From Pastor Kristin

In Middle School, I was drawn to the bright lights of the school stage. So, in 7th grade I tried out and was cast in a play based on life in a typcial Middle School. Depending on our role / character in the play, each of us budding actors was instructed to portray the persona of either a Middle School “Insider” or “Outsider”.

I still remember how each of us so easily assumed the traits and characteristics of the group in which we were cast. Insiders naturally took charge and knew how to suceed in the social system of Middle School, while the Outsiders were constantly trying to just get-by and get on with life.

One of the Bishop’s of the ELCA, Michael Rinehart, brought to mind my Middle School acting career, because his December Newsletter article was also about “Insiders” and “Outsiders”. But, instead of Middle School, he was talking about the average ELCA congregation. (The article is on Holy Trinity’s Facebook page and in the office.)

In his article, Bishop Rinehart argues that the cycle of decline that is occuring throughout mainline denominations (Lutheran, Episcopal, Roman Catholic, etc) will not stop until “we care as much about those outside the church, as we do those inside [the church]…mainline churches have ceased to be relevant to the culture, because insiders trump outsiders every time. Decisions are made for the benefit of those inside rather than those outside the church.”

Those are strong words. Words intended to shock us and shake us up, because we are the “insiders” of the church. We are the people who benefit from the decisions we make. We set the budget. We serve on council and ministry teams. We like the music. We hold the keys. We make the decisions. And we don’t really want any of that to change.

But, if we want to be faithful to God’s call to mission, to change lives (not just our own) and change the world, it seems that we are going to need to change our ways. Because “what got us where we are now will not get us where we need to go in the future.” We need to begin listening and caring more about those “outside” the church than those of us “inside” the church.

We’ve just begun the season of Epiphany. A season in which we hear Jesus call his first disciples and show them a new way to live. A season in which wise-men from the East dared to follow a star in the sky, and stumbled upon God in the flesh. A season in which we trust that God will shine light into our darkness of unbelief and confusion and disillusion. A season in which God calls outsiders to faith and the insiders to love.

In this season when God calls us to unexpected new ways of living and believing, how are you being changed and challenged by God? How is this congregation being called, like the wise-men, to risk our comfort, our control, and even our very lives for the sake of the outsiders?

Pastor Kristin

Worship & Music

“Unhanging” of the Greens"
After worship on Sunday, January 8th, y’all are invited to help un-green the sanctuary. We’ll put away the Christmas Tree, the candles, and the nativity scenes as we prepare the sanctuary for Epiphany. Since Epiphany is the season of light, we will also be putting up a few decorations of light. Come and see” what these may be!

Celebration of Christmas Music! Sunday, January 8
Following a great community concert last spring, the Nutley churches present a “Celebration of Christmas Music!” on Epiphany Sunday afternoon, January 8 at 4:00pm at St. Paul’s United Church of Christ; 10 St. Paul’s Place, Nutley. Event is free, but a benefit offering will be taken.

Practicing Faith

Throughout the year, this section of the newsletter will include ways for you to practice your Christian faith in your everyday life. We begin the year with a blessing for your home.

Blessing of the Home at Epiphany
In our home, Christ meets us in our family and friends, visitors and strangers. In the home, faith is shared, nurtured, and put into action. In the home, Christ is welcome, just as Christ welcomed his first visitors, the Magi from the East (Matt 2:10-11).

The beginning of the year provides a good occasion to grab your friends, family, and neighbors for a blessing of your home for a new year.

Greeting
May peace be to this house and to all who enter here. By wisdom a house is built and through understanding it is established; through knowledge its rooms are filled with rare and beautiful treasures. (Proverbs 24:3-4)

Reading
In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was in the beginning with God. All things came into being through him, and without him not one thing came into being. What has come into being in him was life, and the life was the light of all people. The Word became flesh and lived among us, and we have seen his glory, the glory as of a father's only son, full of grace and truth.
From his fullness we have all received, grace upon grace. (John 1)
Inscription

The three letters in the inscription stand for either the ancient Latin blessing Christe mansionem benedica (Christ, bless this house) or the legendary names of the magi (Caspar, Melchior, and Balthasar).

This inscription may be made with chalk above the entrance:
20 + C M B + 12

The magi from the East, known as Caspar, Melchior, and Balthasar followed the star of God's Son who came to dwell among us 20: two thousand and 12: and twelve years ago. + Christ, bless this house + Christ remain with us through the new year.

Prayer of Blessing
O God, you revealed your Son to all people by the shining light of a star.
We pray that you bless this home and all who live here with your gracious presence. May your love be our inspiration, your wisdom our guide, your truth our light and your peace our benediction; through Christ our Lord. Amen.

Everyone is invited to bless the house with incense or by sprinkling each room with water, perhaps using a branch from the Christmas tree.


Open the Scripture.
Give voice to your faith, and your questions.
The Monday evening and Thursday afternoon studies are currently discussing the Gospel and/or New Testament reading for the upcoming Sunday. Your wisdom may even show up in the sermon!

Meet in the Fellowship Hall: Monday at 7:30pm or Thursday at 2:00pm.

Annual Congregational Meeting and Potluck
January 29, 2012, after worship
Everyone is encouraged to participate in the Annual Meeting of the Congregation. This is the time when we tell the story of how God has been at work in this congregation during the past year as well as look forward to how our hands will engage in God’s mission in 2012.

