The Go The Good News MARCH 2018

EMMANUEL LUTHERAN CHURCH

2218 E. Kessler Blvd., Longview, WA 98632 ■ 360-423-3250 ■ Website: elclongview.com

Our goal: “To know Christ and to make His love known”

Easter is one of those odd holy days that falls on a different date every year. In 325CE, the Council of Ni-caea established that Easter would be held on the first Sunday after the first full moon occurring on or after the vernal equinox. That means that Easter can occur as ear-ly as March 22nd or as late as April 25th. While that might lead to some difficulty trying to plan your Easter celebra-tion, I like the fact that the date for Easter Sunday varies from year to year. I like it most of all, because that means Easter will almost always fall during Jewish Passover, just as it did on that first Resurrection Day. But I also like Easter’s ever-changing dates because it helps me to think we are to celebrate Easter every day.

In our scripture passage from Luke, the angels said to the women, “Why do you look for the living among the dead? 6 He is not here; he has risen!” That is the thought I need to celebrate every day of my life: JESUS CHRIST IS ALIVE! HE IS NOT DEAD! HE HAS RISEN! AND VERY SOON, HE IS COMING BACK! WILL HE FIND ME READY?

Jesus’s resurrection fills me with hope. It reminds me of Christ’s promise to all believers in John 3:16: For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. If I keep the truth of Easter in my heart and mind every day, I don’t have to fear death for myself or for those I love because I know God keeps His promises. I know all who died believing in Jesus will be with Him for all eternity; and when He returns in all His glory, we will be given our glorious new resurrection bod-ies.

The main reason I want to celebrate Easter every day is because I need to constantly remind myself that I live daily in the power of the resurrection. When I said, “Yes,” to Jesus Christ, He filled me with the Holy Spirit. The apostle Paul reminds us in Romans 8:11 the Spirit of him who raised Jesus from the dead is living in us! That means I know these things are true: He (God) anointed us, set his seal of ownership on us, and put his Spirit in our hearts as a deposit, guaranteeing what is to come. (2 Cor. 1:21b-22) I don’t have to won-der any more whose I am because: The Spirit himself testifies with our spirit that we are God’s children. (Romans 8:16) I don’t have worry about being able to understand God’s Word or about remembering what Je-sus told me because: the Advocate, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you all things and will remind you of everything I have said to you. (John 14:26) I don’t have to worry about knowing the truth or being prepared for the future be-cause: when he, the Spirit of truth, comes, he will guide you into all the truth. He will not speak on his own; he will speak only what he hears, and he will tell you what is yet to come. (John 16:13) I hope you will join me in celebrating Easter every day and walking in Christ’s resurrection power every day of your life!

Happy Lenten Season and Easter! Love, Pastor Dave

“Easter Every Day” By Pastor Dave

On the first day of the week, very early in the morning, the women took the spices they had prepared and went

to the tomb. 2 They found the stone rolled away from the tomb, 3 but when they entered, they did not find the

body of the Lord Jesus. 4 While they were wondering about this, suddenly two men in clothes that gleamed like

lightning stood beside them. 5 In their fright the women bowed down with their faces to the ground, but the men

said to them, “Why do you look for the living among the dead? 6 He is not here; he has risen! Remember how he

told you, while he was still with you in Galilee: 7 ‘The Son of Man must be delivered over to the hands of sinners,

be crucified and on the third day be raised again.’ ” 8 Then they remembered his words. Luke 24:1-8

2

EMMANUEL LUTHERAN CHURCH Profit & Loss Statement

As of January 2018

FINANCE COMMENTARY After a fantastic December offering, we took

quite a dip in giving which is normal for January. Our general fund income was $36,667.56 while our operating and program expenses were $45,542.16 for a deficit of $8,874.60. With our 2018 Funding Forecast of $507,603.00 our month-ly expenses breakdown into an average of $42,300.00 per month. As you know, the expenses of the church fluctuate with the seasons, and with the winter cold and darkness, our electric bill was $2,421.80 for January which isn’t bad since we have had such a warm January. We continue to maintain a positive bank balance in our operating account. Thank you for your continued support of Emmanuel’s vision of “Building God’s Kingdom through intentional discipleship.”

February 14, 2018

“For God so loved the world that he gave his one and on-ly son, that whoever be-lieves in him should not per-ish but have everlasting life.” I’m writing this on Valentine’s Day – a great time to remind ourselves of God’s great love for us.

We have experienced his love recently through his answers to your prayers. Tom’s sur-gery went well. His surgeon says there is no need at this time for further treatment. He’s recovering quickly enough so that we can go to our staff re-treat next week. Tom’s mother, Evelyn, has moved to a wonderful assisted living facility only 15 minutes from us, and she’s settling in well.

