Nava Jeeyan
Pr. Fernando describes a followup to an earlier reported beginning of a multi-cultural South Asian Church, and the plans to continue expanding this congregation further. The church is named "Nava Jeeyan" - which means "New Life." Currently the church is sharing space in Christ the King Lutheran Church in Kendall Park. Bible Studies are being offered, and the church has begun to receive non-Christian friends. The congregation is beginning to grow slowly but steadily. Pr. Fernando and a Parishioner of the church. Mr. Devakadaksham, share experiences. Hear the touching story of a 4 year old girl, afraid for her father about to undergo surgery, who went about singing a song she had learned in church which said "Do not fear, do not fear." There are questions from the audience about Christianity in different Asian groups, its use of the English language, the introduction of Indian Music and dance, and other interesting facts.
Presenters: The Pr. Edwin Fernando Arumanayagam, Mission Developer; and Mr. Devakadaksham

Modern Art and the Church
The Church has been reluctant to embrace Modern Art forms for the decoration of its worship space because of the secularization of art and artists in the “Age of Reason.”  Dr. Froehlich describes an experiment to integrate Modern Art into a church building which Fr. Devémy, a former patient and later the local priest of a Sanatorium community at Plateau d’Assy high in the French Alps, planned in the 1930s.  Together with Fr. Couturier, a Domican friar, he asked eminent artists such as Fernand Léger, Georges Rouault, Paul Bonnard, Henri Matisse, and Marc Chagall to contribute original art works.  The result was surprising.  The decoration of the finished church shows how Modern Art can indeed become the vehicle of the Gospel, and how the confrontation with the Christian faith can in turn be a spiritual challenge for modern artists.
Presenter: Dr. Karlfried Froehlich, Princeton Theological Seminary, Lecturer in Theology and Communication

Conversation Cafe with Nancy Kieling
Hear the results of the recent West Windsor/Plainsboro conversations where citizens talked about how to add meaning to their lives and build relationships.
Presenter: Nancy Kieling, President and Executive Director of the Princeton Area Community Foundation

Note: With apologies, but be advised that because of technical difficulties, the recording quality is limited.

Emergency Preparedness
What you can do to be prepared in the event of a natural or manmade disaster. Also learn ways to give back to your community by volunteering with the ARC.
Presenter: Carol Chang, Senior Program Director; and Marv Goodman, American Red Cross Volunteer

Note: With apologies to the presenters, but increasing technical difficulties made this very useful topic unable to be adequately reproduced. It is expected that the problem will be solved in time for our next Forum.

Life with Autism
A description of the outreach efforts of "Autism Speaks," an organization that connect families with information, resources and opportunities in the greater Princeton area. An introduction which includes the resources available on the Website of the organization.
Presenter: Joan New, Staff Member of "Autism Speaks", Princeton, NJ

Crisis Ministry of Princeton and Trenton
Consider how you can get involved in the amazing story of a Food Program that assists an average of 1300 Trenton households and 90 Princeton area households each month.
Presenter: Rev Jarrett Kerbel, Exec. Director

Youthworks Mission Trip
The ministry and outreach efforts of the youth and adults who traveled to Lynn, MA earlier this summer to participate in a week-long, life-changing mission trip.
Presenters: Lynn Lewis, Sharlene Favre and Community Youth Participants

History of the New Testament
How did the New Testament as we know it come together? Why some writings are considered sacred while others were excluded.
Presenter: Josh Scott, student at Princeton Theological Seminary

Jesus, Justice and Jazz
A discussion about the fun, service projects and worship that filled the five days of the 36,000 participants in the ELCA National Youth Gathering in New Orleans this summer. Several of the Youth, who attended, give their impressions of what they found especially memorable or moving during their week of Service Projects; Persons they met; Worship Experiences; or the wonderful time of socializing with other young Lutheran students from throughout the country.
(Omitted from this presentation were several videos presented at the Gathering that were shown during the Forum.)
Presenters: Greg Nowak, Janis Haddock and Prince of Peace youth participants

There are 6 sermons about:
Praying, Worshipping, Studying, Serving, Tithing and Inviting
They offer an Overview and Keys for sucessfully Living a Life of Growth Serving God in Jesus' Name.

09/21/08  #1 Sermon followed by the Hymn of the Day
Prayer - First in a Series on How we Connect, Grow, and Serve in Jesus’ Name
Pastor Paul Lutz is the preacher - Added 10/13/08

09/28/08  #2 Sermon
Worship - Second in a Series on How we Connect, Grow, and Serve in Jesus’ Name.
Pastor Paul Lutz is the preacher - Added 10/20/08

10/05/08  #3 Sermon
STUDY - Third in a Series on How we Connect, Grow, and Serve in Jesus’ Name.
Pastor Paul Lutz is the preacher - Added 10/27/08

10/12/08  #4 Sermon
TITHING - Fourth in a Series on How we Connect, Grow, and Serve in Jesus’ Name
Pastor Paul Lutz is the preacher - Added 11/02/08

