The Messenger

Monthly news for Emmanuel Lutheran Church - Menominee, Michigan

DECEMBER 2016

ADVENT & CHRISTMAS

AT EMMANUEL

4th Sunday in Advent - December 18

8:00am Worship

10:00am Sunday School Christmas Program

Christmas Eve Worship with Communion 4:00pm – Youth Drama and Readings

7:00pm – Senior Choir

Christmas Day with Communion Worship at 10:00am

This month’s Messenger is sponsored by

James Porras “I care about our congregation and our church.

I would be honored to protect your family and home.

Thank you, James, for sponsoring the Messenger

Emmanuel members who own or operate their own business or

members who would like to recognize a significant event in their

lives are invited to sponsor the Messenger. Full sponsorship of the

Messenger is $100. This covers a portion of the cost of mailing the

Messenger each month.

from the pastor

Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ;

A few months back a study came out that was construed by many that

our cats want to eat us. While this was not accurate (it was actually a

study on comparing the personalities of cats, both domestic and large),

for about a week or so I remember reading about responses to this

study and hearing people on the radio have a lot of fun with it. I guess

that’s the fun of the internet……once a story makes its way online, it

must be true!

I’ve never felt like my cat wants to eat me, but I can vouch for the fact

that he does violate personal space at times. His most common crime is

to come into the bedroom during early morning hours while I am deep

in slumber, jump on the bed, proceed to walk around on top of me, and

eventually put his nose to mine so that his whiskers rub against my

cheeks and wake me up. It’s hard to be angry with him when he’s

joyfully purring the entire time he is rousing me from much cherished

pillow time.

I will remove him from the bed and set him on the floor. He will

respond by jumping back up onto the bed and repeating the process. I

will set him on the floor again, a little less gently this time. He will then

climb up onto the side table and start batting against the blinds or begin

boxing a plastic bag or anything that makes a lot of noise. He does this

while looking at me the entire time. And he continues to purr.

I finally will give up and climb out of bed, make a cup of coffee, sit down

with some reading material, and allow the day to begin. The day may

be starting earlier than I anticipated, but soon I find myself lost in the

rhythms of the early morning hours and am grateful for the opportunity

to be awake during hours that many others are still asleep. I enjoy the

quiet before the hectic activity of the day begins. I enjoy the single light

in the dark living room illuminating my reading material. And yes, I do

even enjoy a few minutes giving the cat the attention that he’s wanting

during these early hours.

It’s a time to be focused, which is exactly what this blessed season of

Advent is all about as well. It’s a time to be focused with anticipatory

joy for the coming of the promised savior. The four Sundays of Advent

focus on the themes of prophecy, love, joy, and peace. Our Sunday

services each week will celebrate each of these themes through Word

and song, preaching and teaching. It all funnels to a culmination on

Christmas Day, the day we celebrate the fulfillment of this prophecy,

the eternal extension of God’s love, the boundless joy of God sending

God’s Son to redeem sinners, and the peace that is found in accepting

God’s gift to us, Jesus Christ. It’s as if Advent is four weeks spent

meticulously wrapping the present and Christmas is the explosive

opening of it.

During this Advent season, may God grant us good slumber, wakeful eyes when the dawn draws near, and the necessary focus as we wait with baited breath for the coming of our Savior. And if any of you happen to have difficulty waking up to this most holy season, I’ll be more than happy to send my cat your way. He’ll wake you with joy and eagerness. I know, because he’s purring the entire time he’s doing it!

In Christ,

Pastor Mark

I want to extend a very special “Thank You” to everyone who so

graciously volunteered to lead worship and enable our

congregation to so joyfully celebrate the wonderful first Sunday of

Advent while I was in Detroit to be present at Jacob’s final high

school football game. In addition to our incredible church staff,

who always keep the wheels turning, thank you to Judy Seglund,

who recorded and operated the sequencer music for both services,

to Deb Villas and Robin Gustafson who willingly volunteered

when my plea for help went out and led the 8:00 worship service,

to John Helfert, who so humbly provided our Children’s Sermon,

and to Gail Sieglaff, who led our 10:00 worship and preached a

very heartfelt sermon on “Forgiveness” during what was

undoubtedly a very difficult time for her and Les. I am eternally

grateful to each and every one of you. -Pastor Mark.

