FROM PASTOR RICK’S COMPUTER:
WELCOME HOLY EASTER

Welcome, our highest holy day and the highest, most joyful season. It is known by a few names: Easter, Resurrection, the Paschal Feast. The Paschal Feast connects Easter with the Jewish Passover. The Bible wants us to see that Jesus’ death is a new covenant of freedom, like the older covenant through Moses was. And the Lamb’s blood that caused the Angel of Death to pass over the houses of the slaves is now Jesus’ blood of the new covenant. The Resurrection of our Lord highlights Jesus rising up from the grave and appearing to his disciples alive.  Easter is the most secular term. Easter simply means “Spring.” (So does the word “lent.”) It comes from Old English. (So does “lent.” Go figure!) Easter emphasizes the powerful, new life that “springs forth” because Jesus has conquered our sin and its consequence, death.  Easter has the best hymns. It is the time of greatest joy.

This year, we will celebrate God’s victory through Jesus’ violent death, and the precious gift of life in Christ no matter what. Our problems and fears will only drive us to grasp life more solidly, and express our joy more deeply. International fighting and fears?  We will celebrate with our sisters and brothers around the whole globe and in places of danger. Economic and domestic fears? We will stand on God’s promises more solidly. Personal and medical fears? We will Shout our “Amen!” to Christ louder and longer and together.

We are not the first generation to have to juxtapose the highest of joy with dangers and fears. It is repeatedly so in this sinful world: from the Christians in Rome’s catacombs to those under Communism to the Sudanese Christians yet today…to us in the U.S. and Iraq. With them all, we are people of life in Christ. We are the baptized family of God. We wear and bear the cross with pride. We will celebrate. And we will feast on the abundance of resurrection, life and hope.

This joyful Eastertide, away with sin and sorrow!
My love, the Crucified, has sprung to life this morrow.
Had Christ, who once was slain not burst his three-day prison,
Our faith had been in vain.
But now has Christ arisen, arisen, arisen.
But now has Christ arisen.

G. R. Woodward

AMONG OUR MEMBERS:

MARRIAGE

Lauren Rosier and Yvette Covert were united in Christ attended by their seven children and families on March 7. We celebrate this marriage between two members who God led together at Immanuel. And we pray for their growth as family in love and faith. (Their address and phone is under Rosier in the 2003 directory.)

SERVING OUR COUNTRY Joe Kelly, Ron Haskell & Gregory Mangione are on active duty with our military overseas.  Remember them and their families before God.

MEMBERS ON THE MOVE
New Addresses:

Bill Bush
Lutheran Heritage Village
5073 Willoughby Rd. Apt #17
Holt, Mi 48842

Steve & Carmen Karkau
604 Spring Street
Grand Ledge MI 48837

NEWS AND EVENTS:

HOLY WEEK SCHEDULE

Maundy Thursday – April 17
7:00 pm    The Lord’s Supper

Good Friday – April 18
1:00 pm    Scripture & Prayer Service at Trinity Episcopal Church, 201 E. Jefferson, G.L.
7:30 pm    Community Tenebrae at First Congregational, 210 W. Saginaw Hwy., G.L.

Holy Saturday – April 19
8:00 pm    The Vigil of Easter Baptisms, Eucharist

Easter Sunday – April 20
8:00 am    Early Worship Service
9:30 am    Continental Breakfast
10:30 am  Festival Worship Service

WEDNESDAY VESPERS ARE PRAYER TIMES
(continuing until Holy Week)

Corporate prayer is different from personal prayer. Corporate prayer is when the “body” comes together to pray as one before the Lord. We will pray Vespers each Wednesday at 7 p.m. Time will be made in the liturgy for meditating and for speaking personal prayers too. Each week there will be a monolog from the series “In Their Own Words.” A character from the Bible, presented by different members, will tell about their encounter with Jesus.      April 2: Herod: The Unconcerned Man  Luke 23:6-12      April 9:  The Renitent Thief: The Wasted Life  Luke 23:32-43 Our corporate prayers will include praying for peace and safety for our nation, and for a vision for our ministry.

