Grace and peace to you as we begin this Advent season.
This time of year is definitely one of to-do lists. Our heads and notebooks are full of them. From preparing our homes for the holiday season, to purchasing gifts, to sending out cards, to putting up trees, to feeling joyful, we are bombarded by expectations and things that need to get done. There is really so much that we feel we need to do. Even here at church, there is a sense of what needs to be done. “Give to the poor, make the sanctuary look simple and beautiful, sing only advent carols, show up at church for all the services, make some extra cookies.” And while these are good and important things, we are bombarded on all sides with to-do lists.
And yet, in this Advent season, the lists of all we need to do are overshadowed by all that God is doing in our midst. This time of year is when we name that God prepares to come to us in surprising ways. We will hear in our readings of God’s coming to renew the entire cosmos, making a peaceable kingdom where the lion and lamb lie down together. God speaks through John the Baptist and prepares us for God’s incarnation in Jesus. God re-gathers us again and shapes us into a people ready for ministry and open to a new future. God makes water to burst forth in the desert and brings healing. God comes to a carpenter named Joseph and a young woman named Mary, and calls them into a unknown future as parents of the Messiah. And God continues to come to us, continues to make us ready for the Christ-child in our midst, continues to challenge and move us into greater faithfulness. God is the subject of every sentence. God is the actor and we are the acted upon. We are the ones to receive, to be filled, to be transformed. God clears our lists, opens our hearts, renews our spirits to hear the good news that a child has been born to us, God has come to dwell with us, in Jesus, Immanuel, God-with us.
In this Advent season, it is my prayer that the Spirit open our hearts to see what God is doing in our midst. Perhaps this season can be less about our list of to-do’s, those things we ought to do, and more about what God is doing, has done and will do. Perhaps this season can be about seeing the small and powerful ways God is moving and alive, preparing us for the Christ-child, opening us for a renewed future. Perhaps this season can be one of renewal for your spirit, that in the stillness of watching, in the being instead of doing, and in the peace that comes from Christ, the grace of God’s coming might bring new life to you, and this whole world.
The November Congregation Council Meeting was opened at 7:30 PM on November 12th with a prayer and devotion by Pastor Sara.
Report from Financial Secretary and Treasurer: All bills are paid, with money still in our accounts. We did not have to withdraw money from our endowment again this month. The remaining part of the Krouse legacy was put into the money market account.
Property: They are still working on getting the side door repaired. Windows were replaced and repaired in the Fellowship Hall. Heating problems were due to the normal beginning of the season problems, and they are working to get all the programmable thermostats set correctly. The new CFL bulbs are doing great, and more will be added soon.
Stewardship: We are continuing to collect pledge cards and will put together numbers for our budget planning.
Worship and Music: The committee met and worked to organize for Advent and Christmas. Christmas Eve worship will be at 9:00 p.m. They are also planning a “Blue Christmas” service for those who are experiencing grief during the holiday season. The service will be held on Sunday, December 16, at 7:30 p.m. This past fall we received over 40 new Evangelical Lutheran Worship Hymnals as a gift from Julia Sabella. We will begin using them this Advent season by introducing some new hymns once each month. The hymnals will be handed out to be used in the service. Poinsettia ordering will be available the first three Sundays in December.
Vision Appeal: Gary Johnson is busy working on letters to be sent out this winter. Ken Troy has agreed to be the liaison with Gary to do the work of the Vision Appeal here, as Gary has moved to PA.
Pastor’s Report: Pastor Scott Schantzenbach will be here on November 25th to receive our gift to the Mission on the Move campaign. He will also preach on that Sunday. Pastor reported that our confirmation youth provided a meal for FISH hospitality network and will be attending the synod's Jr. High Retreat this weekend. Pat Klatt, Bill Shebey and Pastor met to prepare to meet with Pastor Haydee Tolentino in regards to their using our building for their congregation.
The Council discerned that the best use of the remainder of the Krouse legacy (which is $22,500, after giving 10% to MOM) would be to keep it for use in our general fund which pays for the day to day ministries of the congregation, and will be invested in a short term CD or something else that might gain some interest. If we are in need of special funds, it will be there, but it was decided not to designate it for specific use.
We received a letter from FISH Hospitality Network requesting donations, and we will have two Sundays in January where we will take a special offering for FISH.
The church office hours are Monday, Wednesday and Friday from 8:30 a.m. - to 1:00 p.m. If the door is not unlocked, please ring the bell or knock. Pastor Sara will also be available at the church on Thursdays.
Building Wish List
Gail, our secretary, Pastor Sara and the Property Committee will be compiling wish lists which will be posted on the bulletin board near the side door. Please look at these lists and see how you can help in the running of our church by donating something needed or desired. Thanks for your consideration.
