G RAPEVINE T HE. Emmanuel Lutheran Church Clovis

Transcription

1 Emmanuel Lutheran Church Clovis T HE G RAPEVINE March, 2012 Dear fellow worshiper, Did you hear about the story published in an Italian newspaper recently about a young couple in Milan who seemed particularly devoted in their worship? The priest at a cathedral there reported that the pair spent an hour or more on a regular basis sitting before a statue of the Virgin Mary. Naturally, he assumed they were praying. Turns out, this young couple was recharging their cell phone batteries from the wall outlet behind the statue. I would say that LENT is the perfect time to come to church to "re charge our batteries", wouldn t you? I imagine that most of you know that Lent is the season before Easter when Christians reflect upon the reason for Christ s death. Traditionally, during the Lenten season it is a time of FASTING. In the Roman Catholic churches, no meat is eaten on Fridays. For others, it is a matter of giving up something in order to remember what God gave up in sending his Son. It is also a time when PRAYER is emphasized. Prayer vigils are held. All this is done to develop or strengthen a discipline of daily prayer. Also, ALSMGIVING is emphasized. While it is a time of giving up something it is also a time to put something positive in its place. It is a time to help the poor and do acts of charity and mercy. Another emphasis during Lent is SCRIPTURE READING. That is why we are conducting a 40 DAYS IN THE WORD at Emmanuel. When Jesus was facing temptation in the desert, he relied on Scripture to counter the attacks from Satan. Satan can find no easier target in a church than biblical illiteracy. While Lent is a penitential time of the year, for us Christians it can also be a time to LIGHTEN UP! Lighten up for Lent? Absolutely! We can lighten up because we live on the right side of Easter. Our sins have already been forgiven, even the ones we haven t yet committed. That means, while we confess and are contrite about our sinful nature, we can also be upbeat and full of assurance and hope. When we lighten up for Lent, we take the spiritual disciplines seriously and use them in order to let our light shine that others may see our good works and give glory to God who sent his Son that the entire world might be saved. I wonder where your focus will be in this Lenten season? What questions will you be asking? Will it all be about me? Or will it be, "How can I possibly thank You?" "How can I make my life a living sacrifice of praise for Your great love?" My hope is that we will lighten up for Lent, so that we may express and share the great riches of God's love for us. In His service, Pastor Ed

2 LETTER FROM THE GOVERNANCE BOARD Hello and glad tidings members and friends of Emmanuel. Well, Spring has not quite sprung, but will be springing soon, after which it will have sprang? I m not quite sure if that sentence makes any sense but it was a lot of fun to write! With Spring fast approaching we are looking forward to things kicking into high gear at Emmanuel. Your Governance Board is hard at work and all of us are looking forward to our May Voters Meeting when we will once again get the opportunity to share in more detail what is going on with the varied ministries at Emmanuel. I wanted to take a moment to write about the culture that has developed at Emmanuel and how wonderful it is to see so many new faces and families connecting with God at Emmanuel. Emmanuel is not your typical Lutheran Church from a worship format perspective. What is so great is how many folks have commented on how much they appreciate a solid traditional message packaged in a more modern presentation that has relevance in today's world. Our goal at Emmanuel is to provide a fun and interesting worship experience that accomplishes our main objective of bringing people to Jesus, or strengthening existing relationships with Him. We have truly become a welcoming body of Christ with a come as you are attitude that excludes no one. While I imagine some of us still hold some personal bias regarding personal attire we might feel is appropriate for church, I want to assure you if you feel the need to wear a suit and tie you will always be welcome just like everyone else. As a matter of fact, I look forward to seeing Pastor Heidel every Sunday as he has got to be the best dressed man in church. God s blessings to each of you, and I look forward to seeing you and some new friends at our first installment of Country Gospel later in March. Look for information on the date and time and let s get the word out and invite some friends to this wonderful celebration. Doug Richardson Busy Month of January and February (also continues to next page) February 11th the Women of Grace got together for brunch then made cards for Valentines day. Typical of the women, good food and lots of fun!.

3 Busy Month of January And February (cont.) Kids church, the center is the two boys taking the tythes at kids church and the one on the right is them playing a game at kids church. Above are the four Sunday School classes from the youngest at the top left to the oldest at the lower left. Sometimes there are are more kids sometimes less. The Monday Morning Bible Study Ladies, again enjoying life with lots of goodies! This is our paid Nursery care helper with Mikhail Davis. She will be around for some time to come.

