GOOD NEWS!! JOIN US HERE IN PERSON AT
NEW JERUSALEM IN THE CHURCH PARKING LOT
FOR OUR OUTDOOR EASTER SERVICE ON
SUNDAY, APRIL 4, 2021: 9:30 A.M. BRASS QUARTET PRELUDE AND 10:00 A.M. WORSHIP SERVICE
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TO JOIN US SUNDAY MORNINGS AT 10:00 A.M. FOR
OUR PARKING LOT WORSHIP SERVICES (PLEASE NOTE: OUTSIDE WORSHIP ON 4/22/2021 IS CANCELLED DUE TO THE WEATHER—ONLINE ONLY CLICK HERE)
AT NJELC WITH PASTOR LISA AND ITS MEMBERS OR, IF YOU CAN'T JOIN US IN PERSON, YOU ARE WELCOME TO JOIN US ONLINE AT OUR YOUTUBE CHANNEL CLICK HERE.
NEW JERUSALEM EVANGELICAL LUTHERAN CHURCH (NJELC) IS LOCATED AT
3233 APPLES CHURCH ROAD, BETHLEHEM, PA 18015.
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MORE GOOD NEWS ~
COFFEE HOUR RETURNS – OUTDOORS Starting Sunday, May 2, 2021!
The first and third Sunday of each month
Will only be offering coffee/juice/water (no food at this time)
For the safety of all, please read the guidelines below:
1. Please stay in your car until those who are leaving drive out of parking area.
2. Be aware of cars exiting throughout this time.
3. Please wear your mask.
4. Coffee will be dispensed for you outside the lower entrance.
5. Condiments will be located at the end of the sidewalk.
6. Please bring your own chair and congregate in the lower parking lot area.
7. Remember to social distance when you are talking/drinking.
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When we are able to again hold worship inside the church and if you do not feel comfortable attending New Jerusalem Evangelical Lutheran Church services in person, please click the link (Youtube livestream link) to watch the service online.
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NEW JERUSALEM EVANGELICAL LUTHERAN CHURCH SENDS
OUR BEST WISHES TO YOU AND YOUR FAMILY
FOR A HAPPY, HEALTHY 2021!
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In case of a pastoral emergency,
please contact Pastor Lisa Borrell at 610-838-0731 or email MizLKB@aol.com.
SERVANT SCHEDULES AND SERMON TOPICS
Please use the sign-up sheets in the Narthex for volunteer opportunities, i.e., Acolytes, Pastor Assistants (Council Members), Assistant Ministers, Chalisters, Lectors, and Ushers. Thank you.
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Maundy Thursday, April 1, 2021 Worship Service ONLINE at 7:00 p.m. from NJELC ~ This evening our Lenten observance comes to an end, and we gather with Christians around the world to celebrate the Three Days of Jesus’ death and resurrection. Tonight we remember Christ’s last meal with his disciples, but the central focus is his commandment that we live out the promise embodied in this meal. As Jesus washed his disciples’ feet, so we are called to give and receive love in humble service to one another. Formed into a new body in Christ through this holy meal, we are transformed by the mercy we have received and carry it into the world. We depart in silence.
Good Friday, April 2, 2021 Worship Service ONLINE at 7:00 p.m. from Frieden's Church ~
Life and death stand side by side as we enter into Good Friday. In John’s passion account, Jesus reveals the power and glory of God, even as he is put on trial and sentenced to death. Standing with the disciples at the foot of the cross, we pray for the whole world in the ancient bidding prayer, as Christ’s death offers life to all. We gather in solemn devotion, but always with the promise that the tree around which we assemble is indeed a tree of life. We depart silently looking forward to Easter.
Servants for Sunday, April 4, 2021
Acolyte: TBA
Altar Guild: TBA
Assisting Minister: TBA
Chalister: TBA
Coffee Hour: N/A
Lector: TBA
Pastor's Assistant: TBA
Sunday, April 4, 2021 ~ EASTER Outdoor Parking Lot Worship Service & ONLINE
9:30 a.m. Brass Quartet Prelude
10:00 a.m. Easter Worship Service
Christ is risen! Jesus is alive, and God has swallowed up death forever. With Mary Magdalene, Mary the mother of James, and Salome, we may feel astonished and confused, unsure of what to make of the empty tomb. But this is why we gather: to proclaim, witness, praise, and affirm the liberating reality of Christ’s death and resurrection. In word and feast, we celebrate God’s unending love, and depart to share this good news with all the world. Alleluia!
Servants for Sunday, April 11, 2021
Acolyte: TBA
Altar Guild: TBA
Assisting Minister: TBA
Chalister: TBA
Coffee Hour: N/A
Lector: TBA
Pastor's Assistant: TBA
Sunday, April 11, 2021 Worship Service (ONLINE Only) at 10:00 a.m. ~ Second Sunday of Easter. The Easter season is a week of weeks, seven Sundays when we play in the mystery of Christ’s presence, mostly through the glorious Gospel of John. Today, we gather with the disciples on the first Easter, and Jesus breathes the Spirit on us. With Thomas we ask for a sign, and Jesus offers us his wounded self in the broken bread. From frightened individuals we are transformed into a community of open doors, peace, forgiveness, and material sharing such that no one among us is in need.