Thanks for your gifts of love – your prayer and financial support for our ministry of Bible translation!

Mary Mary and Tom Holman

“If our hopes of building a better and safer world are to become more than wishful think-ing, we will need the engagement of volun-teers more than ever.” — Kofi Annan

Jan 18

Income

50000 · GENERAL FUND

50100 · General Fund Offerings

50101 · General Offerings 29,022.80

50103 · Facility Use 800.00

Total 50100 · General Fund Offer- 29,822.80

50150 · Other Income

50152 · Special Bulletins 17.50

Transfer from Assist Pastor Sav- 6,827.26

Total 50150 · Other Income 6,844.76

Total 50000 · GENERAL FUND 36,667.56

Total Income 36,667.56

Gross Profit 36,667.56

Expense

60000 · PAYROLL EXPENSES

66100 · PASTORAL STAFF 13,971.86

66200 · SUPPORT STAFF 12,270.24

66300 · PROGRAM STAFF 3,263.87

60000 · PAYROLL EXPENSES - Oth- 2,854.81

Total 60000 · PAYROLL EXPENSES 32,360.78

61000 · OPERATING EXPENSES

61100 · CHURCH OPERATIONS 3,441.35

61400 · PHYSICAL CAMPUS 4,902.60

Total 61000 · OPERATING EXPENSES 8,343.95

62000 · MINISTRY PROGRAMS

62400 · PARISH EDUCATION 9.70

62600 · WORSHIP & MUSIC 1,169.18

62700 · YOUTH 386.47

Total 62000 · MINISTRY PROGRAMS 1,565.35

69000 · MISSIONS/OUTREACH 3,272.08

Total Expense 45,542.16

Net Income -8,874.60

3

As winter approached we managed to clear the last of the fall leaves from the grounds and gutters. We had All American Roof Restoration ap-ply a zinc de-mossing agent on the roofs. Ron Baake installed a sheet metal patch alongside the sanctu-ary foundation where

we found downspout water running under the church. Kim Long had the outside entry doors re-keyed as an added measure to train users on coding the system and improve church security. She had Church Mutual install on-line moisture and temperature sensors to alert us via email to guard against water damage. Other than that, we ducked inside .

So as temperatures were cooling outdoors, the activity heated up indoors. We found an awakening in a number of individuals that came forth to volun-teer their time and resources. In lock-step with the Facilities Enhancement Team this group assisted in painting, de-cluttering, installing shelving and gen-eral sprucing up. A tremendous amount of useable and unusable items were gathered up and organized, donated, set aside for the Haiti rummage sale or dis-posed of. A list of fixes two pages long has been rec-orded. It has to be pointed out that Sunnie Fortin and Marlys Ericksen teamed up to push a great deal of this work through. The rooms for Family Promise had been emphasized. That being rooms E19, E20, E21,and the Youth room. At this rate Emmanuel will be ready when the families arrive.

In regard to an influx of work requests it has been decided to resurrect the work order system. Forms can be supplied at request in the church office. This way work can be prioritized, and will be harder to forget to do .

We encountered some mechanical issues this winter, as well.

We addressed the Fellowship Hall kitchen dish-washer booster heater. The pressure relief valve opened and flooded the kitchen during a community dinner night. The booster heater was checked out and replacing the faulty relief valve was the only thing required. Thanks to Pete Crosby and Tom Fortin for assisting this repair. Ron Baake has extended the drain line to a safer location to isolate the hot water that surges out when the relief valve opens and in-stalled a more assessable shutoff valve.

We also replaced both bearings to the sanctuary gas furnace blower fan after office staff reports of an

unusual noise. We discovered the shaft to the fan had a worn spot during repairs. Fortunately, it has been determined the shaft still has enough strength to drive the blower fan. In any event, a new shaft will be ma-chined and be on site if ever it shows signs of immi-nent failure. Many thanks to Dale Williamson, Pete Crosby, and Ron Baake for handling this. Dale will lubricate the bearings on a set schedule which coin-cides with those times he inspects the emergency exit lights.

As a result, we are searching for someone with the millwrighting skills and knowledge to consult us and/or facilitate the repair if needed. If you know of someone please let us know.

Also, it’s hoped you have noticed that the lounge bi-fold doors are easier to open and close and have been painted. The men's lounge bathroom sports a changing table. The Eternal Flame is a low voltage light now and is suspended with new rope. This change was to avoid a possible fire. Some sanctuary pillars have been re-stained. Buckling sheetrock lo-cated just inside the Ed Building main floor leading downstairs has been re-finished thanks to Marlys Er-icksen. The bathroom receptacles throughout are ground fault protected now. This was requested by Church Mutual, our insurer. All hot water tanks are equipped with earthquake straps by their request , as well.

