Paraphrase Theatre presents

Transcription

1 Paraphrase Theatre presents One Actor 8 Characters A Fresh Look at Jesus Welcome to Worship at IMMANUEL LUTHERAN CHURCH STORY CITY, IOWA Stephen Anenson, Senior Pastor Kurt Jensen, Associate Pastor Zachary Bauknecht, Youth Ministry & Education Coordinator The Fourth Sunday of Easter April 26, 2015 We Hear God s Word Prelude Opening Hymn (Please use your hymnal) Come, Thou Fount of Every Blessing No. 11 Prayer Time for Greeting Announcements Paraphrase Theatre Presentation - Witnesses The Innkeeper The Tailor Abe Lazarus The Demonic/David Barabbas Peter Epilogue We Respond to God s Blessings Offering And the Word became flesh, And lived for a while among us -John 1:14 We Receive God s Promise to Go with us into Daily Life Prayers of Praise and Intercession The Lord's Prayer Benediction Closing Hymn (Please us your hymnal) I Love to Tell the Story (v.1,3,4) No. 444 Postlude Q & A with Jonathan Swenson Encore Performance: Thomas

2 Organist: Emily Anderson Ushers: Andy Johnson, Nancy McMenamin, Gary & Judy Hested Greeters: John & Corine Nordeen Nursery: 8:25-9:20 - Shirley Frette, Sarah Gelner 9:25-10:30 - Tammy Hansen, Paige Seaton Sound Engineer: Jim Oberender Visitors: A special welcome to our guests today! We sincerely desire that everyone present will feel welcome in the Lord s house. We welcome Jonathan Swenson to our service. He will perform the drama presentation, Witnesses. Jonathan will have a time for questions and answers for those who would like to stay in the sanctuary to visit with him following the postlude. He will perform an encore witness, Thomas, during this question and answer session. Everyone is invited to a time of fellowship and refreshments downstairs in the Social Hall following the worship service. Next Sunday is Food Pantry Sunday. Bring your items and place them in the grocery cart. Checks can be made out to Immanuel with a notation for the Food Pantry and can be placed in the offering plate. A New Member Sunday has been set for May 3. Please call the church office or talk to the pastors if you are interested in joining. A new member orientation class will be held this afternoon at 4 P.M. in the library. Sunday School Program. On Sunday, May 3 the 2nd-6th graders will perform a concert of songs that reflect what they have learned in Sunday School this year. The Young Disciples and Junior Choirs will sing lively and fun songs that enhance the speaking parts that show how they have grown in their faith throughout the year. The Primary Singers will also share several songs during the service. We hope you will be there to support them and enjoy their words and songs. There will be a special part for our Super Cooper. If you ordered a Super Cooper shirt you can wear it during the program! The Sunday School will also have a bake sale that day with all the proceeds going to the Cooper Leeman Fund. Any checks for the bake sale should be written to Immanuel. If you would like a copy of last Sunday's confirmation service, including the confirmation speeches, CDs will be available. Please call or stop by the church office if you are interested in having a copy. Piano Recital. The students of Emily Anderson will present a piano recital in the Immanuel sanctuary on Sunday, May 3 at 7 P.M. Everyone is welcome to attend. Several Immanuel youth will be playing in this recital. Attendance last Sunday: 236 Offering - April 19 Current & Mission Fund 5, Improvement Fund Missionary Support Fund KASI Radio Fund Memorial Fund Hunger Receipts Sunday School Total Offerings 6, (About $7,000 is needed in the Current & Mission Fund each Sunday to meet out budget needs.) Upcoming Events Cooper Leeman Benefit. Today from 12-3 please join us for lunch and fellowship in support of our amazing Cooper as he waits for a new heart and continues to fight new battles every day. A delicious hot meal will be provided at the American Legion in Roland. Free will donations only. If you want to donate via check, there is a nonprofit Cooper Leeman Benefit account at the First American Bank in Roland. Checks are payable to Roland Legion/ Cooper Leeman. Please feel free to invite anyone who would like to come and support Cooper! We look forward to seeing you all there! Thrivent Financial is providing matching funds for this benefit. Cooper s mom, Laurel (Whipple) Leeman is our 3 year old Sunday School teacher here at Immanuel. A bake sale is also being held today from 12-3 at the Roland Fire Station to benefit the Leeman family. Please stop by to pick up some baked goods. Captive Free, a relational music ministry team sponsored by Youth Encounter, will be performing at Immanuel this Friday, May 1, at 7 P.M. (It should be done by 8 P.M.) People of all ages are invited to an inspiring time of Christian music, games, skits and personal sharing. This event is going to be an amazing worship time and a great kick off to your busy, but important, month of May!

