The Messenger

October 2014The Newsletter of Christ Lutheran Church

Woodcliff Lake, New Jersey

The Church: Proudly Proclaiming Christ since A.D. 33

Published byChrist Lutheran Church RETURN32 Pascack Road SERVICEWoodcliff Lake, NJ 07677 REQUESTED

Dated Material – Please Deliver Promptly

Come, Grow With Us!On October 5th . . .

We return to 2-service worship schedule, 9:00 and 10:30 am;Sunday Church School resumes in the Opsal Room, 9:40 am

Confirmation Class begins, 9:40 am;Youth Study program begins, 10:30 am;

Harvest Picnic, 11:30 am

Ministers: the people of God at Christ Lutheran ChurchDirector of Music: Argine Safari

Director of Youth Choirs: David ScanceMusician: Fred Messner

Administrative Assistant: Doris Crousewww.clc4u.com – 201-391-4224 – clc4u2@verizon.net

DEADLINE FOR NOVEMBER ISSUE OF THE MESSENGER IS OCTOBER 10TH

Nonprofit Org.U.S. Postage

PAIDParamus, NJ

Permit No. 596

As you receive this, we are preparing for many exciting events here at Christ Lutheran this fall!

We are working on the Meet and Greet for pastoral candidate, Marc Stutzel, Saturday, September 27, 5-7:00 pm. You may be receiving this before then, so please come to meet him in an informal setting before he presides at the service the

next morning. He will be in Mitchell Commons (the area near the church office). Stop by for a few minutes, grab a snack and meet Pastor Marc and his family.

We are thrilled at the prospect of having an energetic, young pastor to lead, teach and help us live out what it means to be one of God's people. He is one of three new graduates assigned to the NJ Synod. We were lucky to have him matched with us, even as New Jersey currently has 38 congregations in pastoral transition. His first career was as a web designer and developer but God had other plans for him and called him. I was excited to see how much his strengths and areas of expertise matched up with our goals, purpose, gifts, needs and wants lists (from our Ministry Site Profile developed based on your input obtained at the Cottage meetings and the surveys). There is much for you to learn about Marc and him about you.

We are excited that Pastor Marc will preach at worship on September 28th—ONE service at 10:30. Immediately after the service, we will have a Special Congregational Meeting—an opportunity to ask him questions. We will then vote by secret ballot. A two-thirds majority is required for the election of a pastor. All members are requested to attend this important meeting. You must be in attendance to vote.

Our fall worship schedule begins on October 5 th . It is a big day for us! We'll have two services—9:00 and 10:30 and the start of Sunday School. Join us for our Harvest Church picnic, immediately following the 10:30 service. There will be games for kids and adults, soups, yummy food and fall themed desserts! Sign up on the poster in the Narthex with what you'd like to bring.

Confirmation is October 12 th . Come celebrate during the 10:30 am worship service with our four Confirmands—Aidan, Christian, Dylan, and Mark as they become adult members of our church.

As you can imagine, the addition of a new Pastor has been our primary focus as we fine tune the fall calendar. I encourage you to come to church every week, read the bulletins, your church emails and stay tuned for news on our events!

Yours In Christ, Carla Hoenigmanncarlah716@cs.com; 201-391-7843

God's Work. Our Hands.If you weren’t helping put together bags of kits after church on September 7, you missed a whirlwind of activity. About 20 volunteers used their 40 hands to complete 52 school kits for Lutheran World Relief (beat last year’s 35 ) and about two dozen birthday bags for The Center For Food Action in Englewood.

All this was only possible because you watched the sales, shopped and donated all the materials needed. These were great hands-on activities with quick results. Our hands can and did do God’s work.

Thanks and God’s blessing to all.JoAnn Sallo

Christ Lutheran Church Women’s News

Fall is here and it's time to mark your calendars now for November 7th-9th

for the women’s annual Retreat Weekend at Camp Koinonia.It is open to all women of the church and is a nice opportunity to meet other women and to enjoy the peaceful surroundings of Koinonia. Come join us for all or part of the weekend filled with fun, food, and fellowship (along with time for individual pursuits). The cost is only $95 for the weekend and includes food. See Kim Kearns or Ann Christensen if you are interested in attending or have any questions. Carpooling is easily arranged. People usually go up on Friday afternoon/evening. If you can only make part of the weekend, that’s ok too.

