2 The people who walked in darkness
    have seen a great light;
those who dwelt in a land of deep darkness,
    on them has light shone.
3 You have multiplied the nation;
    you have increased its joy;
they rejoice before you
    as with joy at the harvest,
    as they are glad when they divide the spoil…
6 For to us a child is born,
    to us a son is given…
Isaiah 9:2-3,

One of my favorite parts of the Christmas celebration is the Sharing of the Christmas Light on Christmas Eve. The sanctuary lights are turned off or low. All that glows is the light from the Christmas tree and the light form the candles on the altar. The Pastor lights his candle from the altar and shares it with the ushers who in turn share it with the gathered. “The Lord be with you.” “And also with you.” is spoken as the light is shared and spreads throughout the sanctuary. 

The tradition captures the meaning of the verse above from Isaiah 9; the people who walked in darkness have seen a great light. Joy is increased, a child is born, a son is given! 

Throughout the service we sing of the wonder of this night. God become flesh! God with us! God for us to bring his mercy! For on this night we not only remember a birth but the purpose for this birth and where this child is heading. Yes, he is heading to a throne before which every knee shall bow but by way of a cross. On this cross he will give his very life which was given on this night. 

This is God’s gift for you and to you. A child is born. A light shines. A savior is given.

This message will be proclaimed in many ways in our churches this Christmas. May I add another for your inspiration and edification? Recently my wife came across a poem called Noel by J.R. Tolkien. We are fans of his writings and well aware of the biblical worldview from which he writes. It is no surprise that another of his works was discovered in 2013 that gives voice to our faith and the joy of Christmas. I share it here with you. 
​
A blessed Christmas. May the light shine brightly on you and overwhelm you with the joy of Christ’s birth.

Noel
by J.R.R. Tolkien
Grim was the world and grey last night:
The moon and stars were fled,
The hall was dark without song or light,
The fires were fallen dead.
The wind in the trees was like to the sea,
And over the mountains’ teeth
It whistled bitter-cold and free,
As a sword leapt from its sheath.
The lord of snows upreared his head;
His mantle long and pale
Upon the bitter blast was spread
And hung o’er hill and dale.
The world was blind,
the boughs were bent,
All ways and paths were wild:
Then the veil of cloud apart was rent,
And here was born a Child.
The ancient dome of heaven sheer
Was pricked with distant light;
A star came shining white and clear
Alone above the night.
In the dale of dark in that hour of birth
One voice on a sudden sang:
Then all the bells in Heaven and Earth
Together at midnight rang.
Mary sang in this world below:
They heard her song arise
O’er mist and over mountain snow
To the walls of Paradise,
And the tongue of many bells was stirred
in Heaven’s towers to ring
When the voice of mortal maid was heard,
That was mother of Heaven’s King.
Glad is the world and fair this night
With stars about its head,
And the hall is filled with laughter and light,
And fires are burning red.
The bells of Paradise now ring
With bells of Christendom,
And Gloria, Gloria we will sing
That God on earth is come.

​Hurricane Helene Relief
We are very pleased to announce that $31,895 was gathered from individuals and congregations of the NJD toward Hurricane Helene relief. Of that amount $12,810 was eligible for matching funds. A total of $44,705.61 has been sent to the Southeast District of the LCMS (includes all the coastal states between Delaware and South Carolina) for distribution to their congregations, church workers and communities who have experienced loss. 

NJD Congregational Lay Deacon Program
On November 17th at Redeemer Lutheran Church, Newton we were please to celebrate the installation of Peter Naumowicz as a NJD Congregational Lay Deacon. Peter is the very first individual to complete the NJD Congregational Lay Deacon training. Under the Pastoral Supervision of the Rev. Brian Handrich, Peter is certified to assist the pastor in congregational ministry including the teaching of Bible Class and assisting in worship. 
​
The Congregational Lay Deacon Training Program is open to both men and women who would like to further their theological understanding and practical ministry training. Classes are online each Tuesday evening with some breaks for holidays. Taken without interruption the program can be finished in two years. This is not a program toward ordination but a training program to enhance the abilities of lay people toward greater congregational service and assistance to the pastor. The goal of the NJD is to have at least one Congregational Lay Deacon in each congregation of the District.

