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Almighty and ever-living God, you hate nothing you have made, and you forgive the sins of all who are penitent. Create in us new and honest hearts, so that, truly repenting of our sins, we may receive from you, the God of all mercy, full pardon and forgiveness through your Son, Jesus Christ, our Savior and Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever.
Amen.
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We pray for...
The congregation of Redeemer, Neptune as they continue to grieve the loss of their pastor, Randy Steinman.
Pastor Joseph Graumann (St Stephen, Woodbury), recovering from shoulder surgery
These congregations of our synod...
St Matthew, Jersey City
St John, Summit
Christ, Bridgeton
These companion synods in the ELCA and around the world...
Metropolitan Washington D.C. Synod, ELCA
Lutheran Tutor teaching at Union Theological College of the West Indies (Jamaica)
We continue our prayers for...
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We give our prayer of thanks for the safe arrival home of our synod team (Bishop Compton, LuAnn Barnes, Pr. Maristela Freiberg, and Pr. Moacir Weirich). Their trip to the Sínodo da Amazônia was wonderful and meaningful. We are Grateful to God, Pr Vera Lucia Engelhardt, the Sínodo da Amazônia, and the youth and pastors at the Retiro da JE ("Who am I?") Youth Retreat for their hospitality and kindness.
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Mission District Meetings begin this week
Shore District, Saturday, February 21, 2026 (10:00 AM), Christ, Whiting
Western District, Saturday, February 28, 2026 (10:00 AM), Redeemer, Succasunna
Northern District, Saturday, March 14, 2026 (11:00 AM), Grace, Teaneck
Delaware District, Sunday, March 15, 2026 (4:00 PM), St. Stephen, Woodbury
Gateway District, Sunday, March 22, 2026 (4:00 PM), St. Paul, Jersey City
Middle District, Saturday, April 11, 2026 (2:00 PM), Hope, Freehold
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The NJ Synod is a Blessed and Generous Synod!
In 2025, together we exceeded anticipated mission support offerings by over $1,000! In fact, 109 of our 143 congregations met or exceeded their mission support intentions! This means we not only fulfilled but were able to exceed what we forecast would be shared with the ELCA while our mission and ministries rooted in values such as Faithfulness, Change, Respect, Diversity, Interdependence and Generosity thrived! Thanks be to God! Thanks be to God for you!
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Caring for God's Good Creation:
Lenten Resources: Food Loss and Waste
Your 'Stewards of Creation' superhero team and NJ Synod Care of Creation justice group invites you to learn about Food Loss and Waste this Lenten season.
Today, for Ash Wednesday, click here for a meditation, Lenten calendar for Care of Creation, and a soup recipe and prayer for this week.
Then starting next week, each Wednesday there will be a video, meditation, questions to ponder, and practices to try - plus a new soup recipe and prayer for each week of Lent.
Please post this flyer in your congregation and plan to join us this Lent in learning, reflection, and practice together. Lenten Series Poster
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Beauty for Ashes
A Lenten devotional by the ELCA Homeless and Justice Network
Download a copy here.
Thank you to Pastor Giselle Coutinho for being one of the contributors.
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Introducing the Church Property Resource Hub: ELCA Town Hall
You are invited to learn more about the Church Property Resource Hub, a new project of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA), at one of three upcoming town halls.
These webinars are an introduction to the project for congregations and all people
connected to the management of church property. Join to explore support available to
congregation leaders as they seek to steward property in faithful and practical ways.
Register for the zoom meeting and complete the survey.
Tuesday, March 17, 1 p.m. Central time (2p EST) Register today.
Thursday, March 19, 4 p.m. Central time (5p EST) Register today.
Tuesday, March 24, 1 p.m. Central time (2p EST) Register today.
Developed in response to requests from synod and congregational leaders, the Church
Property Resource Hub offers support in navigating the opportunities and challenges that
buildings and land represent for congregational vitality and the wider mission of the
church.
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Celebrate Reformation Day 2026 with the NJ Synod
in Lutherstadt Wittenberg, Germany
Reformation: Then and Now
October 26 - November 5, 2026
Click here for Bishop Compton's Invitation, Itinerary & Registration info:
www.njsynod.org/germanytrip
Travel with Synod friends, Bishop Compton and our docent, The Rev. Dr. Kit Kleinhans, recently retired Dean of Trinity Lutheran Seminary.