From the Director: Patti Treptow

Advent… the season of anticipation and a time to get ready

to celebrate the joy of Christmas. As adults, the Advent season

goes by all too fast with its impending hustle and bustle. As

children, it cannot go fast enough. In the December’s Parenting

Christian Kids, the main article discusses the Advent season as a

time of testing patience - those with children can attest to this, as

well as those who bravely shop on the Friday after Thanksgiving!

Yet, the author reminds us that “God commands us to patiently

wait on him and to show patience with other people”. Psalm 27:14

states, “Wait patiently for the Lord”. We all can use some work in

practicing patience, especially during this busy season. However,

waiting patiently does not mean inaction. On the contrary, Advent

is a wonderful time where we can actively wait by serving others

and sharing the love of God. This practice of active waiting can

help us to focus on the wonders of Advent and anticipation of the

joy of Christmas.

Emmanuel has many opportunities for you and your family

to actively wait this Advent season. We will be ringing bells for

the Salvation Army, collecting items for the food drive, buying

gifts for our Tree of Love, baking and donating goodies for the

church bake sale, learning more about Christmas hymns in the

Advent Bible study, participating in the children’s Christmas

program, and participating in special worship services.

As Advent begins, take some time to plan how you and

your family may balance patience with active waiting while you

prepare for the celebration of the birth of our Lord.

The following are updates in our youth and family ministry

programs…….

Youth and Family Ministry

Confirmation classes for 7

th and 8

th grade students continue each

Sunday at 9:00 a.m. Thank you to our parent guides: Brianna Camps,

Katy Wickstrom, Kelli Anderson, Stacy Myers, Deb Clausen, Boni

Nerat-Heckel, and Anna Slawinski who have led the discussion groups

over the past few weeks.

Special Thank You to the family of Carl H. Johnson

All of our Confirmation students have received the book "Here We

Stand" from the Carl. H. Johnson memorial fund. Each student will use

this book throughout their two years of Confirmation instruction and will

be able to keep it. Carl Johnson was a faithful member of Emmanuel and

a life-long teacher at Menominee High School.

Confirmation Activities

Monthly Suppers - Sunday, December 18th, 5:30-7:00 p.m. is our

December confirmation supper at the church. Supper will be at 5:30

p.m., followed by a Bible study and conclude with a game or activity.

Attendance is not mandatory, but is meant to be another opportunity for

kids to grow together. So we can plan food/activities, please let the

church office know if your student will be attending. And, if any parents

would want to provide for a supper, we are always grateful for that as

well! Thank you to Traci and Tim Leinonen for hosting the November

supper! Salvation Army Bell Ringing – Confirmation students along with all

members of Emmanuel are asked to participate in ringing bells on

Saturday, December 3rd

from 12:00-3:00 p.m. at Jack’s Fresh Market in

Menominee. You need not be there for the entire time. We are asking

you to sign up in one hour increments. A sign- up sheet will be made

available at confirmation class and in the narthex.

Baking for the Church Bake Sale – Confirmation students will join

with our members of the Youth Advisory Council to bake cookies and

other yummy treats on Saturday, December 10th, 10:00 a.m. until 2:00

p.m. A pizza lunch will be served as well as a tasting table of the

goodies we make. A sign-up sheet will be handed out during

confirmation class. Parents are encouraged to help! The baked goods

will be sold at the church bake sale on Sunday, December 11th where

proceeds will go towards Emmanuel's Christmas food basket project.

Leaf Raking - Sunday, November 6th our youth and their parents raked

the leaves of our members who needed assistance. Thank you to

everyone who participated in this activity of service!