NJD Work Plan
IDM (Initiative for Ministry Development) is a significant part of the NJD Work Plan. In fact, it is not going away when the new strategic plan in unveiled, rather it will be another element in fulfilling the Healthy Congregations target. 
Healthy congregations will always have a well thought out, focused, and implemented ministry plan. As the old axiom says, “Those who fail to plan, plan to fail”. The NJD is determined to help congregations develop ministry plans unique to their settings. We do not present plans to a congregation to enact but, instead, teach and guide a process in which congregations can address the needs of their members and the community.

SCC (Small Church Clarity) and NJDU (NJ District University) are ways in which the ministry planning process is taught to and worked on with congregations. Once a congregation has completed either SCC or NJDU they are able to participate in the Advanced Studies that are periodically offered. These Advanced Studies help congregations to start and/or develop their congregational systems and ministries.
​
The next Advanced Study to be offered will be a Ministry Cycle Planning event. This will be held on Epiphany, January 6, 2025 at 6 pm at King of Kings, Mountain Lakes. The evening will include

​Congregations completing the process will also then be prepared to participate in ongoing Advanced Studies with the other SCC/NJDU participants. Please call the District Office to express your interest in participating.

Mission Trip to Tijuana
This month, I had the opportunity, along with a number of other District Presidents, to go on a brief mission trip to Tijuana, Mexico. While there we visited Inglesia Lutherana Cristo Redentor (Pastor Job Jimenez) and the missions of Lutheran Border Concerns (Pastor Ramon Contreras) and the San Diego Mission Society (Rev. Dr. Tardelli Voss). We also had the opportunity to converse with (through an interpreter) the President of the Mexican Lutheran Synod, Rev. Isaac Garcia. All of our hosts were most gracious feeding us tamales for breakfast and tostados for lunch. They were most delicious.

The Mexican Lutheran Synod nearly went out of existence in recent years with congregations shrinking, properties being lost, and hope waning. But recently there has been a renewal in spirit and activity. Over the past five years 40 pastors have entered training for the pastoral ministry and many missions have been started. The excitement of new life and of sharing the gospel with the Mexican people is evident in both the pastors and the people. We even met a father and son team who together have entered the seminary to become pastors. 

We were very sad to hear that Pastor Job Jinenez’ newly born son has spina bifida. The public health system doesn’t have the expertise needed for proper care and the private system costs more than they could afford. As a group we decided to gather funds from our Districts to help with this need and also to help with the funds needed to repair the roof on the parsonage.
​
I would like to invite you people of the NJ District to participate in this effort. The portion needed from NJ is $2,500. You can send gifts to the NJD 1168 Springfield Ave. Mountainside NJ 07092 or give online through the District website (Use the “Give Now” button and look under “Donations”).

District Convention 2025.
The NJ District Convention is scheduled for June 12-14, 2025 at the Crowne Plaza, Edison, NJ. The theme for the convention is Grace from Grace: Loving Our Neighbor, “You shall love… your neighbor as yourself”. Luke 10:27b   This theme embraces the four targets of our new strategic plan with special focus on the third that directs us toward sharing the gospel with our neighbors and especially those of ethnic groups different than ourselves.

Nomination Forms have been sent to each congregation in the District. Congregations should be using the months of December and January to elect a delegate from their congregation and nominate others for positions in the District. The Deadline for returning the form is January 31st. 

Nomination are being received for:

• District President
• District Vice Presidents
• Lay Board of Directors Members from Circuits 1, 3 and 5
• Clergy-at-Large Board of Directors Members
• Commissioned Minister Board of Directors Member
• District Treasurer 
• District Secretary
• Lay and Clergy Board Members for CHEF
  ​
  

Please give careful attention to this important work. These people will help guide our District into mission and ministry in the next three years!

National Youth Gathering.
Time is growing short for youth to register for the 2025 National Youth Gathering. Our goal for this Gathering is 75 youth from across NJ. Plans are well under way but there is still time to get in on the fun and spiritually enriching adventures. 
​
This year’s theme is “Endure”. Hope Dunbar and Pastor Steve Vera are our District coordinators. Hope may be contacted at [email protected]. She is happy to help you with questions or information about the Gathering and registration. If you are a congregational youth worker and have a group attending the Gathering please let Hope know. She will make sure your youth are included in any information dissemination or District events at the Gathering. If you have a small group from your congregation and would like to join another group Hope can help with that too!

