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Pastoral Reflection for June – July 2020

Note: The Pastor received several requests that his sermon on Sunday, May 17, 2020 (Easter VI) be printed in the Newsletter. It has been formatted and slightly abridged for publication here.

“BE READY TO GIVE AN ANSWER”I Peter 3:13-22

(Second Reading on Easter VI, Year A)

“Always be ready to make your defense to anyone who demands from you an accounting for the hope that is in you.” I Peter 3:15

There are Christians living in the world today who are in a similar situation to those to whom St. Peter addresses these words – at risk of losing their homes, their livelihoods, and their very lives because they will not give up or compromise their faith in Jesus Christ. There are those who choose to risk everything on God, because they have a genuine trust in God – the kind of trust that believes that whether we live or die, we are in the Lord’s safekeeping.

What does it really mean to say, “I believe in God” -- ?

It is not merely saying, “I believe there is a God, a ‘Supreme Being’ or a ‘Higher Power’ existing somewhere … these are not adequate expressions of our faith as Christians. When a genuine believer says, “I believe in God,” what s/he means is

that there is One to whom I entrust my entire life, body and soul – the One to whom I totally commit myself – and for us Christians, that can only mean the Father revealed to us in His Beloved Son, Jesus Christ, in the unity of the Holy Spirit.

So today we are urged to always be ready to make your defense, or give an answer when anybody wants to know who we are and what we are about as followers of this Christ.

The Apostle Peter surely knew whereof he spoke. There was a time when he wasn’t ready. That night in the high-priest’s courtyard when his Master, Jesus, was on trial for His life, Peter was put on the spot with some questions he wasn’t ready to answer. Before he knew it, he had denied his Lord.

But it is a changed Peter that we encounter on and after the Day of Pentecost, when the Spirit filled him with a new boldness and energy, and he stood before the very people who had pronounced the death sentence on Jesus – and Peter gave bold testimony to the Name and power of the Lord now raised from the dead. He let those powerful men know that there was no threat in the world that could make him and his fellow-apostles cease from proclaiming the message of Jesus Christ.

What does the Word say?

“Always be ready to make your defense to anyone who demands from you an accounting for the hope that is in you.”

We Christians have a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ. Because of Christ we know that life has meaning and value. And we must be ready to express that hope, especially at a time like this. We must be ready to give a sensible and persuasive answer when people ask us why we still care about the church, and what Christ means to us.

At this time, when now for more than two months we have not been able to gather together in the usual way – and while the Word has gone out to those able to hear it online, we miss being present with each other – and we miss coming together at the Lord’s Table.

And so we wish for things to get “back to normal.”

But I say to you today that “back to normal” may not be good enough. We need to set our sights higher than a mere “back to normal.”

If “back to normal” means settling back into a worship that sometimes is a mere routine –if it means engaging in petty bickering and squabbles, gossip and uncharitable judgments of others – if “back to normal” means letting distractions and all other concerns crowd the concerns of God’s kingdom and his righteousness out of our lives …

I don’t want to get back to that kind of “normal.”

Why do we go to church? Sometimes church people give very lame answers to such questions. Sometimes they do not even speak well for their church in the presence of others. Or they adopt the cynical and negative attitudes of many others around them.

Or when questioned they may just shrug their shoulders, and have no real answer to give. Or they’ll say, “Well, I was raised in the church, I’ve been going all my life, it’s a good habit to cultivate,” or, “I enjoy this or that activity in the church …” or 101 reasons people might give why they are in the church – none of which would count for anything if it were a matter of life and death.

You can be raised in the church, and practically live in the church, and be involved in all sorts of church activities, and still not have a personal relationship with Christ – still not

know what it means to have a living hope, and to be aglow with the radiance of faith, or to be able to express the meaning of Christ in your life.

For that we must know Christ, and must find in Him what it truly means to live life as God intends. And for that we must study Christ as the Scriptures enable us to know Him – His life and teaching, His death and resurrection, by which we have a new relationship in living the forgiven life and belonging with God in the community of believers.

Then we will know that we have been born anew to a living hope, and be ready to give an answer to those who ask the reason of that hope. And we will do it, not with an argumentative attitude, nor “holier than thou,” but as Peter says, “with gentleness and reverence.”

