Emmanuel Lutheran Church
A Caring Family Sharing God's Love and Forgiveness
Fort Wayne IN 46802
(260) 423-1369
"For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith - and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God..."
- Ephesians 2:8
| Parish Notes February 5, 2012 |
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See what is happening at Emmanuel this week... IMPORTANT INFORMATION ABOUT OUR NEW BUILDING! With the opening of our new facility, traffic patterns have changed and access to different parts of our building is much easier. While this will be a tremendous benefit to those in our congregation facing mobility challenges, it also presents some unique safety issues for the children in our congregation. With this in mind, it is important for our parents to accompany their children as they move through the building, especially when this occurs during worship. As much as you are able, please encourage children to use the restroom prior to the start of the service and, in cases where a bathroom break is needed during the worship service; please be sure to personally escort them to and from the restroom. It is also important that we reserve the use of the new elevator for those who have special mobility needs. If you are able to use the stairs please do so, and always accompany your children if an elevator ride is needed. Thank you for your help as we begin to use our new building.
SUNDAY SCHOOL CLASSES MEET 9:15 -10:15 A.M
BIBLE CLASSES MEET 9:15 -10:15 A.M.
BIBLE STUDIES OFFERED DURING THE WEEK
JOIN US DURING LENT FOR A SATURDAY NIGHT BIBLE STUDY entitled, “He Died and Rose For Me.†Beginning on Saturday, February 25th, Pastor Jim Cotter will lead a six-week study on the Passion of Jesus Christ. This study will meet through March 31st (during the season of Lent) and will directly follow the 5:00 Saturday worship service. A light supper will be offered during the study which will last 45-60 minutes. This will be a meaningful way to mark the penitential season of Lent as we grow together in our understanding of the suffering, death and resurrection of Jesus. THE FEBRUARY NEWSLETTER is available for pick-up at each entrance into the church, Brandt Hall and the Welcome Center. You can also access the newsletter online through Emmanuel’s website at www.emmanuellutheran.org.
THE FORT WAYNE LUTHERAN FEBRUARY ISSUE is available in church and the Welcome Center. It is also available on the FWL’s website, www.myfwl.org.
PRAYER CHAIN—If you would like to send a prayer through Emmanuel’s Prayer Chain, you can do so by calling Eva Mueller, 436-2885, or e-mail her at evamueller@comcast.net.
CUP OF KINDNESS boxes can be found near all the entrances to the sanctuary. The money collected is added to monies given by The Lutheran Foundation through Lutheran Social Services and given to families who have crisis needs. Several of our own families have benefited from this fund. Please share your quarters or dollars as you are able.
PRAYER OF THANKS FOR WEDDING ANNIVERSARIES—Thank God for the following anniversaries. Ask God to strengthen these couples in their faith toward Him and in their love for each other.
CONGRATULATIONS ON THE FOLLOWING BIRTHDAY!
IT IS TIME TO CLEAN OUR CHURCH—Now that construction is completed and the dedication is scheduled, our church is in need of a good cleaning. On Saturday, February 25th beginning at 9:00 a.m. we are asking for your help. Come with buckets, cleaning rags and if you have a hand sweeper that will work on stairs and cushions, please bring that too. We are hoping that with many hands, the cleaning will be completed in just a few hours. If you can come and stay until the job is done…great, and if you are only able to help for an hour or two…that’s great too. Will not be offering childcare during our cleaning day and, therefore, need to limit this opportunity to adults and youth ages 16 and above. If you have any questions, please call Becki at the church office at 423-1369.
GRIEF SUPPORT will meet on Wednesday, February 15th at 12:30 p.m. at Hall’s Tavern in Coventry. For reservations, please call either Donna Winters, 385-5982 or Norv McClure, 471-6231. 4TH ANNUAL SWEETHEART DINNER DANCE—Emmanuel’s Senior High Youth would like to invite you to their 4th annual Sweetheart Dinner Dance on Saturday, February 11th from 6-9 p.m. in the gymnasium. It is sure to be a night of fabulous food, fellowship, and dancing. Even if you are not a dancer, it is a great opportunity to enjoy a night out with your Valentine and get to know the youth of Emmanuel. Proceeds from this event will help offset costs of their summer servant event to Logan, West Virginia. Tickets may be purchased in the Welcome Center between worship services on Sundays, after worship on Saturday evenings, or in the church office throughout the week. Cost is $30 per couple which includes dinner, childcare (children’s meals included), and entertainment.