​November Council of Presidents
The most recent quarterly gathering of the Council of Presidents was held at Concordia University, Chicago. The Presidents were able to meet, worship and tour the campus. I came away impressed at how well the campus was kept and the educational program offerings that are available to students. All of our Concordias are working hard to make higher education more affordable especially to our church workers. I was especially blessed by the beauty of the chapel and the quality of the worship there.

District Short Clips
Official Visits. All of my Fall Official Visits are complete. Currently 21 official Visits have been completed. Another seven congregations have been invited to schedule an Official Visit for the winter/spring months. The only others who have not been visited are those who are vacant or have a newly installed pastor. As these pastoral vacancies are filled they will be included in the visitation. Special arrangements may be made for congregations with longer vacancies.
​
Office of National Missions.  This month I will have the opportunity to travel to St. Louis for a special meeting of the Office of National Missions. Staff from all 35 Districts have been invited to participate to hear updates and presentations on opportunities afforded by the Office of National Missions and to give feedback and suggestions. I am looking forward to gaining insights into Synodical opportunities for our District and returning with more resources for our ministry together.

Conclusion
A danger in this month of December is that we become so occupied with the business of Christmas that we fail to properly participate in the preparation of Advent and celebration of Christmas. I know it may be hard, especially if you have children at home, but do take some time to reflect on the message of this season. Midweek Advent services are meant for this very purpose. Attend at your church or if you don’t have them in one of our other NJD congregations.

​The Lord be with you,
President/Bishop Gewecke 

But you, O Bethlehem Ephrathah,
    who are too little to be among the clans of Judah,
from you shall come forth for me
    one who is to be ruler in Israel,
whose coming forth is from of old,
    from ancient days.
Micah 5:2

Thirty-six years ago I accepted the call to St. Peter Evangelical Lutheran Church, Hopewell Township. At that time, I was given the congregational self-study that helped orientate me to the congregation. A summary was written by the District President titled “Small but Powerful”. St. Peter was small for sure; a small building, small membership, small attendance (35 on a Sunday). Yet, the title was meant to give hope and it did. “Small but Powerful”. 

I can’t remember if the passage above from Micah was referenced by our District President but it could have been. Small but powerful accurately describes the prophecy about the promised Savior. In the coming weeks we will be focusing on the “powerful” part as we remember that Christ will come again in power and might. Then, with Advent, we will again begin to reflect on the “small” part as we remember his coming as a child.

Most often when we encounter this verse it is in the context of Advent/Christmas. We are reminded of our Lord’s humble beginnings

• From a small clan
• From working class people
• In a small town
• In a stable, in a manger
• No home, in flight to Egypt
• As a defenseless child
  

​On the Sunday we hear Micah 5 we also hear Luke 1 about Mary’s visit to Elizabeth and the Magnificat,

46 And Mary said,
“My soul magnifies the Lord,
47     and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior,
48 for he has looked on the humble estate of his servant.

Indeed, the humble estate of his servant and the humble estate of her child catches our attention. Yet in this humility and weakness is the very power of God for the salvation of the world! But even the accomplishment of that salvation would not be by force but in humility; a man riding on a donkey, an innocent man being condemned and crucified. “Not by might, nor by power, but by my Spirit says the Lord of hosts.” Zechariah 4:6

In 1 Corinthians the Apostle Paul applies this theology to the church. He writes

26 For consider your calling, brothers: not many of you were wise according to worldly standards, not many were powerful, not many were of noble birth. 27 But God chose what is foolish in the world to shame the wise; God chose what is weak in the world to shame the strong; 28 God chose what is low and despised in the world, even things that are not, to bring to nothing things that are, 29 so that no human being might boast in the presence of God.

