FROM PASTOR RICK’S COMPUTER:
MARY, MARTHA AND ‘MANUEL

A. Mary’s Choice.

I think this event can speak to us at ‘Manuel. Mary and Martha were sisters; Lazarus was their brother. One day Jesus was staying at their house. As he entered their compound, other disciples and visitors came along. It was the family’s obligation to entertain them all. Jesus wanted to sit quietly and teach about the kingdom and Mary wanted to learn from him. Martha was upset - Jesus called her “worried” - that they were being poor hosts for their guests. She went to Jesus trying to get him to make Mary do what she (Martha) was worried about.

“Martha, you are worried about many things. One thing is needed. Mary has chosen what is better,” Jesus told her.

B. Jesus is forever.

I do not think Jesus meant that the chores Martha was worried about were not important. I do think he meant to teach us that a better choice is to keep him at the center. When we do that, we bring ourselves with our worries to him. We share our worries with him. We seek direction with our worries from him, and we submit our ideas for dealing with our worries to him. Worries are temporal and temporary; Jesus is forever.

C. Imagine.

What might have happened if both sisters had sat down to learn -- we can only imagine. I imagine that my Lord would have been pleased; that he would have taught for a while and then would have said, “Let’s take a break now and allow this family to welcome us into their household.” That’s what I imagine because he taught, “Seek first the kingdom of God…and all these things (that we worry about) will be added as well.” (Matthew 6)

D. ‘Manuel. (sorry for the tortured alliteration)

We are 134 years-old this July. We have been in financial difficulty before. We have been in worse shape than now. Everybody who loves our church is worried. I think that Jesus respects our worries as important, and that we should respect those concerns each of us has. We are like Martha “worried about many things” temporary.

We also can be like Mary. There is a way for us through this time of financial difficulty. It is likely there is more than one way through. We will find that way best when together we will keep Christ at the center. Mary did that.

Christ has come to us, not as a visitor, but to make his home among us. He has not abandoned us, and we have not moved out on him. He has us in his gracious care.

E. A Reminder and a Call.

It is my place as Pastor to remind you of this. I call upon each of you to place your worries at Christ’s feet. I call upon you to remember that we are disciples sent out; and to remember what he has called our church to become in this generation. He is building us into a welcoming, spiritual community that lifts up “God with us” in this community. Let us submit our ideas to him in the way he has been leading us.

We have both love for our Lord and important, temporary worries in us. We can be Mary, first. Then ‘Manuel will find a way.

AMONG OUR MEMBERS:

BAPTISM

Gwyneth Kristina -- daughter of Greg and  Karlene Ketola, was “buried with Christ by baptism” and raised to “newness of life” on Mother’s Day, May 8^th. Her sponsor is Karen Ketola, her aunt.

GRADUATIONS

College (in addition to last month’s):
Teresa Vicary: BA in Human Resources, WMU, with Law in her future.

High School (All from GL):
Brad Covert: son of Yvette (Covert) and  Lauren Rosier;
Emily Martinich, daughter of Dennis and Jan Martinich
Britney Sullenberger, daughter of Tom and Nicole Sullenberger, and Eric and Lynne Duram  

A Graduate Recognition service will be held at 9:30 a.m. on Sunday, June 5th.

CONFIRMATIONS

These young people have completed 2 years of catechism under Pastor Rick and Mike Proper with the help of their Huddle Leaders and Jr. Guides. They made a confession of faith in Christ and a commitment to the Church on Pentecost, May 15^th.

Jocelyn Brekke – daughter of Bruce and Brenda Brekke
(Jocelyn becomes a new member of our church)
Kayla Ewing – daughter of Rod and Betty Robins
Michael Gignac – son of Leonard and Pam Gignac
Jacob Hickok – son of Greg and Carrie Hickok (Jacob becomes a new member of our church)
Patrick Moran – son of Kevin and Sue Moran
Sean Riley – son of Joe and Patty Riley
Sam Rohloff – son of Jeff Magnuson and Amy Rickert, and Mark Rohloff (Sam becomes a new member of our church);
Sidney Rosier – son of Loren and Yvette Rosier;
Steve Sime – son of Tim and Teri Sime;
Tyler Williamson – son of Matt and Tonya Bonette and Brian Williamson;

Congratulations to our young people. Remember these are 8^th graders. They continue to depend on their parents to get them to worship, service and youth events.

