Dec 18, 2015 Lord of Life Lutheran Church
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Christmas Eve Services - 2pm / 4pm (family) 8pm / 10pm (candlelight) & Dec 25 - 10am
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Thoughts in Print by Pastor Sue
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Ministry Quicklinks
Email Feedback
Church Phone:
609-268-0262
Emails / phone ext:
Church Musician:
Worship & Adult/Sr. Ministry Director:
Church Secretary:
Grace Place Director:
Discipleship & Children's Ministry Coordinator
Regular Worship Services:
6pm Saturday
8:30 & 10am Sunday
1 Winchester Ct,
Tabernacle NJ 08088
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Since my last article in the LifeLines things have only managed to get more hectic. I know it's because we're getting closer to Christmas. Seems hard to believe it's less than two weeks away. I am so far behind when it comes to my Christmas shopping it's looking like an online marathon in the next couple of days will be necessary to take care of the folks I really want to remember at Christmas that I haven't gotten anything for yet. Then there was the last chance to get the leaves out of the yard and out to the curb before the township folks come around for the last time, and of course I procrastinated. Thanks be to God for some really wonderfully warm days to get that job taken care of. But the "to do list" still has too many things on it and I have to make the decision of what's important and what's not given everything that's going on. It's just the usual stuff of life complicated by a rapidly approaching significant holiday for a single person who also happens to be a pastor.
But you know what? The to do list pales in comparison to the joy that this Advent season and the coming of Christmas have been for me. And it's because of all of you. The sanctuary truly is just that as it has come to life with greenery and light and other signs of the season thanks to the small army of LOL elves that make it happen every year. I have marveled at the dedication and creativity of all of you who have been working with our young people in doing everything from teaching Star Trip on Sundays to working with some young musicians and a few puppeteers preparing for Christmas Eve. I had so much fun at Advent Family Night working on my angel ornament and eating far more wonderful goodies than I should haveand simply celebrating "family" with 100+ of you and the small army that made it come together. And I don't know about you but from where I sit the music this Advent has simply been marvelous. The choir and the praise team and the bells and others of you have been a true blessing as they share the sounds of the season.
There are far too many more wonderful things to mention here. Please know how special all of you are. Please know what wonderful work you do by simply being who you are and being present for each other. Thank you for the smiles, hugs, and even a tear or two these last few weeks. I have witnessed the best of who we are together. Thank you for reminding me each and every day what is really important. The "to do list" isn't it! It's the wonder and the joy of relationships created and sustained by the One whose birth we will soon celebrate again as if for the first time. Peace my friends! And thank you for all you do! It means far more than you know. It means everything! - Peace PJ2 = )
by Pastor Sue
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Christmas Holiday Service Schedule
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During the Christmas Holidays we will
have the following schedule:
 Dec 24 - Christmas Eve Worship Services
2 & 4pm: Family Friendly Worship with Holy Communion
8 & 10pm: Traditional Worship with Holy Communion / Candlelight
Dec 25 - Christmas Day Service at 10am (Fri)
Services of Lessons & Carols with Communion followed by light brunch (Those staying for brunch are invited to bring something "brunchy" to share)
Saturday Dec 26 - no service
Sunday Dec 27 - 9:30 am Prayer, Praise & Thanksgiving with Holy Communion (one service today)
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 Attention all bakers!
We will be making cookie trays once again this year and will need a lot of homemade cookies. Proceeds from the sale will benefit needy families in our area. Please bring all cookies to the church by SATURDAY Dec. 19th - 9 AM.
There is a sign up sheet for bakers and a sign up sheet to order the trays. Small trays - $15, Large trays $20, and boxes for $10. Thanks for all of your help with this special project!
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 Elementary Sunday School
Dec 20 The Magi were on a quest - following a star to find the child king foretold in prophecy. Along their journey, they encountered both the dark and the light, both good and bad. In the end they met Jesus, the true star of their trip, and light of the world.
Join the quest this last Sunday in Advent at 9:30 and during the 10:30 service.
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There are still a few tags left on the Giving Tree if you would like to put a smile on a child's face this Christmas. Please place the unwrapped gift under the tree by Sunday, December 20th. All of the gifts will be taken to the Christian Caring Center in Browns Mills where families in need are able to "shop" for their children. Thank you for your tremendous support of this ministry every year!
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2016 DEDICATION CHARTS
Please see the signups available for weekly flower and monthly communion bread, wine, and sanctuary lamp dedications. Here is a way that you can remember or honor your loved ones as well as beautify our sanctuary and provide support for our communion supplies. Please place the designation, "in honor of" or "in memory of", on the special donation envelopes found on the sign up boards in the narthex.
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It is hard to believe that March will be the fourth graduation at Penny Miller's Sewing Academy. The students once again have displayed their talents in their creations, and their talents are amazing.