We have no boast but we have thanks to give and awe at the amazing work of God. Like our Lord’s humble life in this world we too are humble. Our District is small, our congregations are small, our resources are few. And yet can we not say “small but powerful”? For it is not by might, nor by power, but by the Spirit of our God. God delights in choosing the weak to shame the strong. 

So, look not to what you do not have but to what God has given you. Remember Moses verse Pharaoh, Gideon verses the Midianites, David verses Goliath, Elijah verses the prophets of Baal, Christ on the cross verses the forces of evil. We look not to ourselves or our circumstance but to the God who delights in choosing the weak to do his mighty work. 

Press on in hope my brothers and sisters in Christ for you have a heavenly Father who is mighty and merciful, a Savior who is humble and forgiving, the Holy Spirit who is dynamic and empowering. We believe and trust God’s Word applied to us, “from you shall come forth for me…”
​
In Jesus’ name.

Hurricane Helene Relief
The NJ District is pleased to be able to set up a matching fund for all those who would like to give to Hurricane Helene Relief. We will match dollar for dollar any gift given through the District toward Helene Disaster Relief. The limits for the match are up to $250 for an individual/family contribution and up to $2000 for a congregational gift with a total cap of $15,000. 

All funds donated in this effort will be sent to the Southeast District of the LCMS who is on the front lines of the recovery work. Those who would like to give may do so by going to the District website (njdistrict.org) and scrolling down to the "Give Now" button. Then click on the Hurricane Helene Disaster relief icon.

The Southeast District has indicated that they will have an ongoing need for 18,000 personal hygiene kits and 15,000 flood clean up kits. The NJ District Disaster Relief (Pastor Christian Schonberg, Coordinator) is organizing efforts in NJ to work with the Southeast District and supply these needs. Congregations are encouraged to organize a congregational event to make and provide some of these kits themselves. For a list of supplies to use please go to the Southeast District’s website at https://se.lcms.org/resources/disaster-response-and-recovery/ .
​
Update:  As of this writing $27,370 has been contributed and NJD Disaster Relief has refurbished 172 Flood Buckets to be taken to North Carolina. The need will continue and the matching funds opportunity will continue for at least another month.

NJD Fall Pastors Conference
NJD pastors meet in late October at St. Peter, Hopewell Township for a one-day conference. The speaker was Rev. Michael Newman, President of the Texas District.  He shared with the pastors insights into many of the salient points from his book Gospel DNA. 

The Task Force on Healthy Congregations came across this book when one of its members, Pastor DeMik (Bethlehem Ridgewood), was in Texas for another purpose and was introduced to the book. The consensus was that the book expressed many of the points the task force wanted to make in defining what a healthy congregation is. 

Many pastors remarked that President Newman did a fantastic job of presenting, that the subject was very practical, and that its was one of the best conferences they had attended. We pray that this conference will not only inspire the task force as it continues its work but also jump start the thinking of our pastors as they guide their congregations into ever healthier futures. 
​
Spoiler alert: Healthy Congregations is one of the target goals of the soon to be revealed NJD Strategic Plan. 

NJD Work Plan
IDM (Initiative for Ministry Development) is a significant part of the NJD Work Plan. In fact, it is not going away when the new strategic plan in unveiled, rather it will be another element in fulfilling the Healthy Congregations target. 

Healthy congregations will always have a well thought out, focused, and implemented ministry plan. As the old axiom says, “Those who fail to plan, plan to fail”. The NJD is determined to help congregations develop ministry plans unique to their settings. We do not present plans to a congregation to enact but, instead, teach and guide a process in which congregations can address the needs of their members and the community.

SCC (Small Church Clarity) and NJDU (NJ District University) are ways in which the ministry planning process is taught to and worked on with congregations. Once a congregation has completed either SCC or NJDU they are able to participate in the Advanced Studies that are periodically offered. These Advanced Studies help congregations to start and/or develop their congregational systems and ministries.

The next Advanced Study to be offered will be a Ministry Cycle Planning event. This will be held on Epiphany, January 6, 2025 at 6 pm at King of Kings, Mountain Lakes. The evening will include

• A brief Epiphany service
• Dinner
• Ministry sharing
• Ministry Planning seminar/workshop

Congregations will bring their fall plans and use them as the basis for developing winter/spring/summer plans. The intent of the workshopping is that congregations will have a good start on completing their plans before the evening is over. This is not just a time to listen but a work session too.
​
Congregations that have not successfully completed SCC or NJDU but want to participate should call me and we will develop a plan for you to get up to speed and be able to participate.

