FROM PASTOR RICK’S COMPUTER:
IT'S EASTER!

I decided to visit church on the 2nd Sunday in Lent. I tried to be as quiet as a church mouse. Mostly I succeeded at this. I really enjoyed Pastor’s sermon on “The Road of Danger,” because it describes my life to a “T.”  I mean, the last time I visited church I tried to join choir practice. But some of the men tried to stomp out my life. I am happy to say they moved as slow as molasses! (And this at a church that says they try “To be a welcoming, spiritual community”!)

I thought the service was very nice. I noticed that at Immanuel, the people are loud before and after church and pretty quiet during the service when it comes to singing praises and praying! That is just the way a rodent like I am enjoys things.

After the service, I decided to visit the Sacristy. You see I didn’t go up to the rail for Communion, and I knew there would be “leftovers” stored there. I like to commune with God, too, ya’ know. Well, when I was finished with my little feast of victory, the LYO and parents were having a meeting about their mission trip. I tried not to disturb them. I sneaked ever so lightly along the wall.  But some young man spied me. I won’t say who it was, but he is the older brother to the girl who pointed me out at choir practice last month! I slipped around the corner and disappeared as quickly as a Lutheran trying to dodge a pledge drive.

However, I may well be back checking things out. I hope that when Easter arrives this year I won’t be the one in need of a physical resurrection.

The Sabbatical Team, which was formed in late 2006, has accomplished the following tasks:

• Addressed concerns about Pastor Rick’s absence from serving the congregation
   
• Communion will be celebrated the first, third and fifth Sundays and at every Thursday service during Pastor Rick’s Sabbatical as we have over the last years.
   
• The worship schedule, schedule for volunteers for children's church and children's sermons, has been completed.
   
• Host families for the visiting pastors have been identified.
   
• Supply pastors have been contacted and put in place for each of the services during pastor Rick’s Sabbatical.
   
• A complete listing of supply pastors, pastoral support, contact persons for personal needs will be posted on a large board in the entry way and also listed with the church administrator in the church office. This will be available for anyone of our congregation or those who require assistance.

Where is he going?  What will he be doing?

A Sabbatical offers Pastor Rick several opportunities to pursue many ways to receive benefits from the day-to-day pressures of his ministry.

• An opportunity to be renewed in mind, body and spirit.
• Travel, but it is not a vacation.
• Study and research.
• Volunteer in a different setting.
• Rest, relaxation, recreation.
• Extensive reading.

Sabbatical Reading List:

I have an extensive reading list for the 3 months I will be away from my church family. I will be reading in an area called “Family Systems Theory.”  Below are the titles and authors of the books I am buying for this summer. I hope to read them all, but we shall see.  I also remember that the last Harry Potter book is coming out in July, so I will have to work that in as well.

1. “The Eight Concepts of the Bowen Theory” by Roberta M. Gilbert
2. “Generation to Generation” by Edwin H. Friedman
3. “A Failure of Nerve” by Edwin H. Friedman
4. “Friedman’s Fables” by Edwin H. Friedman
5. “Healthy Congregations: A Systems Approach” by Peter L. Steinke
6. “How Your Church Family Works” by Peter L. Steinke
7. “Congregational Leadership in Anxious Times” by Peter L. Steinke

The authors listed are a psychologist, a rabbi and a Lutheran pastor. As I read, record my notes and  absorb the truths I am hopeful of becoming a more effective pastoral leader. 

Sabbatical Attendance and Participation:

I am counting on you NOT to stay away from attending services or tithing, just because I am away.  I hear comments occasionally, “When the cat’s away, the mice will play.” I would gently remind us again that worship is about receiving from and praising God, not the leader.  When God said, “Remember the Sabbath and keep it holy,” he didn’t add, “as long as your pastor is there leading the services.”

If you have other sabbatical questions, please ask the committee: Larry Kruth, Fred Roush, Denise Lund, Pat Anderson, and Melissa Goschka.

