War and peace are weighing on my mind. Jesus told us, “Peace I leave with you. My peace I give to you. I do not give as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.” (John 14:27) Jesus means that through his cross, he gives us a wholeness that encompasses us with God and each other. Only Jesus can actually do this. He means the “world” can only offer a wish or a hope for peace.

By a war, the best we can achieve is a temporary period during which there is less hostility and more safety. This is good. But to get there people have to die and a nation’s infrastructure has to be demolished. Sometimes we have to do this. Freedom is won only by struggle and blood, and must be defended. (Even Jesus shed his blood to free us from sin.)

As I write these words, the News reports that our service personnel are being sent to the Middle East in numbers to build up to a quarter of a million. It is looking strongly like we will be going to war with Iraq. Now is the time to pray fervently for peace and for the heart of Saddam Hussein to change.

We have members, children and grandchildren of members in the armed forces. I support them. They serve in the mission of peace and safety for our nation. Pray for them.

We already are fighting to destroy al Qaida (Osama bin Laden) because they attacked our nation with malice and cowardice. This is self-defense. Many nations are working together on this just war. Pray for those doing this necessary mission.

This is real. These are dangerous times. People really desire to hurt us, to bring us down, or to teach us a lesson. How can we not be afraid for those we know in the armed forces, and for their families? How can our hearts not be troubled in this world? How? There is but one way: trust. “Do not let your hearts be troubled. Trust in God; trust also in me.” (John 14:1) We are covered over with Christ’s grace. We are preserved in peace.

Is this a time for war? Pray for the heart and mind of our President. Pray for peace.

O God, from whom all holy desires and all good counsels do proceed. Grant unto, thy servants, that peace which the world cannot give that our hearts will be set on obeying thy commandments; and also that we, being defended from the fear of our enemies, may pass our time in peace and quietness through the merits of Jesus Christ, thy Son, our Lord. Amen.

Congratulations to James Henrie and Tammi Pingel. They were married at Immanuel on January 25^th. Both are serving in the U. S. Navy and will be starting their married life separated due to differing assignments during this time of war in the Middle East.

May their promises to each in Christ and God’s to them carry them through to growth in their home.

We received new members from God by transfer and affirmation of faith on Sunday, January 26th

Carl and Mary Ballard
6145 Lerner Way
Lansing, MI
882-7004
Carl and Mary have returned to Immanuel. Carl works for the Court of Appeals. Mary is currently doing flower arranging and acting as a marriage consultant. Both have been through the Lay Missionary Training Program of our synod. They are leading a home Bible Study for couples.

Bruce and Esther Butler
Martin
Mulliken, MI
The Butlers have been a part of our congregation for some time, coming from Emanuel First (our parent congregation). Bruce works for GM testing. Esther is a homemaker with a library science background. Martin is in 1st.

Jackie Lawson
Royston Rd.
Grand Ledge 48837
627-9416
Jackie has moved back to the area from California. She is a travel agent who currently is taking care of an elderly woman. Jackie is a member of the choir. She is also active in Cursillo/Via de Cristo (a spiritual renewal ministry) and would like to help others discover this personal relationship with Christ.

Tom and Elaine Mattson
729 Fieldview
Grand Ledge, MI 48837
627-9670
Tom and Elaine have retired to Grand Ledge. They join us from Grace Church in Lansing. Tom was a school principal for the Lansing Public Schools. Elaine worked for Auto Owners. They have two married daughters and a number of grandchildren.

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 4th. We can also have a Lugnuts T-shirt with Immanuel Lutheran printed on the front for $8.50 per shirt with a minimum order of 20 shirts (you do not have to go to the game to order a T-shirt). If you are interested in either or both of these, call Orv Erickson at 645-2865 or e-mail him at oerickson@AOL.com and let him know how many tickets and/or T-shirts you would like.

