Immanuel Lutheran Church, Grand Ledge, Michigan

I feel led to offer counsel regarding the cloud of war forming on our nation’s horizon. I don’t see how the Church in America can give its blessing on the unilateral attack of Iraq being proposed by our President.

Ecclesiastes 3 names various “seasons” in life. Verse 8 talks about “A time for war and a time for peace.” Since the time of St. Augustine, ca 400 A. D, the Church has used a “Just War Doctrine” to guide its members as they make faithful, moral choices in seasons of war. It was revised in the 13^th, 17^th and 20^th centuries as new ways of governing and new technologies came to be. Rather than give you the history about its development, I will simply tell what it is.

Christians are expected to evaluate the “when, what and how” of their leaders’ decisions to go to war according to these criteria. They help us use faith to follow our moral obligation to obey God (The 1^st Commandment) and authority (The 4^th Commandment).

I can’t see how a unilateral attack on Iraq (and Saddam Hussein) can be justified according to these historic criteria.

The Church cannot support a unilateral attack without going against its own principles.

During the Gulf War, we were a part of (led) an international force that helped Kuwait defend itself from Iraqi attack and domination. If other nations currently need our help to defend themselves against Hussein, they should ask for it. If we know secrets about Hussein’s plans that cannot be safely revealed then the leaders of the nations should speak with one voice – telling us about this and that they agree he must be stopped. If there is a genocide that is taking place within Iraq, then the nations should unite in defending human life. But we cannot, morally before God, do this on our own.

One more thing: “why” (or “what is our Christian motivation for participating in killing”). A Christian’s motive for participating in war comes from Jesus’ teaching about the Great Commandment: love God and love your neighbor. Defending against evil, even preventing evil and promoting the good comes as an expression of this love. It is clear in the “War on Terrorism.” We have been attacked. We are being proportional. And we are trying not to target non-terrorists. Innocent people have been, are, and will be targets of terrorists.

However, in the case of Saddam Hussein and the sovereign nation he controls– already bottled up by no fly zones and embargoes and renewed inspections – it is not clear to me how military attack is more loving and less evil to the country – or ultimately to our Christian principles or own national principles.

You are already making up your own minds about this. I offer this historic doctrine and these thoughts to encourage you to use your own Christian faith to be involved in your personal decisions and choices

ON GIVING AND RECEIVING:
AN UPDATE FROM PASTOR PAUL

In Ephesians 20, the Apostle Paul quotes these words of Jesus: “It is more blessed to give than to receive.” You can’t argue with that. But there are also times when it is more blessed to receive than to give.

On May 29, I had my left hip replaced. The surgeon was pleased and said it went very well. The new hip is working just fine. However, a series of tests following surgery established that I had suffered a pulmonary embolism. I obviously have survived, but now I need to be on oxygen at night, take coumadin daily for six months, and use an inhaler twice a day. I was hospitalized for two weeks. The second week was all physical therapy and I did well.

I was home for several days, when I developed a major infection in my incision, back to the hospital for 1-½ weeks. I came back home on July 3 and was on antibiotics for eight weeks. There are currently no infections and I go for physical therapy three times a week. The arthritis in the other hip is getting worse.

I was seventy-one years old when I had the surgery and had never even been hospitalized before. For forty years as a parish pastor and three more years as Immanuel’s part-time Visitation Pastor, I had visited the sick and homebound, prayed for healing and anointed with oil. Suddenly, others are praying at my bedside and anointing me with oil. I was receiving and it was a blessing.

The Apostle remembered Jesus’ words about giving; but the Apostle also remembered all he had received from the Lord: instructions, guidance, the Holy Spirit, salvation, eternal life, and grace. To him the Lord had said, “My grace is sufficient for you.” (I Cor. 12:9) Let me tell you – it’s true.

AMONG OUR MEMBERS:

BAPTISM

Joined to the Church, the body of Christ, on Sept. 13^th was Heather Lenartson-Kluge. The day prior to giving promises of marriage, Heather confessed her faith and received his Spirit and life.

MARRIAGE

Len Kluge and Heather Lenartson were married on September 14^th at Len’s home by Mayor Hollister. We celebrate the covenants of baptism and marriage with them.