Thanksgiving Eve Pie and Ice Cream Social

Wednesday, November 23rd

following the Thanksgiving Eve

worship service, we enjoyed fellowship and pie. Thank you to

everyone who donated pies and to the youth who served!

Calendar Sale Our youth continue to sell 2017 calendars to raise funds for their

participation in the 2018 ELCA National Youth Gathering. These

beautiful wall calendars sell for $5.00 and are available in the

narthex. Each month displays a Bible verse on a scenic landscape.

They are going fast… so get yours before they run out. They make

great Christmas gifts!

Jewelry

Youth Fundraiser Our youth will be making beautiful costume jewelry to be sold just

in time for Valentine's Day. Judy Reed will instruct and guide the

kids through the art of jewelry making. But, we need your help! If

you have any broken jewelry pieces or half-sets of earrings, we can

use them in creating new designs and unique pieces. Please drop

off your spare jewelry pieces in the church office. Thank you!

The December edition of "Parenting Christian Kids" will

be available Sunday, December 4th

. This contemporary

newsletter is filled with articles, parenting principles, pointers

and more, all focused on a relevant, monthly theme. It also

contains reviews of movie and music releases and cultural

trends and statistics that provide insights for parents. Additional copies of all

editions will be available in the narthex and on the church website at www.e-

mmanuel.com

ELCA National

Youth Gathering

Fundraisers

Sunday School

Children's Christmas program parts have been

selected and practices have started. Christmas

is right around the corner! We will be practicing each Sunday

during the last 15 minutes of Sunday school, so attendance is very

important. Here are some dates to remember:

Dress Rehearsal and Christmas Party – Saturday, Dec. 17th

,

9:00 a.m. until 12:00 noon. Children will be served a lunch of

pizza, juice or milk and receive a gift from the congregation.

Christmas Program Performance – Sunday, Dec. 18th

, during

the 10:00 a.m. worship service. Please have your child at the

fellowship hall by 9:30 a.m. to get into costume.

Parents, if your child will be out of town for the dress rehearsal

and/or program performance or have any questions, please contact

Patti at the church office as soon as possible.

******************************************************

Upcoming

Activities………

December meeting - EYAC will meet this Sunday, December 4th

at 11:00 a.m. (following the 10:00 a.m. worship service) in the

"Friendship Room". All high school youth are invited to attend!

Christmas Eve Dramatic Readings – We will be presenting in a

silhouette drama, the lessons during the 4:00 p.m. Christmas Eve

Family Service. Any high school youth interested in participating

is asked to contact Patti Treptow at the church office.

Youth-led Worship

Emmanuel’s youth led the 10:00 a.m. worship service on Sunday,

November 13th. Our youth provided special music, served as ushers,

gave the children's sermon, read the lessons, and provide the sermon for

the day!

ADULT CHRISTIAN EDUCATION

Advent Bible Study

"Christmas Hymn Theology"

Monday evenings at 6:30 p.m., from November 28th

- December

19th

, we will explore the history, intention, and theology of four

cherished Christmas hymns: "Oh, Come, Oh, Come, Emmanuel",

"Angels We Have Heard on High", "Hark, the Herald Angels

Sing", and "Joy to the World". We will conclude each night of

study with a brief Advent worship service. Join us in the

"Friendship Room" and bring nothing but a Bible and a joyful

heart!

Wednesday Morning Men’s group

Join us each Wednesday, 7:30 a.m., at the Serving Spoon for a

wonderful time of fellowship with friends, sharing stories, and

enjoying a cup of coffee. Bring a friend!

WoMen’s Ministries

Women of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America The Sarah Circle will meet on Tuesday, December 13, at 1:00 p.m. in the Friendship room with Carol Sieth as hostess.

Seeking Enlightenment Group will be meeting on Thursday,

December 22, at 6:30pm. It is a time of sharing and encouraging

each other on our Christian journey, contact Robin Gustafson at

906-290-1003 or Jackie Kolaszewski at 906-290-1158 for location

details.