News in the May Newsletter will include:

LUTHERAN PRAYERS

According to Fr. Martin Luther in the Small Catechism, this is how we are to begin each day.  Before you get out of bed (or after a quick trip to the bathroom!) “make the sign of the cross and say:”

LUTHERAN MORNING PRAYER:

Under the care of God, the Father, Son and Holy Spirit. Amen

I give thanks to you, my heavenly Father, through Jesus Christ your dear Son,
that you have protected me through the night from all danger and harm,
and I ask that you would also protect me today from sin and every danger
so that my life and actions may please you. Into your hands commend my body and
soul and all that is mine. Let your holy angel be with me, so that the
wicked foe may have no power over me.  Amen.

Luther also suggests we “do whatever else may serve your devotion.” (For example: read a chapter in the Bible, Christ in our Home, pray for others.) Then, he says, “You are to go to your work joyfully.”  This is how “good Lutherans” start their day. And so we serve God joyfully.

OPPORTUNITIES TO SERVE:

IMMANUEL VISITATION TEAM

This ministry is looking for some additional members who could assist with visits to the homebound, visits to those hospitalized and giving communion to those people.  You are trained to pray with and minister to those in need.  This is an opportunity to serve those who cannot get out to go to church.

Can you answer yes to any of these spiritual gift questions?

• I am able to share words of encouragement with those who are struggling in life.
• I enjoy doing things to comfort people during sickness, times of problems or anxiety.
• I appreciate being called on to do things for other people.
• I am able to talk with and build up those who are having difficulties in life,
• whether they are in despair, sorrow or not sure of themselves.
• I enjoy helping and working with people.
• It is easy for me to talk to other people about life and/or spiritual matters.
• I am able to speak words of encouragement to those who are troubled, discouraged, or not sure of themselves.

If you answered YES to any of these spiritual gift questions and would like to join this team, please contact me.

 
Parish Nurse

IS PRAYER A GIFT OF YOURS?

• It is easy for me to talk to other people about life and/or spiritual matters.
• I am able to trust in the reliability of God when all else looks dim.
• I find myself praying when I could be doing other things.
• I often share words of comfort, cheer or encouragement with others.
• I regard prayer as one of my favorite spiritual experiences.
• I am able to share words of encouragement with those who are struggling in life.
• When I am asked to pray for others, I feel my prayers will have tangible results.
• I have enjoyed relating to a certain group of people over a long period of time sharing personally in their  successes and failures.
• I am able to talk with and build up those who are having difficulty in life whether they are in despair,  sorrow, or not sure of themselves.
• I take prayer request very seriously and pray until the answers come.

Can you relate to any or all of the spiritual gifts listed above? The Healing Prayer Ministry is looking for Healing Prayer Ministers who can share this gift with our congregation. Healing prayer is available following the first and second service and during communion at the second service. Healing Prayer Ministers are also available in the summer following both the midweek and Sunday services.

If this is an area of calling for you, Pastor Paul will be leading a six week Bible study course related to healing stories told in the Bible. The six week course titled "Body, Mind and Spirit" will begin on Sunday, April 15, 2007 at 9:15 AM and will run through Sunday, May 20. These sessions will be held in the Care Room at Immanuel. If you are interested in sharing your gift of prayer and compassion with this unique ministry, please contact Nicole Sullenberger at 627-6192, Donna Gibbons at 627-3462, or Pr. Paul Pretzlaff at 646-9354.

WHAT IS THE GOOD SAMARITAN FUND?

This program was developed several years ago to be a living expression of the Good Samaritan parable.  It allows our congregational members to request up to $100 to assist a non-member in need.  This is one of the ways we reach into our community to assist others.

Any member wishing to use this fund to provide help for someone in need can complete the form found in the entryway. It is then submitted to Denise in the church office.  She will contact one of the fund’s team members for approval.  If you are interested in serving on this team, please contact a member of the Serving Team.   

Serving Team

NOTES:

A great big ‘Thank you’ for all your prayers, visits, phone calls and cards during my recent surgery … but am coming along fine now … slow but sure – should be seeing everyone soon!