We are planning for upcoming spring and sum-mer projects. Expect notice of a spring work party. Spring is the best time to prune our shrubbery.

We are entertaining bids from Primarius Elevator to upgrade the Fellowship Hall elevator. The safety gate is a hopeful improvement at this time . It poses a pinch point hazard since it doesn't have an adequate handle for opening and closing. The gate can pop out of position causing the elevator to stop in between floors. They are presenting a number of solutions that we are examining.

It has been proposed that a shower stall be in-stalled on the 3rd floor of the Ed Building, largely be-cause it would help for Family Promise.

This summer we are considering replacing the extremely weathered siding on the Education Build-ing. This has been on the books to do for several years. Cost is being considered, as well as, how it will be taken care of. A real savings could be realized if volunteers are available. Please let us know if you are interested in helping.

Thank you for your support and input.

God bless,

Don Conway

Physical

Campus

Team has

completed

many winter

projects

4

Important Dates in March

Date: Event: Location: Time:

Monday, March 5th Lenten Worship Service Frontier Rehab Center 2:15 PM

1500 3rd Avenue, Longview

Tuesday, March 6th Deacons’ Meeting Pastor Dave’s Office 5:15 PM

Saturday, March 10th Free Community Meal Fellowship Hall 6:00 PM

Monday March 12th Lenten Worship Service Highlander Place 2:00 PM

114 Corduroy Road, Kelso

Thursday, March 15th Prayer Vigil Begins Sanctuary 8:00 PM

Friday, March 16th Prayer Vigil Ends Sanctuary 8:00 PM

Friday, March 16th Haiti Mission Team Departs Parking Lot 5:00 PM

Monday, March 19th Lenten Worship Service Somerset 2:00 PM

2025 Tibbetts Drive, Longview

Monday, March 19th Council Meeting Fireside Room 6:00 PM

Tuesday, March 20th Family Promise Robert Gray Baptist 7:00 PM

Community Meeting Fellowship Hall

Monday, March 26th Lenten Worship Service Park Royal Health & Rehab 2:00 PM

910 16th Avenue, Longview

Thursday, March 29th Maundy Thursday Service Sanctuary 7:00 PM

Fri., March 30th Good Friday Community Service

Longview Community Church Noon

Fri., March 30th Good Friday Service Sanctuary 7:00 PM

Help Cover our Haiti Mission Team in Prayer

Next Prayer Vigil: March 15th-16th, 8:00 PM—8:00 PM

Please join us in praying for our Haiti Mission Team and for their ministry in Twamango. We will also be praying for Family Promise, the schools in our community, the Body of Christ in the Kelso-Longview area, and for God’s hand of protection, provision, and prosperity to be upon our region. Please find a prayer partner and sign up for an hour slot or more. The Prayer Vigil runs from Thurs-day, March 15th to Friday, March 16th, 8:00 PM to 8:00 PM. Thank you in advance for your prayer support.

5

From PASTOR ERIK

“Digging Deeper

into Discipleship” I’m excited to report that the strong start to our

“Daring Discipleship” training has continued, with our numbers remaining steady throughout the past 2 months. I’ve been so encouraged and inspired to hear testimonies of our members being daring in their dis-cipleship. While stepping out in faith can definitely be daunting, it seems as though it has helped to do so with the support and encouragement of others. While it’s been a privilege for me to offer the teaching at our trainings, the greatest joy for me has been hear-ing those testimonies. Our “Daring Discipleship” training will run through March 18, and even if you have yet to join us, please still feel free to do so as discipleship is meant to be a lifelong endeavor, ex-tending far beyond the duration of this training. So if “Daring Discipleship” is drawing to an end this month, what’s coming next, you may ask?

Pastor Dave and I wrestled with whether to con-tinue the training throughout the remainder of the year or to offer another option for the final 8 weeks. While we definitely foresee “Daring Discipleship” picking back up at some point, we felt compelled at this point to offer another option with Clyde Howe at the helm, as he had expressed interest in taking on another teaching opportunity. I’m really looking for-ward to this, as Clyde will be leading an 8-week course on the Lord’s Prayer. The reasons I believe this will be a worthwhile endeavor for us as a congre-gation, aside from the fact that Clyde is simply such a gifted teacher, are twofold. The first reason being that prayer has, unfortunately, been somewhat ne-glected during our “Daring Discipleship” sessions because of time, so following up our training with a focused study of prayer seems like the right move. (Not only that, but Clyde intends to help us see that the Lord’s Prayer can equally be identified as the Disciple’s Prayer, since He taught it to the Twelve for them to use as they sought to live as His Disci-ples, and the same remains true for us). The other reason being that there’s obviously been a bit of con-troversy around here surrounding changes to the Lord’s Prayer, so we’re confident that Clyde’s study will help to shed additional light on the Prayer and its use, which will then allow us to walk forward in uni-ty. I hope you’ll plan to join us for this course, which will kick off on March 25th (Palm Sunday) and run through May 20th.

