. . . December & Beyond
May God continue to fill you will his goodness every day and
may the love of Jesus overflow from you to others!
In case of a pastoral emergency,
please contact Pastor Lisa Borrell at 610-838-0731 or email MizLKB@aol.com.
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You can also visit New Jerusalem Evangelical Lutheran Church
on Facebook at www.facebook.com/njelc3233/
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Church Office will be CLOSED on the following dates:
Tuesday, December 24th
Wednesday, December 25th
Thursday, December 26th
DECEMBER 2024
UPCOMING EVENTS
*** Deadline for the January Angelus is Thursday, December 20th at 7am. ***
As you are well aware, the cost of everything – including postage stamps – is increasing exponentially these days. To help the church cut back on costs (stamps, paper, ink, etc.), please provide the office with your email address so that the Angelus newsletter may be emailed to you directly. (Paper copies will still be mailed to those who request it.) THANK YOU!
Christmas Party
Sunday December 15th
Starting at 4:30 in the upper room
Games for all ages, sing along with your favorite Christmas carols
Ugly sweater contest
Fellowship provides Pork and Chicken and beverages
Please bring along a side dish/dessert to share for potluck dinner at 5:00pm
Please use the sign-up sheet in the narthex or upper room.
Apple's Preschool Christmas Program
Friday, December 20th at 7:00pm
in the Sanctuary of New Jerusalem.
HAM will be hosting a community
Blue Christmas/Longest Night Worship Service
When: Saturday, December 21 st at 7pm
Where: The CarriageHouse (behind the Heintzelman Funeral Home)
326 N. Main St., Hellertown)
The worship will include opportunities for expression of grief as well as moments to focus on the promise of hope found in Christ. All are most welcome to attend. Please invite those who might benefit from such a service. Light refreshments will be served afterwards.
Just a friendly reminder ...
that, in order to maintain active status on the church rolls (as per our congregational constitution), all confirmed members must receive Holy Communion and give a contribution of record in a designated offering envelope or another envelope marked with one’s name, at least once a year.
If you have not done so yet in 2024, please complete a Communion record slip (available in the pews) the next time you receive the sacrament and place it in the offering plate.
*The address directory and birthday list reflect those members who are on the active rolls.
Come participate in a new group that focuses on discussing the Word of God and how it impacts everyday life.
WHAT: An informal discussion about life, using God’s Word to guide us.
WHEN: Sunday mornings from 8:45 to 9:30 a.m.
WHERE: Upper Room (Fellowship Hall)
WHO: Anyone and everyone (post Sunday School age and up!)
If you have any questions or want to know more, please speak with Tim Fulmer.
Calling all Young People in 6th through 12th grades!
Youth Group will usually meet the third Sunday of each month unless a special event or trip is planned. All are welcome! Bring friends, too!
Contact Caroline Skuba, Robin Rooth-Fogel, or Sarah Parente for more information.
PrimeTimers will meet on
Tuesday, December 3, 2024 at 12:00pm.
Come listen to Rita Frey as a speaker and she will show pictures of her vacation at different National Parks. Also, please note…starting October 1st, PrimeTimers will meet on the first Tuesday of the month. Any questions, please contact Loretta at 610/838-7428. Hope to see you there! ~ Loretta Duch
All are welcome ~ hope to see you there!
New Jerusalem Fosters Love Update
Stand Sunday was started in a church in Texas by a Pastor as he challenged his congregation to stand-up to care for children and families impacted by the child welfare system.
NJ Foster’s Love is our ministry that acts to fill the needs in our community. This year has been an active time for us! We formed a great team with a variety of talents. We were able to have our Church certified as a Foster and Adoptive Friendly Church. We were able to set a up a Foster Closet with all of your wonderful donations from our annual January “Fill the Bag” drive.
In May, to honor foster care awareness month, we did KIND (Kids in Need of Diapers) Drive where our church members donated over 900 diapers which were donated to Northampton and Lehigh Counties Children and Youth Services.
Our ministry hosted a foster family who shared their very interesting and eye-opening journey through their years of providing a home for numerous kids.
We have linked with LV Foster Care, a group who lists needs for children and families to assist with meeting those needs. We receive weekly emails to learn if we can help. In August, we donated six bags of school supplies to both county Children and Youth Offices.
Most recently, our Ministry completed training to become a Care Community which Gina Grekula will describe in more detail.
