The Messenger Monthly news for Emmanuel Lutheran Church - Menominee, Michigan APRIL 2018 HOLY WEEK & EASTER AT EMMANUEL Sunday of the Passion/Palm Sunday – March 25 Worship at 8:00am and 10:00am Maundy Thursday Worship – March 29 10am and 6:00pm 4:00 p.m. 1 st Communion Session/ 5:00 p.m. Seder Meal Good Friday – March 30 Noon – 3:00pm at First Presbyterian Church in Menominee 7:00pm Tenebrae Service at Bethel The Resurrection of Our Lord – April 1 Holy Communion – 8 & 10am
Transcript
The Messenger
Monthly news for Emmanuel Lutheran Church - Menominee, Michigan
APRIL 2018
HOLY WEEK & EASTER AT
EMMANUEL
Sunday of the Passion/Palm Sunday – March 25 Worship at 8:00am and 10:00am
Maundy Thursday Worship – March 29 10am and 6:00pm
As I write this, the sun is shining, the birds are singing, and I can’t seem
to shake the show tunes in my head from the Shrek Musical which I saw
twice over the weekend (being the proud parent of the Ugly Duckling, I
couldn’t let it go at just once!). It is as if all is right in the universe at this
moment.
One song, specifically, seems to be entrenched in my mind, “Big Bright
Beautiful World,” which was the opening number to the show. It’s very
tongue-in-cheek – it’s a bright song in which the ogre parents are
singing to their 7-year-old ogre son about all of the joyous wonders in
the world that people experience every day……and then remind him
that he won’t experience any of it simply because he’s an ogre! Instead,
he’ll spend his days in isolation, in a swamp, hoping that angry mobs
with pitchforks don’t show up.
In a week we’ll celebrate the joyous wonder of Resurrection Sunday –
Easter – and will do so with an ordained sanctuary, powerful hymns,
and a message of hope. We’ll be reminded once again that Jesus Christ
has conquered the grave and because he has done so, we, as those who
trust and believe, are rescued from certain death and damnation.
Easter Sunday is our own rendition of “Big Bright Beautiful World.”
Yet, so many, including those close to us, hear these joyous strains from
places where this promise of hope struggles to break through. The
Parkland school shootings are still fresh and those affected by this
senseless act will experience an Easter of their loved ones not joining
them around the table. Victims of the opioid crisis, and many who are
affected by substance abuse, will spend this day searching for an
immediate fix to their needs instead of placing their trust in the
promised eternal one. In a nation where we throw away approximately
40% of our food, one in six children will go hungry on Easter Sunday.
It’s certainly not a “Big Bright Beautiful World” for too many of God’s
children, but instead is an unjust world that crushes them, repeatedly,
stamping out any hope; and if Resurrection Sunday reminds us of
anything, it is that we as Christians do not hold exclusive rights to these
promises, but instead that Christ died for all. When Jesus preached the
Beatitudes during the Sermon on the Mount, it was not to pat the
disenfranchised on the head and tell them that everything will be all
right. No, he promised that God would make all things new and then he
assumed the sacrificial role to make it happen, all to ensure that all
God’s children would live in the hope and promise of new life which
Jesus raised up to on that first Easter morning 2000 years ago.
And this includes not just those outside our church, but also those who
will gather in our sanctuary on Easter Sunday. When I was pastor intern
at St. Luke Lutheran Church in Fort Smith, Arkansas, my supervising
pastor, Reverend Don Brewer, shared with me that when you stand in
front of the congregation on any given Sunday morning, that ¾ of those
looking back at you have something significant going on in their lives.
His words are something that I’ve always held on to, and as I’ve grown
to know you better, I’ve experienced first-hand what he’s talking about.
I know that many of us have broken families, are experiencing abuse in
some fashion, are mourning and heartbroken, and are financially
overwhelmed, whether it’s due medical costs or issues simply outside of
our control. We all need to experience that promise of hope and on
Easter we get that opportunity.
Which is what makes it so imperative that as we depart from these four
walls on Easter Sunday that we carry this same message of hope to
those who aren’t here or can’t be. My invitation for you is to shine the
light of God’s love into someone else’s life. Give another the
opportunity to experience this “Big Bright Beautiful World,” for Christ is
with you, alive eternally. For He is Risen…..He is Risen indeed…..for all!
Hallelujah!
Pastor Mark
The Significance of the Three Days
As Lutheran Christians, The Three Days are a reminder for us that
we are Easter people, people who live in the hope of the promise of
new life which Jesus Christ rose to 2000 years ago.
Maundy Thursday is the first of the Three Days. On Maundy
Thursday we join with Jesus and his disciples as they take part in
what is known as the “Last Supper.” During this meal, where the
wheels are set in motion for Jesus’ betrayal at the hand of Judas,
Jesus also washes his disciple’s feet and gives the mandate to serve
one another in humility, following in his own example. We
conclude our Maundy Thursday evening service with the stripping
of the altar, signifying the abandonment of Jesus.
