missions Conference - and launching a new ministry called "CUPbearers."

Also, Pastor Anderson has just published his book, "Habitations of Cruelty," chronicling the plight of children in places like Cambodia, Uganda, and Peru, and challenging readers to do something to make a difference in the world.

Check back here soon - we'll have it all for you to see!

Tuesday, October 28, 2008

Prime Timers!

At Chapel on the Hill, we have a great deal of emphasis on young people. We have Cross Culture, KidzAction, IGNITE!, V-Clubs, and Salt and Light Club. Not to be outdone, another group has formed: the Prime Timers. Their demographic is a bit older, but just as joyful and enthused.

This past week, Prime Timers met to pray,



eat,



write letters of support to soldiers,



pack up gifts to our military,



focus on the Word,



and just have a great night together.

Wednesday, July 09, 2008

What a night!

On my other blog, I write about our V-Club Banquet. Check it out - there are pictures here, too - it was a night to remember! Click here for the link.

Sunday, April 20, 2008

The time of singing has come

Solomon wrote these beautiful words:

For lo, the winter is past,
The rain is over and gone;
The flowers appear on the earth,
The time of singing has come.

We've had so very many things to sing about at Chapel lately. We've been especially grateful for the new little lives in our church family.


Nicolette was born on St. Patrick's Day,


and had her church debut on April 6th. Congratulations to Johnny and Elisa, and big brothers Johnny and Anthony - we're so happy for all of you!

And then there's Grace.

We knew ahead of time that her life would be marked by struggle - but that she would also be safely guarded by her Heavenly Father. She was born on January 30th - and she has already had 13 surgical procedures. She is a witness to God's faithfulness, and to answered prayer.

When she came into church for the first time last Sunday,


she caused quite a stir.

Pastor is here with Dennis, Dina, Baby Grace, and big sister Jessica, to sing the song we sing each Sunday, "I'm so glad I'm a part of the Family of God."


We thank the Lord that Baby Nicolette and Baby Grace are a part of this Family of God.

Tuesday, April 08, 2008

Welcome spring

Monday, December 24, 2007

A Chapel Christmas

It's been a feast - a Christmas feast, at Chapel on the Hill. We've had music, drama, art, film, messages, and food - to say nothing of fellowship, love, and joy.

Our Christmas Celebration began with a musical program on December 14th. After a time of preparation and rehearsal, everything was made ready


for a beautiful evening.


Pastor Anderson led the 30-voice choir in majestic anthems of praise to God,


of rejoicing in the Incarnation, the Crucifixion, the Resurrection.


The candlelit service


also included drama, with a focus on the writings of the Old Testament prophets,


Micah and


Isaiah, and the writer John,


whose Holy-Spirit-inspired theme of "the Word became flesh" echoed in song throughout the sanctuary.


We included Mary and Joseph, and a wonderful duet


of "My Eyes Have Seen Your Salvation."


And then it was time for the kids with Pastor Bill, as they rushed in,


carrying over a hundred shoebox gifts, in a re-creation of our yearly participation in Samaritan's Purse's Operation Christmas Child.


Pastor Bill spoke for a few minutes about the vision Pastor Anderson has shared for a "CUPBearers" ministry (supporting ministries that seek to reach the enslaved girls of Cambodia, the child soldiers of Uganda, and the street boys of Peru). It's an intense message for Christmas - and when we watched a short movie showing these little boys, drug-addicted and abandoned, living on the streets of Lima, our festive mood darkened. But when we showed the sequel - what Shama House is doing to rescue, rehabilite and (by God's grace) redeem these young souls - the true spirit of Christmas permeated.


Pastor preached of hope - of the importance of getting what's important at this Christmas time, the message of Emmanuel: "God with us."

Afterwards, several of Chapel's people saw a need for one of their Pastors, and met it - in an extraordinary way.

On Friday night the 21st, Chapel opened its first Christmas Art Gallery. What an array of God-given talent, in drawings,


many paintings,
(below by 16 year old Katelynn DeMeo)






sculpture (by 14 year old Nathan Breckenridge),


quilts,


woodcarvings (done by 15 year old Matt Kenny),


origami,


and wordcraft.


The participants enjoyed the Art Gallery


as much as the onlookers.



Afterwards, we had a great Movie Night, watching "The Nativity Story" and eating popcorn.

"Christmas Sunday" brought more preaching of the Word by Pastor,


more singing (from Pastor and Lois doing "The Family of God"


to the choir's concluding "Hallelujah Chorus")


and then a real feast: a Christmas spread like no other.


The church gave gifts to their Pastors - generous, love-blessed gifts. We ate, we laughed, we sang - again (this time


with the Salt and Light Band)


and we had a very special event:


we watched Bethany and Alison


and the Spirit Wars kids


perform a powerful mime to David Phelps' "End of the Beginning."






It was the dessert to the season for us.


A Chapel Christmas.



A body of believers, celebrating the Savior who came to be one of us, so He could die for all of us. We are rejoicing. Thank you, Lord Jesus.