Immanuel Lutheran Church / September 2019Page 1

The Juniper TreeA publication of Immanuel Lutheran Church, Easton, MarylandSeptember 2019

Sunday Morning Classes Resume forAll Ages on September 8thDuring the summer months our Sunday School staff has taken a well-

deserved reprieve from weekly classes. The Adult Bible Class hascontinued to meet, looking at how we got the Bible and at what someconsider to be “lost books” that they believe should have made it inour Bibles. Classes for all ages will resume on Sunday, September 8th, at9:45 AM.

Our lower grade students, up through Middle School classes, will firstmeet in Room 112 for a Sunday School Opening. Linda Brown willagain faithfully lead the opening singing and introduction to the day’stheme. Amanda Clougherty will help provide accompaniment as she’savailable.

Carol Frampton and Lynn Hildenbrand will teach the elementary-age students in room 109, dividing up the classes between them based

on the students’ ages. Sharon Pahlman will teach the Middle School classfor 6th — 8th graders in room 114. Those classes are using the new CPHEnduring Faith Sunday School materials. We’ll be providing weekly blurbsabout what those classes will be studying in our weekly bulletins.

They’ll begin, appropriately enough, “In the beginning” with Creation. Thefirst lesson is entitled “A Mighty Wonder.” In six days—through His spoken

Word alone—the heavenly Father creates a universe so vast andcomplex it defies our limited human understanding. Humankind, thecrown of His creation, made in His own image, comes to be throughthe intimate work of His hands and with His own breath. Parents areencouraged to discuss the wonders of God’s creation with your family.

We’re looking forward to the beginning of these new classes with thesenew materials!

Val Greene will again lead the Youth Bible Class, using room 111.This group will use materials entitled Daily Discipleship, which takesup the appropriate Sunday’s Gospel lessons, seeks to unpack them,

and then apply them to the lives of each participant. We encourage all youthto join in being built up in your own life of discipleship and learn how toapply it to the lives of others, too.

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Pastor Jim will teach an in-depth study of Mark’s Gospel in room 105. OnSunday, September 8th, he’ll offer the introduction to this study to help set

the stage for what’s to come. Topics will include its author (who isMark), the setting (the life situation into which the Gospel waswritten), major themes, and viewpoint.

On the following Sunday, September 15th, the class will begin itsverse-by-verse walk through Mark’s Gospel. After completing eachsection of the text, Pastor Jim will pause his in-depth treatment ofthe text to take class observations and questions. We encourage allparticipants to bring their own Bibles, with your favoritetranslation, to the study.

With classes offered for all ages we have a place for each and everyone of you to be built up in your life of discipleship. We hope you’lljoin the appropriate class that you might help be equipped to joinJesus in His continuing mission of redemption and restoration.

Remember, we’re “in here” (in our various classes) not just for ourselves, butfor “out there” (for those who still need a relationship with their FatherGod). T

Youth Confirmation Class Moves toWednesdays

Our youth confirmation classes are set toresume this Fall. We’ll continue using the newset of class materials we began using last year,but have another change of class day and time.

Concordia Publishing House has produced anupdated Luther’s Small Catechism withExplanation in 2017. We’re using the VisualEdition of Luther’s Small Catechism released lastyear as a Catechism for this class. As our studywe’ll be using the 60-Lesson Catechism Studythat was also new last year. Since we completedthe first thirty lessons last year, our goal is tofinish the second thirty this year.

This year we’ll cover the Lord’s Prayer (10

The Juniper Tree is prepared monthly for people who, like Elijah, find themselves somewhere sitting under a “Juniper Tree” facinglife’s frustrations... exhausted, broken, perhaps even wishing for death as Elijah did. These pages are offered to encourage, tostrengthen, to build up, to challenge, to inform, to share the Word of God and to offer opportunities for Christian growth here atImmanuel. May you grow in God’s peace and grace as you walk with Him this month.The Juniper Tree is published by Immanuel Lutheran Church, Easton, MD. Copyright © 2019 by Immanuel Lutheran Church. Allrights reserved. All submissions for the The Juniper Tree newsletter are due on the 15th of the month prior to its publication. Thisallows us to publish the newsletter by the last Sunday of the month. We prefer them in an electronic format but do accept printedsubmissions. Unless otherwise noted, all pictures are by PJKreft.