Good Friday is the second of the Three Days. On Good Friday we
are witnesses to Jesus’ arrest, trial, beating, crucifixion and burial.
Jesus is lifted up as the suffering servant, abandoned by God and
man alike to the cross where the sins of the world are put upon
him. We are reminded on this day that prophecy has been fulfilled
in Jesus’ death, in which we place our hopes in the prophecy that
our savior will rise to new life again, having overpowered death
and sin forever.
The Saturday vigil, the third day, is a day of waiting. While we at
Emmanuel don’t traditionally worship on this day, many of our
Catholic brothers and sisters do. It is a time of deep and meditative
reflection which is honored by alternately reading scripture and
singing hymns. The vigil is often kept until morning breaks on
Easter when we celebrate the stone being rolled away to reveal an
empty tomb.
Please prayerfully consider attending the services that are offered
which remind us that without the messy nature of the cross that the
glory of Easter is meaningless. These worship experiences and the
reverence in which they are celebrated grant us a deeper
understanding of Jesus’ sacrifice and draw us closer in our
relationship with God.
Good Friday Ecumenical Worship Service Theme: The Servant Songs of Isaiah
12:00-12:30pm Preacher Jim Wendt Reader Jim Wendt Music Our Savior's Lutheran Scripture Isaiah 42:1-7 12:30-1:00pm Preacher Scott Ehle Reader Scott Ehle Music Bethel Choir "Even the Heavens Are Weeping"
Words and Music By Joseph M. Martin Scripture Isaiah 49:1-6 1:00-1:30pm Preacher Mark Laatsch Reader Mark Laatsch Music Emmanuel Choir “Such is the Love of God” Director: Linda Davis Accompanist: Barb Hay Scripture Isaiah 50:4-10 1:30-2:00pm Preacher Kevin Dembinski Reader Linda Forray Music Rich Ulrich "Were You There" Scripture Isaiah 52:13-53:12 2:00-2:30pm Preacher Keith Kolstad Reader Lee Goodwin Music Zion Lutheran Choir "And No Bird Sang"
Director: Ann Buscher Accompanist: Rachel Rosenfeldt
Scripture Mark 15:21-32 2:30-3:00pm Preacher Lee Goodwin Reader Tom Lach Music Bonnie Popp Scripture Mark 15:33-39
The month of April brings much celebration and joy.
We celebrate on Easter Sunday our risen Lord and
receive with great joy the gifts of forgiveness and everlasting life that
God has given us through Jesus. April marks the start of spring which
tends to renew our energy in both our spirit and our actions. We look
forward to shedding the burdens of winter along with the heavy coats and
boots. We soak up the warm weather with joy and engage in activities
that we had to put away for the cold winter season. After our long
winter's rest, we are ready and eager to jump into what spring has to
offer. We are eager and ready at Emmanuel too, and we look forward
to the many events, activities, and opportunities to learn and deepen our
faith, engage in service to others, and enjoy the fellowship of each other.
In the following pages you will find all the wonderful things that are
going on for our members of all ages.
Confirmation classes resume on Sunday, April
15th at 9:00 a.m. in the Fellowship Hall. Our
class parent guides for April are Anna
Slawinski, Kim Bellisle, Katy Wickstrom and Frank Ziemke. Please see
Patti Treptow for your discussion group materials.
5th
Grade
First Communion
Our last class is on Palm Sunday, March 25th.
Our 5th graders will participate in the Palm
Procession with the Sunday school students. Please meet in the
fellowship hall by 9:45 a.m. to line up for the palm procession. We will
start class following the dismissal from the children's sermon.
Final Communion instruction will be provided by Pastor Laatsch on
Maundy Thursday, March 29th starting at 4:00 p.m. with a symbolic
Seder meal at 5:00 p.m. involving their families, ending with the Maundy
Thursday worship service at 6:00 p.m. where the children will receive
their first Holy Communion with their family.
Youth and Family Ministry
From the Director: Patti Treptow
SUNDAY SCHOOL
The Sunday school children will be participating in the
traditional Palm Procession on Palm Sunday, March
25th
during the 10:00 a.m. worship service. Parents,
please remind your children to go directly to the fellowship hall that
morning to prepare for the procession. Following the children's sermon,
the children will be dismissed to their classrooms. Please note that there will be no Sunday school on Easter Sunday,
April 1st so our families can worship together for the entire Easter
Sunday service. Earth Day, Sunday, April 22
nd our Sunday school children will be
learning how to be good stewards of God's creation. They will also learn
how to plant seeds in pots that they will be able to take
home and care for.
Easter Egg Hunt
Palm Sunday, March 25th
11:00 a.m. All children from toddlers to 6
th grade are
welcomed to join in an egg hunt immediately
following the 10:00 a.m. worship service.