SENIOR LUNCH BUNCH—Our treat for February is Tina Bruce. Tina will be sharing slides and stories about her recent trip to Israel. This will undoubtedly be an enjoyable time of learning about the culture where Tina and her group spent a week. We will meet on Tuesday, February 21st with fellowship hour beginning at 11:00 am and lunch following at noon. Please plan to attend and make your reservation by Wednesday, February 15th by calling Emmanuel at 423-1369 and registering your name(s) with the receptionist. Cost for the meal is $7.00 per person.
SHUT-IN MINISTRY—IF you have a couple hours one or two weeks this year, like to help people, and don’t mind driving, the following are two ways you can be a part of Emmanuel’s Caregiving Ministry.
¨ Every other Wednesday a volunteer goes to Community Harvest to pick up food that has already been boxed for delivery. These food items, called Senior Paks are then taken to one of our members.
¨ On or near the first of each month we take one of our Wilt Street neighbor ladies to her bank, Comcast and then to the grocery store. She enjoys being able to handle her own affairs and select her own groceries but she has no transportation. What a great opportunity for ministry! To volunteer call Shirley Kern at 422-6881 or Lane Hille in the church office.
WELLSPRING NEWS—SNACKS ARE NEEDED!—During the month of March, Emmanuel members have the opportunity to provide snacks for the various Wellspring Ministry programs. What a special way to reach out to our neighbors! Each Wednesday we will provide 35 individual kids’ snacks for the afterschool programs. On Fridays we will provide 40 individual senior snacks. Cash donations to “Wellspring Snacks†can also be placed in your church contribution envelope designated on the “other†line. To sign-up to provide snacks, please call Emmanuel at 423-1369 and speak with the receptionist. If you have questions, call Lana Hille at the church office, 423-1369. THE SKY'S THE LIMIT!—Summer may seem far away, but we're already gearing up for another fabulous Vacation Bible School. Our theme is SKY...Everything is Possible With God (Mark 10:27). Mark June 18-22 on your calendar and plan to be a part of our fun-filled, action-packed, God-centered week! Teens and adults- if you'd like to be a part of our volunteer team, please contact Kristen Labahn.
CHARIS HOUSE—WOMEN’S RETREAT—We would like to invite the congregation to be part of one of our service projects for the Women's Retreat in February. We will be collecting items needed at Charis House, a Fort Wayne shelter for Women and Children experiencing a homeless crisis. All Charis House programs are free of charge and attend to the whole person, meeting spiritual, emotional, physical and educational needs. We feel it is an honor to have this opportunity to reach out to other sisters experiencing a time of difficulty. The following is a list of items we will be collecting...you can drop the items off anytime in the boxes located in the church narthex or the Welcome Center.
Thank you in advance for your generosity toward this outreach. - Women's Retreat Team
ARE YOU READY FOR SUMMER? Winter is now upon us and yet it is time to start praying for next summer’s Block Party! A Coordinator is needed for this event; please prayerfully consider becoming involved. Pray that God would direct the person He has in mind to come forward. If you are interested or have questions about coordinating the Block Party, please contact Cathi Counterman cathicounterman@yahoo.com or 241-0952.
NELSON’S CHICKEN DINNER—ESM’s 8th graders are having their annual Nelson's Chicken Dinner fundraiser to raise money for their class trip to Washington, D.C. this coming May. The students will be selling tickets before and after church on Saturday and Sunday, February 4th and 5th and February 11th and 12th. The price of a ticket is $6 for a 1/2 chicken. Chicken orders are available for pickup on Saturday, February 18, between 4:00 and 6:30 at St. Michael. Side dishes, drinks, and baked goods will be available for purchase on the 18th at a small additional cost. The 8th graders thank you for your support.
TRAVEL OPPORTUNITY—The Fort Wayne Parks and Recreation is offering a trip to China from September 14-28which includes many amazing sightseeing adventures as you cruise the Yangtze River. There is a discountof $250 for registration by March 14. We have someone in the congregation interested in this trip...if youthink you might enjoy this travel opportunity please contact Jean Light for more details at 403-2561 or jblight747@msn.com. More information on the trip is available at www.fortwayneparks.org...click on programs, then seniors and extended travel.
TRENCH COAT MISSING—On Sunday, January 22nd at the 10:30 service, a man’s tan trench coat hanging in the back of the Narthex (main entrance into the church off of Jefferson Street) was mistakenly taken and another coat similar was left. The coat also had gloves in the pocket. If you find that you have the wrong coat, please call the church office, 423-1369 and ask for Becki. Thank you.
