FROM PASTOR RICK’S COMPUTER:
DA VINCI CODE: Was There a Conspiracy?

A number of members have asked me to comment on “The Da Vinci Code.” I will, but understand I have not read the book nor, as I write this, have I seen the movie. It is the latest piece of pop culture regarding religion. These phenomena come and go. Rarely do they make a lasting impact. They become a question or two in the next edition of Trivial Pursuit.

As I understand it, there is a big secret. Jesus and Mary Magdalene have a child. The blood-line of the Son of God must be preserved throughout successive generations. There is an organization that protects the secret and the children. The highest levels of the Roman Church know about this deep secret and will do anything to keep the rest of us from finding out. Leonardo Da Vinci was among those who left clues about this.

The book and movie are fiction. That’s all. They are not even historical fiction. Yes, there is a legend that says Mary Magdalene and Jesus were married (or had an affair) and bore children. One version says Jesus did not die. Another says it was before he was crucified. The child was his legacy (salvation or holy grail) which negates the necessity of the resurrection. The Mary Magdalene legend is one of the stories told to deny the resurrection and thus the gospel built on the cross as atoning sacrifice for sins.

Frankly to believe anything about the Da Vinci Code, you have to believe there was a conspiracy starting with the Apostles, continuing in the early (pre-catholic) Church and carried through to the Catholic Church. Frankly, to believe this, you must also believe that the formation of the New Testament canon (Scripture) was a fraud. The Bible has nothing in it about a romance or marriage with Mary Magdalene. There is nothing in the 4 Gospels and no hints in the epistles.

The Church in the late 2^nd century used 2 main criteria in deciding which writings were true: 1) there was ample evidence that they were actually written by an Apostle or by a close associate of an apostle {e.g. Mark to Peter; Luke to Paul}; 2) the work had to affirm that the cross and resurrection were the main purposes of Jesus’ earthly life.

If these are reliable criteria put forth by honest, faithful, scholarly leaders in the pre-Catholic Church then you have one more reason to trust the Bible as Scripture (2 Timothy 3:16).

In point of fact, there are a number of other ancient writings, which were hidden and preserved. There were also a number of divergent beliefs concerning Jesus in the 1^st and 2^nd centuries, which have survived along side the holy, catholic, apostolic Church. The legend about Jesus and Mary Magdalene is one of them. Collected in the accepted NT are the experiences and teachings of those who walked with, learned from and saw Jesus alive, dead and resurrected. Other writings are less reliable in varying degrees.

Enjoy “The Da Vinci Code.” It is thrilling fiction.

AMONG OUR MEMBERS:

CONFIRMATIONS

CONFIRMATIONS: Sunday, May 21 we celebrated the Confirmations of seven our young people. It was a wonderfully faith-filled celebration. We even had one/two of the youths Grandparents as a part of the service.

            Kira Ayoub, daughter of Pr. George and Elizabeth Ayoub
            Bob Cermak, son of Matt and Kate Cermak
            Devontay Clark, daughter of Leland Showers and Rose Clark
            Emma Clarke, daughter of Jeff Clarke and Rachael Clarke
            Nicole Geller, daughter of Bruce and Ann Geller
            Garrison Reed, son of Gary and Amy Reed
            Travis Ward, son of Mike and Mitzi Ward

We Lutherans find deep meaning in the historic Rite of Confirmation. We believe it is an important rite of the Church for growing followers of Christ and building up his Church. These youth have completed 3 years of study (for most of them) in the Lutheran Christian faith. They have studied the Old and New Testaments, 10 Commandments, Apostles’ Creed, Lord’s Prayer, the Sacraments of Baptism and Holy Communion. They have had retreats on prayer life, personal sex choices, Reformation, and how to confess sins and accept forgiveness. Now by virtue of their Confirmations, they are voting members of our congregation and want to help out in gathering, preparing and serving the Lord.

MARRIAGE

Our fellow members Mary Sovoda and Johnny Allen gave promises of marriage and were given God’s blessing in church on May 27^th. Congratulations!

COLLEGE GRADUATIONS

COLLEGE GRADUATIONS: The “little birdies” have told us that some of our fellow members have earned their bachelor’s degrees from Michigan State University and walked in their ceremonies on May 6^th.

