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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Who Was St. Patrick?
The next 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. Richard Izzard, Outreach Council.
Who was St. Patrick? Was he Irish, canonized by the Roman Catholic Church Some say he drove all the snakes from Ireland.
Patrick was born around 365 AD, in Britain, most likely somewhere in Scotland. At 16 he was taken from his homeland and brought to Ireland as a slave. He later escaped and under the supervision of his father, he became passionately involved in sharing the Good News of Christ. At the age of 40, he returned to Ireland which had for years been a land filled with tribal disputes, wars, superstitions, hatred, and barbarian cultures. Ireland was literally Christianized due to the missionary efforts of Patrick, recording more than 200,000 baptisms and planted least 300 churches.
I find it amazing that St. Patrick's Day is celebrated with parades, the wearing of green, drinking excessive amounts of green beer, telling tales of leprechauns, and the luck of the Irish, but absolutely no mention of Patrick the missionary. Are too many of our churches getting engrossed with the business of running the church and forgetting that our only mission is to bring Christ to people and people to Christ? It's not luck that our world needs today, it's grace, God's grace. Don't let important issues distract us from the mission that is ours, to bring Christ to our communities. We could learn a lot about outreach from understanding and acting on the way of Celtic outreach.
By the way, Patrick was not Irish, nor was he ever canonized by the Roman Catholic church for good reason there was only one church at that time. And as far as snakes go, there are no snakes in Ireland and there never were. St. Patrick was a missionary who, empowered by God, Christianized a country, and effectively brought the Gospel to Europe and beyond.
Two excellent resources for those interested: Thomas Cahill's How the Irish Saved Civilization and George Hunter's The Celtic Way of Evangelism.
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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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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 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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NJ District Children, Youth, and Family Ministry Day - April 1
Sunday school, VBS, youth, confirmation, and family ministry volunteers are invited to this special day of training and encouragement.
Date: Saturday, April 1
Time: 9am to 12pm
Location: Holy Trinity Lutheran Church - Somerset, NJ
Cost: FREE
All participants will go home with a wealth of ready-to-go resources for your congregation's ministry to children, youth, and families.
Topics included in the day's schedule:- How to Host a Backyard VBS
- Family Confirmation: Home-centered, church-supported discipleship
- Planning a Mystery Bus Tour for Youth Groups (NJ District Youth Ministry Team)
- Easy Summer Servant Events for Children, Youth, and Families to Serve Together
- Calling a full-time Director of Christian Education to serve multiple congregations in your area: A Proposal.
Anyone who works with or is interested in finding out more about children, youth, and family ministry is welcome to attend! |
Registration Now Open: 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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Healing and Prayer Service, March 26 at Bethlehem-Ridgewood
Bethlehem Lutheran Church (Ridgewood, NJ) will conduct its 13th Annual Service of Healing on Sunday, March 26 at 10:30am. The church is located at 155 Linwood Avenue, Ridgewood, NJ.
The worship service will be led by Pastor Matthew Peeples. This service is being held in cooperation with the Parish Nurse/Care Ministry at Bethlehem. The focus of this worship service will be wholeness. Healing does not mean just the lack of illness or disability. The root of the word "heal" means wholeness. As Christians, we remember that our wholeness involves harmony in all areas of our lives- body, mind and spirit, with Christ at its center. Christian healing directs us toward being the person God is calling us to be at every stage of our living and our dying. For some, healing is comfort; for some, strength; for others, physical healing. Through prayer, anointing with oil and confession we cast our burdens on the Lord. We confess that Jesus meets us in our brokenness and pain and brings His love to bear - forgiving, transforming, redeeming and healing by His grace. Jesus does this in God's way, in God's time, according to God's loving purpose for each individual. Our physical, mental and emotional hurts and ills are not signs of God's rejection but symptoms of our fallen world in which sin and death reign. We are invited by God to commend our ills on Him for this life, realizing that ultimate healing awaits us in heaven. Please join us as we come together for this renewal of body, mind and spirit on Sunday, March 26 at 10:30am. Light refreshments will follow. All are welcome, bring a friend! |
St. John's, Clifton Serves Bethesda Lutheran Communities
It's Activity Night at Bethesda Lutheran Communities. Although the activities won't begin until 6pm, already the vans are in the parking lot at St. Paul's Lutheran Church in Pompton Lakes. Janet Klink, Lead Volunteer, assures that the other volunteers from St. John's, Clifton are prepared and ready to give their all to make this night special for others.
With smiles on their faces, they lug a tasty gift, a beautiful sheet cake for this month's Birthday guys and gals into St. Paul's Lutheran Church hall. As they put away their coats and other belongings, they get ready to greet the soon to arrive crowd.
The Direct Support Professionals are helping the people we serve, who have intellectual and developmental disabilities to exit the vans safely and supervise their passage. Many of the people are greeting each other and conversations are going on at the same time. Everyone is excited!