 I have been getting monthly reports from Libertin and am looking forward to seeing the students when I return to Haiti January 7th. In the past, the graduates have received a treadle sewing machine. This past year, quite a few of the machines have been damaged in shipping. It costs $100 for each machine to be shipped, so damaged machines can be very costly.
When this class graduates in March, they will be given a portable electric sewing machine. The cost of each machine is less than the treadle by one third. I will be able to ship twelve machines for $300, where twelve treadles would cost $1200. If anyone has a portable electric machine that they would like to donate, please let me know. The machine can be new or old as long as it works.
Once again I ask for your prayers during my upcoming trip and thank you for your continued support. - Penny Miller
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ADULT BIBLE STUDY  WEDNESDAY, 10-11:30
DEC 16
Life From the UpSide, by J. Ellsworth Kalas, continues! It's never too late to join in with this very engaging group as we learn, discuss, question, and enjoy lively conversation about our faith journeys.
All are welcome!
NEW DATE!
HELPING HANDS
MONDAY, DEC 28, 12:30pm
All hands and hearts are welcome as we make sandwiches for our neighbors in need who are served by the Christian Caring Center in Browns Mills. Over 250 sandwiches are made each month. Our thanks to all of those who support this program and to Thrivent Financial, Inc., for providing an Action Team grant for meats and cheeses this month.
SOUNDS OF JOY AT LUTHERAN CROSSINGS
MONDAY, JAN 4TH, 1:30
Join us as we continue to bring some Christmas season cheer to our friends in Moorestown. Your hands and heart are needed to bring folks to the chapel and help them share in the program of Word and song.
...to all of our Lutheran Crossings angels who helped to bring the love and joy of Jesus to our friends in Moorestown!
...to Beth Blair for stepping in to provide a scrumptious meal for our PEP Christmas Luncheon and to all those who faithfully help to set up and share such wonderful fellowship with one another!
Check out pictures of some of our events on the link to the website!
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Music & Worship Ministries
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Be a part of the New Life Choir!
Practice on Wednesdays at 7:30, contact Rick Krause
New singers always welcome!
Be a part of the Praise Team!
Practice on Sundays at 9:30 in the Library, contact Sue Dreisbach
New youth and adult members are always welcome!
Christmas Eve Instrumentalists!
Dave Lamb will be practicing on Dec 20 after the 10:30 services with our youth! If you play an instrument, join us! We had a great time at Easter and look forward to a great time again! Please contact Sue so we know what parts we will need.
Worship Assistants Needed 
=> Altar Guild (to set up communion and altar and
clean up after service - scheduled rotationally)
=> Communion Assistants
Qualifications required: Love for the Lord and a grateful heart.
Prior experience not necessary as training will be provided.
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Christmas Carol a success! We had 19 people who went to see A Christmas Carol in Princeton and enjoyed a fabulous show!
Cookies trays - we are looking for bakers to make homemade cookies for our Christmas trays. If you want to order a tray, please sign up on the board in the narthex.
Looking Ahead to January - plan on a fun time with BUNCO and a covered dish dinner.
Dinners for Craig are continuing.
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The Grace Place Christmas Program will be held on Friday, December 18th at 6:30pm. The children have worked hard with Miss Sue to present songs to celebrate the birth of our Savior. Please come and join in on this joyous occasion with us!
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Sleep Mats for the Homeless
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Making sleep mats for the homeless at
Faith Presbyterian Church, 318 Stokes Road in Medford
We will teach you how to:
- Flatten bags and cut bags into strips
- Join the strips into a strand and roll them in a ball
- Crochet the plastic into a six foot mat with a pillow pocket.
You can join us each week to assist our ministry or learn the techniques and start your own project. We donate the mats to the Christian Caring Center in Pemberton
(http://www.christiancaringcenter.net/) for their ministry to the homeless. For people sleeping outside, the mats keep them off of the ground, provide cushioning and are unaffected by moisture. It takes about 900 bags to make one mat. But if you have the bags, all you need are scissors and a large crochet hook.
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GOFUNDME for Snodgrass Family
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Not sure if everyone heard about Summer Snodgrass, but below is a link for a "Go Fund Me" page set up for her and her family:
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Blood Drive - Thu Jan 14, 2016
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Give the Gift of Life!
Thu Jan 14 - 1pm -> 6pm
Please consider a pledge to give the 'gift of life' for 2016. Blood donations are always needed, and we will have a drive at the church on Thursday, Jan 14th in 2016. Please contact Lu Hourihan (lu@lordlife.us) if you are able to help (phone calls, setting up, tearing down) or to donate blood. Thanks to everyone for helping to make this drive a success!
Click on this link to make an appointment today!
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Book club with our 2015-2016 season of books! Join us! 
