the immanuel messenger · 2021. 1. 30. · the immanuel messenger “walk in wis-dom toward...
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Have you ever found yourself speech-
less after hearing someone make a truth-
claim that you knew was false and against
what you know and believe as a Christian?
What if someone asked you, “How can you
believe God is good when there is so much
suffering in the world?” Or, what do you
say to someone who tells you, “I was
watching this really cool documentary on
the Bible and it showed the Bible was full
of contradictions. It is not reliable. I can’t
believe anyone would be dumb enough to
believe that is God’s Word.” Or, what if
someone at a family function speaks up
and says, “No offense, but Christians are a
bunch of intolerant, homophobic, bigots.”
Or what if someone said to you over coffee,
“You shouldn’t tell people what they are
doing is wrong. If they aren’t hurting any-
one else, they can make whatever sexual
choices they want.” Well, you get the idea.
Such statements and questions, can
surprise us and leave us mostly speech-
less. It happens to pastors, too.
What are we to do? God wants us to
engage! God’s Word has direction for us.
1 Peter 3:15 tells us, “Always be prepared
to give an answer to everyone who asks
you to give the reason for the hope that
you have. But do this with gentleness and
respect.” 2 Corinthians 10:4-5 tells us
For the weapons of our warfare are not of
the flesh but have divine power to destroy
strongholds. We destroy arguments and
every lofty opinion raised against the
knowledge of God, and take every thought
captive to obey Christ.” Truly, there are
lofty opinions and arguments raised up
against the knowledge of God in our cul-
ture. As Christians, God calls us to be
ready to destroy them—not the person
holding the false views—but the opinion or
the argument. Colossians 4:5-6 says,
“Walk in wisdom toward outsiders
[unbelievers], making the best use of the
time. Let your speech always be gra-
cious, seasoned with salt, so that you
may know how you ought to answer eve-
ry person.” We are to be smart, we are
to be nice, and we are to be tactical.
Here’s what we are going to do to
help us be ready to politely and insight-
fully engage any false view we encoun-
ter—we are going to grow in the grace
and knowledge of God! We invite every-
one—from those in confirmation class to
our senior saints—to gather for a six-
week, video-based, Bible Study entitled
Tactics: a Guide to Effectively Discussing
Your Christian Convictions. We will gath-
er—probably in the Fellowship Hall—at
about 11:15 on Sunday morning—after
our “regular” Bible Class and Sunday
School classes dismiss. Our sessions will
last about an hour to an hour and 15
minutes. We plan to dismiss no later than
12:30. We will begin on Sunday, Febru-
ary 7. We will skip Valentine’s Day, and
then meet the following Sundays into
March.
There is a study guide for Tactics, so
please let me know—as soon as you
can—if you plan to join us. Suggested
donation for the guide is $10.
This study is produced by Stand to
Reason, an organization dedicated to
defending the faith (www.str.org). We
will be shown how to effortlessly initiate
conversations about faith; clearly, clev-
erly, and persuasively present the truth;
graciously and effectively expose faulty
thinking; and, maintain an engaging,
disarming style even when under attack.
Ultimately we will learn how to get peo-
ple to think about Jesus, their Savior,
with conversations that are compelling
and full of grace. Please join me!
Your fellow-servant for Christ,
Pastor Mahnken
From Your Pastor
FEBRUARY 2021 VOLUME 35, ISSUE 6
THE IMMANUEL MESSENGER
“Walk in wis-
dom toward
outsiders [unbelievers],
making the
best use of
the time. Let
your speech
always be
gracious,
seasoned
with salt, so
that you may
know how
you ought to
answer every
person.”
Col. 4:5-6
“Always be
prepared
to give an
answer to
everyone
who asks you
to give the
reason for the
hope that you
have. But do
this with
gentleness
and respect.”
