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Ministries for August 1–31, 2020 and Upcoming Events

Updated: Aug 14, 2020



. . . in August


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In case of a pastoral emergency, please contact Pastor Lisa Borrell at 610-762-2139.


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TO JOIN US AT 9:00 A.M. FOR OUR OUTDOOR/PARKING LOT SUNDAY WORSHIP SERVICES HELD AT NEW JERUSALEM EVANGELICAL LUTHERAN CHURCH (RAIN OR SHINE) LOCATED AT 3232 APPLES CHURCH ROAD, BETHLEHEM, PA 18015




Hope to see you there!

Peace be with you.


 

Another month has gone by and we continue to work our way through the “new” normal. Our first outside worship service was held on June 14, 2020. There were a couple minor glitches but overall it was a success. We will continue to have our worship services outside, rain or shine. Feel free to bring your lawn chairs and sit outside your car while wearing your masks and social distance of 6 feet.

We will be expecting our members to follow these guidelines as well, or we will have to close up again.


OUTSIDE WORSHIP INFORMATION


Outside worship services began on Sunday, June 14, 2020 at 9:00 a.m. That’s right, we are going to use our parking lot as our sanctuary. Council is trying to make this transition as seamless, safe and successful as possible! If you do not feel comfortable attending, feel free to continue to watch Pastor Lisa’s sermons on-line.

For those that are ready this will fill your needs; and those that might still be uncomfortable being around others, this might be a way of getting your feet wet before jumping into the pool.

We have made some slight changes, but it will not affect the impact of worship. These changes are to help keep everyone safe from COVID-19. These changes are: remain in car, no choir, less songs, no sharing of peace, offering at end of service, and communion will be done by prepackaged containers. There will be NO access to restrooms before, during, or after service.

You are probably wondering how this is going to work:

  1. An individual will greet you in the driveway and will hand you a bulletin and communion containers. The bulletins will be printed with everything you need. Please let the individual know how many communion containers will be needed for your passengers. The communion containers are ordered prepackaged and, unfortunately, do not offer gluten free wafers or wine. There is only one option for communion (wafer and grape juice). Feel free to bring your own “bread” to be used during communion. At the appropriate time you will tear off the first layer which will have your wafer. Then the second layer will have grape juice.

  2. After receiving these items, follow the direction of the parking attendants and park your vehicle. We will be adhering to the 6’ distance and wearing of masks/gloves. You will remain in your vehicle and tune in to 106.5 FM on your vehicle radio. Please be patient with our volunteers. A plan for entering and exiting the parking lot has been established to maintain safety for all, as this is new to everyone. It will be just like attending a drive-in movie, but different.

  3. After worship is done, please be patient exiting the parking lot. Again there will be parking attendants to guide us in the process. You will notice upon your exit of the parking lot, an individual will be collecting your offering.

GUIDELINES/RULES FOR OUTSIDE SERVICE

  • Everyone MUST remain in their vehicles at all times.

  • No entry into church building. This means no use of restrooms.

  • Take all trash/recycling home with you after worship service.

  • Masks and gloves are encouraged even in your vehicle.

  • Be patient—what else do you have to do?

  • No children’s coloring packs will be available. Bring your own form of entertainment for your children. Service activity booklets will be available online for YOU to print and bring along!

  • Services will be held rain or shine.

Thank you to those that have been sending offerings in the mail or have been using the online Vanco portal. We are making sure all systems will be operating, our building is clean, and we are ready for worship when we get the green light! We are busy ordering supplies that will be necessary for us to commune together, as well as sanitizing supplies to keep us all safe. Our church congregation sticks together when the going gets tough. Please continue to support the ongoing work of New Jerusalem by sending in your offerings.

We hope you will consider attending our outside worship service. If you have any questions, feel free to contact Cindy Hart 484-548-3937 or Sharon Bender 610-597-8764.

BUILDING/ACTIVITIES

  • Appropriate wearing of masks and gloves while in the building at ALL times.

  • No entry into the building prior to 10:00 a.m.

  • No entry into the office, except secretary and treasurer.

  • Offering envelopes should continue to be mailed or use the online Vanco portal, please refrain from dropping off at church.

  • Encourage continuation of zoom meetings (however, meetings of less than 25 attendees with appropriate 6’ distancing and masks is allowed).

