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.

Merry Christmas from the LCMS New Jersey District!
 
But when the goodness and loving kindness of God our Savior appeared, he saved us, not because of works done by us in righteousness, but according to his own mercy, by the washing of regeneration and renewal of the Holy Spirit, whom he poured out on us richly through Jesus Christ our Savior, so that being justified by his grace we might become heirs according to the hope of eternal life. 

~Titus 3:4-7 ESV

Epistle for The Nativity of Our Lord - Christmas Dawn
Christmas Worship Times & Special Services

Please share your congregation's Christmas Eve & Christmas Day worship times!

Many people may be traveling and/or visiting family - help them find a Lutheran congregation to worship with this Christmas!

Click here to view the Facebook post and add your congregation's service times in the comments!
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).

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
Matthew 28 Word Cloud Hands

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?"

SOLA Fide: NJ District Winter Youth Gathering - Feb 4-5
#flatmarty

Online registration is now OPEN. Visit the event page to register your group! Payment can be made by credit card, checking account transfer, or by check.

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.

Youth groups are encouraged to download a "Flat Marty" before the WYG -- and start gathering snapshots of him in unique locations, with your pastor, in Sunday School, ushering at worship, by your church sign, etc. 

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

St. John's in Bloomfield and Holy Trinity in Somerset shared some photos of their Cookie Exchange Fundraisers - held on Sunday, Dec 18.

Cookies Bloomfield

Above: The cookie table at St. John's-Bloomfield. Right: The cookie table at Holy Trinity-Somerset. Yummy!
Cookies Somerset

The money raised will help support the annual NJ District Winter Youth Gathering. Ten percent of the funds raised will be gifted to LCMS Youth Ministry for their Youth Outreach Grants (Eutychus Grants) program.

You can still make an end-of-year gift to support youth ministry in the NJ District. Donate online here and indicate that your "Miscellaneous" donation will be designated for the Winter Youth Gathering. Thank You!
 
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. 

To reserve the display for your congregation or community group, please visit our booking website.

Our Savior, Fair Lawn Youth Deliver "Gifts for Kids"

Gifts for Kids 1
 
Our Savior Lutheran Church's Gifts for Kids ministry was blessed on December 14 with the opportunity to deliver gifts, toys and books to the children at St. Joseph's Children's Hospital, in Paterson, NJ. 

Over the last several months, our youth, ranging from our pre-schoolers to our high schoolers, worked alongside volunteers of all ages, to create beautiful hand crafted gifts to bring to children who remain in the hospital for treatments. We were blessed during this outreach to also provide the gift of books, including The Story of Jesus, and Bible Activity books in both English and Spanish.

A very special thank you to the NJ District CHEF Grant for providing the financial support of this Health Ministry outreach developed by our youth!

The angel said to them, "Do not be afraid. I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is Christ the Lord." Luke 2:10-11

Prayer Focus
Durer - Praying Hands

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 - 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.

AnkersenBaby
Rev. Ryan Ankersen (St. Paul, Flemington) and his wife Keri, upon the birth of their second daughter, Eliana Joy on Dec. 15. 

E
liana was born 4 weeks early, and is still in the hospital undergoing treatment for her underdeveloped lungs. We pray for God's care and protection for Eliana, for the doctors and nurses providing treatment, and for the Ankersens as they await the day they can bring their daughter safely home.

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Lord God, heavenly Father, as You have caused Your eternal light to dawn on our darkness in the incarnation of Your only begotten Son, cause His glory to shine on us in the grace and truth of His Word, so that we may receive Him with joy and believe on His name. Lord, in Your mercy, hear our prayer.

From Let Us Pray: Prayer of the Church, Christmas Day, 25 December 2016
Upcoming Events
Add the NJ District event calendar to your Google Calendar!  Our public calendar ID is: google [at] njdistrict [dot] org

JANUARY 2017
Pastors' Wives Winter Luncheon
Saturday, January 21
10 AM to 2 PM
Holy Trinity Lutheran Church - Somerset, NJ

Convocation on the Coram Relationships
January 27-28
Erdman Center - Princeton, 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.

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