_____________________________________________________

— CHRISTIAN EDUCATION –

Luthermania plans Halloween fun

All fourth-, fifth- and sixth-graders are invited to join Luthermania! We meet once a month for fun and fellowship!

On Saturday, Oct. 27 we will enjoy the Halloween Laser Light Show at the Novins Planetarium at Ocean County College. $5 cost per child. Please join us! Call Allison Morgan for details. Her telephone number is (732) 920-2345.

Library Book Review

Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows

By J. K. Rowling

Illustrated by: Mary Grandpre

Book Review by: Kristiane Olson

Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows is the seventh and final installment in the Harry Potter series by J. K. Rowling. The first book of the series was Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone, followed in order by Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets; the largest installment of the series, Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban; Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire; Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix; Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince, and finally, Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows.

This book was about Harry, Hermione and Ron going out and searching for the six true things that would help them destroy Voldemort, a.k.a. “The Dark Lord.” His six weaknesses were called, “Horcruxes.” Horcruxes are a part of someone’s soul, hidden in an object, a person, or an animal. So, basically, Voldemort cut his soul in six different pieces. The only way that Harry could destroy Voldemort would be to destroy all of his Horcruxes, then to kill Voldemort himself.

The whole time that the three were going out, risking their lives, basically to save mankind, Hogwarts was running amuck. After the death of Dumbledore, the previous headmaster, Severus Snape, and his gang of Death-Eaters (Voldemort’s loyal followers) took over the whole castle. They were killing off kids whose parents were not Wizards, known as “Mudbloods.”

With a lot of complications in the plan, unexpected surprises and unimaginable things happening on a regular basis, this book is one of the best adventure/fictional books out there. I recommend it to kids 12 years old and older – all the way up to adult. If you’ve never read the Harry Potter books and you’re curious, go out, read Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone (ages 10 and older) and read your way up to the most thrilling, exciting book of the year.

(You will find all of the Harry Potter titles in the Holy Trinity Library!)

Book Reviewers Wanted

How about reading a story with your young child(ren), or reading the same book your older child is reading, and writing a book review together for the Lamplighter?

It’s really fun to share a story from different viewpoints. We have over 800 wonderful books in our library, located downstairs outside the nursery classroom. Additional books can be found in the library kiosk in Fellowship Hall. All reviewers will have a chance to win a gift certificate for Barnes and Noble Booksellers in a drawing to be held in Fellowship Hall at the end of the Sunday School year (May, 2008).

~~ Ellin Greene

— EVANGELISM & STEWARDSHIP –

Walk With Jesus

Every day is a walk with Jesus. We Christians believe life is spent in the presence of our Lord. Therefore, we can talk about every day as a day during which we walk with Jesus. Some days we feel Jesus’ presence. Some days we feel quite a distance from Jesus. We boldly proclaim that, regardless of how we feel, Jesus is there. Jesus walks with us every day.

As we who are Holy Trinity Lutheran Church members consider our financial stewardship over the next few weeks, you will be asked to think about your use of money and possessions as a part of your walk with Jesus. This is most appropriate, because when Jesus walked this earth with his disciples he often talked about money and possessions. If money was a part of Jesus’ first walk on this earth, it should be a part of our walk with Jesus today.

We believe that everything we have is a trust from God, given to us to care for and manage. What we do with our money is very much a part of our relationship with our Lord. This will be our focus in the coming weeks.

For three consecutive Sundays we will read a bulletin insert and hear a talk in worship. For three weeks we each will receive a letter from the congregation. All of these will focus on our walk with Jesus and how money plays an important part in this walk.

On Saturday, Oct. 27 and Sunday, Oct. 28 each member will have the opportunity to complete an estimate of giving card. On this card, each of us will indicate our plan for giving for the coming year. This will not only be a plan for giving to Holy Trinity Lutheran Church, it will also be a plan for how we will walk with Jesus in the coming year.

Holy Trinity Cares

On Sunday, November 4, the Evangelism Committee will be preparing our famous goody care packages, which will be mailed to Holy Trinity college students.

We ask parents who would like their child(ren) to receive a college care package to please contribute a jar of his or her favorite peanut butter and a box of crackers. Please leave these in the church office in a bag with your child’s name on it.

The current list of college student names and addresses is posted on the Evangelism bulletin board in Fellowship Hall. Please update the mailing address or add your child if he or she is not on the list. If you prefer, use the “take home” sheet which you may complete and drop off in the church office.

