the Messenger JOHN: The Gospel of Light and Life

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1 the Messenger I M M A N U E L U N I T E D M E T H O D I S T B R O C K T O N L A N E C O R C O R A N, M N JOHN: The Gospel of Light and Life Based on Adam s Hamilton book & DVD LENTEN SERVICES Ash Wednesday - March 1 Every Wednesday through April 5 Maundy Thursday/Good Friday - Thursday, April 13 Meal 5:30-6:15pm Lent Worship 6:30-7:00pm The Gospel of John is the most deeply spiritual of the four gospels. This writing is filled with rich images and profound truths, but John notes that his aim in writing the gospel is that readers will not only believe in Jesus Christ, but that they may have life in his name. Adults, youth, and children can experience a season of spiritual growth and life-changing renewal during this six weeks. The Fellowship Committee will be hosting a supper meal each of the 6 weeks during Lent. If you are able to help please sign-up in the Narthex. Thank you! * * * * * * * * * * * * * JOHN - Sunday AM Study March 5 - April 9 at 9AM Led by Don Peterson This is a great opportunity to discuss the Lent message in more detail. Study books are available (cost $12.72), if you want to make a contribution. Sign-up in the Narthex. 1 Graham Pereda 2 Jim Pereda 4 Randallynn Sidener 8 Julie Murray 12 Jessie Sheridan 14 Nancy Covington 14 Denice Langland 15 Angel Sheridan 16 Janet Jette 16 Marilyn Rickson 18 Lucas Fjellanger 21 Kim Colebank 22 Jacob Muhich 25 Billy Gleason ANNIVERSARY Glen Monzo & Lee Ann Mattison February 12 C O N T A C T I N F O R M A T I O N Rev. Jonathan Churho Lee umcchurho13@gmail.com Church Office: office@immanuelumc.church W E A R E A C H U R C H R O O T E D I N A R I C H H I S T O R Y O F S E R V I N G G O D I N O U R C H A N G I N G C O M M U N I T Y.

2 From the desk of Pastor Jonathan Lee Dear Immanuel families One time I saw the sign, Without sports, who would you follow? As a pastor you can imagine my immediate response, with or without sports, first you follow Jesus! But more and more I think about what this message says about the generation of ESPN worshippers and how much the media influences what we follow. The literal meaning of the Greek word akoloutheo ( acolyte comes from this word) means to walk behind or to let another lead. A more figurative meaning is: to be a disciple of. What is it that leads you in your daily life? Who or what is it that you walk behind? The appropriate answer for anyone who calls himself or herself a Christian is Jesus. But, can you honestly say that Jesus Christ has the most influence in your life? Many of us are committed to lifelong learning. In our youth or even later we begin piano lessons, start painting, or learn a foreign language. Religious education, however, may have stopped where we left off in Sunday school, or for us Methodist at confirmation. No wonder we sometimes find ourselves wondering how God s Word fits us in today s world. Christians must be taught! Happily, we have had Mary Ann Rick teaching the Grace Bible class on Tuesday morning at 9:30 a.m. in the fellowship hall, I am teaching Class 201 on Tuesday at 6:30 pm in the Ruth classroom and Don Peterson will lead John Bible Study during the Lenten season. These classes will help you to build a relationship with God and get to know Him. Following Jesus is never easy. It usually means that we give up our self-satisfying sainthood and let someone else lead our lives. The invitation into an authentic sharing of Jesus in a world where words have become cheap and there are so many other competing invitations comes from the One who called you into the Good News. People respond much more to how we feel about them and treat them than through what we try to tell them. In peace, Pastor Jonathan Lee

3 Breakthrough Workshop: Rediscovering Evangelism WHEN: WHERE: Saturday, February 11, 2017, 10:00 AM to 4:00 PM First UMC of the St Cloud Region 1107 Pine Cone Rd S Sartell, MN Deadline to register: February 3, 2017 Rediscovering Evangelism: The "e-word" from a missionary mindset In this breakthrough workshop, Rev. Fred Vanderwerf, former missionary ministry planter to Ukraine and local church pastor in Mankato, and current district superintendent, will lead a discussion designed to move us beyond some of the common hurdles that keep us from taking up the evangelistic task and look more deeply into some of the concepts that crosscultural missionaries consider and implement that could prove to be useful for our changing post-christian cultural context. Using the sending of Christ in the incarnation as our model for evangelism, we will consider the possibility that the best evangelists are learners and not teachers, sent and not stayed, and converted and not converters. Finally, we will look at very practical ways laity, along with their pastors, might move their churches to become faithsharing beacons of light to the world. This is a great opportunity. All are welcome to attend. If interested please contact Mary Ann Rick or sign-up in the Narthex IT S NOT TO EARLY TO START SORTING THROUGH YOUR UNWANTED TREASURES! Start cleaning our your closets, basements, garages and attics, then SAVE for Immanuel s Rummage Sale coming this April Dates: Thursday, April 27 - Saturday, April 29th The sale is held indoors. You may bring items starting Sunday, April 23 Items should be in reasonably good condition. No TV s or computers please.