10/19/08  #5 Sermon
Serving - Fifth in a Series on How we Connect, Grow, and Serve in Jesus’ Name. Sermon includes a "Telling" of the Gospel,
from Matthew 22: 1-14
Pastor Paul Lutz is the preacher - Added 11/09/08

Nava Jeeyan
Pr. Fernando describes the development of a multi-cultural South Asian Church, and the challenges it presents. The new church is named "Nava Jeeyan" - which means "New Life." It refers to the New Life that Jesus has given us all, but also alludes to the integration of imimigrants from Asian Cultures into American Society. Pr. Fernando and a Parishioner of the church share experiences; songs that Pr. Fernando has written; along with a Power Point Presentation of pictures from both India and from the New Church. Both Pastor and Mr. Devakadaksham respond to questions from the audience about Christianity in different Asian groups, its numbers, acceptance and other interesting facts. Presenters: The Rev. Edwin Fernando, Mission Developer, and Mr. Devakadaksham

Single Gender Education
There are many differences between how girls and boys learn - a very complex set of effects that are present in gender differences. Dr. Kalkus develops insights into what stimulates girls and boys to learn; with what difficult things each must contend, and often must approach differently. Is there such a thing as gender interests, or are they one and the same - though expressed differently? What differences are there in what motivates girls and what motivates boys? Presenter: Olen Kalkus, Headmaster, Princeton Academy

Campus Ministry
Explore the variety of stresses, opportunities and challenges facing college students today, as well as ways congregations might minister to students during this critical time in their lives.
Presenter: Dana Dreibelbis, Campus Ministry Team Leader.

Gang Awareness
Learn about gangs, internet safety, parental rights, controls, and the disturbing statistics. What is a Youth Gang? What is Gang Graffiti? Why do youn people join gangs? Why we should be concerned and what can parents do? Presenters: Mercer County Sheriff Kevin C. Larkin, and his Gang Intelligence Unit - Investigators Robert Gioscio and Charles Werts.

Why do we do that? Christian Worship
The Prince of Peace Worship Staff and Ministry Team look at the rich history and variations in Worship, in Prayers and in Hymnology that have occurred over the years. The new Evangelical Lutheran Worship Book was used to demonstrate different Worship Services, Prayers, and Responses the Lutheran Church has used in the past, and alternatives it has developed for future use. Presenters: Julie and Jason Lillis, and Christin Barnhardt

Describing God - He? She? It?
A discussion about the pros and cons of using gender-neutral or gender-inclusive language for God.
Presenter: Julie Lillis, M. Div.

Mission Trip to Canada
A series of stories from those involved in a week's adventure of Serving with homeless shelters, food banks, St. Jude's and senior centers.
Presenter: Lynn Lewis Denker, Stuart Corby and the Youth from the Mission Trip

End Homelessness - What can You do?
Learn about the causes of Homelessness, and what is being done in our community to try and eliminate it as soon as possible. What are the solutions? What agencies are trying to make a difference? How can one voluteer to help?
Presenter: Tarry Truitt, Mercer Alliance to End Homelessness

There are 5 sermons in Lent whose theme is: "Nuturing Faith."
They offer an Overview and 4 Keys for sucessfully traveling this Faith Journey.

02/10/08  #1 An Overview of this Lenten Theme entitled: Nuturing Faith in home and congregation begins this new Podcast series. During the sermon several of our congregation youth play the parts of "young people being interviewed" on what it is they believe about God, about Christianity, and what it is like to be a Lutheran.
Ann Rosendale, student seminarian, is the preacher - Added 2/11/08

02/17/08  #2 The First Key to Nuturing Faith entitled: Devotions. This sermon is about 'Devotions', the ways in which we can daily give a regular testimony to our faith. What are the techniques we can use to do this and find God in our lives everyday?
Mike Fabian, Home and Family Ministry Consultant, is the preacher - Added 2/17/08

02/24/08  #3 The Second Key to Nuturing Faith entitled: Caring Conversations. This sermon is based upon the caring conversation between Jesus and the Samaritan Woman at the Well which included an invitation filled with hope and compassion. Conversation is as much about listening as it is about talking. If we listen, even today, can we hear the conversation that God is trying to have with us? Can we hear the splash of water as Jesus washes our feet because He loves us?
Dana Dreibelbis is the preacher - Added 2/25/08

03/02/08  #4 The Third Key to Nuturing Faith entitled: Rituals and Traditions. Little Amy has her nighttime routines! But regardless of our age - we all have the need of rituals to reassure us that 'all is well.' Think about the practices and routines that we all have on a daily basis. Think about a tradition that exists in your family or workplace.
Pastor Paul Lutz is the preacher - Added 3/02/08

03/09/08  #5 The Fourth Key to Nuturing Faith entitled: Service. "Listen for God's Call to Service such as when St. Francis prayed - 'Make me an instrument of your Peace.' The human spirit is so resilient - and can respond to the call of 'How can we make a difference?' It is not only the 'Great Things' we can do that matters to God, but also the many small things we able to do for others every day."
Gail Campbell is the preacher - Added 3/09/08

