FROM PASTOR RICK’S COMPUTER:
GREAT QUESTIONS OF LENT

If I say, “fasting, prayer, and almsgiving,” do you recognize which Christian penitential season I’m talking about? Of course you do. Lent is that 40-day season for return to God and rededication to the way of the cross. Lutherans join Christians all around the globe seeking renewal in our spiritual life.

This year we will use this theme during Lent: “GREAT QUESTIONS OF PRAYER.”  Look for these:

• Each week will have its own question;

• Sunday sermon and Wednesday evening vespers will have the same question;

• Sunday will be a sermon; Wednesday vespers will have a discussion of the question;

• Each Sunday, a daily prayer thought will be provided on the question for your daily use.

Here’s the schedule: “How do I pray when…

• I’m not sure it will make a difference? (1st week; Feb. 13 & 16)

• I don’t know what to ask or how to pray? (2nd week; Feb. 20 &23)

Our drama group will present a scene from the life of Martin Luther and his family in a dramatic presentation (teach us to pray) 

• Everything has fallen apart? (3rd week; Feb. 27 & Mar. 2)

• I’m not sure my motivation is right?   (4th week; Mar. 6 & 8)

• They will die anyway?    (5th week; Mar 13 & 15)

Then follows Holy Week and Easter.

LENT BEGINS WITH…

Ash Wednesday Services on February 9th

12:10 p.m. at Trinity Episcopal Church
(200 E. Jefferson, next to GL Library, across from City Hall)

7:00 p.m. @ Immanuel

Return: Penance
Mortality: Ashes
Renewal: Communion

Come back. Come home. Come to God. He is waiting like the prodigal's father. His door is open. His table has a place for you.

AMONG OUR MEMBERS:

NEW MEMBERS

Ken and Mindy Turner
Cameron, Grant and Finley

6875 Aberdeen
Dimondale 48821
646-7918

January 9, Ken and Mindy confessed their faith in Christ, and their children were baptized into him. Ken works for TRW in Portland; Mindy is an RN with Sparrow. Cameron is 3 and Grant and Finley are infant twins. Ken and Mindy were married at Immanuel by Pr. Paul in 1999. We welcome them to the Immanuel family and as partners in prayer and service to God.

BIRTH

Congratulations to Steve and Kim Horne and Dominic, Drew and Dylan on the birth of their new son and brother, Derek, on Christmas Eve, Dec. 24th. Grandparents are Chuck and Denise Kelly.

DEATH

Bill Bush
Our brother in the Lord died January 19, 2005.  We lift his faith and life up to the Good Shepherd in praise and extend our sympathies to his family.

NEWS AND EVENTS:

SEXUALITY TASK FORCE MAKES RECOMMENDATIONS
(with comments by Pr. Rick)

On schedule, the national task force published its recommendations to the church on January 13, 2005. The churchwide assembly will vote on them in August 2005.

1.  Because the God-given mission and commission we share is at least as important as the issues about which faithful, conscience-bound Lutherans find themselves so decisively at odds, the ELCA Task Force for Studies on Sexuality recommends that the ELCA concentrate on finding ways to live together faithfully in the midst of our disagreements.  (Pastor’s comment: This means let’s not have a schism over this report.)

2. (Regarding clergy blessing same sex unions). The Task Force for ELCA Studies on Sexuality recommends that the (ELCA) continue to respect the pastoral guidance of the 1993 statement of the Conference of Bishops.  (Pastor’s comment: The bishops’ statement says “No” to blessing; “Yes” to congregations surrounding couples with prayerful support, church membership, leadership roles and pastoral care of Christian same sex couples.)

3.  The Task Force for ELCA Studies on Sexuality recommends that the (ELCA) continue under the standards regarding sexual conduct for rostered leaders as set forth in Vision and Expectations and Definitions and Guidelines for Discipline, but that, as a pastoral response to the deep divisions among us, this church may choose to refrain from disciplining those who in good conscience, and for the sake of outreach, ministry, and the commitment to continuing dialogue, call or approve partnered gay or lesbian candidates whom they believe to be otherwise in compliance with Vision and Expectations and to refrain from disciplining those rostered people so approved and called. (Pastor’s comment: This means that the whole church says “No” to ordination in general, but that, locally, exceptions can be made under the auspices of the synod and synod bishop.)

The entire 32 page report (also the documents referred to) can be downloaded at the church’s website. Some will be available in the entryway. The comments, painful struggles and faith expressed are worthwhile, especially if you disagree with their recommendations.

