May God fill you will his New goodness everyday and
may the love of Jesus overflow from you to others throughout the year!
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Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid. John 14:27 (NIV)
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'The Lord's Prayer' Sung by Andrea Bocelli
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'The Prayer' Sung by Andrea Bocelli and Katherine McPhee
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'When You Walk Through A Storm' Sung by Josh Groban
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CANCELLED Worship Services at New Jerusalem Church for Sunday, April 5, 2020 ~ Palm Sunday; Sunday, April 12, 2020 ~ Easter; Sunday, April 19, 2020 ~ Second Sunday of Easter; and Sunday, April 26, 2020 ~ Third Sunday of Easter.
The good news is (please read the NOTE below) we can still worship together AND if you scroll down you can read The Passion of Our Lord and ELCA Bible Readings for Holy Week.
NOTE: As you all know, our Sunday services have been put on hold for the time being, as our country is dealing with COVID-19. Since we have been asked and directed to practice physical distancing, New Jerusalem has been given an opportunity for alternate worship experiences.
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FREE FAMILY SUNDAY SCHOOL
Are you looking for ways to support faith formation at home? Sparkhouse is excited to announce Family Sunday School, a free 8-week lesson series for families! Each week Sunday School curriculum developer (and former summer camp Arts and Crafts director) Dr. Dawn Rundman and her family will host Family Sunday School. Each episode presents a lesson based on Lectionary readings that families can watch together. The Bible story, illustrations, and other content are based on Spark: Activate Faith Lectionary Sunday School lessons.
You are welcome to distribute, post, and reproduce the lesson materials for your church families in whatever way works for you. We’ll post a new lesson every Tuesday for the following Sunday. Lessons will be posted through Trinity Sunday, June 7, 2020. The first lesson, Doubting Thomas, is available now at https://www.wearesparkhouse.org/promos/family-sunday-school/?utm_campaign=SHC%20Children&utm_
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ONLINE SERVICES ARE OFFERED ON GOOD FRIDAY, APRIL 10, 2020 AND
EASTER SUNDAY, APRIL 12, 2020 WITH PASTOR LISA BORRELL
Please note that there will not be a Maundy Thursday worship service.
New Jerusalem members are welcome to tune in on Friday night, April 10, 2020 at 7:00 p.m. for the Holy Week Service and also Easter Sunday, April 12, 2020 at 9:00 a.m. to worship with Pastor Lisa Borrell at Friedens Lutheran Church. The link is https://friedenscentervalley.com/online-church-services.
If you want to follow along with the bulletin, please following this link and look for April 12th under Bulletins https://friedenscentervalley.com/newsletters-%2F-bulletins.
'Old Rugged Cross' Sung by Alan Jackson
'He Lives' Sung by Blue Rock Mennonite Youth
'Christ the Lord is Risen Today' Sung by Joslin Grove Choral Society
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Pastor Lisa Borrell–New Jerusalem's Visitation Pastor would like you to invite all those who use social media to “like” Friedens Evangelical Lutheran Church’s Facebook page or website (www.friedenscentervalley.com) in order to watch recordings of remote worship services.
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Before 10:00 a.m., you can log in to see a live stream worship service from St. John's Lutheran Church in Mayfair, PA, an area outside of Philadelphia. Daily Morning Prayers are also available. Pastor Daniel Eisenberg, whom some of you may remember from his youth group days at NJ, is the pastor there. He has graciously invited us to view his service on Facebook or through the church's website. The addresses are:
If you use the church website, you will need to click on the light blue bar in the middle of the page.
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We thank Pastor Lisa and Pastor Dan for inviting us to join them for their worship services.
Have a lovely day and prayers for a peaceful week ahead!
Stay safe and be well. Church Council
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March 30, 2020 ~ Happy Monday everyone. I hope you and your family are doing well. Unfortunately all worship services are CANCELLED until further notice.
The same guidelines still apply for the church that all other activities are CANCELLED (AA, Lions club, preschool, card group, quilters, prime timers, etc.). We are asking everyone to refrain from entering the building unless absolutely necessary (secretary, church maintenance, cleaning staff, etc.) as the building has been sanitized.
Please note that even though we are not worshiping together we are together in spirit. Feel free to reach out to me or anyone else, should you need anything.
