Immanuel Monthly. From Our Administrative Pastor. Dear Brothers and Sisters of Immanuel,

Transcription

1 March 2019 IMMANUEL LUTHERAN CHURCH & PRESCHOOL 522 S. CHURCH STREET WATERLOO, IL immanuelwaterloo.org From Our Administrative Pastor In This Issue: 2 Ask the Pastor A Note from Our Music Director 3 March Birthdays & Anniversaries 4 Bible Studies & Sunday School 5 Finances, Official Acts & Attendance 6 March 2019 Worship Helpers Schedule 7 March 2019 Calendar 8 Pizza Hut Days Lenten Sermon Series 9 Youth Group News WCM News 10 Preschool News and Enrollment! 11 Ladies Tea Luncheon 12 Funke News 13 Women s Mini- Retreat Making more and stronger disciples of Jesus Christ through the power of the Holy Spirit. Dear Brothers and Sisters of Immanuel, Although our next Congregational Meeting is still two months away (May 5), I want to again remind you of the importance of this meeting. Not only will we have the election of church officers, but Immanuel members will be voting on some position changes for Pastor Demski and me. In short, Pastor Demski and I will be switching positions. After I turn 62 on September 1 this year, Pastor Demski will become Immanuel s Administrative Pastor and I will become Immanuel s Associate Pastor. Pastor Demski will be in charge of our staff, confirmation of junior catechumens, the Board of Spiritual Ministry, and the overall health and spiritual life of our congregation. He ll also continue to work closely with the Board of Youth. I, on the other hand, will work with the Board of Spiritual Ministry in an advisory capacity and work closely with the Board of Social Ministry, the Board of Evangelism, and the Board of Church Properties. Both Pastor Demski and I will work with the Board of Stewardship. After September, I ll continue to preach as often as I ever did and make the same number of calls, but the primary responsibility for the spiritual life of Immanuel will fall to Pastor Demski. I m praying that this transition goes smoothly. After serving Immanuel as sole or administrative pastor for over 23 years, letting go of the reins may be a little difficult for me. Still, a change in leadership can rejuvenate a congregation and present new and exciting challenges. With the Lord s help and under the guidance of the Holy Spirit, I m sure the next few years will be a time of growth and enrichment. So be sure to attend the Congregational Meeting on May 5 to vote on these important changes! Finally, just a quick reminder about our Lenten Services. We ll observe Ash Wednesday on March 6 with services at 9:00 a.m. and 7:30 p.m. Both services will celebrate the imposition of ashes and Holy Communion. After that we ll have midweek services on Wednesdays at 7:30 p.m. with Lenten dinners from 5-7 p.m. Our Lenten sermon series this year is Behold the Man! Each sermon will concentrate on the glorious truth that Jesus is eternal God inhabiting a human body. See you at our services and have a blessed Lent! Love in Christ,

