Eco Palms

For this Palm Sunday we ordered “Eco-Palms” direct from Lutheran World Relief. Lutheran World Relief is partnering with the University of Minnesota to build support in the U.S. for Eco-Palms by introducing Lutheran parishes to this social and environmental justice project. In addition to environmental and economic sustainability, Eco-Palms promote improvement for entire communities in Guatemala and Mexico. Eco-Palm cooperatives designate five cents from each palm they sell to improve the lives of all community members. Consider the good that can be accomplished through our Palm Sunday celebration.

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 April, September and November. The cost is $30.00 per week.

Pastor's Message

In John’s Gospel we find the story of a woman named Mary who breaks open a jar of very expensive perfume. She uses the perfume to anoint Jesus’ feet at a dinner party. Overwhelmed with thankfulness, praise and love for her Lord -- Jesus had just raised her brother from the dead -- Mary offered the best she had to welcome Jesus. Judas, one of the twelve, is offended. Water, common water, was what a proper host used to clean guest’s feet, not perfume. Judas would have preferred to see the costly perfume sold and the money given to the poor than poured out on Jesus’ feet in an emotional public display praise and thanksgiving. To Judas, Mary’s worship is an exuberant waste and sign of some misplaced personal priorities.

Jesus disagrees. Jesus instead responds to Mary’s strange, beautiful and sensual act of worship and adoration with vocal appreciation, and in doing so, he reminds Judas that it is he, Jesus – not social causes or personal economic security – who stands at the center of a disciple’s life and motivates a disciple’s behavior. Mary’s got it right.

When this story came up as part of our Sunday readings, it got me questioning myself, wondering, “What’s the point of our Sunday worship? Is it worth my time and effort? Would I rather be spending my time, energy and resources in other ways than publicly worshipping Jesus?” That story got me thinking, so, let me pose that question here, too: On whom, on what and where do you want to lavish your valuable time, resources and energy? What are the most important things to you?

When we get right down to it, worship is about naming something as worthy of our time, our energy, our resources and our devotion. We do that every day and every week by the things we do, the places we go, the people we associate with and the things we spend our money on. The things we do “religiously” are probably central to our lives.

As Americans, we value our freedom to choose what is worthy of our time and devotion. While many activities, causes, ventures and products may compete for your love, loyalty and devotion, we are free to choose what we believe contributes to our happiness. As Christians (God’s baptized people) however, we have been chosen by God, redeemed by Jesus’ death and resurrection and given a new life in the power of the Holy Spirit. In telling the story of God and God’s people, the Bible gets very specific about what God expects of God’s redeemed people -- lives of worship as part of a gathered community of God’s people. God expects us to be together, and together, God expects us to put God’s kingdom and God’s righteous justice first.

At the beginning of this month (April), as a community gathered to worship, we will follow Jesus from the Last Supper out into the garden; from the garden where he is betrayed to the courtyard of his trial and sentencing; from the place where he is crucified to the tomb where they put his lifeless body; from a closed tomb to an empty tomb and proclamation, “He is risen!” In living these events, we learn Jesus’ worth. He is worthy of our blessing and honor, our praise and our glory, our love and our devotion.

Ultimately, I believe that is why we rise early on the first day of the week and gather with our sisters and brothers here at Holy Trinity. God is worth it. Jesus is worth it. Worth our time, our energy, our resources, our lives. If you think that Jesus is worthy of such adoration, please join us in worship this Holy Week and every week.

Seven Steps Into Worship

1.Learn to practice the presence of God daily. Really follow Paul’s words, “Pray without ceasing” (1 Thess. 5:17). Have personal times of inner worship, confession and attentiveness to Christ; have God with you in every corner of your life.

2.Have many different experiences of worship. Worship God when you are alone. Have home groups or little groups of two or three and learn to offer up a sacrifice of praise. Try a small group at Holy Trinity – Monday evening or Thursday afternoon.

3.Find ways to prepare for the gathered experience of worship. Prepare Saturday night by having inward experience and examination and confession. Go over Sunday readings (see Taking Faith Home inserts each week). Gather early and let go of inner distractions by focusing on the presence of God filling the sanctuary.

4.Have a willingness to be gathered in the power of the Lord. As an individual, let go of my agenda, my concerns, my desire to be blessed or even to hear the word of God. The language of gathered worship is not I, but we. There is submission to the ways of Christ and submission to one another in Christian fellowship in the desire for God’s life to rise up and fill the group.

5.Cultivate holy dependency. Learn to become completely dependent upon God for anything significant to happen. Look forward to God acting and moving and teaching and wooing and winning.

6.Absorb distractions with gratitude. Become willing to relax with distractions – they may be a message from the Lord. Receive what happens in a gathered worship experience, rather than feeling distractions somehow deter your worship of God.