4 Helping Hands Reaching Out COLLECTION FOR THE MONTH OF FEBRUARY Stuffing and Diapers Each month churches in our community are assigned specific foods or household items to collect. If you would like to donate, please drop of items in the box near the entry of the church. THANK YOU! There is so much more to CROSS work than simply giving out food... Thanks to local churches and community support with toys and gift cards for CROSS ChristmasToy Shop this past December was a success. Here are the results: 981 local children served on Saturday, December families served $5,825 in gift cards given to children age 12 and older (13% increase over 2015) 8,140 pounds of toys were distributed (9% decrease over 2015) Volunteer Needs and Updates at CROSS: As of January 17, 2017, Dan Maxwell is welcomed as new CROSS Warehouse Manager. A team is still needed to adopt the 3rd Sunday of the month to help sort and stage the walk-through cooler for families to shop on Monday morning. In addition, general warehouse volunteers are needed. Upcoming Easter collection: CROSS will again this year provide Easter Baskets for children (Easter is April 16). Please consider collecting Easter candy, Easter story books and other Easter Basket type items for these gifts. We expect to provide baskets to approximately 700 children. MALONE S in Maple Grove Elm Creek Blvd. N. EAT, DRINK, GIVE Monday, Feb. 6 11am Close 50% of our FOOD and BEVERAGE sales will be DONATED to CROSS! *Your chance to win raffle prizes. Special prizes between 1pm 4pm

5 WOULD YOU LIKE TO VOLUNTEER AT FEED MY STARVING CHILDREN? Immanuel Church will be volunteering on Friday, February 3 from 8 9:30am If you would like to participate please sign-up in the Narthex. Questions? See Mary Ann Rick

6 CHURCH EVENTS Tuesday, February 21 9:30 AM Place: Mary Treptau s home th Street NE, Buffalo The program will be on the Call to Prayer and Self-Denial. We will take a special offering for this mission collection. Join us for a light breakfast, program and business meeting. All women of the church are invited to attend. If you need a ride please meet at the church at 9AM. RSVP s and Questions: Contact Linda Gleason or Mary Treptau Saturday, February 11 9:00 AM All men are invited to enjoy breakfast together, a time a fellowship & devotion. Need more information? Contact Gary Brass Thursday, February 26 11:30 AM Lynde s Restaurant, Osseo All ladies of Immanuel are invited to the First Luncheon of 2017 at Lynde s in Osseo. We will continue meeting on the 4th Thursday of every month (except Nov. & Dec.). Never attended? This is a wonderful time to get better acquainted with everyone. Lots of fun and good food! All YOUTH are invited to join in the fun! 2 nd SUNDAY NIGHT EVERY MONTH! 6:30 8:30PM **See you February 12* BOWLING & PIZZA for 4th, 5th & 6th Graders Sunday, February 19th 11:15am (after worship) to 1:00pm *Bowling, shoes, pizza & pop provided by Sunday School. Chaperones: Pastor Jonathan & Melody Merges Transportation from church to Sundance and back to church.