A COMMUNITY CALL TO PRAYER & PEACE

Vespers Service will be held each Sunday, during the war, at 5:00 p.m. at St. Michael’s Chapel.  This service is open to the whole community and is led by the Grand Ledge Mutual Ministry Association.

IMMANUEL PROPERTY COMMITTEE UPDATE

Immanuel’s Property Committee meets monthly and keeps the church property in repair, and up-to-code with city guidelines.  Several future areas of concern include general repair and maintenance such as replacement of folding chairs, refinishing of pews, resurfacing of parking lot at 501 building, lawn care and landscaping, display of Sunday School quilt, providing more bulletin boards to increase avenues of communication, and developing a Property Committee “Vision Statement.”  New sign placed in entryway for Suggestion Box.  Need information call Tony Holland. Property Committee members are Tony Holland (chairman), Greg Osburn (council rep.), Heath Buckley (council rep.), Ernie Zakrajsek, Fred Gehlhaar, Russ Riggs, Mike Jussila, and Ernie Nostrant.

IMMANUEL'S KITCHEN COMMITTEE
(sub-committee of the Property Committee)

The Kitchen Committee meets as required.  They set the policy of use of kitchen and replace/buy necessary kitchen items (dishes, dish clothes/towels, coffee maker, etc.).  Members wishing to use the kitchen facility are responsible for notifying the church office to be placed on the calendar, (except for AA and coffee hours) and are responsible for cleanup procedures.  We ask all food items be taken out of the kitchen after an event.  Need information contact Mary at 627-6972.  Kitchen Committee: Bev Becker, Nancy Zakrajsek, Mary Gehlhaar (kitchen coordinator)

ON WAR AND PEACE

Regarding war and peace, copies of our ELCA Statement by the same name are in the entryway.  Mark Hanson, our Presiding Bishop, has asked us to refer to it as we work for our nation’s peace and security.

DUFFEL BAGS FOR FOSTER KIDS

Sometimes foster children need to leave their homes in a hurry with only a few personal items in a garbage bag. ACTION for LSSM is hoping to provide cloth duffel bags that they can keep.

We will have a collection at church on April 6 for these items to go into the bags. Anything you can give will help! 

Items needed include (full size hygiene items are better than sample size): toothpaste, toothbrush, shampoo, bar soap, deodorant, combs & brushes, washcloths, barrettes, hairbands, tissue and other needs such as new socks, new underwear, sweats, T-shirts, stuffed animals, books school supplies, diapers. If you would like to sew some duffel bags, we can get you the directions.

Thank you from your ACTION for LSSM reps
Eileen LaCombe, Barb Roush & Kitty Whitney.

DEAD SEA SCROLLS

Join us on a bus tour to see the Dead Sea Scrolls at The Van Andel Museum in Grand Rapids

For more information call Joyce Oswill 627-6839. All Welcome!  Sponsored by Luther League II.

RELAY FOR LIFE

Immanuel will be participating in the Relay for Life again this year.  We need many hands to help us exceed our donations from last year ($1,300).

FRIENDSHIP CLUB

The Friendship Club is planning a PROGRESSIVE DINNER & YANKEE SWAP for April 26, 2003 from 5:30-9:00 p.m.  A sign-up board will be in the church lobby.  We need hosts for the following courses: Hors D’oeuvres, Salad, Entrée and Dessert.  (We will have no more than eight at each entrée location.)  Everyone will meet together at the end of the evening for Dessert and an old-fashioned Yankee Swap.  What’s a Yankee Swap you say??  Everyone brings a wrapped gift (something around your house you don’t want – it can be something nice or a gag gift).   Each person receives a number.  Person with #1 chooses from the gift table first.  Person #2 can take a gift from the table or take the gift #1 has chosen, and so on.  Join us for a fun evening!  Questions – call Marlaine or Jim Teahan at 627-5637 or Lynn or Steve Colby at 627-3438. 
 

DINNER THEATER COMES TO IMMANUEL

Howdy pardners!

