eNews
Week of August 2, 2020
Mark Your Calendars:
  • Now-August 7: School supplies collection, church office - see article below.
  • Wednesday, August 5th: pick up communion kits in front of church, 10am-12noon
  • Thursday, August 6: Thursdays Together with Pastor Hall, Zoom 10:00am
  • Friday, August 7: Last chance! Spread S'more Joy - virtual campfire and sing-a-long 7pm on Facebook and website. See article below.
Pastor Paul Oman joins us as guest speaker
Pastor Paul Oman has been providing the transitional artwork for Emmanuel's sermons over the past months. Join us online August 9th as he delivers the message through a unique worship service combining his artistic talents and words.
Barb's Medical Minute...
Unless you have literally been living in a cave with no newspaper, TV, phone or internet…you should know the right and proper way to wash your hands. But do you know how to help your hands from becoming a red, sore, cracked mess? First use a non-scented soap, dry thoroughly, especially under rings, then moisturize; again, using unscented lotion. If necessary, slather on petroleum jelly and wear a pair of cotton gloves to bed at night. And don’t forget that you can always get a helping hand from someone here at church—just reach out.
A note from the Executive Committee
T he Executive Committee and Worship/Music Chairperson meet weekly to assess the C-19 situation.  Unfortunately due to the high Florida numbers again this week the church campus will remain closed. We hope this situation changes soon.

We will update everyone as soon as any information becomes available.   
Blessings,
Your Executive Committee
Weekly Spotlights
Haiti/Global Missions
  • Pastor Katie Carroll is the new Global Mission Team Chair from the South Florida area. Trying to enhance communication is a goal and priority for the future with her committee and other synods.
  • Pastor Livenson reported on the volatile political situation in Haiti. The COVID-19 virus has been an issue and hospitals are almost non-existent with basically one doctor for every 100,000 people. Most stay home and try to take care of themselves. Livenson’s family was sick and do not know whether it was COVID-19 or not because testing is almost non-existent. All are now well. Due to a government mandate, churches are closed at this time. Pastor Livenson has been contacted by two pastors regarding joining the Lutheran Church of Haiti (LCH). God’s work is alive and well through much hardship and tragedy. The LCH is continuing with their soap making and disinfectant and have been using it to help the locals during the pandemic. It is a wonderful thing to see when folks with so little give what they have to others in God’s name. Pastor Livenson and his church are doing God’s Work, Our Hands, everyday in Haiti.
Please keep our Haiti Team and the Lutheran Church In Haiti in your prayers.
Children’s Closet
Emmanuel’s collection of the “undies and socks” was very successful. A date, time and place for distribution is under discussion at this time. It will be combined with the school supplies and backpack distribution.
Habitat 4 Humanity
“The House that Faith Built” in Northport is near the end of its construction. Frank Rauch reported that the house has been completely painted and the appliances are being installed. Just another one of God’s miracles.
Coffee Talk
This local mission continues!! A special thanks to Emmanuel’s volunteers. We have provided an average of 120 lunches per month "Out in the Park" on Seaboard Ave to the disadvantaged individuals in the Venice area.
Coffee Corner at Emmanuel
New chairs and many thanks to Jadynne and Don Berg for taking over this ministry in September.
We, like every ministry in our Emmanuel community are adapting to the virtual world which has, temporarily, replaced our former in-person interaction with everyone. We hold our meetings on our Zoom portal and we are undertaking the development of the annual Fall Campaign which begins on October 1st and ends on Consecration Sunday, November 15th.
We are pleased to share that this year’s campaign will be virtual in nature as opposed to our former in-person, hands on campaigns of recent years. We’re excited to develop this new campaign format and we are working with all committee chairs to seek their ideas and suggestions. Stay tuned…
We’re also very happy to report that electronic giving continues to increase each month. We encourage everyone to check out the “Donation” tab on our website or the GivePlus app for your phone. You can also pursue electronic giving through the Bill Pay function of your bank or financial institution
KC Farrell, Stewardship Chair
Family Promise Update
In March, when Covid-19 caused most churches to stop hosting families needing transitional housing, the family we hosted at Emmanuel in February spent several weeks in a motel before transitioning out of the Family Promise Bridge Housing program. We are thankful that they were able to move on to self-sustainability. A new family was brought into the program for a brief time until they found more permanent housing. The restrictions that prevent evictions have helped families in distress hold onto their homes for the time being, but as those restrictions are lifted, we anticipate more families needing help. Currently the FPSSC case managers are assisting families to avoid homelessness through the Open Doors program.
Keep those school supplies coming!!
The Children’s Closet is collecting school supplies for our annual back to school giveaway. You can donate items by dropping them in the bin outside the office during business hours or clicking on the link below to view bulk items that can be purchased online through Amazon (these items should be shipped directly to Lisa Schubauer who is organizing the distribution) . The collection dates are now – August 7 th .
 The current plan is to do a drive by distribution at Emmanuel on August 14th - details to follow.
Supplies Needed:
#2 pencils
24 pack of Crayola crayons      
Pink Erasers
Scissors
Composition Books
Spiral notebooks
Folders
Highlighters
Washable Markers
Colored Pencils
Notebook paper – Wide Ruled preferred
Backpacks for all ages

The link to purchasing items on Amazon is:
THURSDAYS TOGETHER with Pastor Hall
August 6 @10am
Join our community of faith for conversation around the gospel for the week. This is a thirty-minute Zoom dialogue with Pastor Hall. There is a short litany followed by the reading and open discussion on the text for the following Sunday worship. It is a time to see faces and an opportunity to connect-up with members of Emmanuel.

