Young people with (Holy) Spirit

Six baptized members of St. Paul Lutheran Church confirmed their commitment to Christ’s church by Affirmation of Baptism (what we used to call confirmation) on Pentecost, May 23. It was a wonderful Spirit-filled celebration highlighted by the premiere of a new setting of the liturgy written by our own Christopher Greene.  We are proud of our young people for their hard work in learning about the Bible and the church. We thank God for their faith and their presence among us. (Click on the images to enlarge.)

Photos from Pastor David’s ordination

On Sunday, May 17, David Swarganadan Rajah Achariam was ordained to the Holy Ministry of Word and Sacrament at St. Paul’s Lutheran Church. Pastor David will be the mission developer for the South Asian satellite congregation being established here.

The Rev. Roy Riley, Bishop of the New Jersey Synod of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America, presided at the ordination and Eucharist. The preacher was the Rev. Dr. Paul Rajashekar, Academic Dean of the Lutheran Theological Seminary in Philadelphia. Presenters were the Rev. Judith Spindt, assistant to the bishop, and the Rev. Fred Niederheiser, one of David’s mentors. Clergy and church members from around the synod attended, as well as members of St. Paul and David’s family and other supporters. Afterward, we all enjoyed a splendid Indian feast.

New Christians baptized at Easter

Mi’Kayla Bell, daughter of Brionna Bell, and Esther Ritter, daughter of Pr. Jessica Lambert and Nathan Ritter, were received into Christ’s church on the Vigil of Easter. We rejoice with these families for the lives of these beautiful babies and praise God for receiving them as God’s own.

Organ to be restored

We’ve just learned that our insurance will cover the damage done to our organ in the latest nor’easter. Repairs, estimated at $65,000, will begin this summer and should be done by fall. Thanks be to God!