Stay well, Cindy Hart–Church Council President
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March 29, 2020 ~ PRESIDENT TRUMP EXTENDS THE VOLUNTARY
NATIONAL SHUTDOWN THROUGH APRIL 30, 2020.
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March 26, 2020 ~ I hope this email finds everyone well. Unfortunately COVID-19 continues to be an issue and we need to CANCEL the following worship services and fellowship activities.
Soup Supper/Worship--Wednesday, April 1
Worship--Sunday, April 5 Palm Sunday
Breakfast--Sunday, April 12 (We are praying we can worship beginning with Maundy Thursday services through Easter, but we are not sure if this will occur.)
All other activities scheduled at the church have been CANCELLED (AA, Lions club, preschool, card group, quilters, prime timers, etc.). We are asking everyone to refrain from entering the building unless absolutely necessary (secretary, church maintenance, cleaning staff, etc.) as the building has been sanitized. Church council is meeting virtually and there is a skeleton crew of food bank workers that are providing life sustaining supplies to families by curbside pick up.
Stay well, Cindy Hart–Church Council President
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March 25, 2020 GOVERNOR TOM WOLF EXTENDS THE STAY-AT-HOME ORDER TO BUCKS, LEHIGH, AND NORTHAMPTON COUNTIES UNTIL APRIL 6, 2020.
For more information see www.wfmz.com/health/coronavirus/gov-wolf-expands-stay-at-home-order-to-lehigh-northampton/article_8a6e6a6c-6ea8-11ea-bb3c-e3d1119b0d91.html.
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March 17, 2020 ~ The Church Council has been following the progression of the coronavirus. Following the recommendation of Governor Wolf, and in an effort to do our part, the Church Council has taken a measured approach to discontinue worship and all activities at the church for two weeks. Worship services for Sunday, March 22 and 29 will be cancelled. Lenten service for Wednesday, March 18 and 25 are also cancelled. Continue to watch our webpage for prayer guidance and video sermons. This is all new to us, so bare with us.
Of course, cancelling these services will affect us financially - so we encourage you to mail in your offering or use www.newjerlc.org/online-giving. The church continues to have expenses even when we are not worshiping under one roof.
Pastor surveys are also due. Feel free to send them via email or mail to church office (3233 Apples Church Road, Bethlehem, PA 18015). The congregations voice is important to the council and the direction of the church. Stay safe and be well. Church Council
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March 14, 2020 ~ As a precautionary measure, New Jerusalem Lutheran Church will CANCEL Sunday, March 15, 2020 worship. All events that are held at NJ are CANCELED from March 16–28, 2020 including Apple's Preschool which is CLOSED from March 16–27, 2020. The Food Bank and Wednesday Lenten services are being handled individually so look for information from that organization. We would much rather err on the side of safety, health and well-being than risk the spread of COVID-19. Please keep those who have been effected by this virus in your prayers. Stay safe and be well. Church Council
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A message from Presiding Bishop Elizabeth Eaton on COVID-19:
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If you are need of pastoral care, please contact Pastor Lisa Borrell at 610-762-2139.
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You can also visit New Jerusalem Evangelical Lutheran Church on Facebook at
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A Pastoral Search Update from Cindy Hart—Church Council President
The call committee has been formed and we are in the process of filling out the paperwork to begin the process. The COVID-19 quarantine has not slowed this process down as we continue to have meetings via zoom. Stay well and God bless
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A message from Pastor Lisa Borrell, Visitation Pastor for New Jerusalem Church:
Dear members of New Jerusalem,
Grace and peace to you from our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.
To say that we are now living in trying times would be a complete understatement. As I’m sure everyone is aware, employees at grocery stores are doing everything they can to keep the shelves restocked; truck drivers are traveling non-stop to deliver goods to the stores and warehouses; hospital and other medical personnel are working exhaustingly long hours to offer care during this pandemic; schools and colleges are shut down and teaching by remote access; businesses deemed “non-essential” have also been shut down for the foreseeable future; and the government has declared a national emergency the likes of which we have rarely, if ever, seen in our lifetimes.