            Ferris Badge
            Tatevik Broutian
            Tsoguik Broutian

Ferris majored in environmental studies and in Parks, Tourism and Recreation. She is hoping to serve in the Peace Corps for 2 years. Tsoguik is enrolled in grad school at MSU. Tatevik will be going to Penn State for graduate school.

            James Kruth

received his BA from Olivet College in math and computer science on May 20th. He continues to work at EDS, will teach at Olivet in the fall and pursue grad school.

Way to go, you scholars. We are happy with you and proud of you.  If there are others, please let us know.  Look for High School Graduates and New Members in July’s Manger.

TRANSFER

Bob and Kathy Carter &  Mara Sanford to Calvary Lutheran Church, Lansing.

NEWS AND EVENTS:

VACATION BIBLE SCHOOL

VBS will be held Monday, July 31 through  Friday, August 4, 2006 from 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 noon each day.  Volunteer and Registration forms available in the entryway or you can register online.

ROOF OVER OUR HEADS

The Treasurer, Pat Anderson, reported a total of $10,027.75 in the Roof Fund as of the end of April. Donations from various people totaled $1,977 for the month. Our goal is $17-20,000 for all the work planned. Thank you to those who keep us moving closer to preventing future basement floods.

RESETTLEMENT

With employment recently settled, Leland, Rose and family are moving forward. Leland is working full-time for Meijer's Warehouse. Rose works part-time for a caterer. Permanent housing and transportation remain to be solved. Recently their car has cost them lots of money. They will need a more reliable vehicle in order to get set for a while. They love living in Grand Ledge and would like to stay in town. They are looking for a 4 (3 if necessary) bedroom place.

So together we are getting closer to our mutual goal of their independence. Thank you to all for continuing to pray for them, reach out to them and for your support in our Resettlement Fund.

HEALING PRAYER MINISTRY

Our group met at my home and, in spite of the dreary days and rain (though much needed) that most of us grumbled about, the sun seemed to shine as we greeted our speaker. Chaplain John Burrows of Ingham Medical Center, met with us, and we learned about the effects of healing prayer within the hospital and how one dealt with families, doctors and the patients. We asked many questions and as we talked we saw how the hospital ministry is much like our ministry here at Immanuel.

We continue to meet monthly keeping true to our covenant. It is amazing to us how the Lord continues to place, within our desire to learn and grow in spirit and faith, people who in a special way help us to stretch and open our spirits, mind and hearts as we learn to minister here at Immanuel.

We have become a family, learning to trust, speak openly and honestly, love and pray as the Lord asks of us.  We are a family that wants to grow. We'd welcome visitors to our meetings to see if you might be led to become a healing prayer minister.

It amazes us that there is always someone who brings into the group a dialogue, a subject that excites and encourages us to learn more. We laugh together and of course, prayer is important to us. We enjoy the special times that have been set aside after a meeting for a treat or even a meal.  We keep it simple and healthy. However, if a scrumptious dessert shows up all bets are off.

If you think you'd like to know more about us you can talk to any healing prayer minister.  We would love to bend your ear.                                                                     

Joan R. Nolff,
Healing Prayer Ministry

Graduation Open Houses

All are invited to share in the celebration for:

 50^th ORDINATION ANNIVERSARY

Pastor Paul Pretzlaff was recognized at Synod Assembly for 50 years of service to Christ and the Church as an ordained minister. We will celebrate and give thanks for him on June 25 during the morning church service and at an Appetizer Brunch following Holy Communion. No gifts please but we invite you to bring or send greetings of appreciation.

Experiencing the heart of Christianity

A twelve-session course, “Experiencing the Heart of Christianity,” will be offered at the Teaching & Sharing Center, 417 S. Bridge St., Grand Ledge, beginning on Sunday, June 4 at 5:00 p.m. The textbook for this course will be the best-selling book, “The Heart of Christianity,” by Marcus Borg.  Participants will discuss such topics as the Bible, God, Jesus Christ, sin and how to live in a multi-faith, pluralistic society.

At the initial session, the members of the group will decide on future meeting dates and times. It is recommended that participates purchase the book in advance of the meeting. It is available at Barnes & Noble, who will quickly order copies if it is out of stock.

