ALL ARE WELCOME TO JOIN US FOR OUR SUNDAY WORSHIP SERVICES
+ + + + + + +
In case of a pastoral emergency,
please contact Pastor Lisa Borrell at 610-838-0731 or email MizLKB@aol.com.
November 11, 2020
Dear Members of New Jerusalem ~
As the Thanksgiving holiday quickly approaches, please be reminded of the CDC guidelines regarding travel during the on-going pandemic:
· The Secretary of Health issued an order requiring anyone who visits from another state to have a negative COVID-19 test within 72 hours prior to entering the commonwealth. If someone cannot get a test or chooses not to they must quarantine for 14 days upon arrival in
Pennsylvanians visiting other states are required to have a negative COVID-19 test within 72 hours prior to their return to the commonwealth, or to quarantine for 14 days upon return to Pennsylvania.
· This does NOT apply to people who commute to and from another state for work or medical treatment.
– This order takes effect at 12:01 a.m. on Friday, November 20, 2020.
*This is not a recommendation, but a requirement. The order is an enforceable disease control measure authorized by the Disease Prevention and Control Law.
Part of loving our neighbor is to be vigilant, especially during this resurgence, in our own healthcare so that we do not spread the virus. Admittedly, these are trying times and we all long to be back to “normal” practices which include gatherings with family and friends, but now is not the time to let our guard down when it comes to safety protocols. They are in place to benefit everyone’s health and safety.
Please continue following the guidelines. Wear a mask at all times when in public. Wash your hands frequently and thoroughly. Limit your contact with those outside of your own household. If you or a loved one is experiencing symptoms (fever, shortness of breath or difficulty breathing, headache, sore throat, cough, loss of taste and/or sense of smell), please seek medical attention as soon as possible!
In the midst of all this, we can still remain grateful for the many blessings God has given to us. Hopefully, you can focus on what you still have rather than what has temporarily be taken away.
Wishing you and yours a blessed day of giving thanks, Pastor Lisa Borrell
REMINDER to turn your clocks back 1 hour before you go to bed
daylight savings time ends at 2:00 a.m. on November 1, 2020!
"THANK YOU"
SERVANT SCHEDULES AND SERMON TOPICS
NEW JERUSALEM EVANGELICAL LUTHERAN CHURCH SENDS OUR BEST
WISHES TO YOU AND YOUR FAMILY FOR A BLESSED THANKSGIVING DAY!
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.
+ + + + + + +
N/A Servants for Sunday, November 1, 2020
Acolyte: N/A
Altar Guild: N/A
Assisting Minister: N/A
Chalister: N/A
Coffee Hour: N/A
Lector: N/A
Pastor's Assistant: N/A
Sunday, November 1, 2020 Outside/Parking Lot Worship Service at 10:00 a.m.
(rain or shine) ~ All Saint's Day ~ All Saints celebrates the baptized people of God, living and dead, who are the body of Christ. As November heralds the dying of the landscape in many northern regions, the readings and liturgy call us to remember all who have died in Christ and whose baptism is complete. At the Lord’s table we gather with the faithful of every time and place, trusting that the promises of God will be fulfilled and that all tears will be wiped away in the new Jerusalem.
N/A Servants for Sunday, November 8, 2020
Acolyte: TBA
Altar Guild: TBA
Assisting Minister: TBA
Chalister: TBA
Coffee Hour: TBA
Lector: TBA
Pastor's Assistant: TBA
Sunday, November 8, 2020 Indoor Worship Service at 10:00 a.m. ~ Twenty-third Sunday After Pentecost ~ Today the prophet Amos calls for justice to roll down like waters. Paul urges us to encourage one another with the promised coming of the Lord. Jesus tells the parable of the wise and foolish bridesmaids. Surrounded by the faithful of every time and place, we celebrate Christ’s coming in our midst in the word of life and the feast of victory—the marriage feast of the lamb.
N/A Servants for Sunday, November 15, 2020
Acolyte: TBA
Altar Guild: TBA
Assisting Minister: TBA
Chalister: TBA
Coffee Hour: TBA
Lector: TBA
Pastor's Assistant: TBA
Sunday, November 15, 2020 Indoor Worship Service at 10:00 a.m. ~ Twenty-fourth Sunday After Pentecost ~ Our readings during November speak of the end times. Zephaniah proclaims that the coming day of the LORD will be filled with wrath and distress. Paul says it will come like a thief in the night and urges us to be awake and sober. Jesus tells the parable of the talents, calling us to use our gifts, while we still have time, for the greater and common good. In a world filled with violence and despair, we gather around signs of hope—word, water, bread, and wine—eager to welcome the good news of Christ’s coming among us.
