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~Season Of Lent~
Happenings at Lord of Life Lutheran Church
"Where Everybody is Somebody...and Jesus is Lord!"
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"Create in me a clean heart, O God, and put a new and right spirit within me. Do not cast me away from your presence, and do not take your holy spirit from me. Restore to me the joy of your salvation, and sustain in me a willing spirit."
Psalm 51:10-12 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!
Welcome to my role in our youth group "Escape Room" activity. I'm hiding here and giving the kids video clues to solve in their groups, some in person and  some virtually. It's making me think of the ways God gives us clues for how to live well and how to see God. Where do you find such clues?
For me, studying the Bible together is a significant way, and I look forward to many of our study groups returning to in-person meetings. Another way is serving, because of how serving unites me with God's people and with a sense that my actions can bless another person. Worship is of course full of clues and symbols that we "decode" together and with the insight that the Holy Spirit gives. Praying opens me up to hints that God offers whenever I take even a moment to pause and connect. As we return to in-person activeness on the Church campus, I hope that you will be able to "escape" some of the grips of the pandemic (as long as we can safely do so, paying attention to the clues that science and wisdom provide) and to find clues as to God's love for you, God's presence among us, and God's ability to connect us to one another and to this amazing world.
Peace,
Pastor Wendolyn
"Many people mistake our work for our vocation. Our vocation is the love of Jesus." - Mother Theresa
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Pastor Would Like To Visit You!
Pastor Wendolyn has been vaccinated and can make home visits! Please find your way into her schedule book either by calling or texting her at 609-286-4533 or emailing her. Daytime, evenings, and weekends are all available, as are phone conversations or set ZOOM times. There doesn't have to be a special reason to be visited by your pastor - it is simply a blessing to be together!
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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Join Us For Our Sunday
Virtual Church Services!
Our current pre-recorded Sunday Worship Service video 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.
Links are below to both the Lord Of Life YouTube website and Facebook page.
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On Sunday, March 21st at 10:00 AM, we will begin holding worship services with Holy Communion in the church parking lot. We will begin using the format similar to what was done this past Fall with attendees remaining in their cars and tuning their car radio to FM 88.7 for the audio. Weather permitting, we are making plans to have future 10:00 AM services and other services use a "lawn chair" format. The first "lawn chair" services will be on Good Friday, April 2nd at 12:00 Noon and 6:30 PM. Watch for more news on this!
BFF will be held at the church concurrently with the service at 10:00 AM. There will also be a Confirmation Learning Session at the church on March 21st at 10:00 AM.
We all look forward to being able to worship together on our church grounds!
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Parking Lot Ushers Needed!
There will be a need for ushers at all of our outdoor services. If you would like to help out as an usher, please email Alan Dennison (adennison@comcast.net) with your availability.
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Tuesday, March 23rd
5:00 PM - 6:00 PM
Pastor will administer Communion to individuals and families at the church. All are welcome!
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Lent At Lord Of Life
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Midweek Lenten Video Devotions
Our final weekly devotional will be posted on our YouTube Channel at 6:00 AM on Wednesday, March 24th. It will be available at any time throughout the day. A link to the devotional is below. It will be active on March 24th at 6:00 AM.
Church members will also receive an email with the link prior to the next Wednesday.
For general access to our YouTube website, a link is provided below.
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Lenten Devotional Booklet
And
Burlap Crosses
Copies of our devotional booklet, "The Road Back to God", and burlap crosses remain available from the plastic container which is located on the front steps of the church.
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Youth Lent-stagram Project
Thank You Sponsors!
Our youth wish to thank all of their sponsors! They greatly appreciate your support of their Lenten project.
Sponsors will be contacted by Breanne beginning April 1st letting you know the amount of your donation or the number of prayers to be offered.
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Palm Sunday, Holy Week,
Easter Services, And Events
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Easter Lily Dedications
Join us for our Palm Sunday, Holy Week, Easter Vigil, Easter Services and events! More information will be sent to all congregation members as we near these dates. Easter Lily dedications for our Easter Service are also available.
