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Happenings at Lord of Life Lutheran Church
"Where Everybody is Somebody...and Jesus is Lord!"
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"A shoot shall come out from the stump of Jesse, and a branch shall grow out of his roots. The spirit of the Lord shall rest on him, the spirit of wisdom and understanding, the spirit of counsel and might, the spirit of knowledge and the fear of the Lord."
Isaiah 11:1-2 NRSV
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Phone: (609) 268-0262
Hours:
Tuesday Through Friday
8:00 AM - 3:30 PM
Pastor Wendolyn Trozzo
Phone: (609) 268-0262
Ed Hourihan
Council President
lol_prez@lordlife.us
Debbie Chromeck
Church Secretary
Extension 301
Janell Reich
Adult Ministry
Extension 305
Breanne Tomlinson
Children, Youth &
Family Ministry
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Junior & Senior
High Ministry
Extension 302
Building And Grounds
Council Representative
Deborah DeMarco
Grace Place
Extension 306
(609) 268-2756
Carolyn & James Cuviello
LifeLines Editors
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MISSED A LIFELINES?
Here are links to previous issues:
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From The Pastor's Desk...
Greetings in the name of our Lord!
You'll find that I am using as much of phone and e-greetings as I can this week. I'm not quarantined, but I was blessed to visit the youth group at Bridge of Peace and many of the kids had family or neighbors with COVID. More and more of our congregation have family members with COVID as well, and, as a county, we are waiting to see if people kept to their small pods during Thanksgiving. We continue to live with a delicate balance - Advent waiting this year may feel much more concrete than in past years.
It has been quite a week for me as pastor; I was able to lead Advent Family night for my "Pockets", and we had 18 people attend via Zoom. We have 13 Pockets being established so this can be a way to keep many families connected. We brought many meals to Camden for the youth group event. It was fun to be together, though even Bridge of Peace is likely closing their youth group down during the winter, as meeting is just incredibly challenging and still feels unsafe. For our congregation, our BFF and worship will be virtual during at least Advent. We will decide about Christmas Eve this week - at least 2 virtual options are guaranteed.
We are working to keep the faith and keep awake to both needs of our members and community as well as awake to creative ideas for how to BE the Church during this time. Every member matters: in your support, your calling on one another, your attending what is offered, your prayers, and heeding of God's voice throughout Advent. Keep awake!
Peace,
Pastor Wendolyn
Pastor's Contact Information:
-Cell phone: 609-286-4533 - available 24/7 though I do not answer while driving or visiting.
-Instagram: Wendofish - younger folks rely on this app, so please encourage them to connect with me here!
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Pre-Recorded Service:
On YouTube Beginning
Sundays At 6:00 AM
Join us for our Sunday church services!
All of our church services have returned to a pre-recorded, virtual format. The current Sunday service will be available on the Lord Of Life YouTube website beginning at 6:00 AM on Sunday morning. That service video and previous ones will remain on our YouTube website for viewing at any time.
A direct link for viewing the service will be posted on the church's Facebook page and emailed to all church members at the end of week prior to the current service.
Links are below to both the Lord Of Life YouTube website and Facebook page.
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Tuesday Evening
ZOOM Bible Study
Our evening Bible Study continues and will be held on Tuesdays, December 8th, 15th, and 22nd. The session meets via ZOOM at 7:00 PM. The study will use "Because of Bethlehem: Love Is Born, Hope Is Here" by Max Lucado. Please contact Janell Reich by email if you would like to participate. The link to her email is below.
Wednesday Parking Lot
Bible Study
In December, the Wednesday 1:00 PM parking lot Bible Study will continue its study of "Loving Jesus" by Mark Allan Powell.
Meetings will only occur on days that are deemed warm enough. Please contact Janell Reich for more information. A link to her email is below.
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2020 Lord Of Life
Reverse Advent Challenge
(Forming Groups Are Welcome, Too!)
Our Youth have issued a challenge for you this Advent! Advent is a time that we spend waiting for Jesus to come. It is a time that we reflect on how God has revealed power and majesty through the birth of Jesus Christ. Bearing this in mind, our youth have answered the call to be bearers of Christ's light by collecting items for our neighbors at Bridge of Peace.
You are welcome to join in as an individual, a household, or a group.
