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| MINISTRY OUTREACH Everyone is welcome!  And this is love: that we walk in obedience to his commands. As you have heard from the beginning, his command is that you walk in love. John 1:6 + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + WORSHIP | Saturday evenings at 6:00 p.m. (NOTE: There will be no Saturday worship on February 11th or 25th.) A time to come together to hear God's word and share the encouragement of Christian fellowship with one another. Sunday mornings at 9:00 a.m. A service filled with song, prayer, scripture, and Holy Communion celebrated weekly using a variety of worship styles. Fellowship hour follows the service. + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + "For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God." Ephesians 2:8 + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + LENTEN SERVICES We will again join with our Lutheran and UCC brothers and sisters for the Wednesdays in Lent. Our theme this year will be "Her Story. . .Words of Wisdom from Women of Faith" Wednesday evening, February 22nd at 7:00 p.m. at New Jerusalem Church Ash Wednesday Worship + + + + + + + STARTING WEDNESDAY EVENING, FEBRUARY 29th THROUGH MARCH 28th AT 6:00 P.M. THERE WILL BE A SOUP SUPPER AT THE CORRESPONDING CHURCH PRIOR TO WORSHIP Wednesday evening, February 29th at 7:00 p.m. at the 1st UCC Wednesday evening, March 7th at 7:00 p.m. at the Christ-Lower Saucon Wednesday evening, March 14th at 7:00 p.m. at the New Jerusalem Wednesday evening, March 21st at 7:00 p.m. at the Lower Saucon UCC Wednesday evening, March 28th at 7:00 p.m. at the Christ-Hellertown + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + | COFFEE HOUR | Fellowship hour follows the Sunday worship service. + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + | SUNDAY SCHOOL | SUNDAY CHURCH SCHOOL NOTE TO PARENTS: If you and your child/children attend coffee hour, please take them to the appropriate classroom(s) prior to the start of Sunday School at 10:30 a.m. Thank you. Sunday School Classes for children ages 3 through grade 8 will again meet on Sunday morning at 10:30–11:30 a.m. A special note of thanks to all our 2011-2012 teachers for sharing their time and talents with our youth! Pre-K & Kindergarten Tara Kressler and Betty Schrantz 1st & 2nd Grade Angel Melo and Robin Rooth-Fogel 3rd & 4th Grade Casey Anthony and Vikki McCue 5th & 6th Grade Sep. 18 to Oct. 16: Cindy Hart Oct. 23 to Dec. 4: Cathy and Tessa Peoples Jan. 8 to Feb. 12: Tina Young Feb. 19 to Mar. 25: Betsy Gaughan Apr. 1 to May 20: TBA Confirmation Class Belinda Hendershot + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + | CONFIRMATION CLASSES | This fall (2011), our confirmation program at New Jerusalem will be open to individuals who are entering 7th grade. Classes will be held on Sunday morning from 10:30–11:30 a.m. For more information contact Pastor Tricia The 2nd year confirmation class
will affirm their baptism on
Sunday, May 20, 2012. WHAT IS PENTECOST? Pentecost is the great festival that marks the birth of the Christian church by the power of the Holy Spirit. Pentecost means "fiftieth day" and is celebrated fifty days after Easter.
WHAT HAPPENED ON PENTECOST? Ten days after Jesus ascended into heaven, the twelve apostles, Jesus' mother and family, and many other of His disciples gathered together in Jerusalem for the Jewish harvest festival that was celebrated on the fiftieth day after Passover. While they were indoors praying, a sound like that of a rushing wind filled the house and tongues of fire descended and rested over each of their heads. This was the outpouring of the Holy Spirit on human flesh promised by God through the prophet Joel (Joel 2:28-29). The disciples were suddenly empowered to proclaim the gospel of the risen Christ. They went out into the streets of Jerusalem and began preaching to the crowds gathered for the festival. Not only did the disciples preach with boldness and vigor, but by a miracle of the Holy Spirit they spoke in the native languages of the people present, many who had come from all corners of the Roman Empire. This created a sensation. The apostle Peter seized the moment and addressed the crowd, preaching to them about Jesus' death and resurrection for the forgiveness of sins. The result was that about three thousand converts were baptized that day. (You can read the Biblical account of Pentecost in Acts 2:1-41).
WHAT IS THE LITURGICAL COLOR FOR PENTECOST? 
Red is the liturgical color for this day. Red recalls the tongues of flame in which the Holy Spirit descended on the first Pentecost. The color red also reminds us of the blood of the martyrs. These are the believers of every generation who by the power of the Holy Spirit hold firm to the true faith even at the cost of their lives.
