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Immanuel Lutheran Church
facebook.com/immanuellutheranwashington
Pastor Howard's home phone (319)333-7758
Website:luthwash.org
1226 East Washington St. - Washington, IA
“ The Stone That The Builders Rejected Has Become The Chief Cornerstone ”
April,2015
Service Times
Maundy Thursday
April 2
6:00PM Seder
Good Friday
April 3
Noon Downtown
8:00PM at ILC
Easter Sunday
April 5
Sonrise 6:30AM
Breakfast Between
& 9:30 AM
Wed Night
service Weekly
at 6:00PM
starting April 8
Inside this issue:
Monthly Updates p2
Blessing of the
Land
p3
Worship Leaders p4
New Worship
Opportunity
p5
Milestones
p5
School Supply
Time
p6
Schmidt Fundraiser at WHS
p8
Apr Calendar
p9
Apr Birthdays
p10
319-653-3950
by Peter J Weller
Christians associate Psalm 118 with Easter. It contains verses that are favorites to many.
Most of us are familiar with the opening verse: “O give thanks to the LORD for he is good; his
steadfast love endures forever.” (v. 1) And, there are others: “The LORD is my strength and
my might; he has become my salvation.” (v.14) “The stone that the builders rejected has
become the chief cornerstone. This is the LORD’S doing; it is marvelous in our eyes.” (vv. 2223) “This is the day that the LORD has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it.” (v. 24) “Blessed
is the one who comes in the name of the LORD.” (v. 26)
The author of this psalm is unknown. It is likely not David. Verse 9 reads, “It is
better to take refuge in the LORD than to put confidence in princes.” No king, nor any of his
courtiers (the most likely authors of psalms), nor, very probably, any government official today,
would write the second part of that verse.
Verses in this psalm point to Jesus as the coming Messiah and to his ministry on
earth. “Out of my distress I called on the LORD; the LORD answered me and set me in a
broad place With the LORD on my side I do not fear. What can mortals do to me? The LORD
is on my side to help me; I shall look in triumph on those who hate me.” (vv. 5-7) “I shall not
die, but I shall live, and recount the deeds of the LORD. The LORD punished me severely, but
he did not give me over to death.” (vv. 17-18) “I thank you [LORD] that you have answered me
and have become my salvation. The stone that the builders rejected has become the chief
cornerstone This is the LORD’S doing; it is marvelous in our eyes.” (vv. 21-23) “Blessed is the
one who comes in the name of the LORD. . . . Bind the festal procession with
branches. . . .” (vv. 26-27)
After telling the parable of the landowner whose son was killed by the tenants as he
attempted to collect the rent from them, Jesus then quoted from Psalm 118, asking his
listeners, “Have you never read in the scriptures: ‘The stone that the builders rejected has
become the cornerstone; this was the Lord’s doing, and it is amazing in our eyes.’? Therefore I
tell you, the kingdom of God will be taken away from you and given to a people who produces
the fruits of the kingdom. The one who falls on this stone will be broken to pieces; and it will
break anyone on whom it falls.” (Matthew 21:28-42)
There are references to Jesus’ entry into Jerusalem. After castigating the scribes
and Pharisees and hypocrites, Jesus said, “Jerusalem, Jerusalem, the city that kills the
prophets and stones those who are sent to it! How often have I desired to gather your children
together as a hen gathers her brood under her wings, and you were not willing! . . . you will not
see me again until you say,‘Blessed us the one who comes in the name of the Lord.’
