Juniper Tree Newsletter - immanuel lutheran church
Transcription
Juniper Tree Newsletter - immanuel lutheran church
Pastor’s Page ……………….…1 Immanuel Lutheran Church in Easton, Maryland “I will praise you with the harp for your faithfulness, O my God. I will sing praise to you with the lyre, O Holy One of Israel. My lips will shout for joy when I sing praise to you— I, whom you have redeemed!’ Psalm 71:22-23 The Psalmist had a musical gift! He or she could sing and play both the harp and the lyre. Without anyone else present, the Psalmist sang to God, shouted to God and played melodies to God. When was the last time I sat out on my deck and sang a hymn to the Lord? How long has it been since I pulled out my guitar and played a song to God celebrating His faithfulness? Kevin A. Graudin, Pastor Home: 410-476-9730 kgraudin@goeaston.net “Grow Together” We worship God corporately on Sunday ………………….5 mornings well enough. Should we not also individually praise Him during the week? One of the gifts God has given us is an abundance of wonderful hymns. As you pray through and praise through some of the “Serve Others” familiar (and not so familiar) hymns, the lyrics ………………...8 put words to your worship! www. ImmanuelEaston.org Office: 410-822-5665 Church Fax: 410-763-7372 immanuel@goeaston.net School: 410-820-7519 Immanuel Lutheran Church 7215 Ocean Gateway Easton, MD 21601 “Love God” ………………….2 ————————————————————————————————————————————————————–— Return Service Requested Non-Profit Org. U.S .Postage PAID Easton, MD Permit No. 212 Inside this Issue: The Juniper Tree ————————— July/August 2015 Holy, Holy, Holy! Lord God Almighty Early in the morning our song shall rise to thee! Holy, Holy, Holy! Merciful and mighty! God in three persons, blessed Trinity! (Public domain) Praising God is a win-win. He loves our worship and worship fills us with joy! In the bonds of Christian love, Pastor Kevin Graudin Love God___________________________________________________________ Serve Others_______________________________________________________ I PLEDGE ALLEGIANCE…. Worship in July and August 2015 July 5, 2015 Sixth Sunday after Pentecost Theme Pastor Don Mordhorst, formerly Immanuel Lutheran in Catonsville, MD (Broadcast on WBAL Sundays) Order of services: 8:30 AM Divine Worship IV with Holy Communion 11:00 AM Praise Service Scriptures: Ezekiel 2:1-5; 2 Corinthians 12:1-10; Mark 6:1-13; and Psalm 123. July 12, 2015 - Seventh Sunday after Pentecost Theme: The Christian’s Riches” Ephesians 1:1-14 Order of service: 8:30 AM Divine Service of the Word Setting IV 11:00 AM Praise Worship with Holy Communion Scriptures: Amos 7:7-15; Ephesians 1:1-14; Mark 6:14-29; and Psalm 85. July 19, 2015 - Eighth Sunday after Pentecost Theme: “ The Christian’s Peace” Ephesians 2:11-22 Order of service: 8:30AM Divine Worship IV with Holy Communion 11:00AM Praise Service Scriptures: Jeremiah 23:1-6; Ephesians 2:11-22; Mark 6:30-44; and Psalm 23. Voters’ Assembly at 9:45 AM The gospels tell of a rich young ruler who approaches Jesus after hearing Him talk about receiving the Kingdom of God like a little child. The man asks Jesus what he needs to do to inherit eternal life. Jesus quotes the Ten Commandments: “You shall not commit adultery, you shall not murder, you shall not steal, you shall not give false testimony, honor your father and mother.” The man replies that he has kept these commandments since childhood. When Jesus tells the man to sell everything and follow Him, He is referring to the First Commandment: “You shall have no other gods before me.” The man goes away sad because his allegiance is to his wealth; he does not want to give it up. In Jesus’ day, riches were equated with blessings. If you had a large bank account, you were considered to have been blessed of God. Today, “wealth” can be construed to mean high standing in the community, philanthropy, and celebrity, in addition to having a diversified portfolio and ownership of vast properties. God wants us to pledge allegiance to Him first. Everything else on our personal resumes, all of the good things we do, all of our other allegiances, must be secondary. The only thing we can do, with the help of the Holy Spirit, is to keep God at the top of the list. All of our good deeds will then be our response to God’s grace. Our motives for action will come from a pure heart. Last month the children attending Vacation Bible School learned and recited the following: “I pledge allegiance to the Christian flag and to the Savior for whose kingdom it stands, one brotherhood, uniting all Christians in service and in love.” If we all “take the pledge,” God will be glorified. Fred Hildenbrand 2 11 Serve Others _____________________________________________________ Love God___________________________________________________________ Homebound Communion is Friday, July 24th at 11:00AM “Joy Over One” Reaching one person at a time for Christ! Southeastern District LCMS Youth/Children Program Music