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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20 Free Social Media Graphics for Lent, Holy Week, and Easter
Download 20 FREE Lent & Holy Week-themed social media graphics.
There are 10 hymn-based graphics and
10 scripture-based graphics.
Share them on your church's social media channels like Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter. Encourage your members to share them, too!
Download here:
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Mission Classic 12: Grants Awarded to Support Our Veterans & Their Families
The twelfth annual Mission Golf Classic of The New Jersey District (held this past May 19, 2016) supported five organizations with the nearly $20,000 net proceeds of the outing.
The thank you acknowledgement letters that have been received, are directly attributed to you and your participation!
SAVE THE DATE: The 2017 Mission Classic Golf Outing is coming soon -- Thursday, May 18. Mark your calendars now, start gathering your foursome, and get ready for a great day of golf, for a great cause!
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God Preparing His Disciples to Make Christian Disciples of All Nations
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The third 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. Gary Timm, from Redeemer Lutheran Church & School in Westfield, NJ.
As the seasons of Advent passes and a new Church Year has begun, we look forward to Christmas nearly a year away. Of course, we pastors typically say, "Ok, now when again does Lent begin?" because we're already planning for the next major Season of the Church.
The Seasons of the Church Year are meant to help us focus on our Lord and Savior, Messiah Jesus. However, Advent is not just about Jesus coming for us, but how God prepares us to make Christian Disciples of All Nations. So before the season of Lent begins, let us reflect on what Advent prepared us Christians for.
As Christians we agree ALL people need the forgiving grace of God which comes through Messiah Jesus' suffering, dying, and arising again from the dead to save us from our sin and give us the gift of eternal life (Rom. 10:9-10.) After all, there is no other name under heaven by which we are saved (Acts 4:8-12.) However, we get hung up on who, what, where, when, and why of making disciples of Messiah Jesus. We feel unqualified and inadequate to answer all of life's challenges. However, Jesus' answer to all of our questions and doubts is found in two of His commands.
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NJ District Education Conference - Friday, March 31
The 2017 NJ District Education Conference will take place on Friday, March 31 at Christ Memorial Lutheran Church in East Brunswick, NJ.
We are pleased to welcome the following presenters: - Kim Marxhausen, a Lutheran educator with a Master's in Literacy and a Pd.D. in Educational Psychology will offer a session on the importance of play, as well as a two-part session on how we can impact motivation and mindset while encouraging self-regulation in our students.
- Caitlin Dinger, DCE will present on forging stronger families through school, church, and home partnership.
- Ruth McReynolds, M.Ed., will do a three-part session on Early Language and Literacy in the Preschool Classroom.
- Dr. Deborah Carter will help us teach math visually, and help us see math in a new way.
We are also pleased to welcome the Rev. Dr. John A. Nunes, President of Concordia College-New York. Dr. Nunes will lead our morning worship, as well as a breakout session.
We are excited about these presenters, and pray that you are as well. Please encourage your school administrators and staff members to attend.
CONTINUING EDUCATION CREDIT: The conference will provide school staff, administrators, principals, and pastors with 4.5 hours of continuing education. An official continuing education certificate will be awarded to all participants at the close of the conference.
Register by March 20 to get the discount rate of $45 per person.
After March 20, the cost will be $75 per person.
Payment can be made by check or by visiting the NJ District online donation page.
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LCMS National Missions re:Vitality Training at St. John's, Bridgeton - March 3-4
DATE: Friday, March 3 (6:30pm to 9:30pm) and Saturday, March 4 (8:30am to Noon) LOCATION: St. John's First Lutheran Church - Bridgeton, NJ CONTACT: Rev. Gary Hall, 856-332-2396 or email When a congregation expresses interest, the first thing is to schedule the Action-Oriented Training. There is no cost to the congregation. It is a two-day session led by trainers from National Missions on a Friday night and Saturday morning. Prior to the training, the congregation completes a Self-Assessment Survey. In the Action-Oriented Training congregations will learn how to become more effective in inviting, welcoming, and receiving people from outside of the Church. The last part, Outreach-Integrated Witnessing, is done using Every One His Witness, which trains people how to witness using the Small Catechism. If anyone in the district is interested in attending St. John's First Lutheran's Action-Oriented Training on Friday, March 3 ( 6:30pm to 9:30pm) and Saturday, March 4 ( 8:30am to Noon), please contact Rev. Gary Hall at 856-332-2396 or via email. |
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Our Savior, Fair Lawn Hosts CPR & AED for Adult, Child and Infant Certification - March 11
Who: Pastors, church and school staff, ushers, greeters, youth, parishioners....All are welcome!
What: American Heart Association Heartsaver CPR and AED for Adult, Child and Infant Certification class
When: Saturday, March 11th 9:30am-12:30pm
Where: Our Savior Lutheran Church, 22-15 Broadway, Fair Lawn, NJ
Why: To assist your loved ones, community and church family in the event of a cardiac or pulmonary emergency
How: Register TODAY. Class size is limited, please call Colleen Bottcher @ 201-723-9836 to register. The cost is $30.00 per person, paid for by Our Savior Lutheran Church's Health Ministry and the NJ District CHEF grant.