This is the first of two reports from the task force. This one was ordered by the 2001 Churchwide Assembly for 2005. A larger Social Statement on Human Sexuality must be written for presentation to the 2007 Churchwide Assembly.

On my first reading, I find this to be a middle of the road report. It recognizes and calls us to unity in our Lutheran doctrine and theology and acknowledges widely different ways of being faithful to that. It asks us to trust each other: that we are truly attempting to be faithful to God, the Bible, our own consciences and our heritage.

Bishop Gary Hansen will be conducting meetings around the synod so that we can talk with him about the report. To those who are disappointed, I am willing to listen and pray together.

MAUNDY THURSDAY PANCAKE SUPPER

Tuesday, February 8
5:00 – 7:00 p.m.

All-you-can-eat.  Pancakes & Potato Pancakes with all the fixin’s

Adults: $5.00
Children 5- 10: $3.00  ê 4 & under: Free

AFFIRMATION OF MARRIAGE VOWS
Sunday, February 13 at 6 p.m.

Celebrate the love you share with a time for reflection and reaffirmation.  All married couples are invited to participate in this brief service led by Pr. Paul Pretzlaff. You may want to invite another couple (friends or family) to attend with you.  The service includes music, prayers and blessings and renewal of wedding promises.  There will be refreshments and fellowship following.  Bring your wedding picture/album to share.  Sponsored by Health Ministry Team.

LUTHER LEAGUE II

Monday, February 14 at 12:00 noon in Fellowship Hall

Program: Potluck lunch

Bring a dish to pass and a simple white elephant type gift.  Fun & games agenda to be announce after lunch.  Call Doug Scoggins (327-0988) or Joyce Oswill (627-6839) for more information.

FRIENDSHIP CLUB FAMILY EVENT

Everyone is invited to go to Fitzgerald Park on Saturday, February 26, 2005 from 2-4 p.m. for sledding and/or cross-country skiing.  To go sledding, bring your own sleds, and meet on the sledding hill.  To go skiing, meet at the Park Office at 2 p.m.  Skis are available for rent for $4/hour, $12/day or $25/weekend.  A wide variety of sizes are available.  If you have your own skis, you may ski for free.  Ski trail maps are available at the Park Office.  One loop around the trails takes about an hour but there are many trails to allow you to keep going if you would like.  [Beware of a BIG downhill on Acorn Trail – you might want to walk down it (or slide down).]  Beginning at 3:45 and until 4:45, hot chocolate and snacks will be available back in Fellowship Hall.  Come warm up and recount your adventures.  A sign-up sheet will be in the Church Lobby.   Call Marlaine Teahan, 627-5637, for more details.

LUTHERAN MARRIAGE ENCOUNTER

Flowers wither, chocolates soon disappear--why not give each other a Valentine gift that can last a lifetime?!

Lutheran Marriage Encounter is a weekend experience that teaches couples how to communicate more effectively and build closeness and intimacy within the marriage relationship. It is a very private weekend for couples, no group discussion is required. The next Weekend is scheduled for February 18-20, 2005 at the Hawthorne Suites in Kalamazoo. Another is set for April 8-10 at the Four Point Sheraton in Saginaw. For more information and registration forms, call Larry & Liz Grupe (586-566-1525), Brian & Donna Zelner (269-226-4703), Jim & Carol LaRue (989-799-8917) or call 1-800-235-1010. Check out the website – http://www.ilme.org.

MISSION POSSIBLE ...

 On Sunday, March 13^th, at 3:00 p.m., the Immanuel Adult Choir and Handbell Choir  will present a benefit concert in our sanctuary to help financially and prayerfully support Immanuel’s high school youth (LYO) with their mission trip called Road RULZ. It will take approximately $450.00 for each of our youth to be able to make this trip planned for July 2005 (the destination and mission to be revealed upon their arrival at the destination). The theme of our Lenten concert is “Mission Possible”. Please mark your calendars now to help support our youth as well as to prepare our hearts through scripture and music as Holy Week nears. A reception sponsored by the high school youth will be held afterwards. The general public will be invited. (Matching funds for our freewill donations is being requested of Thrivent.)

HEALTHY MARRIAGE

With the thought of a healthy life-style regarding what we eat, exercise and so on, how about the health of your marriage? Do you value the health of your marriage? If so, what do you think about it?

We are Fred & Barb Roush, and were asked by the Health Ministry Team to write an article to tell you a little about a Marriage Encounter Weekend. We went on a Lutheran Marriage Encounter Weekend in February of 1988.

