Pastor's Message

Then the one who had received the one talent came forward, saying, ‘Master, I knew that you were a harsh man, reaping where you did not sow, and gathering where you did not scatter seed; so I was afraid, and I went and hid your talent in the ground. Here you have what is yours.’ Matthew 25:24-25

I have a difficult time with the parable of the talents (you can read it in Matthew 25:14-30), because through it Jesus is reminding me of something I don’t like about this world: the rich get richer. To make matters worse, the parable leaves me with the impression that this is the way God wants the world to work. The rich get richer. What manner of god is this at work in the parable?

The rich get richer. That’s the ugly truth under the current economic crisis. If you have ten talents or five talents to start with, then you probably still have enough left to clean up after the panic. You can afford to be “greedy when others are fearful and fearful when others are greedy.” Meanwhile, those with a mere one-talent nest egg, knew they just couldn’t risk it. It’s their hope. Their future. They know how unforgiving the whole thing can be. They fled the market in fear and went and buried the treasure in the ground, happy to escape with something and content to defend the little they have from loss. Then comes the reckoning. The richer get their richest reward. The others lose everything, even the little they had. Then, these others are confined to a future of darkness, weeping and regret. A pensioner’s retirement? An unemployment line? A short sale on my house and then back to live with Mom and Dad? The selling of the house and moving in with adult children? The final kick in the pants is that it’s the parable’s god-figure kicking the timid investor to the curb.

“Now, come on,” you may be saying. “That’s not what the parable is about. It’s not about money and investing, really. That’s just figurative language. It’s really about the church’s mission.” Yes. But isn’t it more about money and investing and your part, our part as church in the mission of God in the world. The brilliance of Jesus’ parable is that it works on us both ways.

First, it exposes the utter cruelty and brokenness of a system with money and markets as the god at the center, a system that rewards the rich and punishes all others, a system, which even today, so many of us are devoted to in fear, love and trust. We comfort ourselves and each other with these words: “Don’t be afraid. The market will come back. The money will return. We will be saved.” If that is where we have placed our hope, the parable coldly tells the story of what we can expect from that god who expects us to get out each morning and go about our mission in life: making money, collecting things.

At the same time, Jesus invites us into a life where who we are, what we have, what we do – gifts of God all – are leveraged in the kingdom of God. We exist by God’s grace as God’s people sent into the world. Our life, as community, is in God’s mission. God expects a return as we invest all the gifts that God has given us in God’s mission to love, save and bless the world in Jesus Christ. God expects us to grow the number of people in the world who are glorifying and thanking the God who raised Jesus from the dead.

This means taking risks with our time, with our talent and with our money in order to engage the world and the people around us in a creative conversation about how we can bring hope and life to all God’s creation. This means taking risks with our talent, our money and our time to engage people with a variety of invitations to come and worship the God who gives real hope in times of crisis, true light in the darkness of the world, and eternal life from out of death. This means taking risks with our money, our time and our talent to liberate people from fear with encouragement and examples of how to act and live generously, trusting in God – not money or market -- for our salvation. This means being 100 percent BOLD in Jesus name, as Jesus’ body, given for the sake of the world God loves so much.

We can do this, even in a recession. Or we can take the small number of gifts we have – the diminished store of money, the shrinking slice of time, the hidden bit of our talent – and bury them until Jesus comes again. It’s an option. But to make that choice will cost us everything, our money, our time, our talent. And, the grace of God – the privilege to be God’s people sent into this community to proclaim and enact God’s justice, love and mercy in the name of Jesus – that mission will pass to another. God’s kingdom comes with or without us. We pray that it may come among us in Nutley as well.

Now what? I think I will pray to God for courage, then head to that place where I bury my talent, dig it up, and then, with trembling hands take a risk by making an investment in God’s kingdom. (There are a lot of investment ideas in this newsletter alone.) And pray for 100 percent return. After all, when everyone is fearful, that’s the time to get greedy … for the kingdom of God and His righteousness. What are you going to do?

May God watch over you and give you courage and faith that lasts, so that you will be happy when Jesus returns (Matt. 25:21, 23). Amen

In our community

Church Night at the Devils

Join your friends from Holy Trinity at a NJ Devils hockey game, and save $30! There are two dates available in the coming months and the special group rate for upper level seats is $35 (normally $65 at full price.) Games are at the Prudential Center in Newark and tickets are on a first-come, first-served basis and may not be returned nor exchanged. We will have the tickets in advance, so you can arrange for your own transportation. (Some of us took the City Subway from Bloomfield for the last game.) I will order tickets, but only for reservations with full payment. Please write your name, the date of the game, and the number of tickets and include that with your cash or check payable to “J. Scott Jones.” Invite family and friends—the more the merrier! (Holiday gift?)

