Happenings At
Lord Of Life Lutheran Church
"Where everybody is somebody, and Jesus is Lord!"
Lent 2022
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"Rend your hearts and not your clothing. Return to the Lord, your God, for he is gracious and merciful, slow to anger, and abounding in steadfast love..."
Joel 2:13 NRSV
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Coffee Hour Fellowship
Every Sunday
Join us for Coffee Hour every Sunday! Be with us in Fellowship Hall between our Sunday morning worship services to socialize, catch up with church friends, enjoy some treats, and, of course, sip our "heavenly" coffee.
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From The Pastor's Desk:
What things do you check on a daily basis? For me it’s inboxes, kids’ homework, how much gas is in my car, and what we need to make for dinner. Probably there are many more things that I simply do automatically. Then there are things I check when something feels different – when I’m unexpectedly hot or cold, I check our thermostat; when I’m tired I see if I took my vitamins (and sometimes I check the microwave to see if my tea is still waiting there, forgotten); when I write a check (rare these days) I check our bank account levels.
We are called to love God with our whole heart, soul, mind, and strength, and it feels to me like this change of seasons affects all of those parts of me. Something feels different, and so I explore… In worship as we focus on the cross and the heart of God, my soul finds both rest and energy. My body witnesses to both the pain of human living as I work in my yard, but also feels the pleasure of stretching out and doing that hands-on work. My mind tries to prepare for how Easter fits into the workings of this world, while seeing present strife and power struggles in Ukraine. In all of this, my heart is pained that Jesus died for us, and is simultaneously grateful and hopeful. I check not only my inboxes and thermostat, but I check in on my heart, soul, mind, and strength, to experience ways that God is drawing me closer to God’s heart, and to check in on how my life can change, like seasons, to be transformed and grow in meeting the needs of the world and of my neighbors.
If you aren’t sure how to check in with God – and I believe all of us find that challenging – I invite you to join in daily devotions for the remainder of Lent (until April 8th) at this site, appropriately named, "God Pause": https://www.luthersem.edu/godpause/. Like checking for my tea in the microwave, it takes only a few moments, but can redirect my day and provide me fuel for heart, soul, mind, and strength. I hope that you are able to daily check in with your whole self, and with God, every day.
Peace,
Pastor Wendolyn
"Many people mistake our work for our vocation. Our vocation is the love of Jesus."
Mother Theresa
Additional Notes From Pastor Wendolyn
Saturday, March 19: Confirmation Mini-Retreat. Only 3 left this year!
We will be learning how to slow down and be with God through exploring Labyrinths, and we will look one more time at the Salvation Narrative in the Bible, learning how each book of the Bible follows the story of God acting in the world – past, present, and future! Our last two dates this year will be Saturday April 16th (helping to lead the Easter Vigil worship service) and May 14th. Parents please also mark your calendars for the Confirmation service on Saturday, June 4th.
Thursday, March 24th, From 9:00 - 10:00 AM: Parents’ Time Out, Hang-Out Time for Parents of Young Children
For the first time forever (sing along...!) we are hosting a gathering for parents of pre-schoolers, infants, and toddlers, to join together for socializing and supporting each other. THURSDAY March 24th from 9:00-10:00 AM, meet in the Fellowship hall for coffee and conversation. Children are welcome and toys will be available in the Fellowship hall.
Grace Place parents have been invited and we would love for Lord Of Life members as well as friends of our congregation to attend - who can you invite? Cut and paste this LifeLines article into an email to share!
(Another session will be be held on Sunday, March 27th at 11:15 AM.)
March 27: A day of opportunities!
Camp Day In Worship: Cross Roads Camp and Retreat center’s Executive Director will worship with us and introduce us to the power and joy of Outdoor Ministries and camps/retreats.
Parent’s Hang Out and Connect: Our Children/Youth/Family Director Breanne will lead a time for parents of young children to relax and support each other following our 10am service – starting at 11:15 AM.
Youth Group will meet from 11:00 AM - Noon to continue designing our room and enjoy being together.
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Pastor's Office Hours:
Tuesdays from 9:00 AM to 12:00 Noon
Wednesdays from 11:00 AM to 3:00 PM.
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Pastor's Contact Information:
Cell phone: 609-286-4533 - available 24/7 though I do not answer while driving or visiting.
Facebook: "Friend" me at Wen Trozzo or join me at @PastorWendolyn
Instagram: Wendofish
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Tuesday At 7:00 PM On ZOOM
And
Wednesday At 11:00 AM
In Fellowship Hall
"Monologue From The Foot Of The Cross"
(Written By Pastor Joecks)
Each week will feature a unique perspective of Christ's crucifixion from a person who witnessed it. Sessions will be Wednesdays at 11:00 AM with Pastor Joecks leading the group in Fellowship Hall, and Tuesdays at 7:00 PM on ZOOM with Pastor Wendolyn as session leader. This Bible Study will take place through April 6th.
