Ministries for December 1–31, 2022 and Upcoming Events
Updated: Dec 17, 2022
. . . in December
NEW JERUSALEM EVANGELICAL LUTHERAN CHURCH
SENDS OUR BEST WISHES TO YOU AND YOUR FAMILY
FOR A BLESSED AND HAPPY CHRISTMAS SEASON!
May God fill you will his goodness every day and
may the love of Jesus overflow from you to others throughout the year!
In case of a pastoral emergency,
please contact Pastor Lisa Borrell at 610-838-0731 or email MizLKB@aol.com.
+ + + + + +
Blessed is the nation whose God is the Lord. Psalm 33:12
LET THERE BE PEACE ON EARTH - WHISPERS OF MY FATHER
by Vince Gill and Jenny Gill with Lyrics
www.youtube.com/watch?v=qQi1qB_9tkQ
+ + + + + +
Thursday, December 1, 2022
7:00–11:00 a.m.—CLOSED Church Office Hours
1:00 p.m.—Card Club (Conference Room)
6:30 p.m.—Church Community Life (CCL) Committee Meeting
Friday, December 2, 2022
CLOSED Church Office
Saturday, December 3, 2022
CLOSED Church Office
Sunday, December 4, 2022
8:45 a.m.—Sunday School
9:30 a.m.—Children's Choir
10:00 a.m.—Worship Service ~ 2nd Sunday of Advent
ONLINE Worship Service (Youtube livestream link)
11:00 a.m.—Coffee/Fellowship Hour
11:00 a.m.—Worship & Music Committee Meeting
6:00 p.m.—Confirmation Class
7:00 p.m.—AA
Monday, December 5, 2022
7:00–11:00 a.m.—Church Office Hours
Tuesday, December 6, 2022
7:00–11:00 a.m.—Church Office Hours
7:00 p.m.—Church Council Meeting
Wednesday, December 7, 2022
7:00–10:00 a.m.—Church Office Hours
8:30 a.m.—Quilters
10:30 a.m.–1:00 p.m.—Pastor Lisa's Office Hours
6:30 p.m.—Choir Practice
7:00 p.m.—Finance Committee Meeting
7:00 p.m.—AA
Thursday, December 8, 2022
7:00–11:00 a.m.—Church Office Hours
10:30 a.m.–1:00 p.m.—Pastor Lisa's Office Hours
1:00 p.m.—Card Club (Conference Room)
Friday, December 9, 2022
CLOSED Church Office
9:00 a.m.—Food Bank Delivery (see Mark Your Calendar below)
Saturday, December 10, 2022
CLOSED Church Office
8:30–10:45 a.m.—Food Bank Distribution (see Mark Your Calendar below)
Sunday, December 11, 2022
8:45 a.m.—Sunday School
9:30 a.m.—Children's Choir
10:00 a.m.—Worship Service/Congregational Meeting ~ 3rd Sunday of Advent
ONLINE Worship Service (Youtube livestream link)
11:00 a.m.—NO Coffee/Fellowship Hour
1:00 p.m.—Bingo Upper Room (see Mark Your Calendar below)
6:30 p.m.— NJELC Youth Group
7:00 p.m.—AA
Monday, December 12, 2022
7:00–11:00 a.m.—Church Office Hours
Tuesday, December 13, 2022
7:00–11:00 a.m.—Church Office Hours
7:00 p.m.—Church Council Meeting
Wednesday, December 14, 2022
6:00–10:00 a.m.—Church Office Hours
8:30 a.m.—Quilters
10:30 a.m.–1:00 p.m.—Pastor Lisa's Office Hours
6:30 p.m.—Choir Practice
7:00 p.m.—AA
Thursday, December 15, 2022
7:00–11:00 a.m.— Church Office Hours
7:00 a.m.—January Angelus Deadline
10:30 a.m.–1:00 p.m.—Pastor Lisa's Office Hours
1:00 p.m.—Card Club (Conference Room)
Friday, December 16, 2022
CLOSED Church Office
Saturday, December 17, 2022
CLOSED Church Office
8:30–10:45 a.m.—Food Bank Distribution (see Mark Your Calendar below)
GooseChase Begins (see Mark Your Calendar below)
Sunday, December 18, 2022
8:45 a.m.—Sunday School
9:30 a.m.—Children's Choir
10:00 a.m.—Worship Service ~ Christ the King Sunday
ONLINE WORSHIP SERVICE (Youtube livestream link)
11:00 a.m.—NO Coffee/Fellowship Hour
11:00 a.m.—Youth Christmas Program/Lunch
6:00 p.m.—Confirmation Class
7:00 p.m.—AA
GooseChase (see Mark Your Calendar below)
Monday, December 19, 2022
7:00–11:00 a.m.—Church Office Hours
7:00 p.m.—SV Lions Club
GooseChase (see Mark Your Calendar below)
