February 2015 1540 West Lodi Avenue Lodi, CA 95242 209.334.2130 EmanuelLodi.com EMANUEL LUTHERAN IS A BIBLE-BASED CHURCH Mission in Motion… Stepping Out in Faith! The Lobby/Narthex project is moving forward!!! The roof is being installed! Which will allow inside work to progress. FYI —- this is not a flat roof as some have specu- lated. Take a look at the pitch from the eastside or talk with Oscar or Ed about the project. In February we will be giving viewing tours so that all of us can grow to a greater understand of our future Lobby/Narthex ministry area. And here is a fun contest: The person(s) that guess the date of our receiving the occupancy permit will win a great dinner, be the first to officially enter the new building and be a significant part of our dedication blessing! So, just write me a note, email, text, FB or tweet me the date you believe the City of Lodi will give Emanuel our occupancy permit. “A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another, even as I have loved you, that you also love one another. By this all men will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another.” Be the first person to communicate to me where the words above are found and you will receive an appropriate gift! The following is part of an upcoming sermon: I have come to realize that many people treat the church like a restaurant. If the experience isn’t just to their liking, they’ll find somewhere else or not go at all. This is beyond unfortunate. This sets up expectations for the church that it was never intended to fulfill. Also, and we have to be honest here, this isn’t relationships-focused; this is self-focused. This isn’t loving as Jesus loved. This loves as I see fit, am comfortable with, and for my own gain. The church isn’t supposed to be like that… is it? I believe that we will experience a love for the church when we intentionally love the church! You will have a deep sense of love for the church when you actively and intentionally practice love for the church. The opposite is also true: When you don’t intentionally love the church, then you will not experience a love for the church. We’ll love the church when it is about relationships, not when it is like a restaurant. So, what does it look like to intentionally love the church? To be in community with one another as God intended it to be. Well, that’s what this upcoming sermon series is about! Let me give you a quick overview of what we’ll be looking at in the weeks to come: 8—Love by connecting. Being in community—in fellowship, in relationship—with each other is more than knowing people’s names and what pew they like to sit in on a Sunday morning. We love one another when we stand alongside one another. Being connected with one another is ensuring no one stands alone! 15—Love by serving. God has given each of His followers supernaturally empowered abilities to encourage and help one another and the community. Did you know you have superpowers? We’re going to talk about that. 22—Love by giving. Yes, we’re going to talk about giving. But probably not in the way you’d expect. In fact, we won’t talk at all about tithing or percentages. We won’t even try any ill -planned guilt trips to get you to give more. We’ll simply talk about giving as an indicator of love. 1—Love by sharing. The love that Jesus gives to us and that we can have for one another isn’t to be hoarded within the walls of the church. The love that we are to have for one another is also meant to show our community what the love of Jesus looks like. If we aren’t sharing the love of God with our words and deeds, then we aren’t truly loving. I invite you to pray about who you can invite to worship for the five weeks of the I Really Love… sermon series! Be assured we will look at various ways that we can intentionally love the church as we see what it is God intended for the great community of faith, Emanuel Lutheran!
Transcript
February 2015
1540 West Lodi Avenue
Lodi, CA 95242
209.334.2130
EmanuelLodi.com
EMANUEL
LUTHERAN
IS A BIBLE-BASED
CHURCH
Mission in Motion… Stepping Out in Faith!
The Lobby/Narthex project is moving forward!!!
The roof is being installed! Which will allow inside work to progress. FYI —- this is not a flat roof as some have specu-lated. Take a look at the pitch from the eastside or talk with Oscar or Ed about the project. In February we will be giving viewing tours so that all of us can grow to a greater understand of our future Lobby/Narthex ministry area. And here is a fun contest: The person(s) that guess the date of our receiving the occupancy permit will win a great dinner, be the first to officially enter the new building and be a significant part of our dedication blessing! So, just write me a note, email, text, FB or tweet me the date you believe the City of Lodi will give Emanuel our occupancy permit.
“A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another, even as I have loved you, that you also love one another. By this all men will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another.”
Be the first person to communicate to me where the words above are found and you will receive an appropriate gift!
The following is part of an upcoming sermon: I have come to realize that many people treat the church like a restaurant. If the experience isn’t just to their liking, they’ll find somewhere else or not go at all. This is beyond unfortunate. This sets up expectations for the church that it was never intended to fulfill. Also, and we have to be honest here, this isn’t relationships-focused; this is self-focused. This isn’t loving as Jesus loved. This loves as I see fit, am comfortable with, and for my own gain. The church isn’t supposed to be like that… is it?
I believe that we will experience a love for the church when we intentionally love the church! You will have a deep sense of love for the church when you actively and intentionally practice love for the church. The opposite is also true: When you don’t intentionally love the church, then you will not experience a love for the church. We’ll love the church when it is about relationships, not when it is like a restaurant.
