FROM PASTOR RICK’S COMPUTER:
HAVE YOU NOTICED?

Have you noticed the unifying theme in my sermons during Epiphany? I have been using the Marks of Discipleship that we teach. However, I have not been preaching about them in order. I have tied them to the readings appointed by the Lectionary.

In January I used #1: I will strive to grow spiritually with Luke 3; #4. I will strive to serve in ministry at Immanuel with John 2; #7 I will strive to tithe (10%) of my income with Luke 4.

In February, look forward to the other 4 Marks:

I like to preach sermons in series. I hope the lack of “advertising” this series has not diminished your anticipation of being in worship or your enjoyment of the sermons.

AMONG OUR MEMBERS:

BAPTISM

These folks began their life as children of God and members of the Body of Christ through baptism.

Matt and Barb Danes, Mary and Valerie
1103 Ledge Lane, Grand Ledge
Mary is in 3^rd grade. Valerie is 1 year-old. Sponsors are Jason & Laura Nemeth.

Jacob Scott Mangione, son of Greg and Mary Mangione, grandson of Karen and Bob Eichelberger. Sponsors are Stephen Frelly and Dawn Scott. This family is serving in the Air Force and came to Lansing so that their families could be with them as they brought their son to Christ.

AFFIRMATION OF FAITH

These folks joined us by reaffirming their faith in Christ among us.

Antoni Williams and Meri Messing
5646 Willow Hwy., G.L.
622-8944
Antoni and Meri are an engaged couple with a wedding planned for July 3^rd.

Karl and Cindy McCormick
12843 W. Greenfield, G.L.
627-2728
Karl runs a counseling agency for people with head injuries. Cindy is a full-time weaver.

We welcome these new brothers and sisters to Christ and to Immanuel. May they grow as they worship and serve with us.

NEWS AND EVENTS:

ASH WEDNESDAY

Lent begins with Ash Wednesday on February 25, 2004. It is a day of special devotion. We set time aside for

• repentance of our sins;

• remembering our mortal nature;

• resolving to return to the Lord God and change our lives as we prepare for the great Easter feast.

We will keep Ash Wednesday together with the members of Trinity Episcopal Church. We will have two services:

12:10 – 12:50 at Trinity Episcopal
next to the GL Library (across from City Hall).
Park in the City Lot behind the gas station.

7:00 p.m. at Immanuel
 

Time for repentance
Imposition of ashes and Holy Communion
will distributed be at both services.

All members – young and old – are called upon to attend a church service on Ash Wednesday, either at one of these or at a church and time that is more convenient to your schedule.

NOTE: Wednesday evening Lenten prayer services will be at 7:00 p.m. starting March 3^rd.

VISION UPDATE

The Vision Team wants to keep you informed of our progress. Our next step is to present our Vision Statement to the Church Council for discussion and approval. The Church Council will be on retreat Feb. 7^th. It will be a major item for their agenda.

When the Council adopts the statement, the wording will be set and the direction of our ministry will become firm for the foreseeable future.

We will then bring the Vision Statement to as many members as possible for discussion and understanding. We will present the concepts, uses and implications of where and how the Holy Spirit is leading us to grow at church and make an impact on our community.

We are very excited about seeing this work begin to come to fruition and take shape.

Fred Koos, Marlaine Teahan,
Donna Gibbons, Brit Riggs, Pastor Rick

ARTHRITIS MINI HEALTH FAIR

Mark your calendar for Sunday, February 22 during coffee hour.  Learn about arthritis and how to live well with this disease that affects millions of Americans.  Lots of helpful information, demonstrations, and activities.  Wear comfortable clothing!

Sponsored by the Health Ministry Team

"I WISH WE COULD JUST SIT DOWN AND TALK"

Have you ever said that to your spouse?  Do you wish you could take your “talk” to a deeper level of listening and understanding?  A Lutheran Marriage Encounter Weekend will help you to do just that.  The next Weekend is scheduled for February 20-22 at the Gull Lake Bible Conference Center near Battle Creek.  Additional weekends are set for April 23-25 in Southfield and again at Gull Lake on October 22-24.  For more information and registration forms, call 1-800-235-1010.