” (Matthew 23:37-39)
Nancy Koester, Augsburg College Adjunct Professor wrote of this psalm, “Jesus
Christ is risen. And in Christ, we too shall rise. God’s steadfast love endures forever! The
words of Psalm 118 have long been used to herald Easter. ‘This is the day that the LORD has
made; let us rejoice and be glad in it!’ (Psalm 118:24). In its ancient Jewish context, Psalm 118
was most likely an entrance liturgy to the Temple, used at the festival of Passover. It
proclaimed God’s deliverance from Egypt and, later on, from the Exile. The Psalm was a
liturgical script, complete with speaking parts for leaders and congregation. One can hear the
jubilant call and response in 118:2-4: ‘Let Israel say, “His steadfast love endures forever.” Let
the house of Aaron say, “His steadfast love endures forever.” Let those who fear the LORD
say, “His steadfast love endures forever.” ’ ”
Biblical scholar Richard Clifford said, “Christians will see in the movement from
humiliation to exaltation a foreshadowing of Jesus… His rescue from death is a new exodus
and a fresh sign that God’s steadfast love endures forever… His exaltation means [our] own.
The Psalm is therefore a wonderful song for the Easter Season.” cont’d p.6
Feb. 22
Mar. 1
Mar. 8
Mar. 15
Monthly Updates
8:00 a.m.
46
10:30 a.m.
54
8:00a.m.
19
10:30a.m.
24
8:00 a.m.
47
10:30a.m.
54
8:00 a.m.
10:30a.m.
The World Day of Prayer
The World Day of Prayer service was held at
Immanuel on March 6th. Six churches in Washington
were represented in the program. From our church
Linda Brown and Sandy Weller were readers, Pastor
Howard gave thoughts about being a strong Christian,
and Judy Venzke was the organizer. Baptist, Catholic,
Mennonite, Methodist, and Presbyterian members
helped with the program. The offering of $170 will be
added to the other offerings from around the world to
help underprivileged people.
General Fund Gifts - February
Feb. 1
$ 690.00
Feb. 8
3,115.37
Feb. 15
1,078.04
Feb 18 (Ash Wed)
243.00
Feb. 22
1,596.88
Simply Giving
1,890.00
Jan $ 9,554.47
Feb $ 8,613.29
Monthly expenses $ 12,000-15,000
Building Fund Gifts - February
Feb. 1
$ 1,045.00
Feb. 8
300.00
Feb. 15
225.00
Feb. 22
230.00
Simply Giving
465.00
Jan $ 1,677.00
Feb $ 2,265.00
Monthly payment $1,500.00
Simply Giving monthly fee— Dec.$ 5.80
DEBT REDUCTION:
The loan at Washington State Bank is: note
3/28/11-$249,000.00.
Current balance $110,418.61 This is the balance after the January payment was made.
Thrivent Leaders 2015
Chapter Board : Ray Poe, Judy Venzke
Advocates: Oscar Hernandez, Al Olson, Carolyn
Schmidt, BJ Wetherell
Continuing Funds available for designated
contributions :
Luther League
Endowment Fund
Maintenance/Repair Fund
Membership Assistance
THANK YOU I would like to thank everyone for
the overflowing of cards, prayers, food, and warm
and comforting words on the death of my Mom,
+Clara Mulcox, in February. You allowing me to
fly to Florida to be with my Mom in her dying days
was a true blessing to my parents and me. The time
we spent together was holy and precious. Four days
after my Mom’s death, I had surgery. Once again
your love and comfort washed over me granting me
peace and healing. I am truly blessed to have you as
my extended family. Thank you. Your sister in
Christ, Pastor Maureen
In Christian sympathy we acknowledge the death
of +Clara Mulcox, +Duane Hagensick, +Jim
Edwards, +Sharon Schultz Gillis (cousin of
Doris Moore), +Marie Hora. May God give
their families the strength in the promise of everlasting life through Jesus Christ.
Please make sure that you are aware of the location of the AED at the church. It is located above
the mailboxes on the north wall in the hallway.
First Aid kits are located in the kitchen, the nursery, the west
bathroom and the kids’ Sunday School rooms. Please make a
note of this information in case anyone needs any First Aid.
