May 16, 2013 Lord of Life Lutheran Church
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Thoughts in Print - Pastor Sue
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A few weeks ago my article talked about the upcoming election of a new bishop in the NJ Synod and asked all of you to keep that process and those of us attending the Synod Assembly in prayer. There will be five of us from Lord of Life taking part in the Synod Assembly this year, both Pastors Jones, Philip and Linda Jagiela, and Brett Reich. We'll keep you posted on the outcome of that election as soon as it takes place on June 6-8.
But did you know there's another "election" of sorts coming up in the not too distant future? One that directly impacts us here at Lord of Life? Within the next few months all of you will have the opportunity to decide whether or not I stay on among you as one of your pastors. Yes my friends, believe it or not, my initial three year call with you officially comes to an end in December of 2013.
It's been an incredibly rewarding experience for me to serve with you first as an Intern and then as your Associate Pastor. I believe God placed us together with a plan in mind for us to grow together through the power of the Spirit and I think we have. I know I have grown as a person, as a Christian, and as a Pastor since being part of this ministry and I hope that all of you can say the same. And just as I'm praying for the power of the Spirit to lift up the right person to be the next Bishop of the NJ Synod, I'm praying for the power of the Spirit to lead us as we enter into a new call process and what that means for Lord of Life and Pastor Sue.
When I think about what it means to be a pastor I always remember what one of my professors at seminary told us. He said that many people describe pastors as SHEPHERDS. The idea coming from the references in the bible to Jesus and the Good Shepherd and the idea of guiding the sheep, the flock, the people of God, us... But he sees it a little differently. He said that in reality there is only one SHEPHERD, one who no matter what always has the best interests of the sheep in mind both individually and collectively, only one who always knows what's best for us, only one who paid the ultimate price to keep us safe and give us life for all time - the one Good Shepherd - Jesus Christ.
With that in mind he went on to say that pastors are more like SHEEPDOGS; that in reality we are more like the sheep than the shepherd and that we need the guidance, encouragement, training, and even the protection of the SHEPHERD to be what we are called to be. It's a pretty good analogy. Because you see those of us called to be pastors can do nothing good and Godly without daily acknowledging and accepting the authority and direction of the one SHEPHERD, and that we have no purpose beyond that of serving the interests of the sheep as defined by the SHEPHERD wherever and whenever we are called upon.
I'm happy being a SHEEPDOG. I'm happy to trust in the SHEPHERD'S direction. And I trust that through the Spirit, what God has in store for this SHEEPDOG here at Lord of Life will come to pass. I look forward to entering into a new call process with all of you and to following where the GOOD SHEPHERD is leading us.
PEACE - PJ2
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THANK YOU'S
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Our sincere thanks to the Pastors, members and friends of Lord of Life for their prayers, support and condolences throughout the last three months of Bob's life. We are truly blessed to be part of such a loving congregation.
- The Thomas Family
- To All at Lord of Life - Thank you for your kind words and prayers. Itss those who take the time to care, who make the world a better place. Thanks, Bill Bruner (Apr 30, 2013)
- Thanks to Mark Deans for the beautiful printing work he did on the recent stewardship photos that were distributed to the members. We appreciate the service to our church members!
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A Great BIG Thank You to three of our Senior High Youth - Nathan Lamb, Kylie Steinhour, and Jessa Hay - who along with their "fearless leader" Maureen McMichael led an informative and funny session at the recent 8th grade Lock-In to help answer the question: Is There Life After Middle School?
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Pasta Dinner Fund Raiser for Atlantic City Home
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Family, Friends and Fun.. you won't want to miss this great fellowship event! Join us in the Fellowship hall Friday May 31 from 5-7:30 for a Pasta Dinner Fund Raiser
in support of the Lord of Life Atlantic City home restoration project - so mark your calendars!
Not only will delicious food be served, but Sloppy and the Joe's (the WHOLE band!!) have agreed to play. Just last weekend about 20 members of Lord of Life traveled all the way to Mount Holly to see this great band! Entertainment will begin 7ish. Oh, and rumor has it 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(s) you may have!
Here is a video depicting the work done by the Fuller Center Legacy 2013 build recently in Atlantic City - see if you can pick out members of our church amongst the 200+ volunteers!
 | | 2013 Millard Fuller Legacy Build in Atlantic City |
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The big event is almost here!! The Mother/Daughter Dinner is this Friday, May 17th. We have over 90 people attending and approximately 29 baskets to auction off!! And do not forget the Bridal fashion show. Looking forward to a great night filled with lots of fun and laughter!
June 4th - Bridge of Peace Dinner - We will be going to Bridge of Peace to serve a Taco Dinner to their youth group. A sign up sheet will be posted shortly.
June 23rd SHYM Lunch - I am looking for a few women to volunteer to help serve lunch to the SHYM before they leave on their Mission Trip.
July 19th - B-B-Q and swim party - Being held at Julie Vorwecks. You will be asked to bring a dessert, apetizer or a salad. A sign up sheet will be posted closer to the date. Also, we will be traveling back to Bridge of Peace to serve dinner at their VBS. Date to follow. thank you!!
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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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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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Just a reminder this Saturday (May 18) is our Car Wash/Bake Sale for the Mission Trip!
Tell your friends, neighbors and enemies (just kidding) to come get their car washed.
The weather is supposed to be good!
SHMT Helpers: Please come at 8:45 am to help set up as it starts at 9:00 am. Plan on staying until at least noon as we will need to clean up after it is over. Please bring a drying towel or two if possible. Also, if you can supply any baked goods to be sold that would be terrific.
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.
