january 2018 immanuel’s word - bossier city, la · 2020-03-14 · january 2018 immanuel’s word...
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Immanuel Lutheran Church—LCMS 2565 Airline Drive
Bossier City, LA 71111 Phone: (318) 746-2215
Preschool: (318) 747-8828 [email protected] www.immanuelbossier.org
Pastor Mark Koch
Office Staff Earl Tonjes
Preschool
Sunday Worship 8:00 & 10:30 a.m. Sunday School & Bible Classes
9:15 a.m.
January 2018
Volume 50, Issue 1
Immanuel’s Word Vision Statement
Dedicated to sharing the Gospel of Jesus Christ with the people whose lives we touch.
Mission Statement
At Immanuel Lutheran Church we provide a home for:
Worshipping God the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit;
Nurturing one another’s faith through Word and Sacraments;
Cultivating connections and developing relationships;
Sharing faithfully Christ’s Gift of Salvation.
Inside this issue:
Pastor Koch 2
Special Notes 3
Women’s Ministry 4
Congregational 5
Concerns
Preschool 5
Ministering Among 6
Us
2018 Council and 7
Board Members 8
2018 Budget 9
Happening In January
Sunday, January 7
Saturday, January 6
Sunday, January 21
Airline HS Breakfast, January 26
Saturday, January 27
Page 2
Immanuel’s Word
Mary’s Christmas Video Pastor Koch
But Mary treasured up all these things and pondered them in her heart. (Luke 2:19 NIV)
By the time you read this, Christmas Day 2017 will be past, but hopefully you are still enjoying some of the afterglow – the good feelings that linger after the family gatherings, the gift exchanges, the children’s programs, parties, and special church services. And like most people, you probably took plenty of pictures and videos to captures those moments.
Cameras and video recorders capture slices of our lives so that we can re-live them again and again. Although she lacked modern technology, Mary photographed and videoed the events of the first Christmas on her heart, as it were. The Holy Spirit has shown this “video” to us and He has become our treasure also! God’s Word pictures the life of Jesus so we can “watch” His birth and follow His ministry. We stare in horror and amazement all in one at His death. We witness his glorious resurrection to life. We gaze into the sky at His ascension.
Do we look with numb disinterest, like watching an uncle’s not-so-exciting video of their Caribbean cruise? Or do we treasure up each scene from Jesus’ life and ponder it in our hearts? Like some wonderful jewel or great piece of art that we can’t take our eyes off of, these scenes and their meanings are too much to absorb all at once. So we return to admire and cherish them over and over. That’s the reason for things like our weekly church attendance and regular Bible Study.
Think about it: Apart from Christ, your heart was a barren wasteland, filled with sin and hate. Through Baptism, Jesus came and made His home in you! Now your heart is a treasure trove, filled with Jesus and all the riches and mercy He brings! And the more we ponder what a treasure Jesus is, the more we praise Him, as the shepherds did, who returned from the manger “glorifying and praising God for all the things they had heard and seen!” (Luke 2:20).
Although Grandma treasures her photo album, does she hide it away or refuse to show it to you? Not any grandma I’ve ever known! In fact, it is exactly because she treasures it that she displays it, leaving it out for everyone to look at. Even if they don’t ask to look at it, she eagerly shows it to whomever she can so that she can brag on her children and grand-children to everyone she meets!
By the same token, when we treasure Jesus in our hearts as Mary did, we don’t keep Him hidden away and locked up, but eagerly display Him. We praise and glorify Him by our words and actions so that everyone who comes into our lives can get a glimpse of Him, too. His blood has purchased the riches of heaven for us, and He gives us this treasure free of charge!
Keep the “picture” of Christmas and of your Savior, Jesus, with you all year during 2018. Make His Word and worship your highest priority. And let’s join with each other in praying: “Lord God, lead me every day to ponder Your riches as I meditate on Your Word, and lead me to praise You for Your grace as I live for Your glory; in Jesus’ name. Amen.”
Pastor Mark Koch <><
Page 3
Volume 50, Issue 1
Church Directory Updates Church Office
Please update your church directories: Moorehead, Phil, Doris, Anna Delong, 1722 Ray Ave., Bossier City, LA 71112
Moorehead, Phil Jr, - 846 Fairfield Ave., Apt. 1108, Shreveport, LA 71101
Barbara Walker phone – 318-230-1212
Jim & Marianne Covington, 16132 Uranimite St. NW, Ramsey, MN 55303
Thermostat Settings Charlie Thompson
As the weather becomes colder, we want to remind everyone that for maximum economical
efficiency during the heating season the thermostats in the church are set to begin heating
once the temperature reaches 60°and stop at 70°. If you are using a room and find it too cold,
feel free to change the setting while you are there, but please remember to reset the
thermostat before leaving.