The link provided below should be used to join our Tuesday session on ZOOM.
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Bible, Faith, & Fellowship
(Age 3 - 4th Grade)
Sundays At 10:00 AM
BFF is held on Sundays during our 10:00 AM service. All children ages 3 through 4th grade are welcome to attend.
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Breakfast Club
(Grades 4, 5 & 6)
Sundays At 9:15 AM
All children in grade 4 will now be able to join our 5th and 6th graders! Breakfast Club will be held each Sunday.
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First Communion Classes:
Saturday, April 2nd and Saturday, April 9th from 9:30 AM - 12:00 Noon
All children in 2nd grade and above who wish to receive communion are eligible to join us. First Communion will be Sunday, May 1st at the 10:00 AM service. Please contact Breanne if your child will participate in the First Communion classes.
Easter Egg Hunt:
Sunday, April 10th from 3:00 PM - 4:30 PM
Join us for our Palm Sunday afternoon Easter Egg Hunt on the church grounds. All children, church members as well as their friends, are invited to attend.
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Middle & High School Retreat:
April 29 – May 1, 2022
Elementary School Retreat:
May 13 – 15, 2022
Both Retreats will be at the Cross Roads Camp And Retreat Center in Califon, NJ. The theme for the 2022 Cross Roads Youth Retreats is Crack the Code, Journey with Jesus. At both the Elementary and Middle and High School Retreats, participants will embark on a series of challenges to find clues, crack the code, and solve the mystery. Each weekend includes interactive Bible study, group games, small group discussions, and a lot of FUN! The cost for the weekend retreat is $95.
For more information about the retreats on the Cross Roads website, Click Here
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Vacation Bible School:
Food Truck Party: On a Roll With God!
Monday, July 11th - Thursday, July 14th, 9:00 AM - 12:00 Noon
All who are between the ages of 3 through 4th grade are welcome to attend. 5th and 6th graders will be helpers. Be on the look out for sign ups!
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If you have questions about Youth Ministry or would like to volunteer as a BFF teacher or in any other program, please contact Breanne Tomlinson. A link to her email is below.
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March 18th Update From Janell Reich |
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Service Project
Monday, March 21st, At 10:00 AM
Beth Gebhart will join us in Fellowship Hall for another service project in conjunction with Lutheran Social Ministries. We will be making Easter cards and greeting card holders. They will be given to residents of our Lutheran senior living facilities and certainly will be an important part of their Easter celebration.
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Lunch Bunch
Wednesday, March 23rd
At 12:30 PM
The Shamong Diner
We will have our next Lunch Bunch gathering at the Shamong Diner. It is located on Rt. 206 South just about 5 miles south of the intersection of Medford Lakes Road and Rt. 206. The GPS address is 7 Willow Grove Road, Shamong, NJ. Hope you can join us!
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Devotion And Walk
Rancocas Nature Center
794 Rancocas Mt Holly Rd, Westampton, NJ 08060
New Date: Tuesday, March 29th
At 1:00 PM
(Weather Permitting)
We will hold our next Devotion and Walk at the Rancocas Nature Center in Westampton. We will have a brief devotional and then enjoy God’s creation and fellowship. Who knows what we will spot this time!
Directions from the intersection of Rt. 38 West and Rt. 206 North:
Turn Left onto Rt. 38 West.
Turn Right onto the Mt. Holly bypass.
At the 2nd traffic light, turn Left onto Rancocas Road.
In about 1 mile, turn Left at sign for Rancocas Nature Center.
Please let Janell know if you plan to attend.
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Time For Talents
Friday, April 1st,
At 10:00 AM
Time For Talents will meet on, Friday, April 1st from 10:00 AM - Noon in Fellowship Hall. Join us for a time of creativity. Our art and craft projects will be spring and Easter themed. Needle work projects and instructions will be available, too. Enjoy a time of fellowship with a brief devotional reading. Friends are always welcome.
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Soup And Seder
Save The Date!
Wednesday, April 13th
At 12:00 Noon
"Soup & Seder" will be held on Wednesday, April 13 at noon in Fellowship Hall.. We will share a light meal and then celebrate the ritual Seder meal.
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Book Club
Tuesday, April 19th At 1:00 PM
The Woman All Spies Fear
By Amy Butler Greenfield
This is an inspiring true story. Elizebeth Smith Friedman had a rare talent for spotting patterns and solving puzzles. These skills led her to become one of the top cryptanalysts in America during both World War I and World War II. Join us to discuss this book on April 19th!
