October 2011 Newsletter

VILLAGE LUTHERAN CHURCH 

OCTOBER 2011 NEWSLETTER

WORSHIP HOURS

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

9:00AM Sunday School

5PM Saturday

STEWARDSHIP

Christian stewardship is the free and joyous activity of the child of God and God’s family, the church, in managing all of life and life’s resources for God’s purposes.  Many people may argue that Christian stewardship is more about following laws, rules and instructions than it is about free and joyous activity.

Historically, believing and living as Christians has also been more about laws, rules and instructions than it has been about a free and joyous way of living.  On October 31 we will join with Christians around the world in celebrating the 494^th anniversary of the Lutheran Reformation.  In the years leading up to the reformation some serious false teachings had crept into the basics of the Christian life and faith so that people felt like they were slaves to all kinds of rules and regulations.  Christianity was not very free and joyous.  The good news of being saved by God’s grace through faith in Jesus Christ, who died for our salvation, was in danger of being hidden from God’s people.  Jesus died so that we might have life and have it abundantly and joyfully.  One of the key passages that opened Martin Luther’s eyes to the true way of salvation was, of all things, from an Old Testament book.  He found it in Habakkuk 2:4a: “The just [righteous] shall live by faith!” [NIV]

 

This discovery led to a new and refreshing way to look at the contents of the Bible.  It is easy to find all kinds of laws, rules and commandments and get the idea that if you want to be right with God you must obey all of these laws, rules and commandments.  The problem is that because of our sinful natures we are not able to keep all these laws, rules and commandments and are pretty much left with the options of either trying harder or giving up.  Neither of these options leads to a life that is free and joyous.

 

The Bible contains all kinds of laws, rules and instructions for our Christian living, but these laws, rules and instructions are not written for the purpose of saving us.  Rather, they drive us to the good news of salvation through the suffering, death and resurrection of Jesus.  Forgiveness of our sins frees us from past failures and opens up a new way of living.  “Don’t you know that all of us who have been baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into His death?  We were therefore buried with Him through baptism into death in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead through the glory of the Father, we too may live a new life.”  [Romans 6:3-4 NIV]

 

Through Christ we are freed from “have to living” to move toward “get to living .”  What a refreshing freedom for us to live godly lives not in order to be saved, but because we have been saved.

Truly, God’s redeemed stewards, in cooperation with and encouragement from fellow redeemed stewards, freely and joyfully manage all of life and life’s resources for God’s purposes.”

LITTLEST ANGELS

October has arrived so quickly!  We are ready for cooler weather, so the kids can play outside a little longer.  October is such a wonderful month to teach the children about the cycle of life.  As the leaves turn brown, as the birds begin to fly south and the bugs are gone, we teach the children about Autumn and what happens to the trees, grass and animals as the weather turns cold.  Of course, the one thing that the children are truly excited about happens all the way at the end of the month-Halloween.  Even the youngest angels are already thinking about what the are going to 'be' for Halloween.  We will have a Halloween party and we try to have lots of healthy snacks, to help balance out all the candy the children will get when you go Trick or Treating.  The highlight of the party day is our Parade through and around the school!  With all of the children in their costumes, they parade through the whole school, every classroom and then through the Fellowship Hall where all the Seniors are eating lunch.  It is really the highlight of everyone's day. The children are so proud to show off their costumes and the seniors love seeing the children!

BYLAW/CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENT

MEETING FOR THE FIRST READING OF THE BYLAW and CONSTITUTION CHANGES IS SCHEDULED FOR SUNDAY, OCTOBER 16 BETWEEN THE 9 AND 10:45AM SERVICES. 

COFFEE HOUR

Sunday, October 9 – Ladies Guild/Lutheran Women’s Missionary League

Sunday, October 23  - Bell Choir and Elders

            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, October 17 at 7:30PM in the parsonage.

BIBLE STUDIES

            GOD IS IN THE LAUNDRY ROOM—Our study continues on the 2nd Monday evening of each month at 6:30PM.  There is still time to join us as October 10 is only our second evening into the work book.         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

Fill the Food Bank Sunday:  Our next collection will be on October 16th.  We will be collecting Cereal – cold or hot! 

Catechism Instruction:  There will be a meeting Wednesday, October 5^th at 5:30, for all 6^th, 7^th & 8^th grade catechism students and their parent(s).  Please plan on attending this short meeting.  Classes are set to begin the following week on October 12^th at 5:30 – 7:00.  Any questions please see Stu Knorr, Vinny Kelly or Mrs. M.

