The Juniper Tree. Join Us at Splash Canyon VBS! A publication of Immanuel Lutheran Church, Easton, Maryland June 2018

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The Juniper Tree A publication of Immanuel Lutheran Church, Easton, Maryland June 2018 Join Us at Splash Canyon VBS!

Kids confidently celebrate that our faithful God is with us on life s wild ride. God saves us through Jesus and gives us life and hope every day and forever.

the sea, and God s Yes Jesus baptized in the Jordan River. In His Baptism, life, death, and resurrection, Jesus kept God s promise to save us.

1 The Juniper Tree A publication of Immanuel Lutheran Church, Easton, Maryland June 2018 Join Us at Splash Canyon VBS! At Splash Canyon Vacation Bible School (VBS), your children look into the Bible, God s Holy Word, and learn God s promises are Yes in Jesus! Kids confidently celebrate that our faithful God is with us on life s wild ride. God saves us through Jesus and gives us life and hope every day and forever. The Bible accounts of God s promises include baby Moses in the Nile River, God s people crossing the Jordan River to enter the Promised Land, God healing Naaman in the Jordan, God saving Paul from the sea, and God s Yes Jesus baptized in the Jordan River. In His Baptism, life, death, and resurrection, Jesus kept God s promise to save us. Each VBS session will start at Wild River Opening, where the children gather with their Team Leader and the other kids in their Teams (small groups). They sing, hear God s Word, pray, see the Opening Theme Video, find out more about our Mission Project, and learn the day s Take-Home Point. After the Opening, the Teams head off to five rotation sites for Storytelling, Bible Challenge, Snacks, Games, and Crafts. Finally, everyone comes back together at Wild River Closing for music, prayer, and a wrap-up with the Closing Theme Video. Why is VBS so important? Because here is another important step in the faith journey of children. The students will learn God s will for their lives and how the Law has been fulfilled for them in the person and work of Jesus Christ. At the center of every lesson is the Gospel: God s gracious gift of Jesus as the Savior from sin, death, and the devil. This all provides a rich soil for faith to continue to sprout, take root, and grow! So, what can you do? We need your involvement! There are still plenty of opportunities for you! First of all, please pray for our VBS. Pray that the students will come. Pray that their parents and grandparents will bring them. Pray that God s Holy Spirit might use this opportunity to further these precious children along on their journey of faith. Second, pray for our staff. Pray that God s Spirit might fill and empower them to share the good news of God s love in Christ Jesus. Pray that our staff s faith might further grow and mature. Pray that (continued on page 2) 1 Immanuel Lutheran Church / June 2018

(continued from page 1) we might continue to have Immanuel s members and friends see the importance of VBS in the faith development of young lives and volunteer to be used by God as a VBS volunteer.

We need prayer warriors to bathe our days in prayer, volunteers to staff some important positions, people to help put up and take down decorations, and more.

We pray that God might bless our efforts, as humble as they are, to help move children along on their journey to a restored and renewed relationship with their Lord and Savior, Jesus.

We re looking for rafts, life jackets, and anything else that you might use in white water rafting. If you have items you ll let us use on loan, please let the Church Office know. Thanks!