1 Peter 3:15
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1: Karen Wood
5: Dave Friedrichsen
Patrick McFarland
Wayne Miller
6: Mardella Andresen
Rex Bielenberg
Steve Christiansen
McKenzie Weiss
9: Cynthia Ernst
10: Michael Hatfield
11: Lauri Schoenfeld
12: Bonnie Schroeder
Camryn Schultz
15: Rebecca Segebart
16: Kim Petersen
17: Michelle Richardson
18: Ruth Reincke (95)
19: Craig Harm
Carolyn Schroeder
22: Eve Rohlf
23: Brody Morgan
Leila Reimer (91)
24: Ruby Friedrichsen (93)
25: Tanner Petersen
28: Travis Friedrichsen
Jason Hatcher
==================
Duane & Merry Jacoby
~ February 2, 2013 ~
Dennis & Coleen Bruhn
~ February 4, 1967 ~
Brandy & Rick Porter
~ February 14, 1998 ~
Richard & Becky Hanlin
~ February 16, 1973 ~
Roger & Lois Rothe
~February 16, 1991~
Tim & Cindy Stoppel
~ February 17, 1996~
Please notify the office of any
incorrect or omitted dates.
Thank you!
VOLUME 35 ISSUE 6
LENT begins with Ash Wednes-
day, February 17. There will be
worship at at 6 p.m. with
Holy Communion.
No meals will be served.
This year’s theme is: “Return to
the Lord!” with our circuit pastors
preaching in rotation each week.
Devotion booklets The Marks of Love are available in
our Narthex and may also be accessed at
Lutheran Hour Ministries: lhm.org.
—————————————————
The ABC Book Group (Adventures Between
Chapters) ~ welcomes all readers to join their
monthly meetings at Cheeta’s. The next date
is scheduled for Thursday, February 18 at 7
p.m. The book for discussion is The Seven
Sisters: Book One by Lucinda Riley.
><
THRIVENT Reminder: If you have Choice Dollars to be designated, remember March 31 is the deadline. You can do this online, or if you need help, please call
Danielle at the Denison office, 712-263-6785. =================
As You Spring Clean ...
Schleswig City-wide Garage Sales and
the Church Garage Sale are planned
for Thursday, Friday and Saturday,
June 3,4,5. Rachel Mentink also
plans to have plant sales for missions at
her home again. ++++++++++++++++++
...Let’s Stay Connected … Immanuel’s Website: www.immanuelschleswig.com
Follow our Services On Line On Facebook or You Tube
If You’d Like to Receive The Messenger by email, please
call the church office, 712-676-2235 or email us at:
immansch@iowatelecom.net.
Immanuel Prayer Chain: immansch@iowatelecom.net
or Grace Langholdt, at 676-3899 or 712-431-6691
“Thy Strong Word”:
Every Mon.-Sat. 6:25 a.m. KDSN-FM, 104.9
“The Lutheran Hour”
6:30 a.m. Sundays: KDSN-FM 104.9 Denison10:30 a.m.
KDSN-AM 1530
Camp Okoboji: www.campokoboji.org Mission Central: www.missioncentral.us
Lutheran Family Service: www.lfsiowa.org
Immanuel’s Adopt-A-Student: Tim & Amber Barber ~
Vicarage at Mount Calvary Lutheran Church, Warner
Robins, Georgia. Email: barbert@csl.edu
The Messenger Staff: Special Articles: Pastor Merle
Mahnken; Coordinator—Typist: Marlene Hight;
Printing: Val Teut; Collators: Mardella Andresen,
Guenter & Joyce Detlefsen, Terry & Nancy Kline, Donna
Meeves, Rachel Mentink, Marie Peters, Marcella Pe-
tersen, Marilyn Petersen, Gloria Schmidt, Norma Schoen-
feld. New Helpers are Always Welcome.
T H E I M M A N U E L M E S S E N G E R PAGE 2
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FROM THE MAILBOX use us when, where and how you like, that someone
might know how much You love them.”
Thank you from all of us with ARM and God bless you
with peace throughout the New Year 2021.
In the service of the King,
John and Kathy Duitsman, Missionary Linda Kurta and
the entire ARM team.
Funds are needed and can be sent to:
FAITH COMMUNITY LUTHERAN CHURCH
ARM c/o Linda Kurtz
3505 S Town Center Dr
Las Vegas NV 89135
All donor funds are sent overseas. US administrative
costs are paid separately by volunteers.
——————————————
Last year, I reported on a book by the name of Her
Mother’s Hope by Francine Rivers. It is a two book
series and now we have the sequel Her Daughter’s
Dream. As you may know, Francine Rivers is a top
Christian writer and her books are exceptional. This
book moves to the next generation of a family who
had a lot of sorrows that tear a family apart and a
forgiveness that heals the hurt.
