My daughters and I walked around town this morning, surveying the damage from Hurricane Irene.  We're not looking at trees in quite the same way anymore.

On other walks we might remark, "what a lovely tree, it has such nice form."  But this morning it was more like, "wow, that one is a real house-crusher!"

Tuning in to our battery-powered radio, we heard one commentator predict that the newly-planted trees would topple first.  I whispered a prayer for all newly-planted Christians, that their "roots" would remain firmly planted in The Lord through this latest test of faith.

I don't know about your neighborhood, but in ours it was actually some of the older, well-established trees that fell.  It was terrifying to hear them come down in the dark of Saturday night and not be able to see where they landed.  Were my neighbors all o.k., I wondered?  All that I could do was pray fervently, and trust in God.

We've got a couple of really large trees on either side of our house, so we decided to sleep downstairs in a more centrally located spot.  "Sleep" - ha!  I was up all night, were you?

As I sat in a chair by the basement door, bucket in hand, listening for the sound of water gushing in through the wall again, I thought about all of the years that The Lord has been with me, of all the trials He has seen me through.  For the first time in a long time, I had a crystal-clear understanding of this, and my heart overflowed with thanks and praise.  This is most certainly an indication of His Presence with me that night!

Well, we've surveyed the damage here, and several trees did fall.  But they all fell between the houses!  Praise The Lord!!

Earthquakes, hurricanes - they test our faith.  But we are still standing.

"Many are asking, 'Who can show us any good?'"  But I say, "Let the light of your face shine upon us, O Lord.  You have filled my heart with greater joy than when their grain and new wine abound.  I will lie down and sleep in peace, for you alone, O Lord, make me dwell in safety." (Psalm 4:6-8)

It has been a bit hectic around the church lately with the construction not to mention associated delays and computer glitches with the earthquake and hurricane.  I apologize for the delay.

That being said, I am soooo excited to be so close to opening the new classroom, office and fellowship areas, and look forward to sharing them with you.  I thank you all for your patience and cooperation while ungoing the constructon.  I trust you will all enjoy the new surroundiings as much as I will.

As we begin to undertake our Sustainability Campaign at the end of the month to support this as well as future projects and missions, I ask you to prayerfully consider your level of generous support.  It is through these efforts that we will be able to grow and improve our church's future.

- Cheryl Delgado

All are invited

to attend

Celebration Sunday!!!

Sunday, September 18th

9:30 am

Installation of

Sunday School Teachers

Gentle Shepherd Christian Preschool Staff

Church Council

Following Worship

Join us for:

Food

"Bouncy" for kids

Fun

Fellowship

HOUSE CHURCH UPDATE FROM VICAR DANIEL FENCO

This summer has been one of the most rewarding and exciting summers. On July 17, Grace Lutheran Church hosted their first Spanish Service. The Salazar family have been members at Grace Lutheran Church for four years and always had the desire to have a service in their native language and invite friends and family. With this in mind, the Salazar family worked really hard in inviting friends, strangers and family members to the service. We posted flyers around Livingston and in the surrounding areas. We had about 60 people for this service and it was a great experience for everyone involved. The music was accompanied by Faith Martin (vocals & keyboard), Jason Marks (guitar) and Pedro Fenco (percussion). We contacted Chris Sapara-Grant from Calvary Lutheran Church in Verona, and he graciously let us use some of his music instruments so our team did not have to bring their own. Chris also joined us for the service. After the service, we enjoyed Peruvian dishes provided by Maria's Deli in Livingston. Everyone was blessed by the service. Some people commented on how they were blessed by the music and some were encouraged by the message. Private prayers were requested after the service by some families. It was a beautiful service because it brought the body of Christ together working with one purpose in mind - to bring people to Christ. Some of the visitors came from Livingston, Elizabeth, West Orange, Verona and NY. The congregation at Grace was part of the service. Pastor Vossler opened our service with a welcome and a prayer and assisted me during the service. The Grace Congregation helped also during and after the service and they also published an advertisement in the local newspaper. Praise God for what he is doing in our midst! We will continue with our Spanish Services in New Jersey.

