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, friends in Christ!
It is so good to be in ministry with you. I wonder how many of you watched the launching of the SpaceForce rocket this week - the USA's first mission to the international space station in ten years! It was an amazing thing to behold. The new Falcon 9 rocket system used creative new technologies that are both sustainable - in re-landing the propulsion system to reuse it - and tenacious, as the capsule is nicknamed "Resistance" after scrubbing the first planned launch but now successfully docking with the ISS.
I hope that, for you, our congregation is like a launchpad, with the Spirit being your propulsion system! This is your center where you are able to learn and grow, whether spiritually or interpersonally. But like a launchpad, you don't come here to stay - you come here to be sent out into a world, to explore for where God's message is needed and to partner with all kinds of people and organizations in order to do good things. The Spirit is like the "oil in your lamp" as we heard in worship a few weeks ago, or perhaps your rocket fuel. The capsule can't do much without propulsion, but the Spirit gives us motivation and direction that can change everything.
We are launching two significant ministries this week: Pocket Ministries, and the Reverse Advent Challenge.
Pocket Ministries are groups of 4-5 families with kids under age 18, paired by town and kids' ages. Their first activity will be the Advent Family Night on November 29. If you don't have kids under 18 but would like to be in a Pocket, contact the Church office and we will pair you with a group in your area. We hope Pockets will be self-sustaining, creative groups that can launch and then be in active orbit while we wait to gather in the springtime.
Reverse Advent Challenge: Advent is often about internal preparation for the birth of Christ, but this year our 7-12th graders have created a challenge to fill a manger (laundry basket) with items that a Christ born today would need; one item per day until Christmas will help you prepare your heart and mind, while the completed basket will be presented to a family at Bridge of Peace, bearing Christ to them through love and providing. Our youth worked with Pastor Sara Lilja of LEAM (Lutherans Engaging in Advocacy Ministry, LEAMNJ.org) to create this list, learning that their work in the Church can be amplified by expanding their plans to our whole congregation. See the separate article shared in this LifeLines for how you can join in the Reverse Advent Challenge!
May you be empowered by the Spirit and launched by the ministries here to explore and bless your world!
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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Parking Lot Service:
Sundays At 9:00 AM
(Communion Will Be Available For All)
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In-House Service:
Sundays At 10:00 AM
(Communion Will Be Available For All)
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Pre-Recorded Service:
On YouTube Beginning
Sundays At 6:00 AM
Join us for our Sunday church services! Three options are now available. For those wishing to partake in Communion during the Parking Lot or In-house services, individually wrapped "Communion Kits" (wafer and grape juice) will be used. See below for information relating to each of the service options.
Parking Lot Service Information:
All will receive an email prior to the weekend with a printable copy of the Worship Booklet, the Celebrate, and words of the hymns. Please print and bring them with you. For attendees without email or printers, you will be able to receive them from the parking lot attendants upon entering the parking lot. The same Worship Service Booklet will be used until the beginning of Advent for our regular worship services on Sundays. The service will be broadcast on FM radio station 88.7 which can be heard on your car radio anywhere in the parking lot (The station has a 1/4 mile range limit.).
Volunteers will direct traffic into the parking lot where smaller cars will be positioned closest to the church and larger vehicles will be in the back lot. Congregants will remain inside their cars during the service.
In-House Services:
The service will be held in our church Sanctuary. Pews have been designated to have those in attendance seated according to social distancing guidelines. Please wear masks when entering the building and during the service. All needed materials for the service will be by projection.
If you are going to attend the In-House service, please RSVP to the church office by phone (609-268-0262) or by email (To RSVP By Email - Click Here) by 1:00 PM on the Friday prior to the service you will attend.
Viewing The Services On YouTube:
Our pre-recorded Sunday church service will be available for viewing starting at 6:00 AM on the Lord of Life YouTube website. The current Sunday service video and previous ones will remain on our YouTube site for viewing at any time.
A direct link to this site will be posted, prior to the upcoming service, on the church's Facebook page. Links are provided below to that website and to view the video of the service.
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(Up To Date Information And Any Changes Can Be Found On The Church's Facebook Page.)
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2020 Thanksgiving Service
This year, our annual Thanksgiving Worship Service will be pre-recorded. It can be found on the Lord of Life YouTube website beginning at 7:00 PM Wednesday evening, November 25th. A link to our YouTube webpage is below.
Despite the challenges we have faced in 2020, we have much to be thankful for. We hope all will join in viewing our recorded service and thank our Lord for the many blessings we have!
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Tuesday Evening ZOOM Bible Study
An evening Bible Study is being planned. On Tuesdays, December 2nd, 9th, 16th, and 23rd, the session will meet 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
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.