2 Page 2 From Our Associate Pastor If Jesus tells us to practice our piety quietly, why do we proclaim it with ashen forehead crosses on Ash Wednesday? On Ash Wednesday we ll hear a portion of Jesus sermon on the mount. In it he ll tell people not to give, pray, or fast in a public and showboating way so as to be seeking worldly attention and praise. If that s what someone desires that s all they ll get...treasure in this life. Instead, Jesus tells us to give, pray, and fast in secret so that no one knows. If that s the case, why do we come get crosses on our foreheads and walk around in public all day!?! Well, context helps. Jesus is correcting the religious leaders who would draw attention to themselves to make sure everyone saw how much they were giving in the offering. These men would pray loudly and in such a way to get everyone s attention so people would see how pious they were. They would make a spectacle of themselves when fasting in order to make sure everyone knew that they were fasting. When that s the case, they re no longer looking to the Lord, but to themselves. This is something about which we always ought to be cautious. Of course, even if we don t show off to the world our Christian piety, we still have a sinful nature wanting to boast internally about how wonderful and Christian we are for all of the stuff we re doing in secret. And in those moments, we repent and look to the Lord confident in His forgiveness. When it comes to Ash Wednesday in particular, we gather together remembering that we are bags of dust and we re going to return to the dust. BUT, in Christ that s not the end of the story. We see the dust and oil spread upon our foreheads (or hands) in the shape of a cross in order to remind us that we are in Christ! You are dust and to dust you shall return (Gen 3:19). Some Christians wear that ashen cross on their head or hand throughout the day, others wipe it off after they leave church. One pastor said he s seen congregations where the people wipe off the cross as they approach the communion rail during service to remember that Christ has cleansed them and given them life through His body and blood. The question remains is it wrong to go out with a sign that we ve entered a season of fasting and prayer? Well, it comes down to your heart. If you make sure everyone gets to see your cross and you make a big deal out of how good of a Christian you are for going to Ash Wednesday service then you may want to evaluate your motives. But if you keep it there to encourage other Christians that we are together in the body of Christ, it may be a blessing. Ash Wednesday has a long history in the church and can be a great way to start conversations. Of course, those conversations usually start with someone subtly trying to motion to you that you have a smudge of something on your head. That ashen cross reminds you of your mortality apart from Christ as well as your life in Christ. As we stand together in service we see those crosses and remember that we are part of the body of Christ which is bigger than us. As we go into the world we proclaim Christ crucified and risen again for the forgiveness of sins. So, whether you keep that ashen mark visible to the world or wipe it off, remember why it is (or was as the case may be) there and that you have life in Christ. If you have any other questions, feel free to let me know. Blessings on your day! Ask the Pastor A Note from Our Music Director...Lenten Music... As the weeks have gone by during January and February, the Adult Choir and the Agape Ringers have been practicing music selections for the Lenten Season. I would like to share a bit of information about two of the pieces as we begin to travel the path to the cross! The choral anthem Broken Body by Williams/Nichols beautifully reminds us of our Lord and Savior's sacrifice made for His people as He suffered and died on the cross. The accompaniment music in contrast to the vocal part is written to have a broken pulse. The choral score invites listeners to receive HIM in the words: take this body... drink this wine take this symbol of love divine. The following is one of the verses: Broken body, broken bread, Broken Savior, whose blood was shed, Through this off'ring, this sacrifice, Wounded people, come, and find new life. Take this body, drink this wine, Take this symbol of love divine. Come receive Him; Be mercy-led, Take and eat His body; In His broken-ness be fed. As you listen to Delancy's handbell arrangement O Sacred Head, Now Wounded, the familiar melody of the hymn will be heard after a double introduction to the arrangement. Singing bells resonating with chime tones make way for bell chords rung followed by the bells dragged across the tables causing one to be reminded of the footsteps Jesus took as He carried/dragged His cross to Golgotha. After several verses of the hymn, the music comes to a close with three chords loudly rung with no dampening. These three chords are in reference to the nails piercing Christ on the cross. One of the bells from these final chords will be carried out to the narthex, as its tone continues to be heard. This symbolizes that the story does not end with His crucifixion. Both of these pieces of music will be sung/rung twice. You will hear both selections on Ash Wednesday in the evening service. The Adult Choir will again sing Broken Body on Maundy Thursday; and, the Agape Ringers will again play O Sacred Head, Now Wounded at Good Friday's evening service. Blessings as we travel to the cross together this Lenten Season.

