IMMANUEL EVANGELICAL LUTHERAN CHURCH 20 Monterey Circle, Lakewood NJ 08701 ~ 732.363.1599 visit us at: www.ilutheran.net & ind us on Facebook The Lantern I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of the life. John 8:12 Volume 3 Pastor ~ Rev. James McKinley Phone: 732.608.7063 (home) 201.281.6989 (cell) Pastor s Email: jem.mckinley@gmail.com Church Secretary ~ Roxanne Rossano Phone: 732.363.1599 or 732.363.3555 secretary@ilutheran.net Servers, & Celebrations... p. 2 Poetry. p. 3 Council Members...... p. 3 From the Synod...p. 4-7 Pictures.. p. 8 Music & Poem...... p. 9 Flower Order Form p. 10 Feb. Calendar p. 11 Greetings from the Pastor..... The time to begin again. This year Holy Week begins on the first day of spring, a bit early but how appropriate. The reading of the passion story leads us into a new season in life. What is Easter anyway? Christians consider Easter to be the first day. From Easter comes the practice of worshiping Sunday morning. It is the first day of the week and the first day of the new creation Christ won for us by his suffering and death so that His resurrection could be our resurrection also. In the resurrected Christ there is new life, even after death. The journey that began Ash Wednesday draws to a close. Palm Sunday Jesus enters Jerusalem; on Maundy Thursday He dines with his disciples leaving for them a new commandment and a memorial meal, a vehicle to bring His presence into their lives in each meal they share together in His name. On the Friday we call good He faces the forces of evil who think falsely that his death would be their victory, only to discover on the first day that He is risen. Each Easter we proclaim He is risen! He is risen indeed...alleluia! These days are the holiest days of the Christian year, the time when Christians around the world ponder His sacrifice and celebrate His victory. Do no simply let Jesus enter your life without remembering. Be with us this Palm Sunday, to welcome Him. Come to the evening meal with Him and your fellow disciples on Maundy Thursday, and Wait with him in the garden and journey with Him to the cross this Good Friday, so that your heart might be filled as we proclaim His Resurrection. Pastor James McKinley March 13th First Holy Communion March 20th ~ Palm Sunday Meeting with Pastor on March 13 immediately after church March 27th
2016 M A R C H S E R V I N G S C H E D U L E Page 2 March 6 Lay Assistant... Terry Stahlhut Acolyte... Carly Cooke Lector... Millie Martin Ushers... Lana Hyer &... Eva LaBrozzi Altar Guild... Donna Palzer & Cindy Camp March 13 Lay Assistant... Roberta McGilvery Acolyte... Lexi McLain Lector... Roberta McGilver Ushers... Donna Reigle &... Carole Hepp Altar Guild... Donna Palzer & Cindy Camp March 20 ~ Palm Sunday Lay Assistant... Kris Calabro Acolyte... The Engles Lector... Kris Calabro Ushers... Roberta McGilvery &... Millie Martin Altar Guild... Donna Palzer & Cindy Camp March 27 ~ Easter Lay Assistant... Todd Engle Acolyte... Kailey Bulin, Skyler & Jaden Hudson Lector... Todd Engle Ushers... Scott & Kim Brown... Altar Guild... Donna Palzer & Cindy Camp BIRTHDAYS 2nd ~ Tami Novatin 4th ~ Dianne Rieger 7th ~ Jamie Bifulco 7th ~ Kari Bifulco 10th ~ James Horn 13th ~ Jessica (Hepp) Mottola 16th ~ Marge Morris 18th ~ Jennifer Stanberry 20th ~ Robert Calabro 20th ~ Logan McLain 23rd ~ Hunter Bulin 25th ~ Christian Bifulco 26th ~ Stacey DiMarco 27th ~ Scott Brown 28th ~ Johannes Paerg 31st ~ Katie Grogan ANNIVERSARIES NONE Holy Week Schedule March 20th ~ Palm Sunday with 1st Holy Communion 10:00 AM March 24th ~ Maundy Thursday Service 7:30 PM March 25th ~ Good Friday Service 7:30 PM March 27th ~ Resurrection Sunday Service 10:00 AM