Memorial
We have been saddened in recent days by the death on Sunday, November 11th, of our friend and member, Walter Dobak. May our prayers be with the Dobak family as we place our trust and hope in Christ’s resurrection.
Adult Forum
Everyone is invited to attend our Adult Forum on Sunday mornings at 9:15 a.m. Our study presently centers on the Lord’s Prayer. This prayer is familiar to us, but we will have some time together to look at what each part of this prayer might mean for us and our lives of faith. As the Adult Forum will not meet every Sunday, please check the schedule posted in the narthex for a list of meeting dates.
Weekly Bible Study
Join us each Wednesday for a Bible Study held at the church at 4:00 p.m. We will focus on the texts for that week that will be read at the following Sunday's service. (See “Word for the Week” further on in this newletter.) Invite your friends and neighbors to join us for this informative time together, as we grow deeper in our faith and understanding of God’s word.Blue Christmas Service
This Advent season, on Sunday, December 16th, at 7:30 p.m., we will have a special service to name God’s light in the midst of darkness, particularly for those who are grieving or struggling in this holiday season. We recognize that Christmas is often a difficult time for people who feel alone, who are grieving, who are experiencing a hard time in life.
This service will be a time of quiet, of lament, of prayer, of hope and comfort. We will gather to be surrounded by God’s presence which will never leave us and to name the light of Christ which shines in to our darkness and despair.
You are welcome to invite friends, family and others to this service of hope and healing.
Christmas Eve Service
Our Christmas Eve Candlelight Service with the Choir will be held on Monday, December 24th, at 9:00 p.m. Join us as we celebrate the coming of the Christ Child. Invite your family members, friends and neighbors to worship with us at this very special service.
Christmas Poinsettias
Orders will be taken for Christmas poinsettias on the first three Sundays of Advent - December 2nd, 9th and 16th. The cost most likely will be $6.00 per plant, but check your bulletin each week for this year's price. You may also check with Pat Shebey. If you can order a poinsettia for our shut-ins that would be appreciated. Please make all checks payable to Pat Shebey. Thank you.
Let It Shine - St. Peter's Vision Appeal
National Thanksgiving Proclamations proclaim thanks for God’s providence in the events of the nation and, as President Washington explained in his Thanksgiving Proclamation, “for the many signal favors of Almighty God” in the lives of the people.
It is only natural around Thanksgiving to remember all the things we are truly thankful for. For me, it is home, family, friends, and, of course, the fellowship that we have shared with our church family at St. Peter’s over the years.
As a member of St. Peter’s Vision Appeal Committee, I am also thankful for the many contributions that have been made by our members and friends during this year and look forward to the year ahead. The reason I say that is because we have surpassed our goal for 2007 and are off to a wonderful start toward our 2008 goal of $8,333.
You can follow our progress by taking a look at the Vision Appeal display board in Fellowship Hall. The display contains cards where you can write a note and indicate some of the things at St. Peter’s that you are personally thankful for.
If you have not made a contribution this year, we hope that you might consider doing so. As you know, all funds received go into St. Peter’s general operating fund so that we can continue to meet our monthly expenses.
We realize that everyone’s income is different. Some people have more expenses than others, and many are on fixed income. For this reason, it is not important what you give, but that you give.
Wishing you a blessed Thanksgiving.
Yours In Christian Service,
Gary Johnson
Thanksgiving Eve Service
Our community will gather on Wednesday, November 21st, at 7:30 p.m., for the annual Thanksgiving Eve Service at Trinity Reformed Church on the corner of Greenbrook Road and West End Avenue, North Plainfield. We expect a Combined Choir for this service celebrating our gratitude for all that God has done.
Town Hall Meeting
Join us on December 2nd, after church, for our Town Hall Meeting where we will discuss our proposed Purpose Statement. At this meeting, the Council will share more about the process used to discern this draft statement, and ask for imput, critique and ideas from the whole congregation. Please take some time before the meeting to read through chapters 2 and 10 in the Book of Acts, and to pray about this proposed Purpose Statement and what you hear God calling us to be. We will gather together feedback and responses from the Town Hall Meeting to create the final draft Purpose Statement for approval at our Annual Meeting in January. The proposed statement is:Loved by God, we are a place of welcome, growing in faith
and sharing God’s love, hope and joy.
A “Purpose Statement” is a concise, missional and outwardly focused statement which names what we believe our purpose is as the people of God. It is my belief that a clear and concise statement of our purpose will capture our imaginations, mobilize our energy, connect us with one another, and will draw others into our community.
