November 2011 Newsletter

FALL ISSUE                                         VILLAGE LUTHERAN CHURCH                    THANKSGIVING        

                                                                  NOVEMBER NEWSLETTER

WORSHIP HOURS

7:45, 9:00 & 10:45AM Sunday

9:00AM Sunday School

5PM Saturday

 

WE WILL ENTER HIS GATES WITH THANKSGIVING IN OUR HEARTS

WE WILL ENTER HIS COURTS WITH PRAISE

THIS IS THE DAY THAT THE LORD HAS MADE

I WILL REJOICE FOR HE HAS MADE ME GLAD!

 

THANKSGIVING EVE WORSHIP

Wednesday, November 23, 2011

7:30PM

VOICE OF VINNY

            Greetings to all in this fall season. We celebrate All Souls Day this month in remembrance of the Christians who preceded us in Christ. May we continue to follow them in our devotion to His Word.

            We are very busy this season with the many things on our plate. The most important matter is our Pastoral search. We met with Pastor Klettke who has given us a list of potential pastors.  This is definitely a sign that we are nearing the end of our mission. Thanks to all who are involved and to all who will give prayerful consideration on this most important process.

             The council had decided that the new pastor’s office and parish secretary will be moved to the parsonage which will give some needed space for the director of Littlest Angels, who now only has a desk in one of the classrooms. The success and growth of the school makes it necessary for the director to have ample facilities to conduct the business of the educational process. The office will also be shared with the superintendent of the Sunday school.

            The men’s club will be giving a new look to the Parish hall on Sunday Nov 13. They could use any help you can offer so please think about hoisting a paint brush or hammer for this project. Any and all help will be appreciated and membership to the club is not a prerequisite.

            We have exciting news to report in that the solar energy company has begun the preliminary wiring for the roof panels. This is a big undertaking and our courage in this project is being touted throughout the state by the Lutheran Church Extension Fund. Film may follow. Some of the solar paneling is tied in with the new entrance so we are hoping that the new portico will be done by the end of November.

            We have faith that all of us who do God’s work will knock on the Lord’s door, when it is our time to be saints, and we will receive a wonderful treat.

God Bless us in all our projects.

Vinny

 STEWARDSHIP

            November is a popular month for many Americans.  In the farm belt most of the crops have been harvested and stored safely away.  In other areas snow has already fallen and skiers are anxious to head for the hills to get an early start on the new ski season.  Sports fans are treated to a large number of college and professional football games.  But perhaps the best thing about November is THANKSGIVING DAY.

          Christians love to join together with fellow Christians and sing hymns of harvest and thanksgiving like:

"Come, ye thankful people come; raise the song of harvest-home.

All be safely gathered in ere the winter storms begin;

God, our Maker, doth provide for our wants to be supplied.

Come to God’s own temple, come; raise the song of harvest-home.” (TLH, 574, v 1)

            Christians and Lutheran Christians, in particular, recall how Dr. Martin Luther explained the meaning of the petition “Give us this day our daily bread.”  Luther said that “God certainly gives daily bread to everyone without our prayers, even to all wicked people, but we pray in this petition that God would lead us to realize this and to receive our daily bread with thanksgiving.”  He then went on to explain what is meant by daily bread with these words:  “Daily bread includes everything that has to do with the support and wants of the body, such as food, drink, clothing, shoes, house, home, land, animals, money, goods, a devout husband or wife, devout children, devout workers, devout and faithful rulers, good government, good weather, peace, health, self-control, good reputation, good friends, faithful neighbors, and the like.”

             That’s quite a list of things for which to be thankful.  We enjoy these many blessings because two things that God delights in doing are “loving and giving.”  This is stated so clearly in the well-known words of John 3:16 (NIV):  “God so loved the world that He gave His one and only Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish but have eternal life.”

             St. Paul, by inspiration of the Holy Spirit, penned these words in Romans 8:31-32 (NIV):  “He [God] who did not spare His own Son, but gave Him up for us all—how will He not also, along with Him, graciously give us all things?”

             A suggestion for Christians each morning is to pray, “Thank You, Lord, for the gifts of life, health, work,  family, friends, home, daily bread and this new day.  Bless and protect us this day in all our activities, travels, work and play.”