Providence House Christmas Families Harold Mohrmann
MEET OUR NEW OFFICE SECRETARY!
Beginning Wednesday, January 3rd
, Mrs. Claire Denton begins as our new office secre-tary! Claire will work Monday through Friday, from 8am to 1pm each day. A Louisiana Tech graduate, Claire majored in Sociology and minored in Vocal Performance, and has also earned a Master of Arts in Christian Education. So the next time you call or stop by the office, please be sure to give Claire a big Immanuel welcome! Also a big THANK YOU to Melissa Sisemore who was invaluable with helping out between secretaries, as well as Earl Tonjes who took on an increased work load to see us through!
Thank you, thank you to all who purchased gifts for the two families Immanuel adopted for Christmas 2017. Wow, Santa’s sleigh was piled high with foot-balls, basketballs, soccer balls, Bible coloring books, Veggie Tales videos, mu-sic CDs, gift cards, a game stop, an IPAD, shoes, shirts, sweaters, pants, coats, toys, plush animals, kitchen items and ladies perfume. I had to add two more reindeer to Santa’s team to carry such a load of gifts to ensure he would get through the snow to Providence House. Thanks everyone!
Santa’s Elf.
Church Directory Update for 2018 Church Office
We need your help to be certain our church directory is as current as possible when it is pub-
lished in early January. This is different from the pictorial directory, and should include every-
one. If you have changed your email address, your phone number or your home address in the
last year, please notify us so that we may make the changes. If you did not have an email ad-
dress, but do now, please send it to us. Also, if you have not provided birthdates for everyone
in you family, please do so. The information is need to best serve you. Please Email your in-
formation to Earl at: [email protected] or call him at 746-2215.
Page 4
Women’s Ministry Vicky Cotton and Cathy Ward
LWML
Mission Outreach
For our newer members to Immanuel allow me to explain what Mission Outreach is and what it does. In 2012, I was
asked to start a sewing group where I would teach interested persons to sew a product that could/would be given as
a donation into our community. Long story short.... it was decided we would make baby quilts to be distributed to. the
local hospitals to present to each family with a baby in the Neonatal Intensive Care Units (NICU), to the Northwest LA
Pregnancy Crisis Center, and to the Cara Center (where Social Services houses small children who have to be
removed from their family) . Due to the large expense of such a project we partnered with Red River Quilters, who
donate to these same organizations. In 2013 we began meeting as a ministry of Immanuel and as a tributary of Red
River Quilters. RRQ provides kits for the quilts and Mission Outreach participants sew the kits into quilts called Love
Wrappers (the quilts are sewn with prayers and love, then the babies are wrapped in love). Donations of cotton
fabrics and batting are also accepted and used for other designs of quilts. Some of these go to our local veterans
(distributed by VA Home Health), to Shreveport/Bossier Rescue Mission, and Renesting (for Vet Build
recipients). To date we have made and donated over 925 quilts and blankets to our local community.
Who is invited to come to Mission Outreach?
Anyone interested in sewing or learning to sew, male or female, members and nonmembers, friends and
strangers. Invite someone to come with you or come and make new friends.
What do the lessons cost?
Your time to make and complete one Love Wrapper to be donated. After that you may bring your own supplies and we will guide you through making a quilt to keep.
When and Where?
Happy New Year! Friday an Saturday 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. in the fellowship hall. The dates for 2018 are on the
church calendar to reserve our plans. They are: January 19-20, February 23-24, March 16-17,April 27-28,May 18-
19, June 29-30, July 19-21, August 24-25,September 28-29, October 26-27, and November 16-17. Mark your
calendars. We do not have a scheduled meeting in December.
WOMEN’S THURSDAY NIGHT BIBLE STUDY
The Thursday night Bible study will resume on January 11th. We will do the 8-lesson DVD study on the life of Peter.
Check your upcoming church bulletins and emails for more information. If you have questions or suggestions, please
contact Vicky Cotton.
LADIES THURSDAY LUNCH OUT
Our first lunch of 2018 will be on January 18th at 11:30 a.m.. Look for sign-up sheets on the bulletin board in the
fellowship hall for lunch dates in the new year. Also, reminders will be in the Sunday bulletins and the “This Week at
Immanuel” weekly emails. For more information, contact Vicky Cotton.
Page 5
Volume 50, Issue 1
New Initiative for Bd. Of Congregational Concerns Gail Pearce
The deadline for article submission for the December Newsletter is Thursday, February 15. Articles submitted after this date will be in the next newsletter. Please, remember to limit your articles to approximately 250 words.