And this will affect our lives in another way. It will affect the way in which we bear abuse – abuse, that is for doing right. When we are really thinking as followers of Christ, we consider it “better to suffer for doing good, if it be God’s will, than for doing evil.” For in this we are most Christ-like, as the next verse tells us, “For Christ also suffered for sins once for all, the righteous for the unrighteous, in order to bring you to God.”

He died innocently – as an Example for us – but more than that, He died “to bring us to God.” For it was human sin – the sin of the whole world – that brought him to the cross – therefore He died for us – all of us, and all of our sins.

He died even for that very evil generation that perished in the Flood at the time of Noah. The text makes reference to Our Lord “making proclamation to the spirits in prison” – although this is a difficult passage, we generally understand it in terms of the statement in the Apostles’ Creed, that Christ descended into hell or the realm of the dead – here we may take comfort that if Christ, the Holy and Innocent One, has Himself walked the dark and lonesome valley of death, and brought light to those dark regions, then I know that He will be with you and me in whatever we must face, here or hereafter.

Yes, if we must suffer for doing right, the we know that He has already been there. It is then we truly become followers of Christ, and as we join Him in His suffering, so we also join Him in His resurrection.

We need not be surprised, or upset, if the world does not reward us for standing up for what is right, or bearing witness to our faith in Christ – if we are scorned, or abused, or treated with supreme indifference. We have never been promised that our lives will be easy when we have cast in our lot with Jesus.

The fact of our being baptized has placed us on an adventurous, even dangerous course. We are plunged into the death of Christ, but we are also given life and hope because of his resurrection from the dead. Daily renewal of Baptism is the prescription that the Doctor has ordered for our lives. Dying to self, and rising to a new life in Christ.

I would submit to you today that this time we are passing through should be a time of opportunity to draw closer to Christ, be more intentional about our discipleship, be diligent in daily prayer, read and meditate on those Scriptures, and motivated by Christ’s love, share that hope, and show active love to our neighbors in every way that we can –

as Emmanuel Church, we continue to address the needs of those around us – we do it as a church, and we do it as individuals – and if anyone asks us why – be ready to say that it’s because of Christ and all He has done for us.

And when we do get “back to normal” let it not be “the old normal” – let it be a “new normal.” Because of Christ, whom we love because He loved us first.

And because we love Him, and the Spirit that He promised abides within us, we will practice His new command of love – and because He lives, we too shall live.

For Christ is risen, alleluia!He is risen indeed, alleluia!

Days of Special Observance in June and July

(You are encouraged to read the Appointed Readings, and use the Prayer of the Day, in your personal and family devotions on these Days of Special Observance. We will resume celebrating the Eucharist in the Chapel on some of these special days in the Church Calendar as soon as it becomes safe to do so).

June 1 – The Visitation (Visit of Mary to Elizabeth)(This year this observance is transferred from

Sunday, May 31).Prayer of the DayMighty God, by whose grace Elizabeth rejoiced with Mary and greeted her as the Mother of the Lord: look with favor on your lowly servants that, with Mary, we may magnify your holy name and rejoice to acclaim her Son as our Savior, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen.

Readings: Isaiah 11:1-5 or Song of Solomon 2:8-14; Psalm 113; Romans 12:9-16; Luke 1:39-56

June 11 – St. Barnabas, ApostlePrayer of the DayWe praise you, O God, for the life of your faithful servant Barnabas, who, seeking not his own renown but the well-being of your Church, gave generously of his life and possessions for the relief of the poor and the spread of the Gospel. Grant that we may follow his example and by our actions give glory to you, Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, now and forever. Amen.Readings: Isaiah 42:5-12; Psalm 112; Acts 11:19-30; 13:1-3; Matthew 10:7-16

June 24 - The Birth of St. John the Baptist, Prophet and Forerunner of Our Lord

Prayer of the DayAlmighty God, by your gracious providence your servant John the Baptist was born to Elizabeth and Zechariah. Grant to your people the wisdom to see your purpose and the openness to hear your will, that the light of Christ may increase in us, through Jesus Christ, our Savior and Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen.Readings: Malachi 3:1-4; Psalm 141; Acts 13:13-26; Luke 1:57-80

June 29 – St. Peter and St. Paul, ApostlesPrayer of the DayAlmighty God, we praise you that your blessed Apostles Peter and Paul glorified you by their martyrdom. Grant that your Church throughout the world may always be instructed by their teaching and example, be knit together in unity by your Spirit, and ever stand firm upon the one foundation who is Jesus Christ our Lord, for he lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen.