We truly appreciate your ongoing support with this ministry. NJ Fosters Love welcomes any ideas and new members. Please look forward to our upcoming events for 2025:
January - Cleaning Product Supply drive
May - Diaper/Wipe collection
July/August - School Supplies and our Fundraiser, “Dough for Dough” Cooking Class.
It is absolutely true, “Everyone can do Something!”
WELCOME ALL READERS ~ Book Club meets in the conference room (lower level) across from the church office. There will NOT be a meeting in December. Enjoy the holiday season! The Book Club will resume in January.
Hope to see the familiar faces as well as newcomers.
All are welcome, so pass the word!
If you have any questions, please contact Pat Leith by e-mail at p_j_leith@hotmail.com or call /text at 610-838-0427.
CRAFT WITH US ~ Do you have a favorite hobby or craft activity? Crafting is a source of relaxation and happiness for many of us. Bring your own project as you work with others.
Whether it is crocheting, knitting, cross stitching, coloring or something else, please join us!
If you have any questions, please contact Kathy Fenstermacher or Gina Grekula.
2024 New Jerusalem Church Directories are available in the Narthex.
If you are not receiving the Angelus (Church Newsletter) either electronically or via the mail or your information needs to be updated, please contact the church office at 610-838-0731 and provide your name, email, and address, etc. to correct to error.
2024 Giving Envelopes are available ~ Contact the church office via email or call to make arrangements for envelopes to be left in the blue bin outside the church by the lower doors for pickup any day Monday through Wednesday after 10:00 a.m. Please take family and friend's envelopes along if possible.
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If you would like to receive credit on your church financial statement for cash donations, please make sure that they are placed in an envelope with your name(s) clearly marked. We cannot keep record of cash gifts if we do not know from whom they were received. Thank you so much!
Together, we are the Body of Christ. We appreciate everyone’s continued financial support throughout these challenging times. God is good and gives us what we need.
Your Offering Checks can be made out to: New Jerusalem Church or NJELC
and mailed to:
New Jerusalem Evangelical Lutheran Church
3323 Apples Church Road, Bethlehem, PA 18015
OR
We have partnered with Vanco Payment Solutions to allow church members to contribute their offerings electronically from their personal checking or saving accounts directly to the church at no cost to them. Click this link Vanco Website to create your free online profile and set up your giving preferences. Giving will now be easier and hassle free.
Below is a brief description about 'Giving Electronically':
Electronic gifts are fast and secure, and they reduce administrative costs, allowing more of every dollar to fund the important work we are called to do.
+ Give anytime, anywhere to your favorite funds
+ Schedule and manage recurring donations even when you are on vacation
+ Make one-time donations to special appeals
+ Pay for events, programs, and other activities
+ Don’t have to cash or a checkbook
NJELC Property Building Fund ~ Exterior painting of the church, new ramp, and parking lot improvements.
Please consider making a donation towards this 3-prong project. Just mark you check, envelope, or VANCO donation(s) for the 'Building Fund' and it will be designated toward this project. Thank you for consideration in helping to raise the necessary funds. Any questions please see any Property Committee member.
Acolytes are needed … All interested youth (especially Confirmands) are asked to see the sign-up sheet in the Narthex. Thanks! Pastor Lisa will offer instruction when a list of volunteers has been made.
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New Prayer List Guidelines
All name requests (additions, deletions) tto be directed to Jeanette—Office Administrator by calling 610-838-0731 or emailing newjerelc@gmail.com.
Please remember to get the individual's permission before submitting.
One can request an individual's or family's name be included on the list when there in a health or community concern or death.
If it is a health concern, the person's name will remain on the list for four (4) weeks unless a request is made to keep it on longer, i.e., in the case of a prolonged condition or illness.
If a death has occurred, the name will be listed for two (2) weeks.
If it is a community concern, the concern will be listed for two (2) weeks.
A person's name may be kept on for longer than four (4) weeks if Jeanette is informed of this request.
EVERYONE can use prayers. This list was created for the purpose of lifting up current prayer needs.
In an effort to keep email mass communication efficient, the Church Council has agreed to send mass email information out once a week. The "Weekly Update" email will be sent out Thursday mornings at 7:30 a.m. Any requests during the week for an email blast will be captured in this weekly email. The weekly prayer list will continue to be sent out on Monday mornings. Thank you.
