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May God fill you will his New goodness every day and
may the love of Jesus overflow from you to others throughout the year!
NEW JERUSALEM EVANGELICAL LUTHERAN CHURCH SENDS
OUR BEST WISHES TO YOU AND YOUR FAMILY
FOR A HAPPY, SAFE, AND A HAPPY, HEALTHY NEW YEAR!
In case of a pastoral emergency, please contact Pastor Lisa Borrell
at 610-838-0731 or or email MizLKB@aol.com.
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Pastor Lisa 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, 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. ~ Pastor Lisa
“This is my commandment, that you love one another as I have loved you.” ~ John 15: 12
Anyone who knows me well, knows that I am a flower child at heart. I am all about peace, love, tie dye, music from the 60s & 70s, and chocolate! I cannot name a single song by Taylor Swift, but I can sing the whole score of “Godspell” at the drop of a hat.
One could rightly surmise how distressing it has been to my heart to witness the onslaught of violence in our society … the ongoing warfare in Ukraine and Israel which continues to destroy peoples’ lives and homes, leaving thousands without a safe haven for refuge … the recent attack on the former president … the persistent hostility against people of color and the LGBTQIA communities … the mantra to “fight” coupled with the dangerous mentality to retaliate with more violence. In all our years of human history, we still have not learned that if “we live by the sword, we shall perish by the sword.”
In the past, I have been asked “what can we do” in the face of evil. My response is always the same … that we must continue to sow seeds of kindness, stand up for justice (not just for some, but for all), strive to do good, speak out, and bring light to those places darkened by fear, hunger, injustice, discrimination, and hatred. By doing or saying nothing, we simply add to the problem. We need to be diligent and to persevere in loving one another as Christ has loved us and to “do justly, to love mercy, and to walk humbly” with our God. (Micah 6: 8)
I am in no way saying that that is an easy thing to do, because it’s not! But sometimes, it means challenging ourselves to get out of our comfort zones. When the tides seemingly are strong against us, we must gather our strength to do what we know is right and good. That could take form in sending donations to provide needed relief to war-torn countries, writing to our representatives in Congress asking that they advocate for stronger laws, giving “free hugs” to queer youth who have been ostracized by their own families, listening to the story of the beggar who carries a sign asking for money, contributing time and/or donations to the food pantry, reading to underserved youth in an educational setting, you name it! Thoughts and prayers only do so much. Add “action” to them, and it’s a whole new ballgame!
We are called to make a positive difference in the world once we’ve said “Yes” to Christ. Let’s not wait any longer to do so.
In His service ~ Pastor Lisa Borrell
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 WORSHIP WITH PASTOR LISA AND ITS MEMBERS.
If you do not feel comfortable attending worship in person, we respect your decision and invite you to tune into our online Sunday Worship Service (via the church’s website at our Youtube livestream link).
Additional Sunday ministries include:
8:45–9:30 a.m. Youth Sunday School
8:45–9:30 a.m. Adult Bible Chat
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ALSO, SATURDAY WORSHIP SERVICES ARE OFFERED AT 4:30 P.M. ON THE
1ST SATURDAY OF EACH MONTH.
New Jerusalem Evangelical Lutheran Church welcomes members and friends of the community to gather in an informal setting to hear the Word, share in the Lord’s Supper, connect with one another, and gain strength for the journey.
May the blessings of our Savior bring hope and peace.
Pastor Lisa Borrell
Hope to see you there!
Peace be with you.
The church continues to have expenses throughout the year
and we encourage you to mail in your offering or
Thank you and God bless
Blessed is the nation whose God is the Lord. Psalm 33:12
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Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid. John 14:27 (NIV)
Connection
Greetings from your New Jerusalem “Apples” Church Council
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The next Church Council Meeting will be held on
Tuesday, July 9, 2024 at 7:00 p.m.
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The Council officers for 2024 are:
President: Bill Young (484-544-1294)
Vice President: Jesse Hart (484-695-3825)
Secretary: Sarah Parente
Treasurer: Terry Ravier
Council Members: Sharon Bender, Ben Fogel, Angela Fulmer, Pat Leith, and Joanne Robbins.
As always, please keep the council members and
all those in leadership positions for this congregation in prayer.
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CHURCH COUNCIL HIGHLIGHTS
Hello from your New Jerusalem “Apples” Church council. In an effort to improve communication across the channels of our congregation, we have decided to provide a brief summary of what is happening at our Council monthly meetings. Some of you might not be aware that all are invited to attend Church Council meetings, which are held every second Tuesday of each month at 7:00 p.m. Any questions or concerns should be brought to the meeting or placed in the question box located in the Narthex. Of course, you can always catch up to a current council member and ask them for help as well. As your Council President, I am available by email at btyoung9396@gmail.com or phone 610-554-1294.
JUNE SUMMARY
No report.
