OFFICE: 1987 S. Lincoln Ave. Vineland, NJ 08361
Mon.-Thurs. 9:00-4:00pm, Fri. 9:00-12:00pm
856.696.3444 / 856.696.6511 (fax) churchoffice@lfachurch.org
Sunday Services: 8:30 /10:30am @ Wallace Middle School
688 N. Mill Rd. Vineland, NJ 08360
Wednesday Evening: 6:30pm @ Cumberland Christian School
1100 W. Sherman Ave. Vineland, NJ 08360
M A Y 2 0 1 0 V O L U M E 2 I S S U E 5
Are You Ready To Join
the Movement?
We have a lot to be thankful for. LFAC has seen some amazing things happen in the
last few months. It was only about six weeks ago that we found out which rental site
we would be using for our Sundays and Wednesdays activities, and only three weeks
since we started out at Wallace and CCS. It has been a fast move, yet one that has
gone exceptionally well. In particular it has gone well because of the 94 volunteers
who’ve signed on to help with making sure our sites are prepared and then disassem-
bled each week. Each week I’ve seen an improvement as we settle into the routine and
refine the use of our sites. It is amazing to realize that 20% of our people are involved A Few of Our Setup & Teardown
with setting up and tearing down. God is doing something new, His presence is with Team Members Spotted….
us.
I’ve heard numerous times people explaining that they’d “heard the name, but never
actually met the person” until they were teammates as part of setup or teardown.
God is drawing us together around a common purpose. We are all the same body,
serving the same God. We are called to be a generous
people. Generous in all ways: time, money, encourage-
ment, gifts, etc. I celebrate that God is showing us new
faces and relationships as we work alongside each other.
Join the movement. Get involved.
Being generous takes one step of
faith at a time. Contact the office:
volunteer@LFAchurch.org, or
pull a team leader aside and let
them know you want to plug in.
Thanks for revealing Jesus!
Matthew Rudd
Administrator
Plan to Grow This
Summer
Truth For Living- Summer 2010
Consider Life Transformation Group as a place to grow as a disciple and one who makes
disciples through the practice of 3 disciplines of spiritual growth, confession, Scripture reading and
prayer.
Is it time to boldly declare that you are following Jesus? Find out in the Baptism Preparation
Class.
Have you considered church membership? It a way to join yourself to the mission of Living Faith
Alliance Church, attend The Membership Class.
Parenting and Technology - Helping parents lead their children in a technological age.
Consider being part of the training called the Tangible Kingdom as a hands-on training ex-
perience in learning to bring the Kingdom of God to the community where you live.
more details to come...
PAGE 2
ref·uge (rěf'yōōj) n.
1. Protection or shelter, as from danger or hardship.
Bio of the Month 2. A place providing protection or shelter.
Each month the LFA newsletter will feature a staff
member that will answer the questions below. 3. A source of help, relief, or comfort in times of trouble.
One of our newest staff, Mark Gebhardt, began Three weeks ago we did a
working part-time at LFA last summer. Here is health & nutrition lesson
the scoop: with our Mentees.
Name: Mark Gebhardt Brandon Lyons and Kim
Job title: Worship Pastor Toscani, our activities
Family: My wife Lisa and I have four beautiful coordinators, showed the
daughters Chloe (married to Jacob and living in St. students that healthy eat-
Louis); Julia, Jenna, and Caite. And guess what, ing habits can be fun and
there is one on the way! taste great! We fed the students breakfast, as usual, and
What’s playing on your iPod right now?: 80 held off on giving them their normal salty snacks after
% of my iPod music is worship music from many artists; I also enjoy Jason their one-on-two time with their mentor. The students
walked into the kitchen to a fantastic smoothie spread of
Morant; Hayley Westenra; Puccini; and yes, I admit, I have Susan Boyle’s disc! frozen blueberries, strawberries, blackberries, halved
Do you have a hobby?: I collect South Jersey glass, love snooping around bananas, vanilla yogurt, pineapple juice & orange
thrift stores, and snack on garlic dill pickles! juice. Kim walked the kids through the simplicity of mak-
What books are you currently reading or recommend?: Currently ing the smoothie: pick your fruits, add a couple scoops
reading Sacred Marriage by Gary Thomas and a collection of short stories by of yogurt & a splash of juice. The kids each took turns
Tolstoy. I am also reading the current issue of Architectural Digest. I heartily making their smoothies and helping Kim use the hand
recommend Mere Christianity, by C.S. Lewis; Your God is Too Small, by J.B. Phil- blender to get them to just the right consistency. After
lips, and A Tale of Three Kings, by Gene Edwards. all of the kids had their smoothies they sat down at a
What are you passionate about?: I love Almighty God and am striving to table and Brandon told them about the nutritional as-
be the man that loves Him with all his heart, soul, mind and strength…leading pects of healthy eating. He talked to them about all of
his family in wisdom and integrity, loving his wife and children, and rejoicing in the antioxidants found in berries and how they neutralize
ALL things. I am not where I want to be and am not where I was! cancer-causing free radicals. Together Kim & Brandon
Where were you born?: Wertheim, Germany. I did not become an explained to the kids that they didn't need to radically
American citizen until I was 17 years old! Alas, I can never be the President change their lives and never eat another bad thing again,
of the United States. but that they could take small steps to improve their
Name a pet peeve: Slow moving vehicles…the Lord (and my wife) are health. Maybe have a smoothie for breakfast instead of
really helping me on this. I also despise incorrect directions. another bowl of super sugar-o's, or grab an apple for a
snack instead of a cupcake. The kids had a blast and we
Favorite local restaurant?: Kawa Thai & Sushi in Millville for a local treat. even had enough smoothie ingredients for the leaders to
Dave and I like Chili’s! enjoy a healthy snack too!