4 March Services: Mar 4th HOLY COMMUNION 9:00 Worship Service Youth Bible Study Adult Study Mar7th Lenten Service Mar 11th 9:00 Worship Service Youth Bible Study Adult Study Mar 14th Lenten Service Mar 18th HOLY COMMUNION 9:00 Worship Service Youth Bible Study Adult Study Mar 21st Lenten Service Mar 25th 9:00 Worship Service Youth Bible Study Adult Study Feb 28th Lenten Service We have people who will pray with anyone who desires after worship on Sundays. Editorial Staff of the Grapevine Cristy McNicholas and Sandy Wisener Elizabeth Bombini and Marlene Coffman EMMANUEL OFFICE Cristy McNicholas, Office Manager (559) New Office Hours: Mon. Fri 9 a.m. to 1 pm Mission Statement: Inspired by the holy spirit, we share His love and invite people to Christ by proclaiming and living the Good News. GOVERNANCE BOARD Debbie Spence Rod Kirby Doug Richardson Sandra Lucero Darrell Strickler "E.F.T. at THE NEW EMMANUEL" Electronic Fund Transfer is available! You can have your Tithes/Offerings automatically withdrawn from either your checking or saving account and given to Emmanuel. There are many benefits to the New Emmanuel, as well as to our members and friends. It is safe and secure. For more information, please contact Mike Kipp at , or you can him at mekipp@sbcglobal.net. Women of Grace Donated $150 to the Fresno Food Bank from the monies raised by the quilt raffle. Thank you Liz Bombini! Remember to join CPR on Wednesdays at 1:00 p.m for an hour of prayer for your church, your country, your state, county, city, schools, and safety organizations as well as fellow congregation members. Whatever we feel called to pray for. This is so important, you don t have to pray aloud, just be willing to say the AMEN. Wherever two are gathered in My Name... Women of Grace Did you know that Patrick in whose honor patrons don green was from a wealthy Scottish family in the late 4 th century and at about 16 years old was captured by Irish raiders and forced into slavery? Patrick later escaped and returned to his family. The story goes that Patrick had a dream in which he was called by God to return to Ireland and spread Christianity. He prayed for God s strength, studied scripture and began preaching the Gospel and building churches throughout the country until his death on March 17th, 461. The modern day Irish consider St. Patrick s Day to be a time for spiritual renewal and leading an example of what a person can do in their generation. So at this time when we talk about shamrocks, rainbows and a pot of gold, let s say a prayer that we will be lead to a relationship with our Lord which leads us to a wonderful treasure, Eternal Life. Please join in for our next activity, BUNCO. We will meet at the home of Carolyn Baten on Saturday, March 17 th from 1 3. There will be a signup in the narthex. The cost is $5.00 and you re asked to bring a snack or beverage to share. Anyone who is interested in serving at the information booth, please talk to Chris Watkins, , she needs more Helpers to talk to new people as they come in to worship with us, give them a gift, and have them sign in the guest book. Prayer Praise & Bible Study! We meet Mondays at 9 am for fellowship, Bible Study of Ephesians, to Praise our Lord, and to pray for whatever may be on our hearts.