We have invited other couples to go on a Marriage Encounter Weekend and some responses have been along the line that “we don’t need a weekend to prove we have a good marriage.” We are not suggesting that you don’t have a good marriage, but you do owe each other this wonderful opportunity. A Weekend where you can focus entirely on each other and your relationship may just be the thing that enriches your communication and intimacy with each other and with God. A healthy marriage is as important as a healthy body.

A brief overview of a weekend: It begins in a hotel on a Friday evening and concludes on Sunday afternoon. The weekend consists of presentations given by a clergy couple and three lay presenting couples.  Participants can learn from the experiences in the presenters’ married life. At the end of each presentation, there is time for personal reflection and then time to be in your room and talk together about what was presented. There is no group discussion. Your discussions are done in the privacy of your own room. It is an opportunity to build closeness with that special one who loves you and shares life with you. This is a wonderful and healthy experience for you and for your marriage. Our Encounter Weekend made a difference for us.

If you are interested or curious about a Lutheran Marriage Encounter or want more information, please contact any of us:

Fred & Barb Roush, 517-852-0119
Bob & Karen Eichelberger, 517-886-6172
Orv & Lynne Erickson, 517-645-2865

SOUND SYSTEM TASK FORCE UPDATE

Church Council has given approval to the Sound System Task Force to present its proposal at a special congregation meeting on February 13, 2005. The Sound System Task Force will present Sound System enhancements that meet the needs specified by church committees and congregation input. The purpose of the meeting is to gain congregation approval before proceeding to raise funds for the system enhancements.

The Sound System Task Force members are: Sandra Bair, Heath Buckley, Larry Kruth, Bill Paulins, and Mitzie Ward.  We began with the conviction, “EACH VISITOR AND MEMBER OF IMMANUEL LUTHERAN CHURCH MUST BE ABLE TO HEAR GOD’S WORD FROM EVERY PEW IN THE SANCTUARY!”

Church members sitting in different areas of the sanctuary have been unable to hear during worship services.  This led us to look at needs and options of our sound system to meet current needs yet provide potential for growth.  The congregation gave input to the Sound System Task Force regarding sound system needs during regular worship services, funerals, and other activities at our church.

Most congregation members have shared they are hearing all of the sermon and what Pastor Rick says during church services. This is due to the new over-the-ear wireless microphone for Pastor Rick.  People with no hearing difficulties have said  how much better they hear  because of the new microphone.  We don’t know what we’ve missed until we actually hear!

Please pray for our ministry at Immanuel Lutheran that funds are provided for a new sound system so God’s Word can and will be heard by everyone!  Also, please attend the congregational meeting on February 13, 2005, during coffee hour after the 10:30 a.m. service!!

Opportunities to Serve:

HELP WANTED - ARE YOU A RINGER?

Are you interested in joining the Immanuel Ringers?  We have a few openings for this "session" (lasting until Easter).  Remember, no musical experience necessary, just the desire for fun on Wednesday evenings, camaraderie with others, and a heart wanting to praise God with music.  If this sounds like you, please call Barb Paulins at 645-2914.

MESSAGE FROM PASTOR:
“TIME TO STEP UP”

Last month’s issue of “The Manger” carried a call from Outreach Committee for: 1) assistance with Membership Encouragement Group; 2) Coffee Hour hosting; 3) coordinating Meals Program. There are numerous other service tasks that can use willing members: the evangelism team; presenters of the Spiritual Gifts Inventory; year round stewardship education; altar and communion care, etc. They are numerous.

One of my personal themes this year is going to be “revitalization.”  Revitalization of members serving is the same to start. “We are the body of Christ; and individually you are members of it,” writes St. Paul in 1 Cor. 12. This is truth. God’s saving work, like a healthy body, is stronger when you work out. It is weaker, like a body that has suffered paralysis, when you don’t.

So, it is time to step up the plate with a bat.  My pastoral goal is, as it has always been, for every member to be active in 2 ways:

1) where you are nurtured for your daily walk;
2) where you use one of your spiritual gifts for others.

I hope this sounds to you like Our Vision. I hope members have already contacted Outreach people. I hope you, if this convicts you, will step up. I believe that we and you will be revitalized for the Lord when you do.

BENEVOLENCE

Special Advent Offerings totaled $1,043. This was divided between SIREN/Eaton Shelter Project (homeless and abused families in Eaton County), and Hometown Military Support Group (supplying personal items for troops from GL in the mid-East).

S. E. Asia Disaster Response: $1,117 was sent to the ELCA Disaster Response by Immanuel. 100% will reach our work in the area through Lutheran World Relief (LWR) or partner Lutheran Churches in the area.

In 2004, we gave $35,198 so that the Lord could call, save, and serve beyond Immanuel. Most went to the ELCA, but also to GLEAP, Eaton Shelter, world hunger, soldiers in Iraq, and other causes.

