On The Calendar

Dive into the Book of Faith


Open the scripture. Join the conversation. Come, hear and learn once again the story of God and God’s people in a deep, meaningful and transformative way this summer. As part of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America’s (ELCA) initiative that calls “the whole church to become more fluent in the first language of faith, the language of scripture, in order that we might live out our calling as people renewed, enlivened, empowered and sent by the Word.”

We enter into this conversation based on the promised that exploring the Bible deeply with others opens us to God working in and through us. God’s Word is life changing, church changing and world changing. As we come together around God’s Word, the Holy Spirit works to lay a promising and fruitful foundation for connecting Bible, life and faith.

This summer, we will start this journey to renewal in the power of God’s Word together as a congregation assembled to worship and in small groups. All in all, there will be three opportunities to gather, open scripture and join the conversation.

Between July 12 and August 30, the assigned readings take us into and through the Book of Ephesians. In Sunday worship, through songs, sermons and prayers, we will focus on that particular Book of Faith under the theme, God’s Extraordinary Church. We will pick up that study and add time for group discussion, prayer and support during on Thursday evenings at 7 p.m., following our weekly community dinner.

Finally, a number of people have expressed interest in learning more about how the Bible came to be our Book of Faith and to explore more about what we mean when we confess the Holy Scripture to be the Word of God. Join us on three Sunday afternoons in September as we Rediscover the Book the Faith, the Bible. What better way to go “back-to-school” than to get back into God’s Word. It will change your life.

To sign up for either one of these exciting studies, fill out the forms below and return them to the church office or e-mail the church office with your plans office.htlcnutley@verizon.net.

God’s Extraordinary Church: Studies in Ephesians – July 12 – August 30

Mega-churches seem to catch everyone’s attention these days. Bigger appears to be better. The Letter to the Ephesians reminds us that God enables us to build a wondrous church beyond our wildest expectations (Eph. 3:19-20). Spiritual quality is always more important than worldly quantity when it comes to God’s heavenly design.

This book of faith is like a blueprint written to modern churches like ours, churches in transition. This series gives us the opportunity to experience divine guidance in our mission and ministry. As we rediscover God’s Word for our life and the life our church, we will discover again our passion for God’s purposes in the world through Jesus Christ. Come along. Open the Scripture. Join the Conversation.

Here are the topics we will be exploring in worship, study, conversation and prayer:

1. Are We Building in Love? Ephesians 1:3-14
2. Are We Building with Walls? Ephesians 2:11-22
3. Are We Building Beyond Measure? Ephesians 3:14-21
4. Are We Building as One? Ephesians 4:1-16
5. Are We Building Up? Ephesians 4:25-5:2 and 5:15-20
6. Are We Built to Withstand? Ephesians 6:10-20

Please return to church office or e-mail your request to office.htlcnutley@verizon.net

____ Yes, I am excited about exploring God’s amazing Word to God’s
extraordinary church, and

____ I/We plan to attend Thursday night. Please order ____ copies of the study guide for me.

____ I/We cannot attend the Thursday night study this time, but would like to follow along at home. Please order ____ copies of the study guide for me.
Name(s): __________________________________________

Rediscovering the Book of Faith – September 20 – October 4 after worship

Where did the Bible come from? The Christian Scripture contains sixty-six separate books, two testaments, and seven distinct types of literature. Yet, Christians the world over hold it as a single, bound volume we call “The Bible.”

This three-session study held on Sunday after worship explores how the Bible came to be our Book of Faith and what it means for our lives today. Together we will learn how, why and where the Old Testament and New Testament were created and explore how the Bible was put together, and examine the impact of the Reformation on our access to and understanding of scripture. Invite your friends and family to attend with you.

Here are the topics we will explore and discuss each week:

1. Rediscovering the Family Album of God’s People
2. Rediscovering the Good News of Jesus
3. Rediscovering God’s Gift of Grace

Please return to church office or e-mail your request to office.htlcnutley@verizon.net

____ Yes, I am excited to Rediscover the Book of Faith, and

____ I/We plan to attend Sunday after worship. Please order ____ copies of the study guide for me.

____ I/We cannot attend the Sunday sessions, but would like to follow
along at home. Please order ____ copies of the study guide for me.

