A Message from Pastor Summer

1.       The King came unexpected on a dark and holy night

With shepherds in the fields, they all were filled with fright

When the angels came in glory, proclaimed the newborn King

Peace to all the world, the angels they would sing

Refrain: 

The world speaks of hatred, but the King tells us to love

In the world it’s signs of warfare, with the King, signs of the dove

In the world children suffer, in the kingdom children sing

So in this broken world, I’m listening to the King

2.  The King he had no army yet people followed him

Healing bodies broken, forgiving people’s sin

He had no time for the rulers, with the poor he’d take his stand

To gather in hurt and lost became his gracious plan

3.  The King would be rejected by those who feared the truth

How could he be God’s son, they demanded proof

They brought him before Pilate, to sentence him to death

They thought his rule was over with his final breath

4.  The King would wear a crown, though it was made of thorns

And on the cross he died amidst the cries of scorn

But the King would rise on Easter and he will come again

For his kingdom is eternal and his grace will never end

This Advent season, may we listen to the King.  What would the King have us do?  What would the King have us be?  May we listen and then be willing to bend the knee.

Peace,

Pastor Summer

Social Ministry Update

Alternative Giving – Gifts to support a great cause (PACT for Animals, Safe in Hunterdon, Feed My Starving Children, ELCA disaster response) are still on sale through Sunday, December 6^th at the CEB between services at Advent Parish Night.

Senior Baskets – Thank you for all of your donations!  Social Ministry is now putting together 100 bags to be delivered to local food pantries by the second week in December.  Cash donations are still greatly appreciated to keep this ministry going through 2016.  

The Giving Tree – Don’t forget to return unwrapped gifts by December 6^th.

Advent Parish Night – Join us December 6^th at 4:00 for a fun evening of crafts, potluck supper and caroling.  It’s not too late to participate!   

Feed My Starving Children – Mobile Packing Event April 1 & 2, 2016

Our Mobile Packing event is quickly coming up on us!  Over 2 days, we will have approximately 500 volunteers at the CEB helping us to pack meals for distribution to orphanages, schools and organizations in need across the globe.  We are now assembling our Feed My Starving Children team and are in need of leaders for the following areas:

· Promotion — to reach folks in our local community

· Prayer

· Fundraising (although we have funding for 2015,  we need to raise funds to support our event next year)

· Logistics — managing supplies, coordinating fork  lift drivers and volunteers to set up and clean up during the event

· Volunteer Coordination — help to recruit volunteers, work with online registration system and manage volunteer rosters during the event

· Hospitality —  greet, guide and direct packing volunteers, coordinate refreshments for volunteers 

Please contact me if you, or someone you know, can help with one of these teams! 

Rebecca Melick

(908)229-3744 or rrmelick@gmail.com

Advent Parish Night -- December 6

Join us December 6^th at 4:00 for a fun evening of crafts, potluck supper and caroling.  It’s not too late to participate!   Please sign up at http://www.signupgenius.com/go/20f0944aeaf2aa4f94-advent

Women of Zion -- Christmas Cookie Exchange

Please join the Women of Zion at the Christian Education Building on Thursday, December 17th, at 7 p.m., for the annual Christmas Cookie Exchange.  It's hard to believe it's already time for our annual cookie exchange and 2015 prayer pal recognition/2016 selection.  We can promise good company and good food (cookies and Christmas punch) and good deeds. We'll again package cookies to give to those who are sick and/or home bound.  Please sign up in the Narthex.  Then bring yourself and three dozen cookies — and be ready for a lovely holiday gathering!  Friends are very welcome.  Please contact Anita Zarate (908-534-2994, anita.zarate@mac.com) if you have any questions.

Discipleship Group: The Early Church and the Pope

Join us at Discipleship.  Because of Christmas, we moved Discipleship to the second week of December.  It will be on Tuesday night, December 8, at the Christian Education Building.  People will gather for dinner at 6:30, and at 7:30, an open discussion will begin around the early church and the emergence of the Pope.  Everyone is invited to come.  We always enjoy new people.  Remember, you do not have to commit to the whole year.  You can drop in any time and find a warm welcome, delicious food, and great discussion.  We hope to see you the next time we meet, December 8 at 6:30 at the CEB. 

Vespers -- Thursday evenings at the CEB

Vespers has returned to the Christian Education Building on Thursday evenings.  There is a Soup Supper at 6:00, followed by Vespers at 7:00.  This worship experience has been deeply meaningful to many people.  This month, there will not be Vespers on December 17, due to the WOZ Cookie Exchange, nor on December 31, due to New Year’s Eve.  Please join us!

Book of Faith

The Book of Faith will be discussing the book of James through Advent (December 2, 9, 16).  This book has always troubled Lutherans, but there is much we need to hear.  We meet at 12 p.m. at the Christian Education Building.  Come join the conversation.  You won’t be disappointed.  The adventure continues! 

Lunch Bunch - December 10

The Lunch Bunch will be meeting on December 10 at noon.  We will be going to Spain 92, 1116 Rt. 202 South, Raritan.  The phone number is 908-704-9292.  Join the fellowship.  We’re looking for you!