20-April-2009 common ground
eNews from Lord of Life
Lord of Life Lutheran Church, Tabernacle NJ
lord of life sign outside
Pastor Bob's Birthday Celebaration & Open House at Lord of Life - Saturday April 25 from 3 to 6pm
Come join us at Lord of Life for the 90th birthday celebration for Pastor Bob Petersen.  Pastor Bob has been sharing his wisdom, insight, humor and passion for the celebration of the word of God with us as Associate Pastor since 1999.  Prior to joining our congregation, he served at several churches including Prince of Peace, Marlton, and St. Michael's in Cherry Hill.  He's presided over 130 weddings, and has been a pastor since 1947!
We are truly blessed to have such a wonderful teacher share his witness among us.  Please join us to celebrate Pastor Bob's birthday and feel free to spread the word and bring a friend or neighbor.  In lieu of gifts, Pastor Bob is asking you to honor him by volunteering for one of the Lord of Life ministries (there will be a 'ministry fair' there also, for you to get more information).  Please prayerfully consider Pastor Bob in God's work.
Blessed to be a Blessing!  

Holy Week and Easter liturgies are the most diverse and challenging worship services of the entire church year.  Interestingly, liturgy is a word derived from the greek language which means "the work of the people."  In the last several weeks, children, youth and adults have been doing their part to contribute to the many marvelous worship experiences of our congregation.

 Faithful adults guided our passion readings on Palm/Passion weekend and joyous children processed with palms at the beginning of our Prayer, Praise & Thanksgiving service.  Confirmation students had their feet washed on Maundy Thursday and members of the Altar Guild reverently stripped the chancel area of everything "bright and beautiful."

  Pilgrim children helped to carry the cross from our front lawn to the altar in the sanctuary and later that Good Friday night adult disciples shared their vocal gifts in monologue, passion reading and song.  Our Easter Vigil called on congregants to light candles, spray baptismal water, redress the chancel with the colors of Easter and help distribute the Lord's Supper. 

At the festival of "The Resurrection of our Lord", middle school (TWIGS) and senior high youth (GOD RODS)gave us all an awesome witness to the truth that "Jesus is Risen!"  And throughout this most demanding time for worship our worship leaders, choir and praise team kept us focused in faith. 

All together in "God's work" it was clear that we were "Blessed to be a Blessing!"

- Pastor Jones
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Senior High Mission Trip Information (June 21 - 27)can be obtained at this link:   SHMT
Church Services
Saturday 6pm
Sunday 8:30 & 10 am
Contact Info:

Pastor David Jones  609-268-0262 (office)
lordlife@lordlife.us

Lord of Life Lutheran Church    MAP
Ministry links:
earth day
Earth day is April 22nd.  Lets all do what we can to care for our creator's creation, and make a pledge to help.  Little things add up - reduce use of bottled water, carpool when possible, walk or use a bike instead of driving everywhere, use reusable shopping bags, look for better fuel economy on new vehicles... there are lots of tips for helping at: www.earthday.net
   And if you'd like to help with our stewardship team focused on 'creation care', you can help us to help the earth even more!  Contact the church office or click here if interested.  Thanks!
Upcoming Events


1st Holy Communion Instruction - 5:30pm Monday Apr 20th

Choirs:  Bell Choir 1:45pm / New Life Choir 7:30pm - Tue Apr 21st

Time Out / Time In - 9:30am Wed Apr 22

Adult Bible Study - 10am - Wed Apr 22

Dinner at the Diner-Wednesday, April 22nd.  Meet us at the Vincentown Diner and sign up on board.

SHYM Senior High Youth Ministry - 6pm - Wed Apr 22

Social Ministry Team Meeting - 7pm Wed Apr 22

Prayer Shawl Ministry - 7:30pm - Thurs Apr 23 and 10am Friday Apr 24

Young Artists in Concert - Friday April 24 at 7:00 pm.  See some very talented young musicians in our great venue at the church!