Describe a surprising eccentric quirk? Which one? I meticulously fold Tanya Baszner
all my t-shirts and socks. Is that quirky? My wife would say I can be crazy
about all my “friends” on facebook!
Youth Group
Summer is Coming!!! Jr. High -Wed. 5/12, 5/19, 5/26, 6/2, 6/9, 6/16 6:30-8pm CCS Gym
Sr. High -Tues. 5/11, 5/18, 5/25, 6/1, 6/8, 6/15 (celebrating our graduating
seniors) 7-8:30pm Lincoln Ave.
A Letter to Parents
I would guess that you could be feeling a couple of ways as you head into summer vacation with your children: 1) maybe excited about the chance
to be more laid back and do fun summer outings together 2) or possibly stressed, wondering what you will do all day with them out of the struc-
ture of school 3) maybe you are working parents and find it hard to arrange child care 4) or maybe you aren’t thinking about it yet!
Two summers ago I remember Nate and I came to the end of the summer feeling rather disappointed about the amount of time we got together
as a family. It felt like “life” had just happened and we had missed out on time with our sons who are very important to us.
Well, this past year we took time in the spring to talk and lay out weekly family dinners/Bible times and outings together as well as time to be with
Josiah on his own. It was so nice to come to the end of our summer knowing we got to do the things God had put on our heart.
So, can I pass on a few suggestions that might help you lead your family well this coming summer?
1. Take time to pray together as a couple (if you are married) and ask for God’s thoughts about your summer...plans HE may want you to make.
2. Brainstorm together about possible outings to go on as family, areas you would like to train your children in, friends or neighbors you could
reach out to as a family to share Jesus with.
3. Then take that list and use it to help you lay out a weekly and daily schedule that will help you carry out those plans. Planning ahead is so
important! You may want to ask your kids for their ideas as well.
For those of you who have young children this will take extra detailed planning, down to a daily schedule. I would suggest you schedule in time for
play and work, time with family, time learning about God, time to be with friends, time to serve others and time for them to be alone. Look to
help them make good decisions on how much TV or video games to watch. Maybe choose some special books to read together as a family. DO
NOT let the children wake up each day to tell YOU what they are going to do.
Since as a church we are not planning Family Camp or formal Family Outreaches we would like to encourage you to look for ways to reach out
informally to neighbors and friends. Look to plan together an outing or picnic or meal where you with your children look to invite them over to
share God’s love with them. You could also look to do this with another family from your pastorate or acquaintances at church.
We will be praying that God will bless you with His presence as you lead your families. May God give you very precious times together as families
this summer!
Sharon Howard
VOLUME 2 ISSUE 5 PAGE 3
Student Alpha one, I wasn't expect- them feel loved and important. stretched
ing to be one of the At first I saw them as young me to do
When Donald first started plan- two young adults chosen to people looking to get free pizza. things I
ning for student Alpha at Cum- lead a small group. But I was. But God has helped me to never
berland County College, the last And God has done amazing really see them how He sees thought I
thing I wanted to do was lead a things in my heart and over the them. I look at all of the people could do.
small group. I just couldn't do it. past few weeks. God has brought to the course, I've been so
I was willing to bring desserts, and at times I am overwhelmed blessed to
be a greeter, help set up or tear First, God has helped me to
view others in a totally differ- by how much He loves them. be a part of
down, even help with music. No matter where they come the first
The thought of leading a group ent way. The Alpha approach is
a "no judgment zone" where from, what they say or how student
through the seven week course they interact in a small group, Alpha and
terrified me. So I very hesitantly people are able to bring their
opinions to the table and not my role is to love them. Sec- I'm excited
agreed when Donald asked me if ond, God is showing me that I to see what God will do in the
I'd be willing to at least go to the be laughed at or criticized. My
role as a small group leader is was right. On my own, I can't next few weeks and what He'll
small group leader training. We be a small group leader. The continue to do in the student
had six people go to the leader not to correct someone if what
they're saying is completely questions I ask or the way I lead Alphas to come.