 Friday, November 21 vs. NY Islanders 7:00 PM (deadline Sunday, November 9)
 Sunday, January 4 vs. Ottawa Senators 5:00 PM (deadline Sunday, December 14)
Questions? (973) 338-0267 or jsjones0601@verizon.net


Choral Vespers

Scott and Emily Jones are singing Bach’s Cantata, Wachet auf, ruft uns die Stimme at Grace Lutheran Church, Teaneck on Sunday, November 23 at 4:00 PM. The choir is under the direction of Carol Weber and will be accompanied by a professional orchestra. An offering will be received.
Grace Lutheran, 1200 River Rd., Teaneck, NJ 07666. GraceLutheranTeaneck.org

November Birthdays, Anniversaries and Disciples of the Month

Birthdays

4:Erika Bacik
8:Sara Murphy
10:Jennifer Murphy
11:Chris Amlung
12:John Fenton
13:Irene Falk
14:Barbara Hudnett
15:Victor Smith
18:Cathy Geiselmann
21:Erik Hess
25:Frank Siclari
27:Judi Lovas
28:Joelle Bernhard, Stefeny Krombholz, Aida Rubens
29:Grace Viola, Bonnie Munoz
30:Nancy Duhm, Nicole Duhm, William Murphy

Anniversaries

1: Ken & Irene Geiselmann
2: Richard & Susan Ulley
24: Louis & Terry D'Agnolo
24: Jim & Stefeny Krombholz

Disciples

For some time we have been naming families of the month, people and households to keep in our prayers. Now, we’re going to change the emphasis a little. Instead of praying for families, we will pray for individual disciples of Jesus. Each day of the week (except Sunday) has the name of a person in this community. Remember that person in your prayers that day. On Sunday, we will pray for all of the people listed in the coming week. You may even want to get in touch with these people and pray with them personally. If you don’t know what to pray for, then pray that each member of the Holy Trinity community would grow in their faith and love for God and their love for God’s people and God’s world, and pray that each disciple may be fully equipped to share the Gospel, overcome barriers and connect one to many through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

1:Angelika Achtiani
3:Ira Achtiani
4:Chris Amlung
5:Anne Erwin
6:Andrea Ahrens
7:Lou Ann Ariante
8:Kristen Osnato
10:Lauren Osnato
11:Matthew Osnato
12:Richard Bacik
13:Erika Lee Bacik
14:Richard J. Bacik
15:Ava Bacik
17:Joelle Bernhard
18:Matt Bernhard
19:Madison Bernhard
20:Helen Blair
21:Kenneth Blair
22:David Cabral
24:Jennifer Cabral
25:Brandon Cabral
26:Emily Cabral
27:Leona Candura
28:John Catelli
29:Nancy Catelli

Stewardship Strengthens....

Stewardship strengthens our relationship with Jesus

THANK YOU FOR YOUR GENEROUS INVESTMENT IN
GOD’S MISSION THROUGH THE PEOPLE OF HOLY TRINITY!

Living Abundantly in a Time of Scarcity

30 percent of New Jersey Synod Congregations are Meeting or Exceeding Mission Support Goals

The news report tells the story of a crisis in the financial system, and some of us in New Jersey are feeling the pinch. Yet, in the face of it all, 30 percent of New Jersey synod congregations are keeping pace with their bold investments in the work we share strengthening our witness in 182 neighborhoods throughout the state. An even larger portion of our congregation’s witness to a trust in the God of abundance, the God who raised Jesus from the dead, by sharing a generous portion of resources in common ministries.

Holy Trinity is one of these congregations. At of the end of September, the people of Holy Trinity are on pace to meet and even exceed the goals for giving that we had set for 2008. Because we invest a proportionate amount of our regular gifts (11 percent) in our common work as a synod, the more we give, the more we share as partners in the mission of God in New Jersey, the nation and the world.

Thank you! What a strong sign of hopefulness and faithfulness. Our generosity as individuals and as the community of Holy Trinity is making a difference around the world. In these last two months of 2008, and as we make or recast our commitments for 2009, let’s encourage each other to BOLD generosity as we make disciples and strengthen our missionary behaviors.

