The Messenger

The Newsletter of Christ Lutheran ChurchWoodcliff Lake, New Jersey

Summer 2014

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

Coming September 7 t h “God’s Work.

Our Hands Sunday.”

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

Nonprofit Org.U.S. Postage

PAIDParamus, NJ

Permit No. 596

DEADLINE FOR SEPTEMBER ISSUE OF THE MESSENGER IS AUGUST 10TH

I hope you are having a nice summer, filled with fun and relaxation. I also hope you will come to church whenever you are home . . . so far our one service at 9:30 am has been terrific! We've had two baptisms and the Graduation Sunday, with a poignant slideshow that featured all our graduates. They

grow up so fast!The summer coffees after the service are a nice way to reconnect with friends you might not be seeing as often. Please consider hosting one . . . there are dates still open in late July and August.

“God's Work. Our Hands.” Sunday – September 7 th This is a day of service sponsored by the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America. Your Church Council and Worship Committee are committed to having CLC participate this year. We should all be back from vacations and into our school year routines by then.

We need your input! We want to identify some projects that we can do locally. They can range from cleaning up a park, making meals for the homeless, assembling school bags, helping make small repairs, visiting with shut-ins . . . the ideas are out there. We are looking for real ideas with "legs" . . . meaning you have identified a need or a group and have made contact with someone who can give us an idea of those needs and resources to make it happen. We'd like to offer a number of ideas that require small groups, so we don't all have to go to the same place. Ideally, we'll have options for those who want to be outside helping and some for those who'd like to complete an indoor project. We'd like to arrange a simple meal together before we all head out for the afternoon. So, say your prayers and find your inspiration.

Please forward any ideas to myself, Doris in the office or anyone on the Church Council. We will make our decisions at our early August Council meeting. Thank you! carlah716@cs.com; 201-391-7843

Carla Hoenigmann

“When one congregation or a group of congregations gather for service in their local communities, they are the church in that place, taking care of that part of God’s vineyard. But this is all work that we do together. When one congregation works to feed people who are hungry, that is also the entire church coming together.” -- ELCA Presiding Bishop Elizabeth Eaton

From the LibraryGoing on vacation? Would you like to take a book of devotions with you? There's a basket of devotional books in the Narthex--they're duplicates of things already in our library. Feel free to take one—no need to sign it out, return it or not, just enjoy!

Dot Dohrmann

Christ Lutheran Church Women’s News

Save the date--for the Women's Weekend at Koinonia!!This year, CLCW has scheduled the weekend of Friday, November 7 th to Sunday, November 9th as the Women's Retreat weekend. More details to follow in the fall. Think about joining us in the renovated two family cabin for fun, food and a respite from your busy life here in Bergen County!

Christine BadameSchool Kit Items on Sale (Already!)Remember how excited you were to buy your new school supplies to start the year? You can give a child that same feeling by watching the sales and buying the following items:

70-sheet spiral notebooksPencil sharpenersPencils with erasers

Drawstring backpacks, approximately 14” x 27”Scissors

Last year we were able to assemble 35 kits; let us see if we can beat that number. Please place your items into the basket in the Narthex.

Bless you for helping to put some joy into a child’s life. JoAnn Sallo

StewardshipThe Stewardship Committee would like to wish families at Christ Lutheran Church a relaxing, enjoyable and safe summer. God bless you all. With that said, we also want to remind everyone to keep up with their pledges. Just like your home bills, church also has bills and expenses. Pay it before you go or make it up after you come back. Remember you can always increase your pledge at any time, if you are feeling generous!!!! God loveth a cheerful and generous giver. God bless,

Mary Zeigler,Stewardship Chairperson

You Can Help . . .The Special Gifts Disbursement Committee needs your help! We have received two checks this year from the Dominick and Anna Ricci Foundation. Some of these monies have already been allocated to mortgage reduction, our own endowment fund and a Youth Ministry, but there is still a total of $114,000 to distribute. The Committee needs some new ideas for spending it. So download an application from the CLC website or pick up one from the mailboxes near the office and return the completed form to the Committee’s mailbox. The deadline for any new applications which will be voted on at the 2015 Annual Meeting is November 1, 2014, but the Committee will be meeting later this summer so don’t procrastinate. (In order to be considered the application must be signed by a member of Council.)

Remember, per our charter we must allocate at least 10% of the monies received from the Ricci Foundation in each of the following areas.