In the last week of July, the Figueroa family hosted an Evening Vacation Bible School (EVBS) at their home in Bernardsville. The purpose of this was to provide EVBS for those parents that work during the day and could not bring their kids to morning VBS. Our first day of VBS was struck by thunder storms, but we were determined to continue with our program. We ended up with a total of 22 kids in 5 days. We provided lessons, fun games and supper. On Thursday, we had a small celebration and the parents were invited. Our kids, with the help of Faith Martin (vocals) and Jason Marks (guitar), were singing some of the songs that they learned during EVBS. We had refreshments for the parents and it was an opportunity for us to connect with and get to know this community. Some of the parents said that this EVBS was a gift from heaven to them and that this was the first time that a church did something in their community, in their midst. Some of the parents told me that their kids were ready and very excited 3 or 4 hours prior to our EVBS each day. The Figueroas did a marvelous job at hosting this EVBS and also helping in different activities. Heather Christian helped organize our EVBS and John and Jessica Ruttman did an awesome job as our teachers.

I am very thankful to my congregation for their prayers and support in this ministry. I also would like to especially thank Faith Martin, who has been a blessing and a partner in this ministry. She has been involved since our very first Spanish service at SHLC singing in Spanish. We are so blessed to have Faith as a part of our ministry at SHLC. Thank you all for your support and prayers. We will continue to share God's love with the world.

- Vicar Daniel Fenco

SUMMER CELEBRATION 

On Tuesday, July 12th more than 100 people came together on SHLC's front lawn for food, fun, music and fellowship.  See the photos below:

The "Bouncy" Castle

Pastor serving hot dogs.

Jason and Faith play with the Christian Band "Seraph Ensemble"

Hula Hooping!

Youth share what they learned at Vacation Bible School

 On Friday, August 26th more than 15 people assisted with the stuffing of more than 100 back packs with school supplies that were collected during summer from members and Vacation Bible School attendees.

On Sunday, September 1st the 100 back packs were distributed to the youth of Plainfield, NJ in less than 20 minutes.

Thank you to all those that contributed back packs, school supplies and their time towards this mission.

 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:  resumes on September 14th at 10 am.  Our theme will be the coming Sunday's Bible readings.  This is an excellent way to look in depth into the scriptures which are the theme of the Sunday worship.  Please see the weekly Worship Folder for the upcoming week's study.

THURSDAY:  resumes on September 15th at 1:30 pm at the Sparling's home (11 Holly Drive, Morris Plains).  September's study schedule is:

     9/15 - Matthew 13: 1-23 - The Parable

                                             of the Sower

     9/22 - Matthew 13: 24-30, 37-43 - The Parable

                            of the Weeds vs. the good grains

     9/29 - Matthew 13:31 -43 - Parable of the

                            Mustard Seed and Yeast

FRIDAY: resumes September 16th at 7 pm at Ginny Kirczow's home (12 Alanon St., Whippany).  The topic of study is to be determined.

Why join 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 catching up and visiting over snacks, followed by our timely discussions.  There is a place for you!  We would love for YOU to join us.

Monday (2nd & 4th):  will meet 9/12 at 7pm at the Vreeland's (32 Launcelot Lane., Basking Ridge).  The group will continue their discussion about "Heaven" - which leads believers to reclaim a biblical view of heaven and learn to excitedly anticipate the place where they will spend eternity.  Info needed?  contact Bill Vreeland at 908-221-1779 or wvreeland1@aol.com.

Tuesday (2nd & 4th):  will meet 9/13 at Julius Rakus' (81 Hagerman Ct., Bridgewater).  The group will continue their discussion of "Lasting Legacy:  making a difference with my life".  You are where you are today because somebody cared about you.  In these lessons, we can learn together how to live our lives in such a way that we will make a meaningful impact in the lives of others in our homes, workplaces, and communities.  Each chapter is independent so please join us at any time.  Info needed?  contact Matthew Wessel at 908-625-5756 or weezyl@aol.com.

Daylight Chasers:  will meet _______.  The topic of study is about Jonathan based on the book "Chasing Daylight" by Erwin McManus.  Info?  contact Faith Martin at 908-766-2858 or faith@shlc.net.

Men's Group:  we welcome ALL men of SHLC to our Men's group.  We get together twice a month to get to know and enjoy each other's company over coffee or a meal, to learn more about God and when there's a need or opportunity we help with a church ministry.  Info?  contact Daniel Fenco at jdfenco@verizon.net or Don Richards at teamrichards@optonline.net.

PASTOR JOHN AND MAILA DAVIES

KOBON MINISTRY UPDATE

Dear Friends,

Summer vacations always go by too fast and we think about going back to school with mixed feelings. It's time to shop for bargains in the Back-to-School sales. Unfortunately we don't have stationery store sales in PNG, but we do shop for bargains. With 1000 students in our Living Word Schools we need to, because they go through a lot of chalk, pencils, erasers, notebooks, paper, pens, colored pencils etc...