Give thanks for this community at your Thanksgiving table.
This November, as we gather as families to give thanks to God and to enjoy a feast together – thank God for the generous people of Holy Trinity and for the grace of God that will keep us in this mission field for another 85 years. Thank you, LORD God, for your generous people. Grant that our talents may bring an abundant return when measured in lives changed, lived saved.

Ready to take a more active role in the life of this community?

This November, as we look in hope to Christ’s return, we also look to encourage each other and build each other up. There are many ways you can use your gifts to encourage and build up the people of Holy Trinity so that we can share the gospel, overcome barriers and connect one to many in Christ. Here are some ways to serve (please circle as many as you are interested in). Return this form to the church office.

Your name: _________________________________________________

Teams: I am interested in serving on one of these teams:

Worship and Music
Evangelism
Stewardship
Property
Discipleship (education)
Church Council
Transformation
God is calling me to lead a team.

Ministries: I would love to serve by participating in these ministries:

Prayer chain
Choir
Sunday School
VBS
Visiting
Welcoming
Walking
Book group
Community Newsletter
Publicity
Web site
Women’s Group
Bible Study
Events
Book Group
Outdoor
Game night
Seniors

I am passionate about and gifted by God to lead this ministry:


I am passionate about starting this ministry at Holy Trinity. Help me:


I know I am gifted, but I need help discovering those gifts. Call me

On the Calendar

October is ‘Fill the Hall’ Month!

Jesus once told a story of king who has prepared a wedding banquet for his son. When all things were ready, the king sends his messengers out to tell the honored guests to come, but no one comes. So, the king tells the messengers to go out into the streets to urge everyone they can find to come to enjoy the banquet “so the wedding hall was filled with guests.”

Our Lord spreads a feast of his abundant mercy, grace and love each time we gather. You know the time – Sunday mornings at 10 a.m. You know the place – the corner of Hillside and Vreeland. Now, let’s go and invite and fill the hall!

Tuesday Night Prayer Nights: Money!

Join Pastor Jim Tuesday evenings in October to talk and to pray openly, honestly, sincerely about all sorts of issues related to money. Bring your fears, your worries, your concerns about the economy, the high cost of housing, food and gas, you retirement account balance … whatever. We’ll talk. We’ll listen. We’ll pray. We will meet in the sanctuary on Tuesday at 8 p.m. starting Oct. 7. Plan on a hour meeting.

Feed on God’s Word

90-minutes a week can change your life and change the world, really. Join the lively discussion and supportive community that spring up from scripture and prayer on Thursday afternoons at 2 p.m. or Monday evenings at 7:30pm Bible Study. Together, we read, share and discuss God’s Word and what it means for our lives today. Bring a friend.

Sunday School

Sunday School is in full swing. Families gather for worship at 10 a.m. and children and teachers move to the classroom after a children message and prayer. The whole assembly gathers again to celebrate the Lord’s Supper together. If you would like to volunteer to be a teacher or helper, please call the church office.

Stewardship Strengthens...

Stewardship strengthens our relationship with Jesus

Living Abundantly in a Time of Scarcity.
The news reports and economic pundits have convinced us that we are living in a time of scarcity. Resources appear to be is short supply and we easily identify with the disciples in the miracle of the feeding of the 5,000 in Mark 6:34-44. Buried in that miracle story, however, are behaviors which turn the perception of scarcity into a celebration of abundance.

In our fall financial program at Holy Trinity we are employing the theme -- “100% BOLD: Living Abundantly in a Time of Scarcity.” We are convinced by the story God and God’s steadfast love for God’s people that the antidote to our anxiety and fears is 100% BOLD Stewardship.

As we begin this venture boldly, think about all God has entrusted to you. As you come to worship each week, listen for the words at the center of the prayer of thanksgiving. Here are four distinct actions—taking, blessing, breaking, and giving. These four actions are also at the heart of the story of Jesus feeding more than 5,000 from five loaves and two fish. As we consider this pattern, think about how you take, bless, break, and give as part of your faith in Jesus. Give prayerful consideration in the coming weeks to how you will join your brothers and sisters in making an investment in the mission to which Jesus has called us.

Assets are gifts in action: a story about gold.

