JUNE 2018 Volume LV, Edition 6

CHURCH TALK A monthly publication of Immanuel Evangelical Lutheran Church of Coleridge, Nebraska; a member of the Lewis & Clark Cluster in

the Nebraska Synod of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America.

Russell Lambert, Pastor Immanuel Lutheran Church

304 South Main Street P. O. Box 88

Coleridge, NE 68727-0088 Church Phone: (402) 283-4361

Parsonage Phone: (402) 283-2303 Pastor’s Cell Phone: (402) 302-5999

Pastor’s Email Address: pastorruss0530@att.net

Church Email: immlc@nntc.net

Church Website:

http://immanuellutherancoleridge.org

Worship With Us Saturday at 7:00 PM; Sunday at 10:00 AM

Education Hour, Sunday at 9:00 AM

OUR COUNCIL Jeff Hansen, Council Chairman JoAnn Rathgeber, Council Secretary Terry Ebberson, Treasurer Bill Hefner, Vice-Chairman Sheri Krei, Financial Secretary

Herb Bose, Alisha Stone, Heather Loberg, Amy Hall

Immanuel Lutheran Church P. O. Box 88 Coleridge, NE 68727

RETURN SERVICE REQUESTED

FROM THE PASTOR’S DESK…… And Jesus came and said to them, "All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything that I have commanded you. And remember, I am with you always, to the end of the age.” Matthew 28:18-20

Each Council meeting begins with a brief devotion, which often includes a lectio divina (literally, a sacred reading of scripture). The May Council meeting began with the reading above. And I asked them what it might look like if we, the worshipping community at Immanuel, Coleridge, took this commission seriously. I explained that I think we do many important things toward this commission, such as sending six pastors into the Church (five males and one female!), being a part of a food pantry group, VBS and Sunday School, and so on.

In last Sunday’s sermon (Pentecost Sunday), I mentioned that I think that the Church often thinks she has carried out this commission and is therefore done! Nothing could be further from the truth! The Jesus who gave this commission to the apostles, and vicariously to us, is the same Jesus who just three chapters earlier explained that the nations will be separated like sheep from goats —based on action or inaction, respectively. We don’t get to retire from this commission! And we don’t get to pay to have it done for us!

Salvation is not a matter of works! Salvation is God’s action alone! Soli fide! Soli gratia! “Faith alone! Grace alone!” We do not do the work of ministry to earn our salvation. Rather, we respond to our salvation by doing the work of ministry. One answer this past Monday evening was that our church might be filled to the brim. Another answer is that the opposite might happen. We also discussed that it might be a matter bringing some folks into our building, but for other folks, we might need to meet them where they are. Further, our only dealings with them might be where they are. We are not commissioned to build a church or to bring people into the church! We are commissioned to make disciples, baptize them, and teach them what Jesus commanded us —to love God with everything that we have and are, and to love our neighbor like we love ourselves. That is our proper response to God’s saving action.

Thank you for allowing Linda and me to have some time away this month! It has been a year packed with lots of ministry in our community and with an abundance of graduations to the Church Triumphant! Pr. Milana Joseph, retired pastor living in Creighton, will cover all pastoral duties for me during my absence. Our Council president, Jeff Hansen, will have her contact information.

And now may God’s grace, mercy, and peace strengthen you for the commission to which we are all called! Pr. Russ+

Immanuel Lutheran Church Legal Council Meeting May 21, 2018

Respectfully submitted by Jo Ann Rathgeber, Council Secretary, pending approval at June Council meeting. Members present: Pastor Russ Lambert, Chairman Jeff Hansen, Herb Bose, Terry Ebberson, Bill Hefner, Sheri Krei, Heather Loberg, Alisha Stone and Jo Ann Rathgeber. Also present was Angie Hall. Chairman Jeff called meeting to order. Pastor Russ led us in devotions. Consent Agenda items reviewed including: Luther League report. Ingoing/Outgoing camp outing planned for 7/28/18. Property report: Council expresses THANKS to Chad & Nick Frerichs for spraying of cemetery. Report of grubs and other critters digging in cemetery. Herb to consult with professional lawn service for suggestions on how to correct this. Balcony area with odor from bat droppings. Will clean area. Discussion held on Sunday School room north area of sanctuary. Office Report: Angie Hall has accepted other employment. Council thanked her for the great job she has done as our office manager. Discussion held on hiring her replacement. Job opening to be placed in Church Talk and Bulletin. Position is for about 12-16 hours weekly. Specific office hours will need to be established. Council is willing to be flexible & work with candidate to establish office hours. Angie is willing to help train new office manager. Council requests interested applicants to submit letter of application and resume to Immanuel Lutheran Church, attention Chairman Jeff Hansen. Applications need to be submitted to the church by June 11, 2018. Evangelism Committee: Donuts for Dads planned for June 17th @ 8am. A pie baking contest is planned for August 5, 2018 in conjunction with a BBQ at the city park. Watch for further information regarding this event. Treasurer’s Report: One correction discussed and will be corrected. Secretary Report reviewed and approved. MSC to approve all Consent Agenda Items. Pastors Report: Technology committee discussed. Tabled at this time. Discussion held on digital hymnal. Not all songs in new hymnal are available on the current digital program. An updated digital hymnal is available. Will add this to our memorial wish list. Pastor & Worship Committee will try to find hymns available on our current digital program. Discussion held on Pastor’s class Discussion for Pastor Discernment Retreat. Funds for this are available in continuing education budget for this year. MSC to approve Pastor’s report. Old Business discussed include Electronic Stewardship. No action at this time. No new business discussed. We closed with The Lord’s Prayer. Meeting adjourned at 8:40pm. The next meeting will be held on Monday, June, 18, 2018 at 7pm.