2 (continued from page 1) we might continue to have Immanuel s members and friends see the importance of VBS in the faith development of young lives and volunteer to be used by God as a VBS volunteer. Third, prayerfully consider how you might become a part of this year s VBS. We need prayer warriors to bathe our days in prayer, volunteers to staff some important positions, people to help put up and take down decorations, and more. If God moves your heart to seek a greater role in this year s VBS, please contact the Church Office ( or immanuel@goeaston.net) to let us know. We pray that God might bless our efforts, as humble as they are, to help move children along on their journey to a restored and renewed relationship with their Lord and Savior, Jesus. T Please note: all photos are from last year's Vacation Bible School. We hope you enjoy them! Needed: since this year s theme is Splash Canyon, we could use loaned items for our decorations. We re looking for rafts, life jackets, and anything else that you might use in white water rafting. If you have items you ll let us use on loan, please let the Church Office know. Thanks! T Special Leadership Meeting On April 10 th the Board of Trustees held a Joint Meeting with the Board of Elders and Long-Range Planning Committee to examine matters concerning the financial status of our church. One result of that Joint Meeting was the Special Voters Meeting held April 29 th. The purpose of that meeting was to inform the congregation of the financial problems confronting the church and to entertain suggestions on how to resolve them. The meeting on April 29 th produced a number of suggestions, some of which the Board has reviewed and discussed. Before acting on these suggestions, however, the Board would like to examine them further at a meeting to be held on June 7 th at 7:00 PM. Accordingly, the Board of Elders, Long- Range Planning Committee, and members of the Ministries of Love, Spiritual Growth, and Service are invited to help us examine these suggestions before implementing them. We look forward to seeing you at 7:00 PM on June 7 th. T The Juniper Tree is prepared monthly for people who, like Elijah, find themselves somewhere sitting under a Juniper Tree facing life s frustrations... exhausted, broken, perhaps even wishing for death as Elijah did. These pages are offered to encourage, to strengthen, to build up, to challenge, to inform, to share the Word of God and to offer opportunities for Christian growth here at Immanuel. May you grow in God s peace and grace as you walk with Him this month. The Juniper Tree is published by Immanuel Lutheran Church, Easton, MD. Copyright 2018 by Immanuel Lutheran Church. All rights reserved. All submissions for the The Juniper Tree newsletter are due on the 15 th of the month prior to its publication. This allows us to publish the newsletter by the last Sunday of the month. We prefer them in an electronic format but do accept printed submissions. Unless otherwise noted, all pictures are by PJKreft. 2 Immanuel Lutheran Church / June 2018

Saturday Fellowship Series The Ministry of Love through Worship and Stewardship (a.k.a. Ministry of Worship) is planning a Saturday evening event on the last Saturdays of June, July, and August from 6:00 8:00 PM.

Each evening will include food, singing, prayers, fun, fellowship, and an opportunity for you to support a mission for which we ve temporarily suspended financial support due to our financial

On Saturday, June 30 th, we plan to have activities that link with our Vacation Bible School.

Our mission focus will be on Young Life. On Saturday, July 28 th, we ll have a game night and feature pizza, popcorn, and sodas. Our mission focus will be the Lutheran Mission Society of Cambridge.

3 Saturday Fellowship Series The Ministry of Love through Worship and Stewardship (a.k.a. Ministry of Worship) is planning a Saturday evening event on the last Saturdays of June, July, and August from 6:00 8:00 PM. Here s what they have planned thus far. Each evening will include food, singing, prayers, fun, fellowship, and an opportunity for you to support a mission for which we ve temporarily suspended financial support due to our financial situation. We plan to have some silent auction baskets available for people to place bids upon as well as have a donation basket for additional cash gifts. On Saturday, June 30 th, we plan to have activities that link with our Vacation Bible School. We ll have a special invitation to VBS families and ask the children to sing some of their favorite VBS songs. We ll have water games to coordinate with Splash Canyon VBS theme. Our mission focus will be on Young Life. On Saturday, July 28 th, we ll have a game night and feature pizza, popcorn, and sodas. Our mission focus will be the Lutheran Mission Society of Cambridge. We hope to have a speaker representing them at the event. For our final Summer Saturday Series we ll meet on Saturday, August 25 th. We ll have a Camp Theme and feature Hot Dogs and S mores as the food. We plan to have our mission focus be on SAT-7 and the Ethiopian missionaries here in this country. Look for more complete details coming soon! And plan to join us for Immanuel s Saturday Fellowship Series as we Share Our Stories! T New Members to Join June 3 rd Having completed our Catechetical Overview classes in May, we re planning to have new members join our Immanuel fellowship during our services on June 3 rd. We re offering this at both services. At press time we haven t gotten a response from all potential new members. Those who have confirmed that they will join us include Lou Diefenderfer and Doug & Julia Rian. We also have some individuals to received by transfer. We pray that Immanuel will prove to be a blessing for Lou, Doug, and Julia and that Julia, Doug, and Lou will also be a blessing to Immanuel as we all seek to walk together to grow and mature in our lives of discipleship. T Discipleship and John the Baptist John the Baptist plays an important role of preparation in the revealing of the Savior and Messiah, Jesus Christ. Yet I m not sure how much attention we pay to his message today. Oftentimes we act as if that preparation role (continued on page 4) 3 Immanuel Lutheran Church / June 2018

(continued from page 3) was just for those unprepared people in that world and has nothing to say to us today.