So, what does it look like to intentionally love the church? To be in community with one another as God intended it to be. Well, that’s what this upcoming sermon series is about! Let me give you a quick overview of what we’ll be looking at in the weeks to come:
8—Love by connecting. Being in community—in fellowship, in relationship—with each other is more than knowing
people’s names and what pew they like to sit in on a Sunday morning. We love one another when we stand alongside one another. Being connected with one another is ensuring no one stands alone!
15—Love by serving. God has given each of His followers supernaturally empowered abilities to encourage and
help one another and the community. Did you know you have superpowers? We’re going to talk about that.
22—Love by giving. Yes, we’re going to talk about giving. But probably not in the way you’d expect. In fact, we won’t
talk at all about tithing or percentages. We won’t even try any ill-planned guilt trips to get you to give more. We’ll simply talk about giving as an indicator of love.
1—Love by sharing. The love that Jesus gives to us and that we can have for one another isn’t to be hoarded within
the walls of the church. The love that we are to have for one another is also meant to show our community what the love of Jesus looks like. If we aren’t sharing the love of God with our words and deeds, then we aren’t truly loving.
I invite you to pray about who you can invite to worship for the five weeks of the I Really Love… sermon series! Be assured we will look at various ways that we can intentionally love the church as we see what it is God intended for the great community of faith, Emanuel Lutheran!
2/1 LBW
Ushers: LaVerne Walth, Iola Jochim, David Miller, Don Bricker Communion Assistants: Jo Bamesberger, Cathy Eilers, Rosalie Atwood Liturgical Leader: Harry Marzolf Altar Care: Sara Townsend
Acolyte: Michael Frederiksen Lector: Gary Ochsner Prayer Partner: Lorraine Montgomery Visual Assistant: Volunteer Needed Altar Flowers: Open
2/8 ABC
Ushers: Zach King, Hilde Equitz, Jim & Sandi Funk Communion Assistants: Gary Ochsner, Marilyn Beck, Sandee Kautz Liturgical Leader: David Miller & Joyce Meredith Altar Care: Sandee Kautz
Acolyte: Heather Riggle Lector: Suzanne Seiler Prayer Partner: Rosalie Atwood Visual Assistant: Larry Seiler Altar Flowers: Open
2/15 LBW
Ushers: Harry & Caroline Marzolf Communion Assistants: Cathy Eilers, Oscar & Tina Schultz Liturgical Leader: Sara Townsend Altar Care: Darlene Ruse & Lorraine Montgomery
Acolyte: Michael Frederiksen Lector: David Miller Prayer Partner: Cliff Marvel Visual Assistant: Arnold Eilers Altar Flowers: Open
2/22 ABC
Ushers: Gary Ochsner, Ken Kramlich, Andy & Cindy Capron Communion Assistants: Sara Townsend, Larry Seiler Liturgical Leader: Dave Miller Altar Care: Richard & Marsha Griffith
Ushers: Phil & Tina Abba, Harry Etzler, Virginia Whitney Communion Assistant: Matt Bitz Liturgical Leader: Harry Marzolf Van Driver: Steve Mayo
Acolyte: Oliver Shelley Lector: Phyllis Nusz Prayer Partner: Alice Reimche Visual Assistant: Volunteer Needed
2/8 ABC
Ushers: Hans & Helga Buehrer, Karlee Schnaible Communion Assistant: Phil Abba Liturgical Leader: Dave Miller & Joyce Meredith Van Driver: Kurt Kautz
Acolyte: Sam Cawelti Lector: Dan Cawelti Prayer Partner: Matt Bitz Visual Assistant: Todd Schnaible
2/15 LBW
Ushers: Jack & Alice Lamberty, Anna Farley, Denise Nieves Communion Assistant: Phil Abba Liturgical Leader: Sara Townsend Van Driver: Arnold Eilers
Acolyte: Ezzery Shelley Lector: Phil Abba Prayer Partner: Volunteer Needed Visual Assistant: Tina Abba
2/22 ABC
Ushers: Brooke & Natalie Handel, Hans & Helga Buehrer Communion Assistant: Matt Bitz Liturgical Leader: Denise Nieves Van Driver: Danny Cawelti
Acolyte: Bradley Handel Lector: Matt Bitz Prayer Partner: Alice Reimche Visual Assistant: Adam Morgan
2/18 Ash Wed.