FOOD BANK—To provide basic needs for those who visit our food bank in February, we request donations of cereal, soup, canned fruits and vegetables, spaghetti and spaghetti sauce, macaroni and cheese and juice. They can be placed in the “Food Bank†box located in the Welcome Center. Cash donations may be placed in your church envelope and marked “food bank†on the “other†line. Members may stop by for food any day when the office is open and the food bank will be available for those living in the 46802 zip code area on Thursday, February 16th from 3:30 to 5:30 p.m. We thank our neighbors at St. John for providing space for our food bank during construction and we are excited to move back to Emmanuel this month.
"HOORAY FOR HOLLYWOOD"—Emmanuel-St. Michael Lutheran School will hold its Fourth Annual Dinner/Auction on Saturday, March 24th and St. Michael's new Family Life Center, 2131 Getz Rd. The Silent Auction will begin at 6:00 p.m., and dinner, catered by Goeglein's, will take place at 6:30 p.m. with the popular Dessert and Oral auctions to follow. Tickets are only $30 per person with proceeds going towards the purchase of new playgroup equipment for both campuses. Tickets are available at either school office. If you have questions, please call Karen Bieberich at 625-3268.
KINDERGARTEN OPEN HOUSE February 23rd—If you missed the first Kindergarten Open House, it’s not too late. On Thursday, February 23rd, the second open house will be held at the Getz Road Campus at 7:00 p.m. Join us to learn about the faith building experiences, strong academics, and caring Christian family that are central to every school day. Students will enjoy activities with the kindergarten teachers, and free child care is available for siblings.
“IT’S A SPRING THINGâ€â€”Laugh away the winter blahs, and plan now to attend the Cross Connections comedy event, “It’s a Spring Thing†on Friday, March 1st at the Mariott Grand Marquis Ballroom, Washington Center Road. Doors will open at 6 p.m. with dinner beginning at 7 p.m. Christian comedian Jeff Allen will follow the meal. Cross Connections is requesting a donation of $75 per person for the event. For more information and reservations, please call Matt Konow at 744-3228, ext. 337 (days) or Peggy Courtney ext. 327 (evenings). Reservation deadline is Wednesday, February 22nd. Cross Connections is a Christ-centered nonprofit counseling ministry supported by Emmanuel’s congregation.
SHEPHERD OF THE CITY LUTHERAN CHURCH is hosting the 5th Annual Hymnfest 4:00 p.m. Sunday, Feb. 12th in the historical sanctuary at 1301 S. Anthony Blvd. A reception will follow the service.
LUTHERANS FOR LIFE—We need to provide much more support for overburdened mothers—personal, financial, social and medical support—both before and after their child is born. We need to ensure that children who may be unwanted and unloved by their parents will be welcomed and loved by others in society and especially by the Church. John Stott www.lutheransforlife.org.
THE LUTHERAN HOUR airing on WOWO 1190 AM on the dial at 11:05 a.m. as well as WFCV (1090) Sun.-3:30 & 7 p.m.
WORSHIP FOR SHUT-INS—Sundays at 6:30 a.m. on WPTA-TV Ch. 21; Sundays at 8:00 a.m. on FiOS Ch. 9, Digital 33.2, Comcast 252; Sundays at 11:30 a.m. on WINM-TV 10, 12, 38; DirectTV 377; DishTV 63/7442; Sundays @ 4:00 p.m. Comcast Ch. 55 & FiOS Ch. 25; and Mondays at 10:00 a.m. on Comcast Ch. 55 & FIOS Ch. 25.
LAST WEEK’S CHURCH ATTENDANCE
LAST WEEK’S SUNDAY SCHOOL AND BIBLE CLASS ATTENDANCE
The Stewardship of the Church
Christian Stewardship is managing all of life and life’s resources for God’s purposes.
EMMANUEL’S MINISTRIES The contributions made to “Emmanuel†support the ongoing mission and ministry efforts of Emmanuel congregation.
To meet our anticipated expenses for 2012, $24,000 per week is needed.
BUILDING FAITH Gifts given to "Building Faith" are applied exclusively to Building Faith campaign.
DISTRICT AND SYNOD The contributions designated for “District and Synod†are sent to the Indiana District of the Lutheran Church – Missouri Synod and are used for local, national and world mission efforts.
CUP OF KINDNESS The money contributed in the “Cup of Kindness†boxes is distributed by Lutheran Social Services to local families who have crisis needs.
STEWARDSHIP MOMENT—Fifth Sunday After the Epiphany 1 Corinthians 9â€16-27 St. Paul had the beautiful gift of showing such concern for others that he would refrain from doing what he was perfectly free to do so that the Gospel of Jesus would be better received by those to whom he was witnessing. One of the beautiful aspects of Christian stewardship is seeking and doing those things that are in the best interest and welfare of those around us! |