  • Pick up of supplies or cleaning are allowed with two people at a time in one area.

  • Food bank will continue with curbside pickup. WORKERS MUST WEAR MASKS AT ALL TIMES.

  • NO EATING OR DRINKING INSIDE BUILDING. That requires one to remove their masks…a no-no.

I am also happy to report that a pastor candidate’s name has been given to our Call Committee. We will share more details as this process moves forward (see Pastor Search letters to the congregation below).

Cindy Hart—New Jerusalem Council President

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UPDATE


August 10, 2020


The votes from the special Congregational Meeting held on August 9, 2020 are in. . .

the new time for our worship service will be 10:00 a.m. with Pastor Lisa Borrell

as our new pastor. The date when this change will occur is still being discussed. We will continue to worship at 9:00 a.m. until the new date is determined. Please stay tuned for the new worship schedule.


Thank you for everyone who voted!

New Jerusalem Evangelical Lutheran Church


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July 23, 2020


A special Congregational Meeting will be held immediately following our 9:00 a.m. worship service on Sunday, August 9, 2020. The Call Committee, with support of Congregational Council, would like to recommend a pastoral candidate to serve New Jerusalem Evangelical Lutheran Church (NJELC).


The vote will occur on Sunday, August 9, 2020 immediately after worship, which will be led by the called pastoral candidate. Only those confirmed members in attendance will be eligible to vote. Please plan to attend and cast your vote!


You will receive a slip of paper that you will select "10:00 a.m. with Pastor" or

"9:00 a.m. Start call process again". The papers will be collected and counted immediately. The majority vote will be honored. We do not need a quorum for this vote but we would like to hear from all confirmed members.


We are grateful to Pastor Huber of the Northeastern PA Synod for her support in identifying an outstanding candidate for NJELC. We also would like to thank you—the members of NJELC—for your prayers and ongoing support as we embark on this next phase of our transition journey. We, the Council, are very excited about this opportunity living out the gospel of Jesus Christ.


Respectfully,

New Jerusalem Evangelical Lutheran Church Council: Cindy Hart, Sharon Bender, Glenn Campbell, Kathy Fenstermacher, Tina McCardle, Terry Ravier, Jere Reiss, Robin Rooth-Fogel, Marianne Zellner, and Cindy Ziegler


Pastoral Call Committee: Sharon Bender, Ben Fogel, Jayne Schrantz, Kathy Shermetta, Joe Wildrick, and Marianne Zellner

 

ONLINE SERVICES ARE OFFERED ON SUNDAY MORNINGS

New Jerusalem members are welcome to worship online with Pastor Lisa Borrell at Friedens Lutheran Church on Sunday mornings at 9:00 a.m. The link is https://friedenscentervalley.com/online-church-services.

AND

At 10:00 a.m. on Sunday mornings, you can log in to see a live stream Sunday worship service from St. John's Lutheran Church in Mayfair, PA, an area outside of Philadelphia. 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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FREE ONLINE 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_

 

You can also visit New Jerusalem Evangelical Lutheran Church on Facebook at

 

Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. Philippians 4:6

 

'Make Me A Channel of Your Peace' Sung by Susan Boyle

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'Let There Be Peace On Earth' Sung by The Young People's Chorus of New York City

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'One Pair of Hands' Sung by Carroll Roberson

 

GOVERNOR TOM WOLF REOPENS NORTHAMPTON & LEHIGH COUNTIES IN JUNE, 2020.

As per the US Federal Government, social-distancing guidelines and the use of masks when you leave your home will remain in place.

 

All activities at New Jerusalem Church have been CANCELLED (AA, Lions Club, Apple's 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. 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.

Stay well, Cindy Hart–Church Council President

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COVID-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.