Council Members for 2015: Debbie Jewell* 653-4775 (Ed/Youth) Carrie Lueck [Sect’y] 319-646-2573 (Ed/Youth); Amy Statler 653-1071 (Ed/Youth); Jon
Runaas 319-404-9284(W/E); Tom Gaughan [Pres] 863-3885 (W/E); Karen Heineman *461-9767(W/E); Tom Lyons 653-6721(B/G); Nancy Baker 653-7309
(B/G); Aaron Six* 653– 7342 (B/G); Dale Scheibe 656-3396 (Stew/Fin); John Harris* [VP] 653-7511 (Stew/Fin); Ray Poe (Stew/Fin) 653-3582. * Chair
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Immanuel Lutheran Church
Wandering Worshipers
Yaro and Mary Chmelar
Lakeview Methodist Church
Sun City, AZ
March 1, 2015
**********************
Women's Circle will be meeting Tuesday, April
14th, at Halcyon House, beginning at 1:00 p.
m. (PLEASE NOTE CHANGE OF TIME AND
PLACE). We will be continuing our study on
Peace. All women are invited.
We will meet in the Sitler Room at Halcyon
House. Enter through the main entrance and
make an immediate right. Follow the hallway a
short distance and the room will be on your
right. We will plan to alternate our meetings
every other month between Halcyon House and
the Church, so that two residents living at
Halcyon can join us.
If any questions, please call Kathy Vetter 6538669.
Blessing of Land
With the arrival of spring and with the
fields beginning to be planted, Pastor Howard would like to offer a blessing over your
land. Please contact Pastor Howard if you
would like her to do such a blessing service
for you.
Confirmation Year End Celebration
The year has gone fast! In celebration of a
great year of confirmation, Pastor Howard
will treat the confirmands to supper on
Tuesday, April 28th at 5:30 p.m. The youth
will determine the restaurant we attend. It’s
been a great year!
Page 3
Ladies’ Nights Out
April Ladies NIGHT OUT – Will be held Tuesday
April 21 at the Carolyn Schmidt Fundraiser.
For the following month we will meet on Tuesday,
May 19 at the Xtreme Grille at 6:00PM, Come
and enjoy the fellowship.
Caterpillar Children’s Sermons
We are watching the caterpillars grow before our
eyes. The children are surprised on how quickly
they grow. The children will REALLY be surprised when they see what happens next! On
Easter Sunday we will release the butterflies (if
the butterflies are ready), into the Washington
community. The children (and adults) LOVE releasing the butterflies on Easter Sunday! Don’t
let your child miss out on witnessing one of
God’s miracles.
Thank You from the ELCA
Thank you for your recent gift of $ 1225.59 to support the mission and ministry of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA) through ELCA
Good Gifts.
With your help, the ELCA is sharing the gospel,
starting new congregations, preparing leaders, working
to overcome malaria, fighting hunger and so much
more. Your gifts are truly transforming lives.
Together, we do more than we ever could do
alone. With our hands, we do God’s work of restoring
and reconciling communities in Jesus Christ’s name
throughout the world. Thank you for your partnership. And thanks, again, for your generous support. It
is deeply appreciated.
In Christ, Christina Jackson-Skelton
Postcard from ELCA
Thank you for your generous gift to the ELCA
World Hunger. With this gift we seek to support sustainable solutions to care for those
most affected by hunger and poverty.
Thank you! Barbara Burswold
Immanuel Lutheran Church
Worship Leaders
April
Greeters
2015
Please arrive
15 min prior
Sun April 5
6:30 am
Please Sign
up for
Ushers
Readers
Communion
Assistants
Worship Leaders
for Easter
Services
Communion
Setup/
Cleanup
Acolytes
Mary Gail
Lyons
Ray/Alta Poe
Sun April 5
Doris Moore
9:30 am
Wed. April 8
6:00 pm
Sun April 12
8:00 am
Brad/Tricia
Kroll
Sun April 12
Jane Kruse
10:30 am
Peg Harris
Wed April 15
6:00 pm
Sun April 19
Larry /Sara
8:00 am
Bartlett
Susan Baker
Sun April 19
Barb
Matheson/
Judy Venzke
10:30 am
Wed April 22
6:00 pm
Sun April 26
8:00 am
Jane Kruse
Sun April 26
Diane
10:30 am
Tweeton
Corrine Martin
Wed April 29
6:00 pm
Please trade if you can’t serve. ^
Hospice of Washington County is having a Trivia Extravaganza Fundraiser on Friday, April 24 at the Washington CO Fairgrounds in the lower level hall. They will have up to 20 teams of 4-10 players on each team.