7.Learn to offer a sacrifice in worship. Many times you will not feel like worship. But you need to go anyway. You need to be with the people of God and say, “These are my people. As stiff-necked and hard-hearted and sinful as we may be, together we come to God.” So go, even if you don’t feel like it. Go, even if worship has been discouraging and dry before. Go, praying. Go, expecting. Go, looking for God to do a new and living work among us.

From Celebration of Discipline: The Path to Spiritual Growth by Richard Foster, pp. 170-173.

In Our Community

SAVE THE DATE! AIDS WALK NEW YORK
This year marks the 25th annual AIDS Walk New York – the world’s largest AIDS Walk.

Sunday, May 16, 2010
Aids Walk New York (AWNY) is the world’s largest AIDS fundraising event. In 2009, more than 45,000 people participated and raised a record breaking sum of over $5.6 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 16, 2010 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.

BACH VESPERS AT GRACE, TEANECK
Grace Lutheran Church, Teaneck will present Cantata No. 147, “Herz und Mund und Tat und Leben” (Heart and Voice and Deed and Life) by J. S. Bach in Choral Vespers with professional orchestra on Sunday, May 2 at 4:00 P.M. This cantata includes the famous chorus “Jesu, Joy of Man’s Desiring.” Scott, Debbie and Emily Jones will be singing and the choir is under the direction of Carol Weber. An offering will be received. 1200 River Rd., Teaneck, NJ 07666 (201) 836-0994 www.GraceLutheranTeaneck.org

PRAYER TEAM
“And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests.” (Ephesians 6:18) We are reorganizing our Holy Trinity Prayer Team/Prayer Chain. Each member of this group has a file box of index cards on which are written the names of people, groups or concerns to be remembered in prayer. The names/concerns are prayed for each day by at least one member of the team. If we have eight members, each person prays once in an eight-day rotation.

To join our group, please contact or speak to Scott Jones (973) 338-0267 or music.htlcnutley@verizon.net. Look for news about ways in which to request prayers and also note cards to be sent to those we have remembered in prayer.

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.


REMEMBER THE HUNGRY
During these difficult times, organizations that provide food often run short of needed supplies. We will continue to collect food as part of our offering during worship. Please bring your non-perishable food items to worship with you.

Facebook

Holy Trinity is now on Facebook. You can become a fan of Holy Trinity Lutheran Church and stay up-to-date with what's going on in the congregation and among our members. As a fan you can also post your news, your questions, thoughts and experiences of God's love in action to share with others. It’s just another way to share the good news, overcome barriers and connect one to many in Christ. You can access our page directly from our website, at www.htlcnutley.com

Check out the new Community section of our Website as well. You can read blogs, news from ELCA, preview this week’s worship service and so much more. Log on today.

Email...

Using E-mail to Make, Keep and Invite Friends.
Communication is vital to any relationship. That includes your relationship with others groups, teams and ministries going on at Holy Trinity. E-mail puts a powerful communication tool at our fingertips. Not only can we stay informed about news, events and happenings in the Holy Trinity community, but we are able to share that news with our friends as well by passing the information along to them or inviting them to be part of the Holy Trinity mailing list.

Want to receive this Newsletter electronically?
We are trying to distribute more and more of our information electronically. If you haven't already shared your e-mail address with the church office, please consider doing so by sending an e-mail with ADD ME TO THE MAILING LIST in the subject line to office.htlcnutley@verizon.net.

April Birthdays, Anniversaries and Disciples

April Birthdays

4: Ken Duke
5: Justin Munoz, Richard Hudnett
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

April Disciples (please pray for this person on the date listed)

1:Sarah Jones
2:Robert Kozak
3:Marilyn Kozak
5:Robbie Kozak
6:Pastor Krombholz
7:Stefeny Krombholz
8:Jakob Krombholz
9:Luke Krombholz
10:Chao Lin
12:Agee Lin
13:Joyce Lin
14:Jeff Lin
15:Jared Lin
16:Edith Lodge
17:John Lovas
19:Judi Lovas
20:Rebecca Lovas
21:Kay Ludwig
22:Janette Lutz
23:Betty Mack
24:Tony Maguire
26:Nancy Maguire
27:Miriam Mascola
28:Gerald Mayr
29:Otto Mayr
30:Hedy Mayr

Prayer Request

PRAYER REQUEST - Please use this to add a person or to update the status of an existing request.

(Please place request in offering plate, mail to the church, hand to Pastor Jim or call the Church Office with your information.)

Date of request:_________________________

Name of person/people to pray for: __________________________________________________

Details (e.g. surgery dates, illness, life challenge, etc.):

__________________________________________________

__________________________________________________

Request submitted by:

Name:__________________________________________________

Address:__________________________________________________

Phone:__________________________________________________

Email:_________________________________________________

These requests are confidential – first names only are used in the weekly bulletins.

