The Messenger

Monthly news for Emmanuel Lutheran Church - Menominee, Michigan

SEPTEMBER 2018

8:00 a.m. worship service at Emmanuel

This month’s Messenger is

In thanks to God For

His many Blessings

From the Pastor

Brothers and Sisters in Christ: You could say that I’m a sucker for history. I minored in American History in college. I read about historical persons and events rather obsessively. My kids have often accused me (and rightly so) of using valuable vacation time to visit historical sites or to participate in historically significant experiences. Even when my wife Amy and I visit flea markets or antique shops, while Amy is looking for specific items for crafting or decorative purposes, I enjoy treating the place like a museum and not buying anything, but instead just taking a walk down memory lane as I look upon toys like the ones that I once owned (or wanted) or upon tools or utensils similar to ones that we had on the farm. And I think that this nod toward history has shaped me who I am as a person. I often quote or make reference to historical persons and moments when I preach. I use prominent historical persons as a guide for how I think and speak and act. To visit specific places that are mecca’s to me gives me a fulfilment that few other things do. But one of those things that do give me fulfilment are the words of scripture. So I find it somewhat ironic, that as a person who greatly appreciates history, that it would be easy to place the Bible on the pedestal of great historic artifacts, yet, that’s the last place it belongs. I mean, the oldest words of scripture are some 7000 odd something years old. Jesus himself walked as one of us over 2000 years ago. The biblical canon as we know it is over 1600 years old. All of this should qualify the Bible as serving a historical purpose. Yet the words flowing from scripture are as new and as fresh as the newest best-selling novel, because these words are a living word. Think about that. The words of scripture are a living word, which means, quite literally, that they are alive. Alive and breathing and present with us today. The only way in which the Word of God is not a living word is when the Word of God is contained within a closed Bible. Open the Bible and the words are free to be read, heard, experienced, and to enact hope and change in and about all of God’s people.

And as we transition into our fall programming season, there’s never been a better time to re-engage with this Living Word. For parents who have children in Sunday School and Confirmation, this is a wonderful time to learn alongside your student learner. In October, we traditionally give our third-grade students a new Bible, a gift of the church. For those seeking a deeper understanding of God’s word in their lives, Robin Gustafson will be hosting an adult forum on Monday evenings, open to all, titled, “Anxious for Nothing,” based on the best-selling Max Lucado book by the same name (I highly encourage that you consider being a part of this!). We’re always looking for persons willing to read in worship, a perfect opportunity to verbally proclaim the Word of God to God’s people gathered together. My friends, the Bible is a breathing and active presence in our lives of faith, and the last place the Bible belongs is in a museum, or, even on a bookshelf, for that matter. And so I invite you in the coming months to not only read your Bibles, but to do so with a fresh perspective. Let these words freely attach themselves to the world around you and what you’ll find is that the words of scripture are speaking specifically to you and for you. And you are not yet a part of history, but are very much God’s active hands in God’s active world. Right here, right now. In Christ,

Pastor Mark

I am still wanting your faith stories…..Thank you to those who have

contributed. They are powerful, to say the least, and paint a picture of

who we are as a worshiping community. But I would like to hear from

everyone, of all ages. Please take a few moments and write up a

paragraph or two of what Emmanuel means to you, what your faith

means to you, memories you have of Emmanuel, etc. I would very much

like to compile these stories as a testament to the power of Christ being

alive and active in this congregation. If you have any questions, please

contact me at the church office at 863-3431 or email me at

pastor2901@e-mmanuel.com. --Pastor Mark

Stewardship Message And whatever you do, in word or deed, do everything in the name of the

Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him. –Colossians

3:17

The priesthood of all believers has been characterized as Martin Luther’s

most underappreciated theological insight. Simply put, Luther observed

that God calls all Christians — not just pastors — to lives of holiness.

Every one of us, not just priests, accomplishes God’s holy work,

regardless of what we do for work, whether employed or working at

home.

It’s a simple idea, and one that certainly elevates our “job” to a new

status, but it can be hard to live out. Here are some tips:

Think disciple: You may know to be a disciple in church, but prayerfully

imagine how you can be a follower of Jesus at work, too!

Think excellence: There’s satisfaction in doing your best. Knowing that

your work is holy can provide not only incentive but also a satisfaction

boost.

Think relationship: They’re not just your co-workers, they’re also the

neighbors whom Christ commands us to serve and to love as ourselves.

Think service: Every workplace holds challenges for your employer,

coworkers and customers. How can your experience and gifts help?