5 RESCUE MISSION DONATIONS Please keep those donations coming for the Rescue Mission. Items needed are personal items: Wash Cloths Deodorant Toilet Tissue Personal Hygiene All items are greatly appreciated. Items may be placed in the marked box in the Family Life Center. EMMANUEL FUNDRAISERS Want to raise extra money for Emmanuel? Just turn in your empty inkjet cartridges to our church office for recycling. We will receive $2.00 for each one. This is a continuing project that we will do throughout the year. Altar Flower Sign-Up Youth Fund Raiser If you would like to honor a special person, date or event, please consider providing altar flowers one week during the year. The signup calendar is located on the wall near the restrooms in the narthex. Remember to SAVE your PLASTIC WATER BOTTLES, & SODA BOTTLES for the green youth trash can located at the back of the Church House. See Nathaniel Kipp if the trash can is not out. Thank you for supporting our recycling program. PREGNANCY CARE CENTER Remember to bring your baby items to fill up the bassinet for this organization which gives the choice of life to many young people who might otherwise decide on abortion. Small baby items, blankets, Diapers, PRAYER CHAIN and CPR We have two prayer ministries going on at Emmanuel the Prayer Chain is led by Helene Kipp and she can be reached by phone or helenekipp@sbcglobal.net. CPR is led by Martha on Wednesdays in the church house at 1 pm. You can come and join us there. Debbie will be needing a second surgery on her arm and will have to start her healing over again. Please pray for Debbie and Jack Spence. Keep Gary and Jill in your prayers as they are changing their lives for Gary s study of the ministry. What s Happening? A pictorial directory is being planned for Emmanuel worshipers. Directories should be here some time in February. We will now have a reference to see what name goes with what face. Staffed nursery care will continue through March for the Sunday worship service AND the Sunday School/ Bible class hour each Sunday. An anonymous gift has made this paid staffing addition possible. Women of Grace had a Brunch and card making time at the home of Linda Miller. They made cards for Valentine s Day. Everyone had a really good time! Monday Morning Bible Study has started a new study of Ephesians. For Valentine s day, there were lots of goodies, each lady received a bag of candy (Chocolate, Chocolate, Chocolate) and a yummy cupcake! Dr. Rollie Otto gave his testimony on February 19th to the congregation during Bible Study time. He told how a man of science (and I am talking serious science) can be a Christian and believe the Bible. His testimony was recorded and can be heard on our website. Don t miss it. Ash Wednesday, February 22nd, was the beginning of out Lenten season which prepares us for Easter. We started with a soup/salad (or reasonable substitute for that as I am writing this just before it happens ) and then we went in to the sanctuary for the distribution of ashes and a worship service. We will be doing this every Wednesday up to the week before Easter and then we will have Maundy Thursday and Good Friday on April 5th and 6th. (And it s a secret, but the 7th of April will be an Easter Egg Hunt for the kids. Shh...don t tell them yet.) Saturday the 25th of February, Linda Miller and Lynette Burgasser will be giving lessons on how to scrapbook, from 1 3 pm. Lots of fun for those interested. They will be working on mounting Photos in interesting ways. This is not for any one group, anyone interested can come and learn.

6 YOUTH NEWS By the time you read this, our Youth Group will have finished our Lock in on Friday night. We have a great time together, and we have many events planned for the future! Thank you Linda for taking over Youth Group last week while I was gone. You did a great job. When you see our Youth walking around, be sure to say hi to them. I have told them the same thing. If you need somthing done around your house please let me know. Our Youth would like to help out. Don't forget we still have Savemart Share cards. Don't forget to order your Flamingo's from the youth for celebrations. Christian Education News Lesson themes for March: March 4 th March 11 th March 18 th Bible Story: Jesus teaches about commitment Theme: Jesus is worthy of our commitment Bible Story: Jesus clears the Temple Theme: God deserves our sincere worship Music March 25 th Bible Story: Jesus explains why God sent Him Theme: God saves us

7 March, 2012, Emmanuel Lutheran Clovis GRAPEVINE OUR FAITHFUL SERVERS FOR MARCH March 4 March 11 March 18 March 25 Communion Assistants Neil Hoppus Scott Linenbroker Fon Vangsycha Andrew Vangsycha Mike Golden Nathaniel Kipp Darrell Strickler Todd Weber Usher Don Rutherford Vern Meyer Gordon Miller Fon Vangsycha Jim Deis Stephen Edmonds Joshua Daily Todd Weber Scott Linenbroker Bill Dehning Fon Vangsycha Vernon Meyer Don Rutherford Martha Wilson Bob Hammond Pat Hammond Gene Garcia Suzanne Garcia Joshua Daily Neil Hoppus Bill Dehning Acolyte Greeter Info Booth Jim Deis Cheryl Deis Don Rutherford Ardis Rutherford Gail Davis Cristy McNicholas Todd Weber Helene Kipp Claudine Steinhauer Don Rutherford Chris Watkins Sandra Lucero Sandra Wisener Chris Watkins Counters Don Rutherford Doug Richardson Social Ministry Irene Stinson Sandra Lucero Sandy Wisener Suzanne Garcia Doug Richardson Steven Chow Our Praise Team: Jill and Gary Gerloff, Paige Weber, Judy Strickler, Keisha Watkins, Steve Vickrey, Todd Weber, Doug Richardson, Darrin Lowenthal, and Art Howansky. Contact Jill if you are interested in joining. IF YOU ARE SCHEDULED AND CANNOT SERVE... Please call your team leader. For the info booth it is Chris Watkins, (clw39@cvip.net), for Communion Servers it is Mike Kipp , Counters and Greeters, let them know at the Church. The Obstacle Course will be done by the end of this month. I will be setting a date to have a grand opening. Come see what Emmanuel with funding from Thrivent provided for the Boys and Girls Club, meet the kids and workers at the center. I will be looking for workers to help serve the FREE Hotdogs, chips and ice cream. Let's make this a congregational service to our community. I am hoping to have the Grand Opening in February when the center has a couple free hours. Thank you to: Claudine Steinhauer, Irene Stinson, Ardis Rutherford, Linda Miller, Cheryl Deis, Lynette Burgasser, and Mike Kipp for help in the kitchen and all those who donate goodies for Sunday mornings. Thank you to Chris Watkins and her information booth crew, Cristy McNicholas, Ardis Rutherford, Jennifer Shafer, Sandra Wisener, Helene Kipp, Tiffany Edmonds Stephen Edmonds, and Suzanne Garcia. Thank you for all your help and support this year. You are such a wonderful family. Love and Blessing to my Emmanuel Family. Helene Kipp helenekipp@sbcglobal.net