​Another Session of SCC/NJDU
For congregations that did not participate in SCC or NJDU we will be offering another chance to participate in 2025. Congregations will meet four times (once a month) from February to May. Congregations that complete the process will have:

• A Guiding Statement and biblical rationale
• The basis for a sermon series on your congregation’s purpose
• A log of existing ministries
• A ministry plan
• A campus plan
• A brochure for visitor and evangelism events

Congregations completing the process will also then be prepared to participate in ongoing Advanced Studies with the other SCC/NJDU participants. Please call the District Office to express your interest in participating.

District Convention 2025.
While the June 12-14, 2025 NJD Convention may seem a long way off for many, it is coming quickly for those on the planning committee! 

The theme for the triennium is Grace from Grace: Loving Our Neighbor, “You shall love… your neighbor as yourself”. Luke 10:27b   This theme embraces the four targets of our new strategic plan with special focus on the third that directs us toward sharing the gospel with our neighbors and especially those of ethnic groups different than ourselves.

Dr. Josh Hollman, Pastor of True Light Lutheran Church, NY (a Chinese-American congregation) will lead us in a multi-session Bible Study on our theme. The Report of the District President will include a presentation of the new strategic plan as well as resolutions to help us focus our ministry in the next three years. Reports on other District services, a Report of the Synodical President, elections, and a worship service will round out the agenda. Two social events on Thursday and Friday evenings will help foster friendship and fellowship as we work together over the three days. 
​
Congregations should be electing their lay delegate to the convention now! Registration and nomination materials will be sent out in the second half of November. Registration will begin in January and close by the end of the month. 

​National Youth Gathering. 
Congregations and individuals who are intending to go to the National Youth Gathering July 19-23, 2025 in New Orleans should be well into the planning process and getting their registration forms ready. This year’s theme is “Endure”. Hope Dunbar is our NJ District NYG Coordinator, [email protected]. She is happy to help you with questions or information about the Gathering and registration. If you are a congregational youth worker and have a group attending the Gathering please let Hope know. She will make sure your youth are included in any information dissemination or District events at the Gathering. If you have a small group from your congregation and would like to join another group Hope can help with that too!

​Congregational News

• Redeemer, Westfield is interviewing and preparing to call.
• Christ Memorial, East Brunswick has received a third call list.
• Good Shepherd, Old Bridge is interviewing and preparing to call.
• St. Paul, Closter is interviewing.
• St. John Clifton is preparing for a Call List.
• Good Shepherd, Point Pleasant has received their first call list and is interviewing.

​District Short Clips
Circuit Forums. Many of our Circuits have already met in Forum to elect a Circuit Visitor for the next three years. We appreciate the efforts of those Circuits who already have met and encourage those who have not yet met to do so for this important work. I appreciate the work of our Circuit Visitors as they assist me in the work of the Office of the President and I pray that you also appreciate the manner in which they serve you and your congregations.
Elections of all six Circuit Visitors will be ratified at the 2025 District Convention.

Official Visits. I still have a few congregations scheduled for Official Visits this fall before we take a break for Advent and Christmas. Soon I will be scheduling another round of visits for the winter months. If you have not yet received an invitation to schedule a visit, please be patient, your turn will come. There is no reason to the order of visitation, it is pretty much random. Vacant congregations are asked to wait until the Pastoral Office is filled.
​
COP Working Group. I have been assigned to a Council of Presidents Working Group on Shared Ministry. In keeping with our Council work this group will be exploring challenges, solutions, and resources for congregations exploring multi-congregational parishes. My hope is that this will be helpful as we explore and utilize multi-congregational and even cathedral models for congregations here in NJ. 

Conclusion
In closing allow me to again to remind you of the power of God at work in Word and Sacrament and through the lives of his people. The power does not reside in us but in God. We may be small and appear weak but God chooses to use those who trust in him. May God do so among us.

The Lord be with you,
President/Bishop Gewecke