A weekly e-Newsletter from the LCMS New Jersey District
Does your congregation have a story of mission & ministry to share? Want to promote an event within the district? The deadline for submissions to The Grapevine is each Monday at 5pm. Submit stories and photos via email here.
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Pastors' Wives Brunch Cancelled
The Pastors' Wives Brunch originally scheduled for Saturday, April 30 has been CANCELLED.
A new date in June, July, or August will be chosen soon. Please watch for more information to come via direct email to the Pastors' Wives group. |
Rev. Dr. Tony Steinbronn, NJ District President
Jesus went about all the cities and villages... preaching the Gospel of the Kingdom and teaching them many things in parables. When asked by His disciples why He spoke in parables, Jesus replied: to you it has been given to know the secrets of the Kingdom of Heaven and to know what has been hidden since the foundation of the world.
By teaching us this wisdom Jesus intended that every disciple, especially those whom He has called to be shepherds of His people, become a "wise scribe" -- trained for the kingdom (Matthew 13:52) -- who is able to help people make sense of their life story in light of His stories (that is, the parables of Jesus).
In order to equip us to understand the meaning and application of this teaching from Jesus, Dr. Jeff Kloha will conduct two days of teaching on the parables of Jesus at our 2016 Spring Pastors' Conference.
DATE: Friday-Saturday, May 6-7
TIME: 8:30 AM to 3:30 PM LOCATION: Trinity Lutheran Church (131 Mountain Way, Morris Plains, NJ)
Each day will have four sessions:
8:30 a.m. -- 9:00 a.m. -- gathering time, with a light breakfast
9:00 a.m. -- 9:15 a.m. -- opening devotion
9:15 a.m. -- 10:30 a.m. -- session #1
10:30 a.m. -- 10:45 a.m. -- break
10:45 a.m -- Noon -- session #2
12:00 p.m. -- 12:45 p.m. -- lunch
12:45 p.m. -- 2:00 p.m. -- session #3
2:00 p.m. -- 2:15 p.m. -- break
2:15 p.m. -- 3:30 p.m. -- session #4
It is my hope that you will join Dr. Kloha and be blessed with this wisdom from the teaching ministry of Jesus.
ALSO, please reserve on your calendar the two days of teaching that Dr. Jeff Gibbs will bring to your pastoral ministry as he teaches on Discipleship in the Gospel of Matthew -June 16-17, 2016 at Holy Trinity Lutheran Church (1640 Amwell Road, Somerset, NJ).
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Click the picture above to see a full-size version of this infographic
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Register Now: MC12 Mission Classic Golf Outing - Thursday, May 19
The 2016 Mission Classic Golf Outing will benefit NJ District Mission Outreach to Military, Veterans, and Their Families.
Women golfers are being especially encouraged to participate in this year's Golf Outing - and you can expect to see some special incentives & prizes just for them!
Download a poster to share with your congregation, golfing friends, club, or workplace!
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Film Premiere, The First Rosa - May 21
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The First Rosa, film trailer
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Circuit 4 (Central Jersey) of the
New Jersey District will host a premiere showing of the film, The First Rosa, on Saturday, May 21 at 10am.
The showing will take place at the Bow Tie Parsippany Cinema, 3165 Rt. 46, Parsippany, NJ 07054.
Rosa Young was instrumental in founding and promoting 30 Lutheran Elementary schools and 35 Lutheran congregations in Alabama's "Black Belt." The LCMS has produced The First Rosa, a film that will enlighten the viewers to Rosa's remarkable history and inspire all of us as Christians.
Admission is Free. The Circuit and the AAA Academy for Children will collect donations ($5, $10 or more are suggested) to benefit the Rosa Young Schools.
So that we can ensure that we have enough seating, please indicate your attendance on our Facebook page at
The First Rosa - LCMS NJD Premiere.
While you're there, feel free to check out any additional information and make use of our posters and bulletins to help promote this event at your church and in your community.
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10th Anniversary Gala at Prince of Peace, Howell - April 30
Take a step back in time as we celebrate our 10th Anniversary Dinner/Comedy Show/Gift Basket Auction on Saturday, April 30, 2016.
Prince of Peace Lutheran Church
434 Aldrich Road Howell, NJ 07731
Admission Tickets are $35 in advance, and $37 at the door.
Pre-Sale Gift Basket Auction Tickets are also available. More information can be found on our Facebook page or by calling the church office at 732-363-0732 or on our website.
- Doors Open: 5:00 PM
- Dinner Served: 6:00 PM
- Laughter Begins: 7:30 PM
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LWML Convention - August 5-7
Registration is NOW OPEN for the 2016 LWML NJ District Convention on Aug. 5-7 at the Hyatt in Morristown, NJ.
We are honored to have Patti Ross, the National President of LWML, joining Rev. Dr. Tony Steinbronn, President of the LCMS New Jersey District, as a keynote speaker for our Saturday evening banquet which will honor the service of our pastors.
We also have a Mission Prayer Walk planned for Saturday afternoon on the historic Green in downtown Morristown. Early bird registration is due by May 14 and our final registration deadline is July 1.