Looking ahead -- Christmas gifts for needy children

CLCW will once again be working with the Bergen Volunteer Center to provide gifts to children through Mentoring Moms and the All Wrapped Up program. The lists will be available in November. We will be making announcements as the time gets closer. Keep an eye on The Messenger and weekly bulletins for further information. Thank you in advance!

Christine Badame

Navajo UpdateWow! Just look at what many doing their little part can do. This is the van the Navajo were able to “buy” with the 1.5 million Box Top labels they received from people throughout the U.S.

From the Navajo: “Thank you to all those who donated labels as we know it’s plenty of work to gather, cut and package. We say THANK YOU.”

I also say thank you to all who continue to cut and gather and bring their labels to church. There is a large Campbell’s can in the Narthex for your labels.

Keep up the collecting!JoAnn Sallo

We Celebrate with the 2014 Confirmation ClassCongratulations to the four youth who will make public profession of the faith into which they were baptized! Confirmation will take place on October 12 th during the 10:30 am worship service. May they continue their lives living in, and strengthened by, their faith!!! Alleluia!!

Aidan Ronan Conboy

Dylan Joseph Henry

Mark Daniel Iacovelli

Christian Arnie Stremler

The Care CommitteeThe Care Committee will celebrate Care Sunday on October 5, 2014. Please remember to bring a loaf (or two) of sliced bread to the narthex on that day only for delivery to the CFA. On Care Sunday the Committee will also supply the ushers, readers and communion assistants for the service. Are you a knitter or do you crochet -- or would you like to learn? The Knit 1–Purl 2 crafty ladies are always looking for new members. They meet the third Tuesday of each month and their next meeting is scheduled for Tuesday, October 14 at 10:00 in the Sonshine Room. As a result of their last sale in 2013 they raised $742 that was forwarded to the CFA to help families in our area.

It’s hard to imagine celebrating Thanksgiving without a table laden with a roasted turkey and all its trimmings, but that is the scenario many families in the surrounding communities will be facing this Thanksgiving. However, you will have an opportunity to change that scenario beginning October 12 and running through November 16 when Care Committee will be sponsoring its annual Thanksgiving Food Drive. Following is a list of foods the Committee is asking you to bring to the narthex each Sunday to make Thanksgiving truly a day of thanks for families who are still very vulnerable. Won’t you share your blessings with these families!

Turkeys (frozen only)

Corn Bread MixHearty Soups

GravyCanned Vegetables

Cranberry SauceCanned Yams

Pasta Sauce

Canned Pumpkin

Supermarket Gift Cards (always welcome)Instant Potatoes

StuffingShould you prefer to write a check, please make it payable to the CFA (Center for Food Action) designated for the Thanksgiving Food Drive. Supermarket gift cards may be given to Alice Namendorf, Mae Hulburt or any member of the Committee you recognize, or dropped at the church office.

Mae Hulburt

Harvest Picnic

October 5th

After our 10:30 ServiceIt’s time to re-unite, reenergize and enjoy fellowship

with our CLC family! Come enjoy delicious soups, chili,

hot dogs and more.There will be fun games for the children!

Please sign up in the Narthex if you can attend and help prepare

some harvesty treats.

GENEROUS 316Hi all—Looking forward to seeing you at the Harvest Picnic! We will soon be starting the 2015 stewardship campaign. This year’s message and focus is “GENEROUS 316.” Can you figure out what that means??? Over the next few weeks you will learn what it means and how you can help out. There will be a Committee fair during the Harvest Picnic on October 6 th. At that time you will meet Committee chair people and or Committee members. This will give you an opportunity to sign up your time and talents to be an active member at church. You can ask questions and find out more information on each church committee.

Looking forward to seeing you at the Picnic, and remember I am always available to answer any questions you might have. Start saving so you can pledge if you haven't or increase your pledge if you are able.

God Bless You All, Mary ZeiglerMeet & Greet Marc Stutzel, Pastoral Candidate

Saturday, September 27th, 5:00 to 7:00 pmSpecial Congregational Meeting

Sunday, September 28th, following 10:30 am worship

Meet & Greet is a great opportunity to meet, talk and get to know Marc Stutzel before he conducts the worship service the following morning! Please come Saturday—after a game or before you have your dinner—casual setting with some light snacks. Your attendance is very important at the Special Congregational Meeting on Sunday, Sept. 28—an opportunity to ask more questions and then vote.