We will also have some time at this meeting for open discussion on any other matters. We look forward to seeing you on December 2nd!
The Discipleship Academy
Come together with folks throughout New Jersey to learn new ways to see God moving and working in our midst. Bring your Bible and a newspaper for a full day of conversation, worship and fun. Come and learn how to be aware of all the ways the Kingdom of God is already among us in our lives, in our congregations, in our communities, in our world. After this event you will return home with a deeper awareness of God’s constant presence in your everyday life, an understanding of what God is up to in this world, and a sense that we are being called to participate in God&$146s loving mission. The Academy will be held at Good Shepherd Lutheran Church in Somerville on Saturday, December 1st, from 9:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.
With Gratitude
“...I thank my God every time I remember you...” Phillipians 1:3
God works in amazing ways through the generous and humble service of faithful people. In our newsletter each month we are going to share gratitude for the people who have done so much for our congregation in the past month. The purpose of this is for us to give praise to God for the many gifts and generous work of our community. If there is something or someone you want to thank and give praise to God for, please let the office know and we can include them here...
We thank God for:
Pastor Sara for representing St. Peter’s as a walker at the October 21st CROP Walk,
All sponsors who contributed a total of $200 in support of her efforts,
Linda Nietman for leading worship on November 11th while Pastor was away,
Irene Plitz for donating a couch for the upstairs Youth Room,
Jan, Barbara, Erik and Paul Henriksen for moving the couch into the Youth Room,
Diane Pasquarello for sharing her plants with us in the narthex.
We give thanks to God for you, and for your willingness to share your many gifts!
Simple Gift Giving During the Holidays: Honoring Christ’s Birth by Continuing Christ’s Work
This holiday season consider gift-giving that gives back to our community, cares for creation, promotes justice and peace in our world, and is just a bit more fun, more personal and more faithful. In our consumer society, perhaps we can live a different message which proclaims our worth not by what we have or by how much we give, but by the love which comes from Christ. Perhaps this year, we can each inject a bit more fun, creativity and generosity without all the shopping. Consider making gifts, baking or sharing what you have already. Perhaps you can give vouchers, have a meal, a special night out, or a grand celebration. Or perhaps you can give a gift which gives beyond ourselves, giving donations to organizations in someone’s name. The ELCA Good Gifts Catalog offers meaningful, make-a-difference gifts for your family and friends through the World Hunger program. Just $10 could give a gift of 10 chicks, or a fruit seed sapling to a family in need. $25 pays school fees for a child, or $50 gets a goat!
Keep your eye out for the ELCA Gift Catalog and give gifts that really make a difference.
You can also shop on-line at the following ELCA web site:
The Women of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (WELCA) invite all women to participate in their many activities. Meetings with a specific theme or activity are usually held at the church once each month. Our Katie's Quilters usually meet twice a month on a Wednesday morning at 10:00 and a Friday evening at 7:30. Check with the office for the monthly schedule of activities.
In August, 2007, our women delivered an additional 80 quilts to Lutheran World Relief center in Maryland. Food items for FISH, the local food bank, are continually collected and delivered. They assist our Lutheran Men in Mission at our Annual Dinner Theater and serve as Fellowship Time hostesses after Sunday church services. The women also sponsor a Thankoffering Sunday which is held in November. There are special service projects around the Christmas and Palm Sunday/Easter holidays. Other overseas projects, besides the LWR quilts, include the collection of items for health kits, layette kits, and school kits. Many other opportunities for fellowship and service are coming along. As you can see, our women are very active.
To find out how you can join in, and to find out what's happening when, please talk to an active member, watch for announcements in the Sunday bulletin, or call the church office (908-754-0530) for further information and/or the name and phone number of the proper contact person. Our Women of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America look forward to welcoming you!
Lutheran Men in Mission
Our Lutheran Men in Mission (LMM) meet once a month at the Church. All men of the church, young and senior alike, are welcome and encouraged to attend. Check with the office for the monthly schedule of events. In recent years, LMM has sponsored our Annual Picnic, and have have organized and cooked for our Annual Dinner Theater. They also take a regular turn with Fellowship Time after services, plus present our ladies with carnations on Mother's Day.
Work days at the church are also scheduled when a need arises. Each month, the men collect and deliver many bags of food to the local FISH program. Many other opportunities for fellowship and service are coming along.
As with the Women's Group, to find out how you can join in, and to find out what's happening when, please talk to an active member, watch for announcements in the Sunday bulletin, or call the church office (908-754-0530) for further information and/or the name and phone number of the proper contact person. Our Lutheran Men in Mission look forward to welcoming you!
