Emmanuel Lutheran Church Clovis THE GRAPEVINEstorage.cloversites.com/emmanuellutheranchurch1/... ·...
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Www.emmanuelclovis.org
MARCH, 2013
Emmanuel Lutheran Church Clovis
T H E G R A P E V I N E Dear Christian friend,
“Just a spoonful of sugar helps the medicine go down…in a most delightful way.”
How many of you remember Mary Poppins (Julie Andrews) singing that?
How many of you reading this have no idea who Mary Poppins is?
Nanny Mary Poppins sang this song in the 1964 movie to get her employers’ closed‐mouth children to open up and swallow down their daily dose of nasty‐tasting stuff. Given the skyrocketing rate of childhood obesity these days, I doubt that any child‐care worker caught shoveling spoonfuls of sugar down their charge’s throats would be around very long.
Still, we tend to “sugarcoat” most everything. “Sugar‐coating” is our attempt to disguise that which is truly awful with an artificial top‐coat of sticky sweetness. We do this with everything from chocolate‐dipped grasshoppers to 5 mpg SUV’s that run on Big Diesel. We love to take our sourest lemons and turn them into lemonade.
Not so in the Bible! A faith that is founded on the crucifixion of its founder cannot be good at cutesy cover‐ups.
Jesus never sugarcoated. He spoke openly to his admittedly uncomprehending, sugar‐prone disciples about his impending arrest, conviction, and execution. Jesus baldly declared that “the poor will always be with you” and advised the rich, young man that the cost of discipleship was to “sell everything” if he wished to follow Jesus. Discipleship was never advertised as anything but a big‐ticket item by Jesus, a commitment that, as its reward, demanded that followers “take up their cross,” embrace the real probability of suffering and death.
Yet, Paul testifies that despite the cost of discipleship nothing could “separate us from the love of Christ.” The “love of Christ” was the saving, sacrificial, redeeming work of Christ on the cross, the “work” that brought salvation and eternal life to all who believe. There is no need to “sugarcoat” the Christ story because the ending it offers is the miraculous, splendid sweetness of salvation.
So, let me ask you. How many licks does it take to get to the center of a Tootsie Pop? No one knows. As the ads testify, the unknown answer is demonstrated by “lick‐one, lick‐two, lick‐three . . CRUNCH!”
We DO know, though, what it takes to get to the sweet spot of salvation. All it takes is faith. Because with the eyes of faith we see that there is nothing “neither death nor life, nor angels nor rulers, nor things present, nor things to come, nor powers, nor height, nor depth, nor anything else in all creation” — I repeat, there is nothing in the universe that “will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord”. In His service, Pastor Ed
March, 2013, Emmanuel Lutheran Church www.emmanuelclovis.org
LETTER FROM THE GOVERNANCE BOARD Building a Discipling Culture
I wanted to share some thoughts from a book I recently read called Building a Discipling Culture, by Mike Breen and Steve Cockram.
We live in a world of different cultures. Would you agree that even though Fresno and Clovis sit right against each other, they each have their own cultures? “The Great Commission” Matthew 28:16‐20 states: Then the eleven disciples went to Galilee, to the mountain where Jesus had told them to go. 17 When they saw him, they worshiped him; but some doubted. 18 Then Jesus came to them and said, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. 19 Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20 and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.”
How do we make disciples?
Most of us have been trained and educated for a world that no longer exists. However, the call to make disciples still remains. It never wavers and never changes. Make disciples. Here’s the thing that can be difficult to wrap our minds around: If you make disciples, you always get the church. But if you make a church, you rarely get disciples. Jesus has not called us to build his church. In fact, in all of the Gospels he mentions the church only two times. One time he mentions it, it’s about conflict resolution. The other time? To say He will build his church (body of believers). Out of this, the future will emerge, and out of this, there will be a missional wave the likes of which we have never seen.
