eNews from Lord of Life
14-December-2009
Lord of Life Lutheran Church, Tabernacle NJ |
"But those who trust in the Lord will find new strength. They will soar high on wings like eagles. They will run and not grow weary. They will walk and not faint." Isaiah 40:31
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| President's Corner Dec 2009
As Christmas draws near and the decade of the single digits
comes to an end I look back upon the past ten years of Christmases and remark
upon how our world, nation and congregation have changed.
Our world is no longer that 'big blue marble' to do with as
we see fit, but rather a fragile place that our excesses have damaged to
everyone's detriment. Now we must roll
up our sleeves and try to reverse the hurt we've allowed to occur with deeds,
not words, and prayers, not curses. If we
each do our small part, this world can be set right.
Our nation experienced the first attack on our soil since
Pearl Harbor, the highs and lows of a volatile economy, the thrill of Olympic
firsts, the vagaries of weather and the election of the first African American President. We are still going strong, though perhaps not
as strong as in the past. But with all
the problems people are still helping people by providing food and shelter to
those made homeless by storm and flood, by rebuilding homes lost to those
calamities, and by being the hands and feet of the Lord.
Our congregation has changed too. Gone are many of the founding members, yet we
continued to grow almost every year. The
things we do for others is amazing - multiple mission trips to build and repair
homes in distant communities; provision of food and clothing to those in need
locally; support of multiple aid organizations local and abroad; the founding
of the Fuller Center for Housing in the Jersey Pines. Not everything is rosy however; this year's
deficit was the worst ever, softened only by the generous additional gifts
provided by many of God's faithful servants; this year was also the first in
which we did not grow. . . But, our facilities are larger as is our
staff; the programs and activities are varied and plentiful; we can look to a
brighter future as we start a new decade.
The pledges of support for next year show a prayerful generosity on the
part of many; our Christian pre-school is growing stronger; more of our youth,
the present and future of this congregation, are participating in greater
numbers.
All and all God has been good to this Christian community, and
if we continue to be the faithful servants in the future as we have in the
past, this congregation can make a difference in our community, our nation and
our world.
Your brother in Christ, Chuck Bubeck
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Thank You!
We thank everyone that helped to reach so many with the message of our
Advent Family Night, "Christmas Around the World."
Special thanks go out to Kelly/Ruth Rinck and Fran Bubeck who all came out on
Saturday of Thanksgiving weekend to give a little extra help. To Barb Wagner and Sheri Perkins for painting the
world. Also to all the wonderful after Service helpers who helped to make
the quick turn around from LOL to Christmas Around the World-LOL. We had
over 227 folks blessed by this event helping, or attending, or both!!!
We thank God for our wonderful Sunday School Staff who give of themselves to
help share Jesus with our children each week.
We thank God for all of our children who are sharing their faith as the Children's
Messages during December. Thanks for helping us to better understand the
stories behind the carols. |
Giving Tree for Christian Caring Center and
Spirit of the Holidays for families affected by HIV/AIDS
We thank God for inspiring all of those who helped make the holiday special and shared with those in need. With an 'overflowing' vestibule filled with gifts and the Senior High Youth Group excitedly buying gifts with money earned from service projects, it is obvious that many in our congregation are reaching out to help others during these difficult times. Thank you for reaching out with the hand of Christ to touch the lives of so many with these ministries!
Last Chance to give gifts - Wed Dec 16th!
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Pony Express Feedback
Thanks to everyone who participated in this very successful campaign to support God's ministries here at Lord of Life!
We had 223 of 291 EOS (estimate of sharing) cards returned by Dec 6 which is 77%
- a new record ! (If you still have yours, please return ASAP.) The total was $374,594 pledged to
the General Fund which is also a
new record! And we had 6 additional
families chose to use the Simply Giving program which makes it easy to give your pledge periodically to our church.
Again, thanks for your support and generosity in these difficult financial times.
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 Looking for a creative, innovative idea for this Christmas?
http://www.fullercenternewjerseypines.org/ has a great list of gift ideas - and these are truly "gifts that keep on giving" as we use them to help create and sustain affordable housing in the NJ region we serve. Please take a look and help us to help others!