The leader for this course is Pr. Paul Pretzlaff.  For more information, contact Pr. Paul at 646-9534, e-mail: ptpretz@sbcglobal.net or Kim Zipple at 886-1595, e-mail: zipman8192@aol.com

Luther League II (for Seniors)

Join us on Monday, June 12 for a narrated outdoor Tram Tour (to minimize the amount of walking) of the Meijer Gardens & Sculpture Park located in Grand Rapids.  Following this tour we will eat lunch at the Taste of the Gardens Café located at the park.  The cost of admission to the park is *$9.00 per person which, includes the cost of the Tram Tour.  Lunch will be ordered individually from the Café menu with prices for lunch ranging from $6.00 to $8.00 excluding tax and tip.

* This is a discounted senior group rate that you will need to prepay to either Doug Scoggins, Joy Powis, or Vera Ford as  Meijer Gardens requires only one payment for our entire group upon arrival and check in.  Call Doug Scoggins at 327-0988 for further information/question.

Schedule:

WHAT’S IN YOUR GARDEN?

Here we are, at the beginning of the garden season.  I saw the following in an ad of the paper a few months ago and felt this would be a good time to share it with you.  It should speak to each and every one of us, I know it spoke to me.

FOR THE GARDEN OF YOUR DAILY LIVING,
PLANT THREE ROWS OF PEAS:
	1.	Peace of mind
	2.	Peace of heart
	3.	Peace of Soul
PLANT FOUR ROWS OF SQUASH:
	1.	Squash gossip
	2.	Squash indifference
	3.	Squash grumbling
	4.	Squash selfishness
PLANT FOUR ROWS OF LETTUCE:
	1.	Lettuce be faithful
	2.	Lettuce be kind
	3.	Lettuce be patient
	4.	Lettuce really love one another
NO GARDEN IS COMPLETE WITHOUT TURNIPS:
	1.	Turnip for meetings
	2.	Turnip for service
	3.	Turnip to help one another
TO CONCLUDE OUR GARDEN, WE MUST HAVE THYME:
	1.	Thyme for each other
	2.	Thyme for family
	3.	Thyme for friends

WATER FREELY WITH PATIENCE AND CULTIVATE WITH LOVE.  THERE IS MUCH FRUIT IN YOUR GARDEN BECAUSE YOU REAP WHAT YOU SOW.

Now I’m asking you . . . What’s in your garden?  May your garden be blessed and may you reap a good harvest!

 
Donna Gibbons,
Health Ministry Team

IMMANUEL VISITATION TEAM

There will be an IVT meeting June 8^th, at 3:30 pm at the 501 building.  Please plan to attend as we have a few things to talk about. 

DO YOU KNOW OF ANYONE WHO NEEDS VISITATION AND/OR COMMUNION?  PLEASE CONTACT THE OFFICE WITH THOSE NEEDS. THANK YOU

Opportunities to Serve:

ONE OR TWO HOURS FOR OUR FLOWERS

To keep our Memorial Garden looking nice all summer, we need to have help watering the flowers. A pink sign-up sheet is on the revolving bulletin board in the Narthex. Sign up (with your name and phone number, please) for one week, Sunday through Saturday. Flowers need one inch of rain a week. If it does not rain that much, we need to water. In really dry, hot weather, that may mean watering 2-3 times in a week. It usually takes less than an hour to thoroughly water the garden.  You can sign as an individual, a family, or a couple of friends to share the task. If you have any questions, please call Barb Roush, 517-852-0119 or talk with any member of the Memorial Garden Committee. A BIG THANK YOU TO ALL WHO SIGN UP! 

ISLAND ART FAIR AND HOSPITALITY DAY

This year's Island Art Fair will be held Saturday, August 5.  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.

In order 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/evening.  We are also going to need help directing traffic to keep the traffic flowing well.

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 works.
		Musicians who would like to play their music for periods of time through out the day.

If you are interested in displaying any of your artistic gifts and talents and using some of your spiritual gifts to assist with greeting, providing music or directing traffic contact Bob and Ruth Buckley (649-2314) or Den Graeber (627-3116).

THERE IS A PEARL IN OUR MIDST

We have a prayer chain.  Yes, we really do.  In fact this prayer chain has been active since the early 1980's.  Marge Galvin, Eileen LaCombe, Ruth Hildebrand, just to name a few of those who have been active since it's beginning, were a part of almost thirty people who made up the chains.

