THE IMMANUEL MESSENGER November 2018

Transcription

1 Immanuel Lutheran Church Lutheran Church Missouri Synod 673 Weston Road Manchester, NH (603) immanuel-mnh.org Pastor Rev. Donald Colageo Administrative Assistant Tammy Wilkie Elders Doug Gootee Kent Freshour Jim Mange Dan Blakeman Church Council Congregational Chairman: James Wilkie Congregational Vice Chairman and Chairman of the Board of Finance: Rick Otte Treasurer: Kathy Mange Financial Secretary: Wendy Wilkie Congregational Recording Secretary: Ray Brown Board of Immanuel Christian Preschool: Bonnie Bell Board of Property: Don Bell Board of Evangelism: Hans Larsson Board of Stewardship: Vacant Board of Activities: Karen Colageo and Cindy Grenier, Co-chairs November s Events Saturday, November 10, 9 a.m. - noon Fall Property Cleanup and Lunch Friday, November 16, 7 p.m. Bishop Peter Anabati, of South Sudan will be here to thank and update the Congregation on the work done there as a result of giving here. Food arrangements TBA. (+Pastor) Wednesday, November 21, 7 p.m. Thanksgiving Eve service Thursday, November 22, 4 p.m. Thanksgiving dinner for Immanuel members in the Immanuel fellowship hall Sunday, November 25 Annual Voters Meeting right after church (11:30-ish) This year we elect the council officers of chairman, vice chairman, treasurer, and financial secretary, and recording secretary for new two-year terms. Details for our meeting meal (potluck, etc.) are being worked out by our Board of Activities. Please mark your calendars!

2 Pastor s article Dear Saints of Immanuel, Grace, mercy, and peace from God our Heavenly Father and from our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through Him. Colossians 3:17 And of course we should thank our Lord all year round, but November is the month that brings thanking God all back to us, as a nation, and as Christians, for at least two reasons: First, November 22 is our National Day of Thanksgiving, and we can discuss all the pros and cons of what actually happens on that day. It s not that getting together with family and having a feast with the fire and the football game is bad. It s all good. But what I don t want to say is, Make sure you are thankful, and leave it at that. What I don t want to say is, make a list of all the things for which you are thankful, and leave it at that. Because the whole point of Thanksgiving is to shift the focus from the gift, to the Giver. Think about it. You pay someone s rent. So they write a moving note of profuse thanks, and do they stick it in a pretty card and send it to your address? No! They put the note in a bottle, and throw it into the ocean. Ridiculous, you say? Not so far-fetched. Think about it. They were thankful, but did you receive thanks? Sound familiar? We will hear a million encouragements on that Thursday holiday about feeling thankful, even acting thankful, but won t hear much about who receives the bottle with the note! 2

3 Being thankful without thanking anyone in particular is fiction. It s an insult. We don t thank our lucky stars. We don t even thank heavens. No. We thank God. And even then, let s be specific. We thank the One True God, who is Father, Son, and Holy Ghost, who in fact invented everything from turkeys, to pies, to cranberries, to sweet potatoes-- that was Him. And just about the time when, in spite of everything that s taken a run at you this year, you are gathered at the table with loved ones, with God s bounty spread before you, and you think, Why does eating and drinking at the table together seem so right? Because our Lord invented that, too. It s because I believe that God has made me and all creatures; that He has given me my body and soul, eyes, ears, and all my members, my reason and all my senses, and still takes care of them. He also gives me clothing and shoes, food and drink, house and home, wife and children, land, animals, and all I have. He richly and daily provides me with all that I need to support this body and life. Anyone reading this can thank the one true God for that much, even if you don t yet know that He gave His own Son, Jesus Christ, God from God, into suffering and death on the Cross to atone for all human sin, to make us His innocent children! (Woops, now you know that, too.) And oh yeah, the second reason why November brings us back to Thanksgiving: we barely get into November and we have something for which to thank our blessed Redeemer: Our loved ones who have died in the Faith, All Saints, putting all their trust in Jesus the crucified and risen Savior. Let us give thanks then, with full hearts and straight aim: The Holy Ghost says, to God the Father through the Lord Jesus. In Jesus love, +Pastor 3

