blessing of the backpacks
TRANSCRIPT
Parish Life Page 1
Immanuel Lutheran Church, Escanaba, Michigan December, 2021
Our first trunk or treat was on Halloween. Pictures of eleven decorated cars (and people) are on the bulletin
board and website. We had 130 trick-or-treaters visit us in our windy, cold parking lot. We must remember for
next year to make coffee and hot chocolate. Everyone thought it was a great success.
At the November meeting, it was approved to donate $200.00 to the foster closet, $200.00 to HATI and
$300.00 to an account at Bay Bank for a Rapid River family who lost everything in a house fire.
Advent Christmas Tree Ornaments A tree with ornaments will be placed in the narthex during the Advent season. Pick an ornament decorated with a goat, chicken, educational supplies, etc. and donate to cover the item described. Families could join to purchase larger items. Envelopes will be provided or donations can be done on line.
This a project to support Lutheran World Relief.
Advent: Comes from the Latin word adventus which
means coming. It is equivalent to the Greek word parousia commonly used in the letters of Paul
referring to the second coming of Christ.
Advent Worship Will be Wednesdays in December starting on the 1st. It will begin at 6:00 pm. Service will be in the chapel. It will be the Holden Evening Service and pastor’s
messages will be reflections on darkness: Darkness is Holy Darkness is Beautiful Darkness Holds Promise Darkness Holds God
Come celebrate the birth of our
Lord and Savior: Christmas Eve
Worship 4:00 pm
This Parish Life is sponsored by
Marti Martin
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If you are not comfortable attending worship and volunteering or cannot attend during the scheduled week, please find a substitute
or call the office so we can find a substitute.
Those Who Serve in December
October 3 48 and 84 online $3,057.00 October 10 54 and 80 online $ 585.00 October 17 60 and 76 online $2,240.00 October 24 59 and 115 online $ 972.00 October 31 59 and 20 online $1,290.00
Scripture Readings for December December 5 December 12 December 19 December 24 December 26 Malachi 3:1-4 Zephaniah 3:14-20 Micah 5:2-5a Isaiah 9:2-7 1 Samuel 2:18-20, 26 Luke 1:68-79 Isaiah 12:2-6 Luke 1:46b-55 Psalm 96 Psalm 148 Philippians 1:3-11 Philippians 4:4-7 Hebrews 10:5-10 Titus 2:11-14 Colossians 3:12-17 Luke 3:1-6 Luke 3: 7-18 Luke 1:39-55 Luke 2:1-14 Luke 2:41-52
Meetings, Events and Deadlines December 1 Advent worship/ conf. 6:00 pm December 2 H & H Group (formerly Mo’s) 6:00 pm December 7 Outreach 6:00 pm December 8 Walking... Book Study 11:30 am December 8 Advent worship/ conf. 6:00 pm December 9 Quilting/ sewing 6:00 pm December 14 Council 7:00 pm December 15 Advent worship/ conf. 6:00 pm December 16 H & H Group 6:00 pm December 20 Deadline for Jan. Parish Life December 22 Walking...Book Study 11:30 am December 22 Advent worship/ conf. 6:00 pm December 24 Office closed
December 2021
Usher Captain: Carl Johnson Communion Prep: Kim Pepin Second Usher, Dec. 5: Jeff Tuer Communion Assist, Dec. 5: Ralph Johnson Altar Guild: Jim Franks Sandy Sovey
Lay Reader Power Point Tech Video Nursery Greeters
12-5
Barb Noblet
Gary Corrigan
Ron Chouinard
Kim Pepin
Bob Kasemodel
12-12
Kim Pepin
Gabby Chouinard
Jim Franks
Katie Levesque and Addison Noblet
Barb Denny
12-19
Linda Mason
Scott Mason
Gary Corrigan
Renee Cutter and Marilyn Noble
Jean Chapman and Ralph Johnson
12-26
Dave Mason
Jim Franks
Marilyn Noble
Barb Denny
Barb Noblet
Bay de Noc Coral Society
Presents its holiday concert on Sunday, December 5, 1:30 pm
at Bethany Lutheran The concert will feature bells,
strings, organ and piano. Free will offering
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December Sun Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat
1 AA, 11:00am RICC 1:00 pm Advent Worship, 6:00 pm
2 RICC 10:30 am
H & H Group (formerly Mo’s) 6:00 pm
3 Escanaba Christmas Parade 7:00 pm
4
5 Child. Min., 10:00 am Worship, 10:30 am AA, 8:00 pm
6 Sewing, 9:00 am Boy Scouts, 6:00 pm
7 Outreach, 6:00 pm
8 AA 11:00am Book Study, 11:30am RICC 1:00 pm Advent Worship, 6:00 pm
9 RTICC, 9:00 am RICC, 10:30 am
Sewing, 6:00 pm
10 11 Remnants Christmas Concert, cancelled
12 Child. Min., 10:00 am Worship, 10:30 am AA, 8:00 pm
