The Envoy May Christmas, Easter and.pentecost!

Transcription

1 The Envoy May 2017 Christmas, Easter and.pentecost! On June 4th, we will be celebrating one of the three major festivals in the church. There s Christmas, there s Easter, and then, there s Pentecost, the three festivals that celebrate the giving nature of the Triune God. Christmas, a celebration of the Father, giving his son and of the Son, giving himself to incarnation. Easter, a celebration of Jesus, giving himself in sacrifice for the sake of the world and God the Father giving him resurrection. And Pentecost, a celebration of the giving of the Holy Spirit, the power from on high, promised by Jesus to his followers. Christmas and Easter are obviously very big events in our culture. The church pulls out all the stops for these two festivals and people come to worship in droves. We expect family and friends to gather and come to church together for Christmas and Easter. But it is not only the church that pulls out all the stops for Christmas and Easter. There are cards, gifts, baskets, special recipes, homes get decorated, and families make plans to get together. But, for some reason, Pentecost doesn t get noticed by our culture. It does not appear on the preprinted calendars we can buy at the store. Families don t make special plans to get together for Pentecost. Hallmark doesn t make a card for this. So, the reality is that no one is going to celebrate Pentecost except in the church. In a way that is a good thing. There are no other plans to make, no other pressures to get this holy day right, no distractions from our church community celebration of the Holy Spirit in our midst. So, we are going to celebrate Pentecost, as we always do, in the same way that we celebrate the other two major festivals in the church year, with special flowers and special music and the holiness and joy that comes from celebrating the generosity that is part of the very nature of our three in one God. As part of our Pentecost celebration, you are invited to wear red (the color of the day) to our 9:30 a.m. worship service on June 4 th, when we will ~ 1 ~

2 celebrate the coming and blessing of the Holy Spirit as well as the presence of the Holy Spirit in the life of six Confirmands in our congregation. I look forward to celebrating Pentecost with you this year! In Christ, Pastor Amanda We Remember in Prayer Charlotte Nick & Erica David Leo Shelmer, Sr. Helen Hultman Patty Holbrook Chelsea & Isabella Christine Howard Seigfried Szardenings Daniel Carow Jack Gradijan Lorraine Lynch Betty Dickson Hans & Ursula Dimpel Samantha Rogers Terri Loomis Ruth Sundberg Kidder Family Jeremy Abbott Sandy Moore Remembering Our Shut-ins Ingrid Bamber, Joan Fogarty, and Richard Spencer Those in the Armed Forces Sean Howland, Steve Axelrod, Christopher Rando Thank You Notes To the Prayer Shawl Ministry, Thank you so much for the shawl. It s nice to throw over my shoulders when I m feeling cold. Thank you ladies for knitting it for me. Sincerely, Lottie Schaefer ~ 2 ~

3 Dear friends of Emmanuel, Thank you so much for all your love, support and concern during the last several months of Bill's illness. We were truly touched by all the cards, notes, phone calls, and visits. The Easter basket was beautiful and most appreciated. Bill especially loved the prayer shawl and wore it while in his favorite chair. A special thanks to the women of Emmanuel for providing such a wonderful reception. Bill would have loved it! Thank you again, with love from the family of Bill Kivi Members of the Mission Fund Team, Once again I am overwhelmed and grateful for the financial support for my upcoming medical mission trip to Guatemala. This will be the 3 rd time and each time I learn and do more. I ll work on trying to get us as a congregation, involved in trips abroad as Pastor Amanda has suggested. Thank you again, Cara Crisafulli Dear Emmanuel, Thank you so much for the lovely Easter Basket and visit from Susan Lawson. I will see you all very soon. I miss you. Love, Elsa Delaplace To the members and friends at Emmanuel Lutheran Church, Thank you for your expressions of sympathy at my mother s passing. My family and I are grateful for and touched by your thoughtfulness. Arlene Zolla ~ 3 ~

4 To my Emmanuel Family and Friends, Thank you so much for all your prayers, cards, visits and well wishes. Also for the beautiful prayer shawl and the Easter basket. Thank you, Pastor Amanda for your visits and caring. It has meant a lot to me and to Larry. Hope to see you all soon. Love to all, Ruthie Sundberg Rummage Sale Thank You I would like to offer many thanks to all the people who helped with the rummage sale. The proceeds will go to camperships and other items not covered by the church budget. This spring we are purchasing white microfiber tablecloths for use at events such as Easter and funerals. This will eliminate using plastic and keep plastic out of the waste cycle. We will also be purchasing a few more small tables for use at church events. The benefits of the sale extend far beyond the funds we take in. There is the service to the community, allowing those with tight budgets to find clothing and household goods, which they otherwise couldn't afford. Even our leftovers, which mostly go to Savers, serve the purpose of helping the less fortunate purchase items at a low price. Thanks to Ann Martin, Homer Everhard, Linda Stipkovich, Ruth Rinker, Evie Sundquist, Helene Bier, Joan Carlson, Brian Cegelis, Sally Alborghetti, Greta Carlson, Julie and Matthew Ackley, Pastor Amanda, Darlene Conti, Susan Lawson, Peg Flood, Joy Peter, Martha Everhard, Helen Rezendes, Ann Marie Blomquist, Ruth Sundberg, Larry Sundberg, Linda Morse, for helping set up and sell. Special thanks to Vik Benson, Michele Dodds, Samantha Frerichs, Ann Frerichs, Susan and Michael Lawson, Cindy and Wayne Zafft, Lisa Silletti, Allyson Silletti, Lonnie and Kirk Schroeder, Abigail Warner, and Britton Warner, who came Saturday afternoon to help pack and transport leftovers to Savers. Thanks to our wonderful office staff, Diane Bragg and Alice Wuschke, who published announcements and made signage. More thanks to Helene Bier for handling publicity. ~ 4 ~