Immanuel’s Preschool Donna Wilson
The Board of Congregational Concerns will be starting a new initia-
tive for 2018. We would like to keep in touch with the young peo-
ple going out of town to college and our deployed service mem-
bers. We are in the process of determining what we will do, but it
will be Christian related with a Lutheran bias. You can help us by
giving us names and addresses of those people you know going
away from home to college or any deployed service members.
Our Board for 2018 is made up of Jim Owens, Beth Wilt, Sheryl
Keller and Gail Pearce. Contact any of the members to submit your
information. We want them to know we care.
A new book has been purchased by the Board called: “Cancer Now
What?”. This book contains information for those with cancer and
their loved ones. It deals with a myriad of subjects from dealing
with the emotional side of cancer to what tests, medical terminolo-
gy and machinery one may be subject to during treatments. There
are two books in the church library located in the Fellowship Hall.
There is no “check-out” process to read the book; we ask that you
return it when done reading it. We can order the book for you if
you would like your own copy.
As the spring semester begins, we are so grateful for the success of our school this year. Various members of our church are donating time and money to our ministry, and this is so encouraging. Immanuel Lutheran Pre-school has a reputation for producing students who are ready for kindergar-ten. We have a knowledgeable staff and a preschool board that work dili-gently to ensure that our curriculum and teaching methods keep up with current standards.
We are excited to announce we are extending the school day. The new hours are 8:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. If you know people who prefer these hours, please inform them.
Fourteen four-year-olds keep us busy for sure, but we have great joy seeing them grow academically, spiritually, and socially. If you would like to partici-pate in some way with this ministry of our church, please contact our staff or a board member.
January Birthdays
January Anniversaries
Ministering Among Us in December
3 10 17 24, *9:00 a.m. 31
Readers: 8:00 a.m Lisa Kimball Mark Stevens Keith Tonnies Cathy Ward Larry Stier 10:30 a.m. Tracey Schrader Gail Pearce Sandra Dean Dan Pearce Acolytes: 8:00 a.m. Dustin Hooker Christian Champagne Robyn Ford Grace Krueger Dustin Hooker 10:30 a.m. Hampton Bryant Jackson Voigt Mitchell Michaelson Peyton Deblieux A/V 8:00 a.m Charlie Johnson Lee Anderson Mark Stevens Mark Rath Lee Anderson 10:30 a.m. John Castanes Mike Searing Earl Broyles John Castanes Power 8:00 a.m. Sandy Jones Hunter Clemons Gary Abraham Mark Stevens Bethanie Dunn Point 10:30 a.m. Logan Sisemore Conner Turner Hampton Bryant Jackson Voigt Altar Flowers: / 8:00 a.m. 10:30 a.m. Ushers: Greeters: Elders: Ryan Hutchison/Jim Covington/ Steve Bull Ken Krueger/Billy Turnage/David Cotton Alternate: Greg Brownsberger Alternate: Brandon Wolf Altar: PraiseKids Jeff & Monica Lacy
