APRIL 2017

Emmanuel Lutheran Church 1500 Pleasant Valley Drive

P.O. Box 1299

Coshocton, OH 43812

(740) 622-2550

elchurch@att.net

Website: emmanuelcoshocton.org

Dear friends in Christ,

Grace, peace, and mercy be yours in abundance! Palm Sunday is just around the corner as we draw near to

the fourth Sunday in Lent. We begin to anticipate the sounds of Hosanna and the triumphant entrance of Jesus

into Jerusalem. The full revelation of what his kingship will mean for humanity is yet to be revealed. The

unfolding drama of the story of salvation is soon to reach a climax with Jesus’ death on the cross and the

celebration of victory over sin, death and evil on Resurrection Day. But we have not yet reached that point as

we journey these last weeks in self-reflection, resisting temptation and sin and all that separates us from God

and one another. Some of us have attended the Lenten study on Luther’s Small Catechism and been blessed

with renewed insight and application of the basics of our Christian faith into our daily lives. Through

confession and repentance, fasting and prayer, study and meditation on God’s Word; along with acts of

kindness and service to others, we have maintained the Lenten disciplines; dying to self and sinful behavior so

that the life of Christ might be born anew within our hearts, souls and minds.

The upcoming narrative of Jesus’ passion on Palm Sunday help us see that we are part of the crowd that

watched, witnessed and was responsible ultimately for Jesus going to the cross. We see ourselves as part of the

story on Maundy Thursday as we share Jesus’ last meal before his death, renewing our faith in the words of

absolution spoken over us as we recognize we too abandon Jesus and fall short of living our lives in obedience

and faithfulness in all we say and do. The service ends, with the stripping of the altar and preparing us to enter

the most solemn and sacred moments of Jesus’ death on the cross for us. Good Friday brings us to the foot of

the cross to witness and enter into Jesus’ suffering and death. In a very real way we are invited to die with Jesus

once again so that we might experience the resurrection and new life we will celebrate on Easter morning. I

believe that our liturgical traditions during Holy Week are powerful and meaningful to more fully appreciate the

joy and victory of the resurrection of Jesus. I encourage you to make a commitment to attend these services.

Consider inviting a family member, friend or neighbor to join you in worship. Part of the unfolding drama of

salvation we embrace during this season is not only its significance for us personally but also as good news for

others for us to share.

The earliest manuscripts of Jesus’ resurrection the gospel of Mark has the witnesses to the risen Christ telling

no one because they were afraid. Such a cliff hanger ending to the story leave the reader alarmed and

questioning how others would hear the good news if no one chooses to share the message with others because

they too are afraid. Ultimately those of us who believe have this responsibility as we already know Jesus’ final

words given before his ascension in the great commission to go and make disciples of all nations. I invite you

to sign up for the Easter Prayer Vigil and pray for the conversion of people who have yet to embrace God’s gift

of salvation. Pray for God to empower the witness of the church to being an effective authentic witness to the

life of Jesus lived out through us. At the conclusion of our service on Easter morning we each will receive a

white cross to place in our lawn or give to someone we know if we already have one. We will join together in

holding up our crosses as we sing the triumphant hymn, “Lift High the Cross.” We will symbolically and

literally walk out of the church on Easter morning being reminded that the meaning of Easter Sunday is lived

out on Monday as we pick up our crosses and follow Jesus. May God richly bless us with a living hope and

faith in these final weeks of the Lenten journey.