Carolyn Arundel is a three-year-old child who forms
a special bond with her grandmother Marta. Marta
moves in with them because she is a caretaker for the
family. Carolyn’s mother Hildamara is quarantined to
her bedroom with tuberculosis. Marta and her
daughter Hildie seem to be building a wall between
them. Carolyn feels she is to blame. Hildie goes back
to nursing and Marta leaves. Carolyn and her brother
are now latch key kids.
Charles goes to college and joins the service. This is
going on during the Cold War. Carolyn eventually
goes off to college but a family tragedy hits her very
hard, just when she had some independence. She
doesn’t go home, she cuts all ties with everyone she
knows. She heads for San Francisco and doesn’t
understand how God can let all of this happen.
This book will probably bring tears to your eyes but
it’s worth reading every page. Many people face
things in their life that they don’t completely under-
stand, but always remember God is always there, put
it in His hands. Remember Proverbs 3:5-6: “Trust in
the Lord with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine
own understanding … In all thy ways acknowledge
Him and He shall direct thy paths.”
—Submitted by Carol Neddermeyer
AFRICAN RADIO MINISTRIES NEWS January 2021 ~ With field report for 2020
Dear Mission Friends at Immanuel;
African Radio Ministries is in the highly privileged posi-
tion of receiving prayers and offerings to the Lord given
by faithful mission friends who trust that funds and time
are used wisely to accomplish the Lord’s Great Commis-
sion task. The information below affirms our faith in the
work directed by ARM’s CEO, the Lord Jesus, and His
servants on the front lines. Other aspects of the work
that God has given us are not always easily measured or
charted. John 6:28-29 reminds us that the Christian life
centers on faith in Christ, “Then they asked Him, ‘What
must we do to do the work that God requires?’ Jesus an-
swered,’ the work of God is this: To believe in the One He
has sent.’”
We live in God’s grace with faith that we are free to trust
in Him even to the point of loving and praying for those
who hurt us and despise God and His children. None of
this year’s virus and the hardships caused by it have
changed the Lord’s Great Commission. We are seeing
God’s people move forward with His eternal plan while
rejecting distraction and discouragement. His plans and
purposes will surely come to pass (Isaiah 14:24). In
weaker moments we ask as Isaiah did, “Where is God in
all of this?” But His ways, thankfully, are not our ways.
Be assured He is at work as we can see in the 2020 activ-
ity chart. Be encouraged. Our Lord is saying, “Lift up
your eyes.” (John 4:35). Yes, when we look beyond our
immediate frustrations, we sometimes glimpse victories
with eternal consequences.
Plans and Prayers for 2021: Radio Pastor Mengistu is requesting that before the end of this year ARM add a
program for the Tigray people. We replied that he
should begin looking for a radio pastor right away. Join
the Ethiopian staff in praying that a good preacher with
a true servant’s heart can be found for this new pro-
gram. The Tigray are located in Eritrea as well as North-
ern Ethiopia. It will be wonderful to send words of hope
to the Eritreans who are suffering greatly under the anti-
Christian dictatorship now in place.
Many listeners are converted by the Word on radio and/
or are a part of a listener house church but do not call
the office. These numbers only record those that contact
the radio pastors.
2020 Summary of ARM Activity in prisons and
villages: 2019 Baptisms: 185— 2020-225 directly
observed; 2019 Converts: 1772—2020-1225 direct
contacts; 2019 Bibles provided: 351—2020-3802
assistance from ARM friends & Gideons; 2019 new hse
churches; 2019-63; 2020-71 direct contacts.
Gladys Aylward’s mission prayer is our prayer for 2021:
“O Lord give us freedom, freedom in Thee, that You might
VOLUME 35 ISSUE 6 T H E I M M A N U E L M E S S E N G E R PAGE 3
From Your library . . . “Have we got a book for you!”
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PAGE 4 T H E I M M A N U E L M E S S E N G E R VOLUME 35 ISSUE 6
THOUGHTS FROM THE PRESCHOOL
Have you ever sat down in a chair only to dis-
cover that the sun was coming through the
window right into your eyes? It just happened
to me. And even when I shut my eyes, I could
only see light. In fact I could even feel the
light. Strange isn’t it? We don’t just see light,
we feel it. I was reminded in that moment that
this is the way I want my entire life to be. As a
daughter of the King of Kings, I want to see on-
ly Jesus. I want to feel the joy that comes in
knowing I’m loved unconditionally by the Fa-
ther. I want to rest in the peace which fills my
heart and mind knowing that Christ’s blood
covers my sin. And to walk daily in the victory
under the guidance and filling of God’s Holy
Spirit.
