Everyone is up early this morning; at least early for a Saturday.
The girls are leaving momentarily for the church. The Youth hold their annual Drop the Tots today. It is an opportunity for parents or grandparents to have a few hours without children as they shop, take a nap, share a lunch, go to a movie. The Youth have activities, movies and lunch for the children.
The movie we are encouraging the parents and other to watch this weekend is The Nativity. Have you seen it? It is an interesting portrayal of the story of Jesus' birth. It has some good characterizations and some scriptural confusing (both quiet shepherds and comical magi) and a couple Hallmark like moments. Still, a great discussion starter. So, on Sunday the congregation offer a Forum on The Nativity. We have publicized widely and are looking froward to folks both from PoP and from the community to be part of the discussion. Go see the movie!
The girls will go the the mall today. I know, you didn't see that one coming. They are going with a few others from PoP, all female. I get to stay home and get all the preparation together for this evening's Christmas Card assembly. Stamps, mailing labels and a few more Christmas Letter to photocopying and I'll be all set.
Sunday morning will be lively at PoP. The gospel is fun to tell - all these official people and places Luke (3:16) names and slides in that it is in the wilderness where John the Baptizer is born. Great irony so early in the story. This is also the Isaiah text that many hear Handel's Messiah in their heads as it is told. I always hear Marvin Gaye and Tammy Terrel. Tomorrow so will the congregation. I will play the Motown classic Aint No Mountain High Enough as part of the sermon. Listen yourself next week at our website if you'd like to hear how it went - www.popnj.org.
Sunday night we will put up the tree. That's always a fun family activity. Of course, we all have assigned responsibilities- I assembly the tree (we travel so often at Christmas that a artificial tree works best for us) and string up the lights. Janet droops the garlen (sp?) and places just-so the bows. And then the girls finish with Janet select ornament's. We usually fight over which Christmas music is playing in the back ground, how low ornaments ought to hang to be too high for the cat to break, and whether there ought to be a fire in the fire place or not. Alright, it isn't always a fun family activity. But it is our family activity.
What rituals will you be part of this month?
Peace,
pl
Saturday, December 9, 2006
2006 Christmas Letter
Christmas Greetings
from East Windsor, NJ!
We hope this annual epistle from the Lutz family will once again be a welcome contribution to your advent waiting and searching for the signs of the coming of our God.
It is hard to believe but September 2006 was the start of our fourth year in the Garden State.
Both Lutz girls are in High School. Morgan (the kisser) is class of 2010. Erika (the kissed) is class of 2008. Leaving middle school behind, Morgan continued her cheerleading athleticism right into Hightstown High. She was nominated Co-Captain of the JV squad this fall. She also continues to do well academically even with her regular “hanging out” with her friends, daily “IM-ing” and frequent music downloads on her IPOD. (If you are unfamiliar with these activities it’s not a big deal. You are probably just not living with a teenager.) Morgan turned 14 the end of November.
Erika took driving lessons this fall. She turned 16 this October. She now has a NJ permit that allows her to drive with an over twenty-one licensed passenger. She also started to “go out” with Yanis this year. They met at church. They celebrated their 6 month anniversary recently. She also was a “flyer” in this year’s varsity cheerleading competition (she has a Letter Jacket), was invited to join the National Honor Society, and has begun to get excited about leaving home for college – to her parent’s chagrin.
Janet completed her bachelor’s degree! She is now working with the state of NJ to finalize her “alternative route” to teaching. We are all optimistic that she will be gainfully employed the fall of 2007 – just in time to help with college tuition payments! She continues to work as a substitute teacher in the local elementary schools, oversees the Wonderful Wednesday community meal at Prince of Peace, hosts a weekly Mom’s Akaloo small group and stays informed with all the extended family news. (If the latter is of interest to you, give her a call).
Paul continues to go with the ups and downs of parish ministry. (Sometime he is a contributing factor to said ups and downs.) He is excited about four new directions emerging at Prince of Peace – family ministry, jazz worship, outreach to our neighbors from south Asia, and the focus on “passionate spirituality” stirred by our involvement with the Natural Church Development process. Beyond the parish he serves as a member of the NJ Synod Council, Evangelism Team and as a NCD Coach.
If ever these annual Christmas epistles just don’t satisfy your need to learn about the happenings of the NJ Lutz’s then consider this an invitation to email, call or visit.
18 Berkley Place, East Windsor, NJ 08520 + 609.448.3811 + LutzJanetPaul@Verizon.net
from East Windsor, NJ!
We hope this annual epistle from the Lutz family will once again be a welcome contribution to your advent waiting and searching for the signs of the coming of our God.
It is hard to believe but September 2006 was the start of our fourth year in the Garden State.
Both Lutz girls are in High School. Morgan (the kisser) is class of 2010. Erika (the kissed) is class of 2008. Leaving middle school behind, Morgan continued her cheerleading athleticism right into Hightstown High. She was nominated Co-Captain of the JV squad this fall. She also continues to do well academically even with her regular “hanging out” with her friends, daily “IM-ing” and frequent music downloads on her IPOD. (If you are unfamiliar with these activities it’s not a big deal. You are probably just not living with a teenager.) Morgan turned 14 the end of November.
Erika took driving lessons this fall. She turned 16 this October. She now has a NJ permit that allows her to drive with an over twenty-one licensed passenger. She also started to “go out” with Yanis this year. They met at church. They celebrated their 6 month anniversary recently. She also was a “flyer” in this year’s varsity cheerleading competition (she has a Letter Jacket), was invited to join the National Honor Society, and has begun to get excited about leaving home for college – to her parent’s chagrin.
Janet completed her bachelor’s degree! She is now working with the state of NJ to finalize her “alternative route” to teaching. We are all optimistic that she will be gainfully employed the fall of 2007 – just in time to help with college tuition payments! She continues to work as a substitute teacher in the local elementary schools, oversees the Wonderful Wednesday community meal at Prince of Peace, hosts a weekly Mom’s Akaloo small group and stays informed with all the extended family news. (If the latter is of interest to you, give her a call).
Paul continues to go with the ups and downs of parish ministry. (Sometime he is a contributing factor to said ups and downs.) He is excited about four new directions emerging at Prince of Peace – family ministry, jazz worship, outreach to our neighbors from south Asia, and the focus on “passionate spirituality” stirred by our involvement with the Natural Church Development process. Beyond the parish he serves as a member of the NJ Synod Council, Evangelism Team and as a NCD Coach.
If ever these annual Christmas epistles just don’t satisfy your need to learn about the happenings of the NJ Lutz’s then consider this an invitation to email, call or visit.
18 Berkley Place, East Windsor, NJ 08520 + 609.448.3811 + LutzJanetPaul@Verizon.net
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