Interested? germa...@njsynod.org
Pastor Carol Lindsay, Synod Trip Coordinator
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Come…Gather and…Be Equipped
Growing in Faith: the diakonia Program
Come and join us for our annual Gathering on Saturday, March 7, 2026 from 9:00 – 3:30 at Good Shepherd Lutheran Church, 300 Union Ave, Somerville, NJ. This year we will be welcoming Rev. Maristela Freiberg and several representatives of the Synod’s Go and program. We will learn about the importance of prayer, listening and telling in our Christian lives. The cost of the day is $50 and includes lunch. While you can pay at door, you are encouraged to preregister by emailing Ellen Lindemann at Ellen.L...@raritanval.edu.
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One Room Sunday School Workshop
(hosted at the Episcopal Center in Livingston, March 21, 9AM - 12 PM)
Many congregations serve children of all ages with limited space and volunteers. This 3-hour, hands-on training is designed to equip clergy, lay leaders, and Sunday School teachers from Episcopal parishes and Lutheran congregations with the tools and confidence to run a one-room Sunday School that is joyful, engaging, and theologically grounded.
Rooted in our shared commitments to baptismal identity, Scripture, and faith formation within the community, this workshop offers a simple, repeatable framework for teaching mixed-age groups (Pre-K through middle school) in a single space. Participants will experience modeled lessons, engage in collaborative planning, and practice practical strategies that can be adapted for a wide range of parish and congregational settings.
This workshop is ideal for:
- Sunday School teachers and volunteers
- Clergy and lay formation leaders
- Episcopal parishes and Lutheran congregations
- Small or multi-age faith formation programs
Participants will leave with:
- A clear structure for leading a one-room Sunday School
- Practical strategies for engaging children of multiple ages together
- Sample prayers, lesson templates, and planning tools
- Encouragement and support for sustainable faith formation ministry
No prior experience is required—only a willingness to learn, share, and grow together in ministry. There is a $10 charge to cover the cost of food and supplies. A flyer for the event is found here, and you can register here.
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Cross Roads Camp & Retreat Center
MIDDLE/HIGH SCHOOL RETREAT | GRADES 6-12
March 6-8, 2026
Designed for teens in grades 6-12, this retreat at Cross Roads provides an exciting mix of high-energy activities, worship experiences, Bible study, and outdoor adventure, all while fostering confidence, leadership, faith, and friendships. Teen participants will unplug, reconnect with nature and each other, grow in values, and leave equipped for a stronger community and life skills in a trusted camp environment.
Visit our website to learn more:
https://www.crossroadsretreat.com/youth-retreats/
FRIENDS & FAMILY RETREAT
MARCH 13-15, 2026
Originally scheduled for January and postponed due to snow, our Friends & Family Retreat is back on the calendar, so there is still an opportunity to join us!
Step away from the busyness of everyday life and enjoy a meaningful weekend at Cross Roads designed for all ages. Come with your family, friends, or church group to share campfires, activities, worship, and unhurried time together while we take care of the meals and details. It’s a simple, joyful weekend centered on connection with God and with one another.
https://www.crossroadsretreat.com/friends-and-family-retreat/
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A New Year... A Stronger You
Coaching as a Ministry Tool
Coaching uses deep listening, powerful questions, and well thought out questions to explore with you ministry or life goals and to help you create action plans to meet those goals. Your coach will assist you in discovering and exploring the gifts you bring into the world and your ministry. Through the coaching relationship new awareness, change and transformation takes shape. You have what it takes to be the best you you can be! Find a coach to assist you in the journey. Contact Rev. Dr. Wendy Abrahamson at 201-400-2072 or momr...@gmail.com. You can explore more about coaching at www.elcacoaching.org or at the New Jersey synod website resources for Congregations/congregational vitality.
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Lenten Dinner church for Pastors & Deacons
Sunday, February 22
5:00 - 7:00 pm
Led by Pastor Dale Selover
Held at the House Next Door
Register at: h...@popnj.org
Download the flyer.
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An Easter Retreat
for Pastors and Deacons
Tues-Thurs, April 21-23
New Life for Weary Souls
Led by Dr Audrey West & Pastor Dale Selover
Held at Cross Roads Camp & Retreat Center
Register at: h...@popnj.org
Download the flyer for details.
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A publication of the New Jersey Synod, ELCA ©2026
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