WHY IS THE RITE OF CONFIRMATION
OFTEN CELEBRATED ON PENTECOST? Confirmation Sunday is the day when young people who have been instructed in basic Christian doctrine confess their faith in the presence of the church. The key to understanding confirmation is to recognize that the faith the confirmands confess is not their own making; it is the gift of God that He gives through His means of grace. The Holy Spirit who empowered the disciples to preach the risen Christ two thousand years ago is the same Spirit who empowers the confirmands to make their confession. This is why many churches celebrate the rite of confirmation on Pentecost. + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + | | COMMITTEES | May the favor of the Lord our God rest upon us; establish the work of our hands for us—yes, establish the work of our hands. Psalm 90:17 ALTAR GUILD Altar Guild Directress—Joanne Robbins Altar Guild members prepare for worship each week and decorate for the holidays. Our next meeting will be held at the church on 1st Sunday of each month at 10:30 a.m. + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + CHRISTIAN EDUCATION Chairperson—Kathy Fenstermacher This committee oversees Sunday School, VBS, Confirmation, and special learning activities. Our next meeting will be held at the church on TBA at 7:00 p.m. + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + OUTREACH COMMITTEE Chairperson—TBA This committee organizes the Food from Friends, Outreach Activities, Prayer Line, and Visitor's Gifts Our next meeting will be held at the church on TBA Have you been thinking or praying about how you could meet people and get involved in the ministries of this church? Do you wonder if God is listening, still speaks to people, or answers prayers? God, if you have heard my prayers and are speaking to me—help me to listen. Could He be leading you to this ministry? Your help is really needed and the committee is praying that you would have a desire to serve our Lord to nurture and expand the vision of this committee. We're inviting you to join us! + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + Chairperson—LeeAnn Malesky This committee provides coffee hour after worship and food for special events. + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + Chairperson—Joyce Leith Help is always needed to pack food orders and help clients on distribution days. See Food Bank Section
for more information. + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + MUTUAL MINISTRY COMMITTEE Chairperson—Tammy Welch This committee supports the staff and members of New Jerusalem. + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + Chairperson—TBA This committee provides support for the preschool staff and guidance for the running of the preschool. See New Jerusalem Preschool Section
for more information. + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + Chairperson—Jere Reiss This committee takes care of the buildings and grounds. + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + WORSHIP AND MUSIC COMMITTEE Chairperson—Quinette Brucker This committee plans weekly and special worship services. Our next meeting will be held at the church on TBA We say heartfelt thanks to Brenda Wilson who is stepping away from a long time ministry here at New Jerusalem.
Brenda has served as chairperson of the Worship and Music Committee for 20+ years. Her leadership helped to ensure the every week and special services here at NJ were done well. Thank you, Brenda. Worship is a time for us as a Church family to gather and give thanks to God, encourage each other in our faith, share in the meal of Holy Communion, and be renewed in our Christian life. It takes the gifts of time of our Church members to make worship welcoming and meaningful. Please consider serving as an usher, reader, or Communion assistant. Ushers—Practice the ministry of hospitality, greeting worshipers, handing out bulletins, receiving offering, and organizing the distribution of Communion. Readers—Help proclaim the Good News by sharing the lesson of the day. Communion Assistants—Help share the meal of Holy Communion by serving the bread, wine, and grape juice. If you are interested in serving, please contact Pastor Tricia at njlc@choiceonemail.com. + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + Contacts—Pauli Connelly and Terry Ravier Advisors to Youth Group help our youth to grow in faith, service, and fun! See Youth Group Section
for more information. + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + All of our committees and groups can always use more volunteer help. Please consider serving with one of the committees or groups in the new year! + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + +
| SPECIAL MINISTRIES | CRAFT GROUP The Craft Group will meet TBA at 11:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. in the Conference Room. Please contact Loretta Duch at 610-838-7428 with any questions. + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + GAME DAY This group meets every Thursday at 1:00 p.m. for fellowship and fun.  Join us for game day everyThursday at 1:00–6:00 p.m. We will meet in the Conference Room across from the office. Enter by the double glass doors off the lower parking lot. You can join in a game of cards or dominoes or enjoy an afternoon of fun. Everyone’s invited and please ask a friend! + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + Contact—Phyllis Reiss This group knits and crochets prayer shawls to be given to those in need of a reminder of God's presence with them. The next meeting of our Prayer Shawl Group will meet on the third Monday of each month. Monday, December 5th and January 16th at 7:00 p.m. in the Sacristy Like to knit or crochet? Maybe you don't know how, but would like to learn—we'll teach you! Instructions, needles, and yarn will be provided. Contact Phyllis Reiss at 610-967-2499 with any questions. Enjoy fellowship while crafting a gift of love |
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