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Date
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Calendar Event
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Friday, August 5 to Sunday, August 7
| LWML NJ District Convention at the Hyatt Morristown in Morristown, NJ - "Keep Calm and Soldier On" based on Eph. 6:11-18
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Sunday, Oct. 16 at 3pm
| Fall Rally at SHLC, Basking Ridge, NJ - Program TBA | |
Sat, Nov. 5, 9am to 3pm
| LWML District Fall Retreat at Crane's Mill, Caldwell, NJ - Program TBA |
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Dr. Tony Steinnbronn, our New Jersey District president, just announced that next year a group of New Jersey Lutherans and friends will tour the Holy Land of Israel February 13-23, 2017.
More comprehensive than most tours, this pilgrimage will include the Mediterranean coast; Nazareth and the region of Galilee; the Judean desert, the Dead Sea and Masada; and, of course, Bethlehem and Jerusalem. With excellent local guides it will highlight more than 4000 years of history, restored archeological sites, ancient cities and impressive terrain. It will be physically manageable for most able-bodied persons.
Dr. Steinbronn asked the Rev. Dan and Connie Schmalz, frequent travelers to this region, to design and coordinate the tour with Educational Opportunities, a large and experienced Christian tour company. The cost is $3188.00 which includes all travel from Newark except lunches, tips and shopping. Color brochures including the detailed itinerary will be available soon after Easter. You are invited to contact Pastor Dan and Connie via email. Church Office Staff: Please include the above text in your congregation's weekly bulletins and/or monthly newsletters.
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On Thursday, April 28th, Concordia Plan Services is hosting a free Ministerial Care Quarterly webinar at 2:30 PM. Pastors and other church workers are encouraged to participate.
For church workers getting closer to retirement - whatever your plans are, this webinar can help you think about the various considerations you may be missing. Paul Snyder will discuss this topic and answer your questions!
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Prayer Focus
Circuit 6 (Raritan Valley) of the New Jersey District, including their Circuit Visitor, the Rev. Christian Schonberg (Good Shepherd, Point Pleasant), and the congregations and school ministries of: - Faith - Dayton
- Christ Memorial - East Brunswick
- Our Redeemer - Fords
- Prince of Peace - Howell
- St. Thomas - Manalapan
- Good Shepherd - Old Bridge
- Good Shepherd - Point Pleasant
- Luther Memorial - Tinton Falls
All Vacant & Calling Congregations of the New Jersey District, that God would direct their search for a pastor and provide for faithful ministry of Word & Sacrament during their time of waiting, especially:
- Somerset Hills, Basking Ridge - Pastor Gaddini declined the call to serve as Senior Pastor; developing a new call list
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Trinity, Carney's Point
- St. John, Clifton - shared pastoral ministry relationship with Bloomfield
- Prince of Peace, Howell - being served by vacancy pastor, Rev. Ken Fosse
- Holy Cross, Mahwah - being served by SMP Vicar Matt Hass
- St. Thomas, Manalapan
- Bethlehem, Ridgewood - being served by intentional interim pastor, Rev. Phillip Tesch; developing a call list
- Our Savior, Stanhope - a list of four preferred Seminary graduates has been submitted Concordia Theological Seminary, Ft. Wayne and Concordia Seminary, St. Louis
- Luther Memorial, Tinton Falls - being served by intentional interim pastor; a call list of twelve pastors and four Seminary graduates is being reviewed
Father of mercy, we give You thanks that You have sent to us Your only Son and that He has accomplished all things for our salvation. Give us the holy joy of Your presence, that we may believe and not doubt, follow without fear and trust in Him who came from You to do Your saving will. Lord, in Your mercy, hear our prayer.
From Let Us Pray: Prayer of the Church, Sixth Sunday of Easter, 1 May 2016
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Upcoming Events
Add the NJ District event calendar to your Google Calendar! Our public calendar ID is: google [at] njdistrict [dot] org
MAY 2016
Spring Pastors Conference: The Parables of Jesus with Dr. Jeff Kloha
Friday to Saturday, May 6-7 -- 8:30 AM to 3:30 PM
Trinity Lutheran Church - Morris Plains, NJ
MC12 Mission Classic Golf Outing
Thursday, May 19
Heron Glen Golf Course - Ringoes, NJ
The First Rosa Film Premiere Saturday, May 21 - 10 AM to 12 PM Bow Tie Parsippany Cinema 3165 Rt. 46, Parsippany, NJ 07054
JUNE 2016 NJ District Youth Pre-NYG Event Saturday, June 4 A special meet-up for youth & their leaders from around NJ who will be traveling to the NYG in New Orleans. More information to come. Discipleship in the Gospel of Matthew with Dr. Jeff Gibbs
Thursday to Friday, June 16-17 -- 8:30 AM to 3:30 PM
Holy Trinity Lutheran Church - Somerset, NJ
Day With the Presidents Saturday, June 18 More information to come. JULY 2016 LCMS Synodical Convention July 9-14 Milwaukie, WI National LCMS Youth Gathering July 16-20 New Orleans, LA AUGUST 2016
Youth Workers Meeting
Saturday, August 6 - 9 AM to 12 PM
NJ District Office - Mountainside, NJ
SEPTEMBER 2016
Pastors' Wives Retreat
Friday, September 30 to Saturday, October 1
More information to come.
OCTOBER 2016
NJ District Youth Ministry Sunday
Sunday, October 23
Resources for worship & prayer coming soon!
Reformation Lectures
Saturday, October 22
Princeton University - Princeton, NJ
More information to come.
Fall Pastors Conference: The Pastor As Teacher
October 24-26
More information to come.
Reformation Concert: The Hymns of Martin Luther
Sunday, October 30
Princeton University Chapel - Princeton, NJ
More information to come.
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