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.

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).

Outreach. Don't Go It Alone.

don't go it alone
The second 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. Michael Dunne, from Holy Spirit Lutheran Church in Montville, NJ.

Many of our congregations in the NJ district are facing a similar problem. For most congregations, it is a twofold problem of aging members and diminishing resources. However, that does not excuse us from the mission of the church to bring the love of Christ through the Gospel to the lost.

More than ever it is increasingly difficult to reach out to the lost within our communities in a meaningful way. There too few hands, feet and dollars to make any kind of significant impact within our communities. Not to mention many of those feet need walkers and canes just to get around. So, it comes down to the question of what can we do with the resources we have to offer. The answer to that question may very well be, Don't Go It Alone.

We are not the only denomination experiencing diminishing numbers and resources and finding it difficult to reach out with the love of Christ to our communities. Instead of having 2 or 3 people working on an outreach event wouldn't be nice to have 15 or 20? Here at Holy Spirit in Montville, we have been participating with other Christians in a new program called, "Every One in Action for the Community" (EAC).

#flatmarty
 
Register Your Youth Today: Winter Youth Gathering - Feb 4-5

We're excited to welcome back Rev. Bill Yonker to the New Jersey District Winter Youth Gathering, as we explore what it means to liv
e SOLA Fide: By Faith Alone.

PASTORS: Get your congregation's youth to this event! Even if it's just one or two -- GET THEM THERE! This is an amazing opportunity, happening locally and inexpensively, with fantastic faith building Bible study, service opportunities, and connections with other Lutheran youth. We even have a workshop for youth leaders and parents. DON'T MISS OUT!

Payment can be made by credit card, checking account transfer, or by check.

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!

Bethlehem, Ridgewood - Installation of Rev. Matt Peeples: Jan 8 at 3pm
Preach the Word

The council, elders, and members of Bethlehem Lutheran Church invite you to attend the Installation Service for the Rev. Matt Peeples.
 
DATE: Sunday January 8 at 3PM
LOCATION: Bethlehem Lutheran Church
ADDRESS: 155 Linwood Avenue, Ridgewood, NJ 07450
 
Dinner will follow in the church gym on the lower level. Please RSVP at the church website if you will be attending the dinner.

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.

Prayer Focus
Durer - Praying Hands

Circuit 5 (South Jersey) of the New Jersey District, and the congregations and school ministries of:
  • Luther Memorial - Blackwood
  • Holy Cross - Bordentown
  • St. John's - Bridgeton
  • Trinity - Carney's Point
  • St. Peter - Hopewell
  • Village - Lanoka Harbor
  • Holy Trinity - Lawrenceville
  • Calvary - Medford
  • Rose of Sharon - New Egypt
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 at 3pm. See more information in newsletter above.
  • 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.

Ellie Jan 5
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. UPDATE: Elliana is now off a ventilator, and we continue to pray for her healthy development and praise God for this milestone reached.

+       +       +

Giver of all wisdom, You guided the Wise Men from the East to Your holy Son, that they might believe and worship their King. Preserve us in the faith so that we are not led astray by cultural trends or man-made philosophies. By Your holy Word, strengthen us always to believe that Jesus is the Christ, Your Son and our Savior; and believing, grant that we might thankfully make use of Your gifts in accordance with Your will. Lord, in Your mercy, hear our prayer.

From Let Us Pray: Prayer of the Church, The Epiphany of Our Lord, 6 January 2017
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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