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.
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 OUR INDOOR 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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FELLOWSHIP HOUR RETURNS—INDOORS
on the 1st (June 6) and 3rd (June 20) Sunday of each month!
Remember to social distance.
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A LETTER FROM PASTOR LISA DATED JUNE 9, 2021 REGARDNG INDOOR WORSHIP
Dear members of NJ ~ At its monthly meeting on Tuesday, June 8, 2021, the Congregational Council of New Jerusalem made the following decisions:
1) Beginning on Sunday, June 13th, wearing masks during the worship service will no longer be required by those who have received the COVID vaccinations. We trust that, out of Christian concern for others, those who have not received the vaccine (including children and youth) will continue utilizing masks until the time that it is deemed unnecessary by the CDC. Social distancing measures will remain in place so that participants are separated by at least one pew. As always, if one is experiencing symptoms like dry cough, shortness of breath, fever/chills, sore throat, nausea, or muscle/body aches, they are encouraged to stay home and seek medical attention. If for some reason we should experience an outbreak of COVID, we will close to in person worship for a period of two weeks, but continue to live stream our services so that all may have the opportunity to attend online.
2) Also beginning Sunday, June 13th, we will resume congregational singing of the hymns. I know that many, like myself, find deep meaning in the music of our church heritage and look forward to being able to “make a joyful noise” once more! Again, if someone is feeling ill, please exercise good judgment and refrain from singing until symptoms have dissipated.
I would additionally like to add that beginning on July 7th, I 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 (610-762-2139), 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.
We are definitely seeing light at the end of this long COVID tunnel! Discussions are taking place regarding Confirmation classes and Sunday School as well as the
2022 National Youth Gathering and coffee hours. It buoys the spirits to know that we are on our way to resuming many of the activities we so enjoy together as a church family. Thank you for your patience and understanding throughout this past year and a half. Though the “style” of our ministry has had to change, our purpose as Christ’s Church has not.
God’s blessings be with you all, Pastor Lisa Borrell
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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.
SERVANT SCHEDULES AND SERMON TOPICS
Greetings! Please consider volunteering to make our Worship Service safe and a success. We need you. We have several openings for volunteers. If you know someone who would love to help, and they do not have internet, feel free to give them my contact information. Robin (610-349-2586). Please help!
To Be Determined: 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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Servants for Sunday, June 6, 2021
Acolyte: TBA
Altar Guild: TBA
Assisting Minister: TBA
Chalister: TBA
Fellowship Hour: Indoors
Lector: TBA
Pastor's Assistant: TBA
Sunday, June 6, 2021 ~ Indoor Worship Service at 10:00 a.m. ~ Second Sunday of Pentecost. A house divided against itself cannot stand. Jesus makes this observation in light of charges that he is possessed. He is possessed, not by a demon, but by the Holy Spirit. We who have received the Holy Spirit through baptism have been joined to Christ’s death and resurrection and knit together in the body of Christ. Those with whom we sing and pray this day are Jesus’ family. With them we go forth in peace to do the will of God.
Servants for Sunday, June 13, 2021
Acolyte: TBA
Altar Guild: TBA
Assisting Minister: TBA
Chalister: TBA
Fellowship Hour: N/A
Lector: TBA
Pastor's Assistant: TBA
Sunday, June 13, 2021 ~ Indoor Worship Service at 10:00 a.m. ~ Third Sunday of Pentecost. The mustard seed becomes a great shrub that shelters the birds, recalling ancient images of the tree of life. We’d expect a cedar or a sequoia, but Jesus finds the power of God better imaged in a tiny, no-account seed. It’s not the way we expect divine activity to look. Yet the tree of life is here, in the cross around which we gather, the tree into which we are grafted through baptism, the true vine that nourishes us with its fruit in the cup we share. It may not appear all that impressive, but while nobody’s looking it grows with a power beyond our understanding.
Servants for Sunday, June 20, 2021
Acolyte: TBA
Altar Guild: TBA
Assisting Minister: TBA
Chalister: TBA
Fellowship Hour: Indoors
Lector: TBA
Pastor's Assistant: TBA
Sunday, June 20, 2021 ~ Indoor Worship Service at 10:00 a.m. ~ Fourth Sunday of Pentecost. Now is the acceptable time; now is the day of salvation! Now we are in the storm, the boat almost swamped; but Jesus is here now, and when we call him, he will calm the storm. Even the wind and waves listen to him as they would to their creator. We also listen to him and are called to believe in the power of God’s word in him, a power greater than all that we fear.
Servants for Sunday, June 27, 2021
Acolyte: TBA
Altar Guild: TBA
Assisting Minister: TBA
Chalister: TBA
Fellowship Hour: N/A
Lector: TBA
Pastor's Assistant: TBA
Sunday, June 27, 2021 ~ Indoor Worship Service at 10:00 a.m. ~ Fifth Sunday of Pentecost. A woman finds healing by touching Jesus’ cloak, and a girl is restored to life when he takes her by the hand. In both cases a boundary is crossed: in Jesus’ time the hemorrhaging woman was considered ritually unclean, polluting others by her touch, and anyone who touched a corpse also became unclean. In Mark’s gospel Jesus breaks down barriers, from his first meal at a tax collector’s house to his last breath on the cross as the temple curtain is torn in two. We dare to touch Jesus in our “uncleanness” and to live as a community that defines no one as an outsider.
PLEASE JOIN US SUNDAY MORNING AT 10:00 A.M. FOR INDOOR WORSHIP
OR VISIT OUR ONLINE SERVICES ON OUR YOUTUBE CHANNEL CLICK HERE.
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PICTURES FROM NEW JERUSALEM EVANGELICAL LUTHERAN CHURCH'S
PAST OUTDOOR PARKING LOT WORSHIP SERVICES
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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!