            One of the best benefits that comes with thanksgiving is thanksliving that shows up as we freely and joyfully manage all of life and life’s resources for God’s purposes. That is Christian stewardship in the best sense of the word.

Happy Thanksgiving!

CALL COMMITTEE NEWS!

            The Call Committee met on October 26 with President Klettke, NJ District LCMS and Pastor Bottoms, our Circuit Counselor.  President Klettke delivered the information we have anticipated regarding the availability of LCMS Pastors who may be in a position to answer a Divine Call to Village Lutheran Church. Several pages of information on each of the candidates was made available - a Pastoral Self Evaluation Survey - much like the surveys we, as congregants, prepared earlier this year. Each member of the Call Committee will review this material individually and on November 7th we will again meet as a group to discuss the results of our individual research. We will keep you apprised of our progress and ask that your prayers continue as we move forward in the process to fill the Pastoral vacancy at Village.

LADIES AID

                       It’s that time of year again!  Members of the Ladies Aid are busy preparing for our annual Christmas Bazaar on Dec 2 and 3, and we really could use some help!

DO YOU?

Knit, crochet, sew quilt, embroider, paint, woodwork,

ceramics, Christmas items or toys, jewelry?

 For our desert table we need cake, pies, cookies, fruit breads and all kinds of homemade candy.

We also need quart mason jars and jelly jars.

Any way you wish to help would be appreciated.  All proceeds go to benefit our church.  Our most recent purchases were the new organ for the sanctuary and a coffee pot for the kitchen.

             CANDY MAKING TIME IS HERE AGAIN!  We have scheduled a time to make candy on Sunday, November 6 between the 9AM & 10:45AM services for our Christmas Bazaar which is on Friday, Dec 2nd and Saturday, Dec 3rd.  Hard Candy will be made on Saturday, November 19 at 9AM—If you could donate some sugar, we would greatly appreciate it—please bring to the church office by Nov. 15

 THANKSGIVING DINNER

            Once again, our Thanksgiving Committee is planning on providing Thanksgiving dinners for those in our community who are elderly, shut-in or those folks who need a Thanksgiving Dinner.  We are going to need donations of turkeys, and other food items, which will be posted in upcoming bulletins.  As always, monetary donations are greatly appreciated. We need volunteers to prepare, package and deliver the dinners.  Please call the church office at 609-693-1333 if you would like to volunteer or if you would like to sign up for a delivery.   

 LITTLEST ANGELS

            October is behind us, and winter is coming.  The weather is cooler, the wind brisker, the playground sits alone most days.   November is the beginning of our Holiday season, it is also our opportunity to give thanks for all we have.  Thanksgiving is a great time to teach to children that we need to be thankful for what we 'have'.  There is always so much emphasis on what children 'want', we try to teach the children to be grateful for what we have, and not just the material things!  We explain that being loved by our families and friends is something we are very lucky to have.  We should be grateful for the food on our table and the prayers in our hearts.  Being grateful is a difficult concept for young children to grasp, we try to explain by allowing the children think of what makes them happy; a hug, a kiss, a bed time story, movie night with Mom and Dad.   It isn't always a trip to the toy store that makes your child thankful!

 BYLAW/CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENT

            MEETING FOR THE SECOND READING  and VOTING FOR THE BYLAW and CONSTITUTION CHANGES IS SCHEDULED FOR SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 13 BETWEEN THE 9 AND 10:45AM SERVICES. 

 COFFEE HOUR

Sunday, November 13 –  sponsored by our Senior Choir

Sunday, November 27  - sponsored by our Shepherds

            If your group cannot sponsor the coffee hour you are scheduled for, please call the church office and let us know so that we can switch you with another group or possibly cancel and reschedule the coffee hour.

 CHURCH COUNCIL

          The Church council will meet on Monday, November 21 at 7:30PM in the parsonage.

 ATTENTION VILLAGE RINGERS!

            That's right, the junior bell choir has chosen their name "Village Ringers"!  Our next practice will be Sunday Nov 6th following Sunday School.  In November we will also be practicing on Nov 13th and Nov 20.  During practice, we will discuss a date to play our first song at the 9:00am service.