MARRIAGE

Steve Dick and Teresa Vicary were joined in the covenant of Marriage at Immanuel on May 21^st. They are no longer two but one flesh. Blessed be God, the Father, Son and Holy Spirit, now and forever.

DEATHS

George Gregersen died to this life on April 28^th at age 88. George was health conscious and even in his 88^th year was teaching children how to swim through YMCA in Ionia. George loved the Lord and he loved Immanuel. Though he and Reta lived in Ionia, he remained an occasional attender and regular giver. He had lived with and worked for the Maier’s (sp?) family, one of our founding families. His funeral was May 2^nd at St. Peter and Paul Church in Ionia, with Pr. Rick preaching. Our sympathies are with Reta, and George’s daughters, Ruth and Eileen.

Holly Plunkett, our young, vibrant sister died in a car accident on May 19^th. Holly served us as Stewardship Chair, Sunday School and VBS teacher, Church Council, and facilitator for JAMers. She was wife to Jerome, Mom to Jacob and Justin, daughter to Joy Powis, and sister to Ann Geller and family. Her funeral was May 24^th at Immanuel. We hold these members and each other in our prayers as a spiritual community.

NEW MEMBERS

New members were received by confession of faith in the triune God at both services on May 22^nd.

Julie Allen --  Julie is a life-long Lutheran. She is retired from the State Police, where she was a part of the support staff.

Jim and Diane Osburn --  Jim and Diane have been Presbyterians through their married life. Now retired, they join their son and his family, Greg and Amy, as members of Immanuel. Jim worked at Sparrow Hospital Lab and then the Treasury Department. Diane worked with the VP for Research and Graduate Studies at MSU.

NEWS AND EVENTS:

IMMANUEL'S VISION

TO BE A WELCOMING SPIRITUAL COMMUNITY THAT NURTURES AN INTIMATE RELATIONSHIP IN OUR DAILY WALK WITH JESUS, AND INVITES PARTICIPATION THROUGH SHARING OUR SPIRITUAL GIFTS TO THE GLORY OF GOD.

Have we begun our journey to live that vision?  We each need to ask ourselves what our role has been, is, and will be.  As a Council, we voted to support this vision statement -- created after at least a year of prayer, reading and talking.  We decided that this was the path God was leading us on.

Today, it’s not so clear what direction we are headed.  You are by now aware of our significant deficit.  While our spending is at or below previous levels, our attendance is also lower.  Much analysis has been completed, which indicates that if we maintained our attendance figures, expenses would easily be met.

What can we do?  Each of us needs to “live the vision.”  Are we welcoming?  Are we sharing our spiritual gifts with others?  How can we improve in these areas?  Our vision statement should be our inspiration for accomplishing these tasks.

It’s been difficult to “fill the slots” of some committees and Council vacancies.  We have done a great deal of research, and spent a considerable amount of time attempting to resolve this issue.  We have made progress, and are looking for your continued support.

This budget shortfall provides us with the opportunity to reflect, regroup, and refocus.  We are in the process of changing our committee structure.  As part of being “a welcoming, spiritual community,” we want to welcome those with gifts, who don’t necessarily want/have time to join a committee.  Instead, it is our goal to be a permission-giving congregation that encourages the “sharing of our gifts,” by everybody!  Take time to review the proposed structure, and notice the many ways that we can each serve.

We have already received several suggestions on how to reduce our spending.  Thank you so much for your ideas.  Please keep them coming!  What will your role be in bringing others to God?  How can we, as a congregation, fulfill our vision?  Please prayerfully consider these questions, and bring your ideas to a Council member (listed below). The Council will be using this same vision as our God-given guide.

