MARCH 14, 2021
PLEASE NOTE: DUE TO THE COVID-19 PANDEMIC,
NEW JERUSALEM EVANGELICAL LUTHERAN CHURCH (NJELC)
WILL HOLD ITS WORSHIP SERVICES
ONLINE ONLY UNTIL A DATE TO BE DETERMINED IN 2021.
ALL ARE WELCOME TO WORSHIP WITH
PASTOR LISA AND ITS MEMBERS
ONLINE SUNDAY MORNINGS AT 10:00 A.M.
AT OUR YouTube LINK --> Youtube livestream link.
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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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Servants for Sunday, March 7, 2021
Acolyte: TBA
Altar Guild: TBA
Assisting Minister: TBA
Chalister: TBA
Coffee Hour: N/A
Lector: TBA
Pastor's Assistant: TBA
Sunday, March 7, 2021 Worship Service ONLINE at 10:00 a.m. ~ The third covenant in this year’s Lenten readings is the central one of Israel’s history: the gift of the law to those God freed from slavery. The commandments begin with the statement that because God alone has freed us from the powers that oppressed us, we are to let nothing else claim first place in our lives. When Jesus throws the merchants out of the temple, he is defending the worship of God alone and rejecting the ways commerce and profit-making can become our gods. The Ten Commandments are essential to our baptismal call: centered first in God’s liberating love, we strive to live out justice and mercy in our communities and the world.
Servants for Sunday, March 14, 2021
Acolyte: TBA
Altar Guild: TBA
Assisting Minister: TBA
Chalister: TBA
Coffee Hour: N/A
Lector: TBA
Pastor's Assistant: TBA
Sunday, March 14, 2021 Worship Service ONLINE at 10:00 a.m. ~ The fourth of the Old Testament promises providing a baptismal lens this Lent is the promise God makes to Moses: those who look on the bronze serpent will live. In today’s gospel Jesus says he will be lifted up on the cross like the serpent, so that those who look to him in faith will live. When we receive the sign of the cross in baptism, that cross becomes the sign we can look to in faith for healing, for restored relationship to God, for hope when we are dying.
Servants for Sunday, March 21, 2021
Acolyte: TBA
Altar Guild: TBA
Assisting Minister: TBA
Chalister: TBA
Coffee Hour: TBA
Sunday, March 21, 2021 Worship Service ONLINE at 10:00 a.m. ~ God promises Jeremiah that a “new covenant” will be made in the future: a covenant that will allow all the people to know God by heart. The church sees this promise fulfilled in Christ, who draws all people to himself when he is lifted up on the cross. Our baptismal covenant draws us to God’s heart through Christ and draws God’s love and truth into our hearts. We join together in worship, sharing in word, song, and meal, and leave strengthened to share God’s love with all the world.
Servants for Sunday, March 28, 2021
Acolyte: TBA
Altar Guild: TBA
Assisting Minister: TBA
Chalister: TBA
Coffee Hour: TBA
Sunday, March 28, 2021 Worship Service ONLINE at 10:00 a.m. ~ This week, the center of the church’s year, is one of striking contrasts: Jesus rides into Jerusalem surrounded by shouts of glory, only to be left alone to die on the cross, abandoned by even his closest friends. Mark’s gospel presents Jesus in his complete human vulnerability: agitated, grieved, scared, forsaken. Though we lament Christ’s suffering and all human suffering, we also expect God’s salvation: in the wine and bread, Jesus promises that his death will mark a new covenant with all people. We enter this holy week thirsty for the completion of God’s astonishing work.
TO JOIN US AT 10:00 A.M. FOR OUR
ONLINE SUNDAY WORSHIP SERVICES HELD AT
NEW JERUSALEM EVANGELICAL LUTHERAN CHURCH LOCATED AT
3233 APPLES CHURCH ROAD, BETHLEHEM, PA 18015.
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!