FIRST COMMUNIONS

The following kids received their 1^st Communions on October 27^th (Reformation Sunday). They were presented with Bibles by their parents who renewed their promise to God to follow Christ as parents. Congratulations, kids and parents.

Kira Ayoub	Kayla Ewing	Garrison Reed
Mitchell Bolley	Nicole Geller	Kevin Rodewald
Sam Buckley	Dalton Olin	Stephan Sime
Bob Cermak	Travis Olin	Travis Ward
Emma Clarke	Dan Pelfrey

NEWS AND EVENTS:

CONGREGATIONAL MEETING

Our annual congregational meeting will be held on Sunday, November 3rd at 7:00 p.m. in our Fellowship Hall. The purpose of the meeting will be to review and approve the proposed budget for 2003 and to vote for council representatives for 2003.

Please plan to attend!

BASKETS OF HOPE

Each year we, at Immanuel, contribute a special offering to go towards food "baskets" for the Grand Ledge community. It's that time, and AAL Branch 4252 is (again) asking for your help to raise money to purchase food to go to needy families in the Grand Ledge area. AAL will match your contribution and the total money will be available to those willing to purchase and deliver food to families in need during the Christmas season.

This year's "BASKETS OF HOPE" date is Sunday, November 17. We will have envelopes available in the pews during both of the services. If you wish your contribution to be entered on your church giving statement, please include your offering envelope number on the "Baskets of Hope" envelope. Make checks payable to: Immanuel Lutheran Church and write "Baskets of Hope" in the memo space. If you are unable to attend church November 17, you may mail your contribution to the church office at 501 S. Clinton St., Grand Ledge - or you may drop it off with Denise.

If purchasing and delivering food sounds like a project you would like to undertake, contact Jim Drown (645-2451) for the name and needs of a family.

Under our mission of "Gathering, Preparing and Serving" this would certainly fit the serving category and might help to make your Advent and Christmas even more meaningful.

The friendship club is a social club for all adults of the congregation. Our aim is to make friends and have lots of fun! We typically meet on a monthly basis and from time-to-time will have family-friendly activities. Our schedule for the remainder of Fall is as follows:

November 9, 2002 7:00-9:00 Games for 8 in Members’ homes. Sign up in the lobby. If you can serve as host, please provide beverages and a place to play. All others, please bring a snack to share.

More details for our December gathering will be forthcoming. For more information on Game Night or on the Friendship Club, call the Lynn or Steve Colby at 627-3438 or the Marlaine or Jim Teahan at 627-5637.

New church directories will be printed in January. To publish the most accurate directories we can, we need your help.

Do we have your correct address? Are your grown children’s addresses correct? Please notify the church office of any changes in your name, address, phone number or e-mail address.

Would you like your e-mail address printed in the Church Directory? Would you like to receive announcements by e-mail? To help save the church postage cost please let the church office know your e-mail address. E-mail them to: dlund@immanuel-gl.org. E-mail addresses will not be published without permission.

You may have been reading in your bulletin about the upcoming changes that we will be implementing in November. As a result of the concerns brought forward on “sticky note board”, we are finally addressing your concerns on the noise level in the sanctuary prior to worship services. (We are addressing the clamor that arises primarily from adult conversation, not just noises associated with children) – we are all responsible for contributing to the ‘noise level’. It is our goal to enhance your worship experience by having a ‘quiet’ sanctuary before and during worship services and thus achieve a more meaningful time of worship on Sunday mornings. We are asking that as you enter the sanctuary, you:

The prelude played by the organist begins the worship service and is to help us meditate quietly and prepare spiritually for the confession of sins to follow.

We hope this will heighten your worship experience and please, by all means, socialize with your Immanuel family after the service in the fellowship hall, entryway or Narthex. We appreciate your cooperation as we try to enhance worship for all participants.

Are you interested in working with Pastor Rick in planning the Worship Schedule? We are looking for a volunteer to serve in this area. It involves meeting with the Pastor on a regular basis (usually every 3 months) to review and plan the upcoming Worship Schedule, typing up the information, keeping it updated for change, and e-mailing it to the church office for distribution. An understanding of the church year/seasons is helpful but not required. This is a great opportunity to work with the Pastor and learn a little bit more about “us”. If you are interested, please call Denise Kelly at (517) 647-4036 for more details.