____ I want like to invite a friend to attend with me, and I would like to church to help me.

Name(s): _____________________________________________________________________________________


Summer Music Conferences

Scott Jones will be in Boston for the Region Convention of the American Guild of Organists from June 30 through July 4. Scott is registrar for the 2011 Morristown Convention and will be meeting with the Boston Planning Committee. Locally, Scott serves on the Executive Board of the Metro NJ Chapter, is Membership Chair and publishes their Directory of Members.

In August, Scott will attend the National Convention of the Association of Lutheran Church Musicians in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. Scott is Regional Vice President for the ALCM and he always looks forward to the workshops, concerts and worship services at these conferences.

Talent Time to Present Gypsy

The musical Gypsy will be presented at Bloomfield High School August 6-8 and 13-15 at 8:00 pm. General Admission tickets are $12/$10 for seniors and Students. The High School is at 160 Broad St. in Bloomfield and is air-conditioned! Emily Jones is producing the show as well as playing in the pit orchestra. Sarah Jones is performing in the cast.

As part of the Charles Seller Foundation, the Talent Time players have been presenting benefit performances since 1950. Each summer the members, who are in their mid-teens to late twenties, produce and perform a musical in which all the profits go to help a local person with a severe medical need.
Please call (862) 202-6943 for more information.

Summer Food Drive

During the summer months, organizations that provide food often run short of needed supplies. This summer, we continue to collect food as part of our offering during worship. Bring your non-perishable food items to worship with you, and take them forward during the gathering of our offering.

Discovery Canyon VBS is Just Around the Rim!

Our journey begins Sunday, August 16 and ends with a closing program on Friday, August 21. We will meet in the evening again, from 6:00-8:30p.m. Registration is $15.00 per person with a maximum of $30.00 per family. Registration forms will be available at church, by emailing the office at office.htlcnutley@verizon.net or by registering online at www.htlcnutley.com DEADLINE TO REGISTER IS AUGUST 2, 2009.

Mark your calendars and grab your hiking gear. This is a week filled with amazing Bible stories, Cavern Crafts, Sagebrush Storytelling and Red Rock Rhythm! Plan to join us and invite a friend. See you at the Canyon!

To help defray the cost of education and craft materials, we are asking for monetary donations. If you would care to make a donation, there will be donation cards in the church entry for different denominations totaling the amount estimated for the supplies. Please take one or more and enclose them with or attach them to your contribution, which can be put in the offering plate on Sundays through June, July and/or August. Please make sure to clearly mark the offering for “VBS”.

Can you help create our “Canyon Adventure?” We could use southwest/Native American blankets or fabric, pottery or baskets and blow-up or artificial cacti. Hiking gear like backpacks, hiking boots, a canteen and walking stick would be appreciated. Stuffed, resin or wooden “critters” for our daily themes would be great—desert lizard, owl, burro, praying mantis, and fox. Donations may be brought to church any time. Please identify them with your name so that they can be returned in August after VBS. Stay tuned for more announcements about craft preparation and church decorating. Thank you!

Annual Back To School Celebration - September 20

This year’s Fall Festival is still in the early planning stages, but we are working with the theme … Back-to-School; Back-to-Bible.

Not only will this year’s celebration mark the opening of Sunday school with lively worship (including a special blessing of the backpacks) food, games and prizes for all children, but we are planning on inviting all people, young and old to join us in rediscovering our Book of Faith (see article on page 4) this fall. To volunteer, call or e-mail Pastor Jim.

In Our Community

Relay For Life

On June 13th and 14th, Emily Jones participated in a Relay for Life in Mount Olive to raise money for the American Cancer Society. Although the rainy weather moved the event indoors, it did not dampen the spirits of the participants. Hundreds of people gathered to celebrate those who have survived cancer, remember those who have not, and fight back by supporting cancer research.

Mount Olive’s Relay brought in over $100,000 and that amount will continue to grow with post-event donations. Emily’s team was able to surpass their goal and raise over $2,800. Thanks to the members of Holy Trinity who donated to this cause and helped Emily’s team and the event raise such an amount.


Congratulations!

