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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Reformation Concert Recap -- Many Thanks!
Thank you to all who attended the New Jersey District's 2016 Reformation Concert - Festival Celebration With Hymns on Sunday, October 30 at Princeton University Chapel.
Over 700 concertgoers enjoyed the afternoon's program, celebrating the musical heritage of Martin Luther and the Protestant Reformation. Many thanks are due to the choirs and musicians who shared their gifts & talents with us - the Princeton Theological Seminary Choir, the NJ Lutheran Regional Choir, and The King of Kings Ringers Handbell Choir - as well as the organizers and helpers behind the scenes. Special thanks go to Hank Bitten, the Rev. Rick Serina, and Scott Sadlo for all of their work arranging the concert particulars. Here are just a few photos from the concert. Thanks to DCE Naomi Vogt for serving as photographer!
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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.
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Save the Date: NJ District Winter Youth Gathering - Feb 4-5
**NEW DATE** Due to a conflict with both statewide SAT testing and our speaker's availability, the date of the 2017 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.
Mark your calendars now -- and see you at the Winter Youth Gathering in February!
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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)
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Outdoor Live Nativity, Dec 3 at King of Kings, Mountain Lakes
King of Kings Lutheran Church of Mountain Lakes will present its 4th Annual Outdoor Live Nativity on Saturday, Dec 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.
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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 call list
- Good Shepherd, Blairstown
- Trinity, Carney's Point
- St. John, Clifton - shared pastoral ministry relationship with Bloomfield
- Gethsemane, Hackettstown
- 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 this past weekend. For comfort and hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ, and for safe travels as they attend the funeral.
Keep us from the fear of signs and terrors and guard our hearts, O Lord, in the confidence that because we belong to You, nothing shall separate us from Your love. Make Your Church, her pastors and all who serve her faithful in their work, that the Gospel may be preached and many drawn to the name of the Lord before the day of salvation ends. Lord, in Your mercy, hear our prayer.
From Let Us Pray: Prayer of the Church, Twenty-sixth Sunday after Pentecost, 13 November 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
DECEMBER 2016
NJ District Youth Cookie Exchange Fundraiser
More information to come.
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
More information to come.
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.
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