Much like Jonah I often fear the direction that God has set before me. I want to hop on a different ship and sail the opposite direction. Deep within each of us lies the same faith and longing that sent Peter walking on water across the wind‐swept Sea of Galilee toward Jesus. In what ways is the Lord telling you, as he did Peter, “Come.?” He invites you to consider the incredible potential that awaits you outside your comfort zone. Out on the risky waters of faith, Jesus is waiting to meet you in ways that will change you forever, deepening your character and your trust in God. The experience is terrifying as it was for Peter and Jonah. It is thrilling beyond belief. It’s everything you’d expect of someone worthy to be called Lord.
The choice is yours to know him as only a water‐walker can, aligning yourself with God’s purpose for your life in the process. There’s just one requirement: IF YOU WANT TO WALK ON WATER, YOU’VE GOT TO GET OUT OF THE BOAT!
Darrell Strickler
The New Emmanuel has a new Facebook page. I encourage everyone to "like" our new page. Over the next couple of weeks, I will be updating our page with information and pictures. Please go to Facebook and search for Emmanuel Clovis to like our new page.
If you have any events or information you'd like to be featured on our Facebook page, please send me your information. Feel free to post comments and pictures too. And when you are at church this Sunday, check yourself in so that your friends can see that you are at the best church in town! And if you are new to Facebook, feel free to stop me and I will give you a quick tutorial on how to use Facebook.
Sandra Lucero Mobile: 559-994-1029 E-mail: [email protected]
March, 2013, Emmanuel Lutheran Church www.emmanuelclovis.org
Hello Emmanuel! We are entering one of my favorite times of the year. I am amazed every year as Spring approaches. Trees and bushes start to come alive, and different varieties of grasses start to grow again. Our little pomegranate tree will soon start sprouting new life and I get excited thinking about all of the new pomegranate jelly we will have by the end of the year. (Jill's side of the family is who do the actual making of the jelly. I just deliver the fruit to them and they do whatever it is that they do, and miraculously return it to me in mason jars). Delicious!
Soon, we will hear the tweeting of baby birds and one‐by‐one, my neighbors will start spending more time outside. From my perspective, it is as if everything starts to become alive again. What is harder to see, is all of the hard work that was done "behind the scenes" to make this happen. Quite a while ago, momma birds started making their nests in preparation of the eggs they would have. Grasses seemed to die on the lawn, but they really only went into hiding for a season. Our little pomegranate tree seemed to die when it's last leaf fell, but in fact, it was preparing itself to one day awaken when the time was right. If my tree had thoughts, I am sure it does not know exactly when it would need to awaken, but it is preparing itself nonetheless.
I delivered my second sermon today, and I shared my thoughts on the temptation that Jesus faced out in the wilderness. At just the right time, Jesus was able to miraculously recite just the right Scripture passage to momentarily stop Satan's attack. He didn't have to stop and look it up from a scroll and He didn't rely on someone else to tell Him what to say. Behind the scenes, Jesus had learned and studied the Scriptures. He prepared and trusted in the Scriptures to help Him in the times he would need to rely on them. Imagine how much time Jesus spent as a youth, as a teenager, as a young adult, studying the Scriptures. I think that it was a part of His daily routine, as it should be for all of us!
So the passage in Luke 4 where Jesus has just the right, perfect thing to say at just the right time, that stops temptation right in its tracks, is the "fruit" that came from all of His dedicated work He did in preparing for the time when something like this would happen. (You may have to read that sentence again ‐ its a long one!). Jesus took this v e r y s e r i o u s l y , a n d s o s h o u l d w e .
Pretty soon, nature is going to explode with "new" life outside! Maybe you too appreciate all the hard work that is being done behind the scenes. In my mind, I picture that everything outside is waiting... waiting for just the right time that it can show Winter that it can avoid its cold and life‐stealing grip. I want us all to be able to do that.
Congregation arriving for worship Carolyn Baten is wonderful on the piano when others aren’t available. Thank you Carolyn for sharing you r gift of music.
From Your Vicar
In the love of Christ Jesus,
Vicar Gary
March, 2013, Emmanuel Lutheran Church www.emmanuelclovis.org
Prayer is not a ‘spare wheel’ that you pull out when in trouble, but it is a ‘steering wheel’ that directs the right path throughout the journey.
Why is a car’s windshield so large and the rear view mirror so small? Because our past is not as important as our
Friendship is like a book. It takes a few minutes to burn, but it takes years to write.
All things in life are temporary. If going well, enjoy it, they will not last forever. If going wrong, don’t worry, that can’t last long either.
Old friends are gold! New friends are diamond! If you get a diamond, don’t forget the gold, because to hold a diamond, you always need a base of gold!
Often when we lose hope and think this is the end, God smiles from above and says, ‘Relax sweetheart, it’s just a bend, not the end!’
When God solves your problems, you have faith in His abilities; when God doesn’t solve your problems, He has faith in your abilities.
A blind person asked St Anthony: “Can there be anything worse than losing eye sight?’ He replied, ‘Yes, losing your vision!’
When you pray for others, God listens to you and blesses them. Sometimes when you are safe and happy, remember that someone has prayed for you.
Worrying doesn’t take away tomorrow’s troubles, it takes away today’s peace.
Think about it!
An inscription in Vicar’s Bible from his brother: reading this will keep you from sin. Sin will keep you from reading this.
NEW COORDINATORS
Keisha Watkins has consented to be Coordinator or Public Relations and will launch publication campaigns as they come up such as our Easter Egg Hunt and Second Service ; Sandra Lucero consented to be Coordinator of Social Media for Emmanuel and will be sharing information from our Church with Facebook and Twitter and other social media. Congratulations Keisha and Sandra and thank you from all of us at Emmanuel!
March, 2013, Emmanuel Lutheran Church www.emmanuelclovis.org
Busy Month of February
“Because He Lives” sung by Judy Strickler and Carl Watkins was a real treat during collection of the tithes on February 3rd.
JoyCunningham plays her flute for us on February 10th.
Sin keeps people out of Heaven. Jesus de‐stroys sin and saves people. Pastor shows the kids in his children’s sermon.
Pastor distributes ashes on Ash Wednesday
We welcome Randy Alvarez to our Praise singers . He us a great addition to our music group. Hi Randy!
Elizabeth Kirby at her Baptism on February 3rd. Congratulations Elizabeth!
Chris Watkins takes Pastor Jerry’s offering on February 17th. Vicar Gary gives his second
sermon on February 17th. He does a great Job!
Pastor Ed prepares for communion.
Praying the Lord’s Prayer
Solemnly accepting communion of our Lord
Sunday Bible Study with Pastor Ed
Monday noon small group (plus Rachel) look very satis‐fied after their lunch at Applebees on Presidents’ Day.
March, 2013, Emmanuel Lutheran Church www.emmanuelclovis.org
Recipes From Judy Strickler GF Crackers
1 ½ cups Bean Flour Mix (see below) 1 teaspoon baking powder ¼ teaspoon sea salt ¾ cup liquid (soymilk, rice milk, etc.) ¼ cup coconut oil (if using another oil, they will not last long) Seeds – sesame, sunflower, favorite
Preheat oven to 325º degrees. In a medium bowl, combine all ingredients until blended. Line 2 cookie sheets with parchment paper. Pour batter onto cookie sheets, tilting to spread. Add seeds. Bake for 10 minutes, remove from oven and score with a knife (or pizza cutter) to make “crackers”. Bake for another 25 minutes, checking often as the sides may burn.
Bean Flour Mix 3 cups bean flour 3 cups cornstarch or potato starch (not potato flour) 3 cups tapioca flour
You can use almost any recipe substituting the bean flour mix.
