FROM PASTOR RICK’S COMPUTER:
THE YEAR OF MARK

I write this so that your worship will be deeper. The Church’s Scripture readings are on a 3-year cycle. The years are named for the Synoptic Gospels.[1] This is the “Year of Mark.” Most of the Gospel readings will come from there. Here are some things to look for.

What Mark does not have: a birth narrative; a Sermon on the Mount or the Plain; no long discussions about “Bread of Life” or “Light of the World;” any post-resurrection appearances of Jesus[2]

What Mark shows us:

1)  A kingdom that is God’s – not “Caesar’s” – is breaking into history. Jesus has brought it. And it is unfolding now.

2)  Jesus started it with his authoritative preaching; his miracles, teaching, and exorcisms; his death and resurrection.

3)  Mark especially emphasizes the passion and cross of Jesus.

a.    About faith which saves you: He seems to say if you want to believe in “the good news of Jesus Christ, the Son of God” (1:1) you must believe in the Messiah who died on the cross.

b.   About discipleship to which we are called: He seems to say, if you are going to follow the Son of God, you must follow the Messiah who was reject and condemned; suffered and died on the cross by taking up our own cross.

4)  His whole Gospel and his accounts are brief and urgent. You often will hear “immediately.” Your life and your response today is important to God’s kingdom, as well as to your own salvation.

5)  You will hear a “Messianic Secret” (as it has been labeled). No human can fully understand Jesus until after Easter, and then only through the cross.

The Gospel of Mark can be quite unsettling. Life is often harsh. Jesus is not always in control and seems very human. The ruling presence of God is a seed that is growing. There loose ends, pain, and fear as part of the journey. So Mark is a challenge to us if the resurrection of Jesus is really our good news in the real world, if the seed of a kingdom made up of the “little people” Jesus saves is powerful enough to give God all our heart, soul and mind in love of neighbor. Precisely for these reasons many Christians like Mark the best of the 4 Gospels.

The Gospel of John is used on some Sundays to supplement Mark because it is so sparse.

AMONG OUR MEMBERS:

BAPTISM

Edward Levere Hunt IV, son of “Trey” and Tamra, 524 E. Jefferson, Grand Ledge  627-3408

“Teddy” was washed clean of sin and joined to Christ by baptism on Nov. 27 (1 Advent), following Thanksgiving. May parents and congregation keep our promises so that God’s grace can take hold and grow.

NEWS AND EVENTS:

NEW MEMBER CLASS USING NEW BOOK

A recent book by Pr. Kelly Fryer, “Reclaiming the ‘L-word’” will be used to introduce the faith to those wishing to join. Since it looks at some things that are characteristic of Lutheran Christians, “old members” are welcome to take a fresh look at us and our principles.

The class begins on January 18th at 7 p.m. (Wednesday night). Probably 7 sessions will be held. Given our finances, class members may be asked to contribute to the cost of the book.

RENEWING WORSHIP

At the urging of our Presiding Bishop, Immanuel is scheduling seven sessions to study a new ELCA publication entitled "Renewing Worship," beginning on Sunday, January 8th at 9:15 a.m.  The study guide can be downloaded by clicking here (Caution: This is a 3.3 Mb file!).  The first session of this adult Sunday School class will be held in the Sanctuary.  The class will be taught by Pastor Rick and Pastor Paul.  For Lutherans, worship matters.  In fact, worship lies at the heart of how we understand our life together.  Today, worship practices among Lutherans reflect a rich variety of patterns and pieties.  We are excited about having the opportunity to explore all of this together.  We will begin each session promptly at 9:15 a.m.  Please come and join us.

A ROOF OVER OUR HEADS 

The flooding in the basement was one of those unexpected costs in ’05. In hopes of not seeing it happen again, the congregation, at its Annual Meeting in November, voted to work on the “roof” and the grading around the church. This will cost, possibly, up to $20,000.

In November, a special coffee hour was held by the members of Thrivent Financial. People donated $1,636 and Thrivent’s fraternal services “matched” this with a gift of $1,296. So far between donations and Thrivent we have $2,932 for the project.

Russ Riggs, a member of the Property Committee, will be our congregation’s liaison with Sabin Builders for this.

LUTHER LEAGUE II
(Senior Citizens) 

Our next meeting will be held on Monday, January 9, 2006.  We will Meet for lunch at Cugino’s Restaurant at 11:30 a.m.  Bring board games of your choice with you.  Call Carol Weigel for more information @ 622-2944

APPRECIATION POTLUCK ON JANUARY 15^TH.

It is time to say “thank you” over food and fellowship. That is what the Church Council felt at its final meeting of 2005.

It was a very busy year…a stressful year...a year with a number of unexpected turns and demands on our faith, time and treasures…a year that had its share of controversy and dissension.

The Council wants to pause one Sunday to say thank you: both to the many, many who have served, given and sacrificed in 2005 and to God. So….a potluck luncheon at church. is planned for Sunday, January 15^th following the 10:30 service.  Come and enjoy Food, Fellowship, Gratitude, Thanksgiving.

There will be a sign-up poster in the Narthex so that we can know what others are bringing. The more the merrier. The more the better for our enjoyment (and the worse for our waistline).