1. Outreach Ministry or Benevolences to local Community or worldwide

2. Special Congregational Ministries3. Capital Improvement or Asset Replacement

Bill Hoenigmann Special Gifts Disbursement Committee

The Care Committee

The Care Committee extends its thanks to our congregation for its very generous support of our projects during the year. The Lenten Hunger Appeal, the Thanksgiving Food Drive, Bake and Bagel Sales, Knit 1 –Purl 2 items for sale on Care Sunday, the food items dropped in the narthex on a Sunday morning to name a few. Many people have been the recipients of your generosity.

The Committee will be taking its annual sabbatical during July and August and will resume regular meetings on Tuesday, September 9, 2014 at 9:30 a.m. So, if any women of Christ Lutheran read this article and are available on that Tuesday at 9:30 a.m. (when refreshments are served), we welcome you with open arms to join us. It’s a great way to help those in need in our congregation and community and also to enjoy the fellowship of a great Committee.

The Care Committee is already planning for a special night in the fall. It will involve only the men of our congregation. Here’s a hint—it’s titled Men’s Night Out -- and is scheduled for Friday, September 19th at 7:00 p.m. Mark your calendar now. Watch the Sunday bulletins for more information.

Mae Hulburt

Attention High School Students—Start Thinking Summer 2015!The National Youth Gathering for the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America will be held July 15 to July 19, 2015 in Detroit, Michigan. For more information check out the website www.elca.org/YouthGathering. Kim Osolin and Chantal Ramhorst attended in 2012. If have any interest please contact Crystal Ramhorst so she can look into monetary assistance.

We praised! We played! We painted!Children and families completed their Sunday School year with a celebration that took place on June 1st. Children painted clay pots and included words of praise for God and His love. They planted flowers in the pots, some to take home and others to be given to home-bound neighbors. The children know that God’s love grows when shared. The celebration included outdoor games, one of which included a coin toss to raise money for the Center for Food Action and the Ramapo Animal Shelter. Thanks to the blessings of the Dominick Ricci Fund, donations for the coin toss were matched so that $80 will be donated to CFA, and $60 will be donated to RAS. Look for upcoming summer get-togethers. We are planning an outdoor water party in July, and a glow-in-the-dark night in August. Hope to see you there!

Janet Post,Christian Education Committee

Take a refreshing break at church this summer!

All ages invited to a . . .Water Party, July 23rd, 2:00 to 4:00 p.m. All ages welcome. Wear your swimsuit, bring a towel and a friend. There will be slip 'n slide, water balloons, water games, snacks, and lots of fun!

RSVP to Crystal Ramhorst by July 20th, ramhorst@optonline.netAnd to a . . .“Glow in the Dark for Jesus Craft and Game Night August 22nd, 7:00 to 9:00 p.m. RSVP by August 18th to Janet Post, 201.251.9531; cjpost@optonline.net

Many of the youth of Christ Lutheran Church have graduated, and we offer them our congratulations. A few are listed below—we hope they will stay in touch with us and keep us updated on their future activities. See you in church!

Junior High GraduatesAidan Conboy

Son of Brian and Jane; Brother to Kelly and Liam

Aidan graduated from Charles DeWolf Middle School in Old Tappan. He will spend the summer playing baseball and vacationing on Cape Cod with his family. Aidan’s hopes for the future are to do well at Northern Valley Old Tappan High School. He says Christ Lutheran Church is a place he feels safe while growing his faith.

Dylan HenrySon of Rob and Heather; Brother to Darian

Dylan graduated from Westwood Regional Jr./Sr. High School. For the summer he will be attending football camp for a week in July and then will have practice four

to five days a week throughout the summer. Dylan hopes to make it down to the shore at times though! Dylan's plans for the future are to play football for Westwood Regional, to do exceptionally well academically, and to graduate high school. Then he hopes to attend the Naval Academy, become an engineer, play football, enter the Marine Corps as an officer and serve his country. Christ Lutheran Church means everything to Dylan. He says it is a place where he feels well respected, where he can serve and help others. He says, "It's a place where people know the real me and I can just be me."

Mark IacovelliSon of Mark and Michelle; Brother to Kyle

Mark graduated from George White Middle School. His plans this summer include spending time with family enjoying their new pool and getting ready for high school. He hopes to be successful in whatever he chooses to do! Christ Lutheran Church is important to Mark. He says it is a place where he learns about his faith and to bond with other Lutherans.