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Sunday, March 28, 2021
Virtual Service On Our YouTube Website
Available All Day Beginning At 6:00 AM
Parking Lot Worship Service And BFF
At 10:00 AM
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Palm Sunday, March 28th, 2021
Teen Escape Room Challenge In The Church
At 1:00 PM
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Palm Sunday, March 28th, 2021
3:00 PM
(Outdoors On The Church Grounds - Social Distancing Guidelines Will Be Observed)
Activity Booths: 3:00 PM - 3:30 PM
Bible Story Of Holy Week And
Easter Egg Hunt: 3:30 PM
Church Youth And Their Friends Are Welcome!
(Please Bring A Canned Good Offering
With You!)
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Thursday, April 1, 2021
6:30 PM
A Service With Stations Of The Cross
And Holy Communion
In The Church Memorial Garden
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Friday, April 2, 2021
Virtual Service On Our YouTube Website
Available All Day Beginning At 6:00 AM
Outdoor Lawn Chair Worship Service In
The Church Parking Lot At
12:00 Noon And 6:30 PM
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Saturday, April 3, 2021
5:00 PM
Outdoor Lawn Chair Worship Service In
The Church Parking Lot
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Sunday, April 5, 2021
Virtual Service On Our YouTube Website
Available All Day Beginning At 6:00 AM
Outdoor Lawn Chair Worship Service In
The Church Parking Lot at
8:15 AM and 10:00 AM
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Easter Sunday, April 5, 2021
10:00 AM
Youth Activity Event:
Making Resurrection Eggs At The Church
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Order Easter Lilies Now!
We are thankful in that, once again, we will be able to have an Easter Service at which Easter Lily plants are available for you to dedicate in memory or in honor of a loved one. If you would like to dedicate an Easter Lily for our upcoming Easter Service, please forward your check for $10 for each plant along with the dedication information to the church office no later than Wednesday, March 31st.
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Tuesdays At 7:00 PM Via ZOOM
The next session will be held on Tuesday night, March 23rd at 7:00 PM. The study will center around the Gospel Lesson, Mark 11:1-11.
The following session on Tuesday, March 30th will continue exploring the Gospel Of Mark.
The ZOOM link is provided below and can be used for the current and future sessions. All are welcome to join in!
If you have any questions, contact Janell Reich by email. A link is provided below.
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Easter Egg Hunt And Crafts
Palm Sunday, March 28th, 3:00 PM
Hop On Over! An "Egg"cellent time awaits at...
LOL's Easter Egg Hunt and Egg Drop. Stop by on Sunday, March 28th at 3:00 PM for crafts, an egg hunt, and socially distanced family fun! Bring a friend with you!
Volunteers Needed For March 28th
We are looking for egg hunt "Egg"sperts to help with this event. Adult volunteers are needed to help with the crafts and directing egg hunt participants. Also, we thought it would be fun, if you are volunteering, to wear your favorite Easter Bonnet, purchased or homemade, and then we can let the kids vote on the "coolest" Easter Bonnet.
If you are able to assist, please let Breanne or Betty Mastrillo know as soon as possible, but not later than Sunday, March 21st. We need to know in advance so that we can provide you with a form that needs to be completed before the event. Anyone working with children must complete the form in advance.
Use the links below to email Breanne or Betty.
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Can you find your way out?
Solve the puzzle and find out!
Youth Easter Escape Room Challenge
Sunday, March 28th
From 1:00 PM - 2:00 PM
Join us at the church for our Easter Escape Room Challenge! Spaces will be limited, so gather a small group, and then sign up by emailing Breanne. A link to her email is below.
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Confirmation Learning Session
Sunday, March 21st At 10:00 AM
There will be a Confirmation Learning Session on Sunday, March 21st at 10:00 AM. It will take place at the church.
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Bible, Faith, And Fellowship (BFF)
BFF will continue online via Google Classroom. Sessions will be on the first two Sundays in March. Starting Sunday, March 21st at 10:00 AM, we will meet at the church for that session and for ones that follow.
Our Lenten lessons, "24 Hours that Changed the World," continue and will run through Palm Sunday.
If you need the ZOOM code to access the Google Classroom events on Sundays, March 7th and 14th, please email Breanne. A link to her email is at the end of this article.