13 Sewing, 9:00 am Boy Scouts, 6:00 pm
14 Council, 7:00 pm
15 AA 11:00am RICC 1:00 pm Advent Worship, 6:00 pm
16 RICC 10:30 am
H & H Group (formerly Mo’s) 6:00 pm
17 18
19 No Child Min. Worship, 10:30 am AA, 8:00 pm
20 Sewing, 9:00 am Boy Scouts, 6:00 pm
21 Cub Scouts, 5:00 pm
22 AA 11:00am Book Study, 11:30 am RICC 1:00 pm Advent Worship, 6:00 pm
23 RICC 10:30 am
24 Office Closed Christmas Eve Worship, 4:00 pm
25 MERRY
CHRISTMAS
26
No Child. Ministry Worship, 10:30 am AA, 8:00 pm
27 Sewing, 9:00 am Boy Scouts, 6:00 pm Property, 7:00 pm
28 29 30 RICC 10:30 am
31 Office Closed
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“For in hope we were saved. Now hope that is seen is not hope. For who hopes for what is seen?
But if we hope for what we do not see, we wait for it with patience.” ~Romans 8: 24-25
Dear Northern Great Lakes Synod, You have no doubt noticed the increasing darkness. The kids go to school in the dark, and soon, the school day will end as it began, in darkness. The hours of light are getting shorter and shorter, and people are grateful for lingering twilight. How ironic that the most hopeful season of the church year begins as the darkness increases. In the weeks to come, we light candles on the Advent wreath, and it’s not a moment too soon. These lights of hope stand against the growing darkness. And every
week, as we add the flame of another candle, the light will increase and shine brighter even as the darkness comes sooner and lasts longer. In this season of Hope, and as this year of Hope 2021 comes to its end, I share with you some things that I see that gives me hope: 1. Our congregations continue to find new creative ways to do ministry. As I read through your newsletters, whether online or hard copy, I am impressed and encouraged by your continued efforts. Sure, some things have paused. Yes, some priorities have been re-evaluated and energies placed in new directions. Yet, this is all good as we continue to be church together and church for the sake of the world. I am grateful to the Spirit that is at work among and through us as the work of Christ continues. 2. We have wonderful pastoral leaders! In the past few years, we have welcomed many new pastors and they bring new energy, perspective, and ideas. And our seasoned pastors and Licensed Lay Ministers have provided stability and the blessing of trusted relationships that keep congregational partnerships in motion and help reduce anxiety. And congregations in pastoral transition have been patient and involved, waiting for God’s timing with hope. 3. We have renewed joy in being together again…safely. As pandemic restrictions have eased, Pastor Jim and I are once again happy to gather with you for worship. I do not mind wearing a mask if it means we can sing together and gather in the same space. I love hearing the voices of others raised in song and prayer. It has felt like salve on a wound to share the peace, sing alto to someone’s soprano, and hear combined voices pray the Lord’s prayer together in the rhythm and cadence of voices in unison. While I truly believe that some sense of community can be achieved and appreciated through Zoom, YouTube, and Facebook live, the joy and value of the community gathered in person is also true and real. 4. Our synod is newly connected through Lifelong Faith Formation, Pastoral Leader Check-Ins, and
various Zoom meetings. While I have missed being able to add lunch and snacks to in person Synod meetings, in many ways we are more connected as a synod than we have ever been. Teachers and students from the Copper Country to Marinette, from Ironwood to Sault Ste. Marie gather in virtual classrooms and discussion groups. We are church together in a whole new way, gathering to discuss and wrestle with conversations about issues of race, scriptural interpretation, and to consider and plan various ministry efforts. 5. God is at work! In all our efforts, in all our re-evaluations, in all the changes and future uncertainty, the Spirit of the living Christ is gathering, inspiring, supporting, and guiding. We are discovering again what it means to be church, what the purpose of the Body of Christ is in this world, and who we are in mission together.