Cost is $10 per person. Please see the poster at church with more details or check out their Facebook page
“Hospice of Washington County”.
Immanuel Lutheran Church
Page 4
New Worship Opportunity
Beginning on Wednesday, April 8th and
every Wednesday thereafter, Holy Communion worship will be offered at 6 p.m.
Immanuel Lutheran recognizes that not everyone has the ability to worship on Sunday
mornings. Desiring that all people: repent
and receive God’s forgiveness, hear God’s
Word, receive Christ through Holy Communion, and be sent into the world to serve
God through serving our neighbor, Immanuel has added a Wednesday evening worship
opportunity. The service liturgy will be
“Now the Feast and Celebration” by Marty
Haugen and new and exciting worship styles
will be introduced. The scripture proclaimed during the Wednesday service
would be what was proclaimed the previous
Sunday as well as the sermon preached.
Can’t make it to Sunday worship? Mark
your calendars and join us beginning April
8th!
Cont’d from p. 1
Psalm 118 is, indeed, beautifully written, and it
provides us with much food for thought. It inspires
us and causes us to rejoice, be glad, and give
thanks that God is with us, that his steadfast love
endures forever, and that through his son, Jesus
Christ, he provides the pathway to eternal life.
Please sign up to be a Worship Leader for
Easter Sunday at Church on the table in the
hallway.
Know of a Graduation?
If you are graduating this year, or know someone
who is graduating, please let the church know
([email protected] or 653-3950). We will
share in the May newsletter the graduate’s: name,
high school, school/college (will be attending in
fall), degree, major (or plan on majoring in), and
any honors bestowed. We will honor our 2015
High School Graduates on Sunday, May 24th.
Milestones Reached!
CELEBRATE WITH US
Join our family at Immanuel Lutheran in the ministry of recognizing the Milestones in our lives.
These milestones are a way to recognize our journey with God both at church and at home.
The idea of celebrating faith milestones is nothing new. God often directed the people to build
up stones to remind them of God's place in their
lives. Upon crossing into the Promised Land, God
spoke to the people: "Take twelve smooth stones
from here out of the middle of the Jordan...and
lay them down in the place where you camp tonight. ....when your children ask in time to
come, "What do those stones mean to you?" then
you shall tell them..." Joshua 4
For the month of March these are our
Milestones:
Completed the “Y” Transformation
Challenge. – Jane Kruse
My friends are here from out of town! –
Caitlin Kroll
Taking care of my husband at home until
Jesus called him home.
-Sandy Edwards
Write your milestone(s) on a paper rock and post
it on MILESTONES board in the hallway. Take a
colored rock as a tangible symbol of the occasion
being marked, as well as a reminder of God’s
presence in your daily life.
Thrivent Fraternal
So far this year, helping prepare for the
Valentine Brunch was the only project for the new
Thrivent Action Team concept. Please keep in
mind that any of you with investments in Thrivent
products may lead two action teams a year.
Members of the team and the recipients don’t need
to belong to our church. Thrivent provides a Visa
Card that pays up to $250. You may do a work
project or a fund raiser.
Within two years, this will be the only way
to obtain money for projects through Thrivent. We
may still continue with Care in the Community
money until that time comes. Our latest is for
helping with Carolyn’s April 21st fundraiser. The
$500 will go to Carolyn Schmidt’s Fund at the State
Bank along with the other profits.
Page 5
School Supply Time!
The H.O.P.E workers are now gathering school supplies for our Spring Shipment to Lutheran World Relief.
School supplies are much cheaper just before school starts in the fall, and our congregation is always
generous in giving at that time. However,
THE NEED STILL EXISTS IN THE SPRING. Our congregation has always given generously in the
spring time as well. At this time there are school bags to fill, with directions inside, in the Narthex. Please
take a bag and fill it for our Spring Shipment.