Ushers: Phil & Tina Abba, Gary Ochsner Communion Assistants: Sara Townsend, Larry Seiler Van Driver: Eunice Friederich
Visual Assistant: Suzanne Seiler
LOVE! ... the Focus of February Worship Celebrations
February 1 I Really… Love My Church! (focus text John 13:34-35)
February 8 I Really… Love My Community! (focus text Hebrews 10:19-25)
February 15 I Really… Love to Serve! (focus texts 1 Corinthians 12:4-7 and
Romans 12:3-8)
February 22 I Really… Love being a Giver! (focus text Acts 4:32-35)
March 1 I Really… Love by Sharing my Gifts (focus text Colossians 4:1-6)
You are invited to join Emanuel’s Worship Team in prayer, discussing upcoming sermon themes and ways to connect persons with worship as well as selecting songs. If interested contact Denise, Kathie, Vicki or Pastor Chris and find out more of what we do.
meets on Tuesdays @ 7pm (including February 10 with Pastor Chris) and we will
finish the last few chapters of the Gospel of Matthew this month. The Youth are geared up and ready for
Emanuel’s 9th annual Crab Feed on Saturday, February 7, which will support their upcoming Mexico mission
trip.
will not meet on February 9th but will meet every other Monday @ 7pm in
the Fireside Room. They had an awesome opportunity in January to attend the Passion Conference in Atlanta,
Georgia. It was a combined trip of 4 young adults from Emanuel and 4 from Bear Creek Community Church
plus Brandon. The conference was attended by 20,000 young adults from all over the nation, and we got to
break into smaller groups of 7 in rooms separate from the arena, and spend time every morning and evening
with them to talk about how God is moving in our lives. An unexpected surprise was the opportunity to visit
the birthplace and museum of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. It was awesome to be where so much history took
place. Thank you again for supporting these young adults in their efforts to grow closer to God -- It think it’s
safe to say, our lives were changed because of this trip!
The Anchor Young Adult will not meet February 9, due to Brandon being on a mission trip to
El Salvador (he leaves Feb 6 and returns late Feb 13). While there, he will help build facilities, and lead VBS
programs and worship for various groups. Fundraising is going well so far and yet he is just short of $1,000 to
cover costs. Please pray! -- for the financial resources, and safe travel for him and his team.
...Brandon
Lenten Season Begins
Lent begins early this year!
Lent is a time when Christians prepare for Easter by observing 40 days of repentance, moderation,
giving up and giving more, increased spiritual discipline, and fasting. The purpose is to set aside
time for reflection on Jesus —- His suffering, sacrifice, His ministry in life, death, burial and
resurrection.
February 18 is Ash Wednesday, which marks the first day, or start of the Lenten season. It is 40
days (not including Sundays) prior to Easter Sunday. Here at Emanuel, we will have a Worship
Service at 7pm in the Sanctuary. Did you know? The Bible does not mention the custom of Lent.
However, the practice of using ashes as a symbolic act of repentance and mourning is found in
several passages: 2 Samuel 13:19; Esther 4:1; Job 2:8; Daniel 9:3; and Matthew 11:21.
On the 5 Wednesdays after Ash Wednesday, Lenten suppers will begin at 6pm in the Social
Hall immediately followed by Worship, also in the Social Hall. Please prayerfully consider
teaming up with others to prepare these suppers. If you’d like to help but aren’t sure how to go
about it, please ask the Office -- we can get you answers!!
Lutheran Congregations in Mission for Christ
Emanuel participated the LCMC annual observance of 3 Days of Prayer on January 6, 7 and
8 in two significant ways. Prayer guides were provided and three meal+prayer services were
held in our Social Hall -- Tuesday was breakfast, Wednesday was our monthly Birthday Bash lunch, and
Thursday was dinner. HUGE THANKS to all the chefs and kitchen crew who gave of their time and prepared
such scrumptious meals. The Prayer Guide booklets are still available and can be used for prayer ANYtime!
Note: this annual observance is always in early January (usually the first Tuesday-Wednesday-Thursday) so
pencil it in your calendars for 2016!
$40 for Crab and Spaghetti
$10 for Spaghetti only
$280 for a Table of 8
February 7, 2015
@ 6:00pm
Social Hall
Emanuel’s 9th annual
Crab & Spaghetti Feed TICKETS … YOU NEED TO GET THEM NOW!!!
Our first annual BUNCO
fundraiser last year was so
much fun and such a huge success, we
decided to do it again! Ladies AND
Gents -- mark your calendars for
Saturday, March 28 for our 2nd
Annual BUNCO Luncheon!!! Keep
your eyes open over the next few weeks
for additional details and opportunities!
Home with the Lord
Louise Keser passed away on
January 18, and is in glory
with our Lord. Although we
can feel joy in knowing she is
in Heaven, we and her family
miss her very much.
The family expressed great
thanks to the staff and all the
kitchen volunteers for their
warm hospitality.
Please keep her family in
prayer through the coming
weeks and months.
