Immanuel-Trinity Lutheran Church |
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Pastor's Message
Who Do You Say that I Am?
" Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that
you have...." 1 Peter 3:15
Dear Partners in the Gospel,
If you had to describe what Jesus meant to you, could you? If you had to write a paragraph about how you have encountered Jesus in your life, would it be difficult? If you were on trial for being a Christian in our community today, would there be enough outward evidence to convict you?
In our post-Easter Sunday gospels, the biblical writers treat us to the first power-filled days of the disciples discovering that the risen Savior, Jesus, was continuing to groom them to follow in his footsteps. From Thomas to Peter, James and Saul, each of these early church leaders struggled with believing that the resurrection was real, life altering and transformative. The Gospel writers share with us the struggles of first believing, and then turning that belief into action.
Pastor Sue and I, as well as many of you, I understand, were able to see “The Case for Christ”. Author Lee Stroebel’s life account of his transformation from atheism to Evangelist. What struck me was 1) how difficult it was for Lee to first come to a realization that God loved and cared for him, and 2) how to accept that love and respond to it in his daily life. What we believe determines how we behave. How we behave is our reflection of what we prioritize.
As 21st century followers of Jesus, can we articulate our love for Jesus in such a way that we can share with someone else our faith journey? Notice I didn’t say try to convince them to believe the way I do. But are we able to tell our life story and reflect how God has blessed us in such a way that others can tell that our faith drives everything we do in our daily lives. Can others see in us that same light of love that kept Jesus on the Cross... that same light of love that drove the first disciples to all the corners of the earth... the same light of love that shown through whom ever first shared the story of Jesus with you?
In confirmation, the last thing we ask of our young people is to write an “I Believe” statement. I commend that to each of us. Only when we can articulate what we believe, can we share that belief in .. Jesus Christ, crucified, resurrected, alive and well in us today.
Have a Blessed Easter,
Pastor Tom
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Weekly Lenten Services at 10:30am & 6pm
March 30 and April 6 Online options at www.immaneultrininty.org
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Palm Sunday Services
Sat., April 9 at 5:30pm & Sun. ,April 10 at 9:30am
Maundy Thursday Services
Thursday, April 14
10:30am & 6pm
Good Friday Services
Friday, April 15 10:30am & 6pm
Easter Services
Sat., April 16 at 5:30pm &
Sunday, April 17 at 9:30am
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Easter Lily Dedications
It is time to think about ordering flowers to adorn the altar for Easter. The congregation can donate towards this purchase by giving a $20 dedication in honor of a loved one, in memory of a loved one, or to the glory of God. Once the cost of the flowers is reached, the remaining funds will be applied towards the area of the church that the Council determines.
Envelopes will be available on the table in the narthex and on the table outside the church office. Please fill in the needed information and put the envelope in the collection plate.
Deadline for dedications is Sunday, April 10th.
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Loaves and Fishes News
Hello All,
Ray and I want to "Thank You" for your consistent generosity and participation in the Loaves and Fishes Program. We absolutely could not do this without your help!!! Going forward the Program Directors met and decided that we will continue to serve in the “Carry Out” mode at this time. Our next date is April 11th, 2022.
Pans with recipe and sign up will be in the Narthex Tuesday, March 29th.
Please bake your casseroles. They do not need to be hot when dropped off for serving. Drop off at Church of Peace by 4:00 pm.
If you want to bring them to service the weekend before, place in the refrigerator. We will be collecting them from our church by 11:00am on Monday to take downtown.
Again, thank you for all you do!!
Many Blessings,
Ray and Tess Schwartz
920-517-2958 cell
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WELCA News
Our Oshkosh Conference Annual Spring Event will be on Saturday, April 23 at:
Grace Lutheran Church
430 W Griswold St
Ripon, WI 54971
Entitled "Love Your Neighbor"
Details are:
*Sign up sheet is on the south bulletin board by the south gym entrance
*3 people are signed up and possibly 5 will be going and we will carpool right from IT
*Can give checks - payable to Women of Grace - to Marti Schmalz
to mail in
*$15.00 fee for food and materials along with registration to be postmarked by April 8th
*Registration is 8 - 9am with coffee hour
*Usually Just Fare Market brings items to sell during the coffee hour and coffee break or at lunch time.