Please meet in the fellowship hall following worship/Sunday school for
this fun event!
Members of GLOW will be hosting a Bingo Party
for the Residents of the Luther Home in Marinette
on Sunday, April 15th
from 1:30-2:30 p.m.
On Earth Day, April 22nd
GLOW members will
assist the Sunday school children with the
planting of pots of seeds that they will be able to take home.
GLOW is open to all of Emmanuel's high school youth. Please
join us at our next meeting on Sunday, April 8th
at 11:15 a.m. in
the Friendship Room.
2018 ELCA Youth Gathering
As we wind down our fundraising efforts for
this trip, we want to say “Thank You” to our
Emmanuel family. When we began this
journey, our goal was to be able to not have
inability to pay for this trip to be a burden to
anyone. Because of your incredible
generosity, we have succeeded. In the
coming weeks we will pay off our remaining balances on our
registration costs, transportation, and lodging for this event. As we
transition into our traveling stage, we continue to ask for all of
your continued prayers and support as we embark on this faith-
affirming trip. There’s no doubt that God’s hand is at work here
and we will continue to follow where it lead s us, in worship,
service and fellowship. -- 2018 Youth Gathering Participants.
ADULT CHRISTIAN EDUCATION
WEDNESDAY MORNING MEN’S GROUP
Join us each Wednesday, 7:30 a.m., at the Serving Spoon for a
time of fellowship with friends, sharing stories and enjoying a cup
of coffee. Bring a friend!
WOMEN’S MINISTRIES
The Sarah Circle will meet on Tuesday, April 10, at 1:00 p.m.
hosted by Ivon Butman
Seeking Enlightenment Group will be meeting on Thursday, April
20, at 6:30pm. It is a time of sharing and encouraging each other
on our Christian journey, contact Robin Gustafson at 906-290-
1003 for location details.
Financial snapshot as of February 28, 2018
Our offerings totaled $44,396. Expenses for to date totaled
$46,796, leaving us with a deficit of $2,400.
Worship on Wednesdays
Our next WOW! will take place on Wednesday, April 18th, in the
Fellowship Hall 6:00-6:30 pm. This interactive family-style
worship will feature family friendly songs and liturgy, complete
with Holy Communion. As an added fellowship experience, we
will share in a potluck supper prior to worship at 5:30.
Emmanuel will provide the main dish and drinks, and we ask that
if you would like to join us, that you bring a simple dish to pass.
After we conclude supper, we will praise God! If you are unable to
be in worship on Sunday or simply desire a mid-week alternative,
please consider joining us to worship God in this engaging and fun
way.
OUR EMMANUL FAMILY
CALLED HOME BY GOD…
Leona Webber entered her eternal home on March 7. Leona had
turned 100 years old last September. She was residing at Roubal
Care Center in Stephenson. Funeral arrangements will be
announced.
OUR SYMPATHY…
to Butch Jones at the loss of his son, Harold Jones, Jr.,
on February 12.
THE PAINTING IS DONE!! Those who have entered into the
church in recent weeks have been greeted with new paint in our
14th Street welcome area, the narthex, hallway to the east of the
sanctuary, and the sanctuary itself. Thank you to those on the
Property/Decoration Committee and Worship Committee that
made this happen. We had reached a point where it was necessary
to address the original paint job and the new paint is refreshing and
joyous. We are indeed blessed!
Sunday, April 22, 2018
9:00 a.m. – 12 noon
This is an opportunity for all of
our members, young and old, to
display their artistic gifts. If
you are a woodworker, crafter,
artist, quilter, florist, etc. please
consider joining us for this
event.
Note that this will NOT be a sale of items, but will be in gallery-
like format to showcase our member’s work and hobbies.
Light refreshments will be served. We look forward to
celebrating spring and the many talents of Emmanuel!
Please fill out a registration form with your name and craft, so
that we will set up enough tables to display your artistic gifts.
These forms will be in the church office.
Attention those who knit or crochet…………..
We are seeking people who would be interested in
knitting or crocheting baby baptismal blankets. The
church will provide the yarn; you provide the time
and talent!
Please stop in the church office for more information on how you
can help provide a gift of a handmade blanket for our newest
members of God's family.
Fortune Lake Lutheran Camp
A sure sign that summer is coming is that it’s time to register for
camp!! Emmanuel annually supports the mission of Fortune Lake
Lutheran Camp in Crystal Falls, Michigan and now we want to
further support our campers who go. For all persons who would
like to attend Fortune Lake camp, Emmanuel will now pay ½ of
the total registration cost!! To receive this scholarship, though, it
is necessary that you register through the church office. Several
Emmanuel youth are already signed up to go. If you are interested
in going or if you have any questions about attending Fortune
Lake, please contact the church office at 863-3431.
