[1] If you would like to make a large pledge or gift to this cause, let Pr. Rick know. He will put you in touch with the Director.

 

AMONG OUR MEMBERS:

BAPTISM

On February 19,   Edward James, son of Phil and Pam Hill, brother to Emily, was baptized into the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ.

May he grow in the power of grace irrevocably placed in him.

BIRTHS

Makena was born to Mark and Stephanie (Clark) Snitgen on January 27.

Emma Marie was born to Bob and Dawn Shilton, and her sister, Kayla Mielke, on February 8.

Congratulations, and may the Lord’s strength be with you.

 

NEWS AND EVENTS:

Study Group during Lenten Season

There will be two classes meeting during Lent to study the book, The Lutheran Handbook.   The classes will meet every Monday for 7 weeks, one class at 10:00 a.m. and one class at 7:00 p.m., starting Monday, February 27 in the 501 building.

Maundy Thursday Seder Meal
April 13, 2006

Mark your calendars for this night…a sign-up attendance form will be available in the Narthex during the month of March.  Join us as we gather around the Seder Table and experience one of the most important events in the Jewish Year.

PROVERBS: THEN AND NOW

“Early to bed, early to rise makes a man healthy, wealthy and wise.”

“Do not love sleep or you will grow poor.”

One is Ben Franklin; the other is the Proverbs. Do you know which is which? Starting Sunday, February 26^th, Pastor’s Bible Study will be looking at the book of Proverbs. We will gather some of them and discuss where and how they are use in life and the Bible.

The Proverbs philosophy is that God has built in rules for all kinds of good and successful living. Wisdom is a type of faith that knows God and accepts his social rules leading to blessing.

Those of you who want to know more and live better are wise to attend the class. But you will have to take a chance of sorts, since Pastor can’t say yet how many sessions there will be. The lessons have not yet been organized.

A WORD FROM COUNCIL ON THE CHURCH STRUCTURE CHANGE

Over the years, our congregation has experienced significant growth.  We have moved from what is called a “family church”, in church growth parlance, to a “pastoral church,” to a “program church.”  As the names imply, a family church has the feel of a family and people enter the church through family relationships.  A pastoral church has the pastor as its center and new people come into the church through their contact with the pastor.  A program church has the church’s mission as the core and new people enter into the church through one or more missions or ministries of the church.

Based on guidance from the Synod office as well as what our congregation learned from the Bridgebuilders Program, the Council has voted to move forward in the direction of changing from a committee-based structure, which works well for family and pastoral churches, to a mission-based structure which seems to work best for program churches. 

What we, the Council, learned from Bridgebuilders, and what we are working very hard to do, is to keep everyone informed at all stages of this structural change.  In the next few months, not only will we be drafting proposed amendments to the church’s bylaws to effectuate this change, we will also be providing the congregation with information about how this structural change will work within our church and how it will affect each of us personally.

We will look for ultimate congregational approval of the structural change at a specially-called congregational meeting to be held on Sunday, June 4, 2006.  At that time, we will vote as a congregation on the bylaw amendments that will be necessary to accomplish our structural change, effective September 1, 2006.  You will also have an opportunity, prior to the congregational meeting, to review the proposed bylaws, ask questions, get answers, and learn exactly what changes are proposed.

If you have any questions or concerns about this, NOW is the time to start asking your questions and voicing your concerns. NOW is the time to start contacting Council members.  We want your time-honored wisdom, your experience, and your help in this.

Council members for 2006:
 

	Mike Proper, President, 626-2408	Tony Holland, 627-4804
	Marlaine Teahan, Vice-President, 627-5637	Den Graeber, 627-3116
	Barb Paulins, Recording Secretary, 645-2914	Dan Landry, 622-1002
	Elizabeth Ayoub, 989-224-2608	John VanHoesen, 622-1670
	Teresa Barcy, 627-5493	Gregg Vicary, 627-5528

Luther League II
(Immanuel’s Group for Young-at-Heart Seniors)

Monday, March 13, meet at St Michael's Catholic Church, 345 Edwards St., Grand Ledge, at 10 a.m.  Sister Betty Gaiss will meet with us to discuss Roman Catholicism and lead us in a Lenten devotion based on the Stations of the Cross.  Following the visit, we will go to Cugino's Restaurant in Grand Ledge for lunch.  Call Doug Scoggins, 327-0988 or Joy Powis, 627-7067 for transportation or other information.

HEY, LUGNUTS FANS 

Mark your calendar for Immanuel's annual trip to the park on Friday, July 21, 2006.  It's a 7:05 PM game with fireworks after the game.  Call Orv Erickson at 517-645-2865 and let him know how many tickets you would like.  Tickets are $8.00 each and the money needs to be turned in to Orv by June 4, 2006.  It's a great time for the whole family, so come on out and join us.

GENERAL FUND

Treasurer, Nathan Flanders, reported that as of January 31, 2006 the General Fund was in the black by $978! Praise the Lord. This is the first positive balance since January, 2004! Council will pay continued attention to our expenses. Thank you for our income.

RESETTLEMENT

In addition to gifts from members of the congregation, assistance was received from the members of St. Michael RC Church.

A ROOF OVER OUR HEADS

In January, $415 was received from gifts by members. We now have $4,380 toward our goal of $17,000 to $20,000. Regarding the project, Russ Riggs is leading the project to repair our roof, gutters, drains and landscaping.

GLEAP

We were able to send a check for $198.00 to the Grand Ledge Emergency Assistance Program thanks to continued contributions. GLEAP, as it is affectionately known, provides emergency assistance all year to people in the Grand Ledge school district. Thank you so much!