I looked around trying to figure out how I hap-
pened to sit right in that spot. You know what I
mean, don’t you? If we scooch just a bit to the
right or the left, we can see the sun but not be
blinded by it. But I question whether that is
how we are supposed to live our lives. Are we
supposed to see the Son but not allow His love
to blind us? Do we want to enjoy the warmth
without His vision for life? It is my heart’s de-
sire for myself, and you, to walk into any situa-
tion in life so full of the Son that we only see
Him in it. If the situation is painful, let us see
Him. If it is a time to rejoice, we want to see
Him. If we sense evil or danger, we want to
view it through the eyes of the authority we
have in Christ.
We are learning about the human body this
week in preschool. As we looked at the pic-
ture in the book yesterday, there was a picture
of the shape of the heart and then one of the
actual heart that is in a person’s body. They
are not the same. We were discussing this
when one of the children piped up, “Except
don’t forget our hearts have a door on
them!” He felt the author of the book had in-
advertently forgotten to include the
door. You know the one. It’s the door which
we open to let Christ in. There was not a
doubt in the mind of the children that there
should have been a door pictured. And an-
other student expanded on the conversation
by reminding everyone we can let Him out
again too. Yep, as we love others, we are
sharing Jesus’ love with them. The children
understand. They carry that childlike faith
which views life through the eyes of Je-
sus. They are blinded by the Son. Will we
follow their example? Will we allow our-
selves to sit in the direct Sonlight where we
view the world around us from His perspec-
tive? Are we willing to sit with our eyes
closed and be filled with the warmth of His
presence? Sure, we can choose a seat where
the Son isn’t in your eyes but I question
whether we will really be able to see bet-
ter. Me? I’m going to hang with the little
people. They have the right perspec-
tive. They view life through the eyes of Je-
sus!
Thank you for investing in the ministry to the
children. They are able to grow in their love
for Jesus and their walk with Him because of
your gifts and prayers. We see Him daily in
our classroom. Whether they are playing
together, drawing pictures of Jesus on the
cross, or making the connection that their
kindness to others is a sharing of Jesus’ love,
they are becoming more and more
“ . . . r o o t e d a n d e s t a b l i s h e d i n
love.” Ephesians 3:17b (NIV). It is only Janu-
ary/February, but I am already feeling our
time with them is running short. Please pray
they will continue to grow in their love and
lifelong relationship with Jesus.
Serving Him with you,
Mrs. Gustafson
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VOLUME 35 ISSUE 6 T H E I M M A N U E L M E S S E N G E R PAGE 5
Voter’s Meeting Minutes
January 10, 2021
I. OPENING PRAYER: Led by Pastor Mahnken with 38 vot-ers present.
II. READING/APPROVAL OF MINUTES AND AGENDA
Both were approved as presented to the voters.
III. REPORTS OF OFFICERS AND BOARDS
A. Elders (Jason Schultz): Curtis Korner was appointed an Elder. Neil Nahnsen rotated off and was thanked for his ser-vice to Immanuel. Jason alluded to funding the position of technician for streaming/technical services which was ad-dressed later in the meeting.
B. Trustees (Ryan Kragel): Dave Friedrichsen will be on the Board of Trustees. Jeff Hummel will be rotating off and was thanked for his service to Immanuel. Jim Leuth will be doing some repairs/painting to the storage room behind the organ-ists area. New soffit was installed at the parsonage. There will be a new light installed to illuminate the stained glass window at the front of the church. The church’s phone sys-tem was replaced and the secretaries are pleased with it. The west entrance project will be held off until spring. Hueb-ner Funeral Home donated $2,500 towards the project. A new Carillon system is being added as a memorial item to donate towards.
C. Treasurer/Stewardship/Finance (Leroy Hight): When income is compared to expenses, Immanuel is $12,530 ahead at this point.
