"NEWS AND NOTES"
OF
March 2010 |
| FROM PASTOR BOB KUPPLER... |
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Lent - a special time; 40 days of intentional focus on the quality of your faith and life so that you can be spiritually prepared to really celebrate and truly appreciate the Day of Resurrection of our Lord - Easter.
What can you do during Lent this year? Develop some "Holy Habits." Holy Habits are actions that help us focus on the cross and resurrection of Christ Jesus. Worship on Wednesday nights (see schedule and topics, below) prayer, meditation, Bible reading, listening to a friend, quiet times, fasting, confession are all Holy Habits - the routines - the disciplines we use to keep focused and attached to the Christ. We choose them at first, but after a while they become a strategic part of who we are, in Christ Jesus, as the Spirit empowers us to serve, to act - to live!
Changes - Check out the changes to the sanctuary from the recent minor renovation; in addition, we are thoroughly revamping the sound system in the sanctuary... all to support the new Contemporary worship service under the guidance and direction of Faith Martin. Though we previously announced a regular schedule for this new service, delays in renovation caused that schedule to be set aside for now. But...
Sunday, March 14th our worship will be totally in the "contemporary" style.
Welcome Jason Marks to our SHLC staff. Jason will be working with Faith Martin in our Youth Ministry. He is also part of the music team, playing guitar.
Updates - Both Brad Hildebrandt and Daniel Fenco are applying to Concordia Seminary, St. Louis, for admission into the "Specific Ministry Pastor" program. Upon acceptance, they will begin their seminary training (via internet) in September. Their "Specific ministries" will be in and through SHLC, where they will serve as "vicars" on the pastoral ministry staff. They will be active in all the normal pastoral functions, as well as "majoring" in outreach activities.
L ife Together
7:00 pm - 7:30 pm
Lent Worship with Holy Communion
March 3rd I'm Being True to Myself!
Jesus said, "Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do."
But of course, you do know what you are doing! Text: 1 Peter 1:22-25
March 10th This Is It???
Jesus said, "Today you will be with Me in paradise."
Huh? Life's short; get the most out of it now! Text: 1 Peter 1:3-5
March 17th How Can I Believe in a God Who Would...
Jesus cried, "My God, My God, why have You forsaken me?"
Is there vindication for believing in God? Text: 1 Peter 4:12-25
March 24th I Need This...and This...and This...
Jesus said, "I thirst."
What do you need? Why do you need it? Text: 1 Peter 4:1-6
April 1st - Maundy Thursday Worship
April 2nd - Good Friday Worship |
| SUNDAY SCHEDULE FOR MARCH 2010 |
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March 7th
The 3rd Sunday in Lent
9:30 am Worship with Holy Communion
"Listen and Live"
(Sunday School children begin with parents
in the sanctuary and then leave for classes at 9:45)
9:50 - 10:40 am Sunday School "Bearing Good Fruit"
March 14th
The 4th Sunday in Lent
Contemporary Worship Service
9:30 am Worship with Holy Communion
"Amazing; Just Amazing!"
(Sunday School children begin with parents
in the sanctuary and then leave for classes at 9:45)
9:50 - 10:40 am Sunday School "The Prodigal Son"
10:45 am - noon Pancake Breakfast
March 21st
The 5th Sunday in Lent
Lutheran Schools Sunday - Gentle Shepherd Christian Preschool Sunday
9:30 am FamilyWorship
"Children of God-Father, Son and Holy Spirit"
(Sunday School classes are part of the worship service)
March 28th
The Sunday of the Passion - Palm Sunday
Special Video Presentation by SHLC Confirmation Ministry
9:30 am Family Worship with Holy Communion
(Sunday School classes are part of the worship service)
April 4th
The Day of Resurrection - Easter Sunday
9:30 am Family Worship with Holy Communion
(Sunday School classes are part of the worship service)
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| FLOWERS, FLOWERS! |
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The Altar Guild continues to provide flowers each week throughout the year. The new 2010 flower chart has been hung in the hallway by the library. Please consider signing up for a date. It's a great way to celebrate a special event in your life or to remember a loved one. Directions are posted. Info?Call Joyce Millhagen at 908-647-3097.
EASTER DECORATIONS
Easter decorating donations will go into one special donation fund that the Altar Guild will use to decorate our church during the Easter season. If you wish to contribute to these decorations, please fill out the following form and turn it in either to your Sunday usher or to the church office no later than Sunday, March 28th to be published in the Easter bulletin. Late gifts will be published the next Sunday. All checks should be made out to the ALTAR GUILD. If you would like to take your plant home you may do so after the 9:30 am Worship Service.