FEBRUARY 8, 2004 IS BOY SCOUT SUNDAY

Only a fraction of American boys will become Scouts, but three fourths of our male leaders in business, religion, and politics were scouts. Out of 100 Boy Scouts:

• 30 will drop out their first year
• 4 will become Eagle Scouts
• Rarely will one be brought before juvenile court
• 12 will have their first contact with a church
• 1 will enter the clergy
• 18 will develop hobbies that last through their adult life
• 5 will earn their church award
• 8 will enter a vocation that was learned through the merit badge system
• 1 will use his scouting skills to save a life
• 1 will use his scouting skills to save his own life
• 17 will be future scout volunteers

Please recognize our cub scouts, cub scout leaders, boy scouts, and boy scout leaders. They are members of a value-based organization that has been guiding the growth and development of boys since 1910. Immanuel's Youth Committee will be recognizing the Boy Scouts on Sunday, February 1.

LOST: NEEDS FINDING

We have a missing banner and need your help.  You may have noticed that we were short one banner at Christmas.  The banner has A Child is Born on it.  If you have any idea of its location, please call the church office.  It belongs to a set of six banners. 

BABY/TODDLER PHOTOS

We would love to have photos of all our Immanuel children, birth to 3 years old, displayed on the bulletin board in the basement.  But we can’t achieve this goal if you do not donate a picture of your children.  Please leave your children’s photos in the envelope provided on the bulletin board in the basement next to the elevator door.

Thank you!

Cradle Roll Coordinator

FELLOWSHIP DINNER

The Friendship Club is having a Dinner for Eight on February 7, 2004, 6:30 -- 9:30 p.m.  A Sign-up sheet is in the Church lobby.  This is a great way to make friends and get to know other church members.  Looking ahead…….we plan on a Family Game Night with a tentative March 6, 2004 date.  Call Jim and Marlaine Teahan at 627-5637 for further information.

LUTHER LEAGUE II

Our February meeting will be a Valentine's luncheon at House of Hsu February 9th at 12:00 noon.  If you have any questions call Joy, 627-7067 or Joyce, 627-6839.

SHROVE TUESDAY PANCAKE SUPPER

	When:	February 24th        5:00 ~ 7:00 p.m.
	Where:	Fellowship Hall
	What:	All-you-can-eat pancakes, potato pancakes and sausage
	How Much:	Adults:               $5.00 Children 5-10:     $3.50 4 & under:           Free

WANTED: DISCIPLES OF CHRIST

We are looking for various individuals seriously wanting to undertake a 40-day journey of intentional effort to grow in their awareness and abilities in a life given over to Jesus. Is it your sincere desire to hear? “The master was full of praise. ‘Well done, my good and faithful servant.’” (Matthew 25:21 New Living Translation) Come join us on a 40-day journey of purpose. The best-selling book “The Purpose Driven Life” by Rick Warren is divided into 40 short chapters intended to be read one chapter per day.  A perfect fit for a Lenten journey.  The Teaching & Sharing in Grand Ledge has generously offered to sell us, at the wholesale cost of $12, one copy of the book for each person committing to this journey.

It begins on Ash Wednesday.  Those participating will meet in small groups, once per week throughout Lent, to discuss the chapters read and how we apply them in our daily lives.  Meeting times will be in the morning, afternoon, and at the Wednesday evening service, so you will have ample opportunity to attend.  Come – catch the vision – grow in your relationship with your Creator.
 

r  Yes, I wish to join this journey of Disciples.  Please reserve a copy of the book of me.

r  Yes, I wish to join this journey of Disciples, but I cannot afford the $12 (sponsorship is available)

r  I would be willing to serve as a group facilitator.

Have you read the book before?    Yes     No    (Circle one)

A LOOK AT WHAT'S HAPPENING AT SUNDAY SCHOOL

Sunday school has taken on a new look.  As of January 11th, all Sunday School classes are attending an opening in the Fellowship Hall.  This opening begins at 9:15 a.m. and lasts approximately 10 minutes.  It gives the Sunday School classrooms the opportunity to worship together.  Included in this opening will be singing, a short introduction to the Bible story that day, and a closing prayer.  What a wonderful way to praise God as they learn about his Word.

February 15th will be "All Sunday School".  This means there will be Sunday School, but only one teacher will be teaching all students.  This is due to the four day weekend for Grand Ledge Public Schools. Our attendance is usually low this week.

Opportunities to Serve:

WHO HELPS WITH COMMUNION

As we all know, the Pastor and the Assisting Minister help with Communion.  Do you ever wonder how the other two are selected to help with distributing the wine?  Each committee takes turns a few times a year to help with communion. 