We suggest that members of the congregation who would like to contribute donate non- perishable items. (See details below.) We will be accepting these items through Oct. 28. That gives us a week to inventory items and shop for any additional items we may need to “round out the packages.”

Should you prefer to make a cash donation and let us do the shopping, please put your donation in an envelope marked “Care Packages” and put it in the offering plate or in the church office.

Home-baked items may be left in the church kitchen on Saturday Nov. 3. They will be included in the packing on Sunday Nov. 4. If you would like to bake goodies or have any questions, please call Pat or Chuck Augustine at (732) 282-0813.

Donation suggestions:

Home baked cookies & brownies

Canned fruit or pudding (snack size) Cup of Soup

Popcorn Individual packages of chips

Raisins Tuna fish

Hard candy Lifesavers

Gum Peanut Butter

Granola bars Crackers

Juice boxes Cookies

Pretzels

(No glass containers or personal items, please!)

Thank you for supporting this very special outreach to our college students.

Our faith family’s heartfelt thanks go to the Augustines for taking this ministry under their wings!

Introducing …

Our Confirmation Connection Guides

We are blessed to have 40 youth participating in Confirmation Connection this year! Pastor Mary leads large group sessions during Saturday evening gatherings. Then, the youth split up into small groups for follow-up discussion and activities. Ten dedicated lay people serve as “guides” for those small groups. Here are the bios they prepared to introduce themselves to the confirmands and their parents. We thought you’d like to “meet” them, too ♥

Tina Braender-Shinn was born in Point Pleasant and grew up in Point Pleasant Beach. She and husband Raymond settled in Manasquan. They have two children: Kathryn (who is 18 years old and a freshman at Marywood University, Scranton, PA) and Ryan (who is 15 years old and a freshman at Manasquan High School).

Tina is a nurse and worked for 17 years at both Point Pleasant and Brick hospitals. For the past six years she has worked for a group of vascular surgeons in Brick.

In her spare time, Tina enjoys reading, cooking, going to the theatre and spending time with her family.

She has been a member of Holy Trinity since 2001. This will be her fifth year teaching Confirmation. She is looking forward to another great year.

“My name is Mark Farnham. I was born and raised in Minneapolis, Minnesota. I've completed eight years of education beyond high school. I'm an ordained pastor, certified hospital chaplain and currently an army chaplain with the rank of Colonel. I came out to NJ in 1995 when I accepted a position as Director of Pastoral Care at Ocean Medical Center. In 2003 I began work with the Army full-time. I currently work at Fort Monmouth. On July 21, 2006 I married Pastor Mary and now I live across the street from the church. I have 6 "children": two by birth (Heidi & Peter), three by marriage (Heather, Scott and Kristiane) and one on the way (Heidi is expecting my grandchild). I love cats and dogs. I have four critters (two cats and two dogs).”

Kerry Hudson lives in Wall with her husband, Bob. They have two children, Katie, 24, and Thomas, 22. Kerry received her First Holy Communion at Faith Lutheran Church, Lavallette, and was confirmed at Good Shepherd Lutheran Church, Gaithersburg, Maryland.

She is a graduate of Rutgers College of Pharmacy and is employed as a pharmacist at Shop-Rite of Wall. Kerry is active with the Holy Trinity Coffeehouse Christians, Faith and Film, sales and bazaars.

This is Rachel Howe’s second year as a Confirmation Guide. Her son, Thomas, is a first year confirmand and her daughter, Allison, will receive her First Holy Communion this year. Rachel was confirmed at Christ Lutheran, Gettysburg, PA. Another interesting fact about Rachel: her father is a pastor! Rachel is employed as a quality control director for a fragrance company. In her time off, she likes to participate in sports and coaching kids. She plays golf, softball and curling. Rachel’s favorite thing to do is to spend time with her family.

Mallory Kennedy and her husband Kevin have just celebrated their 20 year anniversary. (They were married here at Holy Trinity!) Mallory has been a member of Holy Trinity for more than 37 years. Kevin and Mallory have three children: Mallory (18 years old), Morgan (15 years old), Kyle (13 years old) and an adorable Wheaton Terrier named Tucker. Mallory has taught Sunday School here and this is her second year as a Confirmation Guide. She looks forward to another exciting year with her Second Year Confirmands.

My name is Terri Restucci and I am a first year Confirmand Guide. This is my first time teaching confirmation, however, I have about 15 years experience teaching Sunday School - preschoolers through 8^th grade. It is something that I love to do. I am currently teaching the 3^rd Grade Sunday School class and am helping with their First Communion. I am also part of the Christian Education Committee.