The goal of our Living Word Schools is to reach a generation for Jesus. We now see clearly why the Lord led us to get into Christian education in the three language groups. This has been the most effective way of discipling children and consistently teaching them about the Lord Jesus day by day. Thank you for being part of the team through your gifts which enable us to buy these supplies and pay our teachers, and also by making the Bible storybooks which are used to teach the children about the Christian faith as they learn to read and write.

After the young people have learned to read and write and they trust in the Lord, they may apply to attend a teachers training course to become a teacher in our schools. Eighteen young men and women attended our training course in March this year. Ten qualified as new teachers. Eight achieved a provisional teaching certificate and after gaining more experience in the classroom will be able to take the written and practical tests again at the next course. They will join the team of Living Word School teachers who are passing on their skills of reading and writing and their faith to their students. And so the Word of the Lord continues to spread and the Church continues to grow.

Sakias & his bride.

Our Haruai friend Sakias lives up to, or should that be "down to", his name. At about 4 feet 6 inches tall he doesn't see over the heads of many people. But like the other Zaccheaus (Luke 19:1), what he lacks in stature he makes up for in joy in the Lord! He always has a smile on his face. He learned to read and write in our school at Fankfank. Then he attended our teacher training course and went to teach in our school at Yesia. When his life was threatened there, we appointed him assistant superintendent of the Haruai school district. He married about 2 years ago. Lukson and Sakias are now looking at the possibility of re-opening the Yesia School.

Thank you for being part of the team.

In His Love and Grace,

Pastor John and Maila

 UPDATE FROM KRISTEN SCHMALTZ

 MEDICAL MISSIONARY

Dr. Schmaltz reports that progress continues on the surgical building and ward at Compassion Evangelical Hospital in Guinea, West Africa, and that planned future projects include the construction of an emergency room, x-ray building and morgue. Fence posts along the perimeter of the property are being put up to keep out squatters, pasturing animals, snakes and the occasional rabid dog or thief!

Currently about 70 people come to the hospital daily for treatment, which is a return to normal after the recent political and economic unrest in the country made operations difficult. Ten new staff members are needed, and applications made by Christian nationals are under review. Pray that The Lord will guide all involved in the hiring process!

Dr. Kristen Schmaltz will give specialized training in infant care to the staff at CEH. She is also visiting missionaries, two churches and a school in Labe, a northern Fouta town, as part of her new role as Fulbe Partnership Facilitator (mentioned in her last newsletter). Pray for her efforts in this new endeavor, as well as for her continuing work at CEH.

Kristen's parents (Lynn and Les Schmaltz) will be with us in worship on October 23rd to give us a first person update.

Just before the summer started, you met John Meyerhoff. As promised, you will now get to know his wife, Neva.

Neva was born in a small Nebraska town that brings all kinds of images to mind -- Broken Bow. There she lived every kid's dream, growing up on a ranch and doing neat things with 4-H and other activities. Neva attended a small country school  until 8^th grade. She then attended high school in Broken Bow.  She earned her Associate's Degree as a legal secretary from Lincoln School of Commerce.

Neva took a job with Novartis and that's where she met John. As you learned previously, they went out for pizza and to see Woody Allen's Manhattan. And  they were married six months later.

After they married, Neva was baptized at Christ Lutheran in Lincoln - John's church. In January 2003, John was transferred to New Jersey and  they moved to Randolph with their two daughters Casi and Ashley. Neva admits that moving to New Jersey, away from family and friends, was huge. But she feels that it made them closer and stronger as a family.

When asked about her faith, Neva replied, "My faith is very important to me. My mother would make sure we attended Sunday school and church every Sunday, in any kind of weather. God has been good to me and has given me a wonderful family and life. I feel truly blessed."

Neva loves to decorate. She personally has painted every room in their home and has sewn her own window treatments and throw pillows. She also volunteers for a women's club in Montville and sews small pillows which are donated to area hospitals for breast cancer patients.

So look for Neva on Sunday mornings. She's blonde, petite, and very friendly.  Perhaps we can interest her in assisting in some of our quilting projects.

Reported by Linda Vitale

SOMERSET HILLS LUTHERAN CHURCH

During worship on Sunday, August 7^th, SHLC gathered around Major Andy Doe and his wife Jennifer, and daughters Katherine and Alexandra, praying to the Lord on their behalf, as they prepared for his deployment to Iraq later in the month.

MAJ Doe serves as a US Army Reserve Diagnostic Radiologist with the 256^th Combat Support Hospital, part of the 78^th Division of the NJ Army Reserve.   His deployment may be for about 4 months, hopefully returning before the year ends. At this time, we have not yet received word of his location or mailing address in Iraq. Information about Andy will be made known as we receive it.  

