Ministries for April 1–30, 2023 and Upcoming Events
. . . in April
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
+ + + + + +
Saturday, April 1, 2023
CLOSED Church Office
4:30 p.m.—NJELC Worship Service
Sunday, April 2, 2023
8:45 a.m.—Sunday School
9:30 a.m.—Children's Choir
10:00 a.m.—Worship Service ~ Palm Sunday
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, April 3, 2023
7:00–11:00 a.m.—Church Office Hours
Tuesday, April 4, 2023
7:00–11:00 a.m.—Church Office Hours
Wednesday, April 5, 2023
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
6:00 p.m.—Walking Group
7:00 p.m.—Finance Committee Meeting
7:00 p.m.—AA
Thursday, April 6, 2023
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)
6:30 p.m.—CCL Committee Meeting
7:00 p.m.—Maundy Thursday Worship Service
Friday, April 7, 2023
CLOSED Church Office
7:00 p.m.—Good Friday Worship Service at Frieden's Church
Saturday, April 8, 2023
CLOSED Church Office
3:30–5:00 p.m. at the church
Sunday, April 9, 2023
HAPPY EASTER!
8:45 a.m.—Easter Breakfast
8:45 a.m.—NO Sunday School
9:30 a.m.—NO Children's Choir
9:30 a.m.—Brass Quartet Preludes
10:00 a.m.—Worship Service ~ Easter Sunday
ONLINE WORSHIP SERVICE (Youtube livestream link)
11:00 a.m.—NO Coffee/Fellowship Hour
7:00 p.m.—AA
Monday, April 10, 2023
7:00–11:00 a.m.—CLOSED Church Office Hours
Tuesday, April 11, 2023
7:00–11:00 a.m.—Church Office Hours
7:00 p.m.—Church Council Meeting
Wednesday, April 12, 2023
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
6:00 p.m.—Walking Group
7:00 p.m.—AA
Thursday, April 13, 2023
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, April 14, 2023
CLOSED Church Office
9:00 a.m.—Food Bank Delivery (see Mark Your Calendar below)
Saturday, April 15, 2023
CLOSED Church Office
8:30–10:45 a.m.—Food Bank Distribution (see Mark Your Calendar below)
Sunday, April 16, 2023
8:45 a.m.—Sunday School
9:30 a.m.—Children's Choir
10:00 a.m.—Worship Service ~ 2nd Sunday of Easter
ONLINE WORSHIP SERVICE (Youtube livestream link)
11:00 a.m.—Coffee/Fellowship Hour
1:00 p.m.—Bingo
6:00–7:30 p.m.—Confirmation Class in the Upper Room
7:00 p.m.—AA
Monday, April 17, 2023
7:00–11:00 a.m.—Church Office Hours
7:00 p.m.—SV Lions Club Meeting
Tuesday, April 18, 2023
7:00–11:00 a.m.—Church Office Hours
12:00 p.m.—PrimeTimers (see Mark Your Calendar below)
7:00 p.m.—Endowment Committee Meeting
Wednesday, April 19, 2023
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
6:00 p.m.—Walking Group
6:30 p.m.—Choir
7:00 p.m.—AA
Thursday, April 20, 2023
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, April 21, 2023
CLOSED Church Office
Saturday, April 22, 2023
CLOSED Church Office
8:30–10:45 a.m.—Food Bank Distribution (see Mark Your Calendar below)
Sunday, April 23, 2023
8:45 a.m.—Sunday School
9:30 a.m.—Children's Choir
10:00 a.m.—Worship Service ~ 3rd Sunday of Easter
ONLINE WORSHIP SERVICE (Youtube livestream link)
11:00 a.m.—Coffee/Fellowship Hour
3:00–6:00 p.m.—UR Reserved
6:00 p.m.—Confirmation Class
7:00 p.m.—AA
Monday, April 24, 2023
7:00–11:00 a.m.—Church Office Hours
7:00 a.m.—May Angelus Deadline
Tuesday, April 25, 2023
7:00–11:00 a.m.—Church Office Hours
6:00 p.m.—Book Club (Conference Room) (see Mark Your Calendar below)
7:00 p.m.—Property Committee Meeting
Wednesday, April 26, 2023
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
6:00 p.m.—Walking Group
6:30 p.m.—Choir
7:00 p.m.—AA
Thursday, April 27, 2023
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, April 28, 2023
CLOSED Church Office
Saturday, April 29, 2023
CLOSED Church Office
1:00–6:00 p.m.—UR Reserved
Sunday, April 30, 2023
8:45 a.m.—Sunday School
9:30 a.m.—Children's Choir
10:00 a.m.—Worship Service ~ 4th Sunday of Easter
ONLINE WORSHIP SERVICE (Youtube livestream link)
11:00 a.m.—Coffee/Fellowship Hour
6:30 p.m.—NJELC Youth Group Meeting
7:00 p.m.—AA
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.)
If you would like to receive credit on your church financial statement for cash donations, please make sure that they are placed in an envelope with your name(s) clearly marked. We cannot keep record of cash gifts if we do not know from whom they were received. Thank you so much!
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.
NJELC Food Bank ~ Approximately 74 families were served in the month of March. We thank everyone for the continued food and monetary donations during these challenging times. We are so grateful for the generosity of our community! Your kindness is appreciated!
A special thank you to all the hard-working volunteers
who help keep the NJ Food Bank operating!
+ + + + + + +
Thank you . . .to the Cressman family for sponsoring the lighting project for the ramp. Contributions to Glenn’s memorial fund enabled this project to be done. Glenn is still taking care of the property of NJELC and his light continues to shine!
+ + + + + + +
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 who directed their Thrivent Choice Dollars® to New Jerusalem Evangelical Lutheran Church. Your generosity is most appreciated
+ + + + + + +
Thank you to all our Essential Workers!
FOR 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!
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.
New Jerusalem decals…New Jerusalem shirt decals are still available at Saucon Valley Sporting Goods located at the Water Street Plaza. Please contact Kathy Fenstermacher at church for more information.
The Card Club will be meeting on Thursdays at 1:00 p.m. in the Conference Room for an afternoon of recreation and fellowship with one another.
EGG HUNT ~ Saturday, April 8, 2023 from 3:30–5:00 p.m. in the Upper Room. Please join us! Activities include crafts, puzzles, coloring and a guess game.
Children (ages 0–6th grade) will be divided by age groups to hunt eggs. We will hunt outside as long as the weather permits. Prizes will be awarded along with a free raffle for a special Easter cake and other small prizes.
Donations of snacks, drinks and dyed, hard-boiled eggs would be greatly appreciated! A limited amount of raw eggs will be made available on Palm Sunday to be boiled and dyed for the hunt. Donations may be dropped off during Holy Week and placed in the kitchen. Please place eggs in the refrigerator and mark food and drink donations for the Egg Hunt. Eggs must be at the church no later than 2:00 p.m. so they can be hidden in time for the egg hunt.
Volunteers (7th grade or older) are needed to help hide eggs, bake the raffle cake, and assist with the activities and snacks.
Please contact Marianne Zellner at 610-216-1016 or beachbummez@ptd.net with questions or to volunteer.