2017 VOLUME 6, NUMBER

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1 NEWS from the First Pew NOVEMBER 2017 VOLUME 6, NUMBER 11 Inside this Issue Puerto Rico Express 2 COME News 4 Rev. Isaac S. Schuller I am saddened LWML News 5 LWML Mission Grants 6 Christmas Dinner 8 Kick Boxing/Self Defense 8 Circuit Reformation Fest 9 Planning Forget Me Not Prayers 11 November Birthdays & Ann 11 November Calendar 12 As I write this article the time is noon and it is Tuesday October Most people in the United States know this day as All Hallows Eve or Halloween. Yet how many people know that 500 years ago a man named Martin Luther wanted the people to know who God truly is according to His Word. I am saddened because as I walked down 3rd street where our church is located. I thought to myself how many people know about God and His Word? How many people think that October 31st is just Halloween and not a date that changed the world? The day that is supposed to be a celebration of the Word of God being unleashed became a day that was a somber day instead of a joyous one. As the day progressed I realized that I was living in the law. Thinking I wasn t doing enough for God to share with people what happened 500 years ago. I can always do more. Then I remembered the Gospel. God s only Son has fulfilled the law. I am saved because of His redemptive work on the cross and by His rising from the dead. The Reformation is not about being saddened because of how many people do not know Christ. Instead the Reformation was about and continues to be about what Jesus has done for those people who do not know Him. It is so easy to think the weight of the world is upon your shoulders. This is foolish because we will be crushed. The world is in God s hands. He cares for it. He has given His Son for us. This Reformation and forever more may we find joy in our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. This joy is what drives us to share what He has done for us and for the world. He takes our sadness and turns it into joy. Thank you Lord Jesus for all that you have done for me and for the world! Pastor Schuller

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4 CHRISTMAS GIFT PROGRAM FOR C.O.M.E. CLIENTS IS THURSDAY, DECEMBER 14, C.O.M.E. NEWS Volunteers are needed for this special day during the hours of 10:00 AM - 2:00 PM and from 4:30 PM - 8:30 PM. Volunteers do not have to stay for the full four hour shifts. Even if you are available for one or two hours, it would be very helpful and appreciated. Wynne Sontag has graciously volunteered to come for a couple of days from her home in Woodland to direct the activities associated with the gift give away. So, please contact Wynne if you wish to volunteer on December 14 by calling her on her cell phone at soon. We need many many volunteers that day and evening. Come join the fun! MATCHING FUNDS: C.O.M.E. has an anonymous donor who is matching funds up to $4, Your contributions may be mailed to PO Box 24799, San Jose, CA Or, if you wish, there are C.O.M.E. contribution envelopes for In Memory Of or In Honor Of in the rack in the church narthex. Still can use medium sized baskets for making up Christmas gifts and 2018 calendars. Thank you for your love, prayers and support of this ministry. Deanna

5 LWML NEWS This article will begin with a recap of the celebration of the 75th anniversary of the LWML as we celebrated the ministry of the LWML on October 22nd in the church service. The ministry of the Lutheran Women s Missionary League is all about reaching out and sharing the gospel of Jesus Christ to all people. A listing of the mission grants was included in the LWML s Sunday s bulletin. Mite boxes are on the table in the narthex and these give everyone an opportunity to collect coins and dollars that are put toward these grants. The current mission grant is LINC Bay Area Theological Training for $20,000. (Lutheran Inter-City Network Coalition), addressing the needs for people of various languages for theological education, with scholarships and developing leadership training. The Lord continues to address these needs and accomplishes the funding of each of these grants. You can check out the funded mission grants of the CNH District which are posted on the bulletin board in the Parish Hall. There are a few issues of the LWML quarterlies available in the Narthex. Other news available through the lwml.cnh.org website. The current Fall issue of The Joyful Servant newsletter gives a lot of information, sharing news, retreats, and some of the activities that other LWML societies are involved in. We will also be watching for information about the LWML District Convention which will be held next April in the Newark/Fremont area. Our Lydia Ladies and Dorcas Guild along with societies in our zone will be involved with hosting this convention. Both of our LWML societies welcome additional ladies to join them. Recently the Lydia Ladies created fall baskets for the homebound church members. Dorcas Guild will hold a bake sale on Sunday, November 12th following the church service freshly baked goodies. A decision will be made about the proceeds will be made at our next meeting. Both societies are currently involved with planning the Congregational Christmas Party.