Please use your best judgment and practice good safety measures during this time, particularly those who have been identified with a higher health risk. Wash your hands frequently and thoroughly. Strictly limit your exposure to other people unless you have to go out for necessary medical appointments or to purchase items at the store. These are some of the best ways to help “flatten the curve” of infection. And though we must distance ourselves physically for a time, that doesn’t mean that we can’t stay connected. Make an overdue phone call (especially to those who are elderly) … write an old-fashioned handwritten note … send a text … airdrop a family photo. Your efforts will definitely be appreciated!
Also crucial during this time of crisis is the continuance of giving your financial offerings to the church. These may be mailed to the office at the address noted above. Please consider using tape or water to seal your envelopes to lessen the transmission of germs. The congregation certainly understands if this imposed isolation has caused hardship due to unexpected unemployment at this time.
Additionally, I’d like you to invite all those who use social media to “like” Friedens Evangelical Lutheran Church’s Facebook page or website (www.friedenscentervalley.com) in order to watch recordings of remote worship. A brief worship service was added this past Sunday and another will be coming later this week. While it’s certainly not the same as being together in person, it is a way we can share in our devotions together. Please know that we are only as far away from each other as our thoughts, hearts, and prayers. If anyone should need to reach me, my telephone number is 610-762-2139. Be well.
God’s peace be with you all. The Rev. Lisa K. Borrell, New Jerusalem’s Visitation Pastor
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“Lockdown” by Brother Richard Hendrick, Franciscan priest
Yes there is fear. Yes there is isolation. Yes there is panic buying.
Yes there is sickness. Yes there is even death.
But,
They say that in Wuhan after so many years of noise, you can hear the birds again.
They say that after just a few weeks of quiet the sky is no longer thick with fumes,
but blue and grey and clear.
They say that in the streets of Assisi, people are singing to each other across
the empty squares, keeping their windows open
so that those who are alone may hear the sounds of family around them.
They say that a hotel in the West of Ireland is offering
free meals and delivery to the housebound.
Today a young woman I know is busy spreading fliers with her number through
the neighbourhood so that the elderly may have someone to call on.
Today Churches, Synagogues, Mosques and Temples are preparing
to welcome and shelter the homeless, the sick, the weary.
All over the world people are slowing down and reflecting.
All over the world people are looking at their neighbours in a new way.
All over the world people are waking up to a new reality to how big we really are.
To how little control we really have.
To what really matters …To Love.
So we pray and we remember that
Yes there is fear, but there does not have to be hate.
Yes there is isolation, but there does not have to be loneliness.
Yes there is panic buying, but there does not have to be meanness.
Yes there is sickness, but there does not have to be disease of the soul.
Yes there is even death, but there can always be a rebirth of love.
Wake to the choices you make as to how to live now.
Today, breathe …
Listen …Behind the factory noises of your panic, the birds are singing again.
The sky is clearing, Spring is coming, and we are always encompassed by Love.
Open the windows of your soul
And though you may not be able to touch across the empty square,
Sing.
The Rev. Lisa K. Borrell–Visitation Pastor
New Jerusalem Evangelical Lutheran Church
610/838-0731 newjerelc@gmail.com
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Inspirational Message
Holy Week is the week leading up to the important Christian festival of Easter, beginning on Palm Sunday, including Maundy Thursday, Good Friday, and ending on Holy Saturday.
April 5, 2020 ~ 9:00 a.m. Worship CANCELLED ~ Palm Sunday commemorates the entrance of Jesus into Jerusalem (Matthew 21:1–9), when palm branches were placed in his path, before his arrest on Holy Thursday and his crucifixion on Good Friday. It thus marks the beginning of Holy Week, the final week of Lent.
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The Passion and Resurrection of Our Lord ~ Matthew 26-28 New International Version (NIV)
The Plot Against Jesus
26 When Jesus had finished saying all these things, he said to his disciples, 2 “As you know, the Passover is two days away—and the Son of Man will be handed over to be crucified.”
3 Then the chief priests and the elders of the people assembled in the palace of the high priest, whose name was Caiaphas, 4 and they schemed to arrest Jesus secretly and kill him. 5 “But not during the festival,” they said, “or there may be a riot among the people.”