Sincerely in Christ,

Scriptures for Sundays

Daily Bible Readings

for April 2017 April 2, 2017 Fifth Sunday in Lent

Ezekiel 37:1-14

Psalm 130

Romans 8:6-11

John 11:1-45

Monday Psalm 143

1 Kings 17:17-24

Acts 20:7-12

Tuesday Psalm 143

2 Kings 4:18-37

Ephesians 2:1-10

Wednesday Psalm 143

Jeremiah 32:1-9, 36-41

Matthew 22:23-33

Thursday Psalm 31:9-16

1 Samuel 16:11-13

Philippians 1:1-11

Friday Psalm 31:9-16

Job 13:13-19

Philippians 1:21-30

Saturday Psalm 31:9-16

Lamentations 3:55-66

Mark 10:32-34

April 9, 2017 Palm Sunday

Matthew 21:1-11

Isaiah 50:4-9a

Psalm 31:9-16

Philippians 2:5-11

Matthew 26:14—27:66 or

Matthew 27:11-54

Monday in Holy Week

Isaiah 42:1-9

Psalm 36:5-11

Hebrews 9:11-15

John 12:1-11

Tuesday in Holy Week

Isaiah 49:1-7

Psalm 71:1-14

1 Corinthians 1:18-31

John 12:20-36

Wednesday in Holy Week

Isaiah 50:4-9a

Psalm 70

Hebrews 12:1-3

John 13:21-32

Maundy Thursday

Exodus 12:1-4 [5-10] 11-14

Psalm 116:1-2, 12-19

1 Corinthians 11:23-26

John 13:1-17, 31b-35

Good Friday

Isaiah 52:13—53:12

Psalm 22

Hebrews 10:16-25 or

Hebrews 4:14-16; 5:7-9

John 18:1—19:42

Saturday Resurrection of Our Lord—

Vigil of Easter

Romans 6:3-11

John 20:1-18

April 16, 2017 Easter Sunday

Acts 10:34-43 or Jeremiah 31:1-6

Psalm 118:1-2, 14-24

Colossians 3:1-4 or Acts 10:34-43

Matthew 28:1-10 or John 20:1-18

Isaiah 25:6-9

Psalm 114

1 Corinthians 5:6b-8

Luke 24:13-49

Monday Psalm 118:1-2, 14-24

Exodus 14:10-31; 15:20-21

Colossians 3:5-11

Tuesday Psalm 118:1-2, 14-24

Exodus 15:1-18

Colossians 3:12-17

Wednesday Psalm 118:1-2, 14-24

Joshua 3:1-7

Matthew 28:1-10

Thursday Psalm 16

Song of Solomon 2:8-15

Colossians 4:2-5

Friday Psalm 16

Song of Solomon 5:9—6:3

1 Corinthians 15:1-11

Saturday Psalm 16

Song of Solomon 8:6-7

John 20:11-20

April 23, 2017 Second Sunday of Easter

Acts 2:14a, 22-32

Psalm 16

1 Peter 1:3-9

John 20:19-31

Monday Psalm 114

Judges 6:36-40

1 Corinthians 15:12-20

Tuesday Psalm 114

Jonah 1:1-17

1 Corinthians 15:19-28

Wednesday Psalm 114

Jonah 2:1-10

Matthew 12:38-42

Thursday Psalm 116:1-4, 12-19

Isaiah 25:1-5

1 Peter 1:8b-12

Friday Psalm 116:1-4, 12-19

Isaiah 26:1-4

1 Peter 1:13-16

Saturday Psalm 116:1-4, 12-19

Isaiah 25:6-9

Luke 14:12-14

April 30, 2017Third Sunday of Easter

Acts 2:14a, 36-41

Psalm 116:1-4, 12-19

1 Peter 1:17-23

Luke 24:13-35

Monday Psalm 134

Genesis 18:1-14

1 Peter 1:23-25

Tuesday Psalm 134

Proverbs 8:32—9:6

1 Peter 2:1-3

Wednesday Psalm 134

Exodus 24:1-11

John 21:1-14

Thursday Psalm 23

Exodus 2:15b-25

1 Peter 2:9-12

Friday Psalm 23

Exodus 3:16-22; 4:18-20

1 Peter 2:13-17

Saturday Psalm 23

Ezekiel 34:1-16

Luke 15:1-7

May 07, 2017 Fourth Sunday of Easter

Acts 2:42-47

Psalm 23

1 Peter 2:19-25

John 10:1-10

The Easter Prayer Vigil We invite you to come as a part

of your Easter Devotions on

Saturday April 15, to take the

time to pray in the Sanctuary.

There is a sign-up sheet on the bulletin board. Time slots listed from 8:00am until 5:00pm

in increments of 30 minutes. A booklet and a list of bible verses will be available.

Please Remember To Include These

People In Your Prayers Shut-ins and

Those Residing in Care Centers

Mary Bridges Daisy Royer

William ‘Bill’ Neff

Please Pray for healing and strength for

these Members and Friends of Emmanuel

Betsy Roman Velma Klingler

JoAnn Boyd Becky Molnar

Carma Overholt Charles Jones

Jim Williams

Mission Statement:

Glorify God and spread

God’s Word to all

by the power of the Holy Spirit

Prayer Chain

For Immediate or Emergency Prayers

and/or Intercessions please contact the

Church Office

622-2550

The Prayer Chain will react

immediately, and

each member will call the next link of

the Prayer Chain in turn.

RELAY FOR LIFE:

Team Emmanuel will once

again be hosting the annual

Garage Sale on April 22 from

9am to 2 pm. We hope that

while you are spring cleaning, you will

consider donating unwanted items to this

project. If you have any questions, ask a

team member. The list of members is posted

on the bulletin board.

*****Anthony Thomas

candy bars continue to

be available for $1

each.