Bell Ringing!

Emmanuel will be ringing bells for Salvation Army. We

are seeking members of all ages to sign up for a shift of ringing

and maybe even some singing! Emmanuel will be at Jack’s Fresh

Market in Menominee on Saturday, December 3rd from 12:00-

3:00 p.m. A sign-up sheet will be made available in the narthex

where you can sign up for one hour shifts. Let’s make it a great

turnout and show our community Emmanuel cares!

Christmas Food Baskets – The collection of food and non-

food items for the Christmas food boxes will take place November

13th

through December 11th

. The donated

items will be given to individuals and

families in our community who are in need.

This gift will help bring some joy and hope

to them at Christmas. Donated goods may

be placed in the marked area in the narthex.

Food items needed include canned meats

(tuna and chicken), canned dinners,

complete meal foods like spaghetti sauce with meat, peanut butter,

soups, canned fruits and vegetables, pasta and rice including boxed

meals, pancake mixes and syrup, cereal, and juices. Please no

expired foods – we cannot include them in the food boxes.

Non-food items needed include toothbrushes, deodorant,

soap and shampoo, paper towels, toilet tissue, dish soap, laundry

soap, and general cleaning supplies. Please note when buying in

bulk, items must be individually wrapped.

Emmanuel's Outreach Projects

Local Tree of Love – Thank you Emmanuel

members for your quick response to our local Tree

of Love. All the names have been retrieved and

the gifts are starting to come in to the office.

Please return your wrapped gifts, with the

identifying tag securely attached, to the church

office by Sunday, December 11th

.

Christmas Bake Sale - We Need Your Help!

Our annual Christmas bake sale will be held on

Sunday, December 11th

between worship

services. Our youth will be baking cookies on

Saturday, December 10th

to sell, but we need

your help to make this sale a success! Our

youth will be baking 24 dozen cookies and we

are asking the congregation to match or exceed

that amount. If each person could bake one or

two dozen cookies or baked items, we will easily meet our goal.

Proceeds from the bake sale go to support the Christmas food

basket project.

Please bring your baked goods for the bake sale to the fellowship

hall on Saturday, December 10th

by 2:00 p.m.

OUR EMMANUEL FAMILY

CALLED HOME BY GOD . . .

Dorothy Blom passed away on November 4, at the age of 92.

Funeral services for Dorothy were held at Hansen-Onion-Martell

Funeral Home on November 6. Our sympathy to her children,

Orville Gauthier, Raymond Gauthier, Carl Winnekins, Maxine

Reynolds, Kathy Saunier and Sue Chaney and their families.

Ronald Beyer passed away on November 6, at the age of 89.

Funeral services for Ron were held at Hansen-Onion-Martell

Funeral Home on November 13. Our sympathy to his wife, Sandy,

and children, Robert, Ronald, Robyn and James, and their families.

Finance Update Through October, our total offerings and other receipts are

$206,688.00. Total expenditures as of this date are $204,404.00,

which leaves us with a year to date excess of $2,284.00.

Church Survey Thank you to everyone who returned a church survey! Your

comments and suggestions will help us in the planning of future events. If you have not received a survey, they are

available in the narthex. Please return your survey by December 4th.

Christmas Memorials

All Christmas memorials must be received by Sunday, December 18

to be included in the Christmas Memorial booklet. Your gifts are greatly appreciated. I would like to : ______Place a poinsettia in the chancel ($10.00) My/Our gift to the church’s mission at home: To: $_____ELCA National Youth Gathering

$_____Seminarian Support Fund

$_____Undesignated Memorial Fund –or- for the following purpose:

______________________________________________________

My/Our gift to the wider mission of the church: To: $_____Fortune Lake Lutheran Camp

$_____ELCA – World Hunger Appeal

$_____The following: ________________________

______________________________________________________

Given ___In memory of _________________________________ ___In honor of ___________________________________ ___In thanks to God_______________________________ By ______________________________ Envelope Number_____