Christian StremlerSon of Alexander and Alexandra Stremler; Brother to Mattias

Christian graduated from George White Middle School and will spend summer playing baseball and enjoying time off from school with family and friends.

He looks forward to starting high school at Pascack Valley and has no set plans for the future but cannot wait to see how it plays out! Christian says Christ Lutheran is a place where he has learned the word of God and has become immersed in his Christian faith.

Senior High GraduatesCarson Badame

Son of George and Christine Badame

Carson Badame graduated from Park Ridge High School. He will spend the summer working at Woodside Music, playing guitar and singing with his band. He hopes to graduate from Marist College with a major in computer science and a minor in music. Carson says Christ Lutheran is a place where he feels comfortable and as though he has an extended family.

Alexa DolceDaughter of James and Annina;

Sister to Vincent and Nicolas

Alexa graduated from Northern Valley Regional High School at Old Tappan. For the summer Alexa is going to spend as much time as possible with her friends, get ready to go to Marymount College in Scranton, PA, and she will also go to Finland. Her future plans are to become a nutritionist and be very successful. Alexa states that Christ Lutheran Church is more than just her church; it's like her second home, and she could never imagine attending a different church.

Darian HenryDaughter of Rob and Heather; Sister to Dylan

Darian Henry graduated from Westwood Regional Jr./Sr. High School. Darian's plans for the summer are to enjoy hanging out with her friends, going to graduation parties, working, and then packing for college! She will be attending Monmouth University in the fall so will be moving to West Long Branch, NJ to live in the dorms. Her future plans include doing well in college, graduating, and getting a good job! Darian says, "Christ Lutheran Church is my church home. It is a place where I can always come back to and feel welcome and safe."

Jacqueline JacobsenDaughter of Beth Stoltenborg and Erik Jacobsen; Sister to Michael

Jacqueline graduated from Northern Valley Regional High School at Old Tappan. Jackie plans to work at the snack stand at Stonybrook Pool this summer. She also

will visit Rutgers University overnight for orientation, and go on vacation with her family. Christ Lutheran Church has been Jackie's church since she was a small child. She sang in the choir, attended many Advent dinners, helped with car washes, went to Sunday School K-6, and was confirmed here. It is her church home.

Samantha LouisDaughter of Jeff and Debbie

Louis; Sister to Matthew

Sammy graduated from Pascack Valley High School and will be attending NYU in the fall. Doing volunteer work, relaxing, and possibly shadowing people in the speech communication field are her plans for summer. Future plans are to have a fun and fulfilling four years at college and to try all the restaurants in The Village. Christ Lutheran Church is her home away from home. Relocation is possible after her four years in the dorm and will

be wherever her dreams take her.

College GraduatesBrian Capone

Son of Tom and Janine Capone; Brother to Stephen and Kristin

Brian Capone graduated from East Stroudsburg University. He has started working as a Software Engineer so his summer plans are to work. Due to the nature of his career, relocating is a possibility in the near future. Brian hopes to do well with his career and advance in his field with education in new applications and ongoing upgrades. Christ Lutheran is Brian's family away from his family.

Alexandra ContinoDaughter of Craig Post and

Donna ContinoSister to Colin and Brendan Post and Madison Contino

Alie graduated from Boston College, Connell School of Nursing. Her summer plans are to enjoy Boston as soon as she is finished studying for Nursing Boards! Alie is working at Boston College

as a Resident Assistant and as a Nursing Assistant in St. Elizabeth’s Hospital in Newton, MA. Her hopes for the future are to pass the Nursing Boards on June 24 th

and then find a job in the Boston area.

Stacy HoenigmannDaughter of Bill and Carla; Sister to Sarah

Stacy Hoenigmann graduated from Villanova University. Her summer plans are to visit friends and relax before starting her job at Ernst & Young in mid-July. Her future plans are to enjoy her career and travel, but she will live at home for her first year of work. Stacy says that Christ Lutheran is a comforting place where she always feels welcome and at home.

Andrew OsolinSon of John and Linda; Brother to Ryan and Kim

Andrew graduated from Montclair State University. He will be looking for a job this summer and in the future would like to write fiction. If all goes as planned he will be moving in with a good friend of his. "Christ Lutheran Church has always been a friendly and positive community, where I know I will always have friends," Andy says.