When I to came Matthew 3, I m now seeing that John the Baptist s words are not merely for his day and age. John is speaking to us just as much as he s speaking to his original audience.

It means something far deeper. As N.T. Tom Wright wrote in his book Matthew for Everyone, Real repentance meant complete and lasting change of heart and life (p. 18).

4 (continued from page 3) was just for those unprepared people in that world and has nothing to say to us today. As I do my devotions these days I m going through Matthew s Gospel trying to discern what I m calling discipleship lessons from the readings. When I to came Matthew 3, I m now seeing that John the Baptist s words are not merely for his day and age. John is speaking to us just as much as he s speaking to his original audience. He s speaking to me and you! Ask yourself this question: Am I ready for the coming of the Messiah (the Savior) into my life? Just being baptized and saying I m a Christian isn t enough. It means something far deeper. As N.T. Tom Wright wrote in his book Matthew for Everyone, Real repentance meant complete and lasting change of heart and life (p. 18). I m afraid the rub comes right at that point for me and for you. Too often our hearts are anything but changed. I m not sure a true, lasting change of life is truly visible. This brings us to the discipleship question and learning here in this text. Do I read these words some quite pointedly spoken to the religious elite and merely wag my head at their inability to see a need to truly be transformed? Or do I see them as words of law that speak directly to my need? As Jesus will tell us later here in Matthew s Gospel, Why do you see the speck that is in your brother s eye, but do not notice the log that is in your own eye? Or how can you say to your brother, Let me take the speck out of your eye, when there is the log in your own eye? (Matthew 7:3-4) These words calling for repentance and change which is what repentance is at its very heart, after all are really for both those in John s immediate audience yet also for us today. But, for us, we must not point at the need of the ancients but at our own unpreparedness and our own lack of change of heart and life. As a disciple, Jesus calls for our complete transformation. Complete. Not some merely external makeup to make us look better and just cover over our great need. No, it must be a true transformation from the inside out. The discipleship lesson is clear: as we prepare for the coming Messiah each and every one of us needs to take a true, in-depth review of our inner selves. To quote Wright again, Where do the roads need straightening out? What fires need to be lit, to burn away the rubbish in his path? Which dead trees will need to be cut down? And, equally important, who should be summoned, now, to repent? (p. 19). The answer, of course, is me (and you, if you re reading (continued on page 5) 4 Immanuel Lutheran Church / June 2018

(continued from page 4) Regards, in Christ, Pastor Jim I help you find your place in God s story T Note from Esther O Donovan Dear Friends, I greet you and bless you in the Name of Jesus!

5 these words of mine). I need to truly repent and change in how I live out my life. An inner transformation is needed. It begins with me. And then I am to help bring that transformation into the lives of others, too. Isn t that where we should focus in our own lives of discipleship? (continued from page 4) Regards, in Christ, Pastor Jim I help you find your place in God s story T Note from Esther O Donovan Dear Friends, I greet you and bless you in the Name of Jesus! Every month for over 30 years you have faithfully sent in to our support! That s a phenomenal amount of finances you have poured into us!! We sincerely, deeply thank you! Our Heavenly Father, I know, is pleased with you well done! By God s grace and strength we taught hundreds and hundreds of students in Nigeria, Ethiopia, Kenya, and India biblical truths; we started an institution to train Nigerians crossculturally to be missionaries in other lands (still exists today); Bill wrote 2 contextualized books on doctrine and ethics for Africa, which God took and multiplied the distribution of and translations to many countries in Africa (mostly), India, and South America (Brazil). You teamed with us to accomplish these things for God s glory and to further His kingdom here on earth! Praise Jesus! Blessings on you as you continue to hold forth Words of Life on the Eastern Shore! Esther O Donovan T Immanuel s Preschool The final Immanuel Lutheran Preschool Graduation was held this past Wednesday, May 23 rd. As you may know, this is the final year of Immanuel s Preschool program which has run for some 23 years. Our thanks to all who helped guide it over the years, including Director (continued on page 6) 5 Immanuel Lutheran Church / June 2018

(continued from page 5) & teacher Darlene Madsen, teachers Judy Garber and Sharon Wallman, and aides Wendy Haddock and Chris Waddell.

We pray that its effect will be felt in the hearts and lives of students and their families for many years to come.

Because of our special guests from the Baltimore Children s Choir joining us on June 17 th, June s Family Sing Sunday will be on June 10 th.

We d like to thank our Sunday School staff for their faithful service to the Lord. The staff includes: Linda Brown, Carol Frampton, Lynn Hildenbrand, and Val Greene.

T Sunday Worship in June 2018 Sunday, June 3 Second Sunday after Pentecost Theme: JJOHM by doing good Mark 2:23 3:6.

6 (continued from page 5) & teacher Darlene Madsen, teachers Judy Garber and Sharon Wallman, and aides Wendy Haddock and Chris Waddell. In addition, we d like to thank the School Board for their efforts. Current members include Craig Walsworth, Sue Frey, Judy Kohn, and Donna Kopp. We pray that its effect will be felt in the hearts and lives of students and their families for many years to come. T Come Join the Family Sing Sundays Family Sing Sundays are back for the 3 rd Sundays of the following months: May 20 th, July15 th, August 19 th, and September 16 th. Because of our special guests from the Baltimore Children s Choir joining us on June 17 th, June s Family Sing Sunday will be on June 10 th. Come a little early those Sundays to sing your favorites! T You otter be there! Summer Break Sunday School and Bible Classes will take the summer off starting June 3 rd. We d like to thank our Sunday School staff for their faithful service to the Lord. The staff includes: Linda Brown, Carol Frampton, Lynn Hildenbrand, and Val Greene. Thank you, ladies, for your continued faithful service to the Lord. Enjoy your well-deserved time off. T Sunday Worship in June 2018 Sunday, June 3 Second Sunday after Pentecost Theme: JJOHM by doing good Mark 2:23 3:6. Sunday Schedule: 8:30 AM Divine Worship Service with Holy Communion 9:45 AM 90th Anniversary Planning meeting 11:00 AM Praise Worship Service Scriptures: Deuteronomy 5:12 15; Psalm 81:1 10; 2 Corinthians 4:5 12; Mark 2:23 3:6. Sunday, June 10 Third Sunday after Pentecost Theme: You re part of Jesus family Mark 3: Sunday Schedule: 8:30 AM Divine Worship Service 11:00 AM Praise Worship Service with Holy Communion Scriptures: Genesis 3:8 15; Psalm 130; 2 Corinthians 4:13 5:1; Mark 3: (continued on page 7) 6 Immanuel Lutheran Church / June 2018

(continued from page 6) Sunday, June 17 Fourth Sunday after Pentecost Theme: Ministry of reconciliation 2 Corinthians 5:11-17.

Sunday, June 24 Fifth Sunday after Pentecost Theme: Now is the time 2 Corinthians 6:1 2.

Immanuel s June Birthdays, Baptismal Birthdays, and Anniversaries June Birthdays June Tidwell... 6/1 Dane Madsen... 6/3 Linda Brown... 6/7 Evelyn Pierce... 6/8 Ray Chapman... 6/10 Morgan Parks Cox.

7 (continued from page 6) Sunday, June 17 Fourth Sunday after Pentecost Theme: Ministry of reconciliation 2 Corinthians 5: Sunday Schedule: 8:30 AM Divine Worship Service with Holy Communion 11:00 AM Praise Worship Service Scriptures: Ezekiel 17:22 24; Psalm 1; 2 Corinthians 5:11 17; Mark 4: Sunday, June 24 Fifth Sunday after Pentecost Theme: Now is the time 2 Corinthians 6:1 2. Sunday Schedule: 8:30 AM Divine Worship Service 11:00 AM Praise Worship Service with Holy Communion Scriptures: Job 38:1 11; Psalm 124; 2 Corinthians 6:1 13; Mark 4: Immanuel s June Birthdays, Baptismal Birthdays, and Anniversaries June Birthdays June Tidwell... 6/1 Dane Madsen... 6/3 Linda Brown... 6/7 Evelyn Pierce... 6/8 Ray Chapman... 6/10 Morgan Parks Cox... 6/10 Karli Abbott... 6/12 Floyd Sorenson... 6/12 Daniel Clougherty... 6/16 Heather Disque... 6/18 Dave Haller... 6/27 Mike Lindemann... 6/27 Sherri Taylor... 6/27 Bill Yeager... 6/30 June Baptism Birthdays Tina Malara... 6/1 Don Ney... 6/1 Evelyn Pierce... 6/1 Glenn Shortall... 6/1 Bill Weise... 6/1 Dawn Holland... 6/6 Carole Andersen... 6/7 Jeff Trice... 6/9 Alfred Asche... 6/18 (continued on page 8) 7 Immanuel Lutheran Church / June 2018