*We’re electing 3 new council leaders. If you feel called to serve on council, please talk with Pastor Kristin or Elaine Miller.*

As we will also share a meal with one another, please sign-up in the narthex or call the office to take part in the potluck lunch.

Caring Community

St. Jude's Ranch for Children
Recycled Greeting Cards
Over 30 years ago, wishing to show our donors appreciation for making St. Jude’s Ranch for Children possible, the idea was conceived for turning the previous year’s Christmas cards into “new” cards for the coming season. The recipients were so delighted with their unique “thank you,” they requested the children sell them the special cards. And so, the St. Jude’s Ranch Recycled Card Program was born.

Now, the Recycled Card Program includes all occasion greeting cards…just about anything that starts with a used greeting card.

Operated by Kids’ Corp., a program at St. Jude’s Ranch, the children participate in making the new cards by removing the front and attaching a new back. The result is a beautiful new card made by the children and volunteers. The benefits are two-fold: customers receive “green” holiday cards for use and the children receive payment for their work and learn the benefits and importance of “going green”.

NOTE: There is currently an increased need for Birthday and Thank You card submissions.

•Only the card front can be used (please check to be sure the back side is clear of any writing, etc.)

•They cannot accept Hallmark, Disney or American Greeting cards.

Mail your donation of used greeting cards to:

St. Jude's Ranch for Children, Recycled Card Program
100 St. Jude's Street, Boulder City, NV 89005
877-977-SJRC (7572) www.stjudesranch.org


On A Mission to Fight Hunger!
More than 20 years ago on Super Bowl Sunday, the youth of one congregation were inspired to do something to fight hunger. Out of their efforts came the “Souper Bowl of Caring.”

Since 1990, the Souper Bowl of Caring has raised more than $71 million for organizations that fight hunger throughout the United States. It has also transformed the biggest weekend of football into the largest weekend of giving.

On Souper Bowl Sunday, you are invited to make a special contribution to fight hunger in our community and put God’s love into action. On Sunday, February 5, place your Hunger donation into the soup pot, which will be passed with the offering plates. You can also mail a donation, just make sure it is marked “Souper Bowl”. Your donation will go to fight hunger right here in the community.

With your help, more money will be raised to fight hunger and change lives than will be spent on Super Bowl advertising! More info at www.tacklehunger.org.

Remember We Who are Hungry
Donations of non-perishable food items help stock the Nutley Food Pantry, as well as provide emergency food aid to our neighbors. Please place donations in the basket in the narthex to help those of us who are hungry!

A Food Pantry Shopping List:

canned fruit, canned vegetables, tuna fish, box of pasta, pasta sauce,
1-can meals, tomato paste, bar soap, toilet paper


Thank You for Your Generosity!
Thank you to everyone who gave time and greens and wreaths to green the sanctuary for Christmas!

Thank you to the many, many, many of you who gave Animals for Christmas. You gave: 17 chicks, 7 ducks, 6 pigs, 8 goats, 1 sheep, 1 fish farm, 1 canal and 1 donation to feed 50 people!

Thank you! Your generosity will be transformed into food, education, and income for those living in poverty.


2012 Offering Envelopes Available
Thank you for all of your monetary support of God’s ministry through Holy Trinity in 2011!

The 2012 Offering Envelopes are now ready to be picked up. A box of envelopes is provided for every household in the congregation. Please pick yours up in the back of the sanctuary.

If you don’t find a box with your name on it and would like to start tracking your giving to God’s ministry through Holy Trinity, please contact the office at
973-667-0256 or office.htlcnutley@verizon.net.

Got Mugs?
In order to better care for God’s creation, we are beginning to use re-usable mugs during Coffee & Tea Time. If you have any mugs at home that aren’t being used or aren’t needed – please bring them to the church office.

2012 Flower Chart
The 2012 altar flower donation chart is now posted outside the office. Please sign up or call the office to donate altar flowers in 2012. The cost is $30.00.

Good to Know

2012 Calendars
Please help yourself to a 2012 calendar, found in the back of the sanctuary. Calendars are a gift from Brown Funeral Home.

Is it a Snow Day?
We hate cancelling worship!, but in the case of inclement weather, please check the phone message at the office 973) 667-0256. The message will be updated by 8:00 AM with worship news.

Like Us?
Then Like Holy Trinity’s Facebook page. You’ll get updates on the goings on at Holy Trinity; see pictures from events, read previous sermons, and more!

Save Money. Save Trees.
We would prefer to send the newsletter and ministry updates electronically. If you haven't shared your e-mail address with the church office, please consider doing so. Send an e-mail with ADD ME TO THE MAILING LIST in the subject line to office.htlcnutley@verizon.net. We can send this newsletter to anyone with Microsoft Wordtm version 1993 or later.


January Birthdays and Anniversaries

January Birthdays

2:Miles Mueller
7:Phyllis Weber
8:Peter Franchino
8:Ken Blair
8:Evelyn Oberndorf
14: Chris Siclari
15: Max Mueller
20: Nancy Catelli
26: Isabella Bernhard
28: Liz Cicci

January Anniversaries

14: Joelle & Matthew Bernhard
16: Cathy & Mike Palamara


Annual Congregational Meeting and Potluck
January 29, 2012 after Worship

Please call the office to sign up for any of the following:

Food to share: Main dish, salad, vegetable, dessert

Time & Talents: Set up and/or Clean up

Thank you!