LUTHER LEAGUE II

Our February meeting will be a potluck February 10 at Warren Diebold’s Home, 316 W. Jefferson, G.L. Bring a dish to pass. Call Joyce Oswill (627-6839) for a ride or with questions. Come and have a good time!

ATTENTION HOME SCHOOLERS
(and others)

Did you know that ...

... Immanuel member, William Gibbons, owns and operates the Teaching & Sharing Center on Bridge Street in Grand Ledge?

... The Center has a Lending Library from which materials can be borrowed at no cost?

... The Lending Library has within its collection, videos from the Moody Institute Of Science (the Moody Bible people) where your children can hear and see science and God being related to one another?

It’s true. These, and many other Christ-centered videos and books can be found there.

Now you know!

The Center is open most afternoons and by appointment.

Address: 417 S Bridge St
Phone and Fax : 627-7366
Website: www.wsharing.com
E-mail: wsharing@hotmail.com

February is Heart Month, a time to focus on having healthy hearts and making any changes necessary to improve the health of our hearts. We can think of our hearts in two ways: as an essential organ that pumps blood to our entire body; and as the place where our spirit resides. A complete heart check-up needs to include questions about both. Here are some questions to consider.

If your heart needs a medical check-up, see your doctor. The prescription is simple, although the actions may be VERY difficult: eat well, exercise regularly, maintain normal weight and minimize stress. Good health is God's will for us, but attaining it is our choice and our responsibility.

If the heart embodies your spirit, your love, the very essence of you, how do you know what is in your heart? Henri Nouwen suggests that understanding the way of the heart is through prayer, silence and solitude. We must stop, listen and be prayerful in order to know our hearts. Jesus said: "For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also." (Matthew 6:21) What do we treasure?:

If you wonder if your heart needs a spiritual check-up, check in with God. Pray. See a pastor, seek a friend, talk to your family. The method for measuring our hearts and our love is quite simple. We can find the prescription in Jesus' words. He said, You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your strength, and with all your mind and your neighbor as yourself. (Luke 10:27).

Think about life with a healthy heart, both physically and spiritually. Think about the possibilities. They are beyond belief.

I have just heard a few words (rumblings?) that have worried me. For example, I heard people “having words” about the Christmas tree right outside of the sanctuary. Some people disagreed with the kind of tree it should be. I heard them telling other people all about it. Reminds me back of the good ol’ days when the minutemen were all being roused to fight-secret talks and whispers, having an enemy. Life in the Old North Church was disturbing back then.

Then, a couple weeks later I heard two more encounters. The one was very, very upsetting: two parents were talking about something going on in the church and the one parent who was upset was not going to the person who had offended him to understand the situation. My goodness, just recalling it makes those butterflies in my stomach twitch.

I just know that you folks are trying to move forward as a whole. I’ve been around a long time and, please forgive me for coming on a little strong but you know, I’m quite old and have seen a lot in this world, people normally try to speak the truth to the people they should be speaking to. They shouldn’t be speaking “truth” (by now it’s called gossip and back-biting) to others to rouse them to action. They should try to be open and honest with each other. After all, God knows all of our motives for doing things. No amount of bridge building groups will solve problems where people act from impure motives or stir up trouble by back-biting.

Folks, please help me. I like to live here. I eat very little, and I am most quiet when you need me to be. But all this back-biting and gossip is causing my stomach to act up. If you all love God and care about each other, please act like it. (Selfishly, I don’t want to “hit the road” again.

Bruce and Esther Butler Martin Mulliken, MI The Butlers have been a part of our congregation for some time, coming from Emanuel First (our parent congregation). Bruce works for GM testing. Esther is a homemaker with a library science background. Martin is in 1st.

Bruce and Esther Butler
Martin
Mulliken, MI
The Butlers have been a part of our congregation for some time, coming from Emanuel First (our parent congregation). Bruce works for GM testing. Esther is a homemaker with a library science background. Martin is in 1st.