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May God fill you will his New goodness every day and
may the love of Jesus overflow from you to others throughout the year!
NEW JERUSALEM EVANGELICAL LUTHERAN CHURCH SENDS
OUR BEST WISHES TO YOU AND YOUR FAMILY
FOR A HAPPY, HEALTHY 2022!
In case of a pastoral emergency, please contact Pastor Lisa Borrell
at 610-838-0731 or or email MizLKB@aol.com.
Pastor Lisa will be holding office hours at the church on Wednesdays and Thursdays from 10:30 a.m.–1:00 p.m. Please give me a call ahead of time if possible so that we can arrange for a time to meet and speak. To note … Hershey kisses are always available on my desk if you, like I, have a need for chocolate! I can also be reached via text messages to my cell phone, Facebook Messenger, or email (MizLKB@aol.com). Please understand if sometimes I cannot answer a call promptly. Kindly leave me a voice message and I will contact you as soon as I am able. ~ Pastor Lisa
THINKING OUT LOUD . . .
As I write this, we are on the precipice of another new year.
I remember sitting in high school (way back when in the early 1980’s), calculating “how old” I’d be when the turn of the century came … and here we are, 22 years into the 21st! Yowzah! At that time, I never really allowed myself to ponder what my life might look like at the age I am now. Some things I had planned (like continuing my education and becoming a pastor) came to fruition; other things did not.
On occasion, I’ll go through my yearbook and look at all the young faces staring back at me and recall how our lives intertwined for a time. A number of my classmates are no longer here, the first dying in a boating accident the summer right after we graduated. Many have weathered divorces; others have sadly lost spouses, parents, children and even grandchildren. Several have since come “out” and, having endured (and continuing to endure) prejudice and hate, have found partners with whom they are creating a meaningful life together. One dear friend lost her home and nearly all of her possession over a year ago in the wildfires of California and is in the process of rebuilding her house. I’ve since come to know that another dear one survived extreme abuse by her family members and has come through to the other side, now reclaiming her life as her own. Lest you think that only tragedies have occurred, a number of my classmates have had successful careers as lawyers, health care workers, teachers, restaurant managers, and more. Some chose to adopt children to complete their families; many have travelled all over the world enjoying the taste of other cultures.
All of our lives had ups and downs. Though we tend to be wistful at New Year’s and hope that it will be joyful and prosperous, we know that that simply isn’t the case. Experience and human nature have shown us otherwise. However, what we can take hope and reassurance in, is that we have a Savior who walks with us, every step of the way. He is the One who lifts us up in times of trouble, sorrow, and frustration; He is also the One to whom we can give our thanks for the blessings, both big and small, that we enjoy each day. May that give you strength to meet this new year head on!
In Christ ~ Pastor Lisa Borrell
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.
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The Council understands if you do not feel comfortable attending in person worship just yet. We respect your decision and invite you to tune into the service (via the church’s website at Youtube livestream link) as it will be live streamed each Sunday.
Hope to see you there!
Peace be with you.
The church continues to have expenses throughout the year
and we encourage you to mail in your offering or
Thank you and God bless
'INVITED' by Rev. Sarah Are
Reader Kris Thomas
You are invited, this invitation is for you!
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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)
Connection
Greetings from your New Jerusalem “Apples” Church Council
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The next Church Council Meeting will be held on
Tuesday, February 8, 2022 at 7:00 p.m.
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Dear Members of New Jerusalem,
A new year brings new changes to Church Council. We had several members rotating off of council and we were pleased to welcome a couple new faces.
The Council Officers for 2022 are:
President: Cindy Hart
Vice President: Caroline Scuba
Secretary: Sarah Parente
Treasurer: Terry Ravier
There are numerous committees that you can be part of at church. These committees include: Altar Guild, Food Bank, Mutual Ministry, Technology, Preschool, Christian Education, Property, and Worship & Music.
Some committees have combined forces. They are: Finance and Endowment Committee becoming "Finance/Endowment" and Congregational Care and Outreach (CCO) and Fellowship becoming "Church Community Life (CCL)".
As always, congregation members are invited to attend Church Council meetings as spectators. Our meetings begin at 7:00 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, I am available by email at cmh505@lehigh.edu or phone 484-548-3937.
