Dec 14, 2012 Lord of Life Lutheran Church  
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Thoughts in Print - by Pastor Sue
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For several weeks now, everywhere you look it seems, people have been making preparations. The decorating is now in full swing, holiday music fills the air waves, special programming is easily found on television, the young and not so young alike are participating in all manner of holiday productions from pageants to plays to concerts and then some. Something is going on. Something is causing all the changes to the normal routine... But just exactly what is that something? What is it that gives the world cause for the merry making and the gift giving and the time spent remembering friends and family? Is there something that inspired all of this in the first place? Yes, there most certainly is a reason for the season. And that something is both simple and profound all at the same time. Our preparation is all inspired by the birth of a very special baby in a manger over 2000 years ago.
But all those preparations can have a way of masking what the season is all about in the first place. People everywhere, and even people of faith, can get caught up in all the busy-ness this time of year. If we're not careful we can get caught up in the party and lose our sense of the purpose behind it; caught up in celebration without caring about the substance. I even heard one celebrity on a prominent morning television show say this week that "I don't like the religion part. I think religion is what mucks the whole thing up.... I think that's what makes the holidays so stressful." And to that I can only say WOW, how sad!
But I have to ask... Does the religion part of Christmas muck things up for you? Or does the power and presence of God's word made flesh in Jesus not only inspire how you celebrate Christmas but also inspire your life all year round? Is there time in the midst of your holiday preparations for worship and even family devotions, or is "the religion part" an afterthought? I'm sure many of you have found the time. But I'm also sure that many of you are already beginning to feel overwhelmed to the point that adding one more thing to your plate, regardless of what that thing is, seems like the proverbial last straw...
My friends I pray that these last two weeks of Advent will allow you to embrace the "religion part", or maybe better said the FAITH PART, of this holiday we call Christmas in a way that touches your heart and mind with the light of Christ as never before. I pray that you may be open to the leading of the Spirit so that you may encounter this Jesus, the babe of Bethlehem, the savior of us all, in new and miraculous ways. I pray that you can find hope and peace and joy and love in abundance to carry you long after the holiday season has passed. And I invite you to be part of the celebration with your family of faith; to be part of all we have to share together these next few weeks. I promise, you won't be sorry you did.
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A Great Big Thank You - To Kristen and Harry Granfors, Barbara Wagner, Pricilla Faucett, Fran Bubeck, and the students of the Grace Place for decorating the tree in the sanctuary this last Tuesday. It's BEAUTIFUL!
Thanks also to the "Stewardship Team" who helped pack and deliver the envelopes to those unable to get them at the church. Your efforts are appreciated! (if you didn't get your 2013 envelopes & stewardship materials, please contact the office).
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This final regular 2012 issue will cover 3 weeks (instead of our normal 2) so the editors can take a much needed vacation! Look for your next regular issue on Jan 10th, 2013. And thanks to everyone for the inputs, making our deadlines and helping make this newsletter have information for the congregation and beyond about our important ministries for our Lord!
Error in last issue: "I have a question about the Giving Tree. One article says that gifts will be picked up on 12/16, while another says that gifts need to be under the tree by 12/20. Help!! Which date is correct?"
Oops - we had 2 dates last issue - the correct date is this Sunday Dec 16th. Thanks for pointing this out, and sorry for the confusion! - Editor
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Sermon Themes
One of the requirements of Confirmation here at Lord of Life is doing Sermon Themes. A Sermon Theme consists of listening to the Pastor's sermon and answering a few questions on what it means to you. I think this is sometimes hard for the Confirmation students to do since they have to think about their faith. One of my favorite things is to read them. Their answers are honest and insightful. I would like to share a few that touched me.
"Just saying that you have faith and thinking you have faith isn't really what faith is. When I'm with my friends, I need to show my faith by performing good deeds and helping others whenever they're in need. That is having real faith."
- 8th grade student
"At school, if I talk to someone new I would welcome them. I learned that God welcomes everyone."
- 7th grade student
"I didn't realize that serving others was a way to show love for Jesus. I will try to be more helpful to others. Jesus loves everybody and wants us to be helpful to others."