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Photos From:
Wiley Outreach, March 3rd And Time For Talents, March 4th
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If you have questions about Adult Ministry, please contact the Adult Ministry Director, Janell Reich. A link to her email is below.
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Cross Roads Director To Speak At Lord Of Life
Sunday, March 27th
Anthony Briggs, the Executive Director of the Cross Roads Camp and Retreat Center will be at both Sunday Services to speak about opportunites that the Center has to offer to our youth and adult members of Lord Of Life. He will join us after each service so that you can speak individually to him.
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Spring Cleanup Day Scheduled!
Volunteers Needed!
Saturday Morning, April 30th
Beginning At 8:30 AM
A Message From Keith Lerner, Church Council Vice President/Property:
Our Lord of Life Church Grounds Spring Cleanup Day will be held on
Saturday, April 30th, beginning at 8:30 AM (No rain date). I am asking for all volunteers to meet me in the church parking lot by 8:30 AM on the scheduled date. Plan on approximately 4 hours of work, but any amount of time you can devote will be greatly appreciated.
Tasks:
We need help with weeding, raking leaves, trimming of shrubs and
tree branches, etc.
Please Bring:
It is recommended that you bring your own work gloves, hand
sanitizer, water and snacks. The church will provide tools, but you are
welcome to bring your own.
Plan To Help? Let Keith Know:
If you plan to help with our cleanup, please contact Keith Lerner via email (jklerner@comcast.net) or call 609-922-8975 (cell) to let me know if
you will be helping.
We appreciate any time you can spare to volunteer for this project!
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NJ Synod Assembly
Delegates Wanted
The on-line annual NJ Synod Assembly will take place on Friday, May 6th (2:00 PM - 8:30 PM) and Saturday, May 7th (9:00 AM - 12:30 PM). Lord Of Life will be able to have two of its church members participate and represent our church. If you would like to be one of our delegates, please contact Pastor Wendolyn immediately. Registration has begun and our church needs to respond to Synod.
In addition, anyone is welcome to join synod assembly via livestream as a visitor. It's a great opportunity to be inspired and learn about the work we have done together and the plans for future endeavors!
For more information about this year's Assembly, a link is provided below.
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New Children's Books For Grace Place
Would you like to donate new children's books to the Grace Place? We are planning to recognize some special days and events, and having some books to read with the children would be terrific! Below is a list of events we will be making more special with these donations:
Easter
Memorial Day
A list of titles of the books we can use, has been posted on the bulletin board in the church Narthex. Please sign up for the book you wish to donate to avoid duplications. You can then order the book on smile.amazon.com. (Remember to sign up for designating Lord Of Life to receive a charitable donation from the Amazon Smile program! It is free and does not affect the purchase cost.) Thank you in advance for helping the Grace Place!
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Book Exchange
Extended Through Lent
Books As Well As Monetary Donations
Now Being Accepted
Our Book Exchange has been extended through the Lenten Season in conjunction with the organization, Books Through Bars. Council has approved that monetary donations to this organization can also be received from our church members. Attached is more information about our Book Exchange, Books Through Bars, and what types of books are best to donate. The Book Exchange table will remain in our church entryway.
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Hymns For The
Lent And
Easter Seasons
There are hundreds of hymns and songs that are sung throughout the church year. With so many to choose from, you may ask yourself: "Who decides on what we sing each week?" Well, this is your opportunity to contribute to our assembly song! Rick is currently planning the songs for the Lent and Easter seasons. Do you have any suggestions? Please see him in church or e-mail him and let him know of any hymns and songs that you would like to sing. He will do his best to incorporate them into our worship services. Thanks for your consideration!
For more information about Selecting Hymns for All Seasons, please read the ELCA Worship Team blog. A link is provided below.
Soli Deo Gloria!
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You are invited to:
The National
Lutheran Choir
2022 Virtual Gala
"Beauty In Our Hands"
Sunday, April 3rd, 5:30 PM
(A Message From The NLC)
Over the last two years, we have been fortunate to share music with audiences both near and far. As a result, Beauty in Our Hands will be the next chapter of our annual Gala. We look forward to sharing this wonderful program of music with our entire NLC community.
Use the link below to hear our concert and for more information about this event and other upcoming events.
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Resurrection Easter Baskets
Lord Of Life will be collecting items for Resurrection Easter Baskets and will deliver our donations to the Christian Caring Center on Wednesday, March 30th. Please have all donations at the church no later than Sunday, March 27th. Items can be placed in the Christian Caring Center cart in the church entryway and gift cards into a labeled "drop box" in the church Narthex.
