FEBRUARY Pleasant Valley Drive P.O. Box 1299 Coshocton, OH (740) Website: emmanuelcoshocton.

Transcription

1 FEBRUARY 2018 Emmanuel Lutheran Church 1500 Pleasant Valley Drive P.O. Box 1299 Coshocton, OH (740) Website: emmanuelcoshocton.org Emmanuel Lutheran Church

2 Dear friends in Christ, Grace, peace, and mercy be yours in abundance! The bitter cold and long nights of winter are slowly giving way to warmer weather, more sunshine, and the hint that spring is around the corner. We breathe a collective sigh of relief and turn our attention to other things hoping the worst weather is behind us. One of the things on our to do lists is spring cleaning. While this chore isn t much fun, it does give one a good feeling to get it done. Who doesn t appreciate a clean house? My reflection this month is on cleaning the soul. If our bodies are a spiritual house for the indwelling of God in Jesus through the Holy Spirit, then it behooves us to make sure that everything is in order, put away, and well dusted for our heavenly guest to dwell. As the seasons change in nature so comes the shift from Epiphany to Lent. Hard to believe it is just around the corner. Ash Wednesday is on Valentine s Day, February 14. How appropriate, that we should focus our attention to the great gift of love that God has given us in Jesus and the means he has provided for us to be forgiven through confession and repentance from sin. It is with this in mind that I want to turn our attention to matters of the heart. Below you will find some passages from God s Word to guide you in contemplation and prayer. The heart is deceitful above all things and beyond cure. Who can understand it? I the Lord search the heart and examine the mind, to reward each person according to their conduct, according to what their deeds deserve. (Jeremiah 17: 9-10) For it is from within, out of a person's heart, that evil thoughts come--sexual immorality, theft, murder, (Mark 7:21) Create in me a pure heart, O God, and renew a steadfast spirit within me. (Psalm 51:10) Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight. (Proverbs 3: 5-6) I seek you with all my heart; do not let me stray from your commands. (Psalm 119:10) Teach us to number our days, that we may gain a heart of wisdom. (Psalm 90: 12) Take delight in the Lord, and he will give you the desires of your heart. (Psalms 37:4) Let love and faithfulness never leave you; bind them around your neck, write them on the tablet of your heart. Then you will win favor and a good name in the sight of God and man. (Proverbs 3: 3-4) Jesus replied: Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind. (Matthew 22: 37) Our Ash Wednesday Service begins with reading Psalm 51, a prolonged confession, and the imposition of ashes. We acknowledge our sin and receive the promise of forgiveness. We commit ourselves to the Lenten disciplines, seeking to die to sin so that Christ might live more fully within us. During Lent we will have a Wednesday evening service at 7:00, focusing on how to be better followers of Jesus. May God richly bless us as we turn our hearts and minds toward seeking first His Kingdom and may He renew a right spirit with us.. Sincerely in Christ,

3 Emmanuel Lutheran Church Council Minutes December 12, 2017 Approved The meeting was called to order by president Bob Brems. Council members attending were Bob Brems, Brian Kittner, Ed. Bickel, Jim Williams, Tom Bowman, Ernie Galajda, Joyce Sees, and Marjorie Erman. Karen Andrews was also present. Absent were Don Hawthorne and Lynn Valentine. The meeting was opened with prayer by Pastor Kittner. Secretary s report was approved by Joyce Sees and seconded by Ed. Bickel and approved by all. Pastor report was as follows: Visiting shut-ins, participating in Thanksgiving service at Grace Meth. Church. Helping with the multi church caroling project around the city and moving into his new home. President s report: The big Christmas tree in the church will be decorated on Friday at 9:00. All help will be appreciated. Thank you from Bob to those who helped with the Yule Tide Feast. Committee and Ministry Reports: Treasurer: Karen stated that she contacted the Gas and Electric companies to check on our current rates. She stated that both rates are good and recommended we continue with the same contract for the upcoming year. She also requested council s thought on Christmas gifts for the staff. The amount was discussed and approved that we give cash gifts to the staff. Financial Secretary: Tom stated we needed $22, to meet budget. Income received was $26, making a difference of $4, He also stated we received $ for the Thank offering Sunday provided by the women. This will go to LWR for world hunger. It was decided to designate the Christmas Eve service offering to Synod s Amazing Grace Day Camp because the program ran a deficit for Worship Committee: Marjorie reported that she had offered some of the old green books to the Lutheran Church in Newcomerstown since we are now using the red books. The music committee of the Newcomerstown church will discuss if books are needed and report back to me. Stewardship: Pastor thanked Tom Bowman for all his help with Stewardship Sunday. Property: Don sent a message through Ed that the Red Cross Blood Mobile will be moving from the church to another site. A discussion was held concerning a new snow blade for the tractor. This discussion will continue in the spring. Due to the size of the parking lot, it was decided to hire someone if heavy snow removal is needed for the rest of the winter. It was decided to have a study committee formed to evaluate the condition of the parking lot and the cost of repair. Old Business: President Brems stated he received word that the Synod approved the church constitution on December 9 th. A letter will follow soon. Church Sanctuary Use Agreement has been completed. Marjorie Erman, made the motion, Ernie seconded the motion and council approved. The agreement will go into effect immediately. New Business: Radio Ministry: Fred Sheldon has requested that a new member be found to schedule members to do the radio ministry. The council thanks Fred for the great job he has done. Jim and Nancy Williams have volunteered to take this job on for Fred. Thank you to Jim and Nancy. Ernie Galajda leaves the council after two consecutive 3-year terms. The council thanks him for his dedicated service. The meeting was closed with prayer. Respectively Submitted, Marjorie Erman