8 Tracey Hastings... 6/18 Brad Hastings... 6/19 Mike Beakley Jr... 6/22 Pat Roe... 6/23 June Anniversaries Debbie & Tom Harmon...6/3 Fred & Lynn Hildenbrand...6/3 Jeff & Carol Trice...6/9 Mark & Tara Mildenberger...6/19 Dave & Lori Haller...6/23 8 Immanuel Lutheran Church / June 2018

June 2018 Sunday Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday Latino Services: 5:00 P Sundays 7:00 P Tuesdays, Fridays, & Saturdays 7:30 P Wednesdays Latino Bible Study 7:00 P Thursdays Latino

8:30 A Traditional Worship with Holy Communion 9:45 A Anniversary Planning Meeting 11:00 A Praise Service 10 Family Sing Sunday!

8:30 A Traditional Worship with Holy Communion 11:00 A Praise Service 24 8:30 A Traditional Worship 10:10 A The Pines 11:00 A Praise Service with Holy Communion 4 9:00 A Prayer Warriors 5 8:00 A

9 June 2018 Sunday Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday Latino Services: 5:00 P Sundays 7:00 P Tuesdays, Fridays, & Saturdays 7:30 P Wednesdays Latino Bible Study 7:00 P Thursdays Latino Band Practice 1 8:30 A Blood Bank 2 7:30 A Men s Bible Panera Bread 3 New Members Join! 8:30 A Traditional Worship with Holy Communion 9:45 A Anniversary Planning Meeting 11:00 A Praise Service 10 Family Sing Sunday! 8:30 A Traditional Worship 10:10 A The Pines 11:00 A Praise Service with Holy Communion 17 Baltimore Children s Choir joins us! 8:30 A Traditional Worship with Holy Communion 11:00 A Praise Service 24 8:30 A Traditional Worship 10:10 A The Pines 11:00 A Praise Service with Holy Communion 4 9:00 A Prayer Warriors 5 8:00 A Mature Men s Small Group 10:30 A Bayleigh Chase Service 7:00 P Elders Meet :00 A Mature Men s Small Group 10:30 A Candlelight Cove Service 18 6:30 P Ministry of Worship Meeting note special night! 7:00 P Trustees Meet 19 8:00 A Mature Men s Small Group :00 A Mature Men s Small Group 1:00 Prayer Shawl Meeting 6 10:30 A Lifelight Small Group 6:00 P Praise Team 13 11:30 A Homebound Communion 6:00 P Praise Team 20 6:00 P Praise Team 7 10:00 A 2:00 P Circuit Meeting (in Dover) 7:00 P Special Leadership Meeting 14 7:00 P Joining Jesus Missional Group 8 9 7:30 A Men s Bible Panera Bread :30 A Men s Bible Panera Bread :30 A Men s Bible Panera Bread :30 A Men s Bible Panera Bread 9:00 11:30 AM Vacation Bible School 6:00 7:30 P Summer Saturday Series 9 Immanuel Lutheran Church / June 2018

10 Immanuel Lutheran Church 7215 Ocean Gateway Easton, MD ImmanuelEaston.org Look inside for news of what s happening here at Immanuel Lutheran in June 2018! 10 Immanuel Lutheran Church / June 2018

The Juniper Tree. Our Task as A Redeemed Child of God! A publication of Immanuel Lutheran Church, Easton, Maryland January 2019

The Juniper Tree. Our Task as A Redeemed Child of God! A publication of Immanuel Lutheran Church, Easton, Maryland January 2019 The Juniper Tree A publication of Immanuel Lutheran Church, Easton, Maryland January 2019 Our Task as A Redeemed Child of God! As I read the Bible on December 28 th and the connections to the Lutheran