3 March Birthdays & Anniversaries Parish Leaders Page 3 Happy Birthday to 1 Cliff Bense Jennifer Prather 2 Diane Marshall Terry Ward 3 Jensen Bouquet Morgan Hoeffken Jim Smothers Elizabeth Troup 4 Colby Crook Pat Jones Jack Metzger 5 Vicki Clark Steven Jarvis Ollney Mueller Jr. 6 Todd Beelman Christa Veath Gerald Woodcock 7 Melissa Bommarito 8 Barb Heimburger Andrew Naber Linda Wittbracht 9 Tessie Cadman 10 Kayleigh Luter Michael Mitchell 11 Josh Campbell Irene Proctor Elliot Ramsey Thomas Wiese 13 Jeremy Webb 15 Clark Deptula 16 Stephanie Blakeslee Bernice Fuller Grant Melliere 17 Randy Bise Avery Collmeyer Sue Rahn Ashley Ramsey 18 Brielle Fink Michael Haare Tim Scheibe 19 Nathan Bise Nadine Rowold 21 Grace Herschbach Jessie Horrell 22 Lee Doty Ian Schrader Susan Starbuck 23 Yvonne Brandt 24 Andrew Glessner 25 Erica Crawford Liam Dethrow Brian Horn Gary Layton Tiffany Schultheis 26 Jim Crawford Paige Gruber Wyatt Hoeffken 27 Justin Kinzinger Dinah Pflasterer 28 Ryan Beelman Keaton Roberts Lucas Smothers Gerald Straub 29 Roger Prescher Andy Wynn 30 Pastor Demski 31 Erika Lloyd Happy Anniversary to 4 Verlyn & Irene Proctor (47) 12 Butch & Laurie Sparwasser (25) 18 Mark & Denise Gruber (30) 20 Gregory & Jean Hoeffken (20) 25 Alan & Norine Stumpf (36) 28 Scott & Mandy Soma (4) Happy Birthday and Happy Anniversary to all celebrating in March! Do You Have an Address? Did you know that you could be a good steward by receiving our newsletter via ? Call or the church office and let Lisa know to remove you from the mailing list and add you to the list. Pastors: Rev. Dr. Tony Troup, Rev. Merritt Demski, Church & School Staff: Administrative Associate Lisa Clamors, Office Secretary Ann Frank, Music Director Sandy Mueller Housekeeping Ken Schanz Groundskeeper/Maintenance Linda Polansky, Preschool Director Deborah Joellenbeck Preschool Aide Church Council: Wayne Collmeyer, President Alan Stumpf, Vice-President Laura Kinzinger, Secretary David Powell, Treasurer Warren Frank, Financial Secretary Taryn Niemeyer, Christian Education Allen Jacobs, Church Properties Colby Crook, Evangelism/Fellowship Sandy Mueller, Social Ministry Alan Stumpf, Spiritual Ministry Pat Kelly, Stewardship Sandy Nichols, Youth Ministry Lisa Clamors Marilyn Collette Shirley Elmore Deborah Joellenbeck Valerie Zeisset Sandy Thompson Other Volunteers: Sunday School Superintendent Head Sacristan Sacristans Field Education Student: Travis Henry, 1st Year Flower Coordinator Have you ever thought about joining one of Immanuel's Boards or committees? If so, please contact the appropriate person listed above.

4 Pa ge 4 Elders Shepherding Program (Families whose last name begins with) A-B open C-D Jim Crawford, E-Ha Scott Janssen, He-Hu Bob Polansky, J-K Jason Valerius, L-Mel Kevin Wheat, Men-My Cal Neeman, N-P Elden Niemeyer, R-Sche Larry Taake, Schi-Sw Greg Wiegand, T-Wel Kevin Whelan, Wem-Z Larry Goessling, Elders & Pastors: Alan Stumpf, Have a question or would like to speak to your elder, feel free to call him anytime. Monthly Collections Board of Social Ministry: March & April: Camp Wartburg Items needed include all kinds of cleaning supplies, craft supplies for children of all ages, and plants & bulbs. Thank you for your support! Bi-County Backpack Program: This is an ongoing collection that supports children in Red Bud, Valmeyer, and Waterloo throughout the year. See the weekly bulletins for a list of items needed, and place those donations in the collection box in the narthex. Thank you! Sunday School: March: Camp Wartburg Each month, the Sunday School classes take a monetary offering for a specific charity. Thank you to all of the Pre-K through 8th grade students that contribute to these collections each month! Bible Studies & Sunday School Classes! For Men: Tuesdays at 6:30 am at Burger King. The group is studying the LHM video series, He Who Dies with the Most Toys Still Dies, and is led by Pastor Troup. For Women: Thursdays at 7:00 pm in the overflow room. We are studying The Lord s Prayer led by Faith Mueller and Janet Crawford. For All Adults: Sundays at 9:00 am in the overflow room. A study of Job led by Pastor Troup. Sundays at 9:00 am in the church basement kitchen. Led by Scott & Jen Janssen and Tim Scheibe, this class has a faith development and parenting focus. Feel free to bring your little ones, too! Wednesdays at 9:30 am in the overflow room. A study of the general Epistles led by Pastor Demski. For Pre-K College: Preschool 2nd grade: Sundays at 9:00 am in the education building. Led by Lisa Clamors, Deborah Joellenbeck, Pam Nagel, and Sandy Mueller. 3rd 6th grades: Sundays at 9:00 am in the church basement. Led by Millie Menke & Gayle Mesnarich. 7th & 8th grades: Sundays at 9:00 am in the multipurpose room. Walking with Jesus in the Gospel of Mark led by Alan Stumpf & Sem. Travis Henry. Parents are welcome to attend, too. High school and College-age: Sundays at 9:00 am in the youth room. We are studying the book of Luke led by Pastor Demski.