For various reasons, sometimes it poses a challenge for the committees to help with dispensing the wine.  We are looking for a few volunteers who would like to help out with communion.  We do not anticipate that the volunteers would be doing this on a regular basis.   Rather, you would act as a backup when committees need your help.

If you would like to serve in this capacity, please call the church office and let them know.  You will receive the training necessary to help with communion.

YOUTH NEWS:

SENIOR HIGH YOUTH MEETING

We will be holding an organizational meeting for parents and high schoolers on Sunday, February 8th from 4:00 to 6:00 p.m.  Appetizers and refreshments served.  Please come and help us plan activities for ‘04.

HEALTH MINISTRY NEWS:

TEEN OBESITY

Adult obesity in the past 20 years has risen at an epidemic rate.  Obesity among teens has risen just as fast.  In 1999, 14% of all adolescents were considered obese.  That is nearly triple the rate just 20 years ago.  To make matters worse, 70% of all obese teens become obese adults. The contributing factors to this are easy to recognize.  We are a society of fast food eaters.  Some fast food restaurants are now beginning to offer low-fat, low-carb fare.  In addition to poor eating, technology has made us sedentary.  We have TV, video games, elevators, and automobiles.  Instead of walking a few blocks to see friends or get a gallon of milk, we get in the car and drive those few blocks.  We watch TV while eating, play video games, take the elevator instead of the stairs.  We even have riding lawnmowers. The consequences of obesity in adolescence have implications for adulthood. 

Diabetes, heart disease, osteoarthritis, and even some cancers like prostate and colon have been linked to obesity.  The outlook for obesity is not all doom and gloom.  Obesity is one condition that can be reversed. 

Increasing one's physical activity can have an enormous positive effect not only on the control of one's weight but helping to reduce the chance of getting these diseases.  Activity does not mean working out in the gym.  It can be mowing the lawn with a push mower, playing basketball in the driveway, or going for a bike ride with friends.  As parents, we need to set a good example for our children.  We can teach them good eating habits when they are young.  We can limit them on their consumption of sugary snacks, soda pop, sport drinks, and even fruit juice.  Fruit juice can have as much sugar as a can of soda pop.  Instead, try to get your children to eat 5 servings of fruits and vegetables each day, drink plenty of water, and to start their day with a nutritional breakfast.  Breakfast jumpstarts their metabolism.  Metabolism is what burns calories.

Your child's doctor or even your own doctor can give you excellent nutritional guidelines for the whole family.

Health Ministry Team

HYPERTENSION (High Blood Pressure)

Hypertension is called the “silent killer”.  Frequently there are no symptoms with high blood pressure.  It is estimated that one-third of the 50 million Americans with it are unaware of their risk.  The risk is in the long-term damage that high blood pressure can cause to your heart, brain, kidneys and eyes.

High blood pressure becomes more common as we age.  More men have high blood pressure in young adulthood and middle age, but men and women are about equal between the ages of 55 to 64.  More women than men age 65 and older have high blood pressure.

Blood pressure is determined by the amount of blood your heart pumps and the resistance to blood flow in the arteries.  A typical “normal” blood pressure reading is 120/80 mm Hg (millimeters of mercury).  The top number is called systolic pressure and is the pressure your heart generates when pumping blood out through your arteries.  The bottom number is called diastolic pressure and is the amount of pressure in your arteries when your heart is at rest. 

Blood pressure varies during the day, it rises with activity and decreases with rest.  A diagnosis of high blood pressure is not made on a one-time reading but is monitored for a few (3 or more) readings.  The current recommended numbers for blood pressure is 135/85 and under.  Your doctor will determine when medication is needed. 

Factors that can tribute to the development of the disease include:

• heredity

• obesity

• excessive salt intake

• smoking

• aggressive, hyperactive personality

• stressful environment

What can you do to help yourself?  Life style changes is the best strategy.  They include:

• diet

• salt restriction

• weight reduction

• exercise

• stop smoking

• limit alcohol consumption

Hope to see you the 2^nd Sunday of each month after the 8:00 and 10:30 service for blood pressure screening. 

 
Health Ministry Team

CELEBRATIONS:
FEBRUARY BIRTHDAYS

FEBRUARY ANNIVERSARIES

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