Dear Emmanuel Lutheran: My son Gabe and I have been given the blessing and opportunity to participate in a mission trip to Haiti July 8-15, 2017 with a group of my colleagues and their families within Arbonne. I have always wanted to directly help with missions instead of sending my dollars and now I have that chance! We are going as a group for Mission of Hope: Hope for Haiti. This organization was founded in 1998 with the primary goal of following Jesus Christ’s example and serving the people of Haiti by meeting their physical and spiritual needs. In recent years and months, they have had a larger need to help the country recover first from the horrific earthquake in 2010 and now from Hurricane Matthew. Being that the majority of the country is in extreme poverty, they had no warning Hurricane Matthew was coming and could not prepare. Homes and crops were destroyed leaving a large portion of the country exposed to disease. The rebuild has already started, so Gabe and I will be doing whatever project they have for us when we arrive to help support the recovery of the country. I ask that you prayerfully consider helping to fund the travel costs for the two of us to spend a life changing week directly serving in Christ’s name to those deeply in need. I do have a GoFundMe page set up if you would like to donate directly there. I have all posts on my Facebook page public so you can follow that link, or you can go directly to www.gofundme.com and type “Linda Davis” in the search bar to find my fundraiser. All proceeds will go to the travel costs which we are estimating will cost about $3000-$3500 for the two of us to spend the week. Anything raised above and beyond what is needed will be donated directly to Mission of Hope to help continue to fund their efforts in Haiti. Thank you all and God Bless! Linda Davis

OPPORTUNITIES TO SERVE!!

Two of our congregation’s vital ministries are seeking new members who would be willing to serve Christ’s church in these unique capacities.

The Funeral Luncheon Ministry are in need of persons who would be willing to help set up the fellowship hall, serve the food (food is already prepared – no cooking is necessary), and to clean up following funeral luncheons. There is already a great foundational team

in place to coordinate, but they are in need of helpers during these times of ministry to those who have gathered to celebrate the lives of recently departed saints. As well, the Prayer Ministry Team is also looking for additional members. This team meets weekly at 9:30 am on Wednesday mornings at Emmanuel. For those who cannot be part of the weekly meetings, but would still like to be part of this ministry, we’d love to add you to the Prayer Chain where you are informed of those who are requesting prayer so that you can share these needs and actively participate in prayer for those who desire it. If you are interested or have any questions about either one of these ministries, please contact the church office at 863-3431 and we will be more than happy to answer your questions and welcome you to these blessed serving opportunities. -Pastor Mark

Menominee High School Holiday Open House for Senior Citizens

When: December 14th from 10:00 am to 2:00 pm Turkey Dinner served at 12:15 Theme: Cartoon Holiday Movies Where: Menominee High School 2101 18th Street, Menominee, Michigan RSVP by December 8th Call: 863:7814 (224)

Activities include: Food Sampling, Bingo, Angel Ornaments, Caroling, Crafts & More!

Donations are appreciated!

Would you like to see the photos that are in this month's Messenger in color? Check out Emmanuel's website and click on the newsletter link under "Our Work". You can find our website at www.e-mmanuel.com

SUNDAY MORNINGS AT EMMANUEL Worship at

8:00 & 10:00am Nursery care provided at 10am

Sunday School at 10:00am

CONTACT US:

Phone: (906) 863-3431 Fax: (906) 863-4193

Email: mail@e-mmanuel.com Council President, Jackie Kolaszewski Email: elcpresident@e-mmanuel.com

or Visit us on the Web at www.e-mmanuel.com

Follow us on Facebook at Emmanuel Lutheran Church Menominee Michigan ELCA

STAFF: Pastor

The Rev. Mark Laatsch

Director of Youth & Family Ministry Mrs. Patti Treptow Church Secretary Mrs. Judy Raygo

Custodians Ms. Judy Seglund & Mr. Gary Marineau

We are a congregation of the Northern Great Lakes Synod Evangelical Lutheran Church in America