HABITAT FOR HUMANITY

Immanuel Lutheran Church will again participate in a Habitat build, in cooperation with 8-10 other Lutheran Churches in the area.  Thrivent for Lutherans will generously contribute 70% of the cost for the house.  We will need workers when the Spring build is scheduled.  More information to follow. Until then we will hold a spaghetti dinner fundraiser January 16 at A&W restaurant in Grand Ledge. 

Thank you to everyone who attended the spaghetti dinner in November. Thank you to A&W for served 101 dinners.  We received a check for $252.50 from A&W, and Thrivient will match this.

MEDICARE-D   
Are You in Denial- Hoping it Will go Away?

There was a meeting held on November 29 at Immanuel regarding this drug plan.  Shirley Riply of MMAP (Medicare, Medicaid Assistance Program) gave an excellent informative program and answered questions asked of her.

Many still felt confused because of the complexity and number of plans out there to look at.  I've been informed that there are now 58 different Medicare Part D plans approved for Michigan.

It is a must that we be prepared, better informed.  This may keep you from being caught in the "penalty" phase for those who delay enrollment.  You need to be aware that each plan has its own "formulary"  or list of drugs covered.  There can also be "tiers" for those drugs.  Be aware that your pharmacist, while able to help guide you through the decision process it is illegal for them to tell you which plan to take.  They can provide information only.

Ms. Riply, in discussing the plans with us stated that "those who have drug plans need to check to see if they are as good as, or better then those being offered; also to be sure to have a letter stating that you are covered and keep it in a safe place, also the same with a letter of insurance termination."  This can help prevent you having to pay the penalty fee when you might have to enroll into a Medicare D plan.

Veterans need to be sure, in enrolling into a plan that they won't lose any of their VA benefits.

There is a lot to learn.  Please take advantage of the chances to become informed.  Several of us took over three months to become more informed to be able to help those who attended the meeting at Immanuel when asked.

You can call MMAP for personal help.  There are over 800 trained and certified  MMap counselores available to help seniors and the disabled to understand the new drug benefit plans and determine if joining one of the new plans is for them.

The best way to help yourself is to become informed and to reach out to those trained to help you.

Joan R. Nolff

COMMITTEE ANNUAL REPORTS

Committee Annual Reports are due by January 23rd.  Reports can be e-mailed to dlund@immanuel-gl.org, or a hard copy can be turned in to the church office.

Healing Prayer Ministry

Our group met on December 7th for our monthly "check-up".  We enjoy getting together, learning what has happened during the month since we last met and growing spiritually and in prayer.

There will be Healing Prayer ministers after each Sunday Service during the month of December including December 25th, and also Sunday, January 1st.  We realize that these days can be days of stress over the loss of a loved one, one serving in the armed services and away from home, perhaps an illness, etc.  It can also be a day when you just need to talk with someone, or to give thanks.

We intend to be there for you as we have been since our Ministry was formed and became an official Ministry of Immanuel Lutheran Church.  We feel blessed and grateful to be able to serve you, to pray with you and for you.  We have been so enriched these past months in our own lives as we have shared with you.  We thank you sincerely and will continue to ask the Lord to bless our church family.  You are important to us.

We also thank our Lord who has been with us and His Holy Spirit who has led us and helped us to learn so very much. We praise our Lord Jesus Christ and are so grateful to be able to celebrate His birth. Learning and growing in our faith is a precious gift to all of us.

In Him there is life. Glory to the newborn King! May you feel the blessing of this birth as a Christmas blessing for this is surely tidings of Comfort and Joy for all of us.

Joan R. Nolff

FINANCIAL DEFICIT DOWN AGAIN

Once again the deficit has diminished. At the beginning of November it was $4,874. At the end the of the month, our Treasurer, Nathan Flanders, reported that the spending deficit was $2,448. Each month we have moved significantly closer to drawing even because members have been faithful.  Some have sacrificed.

The Council hopes to draw even by early in 2006, though in December the church had to have a new water heater installed. These unexpected expenses catch us all by surprise. The 2006 budget starts to build a balance for them.

RESETTLEMENT REPORT

Thank you to all who keep Leland, Rose and family in your daily prayers. Recently, Mr. Showers (Leland) was hired by Felpausch Food Center. PTL. He is so grateful to be working again. Ask him what he is up to there.

Our brothers and sisters at the 1^st Congregational UCC Church paid the November Consumers’ Energy bill for the parsonage. We appreciate their support. This month, the people of 1^st United Methodist will be picking up the utility costs. Many Christians and people in the GL community are working together.

This month pray that Mr. Showers’ job will go well and be full-time, and that Mrs. Clark (Rose) will be able to find a position that works around Leland’s schedule.

SMALL GROUP MINISTRIES
SPOTLIGHT ON:

	What’s the group called?	DRAMA ministry team
	What do they do?	PROCLAIM THE GOSPEL THROUGH   THE PERFORMING ARTS
	Who can participate?	All ARE WELCOME (you do not need to be a member of the Drama Ministry Team to participate in the Dramas)
	Where do they meet?	A&W RESTAURANT
	When do they meet?	3RD SUNDAY AFTER 10:30 SERVICE
	Who can I contact?	JANE GOEBEL, PR. PAUL PRETZLAFF, OR LORI VAN HOESEN

IMMANUEL'S SMALL GROUP MINISTRIES 

Group contacts and leaders:  Did you know there is a file folder in the Small Group Ministries drawer at the church office where you can put form originals and other information you might wish to access in the future?

Prayers for the New Year

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