EWALU Day Camp- Vacation Bible School 2015
“A Love That Never Ends”
June 22-26, 2015
M-Th 9am-3pm Fri 9am-12pm
Please join us for VBS this summer! We will be partnering with the staff of EWALU to put on a
VBS day camp! The days will be filled with Bible study, indoor and outdoor recreation, crafts,
worship, music, and field trips. Children who have completed grades K-5 can join us for this fun
filled week! We are opening registration to the congregation and their families first. This exciting
day camp will be open to the community as well so please get your registrations in ASAP, as
spaces are limited. The cost is $30 for Immanuel Lutheran members and their families or $50
for visitors. Financial assistance is available for families that need it.
We are looking for volunteers to help with this awesome experience! Please contact Amy Statler
at 653-1071 if you are interested. We will need people to help supervise the day camp, provide
snacks for campers, and to provide housing and meals for the EWALU staff.
It is going to be a very exciting week! We hope to see you all there!
Passover Seder Meal ~ Thursday, April 2nd (Maundy Thursday) 6:00 p.m.
Join Immanuel as we celebrate the Passover Meal as Jesus would have celebrated with his
disciples. This is a celebration meal of freedom: Israelites from slavery and our freedom
from sin through Jesus.
This meal is for the entire family as the children even participate in the service. A festive
main course is included in the middle of the Seder; turkey is the main course meat. Four
cups of wine are consumed, with proper blessings, in the course of the meal; bring your
own bottle of wine or sparkling grape juice. The cost of the meal will be covered through a
free will offering received that night. Sign up sheets are in the main hallway to volunteer
to assist with the preparations, kitchen help, clean up, and to make your reservations.
Mark your calendars, Thursday, April 2nd 6 p.m., to attend this celebration, which was
LOVED by attendees in 2013.
Page 6
Community Cross Walk Friday, April 3rd,
Noon
Help Immanuel carry the cross throughout the
downtown of Washington. The Washington
community will gather at noon on Good Friday
at the Post Office. The area churches will take
turns carrying the cross as we make our way to
different locations around the square. We will
read scripture, pray, and sing. Let us join together with our brothers and sisters in Christ
and remember together the Passion of our Lord.
Good Friday’s Tenebrae Service: Friday,
April 3rd, 8:00 p.m.
This service commemorates the suffering and
death of Christ and dates from the eighth century. It represents the darkness that fell over the
earth as the Son of God was crucified. Candles
symbolize Christ, who is our Light and the Light
of the world. The Christ or Paschal candle is
also lit this evening. The tradition of the use of
the Paschal candle dates back to the fourth century. We will rehear the seven last words of
Christ spoken from the cross. After each reading
of scripture a candle will be extinguished and
sanctuary lights are turned off until we are in
darkness. The extinguishing of candlelight, in a
darkened church on Good Friday, portrays the
fading light of the world as Christ was leaving it.
The Paschal candle remains lit. The glow from
the Paschal candle indicates that death only
seems to triumph over Christ, and points toward
the coming resurrection. After the altar candles
have been extinguished and the Paschal candle is
removed, the strepitus is heard. (The stepitus is
a loud noise representing the earth shaking and
the rocks splitting at Jesus' death; Matthew
27:51. The loud noise also foreshadows the
"great earthquake" at the opening of Jesus' tomb
on Easter morning; Matthew 28:2. This action
also acknowledges that the meaning of the cross
is fulfilled.) The Paschal candle is then returned
to the chancel to portray the hope of the Resurrection. Following the Lord's Prayer, the service
ends and we leave in silence.