NEW NEWS! As of the last council meeting in January, we have 3 new council members. We would like to welcome Kris Calabro, Frank Bartolini, and Sharon Rollier. Volume 3 Page 3 Immanuel Ev. Lutheran Church ~ 2016 20 Monterey Circle, Lakewood NJ 08701 Phone: 732-363-1599 or 732-363-3555 Fax: 732-364-3969 www.ilutheran.net Roxanne Rossano ~ Church Secretary ~ email: secretary@ilutheran.net Pastor James McKinley 201-281-6989 cell 732-608-7063 home jem.mckinley@gmail.com Karin Holldorf ~ President 732-569-3336 karin21145@aol.com David Curtis ~ Vice President & Finance 732-942-6865 dcurtis@optonline.net Eva LaBrozzi ~ Finance & Mutual Ministries 732-818-0981 EMLPM@aol.com Jan Vasys ~ Treasurer 732-292-4363 janv@theatlanticclub.com Donna Reigle ~ Outreach & Mutual Ministries 908-692-8575 donnareigle@gmail.com Sharon Rollier ~ Music & Worship 732-961-3649 brollier@optonline.net Kris Calabro ~ Buildings & Grounds w/frank 732-886-5554 kricketbob@gmail.com Frank Bartolini ~ Buildings & Grounds 908-278-7696 jacksbombers1@aol.com Jonathan McCaleb ~ Christian Education 732-928-7931 harttohart@optonline.net Millie Martin ~ Secretary & Mutual Ministries unlisted samadomartin@verizon.net Evangelism & Stewardship ~ All Council Members A Song of Spring The warriors of winter, Fight hard to keep their hold, But from beneath the frozen ground, Rise daffodils so bold. The warriors are loosing, To spring s triumphant song, Soon the earth will bloom again, And winter will be gone. -By Louise Amanda Ritchie (Mother of Lisa McLain) To Spring Ah spring, your memory beckons, And stirs within my soul A longing for your presence, An end to winter s hold. With great anticipation I yearn for your rebirth, Your spirit helps sustain me, Till you return to earth. Ah spring, to me please whisper, Then send it on the wind, Tell me that you are waking, And soon will come again. -By Louise Amanda Ritchie (Mother of Lisa McLain)
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Volume 3 A very special Thank you to Carole Hepp, Heather Bulin, and Melissa Cooke for jumping in and making it happen. Also to Jim Mechtel for picking up the food and some of the children who pitched in and helped! Page 8
Page 9 Billy Graham: Introducing new church music can reach new people DEAR BILLY GRAHAM: Maybe I m just old-fashioned, but from time to time our church s music director introduces new songs into the service, and I don t care for them. I like the old hymns, and wish he d just stick with them. Should I complain to our pastor? E.W. DEAR E.W.: I know this has been a controversial issue in many churches, and I don t pretend to have all the answers, especially since I m not particularly musical! But we have a singing faith, and God has given us the gift of music to praise him. The Psalmist declared, With singing lips my mouth will praise you (Psalm 63:5). Instead of complaining to your pastor (or anyone else), I urge you to ask God to help you be grateful for all music that points us to God, new or old. No, you may not like some of it, but others do, and God can use it in their lives to encourage them and bring them closer to Christ. Remember: The old hymns you like were once new, and someone probably didn t like them, either! Sometimes, I m afraid, a hymn can become so familiar to us that we sing it without even thinking about the words. But this is wrong, because then our singing becomes empty and meaningless. Don t let this happen to you, but meditate on the words of