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.
|
|
Save the Date: NJ District Winter Youth Gathering - Feb 4-5
**DATE CHANGE** Due to a conflict with both statewide SAT testing and our speaker's availability, the date of the 2017 NJ District Winter Youth Gathering has been changed to February 4-5 (Saturday-Sunday).
We're excited to welcome back Rev. Bill Yonker to the Winter Youth Gathering, as we explore what it means to live SOLA Fide: By Faith Alone.
Share your #flatmarty pictures on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram, using the hashtags #flatmarty #njdistrict and #LCMS. Mark your calendars now -- and see you at the Winter Youth Gathering in February!
+ + +
Cookie Exchange Fundraiser - Dec 18 at Your Local Congregation
All NJ District Youth Groups are encouraged to take part in a special holiday fundraiser to help offset the costs of the Winter Youth Gathering.
Host a Christmas Cookie Exchange/Sale on Sunday, December 18. Encourage youth and their families, your congregation's LWML or other women's group, confirmation classes, older adults, and anyone else who enjoys baking to donate 3 or more dozen cookies. Sell those cookies by the plate-full ($10 per plate, suggested price) and help raise funds for the district gathering.
From the total amount raised, we'll send 10% to LCMS Youth Ministry for Gathering Outreach (Eutychus) Grants -- helping youth reach out to their unchurched and marginally churched peers. The rest will help cover the costs associated with the NJ District Winter Youth Gathering.
|
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
We also have a number of pastors and history educators available, who can lead a presentation or discussion with your students or community.
|
|
Good Shepherd, Old Bridge Hosts Spiritual Growth Workshop & Intro to Omega Experience for Pastors - Nov 18 & 19
Where are you in your walk with the Lord? Come and find the next step for you to grow at this retreat. The suggested donation of $15 includes materials, breakfast, and lunch on Saturday, plus drinks and snacks both days. Good Shepherd is also hosting a special workshop for pastors, "Intro to the Omega Experience for Pastors." Be our guest as we explore how the training, the mentoring and equipping resources of the Life Spring Network can further help you and your church fulfill the Great Commission. Date: Friday, November 18th Time: 1:00 P.M. - 2:30 P.M. Location: New Jersey District Office (1168 Springfield Ave, Mountainside, NJ 07092)
|
|
Christmas Spectacular at Good Shepherd, Old Bridge - Dec 2
Start of your Advent season with a night of music and skits, as Good Shepherd (Old Bridge, NJ) hosts a Christmas Spectacular.
What: Dinner, Dessert, and a Show
When: Friday, December 2 at 7pm
Cost: $20 per person (There will also be a basket raffle.)
Babysitting will be available for kids at the rate of $10 for 1 child, $15 for 2 children, and $20 for 3 or more. Hot Dogs and Mac-n-Cheese will be served.
All proceeds will go toward Sanctuary improvements.
|
|
Live Nativity at King of Kings, Mountain Lakes - Dec 3
King of Kings Lutheran Church of Mountain Lakes will present its 4th Annual Outdoor Live Nativity on Saturday, December 3, at 5:00pm and 6:30pm. (Snow Date: 12/4)
The members of King of Kings are excited to inspire others this Christmas with a living re-creation of the birth of Jesus, complete with a humble stable, a rustic manger, a brilliant star and live animals, actors and music. The event is free to the public. Refreshments will be offered following the presentations and all children that attend will receive a free gift. King of Kings is located at 145 Rt. 46 West, Mountain Lakes, NJ, 07046. For additional information or questions, please contact: King of Kings Lutheran Church, 973-334-8333.
|
|
Prayer Focus
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. John, Clifton - shared pastoral ministry relationship with Bloomfield
- Gethsemane, Hackettstown - being served by Rev. Dick Izzard
- 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
- Calvary, Medford
- Bethlehem, Ridgewood - issued a call to Rev. Matt Peeples, awaiting his reply
- Luther Memorial, Tinton Falls - developing a call list
- Grace, Union - being served by vacancy pastor
President Steinbronn and his wife, Carol, and their family, upon the death of Carol's mother. For comfort and hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ, and for safe travels as they attend the funeral.
Almighty and everlasting God, You are worthy of praise and worship for all Your mighty acts of creation, for Your grace in preserving all You have made, and for redeeming sinners from sin and its death through Your Son, Jesus Christ, our Lord.
We give You thanks for Your Church and for Your Word and Spirit, calling sinners to repentance and teaching our fearful hearts to believe. As You have established Your Church through the blood of Christ, we pray You to keep her steadfast and faithful as we face the latter days before Christ returns in His glory. Bless those who proclaim the Gospel to us in Your name and who administer the Sacraments of life and worship according to Your institution.
Keep us from fear, and grant to us Your Spirit and Your courage, that we may anticipate with joy Christ's coming again and faithfully do His bidding so that the world will be ready to receive Him when He comes as Lord and Judge of all. Open the hearts of all who hear Your Word, that by Your Spirit they may believe in Jesus Christ, whom You have sent, and be saved.
From Let Us Pray: Prayer of the Church, Last Sunday of the Church Year, 22 November 2016
|
|
Upcoming Events
Add the NJ District event calendar to your Google Calendar! Our public calendar ID is: google [at] njdistrict [dot] org
DECEMBER 2016
NJ District Youth Cookie Exchange Fundraiser
Sunday, December 18
Help raise funds for youth outreach projects and the NJD Winter Youth Gathering!
JANUARY 2017
Convocation on the Coram Relationships
January 27-28
Erdman Center - Princeton, NJ
More information to come.
Pastors' Wives Winter Luncheon
Saturday, January 28
10 AM to 2 PM
Holy Trinity Lutheran Church - Somerset, NJ
FEBRUARY 2017
District Winter Youth Gathering: SOLA Fide - Faith Alone
With Rev. Bill Yonker
February 4-5
Registration information here.
Holy Land Tour
February 13-23
APRIL 2017
District Youth Lock-In: SOLA Gratia - Grace Alone
April 28
More information to come.
Pastors' Wives Spring Luncheon
Saturday, April 29
10 AM to 2 PM
Holy Trinity Lutheran Church - Somerset, NJ
JULY 2017
Convocation on the Word
July 7-8
Erdman Center - Princeton, NJ
More information to come.
SEPTEMBER 2017
Pastors' Wives Fall Retreat
September 29-30
More information to come.
OCTOBER 2017
Convocation on the Church and Ministry in the 21st Century
October 16-18
Ocean Edge Resort & Golf Club - Cape Cod, MA
More information to come.
|
|
