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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
I suspect that many of you grew up with the same New Year’s tradition as this ol’ PA Dutch gal ... eating pork and sauerkraut for “good luck”! I remember asking my parents when I was young “why” we did that and was told that it is because a pig scratches forward when foraging for food as opposed to a chicken which scratches backwards. In the new year, we want to “move ahead” instead of looking backwards in a direction in which we are no longer going. Makes sense to me!
Where do we want to go as a congregation this year? I know from our history together that this congregation does not rest on its laurels. There is always activity which is inviting to others. Last year, we saw the inauguration of our “NJ Fosters Love” program which provides tangible assistance to children and youth who are in the foster care system and who may need an extra bit of TLC during this transition. We’ve also seen the introduction of the Bible Chat sessions which take place every Sunday prior to worship, helping folks to connect their personal faith with their public life. Many other committees and ministries offer events which promote a deepening of faith as well as inclusive participation.
I think this is a good question not only to ask of our church, but to ask of
ourselves as well. Where do we want to go as individuals? How will we deepen our faith and our relationship to God? What cause can I contribute to which will provide needed blessings to others? How and for whom can I pray?
Of course, being a part of a lively congregation can certainly encourage your efforts. Participating in retreats or classes can serve to promote a more meaningful relationship with the Divine. Reading or writing devotionals can assist in communicating one’s innermost thoughts. Giving to a worthy cause close to your heart blesses both the giver and the recipient.
As you eat your pork and sauerkraut (or whatever is your favorite tradition), please challenge yourself to keep moving forward in this new year! Blessings
to you all.
Pastor Lisa Borrell
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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