- 6th grade student
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SUNDAY SCHOOL ADVENT PRESENTATION REMINDER! Just a quick reminder that our Sunday School children in grades 3, 4, and 5 will be sharing "O Little Town of Bethlehem" with percussion as part of the Children's Message/Advent Wreath Lighting portion of the 10:00AM worship service this week, Sun. Dec. 16th. They will meet in the Fellowship Hall for their final rehearsal at 9:40 on Sunday morning. All of the classes have done a nice job of sharing in our "Highway to Bethlehem" Advent theme. 
Sunday School Offering - "Sock it to Poverty"
Sock it to Poverty Reminder: So how are those socks coming?!?! Just a quick reminder that our Sunday School sock collection continues through the end of December. Please begin to bring in the socks you've filled with loose change in support of the Christian Caring Center in Brown's Mills over the next couple of weeks. There is a display in the FDC with a bin for you to place them in.
And you need a refresher on the project the details are as follows: Find a sock (no holes) and fill it with loose change you collect from now through Christmas. You can use any kind of sock you want and even decorate it if you'd like, the more colorful the better. You can collect change from within your own family or even involve friends and neighbors by asking them to contribute to filling your sock too. Bring filled socks back to church. Please put your name in your sock before you turn it in. We'll be taking pictures and keeping track of the craziest socks and how much money we collect.
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Traveled to Bridge of Peace on Dec. 4th and served a Christmas Dinner. We gave each child a pair of gloves and a goody bag which they were so grateful for!
[Photos online at www.lordlife.us]
Please look for upcoming announcements for the Steering Committee and Social Ministries to get together in January to start planning our new year.
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There are many positions open at LOL where we could use your help. We are in need of more people for Altar Care (setting up the communion), we need folks to help serve communion, and also we are in need of more lectors, greeters, and assisting ministers. These are needed at all 3 services ..... if you feel you can help in any of these positions or you would like more information regarding any of them please get in touch with Barbara Wagner, 609-859-0404 or call the church office. Please pray about where you can serve our Lord at Lord of Life.
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Stewardship Update - EOS inputs Last Call!
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 Last Call to return your EOS (Estimate of Sharing - GREEN card). PLEASE JUST 60 SECONDS NOW to fill out the online EOS from a link below OR at our website at : www.lordlife.us. Without your estimate it is very difficult to begin financial planning for 2013. If unsure of your commitment please enter $1, but please respond! We are way below our prior % of returns, and we need your help. Please note this is not the $ committed, but rather the number of people responding with an estimate.
Everyone should have their 2013 envelopes by now - if you didn't receive yours (check around your mailbox & front door...) please contact the office.
Please prayerfully consider your support of our ministries, and make an effort to return this card, or fill it out online (or from the church website at www.lordlife.us). We also have a web link for the time & talent survey, so we can find opportunities for you to share your gifts with others. For those who would like to use the automatic 'simply giving' process, a link is also available on the web.
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 Ever hear the phrase "watch the pennies, and the dollars take care of themselves"? We had a great example of this recently at Lord of Life. The innocuous EXIT light signs we all see (and tend to ignore) needs to be lit 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, every week, every year. When changing the bulbs recently we noticed how hot they were and saw they are rated at 15 watts each (incandescent bulbs). At 2 of these per sign, and about 14 signs in the church, this adds up to about 420 watts each hour being used, or over 3.5 million watt-hours per year! Every year. Plus the hassle we had of replacing the old bulbs routinely.
A quick investigation found replacement LED bulbs for EXIT signs, which have now been substituted. These LEDs only use a fraction of the power, and have much longer lifetime than the bulbs we had to frequently replace. This small change should save the church about $3000 during the next 5 years (over the cost of the bulbs) which can be used for our Ministries!
Take some time to look around your own house for things left 'plugged in' that really don't need to be, or can be put on a plug strip with a switch when not in use. Those little black power blocks are sucking energy all the time! Especially if they feel warm to the touch. You may be surprised at the power being used and the cost you are paying for these 'energy vampires'.