5 In Our Prayers... Please note: The names listed below will remain on our public prayer list for two weeks unless the church office is notified otherwise. Thank you. We Pray for our Fellow Parishioners: Millie Menke, Erwin Liefer, Nancy Huck, Sandy Moore, Perry Koch, Carol Woodcock, Ruby Muench, Dan Worley, Ny Bartels, Lana Mueller, Joan Koch, Marie Dietzel, Wayne Collmeyer, Barbara Altes, Kay Bense We Pray for Friends and Relatives of Parishioners: Michael Washausen, Nina Van Kamp, Ken Horn, Nicole Bachelier, Gordon Curd, Steven Muench, Diane Kersten, Don Kersten, Sarah Castelli, Vicky Stone, Dan Merz, Dennis Hitzemann, Tom Tierman We Pray for Those in the Service of Our Nation: Alicia Kirkley, Dustin Bender, Aaron Bommarito, Alex Naumann, Paul Doty We Pray for Our Missionaries and Special Missions: Immanuel s Preschool; Eric, Linda, Michael & Julia Funke (Tanzania); Unity Lutheran Elementary School (East St. Louis, IL); Immanuel s Mission Team January Finances Page 5 Total Deposits $ 38, Total Expenses $ 46, Over/(Short) $ (7,107.13) January 31, 2019 Balances: Checking $ 21, Scholarship Fund $ 9, Nobbe Mem. Fund $ 6, Narthex Furniture Fund $ Tuckpointing Fund $ 12, For Trust Fund $ 25, Loan $369, Year to Date: Deposits $ 38, Expenses $ 46, Over/(Short) $ (7,107.13) Unpaid Obligations $ 0.00 March 2019 Altar Flowers 3/2 3/3 open 3/9 3/10 Given to the glory of God by the Board of Social Ministry in honor of and thanksgiving for our 41 new members received in /16 3/17 open 3/23 3/24 open 3/30 3/31 open The 2019 Flower Chart is posted on the bulletin board in the narthex. Sign up for the weekend you would like! As your weekend approaches, Sandy Thompson, our flower coordinator, will contact you to give you more details. Recycle your aluminum cans! There is a large trash can in the kitchen for your cans. If you have a large amount and put them in trash bags, you can put the bags over by the white shed at the corner of the parking lot. Thank you for being good stewards and supporting our young people! Baptism: 1/27/19 Julianna Marie Gregory, daughter of Josh & Jessica nee Senf Gregory 1/4/19 Ben Konrad January 2019 Official Acts Transfer Out: January 2019 Church Attendance January 2019 (4) 842 January 2018 (4) 915 January 1989 (5) Weekly Average (as of 1/31): 211 As of 1/31/19, there were 915 baptized members.

6 Page 6 March 2019 Worship Helpers Saturday Accompanists: Joan Ruwald 3/9 Ron Jones 3/2, 3/16, 3/23, 3/30 Collator: Diana Heins Meet & Greet Potluck Luncheon Sun, March 10, :30 am Since this is a potluck, we are asking families to bring something to share. If your last name begins with A-M, please bring a dessert. If your last name begins with N-Z, please bring a side dish or salad. The Board of Social Ministry is hosting this event and will be providing the meat, bread, and drinks. All are welcome! Did you know that we welcomed 41 new members (not including baptisms) during 2018?

7 Page 7 Want to Stay Up to Date? Go to our website (immanuelwaterloo.org) and check it out! Be sure to subscribe to the calendar, and you ll have the most up to date info on Immanuel s activities and events. Also, check out all of the info available right on our home page. Notice that something is missing? Let us know!