At the end of September, Nancy found that she had some family jewelry that no one wanted. A few earrings. She started by donating them to the yard sale when somehow she remembered that the price of gold is high now, and jewelry shops are paying a nice price for gold. So, she took the jewelry to the jewelry store with a few more odds and ends and came out with more than $150, which she gave for the ministry at Holy Trinity. What do you have just laying around?

Thank you for your generous gifts that truly do help make a difference in the lives of people in this community and beyond

On the Calendar

Worship Time is now 10:00am.

Don’t forget that our worship time remains at 10:00am as we move into September. Our Sunday gathering time stays constant throughout the year.

Bible Study

90-minutes a week can change your life and change the world, really. Join us Thursday afternoons at 2 p.m. starting September 18 as we listen to, discuss and meditate on God's Word for us. We will be focusing on the Sunday morning Gospel reading and how we can use the scripture to enhance our life of faith and prayer.

Starting Monday, September 8, we will be having a 7:30pm Bible Study. This will take the place of the Tuesday evening (8pm) Study. Come as often as you can and bring a friend. This group can be a wonderful place of friendship and support for people of all walks of life.

Sunday School

will begin again on September 21 and there will be a Volunteers’ Meeting after worship on September 7. If you would like to volunteer to be a teacher or helper, please join us at this meeting or call the church office.

Choir Rehearsals

will begin again on Thursday, September 4, at 8pm and the choir will sing on Sunday, September 7. If you would like to join the choir or would like more information, please call, email or speak to Scott Jones.

Annual Back-to-School Celebration

Our annual Back-to-School Celebration will be held on Sunday, September 21st. We plan on pitching the tent and inviting the neighbors, the town and everyone we know. If you would like to be part of the planning team or would like to serve that day, call the church office or submit the form at the back of this newsletter. But whatever you do, be sure to mark your calendars, and invite your friends. There will be a Volunteers’ Meeting Sunday, September 7 after worship.

Invite a Friend

Martin Marty has said, “Invitation is what evangelism is all about! It is one person inviting another to find the Lord.” In a real sense, evangelism programs and opportunities are essentially God’s people reaching out to others with an invitation. The Great Commission (Matthew 28:18-20) becomes global only as individual disciples reach out to those around them. According to Marty, there is only one word that separates congregations that grow from those that don’t. That word is “invite”!

Invitation works! Because most people find new places and new gatherings intimidating, they are far more likely to “come and see” if they are invited by a friend or relative. Invitations work because the person doing the inviting takes responsibility to acquaint the visitor with others. Those who are invited and welcomed are more likely to eventually join than those who may come on their own initiative. WHO ARE YOU INVITING TO THE FALL FESTIVAL, September 21st?

Invite, Invite, Invite!

Statistics reveal a surprising truth. More than 40% of New Jersey residents are not affiliated with any church. There is a lot of work for us to do in reaching the unchurched and offering them the opportunity to deepen their relationship with Jesus through participation in a faithful community.

We say, “come and follow Jesus for the sake of the world.” It’s more than a tag line. It describes the missional behaviors to which we aspire: Invitation, Discipleship, and Service. We are challenged to increase our capacity to invite, to say “Come and follow Jesus for the sake of the world,” easily and often.

We strive for consistency in our invitation. When we are convinced of the wonder of a relationship with Jesus, we will find ways to offer that joy to others. Beyond inviting people to worship, we are called in our Baptism to share our experiences with God’s presence in our lives and to point to the places where God’s grace is alive in the world. We can get into a conversation on a commuter train or bus, we can witness in the grocery lines, we can point to Christ in our neighborhoods, we can carefully listen to others as they talk about things that are puzzling to them. Through all these behaviors we say, “come.”

It is important to be intentional in our witness. We are inviting people to follow Jesus, to know and be captivated by our Lord Jesus so that they will want a deeper relationship. We are challenged to intentionally build relationships with others who are not like us and show the love of Christ.

Save the Date(s)!

From the Office of the Bishop

SYNOD CHURCH HOUSE DEDICATION
SEPTEMBER 20, 2008

The newly renovated Synod Church House will be dedicated at noon on Saturday, September 20. You are invited for the prayers of dedication, an open house, and a lunch-time cookout in the backyard! The Synod Hearing on the ELCA Draft Social Statement on Human Sexuality will follow at 2pm. An invitation with picture is posted on the Synod website www.njsynod.org

SOCIAL STATEMENT ON HUMAN SEXUALITY HEARING SEPTEMBER 20, 2008

An open hearing on the first draft of the proposed ELCA Social Statement on Human Sexuality will be held on Saturday, September 20th at 2pm at Resurrection Lutheran Church in Hamilton Square (located immediately behind the Synod Church House). An invitation flyer is posted on the Synod website at www.njsynod.org The Bishop will serve as moderator and the Rev. Dr. Timothy Wengert, a member of the ELCA Human Sexuality Studies Task Force will be present as listener on behalf of the Task Force.