If you would like to help us find more cost saving and environmental opportunities at the church or in our community, please contact us at lordlife.news@gmail.com and either give us suggestions or come join the team!
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 It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas! The narthex is getting quite crowded as all of you Christmas elves have been placing your gifts for the children of families served through the Christian Caring Center in Browns Mills under, around, and behind the Giving Tree. Sunday, December 16th is the last day to bring in any more items as volunteers from the Caring Center will be here to take everything after the 10:00 service. Thank you for brightening Christmas for all of these children!
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 Our classes are starting to prepare for their Christmas show so make sure you put the date on your calendar! It is December 20th, at 6:30 pm in the Church. The children will be telling the Christmas story as viewed by the Wise Men.
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Thank you to all who donated to the Auxiliary's Holiday Shoppe. There was a large selection of items and residents had smiles on their faces. They were able to pick items for family members and have them wrapped at no charge. Some residents, without family, selected items for themselves and had them wrapped as gifts from Santa so that they'd have something to open on Christmas Day. Thank you for helping to make this possible.
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Kidz Praize
Join us on the 17th and 23rd after Sunday School as we prepare "The Virgin Mary Had a Baby Boy" for the 4:00 Family Service
Youth Praise Team-Sundays, Dec. 17th and 23rd, 11:30am
We are preparing for the 4:00 Christmas Eve service.
We will have 2 more practices. If you would still like to join us please see Sue Dreisbach or Rick Krause for music and more information.
ELW Renewing Worship: A Partner in Worship Event |
When
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Sat Jan 26 1pm - 4pm
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Where
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Reformation Lutheran Church - West Long Branch
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Join Gordon Lathrop and Gail Ramshaw at Reformation Lutheran Church, West Long Branch, for a Partners in Worship event. Dr. Lathrop is preaching & presiding.
The theme is "The ELW: Its Mission, Our Mission" and will explore the remarkable characteristics of the "cranberry book" and how our worship moves us to mission for the sake of the Gospel and the good of the world. Event is free and open to all but space is limited. To register in advance, or for more information, call 732-229-9180.
*NOTE: This event was rescheduled due to Hurricane Sandy!
A Tale of Two Cities...
Write YOURSELF into the story with the Lutheran Youth Choir for the second Festival of American Vocal Music, July 17-31, 2013 at Mansfeld Castle in Luther's boyhood town of Mansfeld, Germany! The Lutheran Youth Choir of North America offers high school and returning college students the opportunity to:
- Perform with German and American young people who love American music
- Come together to experience the joy of rehearsing and performing music to the glory of God
- Go forth to spread the good news of God's love in Christ through music, word and deed
- Build strong, faith-based relationships among participants and with Lutheran congregations
- Tour significant Luther and Bach heritage sites
- "Flash Sing" in the capital city of Berlin!
For information and an application, please see Rick Krause or go to www.lutheranyouthchoir.org
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Christmas Caroling, Sunday, Dec. 16th
Join in as we carry the sounds of Christmas to our members and friends. We will be sharing pizza at 5:00 and then heading out on foot or by car to carol. The cost is $5/person for pizza. If you just want to come and carol, meet at the church at 5:30. Please sign up on the bulletin board so that we can make up our groups and plan for dinner.
Helping Hands, Monday, Dec. 17th, 12:30
Calling all hands and hearts who would like to help in making sandwiches for those who are served by the Christian Caring Center. You can help by making sandwiches, donating some meat or cheese, making a financial contribution, or any combination of those! We have a great time of fellowship as well. All are welcome!
PEP Christmas Luncheon, Thursday, Dec. 20th, 11:30
Just hear those sleigh bells jingling, ring, ting, tingling, too! We hope it's lovely weather for a meal together with you! We'll start at 11:30 with a special dress rehearsal presentation in the sanctuary by the kids from Grace Place! Then Chef Beth Blair will be presenting a special meal of Roasted Pork Loin with Apple Cider Gravy, Scalloped Potatoes Au Gratin, Buttered Carrots, Pear Compote, and Gingerbread Spice Cake. The suggested donation for the meal is $8. We're asking everyone to bring along an ornament, decoration, Christmas card, or special memory that can be shared with the group as we celebrate this special season together! Please sign up on the bulletin board by Sunday, Dec. 16th.
