FROM PASTOR RICK’S COMPUTER:
“LET NO ONE BE FORGOTTEN”: Assembly Notes

The Synod Assembly of the N/W Lower Michigan Synod was May 14-16 in Lansing with the above theme.

Notes from Bp. Stephen Bouman, Bishop of the Metropolitan NY Synod, our main speaker:

“The Church – when it turns its face toward the poor and lost – is always being renewed.”

“Lutherans are one of the last faith-based groups still working with the families in NYC”
(post 9/11, also still in Oklahoma City with families post Murrah Federal Bldg.).

Notes from our Bishop, Gary Hansen:

“How many doors are there into your congregation?”  (meaning “places for people to get into our life and mission”)

“Who can walk through them (the doors) and who can’t?

“Where in the world would you want to be the last week of June 2005 if not helping to build 200 houses for the poor in Michigan?”  (Bp. Gary is referring to the Jimmy Carter Habitat blitz scheduled for that week. You can get involved right now, any day of the week, especially June 4/5 & 25/26. Call Bob, 886-6172, or Pat, 622-1705.)

“I am tired of asking only Pastors to be tithers. I am happy to talk to anyone who wants to know what a blessing it is.”  (Bishop’s phone is 321-5066. He said to call. Also, Ellen and I are tithers. We would be glad to talk to you about it.)

Notes from Pr. Katie Bender Schwich, from National ELCA:

“The Evangelical Lutheran Church in America is alive and well in mission in North America and the world. We have exciting stories to tell!” (See the “Making Christ Known” magazine on the credenza in the Entry Way.)

Things I heard personally:

Twenty-somethings will make a commitment and attend church if the congregation will trust them to do important, meaningful work, sometimes together with others their own age. (The 20-somethings said this. Editorial comment: Now go back and reflect on Bp. Gary’s first two questions.)

Actions:

• We pledged to do our part in this Synod to reach the $25,000,000 per year mark in 2005 for The ELCA World Hunger Appeal.

• We petitioned the Church Council not to cut back on the ministry of “Caring for Creation.”

• We were asked to select a Church in Society Coordinator to connect the congregation with resources for opening up to our own community.

• We asked that a strategy be developed for Latino Ministry in West Michigan and be presented at the 2005 Assembly.

• The Synod Budget for 2005 was adopted at $2,141,655, of which 50% is sent to the National ELCA.

I was not elected as a delegate to the 2005 National Assembly.

Note: Immanuel had no other delegates attending this Assembly.

AMONG OUR MEMBERS:

CONFIRMATIONS

The faith in our young people was publicly confessed, revealed to be authentic (i.e. confirmed) and celebrated on May 16th:

Your Church needs you.  God needs you.  We are praising God for you!
“CHOSEN….I CHOOSE” (John 15:16)

TRANSFERS/RELEASE

Scott, Vicki and Alexander Lumbert, to Peace Church, Charlotte.

Margo Holland, released to join St. Michael, Roman Catholic Church.

We wish them Godspeed and blessing on their walk with Christ.

HIGH SCHOOL GRADUATES

They will be recognized and blessed in Church on June 6th (Holy Trinity) Watch for their future plans next month.

OPEN HOUSE INVITATIONS

NEWS AND EVENTS:

SUMMER MID-WEEK SERVICES

Going away for the weekend? Don’t forget Thurs. nites at 7 p.m.

Evening Eucharist is held every Thursday @ 7 p.m.

Stop (at church) before you Go! Thursday nights @ 7 p.m.

CATECHISM CAMP

June 20 - 25

Pr. Rick and 10 of our youth

will be going to Lutheran Outdoor

Retreat Ministries in Michigan at Stony Lake.

YOUR OLD FAVORITE HYMN SUNDAY

Sunday, June 27 ~ 9:30 a.m. Worship

We will be singing special old favorite hymns.

4TH OF JULY OUTDOOR WORSHIP AND PICNIC

Sunday, July 4, 2004

Worship Committee is planning a special

old fashion service outside with a picnic.

LUTHER LEAGUE II

“We’re Headed for Turkeyville +”

Monday, June 14, 2004

Leave 10:45 a.m. from Church Parking Lot

For more information call

Joy 627-7067 or Joyce 627-6839

WHITE WATER RAFTING TRIP

July 12 – 14 in West Virginia

Leave the driving and arrangements to us.

Just grab your family and friends and come have fun!!!!

A Dean’s Trailways bus will pick us up at the church Monday, July 12 in the morning and return us Wednesday, July 14 in the early morning. We will spend Monday night at the rafting base camp in cabins.

Cost: $90 includes transportation, rafting on the lower new river, two meals and one night lounging. Money has to be in to the church office by June 1.

Everyone is welcome. Parent supervision required for youth under 12 years of age. 

Call today to register :

Teresa Barcy (627-5493) or

the church office (627-6310)

OFFICE HOURS

The church office will be open Monday through Thursday from 8:00 a.m. until 3:00 p.m. during the summer.  If you have an emergency on the weekends please call Pr. Rick (627-6202) or Denise (626-6927).

RELAY FOR LIFE

Immanuel, United Methodist, St. Michael and First Congregational joined forces to work at the Grand Ledge Relay for Life.  Our team, the Grand Ledge Community Churches, collectively raised almost $5,000 for Relay. Our “Cancer makes no Cents” jar netted about $375.  Despite weather obstacles of Biblical proportions, our team was undaunted.  We even won an award as the team who worked best together and had the Best fundraising idea: the dunk tank!!  Our very own Pastor Rick “volunteered” to be dunked for charity.  Thanks, Pr. Rick!

We plan to be there next year, with more churches involved – we hope!  Thank you for your support!!!

SERVING IN JUNE

Opportunities to Serve:

MEMORIAL GARDEN

We are looking for volunteers to water the plants in the Memorial Garden this summer.  It’s only a one week commitment.  Sign up sheet in the Narthex.

NOTES:

THANK YOU

From Lutheran Social Services, Lansing, Christine Rehagen – “The duffle bags will be stuffed with personal hygiene items and pajamas and given to children as they enter our General, Specialized and Refugee Unaccompanied Minors Foster Care Programs! …also for the opportunity to spend time with you in April!” (They were in our worship and Adult Sunday School on 4/25).

Ruth and I would like to say THANK YOU to the person who so kindly sent us to the Lay Missionary Retreat in Gladwin.  It was wonderful!

Thanks again,

CELEBRATIONS:
JUNE BIRTHDAYS

JUNE ANNIVERSARIES

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