Get Involved in Issues of Justice

Just Neighbors Announces the First New Jersey Retreat featuring the Just Neighbors program of faith and social justice.
The retreat begins 7pm Wednesday, September 17th and ends 2:30pm on Friday, September 19th at the Stella Maris Retreat House in Elberon, N.J.
Through videos, interactive exercises, scripture and discussion, Just Neighbors allows us to walk in the shoes of the poor and together explore our response of faith.
Subjects of the Retreat: faith, compassion and action, affordable housing, low wages, racial equity, hunger, children’s issues, advocacy.
Retreat Includes: Worship, large and small group discussions, role plays, simulations…relaxation!

For reservations or information, contact:
fmccann@familypromise.org
or call (908) 273-1100 x14

Stewardship Strengthens...

Yard Sale on Saturday, September 20th

We will be holding a yard sale under the big tent on Saturday, September 20th from 9:30am until 12:30pm. If you are interested in donating to or helping with the sale, call Stefeny and Pastor Jim at (732) 548-1215. Look for more information.

Saint Barnabas Hospice and Palliative Care Center

Put your compassion into action. Saint Barnabas Hospice services families in all of Essex, Monmouth, Morris and Union Counties, as well as parts of Bergen, Hudson, Middlesex, Passaic & Somerset and volunteers are needed everywhere! However, you’ll only volunteer where YOU are comfortable going to. The families are in need of kind, caring people to ease the stressful time of facing the death of a loved-one, and to provide emotional support. If you have as little at 3 hours a week to give, please consider becoming a volunteer.

Trainings are happening this fall in the following areas: Belleville, Long Branch, Newark, North Arlington, Union, West Orange. Call (973) 322-4846 or sballas@sbhcs.com

Veteran Volunteers Needed!

The hospice enables our veteran patients & their loved ones to maximize their quality of life. VETERAN VOLUNTEERS are needed to provide companionship, support and comfort to our veteran hospice patients. Free training is provided to veterans to become a VETERAN POPPY VOLUNTEER. Thank you for your service to our great country. Please call: Terry Hudak- Volunteer Manager at (973) 771-2687.

Thank you for your generous gifts that truly do help make a difference in the lives of people in this community and beyond.

On the Calendar

Worship Time is now 10:00am.

Tuesday Evenings: Bible Study at 8 p.m.
Summer is a great time to set aside some time to study God’s word. Our group meets every Tuesday evening to listen to what God is saying to us as individuals, a group and a congregation. In this conversation, we discover new insights and applications as together we are encouraged to live as Jesus’ disciples in the world.

August 10 - August 15: Vacation Bible School
Take the kids and go on a recession-proof summer adventure through the Rain Forest, and, on the way, grow deeper in your faith in God and love for all of God’s creation. Call the church office to register or to volunteer, and see the article in this newsletter for more information. Be sure to bring some friends.

Annual Back-to-School Celebration
Our annual Back-to-School Celebration will be held on Sunday, September 21st. We plan on pitching the tent and inviting the neighbors, the town and everyone we know. If you would like to be part of the planning team or would like to serve that day, call the church office. But whatever you do, be sure to mark your calendars, and invite your friends.

Pastor's Message

“Those who find their life will lose it, and those who lose their life for my sake will find it” Matthew 10:39.

These are some strong words from Jesus. Here Jesus challenges our values, our priorities, everything. The challenge goes like this – start from zero and follow Jesus. Let go of everything – family, job, house, money, talents, … what else? Come again naked – so to speak – to the baptismal font, and hear the Word of God spoken. You belong to God, Father, Son and Holy Spirit. Experience the washing of God’s grace and love as your are chosen, named and given a new life. Hear Jesus’ call: “Follow me.” God’s love. God’s gifts. God’s promises. And from these we emerge to live by walking with God. God is all we have. Our God is all we need in this life and the next … God is our true treasure.