$0.13 of every $1.00 given to our regular and mortgage budgets is set aside to help the ELCA educate future pastors and associates, send missionaries, start new congregations, provide social ministry projects, place pastors on college campuses and so much more.

YOUTH NEWS:

YOUTHNEWS YOUTHNEWS YOUTHNEWS
SNL SNL SNL SNL SNL SNL SNL SNL SNL SNL SNL
(Middle School group)

Meetings will be held:

Feb. 6th from 2-4 p.m. “Baptism II”
NOTE: Time change due to Super Bowl.

Feb. 20th @ 6:15 p.m. “Baptism III”
NOTE: President’s Day weekend and there IS class as usual!

Please, always let your Huddle Leader if you are not attending.

Service Project: Shrove Tuesday Pancake Supper. Feb. 8^th.
Everybody in every Huddle group helps in some way:

1)  Set up: 4 – 5:30 p.m.
2)  Serve tables: 5 – 7 p.m.
3)  Clean up: 7 – 8 p.m. or so

Proceeds for LYO Mission Trip and SNL summer camp.

Fellowship Events: (check with your Huddle Leader)

Spring Retreat: “Marty and Phil’s Excellent Adventure” -- This excellent weekend at Michi-lu-ca (our camp way up north) will end SNL for the year. It will be our last, big, wonderful, crazy event. A last chance to be all together for the year.  1st payment of $45.00 due by Feb. 27th.

Catechism Camp at Stony Lake: June 19-24 -- Overnights, Lake Michigan, sand dunes, high ropes course, crafts, Bible Study.  It’s a blast. Six are signed up so far.

YOUTHNEWS YOUTHNEWS YOUTHNEWS
LYO LYO LYO LYO LYO LYO LYO LYO LYO LYO LYO
(High School Group)

Meetings:

Feb. 13: “Taking Care of Business” (3:00-6:00)

Fund Raisers:

Feb. 8^th: Shrove Tuesday Pancake Supper.  Proceeds to RoadRULZ Mission Trip and SNL summer camp

March 13^th “Mission Possible”  Adult Choir and Bell Choir Concert to help with RoadRULZ Mission Trip.  Need publicity, greeters, snacks, servers, and cleaners.

Summer Camps for High School:

Rock and Roll Camp: July 31 – Aug. 5 Form a band and play for Bass Lake Festival.  Immanuel has one going so far.

Others: Video Camp, Sail Camp, Kayak Camp, Adventure Camp.

Bass Lake Festival: Aug 5 – 8^th Music and Learning festival 300+/- High school youth.  Camp in tents. Cook own food. Build own campfires.  Bands, including Lost and Found. Workshops.  Lots of safe fun and friends from the Gathering.  Pr. Rick wants to get a group to go. Interested?

NOTES:

Dear Friends,

Words can not begin to express the heart felt thanks we send to each and every one of our brothers and sisters in Christ.

Your generous “gifts” in our time of need were truly a light in a dark tunnel.  Because of all the “gifts” we were able to have a Merry Christmas and live a reasonable life.

Bob’s eye is getting better every day and each week his doctor is very pleased.  Soon he will be able to drive and read, things will go back to normal (whatever that is).  One thing that will not change is that we ask God’s blessing for all of you and we hope we could help you if there is a need.

Sincerely,
Bob & Ruth Buckley

Dear Friends,

On behalf of the Officers and Board of Directors of SIREN/Eaton Shelter, I would like to thank you for your contribution.  Your support makes it possible for us to be of assistance to many homeless families and domestic violence survivors in our area.  Our sincere thanks.

Sincerely,
Nancy Oliver, Director

Dear Immanuel Lutheran Church,

Thank you for your generous donation and support for all of our servicemen and women in Iraq.

Ruby Klanecky
Home Town Military Support Group

Dear Immanuel,

The Stewardship Committee would like to thank everyone for taking the time to form a Commitment Pledge of financial support to Immanuel Lutheran for 2005.  To date, sixty six members have committed their time, talent and financial support for next year thus exceeding last year's pledge count of forty seven. If you haven't already done so, please remember to pick up your contribution envelopes from the church entry.

Stewardship Committee

Dear Immanuel

Worship committee's Hanging of the Greens in combination with Stewardship's Pig Roast luncheon was well attended and no one went away hungry.   Members of both committee's would like to thank everyone that stayed and contributed to decorating the church.

Worship Commitee

CELEBRATIONS:
FEBRUARY BIRTHDAYS

FEBRUARY ANNIVERSARIES

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