A Publication of Emanuel Lutheran Church Volume XXXXII No. 1

January 2017

Empowered by the Holy Spirit, Emanuel’s mission is to witnessto the good news of salvation through Christ to individuals, the community

and the world through discipleship and service.

Dear Emanuel family,

Once again, I struggle to find the words to express our appreciation for all of yourmany kindnesses to us, not only at Christmas, but throughout the year. The cards, gifts,

goodies, and well-wishes for us are so very gracious, and we are sothankful for and humbled by your love. We are blessed to share inthis ministry with each and all of you at Emanuel. Please consideryourself hugged! With just two words to express a heart full ofgratitude – thank you!

In His love and with ours – Pastor and Carol

The Work of Christmas

When the song of the angels is stilled,When the star in the sky is gone,When the kings and princes are home,When the shepherds are back with their flock,The work of Christmas begins:To find the lost,To heal the broken,To feed the hungry,To release the prisoner,To rebuild the nations,To bring peace among people,To make music in the heart. -Howard Thurman

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May the Prayer of St. Francis guide us in this New Year ahead...

“Lord, make me an instrument of your peace;Where there is hatred, let me sow love;Where there is injury, pardon;Where there is doubt, faith;Where there is despair, hope;Where there is darkness, light;And where there is sadness, joy.O Divine Master,Grant that I may not so much seek to be consoled as to console;To be understood, as to understand;To be loved, as to love;For it is in giving that we receive,It is in pardoning that we are pardoned,And it is in dying that we are born to eternal life.”

Caring Corner for January

Soap

We hope for a bright, clean start to a brand-new, shiny, sparkling clean New Year, so thismonth, we’ll collect soap – any band, any size – for together We Can Make A DifferenceInitiatives. We can even use small travel, hotel/motel-size, which we re-package as“school kits” for kids who shower at school with sports and/or phys ed.

Many, many thanks to all who helped with and supportedour Project: We Care “Angel Tree.” Because you cared,50 kids and 19 different families had a little brighterChristmas this year. For those of you who shopped,wrapped, funded, sorted, and delivered, thank you SOmuch on behalf of those whose lives you touched in thissimple way of sharing CHRISTmas!

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Membership News

Baptism December 18: Chelsey Marie Saneholtz was baptized at Emanuel. Chelsey and her husband,Ross, are joining our congregation! Their address: 11629 Co Rd W, Wauseon, OH 43567. Phone number: 419-966-0809.

December 27: Stella Marie Smith, daughter of Jeremy and Stephanie (Kloos) Smith, wasbaptized at Emanuel. Stella’s sponsors are Missy Amundsen and Jamila Gramsey.

Funeral Please keep the family of Paul Cousino in your prayers. Paul passed away on November 27.His funeral was held on December 1.

“Those who bring sunshine to the lives of others cannot keep it from themselves.”

—J.M. Barrie

Do you need Prayer?

Please let us know if you or a loved one is in need of prayers, andwe will add you/them to our prayer list.

We would also appreciate updates on your requests or if youwould like to have your name removed from the list.

1 Thessalonians 5:17 Pray without ceasing.

James 5:16 Therefore confess your sins to one another, and pray for oneanother, so that you may be healed. The prayer of the righteous ispowerful and effective.

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Poinsettias

Thanks to those who purchased the 39 poinsettias this year!

Karri Ashbaugh - in honor of Maddi & Morgan

Ed & Tiffany Biederstedt - in honor of Blake & Alexandria

Julie & Casey Callaway - in loving memory of Bonnie Babcock; in honor of Sonny Babcock, Jack &

Evie Funchion

Leo & Juanita Clausen - in loving memory of our parents and sisters and brother

Kaitlin & Nathan Cordes - in honor of Kurt & Karen Rohrs; Robert & Ruthann Cordes

Janis Dachenhaus & family - in loving memory of Ron Dachenhaus

Eloise M. Dierker - in honor of Doug Losey

Shirlee Mires Fejes - in loving memory of Ray, Melle, Phil, Lisa & Nelson; in honor of Brent, Marc,

Jeff, Joel’s families

Tami Fonseca - in loving memory of Angel Cranston; in honor of Gina, Tami Fonseca

Nikki Frey - in loving memory of Ron Schink

Tom & Barbara Hoffman - in loving memory of Art & Estella Hoffman and Robert & Lulu Arps; in

honor of Ryan, Andrea, Rob, Wil, & Nora Hoffman and Lauren, Chris, Lucas & Micah Helberg