training and during the launch the group has been nothing that
party, there wasn't a big enough ridiculous (although sometimes Lastly, I wanted to thank all of
I would really like to), but to I could have done on my own. you for your prayer and sup-
turn out for all six of us to be The small group discussions and
small group leaders. So on week be there to listen and make port. We couldn't do this with-
my part in them could only be a
work of the Holy Spirit. out it. Please continue to pray
Whether it's for the leaders as well as the
loving or small groups as we finish up this
leading my course.
small group, Thank you!
God has Andrea Mauro
equipped me
and
The Living Cross
Parents and Children “Thank you
Don't Miss This Night!!! for bringing
The Annual End of Year Children's Ministry Picnic will be on June 23 the flowers at
from 6:00pm to 8:15pm at Cumberland Christian School. Easter – see
A great time to: Enjoy a meal, interact with your children, talk with
other parents, hear things your children have learned, worship with how the cross
others and pray as a family. of Christ
Please bring a blanket large enough for your family to sit on and a side brings life to
dish that can feed 8-10 people that goes well with hot dogs and ham-
your entire
burgers.
being?”
trusts us with more and more. The Build-
Financial Update ing Fund just slightly trails the same time
period. With this money the CMA sends out
missionaries and frees them from having to
period last year, and there have been individually raise support. In the last year the
We are a third of the way through some great stories of God’s provision and CMA has had to bring some missionaries
the year now and we’ve seen some personal sacrifice to give towards the Build- home as funding has been tight. If you don’t
exciting numbers coming in. At the ing Fund. There is a team of prayer people already, please consider giving to the GCF
end of April, the General Fund giving, who have been meeting for the last six beyond your commitment to tithing to the
which is the main account funding the months, praying over God’s leading and General Fund. You will hear more about the
church’s operations, is ahead of expectation provision. It has been exciting to see that GCF in the next few weeks.
by $22, 000, and it exceeds the same time God answers prayer for help: with our fi- Please mark each designation of funds clearly
period last year by $36,000. The yearend nances, our rental situation, and He will as everything else goes to the General Fund.
push we had at the end of 2009 has declined guide us as we seek Him out for clear steps Thank you being a generous people, don’t
only slightly, the biggest drop coming since to build a Kingdom purposed facility. Please doubt the value of each and every dollar
we’ve moved locations. It is evident that pray for the leaders who are working dili- when Kingdom vision is the investment.
many people are tithing regularly as atten- gently to put those steps into action. Matthew Rudd
dance seems to have little to no impact on The Great Commission Fund, the money
our giving. Please continue or begin to tithe sent to fund CMA missionaries throughout
as our vision is able to increase as God en- the world, is outshining last year, same time
Interested in receiving this newsletter via email? Send your name & email to churchoffice@lfachurch.org
Let’s peek in on a Pastorate….
The Schalick pastorate has been meeting for the past two
years and is steadily growing. We are currently work-
ing toward providing a truly inter-generational experi-
ence. In other words, in all aspects of the night (food,
worship, the talk, prayer) we encourage participation
and interaction from the youngest to the oldest. Our Mission Statement:
This past winter term we had a Valentine social which To provide a safe, friendly, welcoming
was a lot of fun. Everyone that came had a great time environment where people from all
eating, socializing and playing games. We also had an walks and generations of life would feel
Easter outreach where we invited kids from center city loved. While giving supportive guidance,
Millville to participate in and egg hunt, have a hot dog, challenging people to step up and take
make a craft and hear the Easter Story. ownership in the growth of the pastor-
ate, encouraging each other to be open
This term we are planning a BBQ Social. We hope to to inviting people as God leads us, ac-
invite a lot of first time guests to this event and just have tively building relationships in Millville
fun eating, getting to know people and playing games. We communities through outreach events,
also are planning a prayer walk outreach in June where we and freely expressing our love for God
will walk though center city Millville praying for God’s thru prayer and worship. All while nur-
kingdom to be advanced. We also would like to stop and turing and growing God-given gifts in
pray for people as we see them. people preparing them to lead their own
Our plans for this summer are to have two big pastorate.
social events: one will be a pool party and the
other will be a day at the beach. We will not
have regular meetings over the summer.
We would love to have you come and check out
our pastorate. We meet every other Saturday at
5:30pm. For more information contact Steve or
Sharon Schalick at 856.457.2192 or
millvillepastorate@gmail.com