The vision of the New Jersey District of The Lutheran Church--Missouri Synod is 
to enable mission and outreach so that congregations will motivate, educate and equip members 
to build relationships with the lost for the purpose of connecting people to Jesus.

The Grapevine
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 5pmSubmit stories and photos via email here.


Is Your Church Website Ready for Summer?

A gentle reminder: Be sure to change your congregation's website to reflect any seasonal changes in your worship & Bible study schedule!

In fact, why don't you visit your congregation's website right now to see if it's up-to-date. I'll wait here. ;)

Give visitors every opportunity to meet you in worship this summer - update your website and any online calendars to reflect changes in your schedule!

Would you like to create an easy to manage, effective, and mobile-device-friendly website that doesn't require constant updating, yet still keeps members and visitors informed about happenings in your congregation?

Contact Caitlin Dinger to schedule a digital ministry audit - she will view your congregation's website and/or social media presence through a friendly-critical lens and provide you with constructive feedback & support, with the goal of helping you better communicate with your online audience. Schedule your consultation today!

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District Communications: Summer Schedule

District Newsletters will be emailed less frequently over the summer.

Publication dates for the Grapevine e-Newsletter will be: June 30, July 21, August 11, and September 1.

Please send in stories and pictures from your congregation's summer ministry activities - Vacation Bible School, mission projects, National Youth Gathering events, and others.

The deadline for submissions is the Monday before publication, 5pm.

Seasons Tree
Seasons of Discovery

SEASONS OF DISCOVERY is a step-wise church transformation process that will aid your congregation in opening doors to your community.

A doctor stopped his car to care for an injured dog by the side of the road. He took him home, tended to his injuries until the dog was fully recovered. The doctor enjoyed having him around, but one day he accidentally left the back door open and the dog ran out and disappeared. The doctor was disappointed and saddened. The next day the doctor heard scratching . Opening the door, there sat the dog he had helped and accompanying him was another injured dog. The one healed found another who needed healing and brought him to the one who provides the cure. It's what disciples do!

Seasons of discovery is NOT a quick fix or a magical program. It is a two year process that will help to equip your congregation to "seek and save the lost." Through a series of Bible studies, messages, community activities, intense prayer, net fishing events, a personal coach and leadership training you will discover God's vision for your congregation.

For more information visit the TCN website and click on "Seasons of Discovery" and/or talk with one of our trained New Jersey Leaders, Rev. Paul Huneke (732-859-3252 or email) or Rev. Richard Izzard (973-875-1931 or email ).
Project Generator

The LCMS New Jersey District has four (4) new Portable Generators that are in boxes and are being offered to Congregations of the District. 

It is the District's desire that the generators be used for Mission and Outreach opportunities and requests from those who have Mission or Outreach opportunities to submit a brief description of their application/s to:

"PROJECT GENERATOR"
1168 Springfield Ave
Mountainside, NJ 07092

Generator Specifications: Powerlight 7500 Watt.

Project Generator
Sixth Annual "Together With All Creatures" Event - July 23

Together With All Creatures
Join Emmanuel Lutheran (Milford, PA) for their sixth annual "Together With All Creatures" community outreach & service event.

DATE: Saturday, July 23
TIME: Check-in is between 8am to 9am at the Anne Street Park in Milford.

River and shore clean-up and trail maintenance will take place between 9am and 1pm, followed by a 1pm Barbeque at Milford Beach. 

For questions, or to let us know you're coming,please contact the church via email. 
Vacation Bible Schools Around the NJ District
Submerged VBS

Calvary Lutheran Church - Verona, NJ

Submerged - August 1-5
9:30 AM-12:30 PM
Registration fee: $10

Calvary Lutheran Church
23 South Prospect Street
Verona, NJ 07044

To register, contact the church office at 973-239-0577 or email VBS director Laura Bolger.

More information can be found on the congregation's website. 

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Send YOUR congregation's VBS news and photos to The Grapevine, to be included in the annual "VBS Round Up" coming in August and September. 

Email Caitlin Dinger for more information.

LWML Convention - August 5-7
LWML Logo


Registration is NOW OPEN for the 2016 LWML NJ District Convention on Aug. 5-7 at the Hyatt in Morristown, NJ.

Our Mid-Eastern Zone is serving as host for this convention.  We have many exciting things planned for you. Download a registration packet with more information here.   

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.  The registration deadline for the 2016 LWML District Convention has been extended to July 31.

Date
Calendar Event
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
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

Holy Land Tour
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.

UPDATE: Recently District President Emeritus Bill Klettke and his wife, Valla agreed to co-host the tour, as well. An additional tour account has been established to encourage young Pastors and Church Workers to visit the Holy Land early in their ministry, which would impact their preaching, teaching and leadership for many years. In the future rostered church workers would encounter a reduced cost for a Holy Land tour. Please contact the district office for more information about this option.

Church Office Staff: Please include the above text in your congregation's weekly bulletins and/or monthly newsletters. 


Lutheran schools
Now Hiring: Long-Term Substitute Teacher at Our Redeemer, Fords

Our Redeemer Lutheran School in Fords is looking for a long term substitute teacher for Grades 7 & 8, for November 2016 through June 2017.

Interested applicants may contact the school at 732-738-7470 . 

Resumes may be mailed, faxed, or emailed to the following: 

ORLS 
28 S. Fourth St.
Fords, NJ 08863, 


Prayer Focus
Durer - Praying Hands

Circuit 4 (Central Jersey) of the New Jersey District, including their Circuit Visitor, the Rev. David Behm (Trinity, Morris Plains), and the congregations and school ministries of:
  • Somerset Hills - Basking Ridge
  • St. Paul - Flemington
  • Holy Spirit - Montville
  • Trinity - Morris Plains
  • King of Kings - Mountain Lakes
  • Good Shepherd - Randolph
  • Holy Trinity - Somerset
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 call list
  • Good Shepherd, Blairstown
  • Trinity, Carney's Point
  • St. JohnClifton - 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; a call has been extended to the Rev. Dien Taylor.
  • Our Savior, Stanhope - the Rev. Daniel Merz was ordained and installed on June 18.
  • Luther Memorial, Tinton Falls - being served by intentional interim pastor; developing a call list
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For a growing understanding of our Baptism, that we may know it as the foundation of our life as children in God's family and, by the Spirit's grace, be gifted with living out its meaning for our days in this world, let us pray to the Lord: Lord, have mercy.

From Let Us Pray: Prayer of the Church, Tenth Sunday after Pentecost, 24 July 2016
Upcoming Events
Add the NJ District event calendar to your Google Calendar!  Our public calendar ID is: google [at] njdistrict [dot] org

AUGUST 2016
NJ District LWML Convention
August 5-7
Hyatt-Morristown at Headquarters Plaza - Morristown, NJ

2016 Prayer Jubilee
Saturday, August 27
More information to come.

SEPTEMBER 2016
Pastors' Wives Retreat
Friday, September 30 to Saturday, October 1
Registration information has been mailed to all NJ District Pastors' Wives. Please RSVP by August 1.

OCTOBER 2016
Reformation Lectures
Saturday, October 22
Princeton University - Princeton, NJ
More information to come.

NJ District Youth Ministry Sunday: SOLA
Sunday, October 23
Resources for worship & prayer coming soon!

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.

LCMS New Jersey District  | 1-908-233-8111 | Email | Website
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