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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Christmas Worship Times & Special Services
Please share your congregation's Christmas Eve & Christmas Day worship times, for inclusion in The Grapevine and posting on the district's Facebook page.
Many people may be traveling and/or visiting family - help them find a Lutheran congregation to worship with this Christmas!
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Pastors: Register Today for the Convocation on the Coram Relationships with Dr. Robert Kolb - Jan 27-28
Registration is now open for the Convocation on the Coram Relationships - January 27-28 at the Erdman Center at Princeton Theological Seminary.
Dr. Kolb will lead sessions on the coram Deo, coram meipso, coram hominibus, and coram mundo. There is no cost to this event, and it is President Steinbronn's hope that district pastors will stay overnight at the Erdman Center on Friday, January 27 for an evening of wine, cheese and fellowship together -- plus some special time with Dr. Kolb. The Erdman Center has 41 single rooms, 4 double rooms (for those who want to share a room), and 10 suites (with two suites able to accommodate a small family).
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Comfortable Outreach
The first in a series of articles focusing on outreach and evangelism, written by members of the NJ District's Outreach Council.
This month's article is written by the Rev. Benjamin A. Dolby, pastor of King of Kings Lutheran Church, Mountain Lakes, NJ
Outreach. Evangelism. The Great Commission.
These words summarize our life as forgiven sinners who believe Jesus is risen from the dead. Outreach and words like it make clear that our life as is not about being comfortable. Is that not one of our hearts' most likely "golden calf" idols - to be comfortable? When I was invited to write a short reflection on this topic of outreach, I couldn't help but start with the question I believe we all would agree is a good one to consider: "but what does Jesus say?"
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SOLA Fide: NJ District Winter Youth Gathering - Feb 4-5
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!
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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.
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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. Download a brochure here.
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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Living Nativity at Calvary, Verona - Dec 18
All are invited to join Calvary-Verona on Sunday, Dec 18 at 5pm for their Living Nativity, featuring actors in elaborate costumes, live animals, Christmas music, crafts, and refreshments.
Date: Sunday, December 18 (rain or shine)
Time: 5pm to 7pm
For further information call the church office at 973-239-0577. Calvary is located at 23 S. Prospect Street in Verona, one block off Bloomfield Ave.
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Prayer Focus
Circuit 2 (Passaic River) of the New Jersey District, including their Circuit Visitor, the Rev. David Rowold (St. John, Bloomfield), and the congregations and school ministries of: - St. John - Bloomfield
- St. John - Clifton
- Our Savior - Fair Lawn
- St. John - Harrison
- Tumaini Kristo - Jersey City
- Grace - Livingston
- St. Matthew - Lyndhurst
- Redeemer & Christ Assembly - Newark
- Grace & St. Matthew - Union
- Calvary - Verona
- Redeemer - Westfield
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 - Rev. Matt Peeples has accepted the call to serve as Bethlehem's pastor, and will be installed on January 8. More information coming soon.
- Luther Memorial, Tinton Falls - developing a call list
- Grace, Union - being served by vacancy pastor
Rev. Jim Buckman, who has accepted a call to Faith Lutheran Church in Lake Forest, IL. He is currently working with the congregation, and will be installed on January 15. Please pray for Pastor Buckman and his family during this time of transition, and for the congregation as they welcome their new pastor.
As You favored Mary with being the mother of Your Son, and You blessed Joseph with watching over Him as a child, You have used many saints through the ages that the gift of Your Son might come to us. Bless us also with such service to future generations, so that our lives may result in praise for Your grace. Lord, in Your mercy, hear our prayer.
From Let Us Pray: Prayer of the Church, Fourth Sunday in Advent, 18 December 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
Sunday, December 18
Help raise funds for youth outreach projects and the NJD Winter Youth Gathering! More info in this newsletter (above).
JANUARY 2017
Convocation on the Coram Relationships
January 27-28
Erdman Center - Princeton, NJ
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
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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