April 4, 2013 Lord of Life Lutheran Church
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From the desk of Pastor Dave
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Brothers and Sisters...
What would you say to people about Christian faith if you only had an LED (light emitting diode) sign with three lines to work with? That's just what Lord of Life has to consider as it programs its new sign to speak to thousands of people who drive by our church on Medford Lakes - Tabernacle Road.
Since it is the Easter season, perhaps a little "holy humor" is in order...I have seen the following messages on signs elsewhere...(and had my own thoughts in response)
"Sign broken...MESSAGE inside!" (a gentle witness and invitation)
"God allows U- turns?" (yes, there is nothing like repentance)
"Even Moses was a basket case!"
(but God was willing to use him anyway)
"JESUS saves...Moses invests...Buddha speculates!"
(let our interfaith awareness grow)
What we have already shared with the community are these messages...
"Life isn't fair but God is good...all the time!"
"In a Good Friday world we are Easter people!"
"It is finished...Christ is Risen!...Hallelujah!
Our sign gives us the opportunity to share not just our worship times and the fact that The Grace Place is now enrolling but can be a simple witness to a thoughtful faith too. In the future we would like to encourage members and friends of LOL to contribute their own insights and creative ponderings about the faith. They just might find their way into the community's consciousness and stimulate conversation and action on the part of believers who live side by side with us.
Let me leave you with three more messages (two seen on local church signs) and my personal response...
"May JESUS love you into the light!"
(Ah yes, Jesus is love and light)
"'JESUS knows me...this I love!"
(a gentle twist to an old and familiar song)
"No Good Friday...No Easter..Praise God for both!"
(perhaps next year's Holy Week / Easter message)
When our witness is creative and engaging, the Holy Spirit can do the rest! God only knows who might see the sign at LOL and be prompted to deeper faith. I trust you and I will continually seek to get the message out...and take it in too!
Your Brother in CHRIST,
Pastor David Jones
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Confirmation Class Update!
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I would like to congratulate the following Confirmation students who have perfect attendance for the Confirmation Learning Sessions this year: Stephen Bielec (7th grade), Kathryn Chromeck (7th Grade), Josh Lamb (6th grade), Brooke Steinhour (8th grade) & Graham Watson (8th grade).
Making a difference! We had a wonderful day for our Confirmation/Senior High service & fellowship day. Twenty-six youth & adults helped do some clean up and craft preparation at Woodford Cedar Run Wildlife Center. After lunch, we traveled to Big League Dreams for a round of indoor mini golf. It is great to see so many kids (& adults) give up a day off to help out their community. I would also like to thank our drivers: Bill & Sue Dreisbach, Pastor Sue, Joe O'Connor & Bob Sunbury.
[Photos available online at www.lordlife.us]
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Holy Trinity Brant Beach Hurricane Recovery Work Day
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Brothers and Sisters in Christ,
One of our sister congregations, Holy Trinity Lutheran Church located on Long Beach Island, sustained major flood damage from Hurricane Sandy. The church has been making steady progress towards recovery but is looking for help this Saturday, April 6
anytime between the hours of 8 am and 4 pm, as you are available to assist with finishing work such as installing trim, molding and painting. No RSVP is required, please come if you can!
Their address is:
Holy Trinity Lutheran Church
5800 Long Beach Blvd.
Brant Beach, NJ 08008
For more info, please contact Bob Sunbury <Bob.Sunbury@Thrivent.com>
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Mission Trip - Senior High - Jun 23-28, 2013
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Just a reminder to all Senior High mission travelers; please get your deposit money in to the church office. Our first meeting is April 14th. 3-5pm
Senior High Mission Trip
WHY: Service to HIS people, experience communal living and group relationship building, and increase individual skill and abilities.
WHERE: Cumberland County, New Jersey
We will be serving in Port Norris, Bivalve, Gandys Beach, Money Island and Fortescue areas doing Hurricane Sandy repair.
WHEN: Sunday, June 23rd through Friday, June 28th.
