Pastor s Desk Practicing Gratitude Feeling gratitude and not expressing it is like wrapping a present and not giving it. -William Arthur Ward To the beloved of God at Immanuel, What are you grateful for? Who are you grateful for? In November, many people do something that is kind of culturally odd for us. Inspired by the holiday, we might actually take a moment to slow down in the midst of our busy schedules, take a breath, and notice the abundance of blessing in our lives. And we might even give thanks on Thanksgiving day. We may even dare to utter our thanks aloud. Many have taken to Facebook to participate in a 30-day gratitude challenge, posting one person or thing or happening every day for which they are grateful throughout the month of November. These are great and life-giving practices. But they need not be contained to one day or even one whole page of the calendar. Gratitude is a mark of the Christian life. In giving thanks, we are drawn out of ourselves into something larger, bigger, and grander than we could imagine and are joined to the font of blessing itself, into the life of God. We live in a faith tradition that overflows with wisdom about the importance and potency of gratitude. Consider how frequently the Apostle Paul, for instance, begins his letters with an expression of gratitude for the community to whom he writes. I thank my God through Jesus Christ for all of you, because your faith is proclaimed throughout the world, Paul writes to the Christians in Rome (Romans 1.8). I give thanks to my God always for you because of the grace of God that has been given to you in Christ Jesus, Paul writes in similar fashion to the church in Corinth, for in every way you have been enriched in him, in speech and knowledge of every kind just as the testimony of Christ has been strengthened among you (1 Corinthians 1.4-6). And to the Philippians: I thank my God every time I remember you, constantly praying with joy in every one of my prayers for all of you, because of your sharing in the gospel from the first day until now (Philippians 1.3-5). Part of this is simply that Paul knows and follows the conventions for writing letters in his day, where offering a word of thanksgiving near the outset of the letter was expected. And yet each letter is specific to its audience, speaking a particular word of gratitude that not only celebrated them but also increased Paul s own joy. Expressing gratitude brings a double joy, enriching both the one hearing and the one speaking. We know this. Perhaps we ve even experienced it. But we don t always do it. I invite us this month to intentionally engage in the practice of gratitude, a practice which will enrich us for a lifetime. Slow down. Breath. Reflect on the many blessings in your life. Feel the gratitude for those things and events and people. And then express that gratitude. Take a few minutes to tell someone why they matter to you. Pick up the phone, take the time to write out a note, send an email, put it on your Facebook page. You ll bring a measure of joy to the one who you thank and also to you. 1 (continued on next page)
We will also practice gratitude together as a faith community. You will receive paper leaves as you enter worship, on which you are encouraged to write down that which you are grateful for and then add your leaf to our Tree of Gratitude and Blessing. Together, we will watch our gratitude grow and be sent back into the world, animated and alive in this sense of wonder at the richness and abundance and grace of undeserved blessing. There is much to be grateful for. With gratitude for you, Pastor Sierra P.S. I came across a powerful video about the connection between gratitude and happiness. As it turns out, expressing gratitude is one of the most effective ways to increase happiness. You can watch the video at: http://soulpancake.com/portfolio_page/science-of-happiness/ It is not happy people who are grateful. It is grateful people who are happy. Thanksgiving Eve Worship and Food Collection Bring a pie to be shared after the service. Pie served by your council members. Join us for Thanksgiving Eve Worship at 7:00pm. Canned/non-perishable food donations will be collected during the service for the food pantry. Community Thanksgiving - Volunteer Information Help Needed Wednesday, November 23 9:30am All Day: Prep Cooking Thursday, November 24 8:00am 11:00am: Early Set Up 11:00am 1:30pm: Kitchen and Serving Help 11:00am 12:00am: Meals on Wheels 12:30pm 2:00pm: Clean-Up Potatoes Herb Stuffing Mix Butter Onions Celery Turkey/Chicken Broth Shredded Coleslaw Mix (no dressing) Green Beans French Fried Onions Gravy (Chicken/Turkey) Food Donations Needed Pies Turkeys Cream of Mushroom Soup Cranberry Sauce Milk Coffee Lemonade Buns/dinner rolls Napkins 2 Community Thanksgiving Dinner Grace Lutheran will be hosting this year s Helping Hands Community Thanksgiving Dinner. It is free, it doesn t matter the reason you are joining us, all are welcome at our table. The location will be at: Grace Lutheran Church 301 Forest Ave. E., Mora, MN. The time will be from: 11:00 am to 2:00pm on November 24, 2016. If you need a meal delivered, please contact the church office at 320-679-1062. We are being assisted by donations and volunteers from the other area churches to include: Immanuel Lutheran (Brunswick) and Calvary Lutheran (Mora). Please consider volunteering to serve supper or donate food items. Sign up sheet available or sign up at: http://www.signupgenius.com/ go/4090b48abaa29a1f58-turkey Thank you for making this community dinner possible!