The gift is made:
IN HONOR OF: ______________________________________________
IN MEMORY OF: _____________________________________________
IN THANKSGIVING FOR: _____________________________________
TO THE GLORY OF GOD: ____________________________________
Your information:
NAME: ________________________________ PHONE: ______________
ADDRESS: _____________________________________________________
AMOUNT OF GIFT - $ ___________ | |
| "JAM SESSION" FOR ALL PRAISE BAND/SOUND/TECHNO PEOPLE |
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Saturday, March 6th, from 3 - 6 pm, Faith Martin is hosting a Jam Session so that all who serve in these ministries, including all interested people, will have an orientation and explanation and training to make our worship experiences that much more glorifying to God and meaningful to those worshipping. Light supper will be provided; so confirm with Faith that you will be there, so she can plan to have enough for all. |
| PRAYER MINISTRY |
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 In Matthew 18:19 Jesus gives us the promise that "If two of you agree on earth about anything they ask, it will be done for them by my Father in Heaven".
This is just one of the many promises that we claim about prayer! The Prayer Network has been in operation for three months and is being used!!! There is always space for additional "Pray-ers" if you would like to join. Just call the office or Betty Vetter, 973-887-6027 and your name can be added to one of the networks.
The Prayer Group will meet the 2nd Tuesday of each month. The next meeting is scheduled for March 9th, 2010 at 10:00 am for about one hour. There will be a short Bible study on prayer and then we will pray for any requests that have been called in or those requests that have been placed in the "Prayer Request Box" (on the table by the flower chart). Please feel free to drop in and pray with the group even if you have just 10 - 15 minutes to spare. We will meet in the room by the water fountain.
Also, did you know that there is an Elder at the front of the Church after service who will pray with you if you so desire? Often, it is Joyce Millhagen! Please feel free to take advantage of this special time of prayer!
Are you one of those who wants to be a part of the Prayer Ministry at SHLC? We would be happy to have your help! |
| KOBON MINISTRY UPDATE |
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 Dear Friends,
We received very welcome news on February 18 from typesetter Emma Bibilo in Papua New Guinea. She heard from the printer in Korea that the completed Haruai New Testaments were sent by truck on February 18 to be shipped on the Kyowa Rose, which is scheduled to arrive in Lae PNG on March 8. If all goes smoothly, they could be cleared through PNG Customs, trucked up the Highlands Highway from Lae to Ukarumpa, and be there by the time we arrive at Ukarumpa on March 24.
We leave for PNG March 19. We "lose" one day crossing the International Date Line and a couple more through layovers. These will give us a chance to adjust to the inevitable jet lag. We have booked the new JAARS Kodiak aircraft to bring the New Testaments to the nearest airstrip to the Haruai on April 16. This airstrip is at Singapi, which is a Kobon village on the border with the Haruai. We have made arrangements with Lukson for him to bring at least 70 people from his village of Fankfank to meet the plane April 16 and carry the 64 cartons of New Testaments back to Fankfank.
That same plane will then come to Dusin (only a few minutes away by air) and bring Maila and me and our school superintendents to Singapi. I will then walk with the Haruai people and the school superintendents to Fankfank, which I believe is about 15 miles away over a high and steep mountain ridge. Maila will return on the plane to Ukarumpa. She would love to come to Fankfank too, but the steep gradients at high altitude would be too difficult.
Saturday April 17 will be a school sports/fun day especially for the school children, and on Sunday April 18 the Haruai people will receive their New Testaments. That is going to be a big day! On Monday April 19 I will make the return trip from Fankfank to Singapi, meeting a plane about midday to return to Ukarumpa.
Thank you for praying about the printing of the New Testaments. Your prayers have been answered in a wonderful way. Please continue to pray that everything will go smoothly with the shipping and transportation all the way to Fankfank, and also with our travel to PNG.
In His Love and Grace,
Pastor John and Maila
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| MEET YOUR FELLOW WORSHIPER |
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Joan Zarnick
I'm sure that most of you all ready recognize Joan. She is the blonde lady who is usually seated next to the Sparlings at Sunday services. You know the one with the contagious friendliness.
Joan was born in South Haven Michigan and baptized there at St. Paul's Lutheran Church. She grew up during World War II on a very large farm that belonged to her grandfather, whom she was very close to. After high school, Joan left South Haven for East Lansing to attend Michigan State and major in Home Economics. However, she met fellow Spartan Joe Zarnick. Joe returned to New Jersey, Joan came East and married him at age 19.
Joan was soon kept busy by the birth of her daughter Kathy, who now lives with her husband and four daughters in Billing, Montana. Two years after Kathy was born, Joey came along. During the years Joan took real estate courses and became a sales agent. After 35 years in the business, she says that she is retired. But I, for one, do not believe her.