*****Thanks to all who have

shared their spare change and

added to the COINS FOR A

CURE collection bottle.

*****The deadline for luminarias is

approaching, so please sign up as soon

as possible. Luminarias are available for

$10 each, and will be on display at the

fairgrounds throughout the Relay for Life

event, May 12 -May 13. Luminarias may be

designated in honor of a cancer survivor or in

memory of a cancer patient.

April Red Cross Blood Drive

Emmanuel is responsible for the food needed for the April 11 & 12 Blood Drive held here at the church. In the coming weeks a list and signup

sheet will be hung on the bulletin board. Thank you for your help!!

The 16th annual Ring the Bells for Habitat concert will be at 3 p.m. Sunday at the Coshocton

Presbyterian Church Three handbell choirs will perform individually and together. The unison piece

“Alleluia” will be under the direction of Charles Snyder. A free will offering will be taken to benefit Habitat for

Humanity of Coshocton County.

Church Women United Spring Fellowship Luncheon

Friday, May 5th 12 Noon

Hosted by Roscoe United Methodist Church

Cost will be $6.00 Registration deadline is May 1st

A sign-up sheet is on the bulletin board or call Janice Bantum 740-622-5783 if you are

planning to attend.

Stewardship Note

Everything we have and everything we are is a gift from God. This is the time of year when many of us receive tax refunds. This is a perfect time to give thanks to God for this unexpected income by giving 10% of it to God’s work at Emmanuel. We also may receive additional income from inheritances, sale of property, lottery winnings, investments, etc.. Why not thank God for these additional sources of income by giving 10% of them to God’s work at Emmanuel. After all, you get to keep 90% for your own use.

16For God so loved the world that he gave his only Son, so

that everyone who believes in him may not perish but may

have eternal life.

Altar Guild Corner In his sermon on March 12 of this year,

Pastor Kittner told the story of a man who

attended sporting events and held up a

“John 3:16” sign. Even before that

became a regular occurrence, I knew that

verse as The Gospel in a Nutshell (as my

grandmother told me).

So, while I was visiting friends in

England, I pointed out the sign at a soccer

game we were watching on TV. “Oh,

look,” I said. “There’s the Gospel in a

Nutshell.” My friends’ 11-year-old son

was puzzled and asked me to repeat what

I had said.

When I did, he replied, “Are you

SURE? I always thought it meant that

John was sitting in the 3rd

row and the 16th

seat.”

Teaching moments come at unexpected

times and places!

April Birthdays

April 4 Gay Crilow

Pam Matz

April 11 Opal Schumaker

April 14 Laurie McClary

April 15 Katha Newell

April 20 Richard Emerson

Marcella Fuller

April 21 Nancy Newell

April 22 Ruth Kohler

April 24 Nancy Williams

April 25 Carol Jean Neff

April 28 Karen Andrews

Let us give thanks for our members with April birthdays!

If our name has been omitted,

please call the church office so the correction can be made.

Sun Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat

2 3

7:00pm Fellowship Hall

Steering Committee to

meet

4 9:00 am Ruth’s

Comforters

11:00am Water Color

Group

7:00pm Council

5

9:30 Sarah’s Prayer

Shawls

Reformation Study Group 7:00-8:30

6

10:00 am

Volunteers to

paint Easter

Crosses

7

1

8

9 9:15 Sunday School

10:30am Worship

Palm Sunday

10

Holy Week

11 9:00 am Ruth’s

Comforters

11:00am Water Color

Group

12 9:30 Sarah’s Prayer

Shawls

Mary Martha Circle

13

10:00 Women’s Bible

Study

Maundy Thursday

14

Good Friday

15

Easter Prayer Vigil

8:00 to 5:00

In ½ hour

increments

16 9:15 Sunday School

10:30am Worship

17

18 9:00 am Ruth’s

Comforters

11:00am Water Color

Group

19 9:30 Sarah’s Prayer

Shawls

20 10:00 Women’s Bible

Study

Patience Circle

7:00pm

21

Set up for Relay

garage sale

22 9:00 TO 2:00

RELAY FOR

LIFE

GARAGE

SALE 23 9:15 Sunday School

10:30am Worship

6:30pm

Community Prayer

Central Christian

24 25 9:00 am Ruth’s

Comforters

11:00am Water Color

Group

26 9:30 Sarah’s Prayer

Shawls

27 10:00 Women’s Bible

Study

28

29

30 9:15 Sunday School

10:30am Worship

Lenten Luncheons held at Presbyterian Church at

11:30am beginning March 1st thru April 5

th

Red Cross Blood Drive