May God fill you will his New goodness everyday and
may the love of Jesus overflow from you to others throughout the year!
+ + + + + + +
COV-19 UPDATE
We are all anxious to get back to our normal day to day activities. Due to the recent closings and cancellations, schedules of meetings and gatherings are tentative and are reliant on the status of social distancing requirements. Please continue to pray for those on the front line, putting themselves at risk every day, as well as those who have been affected by health issues. Continue to be safe, taking precautions seriously to prevent contracting and spreading the virus.
+ + + + + + +
In case of a pastoral emergency, please contact Pastor Lisa Borrell at 610-762-2139.
+ + + + + + +
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)
+ + + + + + +
HAPPY MEMORIAL DAY
Armed Forces Medley: 2018 National Memorial Day Concert
'Taps'
Thank you to all our Veterans, members of the Armed Forces,
and all those who gave their lives for us to keep us safe!
+ + + + + + +
'The Lord's Prayer' Sung by Andrea Bocelli
+ + +
'The Prayer' Sung by Andrea Bocelli and Katherine McPhee
+ + +
'My Wish For You' Sung by Rascal Flatts
+ + + + + + +
PA GOVERNOR TOM WOLF EXTENDS THE STAY-AT-HOME ORDER UNTIL JUNE 4, 2020.
CANCELLED Worship Services, Apples's Preschool,
and all activities at New Jerusalem Church until further notice.
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.
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. God bless
+ + + + + + +
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, below are alternate worship experiences for New Jerusalem to take part in.
ONLINE SUNDAY WORSHIP OPPORTUNITES
The good news is we can still worship together on Sunday mornings!
Even though we are not physically worshiping together, we are together in spirit.
New Jerusalem members are invited to worship on Sunday morning for online services with:
Pastor Lisa Borrell–Friedens Lutheran Church in Center Valley, PA welcomes you at 9:00 a.m.
https://friedenscentervalley.com/online-church-services. Previous online services are also available to view.
AND
Pastor Daniel Eisenberg–St. John's Lutheran Church in Mayfair, PA welcomes you at 10:00 a.m. at facebook.com/stjohns-mayfair or www.stjohnsmayfair.org (click on the light blue bar in the middle of the page). Daily Morning Prayers are also available. You may remember Pastor Dan from his youth group days at NJ.
+ + +
Thank you Pastor Lisa and Pastor Dan for inviting us to join your worship services.
+ + + + + + +
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_
+ + + + + + +
A message from Presiding Bishop Elizabeth Eaton on COVID-19:
+ + + + + + +
You can also visit New Jerusalem Evangelical Lutheran Church on Facebook at
+ + + + + + +
A Pastoral Search Update
The Church Council is continuing the Pastoral Search process for a new pastor throughout this time. The call committee has been formed and we have done the paperwork to begin the process. The COVID-19 quarantine has not slowed us down as we continue to have council and synod meetings via zoom conferencing. Stay well and God bless
+ + + + + + +
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–Visitation Pastor
New Jerusalem Evangelical Lutheran Church
610/838-0731 newjerelc@gmail.com
+ + + + + + +
Connection
Greetings from your New Jerusalem “Apples” Church Council!
All Sunday Worship Services, Meetings, and Activities are CANCELLED until further notice.
April 2020 Summary
I hope this message finds everyone safe and healthy. As we face each day during this pandemic, it is difficult to stay positive. I would like to draw your attention to the countless examples of good going on around our community. Let’s give a shout out to those on the front lines during the crisis (doctors/nurses, truck drivers, postal workers, grocery store attendants, etc.), those making masks for others in need, those donating to local food banks to help those in need, those checking in on an elderly neighbor, or those making phone calls to someone they haven’t spoken to in a while. Each day is a new day to be thankful for.
Church Council continues to meet via Zoom conferencing. We are monitoring the coronavirus, COVID-19, as well as continuing the search process for a new pastor.
Zoom Council Meeting on April 14, 2020
Please remember that even though we are not worshiping together, we are together in spirit.
If you have a question or concern, feel free to contact me by email at cmh505@lehigh.edu or phone 484-548-3937.
When NJ Church's doors are able to reopen after the Stay-at-Home Order is lifted, 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.
Council Question Box
N/A
+ + + + + + +
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.
+ + + + + + +
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!
+ + + + + + +
Endowment Committee News!
TBA