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@LOLyouth4
Youth! Check out our Youth Instagram page, @LOLyouth4, during Lent for our daily Lent-stagram postings. It's going to be a great way to be connected and work through Lent.
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Resurrection Eggs Activity
Easter Sunday, April 4th
10:00 AM
Youth, come gather at the church on Easter Sunday for this fun and learning activity!
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Volunteers Needed!
We need volunteers for Youth Group and BFF. New rules require at least 2 confirmed members of Lord of Life be present at any youth activity. They also must have been a church member for at least 6 months. We will use a "rotating" schedule, so the more volunteers we have, the less your commitment time will be. Volunteers will not be required to actively participate in any youth activity, but you certainly are welcome to join in! If you are willing to volunteer for 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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Grace Place News
From Director Deborah DeMarco
March At The Grace Place
The month of March has been a busy one at the Grace Place. We celebrated St. Patrick's Day, Read Across America, Dr. Seuss's Birthday, learned about The Life Cycle of a Butterfly, and read about our Community Helpers: Zookeepers and Veterinarians. The students learned the letter "M" and about mixing colors. We conducted science experiments and had Chapel with Pastor Wen, who continued to teach the children more about the Lord's Prayer. Other good things are coming soon!
Here are some photos of the things we have done so far!
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Grace Place, 2021-2022
We are accepting registrations for our 2021-2022 program which begins in September. Spaces are fulling up fast!
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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A March 19th Update From Janell Reich
Video Of Our ZOOM Program At Cambridge Senior Living:
On Monday, March 8th, the residents of Cambridge where treated to a ZOOM program led by Janell Reich and Sue Dreisbach. We thought you like to see it, and we also hope you will think about joining the group for the next event which is being planned for some time in April. If you would like to participate and bring joy to others, please contact Janell Reich or Sue Dreisbach by email. Links to their emails are at the end of the article.
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Diversity Discussion Group,
Thursday, March 25th, 1:00 PM:
The thought of having a "Diversity Discussion" group was well received, and we will have our first meeting on Thursday, March 25th at 1:00 PM via ZOOM. If the weather permits, it could be in the church parking lot. (It has to be above 50 degrees, sunny, and not windy!) Please let me know if you are interested, and then we will plan the meeting topic.
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Parking Lot, Outdoor Hymn Sing
Saturday, April 17, 2021 At 2:00 PM
(Rain Date, Saturday, April 24, 2021
At 2:00 PM)
On Saturday, April 17th at 2:00 PM (Rain Date, Saturday, April 24th at 2:00 PM), Lord Of Life Music Director Rick Krause will lead us in an outdoor hymn sing. We hope the weather cooperates to have it be a "lawn chair" event. Come join us for an hour of fellowship and song!
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On The Horizon:
Other Events Coming Soon!
We are hoping for warmer weather to allow more parking lot activities. If the temperature is above 50 degrees, we may try a Reverse Scavenger Hunt and other things that can be done outdoors. Keep watch for more details!
If you have questions about Adult Ministry, email Janell Reich. A link is provided below.
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Spring Cleanup Day Scheduled!
Saturday, April 17th, 8:30 AM
(Rain Date, Saturday, April 24th)
Volunteers Needed!
A Message From Keith Lerner, Grounds And Cleanup Coordinator
Our Lord of Life Church Grounds Spring Cleanup Day will be held on, Saturday, April 17th, beginning at 8:30 AM. (The rain date is Saturday, April 24th.) 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, trimming of shrubs and tree branches, etc. We are also planning to tidy up the back corner of the parking lot by removing the basketball posts, railroad ties, and mulch pile.
Viral Vigilance:
Due to Covid-19, we are asking everyone to wear masks and observe social distancing unless you are working with family members.
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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Parking Request On April 17th
(And The Rain Date, April 24th)
If you are at the church for the cleanup day or for other activities on that day, please park in the back section of the parking lot. We are planning to sweep debris from the front two sections. Thanks!
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American Red Cross Blood Drive At Lord Of Life
Tuesday, April 27, 2021,
2:00 PM - 7:00 PM
Our next American Red Cross blood drive at Lord Of Life will be held on Tuesday, April 27th in Fellowship Hall. All needed protocols regarding Covid-19 will be in place to assure a safe environment.