ACCOMMODATIONS: Downe Township School, 220 Main Street,( Rt. 553), Newport, NJ
WHO CAN PARTICIPATE: Anyone currently in 8th Grade or current High School students. Adults willing to lead high school participants. Members of Lord of Life Lutheran Church or previous Mission Trip participants will have first consideration for this trip.
COST: $150.00 per person. A $50.00 deposit per person is due IMMEDIATELY. No refunds after April 14th. The balance is due by May 18th. You will have an opportunity to reduce your cost by selling "Miles to the Bay". Extra personal monies will be needed for miscellaneous optional expenses. Please make checks to: Lord of Life Lutheran Church
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Fuller Center Legacy Build '13 at Atlantic City
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Update on the fund LOL "Fuller Center Home Sponsorship" fund raising
Mark your calendar! A special opportunity to learn more about the work of the Fuller Center in Atlantic City will occur this Tuesday, Apr 9th at P.J. Whelihans from 6-7:30pm as we hold our Men & Women's Ministry Dinner with Merle Brown informing us about all the work that has been done, and soon will be, with volunteer opportunities ahead.
Our next event is the Dine-and-Donate night at PJ Whelihans on April 15th. 10% of total food bill that is paid with Dine-n-Donate flyer will be provide to LOL in support of this effort. Keep your eyes open for the bulletin insert flyer soon! You must have your flyer when you pay your bill, so bring it with you! A Krispy Kreme doughnut sale, will likely occur in May, and the Spaghetti Dinner date is still TBD. As noted we'll need volunteers to help coordinate these events so we hope you'll prayerfully consider what time and talent you can provide.
Lu Hourihan is coordinating fund raising so contact her if you're interested in helping with any o f those events contact her at luciah13@verizon.net
Hard to believe, but this years week long Fuller Center Legacy Build in Atlantic City (hosted by our local chapter - Fuller Center of the NJ Pines) is April 28 thru May 3 which is just over 3 weeks away! Volunteers are needed to assist with the rebuilding process. You don't need to be a skilled craftsman; all you need is a caring heart and a will to help those who need a hand up. You can volunteer for 1-5 days; whatever fits your schedule!
Pastor David Jones as well as a few other LOL members will be attending for the full week! A carpool is forming for those not wishing to stay overnight during the week, or needing to get back for work or other events. Volunteer housing is available at no charge for those registering, whether for one night or all 5. Please visit the link below (this one works) and you will find answers to most questions. If you have additional questions feel free to call me (Ed Hourihan) at 856-988-2089, or e-mail at ejhourihan@verizon.net. See you in AC!
Registration Team Name: "Lord of Life"
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 Save the Dates - First Holy Communion For Children & Families
For all of you out there who have 2nd graders in your life, or who have 3rd through 5th graders who have not yet participated in Holy Communion instruction, please put the following dates on your calendars:
- Monday 4/15 - Bible Blast 6:30PM
- Monday 4/22 - First Holy Communion Learning I with Dinner 5:30PM
- Monday 4/29 - First Holy Communion Learning II with Dinner 5:30PM
- Sunday 5/5 - First Holy Communion Service 11:30
We look forward to having the opportunity to work with you and your children in this very special introduction to the sharing of the sacrament. |
SONRISE National Park VBS is coming !
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SONRISE NATIONAL PARK VBS IS COMING!
And so is your opportunity to be part of the volunteer team.
If you're interested in helping with this year's VBS come and join us at the church on:
Tuesday, April 23rd, at 7:00PM
If you are interested in helping but are unable to attend please contact Pastor Sue by calling the church office or sending an email to pastor_sue@lordlife.us.
Note: VBS this year will be Jul 28 thru Aug 2nd
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Eucharistic Minister Training - AKA: People who volunteer to take communion to members who aren't able to make it to church... If this like something you'd like to be involved in, please stay for 30 minutes or so after each of our Worship Services this weekend (April 6 &7) to talk about this exciting opportunity for ministry. One or both of the pastors will be meeting with folks who are interested in the Fellowship Hall after worship.