Think priest: You are called to be a holy person 24/7. How does this

awareness invite you to change your behavior and attitude toward your

work?

We spend so much of our lives in our jobs, we can’t park our faith at the

door. Instead, we bring the light of Christ to the workplace as holy

people of God’s reign!

–Rob Blezard

Copyright © 2018, Rev. Robert Blezard. Reprinted by permission. Pastor

Blezard serves as an assistant to the bishop of the Lower Susquehanna

Synod and works as content editor for www.stewardshipoflife.org.

GOD’S GIFT TO ME . . . MY GIFT

TO GOD is the theme of our 2018 Fall

Stewardship message. September 23rd is

kick-off Sunday, and we will hear a

Temple Talk from Cookie Kramer

introducing our fall stewardship

message and events.

All we have comes from God – and God

calls us to share our blessings and to

care for all we have been given.

Stewardship is far more than following

some magical formula for giving – it is:

• Understanding that we need to give as much as we are able

• Giving of our time • Giving of our talents

• Giving of our treasure

• Realizing that as we give – so we will be given

We will be sharing more information in the weeks to come!

“Freely you have received, freely give.” Matthew 10:8

Join us for worship in the park and an old fashioned, potluck picnic. Festivities will be in pavilion #3 at Henes Park (where we had it last year). Worship will start at 10:00 a.m. Please bring your lawn chair. There will be games for the children, Bingo for the adults, and volleyball and horseshoes for the young at heart! There is no cost.

Brats, hot dogs, hamburgers, potato salad, bottled water, coffee and condiments will be provided. A sign-up sheet is available for those who wish to bring a dish to pass such as a hot dish, cold salad or dessert.

Emmanuel's Ministry of Music It’s almost fall which means it’s time for choir to

start up again! The senior choir will have their first

practice Wednesday September 5th at 6:30. Everyone is welcome to join.

I’d love to have a choir room full of beautiful voices and a church

blessed with musical worship! We rehearse every Wednesday during

the school year (with a few exceptions after Christmas and Easter) and

will sing every 2nd and 4th Sunday of the year. I have a lot of fun NEW

music picked out for this year along with a few favorites.

Children’s choir will start September 16th with rehearsals being

Sundays starting at about 9:05 (or whenever the 8:00 service is done) to

9:30. The children will sing about once a month depending on

attendance. This year, I will be having the children singing the Sunday

before Christmas instead of the Christmas Eve Service to better fit

everyone busy holiday schedule.

If you have any questions, please feel free to contact me

personally at 906-290-3801. I look forward to continuing to help lead

and grow our music.

Linda Davis

To order Sunday flowers With the recent closing of Everards Floral, Emmanuel now

receives our flowers from Jack’s Fresh Market in Menominee. The

cost remains the same, $20.00 for the two vases of flowers, if they

are flowers they have on hand. If you would like something

specific, they may charge more because they need to order them

from their supplier. For that reason, if you would like to order

specific flowers, you will need to go to Jack’s and order them and

pay for them there. We just ask that you sign up at church as you

always have, and let us know that you will be ordering so that we

do not call and double up the order. If you have any questions,

please contact Judy in the office.

Rally Day is almost here! It is an exciting time because it

is the start of our programming here at Emmanuel, and the coming

together of our members in worship experiences, learning

opportunities, service activities, and fellowship after a much

needed summer's break. We are revitalized and ready to engage in

activities that strengthen our relationship with God as well as with

each other.

This time of the year is also a time when we refocus our

attention on the faith formation of our children. Parents have the

most important role in influencing their child's faith, but the

ministries at Emmanuel are here to help support parents and

families by providing learning opportunities such as Sunday

school, confirmation classes, and Bible studies. In addition to

learning God's word through class room instruction, Emmanuel

provides faith building opportunities through service work,

fellowship, music, and worship leadership.

Emmanuel is committed to bringing quality faith building

opportunities to our youth and families. Please read through this

month's newsletter to learn about the exciting ministries that will

be starting up this fall.

September 15th

-16th

Camp Bird in Crivitz, Wisconsin

All incoming confirmation students, current confirmation students

and those who will be confirmed this October are welcome to

attend our annual Confirmation retreat. Registration forms have

been sent out to all confirmation students. If you did not receive

one, please contact the church office. A parent and student camp

orientation meeting regarding the retreat will be held on Sunday,

September 2nd

at 9:00 a.m.