03/23/08  The Easter Sermon "I've got some good news, and I've got some bad news - which would you like to hear first? The Bad News is that Jesus Lives! For Jesus spent time - not with the wealthy or the privileged, but with the broken, the hungry and the poor. And as if that wasn't bad enough, He commanded His followers to do the same. This was, and can be even today, problematic for some people. And the Good News? It is the same: Jesus lives! This good news refers to the future, and reminds us that Jesus is still alive and active today. It reminds us that we are still in an ongoing relationship with Him."
Pastor Paul Lutz is the preacher - Added 3/24/08

Mission to the Gulf Coast from PoP Church

Lynn and Mark Denker, along with 16 others who were members of the PoP Church Mission Team to the Gulf Coast, present an inspiring account of their experiences. The team was in the Gulf Coast for 6 days. During this time, 12 worked with Camp Noah (an ELCA VBS program for children who are victims of Katrina or other natural disasters), and another 6 worked with Camp Coast Care, an organization founded by the Lutheran Episcopal Services in Mississippi dedicated to creating new housing for displaced persons who have lost their homes. They presented a program of slides (several are reproduced in the "Listen OnLine" page) and commentary about their trip; the camaraderie with those they met; and observed how much they themselves were changed by the experience. It was a mission that none of the participants will ever forget.

Mary Liz-Ivins "Empowering today's Parents "

Mary Liz-Ivins is the Principal of Notre Dame High School, Lawrenceville, NJ, and discusses the various pressures and concerns facing teenagers while in High School. Ms. Liz-Ivins examines how parents can stay connected and even aid in their child's learning to cope with the many social pressures of today's teenage society. How to keep a conversation going with your High School Student as well as sorting through the responsibilities for different levels of decisions which they - and their parents - must make every day are two of the topics explored. Current realities of school socialization, recreation, and the internet are explored and practical suggestions provided. (Introduction by Larry Klein, Prince of Peace Church Council Member)

Dana Dreibelbis "A Medical Mission in India"

While at Princeton University, Dana Dreibelbis was a Fellow in the Princeton-in-Asia Program. As part of his studies, he took an internship at the St. Luke's Hospital in Vengurla, India, where he has developed a lasting love and respect for this institution. He and his family took a recent trip to Vengurla to renew old acquaintenances and to understand the work of the hospital in 2007. His Forum reviews the Community at St. Luke's and its service to the community in which it resides. He raises the question as to what it might mean to build a relationship between us and these Christians ministering on India's western Coast. Through pictures and discussion, Dana Dreibelbis gives insights into the difficulties of giving adequate health care (especially in the areas of childbearing) in the less affluent communities a country of 1.3 billion people. At the same time he develops an inspiring picture of the dedication of Indian Christians ministering in love and compassion to their community.

Mike Fabian "Hollywood Jesus "

Home and Family Ministry Consultant, Mike Fabian, explores the images of Jesus that Hollywood - and Christian Art through the Centuries - has created for us. Often the image portrayed depicts an emphasis on some aspect of Jesus's life or ministry. Because there is no known actual drawing of Him, what ethnic characteristics have been used in creating these pictures, and are they accurate at least to the group they represent? What is the Shroud of Turin, and how have artists used it to attempt other recreations of our Lord's appearance. And then Hollywood, has had a varied offering, depicting a suffering Jesus, a triumphant Jesus or a Soft-spoken kindly person. Mike Fabian considers all these possibilities, and offers whatever factual information is available and stimulates us to think about what the real physicial appearance of our Lord might have been.

Al Cowell "Faith, Values, and Finances"

Albert Cowell, CLU, FIC, is a Financial Associate at Thrivent Financials for Lutherans. It is time to reflect on how your values are or are not reflected in your spending habits and financial decisions. Practical suggestion, resources and investments are explore that could help you better align your assets with your life values.

Mike Fabian "Who wrote the Bible?"

Home and Family Ministry Consultant and Biblical Historian, Mike Fabian, traces the information sources and time lines of the writers of the Bible. How did we get from the Oral Tradition to the printed Bible as we know it today? When didwritten language appear and how might that have influenced the sacred writings? Consider the asynchrony - in some cases - between our Faith Traditions and a lack of demonstrable support for a particular belief? In recent times there have been scientific advances which have been able to correlate the Bible with actual places - the science of Biblical Archaeology. And then there is the effect of different translations of the Bible on our understanding. Throughout it all, we feel the presence of the Holy Spirit guiding this most complicated complex process past the limitations of humankind.

Cindy Schwartz "Spiritual Direction - how it differs from therapy "

Dr. Cindy Schwartz is both a psychologist and a spritual director. In her forum, she explains how a prayer experience during a retreat in Tennesee opened the opportunity for her to embrace this new direction of ministry. Later she attended the San Francisco Theological Seminary where she received a diploma in the Art of Spiritual Direction. Dr. Schwartz explains how we are called to be involved in each others' lives in many different ways - through the traditions of our denomination; from a small group to which we might belong - perhaps a Bible Study group, and there are many others. Guidance can come from people to whom we are very close, and also from those whom we consult and who have been called to be Spiritual Directors. She emphasizes in her description that ultimately all guidance comes not from people, but from God. Those who guide are only helping us improve our own relationship and closeness to our Lord.