I was originally born in Chicago and lived there until I got out of school. I then moved to Missouri and then to northern New Jersey - both for job changes. I met my husband, Matt, in NJ. We were married in 1990 and were blessed with our first child, Alex in 1995.

We then moved to Arizona where we were blessed with our daughter, Lauren. Onto Virginia and finally back to New Jersey. All of our moves have been job related.

I love to read, walk my dog, garden and be with my family. I feel truly blessed to have found a wonderful home at Holy Trinity.

Shelli and Walt Ritchie were married in Holy Trinity Lutheran Church.

“We live in Manasquan, on Central Avenue – right around the corner from church, which might make you feel we will always be on time but that is not true.

“We have three grown-up girls: Shannon, Holli and Heather (I always throw Heather in there because she lived with us for a long time and it really stinks to be left out) and three almost grown boys: McCoy, (17), Zachary, 16, and Tucker, 13. We have two granddaughters, Colie, 10, and Danielli, 3.

“We also have a pet (not very smart but really cute), Annie the Wonder Dog. We could sneak her in if you’d like J.

“Mr. Ritchie is a big construction site inspector and is working on a site in Rahway right now.

“Mrs. Ritchie is a private duty nurse and I always work locally because I don’t travel well.

“We like to go camping and we organize the church camping trip every summer. It’s three days and you are all required to go – FOOLING J -- but we always have room if you are interested. Some of you have already camped with us and keep coming back so that’s a good sign.

“Mr. Ritchie enjoys sailing, building things, fixing all the neighborhood kids’ bikes and – if I would give him some free time – he would ride all over on his motorcycle.

“I enjoy reading, sewing, garage sales and buying shoes for my dear friend Pastor Mary on E-Bay (ask her sometime about that, kids).

“We have helped and taught Confirmation Connection before and found it to be great fun. I’m positive we will have a fun year and am so happy I got all the kids that I hoped I would get. Yes, I mean you.

“If you need to talk to us for anything – church related or anything at all -- we can be reached at (732) 223-4109. If there’s no one home, leave a message. We’ll call back.”

Mark Solan is married to his wife, Doreen. They have three sons, Adam, 26, and twins, Chris and Ryan, 21. The Solans also have three Basenji dogs (Dharma, Dublin and Sultan).

Mark is the senior vice president of IT/Ops at Online Resources, Princeton.

For “fun” Mark runs, rides bikes and motorcycles, fishes, reads, participates in multi-sports competitions like bike/run events. He also enjoys photography, golf, keeping fit and meditation.

Mark says he has lots of fun as a Confirmation guide and with the kids at Holy Trinity.

Valerie Stutesman, a graduate of Monmouth University, New Jersey, has been employed by the State of New Jersey for eight years. She heads the Statewide Initiatives and Intergovernmental Services Unit, in State and Local Government Operations, for the New Jersey Department of Personnel. Prior to achieving her current position with the State of New Jersey, Ms. Stutesman held human resource positions in private industry and has over twelve years of experience working in local government in administration and in the court system.

Valerie is Past President of the New Jersey Chapter of the International Public Management Association for Human Resources (IPMA-HR). She has served as President twice for the New Jersey Chapter and currently holds a position on the Executive Board of the Eastern Region. Ms. Stutesman is also a member of the Princeton Chapter of the Society for Human Resource Management.

Valerie is a life long resident of the Jersey Shore and lives in Brick, New Jersey. She enjoys travel and cruising. Recently, she completed her second trip cross country. When not traveling, Valerie spends her leisure time enjoying the outdoors especially at the beach. She is a novice golfer and a NASCAR race enthusist. Since purchasing her own home, she has found her battery powered hand drill to be her new favorite toy for competing those simple home improvement projects.

Ms. Stutesman is a member of the VFW Ladies Auxilary and volunteers time to the Salvation Army. One of her proudest honors is being godmother to her cousin’s daughter Kelsi.

Chidren of God

During the month of September, Holy Trinity welcomed the following children into the Body of Christ through the Sacrament of Holy Baptism:

Brandon James Risko (Sept. 23)

Jessica Rose Mackown (Sept. 30)

Rest in Peace

Our prayers and thoughts are with the families who mourn the death of loved ones …

Mildred Pazienza, who passed away Sept. 4. Pastor Mary presided at a funeral for Mildred on Sept. 17 at Holy Trinity.

Eunice Flint, who passed away August 17. Pastor Mary presided at a graveside service for Eunice on Sept. 18 at Greenwood Cemetery.