3 Learning Opportunities We will conclude the adult Sunday School year with the A.D. and You and Me Forever classes next Sunday morning at 8:30 A.M. Opportunities to Serve Jaynee Christian is attempting to organize a list of volunteers to help with the weekly mowing and flowerbed maintenance this summer for Brandon and Laurel Leeman. They have a push mower, or you may bring your own. She will be in contact with each person on the list to let you know what day the lawn was mowed on during the previous week. She will make sure the mower is accessible and ready to go. (Maybe lean towards Friday/Saturday so we can be consistent.) A sign-up sheet is in the narthex to volunteer help out. Thank you in advance for your kindness and willingness to serve. What an awesome outpouring of love. Any questions, please call or Jaynee Christian at or jlchristian@hotmail.com. We need several more members who are willing to volunteer to help at our sound and video desk on Sunday mornings. One person does the sound and recording. The other person works with the lights and the camera. The new camera will broadcast our service into the nursery. Training will be available. Contact the church office or one of the pastors if interested. Pray & Praise Corner As a congregation, let s be in prayer for: Evelyn Thompson, who was hospitalized this past week. healing, strength, and help for Cooper Leeman and his family. the family of Christon and Nancy Domond in Haiti, whose youngest son Gregory was killed in a car accident last Sunday. (Our congregation helps support Christon's ministry in Haiti.) We praise God for: the gifts of drama and music that help us see, hear, and share God's story with others in creative ways. Youth Activities High School Youth Activities Our next meeting will be TODAY from 3-4PM, when we will head back to Bethany Manor to play games with the Residents! They REALLY like it when we spend time with them. It means the world to them. We will meet at the main entrance of Bethany Manor at 3 and then we will be finished by 4PM. Bring a friend! Middle School Youth Activities Our next meeting will be TODAY from 2-3PM, when we will head back to Bethany Manor to play games with the Residents! They REALLY like it when we spend time with them. It means the world to them. We will meet at the main entrance of Bethany Manor at 2 and then we will be finished by 3PM. If you would like to stay until 4 you are welcome to do so. Bring a friend! Middle and High School Youth Activities Captive Free Concert - Captive Free, a relational music ministry team sponsored by Youth Encounter, will be performing at Immanuel Lutheran Church in Story City on Friday, May 1st, at 7 PM. (It should be done by 8PM) People of all ages are invited to an inspiring time of Christian music, games, skits and personal sharing. This event is going to be an amazing worship time and a great kick off to your busy, but important, month of May! SEE YOU THERE! BRING A FRIEND! Mission Trip Meeting - We will be having our first 2015 Mission Trip meeting next Sunday, May 3rd at 10:45 AM in the Cornerstone Room. ALL parents AND youth attending this summer's trip are strongly encouraged to be there. Important information will be handed out regarding our trip to Indianapolis, IN. This meeting should last between minutes. Thank You!