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 ADVENTure to Christmas BFF program will take place virtually starting November 29. There will be 4 lessons during each Sunday in Advent that will get our kids ready to celebrate Christmas. 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.
Please check your emails to find out what group your family is in. We will be doing an Advent Family Night craft in these groups.
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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Tonight, Friday, November 20th, nine of our youth will receive their First Communion. This will be part of our pre-recorded Sunday Church Service for November 22nd. Although the congregation cannot be present tonight, we still will offer our blessings, encouragement, and support to them! Congratulations and may God Bless You!
Lydia Corrine Ehrlinger
Stella Elizabeth Friedman
Dominic Patrick Gallagher
Koben Thor Kermoade
Maddox Marvin Kermoade
Mason Dorcas Kermoade
Amelia Riley Kucklinca
Sean Christopher McMichael
Benjamin Sebastian Schaeffer
"Seek ye first the Kingdom of God and his righteousness and all these things shall be added unto you."
Matthew 6:33 KJV
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Grace Place November Happenings
For the month of November, the children will have fun with the letters T, H, N, and P. The color of the month is Brown, the shape is a Triangle, and the number is 10. The themes for November are: Heart Health, Hibernation, Thanksgiving, and Nutrition. The children will have Chapel Time with Pastor Wen, practice writing their names, create art projects, and learn new sight words. For science, they will learn about hibernation and listen to exciting stories. For social studies, the classes will discuss what they are thankful for. On Tuesday, November 24th, the Grace Place will host a Turkey Trot.
Grace Place still has a few openings available. 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
November 20th Update
Sincere thanks to all who have returned the 2021 Estimate Of Sharing (EOS) cards! During this coming Sunday's worship services (November 22nd), the cards will be presented at the altar. God bless you for your support to 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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November 20th Update From Our Adult Ministry Leader, Janell Reich:
Leaf Printing Date Change:
Due to the chilly weather, we are changing the Leaf Printing date to today, Friday, November 20th at 1:00 PM.
Friday's weather is predicted to be 63° and mostly sunny. Should be a pleasant day.
Book Club:
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:
Smithville Mansion and adjoining buildings are decorated with lights during the Christmas season. We are planning to stroll the grounds and enjoy the lights on Thursday evening, December 3rd. The rain date will be Thursday, December 10th. You can meet us in the parking lot near the 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 interested. A link to her email is below.
If you have questions about Adult Ministry, email Janell Reich. A link is provided below.
Bible Study In The Rain!
Nancy DiYenno, Marilyn Swing, and Sue Dreisbach
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Partners In Mission:
Support For Bridge Of Peace
Sunday November 22nd:
Last Day To Drop Off Items At The Church For Our Special Christmas Season Appeal
The last day for the Special Christmas Season Appeal is this coming Sunday, November 22nd.
Lord of Life will be making up 50 goody bags for Bridge of Peace. Items needed are gloves, hats, and healthy breakfast bars (like Nutrigrain bars). Donations need to be at the church no later than Sunday, November 22nd.
We are also hosting their youth group on Tuesday, December 1st. We need to supply the kids with a bagged dinner and a craft. Needed are donations of chips (snack size bags), cases of small water bottles, jello or pudding packs, apples, oranges or monetary donations. We will be happy to buy the food. Donations need to be at the church no later than Sunday, November 22nd.
Please let me know if you can help out with any of this, I would be happy to pick the items up. A link to my email is below.
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.)
I would like to thank everyone for your continued support!
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Partners In Mission:
Support For The Christian Caring Center
Special Christmas Appeal
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. 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 Friday, December 18th.
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 November 18th. Please use the blue container outside the kitchen doorway or the cart in the church entryway for your donations.
Thank you for your support!
Thanksgiving Donation From Lord Of Life
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To:
Holiday Village
And
Betsy Carpenter
The residents of Holiday Village, Mt. Laurel, recently held a food and needed items collection for both Bridge of Peace (BOP) and The Christian Caring Center (CCC). Donations were collected in a box positioned outside of their Club House. Betsy and maintenance staffer Jean divided and packed the donations. Betty Mastillo picked up those for BOP and delivered them on Wednesday, November 18th. The donations for the CCC will be delivered to them on Thursday, November 19th. Our church member and Holiday Village resident, Betsy Carpenter, made arrangements for the donation drive to take place. We thank Betsy for orchestrating this and to the residents of Holiday Village for their generosity! Items For BOP Items For The CCC
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American Red Cross Blood Drive At Lord Of Life
Monday, November 23rd
2:00 PM - 7:00 PM
Another life-saving blood drive will be held at Lord of Life this coming Monday, November 23rd from 2:00 PM to 7:00 PM. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, your blood donation is more in need than ever.
You must sign up in advance to donate blood. A link to do this is below. All necessary protocols will be in place to assure that you can donate blood safely.