6 Lutheran Women s Missionary League Mission Grants (National) 1. Providing Food and the Gospel to Starving Children $ 40,000. (Mercy meals in Siouxland) 2. Mercy House for Women and Children 100,000. (Avenue Mission, Flint, MI) 3. Christ for Veterans and their Families 27,750. (LCMS Ministry of Armed Forces) 4. Tanzanian Serving Center 25,000. (Evangelical Lutheran) 5. Current Missionary Need 100,000. (LCMS International Mission) 6. Lutheran Children s Books for Families Worldwide 100, Christian Hope through Mass Media in Egypt 100,000. (Lutheran Hour Ministries) 8. NOLA 4H: Hearts for the Hungry, Homeless and Hurting 100,000. (Christian Families United for Progress) 9. Lutheran World Relief Quilt and Kit Shipping Fund 80, Christian Eldercare Home in Haiti Ministry in Mission 100, Training Lutheran Middle Eastern Missionaries 93,000. Biblical Orthodox Lutheran 12. Completion of Lukonda Luth. School Buildings 48,000. (Uganda Lutheran Church, Uganda) 13. Equipping Youth to Witness for Life Y4 Life Lutherans for Life 25, Laborers of Love Lutheran Braille Workers 100, Sharing Jesus with People with Disabilities Bethesda Luth. Comm. 100, Education Loan Repayment Assistance Grants Ministry Focus 100, Nursing Students Serving with Mercy Medical Team 25,000. (LCMS Office of International Mission) 18. Restoration Programs for Native Hawaiians Lutheran Indian Ministries 75, RECONNECT to the Body of Christ, Circuit 28 Texas District 50, Prison and Jail Ministry 36,500. (Synod-wide Conference in 2018) 21. Family Scholarships for Short term Mission Trips (MOST Ministries) 60, Raising Pastors and Deaconesses 97,000. (Evangelical Lutheran Church of Liberia) LWML MISSION GOAL - $2,075,000. Donate online grants

7 MARK YOUR CALENDAR It s not too early to mark your calendar for Saturday, December 2 at 4:30 pm for attending the Congregational Christmas Party. The plan ning has begun, and we look forward to having First Immanuel family and friends join us for the evening. Watch for more information in the church bulletin. Kick Boxing/Self Defense Fridays at Noon

8 Circuit Reformation Fest, October 8, 2017

9 Planning for 2018 Mission Statement: Proclaiming Christ to the nations January- Three kings hand out Saturday January 6th, 1p.m. Lock in Friday January 12th- Saturday 13th, 6:30p.m.-8a.m. February- Service Project Saturday February 10th March- Church clean up for Easter Saturday March 3rd 9a.m.-12p.m. April- Rummage Sale Saturday April 21st 8a.m.-1p.m. May- Confirmation Day, Pentecost Sunday May 20th 10a.m. Youth play practice starts Tuesday May 22nd June- July- Mission trip to Mexico, Tijuana July Friday 13th-Friday 20th. August- VBS (Vacation Bible School) Monday August 13th- Friday 17th- 9a.m.-12p.m. Youth play Saturday August 25th 4p.m. September- October- Reformation Fest/Trunk or Treat Saturday October 27th 1p.m.-3p.m. November- Church clean up for Christmas Saturday November 3rd 9a.m.-12p.m. Bake Sale Sunday November 11th 10:30a.m. Tree Decorating Saturday November 24th 9a.m. December- Christmas Dinner Saturday December 4:30 p.m. COME Christmas give away Thursday December 13th All day Christmas Caroling Saturday December 8th and Saturday December 15th, 1p.m.- 4p.m.

10 Forget Me Not Prayers If you have an opportunity, please reach out with a call, a visit or a card! Those in need of prayer for health and healing: Patty Tim (Veda Connor) Kathleen Arndt Veda Conner s Daughter Nancy Perkins Yvonne Wagener s daughter Virginia, mother of Myriam Valdivia Debbie Sara Mello Corey Renella Lucia Vivas Teresa Cuevas Brandon Robert JP Those unable to make it to our worship due to health or other issues: Juanita & Betsy Ernst Rosemary Thode Joan Barnes Wayne Frazier Elaine Payne Those receiving treatment for cancer: Michael, nephew of Francis Scott Gao, friend of Beatrice Scott Jin, friend of Beatrice Scott Angelena, friend of Rena Torres Jesus Chavez, friend of Veda Connor 11/7 Peter Bermudez 11/9 Jackelin Sanchez 11/12 Yasmin Flores 11/13 Deanna Bye October Anniversaries 11/15 Aner Salvador 11/15 Shirley Stager 11/16 Elaine Payne 11/16 Maria Rosas 11/17 Victor Fregoso 11/19 Marvin Pineda 11/19 Misty Sanfilippo 11/24 Joan DeMay 11/24 John Sanchez Flores 11/28 Nichole Willis All those serving our country in the Military including: Dimas Jr. & Veronica Cuevas Benjamin Brighton We pray for God s protection on our missionaries around the world and especially: Pastor & Gema Schuller 11/4 Rev. Richard & Gema Schuller 11/24 Jorge & Estela Vasquez ~ 10 yrs We pray for God s strength and protection for: Mario & Christy Abby Reyes & Family

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