Cashew "Cheese"#
by Gale Bolinger ‐ Healthy Eating Advocate on Wednesday, August 11, 2010 at 3:26pm Cashew Cheese BLEND until VERY smooth the following: 1 c. Raw cashew pieces 1/3 c. lemon juice 1 c. water ½ c. oil (I use de‐odorized coconut oil, otherwise use olive oil) When mixture is smooth to touch, ADD: 2 T. sesame seeds (hulled) 4 T. Nutritional Yeast flakes 1 t. onion powder pinch garlic powder 1/8 t. celery seed or celery salt 1 to 1 ½ t. sea salt When blended, ADD ½ c. sweet pimentos or roasted red peppers and blend again. (This is for color only, doesn't seem to change the taste) Use in Lasagna or "mac and cheese" with brown rice noodles for a healthy alternative. Tinkyada brand is best. NOTE: For nachos: add jalapeno pepper and/or 1 can Ortega chilies. Makes a great enchiladas 'cheese'. #There are approx. 26 grams of fiber in this whole recipe. I don’t recommend eating the whole batch in one sitting!
If you wish to send in recipes to share, send to [email protected]
EMMANUEL FUNDRAISERS
March, 2013, Emmanuel Lutheran Church
Youth Fund Raiser
Remember to SAVE your PLASTIC WATER BOTTLES, & SODA BOTTLES for the green youth trash can located in the Church House.
March 3 March 10 March 17 March 24
March 31
Communion Assistants
Mike Kipp Scott Linenbroker Fon Vangsycha
Ross Young
Mike Golden Neil Hoppus
Darrell Strickler Todd Weber
Usher 9 am
After 30th 10 am
Don Rutherford Vern Meyer
Gordon Miller Fon Vangsycha
Ken Paar
Joshua Daily Mike Kipp
Scott Linenbroker
Chris Watkins Fon Vangsycha Vernon Meyer
Don Rutherford Bob Hammond Pat Hammond
Travis Kirby Joshua Daily Neil Hoppus
________________
Info Booth 9 10:30
Martha Wilson Chris Watkins Sandra Lucero Sue Garcia
Chris Watkins Chris Watkins
Counters Don Rutherford Darrell Strickler
Sandy Wisener Suzanne Garcia
Irene Stinson Sandra Lucero
Travis Kirby
Acolytes Curtis Chow Jordan Samper Katlin Strickler-Watkins
Kate Richardson Grace Gerloff
Our FAITHFUL SERVERS for March
PRAYER CHAIN
The Emmanuel Prayer Chain is led by Helene Kipp. If you or someone you know needs prayer, Helene
can be reached by phone 447-9369
or e-mail [email protected].
Our Praise Team: Jill and Gary Gerloff, Paige Weber, Judy Strickler, Keisha Watkins, Amanda Hutto, Randy Alvarez, Doug Richardson, Darrin Lowenthal, Joy Cunningham and Art Howansky. Contact Jill if you are interested in joining.
IF YOU ARE SCHEDULED AND CANNOT SERVE . . .
Please call your team leader. For the info booth it is Chris Watkins, 297-4922 ([email protected]), for Communion Servers it is Mike Kipp 447-9369, Counters and Greeters, let them know at the Church.
Want to raise extra money for Emmanuel? Just turn in your empty inkjet cartridges to our church office for recycling.
CPR
CPR is led by Martha Wilson on Wednesdays in the church at 12 noon. Come and join us!
Cards
Available at Information Desk to use at
Save Mart, FoodMax grocery stores to
Get 5% credit for Emmanuel
Join a small group for the new year! You will be glad
you did.
Please volunteer to be a counter.
Prayer, Praise & Bible Study! We meet Mondays at 9 am for fellowship, Bible Study of Ruth and Esther, to Praise our Lord, and to pray for whatever may be on our hearts.
March, 2013, Emmanuel Lutheran Church www.emmanuelc lov is .org
Mission Statement:
Inspired by the holy spirit, we share His love and invite people to Christ by proclaiming and living the Good News.