Lent, Holy Week, and Easter Thanks! 
Whew! What a season and what a week we had! We want to say a huge thank you to all who shared in leading us through the holiest time of our church year...preparing and walking with us through our Lenten journey, creating a festive celebration of Jesus' entry into Jerusalem for Palm Sunday, helping us to share in a communal meal as in the Upper Room, allowing people of all ages to experience Good Friday through Word and song, moving from darkness to jubilant light at the Easter Vigil, and pulling out all of the stops in celebrating Jesus' resurrection! Thank you Altar Guild, A/V Team, Celebration Ringers, Communion Assistants, God Rods, Greeters, Kidz Praize, Lectors, New Life Choir, Praise Team, Sunday School Teachers and Helpers, Ushers, Worship Assistants, Worship Space Team, Youth Praise, and our staff for overseeing putting it all together!
Young Artists Concert - Friday, April 19th, 7pm
Come and enjoy this free concert featuring vocalists and instrumentalists from across the Lenape Regional High School District. It is always a great evening to enjoy everything from Bach to Broadway!
The Greater South Jersey Chorus presents, Spotlight!
An exciting, varied program with great opera choruses, popular stage and screen songs, some fun and surprising pieces you thought you knew! Two concerts: May 5, 3:30 p.m. Unitarian Church, Cherry Hill and May 18, 8 p.m., St. Isaac Jogues Church, Marlton, NJ. Guest ensemble, the Strings of Symphony in C. Tickets $20. Call 856-492-8282 or visit www.greatersjchorus.org web site.
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ONE DAY WOMEN'S RETREAT OPPORTUNITY!
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"Women at the Wheel" is the theme for Lutheran Theological Seminary of Philadelphia's annual Rest, Refreshment, and Renewal Women's Day on Saturday April 13th, 2013. Registration including refreshments and lunch is $40 per person - or save $45 on a table of 8 for $275. Please call the church office to sign up.
We will gather around the Wholeness Wheel with its wellspring of resources to help us tap into God's will for our spiritual well-being. Through worship, workshops, and a wonderful community exchange market, we will draw on refreshing streams to enhance the Social/Interpersonal, Intellectual, Emotional, Physical, Vocational, and Financial aspects of our Spiritual Well-being.
Invite your friends, colleagues and fellow church women to share this day.
Martin Luther said:
"This life, therefore, is not godliness but the process of becoming godly, not health but getting well, not being but becoming, not rest but exercise. We are not now what we shall be, but we are on the way. The process is not yet finished, but it is actively going on. This is not the goal but it is the right road. At present, everything does not gleam and sparkle, but everything is being cleansed."
Women of all faith traditions are invited and welcomed! Bring a friend or two who needs a day of rest, refreshment, and renewal! Registration deadline: Monday, April 8, 2013
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Conference of Congregational Ministries
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CONFERENCE ON CONGREGATIONAL MINISTRIES
Sat Apr 20, 2013 at Steinert High School, Hamilton Twp, NJ
SIGNUP DEADLINE APR 10 (Monday)
Did You Know - Every year members and pastors from Lutheran congregations all over New Jersey gather for a time of worship, fellowship, and learning at the NJ Synod Conference on Congregational Ministries? Ever wondered what goes on in other congregations around the Synod, or for that matter what goes on in the church period beyond the doors of Lord of Life? Ever wanted to have an opportunity to learn how to be better at something you feel God has called you to in ministry here at Lord of Life, or how to life out your faith better in your everyday life? Well do we have just the thing for you...!
Consider signing up for CCM! Sessions this year will cover a wide range of topics including Organ Donation, Stewardship, Youth Ministry, Social Justice and Advocacy, Visitation, and much more. For more information and to register go to the NJ Synod web site or the following link:
http://njsynod.org/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=200&itemid=99
There will be a few people going from Lord of Life - contact the office for a carpool opportunity!
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Making a difference...