Please contact Pastor Jim in the office or at home (732) 548-1215 or the HTLC office at (973) 667-0256 if special prayers are no longer required and to keep informed of progress, healing etc.

On the Calendar

SCHEDULE FOR LENT 2010

Thursday Soup and Study (February 25 and on):
2:00 p.m.: Book Study: The Spirit of the Disciplines: Understanding How God Changes Lives, by Dallas Willard

6:15 p.m.: Soup Supper (Sign up to bring some soup)
7:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m.: Book Study (same as above)
8:00 p.m. – Choir

NJ Synod Annual Conference
The NJ Synod’s Annual Conference on Congregational Ministries will be held on Saturday, March 20, 2010. It will be held at the Steinert High School, Hamilton Township, N.J. from 8:00am – 3:30pm. This years’ speaker is Kristen Glass, Directory for Youth & Young Adult Ministry, Vocation Education Unit, ELCA. Registration is $10.00 plus an additional $5.00 for lunch. Registration forms must be postmarked by Wednesday, March 10. Please let us know if you would like a Registration Form, or you can download one from the Synod website a www.njsynod.org. Put the date on your calendar and plan to attend with a group from Holy Trinity!

LOOKING AHEAD: HOLY WEEK AND EASTER

Sunday, March 28 - Palm/Passion Sunday
8:45 a.m.:
Meet for coffee in fellowship hall. Walk to the “Mudhole” for the Blessing of Palms.

9:00 a.m.:
Ecumenical Blessing of the Palms service. Process back to Holy Trinity for coffee and bagels.

10:00 a.m.:
Festival worship with Palm Procession led by Sunday School children.

Thursday, April 1 - Maundy Thursday
6:15 p.m.:
Soup Supper.
7:30 p.m.:
Service of Holy Communion.

Friday, April 2 - Good Friday
Noon:
Nutley Clergy Fellowship Good Friday service at Grace Church.

7:30 p.m.:
Good Friday service and Passion of Our Lord according to John.

Saturday, April 3 - 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 4 - Easter Sunday
10:00 a.m.:
Festival worship with Holy Communion.

ECO-Palms for Palm Sunday Worship

For this Palm Sunday we ordered “Eco-Palms” direct from Lutheran World Relief. Lutheran World Relief is partnering with the University of Minnesota to build support in the U.S. for Eco-Palms by introducing Lutheran parishes to this social and environmental justice project. In addition to environmental and economic sustainability, Eco-Palms promote improvement for entire communities in Guatemala and Mexico. Eco-Palm cooperatives designate five cents from each palm they sell to improve the lives of all community members. Consider the good that can be accomplished through our Palm Sunday celebration

Pastor’s Message

“Everyone who believes that Jesus is the Christ has been born of God, and everyone who loves the parent loves the child. By this we know that we love the children of God, when we love God and obey his commandments. For the love of God is this, that we obey his commandments. And his commandments are not burdensome,....” 1 John 5:1-3

When, as a confirmation class, we get to the end of our study and discussion of the Ten Commandments, we do a little imagining. Try and imagine a world where parents and those in authority are honored and respected and in return they exercise their authority out of love for the common good of all; where no one murders, but strives to preserve and sustain life; where no one steals, but works so that all are able to keep their possessions; where people are faithful to each other in the most intimate of relationships; where no one lies or slanders or wants for themselves, the blessings that God has bestowed on others. Just imagine. It would be heaven, nearly.

I think we can all agree that the vision of a world of social interdependence and responsibility witnessed to by the Ten Commandments is worthy of our best efforts, not just for a little while but for all of our lives. Yet, I think we also have to understand the vital connection between this vision for world and society and our relationship to God. By living the first three commandments -- the ones that show us who God is and tell us about God’s desire to live in communion with us – we are led into deeper, more loving relationships with the people around us.

True and authentic love for the world and for our neighbor begins with love and trust in the God who has called and redeemed us (First Commandment). Our relationship with God grows and deepens through prayer, praise and thanksgiving (Second Commandment) and through hearing and doing God’s word (Third Commandment).

Learning to live out both parts of the Ten Commandments is our Lenten journey and indeed our Christian journey. Now, just imagine the world where all of God’s people live and abiding by faith and trust in God alone and live lives in communion and worship of the God who has saved us. Just imagine. It would be heaven, truly.