Continues.
From Our Bishop
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Bishop's message continued. I see a new hunger for deeper spirituality and for meaningful connectedness to God and each other. I see ministry efforts taking on a life of their own. I see details and pieces falling together. I see a willingness to experiment, to try new things, to jump even when the landing is unclear. There is much to be hopeful for because of what we can see even as we continue to hope for that which is still becoming. As Advent candles are lit, as the glow from the manger bed grows brighter, as we strain to hear the songs of angels, remember that you are not alone. In hopeful anticipation of Christmas and a blessed New Year, I believe it is not too soon to share the following verse from “It Came upon the Midnight Clear” that speaks anew to our present circumstances: And you, beneath life’s crushing load, whose forms are bending low, who toil along the climbing way with painful steps and slow: look now, for glad and golden hours come swiftly on the wing; Oh, rest beside the weary road and hear the angels sing! Yours in Christ, Bishop Katherine Finegan
Greetings and peace to you, We have officially entered “The Holiday Season.” I am writing this in the days leading up to Thanksgiving, and by the time you read this the turkey will have been cooked, carved, and eaten and only 4 weeks of advent stand between us and Christmas. As for my house, we decorated for Christmas two weeks ago. I took advantage of the nice weather in early November to get the outdoor lights up. I told myself I would not turn them on until closer to Thanksgiving. The days were getting shorter, our yard was getting darker, and I found myself turning my lights on in the middle of November. Something about the white lights
that surround our house bring a little hope, peace, joy, and love to the darkness. Why do we celebrate Christmas on December 25? The simple answer is because it is Jesus’s birthday, but that is not historically accurate. Christmas was not an important holiday in the first century church. The focus of Jesus’s life was around his death and resurrection. Easter was the main feast day for early Christianity, because of its connection to Passover, the date for Easter was easy to identify in a historically accurate way. Christmas on the other hand, is a little harder to place. There is no birth certificate of Jesus to check. We have clues from the gospel texts that give us an indication that he would have been born in spring or sum-mer. The census would have taken place in the spring or summer when travel was easier. The shepherds who were in their fields with their flocks indicate again that it would have been spring or summer.
So why do we celebrate Christmas on December 25th? Christmas used to be celebrated on the winter solstice, prior to a change in the modern calendar. The origins of Christmas at the winter solstice are debat-ed. One common theory is that there were pagan festivals of lights around that time that the Church co-opted and gave meaning to. But what it means for us is we celebrate the birth of Christ, the coming of “the light of the world” in the darkest time of the year. Jesus not being born in December does not mean we celebrate Christmas at the wrong time of the year. Rather, we celebrate Christmas at a time of the year that makes liturgical sense and allows us to capitalize on this imagery.
Continues on the next page.
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Hope at the Inn
Hope at the Inn has opening for shifts for all weeks. To sign
up for a shift:
Go to www.hopeattheinn.org, "Volunteer for a Shift" tab Click Here
Call or text Lisa at 420-1311
Call the coordinator of the host church Dec. 5-11 Our Savior: Warren 786-0196 Dec. 12-18 Central: Kerry 789-2945, Deb 233-7046
Thank you very much!! We can't do this without you! ~ Lisa
Pastor’s message continued.
It seems like over the past two years that many of us could use light in the darkness. In years where we have seen the death of friends and family to COVID, felt distance from our communities, yearn for a return to nor-mal we could use hope, peace, joy, and love. In a year where political tensions seem to continue to rise, where we seem more and more divided, we could use some light in the darkness. The imagery of this coming light during the darkness of winter is a powerful one. In the season of Advent, we wait. We wait in the darkness with the hope that comes with the light of Christ. This advent we will explore this imagery of Darkness during our mid-week advent services, “Holy Darkness.” Each week we will explore a theme of darkness.