Our challenge begins with an empty manger (or in this case, a laundry basket) that is meant to bear Christ to the world. Each day of Advent, fill your basket with the item mentioned for that day, and by the end of this Advent season, your laundry basket, much like that manger, will be filled with Hope, Love, Joy, and Peace to be shared with our neighbors.
More information will be forthcoming about the collection of your completed mangers (the laundry basket filled with your gracious donations).
The link provided below is to a December 2020 calendar. Each day, an item is listed that will go into your manger (the laundry basket). You can view and print out the calendar after clicking on the following link: View Or Print the Calendar - Click Here
Please join with our youth in this caring Reverse Advent Challenge!
You may contact Breanne Tomlinson by email if you have any questions. A link to her email is below.
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Bible, Faith, And Fellowship (BFF)
Our virtual ADVENTure to Christmas BFF program has begun! There will be 4 lessons during each Sunday in Advent that will get our kids ready to celebrate Christmas. If you missed the first session, you are still welcome to join in for the remaining 3 Sundays.
At-home kits will be provided, and the program itself will be conducted via Google Classroom. If your child is interested in participating, please email Breanne so that she can give you the code to access this event. A link to her email is below.
Pocket Ministry
These friendships will be a source of support for you and your children throughout your faith journeys. In the works is an Epiphany event. Please check your emails for more information on this.
Volunteers Needed
We need volunteers for Youth Group and BFF. If you are willing to serve in either of these important ministries, please contact Breanne Tomlinson by email.
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If you have any questions or are able to volunteer, please email Breanne Tomlinson. A link to her email is below.
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Join Us For Virtual Coffee Hour Via ZOOM
Zoom Coffee Hour
Sundays, Dec 13th And 20th
From 10:00 -10:30 AM
Drop in for 2 or 20 minutes and catch up with friends and ministries. Join by landline phone or computer.
Dial in by phone: 1 646 558 8656
Meeting ID: 897 8225 3837
Passcode: 267550
Join online using the direct link below.
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Your Own Advent
Family Night!
Lord of Life leaders have developed a creative script that YOU can use to host an Advent family night. You can do it in-person with your household or pod. You can also do it online with: your family from across the country; with ministry groups like choir or quilting ministry; or with any group you'd like to gather virtually.
You can use all of the script, or just a few elements. Using all elements takes about an hour. The Zoom host can share their screen if needed. Packets are available outside of the Church door with the very simple supplies (50 index cards plus 12 colored month-tab dividers, which could simply be regular paper folded in 1/4). The project that is created is a "Micro-Journal" and just one is needed for a whole household to enjoy for years to come.
The script is available to view using the link below.
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Christmas Eve Video Montage
1-minute mission!
We are making a video montage for the Christmas Eve services and need as many households as possible to contribute.
How: Use your smartphone to record a 10 second greeting (or get friends/younger generations to help).
What: A quick greeting, such as "Merry Christmas from the Trozzo's" "Love from the Smith's, we miss you all," read a verse from a favorite hymn, or tell a terrible holiday joke. (Examples include: Sing the Christmas alphabet, but with No-el... or dress as the 3 wise men and proclaim "But wait - there's myrrh!")
Where: Email the video (from 5-25 seconds) to Bill Reich at photos@lordlife.us Please have videos to Bill no later than Sunday, December 20th.
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Grace Place News
Now Accepting September 2021 Registrations!
Registrations for our program beginning in September 2021 are now open. To enroll your child or to get more information, please contact the Director, Deborah DeMarco. A link to her email is below.
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Stewardship 2021
December 4th Update
Sincere thanks to all who have returned the 2021 Estimate Of Sharing (EOS) cards! God bless you for your support of our church and it's ministries!
If you have not as yet been able to return your 2021 EOS card, please still return your 2021 EOS card with or without a monetary estimate on it. We hope to have 100% participation in the return of the 2021 EOS cards.
If you have questions regarding the 2021 Stewardship mailing or campaign, please contact Stewardship Team Leader, James Cuviello, by email. His email link is provided here: Email Jim - Click Here
Thank you to all who have contributed in 2020, and thank you in advance for your continued support in 2021!
"Each of you should use whatever gift you have received to serve others, as faithful stewards of God's grace."
1 Peter 4:10 NIV
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December 4th Update From Our Adult Ministry Leader, Janell Reich:
Book Club meets again Tuesday, December 8th at 1:00 PM in the church parking lot. The rain date is Tuesday, December 15th.
We will discuss "A Redbird Christmas," a novel by Fannie Flagg. There are copies in the Burlington County Library System as well as online dealers.