the songs you sing, and even turn them into a prayer. Your music director has probably been wise to introduce new songs slowly; completely changing everything all at once can be disruptive. Pray for him and encourage him, letting him know that you re grateful for his gifts. Yes, let him know you appreciate the old hymns, but support him also as he seeks to reach a new generation through music. Mary Magdalene I am known as Mary Magdalene, And, yes, I was his friend. Where are the others? Most have fled, Can this really be the end? A stillness fills the morning air, It seems so fresh and new, The horrid scenes of days just past - Seem like a dream untrue. I slowly walk the winding path, And sadly I recall- Betrayal, mockery, denial, The trial, the judgment hall. I stood by helplessly and watched - Him climb that wretched hill, And as they nailed him to a cross - All became hushed and still. Such agony he did endure, His life blood flowing down, He prayed for those who did this thing, Beneath his thorny crown. With such sweet forgiveness on his lips- He bowed his head and died, A sudden dark, a torn veil, God s doors were opened wide. Now, what does this mean, an empty tomb, Two strangers seated there? I cry because they ve taken him - Away, I know not where. I slowly turn around to leave, When someone calls to me, He gently asks me why I weep, The gardener, could it be? Then he softly speaks my name, Tis such a sweet reward - To realize before me stands - My Risen, Eternal Lord! -By Louise Amanda Ritchie (Mother of Lisa McLain) BY BILLY GRAHAM Tribune Media Services
Page 10 Order Form for Easter Lilies, Tulips & Daffodils Your Name: Your phone # # of Lilies # of Daffodils # of Tulips Amount: I will / will not be taking home (please indicate by circling one) In Memory of: In Memory of: In Memory of: In Memory of: In Honor of: In Honor of: In Honor of: In Honor of: (more than one name can fit on each line) ALL LILY MEMORIALS ARE DUE BACK IN THE OFFICE BY: March 20, 2016 IF THEY ARE TO BE INCLUDED IN THE EASTER BULLETIN COST PER Lily - $6.00 COST PER Tulip - $4.00 COST PER Daffodil - $4.00
Page 11 Easter Egg Hunt March 13th ~ during Sunday School March 2016 Immanuel Ev. Lutheran Church SUNDAY MONDAY TUESDAY WEDNESDAY THURSDAY FRIDAY SATURDAY 1 2 6:00PM ~ 7:00PM Confirmation Class & Lenten Prayers 3 10AM ~ 12 Noon Food Pantry 4 5 5:30PM ~ Immanuel Service 6 10:00AM~Immanuel Service 7 8 9 6:00PM ~ 7:00PM Confirmation Class & Lenten Prayers Council Mtg. following 10 10AM ~ 12 Noon Food Pantry 11 12 5:30PM ~ Immanuel Service Don t forget to set your clocks ahead 1 hr. tonight 13 10:00AM~Immanuel Service ~ Easter Egg Hunt during Sunday School 14 15 16 6:00PM ~ 7:00 PM Confirmation Class & Lenten Prayers 17 10AM ~ 12 Noon Food Pantry 18 19 5:30PM ~ Immanuel Service 20 PALM SUNDAY 10:00AM~Immanuel Service ~ 1st Holy Communion 21 22 23 24 7:30 PM Maundy Thurs. Service Food Pantry CLOSED Today 25 7:30 PM Good Friday Servcie 26 5:30PM ~ Immanuel Service With Communion 27 EASTER SUNDAY 10:00AM~ Immanuel Service 28 29 30 31 10AM ~ 12 Noon Food Pantry
Food Pantry UPDATE: Thank you to the Saker Family, owners of Shoprite for their generous dona on to the Loaves and Fishes Pantry. Once again thank you to the congrega on for your con nued support towards our food pantry. The hats, scarves and gloves have started coming in and our clients are ever so apprecia ve of these much needed items. Janice Henry IMMANUEL EV. LUTHERAN CHURCH 20 Monterey Circle Lakewood, NJ 08701 Phone: 732.363.1599 www.ilutheran.net FIRST STD U.S. POSTAGE PAID CITY, ST PERMIT NO. 000