Jesus Anointed at Bethany
6 While Jesus was in Bethany in the home of Simon the Leper, 7 a woman came to him with an alabaster jar of very expensive perfume, which she poured on his head as he was reclining at the table.
8 When the disciples saw this, they were indignant. “Why this waste?” they asked. 9 “This perfume could have been sold at a high price and the money given to the poor.”
10 Aware of this, Jesus said to them, “Why are you bothering this woman? She has done a beautiful thing to me. 11 The poor you will always have with you,[a] but you will not always have me. 12 When she poured this perfume on my body, she did it to prepare me for burial. 13 Truly I tell you, wherever this gospel is preached throughout the world, what she has done will also be told, in memory of her.”
Judas Agrees to Betray Jesus
14 Then one of the Twelve—the one called Judas Iscariot—went to the chief priests 15 and asked, “What are you willing to give me if I deliver him over to you?” So they counted out for him thirty pieces of silver. 16 From then on Judas watched for an opportunity to hand him over.
The Last Supper
17 On the first day of the Festival of Unleavened Bread, the disciples came to Jesus and asked, “Where do you want us to make preparations for you to eat the Passover?”
18 He replied, “Go into the city to a certain man and tell him, ‘The Teacher says: My appointed time is near. I am going to celebrate the Passover with my disciples at your house.’” 19 So the disciples did as Jesus had directed them and prepared the Passover.
20 When evening came, Jesus was reclining at the table with the Twelve. 21 And while they were eating, he said, “Truly I tell you, one of you will betray me.”
22 They were very sad and began to say to him one after the other, “Surely you don’t mean me, Lord?”
23 Jesus replied, “The one who has dipped his hand into the bowl with me will betray me. 24 The Son of Man will go just as it is written about him. But woe to that man who betrays the Son of Man! It would be better for him if he had not been born.”
25 Then Judas, the one who would betray him, said, “Surely you don’t mean me, Rabbi?”
Jesus answered, “You have said so.”
26 While they were eating, Jesus took bread, and when he had given thanks, he broke it and gave it to his disciples, saying, “Take and eat; this is my body.”
27 Then he took a cup, and when he had given thanks, he gave it to them, saying, “Drink from it, all of you. 28 This is my blood of the[b] covenant, which is poured out for many for the forgiveness of sins. 29 I tell you, I will not drink from this fruit of the vine from now on until that day when I drink it new with you in my Father’s kingdom.”
30 When they had sung a hymn, they went out to the Mount of Olives.
Jesus Predicts Peter’s Denial
31 Then Jesus told them, “This very night you will all fall away on account of me, for it is written:
“‘I will strike the shepherd, and the sheep of the flock will be scattered.’[c]
32 But after I have risen, I will go ahead of you into Galilee.”
33 Peter replied, “Even if all fall away on account of you, I never will.”
34 “Truly I tell you,” Jesus answered, “this very night, before the rooster crows, you will disown me three times.”
35 But Peter declared, “Even if I have to die with you, I will never disown you.” And all the other disciples said the same.
Gethsemane
36 Then Jesus went with his disciples to a place called Gethsemane, and he said to them, “Sit here while I go over there and pray.” 37 He took Peter and the two sons of Zebedee along with him, and he began to be sorrowful and troubled. 38 Then he said to them, “My soul is overwhelmed with sorrow to the point of death. Stay here and keep watch with me.”
39 Going a little farther, he fell with his face to the ground and prayed, “My Father, if it is possible, may this cup be taken from me. Yet not as I will, but as you will.”
40 Then he returned to his disciples and found them sleeping. “Couldn’t you men keep watch with me for one hour?” he asked Peter. 41 “Watch and pray so that you will not fall into temptation. The spirit is willing, but the flesh is weak.”
42 He went away a second time and prayed, “My Father, if it is not possible for this cup to be taken away unless I drink it, may your will be done.”
43 When he came back, he again found them sleeping, because their eyes were heavy. 44 So he left them and went away once more and prayed the third time, saying the same thing.
45 Then he returned to the disciples and said to them, “Are you still sleeping and resting? Look, the hour has come, and the Son of Man is delivered into the hands of sinners. 46 Rise! Let us go! Here comes my betrayer!”