GOVERNANCE BOARD
Doug Richardson DebbieSpence
Darrell Strickler Rod Kirby
Sandra Lucero
MARCH SUNDAY SERVICES:
March 3rd HOLY COMMUNION 9:00 Worship Service 10:30 Sunday School Youth Bible Study Adult Study
March 10th 9:00 Worship Service 10:30 Sunday School Youth Bible Study Adult Study
March 17th HOLY COMMUNION 9:00 Worship Service 10:30 Sunday School Youth Bible Study Adult Study
March 24th 9:00 Worship Service PALM SUNDAY 10:30 Sunday School Youth Bible Study Adult Study March 31st EASTER SUNDAY 7 AM SonRise Service 9:00 Worship Service & Kid’s Church 10:30 Worship Service & Kid’s Church
Have a Blessed Easter EMMANUEL OFFICE
Cristy McNicholas, Office Manager (559) 298-0725
[email protected] Office Hours: Mon.—Fri
8:30 a.m. to 2:30 pm
"E.F.T. at THE NEW EMMANUEL"
Electronic Fund Transfer is available! You can have your Tithes/Offerings automatically withdrawn from either your
checking or saving account and given to Emmanuel. There are many benefits to Emmanuel, as well as to our members and
friends. It is safe and secure. For more information, please contact Mike Kipp at 447‐9369, or you
can email him at [email protected].
WOMEN OF GRACE The following by Rev. Greg Asimakoupoulos provides insight into the relationship between doubters and believers. It discusses befriending, listening and accepting.
Doubters Welcome An Easter poem by Rev. Greg Asimakoupoulos
A risen dead man raises questions Empty tombs are not the norm. It's no wonder skeptics wonder
yet their search for truth is scorned.
A grave mistake is dissing doubters. What Christ did was meant for them. And the fact that they're not biting
doesn't mean they're thoughtless men.
For even Thomas had a challenge making sense of what seemed "non."
Yet the Savior didn't judge him. and in time his doubts were gone.
So let the doubters voice their questions
Better yet, become their friends. Show your interest in their comments.
Don't insist that you must win.
God's the one who will convince them. You don't have to sweat and strive. By your care and love in action, you will prove Christ is alive.
Easter provides us the opportunity to respond to doubters with acts of friendship, openness and acceptance. Please join Women of Grace on Saturday, March 9th at 12 in the church house for lunch and Bunco. On Sunday, March 17th, Women of Grace will hold a bake sale. INFO BOOTH
Anyone who is interested in serving at the information booth, please talk to Chris Watkins, 2974922, she needs more Helpers to talk to new people as they come in to worship with us, give them a gift, and have them sign in the
guest book.
Wednesday Evening Bible Study of Luke with Pastor Heidel at 7 p.m. Will Begin
Again On April 3, 2013!
Editorial Staff of the Grapevine
Cristy McNicholas, Sandy Wisener,
Elizabeth Bombini and Marlene Coffman
Suzanne Garcia and Lee Cates
CALL TO PRAYER Join CPR on Wednesdays at 12:00 noon for an hour of prayer for our church, our country , our state, county, city, schools, and safety organiza‐tions as well as fellow congregation members. Whatever we feel called to pray for. This is so important, you don’t have to pray aloud, just be willing to say the AMEN. “Wherever two or more are gathered in My Name . . . “
Rosalind Dahl c/o The Iris 755 Epps Bridge Pkwy #129 Athens, GA 30606
March, 2013, Emmanuel Lutheran Church
Christian Education News…
Lesson themes for March: March 3rd Bible Story: Jesus Teaches About Rewards
Theme: Seeking God’s kingdom honors God
March 10th Bible Story: Jesus Teaches About Loving Enemies Theme: We worship God by loving others March 17th Bible Story: Jesus Explains Why God Sent Him Theme: God saves us
March 24th Bible Story: Jesus Enters Jerusalem Theme: Our praise honors Jesus March 31st Bible Story: Jesus Is Alive Both Services Theme: Jesus lives
YOUTH NEWS from Vicar Gary
Kem and Joy Cunningham are now teaching the Youth/Young Adult Bible Study after church. If you don't know who they are, just ask me on Sunday and I will be happy to point them out or introduce them to you. They are both very friendly.