"A Redbird Christmas" is a short and poignant Christmas story for all the family. Oswald T. Campbell, aged 52, down-and-out in a Chicago winter, is only given months to live unless he moves South. He finds himself in the small town of Lost River, Alabama, amongst all its eccentric but friendly residents.
Car Caroling:
Come join us for a time of song in the church parking lot at 1:00 PM on Thursday, December 17th. Sue Dreisbach will lead us in caroling via our church radio station, 88.7 FM. You can participate in the safety of your car and share distanced fellowship.
Christmas Lights at Smithville Park:
Date Change!
The trip to Smithville Mansion and adjoining buildings to view the Christmas decorations and lights will now take place on Thursday evening, December 10th. We are planning to stroll the grounds and enjoy the sights and our time together. Lord Of Life has a decorated tree as part of the display, and we will be sure to stop and take a look at our tree. You can meet us in the parking lot near the Smithfield Mansion at 4:30 PM or meet at the church parking lot at 4:00 PM and caravan to Smithville Park. Please contact Janell Reich by email if you are attending and also if you will meet at the church or at Smithfield. A link to her email is below.
If you have questions about Adult Ministry, email Janell Reich. A link is provided below.
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Partners In Mission:
A Thank You From
Pastor Giselle
Dear Lord of Life Disciples and Friends from Holiday Village,
Grace and Peace to you, sisters and brothers. We Thank God For You! We thank God for your commitment to us here at Bridge of Peace Community Church and to the community we have been called to serve. We thank God for our continued relationship centered in the love, hope and power of Christ. We thank you for helping us to live out our common call and mission to serve all of God's people.
In the past eight months, we have seen a sharp increase in the needs in our region. Many frontline and essential workers from Camden County have contracted or needed to quarantine due to COVID-19. We have provided supplemental food and assistance. We are serving people from ten towns in the area. We thank God for your ongoing support including this Thanksgiving and Christmas. We were able to sponsor more than 75 families with Thanksgiving Baskets, gift cards and referred other families to local resources. We continue to serve food every Monday night and expect to serve over 35,000 meals by years end thanks to our partners like you and many grants. For Christmas we hope to sponsor over 50-75 children and youth. We have registered people to vote, helped people complete their census, and referred people for mental health and domestic violence support.
Thank you for your helping us by doing a food collection. We have had a blessed month. We continue to pray for you through these challenging times and celebrate the new arrival of Pastor Trozzo to serve you in the years ahead. We hope and pray we will continue to find ways to work together in the year to come.
Yours in Christ,
Pastor Giselle C. Coutinho and the Disciples at Bridge Of Peace Community Church, ELCA
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And, A Thank You From Betty Mastrillo:
I also would like to thank all who were involved in donating items which made up 50 goody bags and provided 50 hats and glove sets and 30 bagged dinners for the BOP children. Your generosity was overwhelming!
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Our Ongoing Support For BOP Continues:
BOP food pantry is in need of canned soups (for the colder weather), cans of tuna or chicken, along with the regular items (Parmalot, cereal, pancake mix, syrup, etc.). Our last delivery was made on December 1st, and the collection needed items will continue.
Thank you everyone for your continued support!
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Partners In Mission:
Support For The Christian Caring Center
Special Christmas Appeal:
Deadline For Gift Cards Is Now Thursday, December 17th
Food For Christmas Baskets Needed
Due to COVID-19, Lord of Life will not have it's annual Giving Tree in the entryway. Instead, we are collecting Gift Cards for the Christian Caring Center. Their normal Christmas Gift exchange had to be revamped since this year, they would have to hold it at the CCC building, and they lack the space needed to do so. This is another COVID related issue. The solution was to substitute gift cards as our donation. Suggested merchants are: Amazon, Target, and Walmart (Others are welcome, too!).
If you would like to participate in our outreach efforts, please drop off your gift card at the church office by Thursday, December 17th.
Additionally, if you would like to donate food for CCC Christmas baskets, these items would be most welcomed. Please have the food at our church by Thursday, December 17th.
As always, thank you for your generosity!
We Continue Our Support Of The CCC:
Our regular collection is ongoing, and your support is greatly appreciated. Another delivery to the CCC was made on December 2nd. Please use the blue container outside the kitchen doorway or the cart in the church entryway for your donations.
Thank you for your support!
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Thank You Donors!