GPS address: 1-22 Hartley Place, Fair Lawn NJ, (church is on the corner of Broadway and Hartley Place) Please use the back entrance into the church, the doors between the two white pillars.
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Sweet Life Cafe Women's Retreat with Bethlehem, Ridgewood - April 21-22
The women of Bethlehem Lutheran Church Ridgewood invite the ladies of our district to join us on retreat in April at Star Lake Conference Center, Bloomingdales, NJ.
In 24 hours, we share an experience that allows women to slow down and savor time with God and each other. It feels like a cozy day at your favorite coffee shop-where women can find rest, enjoy laughter, share their stories and grow closer to each other and God.
Dinner Friday evening is at 6pm (you can arrive from 4pm on). We finish at 4pm on Saturday. Cost is $165 for a single room and $110 if you have a roommate-that includes meals, lodging, books, supplies and a piece of jewelry which serves as a remembrance of the retreat. You will receive a CD of all the music before the retreat-most of it is familiar but this way you will really be comfortable with it. - There will be guided worship, uplifting music and small group discussions that keep you engaged.
- There will be a laughter-filled skit that makes a point about trusting God.
- You will receive a special gift pendant and activity that provides affirmation for each woman.
- There is a unique devotion kit to use for personal time with God.
- We will also do a meaningful service project that will allow participants to extend sweet encouragement to others.
Register online at the Bethlehem Lutheran Church website. Payment does not have to be made at that time - It can come at any time up to the retreat. Checks can be made out to Bethlehem Lutheran Church. Take your time paying - but rush to sign up! We'd love you to be part of this very special experience.
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SAVE THE DATE: Church Secretaries Day - April 26
Church secretaries are often unsung heroes in our congregations, as they keep track of a multitude of details, bits of church history & tradition, event calendars - and pastors!
Help us thank your church secretary, by giving that special staff member a day of their own, designed to encourage and equip them for the unique role they play in the life of your congregation.
Date: Wednesday, April 26
Location: Holy Trinity Lutheran Church (Somerset, NJ) Cost: FREE
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WANTED: Architect and/or Engineer
The NJ District is currently seeking an architects and engineers to assist in developing district properties.
Please contact David Hildebrandt at the district office, 908-233-8111 or via email.
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Outreach Council Online Resource Library
The NJ District Outreach Council is developing an online library for outreach ideas, activities and a host of possibilities for your congregation to become more mission and community minded.
There will also be some personal endorsements of ideas that have been tried by Pastors and Congregations. These resources will hopefully encourage you & your congregations to reach out to people who do not know Christ.
Visit the Outreach & Missions page on the NJ District website to view these resources.
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Summer Mission Opportunity in Poland
The LCMS Office of International Mission is seeking people who love Jesus and can help teach an English Bible Camp (similar to a VBS) in Poland this summer. Does that sound like you?
There are ten congregations ready to reach out to the children of their neighborhoods with the Gospel. Most of these children do not know the Good News of Jesus, and through these camps, they learn about Jesus and in turn tell their parents. And the local Lutheran congregation can follow up with these families after the camp is done. These camps make a lasting difference in these communities!
- Teams of 5 are needed to serve during the weeks of July 18-31 or August 1-14, 2017.
- Teams can come from one congregation or school, or individuals can apply and be placed on a team.
- Team members raise support to cover the cost of the trip, which is about $1100 and includes all costs while in Poland.
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Prayer Focus
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
- Luther Memorial, Blackwood - 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 - Rev. Ken Fosse will be installed on Saturday, Feb. 25 at 12pm. RSVP 732-363-0732 or via email.
- Village, Lanoka Harbor
- Holy Cross, Mahwah - being served by SMP Vicar Matt Hass
- St. Thomas, Manalapan
- Calvary, Medford
- Luther Memorial, Tinton Falls - Rev. Jace Detrie has accepted their call; installation information coming soon.
- Grace, Union - being served by vacancy pastor
Almighty Father, You ask us to pray for our enemies and do good to those who hate us. Help us in this task, that all may humbly come before You, confess their sins and be reconciled to You and to each other. Let no one be after selfish gain, but rather help us to consider others more significant than ourselves. Do not let us hate our brother in our heart, but instead model the humility of Your Son and make peace with our neighbor. Lord, in Your mercy, hear our prayer.
From Let Us Pray: Prayer of the Church, Seventh Sunday after the Epiphany, 19 February 2017
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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
FEBRUARY 2017 February 13-23
MARCH 2017
Spring Education Conference
Friday, March 31
Children, Youth, and Family Ministry Day
Saturday, April 1
9 AM to 12 PM
Holy Trinity Lutheran Church - Somerset, NJ
APRIL 2017
NJ District Church Secretaries Day
Wednesday, April 26
Holy Trinity Lutheran Church - Somerset, NJ
More information to come.
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 MAY 2017 Mission Classic Golf Outing Thursday, May 18 More information to come. 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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