Mark your calendars for May 17^th for a fun filled family evening of dinner and a show with a Western theme. Watch for more details to come, ya’ll. The cowboys and cowgals of Immanuel’s Worship committee will sponsor this event.
 

HEY, LUGNUTS FANS! 

Outreach has scheduled another Lugnuts night at Oldsmobile Park for Saturday, June 21, 2003 at 7:05 P.M.  We have 25 tickets at $7.50 each on reserve that must be paid for by Sunday, May 4. If you are interested in either or both of these, call Orv Erickson at 645-2865 or e-mail him at oerickson@AOL.com.  GO NUTS!!!
 

ALMSGIVING:
Redeemer Church and Boergers in Solomon Islands

The Church Council approved the Stewardship Committee recommendation that the following receive our Lenten special gifts:

1)      The Bishop’s Fund for Redeemer Lutheran, Lansing. The synod has taken on repaying the mortgage for Redeemer. They had to borrow $150,000 to replace their roof and boiler last year. The bishop has asked us, the Synod's congregations, to unite in paying this debt. Redeemer is an inter-racial congregation on Holmes Rd.
 

2)      John and Brenda Boerger, Missionaries to the Solomon Islands. They serve with the Anglican Church under Wycliffe Bible Translators. Many have become believers, become literate, and been able to worship and read Scriptures in their own language under the work of Brenda and John. They have preserved an island language and made it a written language in the service of the gospel. Life is tenuous at best. The political situation is volatile; personal safety is minimal; the economy is in shambles; travel is very difficult; daily necessities cannot be taken for granted. These servants need all their help from the outside (people like us) in order to be servants to their people, and not “takers.” The Boerger’s are in their 3^rd and final tour. They are the son and daughter-in-law of Pr. John and Fay, and the brother, etc. of Jeannie Boerger-Dixon.

If these designations are not to your liking for Lent, please choose your own charity.
 

HEALTH NOTES

Did you know …

            1 in 5 children is overweight
            Obesity has tripled since the 1960’s
            70% of obese teens will be obese adults

Why …

            Genetics
            Lack of physical activity
            Unhealthy eating patterns/lifestyles

We can’t control genetics, but we can improve on our lifestyle and choices we make because we are aware of our genetic predisposition.

Our society has become sedentary.  Television, computer, and video games have become primary childhood leisure activities.  The average American child spends approximately 24 hours each week watching television.  A recent study quoted that each additional hour of TV watched per week, increases the risk of obesity by 2%.

We have developed poor eating habits.  We eat fast food, children are required to prepare many of their own meals/snacks, we have chaotic eating schedules, and we make bad food choices.

What does this do to our children …

1. Given the statistic that 70% of obese teens become obese adults, these children are at risk for lifelong health problems that could possibly include heart disease, type 2 diabetes, high blood pressure, some forms of cancer and orthopedic problems.

2. Obesity can decrease our child’s self esteem and cause isolation and/or social discrimination.

What can we do …

• Be a good role model for your children!  We learn by example.

• Try not to make your child feel different if he or she is overweight, but focus on gradually changing your family’s activities and eating habits.

• Be physically active.  It is recommended that Americans accumulate at least 30 minutes (adults) or 60 minutes (children) of moderate physical activity most days of the week.  Greater amounts may be necessary for weight loss.

• Encourage activities such as walking, cycling, swimming, dancing, skiing, skating, basketball, and soccer.  Water based activities are often more suitable for the obese child.

• Plan family activities that provide everyone with exercise and enjoyment.

• Turn OFF the television, computer, and video games.  Put daily time limits on these activities.

• Encourage eating healthy foods.  Follow the dietary guidelines for healthy eating at www.health.gov/dietaryguidelines

• Don’t use food as a reward or withhold it as punishment.  Don’t require your child to “clean” their plate.

• Replace junk food with healthy choices.

Any weight management program should be supervised by a physician.

The best management of juvenile obesity is prevention!!! So, turn off the T.V., grab a carrot and some water, and we’ll meet you at the park!