Tuesday, December 20, 2022
7:00–11:00 a.m.—Church Office Hours
12:00 noon—Prime Timers (see Mark Your Calendar below)
GooseChase (see Mark Your Calendar below)
Wednesday, December 21, 2022
6:00–10:00 a.m.—Church Office Hours
8:30 a.m.—Quilters
10:30 a.m.–1:00 p.m.—Pastor Lisa's Office Hours
6:30 p.m.—Choir Practice
7:00 p.m.—AA
GooseChase (see Mark Your Calendar below)
Thursday, December 22, 2022
7:00–11:00 a.m.— Church Office Hours
10:30 a.m.–1:00 p.m.—Pastor Lisa's Office Hours
1:00 p.m.—Card Club (Conference Room)
7:00 p.m.—Preschool Christmas Program
GooseChase (see Mark Your Calendar below)
Friday, December 23, 2022
CLOSED Church Office
GooseChase (see Mark Your Calendar below)
Saturday, December 24, 2022
CLOSED Church Office
4:00 p.m.—Christmas Eve Family Service
7:30 p.m.—Brass Preludes
8:00 p.m.—Christmas Eve Candlelight Service
GooseChase Ends (see Mark Your Calendar below)
Sunday, December 25, 2022
8:45 a.m.—NO Sunday School
9:30 a.m.—NO Children's Choir
10:00 a.m.—Worship Service/Lessons & Carols ~
Merry Christmas from New Jerusalem Church
ONLINE WORSHIP SERVICE (Youtube livestream link)
11:00 a.m.—NO Coffee/Fellowship Hour
7:00 p.m.—AA
Monday, December 26, 2022
7:00–11:00 a.m.—CLOSED Church Office Hours
Tuesday, December 27, 2022
7:00–11:00 a.m.—Church Office Hours
Wednesday, December 28, 2022
6:00–10:00 a.m.—Church Office Hours
8:30 a.m.—Quilters
10:30 a.m.–1:00 p.m.—Pastor Lisa's Office Hours
6:30 p.m.—Choir Practice
7:00 p.m.—AA
Thursday, December 29, 2022
7:00–11:00 a.m.— Church Office Hours
10:30 a.m.–1:00 p.m.—Pastor Lisa's Office Hours
1:00 p.m.—Card Club (Conference Room)
7:00 p.m.—Property Committee Meeting
Friday, December 30, 2022
CLOSED Church Office
5:30 p.m.—Movie Night (see Mark Your Calendar below)
Saturday, December 31, 2022
CLOSED Church Office
TO JOIN US AT NEW JERUSALEM EVANGELICAL LUTHERAN CHURCH, 3233 APPLES CHURCH ROAD, BETHLEHEM, PA 18015 ON SUNDAY MORNING AT 10:00 A.M. FOR WORSHIP WITH PASTOR LISA AND ITS MEMBERS.
IF YOU DO NOT FEEL COMFORTABLE ATTENDING SERVICES IN PERSON, YOU ARE WELCOME TO JOIN US ONLINE AT OUR YOUTUBE CHANNEL CLICK HERE.
Hope to see you there!
Peace be with you.
You can also visit New Jerusalem Evangelical Lutheran Church on Facebook at
In all circumstances, never forget that we still are the church! As Martin Luther proclaimed in his most recognizable Reformation hymn, “A Mighty Fortress,” God’s truth forever shall abide. Even COVID –19 has no power over us.
If you are not receiving the Angelus (Church Newsletter) either electronically or via the mail or your information needs to be updated, please contact the church office at 610-838-0731 and provide your name, email, and address, etc. to correct to error.
2023 Giving Envelopes are available ~ Your envelopes will be available for pick up and can be found on the window in the Narthex. You may also contact the church office via email or call to make arrangements for envelopes to be left in the blue bin outside the church by the lower doors for pickup any day Monday through Wednesday after 10:00 a.m. Please take family and friend's envelopes along if possible.
+ + + + + + +
We appreciate everyone’s continued financial support throughout these challenging times. (As you are well aware, even if we are not inside the building, the bills keep coming in every month.)
Together, we are the Body of Christ. We appreciate everyone’s continued financial support throughout these challenging times. God is good and gives us what we need.
