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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New Calls, Vicarages Announced
Concordia Seminary, St. Louis celebrated Call Day on April 26. Calls were issued to 78 pastoral students and one diaconal student, and 65 vicars and three deaconess interns received their assignments.
The LCMS New Jersey District received the following new pastor and vicar:
Pastor:
Merz, Daniel: Lutheran Church of Our Savior, Stanhope, NJ
Vicar:
Clemens, Daniel: St. Paul Lutheran Church, Flemington, NJ
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From left: Daniel Clemens, Erin Clemens, LCMS New Jersey District President Dr. Anthony Steinbronn, Deanna Merz, and Daniel Merz
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Rev. Dr. Tony Steinbronn, NJ District President
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)
LAST CHANCE: Walk-in participants are still welcome to join the conference tomorrow - but lunch is not guaranteed, as final catering arrangements have already been made. Bring a sack lunch and join your fellow pastors in this special learning opportunity.
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!
Some wonderful gifts and prizes have been donated for the silent auction & tricky tray.
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Golf gift certificates
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Anthropologie plates
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Cigar school gift certificate
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Assorted gifts: Football, Garden Decorations, Tools, and More
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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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Operation Barnabas Hosts Veterans Benefits Program - May 25
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The Operation Barnabas Chapter of Zion Evangelical Lutheran Church (Westwood, NJ) invites you to join them on Wednesday, May 25 at 7 PM for a program of information and guidance on Veterans Benefits available from the U.S. Veterans Administration.
Mr. Frank Quadrino, Manager of Outreach Programs for the Veterans Administration, U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, will be speaking on benefits available to all Veterans and special programs available for Women Veterans. The topics include:
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Who - is entitled to benefits.
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What - are the benefits.
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When - can you receive benefits.
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Where- do I sign up for benefits.
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How - can I apply for benefits.
Following the presentation, please stay for light refreshments and fellowship.
You are also invited to come early to join us for a Special Service of Welcome & Thanks for Veterans, held in the Church at 6:30 PM.
Questions: Please contact Bill Schmidt via email or phone 201-314-9875. Mr. Schmidt is available during the Spring and Summer (other than LCMS Convention dates) to meet with pastors, and congregational leaders or members interested in forming an Operation Barnabas Chapter or hosting a similar workshop in your own congregation.
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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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LCMS Camps & Campgrounds - Plan your summer travel!
As your family travels this summer, remember there are lodgings available at Lutheran camps around the country.
Visit the NLOMA website to find a camp near your destination. Contact camps to see if there are cabins, campgrounds, or hotel rooms available!
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Prayer Focus
Circuit 1 (Hudson) of the New Jersey District, including their Circuit Visitor, the Rev. Robert Holsten (St. Paul, Closter), and the congregations and school ministries of: - Trinity - Cliffside Park
- St. Paul - Closter
- Immanuel - East Rutherford
- Holy Cross - Mahwah
- Zion - Maywood
- St. Matthew - New Milford
- Bethlehem - Ridgewood
- Zion - Westwood
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 - 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 - pastoral candidate, Daniel Merz, has been assigned to the congregation from Concordia Seminary, St. Louis
- Luther Memorial, Tinton Falls - being served by intentional interim pastor; developing a call list
You lifted up Your hands and blessed Your disciples when You parted from them on high. Give to us now Your blessing, that we may be kept in Your friendship and fear until You come again in Your glory to bring all things to their completion. Lord, in Your mercy,hear our prayer.
From Let Us Pray: Prayer of the Church, The Ascension of Our Lord, 5 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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