 

A message from Presiding Bishop Elizabeth Eaton on COVID-19:

 

Saturday, August 1, 2020

CLOSED Church


Sunday, August 2, 2020

9:00 a.m.—CANCELLED Outdoor/Parking Lot Worship Service ~ 9th Sunday After Pentecost

9:00 a.m.—Online Worship ~ Pastor Lisa Borrell–Friedens Lutheran Church (www.friedenscentervalley.com) in Center Valley, PA

10:00 a.m.—Online Worship ~ Pastor Daniel Eisenberg–St. John's Lutheran Church (www.stjohnsmayfair.org) in Mayfair, PA

CANCELLED 10:00 a.m.—Fellowship

CANCELLED 7:00 p.m.—AA

Monday, August 3, 2020

CLOSED Church Office in Observance of Independence Day

CANCELLED 6:30 p.m.—Choir (see Mark Your Calendar below)

CANCELLED 7:00 p.m.—Boy Scouts

Tuesday, August 4, 2020

CLOSED Church Office

CANCELLED 9:00 a.m.—Quilters

Wednesday, August 5, 2020

CLOSED Church Office

CANCELLED 7:00 p.m.—AA

Thursday, August 6, 2020

CLOSED Church Office

CANCELLED 1:00 p.m.—Cards

Friday, August 7, 2020

CLOSED Church Office

Saturday, August 8, 2020

CLOSED Church

Sunday, August 9, 2020

9:00 a.m.—Outdoor/Parking Lot Worship Service ~ 10th Sunday After Pentecost

PLEASE NOTE: A special Congregational Meeting will be held immediately following the worship service, i.e., Pastoral Call.

9:00 a.m.—Online Worship ~ Pastor Lisa Borrell–Friedens Lutheran Church (www. friedenscentervalley.com) in Center Valley, PA

10:00 a.m.—Online Worship ~ Pastor Daniel Eisenberg–St. John's Lutheran Church (www.stjohnsmayfair.org) in Mayfair, PA

CANCELLED 10:00 a.m.—Fellowship

CANCELLED 7:00 p.m.—AA

Monday, August 10, 2020

CLOSED Church Office

CANCELLED 6:30 p.m.—Choir (see Mark Your Calendar below)

CANCELLED 7:00 p.m.—Boy Scouts

Tuesday, August 11, 2020

CLOSED Church Office

CANCELLED 9:00 a.m.—Quilters

CANCELLED 12:00 p.m.—Prime Timers

7:00 p.m.—Church Council Meeting

Wednesday, August 12, 2020

CLOSED Church Office


Thursday, August 13, 2020

CLOSED Church Office

CANCELLED 1:00 p.m.—Cards

Friday, August 14, 2020

CLOSED Church Office

9:00 a.m.—Food Bank Delivery (see Mark Your Calendar below)

Saturday, August 15, 2020

8:30–10:45 a.m.—DRIVE THROUGH PICK-UP Food Bank Distribution (see Mark Your Calendar below)

Sunday, August 16, 2020

9:00 a.m.—Outdoor/Parking Lot Worship Service ~ 11th Sunday After Pentecost

9:00 a.m.—Online Worship ~ Pastor Lisa Borrell–Friedens Lutheran Church (www.friedenscentervalley.com) in Center Valley, PA

10:00 a.m.—Online Worship ~ Pastor Daniel Eisenberg–St. John's Lutheran Church (www.stjohnsmayfair.org) in Mayfair, PA

CANCELLED 10:00 a.m.—Fellowship

CANCELLED 7:00 p.m.—AA

Monday, August 17, 2020

CLOSED Church Office

CANCELLED 6:30 p.m.—Choir (see Mark Your Calendar below)

CANCELLED 7:00 p.m.—Boy Scouts

Tuesday, August 18, 2020

CLOSED Church Office

CANCELLED 9:00 a.m.—Quilters

12:00 noon—Prime Timers Meeting/Picnic in the church parking lot

(see Mark Your Calendar below)

Wednesday, August 19, 2020

CLOSED Church Office

CANCELLED 7:00 p.m.—AA

Thursday, August 20, 2020

CLOSED Church Office

CANCELLED 1:00 p.m.—Cards

Friday, August 21, 2020

CLOSED Church Office

Saturday, August 22, 2020

CLOSED Church

8:30–10:45 a.m.—DRIVE THROUGH PICK-UP Food Bank Distribution (see Mark Your Calendar below)

Sunday, August 23, 2020

9:00 a.m.—Outdoor/Parking Lot Worship Service ~ 12th Sunday After Pentecost

9:00 a.m.—Online Worship ~ Pastor Lisa Borrell–Friedens Lutheran Church (www.friedenscentervalley.com) in Center Valley, PA

10:00 a.m.—Online Worship ~ Pastor Daniel Eisenberg–St. John's Lutheran Church (www.stjohnsmayfair.org) in Mayfair, PA