Tonight, we will be playing bingo! Our master of ceremonies, volunteer Joe Torelli will be calling out the letters and numbers with gusto! He makes everyone feel like a winner. Since our volunteers are very familiar with many of the people we serve, they have learned their preferences and many of their names. Just as important, they are aware of their special needs and do every thing they can to help make the evening go smoothly by working well with the staff.
As we begin to get everyone settled in for a night of fun, our volunteers from St. John's quickly spread out in all directions. They help to serve food, encourage our quieter people to join in on the activities, add extra utensils, plates and napkins to the table, assist bingo players in playing the game, sit and talk with the people we serve on just about any subject that person is interested in, and in general, offer great support and friendship. They are caring, kind "God inspired volunteer pros", who will always be special friends to Bethesda. We are so fortunate to have their help and energy.
So, after a good meal, a fabulous slice of birthday cake, and Bingo fun, there is still a lot of smiles, good humor, and well wishes shared by all, who are now slowly leaving our gathering and returning to their homes. Our memories of a special evening stay with us as we ride home.
These are the volunteers, who make a very big difference in our lives: Janet Klink, Barbara Anstadt, Norma Jones, Jayne Sachtleben, Joe Torelli, and Pat Torelli.
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Special Congregational Events for Holy Week & Easter
Children ages 2 years through 6th grade are welcome to join in the fun! This event will take place Rain or Shine.
Children should bring their own Easter Basket. We ask that a parent/guardian attend and remain with the child(ren) throughout the activities.
Each egg will be filled with a special treat or reminder of new life - our eternal life won for us by Jesus. We'll also have a goody bag for each child at the conclusion of the morning! The children will also make a craft, have a snack, and enjoy story time, music and game stations. Children will be in age appropriate groups for all their morning activities.
The registration deadline is Friday, March 31st or until registration is closed (100 children maximum). Come and join in the celebration!
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St. John's, Clifton Hosts Spring Events - Craft Fair (April 1) and Fish & Chips Dinner (April 28)
Spring Vendors Craft Fair Saturday, April 1
9am to 4pm
Kitchen will be open for breakfast and lunch. Shoppers receive a free cup of coffee and a Thrivent t-shirt (while supplies last).
- Discounted Avon Products
- Chocolate Pretzels
- Homemade Soaps
- Home Decor
- Holiday Crafts
- Jewelry
- Mini Dollhouse Items
- And Many More!
Fish & Chips Dinner Friday, April 28 5:30pm to 7pm - Open Salad Bar
- Fried Cod Loin
- French Fries
- Various Desserts
- Assorted Beverages
Tickets must be purchased before April 16 -- no tickets will be available at the door. Call Ellen at 973-464-6860 to reserve your tickets today!
St. John's Lutheran Church is located at 810 Broad Street, Clifton, NJ 07013. |
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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, Bloomingdale, 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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Bach Cantata at Christ the King, Ringwood - Sunday, April 30 at 3pm
Christ the King Lutheran Church (Ringwood, NJ) invites you to their annual Bach Cantata -- BACH: Up Close & Personal.
DATE & TIME: Sunday, April 30 at 3pm
Bach's Cantata 6 Bleib bei uns, den es will Abend werden, will be performed, complete with orchestra.
The concert will also feature works by Mendelssohn, Hammerschmidt, and Liljestrand.
A freewill offering will be received.
Contact the church office at 973-962-6384 for more information. |
Greetings from Concordia College-NY
We are so thankful for all Lutheran Churches on the East Coast and want to share with you a small glimpse of what is going on at our campus! Our slogan is "Small School. Big Impact." and we're having a Big Impact on the lives of our students.
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| | Rev. Dr. Ken Doka - March 28 |
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May God continue to do great things in your church and on our campus as we work to serve Him. Please enjoy these Lenten Devotions, written by Concordia-NY alumni, faculty & staff, and regional LCMS District Presidents. Editor's Note: Our own NJ District President, Tony Steinbronn provided the devotion for Sunday, April 2.Save These Dates:
Sunday, March 26
'Scape Trio Concert
Music & Art String Ensemble
Tuesday, March 28
Books & Coffee
with Rev. Dr. Ken Doka
Announcements:
Concordia's Education Program Receives National Recognition
Concordia's Undergraduate Early Childhood education program has once again received national accreditation without conditions by the National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC). Their Dual Masters in Childhood Education/Childhood Special Education was also recognized by ACEI (Association for Childhood Education International).
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Parish Nursing Conference - May 24 & 25 at Concordia University Wisconsin
"O Give Thanks" - celebrating the 25th Anniversary of the Concordia Conference and the 500th Anniversary of the Protestant Reformation.
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Concordia College-NY Reformation Hymn Festival at Carnegie Hall - June 25
500 Voices for 500 Years: A Reformation Anniversary Hymn Festival at Carnegie Hall.
Date & Time: Sunday, June 25 at 2pm in Carnegie Hall's Stern Auditorium
Purchase tickets here.