This is a wonderful opportunity for us to review our history, evaluate our present, and plan our future – all with God’s help!  Thank you for your participation.

Immanuel Church Council:
John Van Hoesen, Matt Cermak, Barb Paulins, Teresa Barcy,
Heath Buckley, Bob Carter, Orv Erickson, Tony Holland,
Daniel Landry, Bill Paulins, Mike Proper, and Brit Riggs

ART FAIR AND HOSPITALITY DAY  

This year's Island Art Fair will be held Saturday, August 6.  This is a great opportunity for an exhibit showcasing the artistic gifts and talents of the Immanuel Community.

Our church parking lot has been used for several years as a shuttle lot to the art fair.  Why not open up our church and display some of the many artistic gifts and talents of the Immanuel Community and greet our visitors with some Immanuel hospitality.

To put the day together, we are going to need a variety of spiritual gifts.  Gifts that we know Immanuel members have to share with the community.

We need people with the gift of organization to help with planning and bringing the actual event together including set up on Friday afternoon or evening.  We are also going to need help directing traffic in our parking lot and help organizing people for the shuttle buses.

We need people with the gift of hospitality to help for a couple of hours on Art Fair day greeting and assisting our visitors.

We are going to need:

• Strong bodies to help move tables and displays
• Artists who would like to have their work displayed.
• Crafters who would like to display their crafts.
• Quilters who would like to display their beautiful quilts.
• Woodworkers who would like to display their wares.

If you are interested in displaying any of your artistic gifts and talents and using some of your spiritual gifts to assist and greet others or direct traffic in the parking lot contact Bob and Ruth Buckley (649-2314) or Den Graeber (627-3116).

Thanks and do come join us!

DEMOGRAPHICS

Did you know that 29% of our membership is in high school and below? We have 554 members and 164 of us break down like this:

As of this printing we don’t know how this compares to the population of the GL area, but we are a fairly young congregation. Three out of 10 of us are in HS or below. If all these came to Sunday School where would we put them all? Who would teach them all? And if they all came to church, how would we ever hear anything? Pretty wonderful problems, don’t you think?

WHEN YOU GIVE AT IMMANUEL

From last month’s “The Lutheran,” we noticed

1.  News about the school shooting in Red Lake, MN. where on March 21^st ten people died. The principal at the school is a Lutheran. The slain teacher’s funeral was at the Lutheran Church. Lutheran Social Services of MN and ELCA Disaster Relief, as well as many pastors and members, went in to help. The agencies are still there.

The ELCA budget funds the Disaster Relief office so that your donations can go 100% to help in situations at home and abroad.

2.  Scott Meyer, a senior at Luther College in Iowa, went to Tanzania to teach as part of his studies. He hopes someday to work for LWR (Lutheran World Relief) or the UN.

The ELCA budget helps support 29 affiliated colleges and universities in America.  When you give your offerings, a part of your gift goes to these projects through the ELCA.

You are privileged to help the Lord every day. Your stewardship matters.

SUMMER COST CUTTING

Here are three ways we are economizing this summer:

1.  Using music played on CD at the Thursday services;
2.  Pared back bulletins on Sundays;
3.  As always, the church office is closed on Fridays. This year the Friday closings are starting earlier in the summer.

Your offering envelopes can be used to mail in your offerings. Just seal and add a stamp. Your stewardship matters.

RELAY FOR LIFE

Thank you to Teresa Barcy for bringing in supper on Friday.  A big thank you to Annette Ryan for staying all 24 hours.

PARISH NURSE

The Health Ministry Team is pleased to announce that Donna Gibbons, RN has begun serving as Immanuel’s new Parish Nurse.  She is replacing Karen Eichelberger, RN.  Karen and her husband, Bob, have moved “back home” to Muskegon.  Donna has been part of the Health Ministry Team since it started in the spring of 1999. During these years, the role of Parish Nurse was developed by Karen and the Health Ministry Team to become a vital part of Immanuel’s ministry.  Like Karen, Donna will serve part-time as a nurse with Hospice of Lansing.  While details of her final contract are being worked out, Donna is serving under the terms of an eight-month contract at a salary less that that of her predecessor and with a job description designed to utilize her own unique skills.  Brochures describing the role of Parish Nurse at Immanuel are on the tract rack in the entryway.