A Note from the CandidateDid you ever have a time in your life when going to church just felt weird? When I returned to church after being away a long time, the whole experience felt strange. I would slide into service late, find an open pew in the back, and keep my eye on my neighbors, waiting for cues to stand up, sit down, and sing. The flow of the service, from song to word, offering to announcements, bread to prayer, was something that wasn’t a habit for me. I knew I needed to be there but I also needed to relearn what it was like to be in worship. I needed to relearn how to pray, listen, and just be where Jesus is present and proclaimed. I needed to be taught. I needed to embody those wonderful words from Psalm 25: “Show me your ways, O Lord, and teach me your paths.” Sunday mornings became a way for me to not only learn how the church worships but also how to embed God, Jesus, and the Holy Spirit in my life. Songs on Sunday became the tunes I hummed while commuting to work. The bread we ate together became the foundation for the brunch I shared with friends after service. The prayers we prayed became the prayers for loved ones, family, and strangers that I carried with me throughout the week. Sunday morning showed me ways to breathe, eat, and live in the Lord all day long.

I’m grateful and blessed to be with you on Sunday as the Holy Spirit moves through Christ Lutheran Church. If I am called to be your pastor, I can’t wait to be taught by you, learn your stories, struggles, and how Jesus has made his presence known in your life. With the Spirit’s help, I’ll teach, preach, lead, and engage with you on what it means to be Lutheran Christians in Woodcliff Lake and New Jersey. We’ll have fun being Christ’s community together and seeing what God is calling us to be.

I invite you to bring your questions, thoughts, and comments to the congregational meeting and vote. I thank God for bringing us this far and can’t wait to see what the Spirit has in store next!

Yours in Christ, Pastor Marc

Marc A. Stutzel

Education

Master of Divinity cum laude, The General Theological Seminary 2014Certificate of Theological Study, The Lutheran Seminary at Philadelphia 2011Bachelor of Science, Operations Research & Industrial Engineering, Cornell Univ. 2004

Select Experience

Advent Lutheran Church New York City, NY 2010-2014

Roles-Seminarian; Vicar; Dir. of Children, Youth, and Family Ministries; Dir. Of Communications Preached the gospel in traditional and contemporary

worship settings Explored faith by leading and organizing several adult bible

studies Planned children and youth programming including weekly

Sunday School Shared God’s story with 10 wonderful teens in Advent’s

two-year Confirmation Program Walked with New Jersey as a member of the NJ’s

Curriculum Team for 2014’s Synod-wide Confirmation Camp

Grew Advent’s story by re-branding Advent’s communications with an innovative website, faith formation through use of social media, new newsletters, and bulletins

Metropolitan New York Synod & ELCA Co-created The Sower’s Project (sowersproject.mnys.org),

an initiative to create, build, and spur innovative ministries throughout the Synod

Successfully organized campaign to add $4 million goal to the capital campaign to nurture lay youth and young adult leadership formation at the 2013 ELCA Churchwide Assembly

Freelance Web Designer and Programmer

My clients included dance studios, non-profits, Broadway theatre bloggers, artists, and software companies

Fun Facts

Hometown: Littleton, Colorado (and still roots for The Denver Broncos)

Currently Reading: Transformative Lutheran Theologies, edited by Mary J. Streufert

Current Jams: Taylor Swift’s Shake It Off and The Dead Milkmen’s Punk Rock Girl

Let’s Play the Greatest Pursuit Ever!Let’s play . . . You may be back to school, but that doesn’t mean the fun and games can’t continue! How about joining your friends at Christ Lutheran Church for a game of Trivial Pursuit . . . or better yet, let’s not waste time with the TRIVIAL—let’s play the “GREATEST PURSUIT EVER!“ This year we challenge you to read each week’s Gospel lesson during worship, Sunday School and at home with your families and then submit your own “Greatest Pursuit Ever” questions. Be sure to check your email and collect your Sunday Bulletins so that you have all the Gospel lessons covered! Details to follow . . .

Welcome Back to Sunday School . . . Can’t Wait to See You!Sunday School Classes PreK through 8th grade will begin on Sunday, October 5th at 9:40 am in the Opsal Room. All parents should attend to complete new registration forms and to participate in the introduction session which starts our new year together. Then, join us for our Annual Congregational Harvest Picnic/Games following the 10:30 worship service. You will be receiving registration forms via e-mail, so please try to complete ahead of time and send back to Janet Post, cjpost@optonline.net.