Jesus Arrested
47 While he was still speaking, Judas, one of the Twelve, arrived. With him was a large crowd armed with swords and clubs, sent from the chief priests and the elders of the people. 48 Now the betrayer had arranged a signal with them: “The one I kiss is the man; arrest him.” 49 Going at once to Jesus, Judas said, “Greetings, Rabbi!” and kissed him.
50 Jesus replied, “Do what you came for, friend.”[d]
Then the men stepped forward, seized Jesus and arrested him. 51 With that, one of Jesus’ companions reached for his sword, drew it out and struck the servant of the high priest, cutting off his ear.
52 “Put your sword back in its place,” Jesus said to him, “for all who draw the sword will die by the sword. 53 Do you think I cannot call on my Father, and he will at once put at my disposal more than twelve legions of angels? 54 But how then would the Scriptures be fulfilled that say it must happen in this way?”
55 In that hour Jesus said to the crowd, “Am I leading a rebellion, that you have come out with swords and clubs to capture me? Every day I sat in the temple courts teaching, and you did not arrest me. 56 But this has all taken place that the writings of the prophets might be fulfilled.” Then all the disciples deserted him and fled.
Jesus Before the Sanhedrin
57 Those who had arrested Jesus took him to Caiaphas the high priest, where the teachers of the law and the elders had assembled. 58 But Peter followed him at a distance, right up to the courtyard of the high priest. He entered and sat down with the guards to see the outcome.
59 The chief priests and the whole Sanhedrin were looking for false evidence against Jesus so that they could put him to death. 60 But they did not find any, though many false witnesses came forward.
Finally two came forward 61 and declared, “This fellow said, ‘I am able to destroy the temple of God and rebuild it in three days.’”
62 Then the high priest stood up and said to Jesus, “Are you not going to answer? What is this testimony that these men are bringing against you?” 63 But Jesus remained silent.
The high priest said to him, “I charge you under oath by the living God: Tell us if you are the Messiah, the Son of God.”
64 “You have said so,” Jesus replied. “But I say to all of you: From now on you will see the Son of Man sitting at the right hand of the Mighty One and coming on the clouds of heaven.”[e]
65 Then the high priest tore his clothes and said, “He has spoken blasphemy! Why do we need any more witnesses? Look, now you have heard the blasphemy. 66 What do you think?”
“He is worthy of death,” they answered.
67 Then they spit in his face and struck him with their fists. Others slapped him 68 and said, “Prophesy to us, Messiah. Who hit you?”
Peter Disowns Jesus
69 Now Peter was sitting out in the courtyard, and a servant girl came to him. “You also were with Jesus of Galilee,” she said.
70 But he denied it before them all. “I don’t know what you’re talking about,” he said.
71 Then he went out to the gateway, where another servant girl saw him and said to the people there, “This fellow was with Jesus of Nazareth.”
72 He denied it again, with an oath: “I don’t know the man!”
73 After a little while, those standing there went up to Peter and said, “Surely you are one of them; your accent gives you away.”
74 Then he began to call down curses, and he swore to them, “I don’t know the man!”
Immediately a rooster crowed. 75 Then Peter remembered the word Jesus had spoken: “Before the rooster crows, you will disown me three times.” And he went outside and wept bitterly.
Judas Hangs Himself
27 Early in the morning, all the chief priests and the elders of the people made their plans how to have Jesus executed. 2 So they bound him, led him away and handed him over to Pilate the governor.
3 When Judas, who had betrayed him, saw that Jesus was condemned, he was seized with remorse and returned the thirty pieces of silver to the chief priests and the elders. 4 “I have sinned,” he said, “for I have betrayed innocent blood.”
“What is that to us?” they replied. “That’s your responsibility.”
5 So Judas threw the money into the temple and left. Then he went away and hanged himself.
6 The chief priests picked up the coins and said, “It is against the law to put this into the treasury, since it is blood money.” 7 So they decided to use the money to buy the potter’s field as a burial place for foreigners. 8 That is why it has been called the Field of Blood to this day. 9 Then what was spoken by Jeremiah the prophet was fulfilled: “They took the thirty pieces of silver, the price set on him by the people of Israel, 10 and they used them to buy the potter’s field, as the Lord commanded me.”[f]
Jesus Before Pilate
11 Meanwhile Jesus stood before the governor, and the governor asked him, “Are you the king of the Jews?”
“You have said so,” Jesus replied.
