Church By The Bay

09/07/2026

“The ‘Good News’ can be preached, and hopefully is preached. But my goodness, the power of it being lived is what changes the world.”
Kristy Lavin

In October of 2019, a group of people came together, loaded a 16 foot trailer with racks of hung and organized clothing, bins of socks, folded clothes, towels and blankets and took the Gospel to the street in Atlantic City to serve the poorest among us.

Since then, God has expanded the ministry throughout New Jersey, and given the idea to people in other states.

The entire premise of this was to share our blessings, show respect and offer dignity to those that society forgets or ignores. Following Jesus’ message of ‘love one another’ was and is a lot of work.

But this labor of love has brought forth so many blessings that they can’t all be listed here. We gather every week to prepare for the next trip, and work together regardless of status or position in life. The focus is on those we serve.

Saturday was another trip to Atlantic City, and I need to share a beautiful story of a new dynamic in a difficult city.

We had church folks, retirees and veterans, state Troopers and recovery coaches, parolees and supervisors, street people and working poor, alcoholics and drug addicts all working together, side by side, to provide a few moments of kindness to the neediest among us. Some of the best stories were from those who are sober and clean for months or years because they were shown just a moment of kindness and respect by us in the past.

The trip of 2019 with a few racks and bins has become something people gather for and look forward to each month and grown to thousands of items being delivered with love.

The axiom of ‘find something you love doing and you’ll never work a day in your life..’ is partially true when we add in ‘the exhaustion and satisfaction of a job well done is payment enough…’

Praying your Labor Day provides joy in your labor and gratitude for the work we have been given….

Pastor Lou Strugala
NJSP, ACPO Chaplain

09/06/2026

Please note important announcements this morning.

09/05/2026

With Gods direction and help from Bethany St John’s UMC (Lenora, Linda and Charlene) - 65 Baked Macaroni and Cheese with hamburger meals, 10 Vegetarian Macaroni and cheese with Plant base ground be’f meals, also snacks and 75 PB & J sandwiches and snacks made by Emmaus UMC 150 meals were given out this week to the Veterans residing at Veterans Haven South. This ministry has provided an unbelievable total of 72,120 home cooked meals to those in need since Covid began in 2020. We are thankful for you, our partners, who faithfully prepare the meals or donate an offering towards the purchase of food that can be prepared by those who volunteer to cook.
Has this ministry touched your heart? Would you consider joining us in the preparation of these meals that show God’s love? We invite you to join us and can promise you will never regret it❣️

09/05/2026

09/05/2026

We are thankful to everyone who donated school supplies! 50 new backpacks filled with notebooks, pens, pencils, etc were given to Trenton students in need. We wish them and all students, teachers and staff a bright and successful school year!

09/03/2026

“The art of writing is the art of discovering what you believe….”
Gustave Flaubert

Each weekday morning after getting out of bed, grabbing a cup of coffee and dealing with the essentials, I pray and sit to write a meditation. Some mornings the thoughts come together, and the words, for the most part, appear accurately on the screen. Other mornings, I need to second guess how the message in my mind and heart transfers to the page.

Rarely, as I experienced yesterday, nothing came together. Every time I tried to start, a brick wall was in my mind, and nothing cohesive came about.

So I prayed……

I prayed for all of you.

I prayed for inspiration to continue this ministry of words.

I prayed for my mind to clear.

I prayed for wisdom.

And perhaps most importantly,
I prayed that God would help me know what to say and do.

He answered my prayers…….

I took a nap.

When I woke up and began scrolling, this decades old quote was one of the first posts I received. We all need to write something to weave together everything going on into a cohesive package. And from these words, my prayer is that your day might be blessed and just a little bit easier.

Words matter: and each day may we all look for a word from the Lord God!

I’ll be praying for you!

Pastor Lou Strugala
NJSP, ACPO Chaplain

09/01/2026

“The beautiful thing about learning is that nobody can take it from you…”
B. B. King

Most of my life’s most important lessons came after formal schooling.

I know some of you might cringe when you read this, but let’s think for a few moments.

Formal education is a starting point upon which to grow. That’s when I learned basic arithmetic, the English language, geography and history. It gave me the foundational base and methodology of how to learn some of life’s most important lessons. Some might be:

Listen before speaking……

Never stop reading what’s important….

Play nice in the sandbox…..

Be there for someone who’s hurting…..

Take care of the environment because it’s fragile…

When you fall, even if your knees get scraped, get up and keep going…..

Be proud of who you are and where you live…..

Take time to spend with God….

As the school year begins, these lessons are so important and valuable to learn. How will we help to support and supplement those who are handling the formal education of our future generations?

They can’t do it alone; but without the foundation they provide, lives fade into shadows, or worse.

“Almighty God, bless the teachers, staff and all who care for our children as they begin to learn life skills and lessons. We are grateful for them and for Your Presence and ask your grace upon all! Praying in Jesus’ Name. Amen. “

Pastor Lou Strugala
NJSP, ACPO Chaplain

08/31/2026

“The future doesn’t come to those who wait for it. It comes to those who create it.”
Gary John Bishop

This past Friday, 99 young women and men raised their right hands and took an oath of office as New Jersey State Troopers. By their training, commitment and decision to close the oath with the words: ‘so help me God’ committed to safeguarding all of our futures.

Their skills and accomplishments in the academy were nothing short of incredible. Their dedication to the tenants of Fidelity, Duty and Honor provides a foundation and guide for future decisions and actions.

Over the past 26 weeks, they’ve experienced a rebirth, a recreation of themselves through the efforts of caring and demanding instructors who brought out their very best selves.

This morning, as they begin their careers, let’s pray for their safety, their families and the Spirit of God to hover over them, keeping them safe and secure.

Thank you Troopers for your commitment! Stay safe and keep making us proud!

Pastor Lou Strugala
NJSP, ACPO Chaplain

08/31/2026

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