4 Council Presidents Notes: 2018 February Newsletter President s Notes Mission Interpreter for Emmanuel The Synod is starting a Mission Interpreter Program for its congregations to have one or more members of each church trained and designated as a Mission Interpreter. This individual(s) will be responsible for communicating with the church, community, and synod about the things going on at the congregation and synod level to change lives through ministry and mission efforts. While specifics are a little vague at this point, a training program will be held at David Lutheran Church in Canal Winchester on Saturday, February 17 th from 10 am to 2 pm. Lunch will be provided. If you are interested in finding out more about this program by attending the training, please let Gay or ED Bickel know by February 13 th so that a reservation can be made. Transportation to Church Since some of our members have issues with regard to coming to church on Sundays and for other church activities, we will be working on ways to make that easier. Until details are worked out, please call the church office between 9 and 12 AM, Monday thru Friday if you would like a ride to and from any church activity. If the office is closed, please call one of the church council members. Please do not call me during February, since I will be away. Please look at this as a way to make your life easier. You will not be bothering anyone. You have done your share of helping others in the church through the years, and now we want to help you. Bob Brems, Council President

5 Day Scripture 1 Matthew Matthew Matthew Matthew Matthew Mark Mark Mark Luke Luke Luke Luke Luke John John John John John 20-Acts 4 19 Acts Acts Day Scripture 21 Acts Acts Acts 27-Romans 4 24 Romans Romans 11-1 st Corinthians st Corinthians st Corinthians st Cor nd Cor nd Cor. 10-Galatians 4 30 Galatians 5-Philippians 1 31 Philippians 2-1 st Thes st Thes. 3-1 st Timothy st Timothy 6-Hebrews 1 34 Hebrews Hebrews 11-James st Peter 1-1 st John st John 2-Jude 38 Revelations Revelations Revelations 16-22

6 Scriptures for Sundays Daily Bible Readings for February 2018 February 04 Fifth Sunday after Epiphany Isaiah 40:21-31 Psalm 147:1-11, 20c 1 Corinthians 9:16-23 Mark 1:29-39 Monday Psalm 102: Kings 4:8-17, Acts 14:1-7 Tuesday Psalm 102: Kings 8:1-6 Acts 15:36-41 Wednesday Psalm 102:12-28 Job 6:1-13 Mark 3:7-12 Thursday Psalm 30 Leviticus 13:1-17 Hebrews 12:7-13 Friday Psalm 30 Leviticus 14:1-20 Acts 19:11-20 Saturday Psalm 30 Leviticus 14:21-32 Matthew 26:6-13 February 11 Transfiguration of Our Lord 2 Kings 2:1-12 Psalm 50:1-6 2 Corinthians 4:3-6 Mark 9:2-9 Monday Psalm 110:1-4 Exodus 19:7-25 Hebrews 2:1-4 Tuesday Psalm 110:1-4 Job 19: Timothy 3:14-16 Wednesday Ash Wednesday Joel 2:1-2, or Isaiah 58:1-12 Psalm 51: Corinthians 5:20b 6:10 Matthew 6:1-6, Thursday Psalm 25:1-10 Daniel 9: John 1:3-10 Friday Psalm 25:1-10 Daniel 9:15-25a 2 Timothy 4:1-5 Saturday Psalm 25:1-10 Psalm 32 Matthew 9:2-13 First Sunday in Lent Genesis 9:8-17 Psalm 25: Peter 3:18-22 Mark 1:9-15 Monday Psalm 77 Job 4:1-21 Ephesians 2:1-10 Tuesday Psalm 77 Job 5: Peter 3:8-18a Wednesday Psalm 77 Proverbs 30:1-9 Matthew 4:1-11 Thursday Psalm 22:23-31 Genesis 15:1-6, Romans 3:21-31 Friday Psalm 22:23-31 Genesis 16:1-6 Romans 4:1-12 Saturday Psalm 22:23-31 Genesis 16:7-15 Mark 8:27-30 February 25 Second Sunday in Lent Sunday Genesis 17:1-7, Psalm 22:23-31 Romans 4:13-25 Mark 8:31-38 Monday Psalm 105:1-11, Genesis 21:1-7 Hebrews 1:8-12 Tuesday Psalm 105:1-11, Genesis 22:1-19 Hebrews 11:1-3, Wednesday Psalm 105:1-11, Jeremiah 30:12-22 John 12:36-43 Thursday Psalm 19 Exodus 19:1-9a 1 Peter 2:4-10 Friday Psalm 19 Exodus 19:9b-15 Acts 7:30-40 Saturday Psalm 19 Exodus 19:16-25 Mark 9:2-8 March 04 Third Sunday in Lent Exodus 20:1-17 Psalm 19 1 Corinthians 1:18-25 John 2:13-22 March Psalm 84 1 Kings 6:1-4, Corinthians 3:10-23 Thursday Psalm 84 2 Chronicles 29:1-11, Hebrews 9:23-28 Wednesday Psalm 84 Ezra 6:1-16 Mark 11:15-19