 BIBLE STUDIES

            GOD IS IN THE LAUNDRY ROOM—Our study continues on the 2nd Monday evening of each month at 6:30PM.  Monday, November 14 is the next scheduled study.        We are learning about a God who through His Son, Jesus, sees us as a white as snow—Ivory Snow!   We offer dessert and coffee as a sweetner to this study.  We would love to have you join us as our dedicated group of lively ladies studies God’s Word in a comfortable group setting.  Call Kathy Haines if you have questions at 609-693-2090. 

            THE FEASTS OF ISRAEL—Our morning Bible study continues every Wednesday at 10:30AM.  We are a spirited and chatty group who love our Lord and the study of God’s holy Word.  Our current  discussions have centered around the sacrifices necessary for each of the Festivals and the history of God’s Chosen people. (Read the book of Numbers for some interesting facts).  We also looked at the Covenant God made with Abram, some of the 613 Laws of the Old Testament, and how Jesus fulfilled the promise of that Covenant.  We welcome all to our Wednesday morning adventure—come join us!   Call Kathy Haines if you have questions at 609-693-2090

 CHRISTIAN EDUCATION

             In the month of November the Sunday School will be decorating large brown paper handled sacks which will be used to deliver Thanksgiving Meals to those in need in our area.  If anyone is crafty and would like to adopt a class to help run the craft we would love the help.  We are also looking for donations of Thanksgiving & Christian themed stamps with paint or ink pads, stickers or leaf shaped paper cutters to add a loving decorative flair.  Classes will be working on these projects in their free time and after Sunday school in the hall on November 13^th & 20^th.  Please speak with Mrs. M if you can help.

             Christmas is coming up fast and we are in the beginning stages or planning our Christmas pageant.  Our pageant is set for December 11^th at 5pm with rehearsal on Saturday the 10^th.  We are looking for a creative, inexpensive, handmade idea for our Congregational gift (and I had to promise not to use glitter this year J).  I am also still also looking for some assistants to help run the program.  Please give me a call if you can help. 609 276-8290 – Mrs. M

 PREACHING SCHEDULE

November, 2011

Sunday, November 6  & 20– Mr. Stuart Knorr

November 13 – Pastor Naveen Nischal

November 23 – THANKSGIVING EVE WORSHIP - Mr. Stuart Knorr

November 27 – Pastor Ken Fosse

LADIES GUILD

LUTHERAN WOMENS MISSIONARY LEAGUE

 Ladies Guild- November happenings:    

 November 5:

“Treasured” - NJ District of the Lutheran Women’s Missionary League one day retreat at Somerset Hills Lutheran Church.  Come join Lutheran women from around the state for a fun day of Bible study, & fellowship.  Leave confident on how treasured you are to our Lord.  You may register day of                               retreat.

 November 12 &13:

Fall Soup Sale; call Doris Swanson, (609) 693-3575, if you can help simmer soup or chili.

 November 14: 

Bible study & dessert, 6:30 pm Session 3, Pest Control Getting Rid of Spiritual Bugs.  It’s still not too late if you would like to join us.  Books are available at $10.  Margareth Hostess.

 Pillowcase dress:

We have enough materials to make about a dozen dresses now to find the time!  Check the LG table to see cute samples.  Dresses will be donated to Orphan Grain Train.

December 12:

6:30 pm, the Ladies Guild Christmas Party, Lori Connin, (609) 693-1850, is organizing.  ALL WOMEN are invited to join us for an evening of devotion, fellowship & fun.  Each year we close the evening with the singing of the 12 Days of Christmas.  No Bible study.

 Advent devotions: 

Advent devotions from the Lutheran Indian Ministries will be available in the narthex.  These devotions are written by missionaries serving Native Americans in the remote northwest.  Meet real people from these communities and their experiences with the saving grace of our Lord, Jesus Christ. 