4 April 26 May 3, 2015 Worship & Study Opportunities at Immanuel From the Church Library The book A.D. the Bible Continues: the Revolution that Changed the World by Dr. David Jeremiah has just been added to our collection. The book is based on the NBC television epic series, A.D., that continues on Sunday evenings at 8:00 P.M. Dr. Jeremiah includes background information about the characters, culture and traditions of this era. The following summary is taken from the book jacket: Pastor, author, and Bible teacher, Dr. David Jeremiah chronicles the tumultuous struggles of Christ's disciples following the resurrection. From the brutal stoning of Stephen and Saul's radical conversion, to the unyielding persecution of Peter and the relentless wrath of the Jewish authorities, Dr. Jeremiah paints a magnificent portrait of the political and religious upheaval that led to the formation of the early church....a riveting, action-packed read but also an illuminating exploration of one of the most significant chapters in world history. If you have been watching the series on Sunday nights we hope you will continue to watch. If it is not possible for you to watch the series, stop in and check out this book. You will find it a spiritually uplifting experience to understand the struggle the early disciples endured to get this new religion called Christianity started. Sunday, April 26 8:00 A.M. Radio Broadcast on KASI (1430 AM) 8:30 A.M. Sunday School Classes 9:00 A.M. Coffee Fellowship (Narthex) 9:30 A.M. Worship 10:30 A.M. Coffee Fellowship (Social Hall) 12:00 noon-3:00 P.M. Cooper Leeman Benefit & Bake Sale 2:00 P.M. MS Youth Group at Bethany Manor 3:00 P.M. HS Youth Group at Bethany Manor 4:00 P.M. New Member Class Monday, April 27 Tuesday, April 28 9:30 A.M. Staff Meeting Wednesday, April 29 6:30 P.M. Junior Choir 6:30 P.M. Pizza Supper for Trinity & Confirmation 6:45 P.M. Trinity & Junior Confirmation Classes Thursday, April 30 Friday, May 1 7:00 P.M. Captive Free Concert Saturday, May 2 8:00 A.M. Men of Immanuel Sunday, May 3 - Communion Sunday, New Member Sunday 8:00 A.M. Radio Broadcast on KASI (1430 AM) 8:30 A.M. Sunday School Classes 9:00 A.M. Coffee Fellowship (Narthex) 9:30 A.M. Worship - Sunday School Program 10:30 A.M. Coffee Fellowship (Social Hall) 10:45 A.M. Mission Trip Meeting 2:00 P.M. MS Youth Group at Bethany Manor 3:00 P.M. HS Youth Group at Bethany Manor 7:00 P.M. Piano Recital for students of Emily Anderson

5 Paraphrase Theatre: Witnesses Welcome You see him everywhere on t-shirts and bumper stickers, in Broadway musicals and animated sitcoms on TV. He is worshiped by some, mocked and despised by others. Love him, or try to ignore him it s hard to get away from Jesus. So what is it about Jesus that has caused people to discuss and debate him for 2,000 years? It is my belief that Jesus came on a mission to reveal the heart of God. I hope these Witnesses will leave you with a greater sense of God s heartbeat for you. I am honored that you chose to be here. Feel free to laugh, cry, clap, reflect and respond in any way you feel led. It is my belief that Jesus would be (and is) just fine with that! + Jonathan The Actor Jonathan Swenson grew up in Two Harbors, Minnesota and is a graduate of Gustavus Adolphus College (BA - Psychology, Theatre and Music, 1988) and Luther Seminary (Masters of Divinity, 1994). After serving congregations in IA and MN as an ordained Lutheran pastor for nearly 20 years, he launched Paraphrase Theatre in Since that time he has been sharing his unique blend of drama, storytelling and teaching at churches, colleges, retreats, theaters, camps and conferences throughout the country. Jonathan has been married to the love of his life, Jana, for nearly 25 years. Together they are the proud parents of two daughters Christina Joy and Caitlyn Grace. Mount Carmel Pastor Jonathan is also the Director of Programming for Mount Carmel Family Camp and Retreat Center on the shores of Lake Carlos in Alexandria, MN. This Christ-centered camp hosts hundreds of families every year for a week of fun in the sun, great Bible teaching and worship, children and youth programming, rest, renewal and more all in the beauty of God s creation. For more info see the merchandise table, ask Jonathan today or visit We would love to see you and your family there this summer! The Playwright Witnesses is written by Curt Cloninger, a nationally known actor, writer and speaker. Jonathan is grateful to Curt for allowing him to perform this inspired piece. If you would like more information on Curt s impactful drama ministry, you can find him at Support & Spreading the Word DVD s of Witnesses and Celebrate the Child (Jonathan s Christmas presentation), along with a variety of t-shirts and sweatshirts are available for purchase at the display table. All proceeds and donations will support this growing ministry. You can also purchase a copy of The Daily Texts Mount Carmel s Daily Devotional booklet -- to help guide your time in God s Word, and your prayer life, throughout the year. If you know of a church or pastor who might be interested in hosting one of Jonathan s performances, please talk with Jonathan after today s presentation or fill out a brief information form at the display table. (Much Appreciated!) Finally, there are several ways to keep in touch with Jonathan and Paraphrase Theatre: Sign up for the newsletter at the display table Like Paraphrase Theatre or Jonathan Swenson, Paraphrase Theatre on Facebook or follow Jonathan on Twitter. Read Jonathan s blog and watch for upcoming events and opportunities at the Paraphrase website. Jonathan Swenson Actor, Speaker, Presenter, Vocalist (319) jonathan@paraphasetheatre.com