8 Page 8 A Note from our Music Director Lenten Music... As the weeks have gone by during January and February, the Adult Choir and the Agape Ringers have been practicing music selections for the Lenten Season. I would like to share a bit of information about two of the pieces as we begin to travel the path to the cross! The choral anthem "Broken Body" by Williams/Nichols beautifully reminds us of our Lord and Savior's sacrifice made for His people as He suffered and died on the cross. The accompaniment music in contrast to the vocal part is written to have a "broken" pulse. The choral score invites listeners to receive HIM in the words: "take this body...drink this wine"..."take this symbol of love divine." The following is one of the verses: Broken body, broken bread, Broken Savior, whose blood was shed, Through this off'ring, this sacrifice, Wounded people, come, and find new life. Take this body, drink this wine, Take this symbol of love divine. Come receive Him; Be mercy-led, Take and eat His body; In His broken-ness be fed. As you listen to Delancy's handbell arrangement "O Sacred Head, Now Wounded," the familiar melody of the hymn will be heard after a double introduction to the arrangement. Singing bells resonating with chime tones make way for bell chords rung followed by the bells dragged across the tables...causing one to be reminded of the footsteps Jesus took as He carried/dragged His cross to Golgotha. After several verses of the hymn, the music comes to a close with three chords loudly rung with no dampening. These three chords are in reference to the nails piercing Christ on the cross. One of the bells from these final chords will be carried out to the narthex, as its tone continues to be heard. This symbolizes that the story does not end with His crucifixion. Both of these pieces of music will be sung/rung twice. You will hear both selections on Ash Wednesday in the evening service. The Adult Choir will again sing "Broken Body" on Maundy Thursday; and, the Agape Ringers will again play "O Sacred Head, Now Wounded" at Good Friday's evening service. Blessings as we travel to the cross together this Lenten Season. Serving Him, 2019 Lenten Sermon Series Behold the Man! March 6 April 21 These sermons will examine and celebrate the truth that Jesus is both God and man. Even though Jesus is God, we ll be invited to behold the man. We ll see that Jesus is an eternal being inhabiting a human body. Ash Wednesday: A God Who Hungers (March 6) Joel 2:12-19; 2 Cor 5:20b 6:10; Matt 6: 1-6, Midweek Lent 1: A God Who Prays (March 13) Heb 7:20-28; John 17 Midweek Lent 2: A God Beaten (March 20) Is 52:13 53:12; John 18:19-24 Midweek Lent 3: A God Exposed (March 27) Gen 3:7-21; John 19:1-5, Midweek Lent 4: A God with a Mother (April 3) Rev 12:1-6; John 19:25-27 Midweek Lent 5: A God Who Thirsts (April 10) Psalm 22:12-18; John 19:28-30 Maundy Thursday: (April 18) A God Who Loves Ex 12:1-14; 1 Cor 11:23-32; John 13:1-17, 31b-35 Good Friday: A God Who Bleeds, a God Who Dies (April 19) Is 52:13 53:12; Heb 4:14-16; 5:7-9; John Easter: (April 21) A God Who Rises Is 65:17-25; 1 Cor 15:19-26; John 20:1-18 or Luke 24:1-12 Book Club Monday, March 4 7:00 pm Ministries of Mercy by Timothy Keller