NOVEMBER WEDDING ANNIVERSARIES

Joseph and Eleanor Scarbaci                                                             11/3

Bill and Linda Garrett                                                                           11/7

Jim and Julie Mottershead                                                                  11/20

Jeff and Norma Mathis                                                                        11/25

John and Doray Wilusz                                                                       11/28

 NOVEMBER BIRTHDAYS

Lauren Ahrens                       11/1

Peter Harnos                           11/5

Dan Russell                             11/5

Erin Garrett                             11/6

Ed Scanlon                              11/6

Robin Caroselli                       11/7

Bill Feiner                                 11/8

Greta Mershon                        11/8

Jacob Bahooshian                  11/9

Cynthia Lorenzo                     11/12

Erin Neary                               11/12

Dave Behrens                         11/14

Christine Rumper                   11/15

Joshua McDonald                  11/18              

Julie Mottershead                   11/18

Casey Roth                               11/18

 
Charlotte Dunphy                   11/19              

Viktoria Kristbergs                 11/21

John Wilusz, Jr.                       11/21

Pastor                                      11/24

Lucas Aviles                           11/25

Linda Miller                            11/26

Matthew Petrone                    11/27

Erin Colling                             11/28

Gretchen Behrens                   11/30  

 MEN’S CLUB

Mark Your Calendar

Friday, November 11 at 6PM

Preparing the walls in the Parish Hall for Painting

Sunday, November 13

12Noon – Painting the Parish Hall

Thursday, November 17 at 7PM

Meeting – bring work clothes – finish painting Hall

November 18, 19 20

Tentative dates to finish the hall if needed

Thursday, November 24

Delivery of Thanksgiving Meals

December 2 from 6-9PM and December 3 from 9AM-2PM

Work the Kitchen for the Christmas Bazaar

Other Planned Projects

Move the dumpster

Fix the storage sheds

Paint and move the offices in parsonage

LUTHERAN SOCIAL MINISTRIES OF NJ

"Do not grow weary of doing good. Don't give up - for we shall reap a harvest of blessings." Galatians 6:9

            As we approach the season of giving thanks, Lutheran Social Ministries of New Jersey (LSM/NJ) extends our profound gratitude to all of you who help us advance our mission each and every year. Your invaluable gifts of time, talent, and financial resources help strengthen our organization so that we may serve residents of New Jersey who hurt, who are in need, or who have limited choices.

            This Thanksgiving season also offers us the opportunity to share our bounty of blessings with those who might go without a holiday meal. As is our holiday tradition, we will be distributing turkeys to the neediest of God's children. Many of these individuals are homeless or facing financial hardships beyond anything we can imagine.

          We ask that you join us in giving generously toward our goal of $12,000. Such kindness will enable us to purchase 800 turkeys! Donations can be made on-line by visiting our website www.lsmnj.org. Follow the easy steps and click on "Please Donate Now."

          Your gift should be designated as the "Annual Turkey Fund." Outright gifts can be mailed to Lutheran Social Ministries of New Jersey, 6 Terri Lane, Suite 300, Burlington, NJ 08016-4911. Please make checks payable to the Lutheran Foundation of New Jersey. If you have questions or need further information, please contact Barbara Fullerton at 609.699.4102 or bfullerton@lsmnj.org.

            In this most difficult of economic times, it is more important than ever that we continue to nourish the souls of those in need. Please join me in this endeavor today so that all God's people will "reap a harvest of blessings." May you and your family receive a multitude of blessings in kind, today, and throughout the year.

 With warm regards,

 Jerry Nugent
President and CEO

THANK YOU

            Thank you from all of our friends and family at Village for the prayers, and cards.  It has been a very difficult year but we are on the mend and we are getting better all the time!  Norma and Jeff Mathis

 PRAYERS AND PRAISE!

            Please continue praying for:  Susan Donnelly – she will be having surgery on Monday to remove the adrenal gland.  At this time, the doctors feel that this would be the best treatment for Cushing’s Disease.  The infection in the leg is improving and further down the road, she will need surgery to repair one more back fracture.  Carol Ciszewski – pray for a negative biopsy, she was diagnosed with breast cancer and is awaiting biopsy results on the lymph nodes.    Norma and Jeff Mathis as they recover from surgeries.  Betty Ann Kurinsky recovering from a broken ankle.    

            Praise Report  – Prayer was requested for Carol Begeal – she underwent surgery for a pancreatic tumor (the size of a baseball and doctors were astounded).  Her biopsy reports came back NEGATIVE!  Thank you for all your prayers.  Prayers were also requested for Nancy Stein who has pulmonary fibrosis – reports show that the disease is at a standstill and is not progressing.   HOW GREAT IS OUR GOD!

 Psalm 30:2

O Lord my God, I cried to you for help, and you have healed me.