The Youth Group is available for “flocking” again, Ask about it. It’s fun to surprise (or shock) a friend with a yard full of flamingos when they wake up in the morning.
Kem and Joy Cunningham are now teaching the Youth/Young Adult Bible Study after church. If you don't know who they are, just ask me on Sunday and I will be happy to point them out or introduce them to you. They are both very friendly.
The Youth Group is available for “flocking” again, Ask about it. It’s fun to surprise (or shock) a friend with a yard full of flamingos when they wake up in the morning.
Sunday Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday
1 2 6 pm Youth Spaghetti Dinner
3 9 AM WORSHIP with Communion 10:30 Sunday School Youth Adult Bible Studies 5, 6 pm Sm. Groups
4 9 a.m. Bible Study in the Church House 12:30 Sm. Group Ch House 6 pm Sm. Group
5 9:30 Staff Meeting
6 12 noon CPR Group 6 pm Fellowship Supper 6:30 Lenten. Service
7
8 6-8 pm Family
Night
9 8 a.m. Men’s Breakfast 12 noon Women of Grace lunch and BUNCO @ Church Daylight Savings Time Set Clocks Ahead 1 hr. Tonite
10 9 AM WORSHIP 10:30 Sunday School Youth Adult Bible Studies 5, 6 pm Sm. Groups
11 9 a.m. Bible Study in the Church House 12:30 Sm. Group Ch House 6 pm Sm. Group
12 9:30 Staff Meeting
13 12 noon CPR Group 6 pm Fellowship Supper 6:30 Lenten. Service
14
15
16 Jr. Youth Bowl-ing @ Fresno State 12:15
17 9 AM WORSHIP with Communion 10:30 Sunday School Youth Adult Bible Studies 5, 6 pm Sm. Groups
18 9 a.m. Bible Study in the Church House 12:30 Sm. Group Ch House 6 pm Sm. Group
19 9:30 Staff Meeting 6:30 Gov. Board
20 12 noon CPR Group 6 pm Fellowship Supper 6:30 Lenten Service
21
22 Assemble Newsletter
23
24 9 AM WORSHIP 10:30 Sunday School Youth Adult Bible Studies 5, 6 pm Sm. Groups
25 9 a.m. Bible Study in the Church House 12:30 Sm. Group Ch House 6 pm Sm. Group
26 9:30 Staff Meeting
27 12 noon CPR Group
28 6:30 pm. Maundy Thurs. Service w/holy Communion
29 Good Friday Service at 6:30
30 EASTER EGG HUNT 1-3 pm
31 EASTER 7 AM SonRise Worship 7;45 Easter Breakfast 9 AM WORSHIP& Kid’s Chrch 10:30WORSHIP& Kid’s Chrch
If we have omitted your birth date or anniversary date or have the wrong date listed, please call the church office with the corrected information. Please accept our apology and HAVE A GREAT DAY IN THE LORD! THANK YOU.
March, 2013, Emmanuel Lutheran Church www.emmanuelc lov is .org
March 2013
March Birthdays 3/04 Bill Beekman 3/04 Gee Vue 3/06 Mario Lucero 3/07 Mary Ann Meyer 3/07 Sandy Wisener 3/08 Neil Hoppus 3/08 Vernon Meyer 3/09 Alyssa Daily 3/10 Libby Alexander 3/15 Judy Strickler 3/19 Andrew Vangsycha 3/21 Bob Hammond
Newsletter Deadline
March Anniversaries
Sandy & Jeff Witte 3/19/77 36 years
God’s Blessings and Our Congratulation’s
3/22 Janette Menard 3/25 Zeu Yang 3/26 Bailey Samper 3/27 Fabian Golden 3/28 Helene Kipp