4 From the Elders Time Capsule Sometimes when I worship, I get the feeling that I m stepping into a time capsule. Let me explain. Worshiping now is more similar than dissimilar to my first worship memories. I can trace our Divine Service to The Order of Holy Communion (aka p.15). I remember my mother referring to this as the new or red hymnal (copyright 1941). She referred to the service coming from her hymnal which was likely the first English Hymnal published in The origin of that hymnal was the German Kirchengesanbauch (1847). I like to note the composition dates for our hymns. The composers lives range from the 400 s to the 1900 s. Authors range from the 1100 s to the 1900 s. Bible lessons: the New Testament is over 2000 years old; the Old Testament well that dates to the beginning of time. Here s the twist. Our time capsule is not buried somewhere awaiting discovery. The seal was broken after just three days. Christ arose and is alive at the center of all this tradition. Our response is through this beautiful music and liturgy. Our congregation is loving and caring in response to Christ s presence. For where two or three are gathered in my name, there am I among them. (Matthew 18:20) Take eat, this is my body Drink of it, all of you, for this is my blood of the covenant which is poured out for many for the forgiveness of sins. (Matthew 26:27-28) With All Saint s Day upon us, I can feel the presence of our ancestors. I love the thought that we worship with their liturgy and hymns. The lessons and the Gospel may no longer have the King James thees and thous, but the Good News of salvation through grace is still proclaimed. We carry on the same faith in our living Lord. We are called to invite and welcome others to this capsule of love and forgiveness. I pray strength and wisdom from the Holy Spirit to reach those who find emptiness in this world. The LCMS has traversed much change in its 171 years. The 95 Theses were nailed 501 years ago. Guiding through time is Jesus commission and promise: 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, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age. (Matthew 28: 19-20) Dan Blakeman, Elder 4

5 Fall Property Clean-up and Lunch Saturday, November 10 th, a.m.-12 noon (Earlier birds are welcome!) Come one, come all! If you want the seat on the riding mower, come early! Bring your gloves, rakes, leaf blowers, etc. and enjoy exercise, friends, and the satisfaction of taking care of this beautiful property. We ll provide lunch. If Mother Nature disappoints us with unsuitable weather, then our rain date will be Saturday, November 17. The Property Board 5

6 NEWS, NOTES & TIDBITS Warm hats, mittens, gloves and scarves collection "But God s winter and frost are not everlasting. And though the winter is hard and in itself hardly to be borne, still He gives us so much fire, warmth, straw, etc., that we can bear it until the summer puts an end to it " - Martin Luther As the temperature drops and snow shows up in the forecast with increasing frequency, we should consider those who lack warm clothing to "bear" the winter and frost. Coats, hats, mittens, gloves, scarves, and boots will be collected by the evangelism board during the month of November. So check your closet for gently used items, drop off your knitting handiwork, or donate purchased items. The items collected will be delivered to Families in Transition and Liberty House. Hans for the Board of Evangelism Christmas season services: DECEMBER AT A GLANCE Advent services at 7 p.m. on Wed., Dec. 5, 12, and 19 Christmas Eve service on Mon., Dec. 24, at 7 p.m. Christmas Day service on Tues., Dec. 25 at 10 a.m. Sun., December 9 Ladies Christmas Tea details coming soon Lost and found reminder This is the season for having such a wonderful time at church and become so full of joy and warmth that we leave behind our coats, jackets, hats, gloves, sunglasses, keys, eyeglasses, sunglasses, and coffee containers. Before you leave, STOP and breathe and collect everything that you came in with. (church office) Sat., December 15 Caroling in Brentwood, followed by dinner out details coming soon 6

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8 November 2018 Sunday Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday 11/1 Friday 11/2 Saturday 11/3 6:30 pm Choir Rehearsal 11/4 All Saints Day 11/5 11/6 11/7 11/8 11/9 11/10 9 am Sunday School and Adult Bible study 10 am Divine Service with Holy Communion 6:30pm Property Board Meeting(FH) 7 pm Elders Mtg. 6:30 pm Choir Rehearsal 6pm Heritage Quilt Guild(FH) 9am-12 Fall property cleanup and lunch 11/11 25 th Sun. a. Pentecost 11/12 11/13 11/14 11/15 11/16 11/17 9 am Sunday School and Adult Bible study 10 am Divine Service with Holy Communion 6:30 pm Choir Rehearsal 7 pm Bishop Peter Anabati from South Sudan 8:30am to 11:30am Church Council Meeting (FH) 11/18 26 th Sun. a. Pentecost 11/19 11/20 11/21 11/22 11/23 11/24 9 am Sunday School and Adult Bible study 10 am Divine Service with Holy Communion 7 pm Thanksgiving Eve service Thanksgiving Day dinner for Immanuel members 4 pm 11/25 Last Sunday of the Church Year 9 am Sunday School and Adult Bible study 10 am Divine Service with Holy Communion ANNUAL VOTER S MEETING after church 11/26 11/27 11/28 11/29 11/30 6:30pm Stamp Club(FH) 6:30 pm Choir Rehearsal Attention church officers, board chairs, and other group leaders: As you plan your meetings and events, please contact the church office to add to the calendar and make sure there are no scheduling conflicts. 8