Assisting Minister Coordinator

Do you have a few spare hours a month and a telephone? We need a volunteer to schedule the Assisting Ministers for upcoming Worship Services. The “list” already exists of those individuals trained and participating, so you just need to call them, complete a schedule and forward it to the church office in time for publishing in the Newsletter (the 15^th of each month), as well as the weekly bulletin. This individual would also lead occasional training sessions. If you are interested, please contact Denise Kelly at (517) 647-4036.

Greeter and Coffee Hour Sign ups are doing great! We have a few opportunities left to serve this year. Check your calendars and sign up in the lobby. December 29^th is the only coffee hour left in the year 2002! Wow, we really enjoy coffee hour!!! Being a greeter is a great way to make Immanuel user-friendly to visitors, to greet your friends, meet new people and have a short-term, short-lived ministry opportunity. Call Marlaine Teahan at 622-4121 for further information.

God is so good. His providence upon our nation, our town, and our homes is great. Though we have insecurities currently for national and personal safety, though we have uncertainty in our economy and perhaps we are not sure about health and some of our family relationships, corporately our needs are more provided than any other people of any generation. We raise the song of harvest home. And we gather to for worship and to make various offerings for others in need so that all families can make it through the coming winter. Please make the effort to thank the Lord somewhere. There are services all over the area during this season.

Gracious God, we thank you today for our country and town, for our home and family gathered here, and for the good gifts we have because you have provided for us. We thank you for _____________ (here individuals name their own thanks). For all this and especially for our salvation in your Son we give you praise. Bless this feast and us to be blessing to those who are in need today. We ask this in Jesus’ name. Amen.

The ELCA's National Youth Gathering will happen July 20-23,2003 - Atlanta, Georgia. Immanuel is sending a group of kids. To reserve your spot call Mike Pitchford (627-1284)

Congratulations to Chris & Erin Vickers on the birth of their son, Andrew. He was born October 19 and weighed 6lbs 12oz , 20 inches long. The proud grandparents are Pr. Rick & Ellen McKenzie. Congratulations to all!

I would like to thank everyone for the thoughts and prayers over the last couple of weeks. They have made a pretty heavy load much easier to bear. The news was very good when we went for follow-up of my surgery and, for the moment at least, it looks like I am cancer-free. The next step is lifestyle changes and watchful waiting. God has given me two gifts during this time. One is a new beginning and I am trying to be open to what he has in mind for me. The other is a loving family, friends and caring spiritual community. Thank you all from the bottom of my heart.

FROM THE COUNCIL PRESIDENT'S DESK:

It’s November, and we have been busy gathering in the harvest and working in our yards preparing for winter. It’s time to think about Thanksgiving and family and friends and our church family and our community.

The Annual Grand Ledge Crop Walk has been held to help provide for the hungry globally and in our community. The number of walkers and the support from Immanuel for the Crop Walk was great!

AAL Branch 4252 is planning Baskets for Hope Sunday for November 17. This is an opportunity for us to help provide a good meal and goodies for community families that could use some help at Christmas.

In our church family, the Bridgebuilders have been busy leading focus groups and getting valuable information compiled to help us move forward into 2003.

It’s also time for our annual meeting on November 3rd at 7:00 p.m. The purpose of the meeting primarily will be to review and approve the proposed budget for 2003 and to vote for council representatives for next year. Thanks to the management committee and all committees and the church council for all of their hard work putting this proposed budget together.

Our Worship Committee is asking for our help in trying to enhance and encourage a more meaningful worship atmosphere on Sunday mornings. This has been discussed at church council meetings, and a recent decision was made to approach the congregation asking that we quietly gather for worship and prepare ourselves spiritually for the confession of sins to follow.

The council also decided to try moving announcements to the end of the service and have the Council President and Vice President making announcements. One of the key elements in making this announcement process work better is to have a contact person for various events and programs. Announcements should be brief, providing the basic detail with sign-up sheets and displays if appropriate. Sign-up sheets and displays with a committee member or event coordinator will help personalize the invitation to join in and to answer questions.

It’s also important that we continue to use the bulletin and newsletter to share detailed information about events. One of the key things here is planning ahead to get items in the newsletter and bulletin but we can do it.

Let’s gather together with thankful hearts this November and always as we thank God for the many blessings he continues to provide us.