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SHYM (Senior High Youth Ministry) NEWS
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Parent's Day - SHYM hosted a parent's day out on Saturday May 11. We had 12 children participate and had a wonderful time! Thanks to all of the parents who shared their children with us for the day!
Graduates - We are having an Honor and Blessing service for all graduating high school seniors at the 6:00 service on June 1. Please email Maureen at maureen.mcmichael@yahoo.com if you are planning on participating. We would love to have all graduates and their friends be part of this service to celebrate everything you have accomplished! Refreshments will be served after the service.
Meetings - SHYM will be meeting for the next few Wednesdays, May 15, 22 and 29, from 6 - 8 PM in the Fellowship Hall. Bring a friend and take a break from the end of school scramble for a little Fellowship and Faith!
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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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Making a difference...
Helping Hands, Monday, May 20th, 12:30
All are welcome to join us as we assemble sandwiches for the clients served by the Christian Caring Center. We supply food for their luncheon program and for the homeless living in the woods and hotels without kitchen facilities. You can help by being part of the prep crew, donating meat and/or cheese, making a monetary donation, or any combination! We thank Thrivent for helping to support this program.
Dinner at the Diner, Wed., May 29th, Red Lion Diner
Can't figure out what to have for dinner? There are lots of choices at the Red Lion Diner! Join us for good food, fellowship, and devotions.
Thank you, Doris!
We want to say a very special thank you and Godspeed to Doris Lynch as she moves next week to Arkansas. Doris has been a faithful member of Lord of Life for many years and a constant part of PEP and supporter of all of our programs. If we've done it, Doris has been there giving countless rides, providing food (especially her delicious cole slaw!), pushing people in wheelchairs to our programs at Lutheran Care, lending her helping hands to make thousands of sandwiches for the Christian Caring Center, and sharing her generous love with all whom she touches. We will miss you, Doris. Godspeed on the next part of your journey that God has in store for you.
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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 ALWAYS 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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Stewardship Info
We want to be sure everyone is aware of the current status of our church finances. As of the  end of April our "general fund offerings received" vs. our "approved spending plan" shows about a $30,000 negative gap. At this point we normally have a surplus which helps us to get through the lean months of the summer. So we are anticipating a much larger than anticipated deficit this summer. For this reason we are asking each family to make every effort to get current with your 2013 pledge. If you are current, please consider a one-time donation in whatever amount you can manage. For those who have not completed a pledge card, please consider doing so now and meeting that pledge every week, even during the summer. Forms for this purpose were distributed with the first 1/3 year giving statements (in your mailboxes) and are available at the church.
Catching up with your pledge amount and/or an additional contribution will enable the continuation of focusing on providing the ministries and mission that we all believe God is calling us to do. Thanks for your consideration!
Other Stewardship Links:
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 All are welcome to our new Bible Study focusing on the book, "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 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 yours 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 21st, 7 pm- "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 (5/17)
6:30 pm - Women's Ministry Mother/Daughter Dinner,
Bridal Show & Chinese Auction
(Pastor Sue Jones day off)
Saturday (5/18)
9:00 am - SHYM Mission Trip - Car Wash & Bake Sale (ends at noon)
6:00 pm - Vigil of Pentecost with Holy Communion
Sunday (5/19) - Day of Pentecost
8:30 am - Service of Holy Communion
10:00 am - Prayer, Praise & Thanksgiving with Holy Communion & Sunday School
1:00 pm - Girl Scout Mother/Daughter Tea (Fellowship Hall)
4:30 pm - Junior High Mission Trip - Meet & Greet
6:00 pm - Confirmation Pizza, Song & Sacrament
Monday (5/20)
9:00 am - Staff Meeting
12:30 pm - Helping Hands
6:00 pm - Men's Ministry Dinner
Tuesday (5/21)
7:00 pm - Book Review & Fellowship
Wednesday (5/22)
8:00 am - Men's Fellowship Breakfast at Red Lion
9:30 am - Mom's Study
10:00 am - Adult Bible Study
1:45 pm - Celebration Ringers (Bell choir)
6:00 pm - Senior High Gathering
7:30 pm - Women's Bible Study
7:30 pm - New Life Choir
Thursday (5/23)
(Pastor Dave Jones Day Off)
Friday (5/24)
(Pastor Sue Jones Day Off)
5:30 pm - Tittermaryh/Schroeder Wedding @ Valenzano
6:00 pm -Service of the Word
Sunday (5/26) - Holy Trinity
8:30 am - Service of Holy Communion
10:00 am - Prayer, Praise & Thanksgiving with Holy Communion & Sunday School
Monday (5/27) - Memorial Day
(office closed)
Tuesday (5/28)
6:30 pm - 8th Grade Confirmation Service Practice
7:00 pm - Grace Place Board Meeting
Wednesday (5/29)
8:00 am - Men's Fellowship Breakfast at Red Lion Diner
9:30 am - Mom's Study
10:00 am - Adult Bible Study
1:45 pm - Celebration Ringers (Bell choir)
4:30 pm - Dinner at the Diner (Evergreen Dairy Bar)
6:00 pm - Senior High Youth Gathering
7:30 pm - Women's Bible Study
7:30 pm - New Life Choir
Thursday (5/30)
(Pastor Dave Jones' Day off)
Friday (5/31)
5:30-7:30 pm - Fuller House Fundraising - Spaghetti Dinner
6:30 pm - Fuller House Fundraising - Sloppy & the Joes / Open Mic Night
(Pastor Susan Jones' Day off)
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- - - - - "Save the Date" for these Upcoming Events - - - -
Senior High Mission Trip - June 23 -> 28 Vacation Bible School - July 28 -> Aug 2nd 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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