Youth and Family Ministry

From the Director: Patti Treptow

Confirmation Classes

Parent and student confirmation class

orientation will be held on Sunday,

September 23rd at 11:00 a.m. in the sanctuary for all 7th

and 8th

graders. Overview of the confirmation program, class schedule,

and expectations will be reviewed.

Acolyte Training

An important component of worship leadership for all

confirmation students is acolyting. Acolyte training will be held

on Sunday, September 23rd

immediately following the 11:00 a.m.

confirmation orientation. This training is for all incoming 7th

grade

confirmation students and those 8th

graders who wish to have a

refresher.

Confirmation Worship Sheets and Service Activities All current confirmation students are reminded to continue turning

in your worship sheets. Church/Community Service Activity

reports are due September 30th. Progress reports will be emailed

to parents mid-October.

The Rite of Confirmation

Our students who have completed two years of

confirmation instruction will be confirmed on Reformation

Sunday, October 28th

, during the 10:00 a.m. worship service. A

cake and punch reception to celebrate our confirmands will follow

in the narthex.

Parents and confirmands mark your calendars for

Sunday, October 21st

at 11:00 a.m. for a pot luck luncheon in the

fellowship hall. Following our lunch, confirmands will be sized

for their gowns and do a run-through of the confirmation service.

A letter with more information will go out in October regarding

this milestone event in your student's faith formation.

Sunday School Sunday school classes start

on Sunday, September 16th

.

Because the 10:00 a.m. worship

service will be held at Henes Park

on Rally Sunday, we will not have

Sunday school on September 9th.

Families are invited to bring their children to our outdoor worship

and church picnic!

Regular Sunday school classes for children grades Pre-K

through 6th

grade start on Sunday, September 16th. All children

will attend the 10:00 a.m. worship service with their family and be

dismissed to their classrooms following the children’s sermon.

Again this year, we will have the popular monthly Bible

Story Sunday. Each first Sunday of the month from October

through May, the Sunday school children will gather in the

fellowship hall for devotions, singing, games, Bible story videos,

crafts, and snacks.

Please complete the registration form that is included in

this newsletter and return it to the church office even if you

completed one last year. The registration form may also be

downloaded from the church website.

Our Sunday school staff this year are:

PreK/Kindergarten – Jennifer Perket, Annamarie Jacobson

& Emma Laatsch

1st / 2

nd Grade – Karie Anderson & Rhyon Anderson

3rd

/4th

Grade – Margaret Stewart & Noah Miller

5th

/6th

Grade - Patti Treptow

Bible Story Sunday Team – Rachel Raygo, Sharon Ayers,

Kerry Delgoffe, & Patti Treptow

For the safety of our children, parents are asked to please come to

the classrooms to pick up their children following worship service.

With the school year

starting for our

children, we would

like them to go back

to school with God's

peace and protection

over them. On

Sunday, September

2nd

during our 10:00 a.m. worship, Emmanuel invites all of our

school age children to bring their backpacks and book bags to

worship and receive a blessing. We also invite any school teachers

to join us to receive a blessing as well on this as you carry out your

call to educate.

Emmanuel Youth Advisory

Council - GLOW All of Emmanuel's high school youth are invited

to join the Emmanuel Youth Advisory Council -

GLOW. Being a member of GLOW is a great

way to grow in faith and engage in fun and

meaningful activities. Please join us at our next meeting on Sunday,

September 2nd

at 11:00 a.m. at church in the Friendship Room.

The GLOW members will be having a retreat at Camp Bird on

September 15-16th. We will join the

Confirmation students for some

activities and meals, but our program

breakouts will be geared specifically to

our GLOW group. This time together

will give us an opportunity to plan our program year, grow in our faith,

and enjoy the beauty of nature. A letter explaining registration costs to

attend and permission forms was mailed out last month. An

informational meeting regarding the retreat will be held on September 2nd

at 9:00 a.m. in the church fellowship hall.

If you have not been an active member of GLOW, this is the

perfect time to join us! GLOW is open to all of Emmanuel high school

youth. For more information about GLOW or the fall retreat please

contact Patti Treptow or Pastor Mark.

On Sunday, August 5th,

Emmanuel participated in the

annual Waterfront Festival Parade.

With our theme "Polar

Blast….Jesus' love is cool", we let

our community know that Jesus

loves everyone. Thank you to our

float builders, those who walked

with our float, and those who cheered us on! A special thank you to

Dave and Karie Anderson of Frog Pond Realty for the use of their

garage, trailer, and vehicle to pull our float, and to Thrivent Financial for

their sponsorship.

