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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 2023 AND A BLESSED THANKSGIVING!
Sunday, November 5, 2023
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
Dear members and friends ~ I wanted to alert you all to online internet and social media deception which is called “catfishing”. This is where a person uses a fake profile (often using someone else’s stolen photos and personal information) to communicate with others, most often soliciting financial help. Many unsuspecting folks are targeted by such fraudsters and are lured into their stories.
Recently, a church member contacted me because she had received an unusual text message from “Pastor Lisa Borrell” asking for her to do “me” a favor … only it wasn’t me nor was the message sent from my personal phone number! I’ve also had an incident at Friedens where, again, someone was assuming my identity to solicit gift cards (allegedly to help someone in need). Imagine my confusion and surprise when a caring parishioner handed me a check for several hundreds of dollars. When I asked what it was for, she replied that I had requested it. The very same scheme happened to our former bishop when emails were being sent out in his name soliciting funds to “help” someone.
Please know that I will never send out such communications. If there is a legitimate need, I would first raise the concern with the Church Council and then, if necessary, address the congregation in person. Additionally, HAM (Hellertown Area Ministerium) already has a “Helping Hands” program set up for our local clergy to use if we encounter someone who has a genuine need with rent, food, utilities, etc. I know you all have very caring hearts, but I do not want to see any of you victimized by these scammers. If you ever have any questions regarding an unusual communication such as I’ve mentioned, please contact me directly to verify its validity.
Peace and blessings, Pastor Lisa Borrell
P.S. Thank you for the wonderful card, gifts, and cake which were presented to me on 10/8 in honor of Clergy Appreciation Day. You all make my heart happy!
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 worship in person, we respect your decision and invite you to tune into our online Sunday Worship Service (via the church’s website at our Youtube livestream link).
Additional Sunday ministries include:
8:45–9:30 a.m. Youth Sunday School
8:45–9:30 a.m. Adult Bible Chat in the Upper Room
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ALSO, SATURDAY WORSHIP SERVICES ARE OFFERED AT 4:30 P.M. ON THE
1ST SATURDAY OF EACH MONTH. New Jerusalem Evangelical Lutheran Church welcomes members and friends of the community to gather in an informal setting to hear the Word, share in the Lord’s Supper, connect with one another, and gain strength for the journey.
May the blessings of our Savior bring hope and peace.
Pastor Lisa Borrell
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
Blessed is the nation whose God is the Lord. Psalm 33:12
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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, November 14, 2023 at 7:00 p.m.
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The Council officers for 2023 are:
President: Bill Young (484-544-1294)
Vice President: Caroline Skuba (610-597-8764)
Secretary: Sarah Parente
Treasurer: Terry Ravier
Council Members: Angela Fulmer, Jesse Hart, Pat Leith, Joanne Robbins, and Robin Rooth-Fogel
As always, please keep the council members and
all those in leadership positions for this congregation in prayer.
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CHURCH COUNCIL HIGHLIGHTS
Hello from your New Jerusalem “Apples” Church council. In an effort to improve communication across the channels of our congregation, we have decided to provide a brief summary of what is happening at our Council monthly meetings. Some of you might not be aware that all are invited to attend Church Council meetings, which are held every second Tuesday of each month at 7:00 p.m. Any questions or concerns should be brought to the meeting or placed in the question box located in the Narthex. Of course, you can always catch up to a current council member and ask them for help as well. As your Council President, I am available by email at btyoung9396@gmail.com or phone 610-554-1294.
OCTOBER SUMMARY
Peace be with you,
Bill Young, Council President
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Something to keep in mind as throughout the year…The expenses of the church (heating/cooling, fuel, electricity, salaries, upkeep, cleaning, etc.) continue even when you are on vacation, not in attendance, or when no one is in the building. All confirmed members are encouraged to give on a regular basis so that the important ministries of the church will not be disrupted. We encourage you to mail in your offering or use www.newjerlc.org/online-giving.
Thank you and God bless
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Council Question Box (As a reminder, there is a wooden box located on the shelf in the Narthex. Congregation members are encouraged to write a question/
concern/comment for the council. You can also speak with a council member. These questions/concerns/comments will be read at the council meeting and discussed. The response will be placed in the next Angelus or, if signed, will be relayed to the individual.)
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!
2023 Fall Endowment Grant applications will be available in the church office, Endowment mailbox in August. Deadline for fall applications is October 8, 2023.
MISSION & MINISTRY ENDOWMENT FUND ~ 2023 grant amount is $2,750.
The Endowment Committee anticipates there will be a distribution of income available this fall from the Mission & Ministry Endowment Fund. The anticipated amount is $600.
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
There will be no distribution of income available from the Property Endowment Fund.
The spring distribution was $20,000.
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. The anticipated amount is $1,400.
The spring distribution was $600.
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
Terry Ravier
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 ______________ 2023 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.
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!