Sunday Worship Service Start Time Change On June 3rd, The Sunday morning worship time will change to the summer schedule. The summer schedule, worship time starts at 9:00 AM, runs from the weekend after Memorial Day to the weekend of Labor Day, September 2nd, 2018.

Friendly Reminder: The reminder cards seem to be doing their job and the extra reminder in the bulletins every week seems to be a quick reference to the servers the next weekend. It is your own responsibility to find your

own sub if the scheduled time doesn’t work for you.

June 01 Dwight Brandow June 04 Evan Brodersen June 04 Heather Loberg June 05 Sandra Hansen June 05 Shelly Russell June 05 Gary Sayler June 06 Steve Nordby June 06 Aden Russell June 08 Michael Kurtzhals June 08 Agnes Kurtzhals June 09 Terry Ebberson June 14 Shirley Korth June 15 Cody Wood June 18 Michael Colwell June 19 Kay Hefner June 22 Ross Lage June 23 Carol Benson June 26 Darrell Henry June 26 Darren Naslund June 28 Jenni Bartling June 29 Lisa Papenhausen

June 02 Don & Karen Schulz June 05 Dean & Janice Wilkerson June 06 Mike & Tonya Heithold June 08 Justin & Jenni Bartling June 09 Richard & Margaret Lentz June 09 Dennis & Tina Naslund June 11 Dan & Mary Kock June 12 Elroy & Carol Hefner June 13 Gary & Jan Jansen June 17 Pastor Russ & Linda Lambert June 18 Gary & Sally Sayler June 20 Rick & Brenda Lage June 25 Francis & Susan Kurtzhals June 28 Bob & Beth Yost June 30 Kelly & Laura Marshall

If your name was omitted or a correction needs to be made in this list of birthdays and anniversaries, please contact the church office at 283-4361. Prayer Concerns: Kevin Krei, Shelly Russell, Clare Hansen, Darlene Jorgensen, Lee Ann Thomas, Julie Stone, Sandie Stone, Betty Beltz, Diane Bolin, Gary Frerichs, Trevor Hallman, Wendy Pick, Dora Hansen, Myrna Collins, Ashley Lynn Schmit, Jackson Graham, Norma Janssen, Diane Frerichs, Orlyn Frerichs, Trent Luebberstedt, and Janet Meyer, as they are dealing with health concerns.

June Circle News Grace Circle will meet June 12th, the second Tuesday of the month, at 1:30 PM at the church. Bible Study: Pastor Russell Lambert Hostess: Beth Yost Peace Circle will meet June 13th, the second Wednesday of the month, at 1:30 PM at The Embers. Bible Study: Pastor Russell Lambert Hostess: Nelda Cautrell

Stewardship project for June will be Baby Care Kit items or Monetary.

Coleridge Community Vacation Bible School to be happening soon in the halls of Immanuel: June 4th, 5th, & 6th, from 6:00-9:00 PM for children ages 3 to 11. There will be a program on Wednesday evening at 7:00 PM.

The youth of Immanuel will be taking a Polar Blast through the word of God. All are invited to join in on the fun. If you are interested in helping with treats or volunteering your time in any way, contact Tina Nasland or Kathy Lubberstedt.

CEMETERY DECORATIONS PULLED: Please have your decorations off of the graves at the cemeteries by June 8th. For making our mowers time more efficient. Please also share this with family members that would like to keep their decorations.

OFFICESECRETARYPOSITIONAVAILABLE:Animmediateopeningisavailableforanofficeassistant. Pleaseinquireattheofficeoracouncilmemberwithyourinterestinthisposition.Councilwouldlikelettersofinterest/resumesbyJune11th,AttentiontoImmanuelLutheranChurch,JeffHansen.

HappyFather’sDay:DoughnutsforDadsonJune17that8:00AMbeforethe9:00servicetime.