WHO WE ARE
Leading people to Christ through our example.
OUR MISSION
Celebrating over 200 years as a gathering place for all God’s people, Zion Evangelical Lutheran Church of Saddle River New Jersey honors its history and Lutheran heritage while leading people to Christ through worship, prayer, outreach, music, fellowship, God’s Word, and the administration of the Holy Sacraments.
OUR HISTORY
The cornerstone of Zion Evangelical Lutheran Church was placed on October 20, 1820. A bottle of wine, a loaf of bread, a bible and a hymn book were placed within the Church cornerstone. The building was dedicated October 14th, 1821.
Our People
Rev. Dr. Jisun Kwak
Pastor
Pastor Jisun is an ordained minister of the United Methodist Church, with which the Evangelical Lutheran Church of America has had a Full Communion Partnership since 1999. She has also served as District Superintendent in several geographic areas in New Jersey as well as being chosen to be a Clergy Delegate to the 2016 General Conference of the United Methodist Church. Pastor Jisun was born and raised in South Korea and after earning her Bachelor’s degree in theology and social work, she relocated to the United States where she continued her studies at Drew University, earning Masters of Divinity, M.Ph. in Religion and Society and Ph.D. in Religion and Psychology.
Susan LaFever
Music Director
Susan has been a collaborative pianist, vocal coach, and horn performer for over twenty years. Ms. LaFever received a Bachelor of Music Performance degree in Horn and Piano at Union College in Lincoln, NE and while earning her Master of Music in Horn Performance at the University of Nebraska was awarded a full teaching assistantship to serve as pianist in the vocal and instrumental studios.
Our Affiliation
Our Church is a congregation of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA.org) New Jersey Snyod (njsynod.org).
