Rev. Buckman with his family, after being awarded the MSM at Whiteman AFB in 2008

The Rev. Jim Buckman, Urban Mission Strategist for the LCMS New Jersey District - and a Major in the US Air Force, stationed with the New Jersey Air National Guard at McGuire Air Force Base in Wrightstown - will be deployed in Southwest Asia beginning December 30.

Pastor Buckman writes, "I am currently scheduled to be the Deputy Chaplain for a chapel team which does 50 worship services and Bible studies every week."
 
While he is overseas, Pastor Buckman hopes to stay connected with district congregations and church planters through the House Church Planter website, as well as through online Bible study & worship opportunities connecting service men & women with their Christian families back at home. The NJ District hopes to have regular updates about Pastor Buckman's chaplaincy work, and will be sharing news and prayer needs as appropriate. Continued financial support for Urban Ministry in the New Jersey District while Pastor Buckman is deployed will help ensure that this important ministry can resume uninterrupted upon his return.

Our churches, writes Pastor Buckman, will also "have the opportunity to send care packages to the troops." Pastor Buckman's address will be (as of December 30):
Please keep Pastor Buckman, his wife Cathy, and their children Jacob, Jim, Sarah, John and Grace in your prayers during the coming weeks & months.

The Castle Church at Wittenburg, Germany

A new project co-sponsored bythe LCMS New Jersey District celebrates the upcoming 500th Anniversary of the Reformation. A website for "Luther: 500 Years of the Reformation" has been launched, and includes a database of historical documents, spiritual resources, essay contests, concerts, trips, interpretive readings by historians and theologians, podcasts,and resources on Luther's 16th century world.

The Protestant Reformation Essay Contest is open to Middle School, High School/AP, and College Students. Contest information and applications for each age group may be found online at the ReverendLuther website. The deadline for this year's essay/media contest is November 30.

Future plans include a Reformation Concert on Saturday, October 18 at Princeton University Chapel, and a seminar with distinguished historians.  Learn more.

The New Jersey District Youth Ministry Team is proud to present Lost And Found in a special Christmas Show.

Date: Thursday, December 5
Time: 7pm
Location: Good Shepherd-Old Bridge, NJ

Ticket pre-sale: $10 per person, $30 family max.

Download a ticket order form here. Order form & payment must be received by Dec. 2 to qualify for the pre-sale price.

Tickets at the door: $15 per person

Plan on bringing your whole youth group AND your whole family to this special event. Join the Event on Facebook!

 

Listen to the Rev. Bill Yonker on the Main Stage at the 2013 National LCMS Youth Gathering.

"In the midst of the Reformation, they put a bounty on Luther's head, but Luther was writing: V-I-V-I-T! The world was changing, the culture was changing... and Luther had the weight of the world on his shoulders, but he was writing V-I-V-I-T! ...Folks, I know there are times when you feel chased and trapped and squashed and out of control, but V-I-V-I-T! He Lives!" -Rev. Bill Yonker

We are blessed to have the Rev. Bill Yonker joining us for the NJ District Winter Youth Gathering, January 24-26, 2014. With his passionate, humorous and engaging style, Yonker will lead participants through an exploration of what it means for us that Jesus lives: victory over the enemy, assurance of salvation, and His love & power in our lives today!

Click here to download a Registration Info packet. Registration information has also been mailed to all New Jersey District congregations. 

Start gathering your 7th-12th grade youth today - and we'll see you in January!

Join the Winter Youth Gathering on Facebook and invite your friends!

 

The third NJ JAM Worship Conference is on January 11, 2014 from 8:30am - 5pm at Somerset Hills Lutheran Church in Basking Ridge, NJ. All pastors, worship leaders, lay leaders, and musicians are invited to this day-long event that includes skill training for musicians, leadership encouragement for pastors and worship leaders, and a time of guided discussion for your church group to engage in meaningful team-building!

Rev. Matt Popovits, pastor of Our Savior New York, will be the keynote speaker for the day. Well-known worship leader Blake Flattley, also of Our Savior New York, will provide music for our gatherings as well as leading various workshops.

Registration opens on November 17, so be sure to spread the word to those who may be interested in your congregation. Cost is $25/person or $75/group of three OR MORE!  (Plus $10/person for snacks and lunch) Limited scholarships are available (please contact jerseymissions@shlc.net by December 21st, 2013 to apply).

You can find more information at the NJ JAM website or NJ JAM Facebook Page. We look forward to seeing you there!

Prince of Peace Lutheran Church (Howell, NJ) is seeking a Music Director. 

NOVEMBER 2013

Deadline for Reformation Essay Contest 

Visit the Education page on the ReverendLuther website for more information.

 

     

LCMS New Jersey District
1168 Springfield Ave., Mountainside, NJ 07092-2905
Ph: 908-233-8111 Fax: 908-233-3883  Email