Robert Olsen, who passed away Aug. 3. Pastor Mary presided at a memorial service for Bob on Sept. 22 at Holy Trinity.

Frederick “Fritz” Mueller, who passed away Friday, September 21. Pastor Mary presided at Fritz’s funeral at Holy Trinity and burial at Atlantic View Cemetery, Manasquan, on Sept. 25.

— PROPERTY –

Fall Cleaning About to Begin

Fall is here and property clean-ups begin in earnest. We usually rake leaves and other debris on the church grounds several times a year. We would like to cut down the scheduled cleanups and go to a less structured system.

Anyone who is interested in doing some raking or trimming around the church grounds on weekdays or early evenings should call Buzz at (732) 899-3490 or send an e-mail to Buzgoode@Verizon.net. I will try to coordinate your availability with that of other volunteers.

Thanks for your help! Let’s all pitch in to keep the church looking beautiful.

~~ Buzz Goode

Co-chairperson, Property Committee

Project Keeps Blanketeers in Stitches

The Holy Trinity Blanketeers will meet at 1 p.m. Monday, Oct. 22 in the room behind the kitchen to make blankets for Project Linus NJ.

Please join us if you like to knit, crochet, sew or quilt.

For more information, call Gloria Smith. Her telephone number is (732) 449-1942.

— W. E. L. C. A. –

Fall is a good time to join one of our women’s circles so you can help support our church and community projects for the year. Please consider joining one of the following Circles of WELCA (the Women of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America). It’s one hour a month of fun and fellowship!

Louise Circle will meet on Monday, Oct. 15 at 7 p. m. in church. They will be completing health kits. Call Circle Leader Ruth Walsh at (732) 528-7695.

Elisabeth Circle will meet on Monday, Oct. 15 at 11 a. m. in church. They will be completing health kits. Call Louise Moenke at (732) 899-6846 for information.

Circle of Hope will meet on Saturday, Oct. 13 at 9 a. m. at church. They will be planning projects for the year and completing health kits. To join, call Nancy Smarr at (732) 681-3369.

— WORSHIP AND MUSIC –

Notes from the Director of Music

The first event in the Holy Trinity Concert Series will be an organ concert at 4 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 30. The program will feature four organists from New Jersey: Holy Trinity’s own Ned Perwo, Larry Arnold, Diane Caruso and Shawn Condon, and will be followed by a reception in the Sunday School room behind the first floor kitchen. Bring a friend … and a dessert!

Children’s Choir will be starting during the first week of October. If you haven’t already signed up your child, please do so ASAP. Rehearsals will be at 4 p.m. Tuesday, Oct. 2 (grades 1 through 8) and at 4 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 3 (pre-K and Kindergarten). Questions? Please contact Ned Perwo.

A Lot Brewing

as Coffeehouse Christians Regroup

Coffeehouse Christians began about two years ago under the leadership of Pastor Leitzke. It is a ministry that brings church outside the church building and out into the community. This ministry has the potential of continuing, but we need you to help that happen.

We meet the third Tuesday of every month. The location for future meetings has not yet been determined. Look for more details in upcoming weekend worship bulletins.

At our July gathering, Pastor Leitzke introduced the group to "No Experience Necessary" a workbook put out by Augsburg

Fortress. The workbook is structured so that anyone can lead a bible study (and in our situation Coffeehouse Christians) with no experience. I led the August meeting and found this to be the case. As a group we read the scripture passage that coincided with the lesson. The leader then asked the group three questions. The beautiful part is that they are the same three questions for each individual lesson, and there are no right or wrong answers. The questions simply spark the group discussion.

The workbook includes other articles that can be read together. Sometimes they follow-up on topics we have been talking about and sometimes they lead us into the next chapter or verse of scripture.

Whoever leads the group will have to put in very little prep time. I simply read the scripture and articles and tried to have an answer for the first question so that I would be able to start the conversation. A limited number of workbooks are available in the church office. More can be ordered.

The Coffeehouse Christians ministry is not limited to members of Holy Trinity. Please join us and bring a friend. I promise it will prove to be fun as we share and learn together.

~~ Rebecca Parker

Chairperson, Worship and Music Committee

— MAIL BAG –

Dear Pastor Mary and all my special friends at Holy Trinity,

Thank you for the beautiful cards, messages and letters you sent me in Maine.

It was very kind and thoughtful of you and I am so grateful. May God bless you always.

The Lamplighter keeps me very current about my church. Thank you, Diane.

With a grateful and loving heart,

Emma F. Olsen

♥