Page 7
Palm Sunday-March 29
Worship at 8:00 and 10:30AM
Maundy Thursday-April 2
Seder Meal 6:00PM
Good Friday-April 3
Community Cross Walk at noon
Worship at Immanuel 8:00PM
Easter Sunday-April 5
Son-rise Service/Communion 6:30AM
Followed by Breakfast
Worship/Communion 9:30AM
Easter Worship; Sunday, April 5th
Join Immanuel Lutheran as we proclaim the
good news that Jesus is RISEN! That death
could not hold Jesus in the tomb but God’s
love raised him from the dead. This joyous
news will be proclaimed at a “Son-Rise”
Holy Communion service; 6:30 a.m. Following worship the youth will serve a delicious
breakfast (sign up sheets are available in the
hallway to assist with the purchase of the
meal ingredients). The second Holy Communion celebration Easter worship will begin
at 9:30 a.m. Invite your family and friends to
join us for worship and breakfast or breakfast
and worship!
The day promises to be fabulous!
Please don’t forget to get your photo taken if
you signed up for a session for the new directory.
Dates April 9-11
Please call Mary Gail Lyons for more information 653-6721
Newsletter Items
If you are submitting an article for the newsletter in
the coming months, please have it to the office by the
20th of the current month. The goal is the next month’s
newsletter be out by the last Sunday of the month.
A campaign that been started to pay off the mortgage on the building at
Immanuel Lutheran. As of 1/31/2015 the balance on the loan is $110,418.61.
To date $60,000 has been pledged to the “Burn the Mortgage” campaign. The
challenge has been issued to the congregation to raise the matching $60,000
by June 30, 2015. We ask you to prayerfully consider your generous response
to this wonderful opportunity to payoff the mortgage. We have to match the
funds to be able to receive the $60,00.00 pledges. There are “Burn the
Mortgage” envelopes in the pews for your convenience. So far we have raised
$13,122.00.
SCHMIDT FUNDRAISER AT
WASHINGTON HIGH SCHOOL
Tuesday, April 21
4:30pm - 7:00pm
Carolyn and Richard Schmidt have served ice cream to the Washington,
Iowa community for the past ten years as owners of the Korner Kreamery.
On August 28th, 2014 Carolyn was in a one car accident that left her paralyzed
from the chest down. She has been in ICU, Acute Care and Rehab since, only
coming home for about 10 days last Christmas.
A group of people who have known and worked with Richard and Carolyn
over the last 38 years from Thrivent, Master Gardeners, WCDC, former Korner
Kreamery employees and Immanuel Lutheran Church have banded together to
organize a benefit dinner and auction to help fund their needs that haven’t been
covered by insurance.
This planned benefit will take place on April 21st at Washington High School
from 4:30 pm – 7:00 pm. There will be a pork loin dinner that is a free will
offering. A Live Auction will be at 6:30 pm and a Silent Auction will be
ongoing during the meal. Also a raffle drawing for $500 set of tires, a large TV,
a load of gravel, and a smoker grill. These tickets will go on sale March 20th at
a cost of $5 each or 5 for $20.
If anyone wants to bring items to be included in the auctions they can be
brought to Immanuel Lutheran Church or if it is perishable to Washington High
School by 2:00 pm on April 21st.
If you would like to volunteer to help will this event or would like to make a
donation, or have any inquires please contact Immanuel Lutheran Church at
319-653-3950.
Page 8
Birthdays for April 2015
Birthdays
1 Luke Danielson
1 Noah Danielson
8 Jane Kruse
9 Anna Wiley
10 Jean Potratz
12 Debbie Jewell
13 Chelsey Danielson
15 Scott Danielson
17 Alexey England
18 Sam Fields
20 Kate Glinsmann
21 Larry Bartlett
21 Donovan Bailey
21 Matthew Pemberton
22 Jason Rausch
22 April Six
24 Kristin Scheibe
24 Drew Quinn
26 Grace Taylor
26 Kenzie Quigley
27 Sarah Hernandez
27 Kathy Fields
28 Debra Griffin
29 Mark Kendall
29 Gary Fischer
30 Christopher Jewell
30 Chloe Soper
30 Carolyn Schmidt
ANNIVERSARIES
4 Randy Poos &Nancy Baker
4 Stan & Jean Potratz
8 Tom & Cris Gaughan
11 David & Deb Griffin
11 Lynn & Carol Woodruff
20 Cary & Dawn Brown
22 Marty & Joyce Westen
29 Bob & Betty Warren