The SHLC family has a special opportunity on Sunday, January 9^th, following worship.  Pastor Jim Buckman will lead an hour-long Bible Study to help us learn about and know about some very easy but vital ways that we can live out our faith right here where we live. 

Plan to stay an extra hour after worship to hear Pastor Jim teach and talk about prayer walking, houses of prayer, and the "house church" ministry!  There will also be free bagels and coffee!!

During worship, Pastor Buckman will give the sermon, part of which will be his mission report to us as one of his supporting partner congregations in his work as New Jersey Urban and Mission Strategist. 

Following worship on the Sundays of January 23^rd, 30^th and February 1^st, Pastor Bob will lead the Holy Communion Preparation Class.  The class spans each of the 3 dates for a total of about 3 hours of teaching and learning and sharing.  The class is for all people of the SHLC family - adults and students - as a 1^st experience with Holy Communion, or as a refresher course, or as a Bible Study. 

Typically, students who are 9 or 10 years old, or in the 4^th or 5^th grade accompanied by a parent, are permitted to enroll.  First Communion may be received at any time following the completion of the class, or may be delayed until their day of Confirmation.   

To enroll, please email or call Pastor Bob or Cheryl Delgado in the church office.  Advance enrollment is necessary so that books may be ordered.  The cost of materials is $5 per individual person participating in the class.  There is a separate book for students and for their parent. 

Want to start the New Year off in a missions-minded way?  Would you like to be a participant in the great work that God is doing for the children of Papua New Guinea, through the ministry of Bible translators Pastor John and Maila Davies?  Then join us on Sunday, January 16th for an hour or two, as we make Bible story primers for Living Word students of the Haruai tribe.

In order to make this event as great a success as our last Book Bee (October 2006), we will need lots of help!  The pages for 9 Bible story book titles are already printed and waiting to be assembled.  Our goal is to make 2,000 story books in one afternoon.  We've done it before, and we can do it again!!  Please come to Fellowship Hall following the Sunday service and join in with the many hands that make light work!  Refreshments will be provided.

Look for our upcoming display on the Missions bulletin board and sign up there, or talk with any member of our Missions Team:  Joyce Millhagen, Arlene Baccaglini, Melanie Richards and Jodi Kokenge.

From Left to Right:  Manuel (father), Jessica, Elsa (mother), Jazmin, Gonzalo, Pepe.

 

Several months after I started the House Church, I found out about Elsa's situation with her immigration status.  In our House Church, we made that a priority prayer request and we ended every service asking for God's guidance and help in this situation.  This is a difficult situation for the family and is something that we are still praying for. The Figueroa's continue to praise and trust God in the midst of this situation. 

Manuel (father), Elsa (mother) and their younger children, Jazmin and Gonzalo, joined us for worship on December 19^th and after worship we went to the Plainfield Mission.  The Figueroa's drove with me and that is when I found out the good news.  Jazmin was surprised that her mom did not tell me the good news and she begged her mom for her to be the one to tell me. With excitement in her voice and tears in her eyes, Jazmin said that their immigration court date had been postponed for six months.  They were so happy and thankful to God because this was an answer to their prayers.  I was in awe when I heard the news.  I could not believe it.  On our way to Plainfield, there were tears of joy and thanksgiving.  We were reminded of God's love for us.

Although this situation is not completely over, what happened was definitely God's hand at work.  Our God is a God of wonders!  Sing the praises of the LORD, you his faithful people; praise his holy name.  For his anger lasts only a moment, but his favor lasts a lifetime; weeping may stay for the night, but rejoicing comes in the morning - Psalm 30:4-5.  This news gave the Figueroa's peace and a time to rejoice and reflect on Christ's birth.  It also helped strengthen their faith.

As I said before, this situation is not over.  The Figueroa's trust God and know that He will make a way.  Some of you know of the Figueroa's situation and have been praying about it.  I urge you to continue to pray for the Figueroa's. 

We are making a difference in one family and this family is making a difference in all those that cross paths with them.  They share Christ's love and wonders with others and this is what it is all about.

Our Bernardsville House Church meets every Monday at 8 p.m.

Submitted by Daniel Fenco

Thank you to all who contributed to the Plainfield mission.  More than 20 youth and adults joined together to distribute several hundred items (hats, gloves, socks) to the needy on December 19th.  We also sang some Christmas hymns.  We felt very blessed by this experience.  

Melanie Richards putting gloves on a little girl.

Special thanks to Jeff Plum for setting us up in Plainfield and the Gacos family for their assistance.

Church members singing Christmas Carols.

The Prayer Group will be meeting Tuesday, January 11, 2011.  We will conclude our study on a "Procedure in Prayer".  We will meet at 10 am for about one hour.  If you can't join us, but have a prayer concern, just fill out a "Prayer Request Card" and put it in the bright green box which is on the table by the flower chart or call Betty Vetter at 973-887-6027 or call the office at 908-766-8252.  Please plan to join us!

SOMERSET HILLS LUTHERAN CHURCH

Gentle Shepherd Christian Preschool registartion for the 2011-2012 school year is as follows:

January 10th - current Church members

January 11th - 9:15 am

  Current Family Lottery

January 12th - Alumni families

January 13th - new families

If you have any questions or would like to schedule a tour please call Martha Gilmore at 908-766-1430.

People are needed to help undecorate the Sanctuary  on Saturday, January 8th at 8:30 am.  Please come and help.  For additional information contact Joyce Millhagen @ 908-647-3097. 

FELLOWSHIP OUTING UPDATES