SOUNDS OF JOY AT LUTHERAN CARE,
Your hands and heart are greatly needed as we share the love and care of Jesus with our friends at Lutheran Care. We bring people to the chapel, help them participate in the program, and then return them to their rooms. The more people we have to help, the more people we can touch! Please see Sue Dreisbach for more information or to get a ride.
People Enjoying People-PEP
Thursday, April 18th, Noon
Join us for "Art in Bloom." We'll share in a colorful light lunch and then slip into sharing in the beauty of floral art with two of our member artists. This is a wonderful time of fellowship, exploring, and good food! All are welcome!
HELPING HANDS Thank You!
After a snow delay, we were able to make 250 sandwiches for those served by the Christian Caring Center in Browns Mills! Our thanks to Jan Baker, Nancy and Dave Curl, Ella Doel, Priscilla and Walt Faucett, and Cindy Keenan for all of their loving help!
COMING UP...Helping Hands, Monday, April, 22nd, Dinner at the Diner, Wednesday, April 24th, 4:30pm, Shamong Diner
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Volunteer Chaplain Aids needed Virtua Memorial Hospital
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Openings for trained lay visitors every day of the week. Following a training / orientation process an Aide may donate 2 to 4 hours a week to visit patients, offering friendship & spiritual comfort. The 16 hour training is offered at the Virtua Center for Learning, 1200 Howard Blvd, Mt. Laurel on Mon Apr 8 and Wed Apr 10 from 8-4pm, with continental breakfast at 7:30am.
If you want to find out if volunteering is for you before signing up for the course, please phone for an info package with details and process of volunteering - contact Chaplain Wendy Boer 609-267-0700 x 43281 or email wboer@virtua.org. A letter of endorsement from a pastor is also needed for new volunteers.
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Senior High Youth Ministry (SHYM) Update!
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Famous Fries and Fellowship! Wednesday, April 10th from 6 - 8 PM
SHYM will be moving to the Medford Lakes PJ Whelihan's on Wednesday, April 10th 6 - 8 PM. We will take time to meet and catch up after a (hopefully) relaxing Spring Break. Be sure to bring money to cover the cost of dinner. RSVP to Maureen at maureen.mcmichael@yahoo.com by Monday April 8th so we can get a table large enough.
CROP Walk- Sunday April 14th at 1:30 PM
Fight hunger in our community and around the world! CROP Hunger Walks are community-wide events sponsored by Church World Service and organized by religious groups, businesses, schools and others to raise funds to end hunger at home and around the world. SHYM will be meeting directly at Freedom Park in Medford at 1:30 PM. The walk is a short 3 miles through downtown Medford. You may register the day of the event. There is no minimum amount for pledges or per walker. Donations may be made online, or walkers may collect cash or checks made out to CWS (Church World Service). The event will be held rain or shine.
SHYM Meeting Wednesday, April 17th from 6 - 8 PM
SHYM (Senior High Youth Ministry) will resume its regular meeting time and place in the Fellowship Hall and this week we are inviting all 8th graders to join us! Come out and see what SHYM is all about. Please bring a couple dollars to help cover the cost of dinner.
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April 16th - Breakfast for Dinner at Bridge of Peace - 6 pm. Looking for people to donate food or money, some of the food we need is egg casseroles, sausages, waffle makers, hash browns or hash brown casseroles, orange juice, syrup, fruit, and paper products. If you can help out with any of this we would greatly appreciate it. If you have any questions please contact me at 609-410-0162 or mastrillo@verizon.net.. There is a sign up sheet on the bulletin for anyone willing to donate. Thank you!
May 17th - Mother/Daughter Dinner 6pm with a bridal fashion show and Chinese auction. Please mark this date on your calendar!! Also, looking for anyone in the congregation that can donate a basket or something to be added to a basket, to be auctioned off would be appreciated. Looking forward to a fun night!! [article below]
June - Bridge of Peace Dinner - date to follow
July 19th - B-B-Q and Pool Party at Julie's house in Tabernacle!! Mark your calendar!! More info to follow.
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Mothers and Daughters Dinner May 17th
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 MOTHER'S DAY DINNER........ and Fashion Show!
