Bible Studies

Open the Scripture. Join the Conversation.

Every Monday night at 7:30 p.m. (starting April 25th.), and every Thursday afternoon at 2:00 p.m. as we gather to open the scripture and join in conversation with God and each other.

What is God doing in the the world? What is God doing in our lives? What is God saying to us as individuals, a community of faith, the world? What is the good news of God's kingdom? How is God sending us into the world? These are just some of the questions we ask as God engages us through God's word and the witness of the Holy Scripture.

AIDS Walk

SAVE THE DATE!
26th. ANNUAL AIDS WALK NEW YORK
You Can Make a Difference!

Sunday, May 15, 2011
Aids Walk New York (AWNY) is the world’s largest AIDS fundraising event. In 2010, more than 45,000 people participated and raised a record breaking sum of over $5.7 million. Funds raised from the walkathon go to numerous programs and educational services to support people living with HIV/AIDS, and to over 60 other tri-state area AIDS organizations. The 10 kilometer (6.2 mile) walkathon begins and ends in Central Park.

Nancy and Tony Maguire are again raising funds and on Sunday,May 15, 2011 they will participate in AIDS Walk New York. If you would like to walk with them, or sponsor them by donating money, please let them know. Checks should be payable to AWNY and can be given to Nancy or Tony anytime. You can also mail your check to their address at 26 Parsons Ct., Mahwah, NJ 07430. If you would like to raise money at your school or place of business they can provide you with sponsor forms. If you would like more information please call them at (201) 934-9366.

You can also visit www.aidswalk.net.

On the Calendar

HOLY WEEK AND EASTER

Sunday, April 17 - Palm/Passion Sunday

8:45 a.m.:Walk to the “Mudhole” for blessing of Palms.
9:15 a.m.:Ecumenical procession of the Palms, then walk back to Holy Trinity for coffee and bagels.
10:00 a.m.:Worship at Holy Trinity.


Pastor Jack DiMatteo is our supply pastor for Holy Week.

Thursday, April 21 - Maundy Thursday
6:15 p.m.:Soup Supper.
7:30 p.m.:Service of Holy Communion.

Friday, April 22 - Good Friday
Noon:Stations of the Cross at Holy Family Church and
12:45 p.m.:Meditations on the Seven Last Words (Nutley Clergy)
7:30 p.m.:Good Friday Worship at Holy Trinity

Saturday, April 23 - Church Work Day
10:00 a.m. Would you like to help prepare the church for Easter? We will meet in the morning to change the paraments, hang wreaths and place the Easter flowers around the sanctuary. Please call Scott and Debbie Jones
(973-338-0267) or the church office.

Sunday, April 24 - Easter Sunday
10:00 a.m.: Festival worship with Holy Communion.

Graduating in May or June?

Please let us know the date and from where you are graduating and we will share that good news. Feel free to share your future plans, as well.

"Buck-a-Chick" for World Hunger

This Easter, join congregations from across the nation in our “Buck-a-Chick” sale. For one dollar, members can purchase and decorate a paper chick for themselves or in honor of a loved one. Your gifts will help provide families living in poverty with chicks to provide a source of food and income. (Please make checks payable to “Holy Trinity Lutheran Church” and we will send in one check. Thank You.)
www.elca.org/goodgifts

American Red Cross Food Drive

We have been notified by the Montclair-Glen Ridge-Nutley Chapter of the Red Cross that the Nutley Red Cross Food Pantry is in need of food. While this is an ongoing need, it is especially important in March and April. The Feinstein Foundation Challenge through which $1,000,000.00 is distributed to participating food pantries is based upon the quantity of food and money collected during these months. Basically, the more food and money that is collected, the more money the Red Cross receives from the foundation.

Items most needed:

Cold cereal, Pasta Sauce, Peanut Butter, Chunky-style soups, Baked Beans, Canned Beef Stew, Canned Fruit, Mac & Cheese, Beans

Nice-to-have items:

Cookies, Coffee, Tea

They especially need the items listed above because they are seldom provided through the state emergency food sources. However, any types of non-perishable food items are welcome.

Bring your non-perishable food items to worship with you, and leave them in the designated area in the Narthex. Thank you!

Worship Help for Holy Week

We are asking for volunteers to serve at worship for Palm Sunday, Maundy Thursday, Good Friday and Easter Sunday. Anyone interested may sign up at church or call the church office. (all worship dates for this week are listed on page 1 of this newsletter). Thank you.

Altar Flowers

Please note that if anyone would like to honor or remember someone, we currently have many open weeks available for flowers, especially in July and November. The cost is $30.00 per week.

In Memoriam...

“For my Father’s will is that everyone who looks to the Son, and believes in him shall have eternal life, and I will raise him up on the last day.” John 6:40

Our sympathy and prayers are with the following families, who have lost loved ones:

Carolyn Davey on the loss of her brother, William Schroeder, on February 20th.

Tina and Joe Patti on the loss of Joe’s dad, John, on March 13th.

Terry Scalcione and Elaine Miller on the loss of Terry’s mom, Rose, on March 16th.

From the President

I am humbled to be serving as your new Church Council president. I’m trying to fill very large shoes left empty as Chris Duhm completed two consecutive terms on Council. On behalf of Council, I thank him for faithful service rendered, and his willingness to guide me in my new role. Greg Sekula continues as Vice-President, as well as chair of the Call Committee. Janet Strachan also continues as Secretary of the Council.