From:
The American Red Cross
And Lord Of Life
Thank you to all our donors who gave blood during our November American Red Cross Blood Drive. All 37 appointment opportunities were filled! Your precious gift will provide life and hope to many during this Christmas season!
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Quilting Ministry News
From Gloria Brosious
On Wednesday, November 18th, two carloads and one truckload of 115 quilts were delivered to the collection site at Cross Roads Camp And Retreat Center in Califon, N.J.
I also want to let all know that an additional 6 quilts were donated to Women With Voices Charity in Hainsport via Barbara Wagner.
Thank you to all our quilters for their efforts in making the quilts, to those who cut quilt squares and assemble kits, to all who donated needed materials to make the quilts possible, to Thrivent for giving us funds to buy the batting and some other items, and to our delivery volunteers. These quilts will be a valuable necessity for those who will receive them.
Bless you all!
Packed And Ready To Go!
Our delivery volunteers: (L to R) Bob Brosious (Driver), Gloria Brosious, Carolyn Cuviello, and Paul Molnar (Driver). Not pictured is the photographer, Jim Cuviello (Driver).
29 Boxes Of LOL Quilts At The Cross Roads Collection Center
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Project LOL:
Report From Craig Baechler
Update On Two Major Projects:
The property committee has moved forward on the following long overdue projects:
Heating System
After many years of neglect our heating system had become unreliable and a maintenance nuisance. We have contracted with Accurately Controlled Environment, Inc. to replace our aging boilers with new 95% high efficiency boilers. That project could start as early as this month.
Church Entry Doors
The entry doors to the church need replacement after over 30 years of wear. We have contracted with ZVA Construction to replace our existing doors. These doors are fiberglass with an improved latching system, new brass hardware, door stops to keep them open when needed (vs. the use of bungie cords!), integral hidden door latches on the stationary door, and a new weather/rot resistant door frame. Installation should begin in approximately 12 weeks.
Other Items To Report:
Housekeeping
Our housekeeping contract has been renewed with JanPro for another year to provide cleaning and disinfecting services for both Lord of Life and the Grace Place. Please welcome Ed and Cheryl, our new cleaning crew, to Lord of Life.
Grounds Maintenance
Keith Lerner has been busy keeping the Grace Place playground free of leaves and cleaning the gutters on the main building. Thanks to Keith.
Basement Ceiling Tiles
Broken ceiling tiles have been replaced and missing ceiling tiles have been installed.
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The National Lutheran Choir Christmas Concert
The National Lutheran Choir will present a free, on-line Christmas Concert on Friday, December 11th at 9 PM (Eastern Standard Time). Celebrate the joy of the Christmas season with music preformed by this outstanding, nationally known choir. The concert will air on the National Lutheran Choir website. A link to the website is below. The website also has information about the concert and a "trailer" about the concert for you to view.
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2021 On-Line Winter Session
The Lutheran Music Program recently announced that a Winter 2021, on-line Lutheran Summer Music Program (LSM) will be held from January 11, 2021 - February 5, 2021. The program is open to students in grades 8 to 12. The areas of study are Voice, Piano, Wind Instruments, Percussion Instruments, String Instruments, Organ, and Composition. For information, a link to the LSM webpage is below. You may also contact Rick Krause who will be able to answer your questions. A link to his email is also below.
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Stars And Promises Christmas Concert With Peter Mayer
In the first-ever ELCA event of its kind, ELCA World Hunger presents an online Christmas benefit concert featuring Peter Mayer, a longtime Lutheran and the lead guitarist for singer Jimmy Buffett. The concert will premiere on the ELCA Facebook page on Dec. 9th at 8:00 PM.
The concert is a gift to you this Advent season, a way for us to thank you and provide a place for you to gather online with the church community as we prepare for the birth of our Savior. Donations to ELCA World Hunger are encouraged and will support our church's work to respond to hunger and poverty in more than 60 countries. Register now to receive a free Peter Mayer Christmas album download created just for this event!
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Cross Roads is now accepting applications for a variety of Summer 2021 staff positions including counselors, kitchen staff members, grounds and maintenance staff, and more. Use the link below for general information, job descriptions, and application details.
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In the last 2 issues of LifeLines, there was an article about applying to the ELCA Young Adults In Global Mission (YAGM) program. As an addendum to that article, links are below to here from several participants of the program. They share their experiences they had in YAGM. Also below is the link to the last issue of LifeLines that provides more information about the YAGM.