7 Thursday Psalm 107:1-3, Genesis 9:8-17 Ephesians 1:3-6 Friday Psalm 107:1-3, Daniel 12:5-13 Ephesians 1:7-14 Saturday Psalm 107:1-3, Numbers 20:22-29 John 3:1-13 Please Remember To Include These People In Your Prayers Shut-ins and Those Residing in Care Centers Mary Bridges William Bill Neff Daisy Royer Please Pray for healing and strength for these Members and Friends of Emmanuel 2018 Newsletter For those who want 2018 s Good News Newsletter mailed, the fee is $ If there is any change to the manner in which you receive your newsletter, please let Gay in the office ( ) know soon. Also, if you hear of any one that is not getting the newsletter and wishes to receive it, have them contact the office. OFFERING ENVELOPES: Your 2018 offering envelopes are in the hallway outside the offices. If you are not able to pick up your envelopes, please let the office know and we will see that someone delivers them to you. Betsy Roman Velma Klingler JoAnn Boyd Becky Molnar Carma Overholt Charles Jones Jerry Guthiel Mission Statement: Glorify God and spread God s Word to all by the power of the Holy Spirit Prayer Chain For Immediate or Emergency Prayers and/or Intercessions please contact the Church Office The Prayer Chain will react immediately, and each member will call the next link of the Prayer Chain in turn.

8 WELCA s Clean and Beautiful Soap Collection Months of February & March Coming Up! Lutheran World Relief: Our Emmanuel WELCA group is again in 2018 collecting soap for LWR. The basket is ready to be filled! Last year the basket overflowed with your donations. Let s do it again! RELAY FOR LIFE This outreach project brings light and hope to others ONGOING PROJECTS: Coins(dimes please)for a Cure Team Emmanuel appreciates all contributions to this campaign Candy bars Crisp, Almond, Peanut Butter and Caramel are available for $1.00 each. See Debbie if you want any. We have already sold 1000s!! Daffodils Watch for details soon. Luminarias These will be offered again for $ GARAGE SALE April 28 th will be the annual Garage Sale Books, dishes, linen, kick-knacks and costume jewelry are some of the most requested items. All contributions are welcome and see Debbie or any team member if you have questions. All checks must be to: American Cancer Society or Coshocton Hope Committee not Emmanuel. Thanks! Dear Church members and Council, Thank you for the generous Christmas gift. Your thoughtfulness and kindness is much appreciated Love, Jenn Williams Dear Church Members, Thank you for your generous memorial honoring Dana & Bryan Kittner s father. Your gift is greatly appreciated. He will be greatly missed. Arlene Leppin Dear Members of Emmanuel On Christmas Eve I received a beautiful red poinsettia. Thank you to the Williams Family for the delivery. Thank you to the person who made the donation. And thank you Church for continuing the tradition of decorating the sanctuary altar area every Christmas with poinsettias. It always brought a special beauty to the worship of the birth of our Savior. A Blessed 2018 to all, Becky Molnar. Dear members of Emmanuel, On behalf of the Worship Committee and the entire congregation we would like to thank you for the beautiful flowers for Xmas Eve Day and Xmas Eve! They were beautiful white roses, moms, carnations & other things, too. They went beautifully with the Xmas poinsettias. It was an honor for us that you joined us on Reformation Sunday and it was fun, too! We are the ones that should be thanking all of you. In God s love, The Presbyterians.