Your Offering Checks can be made out to: New Jerusalem Church or NJELC
and mailed to:
New Jerusalem Evangelical Lutheran Church
3323 Apples Church Road, Bethlehem, PA 18015
OR
We have partnered with Vanco Payment Solutions to allow church members to contribute their offerings electronically from their personal checking or saving accounts directly to the church at no cost to them. Click this link Vanco Website to create your free online profile and set up your giving preferences. Giving will now be easier and hassle free.
Below is a brief description about 'Giving Electronically':
Electronic gifts are fast and secure, and they reduce administrative costs, allowing more of every dollar to fund the important work we are called to do.
+ Give anytime, anywhere to your favorite funds
+ Schedule and manage recurring donations even when you are on vacation
+ Make one-time donations to special appeals
+ Pay for events, programs, and other activities
+ Don’t have to cash or a checkbook
NJELC Property Building Fund ~ Exterior painting of the church, new ramp, and parking lot improvements.
Please consider making a donation towards this 3-prong project. Just mark you check, envelope, or VANCO donation(s) for the 'Building Fund' and it will be designated toward this project. Thank you for consideration in helping to raise the necessary funds. Any questions please see any Property Committee member.
Chalisters are needed … When we go back to offering altar Communion, we will need chalisters to help serve. Please sign up on the bulletin board in the Narthex if interested. The primary responsibility would only be to pour the grape juice chalice as we will no longer be offering the sacrament by common cup.
+ + + + + +
Acolytes are needed … All interested youth (especially Confirmands) are asked to see the sign-up sheet in the Narthex. Thanks! Pastor Lisa will offer instruction when a list of volunteers has been made.
+ + + + + +
New Prayer List Guidelines
All name requests (additions, deletions) tto be directed to Jeanette— Office Administrator by calling 610-838-0731 or emailing newjerelc@gmail.com.
Please remember to get the individual's permission before submitting.
One can request an individual's or family's name be included on the list when there in a health or community concern or death.
If it is a health concern, the person's name will remain on the list for four (4) weeks unless a request is made to keep it on longer, i.e., in the case of a prolonged condition or illness.
If a death has occurred, the name will be listed for two (2) weeks.
If it is a community concern, the concern will be listed for two (2) weeks.
A person's name may be kept on for longer than four (4) weeks if Jeanette is informed of this request.
EVERYONE can use prayers. This list was created for the purpose of lifting up current prayer needs.
+ + + + + +
Lutheran Disaster Response ~ You may have seen the distressing news about flash flooding in eastern Kentucky from July 27-28, 2022. A line of severe storms dumped record amounts of rain on the area, overflowing rivers and creeks onto streets and neighborhoods. The floodwaters rose in the middle of the night from July 27–28, 2022, leaving people little time to evacuate. These severe floods are not limited to Kentucky. There has also been flooding in Missouri, Illinois, Indiana, West Virginia, and other states in the region.
AND
As you are aware due to the report and images in the news, the state of Florida has been absolutely devastated by the unprecedented effects of Hurricane Ian on September 28, 2022. Humans are no match in regards to the fury and ferocity of Mother Nature, especially a Category 5 hurricane. The 150 mph winds and 12+ foot high waves of water destroyed everything in its path including bridges, leaving an untold amount of families homeless and without water or power.
Gifts to Lutheran Disaster Response designed for "U.S. Flooding" and/or "Florida—Hurricane Ian" will be used entirely (100%) to assist those affected by floods. Together, we can support those who are on the long road to recovery. Please give today.
Checks or money orders can be sent to:
Lutheran Disaster Response
PO. Box 1809
Merrifield, VA 22116-8009
Write "U.S. Flooding" and/or "Florida—Hurricane Ian" on your check memo line.
Give by phone at 800-638-3522 (Monday–Friday; 8:00 a.m.–5:00 p.m. CT)
or online at ELCA.org.
OR
Update on Hurricane Ian relief through Thrivent donations … In the short term, Lutheran Disaster Response will be providing immediate relief such as water, clothing, gift cards, tarps, and other needs to Hurricane Ian victims. Lutheran Disaster Response and their partners support communities on the long road to recovery with disaster case management, construction management, and emotional & spiritual care. Please consider donating. For every $2 donation, Thrivent will boost it by $1. And, Thrivent pays all the processing fees so 100% of your donation goes to help those in need. Thank you for your generosity. Thrivent will provide a $1 match for every $2 donated through this online disaster response campaign up to a maximum match of $250,000. You may check out thrivent.com for more information.
NJELC Food Bank ~ Approximately 82 families were served in the month of November. We thank everyone for the continued food and monetary donations during these challenging times. We are so grateful for the generosity of our community! Thank you!
A special thank you to all the hard-working volunteers
who help keep the NJ Food Bank operating!
+ + + + + + +
The Giant Food gift card program continues as an ongoing program of the church. Gift cards are available in $100, $50, and $25 denominations. Please contact Tina McCardle at 610 838-6784 or email her at cameron35@rcn.com if you would like to purchase any gift cards. The church receives a 5% discount that goes into the general fund. This past year we earned $500. Thank you to all the people who routinely participate in the program. Your purchased makes a difference.
+ + + + + + +
To the Congregation of NJELC from Boy Scout Troop 311 … Thank you so much for supporting our fundraising efforts. We appreciate your support of our fundraising – popcorn sales and the spaghetti Dinner (on October 25th). The Troop is closer to our goal to attend the High Adventure camp and purchase camping equipment!
+ + + + + + +
Thank you from ELCA: We are grateful of your special gift in support of ELCA World Hunger ministries. Through your generosity, you are joining hands with many others to equip households and communities to break the cycle of poverty and hunger, build up leaders for our church and for our future, and spread the good news of God’s love.
+ + + + + + +
Thank you to all our Frontline and Essential Workers!
FOR 2022–2023 UPCOMING EVENTS
In an effort to keep email mass communication efficient, Council has agreed to send mass email information out once a week. The "Weekly Update" email will be sent out Thursday mornings at 7:30 a.m. Any requests during the week for an email blast will be captured in this weekly email. The weekly prayer list will continue to be sent out on Monday mornings. Thank you.
Tina McCardle has GIANT GIFT CARDS for sale and accepts cash or checks to NJELC. They come in $25, $50, or $100 amounts. Call her at 610-838-6784 to make arrangements. She usually has them on hand when you see her as well. It's an easy way to support our ministry at NJ which benefits our current budget. Thanks to the many who are regular participants!
Would be willing to participate? I usually have gift cards on hand, so when you see me, please ask to buy some gift cards. Cash or checks made out to NJELC are accepted. We will be dropping the Valley Farms Gift Card, as they recently were sold to another owner. Giant cards are available in $25, $50, and $100 denominations. Please contact me at cameron35@rcn.com or 610-838-6784 and we can make arrangements to have you purchase gift cards.
Thanks to everyone who regularly buys cards to support the ongoing ministry of New Jerusalem Church. ~ Tina McCardle
They make great gifts!
We will be selling “Monthly Madness Cards” for
Dan Schantz Greenhouse. This $25 card entitles you to get one FREE item every month of the year. $100 value for $25 and New Jerusalem makes a profit on every card.
The best part -- it NEVER expires! You redeem the card 12 different months and receive 12 very nice plants, flowers, pumpkins, etc. Can’t get to Lehigh Street in January? No problem -- next January the card is still good. Great gift idea! See posters around the church or Phyllis Reiss for more details at Reiss_phyllis@yahoo.com or 610-653-8655.
FOOD FOR FRIENDS ~ The Food For Friends (FFF) Ministry is one of those special ministries that happens behind the scenes. We have a small group of volunteers who give of their time and talent to feed the hungry. Food For Friends is a program based in Quakertown through the Richland Friends Church. The roots of FFF dates back to 1998 when Mary Miller, the Ag teacher at Upper Bucks County Technical School had a The rest is history, with six volunteer groups now sharing the load of providing a hot meal for anyone in need on the 2nd, 4th, and 5th Wednesday of every month.
Our NJELC Apples Church group covers 6 dinner events a year and has provided up to 150 to-go meals in one night. Prior to COVID, the groups would provide a sit-down meal and serve the patrons which also included some good conversation and fellowship. Everyone involved always tells me how wonderful the experience was for them. It’s enjoyable for me to see people help others and know we are making a difference in our community. If you are interested in helping with future events, please contact Bill Young via email: btyoung9396@gmail.com or
call 610-797-8440.
Property Committee Update ~ Our building fund project for the new handicap ramp and steps to the entrance of the Nave has been completed. You may contribute to the Capital Campaign/Building Fund by noting on your check or envelope you would like your gift to go there. Thank you for all your support!
The steps and ramp in front of the church are now OPEN.
Please speak with any Property Committee member (Bill Bender, Bill Young,
Jere Reiss, Jesse Hart, Terry Ravier, Tina McCardle, and Russ Pacala), if you have questions.
+ + + + + + +
As we enter the colder months, please consider wearing extra layers of clothing to allow for personal comfort during your time in the building. Winter is no different than Summer and we are still dealing with rising energy costs (up $15,000 from last year).
We appreciate everyone's cooperation as we try to manage these difficult times.