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 Calling all book lovers. Come join us for stimulating discussions, fellowship and of course, dessert! Monthly meetings are generally the 4th Tuesday of each month. Our next group meets on December 18th, 7 to 9 pm at the church. The topic will be "Christmas Memory" by Truman Capote. Need a ride? Please leave a message in the church office. Christmas Memory is a tender story of a seven year old and his elderly cousin.
Book selections for subsequent months are as follows:
- January - Is our classic selection, "The Last of the Mohicans" by James Fenimore Cooper
- February - The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society, by Mary Ann Shaffer, is a charming historical fiction novel, set in both London and Guernsey at the end of WWII.
- March - "Under the Banner of Heaven: a story of violent faith", by Jon Krakauer, explores the world of Mormon fundamentalism.
- April - "Lots of Candles, Plenty of Cake", by Anna Zuindlen, is a humorous memoir celebrating marriage, faith, girlfriends, and more.
- May - "Seabiscuit: an American legend", by the talented writer Laura Hillenbrand, is our book-made-into-movie selection. It recounts the story of the famous race horse that captivated the hearts of Americans during the depression
- June - "This I Remember" is the superb autobiography by Eleanor Roosevelt.
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Prayers of the Congregation
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PRAYERS FOR HEALING & STRENGTH:
PRAYERS FOR HEALING & STRENGTH: Lore Bratty, James Chandler, Howard Gabel, Emily Gaine, Clara Gallick, Helen Gill, Mike Hines, Trudy Klinedinst, Chris Kulina, Nick Kulina, Steve Lambaro, the Lee Family, Charlie McIntyre, the Miller Family, Gregory O'Connell, Jr., Lisa Rickershauser, the Rossi Family, Patricia Slade, William Smith, Bob Thomas & Eileen Thomas, as well as all those who have been affected and those who will continue to face challenges by Hurricane Sandy;
SYMPATHY & PRAYERS are extended to the Gill and Hunter families on the death of Barbara Hunter.
CONGRATULATIONS to Barbara Knapp on the birth of her great-grandson, Brady Stephen Reich, on November 24; and to George & Mary Stroup on the birth of their first great-grandchild, Alexandra Elizabeth Scheurermann, on December 7!\
THOSE SERVING OUR COUNTRY: CJ Albrecht, Tommy Cksekellich, Matthew Cuviello, Joe Delgado, Michael Fallon, Nick Ferry, Kyle Hatcher, Dan Humbert, Rob Jones, Joey Miller, Kevin Overcash, Jeremy Pifer, Tommy Riches, Kenny Shugars, Brian Smith, Rich Stull, Crissy Tindall, Ethan Wade, John Williams, Daniel Wilson, Jacob Wilson, Tyson Wood & Arthur Zepnick; as well as people in all areas of conflict around the world and those recovering from conflict.
SPECIAL NEEDS: All persons suffering from drug dependency (strength in healing);
MISSION PARTNERS: Pilgrim Journey Lutheran Church, Elizabeth, and Samaritan Ministries of Hot Springs, Arkansas.
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Upcoming Events at Lord of Life!
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= = = = = = Dec '12 & Jan '13 = = = = = = 
Thursday (12/13)
6:00 pm - Women's Ministry Christmas Party (Fellowship Hall)
(Pastor David Jones day off)
Friday (12/14)
7:00 pm - Troop 23953 (FDC 208)
(Pastor Sue Jones day off)
Saturday (12/15)
6:00 pm - Service of Light, Reflection, and Healing with Holy Communion
Sunday (12/16) "3 Advent"
8:30 am - Service of Holy Communion
10:00 am - Prayer, Praise & Thanksgiving with Holy Communion, Sunday School &
3rd / 5th Grade Advent Program
11:30 am - God Rods Practice
11:30 am - Kidz Praize and Youth Praise Practices
5:00 pm - Christmas Caroling - join us!