Joe and Joan live next door to the Sparlings in Morris Plains. She keeps busy sewing, baking, reading, doing puzzles, and being with her friends. She also travels frequently to visit family in Michigan, as well as to see her daughter, son-in-law, and granddaughters in Montana. And, of course, she can always be counted on to give advice and help friends with real estate.
Joan's faith has been extremely important in her life:
"I don't think I could have made it through life if I didn't have my faith in the Lord. When I was 23, the Lord gave me a Downs Syndrome child. He was my second child. Times in the early 1960s were not like now. There was nothing to help you cope with the problems that arose. I had no family near by and no one to help me. My husband was working full time and going to night school (4 nights a week) to finish his double E.E. degree. If you don't have God in your life at a time like that, you have nothing to look forward to."
Joan says:
"Thanks to the Lord, Joey grew up to be an inspiration to many people and has probably changed many people's lives about what God can do with this one single life. He is definitely a blessing from the Lord to our family and friends."
I'm certain that Joan's many friends will whole-heartedly agree.
Reported by Linda Vitale |
| SHLC 50'S DANCE PARTY |
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Save the date - Saturday, May 1st, 2010
SHLC 50's Dance Party
Time: 7:00 PM till the cows come home!
Place: Somerset Hills Lutheran Church
Admission Price: to be announced.
Calling all adults! Dig up those poodle skirts, bobbie socks, saddle shoes, varsity jackets and penny loafers. Join us for an evening of food, fellowship and fun! Be there or be square!! Details to follow...
Any questions, contact Linda Julien (908) 647-0604, Judie Crawford (908) 647-8082 or Marlene Bauer (908) 719-0975. |
| SMALL GROUPS |
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 What is a small group?
How easy it is for us to lose closeness with one another in our church family! Would you like to experience a closer Christian friendship? Each of our small group gatherings begin by catching up and visiting, followed by timely discussions.
Monday (2nd & 4th): 7 pm. The group is discussing "Knowing Jesus". Info needed? Contact Bill Vreeland at 908-221-1779 or wvreeland1@aol.com.
Tuesday (2nd & 4th): 7 pm. The group is discussing "Vital Pursuits: developing my spiritual life". Info needed? contact Matthew Wessel at 908-625--5756 or weezyl@aol.com.
Sr. High Mom's Luncheon: This group meets monthly for lunch and fellowship. The next meeting is scheduled for Thursday, March 4th. Info needed? Contact Becky Johnsen at 908-892-0946 or becky@shlc.net.
Men of Elementary/Middle school age children:
Not quite right for YANKS? Not good at quilting? Not a Mom with kids in High School? Then this may be for you - we are beginning to form a SHLC men's group.... It's going to be mainly for men with young children (elementary-middle school). Plan to meet as a group for fellowship, spiritual development, sharing concerns and thoughts about our kids, and whatever is on your mind. May (probably will) develop into something more after a few meetings... Interested? We plan to meet Saturday, March 13th- time and location to be announced. Still interested? - talk to Dan Fenco or Don Richards for more info- there is no obligation, but we plan to make this something you don't feel obligated to, but rather something to look forward to... |
| CHURCH WEBSITE UPDATE |
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BLOG
Go to SHLC's blog site at http://shlc.net/blog/ to read and/or comment on blogs posted. Please subscribe and share our site with your friends.
SERMONS
If you missed last week's sermon or would like to listen to it again, go to www.shlc.net and click on "Listen to our audio files here".
SCHEDULES
Can't remember if you are scheduled to serve this Sunday? go to www.shlc.net, click on "Members Only", and enter the user name and password which you have received under separate cover via e-mail. If you need this information please contact Cheryl in the church office.
CHURCH PHOTO DIRECTORY
Need member contact information? Go to www.shlc.net, click on "Members Only", enter the user name and password which you have received under separate cover via e-mail. If you need this information please contact Cheryl in the church office.
CALENDAR OF EVENTS
To confirm events/activity time and locations, log onto the church website at www.shlc.net, click on "news and events", then click on "calendar". Click on the event/activity about which you are interested and the pertinent information will "pop up". |
| BIBLE STUDIES |
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 There are currently three Bible Studies at SHLC, and all are invited to come and participate in them. Please plan to join us as often as possible. You will enjoy the fellowship and discussion as we all grow together in our love and knowledge of the Lord Jesus Christ and His work on our behalf!
WEDNESDAY: is suspended during Lent, so that we may attend the weekly 7 pm worship.
THURSDAY: will meet weekly on Thursdays from 1:30 - 2:30 pm at the Sparling's home (11 Holly Drive, Morris Plains) to study 1John. Info needed? contact Pastor Sparling at 973-538-2704.
