Almost from its beginning, money has been a significant source of stress in people’s lives. Many of us experience at least one significant bout of financial distress in our lifetime. Sometimes financial distress occurs at significant times in our lives, such as …

• college graduation,
• marriage and starting a family,
• retirement
• death of a spouse, or entering long-term care.

We may also experience significant stress when we …

• do not have money to cover typical monthly bills;
• write checks without the resources to cover them;
• lose a job;
• experience a health crisis or disability.

 
If you feel that you are experiencing financial distress, I want to invite you to participate in a research study I am conducting this fall at St. Paul’s Lutheran Church as part of a Doctor of Ministry Program at New Brunswick Theological Seminary. The goal of this study is to help you develop ways alleviate your financial stress by setting goals, identifying spiritual and community resources available to you, building on strengths you and your family already posses, identifying obstacles and exploring ways overcome those roadblocks, and strengthening your relationship to God.
 
Participants in this study will agree to a total of five meetings: two interviews -- one at the beginning of the program and one at the end – and your choice of either three small-group or three one-on-one meetings. Each session will last no more than one-hour. You may participate in these meetings as an individual, as a couple or as a family.

Call me at the church office or e-mail me confidentially at PastorJim2006@icloud.com

Peace,
Pastor Krombholz

On Sunday, September 4, we counted down this community's favorite hymns (as voted on in worship throughout the month of August). In case you missed it, here are St. Paul's Top 6 favorite hymns in 2016.

6. The Church's One Foundation
5. On Eagle's Wings
4. A Mighty Fortress
3. Beautiful Savior
2. How Great Thou Art
1. Amazing Grace!

What's your favorite hymn and what makes that hymn so meaningful to you? Share your vote and your stories on our Facebook page or in the comment sections below.

On Sunday, September 11, the St. Paul's family will gather to serve people in our community, state and around the world, and we will celebrate God's mercy, love and forgiveness in Christ, the hope of the world.

At 9 a.m., we will gather in fellowship hall for a light breakfast and to assemble hygiene kits and welcome gifts for Lutheran World Relief and Lutheran Social Ministries of New Jersey. This is a perfect service project for children and parents to do together.

At 10 a.m., we gather for a back-to-school worship service with Holy Communion led by the St. Paul's band. As part of this service we will gather in prayer and blessing around students, teachers, administrators and support staff as our community begins another school year.

At the same time -- from 8 a.m. to 11 a.m. -- some of our members will be partnering with the Edison Elks to offer free breakfast for Edison's police officers, firefighters and EMS workers, as we remember the sacrifice of those who lost their life in the terror attacks of September 11, 2001, and thank God for the service of the men and women who guard and protect and care for our community.

This is a day of service and worship for our whole community, so invite your friends and neighbors to join you this week.