In our community

In Memoriam…
John T. Norton, 81, of Egg Harbor Township, N.J., died Feb. 7, 2010, at Shore Memorial Hospital, Somers Point, N.J. The funeral service was officiated by Pastor Jim. Born in Providence, R.I., Mr. Norton lived in Belleville before moving to Egg Harbor Township two years ago. He was an electronic engineer for Loral Electronic Systems, Bronx, N.Y., and was previously employed at ITT Communication, Nutley, for 21 years. Mr. Norton was a World War II and Korean War U.S. Army veteran. He is survived by his beloved wife, Verna (Kirsche) Norton; his son, John T. Norton Jr. and his wife, Mary; his daughters, Leslie Petrillo and her husband, Anthony M. Jr., and Sharon Phillips, and his grandchildren, Anthony M. Petrillo III, Michael V. Petrillo, Joseph J. Petrillo, Ronald J. McManus, John T. Norton III, and Michelle Claire Norton. Our prayers are with Verna and her family.

Congratulations!
To Joelle & Matt Bernhard on the birth of their daughter, Isabella Elizabeth Bernhard. Isabella was born on January 26, 2010, and she joins her sister, Madison. She will be baptized on April 18th here at Holy Trinity. We pray that God bless the Bernhardt Family.


Condolences…
On the death of Sally Mueller’s mom, Arlene Bailey, who passed away on February 9th. She is also survived by three other daughters, eight grandchildren, five sisters and four brothers. Our thoughts are with Sally and her family during this difficult time.

Is it a Church Snow Day?
We try never to have to cancel worship, but in case of inclement weather, please check the phone message at the office: (973) 667-0256. Should we need to cancel, the message will be updated by
8:00 AM.

Winter Shoveling - “S.O.S.”

The Nutley Department of Public Safety offers a “Shovel Out Seniors” program to help senior citizens in the winter months. Nutley students will shovel for either a nominal fee or community service hours. Please call (973) 284-4929 to register and then call after each storm to request service.

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 March, April, September and November.

Daylight Savings

Please remember to push your clock ahead one hour, to honor daylight savings time on Sunday, March 14th.

Stewardship Strengthens...

Together we fight hunger.
Together, we gave $188 on Sunday,
February 7 as part of the Souper Bowl of Caring. The money has been sent to support the local feeding programs in our community.

In 2010, the 20th anniversary year, 8,971 participating groups collected $8,011,829. Thank you!


Together we give to those in need….
ELCA Gifts to Support Recovery Efforts in Haiti Exceed $4.6 Million Since the earthquake in Haiti one month ago, the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA) has received over 27,000 gifts totaling more than $4.2 million to support humanitarian relief efforts in Haiti. According to ELCA Treasurer Christina Jackson-Skelton, the ELCA received an additional $320,000 in a matching grant from Thrivent Financial for Lutherans, bringing the overall total to more than $4.6 million in gifts to the ELCA.

To date, Holy Trinity has given more than $400 to the Haitian Relief Effort. Thank you!

Prayer Team

“And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests.” (Ephesians 6:18) We are reorganizing our Holy Trinity Prayer Team/Prayer Chain. Each member of this group has a file box of index cards on which are written the names of people, groups or concerns to be remembered in prayer. The names/concerns are prayed for each day by at least one member of the team. If we have eight members, each person prays once in an eight-day rotation. To join our group, please contact or speak to Scott Jones (973) 338-0267 or music.htlcnutley@verizon.net. Look for news about ways in which to request prayers and also note cards to be sent to those we have remembered in prayer.

Wittenberg Choir on Tour

The choir from Wittenberg University, an ELCA college in Springfield, Ohio, will present two New Jersey concerts in March. The world-renowned choir is under the direction of Dr. Donald Busarow and always presents a varied and enjoyable program. Busarow will retire this spring, after 28 years as director of the choir.

Sunday, March 7 at 4:00 PM—King of Kings Lutheran Church (LCMS), 145 US Highway 46, Mountain Lakes, NJ 07046. (973) 334-8333 www.kingofkingslutheranchurch.org

Monday, March 8 at 7:30 PM—Grace Lutheran Church (ELCA), 1200 River Rd., Teaneck, NJ 07666. (201) 836-0994 www.GraceLutheranTeaneck.org

March Birthdays, Anniversaries and Disciples

March Birthdays

7:Larry Stevens
8:John Denkinger
15:Catherine Rubens
16:Rebecca Lovas
18:David Van Houten
23:Brianna Davey

March Anniversaries

15:Betty & Martin Futyma

March Disciples

1:John Franchino
2:Martim Futyma
3:Betty Futyma
4:Susan Gage
5:Cathy Palamara
6:Michael Palamara
8:Erica Geiselmann
9:Ken Geiselmann
10:Irene Geiselmann
11:Jim Greengrove
12:Dot Greengrove
13:Nancy Guenther
15:Marcia Hayes
16:Erik Hess
17:Dayna Hess
18:Samantha Hess
19:Sydney Hess
20:Richard Hudnett
22:Barbara Hudnett
23:Alicia Hudnett
24:Ricky Hudnett
25:Lynn Johnson
26:Kevin Johnson
27:Brian Johnson
29:Scott Jones
30:Debbie Jones
31:Emily Jones