Annual Meeting Sunday, February 27th!

Save this date as we look forward to sharing a meal together, celebrating what God has done in, with, and through us in this past year, and looking forward to where we think God is calling us to go in 2011!   

Please, all voting members try to attend this important meeting! 

Epiphany Season  

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Christian Caring Center

  This month our featured items for the food pantry at the CCC are Cereal and Boxed or Dry Milk.  They can be placed in the shopping cart in the narthax along with clothes, blankets, hygiene items, and small houseware items.  

  Madelyn Mears-Sheldon, the director of the Christian Caring Center recently shared that there have already been 55 Code Blue days.  As a designated Code Blue shelter for Burlington County, the CCC hosts the homeless during frigid weather at the Baptist Church on Junction Road in Browns Mills.  Our blankets and hygiene items are particularly appreciated during this cold winter.  Also if you would like a receipt for your donations please put a note in mailbox #101 with your name and items donated.

The folks who use the services of the Christian Caring Center appreciate the generosity of Lord of Life.  Many thanks from them for your ongoing generosity.

The Loss Support Group Celebrates Its 1st Anniversary

  Last February we held the first Loss Support group at Lord of Life.  Over the course of the year 19 different people from both Lord of Life and from the surrounding community have attended at least one group.  We have supported each other around the loss of loved ones; loss of employment; loss of health; loss of mobility which comes with aging and/or health issues; and loss of expectations in some of our relationships.  We have learned that in general the dynamics of loss have many similarities.

  This past Sunday our closing hymn was "O Christ, Your Heart, Compassionate" by Herman G. Stuempfle, Jr.  One of the lines was, "Lord, join our hearts with those that weep that none may weep alone".  It reminded me of one of our planning meetings for the group when we talked about wanting to provide a safe place for people to come to find support when dealing with losses so that they did not have to feel alone.  We wanted to provide a place where people could come and voice their concerns or feelings and know that others cared.  People have shared their tears, their fears and their struggles.  Amazingly we have also found the importance of laughter in the healing process. 

  People have offered some interesting ideas that they have used to cope which have helped others to try new ways of dealing with the feelings which come with loss.  Scrapbooks, photo albums, photographs, a lending library available for the group, personal items, special rocks, journeling, phone numbers, quotes from the Bible or favorite books and of course our stories, have all been shared.  Perhaps we have created a place where people do come and "join their hearts" together.

  As we enter into our second year we want to extend a warm welcome to anyone at Lord of Life or a friend beyond who might find help at the group.  We meet the first Tuesday of every month from 7:00- 8:30 PM in the Fellowship Hall. Please call the church office if you would like to join us and need transportation.

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THE PAPARAZZI ARE COMING !

    Well maybe not the paparazzi but the photographers from Life Touch will be coming to Lord of Life.  In conjunction with our 25th Anniversary we are putting together a new Pictorial Directory.  This will all take place the first two weeks of June with the completion of the directory to be ready for our special celebration service on Nov 6th.

   We certainly hope everyone will participate - there is NO PRESSURE to buy anything, and NO COST to you  - just have your picture taken for the directory is ALL we're asking of you.  More information will be forthcoming in the months ahead.  If you have any questions in the mean time feel free to call Barbara Wagner at 609-859-0404.

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 Come celebrate an extended Valentine's Day with good food that's good for you!    

Join in on Thursday, February 17th at noon with a menu that includes Homemade Tomatolicious Soup, Chicken Salad Canapes, and Angel Food Cake.  We'll welcome Anna Larotonda from the RSVP (Retired Senior Volunteer Program) of Burlington county who will then take us through recent Medicare improvements and changes, information about SHIP, the State Health Insurance Program, the AARP Money Management Program, and LIFE (Learning is for Everyone), non-credit educational courses for seniors!   To top off the afternoon-some always heart healthy fun!  Please sign up on the bulletin board or call the office by Monday, February 14th.   Please remember that rides are always available!

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   Grace Place is going international!! The first week of March we are going to hold our first ever International Week where the children will learn about the world! We will be taking trips to many countries and are looking for anyone who has experienced a foreign country that can share information, items, pictures, and souvenirs from that country. 
   We are asking for volunteers who can give us a morning (9-12) the week of the 7^th of March to share your experience. We are also in need of large boxes (the size the children can crawl in) for the four year old classes' "Crate World"! If interested, please contact Judy Burgo at 268-7383. This promises to be a great learning experience for our children that will be fun for all!

We have a couple of openings on the church council, and if you have considered helping us run the "business" of the church, we'd like to know!  Please contact Dennis Yates and/or Pastors Jones and/or Scott Glossner if you'd like to help!

You can make a difference in the life of our church! 

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= = = = Prayers of the Congregation = = = =

PRAYERS FOR HEALING & STRENGTH:  Fred Braithwood, Sam Carchidi, Anthony Diano, Peggy Glossner, Eileen Gordon, Kris Gordon, Chris Heller, Roberta Holler, Markus Hutchinson, Darcy Klinedinst, Debra Markelwith, Allison McGonigal, Aaron Miller, Jr., Jim Morgante, Jacob Neff, Adam Simpkins, Josh Simpkins, Mary Stroup, Danny Wheeler & Melissa Wheeler;  

SYMPATHY & PRAYERS are extended to the Lamb family on the death of Dave's grandmother, Helen; and to the Vandegrift family on the death of Kathie's grandfather, Harold Warrick.

THOSE SERVING OUR COUNTRY:  CJ Albrecht, Tommy Cksekellich, Joe Delgado, Nicholas Ferry, Jeffrey Kopp, Caleb Leonchik, Joey Miller, Rick Molchan, Matt Murphy, Kevin Overcash, Tommy Riches, Kenny Shugars, Brian Smith, Matt Smith, Rich Stull, Ethan Wade, Dustin White, Daniel Wilson & Joshua Wonders; as well as people in all areas of conflict around the world.

SPECIAL NEEDS:  All couples awaiting the birth of a child (health & joyous expectation).

MISSION PARTNERS:  NJ Synod's Waterfront Mission & Zion Evangelical Lutheran Church, Landisville, PA

THANKS AND PRAISE:  For all of the healing that is taking place!  For our Loss Support leaders and participants who provide a safe and caring place for sharing!  For all of our youth who gave their time and talents in leading the Saturday night service on Feb. 5th!  For Thrivent for providing our name tags for our Name Tag Sundays!  For those of all ages who have chosen to learn and grow through our Bible Study groups!  For the New Life Choir and Praise Team who lend their gifts to helping us raise our voices to God in praise and thanksgiving!  For all who share God's love and grace with their families, friends, neighbors, and strangers through their words and actions!   

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Upcoming Events at Lord of Life 

Photo Directory - May 31st, June 1st, June 2nd and June 3rd from 2:30 to 9 PM and Saturday June 4th from 10 AM to 4 or 5 PM.  And again the following week on June 7th, 8th, 9th and 10th same hours and June 11th same hours.

GRACE PLACE Preschool is now accepting applications. 

             Click here for more information