Pastor Hall is inviting you to a scheduled Zoom meeting.
Topic: Thursday's Together
Time: Thursday, August 6 @10:00am
Join Zoom Meeting
Meeting ID: 923 5128 1523
Password: 999623
SPREAD S'MORE JOY!
Spreading S’more Joy
Campfire Singalong!
Hope you enjoyed last week's singalong! Join us tonight and next Friday starting at 7 PM on our website and on Facebook! We will have more singers joining us this week! Our virtual campfire singalong will have some of your favorite songs plus we are providing s’mores kits with microwave prep instructions! Drop by the church office during regular hours to pick up your singalong song booklet (the booklet will also be available on the website) and s’mores to roast while we sing our favorite tunes.
In the news...
Pick up communion kits Wednesday, August 5th from 10am-12noon in front of the church!
The office is always trying to keep you informed. Here are a few items for you:

  • Where's all the great Emmanuel recipes?? Click here to enter your favorite recipe for our Pandemic Cookbook. Then 1) enter the account name Emmanuel and the Password 3675272 to login 2) click on "Recipe Center", 3) click on “Add a New Recipe” and type your recipe in the proper category. If you are not able to enter your recipe online, feel free to mail it to the church office and we will see that it gets into the cookbook. Be sure to include your name as the contributor. If you have questions, contact Vicki Frederiksen.

  • If you've subscribed to our text service, Flocknote, you have been receiving reminders of events at Emmanuel. To join the "flock", Text Emmanuel to 84576 to become part of our texting group. When you receive the reply, remember to save it in your contacts for future reference.

  • PLEASE NOTE that the deadline for articles for the eNews is Tuesday at 9am.

  • When viewing eNews online or on your mobile device and you see the pointing finger when running your mouse over a graphic or text, you will be able to link to more information such as a flyer, website, etc. Try it with the top picture of the church!!

  • Devotional/worship: Wednesday's Word and Sunday Worship are available on Facebook and Emmanuel's website. Thursdays Together with Pastor Hall accessible through the Zoom link above. All previous worship services are also available by clicking on the Vimeo logo in the upper left corner of the posted video on the website.
Stewardship Emphasis for August
Stephen Ministries is a not-for-profit Christian education organization founded in 1975 that produces training and resources known for their excellence, practicality, psychological integrity, and theological depth. These resources cover topics such as caring ministry, assertive relating, spiritual gifts discovery, grief support, spiritual growth, and more.
Congregations and other organizations use these resources to strengthen and expand ministry. Individuals use them to improve their ability to relate to and care for others, grow in faith, and journey through life crises. Contact Bob Riggs if you are interested in being a Stephen Minister at Emmanuel or if you would like a Stephen Minister to contact you.
Outreach Emphasis for August
Disabled American Veterans
A Legacy of Service, Hope for the Future

Your donations will assist the Nokomis 101 Chapter in providing assistance and with temporary shelter to veterans and their families. The DAV overall mission is summed up in one proficient sentence : “Making a Difference in the lives of disabled veterans and their families.”   The #101 DAV Unit is committed to helping local veterans in Venice, Nokomis, and Osprey. When we adopted them for our Outreach Ministry, Unit 101 had over 848 members on their books. Many who are women. Unit #101 also holds fund raising projects to help support the needs of the veterans. (Bingo, dinners, bake sales, flea markets and canned food drives.) All proceeds from these events are for direct support of veterans. 
Over the past several years, Unit #101 has sponsored an “Adopt a Vet” for Christmas gift sharing. A huge tree is erected in their facility with over 400 names of veterans now living in nursing homes. Patrons, neighbors and acquaintances can stop in to collect a name tag from the tree and provide a gift for that person just before Christmas.
Another project that is a grass-roots movement is the plight of the homeless veterans. The DAV is working with private citizens and other local charity organizations to identify those that are homeless and provide temporary shelter in the colder weather.
Your donations will help those who have served with honor and integrity for America’s “Freedoms”.
In Our Prayers...
Remember: Chris Gill and family, Dorothy Gula, and Dick Quinn.

MyrtieEllen Thompson, friends and family as they mourn the death of her son.
Readings for Worship
August 2nd
Ninth Sunday after Pentecost
Isaiah 55;1-5
Psalm 145:8-9,14-21
Romans 9:15
Matthew 14:13-21
August 9th
Tenth Sunday after Pentecost
1 Kings 19:9-18
Psalm 85:8-13
Romans 10:5-15
Matthew 14:22-33
Emmanuel Contact Information
Pastor Hall : rhall@emmanuel-elca.org
Cell Phone for Emergencies: 612.840.7798
Pastor Darrington : Visitation Pastor: 920.309.0879
Jason Kozee : Cell: 941.586.8066 facilitiesmanager@emmanuel-elca.org
Kelley Hurlburt : khurlburt@emmanuel-elca.org
Becky Rothgery : info@emmanuel-elca.org
Emmanuel Lutheran Church
790 Tamiami Trail S
Venice, FL 34285
info@emmanuel-elca.org
941.488.4942
Office Hours: M-Th, 8:30am-12noon
 
“They do not need to go away. You give them something to eat.”
Matthew 14:16