Barbara Kenning - in loving memory of Annie Moore & Harv Rosebrook

Steve & Phyllis Kloos - in honor of Stella Marie Smith

Joe & Julie Kohout - in honor of Ryan, Erica, Anthony, Carson, Mackenzie, Benjamin

Eleonora Koppenhofer - in loving memory of my sisters and brothers

Ken & Nancy Lange - in loving memory of our brothers

Jeff Mires - in loving memory of my father, Phil; in honor of my mother, Shirlee

Holly Mohring - in loving memory of loved ones and in honor of family

Paul & Betty Mowery - in loving memory of Rex & Marge Richard and Richard , Dorothy, & Mary

Mowery

Brian & Dea Plummer - in loving memory of Deborah Graver; in honor of our children: Hannah, Jacob,

Ethan & Carey; and our grandmothers: Marjorie Altherr & Evelyn Hastedt

Carey & Brenda Plummer - in loving memory of Paul & Margrate Plummer, Eldon Hastedt; in honor of

Evelyn Hastedt

Ronnie & Kathy Rohrs - in loving memory of our parents, Arthur Rohrs and Julius & Emma Kahrs; in

honor of Denelda Rohrs

Rupert & Rita Schweinhagen - in honor of Olivia Schweinhagen

Jeannie Wiechers - in loving memory of Eli Wiechers

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Women of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America

WELCA News

Our December General Meeting was held Thursday, December 8, at 7:00 p.m. in the basement ofthe church. We had the installation of officers, and our Christmas Program was “The BrownPK’s”; Carol and Peg had a wonderful program. Thank you to all who attended and brought

wrapping paper for the Angel Tree and to the Miriam Circle for the refreshments.Program booklets will be coming out soon. Please take a few minutes and take a look at the dates of

activities and get them on the 2017 calendar.Remember during the month of January, please plan to attend any circle you would like.

As a community of women created in the image of God, called to discipleship in Jesus Christ, andempowered by the Holy Spirit, we commit ourselves to grow in faith, affirm our gifts, support one another in ourcallings, engage in ministry and action, and promote healing and wholeness in the church, the society and the

world. -WELCA website

We would like to thank everyone for their support and prayersthroughout 2016 and going into 2017. We continue to assistabout 350 different families each month with basic personalcare and toiletry items that many of us take for granted. Whether it is monetary, donating products, bringing coupons orplastic caps, it all helps! Thank you so very much!!!

-Together We Can Make A Difference Initiatives Carol, Kelli, and Terri

Mark your calendars now. Together We Can Make A DifferenceInitiatives is sponsoring a Chicken and Rib BBQ on Monday,February 20, from 12 noon to 6 p.m. in the parking lot at Emanuel(please use the Scott Street entrance). For $7 you may have eitherChicken or Ribs with a bag of chips, applesauce, and a dinnerroll.

Tickets may be purchased ahead of time, but drive-thrus arewelcome. To reserve your dinners, call Kelli Burkhardt at 419-579-0199 or email togethernwoh@gmail.com or stop by TogetherWe Can Make A Difference Initiatives, 722 North Perry Street,

during our hours – Monday, Wednesday, Friday from 10 to noon; Tuesday 3 to 5 p.m.; Thursday from 5to 7 p.m. Feel free to contact Carol Castello or Terri Sedam also. Chicken and Ribs prepared by Port-A-Pit BBQ from Edgerton, Ohio.

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Remember our members in nursing homes and assisted living facilities in your prayers and with cards,letters, and visits:

Lutheran Home (1036 S. Perry St., Napoleon)

Norbert Brandt

Alpine Village (1032 S. Perry St., Napoleon)

Glenn Park Assisted Living (2429 William Diehl Ct, Defiance, OH 43512)

Miles Joseph -Rm 104Laurels of Defiance (1701 S. Jefferson Ave. Defiance, OH 43512)

Burnice AglerVan Crest Health Center (600 E Joe E Brown Ave, Holgate, OH 43527)

Alice LangenhopRita Prigge -Rm 24

Orchards of Northcrest (240 Northcrest Drive Napoleon, OH 43545)

Bob Showman

EMANUEL GOOD NEWS, a monthly publication of the Emanuel Lutheran Church810 Scott Street, P.O. Box 501, Napoleon, OH 43545 (419-592-2616) emanuel@bright.netwww.emanuelnapoleon.orgPastor - James L. Castello (419-592-0847 or cell 419-966-2601) jameslcastello@yahoo.comCongregation President - Gary BostelmanWomen of the ELCA President - Jamie BostelmanPrayer Chain Co-ordinator - Carol Castello (419-592-0847 or cjcast@yahoo.com)Worship & Music Coordinator/Organist - Angela TonjesBell Choir Director - Bill PanningLiving Spirit Director - Holly Mohring, Angela TonjesParish Secretary - Patricia MohringSunday School Superintendent - Altar Guild Chairman - Barbara HoffmanCustodian - Jack Robbins