Finally, an update on the Facility Enhancement Team front. Our current focus continues to be on up-dating/organizing the kitchen off the Lounge in order to make it a more attractive and efficient space. Our team is excited to give that space a much-needed facelift, and we hope that doing so will lead to the kitchen being utilized even more by the various min-istries here at Emmanuel.

In His Name,

Pastor Erik

“How wonderful it is that nobody need wait a single moment before starting to improve the world.” –Anne Frank

“Being good is commendable, but only when it is combined with doing good is it useful.” – Author Unknown

(Editor’s note: This is a new column that will appear

monthly. If your Emmanuel team or church group needs

volunteer help for an on-going project or for a special one

time or limited time event, here’s the place to ask for help.

Send your help wanted ads to nordic@cni.net).

●

We are looking for someone with some basic computer

skills to input attendance once a month. We have a volun-

teer computer in the office for you to use. Kim will teach

you the skills needed to input attendance into our data-

base system. If you are interested, please contact Kim in

the church office, 360-423-3250.

6

Spring Cleaning

Ed Building supply room cleaned and organized

Have you heard about our craft, holiday, office

supply and education resource room? Development

of an inventoried central supply room is almost com-

plete.

LOCATION: The end room on the top floor

of the Ed building

SORT: Volumes of similar items from all

rooms

ORGANIZE: Most items are on open shelves

or in labeled cabinets

RE-PURPOSE: Crafts can be created on the

table in the supply room.

MAXIMIZE SPACE: Cut the clutter ; hang-ing large flip charts Also, the three top floor closets have been re-

organized.

1) Future linens for Family Promise

2) Christmas Pageant costumes and props

3) Basic party supplies: streamers, plastic ta-

blecloths, votives, baskets, miscellaneous

décor and coat rod

YOUTH ROOM:

1) Outdoor recreation games for VBS, picnics

or events at your home

2) Indoor parlor or board games

3) Past Vacation Bible School décor and some

curriculum planning kits

We have an overstock on some supplies. There’s

no room at the inn for more crayons, colored pencils,

rulers, #2 pencils, felt pens, glitter, a variety of sizes

in 3-ring binders, and foam stickers with kits ready to

assemble.

Our realistic goal is to make use of surplus in

lieu of additional purchases for Emmanuel events.

May the blessings of this abundance be multiplied to

give God glory.

Please offer suggestions.

Marlys Ericksen

360-957-5139

FISH served 360 people in February

Emmanuel FISH team mem-bers served 109 families including 229 adults and 131 children for a total 360 during the February 13-16 distribution

The next Emmanuel FISH distribution will be on April 17-20 with Bob and Cindy Swan in charge.

Most urgent needs: peanut butter, pasta, canned fruit, tomatoes, and vegetables, macaroni and cheese, toilet paper, cereal, powdered laundry soap and hand soap.

Please leave donations in the food barrel in the Narthex. The closet in the kitchen will soon not be available for FISH donations.

A special acknowledgement to our wonderful volunteers. We appreciate you!

Thank you for your continued outstanding sup-port of FISH.

Your FISH Team

7

KESSLER SCHOOL

January 23, 2018

Christmas fun

I would love to thank members of all of the churches and organizations that gave to our Kessler families this past season. It was a great success. Here are some things we heard while making deliver-ies:

Residents at one house told us they were down to their last box of macaroni and cheese. When the students came back to school, my husband was in the classroom of the child from that home, who stood up in front of the class and thanked him for bringing food to them.

A mom today came and told me they didn’t have milk or food that day. She was thankful we showed up.

One family didn’t have anything for their children for Christmas and told me they didn’t need help but I had it ready anyway. I got a call two days before Christmas and I told them it was taken care of already.

Then there was another family to whom we delivered Christmas gifts and they had only what we gave them.

Without all the great donations from our community, it would not have been possible to help these families.

With contributions from the Nazarene Church, Emmanuel Lutheran, private donors, teachers on staff and FISH, I have never had so much help for the holidays for families.