Tuesdays at 7pm on:
2016
Jan. 19 "The Road to Character" by David Brooks
- morality and ethics
Feb. 16 "Evensong" by Gail Godwin
- novel about faith & family
Mar. 15 "Find the Good: Unexpected Life Lessons from a Small Town Obituary" by Heather Lende
Apr. 19 "Orphan Train" by Christina Baker Kline
- historical fiction Depression Era
May 17 "World's Strongest Librarian" by Josh Hanagarne
- memoir, health and faith
June 21 "The Invention of Wings" by Sue Monk Kidd
- historical fiction slavery in Charleston |
Robyn Curl (12/19), Jessa Hay (12/19), Lee Jennings (12/20), Mike Wojtaszek (12/21), Eric Sinn (12/21), Laura Evans (12/21), Mike Mignogna (12/22), Carol Koskela (12/22), Paul Horner (12/23), Keith Williams (12/24), Jennifer Prouse (12/25), Heather Vernier (12/25), John Maurer (12/26), Jodi Shover (12/26), Kristen Albinson (12/26), Lance Patterson (12/27), John McMichael (12/27), Lisa Masly (12/27), Chason Jervis (12/27), Myra Bell (12/28), Andrew Roppoli (12/28), David Albinson (12/29), Austin O'Brien (12/29), Benjamin Schaeffer (12/29), Mackenzie Mozitis (12/29), Jack Kelly (12/30), Marielle Sarlo (12/30), Aaron Pyett (12/30), Christie Hopkins (12/30), Aidan Vandegrift (12/30), Chris Flasser (12/30), Jason Fennimore (12/31), Matthew Shields (12/31)
2016 - Renee Thomas (1/1), Charles Heinsinger (1/1), Kaitlyn Heinrich (1/2), Kyle Korchak (1/3), John Tubic (1/3), Jamie Jones (1/3), Brett Steinhour (1/4), Jim McDowell (1/5), Jim Cuviello (1/5), Ian Brown (1/5), Marian Hollenbeck (1/6), Alexander Oakley (1/6), Nicky O'Neal (1/6), Marci Hamilton (1/7), Kevin Shover (1/7), Donna Yates (1/7), Regan Tarasewicz (1/8), Keith Blair (1/8)
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Bruce & Hui-Fen Kirschbaum (12/21)
Helena & Frank Humphreys (12/29)
John & Brenda Engler (12/31)
Dan & Ruth Rinck (1/4),
Harry & Kirsten Granfors (1/5)
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Editor's Note: The LifeLines is normally sent every 2 weeks. Inputs of interest to church members can be submitted to 'lifelines@lordlife.us' anytime, but are normally due the Tuesday before the Friday bi-weekly publication. Exception: The first 2016 issue is Jan 8, 2016 (inputs Jan 5)
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Friday 12/18
6:30pm - Grace Place Christmas Program (Sanctuary & Fellowship Hall)
Saturday 12/19
6:00 pm - Advent Holden Evening Prayer Service with Holy Communion
8:15 am - Advent Service of Holy Communion
9:30 am - Praise Team Rehearsal (library)
9:30 am - Faith Formation & Fellowship
10:30 am - Advent Prayer, Praise & Thanksgiving with Holy Communion & Star Trip
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Monday 12/21
Wednesday 12/23
7:30 pm - New Life Choir
Thursday 12/24 - Christmas EVE
2:00 pm - Family Service with Holy Communion
4:00 pm - Family Service with Holy Communion
8:00 pm - Candlelight Service with Holy Communion
10:00 pm - Candlelight Service with Holy Communion
Friday 12/25 - Christmas
10:00 am - Informal Service with Holy Communion & Brunch
(office closed)
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Saturday 12/26
9:30 am - Service of Lessons & Carols
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Monday 12/28
Wednesday 12/30
(open)
Thursday 12/31
(open)
(Pastor Dave's day off)
Friday Jan 1, 2016 - Happy New Year !
(Church Closed Today)
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6:00 pm - Service of Holy Communion Sunday 1/3
8:15 am - Service of Holy Communion 9:30 am - Praise Team Rehearsal 9:30 am - Faith Formation & Fellowship 10:30 am - Prayer, Praise & Thanksgiving with Holy Communion
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Monday 1/4
1:30 pm - Lutheran Crossings
Wednesday 1/6
8:00 am - Men's Fellowship Breakfast
10:00 am - Adult Bible Study
7:30 pm - New Life Choir
Thursday 1/7
(open)
Friday 1/8
10:00 am - God Created...
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Saturday 1/9
6:00 pm - Service of Holy Communion
8:15 am - Service
9:30 am - Praise Team Rehersal
9:30 am - Faith Formation & Fellowship
10:30 am - Prayer, Praise & Thanksgiving with Holy Communion
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- - - - - "Save the Date" for these Upcoming Events - - -
Jan 14, 2016 - Blood Drive at Lord of Life from 1pm-6pm
ONLINE: "Simply Giving" contribution form - get by click here SG
ONLINE: Stewardship 2016 'Estimate of Sharing' click here EOS
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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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