Congratulations to Chelsea Cicci, who on June 16 won her second Paper Mill Playhouse “Rising Star” Award for choreography. The award was for her work on Bloomfield High School’s production of How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying back in February. Bloomfield was nominated for three awards, but only Chelsea won!

Congratulations on the birth of Charles William Ouellette, born on May 21, 2009. He is the grandson of Chris & Frank Siclari and joins sisters Jackie, 6 and Maddie, 3. Mom and dad are Michelle (Siclari’s daughter) & Bill.

Thank You!

Marilyn Kozak would like to thank everyone who has called and visited her father, Victor Smith. Victor has been moved to the Park Manor Nursing and Rehabilitation Center in Bloomfield. They are located at 23 Park Place, Bloomfield, N.J. 07003. (973) 743-7772.

Summer. Time for Lemonade

As we move into summer this month, we will re-start our after worship lemonade fellowship time. So, plan to linger a bit after worship to visit with friends both new and longstanding. We have two dates still available if you would like to host – they are August 9 and August 23rd. To follow is our schedule:

June 28: Lizzie & Holly Wiede (w/mom)
July 5: Kara Suttora & Diane Petchel
July 12: The Rubens Family
July 19: Gail & George Ceravolo
July 26: Audrey Stevens
August 2: Jayne Osborne
August 9: OPEN
August 16: The Jones Family
August 23: OPEN
August 30: Sally & Martin Mueller
September 6: Lizzie & Holly Wiede (w/mom)

Taking Root

Introducing the new ELCA Hunger Resource for children and youth,

Taking Root:
Hunger Causes
Hunger Hopes

Four Events in One!

1. Youth Summit

2. Children's Ministry Celebration

3. Hunger Events for Adults

4. Agape' Concert

FOR FULL DETAILS AND CALENDAR, GO TO:

www.njsynod.org

Pastor's Message

I am writing in the week between two wonderful celebrations of our life together in Christ Jesus: Last week (June 21) we witnessed Allison and Samantha’s baptism, and this week (June 28) we celebrate with Lizzie as she experiences Holy Communion in a deeper way. These two events coming in consecutive weeks remind us how our entire life flows from God’s grace in Word and Sacrament. Through Word and Sacrament God enlightens us, enlivens us and sustains us in a life of faith and love that comes from our connection to God and to each other.


In our baptism liturgy, the parents, sponsors and congregation promise to faithfully live out our faith and love for God together. We do this by gathering weekly in worship to hear the scriptures, God’s Word, and to participate in the holy supper. We do this by learning, teaching and putting into practice the Ten Commandments, the Apostle’s Creed and the Lord’s Prayer. We do this by nurturing the life of faith and prayer in ourselves and in others. We do this by proclaiming God’s reconciling love for the world in Christ Jesus in what we say and by what we do. We do this by joining together to care for others, to care for the world God made and to work for justice and peace.

Allison and Samantha and all the newly baptized are just beginning down this path of discipleship. Lizzie and others, like our college and high school graduates, are passing significant milestones along the way. Let’s cheer them on in the faith enthusiastically.


At the same time, these slower days of summer give us time to reflect on our own journey. Where are we spending our time and our energy? How might we be strengthened in our faith and love for God to more effectively live in witness to God’s grace and love for us? How might we encourage each other to grow in faith, hope and love.

In the letter to the Ephesians, the author prays that the church in Ephesus might receive from God “a spirit of wisdom and revelation” as they come to know Jesus more deeply. He prays this so that “with the eyes of your heart enlightened, you may know what is the hope to which he has called you, what are the riches of his glorious inheritance among the saints, and what is the immeasurable greatness of God’s power for us who believe” (Ephesians 1:17-19).

That is my prayer for all of us this summer. Please join me.

God's Gift For All Creation - Don't Bottle It Up!

The Youth Of The New Jersey Synod Challenge You To Take The Pledge!

In the fall of 2007, young people in the New Jersey Synod, ELCA began studying issues of water scarcity, plastics, pollution and water rights relating to bottled water. Out of this came an education and advocacy effort aimed at helping reduce the use of bottled water and strengthening safe public water systems both locally and globally - the Don’t Bottle It Up campaign!