Volunteers Greatly Needed
Please read page 2 of this newsletter --
yes, the Saints-In-Service schedule for
this month. You’ll notice that many
people often serve regularly and some
people serve multiple times in multiple roles each month. If
you’ve ever thought, “I’d like to do this (or that) but don’t
know how and what if I made a mistake??” (ahem, welcome
to the “What if?” Club). All it takes is a few times working
with a mentor and a willingness to be IMperfect -- just like
the rest of us! In addition to serving “on the floor” of the
Sanctuary, Ron Boehler and his very small contingent of
volunteers are in great need of more people willing to learn
how to run the audio-visual system. Talk with folks already
volunteering, perhaps shadow them as they serve, prayerfully
consider lending a hand, and let the Office know of your
interest and questions. It is indeed a JOY to serve!!
December 17, 2014 Meeting
Accepted financial overview
Approved minutes from December Council meeting
Approved LCMC 3-Day Prayer, January 6,7,8
Leadership training with LCMC Service Coordinator set for January 22 & 23
Discussed Gary presenting the Kitchen Team findings regarding purchase of stove
Approved Benevolence as recorded below
General Offering Fund Income: $26,229 General Budgeted Expenses: $32,241
Water Ministry $90 Emanuel Cares $150 Fellowship ($266) Facility Use $255 Women's Ministry $471 Funeral Fund $474 Christmas Tea $934 Holiday Boutique $1,526 German Dinner $1,573 Landscape Fund $2,133 Sabbatical $3,600 Contingency Fund $5,000 Youth Mission Account $10,326
BALANCE $26,416
The Mission in Motion… Stepping out in Faith! Campaign as of January 25, 2015.
$215,988 has been pledged for the 3 year campaign $147,593 has been received through pledges Monthly average is $5,758 Thank You Lodi Residents
If you recently turned your Waste Management free disposal voucher into the Office, THANK YOU! If you don’t have plans to use your voucher, please turn it into the Church Office so we can use them to help others.
Report on Annual Meeting and LCMC Congregational Workshops
The weekend of January 23-25 was very busy and exciting at Emanuel! Those members who participated know what we mean while those who couldn’t or (wouldn’t) missed some fantastic opportunities. On Friday evening, Emanuel’s Church Council met with Pastor Mark Vander Tuig,
Service Coordinator with LCMC, for a great session focusing on leadership. On Saturday, only 14 people (really??) attended the congregational workshop (announced in January newsletter, Sunday bulletins, emails and phone tree) which focused on discipleship. Pastor Mark shared that “Wherever we are in our daily lives, we are on short-term mission trips. And think about this: what wouldn’t you give up in order to ensure your grandchildren and children (and other people you encounter) are saved?” Do you want to have a greater impact? Attend Bible studies and workshops to be inspired, learn new tools and become better equipped! Finally, on Sunday, about 67 people attended our Annual Meeting and potluck, during which lively discussions focused on where we’ve been and where we’re going, updates on our construction project, and various ministry reports covering the previous year. Watch
the newsletter and bulletins for MORE OPPORTUNITIES -- WILL YOU CHOOSE TO SERVE ? Joshua 24 shares: “...as for me and my house we shall serve the Lord.”
Riders:
Please call your drivers to let them know that you need a ride.
Leah Beer 368-2629
Dorothy Pendleton 339-4085
Jeanette Sides 334-3763
Maxine Paape 334-3763
Verna Moore 371-7354
February Drivers:
Please check with your riders if you have not heard from them.
Darrel & Natalie Kiesz 2/14 Walt & Maryanne Bergstrom 2/22 David & Sheryl Miller 2/22 Don & Janet Bricker 2/28 John & Marilyn Martin 2/28
Anna Farley 2/11 Fran Forkas 2/12 Melba Hilscher 2/13 Tina Abba 2/14 Jim Quaschnick 2/14 Sheryl Miller 2/15 Clifford Nitschke 2/15 Jeanette Sides 2/15 Helga Buehrer 2/17 Jane King 2/18
Lynsey Shelley 2/18 Margaret Quaschnick 2/20 Alice Lamberty 2/21 Jack Lamberty 2/21 Kathy Quaschnick 2/21 Jaimi Wisner 2/21 Esther Bender 2/26 Stefani Beck 2/27 Ed Oster 2/27
Wednesday, February 4 @ Noon
Richmaid Restaurant
Come One, Come All! All are invited to join
the birthday folks and celebrate
February birthdays
LOVE is …
L earning
O bserving
V aluing
E ncouraging
SUN MON TUE WED THUR FRI SAT
Valentine’s Day
EMANUEL LUTHERAN CHURCH
1540 West Lodi Avenue
Lodi, CA 95242
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The Good News is the monthly newsletter of Emanuel Lutheran Church and is published for the members and friends of
Emanuel Lutheran, a Bible-Based Church, which has been bearing the fruit of the Holy Spirit in Lodi and the surrounding
communities since 1920! Emanuel strives to reach out and minister to our members, our community and the world because. .