Readings: Acts 12:1-17; Psalm 87; II Timothy 4:6-8, 17-18; John 21:15-19

July 3 – St. Thomas, ApostlePrayer of the DayEver-living God, you strengthened your Apostle Thomas with firm and certain faith in the resurrection of your Son. Grant that we too may confess our faith in Jesus Christ, our Lord and our God, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen.Readings: Judges 6:36-40; Psalm 136; Ephesians 4:11-16; John 14:1-7

July 22 – St. Mary Magdalene, Disciple, “Apostle to the Apostles”

Prayer of the DayAlmighty God, your Son Jesus Christ restored Mary Magdalene to health of body and mind, and called her to be a witness of his resurrection. Heal us now in body and mind and call us to serve you in the power of the resurrection of Jesus Christ, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen.Readings: Song of Solomon 3:1-4b (“…found him, whom my soul loves.”); Psalm 73:23-28; II Corinthians 5:14-17; John 20:1-2, 11-18

July 25 – St. James the Elder, ApostlePrayer of the DayGracious God, we remember before you today your servant and Apostle James, the first among the Twelve to suffer martyrdom for the name of Jesus Christ. Pour out on the leaders of your Church that spirit of self-denying service which is the true mark of authority among your people; through Jesus Christ our Servant-Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen.Readings: I Kings 19:9-18; Psalm 7:1-10; Acts 11:27 – 12:3a; Mark 10:35-45

The following members of Emmanuel will be celebrating their birthdays this month:

JUNE – 3 – Horst Klintz, 5-Pastor Eugene A. Koene, 8 – Seth Zander, 10- June Roller,

12 – John Bacher

14 – Peggy Weller, 15 – Lee Bickel, 16 – Dave Cosma, 21 – Rachael Sullivan, 27 – Joanne Mulligan, Kristina Wilson

JULY –- 10 – Milan Jankuj, - 12 – John Ferkan, 17 – Jerry Toot, 23 – Pat Hambach, 25 – Christine Sweitzer, 28 – Darlene Neumeister, Brad Engler, 31 – Courtney Bates

ND

JUNE – 19 – Chuck & Karen Daubenspeck, 24 – Lee & Lucille Bickel, 28 – Matthew & Nancy Pinto

JULY – 5 – John & Joyce Beach, 10 – Randy & Sue Engler, 11 – Art & Carol Allio, 25 – John & Judy Bland

Our thanks to Karen Daubenspeck for laundering the acolyte albs

recently!

This Photo by Unknown Author is licensed under CC BY-NC-ND

Friends and family members, we continually pray for.

We believe in the power of prayer and the deep connection God draws us into through prayer.

“Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God.” Philippians 4:6

We hold in prayer all who are hospitalized, in rehabilitation, or in hospice care. We pray for those who have asked to be on our public prayer list:

*Mike Fredley, *Lee Sweitzer, *Ralph Koene, *Evelyn Koene, *Katie Huffstetler, *Jeff Ritter, *Hazel Morgan,*Juliette Dietl, *Joy Daniels, *Rick Watson, *Elizabeth Rossi, *Paul Trina, *Robert Reader. *Judy Coman, *Michael Manios, *Sally Stano, *Mary Williams, *Karen Hulvalchick, *Lenny Redmond *Victoria Chuminski

*Though we hold in many in prayer privately, these people have given permission to be on this public list. Names stay on this list for two months.

Please keep in your prayers our Sisters and Brothers of Emmanuel Lutheran Church.

Currently our members are:

Dick Viola, Harlene Huffstetler, Charles Vasbinder, James Kibler, David Griffin, Carl Wollam, June Stroup, George Burin, Jr. Christine Sweitzer, Mary Sudik, Sally Garghill, Darlene Spelich, Anne Rowan, Harry Redmond, Virginia Morris, Cora Byers, June Roller, Billie Jo Smith, Billy Eckenrode, Shawn Bowker, Mary Lou Robertson, Zack Bako, Ken MacMillan, Felecia MacMillan, Sue Thomas, Teirian McKinney

We read in Luke 11:24: Therefore, I tell you, what you ask for in prayer, believe that you have received it, and it will be yours.