CANCELLED 10:00 a.m.—Fellowship

CANCELLED 7:00 p.m.—AA

Monday, August 24, 2020

CLOSED Church Office

CANCELLED 6:30 p.m.—Choir (see Mark Your Calendar below)

CANCELLED 7:00 p.m.—Boy Scouts

Tuesday, August 25, 2020

CLOSED Church Office

9:00 a.m.—September Angelus Deadline

CANCELLED 9:00 a.m.—Quilters


Wednesday, August 26, 2020

CLOSED Church Office

CANCELLED 7:00 p.m.—AA

Thursday, August 27, 2020

CLOSED Church Office

CANCELLED 1:00 p.m.—Cards

6:00 p.m.—Worship & Music Meeting in Church Parking Lot

Friday, August 28, 2020

CLOSED Church Office


Saturday, August 29, 2020

CLOSED Church

Sunday, August 30, 2020

9:00 a.m.—Outdoor/Parking Lot Worship Service ~ 13th Sunday After Pentecost

9:00 a.m.—Online Worship ~ Pastor Lisa Borrell–Friedens Lutheran Church (www.friedenscentervalley.com) in Center Valley, PA

10:00 a.m.—Online Worship ~ Pastor Daniel Eisenberg–St. John's Lutheran Church (www.stjohnsmayfair.org) in Mayfair, PA

CANCELLED 10:00 a.m.—Fellowship

CANCELLED 7:00 p.m.—AA

Monday, August 31, 2020

CLOSED Church Office

CANCELLED 6:30 p.m.—Choir (see Mark Your Calendar below)

CANCELLED 7:00 p.m.—Boy Scouts

 

Thank you for the offerings you have made and continue to make to New Jerusalem Church. Your offerings of time, God-given talents, and monetary offerings help support all that we do.

Together, we are the Body of Christ.

During this time that the church is closed because of the COVID-19 pandemic,

please make your Offering Checks out to: New Jerusalem Church or NJELC

and mail it 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

 

New Jerusalem Community Food Bank

Current Needs: Pancake Mix, Jelly, and Canned Vegetables—Thank you for your contributions!

Food Bank Delivery:

Friday, August 14, 2020 at 9:00 a.m.


PLEASE NOTE CHANGES

Distribution Days: DRIVE THROUGH FOOD BANK PICK-UPS from 8:30–10:45 a.m. on Saturday, August 15 and Saturday, August 22, 2020.

Approximately 82 families were served in the month of July. We thank everyone for the continued food and monetary donations during this challenging time. We are so thankful for the generosity of our community! Thank you!

Volunteer Information

If you or your group or organization (ages 12 or older) are interested in volunteering at the food bank, please see or contact Tammy Welch at donniesmom180@yahoo.com.

For more information about our Food Bank, please click here.

A special thank you to all the hard-working volunteers who help keep the NJ Food Bank operating and to our most generous community!

Thank you for making this community stronger!

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Welcome to Apple's Preschool at New Jerusalem Evangelical Lutheran Church!

Our program consists of four classes designed to fit the needs of every student and their family. Through many learning activities, crafts, songs, books, and much more, children are engaged to learn their letters, numbers, colors, shapes, patterns, opposites, rhyming, sequencing, size, etc., along with writing skills. With a soft Christian environment children are guided through their days to share and care, while using their imaginations and energy to fill our spacious classroom with joy.

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Dear Students of Apple's Preschool,

I am so sad that we did not have these past few months with you for classroom learning. Even harder is knowing that a lot of you are moving on to kindergarten in the fall and we wanted to prepare you so much more for that next step in your educational journey.

Thank you to all who participated with our on-line learning activities through ClassDojo.com and on our Facebook page at www.facebook.com/ApplesChurchPreschool. I was glad to be able to provide something to make the days spent at home a bit more interesting.

We finally got together to give out our yearbooks and diplomas. We did our best this year and are very proud of our students and their families. We will miss our graduates dearly but we are happy to see them excited for kindergarten. Thank you for allowing us to be at the beginning of your educational journey.


As soon as we know when the 2020-2021 school year will begin, we will notify everyone with the dates. At this time we still have openings in our classes for next year. Registration can be done by emailing Miss Shani at shani@rcn.com. The registration fee is $25 and our tuition rates are $130/month for the Three Year Old Class and $175/month for the Pre-K Classes.