1 Meyye Ekstrom
2 Ralph Owen
4 David Ford
4 Mike McKim
4 Steve Richardson
5 Laura Kitter
6 Ann Engle
6 Katy Kirsch
7 Dillan Russell
7 Eleanor Taylor
7 Kathy Ward
8 Lee Anderson
8 Cheryl Lyman
9 Haley Rath
10 Henry Robison
10 Evelyn Wolf
11 Bob Fortune, Jr.
12 David Cotton
12 Ken Russell
12 Mark Stevens
13 Dustin Hooker
13 Christabella Macynski
13 Blenna Robinson
14 Sara Halphen
14 Brenda Humphries
14 Charlie Mitchell
16 Mary Lou Tonjes
16 John Varilek
17 Guy Dowden
18 Josh Hendricks
19 Eleanor Milan
20 Eric Dowden
20 Glenda Kroll
20 Patti Richter
20 Tammy Szeckacs
21 Janie McKim
21 Tracey Schrader
22 Kathy Helms
25 Kaitlyn Helms
26 Adam Lahey
26 Aubrey Brooks
26 Ayame Farris
26 Bentley Jones
27 Virginia Lutterman
27 Cheryl Bull
28 David German
28 Felicia Salgado
31 Isabel Heffern
18 Jared & Becky Lenard
27 Al & Sandy Jones
28 Earl & Gayle Broyles, Jr.
Ministering Among Us in January
7 14 21 28
Readers: 8:00 a.m Keith Tonnies Cathy Ward Sandra Dean Bethanie Dunn 10:30 a.m. Monica Lacy Gail Pearce Mike Searing Therese Turnage
Acolytes: 8:00 a.m. Dustin Hooker Robyn Ford Grace Krueger Christian Champagne 10:30 a.m. Parker Headrick Nathan Sisemore Jackson Voigt Peyton DeBlieux A/V 8:00 a.m Charlie Johnson Lee Anderson Hunter Clemons Mark Rath 10:30 a.m. John Castanes Mike Searing Earl Broyles John Castanes
Power 8:00 a.m. Charlie Johnson Gary Abraham Sandy Jones Bethanie Dunn Point 10:30 a.m. Logan Sisemore Conner Turner Hampton Bryant Jackson Voigt Altar Flowers: Wolf 8:00 a.m. 10:30 a.m. Ushers: Dylan Langston, Zolly Kirsch, David Cotton Earl Broyles, Harold Mohrmann, Jeff & Monica Lacy Greeters: Cathy Ward Tracey Schrader Elders: David Langston, Mark Stevens Jimmy Cox, Ken Krueger, Brandon Wolf Altar: Vickie Kleinsasser, Diane Ford Marilyn Hammett, Marianne Mosteller PraiseKids Harlie & Becky O’Neal
Volume 50, Issue 1 Page 6
Immanuel’s 2018 Church Council and Board Members
Volume 50, Issue 1
Page 7
Board Outgoing 2017 2018
President Dan Hutchison Dan Hutchison
Secretary Tammy DeBlieux Tammy DeBlieux
Financial Secretary Roger & Joanne Davis, Debra Harmon
Roger & Joanne Davis, Debra Harman
Treasurer Charlie Johnson Charlie Johnson
Elders David Cotton David Cotton
Greg Brownsberger Greg Brownsberger
Mark Stevens Mark Stevens
Billy Turnage Billy Turnage
Tracy Prey Brandon Wolf Brandon Wolf
Steve Bull Steve Bull* Sal Salgado
Ryan Hutchison Ryan Hutchison*
Ken Krueger Ken Krueger
Jonothan Voigt Jonothan Voigt
David Langston David Langston
Jim Covington Jim Covington
J.D Varilek J.D Varilek
Glenn Augé Glenn Augé Jimmy Cox
Mike McKim Mike McKim*
Evan Dowden Evan Dowden vacant
Stewardship John Humphries John Humphries*
Gerald Lutterman Gerald Lutterman* Tammy Lemon
Mary Lou Tonjes Mary Lou Tonjes
Lee Anderson Lee Anderson
Michelle Macynski
Evangelism Lavonne Lewing Lavonne Lewing
Sara Robertson Sara Robertson
Ruth Hutchison Ruth Hutchison
Gayle Midkiff Gayle Midkiff* Lana Deville
Sandy Jones Sandy Jones
Gene Boesch Mark Rath
Finance Gary Abraham Gary Abraham *
Jimmy Cox* Jimmy Cox
Earl Tonjes Earl Tonjes
Board Outgoing 2017 2018
Finance Continued Glenda Kroll Glenda Kroll
Dan Pearce Dan Pearce
Trustees Charles Thompson Charles Thompson
Harold Mohrmann Harold Mohrmann
Jeff Lacy Jeff Lacy
Bud Lewing Bud Lewing
Gerald Lutterman
Congreg. Concerns Gail Pearce Gail Pearce*
Delphus Kleemann Delphus Kleemann
Dot Turnage Dot Turnage Beth Wilt
Jim Owens Jim Owens*
Pat Roe Sheryl Keller
Fellowship Karin Glenn Stephanie Hooker Stephanie Hooker
Debbie Taylor Margaret Carroll Margaret Carroll
Sandra Dean Sandra Dean
Debbie Taylor Aaron Castanes
Joe Morris Joe Morris
Herb Schwoch, Decs. John Castanes John Castanes
Herb Schwoch Erin Castanes
Sharon Taylor Sharon Taylor
Marie Causey Marie Causey
Earl Broyles
Education Kathy Sorenson Ann Engle Ann Engle
Becky O’Neal Vicky Cotton Vicky Cotton
Sheila Robison Sheila Robison*
Kathy Sorenson Kathy Sorenson
Meagan Hendricks Meagan Hendricks
Becky O’Neal* Blenna Robinson
Pam Searing Pam Searing
Preschool Donna Wilson Donna Wilson*
Lisa Kimball Lisa Kimball
Jennifer Hutchison Jennifer Hutchison
Julie Searing Julie Searing
Cathy Ward Cathy Ward
Margaret Zadow Janie McKim
Continued—Immanuel’s 2017 Church Council and Board Members
Volume 1, Issue 1 Page 8
NON-PROFIT
ORGANIZATION
U.S. POSTAGE
PAID
BOSSIER CITY, LA
PERMIT #125
2565 Airline Drive
Bossier City, LA 71111
Phone: 318-746-2215
Fax: 318-746-8374
Email: [email protected]
Website: www.immanuelbossier.org
I M M A N U E L L U T H E R A N C H U R C H
Read the full color version of this
newsletter at www.immanuelbossier.org
Dedicated to sharing the Gospel of Jesus
Christ with the people whose lives we touch.