During the pandemic, blood has been in short supply and your donations are vital and greatly appreciated.
You must sign up in advance in order to participate. A link is provided below to do so. Thank you in advance for your anticipated blood donation!
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Project LOL:
Furnace Replacemet
Scheduled!
The long overdue replacement of our heating system furnaces is scheduled for April 5th through April 12th. We all look forward to having a better functioning, new system in place!
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Join The Lord Of Life:
Meals For Members Ministry
Occasionally, a church member or family has a temporary need for which Lord Of Life has given them support by providing dinner meals. It might be an illness, recovering from surgery, a house fire, or readjusting a lifestyle due to a death of a family member.
We currently have a few individuals who are a part of the group, but we can use additional support. The more members that can be involved, the fewer meals will be needed to be prepared by one individual or household. Normally, the meal is prepared and delivered to either the home of whom we are supporting or the church on the day it will be eaten.
Please consider joining us in this ministry! If you want to be included, contact the church office by phone (609-268-0262) or email ( lordlife@lordlife.us).
Thank you everyone for your anticipated support!
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Knitted Baby Hats Needed!
In the past, Lord Of Life has presented knitted baby caps to newborns. Pastor Wendolyn is hoping to reestablish this practice and is asking for members to, again, knit the hats. The hats will help celebrate the child's birth and can provide a means of outreach from our congregation.
Once a hat is completed, it can be dropped off at the church. Near the quilting table in the Narthex, there will be a hot pink shopping bag with a sign on it that says "Baby Hats." When the church is closed, they can be placed in a plastic bag and dropped into the Christian Caring Center bin by the kitchen entrance.
If you have questions or need more information, please contact Janell Reich. A link to her email is below.
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Partners In Mission:
Our Regular Collection 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 collection container remains located outside the LOL church kitchen entrance, and there is a collection cart in the church entryway.
Thank you everyone for your support!
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Partners In Mission:
We Continue Our Support Of
The CCC
Our regular collection is ongoing, and your support is greatly appreciated. Hand operated can openers and canned food with pull tabs are especially welcomed. 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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Two Summer Programs For 2021:
Virtual And Residential
The Lutheran Summer Music
Virtual Remote Session,
Sunday, June 27th - Sunday, July 25th
The Lutheran Summer Music Academy (LSM) is thrilled to announce a fully online Remote Session for the summer of 2021! While the flagship in-person program is still currently being planned with appropriate modifications, the Remote Session provides an opportunity for students and families who are unable to travel to campus this summer due to the COVID-19 Pandemic. Following the success of LSM's first online programs, we are excited to provide the most comprehensive and engaging program yet this summer.
Students enrolled in the Remote Session will take advantage of all the excellent musical instruction and enrichment that LSM has to offer, including a minimum of eight private lessons, performance opportunities, topics in worship, and exclusive elective sessions designed specifically for those learning from home. All you need is a reliable internet connection!
This program will be offered at the significantly discounted rate of $745 for four weeks of instruction, June 27-July 25. Use the link below for more information and to enroll.
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The Lutheran Summer Music Resident Program
Sunday, June 27th - Sunday, July 25th
Valparaiso University
Our resident program will once again be held at Valparaiso University. The application deadline is Saturday, May 15, 2021. Full refunds are available for students who withdraw from LSM for any reason until Thursday, April 1, 2021. Students may switch between the on-campus program and the remote session an unlimited number of times without penalty until Saturday, May 15, 2021. Use the link below for more information and to apply.
If you questions and want more information, please contact Rick Krause by email (a link is below).
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Virtual Caregiver Support Group
Tuesday, April 6, 2021, 7:00-8:00 PM
Via ZOOM
Lutheran Social Services of New Jersey offers this free virtual ZOOM program (by phone call or online). Are you a caregiver for your spouse or an aging loved one? Meet other caregivers and receive educational resources to help you cope. The program meets on the first Tuesday of each month and the next one is scheduled for Tuesday, April 6th.