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Useful Information During The Pandemic
Do you have questions? Do you need information? Do you need help? The web-links, phone numbers, and information below may be of value to you during these COVID-19 times.
For COVID-19 Questions And To Access Trusted Information:
The New JerseyCOVID-19 Information Hub
Burlington County COVID-19 Information:
Links to 2 webpages that provide useful information.
For Life Threatening Emergencies:
Dial 911 to reach your local Police, Fire, and EMS services.
To Report Other Needs And To Connect With Help:
New Jersey 2-1-1 Partnership
Or by phone, Dial 211
Receive Text Information Or Assistance:
Text NJCOVID to 898-211 to receive information and stay informed.
For live text assistance, text your zip code to 898-211
For Mental Health And Coping Concerns:
View the CDC website that provides information and a link to the Substance Abuse And Mental Health Administration (SAMHSA) website.
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Continuing Your Contributions
Your continuing financial support is essential to maintain the Ministries of Lord Of Life. Your envelopes can be mailed to the church (1 Winchester Court, Tabernacle, NJ 08088) and Simply Giving remains in place.
Offerings can also be made via a secure website and cell phone app. More information about these ways to contribute can be found on the church's website. The link is below.
Despite these troubling COVID-19 times, the work of the church is going on. Pastor Wendolyn and our staff are actively engaged, and the need to pay bills and the mortgage continue. Prayerfully consider continuing with your regular contributions.
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2021 Offering Envelopes
Are Now Available
December 4th Update
All offering envelope boxes for 2021 have been placed in your church mailbox. If you at the church, please pick them up.
Envelope boxes that have not been picked up at the church will be delivered to your home at the end of December. More information about this will appear in the next issue of LifeLines.
If you would be willing to help with the delivery, please contact Stewardship Team Leader, James Cuviello by email. A link for his email is below.
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BIRTHDAYS
Dec. 4: Kelsey Snodgrass
Dec. 5: Brad Parker and Matthew Schmid
Dec. 6: Steve Edgerton
Dec. 7: Robert Urban
Dec. 8: Lucille Grosser and Grayson Pickard
Dec. 9: Kathryn Adamson, Barbara Ma, and Leeland Rogers
Dec. 10: Linda Baechler
Dec. 11: Nicole Schwab
Dec. 13: Devon Moll and Lauren Sander
Dec. 14: Barbara Blackman
Dec. 15: Tyler Kermoade and Cheryl McDowell
Dec. 16: Jack Kronenberger, Pat Leonetti, and Holly Priester
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WEDDING ANNIVERSARIES
Dec. 6: Patty & Giovanni DeCristofaro
Dec. 14: Sue & Leo Michaleski
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BAPTISMAL ANNIVERSARIES
Dec. 4: Colin Reilley, Liam Reilley, Kevin Shover,
Rachel Shover, and William Shover III
Dec. 6: Joe Batten and Marie Lamb
Dec. 7: Elizabeth Blair and Cameron Buchler
Dec. 8: Robert Barnes and Meghan Safier
Dec. 12: Deborra Torres
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Church member Birthday, Wedding Anniversary, and Baptismal Anniversary recognition will list names from the date of the current LifeLines edition to the day prior to the next scheduled edition. We will try our best to be accurate, but if there is an error or omission, please email the Editors. The link to our email is below. Thank you!
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Lord Of Life Tree At Smithfield Mansion And Park
Several Lord Of Life church members recently decorated an evergreen tree designated the "Lord Of Life" tree at Smithfield. Pictured with our tree are the decorators: (L to R) Penny Miller, Barbara Wagner, Barbara Ma, and Sheri Perkins. Thank you bringing a Lord Of Life presence to this popular Christmas time venue!
An Ending Instrumental:
The ending song for this LifeLines issue is an instrumental rendition of ELW #257, "O Come, O Come Emmanuel." The piano and cello provide both a peaceful and contemplative mood for the Advent season.
"God be merciful unto us, and bless us; and cause his face to shine upon us. That thy way may be known upon earth, thy saving health among all nations. Let the people praise thee, O God; let all the people praise thee."
Psalm 67:1-3 KJV
(LifeLines is published on the first and third Friday of each month. Please submit articles for upcoming editions of the LifeLines by the Monday prior to the issue date. To contact the LifeLines editors by email, click on the following link: lifelines@lordlife.us)
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