Tickets: $7.50-$25 (Dress Circle and Second Tier)
$25 (First Tier and Blavatnik Family Tier)
$50 (Parquet)
Discounted tickets available for groups of 8. If you have any questions, please reach out to Treva Foss at Concordia College at 914.337.9300 x2424. |
Grace Place Wellness Church Worker Retreat - July 17-22
Make plans now for the 2017 East Coast Church Worker Retreat for the Atlantic and New Jersey Districts.
There are 5 spots available for active church workers at this year's Grace Place Wellness Church Worker Retreat.
WHEN: July 17 - 22, 2017
WHERE: Shawnee Inn & Golf Resort on the Delaware River, PA
Scholarships are available. |
Bethesda Communities To Award $32,000 In Scholarships
Now accepting applications from Lutheran high school, college and seminary students for the 2017-2018 academic school year.
Bethesda Lutheran Communities is awarding thousands of dollars in scholarships to create opportunities for the next generation and enhance the lives of people with intellectual and developmental disabilities.
Bethesda invites students to apply for one of several Bethesda Student Scholastic and Service Scholarships. This year, Bethesda is awarding $32,000 in scholarships. Four $3,000 scholarships will be presented to current college students, six $3,000 scholarships to seminary students, and four $500 scholarships to high school seniors. Recipients will be announced in July.
"These scholarships are a great way for Bethesda to encourage the next generation of professionals who will minister with people with intellectual and developmental disabilities," said Kim Trombley, vice president of Religious Life and Church Relations at Bethesda. "We are honored to support students who are living out their faith in their vocations in the field."
The scholarships are offered in partnership with the Bethesda Auxiliary, a nationwide organization that reaches forward in faith, word and deed by sharing the love of Jesus with people who have developmental disabilities.
Only active, communicant members of Lutheran congregations will be considered for the scholarships. All applications are due Monday, May 1, 2017. To apply or learn more, visit Bethesda's website.
Scholarship opportunities for college and university students
Up to four $3,000 scholarships will be awarded to Lutheran students pursuing undergraduate degrees in any academic area that will prepare them to serve and support people with intellectual and developmental disabilities.
Applicants must be classified as a freshman, sophomore or junior at an accredited college or university, and have a minimum overall GPA of 3.0 on a 4.0 scale.
Scholarships for seminary students
Six $3,000 scholarships will be awarded to Lutheran seminarians displaying interest in service to people with intellectual and developmental disabilities in a congregational setting.
To qualify, you must be a current college senior, accepted to begin seminary studies in the fall, or currently be classified as a first-year or second-year student at any seminary affiliated with the WELS, LCMS, ELCA, LCMC, ELS or NALC.
Scholarship opportunities for high school seniors
Up to four $500 scholarships will be awarded to Lutheran high school seniors pursuing a post- secondary degree in any academic area that will prepare them to serve and support people with intellectual and developmental disabilities. Applicants also are required to have a minimum overall GPA of 3.0 on a 4.0 scale.
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Redeemer-Westfield Seeks Early Childhood Director
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Redeemer Lutheran Church & School (229 Cowperthwaite Place, Westfield, NJ) is looking for part-time (potential for full-time) director for its Early Childhood (2.5 to 5-Year-Old), Kindergarten, morning, after care, and summer programs.
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Supervises the development, organization, implementation, coordination, evaluation, outreach and growth of the early childhood and preschool instructional programs to ensure that all students will meet or exceed the state learning standards.
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Exhibits a personality that demonstrates enthusiasm and interpersonal skills to relate well with students, staff, administration, school board members, Pastor, parents, the church and the community.
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Responsible for fostering a Christian environment that allows children, their families and the staff to develop to their full potential.
Interested candidates should send an email requesting a job application. Submit the completed application along with resume, copy of Bachelor &/or Master's Degree and current teaching or administrative certifications. Submit applications by April 1, 2017. |
Circuit 4 (Central Jersey) of the New Jersey District, including their Circuit Visitor, the Rev. David Behm (Trinity, Morris Plains), and the congregations and school ministries of: - Somerset Hills - Basking Ridge
- St. Paul - Flemington
- Holy Spirit - Montville
- Trinity - Morris Plains
- King of Kings - Mountain Lakes
- Good Shepherd - Randolph
- Holy Trinity - Somerset
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
- 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 was installed on Sunday, March 12.
- Grace, Union - being served by vacancy pastor
Merciful Father, through holy Baptism You grant us the forgiveness of sins and the gift of the Holy Spirit, who grants us spiritual sight. Keep us firmly in the faith that You established in us, that we may always look to Christ alone for salvation with our eyes fixed upon His cross where He died for our sins, trusting in His resurrection for our justification. Lord, in Your mercy, hear our prayer.
From Let Us Pray: Prayer of the Church, Fourth Sunday in Lent, 26 March 2017
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Add the NJ District event calendar to your Google Calendar! Our public calendar ID is: google [at] njdistrict [dot] org
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
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.
Church Worker Wellness Retreat
July 17-21
Shawnee Inn & Golf Resort
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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