YOUTH NEWS:

VACATION BIBLE SCHOOL

Vacation Bible School July 28 –August 1 9:00 a.m. – 12:00 noon For children ages 4 – completed 5th grade. Registration & volunteer forms available in the entryway of the church.

NOTES:

THANKS

A BIG thank you to the person who gave me the NIV Study Bible.  It is so comforting to have a thoughtful and generous friend like you. 

Thanks again,

FROM THE COUNCIL PRESIDENT'S DESK:

What a wonderful time of the year this is! When we as Christians celebrate the Easter season, remembering the sacrifice our Lord gave for us, and the wonderful joy which we receive from the new life He showed all of us three days after His great sacrifice. We have been given a gift of new life for all and an opportunity to share the Good News of our Lord’s resurrection with all people.

Spring is coming soon to remind all of us of the new life all around us. In the flowers, trees, and the birds we begin to hear each morning this time of the year. I hope we take all of these things and let them remind us of the new life Jesus has given to us.

Here in our church it is springtime also. There are many new things happening here, and things changing which can help us to spread the Good News that Jesus gave to us. The Bridgebuilder’s report was accepted at the Congregational Meeting of 3/9/03. Our Council and members of the congregation are working full steam to address the issues in this report. There will be a number of new and improved things happening here because of this, and it is my hope and prayer that we can all work together to accomplish what God has given us to do. We will be seeing a number of things designed to help communicate what is happening in the Church to all of the members. Watch in the entrance and the Narthex for some new ways to keep up with things. We are working very hard on establishing what the vision of Immanuel Lutheran will be. The group working on this is a very dedicated group and will welcome your comments, suggestions, and especially your prayers as they work on this. There are some very exciting ideas for the Youth of the Congregation also. We hope to see some new and improved programs for them. Also some new ways for interaction between our youth and adult members.

I would ask all the members of Immanuel Lutheran to come together and unite behind the idea of spreading God’s word. Also I ask all of you to pray for our Council, Leaders, Pr. Rick and each other as we embark on a path to bring our congregation together, and to Gather people to faith in Christ Jesus, Prepare believers to live their faith daily, and Serve Christ in Home, Church and the World.

A PRAYER FOR PEACE:

Almighty and merciful God, Father of all, Creator and Ruler of the Universe, Lord of History Whose designs are inscrutable, Whose glory is without blemish, Whose compassion for our errors is inexhaustible, in Your will is our peace.

Mercifully hear this prayer which rises to You from the tumult and desperation of a world in which You are forgotten, in which Your name is not invoked, Your laws are derided, Your presence is ignored.

Because we do not know You, we have no peace.

Help us to be masters of the weapons that threaten to master us.  Help us to use our science for peace and plenty, not for war and destruction.  Show us how to use nuclear power to bless our children’s children, not to blight them.

Resolve our inner contradictions that now grow beyond belief and beyond bearing.  They are at once a torment and a blessing: for if You had not left us the light of conscience, we would not have to endure them.  Teach us to be long-suffering in anguish and insecurity.  Teach us to wait and trust.  Grant light, grant strength and patience to all who work for peace.

Grant us prudence in proportion to our power, Wisdom in proportion to our science and Humanness in proportion to our wealth and might.  Bless our earnest will to help all races and people to travel in friendship along the road to justice, liberty, and lasting peace.

Grant us above all to see that our ways are not necessarily Your ways, that we cannot fully penetrate the mystery of Your designs and that the very storm of power now raging on this earth reveals Your hidden will and Your inscrutable decision.  Grant us to see Your face in the lightning of this cosmic storm.

O God of holiness, merciful to all.  Grant us to seek peace where it is truly found.

In Your will, O God, is our peace!

Amen

(from a prayer read by Thomas Merton in the House of Representatives on April 12, 1962, Wednesday in Holy Week)

CELEBRATIONS:
APRIL BIRTHDAYS

APRIL ANNIVERSARIES

Home | Staff | Council | Ministries | Happenings | Youth | Worship | Links

© 1999- Immanuel Lutheran Church, Grand Ledge, Michigan
All Rights Reserved
We value your feedback.  Please forward comments to webmaster@immanuel-gl.org