Here are the numbers of people we served:

16 families / 38 children – gifts and stockings

29 families / 57 children – food boxes and probably a few more.

We had some who didn’t need everything in the box we delivered so we would use these items for donations at more houses. We gave some of the following items in the boxes to the families. It was great. We took all the seats out of my van and had sections of food in the back. We filled the boxes at each stop. That way, people had a choice if there was something they didn’t need or want. Most of the time they took what we delivered.

Spaghetti sauce, noodles, ground beef

Manwich sauce, ground beef, bun

Pancake mix 10lb bags, 1 bottle of syrup

1 pkg 80 chicken nuggets

1 pkg 90 pizza rolls

1 pkg burritos 12- 24 depending of family size

1-2 gallons milk

1 lg bag cereal

2 pkg peanut butter crackers

2 cans ravioli

2-4 cans spaghetti O’s

10 boxes Mac and Cheese

String Cheese 6

Thank you so much,

Alisa Shipley

Kessler Elementary Family Liaison

8

9

Congratulations to Emmanuel folks with

MARCH BIRTHDAYS

Mar. 5 — William Johnson

Mar. 5 — Jolene Posch

Mar. 5 — Andrew Bond

Mar. 8 — Aaron Clemetson

Mar. 9 — Peggy Burback

Mar. 9 — Maggie Dick

Mar. 10 — Steve Moore

Mar. 11 — Bonnie Sethre

Mar. 12 — Nancy Rausch

Mar. 13 — Dennis Underwood

Mar. 16 — Karen Hardecker

Mar. 16 — Pastor Erik Gravrock

Mar. 20 — Mary Chase

Mar. 21 — Don Conway

Mar. 21 — Thomas Hensley

Mar. 23 — Jaycelane Fortin

Mar. 24 — Allison Herrera

Mar. 25 — Ann Williamson

Mar. 25 — Scott Maple

Mar. 25 — Cassidy Clemetson

Mar. 26 — Derene Salzsieder

Mar. 27 — Esther Nordin

Mar. 27 — Odis Aubol

Mar. 28 — Nancy Westlund

Mar. 29 — Christine Nelson

Mar. 30 — Grayson Gravrock

Mar. 30 — Kasen Mowery

Mar. 31 — Beth Gilhuly

Mar. 31 — Brent Clemetson

2017 MISSIONAL GIVING In 2017 we continued to tithe ten percent of our general offerings on a monthly basis for a total of $$52,120.94. In addition to this ten percent, we received and supported missions an additional twelve percent over our budgeted amount or $61,944.86. This resulted in a total mission giving of $114.65.80. Emmanuel continues to be the light of God's love to those in need of help and

hope.

3 Rivers Int'l House of Prayer 3,222.86

CAP-Meals on Wheels 1,500.00

Caring Pregnancy Center 500.00

Community Dinners 1,200.00

Community Dinners Fund 817.13

Community Health Partners 2,400.00

Community House 4,200.41

Cowlitz Chaplaincy 2,000.00

Disaster Relief 2,495.00

Emergency Support Shelter 1,700.00

Faith Comes By Hearing 650.00

Family Promise Fund 2,472.00

Fish Fund 5,410.06

Funeral Aid 998.25

Haiti Team Missions 32,108.30

Haiti's Children, Inc. 1,400.00

Harlie's Angels 992.33

Kessler Elementary School Fund 1,802.01

Laundry Love 323.50

LCMC Mission Church Loan Fund 399.97

LCMC Support 1,200.00

Love INC 10,400.00

Loving Shepherd Ministries 734.54

Lutheran Indian Ministry Scholarship Fund 3,600.15

Lutheran Bible Translators 8,675.00

Lutheran Indian Missions 1,400.00

Lutheran World Relief 800.00

Military Support Fund 114.46

Mission Aid Discretionary Acct 4,994.25

Mission Tithe Account 13,960.12

Penny Pals 669.96

Saturday Homeless Feeding Ministry 551.54

Short Term Missions 373.96

114,065.80

10

Return Service Requested

Emmanuel Lutheran Church

2218 E. Kessler Blvd.

Longview, WA 98632

MARCH NEWSLETTER

There’s a worship service

For you at Emmanuel

8:30 a.m. Sunday -- Worship service (with nursery)

9:55 a.m. Sunday -- Sunday School for all ages

11:00 a.m. Sunday -- “Celebration” Worship Service (with

nursery). Music led by the 11th Hour Band

6:30 p.m. Thursday -- Praise worship service

Our services also are telecast weekly on

KLTV Ch. 11

1:30 p.m. Sunday -- Previous week’s worship service

3:00 p.m. Wednesday — Current week’s worship service