This is true. So, now how do we live? We pray. We read, study, talk about and meditate on God’s Word in the Bible … the book of faith. We work so that we may bless everyone, even our enemies, and so we can give generously and freely. We worship, praise and thank God in and among the assembly of God’s people. We share the good news of Jesus; overcome barriers; connect one to many in community of the saints who live in the love of God.

Now, in this context, open your hands and heart to what else God gives -- family, job, house, money, talents and so much more. I hope you can see a method for scheduling your week start to emerge, and with it, a cure to senseless busy-ness that leaves us tired.

Please join me in re-committing yourself to a life of discipleship this summer by doing three things: 1) Pray everyday. 2) Read the Bible, preferably in a Bible study group. 3) Worship every week – if not at Holy Trinity, at another assembly or in your household. And, most important, let’s put these items on our calendar first. I have resources to help you in all these areas. Let’s walk and talk together.


Finally, here is a promise. God will not leave you empty, destitute or alone … no matter what happens. Come again and follow Jesus, he will give a true rest this summer and beyond.

In our community

Congratulations to:

Pastors Eric and Wendolyn Trozzo on the birth of Caedmon Samuel. He arrived on May 17, 2008 weighing 7 lbs. 8 oz. and joins big brother Dante. Pastor Wendolyn was our interim pastor before Pastor Krombholz. Our best wishes to the whole family!

Chelsea Cicci and Derek Hanson for winning Rising Star Awards from Paper Mill Playhouse. Bloomfield High School’s production of Cats from February was nominated for eight awards and received two. Chelsea and Derek, along with Jessica Barton were presented the award for Outstanding Achievement in Hair and Make-up. Chelsea and Cormac McGowan of Bloomfield HS shared the award for Outstanding Direction. Nutley’s production of West Side Story was nominated for six awards and won one Student Achievement Award.

Ruth Hsu who was recently appointed the new director of the Bloomfield Chorale, one of five performing ensembles that make up the Bloomfield Federation of Music. (Elfrieda Fenton serves on the board as treasurer, Emily Jones plays in the Civic Band and Sarah Jones has been part of the Youth Band.) This vocal ensemble will bring together singers from all over the area and rehearsals should begin in September. Please watch for more information. Bravo, Ruth!

Eric Oberndorf and Whitney Lowery who will be married on Saturday, July 12 in Laurel Hill, NC.

Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat
The Charles Seller Foundation’s Talent Time is proud to present Andrew Lloyd Webber’s Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat in August. Congratulations to our cast members, Sean Ulley and Sarah Jones. Sean is playing Benjamin and Sarah is Judah’s wife. Frances Lentz is in the chorus. Performances are at 8:00 PM, Thursday through Saturday, July 31, August 1, 2, 7, 8 & 9.

Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat is the biblical story of Joseph, one of Jacob's twelve sons and founder of one of the twelve tribes of Israel. Joseph was Jacob’s most beloved son, which caused great jealousy among his eleven brothers. Through the course of the show, we follow Joseph from a simple, naïve, farmer in Canaan, to the betrayal by his brothers, who sold him into slavery. His incredible journey ends finally with his rise to second command of Egypt, answering only to Pharaoh. All this is set to the wonderful music of Andrew Lloyd Webber, with lyrics by Tim Rice.

PLEASE NOTE that this year’s show is to be performed at BLOOMFIELD HIGH SCHOOL, 160 Broad St. in Bloomfield. (Past performances have been at the Middle School on Huck Rd.) The high school auditorium is AIR-CONDITIONED! General admission tickets at the door are $12; $10 for students and seniors.

As always, Talent Time performs as a benefit for someone with a severe medical need. This year’s beneficiary is 15 month-old Jayden Piacenza of Bloomfield, who has a congenital condition which causes cranio-facial anomalies requiring surgery.

For more information, call (862) 202-9151 or www.charlessellerfoundation.org


To share your news with the Holy Trinity Community, send your information and photo if possible to Holy Trinity Lutheran Church, 158 Vreeland Ave., Nutley, NJ 07110, attn Newsletter. Or, you can e-mail it to office.htlcnutley@verizon.net with “for newsletter” in the subject line.

July & August Birthdays and Anniversaries

July Birthdays
1: Sydney Hess
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

Pray for these disciplies this month.