D. Education/Youth (Pastor Mahnken): There was no VBS in 2020. No Sunday School was held from March to Septem-ber. Bible Class was also suspended for a spell. Preschool started on time during August. Confirmation classes started on time with one exception (6th grade), due to illness and/or quarantined members of the class. Sunday School Christmas program was held. Covid-19 has brought a “poverty of God’s Word” in many ways. The congregation is NOT the primary dispenser of faith and teaching. It is the Christian family Be careful not to adopt the phrase “The New Normal”! We are still experiencing a tremendous amount of change. What we have now is not and will not be the norm. If you are not being exposed to God’s Word and receiving it, then you are being exposed to something else and being shaped and guided by it. Be vigilant!
E. Preschool- No Report
F. Mission/Fellowship- No Report
G. Memorial- No Report
H. Pastor’s Report- will be shared elsewhere in The Mes-senger. (See on page 6).
IV. OLD BUSINESS -None
V. NEW BUSINESS
A. Compensation for Live Stream Technician:
The Elders and the Council recommend giving Ryan Ernst $500 for being the catalyst and providing the know-how to equip Immanuel with the capacity to stream services/events.
They also recommend funding a position at a rate of $50/week for someone to oversee the streaming pro-cess and do some basic tech troubleshooting. A pool of 3 to 6 people could be trained to serve i n this ca-pacity. The Voters moved, seconded and approved the Elders’ recommendations and instructed them to move forward with the trainings as they see fit.
B. Proposal to Add Carillon Replacement to Memorial List:
The Voters moved, seconded, and approved adding the Carillon replacement to the Memorial list.
C. Request Voters for Subsidy from Home Mission Fund to Pay Registration Cost for:
Couples to Attend Weekend to Remember Marriage Conference. ($350/couple. Des Moines: March 26-28 at Marriott Downtown @$125 per night per room. Price reduced until March 12 with limited availability)The Voters moved, seconded, and approved subsidiz-ing this event.
D. Request Home Mission Funds to Cover ⅔ of Registration for:
Okoboji Campers-Pending Scheduling of Camps in 2021. The Voters moved, seconded, and approved subsidizing these camps.
E. Nomination of Circuit Visitor for Next Triennium
Acting on Pastor’s recommendation, the Voters moved, seconded, and approved the Nomination of Pastor Keinath from Zion to serve in this capacity.
F. Select Congregational Representative to Attend Circuit Forum
Loren Jepsen will attend as the Voters approved his selection.
G. Vote on Possible Delay of Synod’s Convention from 2022 to 2023
Based on Pastoral recommendation, the Voters moved, seconded, voted in favor of moving the Synod’s Convention to 2023, instead of its current scheduled, 2022.
H. Other
Pastor thanked the Altar Guild for their efforts during the Advent and Christmas seasons.
VI. ADJOURN WITH PRAYER Led by Pastor Mahnken
—-Minutes submitted by Craig Bogatzke, Secretary
“Everyone should be eager to advance the teaching and study of the Word for his own salvation and the glory of God.” Martin Luther
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exposed or were ill and were isolating), Zoom
meetings, Disinfecting Worship area, New phone
system, Balcony staircase painted—also the area
around windows above the altar, Carillon speakes
restored April 9, Offerings more than met our
needs, I received the diagnosis of Prostate Cancer
on March 20, My surgery was on Airl 17—I was out
3 Sundays, My Prostate surgery led to an incisional
hernia developing during the summer—surgery to
correct that was on November 6—out one Sunday,
My 9-month post-surgery check-up with my urolo-
gist was on December 30 and the blood test shows
all clear—next appointment will be Apir 9. We did
have our Sunday School Christmas Service but no
soup supper.
Covid-19 has brought with it a famine of the
Word of God. With no Sunday School for many
months and no VBS during 2020, many children
went without the Word. They were not without sin-
ful, worldly influences during that time, in fact, they
were bombarded as they spent more time at home
with almost constant influence of ungodly media.
They did not have to be without the Word as par-
ents are given to be the primary teachers of the
faith, but does that happen?
Some would say worship online because of
Covid has been a good thing. Indeed, it has made
it possible for more people to be reached with the
Gospel, but you can’t be the church online. The
church is the gathering of God’s people around the
Word and Sacrament, a gathering which then cares
for one another with face-to-face, in-person interac-
tion. It’s too easy to tune out or turn off a TV or oth-
er device. Too easy to change channel or flip
through other postings. You can also in church, but
in church the Holy Spirit can also grab your atten-
tion back at any time.
