From the Pastor

“… an angel of the Lord appeared to [Joseph] in a dream and said, “Joseph, son of David, do not be afraid to take Mary as your wife, for the child conceived in her is from the Holy Spirit. She will bear a son, and you are to name him Jesus, for he will save his people from their sins” Matthew 1:20-21.

Why are you named the way you are named? Are you named after one of your parents as I am? My father is named James. My son, Jakob, didn’t fall far from the tree. Jakob and James are really the same name; James is the English form of the Hebrew name Jakob.

There’s probably a story in your name somewhere. This is certainly true when it comes to names in the Bible. Take the name Jacob, for example. It means one who comes on the heal or a usurper. That’s the story in a nutshell. Jacob is a twin who is born grasping the heal of his brother Esau. He eventually tricks his elder brother out of his birthright, and his father’s blessing. Later on, Jacob will wrestle a messenger of God for a blessing, and he will receive a new name, Israel (the one who strives with God). You can read the whole story in the book of Genesis, starting at chapter 25.

What’s the story behind your name?

Names are much more active things than we would first imagine. We think of names as being proper nouns. But in reality, and certainly in scripture, names are more like verbs, action words. The name speaks what the named does. This is especially true of the cryptic self-revelation of God’s own name that we find in Exodus 3:13-22.

Here Moses asks God what name he should give if the Israelites ask who has sent him. God says “I AM WHO I AM.” Other readings may be “I AM WHAT I AM” or “I AM WHAT I WILL BE.” Later on we read that God will be called the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, the God of Jacob. This God who called Moses to lead the Israelites out of slavery is the same God who called Abraham with mission and promise. A promise God revealed in Isaac and continued in Jacob, a promise now to be fulfilled through the escape from Egypt, the giving of the Law and the dwelling in the land of God’s giving. Because of this, God’s name is a verb. God is known by what God has done, is doing and will do in human history.

The same is true in Jesus, which means the LORD saves. In Jesus Christ, the God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob; the God of Moses; the God who freed the Israelites from slavery in Egypt; has acted again for the sake of the whole world. In Jesus, God saves God’s people from their sins, and when this God raises Jesus from the dead, God turns death into life.

The season of Advent (from now, until Christmas) is especially suited to calling to our mind, the great things God has done and still is doing for the sake of the world God loves so much. During this time, we will hear a lot of names for what God is doing: Jesus, Emmanuel (God with us), and so on. This is also a way to invite friends and family members, neighbors and co-workers into deeper relationship with this God who is made known by what God does for us.

May God bless your month, and may God reveal in your hearts and lives the true meaning of the name Jesus.

Thank You!

To Martin Mueller and the New School for Jazz in Manhattan for the generous gift of a drum set for the church.

An Invitation to Something Wonderful

If you haven't done so already, weave words and gestures of invitation into the fabric of your everyday conversations and interactions with people. Consider it part of the ministry God has called and gifted you to do.

Of course, the other side of the coin is that there should be something of substance and importance that you are inviting people to be part of. Reflect on your mission and goals, your ministry and faith. How will you articulate these wonderful things in a simple yet compelling way? What is it you are inviting and calling people to be part of?

No matter how you communicate it, an invitation to follow Christ and live in God's loving presence is an invitation to something wonderful and curious. Life will be different, new, sometimes surprising, and always challenging as the Spirit works in and through us.

Contributed by Rod G. Boriack. Rod serves as Associate Director for ELCA Youth Ministries (resources). This complete article on the art of inviting can be found online at http://www.elca.org/youth/helpsheets/invitation.html

An Invitation in the Most Wonderful Time of the Year

Advent and Christmas provide us with wonderful opportunities to share the good news of God’s love for us in Jesus, and to invite people to to follow Jesus and become part of this new thing that God doing in the world. As you share the story of Jesus with your friends, you can invite them to join you in singing God’s praises and serving God’s people as part of these Holy Trinity events in December.

Advent Vespers Thursdays in December

(Dec. 6, 13, 20 * Evening Prayer at 7:30 p.m./Craft and Choir at 8:00 p.m.)
Come and rest quietly in the oasis of Advent – with no hint of holiday preparation. Come and let God softly speak to you the promise of new life in Jesus Christ, as we gather in hope to sing, pray, meditate and just be together. We will use the very simple and beautiful setting of Holden Evening Prayer by Marty Haugen. Then stay to prepare small holiday gifts for our veterans or to sing with the choir. Rides may be available for those in need, by calling the Church Office (973) 667-0256

Concert Tuesday, December 11

The Bloomfield High School Madrigal Singers will again present a concert at Holy Trinity on Tuesday, December 11 at 7:30 p.m.. This concert has become something of a December tradition for us and we always look forward to this performance. Sarah Jones is a member of this ensemble this year. Please mark you calendars and invite your families, neighbors and friends. Refreshments after the concert will be served in the Fellowship Hall.

Holiday Worship Services

Monday, December 24: 7:30 p.m.
Christmas Eve Candlelight Service

Tuesday, December 25: 10:30 a.m.
Christmas Day Service

Stewardship in a time of consumption

The whole world bemoans the crass commercialism that has taken over the holiday season. Ironically, that’s even the plot of many a Hollywood holiday blockbuster (presented with limited commercial interruption … even at the local multiplex). Well, what are we going to do about it? Following Jesus as disciples and learning to be wise stewards of God’s good gifts leads us out of the shadows of black Friday and into the glorious light of new life in God’s amazing grace. Remember, our children are watching and learning.