9 Dear Church Members: On behalf of the staff of First Step, F.V.I.S., Inc, we would like to take this time to thank you for your monetary donations of $ Your donation is very helpful to victims of violence and is greatly appreciated. Thank you for your support to our agency. The Staff at First Step Dear Church Friends, Bill s room looks like a mini greenhouse thanks to the kindness of the caring friends of Emmanuel. Thanks for thinking of us. We miss all of you! Love, Caryol Jean Neff February 1 February 7 February 8 February 13 February 14 February 19 February 21 February 24 February 26 February Birthdays March Birthdays Ron Storm Carma Overholt Christine Widder Jennifer Williams Rhonda Emerson Sarah Kittner Andrea Hawthorne Andrea Matthews Paul Scherbel Sue Brems ASH WEDNESDAY SERVICE February 14 th at 7:00pm Lenten Services will be at 7:00pm on February , March 7, 14, and 21. HOLY WEEK March 26 March 31 Lenten Luncheon Workers and Food Needed February 28 th SIGN UP SHEET READY March 1 March 3 March 4 March 7 March 9 March 10 March 16 March 20 March 21 March 24 March 25 March 27 Matt Williams David Graham Sherry Smith Glenn Lorenz Shanda Parks Erma Lorenz Jim Williams Greg Scharon Mary Thompson Bud Conger Mel Parks Marjorie Lessig Lois Iler 2 workers for the morning & 2 workers for the afternoon 3 people to make 2 gallons of Ham & Bean Soup each 7 pies

10 Easter Flowers The Worship Committee is again making flowers available for Easter Sunday services. DEADLINE FOR ORDERING EASTER FLOWERS IS SUNDAY, MARCH 11, 2018 Please turn your order and money (see price below) into the church office or drop it in the offering plate by the above date. (Please print or type so the name tags will be accurate.) Name: Street: City, St, Zip: Phone: Number of flowers: $8.50: Easter lily Tulip Hyacinths Daffodil I would like my flower to be given to a shut-in. I will claim my flower after the Easter Church Service Please designate my flower in HONOR OF or in MEMORY OF (circle one) Don t forget to include payment for each flower ordered. Place the order form and payment in an envelope marked - Easter Flowers.

11 Prayer concern: Those serving on committees in your church and community. Blinding lights? Acts A great light from heaven suddenly shone about me. (v.6 Some corners of Christianity place great significance on conversion narratives. In order for our faith to be deemed genuine in these circles, we must tell our life stories in a way that includes and epiphany or a blinding light. Damascus Road experience is a term used to describe such a change, pointing to Paul s story of his amazing turnaround and conversion. Many of us, however, remain in the faith of our parents. We often grow more deeply into faith with age. We can t name a moment when a heavenly light overtook us or a heavenly voice spoke. We simply find a way to keep going. It s less dramatic. Less headline-worthy. Or so we are made to think. What is so powerful about Paul s testimony is not that he experienced some tremendous change; it s that he told others about it. He shared his story. Acts is full of stories of faithful (and broken) people whom God enlists in the great unfolding of God s story. With our without the plot twists, God is active in our lives to offer grace and love to the world. Dear God, thank you for being active in our lives. Help us to notice and give thanks for the changes you bring. In Jesus name. February Volunteers Radio Ministry (lector) Sunday Morning Fellowship February 4 Debbie Scheetz (yes) February 4 Karen & Mark A. February 11 Karen A.& Ryan Q. (yes) February 11 Jenn Williams February 18 Ed Bickel (yes) February 18 Debbie Scheetz February 25 Nancy Williams (Jim) February 25 Marty Bickel February Altar Guild Marge Lessig & Carole Mayse

12 Sun Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat :30 Sunday School 11:00am Worship Loose Offering: Helping Hands 5 6 9:00 am Ruth s Comforters 11:00am Water Color Group 7 9:30 Sarah s Prayer Shawls th Annual Chocolate Extravaganza Career Center 3:00 to 5: :30 Sunday School 11:00am Worship Loose Offering: Habitat for Humanity 18 9:30 Sunday School 11:00am Worship Loose Offering: Chestnut Crossing 25 9:30 Sunday School 11:00am Worship Loose Offering: First Step :00 am Ruth s Comforters 11:00am Water Color 7:00pm Council 9:00 am Ruth s Comforters 11:00am Water Color Group *Emmanuel is in charge of food & workers on :30 Sarah s Prayer Shawls ASH WEDNESDAY Service 7:00pm 21 9:30 Sarah s Prayer Shawls Lenten lunch 11:30 Lenten Service 7:00pm 28 9:30 Sarah s Prayer Shawls *Lenten lunch 11:30 Lenten Service 7:00pm 15 Patience Circle 7:00pm