Tina McCardle has GIANT GIFT CARDS for sale and accepts cash or checks to NJELC. They come in $25, $50, or $100 amounts. Call her at 610-838-6784 to make arrangements. She usually has them on hand when you see her as well. It's an easy way to support our ministry at NJ which benefits our current budget. Thanks to the many who are regular participants!
Would be willing to participate? I usually have gift cards on hand, so when you see me, please ask to buy some gift cards. Cash or checks made out to NJELC are accepted. We will be dropping the Valley Farms Gift Card, as they recently were sold to another owner. Giant cards are available in $25, $50, and $100 denominations. Please contact me at cameron35@rcn.com or 610-838-6784 and we can make arrangements to have you purchase gift cards.
Thanks to everyone who regularly buys cards to support the ongoing ministry of New Jerusalem Church. ~ Tina McCardle
They make great gifts!
FOOD FOR FRIENDS ~ The Food For Friends (FFF) Ministry is one of those special ministries that happens behind the scenes. We have a small group of volunteers who give of their time and talent to feed the hungry. Food For Friends is a program based in Quakertown through the Richland Friends Church. The roots of FFF dates back to 1998 when Mary Miller, the Ag teacher at Upper Bucks County Technical School had a The rest is history, with six volunteer groups now sharing the load of providing a hot meal for anyone in need on the 2nd, 4th, and 5th Wednesday of every month.
Our NJELC Apples Church group covers 6 dinner events a year and has provided up to 150 to-go meals in one night. Prior to COVID, the groups would provide a sit-down meal and serve the patrons which also included some good conversation and fellowship. Everyone involved always tells me how wonderful the experience was for them. It’s enjoyable for me to see people help others and know we are making a difference in our community. If you are interested in helping with future events, please contact Bill Young via email: btyoung9396@gmail.com or
call 610-797-8440.
What is a Meal Train? There are times in our lives when friends and family ask, "What can I do to help out after an illness or home from a surgery?" The answer might be prepare a meal or drive to a doctor’s appointment. We are looking for a few more volunteers to add to our list.
If this is something you would like to be part of, please contact coordinator Sharon Bender at (610) 597-8764 or sharoncbender63@gmail.com.
New Jerusalem decals…New Jerusalem shirt decals are still available at Saucon Valley Sporting Goods located at the Water Street Plaza. Please contact Kathy Fenstermacher at church for more information.
The Card Club will be meeting on Thursdays at 1:00 p.m. in the Conference Room for an afternoon of recreation and fellowship with one another. Come and join us!
Connection Club — There is a small box in the Narthex on the main shelf for collecting ideas for the Connection Club. This is a monthly inter-generational meet up in our community and beyond for members.
If you would like to read the Synod News, you may find it online at http://nepasynod.org/publications/synod-news/. The most current copy is posted on the bulletin board in
the Narthex area.
2024 Altar Flower Sign-up Sheet is located in the Narthex or call the church office at 610-838-0731.
Altar Flower Sponsorship Update …The cost of sponsoring altar flowers is $30. If there are two sponsorships on any given Sunday, the cost is $15/per sponsor. However, two separate flower arrangements can also be provided, one from each sponsor; each sponsor will then pay $30 each. Please let Barbara Young or Shirlene Moser know your preference when sponsoring altar flowers. Thank you!
Altar flowers are a great way to celebrate a special occasion or
honor or remember someone dear.
Have you ever taken a photo* at a New Jerusalem Evangelical Lutheran Church (NJELC) event?
We would LOVE to share your photos on the NJELC website and/or Facebook!
Send them to:
+ NJELC Facebook: Kathy Fenstermacher at kathyfenstermacher@gmail.com or
Caroline Skuba at carifrogs@gmail.com
+ NJELC Website: Sarah Parente at sjparente@gmail.com
*PLEASE NOTE: If you share photos, you are giving NJELC permission to post the photo publicly of all persons in the photograph(s).
Current Request! Angie Fulmer is looking for good pictures of the church building throughout the different seasons of the year. If you have any to share, please contact Angie at: fulmerfive@rcn.com
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.
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Choir rehearsals are held on Wednesday evening at 6:30 p.m.
PLEASE NOTE: All are Welcome!
Feel free to join the choir—all voices and skill levels are welcome!
If you have any questions, please see Ed.
Calling all volunteers … we are in great need of volunteers (ushers, greeters, lectors, and general helpers) for our 10:00 a.m. worship services. A sign-up sheet is on the bulletin board in the Narthex area for those who would like to serve. Thank you!
