FROM PASTOR RICK’S COMPUTER:
GOD? YES! RELIGION? NO/MAYBE/IF I HAVE TO…

Seen on an I-496 billboard: “Religion usually gets in the way of God.”    Bono

Though I am not certain what Bono means by “religion,” I agree. It is easy for the bureaucracy of religion to get more attention than our Lord. With respect to Bono, the idea is not original to him.  It is the experience of almost everyone who ever questions his faith.

It is the basis of most of history’s spiritual figures (e.g. Siddhartha Gautayama, Mohammed, Jesus). They each knew their God in a dynamic way and wanted to teach others to know God, too.[1] Yet, a new religion grew from each of them. And it is at the heart of Christianity's spiritual renewals, too (e.g. Luther and Calvin). Neither of these great Reformers wanted to start a schismatic church, yet new denominations formed around them.

What happened might be called institutionalism. It is inevitable for humans. It happens with every idea and experience that we want shared, whether religious or other. We want youth to learn to play football. We could just let them get onto the fields and pick teams. But we form leagues of teams and levels of skills. We set up organizations, structures and fundraising (e.g. GLAYFA). Voilà: organized sports. We want to preserve the Looking Glass River Watershed. We could let everyone do what they want about it. But we can do so much more when like-minded people band together. Voilà: a conservation organization. When we do the same with our experiences of God, it is organized religion.

There is no other way to pass on our knowledge, values, and heritage than through our institutions. Thus, organized religion is inevitable for humans. In this sense, it is God-intended.

There is the key. It is not the institutional church that is the problem. It is when the Church becomes more concerned with its budget, its buildings, etcetera, than its God-given mission.

We have a paradox then. We cannot have salvation proclaimed without the (institutional) Church so the Church must be promoted and preserved. (Thus, money, committees, time and energy.) Yet, only God saves through the gospel.

Our congregation is necessary. It needs to be loved, to grow in size, to utilize all our talents, to be supported with tithes and offerings. Yet we need to keep focused on our mission and vision for the Lord. Religion is a paradox. It is human necessity. Jesus knew this. So did Luther.

I love our church. I need members who love her and who serve and support her with joy. I also need member/prophets who remind me that we are to be about the “business” of proclaiming the gospel, salvation, and transformation of lives. Love it in its holiness and humanness. God wants to use us for his purposes in our homes and this community and the world.

AMONG OUR MEMBERS:

NEW MEMBERS

            Dick and Carol Van Gilder
            7507 Roxborough Lane
            Grand Ledge 48837
            627-4956

Dick and Carol have transferred from Christ Lutheran in Fairfield Glade Tennessee. Originally from the Lansing area, they retired to Tennessee after their marriage. Dick worked for GM. Carol was a legal secretary. Now they are golfers and ballroom dancers. They are part of the Golf League and Luther League II.

            Joni Henretty, Ian, Janet
            220 E. Jefferson Ave.
            Grand Ledge 48837

Joni grew up at Immanuel. She moved to Sunfield, where she was a member of the United Brethren Church. Joni teaches Life Skills at Beagle Middle School. Ian is 14. Janet is 11. They are currently in the process of adopting additional brothers and sisters into their family.

Welcome home to Immanuel to our newest sisters and brothers!

NEWS AND EVENTS:

LUTHER LEAGUE II (for Seniors)

Our August meeting will be on Monday, August 14th at 12:00 noon at Cuginos.  Officer Spagnuola (GLPD) will give a talk about “Identity Theft”

ROOF REPAIR UPDATE
Uniform Bids

$592 was given by members during June bringing the total in the fund to $11,134. Our goal is $17,000 - $20,000. Bids have been prepared that will be uniform for all contractors. Those who bid before are being contacted again by Dave Kuntzsch (627-5568).

RESETTLEMENT

Hurricane Katrina hit over Labor Day 2005. September will be one year that the Showers/Clark family will have been with us. Our original agreement with them was for one year. In preparation for their one-year anniversary, we are meeting to evaluate our progress and our future formal relationship with them and the parsonage. As always, please include them socially and pray for their success.

CYVA TRAINING

Watch for CYVA training sessions coming in September & October.

CELL PHONE vs. BIBLE

	I wonder what would happen if we treated our Bible like we treat our cell phones? What if we carried it around in our purses or pockets? What if we turned back to go get it if we forgot it? What if we flipped through it several times a day? What if we used it to receive messages from the text? What if we treated it like we couldn't live without it? What if we gave it to kids as gifts? What if we used it as we traveled? What if we used it in case of an emergency? What if we upgraded it to get the latest version? This is something to make you go...hmmm...where is my Bible? Oh, and one more thing. Unlike our cell phone, we don’t ever have to worry about our bible being disconnected because Jesus already paid the bill!

HEALTHY VEGETARIAN POTLUCK

Date?  August 6^th, 2006
When?  After the Outdoor Service
For:  EVERYBODY
Sponsored by:  Health Ministry Team

Do you remember the potluck from last year?  It was the healthiest potluck we have ever had here at Immanuel, and it was because of you.  We would like to do it again.  Please join us and bring a healthy dish to pass. 

Making Healthy Eating Choices

What can we do to make healthy choices?  We can do a lot!  We need to read the labels on food products and comparison shop.  Yes, this is more time consuming and it is more expensive (although if we cut our portion size down to what it should be, it really isn’t that expensive).  See the following suggestions:

-          Decrease the portion size

-          Eat more fresh fruits and vegetables

-          Have a vegetarian meal once or twice a week

-          Use canola and olive oil in your cooking (monounsaturated fat – good fat)

-          Increase the amount of whole grain in your diet

-          Limit the amount of meat (meat portion is limited to 6 ounces daily)

-          Choose low-fat products

I will share a moment with you.  Bill took some t-bone steaks out of the freezer that had been purchased prior to his surgery and looked at them and said “that’s bad, they’re really bad” (looking at the marbling in them).  We now buy only top sirloin steak.

Happy eating! 
Donna Gibbons, HMT

HEALING PRAYER MINISTRY

Our meeting had a rather furry looking guest, often called "Baby"  She was treated to a very warm welcome and many felt the need to touch her, indeed to pet her.

It turns out that, in order for me to attend the meeting, I had to bring my "baby", my little Apricot toy poodle who managed to twist out of a young friend's arms, fall and break both bones in her left leg.  This meant surgery at MSU Veterinary Clinic and a four page set of directions for her care.  It included my not leaving her alone when I leave the house and very stringent directions for her care.  The word "diligent" was used in explaining how important it was that I follow the directions.  We are truly bonded, she is getting rather spoiled and I'm rather tired.

Even with this little distraction we had an interesting meeting.  We continue to learn about different aspects of illnesses we meet up with, to better understand them and their effects.

Once again Doug Scoggins brought smiles to our faces and growls to our tummies as he invited us to his home for our August meeting. There will be a wonderful healthy meal prepared by Doug with all the food coming from his beautiful garden.  Cindy McCormick offered to bring corn on the cob. and there were other offers of "healthy" food.  It seems we all like our food and at Doug's we eat extremely well.

May you all have a restful and enjoyable summer.  Stop to hear the birds song, see and smell the flowers, enjoy the laughter of children and their hugs, delight in the family, your loved ones.

Joan Nolff, Healing Prayer Ministry

CELEBRATIONS:
AUGUST BIRTHDAYS

AUGUST ANNIVERSARIES

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