To learn more about the program and to register, click on the link below. You may also contact Director Beth Gebhart by phone (800-458-0651).
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Thrivent Choice Dollars Deadline, March 31st
Attention Thrivent members! Many of you receive a benefit called Thrivent Choice. There is a deadline of March 31st to claim Thrivent Choice "dollars" which have accumulated in your Thrivent account. If your "dollars" are not directed to the charity of your choice, they will be lost. The "dollars" may be donated to Lord Of Life if you wish. To direct your "dollars", log onto you Thrivent account using the Thrivent website. A link to do so is provided below.
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Last year, because of COVID, much of the grant money available in this program was left unused. Money grants from Thrivent may be available to a church ministry which engages in an outreach activity. A Thrivent member, who belongs to or supports your ministry, must be the one who completes the application process. More information on Thrivent Action Teams and how to apply for a grant can be found on the Thrivent Website. A link is provided below.
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Amazon Smile Contribution To Lord Of Life
Our church recently received a quarterly contribution of $105.71 from the Amazon Smile program. Since joining the program, Lord Of Life has received a total of $1,420.78. This program is available to anyone who shops at Amazon using their smile.amazon.com website. A shopper can designate a charity, and Lord Of Life is one of the choices. For purchases using Amazon Smile, the charity will receive one-half of a percent of the purchase value. There is no cost to you for this benefit.
To sign up for this program, click on the link below which provides detailed instructions. Thanks to all our church members who have designated Lord Of Life as your Amazon Smile charity!
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New Jersey Announces Revised Gathering Rules
This past week, an email from the State of New Jersey Department Of Health stated that effective Friday, March 19th, restaurants, recreational and amusement businesses, gyms and fitness centers, and barber shops, salons, and other personal care businesses can increase indoor capacity to 50 percent. In addition, the general outdoor gathering limit will increase to a maximum of 50 people and the general indoor gathering limit will increase to a maximum of 25 (Churches may have an unlimited number of attendees for outdoor religious activities.).
The two links below will provide more information.
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Other Information In Previous LifeLines
Use links to previous editions of the LifeLines for more information about Covid-19 and the vaccine. They can be found in the "Missed A LifeLines?" section in the left column of this issue.
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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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BIRTHDAYS
Mar. 19: Carol Haug
Mar. 20: Kathryn Chromeck, Eric Rickershauser, and Paul Safier
Mar. 22: Patty DeCristofaro and Brooke Steinhour
Mar. 26: Steve Bencivengo and Parker Smith
Mar. 27: Jenna Ingrao, Teri John, Lydia Leach, and Nicole Sander
Mar. 29: Donna Favilla
Mar. 30: Eric Biehn, Don Lee, Donna Smith, and Maralee Perri
Mar. 31: Dawn Bielec, Phil Brockington, Joseph Hughes,
Robert Knoell, and Dennis Smith
Apr. 1: Tristan Michaleski and Brett Reich
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WEDDING ANNIVERSARIES
Mar. 23: Sue & Bill Dreisbach
Mar. 25: Gail & Bob Korchak
Mar. 26: Milli & Hans Schaeffer (Celebrating 10 years!)
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BAPTISMAL ANNIVERSARIES
Mar. 19: Vera Smigielski
Mar. 20: Robyn Curl
Mar. 21: Lorraine Sander
Mar. 22: Luca DeCristofaro
Mar. 24: Lucille Grosser
Mar. 25: Miranda Fennimore
Mar. 27: Hanna Adamson and Nancy Drew
Mar. 29: Thomas Priester and Travis Pummer
Mar. 30: Brigitte Watson
Mar. 31: Heather Cosper
Apr. 1: Peg Gibson, Claudia Levin, and Joseph Thomas
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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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Our Ending Hymn:
Although St. Patrick's Day is behind us, we thought it was not too late to end this issue with an tune based on a well known traditional Irish Blessing. A belated Happy St. Patrick's Day to all!
"May God give you...
for every storm, a rainbow,
for every tear, a smile,
for every care, a promise,
and a blessing in each trial.
For every problem life sends,
a faithful friend to share,
for every sigh, a sweet song,
and an answer for each prayer."
An Irish Prayer
(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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