It's been a quiet little blessing here at Immanuel.  A "Pearl without price".  Many of you weren't even aware that it was here.  Many of you when illness, other special needs have found your way to someone on the chain or just happened to speak of a need to someone who, thankfully, did know of it.

What a simple way to be part of God's work.  You are able to sit in your home and make just ONE phone call.  One, yup that's all folks.  Of course, you are asked to pray for the person or need that is brought to you. Again, this is done in the privacy of your own home.

The prayer chain is separate from the Healing Prayer Ministry.  They do much of the same work but in their own special ways.  The prayer chain lets those of you whose time is limited, are home-bound, or just really want to do something for the Lord but prefer to do it from home be a blessing to others.

All prayer call-ins are kept confidential.

This little, yet big, pearl is yours for the taking. We'd really like to have you join us. You can do a big job for the Lord with just a little of your time. You can pray for the needs of those who need prayer now, maybe because it's an emergency or other urgent need. These prayers are asked for by your fellow Immanuel family members.  ONE phone call and a prayer in your home. Won't you invest in doing this and be blessed to be a blessing.  You can call Marge Galvan at 627-7494, she will be glad to answer any questions you may have and sign you up.

Joan R. Nolff,
Prayer Chain Ministry

DANCING IN CHURCH

For some, dancing in church is forbidden.  However, Lutherans TRY to move to the music.  We know that the younger Lutherans do dance.  So, we are trying to blend music and dance into our church service.  Dance in worship in not a new concept.  Dance seems to unite people.  With those thoughts in mind, Lauren Martinich has volunteered to start up a new project this summer called liturgical dance.  She is planning an initial meeting to discuss this project more completely. 

Date of Initial Meeting: June 14th at 6 pm in the church. 

Who should come?  Any young Immanuel aged 5 and up, who has some dance experience or is willing to learn.  You will need to be focused and understand that we are participating in worship service.  Lauren and others are exploring fun and exciting ways to incorporate dance as a “language of our faith”.  We will try to determine formal dates and times to rehearse at that meeting.  Please bring your ideas!  Lauren will then meet with Pr. Rick to determine how this dance team fits into our summer worship. For more information, please contact Lauren at 285-5913 (cell) or marti712@msu.edu.

CONTEMPORARY CHURCH BAND

We want everyone to be aware that we are trying to start a contemporary church band.  The band would play one to four songs at a service once a month.  The music would be faster paced, lively and, hopefully, more appealing to our church's younger members. We will try to allow participation from anyone who is interested, but due to the type of music being played, there are certain instruments that are needed.  We are especially looking for a drummer, bass guitarist, vocalist and keyboard player.  Bob Cermak, who is starting the band, will be playing guitar, but we could always have more.  We will try to encourage all participation, but we really need people who have already accomplished a level of proficiency on their instrument.

Remember this band's success depends on participation from the congregation.  For more information contact Bob Cermak, 627-1805 or Pr. Rick.  The date of the first band practice, or try out if necessary, will be announced after we see how much interest there is and what instruments will be used.

YOUTH NEWS:

OUR TOWN AND YOUTH TO SAN ANTONIO

Our congregation’s Drama Ministry put on “Our Town” by Thornton Wilder. It was a truly enjoyable experience. Excellent and delightful portrayals of “ourselves,” which is to say, American small-town characters.

A group of 9 youth and 3 adults are nearing their goal to fund their trip to the National Youth Gathering, July 10-14 in San Antonio, TX. PTL! Thanks to all who rehearsed so long and gave so much to our church. Those attending left $327 behind.

NOTES:

THANK YOU’S

From SIREN/Eaton Shelter… “Thank you so much for your generous gift. ($879.50) Thrivent is helping to sponsor our Car Show (June 17), so we will use your gift to be a part of that match opportunity. We also need a few Lutheran (Thrivent) volunteers that day. (543-0748)”

From Bought and Paid For: “…for the offering that you gave us and assure you that we plan to use it to further the ministry…for the very warm welcome we received. The main thing we hope is that you felt the Spirit of the Lord through our music.

CELEBRATIONS:
JUNE BIRTHDAYS

JUNE ANNIVERSARIES

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