A Special Promotion From The American Red Cross:
The American Red Cross is offering all donors a chance to win an Outdoor Living Experience, powered by Propane! The prize includes a propane powered pizza oven, fire pit, outdoor heater, and stipend towards propane. Click on the link below for more information.
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Project LOL:
New Sanctuary Light Bulbs,
Broken Basement Ceiling Tiles Replaced, And
Boiler Room Plaster Repaired!
Let there be light! In the Sanctuary that is. New brighter, low energy, dimmable LED bulbs have been placed in the Sanctuary light fixtures which should provide better, but less costly lighting in that part of the building. Several bulbs were not able to be replaced due to their very high location, but most are now working.
There were broken and missing ceiling tiles in the basement room and these are being replaced or installed. The work should be completed by the end of next week. Thank you Craig Baechler, Ed Harding, and Jim Cuviello for doing that task.
A damaged section of the plaster wall in the boiler room has been repaired. Almost a full sheet of plaster board was installed. Thank you to Ed Harding and Jim Cuviello for doing this repair.
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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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On Sunday, November 29 at 7:30 PM, the Cross Roads Camp And Retreat Center and their ministry partner, Luther Crest Bible Camp, are inviting all to a special Bold Transformational Faith (BTF) virtual worship event as we begin the season of Advent. You'll sing some favorite Christmas and Advent songs, dance, pray, and hear a message about anticipating the birth of Jesus. Find this "campfire" on the Cross Roads Facebook page. A link is provided below. All are welcome!
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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ELCA Young Adults In Global Mission Program, 2021-2022
Applications for the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America's Young Adults In Global Mission (YAGM) program, 2021-2022, are now being accepted. The deadline to apply is January 15, 2021.
In this program, young adults ages 21 to 29 will be placed in a world-wide location and will find relevant opportunities for professional experience, including:
- Health and human rights: health care, HIV and AIDS, homelessness, immigration and refugees
- Education: fine arts, youth education, childhood education, working with people living with disabilities
- Environmental justice: agriculture and farming, development, environment
- Professional support: office work, communication, technology, finance
- Congregational ministry: children's ministry, Christian education, youth ministry, congregational ministry, camp ministry
YAGM volunteers will begin their service in August 2021 and will be placed in one of the country programs.
As YAGM continues to monitor the COVID-19 situation and we communicate with our global companions, please know that the list of country programs for the 2021-2022 service year may change.
Through YAGM, young adults will learn what it means to serve in a spirit of accompaniment as they walk alongside global church companions. They'll become immersed in a new community and form deep relationships. And they'll confront issues of wealth and poverty, racial privilege, gender privilege, economic disparity and globalization, all through the lens of faith.
Around the world, host families, churches, workplaces and communities are ready to welcome YAGM volunteers.
The following link will provide additional information about the program and the application process. Don't wait! The deadline to apply is Jan. 15, 2021.
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Useful Information During The Pandemic
Two New Links Added
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
All offering envelope boxes for 2021 have been placed in your church mailbox. If you attend an In-House church service, please pick them up from your mailbox. If you attend a Parking Lot church service, please give your envelope number (or your last name) to a greeter as you enter the parking lot. The box of envelopes will be given to you as you leave the lot after the church service.
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BIRTHDAYS
Nov. 20: Cameron Buchler
Nov. 21: Tracey Gibboni, Dawn Heinrich, Marie Lamb
Nov. 23: Joe Batten
Nov. 27: Stephanie Drago, Hailey Schmid, Joe Snodgrass
Nov. 30: Jennifer Molchan, Jennifer Steff, Amanda Tubic
Dec. 1: Carol Hartman
Dec. 2: Dan Smith
Dec. 3: Kaitlyn Glossner, Betty Mastrillo, Joseph Thomas
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WEDDING ANNIVERSARIES
Nov. 20: Cindy & Bill Keenan
Nov. 24: Katie & Rev. Ryan Paetzold
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BAPTISMAL ANNIVERSARIES
Nov. 20: Alexandra Williams
Nov. 22: Keirstan Smith
Nov. 23: Eric Rickershauser and Galvin Sultzbaugh
Nov. 24: Collan Countess and Samantha Gibboni
Nov. 25: Brett Thomas
Nov. 26: Connor Curl
Nov. 27: Rita Batten and Josephine Grosser
Dec. 2: Noel Quinn
Dec. 3: Bob Quinn
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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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This hymn, ELW #881, was the choir anthem for our Thanksgiving Service years ago. The adult members sang the entire hymn, but a group of youth joined in for the section, "His law he enforces..." Many of us look forward to singing this hymn at Thanksgiving. Enjoy!
"Give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you."
1Thessalonians 5:18 NRSV
(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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