December 1: Darkness is Holy December 8: Darkness is Beautiful December 15: Darkness holds Promise December 22: Darkness holds God
Often we will equate light to goodness or holiness and dark to being bad or evil. This advent we will push back on that false equivalency and embrace darkness as a creation of God, something that can be beautiful and ultimately that it is darkness that allows light to be revealed. Join us each Wednesday of Advent at 6:00 either in the prayer chapel or through our online stream as we reflect on these themes and pray and sing together. Don’t be afraid to turn those Christmas lights on early to bring some light into the darkness. I hope and pray you find rest and comfort this holiday season, Pastor Mike
Christmas Gifts for Our Homebound The ladies of Immanuel will be delivering gift bags to our homebound members in December. The list with specific items they are requesting and the deadline to donate items will be Published soon. Also, if any member would like the addresses of our homebound contact Pastor Mike or the office.
Here are the volunteers for the monthly responsibilities for 2022. As the year progresses, changes can be made.
2022 Altar Guild Communion Prep Usher Captain
Jan Gail Johnson Sandy Sovey Ralph Johnson
Feb Jim Franks Misty Mason Terry Anderson
March Jodi Chouinard Jolaine Anderson Brad Schoff
April Dave Mason Gail and Carl Johnson Bob Kasemodel
May Jean Chapman Mary Ciminskie Carl Johnson
June Kathy Stewart Kim Pepin Barbara Denny
July Gail Johnson Mary Ciminskie Leroy Scheeneman
Aug Jim Fanks Jim Franks Tom Kozar
Sept Jodi Chouinard Deb and Sam Barton Ralph Johnson
Oct Dave Mason Jodi Chouinard Terry Anderson
Nov Jean Chapman Sandy Sovey Bob Kasemodel
Dec Kathy Stewart Kim Pepin Carl Johnson
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Here at Fortune Lake, we give thanks for you, your ministry and the partnership we share!
Now that the vaccination is widely available to young people in our communities, we are preparing to host the following events. We invite you to join us for the following retreats:
Winder wonderland: January 14-16: All ages. Includes lots of outdoor winter recreation, cozy fireside moments and an optional day at Ski Brule at a reduced rate. Disconnect to Reconnect: February 4-5: Grades 7-12 and adult chaperones. Nurturing Wholeness: February 11-13: Young adults ages 18-26 (must be high school grads). New this year, in partnership with NMU, Mich. Tech and Finlandia. Limited scholarship money is available. Building on Faith: February 25-26: Grades 3-6 and adult chaperones.
Registration is open now at fortunelake.org
We'll see you at camp! Amanda Rasner, Camp Director
906-241-2267 138 Fortune Lake Camp Rd. Crystal Falls, MI 49920
2021 CHRISTMAS MEMORIALS
Poinsettias will be ordered for Christmas Eve worship. It seemed
to work last year to order a specific number, and have Immanuel's members
give a gift in memory or honor of a loved one instead of a poinsettia. The
memorials will be printed in the Christmas Eve bulletin. If you would like to give a
Christmas memorial, you are invited to fill out this form and return it to the church office by
Monday, December 13.
Special Christmas gift: $_____ Benevolence $_____ Outreach $_____ Fortune Lake
$_____ Children's Ministry $_____ Property $_____ Kitchen Remodel
$_____ God’s Fund (pastor’s discretionary fund for those in need) $_____ Other___________________
In Memory of ________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________________
In Honor of ________________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________________________
From _________________________________________________________________________
Your gifts are greatly appreciated.
Office use: received: $_____________ Date:___________
Filed: My documents: forms: Christmas memorials order form
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Immanuel Lutheran Church 600 South Lincoln Road Escanaba, MI 49829 ADDRESS SERVICE REQUESTED
Find us and “like” us on Facebook! Immanuel Lutheran Church
Escanaba, ELCA Web page:
www.ImmanuelEscanaba.org
Parish Life — December, 2021
Immanuel Lutheran Church is a congregation of the
Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA) and part of the Northeran Great Lakes Synod.
We are a barrier free facility and welcome people of all faith backgrounds and walks of life.
Worship Schedule Sunday Worship, 10:30 am in person
and via Facebook Children’s Ministry, Sunday, 10:00 am Walking Together Book Study Group,
2nd and 4th Wednesday, 11:30 am
Office Hours Monday - Friday, 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 noon
906-786-6771
Pastor Mike Markwell 906-280-9613
Administrative Assistant: Christine Smauley E-mail: [email protected]
Web address: immanuelescanaba.org
Please send your story to the church office at
[email protected] Each month, when we have a story,
it will be published in the “My Story” section.