7 REMEMBER IN PRAYER Health - Recovery - Strength Bob Jette Special prayers for strength and to remain optimistic. Dan Klapperich - Special prayers for healing and strength. CHURCH DIRECTORY PICTURES It s time to update our church directory! If you have not already signed up to have your picture taken by Glen Monzo, please check available times on the sign-up in the Narthex. Pictures will be taken every Sunday through February. Also, any corrections for address, home phone, cell phone & addresses should be given to the church office for the directory to be most accurate. Thank you to everyone! For the many accomplishments in 2016 Apportionments paid in full Immanuel Church has been blessed by each of you. Together, we can anxiously await God s leading for NOTE: Church Mug Suggestion The mugs are not recommended for the dishwasher as the logo and writing may wash off. PRAYER REQUEST CARDS are available and may put in the offering plate each Sunday. We ask that you PRINT your request clearly. CHURCH OFFICE DEADLINES Weekly Bulletin: All information and news should be in the church office by 8AM each Thursday. Newsletter Deadline: Submit articles and information for MARCH 2017 by Sunday, February 19, 2017 Mailing Crew: Meet on Thursday, Feb. 23 at 10AM Contact Info: office@immanuelumc.church Steve Messenger - Health is declining rapidly as he continues to fight cancer. He is Carri Loken s friend Dawn s father. Sarah Cupryna - Praise that headache pain is less. Weaned from Crohn s medicine after 5 years and praying for no flare-ups. Bonnie Maue - Pray for recovery and patience during physical therapy following the rotator cuff surgery. Giovannie, Jerry Allen s granddaughter - Arthritic medicine has caused her to need several root canals. She is just a little gal. Keith & Wehrman - Pray for healing and strength for Keith and peace and comfort for Jean. Leanne Peterson s college roommate, Tracy - Diagnosed with breast cancer. Margaret Susan Menigo, daughter of Mike Bailey s nephew - Born full term on Jan. 5, 2017 with multiple heart defects and will be undergoing multiple surgeries at Children s Hospital. Nancy Covington Prayers as she discusses with doctors the best treatment plan for the newly found lymphoma under right arm. Cinda, Paul and Sherry Kuhn s daughter - Continued prayers as she faces many medical issues. Pray that she and Terry will know the Lord s presence. Jacob Cupryna - Pray for God s healing touch upon Jacob s right ear drum, which is his only hearing ear. Youth Pastor Pray for wisdom in hiring the new youth pastor. That we would be led to the right person and that the job description would fulfill the needs of our church and young people. Ashley and Gama Xitumul - Prayers for missionary members as they continue their ministry with Mobile Hope. Pastor Jonathan, Diane and boys - Pray for the Lord to strengthen and guide them as they work with us to serve our church so faithfully. Continue to Pray - For church members that deal so gracefully with health issues on an ongoing basis. Mission Team to Guatemala - Prayers as they work hard to prepare and earn enough money for everyone to go in PRAYER GROUP Prayer group meets at 9:30 AM in the JOHN 3:16 classroom. Plan to join us for this meaningful time of prayer, praise and thanksgiving as we pray for our church and the needs of our church family. Please call or or elcaswell@comcast.net with prayer requests. Also, updates on prayer requests that are left on the list longer than two weeks are appreciated. Lois Caswell, Prayer Ministries Coordinator

8 DATE LAY READER USHERS Peace Candle Lighters February 5 Renee LaPlume Gary & Leah Brass Head Ushers Linnea & Doug Ritter February 12 Karin Beck Earl & Lois Caswell Head Ushers Jan Jette & Jeanne Zanosko Mary & Denny Pieri Pereda Family February 19 Judy Hawkins Don & Leanne Peterson Head Ushers Linnea & Doug Ritter Don & Leanne Peterson February 26 Keith Schad Alice Anderson & Jan Jette Head Ushers Steve & Marilyn Rickson Pat Kasperson DATE FELLOWSHIP SERVERS GREETER(S) FLOWERS February 5 Mary & Denny Pieri Vicky Johnson Carol Cody February 12 Scott & Alice Rickson February 19 Jan Jette & daughter Mark Wiersbeck Shirley Webster February 26 The Merges Family Steve & Marilyn Rickson LENTEN SERVICE SUPPERS The fellowship committee will be hosting a supper meal each of the 6 weeks during Lent. If you would be able to help with meals please sign-up in the Narthex. Two, three or more people can go together. Please provide a main course, a side dish, and dessert. Coffee and cold drinks are provided, but if you want milk you need to bring that. Dishes, napkins cups and utensils are all provided. If you would like reimbursement for food it may be taken from the free will proceeds. Thank You! Dates: March 1, 8, 15, 22, 29 and April 5 Time: 5:30 6:15pm. Acolytes (Fourth through Sixth Graders) Nathen Lee, Kaline Merges, Graham Pereda, Jack Schad, Morgan Weeks, Chet Gleason, Chaya Gilmore, Gavin Dupont, Caleb Lee, Noah Hager