Halloween Party – We have locked in the date of Sunday the 23^rd , 3 – 6pm for our annual Halloween party.  Join us for games, prizes, food and fun.  Now we need your help to make it great!  We are looking for volunteers to help plan and run stations for the event and to help with set-up and clean up.  Also needed are donations of candy and prizes/toys for the kids.  If you can help please speak to Mrs. M.

We need your help!  Thanks again to the extra hands that were offered last week!  We are still in need of a few folks to help out with our Sunday school program.  Please let Wendy know if you can assist in any of these areas:

v     Substitute teachers

v     Music Coordinator – selects music and teaches children each Sunday – helps children perform a song every other week.

v     Sunday School Assistant Superintendent – assist Mrs. M and cover in her absence.

v     Halloween planning committee and coordinator

v     Christmas Pageant director

 

Please contact Wendy at Magerowski@comcast.net or Home: 609 242-0204, cell:  609 276-8290!

Upcoming Dates to Remember:

Wed. 10/5 at 5:30:                  Catechism Meeting for all 6^th-8^th grader and their parents

Wed. 10/12 at 5:30:                Catechism classes begin for 7^th & 8^th grade

Sun. Oct. 16^th:                          Lacey Food Bank Collection – Cereal

Sat. Oct 22^nd:                           Halloween Party Set-up

Sun. Oct 23^rd:                          Halloween Party 3 – 6pm

Sun. Dec. 10^th:                         Pageant rehearsal

Sun. Dec 11^th 4pm:                  Christmas Pageant

PREACHING SCHEDULE

October, 2011

Sunday, Oct 2 – Pastor Naveen Nischal

He will speak the congregation about his work with the Hindu/Indian people of NJ.

Oct 9 & 23 – Mr. Stuart Knorr

Oct 16 & 30 – Pastor Ken Fosse

    

LADIES GUILD

LUTHERAN WOMENS MISSIONARY LEAGUE

God is in the Laundry Room After sharing stories of our laundry disasters, we searched the scriptures to find where we may have spots in our spiritual “laundry”.  The lessons are short & timely and it isn’t too late to join us on the second Monday of each month at 6:30pm for dessert & Bible study.  See Kathy Haines or Susan Harnos for materials.

Summer Bake Sales final tally:

The final tally for all three Farmer Market’s bake sales is $1,100.  Again, thank you to all who helped us exceed our goal. 

Because of our fundraising LG was able to donate:  $200 Lutheran World Relief-Somalia; $200 America’s Keswick; $50 Lutheran Association of Missionaries & Pilots; $50 Dakota Boys & Girls Ranch for high risk children as well as continue supporting our missionary, Rev Fluegge, at $50 per month.

Ladies Guild is hoping to make “Pillowcase Dresses” for Orphan Grain Train.  To finish the armholes, bias binding, not seam binding is needed.  Call Susan Harnos (609) 971-9786 before leaving items at church.

Emergency clean up buckets for Lutheran Social Ministries of NJ;  Our current mission is to fill five gallon buckets with cleaning supplies to be distributed to flood victims in NJ.  Check sign up poster in narthex for needed products.

Upcoming Events:

October 9:                   LWML Sunday, don’t forget to wear LWML colors, purple & gold

10am   Coffee hour- call Susan Harnos if you can donate treats

October 9:      1:00pm  Raritan Valley Zone Rally – Charlie Brown’s in Lakewood

October 10:    6:30pm  God is in the Laundry Room Bible study-hostesses needed

                       7:30pm  Meeting & cleanup bucket assembly

November 6:  9:00am  Treasured district LWML retreat at Basking Ridge.

November 12-13         Soup & Chili sale after services-Doris Swanson chairperson

November 14:6:30pm God is in the Laundry Room Bible study

                       7:30pm  Meeting

OCTOBER WEDDING ANNIVERSARIES

                        Michael and Erin Colling                    10/5

                        Debra and John Gallagher                  10/25

OCTOBER BIRTHDAYS

                                    Wayne Griffiths                      10/1

                                    Sean Blackwell                       10/6

                                    Debbie DiFrancesco                10/6

                                    Stephen Mershon                    10/8

                                    Art Lowe                                10/9

                                    Lindsay Reid                          10/9

                                    Norma Mathis                         10/12  

                                    Joan Towle                              10/17

                                    Jim Boturla                              10/18

                                    Courtney Blackwell                10/21

                                    Lori Connin                             10/26

                                    Betty Jo Lagomarsino             10/26

                                    Sabrina Varga                         10/26

                                    Robert Lone                            10/30

                                    Robert Reid                            10/31

 

The Open Door

Annual Fundraising Banquet

Thursday, October 20th, 2011

We invite you to our ANNUAL FUNDRAISING BANQUET at America’s Keswick in Whiting, NJ.  Tickets are $15 each. Your payment reserves your seat.  Tickets will not be available at the door.  Doors open at 6 p.m. Program begins at 6:30 p.m.  R.S.V.P. before Monday, October 10th.