CONFIRMATION CORNER Middle School Gathering Cragun s Resort Friday-Saturday, November 19th 20th Wednesday Night Supper Nov. 2nd: Jesse & Tina Stattelman Nov. 9th: Hartog Family Nov. 16th: Mike & Jaime Dick Nov. 23rd: Michelle Nelson Nov. 30th: Heather Turner & Ginny Turner Acolytes November: Mark Arnold & Aylisa Rogers December: Mckayla Nelson & Emma Stattelman Men, Men, Men, Men... We are looking for men to join us for Confirmation on Wednesday nights. It is a one time (or as many times as you would like), two hour commitment. Come eat dinner with our students and leaders, join us for class, participate in the conversation as you feel comfortable. Wednesday nights: 6-8pm. Sign up on the Youth bulletin board in the hallway or talk to Pastor Sierra, Mel Pioske or Heather Stephens. Thanks for supporting our youth! Lectors: Nov. 6: Phyllis Bergren Nov. 13: Heather Turner Nov. 20: Angie Detert Nov. 23: (Thanksgiving Eve): Len Ochowicz Nov. 27: Jaime Dick Dec. 4: Meghan Dick Coffee Treats Nov. 6: Mel Pioske & Ginny Turner Nov. 13: Ginger Nosbusch & Chris Carlson Nov. 20: Annette Jensen & Sarah Bauer Nov. 27: Judy Fredrickson & Alta Sharratt Dec. 4: Mary (Les) Stromberg & Rosalie Ludwig/Phyllis Bergren Dec. 11: Karen Dare & Janie Richardson SUNDAY SERVANTS Ushers: Nov. 6: Heather Turner Nov. 13: Nov. 20: We need your help! Please Nov. 27: consider serving as an usher. Dec. 4: Sign up in the fellowship hall or Sound System: Nov. 6: Jim Nelson Nov. 13: Gladys Nelson Nov. 20: Annette Jensen Nov. 23: (Thanksgiving Eve) Dan Hartog Nov. 27: Mary (Rick) Stromberg Altar Guild November: Joy Nehring & Chris Carlson December: Deb Minnich & Joan Lakedon 3 contact Greg Carlson. Communion Assistant November: Annette Jensen December: Connie Kawalek
Upcoming Events Youth Skating Sunday, November 20th the Youth are sponsoring a Rollerskating Day in Princeton from 1-5 pm. Youth Fund will cover entry fee but NOT the $ 3 skate rental fee, if you need skates please bring $ 3. LUNCH will be provided at church at 11:30 am, then carpool to Princeton. Sign-up in Fellowship Hall. Questions, contact Sarah or Christy. Advent Decorating Party All members of Immanuel are invited on Saturday, Nov. 26th at 9 am to the Advent Decorating Party. There are many things to do to prepare our church sanctuary trees, lights, candles etc. What a great way to start the Advent and Christmas season ALL will be blessed!! Bring your favorite holiday treat to share. Live Nativity Our annual Live Nativity will be held on Saturday, December 10th from 4:30 pm to 6:30 pm. An organizational meeting for Live Nativity will be held in a Sunday School room on Wednesday, Nov. 9th at 6:30 pm. ALL are invited to come and help with the planning for the event. Also, are there Thrivent members who would be willing to apply for funds that could be used toward advertising for the event? If you can be a part of the planning or can apply for funds BUT cannot be at the meeting, contact Gladys. Annual Meeting Highlights 2017 Annual Budget was approved at $ 134,840.00. Election Results Church Council 3 yr. term Sarah Bauer; Christy Belsheim; Chris Carlson; Dan Hartog; Annette Jensen Altar Guild 3 yr. term Monica Arnold; Lindsey Atchison; Colleen Sinell; Shanna Stucky Nominating Committee 1 yr. term Shari Hartog; Ginger Nosbusch; Kathie Ochowicz Cemetery Board 3 yr. term Bob Richardson Auditor 2 yr. term Mary (Rick) Stromberg Synod Delegate 1 yr. term Mike & Jaime Dick; alternates are Jim & Gladys Nelson 2017 Council President Jeff Nosbusch George Johnsen Les Stromberg President Jeff Nosbusch Vice President Dan Hartog Secretary Len Ochowicz Treasurer Janie Richardson Sarah Bauer Christy Belsheim Annette Jensen Connie Kawalek Jim Nehring Sam Pioske Family of Shari Hartog at the loss of her brother Ron. In Our Prayers Heather Stephens Helen Nord Goodie Belkholm current address is: Scandia House 973 E. Maple Ave; Mora Prayer Chain contacts are: Phyllis Bergren Pastor Sierra Email: Gladys Nelson / Donna Oslund 4
NOVEMBER 2016 Sun Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat 1 2 3 4 5 6:30 Worship Comm. 1:30 WELCA Mtg. 6 All Saints Sunday 7 8:00 am Quilting 6:00 pm Women s Book 8 Election Day 7:00 Choir Rehearsal 9 6:30 pm Live Nativity Meeting 10 6:30 Church Council Mtg. 7:00 pm Suicide Survivors Group 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 Middle School Gathering 20 Middle School Gathering 21 8:00 am Quilting 22 7:00 Choir Rehearsal 23 No Confirmation 7:00 pm Thanksgiving Eve Worship 24 11:00am 2:00pm Community Thanksgiving Dinner @ Grace 25 26 9:00 am Advent Decorating Party Youth Rollerskating Party Thanksgiving Day 27 28 10 am Senior League 29 30 First Sunday of Advent 5
Immanuel Lutheran Church 2088 Highway 70 Mora, MN 55051 Immanuel Lutheran Church Evangelical Lutheran Church in America 2088 Highway 70 Mora, MN 55051 320-679-2015 ilb@centurylink.net immanuellutheranbrunswick.com Pastor: Rev. Sierra Westerman ilbpastor@centurylink.net Worship: Sunday Mornings at 9:00 AM 6