We look forward to a healthy, safe, and productive new school year with our returning students and our new friends for 2020-2021.

Wishing you a safe, healthy, and fun summer!

Miss Shani

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Thank You to Our Apple's Preschool Teachers AND

CONGRATULATIONS to the Graduation Class of 2020

Kindergarten Here We Come!



Our teachers are looking forward to a year filled

many new learning experiences in 2020–2021.

For more, click here to see our church website's Preschool tab introducing you to

our teachers, school days and times, our philosophy, and upcoming events.

You can also find us on Facebook at www.facebook.com/ApplesChurchPreschool.

Miss Shani, Miss Katrina, and Miss Denise

 

We would like to give a big shout out and thank Pastor Lisa Borrell and Pastor Rick Brown for leading us in worship for our Outdoor Worship Services in June, July, and August. Thank you to Ed Walakovits for playing the organ and leading our songs. Thanks to everyone who made this outside worship service possible.


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Food For Friends News Ministry...On July 8th, we prepared and distributed 33 to-go meals to folks in the Quakertown area. I'd like to thank Barb Brader, Tim Fulmer, and Bill Bender for helping this endeavor. This was a Thrivent Action Team Event. If you want more information about this ministry or would like to volunteer, please contact Bill Young at 610-797-8440 or email to btyoung9396@gmail.com.


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Approximately 82 families were served in the month of July at the New Jerusalem Community Food Bank. We want to thank everyone for the continued food and monetary donations during this challenging time. We are so thankful 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!

 

FOR 2020–2021 UPCOMING EVENTS

Heavenly Father, I may not understand how everything will work out, but I trust You.

I don’t see a way, but I know You will make a way. I have faith that at this very moment, You are touching hearts, opening doors, lining up the right breaks,

and right opportunities. Things may look dark and bleak now,

but I have my faith In Jesus Christ. Amen

 

Prime Timers will meet on Tuesday, August 18, 2020 at noon. We will be having a meeting/picnic! Please bring your own chair, food, and drink. A bean bag game will be available.

All are welcome.

For questions, please contact Loretta at 610-838-7428. Hope to see you there! Loretta Duch

 

SEE YOU IN THE FALL ~ Bible study will take place on TBD. We will be studying TBA. All are welcome to join us and be encouraged by God’s word. Please contact Kathy Shermetta for more details.

 

SEE YOU IN THE FALL ~ Come one, come all! Our Book Club has been meeting on the last Tuesday of each month and we’d love for you to join us! Our title is TBA and we will meet on TBD. We will meet in the Upper Room to chat about the book.


We always seem to find time to laugh and chat about related topics and good books, so if you haven’t read it, or haven’t finished reading by then, still come and enjoy some fellowship and laughter.

We look forward to seeing you! Please contact Sharon Bender or any member of the club if you are interested or need more information. Our Book Club is open to all, members of NJELC and non-members alike! The more the merrier! Blessings!

 

Tricky Tray Fundraiser

at New Jerusalem Church

has been cancelled due to COVID-19.



 

Synod Events

CANCELLED September 19, 2020 ~ Youth Fest 2020. The Youth Fest planning team has decided to cancel our one-day youth event for Saturday, September 19, 2020 at Union Lutheran in Schnecksville. They eagerly look forward to 2021 and the activities and events we hope to share in at a safer time. For more information, please visit http://nepasynod.org/event/youth-fest-2020/.

October 17, 2020 ~ We Love… Trinity, Reading, 9:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m. We Love… will be a day of workshops for congregational leaders to learn how to help their congregations be more welcoming to LGBTQIA+ individuals and families. We Love… is open to pastors, deacons, council members, congregation members, church unaffiliated, Sunday School teachers and learners, gay, straight, bi, trans, +, young, old, you and everyone. Come learn why, how and who We Love… For more information, please visit http://nepasynod.org/event/we-love/.

October 22-24, 2020 ~ Assembly 2020. Information on the postponed Assembly will be published as available.

 

4th Annual Youth Gift Card Bingo and Raffle will take place on Saturday, November 7, 2020. Watch for more details in the coming months.


Thank you for all your support ~ New Jerusalem Youth