12 When he was accused by the chief priests and the elders, he gave no answer. 13 Then Pilate asked him, “Don’t you hear the testimony they are bringing against you?” 14 But Jesus made no reply, not even to a single charge—to the great amazement of the governor.
15 Now it was the governor’s custom at the festival to release a prisoner chosen by the crowd. 16 At that time they had a well-known prisoner whose name was Jesus[g] Barabbas. 17 So when the crowd had gathered, Pilate asked them, “Which one do you want me to release to you: Jesus Barabbas, or Jesus who is called the Messiah?” 18 For he knew it was out of self-interest that they had handed Jesus over to him.
19 While Pilate was sitting on the judge’s seat, his wife sent him this message: “Don’t have anything to do with that innocent man, for I have suffered a great deal today in a dream because of him.”
20 But the chief priests and the elders persuaded the crowd to ask for Barabbas and to have Jesus executed.
21 “Which of the two do you want me to release to you?” asked the governor.
“Barabbas,” they answered.
22 “What shall I do, then, with Jesus who is called the Messiah?” Pilate asked.
They all answered, “Crucify him!”
23 “Why? What crime has he committed?” asked Pilate.
But they shouted all the louder, “Crucify him!”
24 When Pilate saw that he was getting nowhere, but that instead an uproar was starting, he took water and washed his hands in front of the crowd. “I am innocent of this man’s blood,” he said. “It is your responsibility!”
25 All the people answered, “His blood is on us and on our children!”
26 Then he released Barabbas to them. But he had Jesus flogged, and handed him over to be crucified.
The Soldiers Mock Jesus
27 Then the governor’s soldiers took Jesus into the Praetorium and gathered the whole company of soldiers around him. 28 They stripped him and put a scarlet robe on him, 29 and then twisted together a crown of thorns and set it on his head. They put a staff in his right hand. Then they knelt in front of him and mocked him. “Hail, king of the Jews!” they said. 30 They spit on him, and took the staff and struck him on the head again and again. 31 After they had mocked him, they took off the robe and put his own clothes on him. Then they led him away to crucify him.
The Crucifixion of Jesus
32 As they were going out, they met a man from Cyrene, named Simon, and they forced him to carry the cross. 33 They came to a place called Golgotha (which means “the place of the skull”). 34 There they offered Jesus wine to drink, mixed with gall; but after tasting it, he refused to drink it. 35 When they had crucified him, they divided up his clothes by casting lots. 36 And sitting down, they kept watch over him there. 37 Above his head they placed the written charge against him: this is jesus, the king of the jews.
38 Two rebels were crucified with him, one on his right and one on his left. 39 Those who passed by hurled insults at him, shaking their heads 40 and saying, “You who are going to destroy the temple and build it in three days, save yourself! Come down from the cross, if you are the Son of God!” 41 In the same way the chief priests, the teachers of the law and the elders mocked him. 42 “He saved others,” they said, “but he can’t save himself! He’s the king of Israel! Let him come down now from the cross, and we will believe in him. 43 He trusts in God. Let God rescue him now if he wants him, for he said, ‘I am the Son of God.’” 44 In the same way the rebels who were crucified with him also heaped insults on him.
The Death of Jesus
45 From noon until three in the afternoon darkness came over all the land. 46 About three in the afternoon Jesus cried out in a loud voice, “Eli, Eli,[h] lema sabachthani?” (which means “My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?”).[i]
47 When some of those standing there heard this, they said, “He’s calling Elijah.”
48 Immediately one of them ran and got a sponge. He filled it with wine vinegar, put it on a staff, and offered it to Jesus to drink. 49 The rest said, “Now leave him alone. Let’s see if Elijah comes to save him.”
50 And when Jesus had cried out again in a loud voice, he gave up his spirit.
51 At that moment the curtain of the temple was torn in two from top to bottom. The earth shook, the rocks split 52 and the tombs broke open. The bodies of many holy people who had died were raised to life. 53 They came out of the tombs after Jesus’ resurrection and[j] went into the holy city and appeared to many people.
