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 5pm. Submit stories and photos via email here.
Martin Luther 500
Reformation 500th Anniversary History Exhibit

The New Jersey District has a 15-panel traveling display highlighting important developments in the history of the Protestant Reformation. 

The display is available without charge for one week at a time. The exhibit is currently available for locations within 100 miles of New York City, and must be picked up and dropped off at the District Office in Mountainside, NJ.

The themes of the Reformation 500 Exhibit include:
  • Luther's Biography - birth, education, marriage, excommunication from the Roman Catholic Church
  • Luther's World - Renaissance, social changes, nation-state politics, technology, religious attitudes
  • Luther's Theology - Justification by Faith, Sola Scriptura, Theology of the Cross, Luther's spirituality
  • Luther's Legacy - worship, education, Inter-Christian relationships, impact of the Reformation in the world
A sample of some of the panels is available at the Reformation Anniversary website.

We also have a number of pastors and history educators available, who can lead a presentation or discussion with your students or community. 

Visit the NJ District's booking website to reserve the exhibit for display in your congregation or community.

Download a brochure with more information here, and share it with your congregation!

2016 Reformation Concert Poster
Reformation Anniversary Events - Coming in October 

Join us for this series of special events commemorating the 500th anniversary of the Protestant Reformation.

2016 Reformation Seminar
The Reformation: A Time of Revolutionary Changes?

With Dr. Christopher Bellitto (Kean University), Dr. Christopher Boyd Brown (Boston University School of Theology), and the Rev. Dr. David Lose (Lutheran Theological Seminary at Philadelphia).

DATE & TIME: Saturday, October 22 - 9:15 AM to 12:30 PM
LOCATION: Princeton University ~ McCosh Hall, Room 50
TICKETS: The seminar is FREE but tickets are required to help plan for seating. Visit the event page here.

2016 Reformation Concert - Festival Celebration with Hymns

Featuring the Princeton Theological Seminary Choir, NJ Lutheran Regional Choir, The King of Kings Ringers Handbell Choir, Luther's Inspirational Hymns, Selections from the Deutsche Mass, and More!

DATE & TIME: Sunday, October 30 at 3:45 PM
LOCATION: Princeton University Chapel
TICKETS: The concert is FREE but tickets are required to help plan for seating. Visit the event page here. 

Download promotional posters for these special Reformation Anniversary events here:
Project Generator Application Deadline: September 30

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

Requests are on a first come-first serve basis and MUST be received on or before the application deadline of September 30.

Generator Specifications: Powerlight 7500 Watt.

Project Generator
NJ District Disaster Response - Flood Buckets Needed to Stock Supply Trailer

The District Disaster Response Team (DDRT) has received an LWML grant for a disaster response supply trailer. The trailer will be used to respond to emergencies within our district, as well as neighboring districts. 

The DDRT is asking each congregation in the District to donate the following supplies for three (3) flood buckets. 

Each bucket needs to contain:
  • Latex gloves - 3 pairs
  • Clothes
  • Scrub brush
  • Scrub sponges
  • Chlorine bleach - 1 gallon
  • Ajax cleanser
  • Mr Clean Antibacterial - 24 oz
  • Windex - 32 oz
  • Paper towels
  • Heavy duty trash bags - 2 bags
The DDRT will supply the buckets and a devotional booklet for each bucket.

We are asking each congregation to have their pastor bring these supplies to their next circuit meeting and pick up will be arranged. Please call the Rev. Mike Dunne at 973-334-0547 with any questions.

The DDRT appreciates your help as we prepare to serve our neighbors during times of emergency & disaster.
NJ District Schools & Early Childhood Centers Encouraged to Participate in "Dads Take Your Child to School Day" on September 22

jumping_schoolkids.jpg
Child care and early learning programs across the state are encouraged to plan and participate in Dads Take Your Child to School Day 2016 on Thursday, September 22, 2016.

This initiative celebrates and encourages the involvement of fathers and significant male caregivers in a child's everyday activities-such as with a trip to school or child care.

For child care and early learning programs, the events can be tailored to the families and community you serve. You can invite fathers to join in free play, make an art project or to read stories to the class.