*It runs from 9am - 1pm, including lunch and a short business meeting before lunch.
*There is a full church service and then a speaker.
*They ask for in-kind gifts and this year they are to help local placement families in need. They are requesting grocery gift cards or big box store gift cards as well as cash donations.
*Sign up sheet is on the south bulletin board by the south gym entrance
*3 people are signed up and possibly 5 will be going and we will carpool right from IT
*Can give checks - payable to Women of Grace - to Martie Schmalz
to mail in
Any questions call Martie at 920-251-3221
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GARDEN OF READIN’
Last month I put an article in the newsletter giving an overview of some of the books available in the library. I’m hoping to pique your interest so you stop in and see what a variety there is to choose from.
The books for this month are all related to Easter and are geared to the young readers. 1) The first book is “The Very First Easter”. Most Easter books focus on bunnies, colored eggs, and chocolate candies in an Easter basket. This book brings us back to the sacred dimension to Easter. In this book a forest ranger and his wife tell their ten-year-old son about the ministry, trial, death, and resurrection of Jesus. 2) The second book is “The Parable of the Lily”. This book begins with a mysterious gift on a gray wintry day and ends one spring morning with a joyous discovery. 3) The third book is “The Berenstain Bears and the Real Easter Eggs”. The Berenstain Bear cubs are anxiously awaiting all the candy and Easter eggs that Easter will bring, but Mama Bear and Mother Nature show them the true wonders of the season.
I hope you take a little time to stop in the library and see what other reading treasures you can find. If you have any questions, feel free to email me at bobgreenwood@att.net or chat with me at church.
Have a Blessed Easter,
Audrey Greenwood
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Prayer Box
Are you in need of prayers for yourself or others? Add your request to the prayer box located in the narthex of the the church. We will confidentially add your concerns to our prayers which can be general or more specific. We know God hears us. If you prefer not to attend the prayer group, we can still pray for your needs, persons or concerns.
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COMMUNION ASSISTANTS
Now that Covid-19 procedures have loosened, Pastor Tom would like to get back to regular communion. There will be a need for volunteers to assist with the disbursement of the wine. The assistant would stand beside Pastor Tom and hold a tray of individual wine cups. The words “The blood of Christ shed for you” would be said to each communicant as they take one of the cups from the tray.
If this is something you would be willing and able to do or if you have any questions, please contact me either at bobgreenwood@att.net or by phone 920-923-2246 or talk to me, Audrey Wood, at church.
Audrey Greenwood
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3 Crosses are collecting the following items until Easter:
Solutions - personal, hygiene items
Food for Thought (children's meals) - individual juice boxes, Poptarts, applesauce, fruit cups, cheese, cheese and crackers, macaroni and cheese
Fondy Food Pantry - Salvation Army - any food supplies Collection boxes are located in the Church Narthex.
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It is getting to be that time of the year when we begin to think and plan for summer vacation activities. One of those maybe attending Bible and/or Family camp. Crossways has three sites that offer different experiences. Help you and your kids discover and deepen their faith while learning confidence, responsibility, and kindness.
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April Birthdays
April 1
Pearl Bauman
Amy Mathys
April 3
Connie Hall
Marguerite Steinke
April 6
Maia Hamburg
April 7
Carolyn Diedrick
Alexandra Pagel
Carolyn Zar
April 8
Richard Hegnerr
April 9
David Hackbarth
April 10
Kyle Kahl
Gabriel Tollefson
April 11
Tim Baumhardt
Sharon Soukup
April 12
Jordan Boyke
April 13
Debra Kehrmeyer
Ryley Solamita
April 14
Connie Waldschmidt
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April 16
Dominic Gonzalez
April 18
Robert Bruni
April 19
Daniel Skorik
April 23
Laura Kahl
Sierra Mathys
April 25
Carol Dorn
Jayla Meyer
Tyler Stobb
April 27
Christopher Dalton
April 28
Eric Jackowski
April 29
Kobe Taylor
April 30
Susan Giese
Tim Reehl
Beckham Boyke
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