Your Council is tasked with keeping the church functioning in good order, especially while we continue to search for the best person to be the next pastor at Holy Trinity. This year we will be concentrating on the church building, as it needs repairs in several areas. You will hear more about this as we address the challenges.

Of course the Council is working closely with the Call Committee. The Call Committee is anxiously awaiting an interview with a candidate in the next couple of weeks. Should the committee like the candidate, members will go to hear the candidate preach. If they are still impressed, they will introduce the candidate to the Council. With Council’s approval, a date will be set for a congregational meeting. Please keep the Call Committee, the Church Council, and the candidate(s) in your prayers.

Additionally, Council is working with our neighbors who are concerned about the many meetings that our church hosts. Some of these are largely attended and have an impact on the neighborhood. We are seeking to balance our ministries with the needs of our neighbors who we must also care for. Again your prayers are requested as we seek the guidance of the Holy Spirit in this matter.

Holy Week and Easter are quickly approaching. On behalf of Council, I encourage you to share this meaningful week of services with us. From Jesus’ entry into Jerusalem, to the Last Supper, the Crucifixion and the Resurrection, God is with us and calling us to be among the faithful followers for whom God sacrificed Jesus. The Holy Week schedule is elsewhere in this newsletter; please plan to attend as many of the services as you can. Pastor Jack DiMatteo will be with us for Maundy Thursday, Good Friday, and Easter services!

Lastly, I cannot resist commenting on attendance at Sunday worship. I know it has been a long journey without a permanent pastor in place. But it is a journey we are making, and our supply pastors give us a chance to hear God’s word interpreted from many perspectives. Sadly, recent attendance has been declining; I wonder if our supply pastors realize we have a vibrant congregation that will survive our pastoral vacancy. Please remember that worship is a vital part of our faith. Coming together to worship God each week guides our faith and makes us stronger as a community. I miss many of the faces I used to see, and I hope the joyous news of Easter will bring you back to your church home each Sunday.
Sincerely,
Elaine Miller

First Fruits Giving
At the February Church Council meeting, it was agreed to continue First Fruits giving of our income to the NJ Synod for mission support. We have committed to sending $10,500 to the Synod for use as follows:

$5, 250.00: goes to the ELCA for churchwide mission support

$2,000.25: to Resourcing Congregations – support the work of Youth Ministry, the Assistants to the Bishop and much more

$1,031.10: to Mission Partners such as Cross Road retreat center, Seafarers and International House, the Philadelphia seminary, and several others

$ 983.95: to the Office of the Bishop

$ 511.35: for Mission Strategies for forming new communities of disciples, new leaders, new partners

$ 723.45: for fiscal and property management – running the Synod office and Synod-owned properties

A lot of work can be done in the name of Jesus Christ with the donations we give as thanks for the good gifts given to us. More information is available at www.njsynod.org and www.elca.org.

Vice Pastor and Supply Pastors

Vice Pastor

Please be assured that during our time without a permanent pastor, we at Holy Trinity have a Vice Pastor for our pastoral care. Will Moser of the First Lutheran Church in Montclair will serve as our Vice Pastor.

Pastor Will Moser of First Lutheran Church, Montclair
153 Park Street
Montclair, N.J. 07042-3901
(973) 744-6043
will1234@aol.com
Cathy Oswald, Manager, Tuesday – Friday, 2 – 7pm

Per Pastor Moser, please follow the criteria below for when his services are needed (they are numbered in order of his preference):

1Please call the church at (973) 744-6043 (you may call him directly or have Scott or Tina contact him).

2)Please call Pastor Moser at home, (973) 778-1497 (you may call him directly or have Scott or Tina contact him).

Vice Pastor care includes: visiting shut-ins, visiting the sick and those in the hospital, death, council meetings and confirmation.

Supply Pastors

Supply pastors for our Sunday Service will be given to Holy Trinity via the Synod Office.

Office

Please note that Scott and Tina will be checking voice mails from home, even during non-office hours, 7 days a week. Please make sure to LEAVE A VOICE MAIL MESSAGE at the office so we can be sure to keep updated.

April Birthday, Anniversaries and Disciples

April Birthdays

4:Ken Duke
5:Justin Munoz
9:Brian Johnson, Alexandra Rubens
10:Elfrieda Fenton, Erica Geiselmann
14:Sarah Jones
18:Christine Esparolini, Jeff Lin
22:Richard Bacik
24:Nancy Guenther
26:Ed Cordes, Miriam Mascola
29:Sharon Murphy

April Anniversaries

7: Greg and Ruth Sekula
21:Otto and Hedy Mayr

Disciples

Please pray for these disciples on the date listed:
1:Anne Erwin
2:Richard Bacik
4:Erika Bacik
5:Richard J. Bacik
6:Ava Bacik
7:Joelle Bernhard
8:Matthew Bernhard
9:Madison Bernhard
11:Isabella Bernhard
12:Helen Blair
13:Ken Blair
14:David Cabral
15:Jennifer Cabral
16:Brandon Cabral
18:Emily Cabral
19:Ryan Cabral
20:Leona Candura
32:John Catelli
22:Nancy Catelli
23:Michael Catelli
25:Robert Catelli
26:George Ceravolo
27:Gail Ceravolo
28:Barb Christman
29:Joe Cicci
30:Liz Cicci