Please provide your email address to both the church office at newjerelc@gmail.com and to Caroline Skuba at carifrogs@gmail.com so the electronic volunteer sign-up sheet link can be sent to you.
Coffee Hour Sign-Up ~ If you are interested, please use the sign-up sheet located on the bulletin board by the kitchen in the Upper Room. Any questions, please see Tina Young.
Technology Committee ~ I guess we could thank COVID for helping establish the Technology Committee at NJELC. The Parking Lot Service, live streaming on YouTube not to mention Facebook, and the church website have become a necessity in the 21st century in order to give our members different options to worship with us. It’s a changing world indeed, but we need to evolve in order to survive.
The Technology Committee oversees live streaming, Facebook, church website, sound system, and security cameras. Our mission is to use technology to
reach more people with our ministry and make it easier for congregational members to share information.
We have established a dedicated email for technology questions, picture sharing and digital storage. Many of you have pictures you may want to share with our church community. All pictures can be emailed to newjertech@gmail.com.
NOTE: Any picture sent to us is with the understanding we have permission to use it on social media or the church website.
The following people are part of the Technology Committee:
Bill Young: Committee Chairperson, Website, Live-Streaming, Equipment, and Security
Angela Fulmer: Live-Streaming, Pictures, and Facebook
Sarah Parente: Website and Pictures
Sharon Bender: Website, Live-Streaming, and Council Liaison
Caroline Skuba: Facebook and Pictures
Ben Fogel: Live-Streaming and Equipment
Kathy Fenstermacher: Facebook
Terry Ravier: Live-Streaming and Security
Prayer Shawls ~ There is a basket of beautiful handmade prayer shawls in the Narthex. If you know of someone who is having hard times (illness, sadness, troubles, or just because), please take one for them.
These shawls are meant to show a tangible message of God's love and the care and concern of friends from New Jerusalem.
Would you like to learn to Quilt?
If you would like to learn or already know how, please join our quilters on Tuesday mornings at 8:30 a.m.
Do you like to pray? Do you like to pray for others?
New Jerusalem has had a devoted prayer group to minister to people of our congregation, our extended families and neighbors, and outside concerns for many years. Many people were not aware of this ongoing ministry of the church. If you or someone you know needs prayers from this group or wishes to be a part of the group to pray, please do not hesitate to email Kathy Fenstermacher at kathyfenstermacher@gmail.com. She in turn will notify others in the group to add your request to the list for daily prayers on your behalf. Prayers can be made for an illness, surgery, death, or other reasons. The reason does not need to be stated or the type of illness or surgery. After the crisis has passed that name may be added to the church prayer list that is provided every Sunday in the bulletin. If someone just wants a name added to the church prayer list in the bulletin, please call and leave a message with the church office at 610-838-0731. Please indicate if you would like a phone call, home, or hospital visit from Pastor Lisa.
Any church member who is in need of meals during a time of illness, injury,
death, birth, or some other disability is welcome to contact Sharon Bender at
610-597-8764 or email her at sharoncbender63@gmail.com. She will arrange meals to be delivered to the family or person in need.
Thank you for being part of this ministry!
Volunteers Needed for our Fellowship Committee ~ The Fellowship Committee provides tasty treats for your enjoyment after worship every Sunday and is in need of additional volunteers to provide items. If you have any interest in providing an occasional snack for coffee hour, please see or get in touch with Tina Young. If you would like to team up with another family or a couple of people, we can work with you on doing that. If you would like to offer your assistance on setup and or clean up, that is welcome also.
I would first like to thank everyone who has ever led or helped with a coffee hour. Without your help, this time of fellowship would not be possible. As we move forward, I have updated and attached the current coffee hour duty list to reduce confusion and apprehension. We need more people to sign up for weekly coffee hour as leaders (who would organize a small group) and bakers (who would support current leaders). Please consider this important ministry that builds community in our church. Contact Tina Young at btyoung9396@gmail.com or
call 610-533-4977.
New Jerusalem Church will hold periodic fundraising events for our veterans. Participants may visit residents, play games, share stories, read to them, or we can offer support. The congregation will be kept informed of the veterans we are helping. Any questions, contact Cindy Hart.
Please contact the church office at 610-838-0731 if any of your personal information needs to be changed, updated, or removed in our system starting 2023.
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.
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!
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