ADULT CHRISTIAN EDUCATION

WEDNESDAY MORNING MEN’S GROUP

Join us each Wednesday, 7:30 a.m., at the Serving Spoon for a

time of fellowship with friends, sharing stories and enjoying a cup

of coffee. Bring a friend!

WOMEN’S MINISTRIES

The Sarah Circle will meet on Tuesday, September 11, at 1:00

p.m. hosted by Barb Anderson.

Seeking Enlightenment Group will be meeting on Thursday,

September 20, at 6:30pm. It is a time of sharing and encouraging

each other on our Christian journey, contact Robin Gustafson at

906-290-1003 for location details.

Fall Bible Study "Anxious for Nothing" Monday Evenings in the "Friendship Room"

6:30 p.m. - September 10th

- October 8th

Led by Robin Gustafson

God has a cure for your worries. In this five-

session video Bible study, Max Lucado

explores God's promises in Philippians 4:4-8

and shows that while anxiety is part of life, it doesn't have to

dominate it. Please join us as we learn how to stop letting anxiety

rule our day and find true calm and contentment in Christ.

OUR EMMANUEL FAMILY

BAPTIZED ON AUGUST 5. . .

Cora Grace Brown daughter of Kory & Melissa Brown with

Cora’s sponsors, Billy Navin and Mara Hendrickson

Nathan Joseph Eaton son of David & Melissa with Nathan’s

sponsors, Charles & Georgette Eaton , Kaylee Kriedeman and

Nicholas Kriedeman

Financial snapshot (through July 31, 2018) Your contributions: $148,778.90

Your approved budget amount: $146,202.55 Amount ahead of the approved budget: $2,576.35

“Ask a Funeral Director” On September 30

th at 11:30 a.m. Bethel will be hosting a meal

along with a time for you to “Ask a Funeral Director.” Funeral

directors Gary Cadieu and Nathan Anderson from Cadieu Funeral

Home will be on hand to answer any questions and provide advice

on how to pre-plan and think about the topic of funerals. Funerals

are a difficult prospect for us to consider, yet waiting until a loss

has occurred can be the most difficult time to make decisions. If

you plan on attending, please RSVP with Bethel (863-2066) or

Emmanuel Lutheran Church (863-3431). Thank you to Cadieu

Funeral Home for providing lunch, and Bethel’s funeral committee

for hosting the meal!

Would you like to see the photos that are in this month's Messenger in color? Check out Emmanuel's website and click on the newsletter link under "Our Work". You can find our website at www.e-mmanuel.com

Cup of Joe Ministry”

Everyone is invited to enjoy coffee, treats, and fellowship during

our 9:00 a.m. coffee hour between worship services in the narthex.

If you are interested in hosting the coffee hour by bringing in

treats, please sign up in the narthex.

Church Nursery

Parents, you are invited to have your

children with you during worship, we

welcome them! However, if you would

prefer, our church nursery will be

available and staffed by Anna

Slawinski during the 10:00 a.m.

worship service starting Sunday, September 16th.

Worship on Wednesdays

Our next WOW! will take place on Wednesday, September 19th, in the

church fellowship hall 6:00-6:30 pm. This interactive family-style

worship will feature family friendly songs and liturgy, complete with

Holy Communion. As an added fellowship experience, we will share

in a potluck supper prior to worship at 5:30. Emmanuel will provide

the main dish and drinks, and we ask that if you would like to join us,

that you bring a simple dish to pass. After we conclude supper, we will

praise God! If you are unable to be in worship on Sunday or simply

desire a mid-week alternative, please consider joining us to worship God

in this engaging and fun way.

SUNDAY MORNINGS AT EMMANUEL Worship at

8:00 & 10:00am Nursery care provided at 10:00am

Sunday School at 10:00am

CONTACT US:

Phone: (906) 863-3431 Fax: (906) 863-4193

Email: mail@e-mmanuel.com Council President, Debbie Villas

Email: elcpresident@e-mmanuel.com or

Visit us on the Web at www.e-mmanuel.com Follow us on Facebook at

Emmanuel Lutheran Church Menominee Michigan ELCA

Pastor The Rev. Mark Laatsch - Cell Phone: 906-424-0003

Email: pastor2901@e-mmanuel.com

Director of Youth & Family Ministry Mrs. Patti Treptow

Church Secretary Mrs. Judy Raygo

Custodian- inside Mrs. Carol Parrish Custodian – outside Mr. Lee Parrish

We are a congregation of the Northern Great Lakes Synod Evangelical Lutheran Church in America