May our SHLC family support the Doe family as together they serve the needs of others through their sacrifice of time and distance.   Please pray for Andy and for Jenn and the girls during their time of separation.

It has been 6 months since I was diagnosed with myasthenia gravis and I wanted to let you know how things are going with my health and other related concerns.

Briefly - the impairments resulting from myasthenia (which will always be with me) - are being well controlled by the medication prescribed for this neuro-muscular auto immune disease. I will always need to take this medication daily in order to keep double vision, slurred speech, chewing and swallowing difficulties, and muscle fatigue from affecting my life.

On the other hand - Treatment for myasthenia includes using steroids to surpress the immune system so that there could be healing in the nerve synapses that have been damaged by the auto-immune attacks. I began taking prednisone on May 1^st in ever increasing dosages, and after 4 months of large amounts of prednisone daily, I am now beginning to be weaned from this medicine, hopefully to be completely "off" it by the end of the year.   While prednisone is a wonderful medicine, it has very dangerous and difficult side effects, and almost all of them have affected me in one way or another.   For your patience and understanding with me during this often difficult treatment, I am sincerely grateful.

In addition to retaining fluids especially around the face, neck, head and torso (which I'm told will be able to reduced after therapy ceases), one particular side effect of prednisone that lingers is called "steroid-induced myopathy" - muscle weakness and fatigue.   I am also assured that my energy and strength will return to normal as well.   The result of this? I have had to virtually eliminate all non-SHLC activity in order to be able to function well; at the same time I tire easily, but always revive after a time of rest. This too, should reverse once I no longer take any steroids.

Many people have prayed and are praying for me. Thank you. Please continue this wonderful care for me. God is gracious and has allowed the medicine to restore me to (almost) normal functioning.   I am grateful to all of you for your patience, love and understanding during this most challenging time in our life together as God's people of SHLC. I thank God for you.  

Children's Choir: 4:15-5pm

for children grades K-8.

Bells:  6:15 - 7:25 pm

Adult Choir:  7:30 - 9 pm

We all have a desire to help others--in times of their needs or to join in their times of thanksgiving and happiness--and one of  the most effective and yet easiest ways to do this is through prayer!!  That is our aim in the Prayer Group--we pray for others as well as our own requests and praises.  We spend about one hour once a month to do this.  As you can see, it isn't a huge commitment of time.  Would you like to join us?  We meet the second Tuesday of most months.  If you would llike to join us but this is not a good time for you, please contact Betty Vetter at 973-887-6027 and perhaps we can arrange a time that is good for you.  Put us on  your Fall schedule and try it out!!  Our next meeting is going to be September 13 at 10:00 am and we will probably be in the kitchen.  Our short Bible study will be based on 2Kings 19:1-37.

Also a reminder that there are Prayer Request cards in the pews in front of you.  Just fill them out and put them in the collection plate or put them in the bright green box which is under the flower chart.  Another way to make a Prayer Request is to call the office or call Betty Vetter.

ATTENTION ALL INCOMING AND RETURNING CONFIRMATION STUDENTS!

ALL students and a parent need to attend a confirmation orientation:

Wednesday, September 21st 6:30 - 8pm (1st/2nd year)

                OR

Thursday, September 22nd  6:30 - 8pm (3rd year)

If you have more than one student in foncifmation and ONE of them is a third year, please attend the third year meeting only.  You do not need to attend both meetings (but bring both students please).

If you have a conflict and cannot attend one of these meetigns, please contact Faith ASAP at faith@shlc.net.

SHLC has a facebook!!!!

Check us out at

www.facebook.com/
 somersethillslutheranchurch

and become a fan!!!

Bill and Fran Storer

87 Blue Ridge Terrace

Gordonsville, VA  22942

bstorer@gmail.com 

Thrivent Choice is a charitable grant program where Thrivent Financial for Lutheran members can participate at different levels based on their involvement with Thrivent.  The program actively involves members in how Thrivent Financial distributes some of its charitable grant funds.

Since it's inception in 2010, SHLC has received over $2,700 in Thrivent Choice designated dollars.

However, only 53% of the eligible members in 2011 have designated where their allocated dollars should go!

If you are not sure if you are an eligible member, please go to the Thrivent website at www.thrivent.com or contact Cheryl Delgado, SHLC Lead Congregational Advocate at 908-766-2858. 

7/7/11

Pastor & Members:

Thank you so much for your support of my mission work.

Thank you for your friendship!

I pray our efforts honor your gift.

In Him,

Pastor Jim Buckman