VACATION BIBLE SCHOOL

This year, VBS will be held from July 25 - 29 from 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m.  Volunteer and Registration forms are available online or on the credenza in the entryway.

LUTHER LEAGUE II

Monday, June 13 Dinner at Finley’s & a movie at the IMAX

Meet in the church parking lot at 10:30.  We will eat at Finley’s then go to the IMAX Theater to see Shackleton’s Antarctic Adventure at 1:30.  Call Priscilla Lane (627-4991), Joy Powis (627-7067) or the church office (627-6310) for more details.

Opportunities to Serve:

HANDBELLS

Are you interested in learning to play the handbells, but aren't sure if they are for you?  This summer, we are going to be having a 4 week "mini session" for those of you who want to try this instrument.  This is a great opportunity for non-musicians, as we will be learning only one piece of EASY music, rehearsing for 4 weeks and then playing for one service at the end of the four week period.  Remember, no experience is necessary.  The music will be colored for you (one color for your left hand, a different color for your right hand), and all you'll have to learn is how to count the beats.  If this sounds interesting please contact Barb Paulins at (517) 645-2914 or bpaulins@aol.com to let her know of your interest.  Please include the evenings/days that you are available to rehearse and play.  You must be able to attend all four rehearsal sessions.  Once Barb has generated the rehearsal times most convenient for all, you will be notified and we'll get started!

WATERING THE MEMORIAL GARDEN

Volunteers are needed to water the flowers in the memorial garden. You may sign-up in the Narthex for one or more weeks.   Thank you!

SONG LEADERS

With our new sound system, we have the opportunity to have song leaders at our worship services.  If you like to sing and love the hymns of the church, come to an information session on Sunday, June 5th following the worship service in the front of the Sanctuary.

COFFEE HOUR OPPORTUNITY

The coffee hour schedule for May – August is now available on the bulletin board in the  entryway.  There are plenty of opportunities to serve.  Outreach Committee suggests that families familiar with doing coffee hour invite newer families to join them in hosting a coffee hour so more families are familiar with hosting a coffee hour.  Cookies are provided.  Also if anyone is interested in baking cookies and leaving them in the freezer please feel free to do so.  It would be great to have a variety of cookies for coffee hour this summer.

Coffee hours are a great time for some good fellowship. Let’s keep this going this summer.  If you have questions about coffee hour, please call Ruth Buckley at 649-2314.

NOTES:

THANK YOU

Rita Gregersen expresses her thanks to the people of Immanuel Church, and also to the members of Luther League II, to Karen Eichelberger and Donna Gibbons, parish nurses, and to Pastor Rick for the special care and prayers with George and her during recent illness and after George's death. Rita says: "tell them it has meant more than they will know.”

GOODBYE

Brothers and Sisters in Christ,

We leave Immanuel with deep gratitude for being with you these past 6 ½  years.  Because of your love, support and faith, we have grown in wonderful ways.  We are enriched and blessed by our experience with you.  Thank you so very much.

We pray that the Spirit will continue to lead you, empower you and support you as you discern God’s will for your future.  We invite you to visit us in western Michigan.  When we are not at home, we can be found at Great Lakes Marina, D35 on our boat “Second Wind”.  Join us for a sail.

     Blessings and peace,
Bob & Karen Eichelberger
951 C Bowline Rd.
Norton Shores, MI 49441
(231) 799-9232

CELEBRATIONS:
JUNE BIRTHDAYS

JUNE ANNIVERSARIES

Home | Staff | Council | Ministries | Happenings | Youth | Worship | Links

© 1999- Immanuel Lutheran Church, Grand Ledge, Michigan
All Rights Reserved
We value your feedback.  Please forward comments to webmaster@immanuel-gl.org