Senior High Mission Trip - Team clean-up at 9am Saturday April 25th.  Also see http://home.comcast.net/~lolmission/

Special Olympics @ Lenape High School - Saturday April 25th.

The Junior Girl Scouts are collecting books for a Community Book Swap they're sponsoring, to be held at Olson Middle School in Tabernacle on April 30 from 6 - 8 p.m.  Books may be dropped off in the marked container in the entryway here at church through Sunday, April 26.

Senior High Mission Trip - noon-2pm Sunday Apr 26 - Mandatory Tool Usage & Safety Session (lunch served)

Men's & Women's Ministry Dinner - Tuesday, April 28 at 6pm Ott's.  Guest speakers Dennis & Donna Yates will speak - sign up on board.

Women's Ministry Team Planning Session:  Wednesday April 29 at 7pm.  If you'd like to be a part of this ministry, please plan to attend!

Confirmation Spring Clean-up:  Saturday May 2:  8am-noon.  All confirmation students are encouraged to participate in this service project.  Please see Leslie Schmauder with any questions.

LUTHERAN CARE VISIT - Monday May 4 - 1:30pm - Contact Sue Dreisbach for details.

BOOK REVIEW & FELLOWSHIP - Monday May 4 - 7pm - Meet at the home of Mary-Jo & Russ Miserendino and discussing 'The Last Lecture' by Randy Pausch.  Please sign up on bulletin board.

Outdoor Camping Opportunity - St Paul's Lutheran Church of Hainesport has 2 planned camping outings and would love to have other Lutheran Congregations join them.  Bull's Island camping trip June 12-14th. (Oct. outing 10/9-10/12).  Reservations and info at www.dandrcanal.com.  St. Paul's contact Sandy Sickles 609-267-8246 or contact Andy Roppoli at 609-410-1768 (shamong218@aol.com).
 
Tennis Opportunity - There is also a group at St. Paul's looking for people to play tennis this spring & summer, playing at the courts in Bobby's Run in Lumberton.  It will be a relaxing and friendly competition played with other Lutherans.  Singles and doubles will be chosen randomly (no pressure here!). Contact at St Pauls is Marybeth Johns at 609-702-1699 or email at mbjadam@aol.com.
 
Announcements & Time/Talent Opportunities

A few weeks remain available for weekly flower dedications & the month of Oct. remains available for communion bread & wine - please see the bulletin board for sign-up sheets.

"Change for a Change" - If you are participating in helping to raise funds for the Samaritan Ministries in Hot Springs Arkansas & the Fuller Center, please return your containers.  Thank you!
 
Ushers are needed for both 6PM and 8:30 AM services - please call or email the church if you'd like to help!

Like to mow the lawn?  Well, neither do we, but it grows anyhow!  If you can help for a week or two, please contact the church office lordlife@lordlife.us or just call.  Thanks!

We are also looking for people at the Saturday and Sunday services to help with the audio/video system.  If you'd like to learn and help, please email or call the church office or email here.

"Simply Giving" contribution form can be obtained at:  http://home.comcast.net/~lordlife/simply-giving-form.pdf
Thanks for Sharing your Talents with Lord of Life

Thank's to the following people for conducting the LOL audit this year: Bill Hodum, Ed Kagen , Ed Harding , Mary Roppoli 
  And an extra "Thank You" to Brigette Watson for leading the effort!
  And of course a big "Thank You" to Debbie and Donna R for continuing to do a fine job with the church books all year long!

Also THANK YOU!  THANK YOU!  THANK YOU!
We want to thank all of those who helped the drama of Palm Sunday through Easter to unfold.  Did you know that 12 pastoral leadership, 30 altar guild, 191 musician/vocalist/dramatist, 19 communion assistant, 18 greeter, 2 secretary, 18 usher, 5 lector, 18 worship space, 2 assisting minister, 6 housekeeping, and 10 audio/visual roles were offered up to make it all happen?   We thank you all for sharing your gifts of time and talent to God's glory and with your Lord of Life family!