We are excited to announce that Pastor Lloyd Syvertsen has accepted the offer to be our pastor for the summer of 2024 and hopefully many years beyond that. Pastor Lloyd grew up on Staten Island, NY and came to know Christ as a young boy through the ministry of his home church, Salem Evangelical Free Church. Through high school he was involved in various ministries in his local church and led the youth group during his final two years of high school.
Lloyd attended King’s College and graduated with a degree in history in 1976. As a student at the King’s College, Lloyd played basketball, served as a resident assistant and as student pastor during his senior year. Upon graduation, Lloyd spent two years teaching high school social studies and coaching basketball at Camp Springs Christian School in Camp Springs,
Maryland. As a result of his involvement in several ministries at a local church in the area, he sensed God leading him into full-time ministry. After two years of teaching, Lloyd enrolled at Trinity Evangelical Divinity School in Deerfield, Illinois. Lloyd and his wife Jan were married the summer of 1978 and moved to the Chicago area where he began seminary that fall. He earned a Master of Divinity degree in 1981 and began his pastoral ministry of 41 years.
Lloyd served three different churches in the metro NY area during his 41 years in the pastorate. He served 14 years in Wantagh, Long Island, 17 years in Ridgewood, NJ and 10 years in Greenwich, CT. Lloyd retired from full-time pastoral ministry in the summer of 2022 and continues to speak at various churches and retreats in the area. He is also currently working as a substitute teacher at a local high school. Lloyd and Jan have four married sons, and 10 grandchildren and currently live in Mt. Bethel, PA.
We hope you’ll come to meet Pastor Lloyd and worship with us when the Chapel begins summer services on June 23rd.
Until then, have a blessed, safe and healthy winter!
The Trustees of Christ Union Chapel
We offer a unique worshiping experience overlooking our beautiful lake every Sunday from late June until Labor Day weekend. The service is at 10:00 on the lawn weather permitting. Sunday School begins June 30th. Childcare is available across the street at the Manse.
Join us at 6:30 Sunday evenings during the summer season for the float service in the middle of the lake, weather permitting. Meet us on the water to sing hymns and enjoy fellowship together just before the sun sets on another beautiful summer Sunday.
Christ Union Chapel sits on the shores of Culver Lake in Branchville, NJ. Culver Lake is a private lake in Sussex County which is in the northwest corner of NJ, abutting Stokes State Forest and the Appalachian Trail. The natural 550 acre lake is home to over 500 families, half of whom are year-
round residents. This rural area of NJ is known as the Skylands region and consists of rolling mountains, lakes and farmland. It is about 70 miles northwest of New York City.
Our services are attended by a diverse gathering of individuals – some Protestant and some Catholic, some from mainline denominations, some from independent congregations, and some with no church affiliation at all. All are welcome at the Chapel!
Our chapel is entering its 115th season in Christian ministry to the residents and neighbors of Culver Lake. We believe in sharing the gospel and serving the friends of the Chapel with gracious love of Christ.
It was with mixed emotion that we said thank you and goodbye to our beloved Pastor and his family. After 13 years of faithful service to God and our community, Bill and Bev have decided to retire so they can do more traveling with family during the summer months. The ministry of the Chapel has seen much growth under Bill’s leadership, and we have been tremendously blessed to have had their partnered ministry here at the lake. We feel he has left us in a good position to continue into our 115th season and the next chapter of our ministry to the Culver Lake community.
The Trustees honored Bill and Bev with a lakeside dinner and presented some keepsake gifts as a token of our appreciation.
Bill and Bev, we offer our sincerest appreciation and thanks for all you have done here at Culver Lake. Many memories were made, and many lives changed because of what you have done for the glory of God. Thank you, thank you and may God bless you in your retirement. We look forward to seeing you whenever you’re passing through N.J.!!!
Our annual Thanksgiving service will be held on Saturday, October 26th at 2:00pm. Join us for a message from Pastor Lloyd and hymns. Following the service we will have apple cider and donuts. A wonderful time to gather with friends and neighbors and give thanks to our Creator.