54 When the centurion and those with him who were guarding Jesus saw the earthquake and all that had happened, they were terrified, and exclaimed, “Surely he was the Son of God!”
55 Many women were there, watching from a distance. They had followed Jesus from Galilee to care for his needs. 56 Among them were Mary Magdalene, Mary the mother of James and Joseph,[k] and the mother of Zebedee’s sons.
The Burial of Jesus
57 As evening approached, there came a rich man from Arimathea, named Joseph, who had himself become a disciple of Jesus. 58 Going to Pilate, he asked for Jesus’ body, and Pilate ordered that it be given to him. 59 Joseph took the body, wrapped it in a clean linen cloth, 60 and placed it in his own new tomb that he had cut out of the rock. He rolled a big stone in front of the entrance to the tomb and went away. 61 Mary Magdalene and the other Mary were sitting there opposite the tomb.
The Guard at the Tomb
62 The next day, the one after Preparation Day, the chief priests and the Pharisees went to Pilate. 63 “Sir,” they said, “we remember that while he was still alive that deceiver said, ‘After three days I will rise again.’ 64 So give the order for the tomb to be made secure until the third day. Otherwise, his disciples may come and steal the body and tell the people that he has been raised from the dead. This last deception will be worse than the first.”
65 “Take a guard,” Pilate answered. “Go, make the tomb as secure as you know how.” 66 So they went and made the tomb secure by putting a seal on the stone and posting the guard.
Jesus Has Risen
28 After the Sabbath, at dawn on the first day of the week, Mary Magdalene and the other Mary went to look at the tomb.
2 There was a violent earthquake, for an angel of the Lord came down from heaven and, going to the tomb, rolled back the stone and sat on it. 3 His appearance was like lightning, and his clothes were white as snow. 4 The guards were so afraid of him that they shook and became like dead men.
5 The angel said to the women, “Do not be afraid, for I know that you are looking for Jesus, who was crucified. 6 He is not here; he has risen, just as he said. Come and see the place where he lay. 7 Then go quickly and tell his disciples: ‘He has risen from the dead and is going ahead of you into Galilee. There you will see him.’ Now I have told you.”
8 So the women hurried away from the tomb, afraid yet filled with joy, and ran to tell his disciples. 9 Suddenly Jesus met them. “Greetings,” he said. They came to him, clasped his feet and worshiped him. 10 Then Jesus said to them, “Do not be afraid. Go and tell my brothers to go to Galilee; there they will see me.”
The Guards’ Report
11 While the women were on their way, some of the guards went into the city and reported to the chief priests everything that had happened. 12 When the chief priests had met with the elders and devised a plan, they gave the soldiers a large sum of money, 13 telling them, “You are to say, ‘His disciples came during the night and stole him away while we were asleep.’ 14 If this report gets to the governor, we will satisfy him and keep you out of trouble.” 15 So the soldiers took the money and did as they were instructed. And this story has been widely circulated among the Jews to this very day.
The Great Commission
16 Then the eleven disciples went to Galilee, to the mountain where Jesus had told them to go. 17 When they saw him, they worshiped him; but some doubted. 18 Then Jesus came to them and said, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. 19 Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20 and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.”
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Click here for ELCA Year A readings for The Three Days.
April 9, 2020 ~ Maundy Thursday occurs during Holy Week and remembers when Jesus Christ instituted the Eucharist during the Last Supper, an event that is told in the Christian bible. Holy Thursday also commemorates the events that took place on the night before Jesus' crucifixion.
April 10, 2020 ~ Good Friday ~ Is observed during Holy Week as part of the Paschal Triduum on the Friday preceding Easter Sunday, and may coincide with the Jewish observance of Passover. A Christian holiday commemorating the crucifixion of Jesus and his death at Calvary. Then Jesus called out in a loud voice, "Father, into Your hands I commit My Spirit." And when He had said this, He breathed His last. Luke 23:46
April 11, 2020 ~ Holy Saturday ~ This commemorates the day that Jesus Christ lay in the tomb after his death, according to the Christian bible. It is the day after Good Friday and the day before Easter Sunday. Holy Saturday commemorates the day that Jesus (sculpture of him pictured above) lay in his tomb after he died.