Mail your check today to:

The Open Door

533 Lakehurst Road

Toms River, NJ 08755

You may also call the center to purchase tickets with a credit card.

Contact Kim at 732-240-3358.  Are you interested in sponsoring a table? Let Kim know or mail a check for $150 to the center. A sign of acknowledgment will be displayed on select tables. 

This year’s keynote speaker is Dr. Elizabeth Rex.  Dr. Rex is President of The Children First Foundation and a leader in the “CHOOSE LIFE” license plate program for New Jersey. Her  mission is to support crisis pregnancy centers in our state with direct donations from the purchase of a license plate. She will share how easy it is to do that, along with her passion for pro-life commitment.

“Now choose life, so that you and your children may live…” Deut. 30:19

LADIES AID

            Sunday, October 9 between the 9 and 10:45AM services, Ladies Aid is meeting about the upcoming Christmas Bazaar which will be held on Dec 3 and 4.  Bring some new ideas with you and we welcome anyone who would like to help out!!! 

UPDATE ON SOLAR, LIGHTING AND PORTICO PROJECTS!

            We have signed a contract with Kopp Electric to install the solar system on our roof and retrofit all of  our lighting.  Both projects will help us save some money on our electric bills.  We are waiting for engineering reports before we can proceed with the actual work.   Jersey Central Power and Light has approved our solar panel project and has already been in and changed the meter. 

            We are also pleased to announce the approval of our portico project by the Lacey Twp Planning Board.  We should be starting work on his project in the very near future.

CROP HUNGER WALK 2011

            On Sunday October 16^th in Toms River and Sunday October 23^rd in Point Pleasant hundreds of their friends will come together in the annual CROP Hunger Walks. They will help dig the well, lay the pipe line and provide the seed and simple tools necessary to make the hard work bear fruit. Helping even one village to have a brighter future is worth doing.

            For further information or to help in any way to add new friends please email Alan areifenheiser@comcast.net or call Pat at 732 269 8539. Don't forget to check us out on Face Book.  We have attached instructions for donating online.  It's a great way to get relatives and friends to sponsor you.  Thank you for caring and sharing.

 

 

 

 

 

Fairview Business Solutions Kathy Haines, Owner kathy_haines@comcast.net 634 Fairview Lane                  Forked River, NJ 08731 609-693-2090

ABOVE and Beyond Biblical Counseling & Discipleship

A Living Truth Ministry

Dr. Cheryl A. Durham, D.B.S

Director

344-5 Rt 9, PMB 116

Lanoka Harbor, NJ 08734

800-570-4203  Ext. 102

_______________________________________________________

Fairview Business Solutions

Kathy Haines, Owner                      

kathy_haines@comcast.net

634 Fairview Lane 

609-693-2090  Fax: 609-489-4178

Forked River, NJ 08731

________________________________________________________

KAREEN & LINDA’S

GOLDEN COMB

(732) 341-6886

917 N. Main Street

Toms River, New Jersey

(Linda Miller)

____________________________________________________

MICHAEL FRIEDBERG

Rockville Fabrics Corp.                  

Active Quilting

1717 Key West Road                 Tel: (609) 971-8901

Forked River, NJ 08731             Tel: (609) 971-8903

                                                   Fax: (609) 971-9622

                                                   Cell: (201)320-7020

E-mail:  mfriedberg@rockvillefabrics.com

___________________________________________________________________

Thrivent Financial  for Lutherans

Robert M. Esposito, ChFC, CLU, FIC

Financial Consultant

Capital Group

57 Maxim Dr.

P.O. Box 387

Forked River, NJ  08731-0387

Office:  609-242-1000

Fax:      609-242-1498

robert.esposito@thrivent.com

Thrivent Pinnacle Leaders Group

MDRT Court of the Table

Main Offices:  Appleton, WI, Minneapolis, MN  www.thrivent.com

Registered representative for securities offered through Thrivent Investment Management Inc., 625 Fourth Ave. S, Minneapolis, MN 555415-1665, 800-847-4836, a wholly owned subsidiary of Thrivent Financial for Lutherans.  Member NASD.  Member SIPC.       

________________________________________________________________________

IF you would like to submit your business card to be included in our advertising section, please submit $25 to the church office.  Thank You!