ELCA World Hunger Appeal
“In 2004, our church's World Hunger Appeal celebrated its 30th anniversary - 30 years of bringing help and hope to people in need.” These are the words addressed to us in a letter from Mark S. Hanson, presiding Bishop of the ELCA. He goes on to say, “In this anniversary year, our church will be celebrating the work of the Appeal...Through your giving, you have been part of this mosaic of hope that comes through merging relief, sustainable development, advocacy, and education. Your gifts are part of a picture - of a church that is responding faithfully and effectively to its Lord's command to feed those who are hungry and to seek justice for those who are oppressed.”
Please continue to be a part of this picture by giving generously to our church's World Hunger Appeal.
Gifts can be given through St. Peter's, or sent directly to ELCA World Hunger Appeal, P.O. Box 71764, Chicago, IL 60694-1764.
E.P.E.S. (Educacion Popular En Salud)
The “Mission” - EPES is dedicated to improving the health and quality of life of shantytown inhabitants of Santiago and Concepcion, Chile, through the training and organized participation of the residents themselves. As a program of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Chile, EPES has trained hundreds of local people as community health promoters over the past 25 years. The great majority (97%) of the health promoters are shantytown women. They have addressed issues which have included acute respiratory infections, breast cancer, reproductive rights, domestic violence, adolescent sexuality, HIV infection and AIDS, mental health and environmental pollution. Primary funders include individual donors, the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA), Church World Service (USA), and the Lutheran World Federation (Geneva). Special project funds have also come from Global Health Ministries (USA), OVERSEAS (Italy), the Christian Medical Commission of the World Council of Churches (Geneva), and Christians Linked in Mission (USA).
St. Peter’s congregation has supported this valuable mission project for over 25 years. Donations are immediately forwarded to Rev. Lerseth, Mission Director at Lutheran Headquarters in Chicago, who, in turn, forwards those funds directly to EPES in Chile. You can help in this support with your $20 suggested donation, made in memory of a deceased loved one, or in honor of someone or a special occasion. Envelopes are available in the church hallway on the bulletin board near the office.
Thank you.
Evelyn Troy, C.M.I.
Word for the Week
Each week we are given the gift of God's Word in our lectionary texts, the texts assigned to us for each week of worship. You will hear these words on Sunday mornings and the Sunday School children study these texts. I invite you to take some time during the week before you come to church on Sunday to read, study and pray with these texts each week. It could be a simple way to do daily devotions. On Monday, read the first reading, Tuesday, the psalm, on Wednesday, the second reading, and Thursday, read the Gospel texts. On Friday and Saturday, go back to those readings you had questions about and dig more deeply into your study. These passages can also be read in preparation for our weekly 4 p.m. Wednesday Bible Study held at the church.
One simple way to read these texts is to ask yourself the following questions:
1. What does this piece of scripture tell me about God?
2. What is God up to in this text?
3. What does this text call me (or us) to do or to be?
These are some of the questions I pray and ponder as I prepare for my sermons each week, and perhaps as you begin to ask them with me. We can grow in deeper conversation and connection with God and God's mission in the world. And you might even have a deeper experience of worship on Sunday morning.
Week before December 2nd, 1st Sunday in Advent:
Isaiah 2:1-5
Psalm 122 (1)
Romans 13:11-14
Matthew 24:36-44
Week before December 9th, 2nd Sunday in Advent:
Isaiah 11:1-10
Psalm 72:1-7, 18-19 (7)
Romans 15:4-13
Matthew 3:1-12
Week before December 16th, 3rd Sunday in Advent:
Isaiah 35:1-10
Psalm 146:5-10 (8) or Luke 1:46b-55 (47)
James 5:7-10
Matthew 11:2-11
Week before December 23rd, 4th Sunday in Advent:
Isaiah 7:10-16
Psalm 80:1-7, 17-19 (7)
Romans 1:1-7
Matthew 1:18-25
Christmas Eve, December 24th:
Isaiah 9:2-7
Psalm 96 (11)
Titus 2:11-14
Luke 2:1-14 (15-20)
Christmas Day, December 25th:
Isaiah 62:6-12
Psalm 97 (11)
Titus 3:4-7
Luke 2:(1-7) 8-20
Also:
Isaiah 52:7-10
Psalm 98 (3)
Hebrews 1:1-4 (5-12)
John 1:1-14
Week before December 30th, 1st Sunday of Christmas:
Isaiah 63:7-9
Psalm 148 (13)
Hebrews 2:10-18
Matthew 2:13-23
Week before January 6th, The Epiphany of Our Lord:
Isaiah 60:1-6
Psalm 72:1-7, 10-14 (11)
Ephesians 3:1-12
Matthew 2:1-12