N/A Servants for Sunday, November 22, 2020
Acolyte: TBA
Altar Guild: TBA
Assisting Minister: TBA
Chalister: TBA
Coffee Hour: TBA
Lector: TBA
Pastor's Assistant: TBA
Sunday, November 22, 2020 Indoor Worship Service at 10:00 a.m. ~ Last Sunday after Pentecost—Christ the King Sunday ~ On this final Sunday of the church year our gospel is Jesus’ great story of judgment. In the end, the faithful are those who served Christ by ministering to those who are poor, hungry, naked, sick, or estranged. In the first reading God is the shepherd who seeks the lost, weak, and injured and feeds them with justice. We gather this day to celebrate the reign of Christ and his victory over death, yet we await the consummation of all things yet to come. Acknowledging Christ as our merciful ruler, we go forth that his reign may be known in our loving words and deeds.
N/A Servants for Sunday, November 29, 2020
Acolyte: TBA
Altar Guild: TBA
Assisting Minister: TBA
Chalister: TBA
Coffee Hour: TBA
Sunday, November 29, 2020 Indoor Worship Service at 10:00 a.m. ~ First Sunday of Advent ~ Stir up your power, and come! The psalmist’s plea in Psalm 80:2 has become familiar to us in the Advent prayers. Isaiah wants God to rip the heavens open. Both cry out for an apparently distant, angry God to show up, to save, to restore. When we hear Jesus describing the coming of the Son of Man with stars falling from heaven, it can sound dire and horrible, not like anything we would ever hope for. But when we really look at the suffering of people God loves, we can share the hope that God would tear open the heavens and come.
TO JOIN US AT 10:00 A.M. FOR OUR
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.
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)
March 2020 to present ~ I hope you and your family are doing well. The Church Council has been following the progression of the coronavirus. Following the recommendation of Governor Wolf, and in an effort to do our part, the Church Council has taken a measured approach to discontinue worship (PLEASE NOTE: Indoor worship has been approved by Church Council to resume as of 11/8/2020), preschool, and all activities at the church until further notice. Continue to watch our webpage at www.newjerlc.org for prayer guidance and video sermons. This is all new to us, so bare with us.
We are asking everyone to refrain from entering the building unless absolutely necessary (secretary, church maintenance, cleaning staff, etc.) as the building has been sanitized. Church council is meeting virtually and there is a skeleton crew of food bank workers that are providing life sustaining supplies to families by curbside pick up.
Of course, cancelling these services will affect us financially - so we encourage you to mail in your offering or use www.newjerlc.org/online-giving. The church continues to have expenses even when we are not worshiping under one roof.
Stay safe and be well. Cindy Hart–Church Council President
PA GOVERNOR TOM WOLF MOVES PENNSYLVANIA TO GREEN IN JUNE.
A message from Pastor Lisa Borrell, Pastor for New Jerusalem Church:
Dear members of New Jerusalem,
Grace and peace to you from our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.
To say that we are now living in trying times would be a complete understatement. As I’m sure everyone is aware, employees at grocery stores are doing everything they can to keep the shelves restocked; truck drivers are traveling non-stop to deliver goods to the stores and warehouses; hospital and other medical personnel are working exhaustingly long hours to offer care during this pandemic; schools and colleges are shut down and teaching by remote access; businesses deemed “non-essential” have also been shut down for the foreseeable future; and the government has declared a national emergency the likes of which we have rarely, if ever, seen in our lifetimes.
Please use your best judgment and practice good safety measures during this time, particularly those who have been identified with a higher health risk. Wash your hands frequently and thoroughly. Strictly limit your exposure to other people unless you have to go out for necessary medical appointments or to purchase items at the store. These are some of the best ways to help “flatten the curve” of infection. And though we must distance ourselves physically for a time, that doesn’t mean that we can’t stay connected. Make an overdue phone call (especially to those who are elderly) … write an old-fashioned handwritten note … send a text … airdrop a family photo. Your efforts will definitely be appreciated!
Also crucial during this time of crisis is the continuance of giving your financial offerings to the church. These may be mailed to the office at the address noted above. Please consider using tape or water to seal your envelopes to lessen the transmission of germs. The congregation certainly understands if this imposed isolation has caused hardship due to unexpected unemployment at this time.
Additionally, I’d like you to invite all those who use social media to “like” Friedens Evangelical Lutheran Church’s Facebook page or website (www.friedenscentervalley.com) in order to watch recordings of remote worship. A brief worship service was added this past Sunday and another will be coming later this week. While it’s certainly not the same as being together in person, it is a way we can share in our devotions together. Please know that we are only as far away from each other as our thoughts, hearts, and prayers. If anyone should need to reach me, my telephone number is 610-838-0731 or email MizLKB@aol.com. Be well.
God’s peace be with you all.
The Rev. Lisa K. Borrell
A message from Presiding Bishop Elizabeth Eaton on COVID-19:
You can also visit New Jerusalem Evangelical Lutheran Church on Facebook at
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.
+ + + + + + +
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!