2016 Church CouncilPresident - Gary BostelmanPresident-Elect - Ron WiechersSecretary - Laura YaneyTreasurer - Julie KohoutDoctrine & Worship Board - Holly Mohring & Betty MoweryCongregational Life Board - Carol Castello & Sue SchinkBoard of Education - Jamie Bostelman & Julie Mt.CastleProperties Board - Jeff Mires & Marv Mt.CastleFinance Board - Maxine Eickhoff & Kelli Burkhardt

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Notes from Angela + - Angela Tonjes

ChoirThank you, choir members, for all the beautiful music for December and for the cantata. It was funputting it all together. The instrumentalists really added a special touch.

Thank you, Tom and Beth Jenny, for hosting the choir party. We always have a great time!Choir rehearsals in January will be on Wednesday the 11 , 18 , and 25th th th

at 6:30 p.m. We will be working on songs for February and music for Lent.

Living SpiritThank you, Living Spirit members, for all the wonderful Christmas music inDecember. Rehearsals in January will be on Wednesday the 11 , 18 , andth th

25 at 7:30 p.m. in the chapel. The song schedule for Sunday, January 15th

will be easy and light.

EmanubellsThank you, Emanubells, for the terrific music in December and for thecantata. Rehearsals in January will be on the 11 , 18 , and 25 at 5:30 p.m. in the sanctuary.th th th

After School ClubThank you, After School Club children, for going Christmas caroling in downtown Napoleon inDecember. All the people who heard you had smiles on their faces!

We had a great time crafting in December, as we learned the many ways that candy canes remindus of Jesus.

NO After School Club on January 4. See you all on January 11, after school, of course!

EpiphanyIn Christianity, Epiphany is the realization that Jesus is the Son of God. The official day ofEpiphany is January 6 when Christians around the world celebrate the arrival of the Wisemen(Magi). At Emanuel, Epiphany will be celebrated on Sunday, January 8. The readings and musicwill be all about the star of the east and the Wisemen.

The Epiphany season is considered the season of light and lasts through the months of Januaryand February. The Bible readings begin with the baptism of Jesus and end with the Transfigurationof Jesus. All the lessons and music will have a focus on Jesus as the light of the world.

Thank YouThank you to every singer, reader, bell ringer, sound board operator, bulletin maker, usher, andinstrumentalist for making the Christmas worship services so uplifting this year. We have the mosttalented people here at Emanuel who are always willing to serve their church in ways both big andsmall. It does not go unnoticed, you are appreciated!

For music, I must think, was givenTo be of higher life a token,

The language by the angels spoken, The native tongue of heaven! -Christopher Pearse Cranch

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Worship participants in January

Acolytes1/1 (10 a.m. service) Laci Dachenhaus & Halle Good

8:00 Derek Miller & Tyson Reynolds10:30 Laci Dachenhaus & Halle Good

Ushers 8:00 Dave Schwab, Jack Ruby

Ed Biederstedt, Tiffany Biederstedt10:30 Bob Ivancso, Bill Panning

Tom Schroeder, Denny Ehlers

Sound Board1/1 (10 a.m. service) Joe Kohout1/8, /15, /22, /29 8:00 Jack Robbins

10:30 Ryan Kohout

Lay Assistant1/1 (10 a.m. service) Laura Ellis1/8 8:00 Alexandra Reynolds

10:30 Laura Ellis1/15 8:00 Larr Etzler

10:30 ** needed **1/22 8:00 ** needed **

10:30 Laura Ellis1/29 8:00 ** needed **

10:30 Laura Ellis

Altar Guild

Altar Flowers

January 1 - OPEN

January 8 - Ken & Nancy Lange for their wedding anniversary

January 15 - Douglas & Judy Hoffman

January 22 - OPEN

January 29 - OPEN

To reserve a ltar flowers... S ign up on the flower chart in the narthex or ca ll the church office .

Our flowers are done by Ivy League Flora l & Design Stud io on West Washington Street. The

cost is $20. Make checks payable to Emanuel Lutheran Church. If you have specia l orders for

your flowers (certa in co lors, a larger arrangement, etc.), p lease contact Cori Ratliff a t Ivy

League. If your order is beyond the $20, p lease pay the shop d irectly.

Please put the used plastic containers in which the altar flowers come in Angela’s office to be recycled.

L There are a lot of openings on the 2017 flower calendar! Won’t you pick a

date to furnish flowers and sign up now!??

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