8 March 2012 Sunday Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday AM WORSHIP With Communion Youth Adult Bible Study 6 pm Small Groups 5 9 a.m. Bible Study in the Church House pm CPR Group 5 pm Jr. High 6 pm Soup Supper 6:45 pm Lenten Svc 7:30 pm Praise Team AM worship Youth Adult Bible Study 6 pm Small Groups 12 9 a.m. Bible Study in the Church House pm CPR Group 5 pm Jr. High 6 pm Soup Supper/ 6:45 pm Lenten Svc 7:30 pm Praise Team pm Women/Grace BUNCO 7 pm Country Gospel Newsletter Deadline 18 9 AM WORSHIP with Communion Youth Adult Bible Study 6 pm Small Groups 19 9 a.m. Bible Study in the Church House pm CPR Group 5 pm Jr. High 6 pm Soup Supper 6:45 Lenten Service 7 pm Thrivent 7:30 pm Praise Team am Spring Thing Assemble Newsletter 25 9 AM WORSHIP Youth Adult Bible Study 6 pm Small Groups 26 9 a.m. Bible Study in the Church House pm CPR Group 5 pm Jr. High 6 pm Soup Supper 6:45 Lenten Service 7:30 pm Praise Team March Birthdays March Anniversaries 3/04 Bill Beekman 3/06 Mariano Lucero 3/07 Mary Ann Meyer 3/07 Sandy Wisener 3/08 Neil Hoppus 3/08 Vernon Meyer 3/09 Alyssa Daily 3/10 Libby Alexander 3/15 Judy Strickler 3/19 Andrew Vangsycha 3/21 Bob Hammond 3/22 Janette Menard 3/27 Fabian Golden 3/28 Helene Kipp Date Years Sandy & Jeff Witte 3/19/77 35 years If we have omitted your birth date or anniversary date or have the wrong date listed, please call the church office with the corrected information. Please accept our apology and HAVE A GREAT DAY IN THE LORD! THANK YOU.

9 THE PHONE Several men are in the locker room of a golf club. A mobile phone on a bench rings and a man engages the hands free speaker function and begins to talk. Everyone else in the room stops to listen. MAN: 'Hello' WOMAN: 'Honey, it's me. Are you at the club?' MAN: 'Yes' WOMAN: 'I am at the shops now and found this beautiful leather coat. It's only $2, 000. Is it OK if I buy it?' MAN: 'Sure, go ahead if you like it that much.' WOMAN: 'I also stopped by the Lexus dealership and saw the new Models. I saw one I really liked.' MAN: 'How much?' WOMAN: '$ 90,000' MAN: 'OK, but for that price I want it with all the options.' WOMAN: 'Great! Oh, and one more thing...the house I wanted last year is back on the market. They're asking $ 980,000' MAN: 'Well, then go ahead and give them an offer of $900,000. They will probably take it. If not, we can go the extra 80 thousand if it's really a pretty good deal.' WOMAN: 'OK. I'll see you later! I love you so much!' MAN: 'Bye! I love you, too.' The man hangs up. The other men in the locker room are staring at him in astonishment, mouths agape. He turns and asks: Anyone know who this phone belongs to?

10 Our Lenten Theme continues for the next 5 weeks. Wednesday and Maundy Thursday night worship is preceded by soup supper at 6 pm The Hunt is On! Saturday, April 7th See table in the narthex for more details on how you can help out with this community outreach event.