5 These people moved tables, set signs in place, sorted through mountains of boxes and bags, arranged, rearranged, folded and refolded, checked people out, cooked our meals and snacks, made our coffee, arranged our huge white elephant tables, carted items to cars for our customers, chatted with customers, bagged and boxed unsold items, brought the leftovers to Savers, swept the floors, put the tables, and signs away and so on and so on. Even though everyone worked very hard, there was genuine fellowship and good time had by all. Thanks for cleaning out your houses and all the contributions. (The next rummage sale is October ) We are so fortunate to be able to do this. Thanks and blessings to all of you, Arlene Cegelis Book Group The Book Discussion Group will meet May 19 th at 7:30 pm in the Founders Room. The selection is: Lilac Girls by Martha Hall Kelly. All are welcome. Bring a guest, if you like. We also would like to announce that Helen Rezendes is now the contact for this group. Please contact Helen at HLRWWD@aol.com Summer Worship Schedule We will begin our Summer Worship Schedule on May 28 th. Worship at 9:30 a.m. Coffee Hour Fellowship at 10:30 We will return to our regular Worship Schedule once again on September 10 Worship at 8:45 a.m. Coffee Hour Fellowship and Sunday School Rally Day at 10:00 Worship at 11:15 a.m. ~ 5 ~

6 Ascentria Appeal Collection for Synod Assembly On June 9-10, Tony and Sheri Nikolassy, and I (Pastor Amanda) will be attending the 2017 New England Synod Assembly, a gathering of representatives of all the ELCA churches in New England to learn from speakers and each other, to vote for synod leaders and on resolutions, to serve in the greater Springfield area, and to worship and pray for our each other, our churches, our region of the country, and for the world. The theme of the Synod Assembly is: Get Off Your Donkey: Be a Leader! Why this focus? Because leadership matters. Nothing happens without people who have the courage to lead. Nothing happens in the parable of the Good Samaritan if he doesn t take the initiative to climb down off his donkey and help the man on the side of the road. The same can be said for our own lives. Nothing happens if we don t take the initiative and make something happen. Whether that s taking on a new task at work, leading in our congregations, serving in the community, or getting the children up in the morning to go to school. The challenge for our Assembly congregations this year is for items that are used by the families and individuals served by Ascentria Care Alliance including: Refugees and unaccompanied minors Older adults and the elderly Children, youth and families Persons with developmental disabilities Those who are economically disadvantaged Items Requested: Pillows (new) Sheets, Blankets twin or full size (new) Gift Cards: Wal-Mart, Target or grocery store Toiletry items: Shampoo Bar Soap or body wash Toothbrushes/Toothpaste/Dental floss Feminine hygiene products Shaving supplies We will collect donations for the Synod Assembly through June 3 rd. ~ 6 ~

7 Graduation Sunday On Sunday, June 18 th, we will be honoring those members and friends of Emmanuel Lutheran Church who are graduating from high school, college, or graduate school during the worship service and at a reception afterward. If you are graduating please sign up on the list outside Pastor Amanda s office. Geraniums for Pentecost Pentecost is coming soon (June 4 th ), and once again we ll decorate the sanctuary with red geraniums. If you d like to sponsor one (or more), $15 for each 8 pot, please use the envelope in your pew to place your order and to designate it in memory/honor of a loved one. You can take your geranium home after the service to enjoy throughout the summer. Notice of June Congregational Meeting ELC Grants and Camperships Please mark your calendars and plan to attend our June Congregational Meeting on Sunday, June 25 th. It will be held at 10:30 a.m. in Kask Hall after our one worship service. Additional parking is available within walking distance of Emmanuel at the Winslow Medical office building on Chapel Street. Educational Grant applications and Camp Calumet summer campership applications are available in church hallway. Please complete application and return to the church office no later than June 18 th. Thank you. ~ 7 ~

8 Ministers of Emmanuel Emmanuel Lutheran Church 24 Berwick Street Norwood, MA The members of our congregation, working and witnessing in the world. Church Staff Rev. Amanda Warner, Pastor Gabrielle Heath, Minister of Music Diane Bragg, Parish Administrator Alice Wuschke, Administrative Assistant Bryon Sol, Church Council President Beth Donovan, Treasurer Kendra Lassen, Financial Secretary Janice McHugh, Sunday School Coordinator Lorraine Lynch, Visitation Ministry Leader Church Office Tuesday-Friday 9 a.m. - 2 p.m emmanuel@norwoodlight.com WORSHIP SCHEDULE 8:45 - Traditional Worship 10:00 - Fellowship and Sunday School 11:15 - Contemporary Worship May 28th begins our summer schedule, one worship service at 9:30 am ~ 8 ~