Love & big hugs,

Thank you to Pat Graeber and Barb Roush for painting the women’s bathroom. We truly appreciate all your hard work.

The Women of Immanuel

Thank you to the 33 members who gave me feedback regarding my pastoral leadership. A summary is available in the entryway. I will be reading each of the response forms and thinking about how to improve so that I can stay fresh and relevant for the congregation. We are certainly a congregation with diverse opinions, spiritual needs and preferences. I know He keeps changing me and my perspectives. I appreciate the opportunity to read your comments, and will do my best. God deserves nothing less for his grace.

FROM THE COUNCIL PRESIDENT'S DESK:

April showers bring May flowers…

It is a changing of the season, that time of year where things browned under the winter’s snow begins a new. A time of self reflection on what we plan to do this spring and summertime with the warmer & longer days. And a renewal and rebirth of sorts take place. It is in this season that the trees begin to bud, the grass gets greener, and the flowers begin to bloom that I am reminded of Gods grace by the little story of the caterpillar...

As a butterfly soared overhead, one caterpillar said to the other, "You'll never get me up in one of those things."

Yet for every caterpillar the time comes when the urge to eat and grow subsides and he instinctively begins to form a cocoon around himself. The cocoon hardens and you'd think for all the world that the caterpillar is dead.

But one spring morning the life inside the chrysalis begins to awaken, the top cracks open, and a beautifully-formed butterfly emerges. For hours it will stand stretching and drying its wings, moving them slowly up and down, up and down. And then, before you know it, the butterfly glides aloft, effortlessly riding the currents of the air, alighting on flower after gorgeous flower, as if to show off its vivid colors to the bright blossoms. .

Somehow, the miracle of the butterfly never loses its fascination for us. Perhaps because the butterfly is a living story of the promise of Jesus’ resurrection.

On Easter morning the disciples saw Jesus’ grave clothes lying in the tomb. Only the linen was there, and the savior was gone. Much like an empty chrysalis deserted by a butterfly that has left to soar free. "He is risen as He said," an angel told the disciples. Later that day he appeared to the disciples, and then, over the course of the next few weeks, to as many as five hundred people at one time. Even "Doubting Thomas" didn't doubt for long that Jesus had really risen from the dead.

It is that time of year where we all get the rebirth in the death and resurrection of our Lord and Savior.

He has risen, He has risen indeed.

In God’s peace,  

COUNCIL CORNER

Overview of the March Meeting

Council approved the appointment of following members to synod assembly:

Kira Ayoub & Carl Ballard.

Carl Ballard made a presentation on his candidacy for ordination in the ELCA.  He is requesting prayer and support from Immanuel Lutheran Church.  Synod is also asking for a recommendation from Immanuel on Carl’s behalf.  Some financial support from the Seminary fund, as we are able, can be provided.

Carl will interview on March 23^rd and will find out if he’s been approved by March 24^th for his candidacy into the program.   His training would begin in the fall of 2007.

The Church Council of Immanuel Lutheran Church of Grand Ledge, MI makes a recommendation and supports Carl Ballard in his candidacy for ordained ministry in the ELCA.          

UNANIMOUSLY APPROVED

A resolution was passed that Support Team approves usage of Church and 501 Building for members using the building for non-church activities.  Non-member/outside groups will still need Church Council approval for facility use. Support team sub committee is working on a facility use policy.

Serving Team requested:  Approve use of Church parking lot for a Junk in your Trunk (rummage sale) to be held April 29^th or May 5^th  to include Congregational, Methodist, and St. Michael’s Churches, proceeds going to Relay for Life.

FULL COUNCIL MINUTES CAN BE LOCATED ON THE IMMANUEL WEB PAGE OR ON THE CEDENZA LOCATED IN THE CHURCH ENTRYWAY ONCE THEY ARE APPROVED.

CELEBRATIONS:
APRIL BIRTHDAYS

APRIL ANNIVERSARIES

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