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Immanuel Lutheran Church / September 2019Page 3

lessons), the Means of Grace (12 lessons on Baptism, Confession and theOffice of the Keys, and Holy Communion), and the Christian life (8 lessonson Daily Prayers, Table of Duties, and more).

Due to class member schedule conflicts we’ve moved class from Mondays toWednesdays from 4:30 – 6:00 PM. Our first class will be held onWednesday, September 11th. We will not have a class Sunday morning, butwill have a “regular” Sunday School class for them. As noted elsewhere,Sharon Pahlman has once again agreed to teach that age group.

Our goal is that these materials will give our students a foundation on whichto base their journey of faith and discipleship to become mature in theirfaith and faith life. T

Senior Men’s Bible StudyThe Senior Men’s Bible Study Group has been meeting in Immanuel’sLibrary for the past sixteen years, every Tuesday morning at 8:00 A.M. Weare presently studying the Augsburg Confession and the Apology of the

Augsburg Confession.

Over the years we have studied a number ofOld Testament and New Testament booksand have grown in the Faith. At times wealso work on particular subjects, such as:The Law and the Gospel, The Holy Spirit,The Office of the Keys, etc. We have readand studied a number of Christian books,such as Lee Strobel’s The Case For Christ andEmerging Brave NewWorld, which dealswith the sanctity of life.

All of the members of our group are retiredprofessionals who have had successfulcareers as well as having served as officers inthe Church. We are so attached to what wedo as a group that we are careful not to

schedule other appointments on Tuesday morning and work our calendarsaround Bible Study.

And, just as important, we are more than a Bible Study group because weare required, at times, to support one another as we encounter life’sproblems. When necessary we are able to mobilize and assist the church withseasonal needs such as volunteering to serve dinners during Lent and AdventServices, etc. We have a dedicated alumni that we keep track of via e-mail.

We would like others to join us on Tuesday mornings All that is necessary isthat you bring yourself and your Bible. For more information contact FredHink at 702-819-7249. T

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get food. People who’ve been there have said those disciples would have hadto go right past this woman as she went out to the well and they went into

town.

When she got to the well, that day she had an experience ofJesus that transformed her life. Then she went back intotown to tell everyone. She was now a disciple seeking todisciple others! She simply told others what happened toher.

What’s amazing to me is that Jesus’ disciples walked rightpast this woman — again! — as she was going into townand they were going back to the well. When they got thereJesus said, “Listen to what I’m telling you: Open your eyes andlook at the fields, because they are ready for harvest” (John4:35b CSB).

You need to do the same thing. Open your eyes! As youwalk out into a new day, simply ask, “Jesus what are You up

to today? And how would You have me join You?”

That, my friends, is where we need to start. With open hearts and eyes. Jesusis still on His mission of redemption and reconciliation. And He invites —no, more than that, He calls us, He commissions us — to join Him on themission trip that He’s already on right in all of your neighborhoods.

Will you join Him in it? Your neighbors need what He offers, both for nowand for eternity.

Regards, in Christ,Pastor JimI help you find your place in God’s story.T

Operation Christmas Child PackingParty to be held September21st!

This year’s Vacation Bible School mission project and SundaySchool offerings brought in donations for Operation Christmas

Child. As promised, we will have a Packing Party to fill theshoeboxes. We will meet in the Fellowship Hall for the

Packing Party on Saturday, September 21st. We will begin at11:00 AM and expect to finish by 12:30 PM.