Members Serving on Congregational Council

Congregational council meets the 4 th Monday of each month at 6:30 PM.

Diane Pilger, Lindsay James Naples, Randy Engler, Jill Kibler, Garry Kibler, Ken Macmillan,

Patti Wentworth, Terry Wentworth, Pastor Eugene A. Koene.

Office manager is Dean Hunt.

Office hours are Monday-Thursday 8am to 2pm.

Phone 330-392-5939.

You can follow us on Face Book and our web page is www.elc.warren.org

Pantry/Free Lunch ReportMay/June/July 2020

Due to the Corona virus, the free lunch program will still not be open for May or June. Perhaps in July we may consider returning to an altered version, which would be take-out. However, we are distributing food bags every Friday from the parsonage garage. We do not have large numbers of clients, but we are doing what we can during this unusual circumstance. Over the course of the month, we are distributing approximately the same amount we would on “free lunch day.” This is since we are doing several bags each week.Again, if anyone needs food or any kind of help during this time, please do not hesitate to call the church office or Randy and I (330- 898-1468). We are here for you.We are again helping LaBrae Schools pantry for the summer months. We made our first delivery last week. This is in lieu of packing individual backpacks. In this way, we can feed the entire family, rather than just the students. It is more cost effective and reaches more people. It is a win-win situation.

Thank you to those who have donated money to our program during this period. We are so incredibly grateful to you for your help.

Randy and Susan Engler

First, I would like to thank everyone who has been supporting our Clothes closet. It is never ending ministry here at Emmanuel. During the corona pandemic, we have suspended our regular schedule. Please remember our closet for items that you might not need any more. The closet takes most household items. Please call Lucille with your list of items and schedule a delivery time.

PRAYER REQUESTS MAY BE CALLED INTO

THE PARISH OFFICE OR TO DOROTHY SUNDERMAN AND WILL BE PLACED ON THE

PRAYER CHAIN.WEB PAGE AND FACEBOOK

INFORMATIONDuring this time our worship services are being live stream on our Facebook pagehttps://www.facebook.com/Emmanuel-Lutheran-Church-863899887030588/. Following our service the live service will be uploaded on to our web page www.elcwarren.org. On our web page you can also find the weekly worship bulletin, the lessons, the monthly newsletter. If you have missed one of Pastor Koene’s sermons and like to listen to them we have archived them on our web page. If you have questions on our web page or broadcasts and . If you question,

TO SAVE ON PRINTING COSTS AND POSTAGE WE WILL NOT LIST ANY SCHEDULES DURING OUR SUSPENDED

SCHEDULE. ONCE WE ARE “BACK TO NORMAL” WE WILL ONCE AGAIN PUBLISH THE SCHEDULES. IF YOU HAVE ANY

QUESTIONS, PLEASE CALL THE PARISH OFFICE.

JUNE SPECIAL OFFERING:

For those of you who are not able to access our Sunday Services via social media (live streaming on the internet and Facebook) Pastor Koene will send you a copy of the sermon if you would like it mailed to your home. Please call either the Pastor or the Parish Office and we would be glad to send you a copy.

CHURCH COUNCIL ELECTIONDear brothers and sisters of Emanuel, though we are apart we are still together as a congregation and need to continue our ministry and business as best we can.

Thanks to Pastor Eugene A Koene, Dean, Terry, and Patti, so we can still worship through the media, and the social concerns people (Sue & Randy) are still trying to help those in need by delivering and having food available. We are maintaining our church as best we can and trying to continue our responsibility to you and our duties to God and our community.At church council’s direction and preparing for the day we can all meet and worship together again I have formed a nominating committee to fill the positions designated by the constitution for this year and next. Following are the offices that are to be filled in even number years.PresidentVice PresidentParish EducationMusic and WorshipStewardshipPlease consider volunteering or nominating someone for these openings, we cannot vote till we are back together, but we can have a slate of candidates ready for that day.

Please consider serving or nominating someone to support our ministry at Emmanuel by calling one of our committee. Thank You Ken MacmillanKen 330-219-359, Lindsay Naples 330-646-3996, Monica Kopp 330-372-3662. Garland Bradshaw 330-307-2371, Patty Davis 330-469-9390

WEB PAGE AND FACEBOOK INFORMATION

During this time our worship services are being live stream on our Facebook pagehttps://www.facebook.com/Emmanuel-Lutheran-Church-863899887030588/. Following our service the live service will be uploaded on to our web page www.elcwarren.org. On our web page you can also find the weekly worship bulletin, the lessons, the monthly newsletter. If you have missed one of Pastor Koene’s sermons and like to listen to them we have archived them on our web page. If you have questions on our web page or broadcasts and . If you question,

Congratulations to Joshua Bates who graduated from LaBrae High School. We are

very proud of you!