1. Children are bombarded with materialistic messages that often lead to a sense of entitlement and to frustration and dissatisfaction with life. Stewardship encourages gratitude. Stewardship teaches the difference between needs and wants. Stewardship can help children find peace and joy in a crazy world. Stewardship strengthens our relationship with Jesus.

2. Children form attitudes about sharing between the ages of 6 and 10. They will develop an attitude – “the world owes me…I don’t have enough.” Or a stewardship attitude – “I have been blessed…I am happy to share.”

3. Advertisements in the commercial world tell us that you are not good enough the way you are and therefore you need to acquire this product to make you acceptable. In the church we teach that God has already blessed them with all the gifts and talents they need. God has given them an abundance and enough to share.

4. Stewardship is not just a Sunday school class service project. Stewardship is about faithful living…24/7.

5. Children can afford to be good stewards of money. The average child under the age of 13 has over $270 a year in completely disposable income. This is more money than over 500 million heads of households throughout the world have to spend on food, clothing and shelter for their family.

Christmas Card Tradition

This year we would like to continue our tradition of having a congregational Christmas card. We ask that members bring in or mail one card to the congregation rather than mailing individual cards to other members. The cards will be displayed in the narthex so that the congregation can read them. The amount that would have been used towards cards and postage should be put in the offering plate or mailed to the church office in an envelope marked "Christmas Card" and the money will be donated to ELCA Good Gifts. www.elca.org/giving

Consider Giving an Alternate Gift This Christmas

Many organizations, such as Heifer International, Church World Service and Lutheran World Relief provide ways that we can give gifts to people in need throughout the world. These groups provide special cards explaining the organization’s mission and what the gift in their name will do. If you are interested in giving an alternative gift this year, call or stop by the church office, we have some catalogs and resources. Other gift-giving ideas such as: World Hunger Gift Tags, All-Occasion Postcards, Christmas Postcards and Gurls (Giving URLS). can be found at www.elca.org/giving, www.elca.org/goodgifts, www.elca.org/ecards and www.elca.org/gifts

Dcember Birthdays, Anniversaries and Families of The Month

Please remember these people and families in our prayers this month.

December Birthdays
Nancy Maguire, Michael Catelli, Bradford Wilson, Bernd Mayr,
Alex Rubens, Louis D'Agnolo, Irene Geiselmann, Richard Bacik, Julie Franchino, Evelyn Denkinger, Elizabeth Futyma

December Anniversaries
Chao-Ren & Agee Lin

December Families of The Month
Doris & Edith Schulz
Greg & Ruth Sekula
Frank, Christine, Jennifer Siclari
Victor Smith
Audrey, Larry, Tom Stevens

Hanging of The Greens

Hanging of The Greens on Sunday, December 23 after Worship. Please call the office for a sign-up sheet if you would like to volunteer your time and/or food.

Poinsettia Plants

Please be reminded that the cut-off date to order the Poinsettia's is Sunday, December 2nd. The price for each plant is $8.00.

Post-Katrina Long-Term Recovery

It has been two years since Hurricane Katrina hit New Orleans and the Gulf Coast. Some areas are showing remarkable progress, but other parts are not. In these areas people are still in need of assistance. Here are some ways we may be able to support and get involved. If you are interested in taking part in or leading a team, talk to Pastor Jim.

Lutheran Volunteer BLITZ. There are more than 900 beds, cots and mattresses ready and waiting for volunteers at 11 Lutheran site in Louisiana, Mississippi and Texas, some of which provide meals. Over 5,500 work orders for families in need are at the Lutheran sites ready for the volunteers.

The ELCA and The Lutheran Church – Missouri Synod volunteer host sites are taking the lead in cooperatively planning this BLITZ. The local Lutheran community is committed to continuing efforts in long-term recovery by working with volunteers. For more information visit www.futurewithhope.org.

Self-Guided Prayer Pilgrimage. The New Orleans Area Prayer Pilgrimage is a self-guided prayer pilgrimage for those visiting New Orleans. The pilgrimage offers a driving tour of New Orleans and the surrounding area. Visits to neighborhoods and ELCA churches most dramatically impacted by Hurricane Katrina and the resulting floodwaters are included on the journey. Participants may stop at various “prayer stations” to reflect and pray. Bidding prayers are available. For more information visit www.futurewithhope.org.
If anyone is interested in the above, please contact the Church Office at (973) 667-0256.

New Morning Bible Study

We are planning to start an early-morning, before-work Bible Study in the new year. We are talking about meeting from 7:00am to 8:00am at a local diner or coffee shop. If you are interested in taking part in this study, please call Martin Mueller at
(973) 667-1049 or Pastor Jim at the church office.

Directory Update

We are planning to distribute an updated, non-pictoral Church Directory at the Annual Meeting in January. If you have not previously filled out an updated Family Information Sheet, watch your mailbox for a form and please help us by returning it.

Three Kings Celebration

Sunday, January 6 from 10:30 am - 1:30 pm
Worship/Food/Fun
& Gifts For All Children
Save the date and invite your friends!