For the past four years, the New Jersey Department of Children and Families' Division of Family and Community Partnerships has been working with communities to help nurture father-child relationships through the promotion of Dads Take Your Child To School Day, a nationally recognized day on which fathers and/or father figures take their children to school. This year, the New Jersey Department of Human Services' Division of Family Development (DFD) and its office of Child Care Operations is joining the Office of Child Support Services in this effort to support dads. Dads are an important part of a child's life and taking part in daily activities such as school drop-off is a meaningful way to stay involved.

Please take a look at the Dads Take Your Child to School Day Planning Guide 2016 for planning tips and additional resources. To date, this event has focused on elementary schools. You may notice that some of the suggestions in the guide are geared for children in elementary school and above. Feel free to modify the activities to better fit your program. Also included is a flyer advertising the day and a template letter you can modify and send to your families, should you choose to participate.

For more information on how you can participate, visit the New Jersey Department of Children and Families website.
Free Concerts with George Tifft - Friday, Sept 30 & Sunday, Oct 2

Nashville recording artist George Tifft will be sharing his testimony and performing in concert at two congregations in the New Jersey District.
  • Friday, September 30 at 7:30pm he will be at Grace Lutheran Church and Little Angels Christian Montessori School in Livingston. 
All are welcome to attend one or both concerts. There will be a free-will offering at the concerts to support George's ministry. 

George describes himself as a survivor.  "My testimony of God's provision and unfailing love have been the center of my music ministry.  I openly minister to the broken hearted, the addicted and the lost with a message of hope."  The concert is part of "The Do Good Tour," encouraging God's people to do good things for their neighbors.  

For more information about the concerts, please contact either Grace Lutheran (973-992-0145), or Redeemer Lutheran (908-232-1517).
NJ District LWML Fall Retreat - Nov 5

The NJ District LWML invites all women to their Fall Retreat on Saturday, November 5 at Crane's Mill in West Caldwell, NJ.

The theme for the retreat is "Bloom! Living Joyfully in Times of Trial," and all are invited to join us for fun, fellowship, Bible study, and gardening! The "Gift of the Heart" collection will be gift cards to CVS/Caremark or Walgreen's for Lutheran Social Ministries.

The registration fee is $25 per person, with a registration deadline of October 31.


Upcoming LWML Event Calendar:
Date
Time
Event
Sept. 24, 2016
1:00pm
Mid-Eastern Zone Fall Rally at St. John's in Clifton, NJ
Program: Viewing of "The First Rosa" movie
Oct. 8, 2016
11:30am - 1:00pm
Viewing of "The First Rosa" movie at Our Savior, Stanhope, NJ
Lunch hosted by The Ladies Guild of Stanhope
Oct. 16, 2016
3:00pm
Lakeland Zone Fall Rally at Somerset Hills in Basking Ridge, NJ
Program: Highlights of the District Convention
Oct. 16, 2016
3:00pm
Northeastern Zone Fall Rally at Zion Lutheran Church in Westwood, NJ
Program: Highlights of District Convention and planning for "Christians in Peril" Service
Nov. 5, 2016
8:30am - 4:00pm
NJ District Fall Retreat at Crane's Mill in West Caldwell
Theme: "Bloom! Living Joyfully in Times of Trial" - Jeremiah 29:5-7
June 22-25, 2017
National LWML Convention
Albuquerque, New Mexico
Theme: Jesus Christ Above All - Phil 2:9
The Valley Hospital, Ridgewood Welcomes Our Savior Lutheran Church, Fair Lawn's Gift for Kids Program

This summer, our youngest missionaries were blessed to deliver over 20 activity gift bags to the Valley Hospital's Pediatric unit, in Ridgewood NJ.

"Gifts for Kids" began in 2015 at Our Savior Lutheran Church in Fair Lawn with a group of our youth who were excited to share the love of God with other youth who are hospitalized. Our young missionaries gather together a few times year to create activity bags to help keep younger patients busy with their hands as they undergo medical treatments.

These activity bags are a tangible way for our youth to share God's love, and let them know we are praying for them and that they are cared for. This summer, two of our youth pictured below, were invited to meet the Pediatric Nursing team, and then were given special permission to deliver an activity bag to a young patient. What a beautiful sight as our youth met the young girl, and her parents, and they excitedly showed her all the gifts. Thanks be to God!