ALSO - the meeting announced for the Fuller Mission Trip Tue Dec 15 is not being held - information on this trip is available at the link above or by contacting Donna Yates @ dennis.yates@comcast.net
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Ministry Quicklinks
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Services:
Saturday 6pm
Sunday 8:30/10 am
Christmas EveDec 24
2 & 4pm-Family Services
8 & 10pm-candlelight with communion at 10
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Please pass this newsletter on to others in your family, or friends and invite them to Join Our Mailing List by clicking this link! | |
Blood Drive Tue Jan 19 - 1-7pm
Volunteers are needed for making phone calls & helping with this event. Please contact Sue Kagan (268-2830) for more information. Together we can save lives! |
Christmas Eve Services 2pm, 4pm, 8pm, 10pm
Come celebrate the birth of our Savior!
Our Christmas Eve Services at 2pm and 4pm will be called "One
Special Night". The Christmas story will be told through the eyes of the
Innkeeper on the night Jesus was born. The service will be interactive,
giving children the chance to help tell the story. The 8pm and 10pm will be services of lessons, carols, special music, & candlelight with Holy Communion at the 10pm also.
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A Family in Need...
One of our families is experiencing extraordinary hardships - if you'd like to help, donations can be made to the Lord of Life Family Emergency Fuind, or speak to Barbara Wagner for more info. Thank you!
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The privilege of being a steward - being "important"
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Hearing Assistance System Upgrade Needed
The church is looking to replace our current 'hearing assistance' system with a more capable unit with more receivers. If you can help dontate towards this $935 system, please contact the office.
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Upcoming Events at Lord of Life
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Women's Christmas Gathering - Mon Dec 14 @ 6pm. Women will be meeting this year at the Bubeck's home - more info and signup on the board.
Church Council Meeting - Mon Dec 14 @ 7pm
Bell Choir - Tue Dec 15, 22 @ 1:45pm
Men's Fellowship Breakfast - Wed Dec 16 @ 8am - a time of fellowship and
discussion.
Time Out / Time In - Wed Dec 16 @ 9:30am
Adult Bible Study - Wed Dec 16 @ 10am
SYHM - Senior High Youth Ministry - Wed Dec 16 @ 6pm
New Life Choir / Music Team - Wed Dec 16 @ 7:30 pm -
New voices always welcome!
PEP Christmas Party - Thu Dec 17 @ 11:30am - Open to all! Please see board or Sue Dreisbach for more information. Women's Bible Study - Thu Dec 17 @ 7pm Golden Eagle Band Concert - Fri Dec 18 @ 8pm Saturday Morning Servants - Dec 19 @ 8am until 'noonish'
Christmas Poinsettias - Please see the display on the bulletin board - Deadline to order is Dec 20th.
Youth Choir Rehersal - Sun Dec 20 @ 11:15 am
Upcoming Sunday School Advent & Epiphany Programs:
- Dec 20 (3rd & 4th grades)
- Jan 3 (5th grade)
Helping Hands - Mon Dec 21 @ 1pm - Open to all - making sandwiches for clients of Christian Caring Center. Donations of lunch meat and cheese are needed (or monetary donations!). Please see Sue Dreisbach for more information.
Grace Place Christmas Play - Tue Dec 22 @ 6:30pm. Please know you're welcome to attend!
Christmas EVE Worship Services - Thu Dec 24 @ 2pm & 4pm - Children/Family Services, 8pm - Service of Lessons, Carols & Candlelight, 10pm - Service of Lessons & Carols with Holy Communion & Candlelight.
Jr. / Sr. Game Day - Wed Dec 30 - noon to 4pm - A free event for our Confirmation kids and Senior Adults to share a day of fun, food, fellowship & gaming. Lunch will be provided and, weather permitting, a hike on the grounds with storytelling / local folklore. Please see Marie Lamb for more info.
PLEASE CHECK YOUR CHURCH MAILBOXES FOR ADVENT & CHRISTMAS DEVOTIONAL MATERIALS! |
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