The following items are needed:
Acme or Shoprite Gift Cards of $20
Macaroni & Cheese
Canned Goods (Sweet Potatoes, Vegetables, Fruits)
Instant Potatoes
Packaged, Long Dated Desserts
We also need children’s candy baskets and
children’s Bible story books and arts & crafts items.
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Easter Dinner For Bridge Of Peace
Lord Of Life will be bringing Bridge Of Peace an Easter Dinner on April 12th! We are looking for monetary donations to purchase ham, salad and fixings, corn, 3 gallons of water, 2 gallons of Chocolate milk, apples and/or oranges, paper plates, napkins, cups and silverware. We are also looking for people to make cupcakes, approximately 24-30.
If you can help in anyway, please let Barbara Wagner know (babswags@comcast.net). Also, all monetary donations should be given directly to Barbara.
Thanking you all in advance for your generosity!
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Ongoing Collection For
The Christian Caring Center
And
Bridge Of Peace
Please drop off your items for both the Christian Caring Center and Bridge Of Peace into the appropriate shopping cart located in the church entry hallway. Thank you in advance for your generosity!
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Ukraine Relief
Through
Lutheran Disaster Response
Lutheran World Relief will be supporting assistance efforts to refugees who are victims of the Russian invasion into the FREE and INDEPENDENT nation of Ukraine. As of this writing, it is estimated by the United Nations that over 3 million Ukrainians have fled their homeland and many more will follow.
A pledge of a $50,000 matching fund is in place for the first $50,000 given to LDR. If you would like to contribute to this effort, use the link below which will enable you to directly contribute.
"Though an army encamp against me, my heart shall not fear; though war rise up against me, I will not be shaken. For in the day of trouble, God will give me shelter, hide me in the hidden places of the sanctuary, and raise me high upon a rock. Even now my head is lifted up above my enemies who surrround me. Therefore I will offer sacrifece in the sanctuary, sacrifices of rejoicing; I will sing and make music to the Lord."
Psalm 27: 3, 5, 6 NRSV
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Continuing Your Contributions |
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Your continuing financial support is essential to maintain the Ministries of Lord Of Life. Offerings are being collected at all church services. If you are still not attending services at our church building, your contribution can be mailed to the church (1 Winchester Court, Tabernacle, NJ 08088). Both Simply Giving and Tithe.ly remain in place for all to use. (More information about these electronic ways to contribute can be found on the church's website. The link is below.)
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Birthdays
Mar. 20: Javier Morales, Eric Rickershauser, and Paul Safier
Mar. 22: Patty DeCristofaro and Brooke Steinhour
Mar. 24: Jessica Tomlinson
Mar. 26: Steve Bencivengo and Parker Smith
Mar. 27: Jenna Ingrao, Teri John, Lydia Leach, and Nicole Sander
Mar. 29: Donna Favilla
Mar. 30: Maralee Perri
Mar. 31: Dawn Bielec
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Wedding Anniversaries
Mar. 23: Sue & Bill Dreisbach
Mar. 26: Milli & Hans Schaeffer
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Baptismal Anniversaries
Mar. 18: Joshua Lamb and Barbara Ma
Mar. 21: Lorraine Sander
Mar. 22: Luca DeCristofaro
Mar. 24: Lucille Grosser
Mar. 27: Hanna Adamson and Nancy Drew
Mar. 29: Travis Pummer
Mar. 31: Heather Cosper
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From The Editor:
LifeLines Ending Song:
Our ending song is the theme of this Lenten Season's devotional booklet. It is ELW hymn #343. The text began as a poem written by Puritan minister Samuel Crossman in 1664. He was opposed to practices of the Church Of England and was "exiled" from the Church in 1662, but was able to rejoin in 1665. In 1684, two years after his death, the words of the poem were set to music and became a hymn in the Anglican Church. The tune we now use for the hymn, was written by John Ireland in 1925. His melody revived the hymn which is still a favorite in British worship services. There are several versions of the words used in the hymn. Some of the lyrics in the video are different from what appears in our ELW #343.
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"Here might I stay and sing no story so divine...This is my friend, in whose sweet praise, I all my days could gladly spend!"
Verse 6, ELW Hymn #343
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Next LifeLines:
The next issue of LifeLines will be published on:
Friday, April 1st.
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LifeLines is published on the first and third Friday of each month. (During July and August, there will only be one issue per month, on the first Friday.) Please submit articles for upcoming editions of the LifeLines by the Monday prior to the next issue date. Regarding the use of images, no copyright infringement is intended.
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To contact the LifeLines Editor by email, click on the following link:
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