Peace be with you,
Cindy Hart—Council President
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The Council officers for 2022 are:
President: Cindy Hart (484-548-3937) (2022)
Vice President: Caroline Skuba (610-597-8764)
Secretary: Sarah Parente
Treasurer: Terry Ravier
Council Members: Sharon Bender, Kathy Fenstermacher, Angela Fulmer, Robin Rooth-Fogel, Jere Reiss, and Barbara Young
Thank you to Tina McCardle, Marianne Zellner, and Cindy Ziegler for their time and talents and year(s) of service serving as a Church Council member.
We welcome Angela Fulmer, Sarah Parente, Terry Ravier, and Carolyn Skuba to the 2022 Church Council.
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, Church Council
As always, we pray for all the council members and
all those in leadership positions for this congregation.
You have to find a way to respect these new boundaries related to coronavirus,
but still live the version of life you're used to. That's what life is, regardless of circumstances. If I could offer advice to any person today, it would be
to stick by your faith. Know that your God is with you and will
take care of you all the way through. We will get through this.
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 Lisa; 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.
Our Music Director, Edward L. Walakovits, 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.
All are welcome ~ Please join us for choir practice on
Wednesday evenings at 6:30 p.m.
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The Worship and Music Committee is always looking for any and all volunteers who are interested in special singing, either solo or with others and/or playing an instrument for additional special music to enhance our worship service and should be coordinated with Ed Walakovits–Music Director.
Endowment & Finance Committee News!
2022 Spring Endowment Grant applications will be available in the church office, Endowment mailbox in March. Electronic copies of the application are also available by emailing the church office and should be returned to the church office via email (newjerelc@gmail.com). Deadline for spring applications is
April 10, 2022.
The Endowment Committee anticipates there will be a distribution of income available from the Mission & Ministry Endowment Fund. Remember that per policy, the use of these funds must fall into one of the following ministry areas:
Mission: Local, regional and world projects
Education: Higher education and continuing education expenses
Youth: Support for youth of all ages
Worship and Music: Support for the worship of the church
Capital Projects: Major renovations and building of new facilities for the church
Also there will be a distribution of income available from the Property Endowment Fund. Remember that per policy, the use of these funds must fall into one of the following property areas:
Maintenance; General Upkeep
Restoration
Repairs
Capital Project
Equipment Purchases
Property Acquisition
The Endowment Committee will also have a distribution from the Christian Education Endowment Fund. Remember that per policy, the use of these funds must fall into one of the following property areas:
Sunday Church School
Vacation Bible School
Christian Youth Activities
Adult Christian Education
Teacher's Education
Endowment—The gift that keeps on giving!
See any Endowment & Finance Committee member if you have questions.
Tim Frey, Chairperson
Russ Pacala Jr, Vice Chairperson
Tina McCardle
UPDATE(S) FOR THE CHURCH DIRECTORY MEMBER(S) INFORMATION
I/we would like a call from Pastor Lisa Borrell. Yes or No
I/we would like to be removed from all correspondence. Yes or No
I/we would like to be removed or become inactive as of ______________ 2021 from the rolls. Removed or Inactive
I/we would like our information in the 2021 church directory. Yes or No
(If no, mark a P next to information that you want kept private—
for church record only)
First Name(s): _______________________________________ & _______________________________________
Last Name: ____________________________________________________________________________________
Mailing Address: ______________________________________________________________________________
City: _______________________________________________ State: _________ Zip: _____________________
Home Phone: __________________________________________________________________________________
Cell Phone(s): ________________________________________, ________________________________________
Email Address(s): ______________________________________, ______________________________________
List Family Members:
Name(s) Birthday(s)
(MM/DD/YY)
1. _____________________________________________________________ ___________________
2. _____________________________________________________________ ___________________
3. _____________________________________________________________ ___________________
4. _____________________________________________________________ ___________________
5. _____________________________________________________________ ___________________
6. _____________________________________________________________ ___________________
7. _____________________________________________________________ ___________________
Our bylaws B8.02.b: A confirmed member who does not attend church service, who does not partake in holy communion, and who has made no contribution of record to this congregation shall be classified as an inactive member without the right to vote.
You can also visit us on Facebook at www.facebook.com/njelc3233/.
May the beauty of God be reflected in your eyes, the love of God be
reflected in your hands, the wisdom of God be reflected in your words,
and the knowledge of God flow from your heart,
that all might see, and seeing, believe.
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Neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor rulers, nor things present,
nor things to come, nor powers, nor height, nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus.
God, the creator, Jesus, the Christ, and the Holy Spirit, the comforter,
bless you and keep you in eternal love.
THINK SPRING!
The members of New Jerusalem Evangelical Lutheran Church wish you a blessed day and we pray that your day is filled with hope, love, peace, and good health!