7:00 pm - God Rods Practice
Monday (12/17)
9:00 am - Staff Meeting
12:30 pm - Helping Hands
Tuesday (12/18)
7:00 pm - Book Review & Fellowship (see article!)
Wednesday (12/19)
8:00 am - Men's Fellowship Breakfast at Red Lion
9:30 am - Mom's Study
10:00 am - Adult Bible Study and Advent Devotion
1:45 pm - Celebration Ringers
6:00 pm - Sr. High Gathering
7:30 pm - New Life Choir
Thursday (12/20)
12:00 pm - PEP Christmas Dinner
6:30 pm - Grace Place Christmas Program - Open to all!
(Pastor David Jones' Day off)
Friday (12/21)
(Pastor Susan Jones' Day off)
6:00 pm - Service of Holy Communion
Sunday (12/23) "4 Advent"
8:30 am - Service of Holy Communion
10:00 am - Prayer, Praise, Thanksgiving with Holy Communion, Sunday School
11:30 am - God Rods Practice
11:30 am - Kidz Praise and Youth Praise Practices
7:00 pm - God Rods Practice
Monday (12/24) "Christmas Eve"
2:00 pm - Christmas Eve Family Service
4:00 pm - Christmas Eve Family Service
8:00 pm - Christmas Eve with communion & candlelight
10:00 pm - Christmas Eve with communion & candlelight
(note: Grace Place closed 12/24 thru 1/1)
Tuesday (12/25) "Christmas Day"
10:00 am - Christmas Service of Lessons & Carols with communion, followed by light brunch
Wednesday (12/26) (open) Thursday (12/27) (open) Friday (12/28) (open) Saturday (12/29) 6:00 pm - Service of Lessons and Carols Sunday (12/30) 8:30 am - Service of Lessons and Carols 10:00 am - Service of Lessons and Carols Time tba - Senior High Dinner & Movie Monday (12/31) (open) Tuesday (1/1 2013!!) Happy New Year!! (office closed) Wednesday (1/2) (open) Thursday (1/3) (open) Friday (1/4) (open) Saturday (1/5) 6:00 pm - Epiphany Service of Holy Communion Sunday (1/6) 8:30 am - Epiphany Service of Holy Communion 10:00 am - Prayer, Praise & Thanksgiving Epiphany Service of Holy Communion and
Sunday School Confirmation Learning Sessions Resume 2:00 pm - Tursi Violin Recital: Epiphany Sunday - Open to all as we share afternoon of music! Monday (1/7) 9:00 am - Staff Meeting 1:30 pm - Lutheran Care Visit - Open to all, please see Sue Dreisbach Tuesday (1/8) (open) Wednesday (1/9) 8:00 am -Men's Fellowship Breakfast at Red Lion 10:00 am - Adult Bible Study 11:30 am - Soup, Song & Sacrament - Open to all as we gather for good food & fellowship! 6:00 pm - Worship Planning 7:30 pm - Women's Bible Study 7:30 pm - New Life Choir Thursday (1/10) 2pm -> 7pm : Blood Drive at Lord of Life - Please give if you can! 7:30 pm - Finance Team
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- - - - - "Save the Date" for these Upcoming Events - - - -
Dec 16 - Gifts due for the "Giving Tree"- take a tag from the tree!
Also Deadline to order Christmas Poinsettias (bulletin board)
Dec 17 - 6:00 pm - Men's Ministry Dinner
Dec 20 - 12:00 pm - PEP Christmas Dinner
Dec 20 - 6:30 pm - Grace Place Christmas Program
Dec 24 - Christmas Eve Services - 2pm, 4pm, 8pm, 10pm Dec 25 - Christmas Service - 10 am -
followed by brunch
Jan 7 - 1:30 Sounds of Joy at Lutheran Care
ANYTIME: "Simply Giving" contribution form can be obtained by clicking here
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 Pastor David Jones: Rev_Jones@lordlife.us1 Winchester Court 609-268-0262 (office)
Tabernacle, NJ 08088 609-268-3470 (fax)
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OUR Purpose: Lord of Life is a welcoming community of forgiven people proclaiming the perfect love of Jesus Christ!
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