For some time we have been naming families of the month, people and households to keep in our prayers. Now, we’re going to change the emphasis a little. Instead of praying for families, we will pray for individual disciples of Jesus. You will notice that each day of the week (except Sunday) there is the name of a person in this community. Remember that person in your prayers that day. On Sunday, we will pray for all of the people listed in the coming week. You may even want to get in touch with these people and pray with them personally. If you don’t know what to pray for, then pray that each member of the Holy Trinity community would grow in their faith and love for God and their love for God’s people and God’s world, and pray that each disciple may be fully equipped to share the Gospel, overcome barriers and connect one to many through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

July
1: Debbie Jones
2: Emily Jones
3: Sarah Jones
4: Chao-Ren Lin
5: Ying-Li Lin
7: Joyce Lin
8: Jeff Lin
9: Jared Lin
10: Edith Lodge
11: John Lovas
12: Judi Lovas
14: Rebecca Lovas
15: Kay Ludwig
16: Janette Lutz
17: Betty Mack
18: Tony Maguire
19: Nancy Maguire
21: Miriam Mascola
22: Gerald Mayr
23: Otto Mayr
24: Hedy Mayr
25: Bernd Mayr
26: Carlos Medina
28: Grace Medina
29: Lois Milner
30: Nicole Mozeliak
31: Martin Mueller

August
1: Sally Mueller
2: Max Mueller
4: Miles Mueller
5: Daniel Munuz
6: Brenda Munoz
7: Justin Munoz
8: Ethan Munoz
9: Bonnie Munoz
11: Damien Murphy
12: Sharon Murphy
13: Angela Murphy
14: Erika Murphy
15: Alex Murphy
16: Olivia Murphy
18: Sarah Murphy
19: William Murphy
20: Dennis Murphy
21: Daniel Murphy
22: Shannon Murphy
23: John Norton
25: Verna Norton
26: Steve Oberndorf
27: Evelyn Oberndorf
28: Ellen Oberndorf
29: Eric Oberndorf
30: Ross Pennise

Guess What's Swinging Up Ahead?

Are you looking to reach new heights of fun this summer? Then you’ll want to head to Holy Trinity for a canopy of adventures at Rainforest Adventure! This exciting Vacation Bible School is for everyone from infants to adults.

The fun begins Sunday, August 10 and concludes with a Rainforest Adventure Program and Party on Friday evening, August 15. Sessions run from 6:00 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. each day. The cost will be: $10 per child/$20 per family.

At Rainforest Adventure you’ll hear stories about Jesus, make cool crafts, learn catchy rainforest tunes, play super fun games, do some zany skits, and make lots of new friends! Each evening offers a new Bible story to explore through loads of fun activities. For more information or to register, visit the church, go to www.htlcnutley.com and follow the link to VBS, call the church office at (973) 667-0256, or contact us via e-mail at office.htlcnutley@verizon.net. A separate Registration Form is required for each participant and must be submitted
by July 31.

Your help is needed.

To help defray the cost of education and craft materials, we are asking for donations. If you would care to make a monetary 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”.

Thank you.

New communications card

As of May 25, you started seeing a new insert in your Sunday worship program: a communication card. This card has two parts. First, it is a way gather contact information about our first- and second-time guests. Second, it is a way to keep all of our contact information up-to-date. Third, it lists some next steps we can take to grow in faith and love as we go out from worship, and provides space to you to share your prayer requests and concerns. We ask that everyone fill out a card every week. If everyone fills out the card every week, then our guests will not feel uncomfortable or reluctant to fill out their cards and share with us.

Summer Food Drive

During the summer months, organizations that provide food to people in need often run short of needed supplies. This year, rising food costs have made the need that much more acute. Rising food prices means more people are in need of assistance. At the same time, the expense impact the ability of the organization to provide enough food.

This summer, we will once again 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. Thanks.

Bring your gently used shoes

Fashion Republic specializes in processing used clothing and shipping it to people in need. They currently are in need of used, but wearable shoes and/or new ones that don’t fit. By sponsoring a shoe collection, we can collect $0.13 per pound. Please drop off your donation(s) here at Holy Trinity and we will arrange for them to be picked up. There is a drop-off box in the Narthex.
Thank you.

Summer. Time for lemonade.

We are now into summer, and have started our after worship lemonade fellowship time. So, plan to linger a bit after worship to visit with friends both new and longstanding. You can also volunteer to host on one or more Sunday. A sign up sheet will be out during worship so you can sign up, or you can call the church office. The following dates are still available: July 6, August 3, August 17, August 24, August 31.