FRIDAY: will meet biweekly at 7 pm to study the Gospel of John. Next meeting is scheduled for 3/5 @ the Baccaglini's (3 Shelter Cove, Morris Plains). Info needed? contact Russ Baccaglini at 973-539-7930. | |
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SOMERSET HILLS LUTHERAN CHURCH |
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350 Lake Road
Basking Ridge, NJ 07920
Phone: 908-766-2858
Pastor
The Rev. Robert Kuppler
(h) 908-604-2425
(c) 908-531-7266
Church Administrator
Cheryl Delgado
908-766-2858
Office Assistant
Karen Lemke
908-766-2858
Contemporary Worship Leader & Youth Engager
Faith Martin
908-766-2858
Music Director
Children's Ministry
Becky Johnsen
908-892-0946
Christian Preschool
Martha Gilmore, Director
908-766-1430
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| LENTEN PANCAKE BREAKFAST |
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Sunday, March 14th
following worship
Come together for pancakes, waffles, and fellowship. Sign up in the library area. |
| GOLF OUTING |
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Save Thursday, May 13th for the 6th annual "Mission Classic" Golf Outing, of our New Jersey District, Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod, to support new mission starts in NJ.
Last year, SHLC had at least 4 foursomes, and a grand time was had by all. The Mission Classic will be held at Heron Glen Golf Course, Ringoes, NJ. Cost is about $160. Sponsors are also being sought. Call the Church office (908-766-2858) to reserve your spot, or for a brochure speak to Pastor Bob about being a sponsor. |
| PRAISE BAND |
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Do you sing or play a musical instrument? Are you interested in learning how to run the sound board? If so, the Praise Band needs your help!
Please contact Faith Martin for more information at faith@shlc.net or 908-766-2858. |
| NATIONAL YOUTH GATHERING |
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| The National Youth Gathering, for those currently in grades 8 -12, is coming July 17-21, 2010 in New Orleans! Please contact Faith Martin for more information at faith@shlc.net.
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| NEXT NEWSLETTER DEADLINE |
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The deadline for the next issue of the newsletter is Sunday, March 14th. Please send all articles to cheryl@shlc.net or drop them off in the office. |
| FOOD FOR THE HUNGRY |
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Thank you for all the groceries you donated during the Christmas season. Now it's time to start loading up the table again. |
| CHOIR REHEARSALS |
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CHILDREN'S CHOIR rehearsal is Thursday evenings from 4:15 - 5:00 pm for those in Kindergarten through grade 8.
ADULT CHOIR rehearsal is Thursday evenings from 7:30 - 9:00 pm.
HANDBELL CHOIR
rehearsal is Thursday evenings from 6:15 - 7:25 pm for all ages. |
| QUILTERS MEET |
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The SHLC Quilters will meet March
12th and 26th @ 9:30 am in the room by the water fountain. Quilts made by the group are donated to Lutheran World Relief.
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| USHERS NEEDED |
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 We are looking for people who are willing to serve as an usher, once a month, on Sunday mornings. Responsibilities include distributing bulletins, ensuring seating for attendees, collecting tithes and offerings, assisting with the flow of people during communion and straightening up the Sanctuary following worship. If you would like to help, please contact the church office at 908-766-2858 or cheryl@shlc.net. |
| MARCH BIRTHDAYS |
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3/1 - Sarah Gelbard
Erica Reiss
3/2 - John Martin
Maxwell Silverman
Laurie Udes 3/3 - Charlotte Meiner-Flohl
3/5 - Lauren Rissmeyer
Abby Seker
Brian Wieber
3/6 - Carolyn Gemra
3/7 - Michael Meyers
3/8 - Andrew Helm
Joanne Spohler 3/10 - Robert Thalacker
3/12 - Jacqueline Fritsch
Don Schleef
3/13 - Liz Baron
Jon Sabella
3/14 - Dave Islinger
3/19 - Alex Gacos
3/20 - Judy Craven
3/21 - William Butterline
Patrick Rosenthal
3/22 - Greg Forsberg
3/23 - Christian von Reventlow
3/24 - Jack Richter
Peter Schnarr
3/27 - Ken Powers
Bob Sanders
3/28 - Matt Hosler
3/29 - Krissy Hosler
3/30 - Emily Kuppler
John Legband
3/31 - Julius Rakus
Adam Springsteel
We are sorry if we have omitted a member's birthday. Please contact cheryl@shlc.net or call the church office at 908-766-2858 to let us know your birth date, and we will be sure to include you in future issues. |
| MARCH ANNIVERSARIES |
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3/22 - Diana & Eric Sombers
3/24 - Marie & Dick Schuler
We are sorry if we have omitted an anniversary. Please contact cheryl@shlc.net or call the church office at 908-766-2858 to let us know your anniversary, and we will be sure to include you in future issues. | |
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