April 12, 2020 ~ Easter Sunday ~ 9:00 a.m. Worship CANCELLED
Easter, also called Pascha (Greek, Latin) or Resurrection Sunday, is a festival and holiday commemorating the resurrection of Jesus from the dead, as written in the Christian bible and described in the New Testament as having occurred on the third day after his burial following his crucifixion by the Romans at Calvary c. 30 AD. Easter Sunday is one of the most festive events among Christians worldwide.
Click here for ELCA Year A readings for Easter.
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Connection
Greetings from your New Jerusalem “Apples” Church Council.
Congregation members are invited to attend Church Council meetings as spectators. Our meetings run from 7:00–9:30 p.m. on the second Tuesday of each month. If you have a question or concern that you want addressed at a council meeting, please notify me by Sunday of that week or place it in the question box located in the Narthex. Of course, you can always share your thoughts and concerns with any current council member and ask them for help as well. As your Council President (Cindy Hart), I am available by email at cmh505@lehigh.edu or phone 484-548-3937.
The Council officers for 2020 are:
President: Cindy Hart
Vice President: Sharon Bender
Treasurer: Terry Ravier
Secretary: Kathy Fenstermacher
Council Members: Glenn Campbell, Tina McCardle, Jere Reiss, Robin Rooth-Fogel, Marianne Zellner, and Cindy Ziegler
For I know the plans I have for you, “declares the LORD,” plans to prosper you and
not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. Jeremiah 29:11
Peace be with you,
Cindy Hart, Council President
To each of you, may God direct your paths as you serve your term(s) on the Church Council and as a liaison to the various committees of New Jerusalem Evangelical Lutheran Church.
As always, we pray for all the council members and
all those in leadership positions for this congregation.
March 2020 Summary
See message from Cindy Hart, Council President, in the 'Pastoral Search' section above.
Council Question Box
We had one comment in the box and it pertained to the cleanliness of the church. This was reviewed with the cleaning service; however, detailed cleaning is our responsibility. In the past we had “work parties” that helped with the cleaning of windows, window sills, cob webs, etc.
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What is Mutual Ministry at New Jerusalem? Did you know that there is a Mutual Ministry Committee here at New Jerusalem?
Mutual Ministry is loosely defined as the interaction between the pastor, professional staff, Church Council, and the congregation to foster communication and support between these three groups. Typical tasks of the Mutual Ministry Committee include providing a listening ear to each group and a means to interact in a confidential way to resolve issues that may arise between, and within, each group. The committee also assists Church Council in conducting an annual performance review of the Church’s professional staff, as well as providing input into creating and revising employee job descriptions.
Currently, this committee is comprised of three members (Tina Miller, Tina Young, and Tim Fulmer) who are appointed to serve a three-year term as approved by the Pastor and Church Council President. The committee is currently seeking additional members, so any interested members of the congregation are invited to contact Pastor Lauren; Church Council President, Marianne Zellner; or any current Mutual Ministry Committee member for more information.
Any member of the congregation that desires to seek assistance from the Mutual Ministry Committee may do so by contacting a member of the committee to arrange a meeting with the committee to discuss issues dealing with interactions with pastor/professional staff, Church Council, and/or other members of the congregation. All contact with the Mutual Ministry Committee is kept confidential between the parties involved in the issue; and the hopeful outcome of this process is to resolve the issue to the satisfaction of all parties.
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Welcome to our new Music Director, Edward L. Walakovits. He will begin as our Music Director on Saturday, February 1, 2020. Ed is a skilled Organist and Choir Director with more than 30 years of experience. He is experienced in playing the pipe organ and piano. Ed has a working knowledge of liturgy and choral styles. He is an effective leader with an eye for developing and motivating choir members. Ed graduated from Moravian College with a Bachelor of Arts in Finance with a minor in Music. Please be sure to welcome Ed to New Jerusalem Church!
All are welcome ~ Please join us for choir practice on CANCELLED Monday evenings at 6:30 p.m.
Pop-Up Choir ~ Once or twice a month, the choir invites members and guests to join them to sing the Anthem and praises to our God! The response has been very positive and uplifting for all!
New Jerusalem welcomes our new Director of Music, Ed Walakovits!
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Endowment Committee News!