The Packing Party will include packing 80 shoeboxes, hearing a fewstories of people who received shoeboxes, and a meal. With the help

of Thrivent’s Hands and Hearts on a Mission, lunch will be provided! Afree-will donation will be accepted and funds raised will finish paying for

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Immanuel Lutheran Church / September 2019Page 7

items in the shoeboxes as well as help cover the suggested donation of $9 perbox.

Many thanks to Sharon Pahlman, Lynn Hildenbrand, LouDiefenderfer, and Cindy Kreft who have been shopping the salesall year to get items to fill the shoeboxes. Also thanks to Nancy &Dave Melchior and our Youth who will finish buying the neededitems!

If you would like to make a donation to this mission project,please make checks out to Immanuel Lutheran Church with VBSMission on the memo line. If you have any items for boxes, pleaseturn them in no later than September 1st.

To make sure we have enough food for all attending the PackingParty, we ask that you sign-up by Sunday, September 8th, if youplan to attend. A sign-up sheet is on the door to the office, youmay leave a message with the office staff, or you may email CindyKreft at kreft@verizon.net. Everyone is invited to attend. We hope

to see you there!

As in previous years, Operation Christmas Child shoeboxes will be availablethe first of October for those who want to fill their own box. T

Right for Life Crosses to go upAgain this year Immanuel’s property along Highway 50 will be used to

display Talbot County Right to Life’s crosses. To give you alittle background, here’s a portion of the letter from LouiseWalter, Right to Life’s President, requesting ourparticipation again this year:

“We thank your congregation so very much for yoursupport of life issues and Talbot County Right to Life. Wehave had a display of crosses at Immanuel Lutheran Churchduring the ‘40 Days for Life’ since 2009. This displayconsists of 600 crosses with each cross representing fivebabies aborted each day in our nation.”

The cross display will be from Saturday, September 21st,until Saturday, November 2nd. Perhaps you can stop and

offer a prayer for those whose lives have been affected by abortion. T

Did you know that…… the outside sign to the left of the main entrance has been renewed? Thework was done by Robert Gladney through the impetus of the Board of

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Page 10 Immanuel Lutheran Church / September 2019

September Birthdays, BaptismalBirthdays, and WeddingAnniversariesSeptember Birthdays

Jason Baynard ..............................................................9/3Tom Harmon ...............................................................9/5

Val Greene................................................................9/7Michele Gant ...........................................................9/7Cindy Kreft............................................................9/18Micheline Shipley..................................................9/18Neil Andersen ........................................................9/22Kimberly Keeney...................................................9/22Barbara Galloway ..................................................9/22Colin Baynard .......................................................9/24Ann Canty .............................................................9/24Alexis Littlepage ....................................................9/25Kaleb Fluharty ......................................................9/26Judy Garber ...........................................................9/26

Doris Zebley ..............................................................9/27

September Baptism BirthdaysHilde Ney.....................................................................9/1Judy Kohn....................................................................9/1Linda Jefferson ............................................................9/4Lisa Greene ..................................................................9/6Mark Mildenberger ...................................................9/10Jason Baynard ............................................................9/11Idabelle Neal ..............................................................9/13Joanne Smith .............................................................9/17Christopher Baynard .................................................9/26Frederick Hink ..........................................................9/27James Middleton........................................................9/28Connor Saulsbury .....................................................9/28

September Wedding AnniversariesJason & Casey Baynard ...............................................9/7Tim & Sue Frey..........................................................9/17Doug & Julia Rian.....................................................9/23Herman & Linda Heinlein ........................................9/25Ken & Emma Jean Morgan .......................................9/28

Immanuel Lutheran Church / September 2019Page 11

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Page 12 Immanuel Lutheran Church / September 2019

Immanuel Lutheran Church7215 Ocean GatewayEaston, MD 21601-4605ImmanuelEaston.orgImmanuel@goeaston.net410-822-5665

September 2019 The JuniperTree monthly newsletter

If we walk in the light as He Himselfis in the light, we have fellowshipwith one another, and the blood ofJesus His Son cleanses us from allsin – 1 John 1:7 CSB.