The Women's Ministry will be holding a Mother/Daughter Dinner on Friday May 17th with a scrumptious meal prepared by our own Brian Quinn. After the meal we will be having a fashion show of wedding dresses from 1941 to 2012. We are still accepting wedding dresses - if you have one that we could show please get in touch with Barbara Wagner - 609-859-0404. Also we would like your wedding picture to put on display even if you don't have your dress.
All women are invited - bring your Mother, daughters, granddaughters, sisters, aunts, nieces or friends.
Tickets will go on sale the end of April. Look for your invitation in the next few weeks.
Please plan to join us for a wonderful evening full of great food and fellowship.
Hope you will join us for this fun filled evening!
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Use your gifts....
Finance Team
The Finance Team is looking for a few people to help out
with the yearly church audit. This team will meet once for about 3 hours ( after April 15th ) to go over the receipts and expenses of the church for the 2012 year. To be a member of this special team, you must be able to balance your own checkbook !
If you can help or have questions, please contact Bill Reich ( email Finance@Lordlife.us )
Tellers Needed If you'd like to help count the church's weekly offerings once a month, please see Ed Harding or call the church office. Thank you! Worship Servants We are in need of more people for
Altar Care (setting up the communion), Communion Assistants, Lectors, Greeters, and
Worship Assistants. 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.
Also - help welcomed...
at a service of your choosing to help run the Audio/Video system! Easy to do, flexible to meet your schedule. Contact Bill at ' dreisbac@gmail.com' or church office! If you have other 'gifts to share' please register at our Time-Talent database here: ==> Link to online form for "Time / Talent Survey" or contact the office for a 'paper' form. And Thanks for all you do to support the ministries of Lord of Life! |
Grace Place will be sponsoring a CPR and a First Aid Class for anyone who wishes to get certified. You may take one or both classes. They are being held the same night! The date is Tuesday, April 30th, 6-8:30 pm in the Fellowship Hall at Lord of Life. You must sign up by April 20th for admission to class. Cost is $25 for one class/$40 for both.
Registration for next year is open. We are adding a new component for next year...an extended day! Children ages 3,4 or 5 may come in the morning and stay for the afternoon class. If you know of anyone with a preschool age child, please refer them to Grace Place. There are registration forms hanging on the bulletin board by the handicap door in the FDC for easy access. Any questions, please see Jill Glossner. |
The solar panels are now all installed (the 4 damaged in shipment have been replaced) and the major electrical work is completed. We will have a power shutdown to the entire facility on Apr 15th (weather permitting) to do the final electrical hookup to the 'main transformer' outside. This is done by the utility company. Then we will need to get inspections by Tabernacle to receive approval ("CA"), then we will apply for the PTO (Permission to Operate) from Atlantic City Electric. When we get their approval we are able to 'go live'. This can be a 2-6 week cycle to get to the 'turn on' date and so we can have a dedication sometime in May-June. Stay tuned as we go solar!
For a 'refresh' on the frequently asked questions, here is last year's FAQs:
http://archive.constantcontact.com/fs042/1102356663463/archive/1110862039736.html
Here is a link to all the photos of the project so far:
https://picasaweb.google.com/109344038039730268504/SolarFotos?authuser=0&authkey=Gv1sRgCK-OtP6Kjoz7Vw&feat=directlink
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Stewardship Info
Our next meeting is set for Apr 16th (Tue) at 7pm. We will be working our list of 2013 priorities, and we are seeking people to help on one (or more!) of our efforts this year. Our 2013 Plan includes the following components: Fall Emphasis, Engaging Time/Talent, Environment 'Green Team', Endowment, Communications & Long Range Priorities. We need people to help with 1, 2 or all of these, whatever your time will allow.