Youth Choirs Sing JoyfullyYouth Choir Rehearsals begin Wednesday, October 1st

Under the direction of ourYouth Choir Director, David Scance

Bring a friend along!

Cherub ChoirChildren 4 years old through Grade 3

Wednesdays from 4:15 - 5:00 PMIn the Choir Room

Choristers ChoirGrade 4 through High School

Wednesdays from 5:00 – 5:45 PM

Questions? Call David Scance, 201-666-8414Or the church office, 201-391-4224

Here’s an opportunity for Confirmation youth to serve the Lord with gladness—a brief session of acolyte training will take place on Thursday, October 2nd at 4:30 pm for all 7th and 8th grade youth. Questions? Contact the church office.

Tentative plans are being made to have a workshop in the near future to refurbish some of our sanctuary Christmas decorations. We especially need large pine cones for the wall wreaths. If you have a pine tree, please save any large cones for us to decorate. Thank you!

Speaking of decorating, mark your calendars for Sunday, December 14 th at 3:00 pm to come and help decorate the church.

Sing to the Lord with gladness! That’s all it takes! Come, sing with Chancel Choir to join the excitement that our music director, Argine is generating for all the wonderful upcoming events – rehearsals on Wednesdays at 7:30 pm. (Can’t make 7:30? Come at 8:00! Can’t make 8:00? Come at 8:30!)

From the library—A Lutheran Quiz . . .October 31 is much more than Halloween. It's the beginning of what would become the Reformation. Do you know the answers to these "Lutheran" questions?

1. What were the 95 theses? 2. What was Luther's profession? 3. Who was John Tetzel? 4. What is an indulgence? 5. Who was Katherine vonBora? 6. Did Luther set out to start a new religion named after himself?

For the answers to these and other Lutheran history questions, take a look at the display in the Sonshine room. Feel free to borrow the books and DVDs on display.

Dot Dohrmann, Librarian

. . . you can financially help support Christ Lutheran without spending any

money???

Thrivent Financial for Lutherans has provided more than $170 million through their Thrivent Choice® program to help congregations, educational institutions and other nonprofit organizations since 2010. By participating in the Thrivent Choice® Dollars program, you could continue to support our ministry here at Christ Lutheran Church. If you are a Thrivent member over age 16 and have qualifying annual premiums of life and health products or have eligible contract values of life and annuity products, you receive Choice Dollars from Thrivent each

year. Thrivent Choice lets you recommend where some of Thrivent Financial's charitable outreach funds go by directing your Choice Dollars to participating organizations. If you are an eligible member and do receive Choice Dollars, we prayerfully ask you to consider directing your designated Choice Dollars toward Christ Lutheran Church which is a participating organization in this program. If you have any questions about this program or how to go about designating Choice Dollars toward Christ Lutheran, please feel free to ask me.

In Christ, Martin Thalmann, Finance Chairman

Thoughts from Martin Luther

God receives none but those who are forsaken, restores health to none but those who are sick, gives sight to none but the blind, and life to none but the dead. He has mercy on none but the wretched and gives grace to none but those who are in disgrace.

The Feste Burg“A Mighty Fortress,” the hymn written by Protestant reformer Martin Luther in 1529, is powerful in English but even better in its original German. Historian “A burg was a fortified town,” Streich says. “When invaders approached, the surrounding populace fled to the safety of the walls” — sometimes to layers of walls within walls. Luther’s hymn compares God to the most powerful of all burgs, with eternally unbreakable walls.

When we need a place of refuge, God offers his Mighty Fortress, his Feste Burg.

Within this refuge, with our value based on our relationship to God rather than on earthly achievements, we’ll never be put to shame. Inside this fortified town, the God who desires an eternal relationship with us delivers, rescues and saves us.

“Feelings come and feelings go, And feelings are deceiving;

My warrant is the Word of God — Naught else is worth believing.

Though all my heart should feel condemned For want of some sweet token,

There is One greater than my heart Whose Word cannot be broken.

I’ll trust in God’s unchanging Word Till soul and body sever,

For though all things shall pass away, His Word shall stand forever!”