9 BASIC Youth Group News! Page 9 BASIC helps the Jr High and High School members of our congregation grow together as the body of Christ. That happens primarily on Sunday mornings at the Divine Service and in Bible Study, but we also get together for fun, fellowship, and service activities throughout the year. Remember, youth group is for youth in grades 6-12, and your friends are always welcome! You can join the Immanuel BASIC Facebook group and pastor.demski@gmail.com to be added to the weekly list for the newest updates. Sunday, March pm Youth Group Snacks, games, and fellowship in the Youth Room! See you there! Watch the bulletins and Pastor Demski s s for info on our upcoming events! Greetings from the Women s Christian Ministry (WCM)! March! Lent! A Time for Reflection and Preparing! It may sound strange, but Lent is my favorite church season. During these 40 days, I reflect on Christ s sacrifice for me and am humbled by it. It helps me to understand how much He values my life. During this Lenten season, I pray that you all will reflect on Christ s sacrifice and prepare your hearts and thank Him for His many blessings in your lives. Women s Tea. See page 11 for more information and a reservation form. It will be a wonderful time of fellowship and relaxation. The Bond of Peace! That s our theme for our Women s Mini-Retreat! Be sure to see the flyer on page 13 and start spreading the word. Invite your friends and family to this inspiring time of fellowship and God s Word on Saturday, April 27, 2019 from 9-11 am. As always, a delicious breakfast will be served followed by a time of God s Word and beautiful music. The Thursday evening Women s Bible Study continues to study the The Lord s Prayer led by Faith Mueller at 7:00 pm in the overflow room. As always, all ladies are welcome! Be sure to stop by the narthex for a cup of coffee and a homemade treat each Sunday! YUM! Any donations (not required, but appreciated) will support local missions. Join us at our March meeting on Tuesday, March 19, at 7:00 pm in the overflow room! Your ideas matter and we want to hear them! A BIG THANK YOU to all of you that came out to help tie Mission Quilts last Sunday. Our thanks to Linda Allscheid, Stephanie Brandt, Brittney Buettner, Veronica Demski, Ann Frank, Bernice Fuller, Brenda Haare, Hazel Moeckel, Dinah Pflasterer, Vivian Reiss, Sara Schoenborn, Laurie Sparwasser, Autumn Whelan, and Georgia Wynn for sharing their time and talents threading, stitching and tying to make this event such a big success! We were able to complete 6 ½ quilts! Special thanks to Vivian and Hazel who led the effort for our delicious luncheon before the event. We also appreciate Eric Buettner, Elden Niemeyer, and Jim Pflasterer who helped our quilters with set-up and clean-up activities. It takes a lot of effort from cutting the squares and piecing the tops through the tying and binding to complete a mission quilt. We are thankful for all the members who have contributed in any way to our quilting mission here at Immanuel. Feel free to stop by the Education Building and join the Immanuel QTs in the fun and fellowship during our quilting sessions each week on Tuesdays (1-4 pm) or Thursdays (4-8:30 pm). If you have any questions, contact Taryn Niemeyer at (618) Preparing my heart during Lent, Lisa Clamors How good and pleasant it is when sisters live together in unity! Psalm 133:1

10 Page 10 Immanuel s Preschool is now registering for the 2019/20 school year! There will be a few schedule changes and more options available next year. It s exciting! $50.00 Non-Refundable Registration Fee: Charged each school year per child. Enrollment forms and fee should be completed and turned in together to ensure preferred placement. School Hours, Drop Off and Pick Up: 8:30 am 12:00 pm Monday-Friday Drop Off between 8:20-8:40 am and pickup is promptly at 12:00 pm. Schedule Options and Tuition: 3-4 year old class may attend or 5 days 2 Days- Tuesday/Thursday $100 month 3 Days- Tuesday/Thursday + 1 day $130 month 4 Days- Tuesday/Thursday + 2 days $155 month 5 Days- Monday-Friday $175 month 4-6 year old class (Those entering Kindergarten the following school year. ) - may attend 3-4 or 5 days 3 Days- Mon/Wed/Fri $130 month 4 Days- Mon/Wed/Fri + 1 day $155 month 5 Days- Monday-Friday $175 month Visit our website ( or contact the office (immanuelwaterloo@gmail.com or ) for more information or to get a registration packet. Many great things will be happening at Immanuel s Preschool in March! On Ash Wednesday, March 6, our MWF Preschool class will be going to our 9:00 am service at church where they will receive the ashen cross as a sign of penitence and a reminder of his/her baptism. We ll also be having a fun week celebrating Dr. Seuss Week during March 4-8 with Crazy Hat Day, Silly Hairstyle & Wear Green Day, and Silly Sock Day. During our pizza fundraiser in January, $1,900 was raised for our playground expansion. Thank you for your support! We will be extending the fence out 30 feet into the graveled parking lot and adding a 20x30 foot concrete pad for bikes, basketball, etc. Ms. Deborah & I are also looking forward to and planning for Parent-Teacher conferences later in the month. Peace, Ms. Linda Looking for a Few Volunteers We are looking for a few more volunteers to serve at Immanuel in various ministries & roles. Media Team Ushers Greeters Sunday School Teachers/ Helpers If you would like to help out in any of these ways, please contact the church office.

