May 3, 2013 Lord of Life Lutheran Church
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From the Desk of Pastor Dave
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Brothers and Sisters..
"Storms come and storms go...but the LOVE of God lasts forever!" Perhaps this "sign ready" thought would be appropriate for New Jersey, certainly in Atlantic City, for the victims of Super Storm Sandy who are living in the aftermath of destruction that occurred in late October 2012.
Over the last six months, volunteers from Lord of Life and all around the world have converged on Atlantic City and other coastal areas to help thousands of hurting neighbors rebuild their lives. Baptists from Georgia, United Church of Christ congregants from Massachusetts, Amish friends from Lancaster County, Pennsylvania...Christian sisters and brothers from all over the Northeast and beyond have come to say, "Storms come and storms go...but the LOVE of God lasts forever!"
Just this past week, close to 300 volunteers, many of them Lutherans, joined hands and hearts to support the work of the Fuller Center for Housing in the Jersey Pines and participate in a "Legacy Build" in Atlantic City. Twenty-two houses and a house of worship were the sites for renovation, restoration, and renewal. And in the process of reconstruction, each homeowner and volunteer was blessed "big time!"
I experienced some of that blessing as I sat at a table during the Sunday night Kick-off Dinner with Inez and Lucille. Both of these Jamaican-American women have homes that have been badly damaged by flooding; one of them is also dealing with oil that spilled during the storm and continues to be a health challenge for her family. Their words to me were simple and direct, "Thank you for coming to Atlantic City to help us!"
Surely storms come and go. My parents used to talk about the storm that submerged Absecon Island in 1944. And I remember the March Storm of 1962 when relatives of mine had to be airlifted by helicopter from Harvey Cedars on LBI to the mainland because the bay had met the ocean right by their house. I imagine one day we will all look back on the devastation brought by Super Storm Sandy and be able to say that we were part of the recovery effort that helped all of us get past this "act of nature". In spite of the storms in our past and those that are surely to come in our future, we truly believe that we can respond in ways that prove the point that "God's LOVE lasts forever!"
That divine LOVE, which is the driving force in why we do what we do, calls us to contribute our time, talent and treasure wherever and whenever we are able. So sisters and brothers, look for future opportunities to put your faith into action. Pray for those who continue to struggle with all the challenges that accompany a natural disaster and for those who sense God's call to volunteer to help in the days ahead!
As best we are able, let us live into our belief that "Storms come and storms go...but the LOVE of God lasts forever!"
Your brother in CHRIST, Pastor David Jones
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Church Notes and Tid-Bits
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THANK YOU'S
- Thank You to all the folks who have provided much needed support to our 1st Holy Communion Class over the last three weeks. Barb Wagner and Betty Mastrillo for helping with set-up and meals and to Chuck Bubeck for doing his famous bread baking "thing"!
- A great big THANK YOU to Marie Lamb for going above and beyond the call of duty over the last few weeks in support of both the 1st Holy Communion and 8th Grade Confirmation programs. And especially for keeping Pastor Sue on task and sane!
- A word of thanks also goes out to the moms and dads who helped to support the 8th grade Confirmation Lock-In this past weekend. Thank you to all of you in doing your best to have your youth participate and for supporting our cookout and worship on Saturday evening. And thank you to the Christiansons - Becky for staying overnight and for most of the event, Grant for helping on Saturday afternoon with our service project and for fixing the grill, Christina Fennimore and Leslie Romanuski for helping with breakfast on Saturday morning, and to the Sunbury clan for managing the grilling! A wonderful time was had by all.
PLEASE KEEP IN YOUR PRAYERS - All of our 1st Holy Communion class members and our 8th grade Confirmation class members as both of these groups participate in milestone events in their lives of faith over the next few weeks. The 1st Holy Communion class will celebrate with their families and friends this Sunday, May 5th, at a special service at 11:30, and the 8th graders will publically affirm their faith at a special service at 11:30 on Sunday, June 2nd.
VBS - SONRISE NATIONAL PARK IS COMING YOUR WAY! Further information about this year's VBS will be available beginning the weekend of May 11 and 12 at all of the worship services. Registration information will be available as well as information about how you can volunteer to support the program.
Calling all Eucharistic Ministers - Thank you to all of you who have expressed and interest in being part of our newly revived Eucharistic ministry. Pastor Jones and I will be working with you on assignments in the very near future. We would also like to cordially invite you to be commissioned into this ministry THIS WEEKEND, May 4th and 5th, as part of the BLEST TO BE A BLESSING TIME at each of the three regular worship services. Whether you have already communicated your interest to one or both of the Pastor's Jones or not, please know that if you feel God calling you to this important service ministry, just let us know this weekend and plan to be part of the Commissioning at the services this weekend!
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Update on the fund LOL Fuller Center
Atlantic City - Home Sponsorship fund-raising
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With Thrivent matching dollars, we are on our way to the $4000 Lord of Life home sponsorship. Once we have the funds (~ mid-June) we will make the contribution, have a home assigned to LOL, and we can begin serving a family in Atlantic City in getting their home restored. Our next fund raiser will be a Krispy Kreme Donut sale on Sunday May 5th after both services. There is a signup sheet in the Narthex, so please sign up if interested. The price (same as the store) will be $7 per dozen, but we will gratefully accept larger donations ;-)
The Spaghetti Dinner date is Friday May 31 so mark your calendars! Not only will delicious food be served, but Sloppy and the Joe's (the WHOLE band!!) have agreed to play. Come see 3/4 quarters of the Praise band kick it up a few notches from what you are used to hearing at the 10 AM service! Entertainment will begin 6:30- 7ish. Oh, and during intermissions there will be open mic opportunities to play an instrument, tell a few clean 'Sven and Ollie' jokes, or share whatever hidden talent you may have! If interested contact Ed or Lu Hourihan. We'll need some volunteers to help setup, cook, serve, and clean up. Some have already contacted us, but we are in need of more. Please contact Lu at luciah13@verizon.net
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Mother Daughter Dinner - May 17th - Tickets are going fast so do not forget to get yours. Tickets will not be sold at the door, you must get them ahead of time. They are being sold after each service. We are looking forward to a fun night with dinner, a Bridal Fashion show and a Chinese Auction. If anyone would like to donate a basket or money to make up a basket, pls let me know ASAP. I must have all baskets by May 10th. If you have any questions, pls email me at mastrillo@verizon.net or my cell phone is 609-410-0162. Thanking everyone for all your donations and help.
June 4th- Bridge of Peace Dinner, we will be having a Taco Night. A sign up sheet will be put up in the middle of May.
SHYM lunch June 23rd - Jill Glossner asked if the Women's Ministry could set up, serve and clean up for the SHYM's lunch the day they leave on their mission trip. If anyone can help, pls let me know.
July 19th - B-B-Q and swim party at Julie Vorweck's house. You can arrive anytime after 5:30 PM, dinner of hamburgers and hot dogs will be served at 6:30 pm. A sign up sheet will be put up so you can sign up to bring an apetizer, salad or dessert. This will also be a BYOB, whether it is water, soda or ??????.
Also if July we will be traveling to Bridge of Peace again to serve them dinner for their VBS. Date to follow.
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Mothers and Daughters Dinner May 17th
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Our Mother's Day dinner is fast approaching. We have at least 12-15 wedding dresses to be modeled by members of our church. They range from one being 72 years old to one being only 2 years old. The menu has been planned, and it should be a fun filled evening.
Tickets are on sale at each of the weekend services - adults are $12, children 10 and under are $6.00, any child under 3 is free. We are limited on space in our fellowship hall so make sure you purchase your tickets early so you won't be disappointed
Hope to see you there. Should you have any questions please get in touch with Barbara Wagner at 609-859-0404.
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One of the places that the Jr. High mission trip will be serving is a place called Paul's Place.
We would like to ask the congregation to donate various items such as:
- First Aid Kit supplies (e.g. Band-Aids, antibiotic packets, 2x2" gauze)
- Hygiene Kit supplies (e.g. shampoo, lotion, toothpaste, double edged razors)
- Foot Kit supplies (white socks, moleskin, gauze tape, etc.)
- Oral Kit (oral gel, floss picks, sensodyne toothpaste, etc.)
We have a few months, so hopefully we can get a few of these items. Tina Leach will provide a box for the narthex in which to put the collections.
You can download, view or print-out the list at this link ( .pdf file ):
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Lutheran Care:
Plans are underway for the Auxiliary's annual June Day (June 15, 10-3) where there will be crafts, food, music, games, dunk tank, inflatables, and much more. Each church is being asked to provide two homemade, unsliced, plain cakes for the strawberry and ice cream booth. If you are able to help, please call Carol at 609-654-4077. There is also an ongoing need for small stuffed animals (used on a monthly basis in resident's birthday bags), nail polish and remover, and plastic boxes (shoe box size).
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Mission Trip - Senior High - Jun 23-28, 2013
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This Saturday at 9:00am we will be going to Medford to do Road Clean-Up as a service project and fund
raiser for our trip. If you plan to attend, please contact Jill Glossner at 268-0262. We will meet at LOL and
then drive to our site.
Don't forget to mark the date on your calendar for the car wash/bake sale on May 18th here at Lord of Life.
Tell your friends, neighbors and enemies (just kidding) to come get their car washed.
If you get a chance, check out the Philadelphia Inquirer Sunday Edition, April 28th. The first page highlights the areas where we will be working. The article is quite interesting. I have put a copy of it on the Mission Trip bulletin board.
Please check out the table by the Church Library for ways you can help the Mission Team. There are "Miles to the Bay" forms that you can financially support the trip or you can sign up on the food list. Any support you can give will be appreciated.
======= About the 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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SHYM (Senior High Youth Ministry) NEWS
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Wednesday May 8th, 6 - 8 PM there will be a SHYM meeting in the Fellowship Hall. As always, please bring $5 for dinner.
Saturday May 11th, 9:30 AM - 2 PM SHYM is hosting a Parent's Day out! All children ages 3 and up are invited to come have a day of fun and activities while their parents enjoy an afternoon out. Please bring a labeled and bagged lunch for each child. Any free will donations will be given to the Senior High mission trip this summer.
Wednesday May 15th, 6 - 8 PM there will be a SHYM meeting in the Fellowship Hall.We will be planning the Honor and Blessing service (June 1 at 6 PM). If any graduating high school senior would like to participate in the service, please make every effort to attend this planning session! As always, please bring $5 for dinner.
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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 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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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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Making a difference...
Sounds of Joy at Lutheran Care, Monday, May 6th, 1:30
Would you like to help make a great afternoon of music and devotions possible for our friends at Lutheran Care? Then please join us at 12:50 at the church to carpool or meet us in Moorestown at 1:30 as we share the love and care of Jesus with the residents. Your helping hearts would be very welcome to bring residents to the chapel, help them to participate in the program, and then return them to their rooms.
PEP and YAHS, Together Again! Thursday, May 16th, Noon
It's our turn to host our annual luncheon where PEP (People Enjoying People) and the YAHS (Young at Hearts) from Prince of Peace in Marlton get together. We are very excited to have David Graeber, a nationally recognized glass artist as our special speaker. History, nature, exploring your talents, and passion will all be shared along with his beautiful creations. All are welcome to join us for this special afternoon.
Sight and Sound-Miracle of Christmas-Thursday, Dec. 12th
We know it's way too early to be thinking about Christmas, but it has to be the time that we plan for this special show. We are happy to be joining with the YAHS from Prince of Peace once again for this special outing. The cost will be about $95 for the show, lunch at Hershey Farms, and the bus. To reserve our seats now, we will need a $50 deposit by May 12th. Please sign up on the bulletin board.
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 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 - AV help welcomed... at a service of your choosing to help run the Audio/Video system! Easy to do, flexible to meet your schedule, fun too! Contact Bill at ' dreisbac@gmail.com' or church office!
If you have other 'gifts to share' please register at our Time-Talent database online
And Thanks for all you do to support the ministries of Lord of Life!
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Many thanks to the parents of Grace Place for raising a record total of $2,108.75 for our annual Trike-a-Thon on April 18 & 19th. All proceeds go to St. Jude's Research Hospital for Children. What a wonderful witness!
If you haven't already gotten Mom something for Mother's Day why not get flowers through the Grace Place?
Order forms are on the bulletin board by the Church Office. Geraniums are $4.00 each and 1/2 Flats are $10. Final orders are due May 7th by 2pm. Flowers will be available to pick up Friday, Saturday and Sunday, May 10th, 11th, and 12th.
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Stewardship Info
We have a list of 2013 priorities, and a team is formed to work on 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.news@gmail.com" - or come to the next meeting at the Church Other Stewardship Links:
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 We will be starting a new Bible Study on May 8. All are welcome to attend. The Book is called: "One Month To Live" by Kerry and Chris Shook. "None of us knows how much time we have--thirty minutes, thirty days, thirty years. But when we are living a passionate, obedient lives--full of love for God and others--it really doesn't matter." We don't get to decide the dates on our gravestone. Only God knows. Our lives are in His hands. We get to decide how we're going to use the dash between the two dates. What are you spending your's on? Are you living the dash, knowing fully who you are and why you're here? Or dashing to live, hurriedly spending precious time chasing things that really don't matter to you? God wants us to realize that our time on earth is limited so we will spend it wisely. Come and see how you can change your life in 30 days to reflect a Christ centered life. |
 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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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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 Who is Cooper you ask.....well Cooper is our dog costume that we have used for Vacation Bible school and also for other occasions. However it seems Cooper has run away!!!! He is no where to be found in any closets in the church.
He is about 6 ft tall with a big head and is white with black spots. If you should know his where abouts please get in touch with the church office.
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Upcoming Events at Lord of Life!
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= = = = = = May 2013 = = = = = = 
Friday (5/3)
7:00 pm - Troop 23953 (FDC 208)
(Pastor Sue Jones day off)
Saturday (5/4)
9:00 am - SHYM Mission Trip Service Event (Road Cleanup)
6:00 pm - Service of Holy Communion
Sunday (5/5) - 6 Easter
8:30 am - Service of Holy Communion
10:00 am - Prayer, Praise & Thanksgiving and Sunday School
11:30 am - First Holy Communion Service
Monday (5/6)
9:00 am - Staff Meeting
1:30 pm - Lutheran Care
7:00 pm - Stewardship Team Meeting
Wednesday (5/8)
8:00 am - Men's Fellowship Breakfast at Red Lion
9:30 am - Mom's Study
10:00 am - Adult Bible Study
6:00 pm - Worship Planning
6:00 pm - Senior High Gathering
7:30 pm - Women's Bible Study
7:30 pm - New Life Choir
Thursday (5/9)
7:30 pm - Finance Team
(Pastor Dave Jones Day Off)
Friday (5/10)
11:30 am - Grace Place Mother's Day Tea
(Pastor Sue Jones Day Off)
9:30 am - Parent's Day Out
6:00 pm -
Service of the Word
8:30 am - Service of Holy Communion
10:00 am - Prayer, Praise & Thanksgiving with Holy Communion
Happy Mother's Day!
Monday (5/13)
(open)
Tuesday (5/14)
7:00 pm - Council Meeting with Presentation of Confirmands
Wednesday (5/15)
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 Youth Gathering
7:30 pm - Women's Bible Study
7:30 pm - New Life Choir
Thursday (5/16)
12:00 pm - PEP with YAH's (see Sue Dreisbach for acronyms!)
(Pastor Dave Jones' Day off)
Friday (5/17)
6:30 pm - Women's Ministry Mother / Daughter Dinner, Bridal Show & Chinese Auction
(Pastor Susan Jones' Day off)
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- - - - - "Save the Date" for these Upcoming Events - - - -
May 18 - Saturday - 9am until noon - SHYM Mission Trip Car Wash and Bake Sale! ANYTIME: "Simply Giving" contribution form can be obtained by clicking here
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Pastor David Jones: Rev_Jones@lordlife.us
1 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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