9 People serving at Divine Service in November /4/2018 Doug Gootee, Helgard & Marina Kirsch Volunteer Dan Blakeman, Rick Otte Kent Freshour Jim & Wendy Wilkie Karen Colageo, Marcia Blakeman 11/11/2018 Helgard Kirsch, Katy Palmer, Kent Freshour Gabriel Robinson Jim Mange, Howard Helwig Cindy Ouellette Ed & Claire Flaherty Wendy Wilkie & Marina Kirsch 11/18/2018 Rick Otte, Dan Blakeman, Jim Wilkie Volunteer Doug Gootee, Kent Freshour Claire Flaherty David & Katherine King Rita Hennessy, Cynthia Grenier 11/25/2018 Jim Wilkie, Ed Flaherty, Richard Campbell Kevin Mange Rick Otte, Dan Blakeman Doug Gootee Dick & Maria Love Wendy Wilkie & Roseann Helwig 9

10 NOVEMBER BIRTHDAYS NOVEMBER BAPTISMAL NOVEMBER BIRTHDAYS ANNIVERSARIES 1 Dick Buechsenschuetz 4 Izabella Willson 12 Don & Donna Houle 4 Karen Colageo 6 John Mange 12 Richard & Brenda Melendy 10 Christine Kazakis 13 Madeleine Jache 20 Doug & Marcia Gootee 11 Jacine Robinson 20 Don Bell 20 Don Bell 21 Alex Bell Richard Campbell 25 Dick Buechsenschuetz 26 Amanda Kazakis 27 Laura Brulet 10

11 Lutheran Church Extension Fund Have You Invested Yet? Join the other Immanuel members that have already invested in LCEF These funds are used in the New England District to make loans to our sister churches to build or remodel churches, schools and parsonages. While your money is doing this important work, you earn a competitive rate of return. This is the only investment you can make that is designated solely to further God s kingdom as we are directed by the Great Commission. All LCEF investments have two things in common: 1) LCEF loans funds to ministries of the LCMS and 2) LCEF investments pay a competitive rate of interest. Simply put, with an LCEF investment, investors get the added satisfaction of knowing that your investment supports ministry; your dollars are working to build the kingdom of God. We call this Spiritually Responsible Investing. Your investment funds not only help build churches, schools, seminaries, Synodical colleges, and more, but are also available to you and your family when you need them. Special Programs for new investors: The Young Investors Club helps teach children about Discipleship and Stewardship by making it possible to invest in church growth. This investment for investors under the age of 19 has an added incentive for saving on the first $1000 invested! The Connect PLUS! Two-Year Fixed Term Note provides a special rate for New Investors on the first $5000 invested and a great rate on anything over the initial $5000. Check the rates for details. Contact Doug and Marcia Gootee, Immanuel s LCEF Congregational Advocates at (603) for more information, or contact LCEF directly at THE-LCEF or log on to Here are the interest rates that have been set for November 2018: Term Notes (a certificate of deposit - $500 minimum deposit): Six months: 1.125% (1.130% APY) Nine months: 1.250% (1.256% APY) One Year: 2.000% (2.015% APY) Eighteen Months: 2.125% (2.142% APY) Two years: 2.250% (2.269% APY) Three years: 2.375% (2.396% APY) Four years: 2.500% (2.524% APY) Five years: 2.625% (2.651% APY) Partner PLUS! Two years Up to $25,000: 2.375% (2.396% APY) Four years Up to $25,000: 2.875% (2.906% APY) Four years Over $25,000: 1.250% (1.256% APY) Connect PLUS! Up to $5, % (3.034%APY) Over $5, % (1.256%APY) Floating Rate Term Notes (A certificate of deposit - $100 minimum deposit) Thirty months: 2.250% (2.269% APY) Sixty months: 2.500% (2.524% APY) 11 Dedicated Certificates (a savings account - $10 minimum deposit) Less than $1,000 bal.: 0.375% (0.376% APY) $1,000 to $5,000 bal.: 0.500% (0.501% APY) Over $5,000 balance: 0.625% (0.626% APY) (These are limited-transaction checking accounts.) Y.I. Steward Account (Young Investors under 18) $25 - $ % (3.557% APY) $1000 and over: 1.250% (1.257% APY) Family Emergency Steward Account* $25 minimum deposit: 1.250% (1.257% APY) *monthly electronic transfers required until balance reaches $10,000 Regular Steward Account ($100 minimum deposit) Less than $1,000: 0.625% (0.627% APY) $1,000 - $5,000: 0.750% (0.753% APY) $5,000 - $10,000: 0.875% (0.879% APY) $10,000 and over: 1.125% (1.131% APY) The mission of the Lutheran Church Extension Fund is to provide opportunity to make funds and services available in support of the Great Commission through the Lutheran Church Missouri Synod.