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12 Page 12 Opportunity to Serve in Tanzania! Who: A Lutheran individual, couple, or family with the skills and desire to serve at Mwadui Lutheran Secondary School in Tanzania through Global Lutheran Outreach (GLO). Where: Mwadui Lutheran Secondary School is a high-school level boarding school with approximately 360 students from across the surrounding regions. It is located in a small diamond-mining town about a 2.5-hour drive from Mwanza airport. Why: As a ministry of Evangelical Lutheran Church of Tanzania (ELCT), Mwadui Lutheran Secondary School not only provides a quality education, but also extends the love of Christ to its students and to the broader community. With the assistance of international partners, the school has grown tremendously in recent years and has potential for even more growth. After six years of service, current GLO missionaries Eric and Linda Funke are making plans to move back to the U.S. and would love to pass the torch to future missionaries who can assist the school as it continues to expand its ministry. Responsibilities: 1. Serve the school using your unique gifts (teacher, chaplain, Director of Christian Education, deaconess, counselor, social worker, nurse, information technologies technician, etc.) 2. Maintain communication with partners in the U.S. and help the school and Lutheran diocese nurture new international partnerships. 3. Welcome volunteer teams from the U.S. and other countries. Funding: Future missionaries will need to fundraise all living expenses. The Funkes and GLO can assist in these efforts, so please don t let money be the reason you don t come. Accommodations: A spacious 2-bedroom furnished house with sit-toilet, hot water shower, air-conditioning unit in one bedroom, refrigerator, stove, microwave, and washing machine. It includes a large yard, a storage shed, and wonderful neighbors. The Funkes Toyota Ipsum will also be available. Language: Secondary school classes are primarily taught in English. However, the national language is Swahili, so a few months of training at a Swahili language school in Tanzania are important for living and working in the country. Time commitment: 2 years initially. Then missionaries can decide on a yearly basis whether to renew their contract. Potential Timeline: Spring/Summer 2019 Visit Mwadui Lutheran Secondary School (GLO can front the money for this trip so that it can be repaid later.) Summer/Fall 2019 Fundraise for moving and living expenses Fall/Winter 2019 Move to Tanzania and attend Swahili language school January 2020 Transfer to Mwadui and begin serving at the school *Note: This timeline can be adjusted as needed. For more information, please Linda.Funke@GlobalLutheranOutreach.org. An Update from Our Missionary Partners Funke News: Transitions After much thought and prayer, we have decided to move back to the U.S. in early For those who were able to attend one of our presentations in the U.S. or read our Christmas letter, this is not new news. You can still find our presentation at and our Christmas letter at to get the full story. As you all know, we have begun the process to get U.S. citizenship for our children. Once our children receive immigration visas, we have to return to the U.S. to pursue their certificates of citizenship. We have heard that it is easier to get those certificates if the family actually intends to reside in the U.S. This move will also allow Linda to have better access to healthcare for her Small Intestine Bacterial Overgrowth, will enable our kids to settle into a school in 1st grade and kindergarten, and will give all four of us the opportunity to spend more time with our extended families. We therefore plan to dedicate this next year to teaching Tanzanians how to take over various aspects of our ministries, and we are praying that God will provide new missionaries to live in our house and work at our school (in any capacity teacher, nurse, chaplain, social worker, DCE, deaconess, IT person, etc.). We have prepared a one-page description of this opportunity that you can access and download at Please help us spread the word about this opportunity and connect us with anyone who might be interested in working at our school. We would love to have any potential future missionaries come out to visit us in early This is just a part of the February 2019 newsletter written by Eric & Linda Funke on February 1, Would you like to be added to their list? If so, Eric & Linda at Linda.Funke@GlobalLutheranOutreach.com and let them know.

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14 WORSHIP SERVICES SATURDAY 5:30 pm SUNDAY 7:45 am & 10:15 am Holy Communion is celebrated at every Saturday service, at the 7:45 am service on the 2nd and 4th Sundays of each month, and at the 10:15 am service on the 1st, 3rd, and 5th Sundays of each month CHURCH OFFICE HOURS Monday Friday 8:00 am 4:30 pm Pastor Troup s day off is Monday. Pastor Demski s day off is Thursday. Don t forget to visit us on the web immanuelwaterloo.org You ll find our weekly announcements and updates, our calendar, VBS & Preschool info, and other important news! Immanuel Lutheran Church 522 S. Church Street Waterloo, IL NON PROFIT ORG. BULK RATE U.S. POSTAGE PAID WATERLOO, IL PERMIT NO. 23 Change Service Requested May God continue to bless you: