09/02/2026
Dear friend and member of Fort Lee Gospel Church,
The season is changing from summer to fall. Here are some brief reflections on Labor Day and updates with the coming church schedule.
Labor Day
The average Christian spends about 40 or 50 hours at work for every hour spent in church. About nine years ago I was hired as a Marketplace Chaplain, where I serve as a chaplain to several Christian owned companies. This part-time job has given me greater admiration for the challenges faced by business owners and workers in the workplace. Here are some thoughts grounded in biblical teaching.
We were made to be productive. A Christian work ethic begins by saying that God made us to build, teach, organize, cook, or contribute in some way to life on this planet.
Before there was sin, “The Lord God took the man and put him in the Garden of Eden to work it and take care of it.” (Gen. 2:15) In the next chapter we learn that work becomes difficult because of sin (Gen. 3:17-19), but the idea of work includes the goodness of being productive.
In the New Testament several followers of Jesus felt that work was a waste of time. They were busy getting ready for the return of Jesus and living off the generosity of other Christians. In response to this mentality, Paul wrote, “For even when we were with you, we gave you this rule: ‘The one who is unwilling to work shall not eat.’” (II Thess. 3:10)
In response to the principle that we were made to be productive, we work for more reasons than to just pay the bills. It is good to get up in the morning with something to accomplish for that day. Unemployment is not good for individuals, families, or our society. We work because humans were made to be productive.
As part of this need to be productive, retirement is not the goal of work. A better approach to life is to plan to retire in ways that continue to be productive. Helping with the family, volunteering your time, or contributing to building God’s kingdom are all ways to take the boredom out of retirement.
Our faith gives us an added layer of purpose. In Ephesians 2:8-10, Paul talks about our salvation being tied to our purpose. It says:
8 For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God— 9 not by works, so that no one can boast. 10 For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.
May this Labor Day remind us that God has things for us to do – in the marketplace, in our homes, and in His kingdom. May you enjoy your long weekend that celebrates the goodness of work!
-Pastor Rick
New Women’s Bible Study – September 12th
The Women’s Bible Study on alternating Saturdays will start a new study on September 12th at 2:00 PM at church. The study will be based on the book, Ministering Through Spiritual Gifts by Charles Stanley. Books will be available at the first session. All women are invited to join this informative study.
Weekly Announcements
Sunday worship service at 11:00 AM is primarily off-line, with only the sermon posted on our website, page, and YouTube.
The Men’s Lunch and Bible study meets on alternating Tuesdays, including September 1st.
The Tuesday Bible Study meets at 7:00 PM every Tuesday as we study the Psalms.
The Women’s Bible Study will meet next on September 12th at 2:00 PM. Details above.
The next Senior’s ministry at Brightside Manor in Teaneck, NJ will be next month on Sunday, September 13th at 1:30 PM.
The 6:00 AM Prayer Meeting on Wednesdays and Saturdays is at the church with an option to connect on Google Meet.
Connect info for Tuesday Bible Studies and Morning Prayer is:
Meeting URL :
https://meet.google.com/suk-xpsf-nwh
For dial in: Phone: +1 567-351-1104 PIN: 469 349 929 #
