Church By The Bay

10/15/2026

“Gratitude does not make ambition smaller. In makes the journey richer.”
Anonymous

What do you really want? Are you willing to work, sacrifice and take concrete steps to achieve your desire?

On the other hand, when was the last time you took inventory of what you have? Have you acknowledged in gratitude to God, friends, mentors and those who have blessed your life by providing you the blessings and opportunities to thrive?

Sometimes we just need to take that first step each day when we open our eyes, and realize the gift of sleep when we’re refreshed; the gift of air filling our lungs freely; the gift of silence in that time before our minds fully engage; the gift of daylight coming in the window and the gift of human interaction (perhaps after coffee).

Gratitude is a discipline we can master by refusing to begin on a negative note, even through tough times.

The gift of novacaine when nervous about dental work, the gift of gasoline even at a high price so we don’t have to hike to destinations, the gift of waiting in line at a fast food restaurant so we can eat and move on. And of course the gift of morning coffee!

It’s all about perspective and purpose: what’s yours?

I think I’ll thank God for friends who’ve had successful surgeries in the last few days. How about you?

Pastor Lou Strugala
NJSP, ACPO Chaplain

10/13/2026

“Sometimes gratitude is as simple as looking up and remembering you get to be here….”
Anonymous

Sitting in traffic….

In line at the grocery store….

Listening to a long winded lecturer…. (or preacher)

Going to the dentist….

All of the above bring a sense of ‘I want to be somewhere else!’

Yet all of the above give us an opportunity to be grateful for the unearned and unexpected gifts of God.

Sitting in traffic may be the only moments of solitude as we rush into phone calls, text messages and demands of our limited time.

Having a place of convenience to gather meats, fruits, vegetables and whatever we need to be well fed and comfortable certainly is worth a few moments.

Listening to someone offering their experience, expertise and knowledge allows our minds to expand and improve; and perhaps share that knowledge forward.

Removing the distraction of pain and being offered anesthesia to numb the experience and remove that discomfort certainly is worth keeping the appointment.

Oh, and one more thing: Taking a few moments to read this and understand that time is a gift that we ultimately can utilize or waste. We have the choice and the opportunity to be grateful for all the minutes, or squander them, depending on our attitude.

Maybe today, we can focus together on either the sunrise, or sunset as we look up and thank God for that special moment. The rest will fall into place; minute by minute.

Praying for all going through procedures today…..

Pastor Lou Strugala
NJSP, ACPO Chaplain

10/12/2026

“If you are a reader for life, then you can self-educate. You are - by my definition - free. Because no one can imprison your mind. Or your imagination.”
LeVar Burton

If you’re reading this, say a prayer of thanks; for the person or persons who taught you how to read. For the person or persons who put a book in front of you, even the pop up picture ones. For libraries that allow our minds to expand to their fullest potential.

Just say that prayer of thanks.

Then open your mind to the possibilities that we’re blessed with.

A Bible in the tradition of our parents, a book of wisdom that calms our spirits, or a devotional that allows our minds to expand to their fullest possibilities provided by a loving God.

It’s all available and it all begins with that prayer of thanks.

After all, reading is fundamental; and can bring us closer to God when we realize the freedom being grateful provides.

It’s Monday, and the week ahead is full of promise. I’m praying for you!

Pastor Lou Strugala
NJSP, ACPO Chaplain

10/10/2026

With Gods direction and help from Chris, Egg Harbor Township 250 year celebration committee w Vangabond 75 meals were given out this week to the Veterans residing at Veterans Haven South. This ministry has provided an unbelievable total of 72,559 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❣️

10/10/2026

10/09/2026

“Happiness is easier when you stop complaining about your problems and start being grateful for all the problems you don’t have.”
Mother Teresa

Did you ever just have a pleasant experience? Not over the top, just a nice moment. And if it’s one of the first of the morning, it can set the tone for the rest of the day.

I had to meet a friend and plan an event over breakfast yesterday. Food was good, waitress was engaging and efficient and the conversation was filled with laughter and stories. It was a happy experience.

As both of us rose from our table to leave, the realities of aging joints caused us to move just a bit slower until they warmed up. As we walked through the parking lot, a sense of profound gratitude was the focus of our conversation. We are able to walk, receive medical care as needed and move about without assistance.

The happiness of the meal together continued in spite of a momentary owie or grunt. Focusing on the blessings we have made joy and laughter the norm, and continued the rest of the day in all the other interactions and events I was involved with.

A joy filled and grateful start to the day will continue positive energy as we live into all our blessings.

Today, as you read this, take a moment to offer a focused prayer of gratitude to God. A meal, walking, speaking and a smile can make the day better not only for each of us, but those we interact with.

Who knows? Maybe you’ll be the blessing in someone else’s day!

Praying for the Gulf Coast and all in the path of the hurricane.

Pastor Lou Strugala
NJSP, ACPO Chaplain

10/09/2026

Thank you to the Pic for all your support!!! Come out everyone. It’s supposed to be a beautiful day!

10/08/2026

“We can’t solve problems by using the same kind of thinking we used when we created them….”
Albert Einstein

A husband and wife who own an Indian restaurant….

New Jersey State Troopers….

Church people who gather weekly to prepare….

Scientists….

People in recovery….

Partner Churches who prepared blessing bags, hygiene bags and collected towels and blankets….

A group of ladies who created bags specifically for women’s needs….

Emergency Management Personnel….

Hundreds of donations left at the church….

And people who care.

All gathered on a vacant lot in Camden, New Jersey to bring comfort and tangible help to the neediest among us.

And then we read the sign:

NO FEEDING ALLOWED

Hearts broken, a momentary panic and a reminder of how poorly some of society treats their own.

So we moved a few blocks away to another vacant lot, and set up the racks of hung and organized clothing, the blankets and towels, the hundreds of socks,
the trays of hot food and a few rolling suitcases so the people who have nowhere to go could at least keep the little they have safe with them.

Thank you’s and God bless you’s were heard from and to many; but the statement that made high impact to me was from those gathered to serve when they said: ‘I didn’t ever think of that!’

God’s love isn’t confined to a building on a Saturday or Sunday morning. It is found on a street corner in an inner city where human beings need just a touch of it. Other help is provided but nothing changes lives like a moment of respect, dignity and a full belly.

So let’s pray for the poor and needy; then do something! Let’s change our thinking from what was to what is needed. Even when we need to scramble and move, God blesses the effort and multiplies the love: and for a moment or perhaps longer, lives are changed for the better.

Those who gathered to help certainly felt it, and were blessed!

Praying for the hurting, and thanking God for the little miracles!

Pastor Lou Strugala
NJSP, ACPO Chaplain