Electronic Giving- The new webpage is up and is very nice. Under the Online giving menu, there is a link going to
VANCO online giving. It has a very safe capability and VANCO is used by some 23,000 churches. You are able to
set up your user profile the first time, and then subsequent uses will be a quick procedure. You can use the link to
accomplish ongoing as well as sporadic donations. Also, PayPal link is now operational and is available on the
webpage. Please keep in mind any software used by the church to accept funds, comes at a cost. The costs are not
excessive, but do come as a fee expense to the church. The way that is cost-free is a paper check, or your bank
sending a payment to Immanuel. This you can do by the Bill Pay function of your bank. Your bank can also set up a
donation check to the church using any timeline you desire. If you have any questions on how to establish a cost-
free donation/pledge to the church, please see Charlie Johnson.
Building Fund- Again, the Building Fund is a recommended fund for any contributions you would like to make over
and above your operating budget pledge. Presently, we are using Building Fund contributions to pay extra principal
on our church mortgage each month. Your contributions have enabled the church to pay off the 15-year mortgage
approximately 7 years early. Thank you all for supporting the additional principle payments each month by your addi-
tional contributions.
Pray for congregational solidarity, the call process in our search for a permanent pastor, for the missions of the
church, world peace, government agreement, and for those involved with disasters or in need.
THE 2018 BUDGET HAS BEEN APPROVED BY THE CONGREGATION
In addition to cash or writing checks, there are other options that may be more convenient.
Page 10
Volume 50, Issue 1
Budget status as of 31 October 2017— 2017 Budget $562,000
Actual Income: $469,931 Budgeted Income: $468,333 Over budget by: $1,598
Actual Expenditures: $496,181 Budgeted Expenditures $468,333 Over budget by: $27,848
Net Income (Actual Income minus Actual Expenditures) (-$26,250)
Mortgage Principal Remaining: $319,660 Total//Additional Principal Paid To Date;
$1,147,023//534,520.
2017/2018 Church Operating Budget- Remember, at the beginning of the year we paid an unplanned $17,400 out of operating funds for a new roof over the kitchen/fellowship area. This payment is the major reason for the deficit in net income. We will, hopefully, erase some of that deficit by year end. Pledges and additional contributions to designated funds are coming in. Our church is very blessed by your cooperation and participation with the budget process. The various church boards are working on the budget for 2018. This is a very important process and will determine our direction for the new year. Remember, your annual pledge is the primary input for determining next year’s budget. Please prayerfully consider what you are able to pledge and faithfully complete your commitment. If you have any committee budget questions, please see the respective committee chairperson. A monthly update of how we are doing on the current year budget is always posted on the kitchen bulletin board.
Electronic Giving- The new webpage is up and is very nice. Under the Online giving menu, there is a link going to VANCO online giving. It has a very safe capability and VANCO is used by some 23,000 churches. You are able to set up your user profile the first time, and then subsequent uses will be a quick procedure. You can use the link to accomplish ongoing as well as sporadic donations. Also, PayPal link is now operational and is available on the webpage. Please keep in mind any software used by the church to accept funds, comes at a cost. The costs are not excessive, but do come as a fee expense to the church. The way that is cost-free is a paper check, or your bank sending a payment to Immanuel. This you can do by the Bill Pay function of your bank. Your bank can also set up a donation check to the church using any timeline you desire. If you have any questions on how to establish a cost-free donation/pledge to the church, please see Charlie Johnson.
Building Fund- Again, the Building Fund is a recommended fund for any contributions you would like to make over and above your operating budget pledge. Presently, we are using Building Fund contributions to pay extra principal on our church mortgage each month. Your contributions have enabled the church to pay off the 15-year mortgage approximately 7 years early. Thank you all for supporting the additional principle payments each month by your additional contributions.
Financial Report End of October 2017 Charlie Johnson
Page 11
Newsletter Title
We’re on the Web
Website: www.immanuelbossier.org
Facebook: www.facebook.com/ImmanuelBossier
Worship Webcam: click on the link from our website or type in
http://www.immanuelbossier.org/livestream
Weekly E-Mail Newsletter: sign up from our website or email us at [email protected]