If you are interested in helping with any of our 2013 Stewardship plans, please contact Pastor Dave or Bill Dreisbach or "lordlife@gmail.com" - or come to the next meeting at the Church. Other Stewardship Links:
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Lutheran World Relief News
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Ending Malaria
Here in the U.S., people like you are helping to end malaria deaths by supporting LWR's malaria education, prevention and treatment work in at-risk communities in Africa. Now meet the people behind that work. Our "I'm Helping End Malaria" blog series features men and women working on the frontlines of the fight against malaria in Kenya and Tanzania. And you'll be amazed at all they accomplish with your gifts! From teaching nomadic herders to use insecticide-treated bed nets to traveling village to village during the muddy rain season, these faithful workers are dedicated to putting an end to this preventable, treatable disease.
April 25 is World Malaria Day. Let's end malaria together! LINK HERE: Lutheran World Relief - Malaria Project
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Wed Morning Mom's Bible Study
Wed mornings in Fellowship Hall - Childcare available
We are using:
"UNGLUED: Making wise choices in the midst of raw emotions" by Lysa TerKeurst
Come join us!
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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. Need a ride? Please leave a message in the church office.
Remaining Schedule 2013:
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April 23 - "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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Upcoming Events at Lord of Life!
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= = = = = = April 2013 = = = = = = 
Friday (4/5) (Pastor Sue Jones day off)
Saturday (4/6)
6:00 pm - Holy Humor Night with Holy Communion
7:15 pm - Eucharistic Ministry Meeting (1/2 hour)
Sunday (4/7)
8:30 am - Service of Holy Communion 9:45 am - Eucharistic Ministry Meeting (1/2 hour)
11:30 am - Confirmation Faithful Conversations
11:30 am - Eucharistic Ministry Meeting (1/2 hour)
Monday (4/8) 9:00 am - Staff Meeting
1:30 pm - Lutheran Care
7:00 pm - Church Council Meeting
Tuesday (4/9)
6:00 pm - Men's & Women's Ministry Dinner - focus on Fuller Center in NJ Pines
Wednesday (4/10)
8:00 am - Men's Fellowship Breakfast at Red Lion
9:30 am - Mom's Study
10:00 am - Adult Bible Study
11:30 am - Soup, Song & Sacrement
4:30 pm - Scout Grace Place Cleaning
6:00 pm - Worship Planning
7:30 pm - Women's Bible Study
7:30 pm - New Life Choir
6:00 pm - Famous Fries and Fellowship! SHYM event, ends at 8pm.
Thursday (4/11)
(Pastor Dave Jones Day Off)
Friday (4/12)
7:00 pm - Troop 23583 meeting (FDC Room# 208)
(Pastor Sue Jones Day Off)
9:00 am - "Women at the Wheel" Retreat at Philadelphia Seminary
6:00 pm - Service of Word & Prayer
8:30 am - Service of Holy Communion
10:00 am - Prayer, Praise & Thanksgiving with Holy Communion & Sunday School
1:30 pm - CROP Walk, Medford - Freedom Park
3:00 pm - SHYM Mission Trip Training Session
Monday (4/15)
6:30 pm - Bible Blast (1st communion families)
Tuesday (4/16)
5:15 pm - Women's Ministry at Bridge of Peace "Breakfast for Dinner"
7:00 pm - Stewardship Meeting
Wednesday (4/17)
8:00 am - Men's Fellowship Breakfast at Red Lion Diner
9:30 am - Mom's Study
10:00 am - Adult Bible Study
6:00 pm - Senior High Gathering with 8th Graders - dinner! Ends at 8pm.
7:30 pm - Women's Bible Study
7:30 pm - New Life Choir
Thursday (4/18)
12:00 pm - PEP (People Enjoying People!) "Art in Bloom"
Friday (4/19)
7:00 pm - Young Artists in Concert
(Pastor Susan Jones' Day off)
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- - - - - "Save the Date" for these Upcoming Events - - - -
Apr 8, 10 - Volunteer Chaplain Aid Training (see article)
Apr 14 - Deadline for Senior High Mission Trip Cancellation (see article)
Apr 15, 22, 29 - First Holy Communion Learning Sessions (see article)
Apr 20 - NJ Synod Conference on Congregational Ministries (see article)
Apr 28 - May 3 : Fuller Center Build '13 at Atlantic City (see article)
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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