The church in the U.S. faces some challenging
times in the years ahead, critical times. The make-
up of the majority both houses of congress and a
president promising and promoting much that is
contrary to Biblical Christianity presents us with a
time in which we must live and speak wisely and
courageously. We meed to dig deeper into the
Word of God—together. God calls us to take our
stand with His truth—saving truth. With Timothy
God calls us to be patiently enduring evil, correct-
ing our oppoents with gentleness. God may per-
haps grant them repentance leading to a know-
ledge of the truth, and they may come to their sens-
es and escape from the snare of the devil, after be-
ing captured by him to do his will. (2 Tim. 2:24-26).
God has chosen us to live in this time to be His
witnesses with loving care for all. We seek His
grace, His will and direction, and His strength—
made perfect in our weakness, and live coura-
geously to the glory of His saving name and the
welfare of our neighbor!
We began 2020 with 611 baptized members and
507 communicant members. We have received 2 chil-
dren by Holy Baptism, received one member by Reaf-
firmation of Faith, received 10 baptized and 7 commu-
nicant members by transfer, two baptized members
were received as communicant members by Jr. Confir-
mation and three by Adult Confirmation. We have had
thirteen member funerals in 2020: Edgar Meseck,
Elfie Riessen, Kay Reese, Arlen Gierstorf, Arlis Schultz,
Bob Christiansen, Randy Umland, Ruth Jackson,
Clarence Friedrichsen, Artis Christiansen,
Lyle Schultz, Melvin Petersen, and Bill Aldag and 1 non
-member Dale Reese. Two confirmed members and
two additional baptized members were released to
join a non-LCMS Lutheran congregation. One con-
firmed member and three children were released to
join a non-Lutheran congregation. We began 2020 with
611 baptized members, and we now have 604; We be-
gan with 507 confirmed members and now have 501.
2020 is a year that for most of nine months was
shaped by a virus, the corona virus and the disease
Covid-19. Because of Covid in 2020 there was no VBS,
no in-person worship from March 22-May 24, No Sun-
day School from March 22-September 13, No Sunday
a.m. Bible Class from March 22-June 28, No Wednes-
day a.m. Bible Breakfast from March 18-present, No
Easter Breakfast (indeed, no in-person Easter worship
for the first time in the history of this congregation), No
Garage Sale (a plant sale was held), No Harvest Din-
ner, No Advent suppers, We went from no funeral
lunch to offering a lunch, then back to no lunch, No vis-
its at care centers except for hospice situations; some
outside visits at Eventide in summer, Very few in-
person meetings, Youth & Family Activities stopped,
Both office secretaries were out isolating for 2 weeks
in September & 1 Secretary during October, Pew Sis-
ters stopped meeting.
Things that did happen in 2020: Pastor Kaiser start-
ed serving with us, a Spam Cook-off by the Pew Sis-
ters, Mission Board had its Soup Supper on January 29,
Feb. 16 we had our Soup & Pie Cookoff/Bakeoff, Small
group of young couples were meeting, until March 15,
Initially, digital recordings of services on Saturday to
post online on Sunday—then streaming of services—
then in September also streaming of Bible Class (has
allowed some to watch—either live or the recording),
March 29 was the first confirmed case of Covid in
Crawford County, Members without streaming ability
are watching Main Street Living worship, something
other, or nothing, May 31 we had Confirmation (a
month later than usual), We had one member and one
non-member wedding at Immanuel, Preschool started
as usual in late summer, Confirmation classes resumed
on Wednesday, September 2 (our 6th grade class
started a bit later as several class members had been
VOLUME 35 ISSUE 6 T H E I M M A N U E L M E S S E N G E R PAGE 6
Pastor Mahnken’s Report Voters’ Meeting--January 10, 2021
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VOLUME 35 ISSUE 6 T H E I M M A N U E L M E S S E N G E R PAGE 7
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VOLUME 35 ISSUE 6 T H E I M M A N U E L M E S S E N G E R PAGE 8
Our LCMS President, Pastor Matthew Harrison, also offers the following counsel:
How should I talk about the vaccine with others who disagree with my view of it?
In a sensitive issue of this nature, we remember the words of St. James: “Let every person be quick to hear,
slow to speak, slow to anger” (James 1:19). Listen carefully and openly to the points of others. Consider
them. Share your positions patiently and objectively. Reflect upon your own penchant for error. Forgive oth-
ers where they sin against you and ask for forgiveness where you wrong them.