Emmanuel Lutheran Church is a gathering of people for the worship of the true God who is revealed in JesusChrist. By the Holy Spirit we are called to hearing and

believing the whole Word of God. In the service of God, we seek to follow the example of our Lord, Jesus.

Christ.

What We Do ---------- 5 Identity Statements

1. We strive to love God, with all of our hearts, and souls, and minds.

2. We accept and welcome others with kindness.

3. We engage in conversation with God through listening, prayer, worship, and bible study.

4. We need to forgive. We need to be forgiven. We experience forgiveness because of Jesus Christ.

5. We serve our neighbors in need (of food, clothing, Christian guidance, etc.)

MISSION STATEMENT

JULY SPECIAL OFFERING:

YOUR OFFERINGS

THANK YOU!!!! Thank you for the offerings you have made and are making to Emmanuel Lutheran

Church. Your offerings, of your time, of your God-given talents, and of your money, help support all

that we do here at Emmanuel. Emmanuel could do nothing without the faithful offerings of its members.

Together, we are the Body of Christ. When we are giving, we are being the faithful people God calls us to be. Our offerings bring about blessings on many

levels. We believe in a God who is generous. And we are created in God’s image. So, we are called to be

generous as God is generous.

Sunday Bible Readings

JULY SPECIAL OFFERING:

Season after

PentecostYear A

First* reading

and Psalm

Alternate* First

reading and

Psalm

Second reading

Gospel

Trinity SundayJune 7, 2020First

Sunday after

PentecostART -- PR

AYER

Genesis 1:1-2:4a

Psalm 8

2 Corinthians

13:11-13

Matthew 28:16-20

Proper 6 (11)

Second Sunday

after PentecostJune 14,

2020ART -- PR

AYER

Genesis 18:1-15, (21:1-7)

Psalm 116:1-2,

12-19

Exodus 19:2-8a

Psalm 100

Romans 5:1-8

Matthew 9:35-10:8, (9-23)

Proper 7 (12)Third

Sunday after

PentecostJune 21,

2020ART -- PR

AYER

Genesis 21:8-21

Psalm 86:1-10,

16-17

Jeremiah 20:7-13

Psalm 69:7-10, (11-15), 16-18

Romans 6:1b-11

Matthew 10:24-39

Proper 8 (13)

Fourth

Genesis 22:1-14

Jeremiah 28:5-9

Romans 6:12-23

Matthew 10:40-42

Sunday after

PentecostJune 28,

2020ART -- PR

AYER

Psalm 13

Psalm 89:1-4, 15-

18

Proper 9 (14)Fifth

Sunday after

PentecostJuly 5, 2020

ART -- PRAYER

Genesis 24:34-38, 42-49, 58-

67

Psalm 45:10-17or

Song of Solomon

2:8-13

Zechariah 9:9-12

Psalm 145:8-14

Romans 7:15-25a

Matthew 11:16-19, 25-30

Proper 10 (15)Sixth

Sunday after

PentecostJuly 12,

2020ART -- PR

AYER

Genesis 25:19-34

Psalm 119:105-

112

Isaiah 55:10-13

Psalm 65:(1-8), 9-13

Romans 8:1-11

Matthew 13:1-9, 18-23

Proper 11 (16)

Seventh Sunday

after PentecostJuly 19,

2020ART -- PR

AYER

Genesis 28:10-

19a

Psalm 139:1-12, 23-

24

Wisdom of Solomon 12:13, 16-

19or

Isaiah 44:6-8

Psalm 86:11-17

Romans 8:12-25

Matthew 13:24-30, 36-43

Proper 12 (17)

Eighth Sunday

after PentecostJuly 26,

2020ART -- PR

AYER

Genesis 29:15-28

Psalm 105:1-11, 45bor

Psalm 128

1 Kings 3:5-12

Psalm 119:129-

136

Romans 8:26-39

Matthew 13:31-33, 44-52