Peace be with you,
Bill Young, Council President
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Something to keep in mind as throughout the year…The expenses of the church (heating/cooling, fuel, electricity, salaries, upkeep, cleaning, etc.) continue even when you are on vacation, not in attendance, or when no one is in the building. All confirmed members are encouraged to give on a regular basis so that the important ministries of the church will not be disrupted. We encourage you to mail in your offering or use www.newjerlc.org/online-giving.
Thank you and God bless
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Council Question Box (As a reminder, there is a wooden box located on the shelf in the Narthex. Congregation members are encouraged to write a question/
concern/comment for the council. You can also speak with a council member. These questions/concerns/comments will be read at the council meeting and discussed. The response will be placed in the next Angelus or, if signed, will be relayed to the individual.)
What is Mutual Ministry at New Jerusalem? Did you know that there is a Mutual Ministry Committee here at New Jerusalem?
Mutual Ministry is loosely defined as the interaction between the pastor, professional staff, Church Council, and the congregation to foster communication and support between these three groups. Typical tasks of the Mutual Ministry Committee include providing a listening ear to each group and a means to interact in a confidential way to resolve issues that may arise between, and within, each group. The committee also assists Church Council in conducting an annual performance review of the Church’s professional staff, as well as providing input into creating and revising employee job descriptions.
Currently, this committee is comprised of three members who are appointed to serve a three-year term as approved by the Pastor and Church Council President. The committee is currently seeking additional members, so any interested members of the congregation are invited to contact Pastor Lisa; Church Council President, Marianne Zellner; or any current Mutual Ministry Committee member for more information.
Any member of the congregation that desires to seek assistance from the Mutual Ministry Committee may do so by contacting a member of the committee to arrange a meeting with the committee to discuss issues dealing with interactions with pastor/professional staff, Church Council, and/or other members of the congregation. All contact with the Mutual Ministry Committee is kept confidential between the parties involved in the issue; and the hopeful outcome of this process is to resolve the issue to the satisfaction of all parties.
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.
All are welcome ~ Please join us for choir practice on
Wednesday evenings at 6:30 p.m.
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The Worship and Music Committee is always looking for any and all volunteers who are interested in special singing, either solo or with others and/or playing an instrument for additional special music to enhance our worship service and should be coordinated with Ed Walakovits, Music Director.
Endowment & Finance Committee News!
Deadline for spring applications was April 7, 2024. Information for Fall Endowment Applications will be announced when ready.
MISSION & MINISTRY ENDOWMENT FUND ~ 2024 grant amount is TBD.
Remember that per policy, the use of these funds must fall into one of the following ministry areas:
Mission: Local, regional and world projects
Education: Higher education and continuing education expenses
Youth: Support for youth of all ages
Worship and Music: Support for the worship of the church
Capital Projects: Major renovations and building of new facilities for the church
PROPERTY ENDOWMENT FUND 2024 grant amount is TBD.
Remember that per policy, the use of these funds must fall into one of the following property areas:
Maintenance; General Upkeep
Restoration
Repairs
Capital Project
Equipment Purchases
Property Acquisition
CHRISTIAN EDUCATION ENDOWMENT FUND 2024 grant amount is TBD.
Remember that per policy, the use of these funds must fall into one of the following property areas:
Sunday Church School
Vacation Bible School
Christian Youth Activities
Adult Christian Education
Teacher's Education
Endowment—The gift that keeps on giving!
See any Endowment & Finance Committee member if you have questions.
Tim Frey, Chairperson
Russ Pacala Jr., Vice Chairperson
Tina McCardle
Terry Ravier
UPDATE(S) FOR THE CHURCH DIRECTORY MEMBER(S) INFORMATION
I/we would like a call from Pastor Lisa Borrell. Yes or No
I/we would like to be removed from all correspondence. Yes or No
I/we would like to be removed or become inactive as of ______________ 2024 from the rolls. Removed or Inactive
I/we would like our information in the 2024 church directory. Yes or No
(If no, mark a P next to information that you want kept private—
for church record only)
First Name(s): _______________________________________ & _______________________________________
Last Name: ____________________________________________________________________________________
Mailing Address: ______________________________________________________________________________
City: _______________________________________________ State: _________ Zip: _____________________
Home Phone: __________________________________________________________________________________
Cell Phone(s): ________________________________________, ________________________________________
Email Address(s): ______________________________________, ______________________________________
List Family Members:
Name(s) Birthday(s)
(MM/DD/YY)
1. _____________________________________________________________ ___________________
2. _____________________________________________________________ ___________________
3. _____________________________________________________________ ___________________
4. _____________________________________________________________ ___________________
5. _____________________________________________________________ ___________________
6. _____________________________________________________________ ___________________
7. _____________________________________________________________ ___________________
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.
You can also visit us on Facebook at www.facebook.com/njelc3233/.
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!
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