In this contentious issue, we must respect the consciences of fellow believers who share our same commit-
ment to Scripture and the Lutheran Confessions, as well as our life together as a Synod. As St. Paul urges us
regarding matters of conscience, “let no one seek his own good, but the good of his neighbor” (1 Cor. 10:24),
and “let us not pass judgment on one another any longer, but rather decide never to put a stumbling block or
hindrance in the way of a brother” (Rom. 14:13). At a time of cultural upheaval, I would encourage you not to
allow disagreement even over undoubtedly important matters such as this to take precedence over the faith
that unites us in Christ. In all things, we should heed the call to “maintain the unity of the Spirit in the bond of
peace” (Eph. 4:3).
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Sun
Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat
1 Preschool
2 Groundhog Day Preschool
3 p.m. Preschool Confirmation
4 Preschool 1:30 LWML
5 6 3 p.m. Worship w/HC—Masks Required 6 p.m. Worship w/HC
7 Super Bowl 9 a.m. Worship w/HC 10:05 SS & BC’s 11:15 “Tactics” Bible Study
8 Preschool
9 Preschool Pastors’ Confer-ence at St. Mat-thew, Mapleton
10 p.m. Preschool Confirmation
11 No Preschool 9 a.m. Quilting
12 13 3 p.m. Worship w/HC—Masks Required 6 p.m. Worship w/HC
14 Valentine’s Day Transfiguration
9 a.m. Worship 10:05 SS & BC’s Schleswig Sharks Mtg.
15 No Preschool
16 Preschool Messenger Deadline for March issue
17 Ash Wednes-day
p.m. Preschool 1 p.m. Volun-teers to OGT Confirmation Classes 6 p.m. Worship with HC
18 Preschool 7 p.m. ABC Book Group at Cheeta’s
19 20 3 p.m. Worship w/HC ~ Masks Required 6 p.m. Worship w/HC
21 First Sunday in Lent
9 a.m. Worship w/HC 10:05 SS & BC’s 11:15 “Tactics” Bible Study Elders’ Mtg. 6 p.m. Teacher Appreciation Dinner
22 Preschool
23 Preschool
24 8:45 a.m. News-letter Assem-blage p.m. Preschool Confirmation Classes 6 p.m. Lenten Worship (no meals)
25 Preschool 9 a.m. Quilting
26 27 3 p.m. Worship w/HC ~ Masks Required 6 p.m. Worship w/HC
28 9 a.m. Worship 10:15 SS & BC’s 11:15 “Tactics” Bible Study
Immanuel Lutheran Church, Schleswig, Iowa FEBRUARY 2021
Preschool: Mon, Tue, Thurs.-8 a.m.-3 p.m.; Wed. 11:45 a.m.– 3 p.m.
Confirmation: Wednesday. 3:30-5:15 p.m.
-
Pastor: Merle F. Mahnken Office Ph.: 712-676-2235
Home Ph.: 712-676-2242
Cell Ph.: 712-269-6364
Assisting Pastor: Kurt Kaiser
Cell Ph.: 712-269-8452
=============
Office E-mail:
immansch@iowatelecom.net
or: markey@iowatelecom.net
Website: www.immanuelschleswig.com
“Like” us on Facebook
=============
Worship Opportunities:
Saturday Worship every week at
3 p.m. (masks required) & 6 p.m.
Sunday Worship at 9 a.m.
Communion—Every Saturday
& 1st & 3rd Sundays
Sunday School & Bible Class: 10:05 a.m.
Services are live-streamed & recorded for
viewing on Facebook and You Tube.)
Office: Marlene Hight and Valerie Teut
Preschool: Leslie Gustafson
Organist: Marlene Hight
Janitor: Jolene Whiteing
Snow Removal and Lawn Care:
Ryan Jepsen; 712-790-1603
Loren and Janice Jepsen
Non Profit U.S. Postage
PAID Schleswig, Iowa
Permit No. 19
Change Service Requested
TO EVERYONE IN THE HOME OF:
OUR MISSION STATEMENT:
“Together in Christ, we grow through the
Word and Sacraments, serving
our Lord and sharing His saving
grace with all people.”
IMMANUEL EVANGELICAL LUTHERAN CHURCH
501 Glad St. PO Box 27 Schleswig, Iowa 51461
2021
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