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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MC12 Mission Classic Golf Outing - Happening Now!
Over 100 golfers are registered for today's Mission Classic Golf Outing at Heron Glen Golf Course in Ringoes, NJ.
Congregations are encouraged to take a special collection on Sunday, May 21 to support this year's mission project.
Donations may be sent to the New Jersey District Office. Phone 908-233-8111 with any questions.
Thank you for your support!
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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
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St. Paul's, Closter Hosts Brunch to Benefit Ministry to Military - May 22
The members of St. Paul's Evangelical Lutheran Church, located at 171 Closter Dock Road in Closter, New Jersey, will host a brunch at 11:15 AM on Sunday, May 22.
The brunch will take place in the church's Koepchen Fellowship Hall. The proceeds of the brunch will support the Armed Forces Commission of the Lutheran Church--Missouri Synod. The public is invited to the brunch. A free will offering will be received.
"We're hosting this this brunch to support our church's ministry to members of the Armed Forces," comments Rev. Robert Holsten, pastor of St. Paul's. "A number of Lutheran Church--Missouri Synod pastors serve as full time chaplains in the branches of our nation's military. We also provided devotional materials for active duty soldiers who come from our church body."
For further information about the brunch, or directions to St. Paul's, please contact St. Paul's church office at 201 768-6310.
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Operation Barnabas Hosts Veterans Benefits Program - May 25
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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Discipleship in the Gospel of Matthew, with Dr. Jeff Gibbs - June 16-17 for Pastors, June 18 for Lay Leaders
All NJ District pastors are encouraged to attend this two-day learning opportunity with Dr. Jeff Gibbs.
WHEN: Thursday & Friday, June 16-17
WHERE: Holy Trinity Lutheran Church (Somerset, NJ)
TOPIC: Discipleship in the Gospel of Matthew, with Dr. Jeff Gibbs
Registration is only $20 per person, which will cover the cost of lunch each day.
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Free Training for Schools by NJ Homeland Security - School Bomb Incidents - June 15 & 23
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The New Jersey Office of Homeland Security and Preparedness and the New Jersey Department of Education will sponsor an eight-hour training program titled: "Understanding and Planning for School Bomb Incidents (AWR- 132)."
The program will be delivered by the New Mexico Tech (NMT), Energetic Materials Research & Testing Center (EMRTC), a member of the National Domestic Preparedness Consortium (NDPC). Training is provided at no cost. DescriptionThis awareness level course provides participants with the language and tools required to effectively assess school bomb incident response plans and guide recommendations. The course identifies the factors involved in school bomb threats; critical response actions based on scenario types; the primary components of an improvised explosive device; and critical components of a school bomb related response plan. AudienceSchool Administration, Emergency Management, Emergency Medical Services, Fire Service, Governmental Administrative, Law Enforcement, Health Care, Public Health, Public Safety Communications, Citizen/Community Volunteer, Security and Safety. RegistrationSpaces are limited and preregistration is required no later than three days prior to each delivery.- South New Jersey - Thursday, June 15 - 8:00 AM - 4:00 PM, Stockton University Campus Center Theatre,101 Vera King Farris Drive, Galloway, NJ 08205
- North New Jersey - Thursday, June 23 - 8:00 AM - 4:00 PM, Middlesex County Fire Academy, 1001 Fire Academy Drive, Sayreville, NJ 08872
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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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2016 LEA Convocation: Grow!
GROW: Just a single word that captures what educators in Lutheran agencies do, professionally and personally!
We grow in Christ, in the Word, in grace, in knowledge, in skills, and in other ways too. And, of course, we nurture our students to grow.
But grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. To him be glory both now and forever! Amen. ~2 Peter 3:18
The 2016 LEA Convocation will take place October 13-15 at DeVos Place Convention Center in Grand Rapids, Michigan.
Poster Talk Invitation
Educators are invited to propose a Poster Table experience that demonstrates a best practice in education. This is open to all educators and to all subjects. Selected presenters will be assigned to an eight-foot table in the "greenhouse" where you will be scheduled for two 20-minute sessions, separated by a 10-minute break between sessions. A schedule of all the Poster Tables will be published for the Convocation participants.
You have perhaps attended or even conducted a grade school science fair. This is the same concept for education professionals willing to share their best lesson plan, best project, or best process from the classroom and beyond in a "show and tell" format OR simply in a poster or infographic format without a planned oral presentation.
You will be informed of the status of your proposal by the end of June 2016.
Questions? Email lea@lea.org with the subject line: Poster Table Question
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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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Calling Congregations - Website for Call Documents Has Changed
The website and log in information for accessing call documents has been changed.
Any congregations in the call process who need access to official call documents, please contact Elaine in the district office at 908-233-8111.
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Prayer Focus
Circuit 3 (Highlands) of the New Jersey District, including their Circuit Visitor, the Rev. Stephen Vogt (Prince of Peace, Hamburg), and the congregations and school ministries of: - Good Shepherd - Blairstown
- Gethsemane - Hackettstown
- Prince of Peace - Hamburg
- Emmanuel - Milford, PA
- Redeemer - Newton
- Holy Faith - Oak Ridge
- St. Paul's - Pompton Lakes
- Christ the King - Ringwood
- Our Savior - Stanhope
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
For the baptized and the catechumen, for Christ to be fully formed within us, for courage to walk as children of the light and for strength in the face of temptation, let us pray to the Lord: Lord, have mercy.
From Let Us Pray: Prayer of the Church, The Holy Trinity, 22 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
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
2016 Prayer Jubilee Saturday, August 27 More information to come.
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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