Jersey Jottings

December 1, 2021

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Stir up our hearts, Lord God, to prepare the way of your only Son. By his coming give to all the people of the world knowledge of your salvation; through Jesus Christ, our Savior and Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever.

Amen.

2 Advent

We keep in prayer...

Matt Adams, grandson of Pastor Peter Hartney (St Paul, Beachwood)

Pastor Bruce Ewen (retired)

Pastor Bob Hughes (retired)

Nancy Sweet, spouse of Pastor Steven Sweet (Grace, River Edge)

Bonnie Summer, spouse of Pastor Mark Summer (retired)

All who are afflicted with or recovering from COVID19, especially those in our congregations, our neighborhoods, and in our Companion Synods in Namibia.

All who work to eradicate racism and reform unjust systems.

These congregations of our Synod

Good Shepherd, Glen Rock; Redeemer, Succasunna

These ELCA and Companion Synods around the world

South Dakota Synod, ELCA; Southern Ohio Synod, ELCA;

Faith and Hope Lutheran Church of Nicaragua

We pray for peace, protection of human lives, and harmony in the world!

Bishop's Challenge

Why is it important for the NJ Synod to take up the Bishop's Challenge at this time?

"We need to hear and learn the history in order to change and move forward" ~Jane

Resources may be found at njsynod.org/bishopschallenge

THE NEW JERSEY SYNOD COUNCIL and

THE OFFICE OF THE BISHOP

On Behalf Of THE NEW JERSEY SYNOD

EVANGELICAL LUTHERAN CHURCH IN AMERICA

Announce the

SERVICE OF

ORDINATION AND INSTALLATION

HAYDÉE M. COLÓN-HERNÁNDEZ

Sunday, December 19, 2021

2:00 PM

Bishop Tracie L. Bartholomew, Presiding

The Rev. Maristela L. Freiberg, Preacher

St. John Lutheran Church

140 Lexington Avenue, Passaic, New Jersey 07055

Face Mask and Social Distance Protocols Will Be Honored

The color is red.

The Service Will Be Live-streamed and Recorded

CONSEJO DEL SÍNODO DE NUEVA JERSEY y

LA OFICINA DE LA OBISPA

A Nombre De SÍNODO DE NUEVA JERSEY

IGLESIA LUTERANA EVANGÉLICA EN AMÉRICA

Anunciar El

SERVICIO DE

ORDENACIÓN E INSTALACIÓN

HAYDÉE M. COLÓN-HERNÁNDEZ

Domingo, 19 de Deciembre de 2021

2:00 PM

Obispa Tracie L. Bartholomew, Presidir

La Revda. Maristela L. Freiberg, Predicará

Iglesia Luterana deSan Juan

140 Lexington Avenue, Passaic, New Jersey 07055

Se repetarán los protocolos de mascarilla facial y distanciamiento social.

El color es rojo.

El servicio se transmitirá en vivo y se grabará

DECEMBER 26th WORSHIP

The synod office will produce a worship video for use on December 26th.

You may download it earlier that week for use in your own setting or watch it direct from our YouTube Channel.

Thirty-five percent of a congregation’s annual giving comes into the church from Thanksgiving up through Christmas.

And so now is a great time to be telling impact and outcome stories about what your congregation has done and/or intends to do through its friends’ and members’ giving!

It is even wise to let people know those different ways that they may make a gift. You could write/communicate something like,

Ways to give include:

Making a gift electronically through your website or simply writing a check.
Remember, those who are 70.5 years old or older can gift up to $100,000 per year from an IRA or 401K account. This gift can also count as your Required Minimum Distribution after you turn 72. The key is to have your administrator give it directly to the church and not have you take possession of the distribution. This allows you to avoid paying income tax on the money although you cannot deduct it as a charitable gift.
Appreciated stock/mutual funds can be gifted to avoid paying capital gains taxes. Contact [insert Treasurer or Other] to transfer the asset directly to the church. If it has appreciated in value, don’t sell it yourself.

Remember that to receive appreciated stock/mutual funds, your congregation will need to set up a brokerage account into which appreciated stock/mutual fund contributions may be made. Also always encourage donors to consult their tax advisors for what works best for them.

Questions about this or other aspects of your congregation’s stewardship appeal and practices? Contact Rev. Dean R. Brown, Assistant to the Bishop at 732-747-1050/ [email protected].

Attention Congregation Treasurers

Please note that all Mission Support for 2021 must be received in the Synod office no later than January 15, 2022 to be credited in 2021.

Also, be on the lookout for the annual Treasurer's Kit of information for year end 2021, including detailed giving statement for year-to-date 2021, which will be mailed out to all congregation treasurers next week!

Join Lutheran Immigration and Refugee Service in The Long Welcome and co-sponsor a refugee family. Co-sponsorship is the gift of walking alongside and supporting a refugee family after their arrival. To become a co-sponsor:

commit to one year of walking alongside a refugee family
sign a written commitment with your local resettlement agency to provide friendship, encouragement, and support
raise between $3,000 and $7,000 to help meet a family's needs

Congregations/Individuals interested should click here for more information and to sign up for co-sponsorship.

Help is needed for Afghan refugee families in our area!

"I was a stranger and you welcomed me." - Matthew 25:35