Please pray for this new ministry, and if you are interested in ways to help, please email Colleen for more information.
New LCMS Parish Nurse and Congregational Health Ministry Resource

Click the video to view "Guilt and Forgiveness and the effect on Health"
Is your church interested in Parish Nursing and Congregational Health Ministry? Health ministry helps congregations care for one another by attaining, maintaining and/or regaining the best possible whole person health - wellness of body, mind and spirit - that can be experienced. The parish nurse is a registered nurse who is committed to this concept of health ministry.

The Health Ministry Team can make a difference...
  • In the local church by raising awareness of the benefits this ministry can offer to the spiritual, interpersonal, emotional and physical health of members.
  • To the pastor by introducing wellness programs in support of the pastor's ministry of Christian growth in the congregation.
  • To the community by collaborating with community health services, offering supportive human care services to the community.
To support congregational health ministries and Parish Nursing, the LCMS recently developed a Parish Nurse video lecture series, available to all. Each month, the video presentations are designed to be a resource to those serving in areas of congregational health, to equip them to serve God and their community by sharing the gospel and caring for others.

This month's video "Guilt and Forgiveness and the effect on Health" is presented by Rev. Dr. Mark Rockenbach, Associate Professor of Pastoral Theology, Concordia Seminary, St. Louis. This presentation will explore how guilt and forgiveness affect a person's health. The parish nurse will better understand how to encourage individuals to forgive others and to appreciate the forgiveness they have received. Both forgiving and being forgiven have a positive influence on health and wellness.

You are also welcome to view all previous lectures in the LCMS Parish Nurse video archives, with helpful topics including "Surviving Loss" and "Theology of the Cross vs. Theology of Glory with Implications for Parish Nurses". 

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. 
Items Available: Office Equipment, Folding Chairs/Desks

St. Paul Lutheran Church (Flemington, NJ) has 11 folding chairs available. The chairs have an adjustable attached desk top (a lecture-style desk).

They also have 5 chalk boards (in excellent condition) that measure 3 feet by 4 feet.
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 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 - interviewing candidates
  • Good Shepherd, Blairstown
  • 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
  • Village, Lanoka Harbor
  • Holy Cross, Mahwah - being served by SMP Vicar Matt Hass
  • St. Thomas, Manalapan
  • Bethlehem, Ridgewood - developing a call list
  • Luther Memorial, Tinton Falls - developing a call list
+       +       +

Almighty God, on this day of remembrance in our land, remind us always of the realities of evil and death in this world, and further keep us in the certainty that Christ has overcome the world. Preserve peace in this and every nation, thwart the plans of all who desire violence and war, and give to rulers wisdom and integrity to protect the innocent and punish the evildoer. Lord, in Your mercy, hear our prayer.

From Let Us Pray: Prayer of the Church, Seventeenth Sunday after Pentecost, 11 September 2016
Upcoming Events
Add the NJ District event calendar to your Google Calendar!  Our public calendar ID is: google [at] njdistrict [dot] org

SEPTEMBER 2016
Pastors' Wives Retreat
Friday, September 30 to Saturday, October 1
Courtyard Edison Woodbridge
Registration information has been mailed to all pastors' wives and congregations.

OCTOBER 2016
NJ District Youth Ministry Sunday: SOLA Scriptura - Scripture Alone
Sunday, October 23
Resources for worship & prayer coming soon!

Reformation Seminar: The Reformation: A Time of Revolutionary Changes?
Saturday, October 22
9:15 AM to 12:30 PM
Princeton University, McCosh Hall Room 50 - Princeton, NJ

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

JANUARY 2017
District Winter Youth Gathering: SOLA Fide - Faith Alone
January 21-22
More information to come.

Convocation on the Coram Relationships
January 27-28
Erdman Center - Princeton, NJ
More information to come.

FEBRUARY 2017
Holy Land Tour
February 13-23
More information in this newsletter (see above).

APRIL 2017
District Youth Lock-In: SOLA Gratia - Grace Alone
April 28
More information to come.

JULY 2017
Convocation on the Word
July 6-8
Erdman Center - Princeton, NJ
More information to come.

OCTOBER 2017
Convocation on the Church and Ministry in the 21st Century
October 2-4 (tentative dates)
Location TBA
More information to come.
LCMS New Jersey District  | 1-908-233-8111 | Email | Website
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