We invite you to study, pray for, teach about, and advocate for
God’s precious gift of water for all creation, and, for earth’s sake,
Don’t Bottle It Up!

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

“…living creatures, and the air, soil and water that support them, face unprecedented threats. Many threats are global; most stem directly from human activity. Our current practices may so alter the living world that it will be unable to sustain life in the manner we know.”


"[A]s people of biblical faith, who live together in trust and hope, our primary motivation is the call to be God's caregivers and to do
justice...As members of this church, we commit ourselves to personal
lifestyles that contribute to the health of the environment."

Don’t Bottle it Up! Pledge (
Submit your pledge to the church office or at Worship – thank you)

I pledge to reduce my use of disposable bottled water, which means:

Opting for public tap water over bottled water; and

Advocating for healthy, strong public water systems both locally and globally.

Signed by: _________________________________



Here Are 10 Interesting Facts About Bottled Water

1. “An estimated 25 percent or more of bottled water is really just tap water in a bottle—sometimes further treated, sometimes not treated at all.” – Allaboutwater.org

2. Drinking bottled water is 1000 (one thousand!) times more expensive than drinking tap water.

3. “In an interesting study conducted by Showtime television, the hosts found that 75% of tested New York City residents actually preferred tap water over bottled water in a blind taste test.” – Allaboutwater.org

4. “Bottling and shipping water is the least efficient method of water delivery ever invented. The energy we waste using bottled water would be enough to power 190,000 homes. But refilling your water bottle from the tap requires no expenditure of energy, and zero waste of resources.” – PBS.org


5. “The Earth Policy Institute estimated that to make the plastic for the [water] bottles [consumed annually] burns up something like 1.5 million barrels of oil, enough to power 100,000 cars for a year.” – SeattlePI.com

6. “Nearly 90 percent of [water] bottles are not recycled.”
SeattlePI.com

7. “Bottled water is actually much less regulated than tap water. There are a number of studies in which we find arsenic, disinfection byproducts and bacteria in bottled water.” – SeattlePI.com, quoting Gina Solomon

8. 30 million water bottles are thrown away every day, and each one of them takes 1000 years to biodegrade. – emagazine.com.

9. “In one case, bottled water labeled as “Alaska Premium Glacier Drinking Water: Pure Glacier Water from the Last Unpolluted Frontier” was actually drawn from Public Water System #111241 in Juneau.” – emagazine.com.

10. Buying one gallon’s worth of bottled water is three times more expensive than buying one gallon of gasoline. –

July & August Birthdays, Anniversaries & Disciples

JULY BIRTHDAYS
1: Sydney Hess
3: Alex Murphy
4: Rory D’Agnolo
9: Meredith D’Agnolo
14: Verna Norton
18: David Reed
23: Ricky Hudnett
30: George Ceravolo

JULY ANNIVERSARIES
2: Al & Phyllis Weber
19: Scott & Debbie Jones

AUGUST BIRTHDAYS
3: Daniel Munoz
6: Aubrey D’Agnolo
10: Steve Oberndorf
16: Kay Ludwig
21: Greg Sekula
24: James Greengrove
25: Chao Lin
27: Dot Duke
29: Martin Mueller
30: Jared Lin
31: Robert Catelli

AUGUST ANNIVERSARIES
18: Frank & Chris Siclari
22: Gail & George Ceravolo
23: Evelyn & Steve Oberndorf
24: Dave & Sharon Reed
26: Martin & Sally Mueller

JULY DISCIPLES
1: Phyllis Weber
2: Kristian Wiede
3: Lizzy Wiede
4: Holly Wiede
6: Brad Wilson
7: Dot Wilson
8: Susan Wilson
9: Angelika Achtiani
10: Ira Achtiani
11: Chris Amlung
13: Anne Erwin
14: Andrea Ahrens
15: Richard J. Bacik
16: Erika Bacik
17: Richard K. Bacik
18: Ava Bacik
20: Joelle Bernhard
21: Matthew Bernhard
22: Madison Bernhard
23: Helen Blair
24: Kenneth Blair
25: David Cabral
27: Jennifer Cabral
28: Brandon Cabral
29: Emily Cabral
30: Leona Candura
31: John Catelli

August disciples will be in next months' newsletter