Servants for Sunday, April 18, 2021
Acolyte: TBA
Altar Guild: TBA
Assisting Minister: TBA
Chalister: TBA
Coffee Hour: TBA
Sunday, April 18, 2021 Outdoor Parking Lot Worship Service at 10:00 a.m. ~ Third Sunday of Easter. The gospel for the third Sunday of Easter is always one in which the risen Christ shares food with the disciples, meals that are the Easter template for the meal we share each Sunday. In today’s gospel, Jesus both shares the disciples’ food and shows them the meaning of his suffering, death, and resurrection through the scriptures, the two main elements of our Sunday worship.
Servants for Sunday, April 25, 2021
Acolyte: TBA
Altar Guild: TBA
Assisting Minister: TBA
Chalister: TBA
Coffee Hour: TBA
Sunday, April 25, 2021 Worship Service (ONLINE Only) at 10:00 a.m. ~ Fourth Sunday of Easter. The image of the Good Shepherd shows us how the risen Christ brings us to life. It is the relationship between the shepherd and the sheep, one of mutual knowledge and love, that gives the shepherd authority. The shepherd’s willingness to lay down his life for the sheep shows his love. First John illustrates what it means to lay down our lives for one another by the example of sharing our wealth with any sibling in need.
NEW JERUSALEM EVANGELICAL LUTHERAN CHURCH'S
OUTDOOR PARKING LOT WORSHIP SERVICES
PLEASE JOIN US ON SUNDAY MORNINGS AT 10:00 A.M.
OR VISIT OUR ONLINE SERVICES AT OUR YOUTUBE CHANNEL CLICK HERE.
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When we are able to again hold worship inside the church and if you do not feel comfortable attending New Jerusalem Evangelical Lutheran Church services in person, please click the link (Youtube livestream link) to watch the service online.
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INDOOR WORSHIP TBD—What follows are the procedures for indoor worship. (Please note … these may be revised as we continue to tweak what works most efficiently for our congregation.)
· Persons at a high risk due to age or health are encouraged to stay at home, especially if exhibiting symptoms such as high fever, cough, loss of smell or taste, or shortness of breath.
· Masks must be worn at all times properly covering one’s nose and mouth. (Only children who are 2 years of age or younger are exempt from this practice.) If you would arrive at church only to discover that you do not have a mask, one will be provided for you. Additionally, hand sanitizer will be available at various locations for your use.
· There will be no formal collection of offering during the service. Receptacles will be provided in the Narthex area for worshippers to deposit their offering envelopes (which also may be mailed in to the church office).
· Holy Communion will continue to be received via individually sealed cups/wafers which will be distributed as worshippers enter the sanctuary. We will commune in the pews and collect the used packages for proper disposal after worship.
· To minimize the risk of transmitting germs, worshippers will not be greeted with handshakes following the service nor will the traditional “passing of the peace” take place. Members and friends may certainly speak with each other outside.
· At this point in time, no congregational singing will take place during the worship service. The reasoning behind this is that there remains the risk of producing aerosols (droplets of water suspended in air) that can spread the coronavirus. We will work hard to make a joyful noise in other ways (organ/piano/bells; possible soloists or instrumentalists who are socially distanced from the congregation). While this may not be ideal, it is the safest practice for the welfare of all.
· Likewise, we will not be hosting any coffee hours or in person church suppers until it is deemed safe to do so.
· One person or one family unit will be permitted in the restrooms at a time.
· Worshippers will maintain social distancing while in the sanctuary. Pews have been cordoned off and marked so that people will visually be reminded of where they may be seated for the service. The pews in the balcony will also be available for seating for those who are more readily able to climb steps.
· Children must remain with the adults with whom they came.
· The church will be cleaned after worship each week to ensure cleanliness for the next gathering.
Any virus outbreak in the "in person" worshipping community will necessitate the
closing of the church until further notice when it is deemed safe to re-enter.
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.
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.
Church open for Sunday morning worship services at 10:00 a.m. (see the list of procedures at above).
No one in the office, except the pastor, 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. ALL WORKERS MUST WEAR MASKS AT ALL TIMES.
NO EATING OR DRINKING INSIDE BUILDING (that requires one to remove their masks…a no-no).
If you have any questions, please feel free to contact Cindy Hart 484-548-3937 or Sharon Bender 610-597-8764.
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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.
SATURDAY SERVICES will be held on the following dates on:
At this time there will be NO Saturday Evening Worship Services (TBD)
Saturday Services have a smaller, more intimate feel, and are typically held on the first Saturday of the month, with some variations to capture important dates in the church year, like Easter. You are invited to join us for these communion services.
Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. Philippians 4:6 (NIV)
You can also visit New Jerusalem Evangelical Lutheran Church on Facebook at
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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!