and Worship Workshops Registration at www.se.lcms.org/ttf2015 Summer Secretary Church secretary Vali Galasso is taking an extended leave this summer to serve as a therapeutic riding instructor on Kent Island. Shawn Parks will be serving as church secretary in her place until August 14th. We welcome Shawn to this new area of ministry. Revised Constitution & By-Laws Immanuel will discuss and vote on a new Constitution and By-Laws on Sunday, July 19th, during the Sunday School hour (9:45—10:45 AM). The revised document is posted on our website: www.ImmanuelEaston.org. A printed copy can be secured from Congregational President Fred Hildenbrand. We are very grateful to the Constitution Revision Committee, Kenny Morgan chairperson, for their work in completing this document. 10 Please call the office at 410-822-5665 to RSVP, or if you need a ride to church. July 26, 2015 Ninth Sunday after Pentecost Theme: “ The Christian’s Growth” Ephesians 3:14-21 Order of service: 8:30 AM Divine Service of the Word Setting IV 11:00 AM Praise Worship with Holy Communion Scriptures: Genesis 9:8-17; Ephesians 3:14-21; Mark 6:45-56; and Psalm 136:1-9. August 2, 2015 Tenth Sunday after Pentecost Theme: “ The Christian’s Work” Ephesians 4:1-16 Order of Service: 8:30 AM Divine Worship IV with Holy Communion 11:00 AM Praise Service Scriptures: Exodus 16:2-15; Ephesians 4:1-16; John 6:22-35; and Psalm 145:10-21 August 9, 2015 Eleventh Sunday after Pentecost Theme: “ The Christian’s Life, Part 1” Ephesians 4:17– 5:2 Order of Service: 8:30 AM Divine Service of the Word Setting IV 11:00 AM Praise Worship with Holy Communion Scriptures: 1 Kings 19:1-8; Ephesians 4:17-5:2; John 6:35-51; and Psalm 34:1-8 3 Love God______________________________________________________ August 16, 2015 Twelfth Sunday after Pentecost Theme: “ The Christian’s Life, Part 2” Ephesians 5:1-20 Order of Service: 8:30 AM Divine Worship IV with Holy Communion 11:00 AM Praise Service Scriptures: Proverbs 9:1-10; Ephesians 5:1-21; John 6:51-69; and Psalm 34:12-22 August 23, 2015 Thirteenth Sunday after Pentecost Theme: “ The Christian’s Marriage” Ephesians 5:21-33 Order of Service: 8:30 AM Divine Service of the Word Setting IV 11:00 AM Praise Worship with Holy Communion Scriptures: Isaiah 29:11-19; Ephesians 5:22-33; Mark 7:1-13; and Psalm 14 Worship at Idlewild Park August 30, 2015 at 11:15 AM Picnic Immediately Following Serve Others_________________________________________________________ Candlelight Cove & William Hill Worship Service A new nursing home worship ministry will begin under the leadership of Immanuel’s elders with a service at Candlelight Cove on Tuesday July 14th at 10:00 AM. Contact Craig Walsworth, 443-786-1927, if you feel God calling you to serve the elderly in our community through this loving ministry. On August 14th, worship will be held for the residents of William Hill Manor. Keep your hearts and eyes open as we look to expand this ministry by using the gifts and talents that the Lord has given each of us. Choices Thanksgiving Thank you so much for your monthly donations to Choices Pregnancy Center. Because of generous and faithful donors like you, we can minister to women in the community who face unintended pregnancies and help them choose life for their babies. We appreciate your continued support. —Genevieve Hurley, Choices Board President Lutheran Mission Society Thanksgiving CHILDREN OF ALL AGES 9:45 to 10:45 AM Join Amanda Clougherty and David Beakley in the church library for Summer Bible Study. Videos, songs, Scripture and fun activities. 4 Thank you for your monthly gift of $100 to the ministry of the Lutheran Mission Society. As we move into the summer months, please continue to remember the Mission Society and those we serve together in Jesus’ name. Your gifts will be used to share life’s necessities, both physical and spiritual, with those in need. On behalf of those who will be helped, we say, “Thank You.” —Rev. Dr. David Maack, Executive Director 9 Serve Others__________________________________________________________ Immanuel held our VBS program during the week of June 22-26. We reached 60 children in our community. We were blessed to have a staff of over 25 individuals including numerous youths. Our children raised over $300, which will be used to support Heifer International. We sang songs, played games, made crafts and most importantly shared the love of Jesus with these children. It was a wonderful week of fun and fellowship. We are grateful to the congregation for all of their prayers, donations and for giving their time and talents to make VBS a success. We ask you to join us in praying that the seeds that were planted in these young hearts will continue to grow through the work of the Spirit. Blessings, Tara Mildenberger & Teresa Graudin Grow Together_______________________________________________________ **Sundays** New Life Small Group When: 9:45 AM Where: Pastor’s Office Leader: Tara Mildenberger Study: “The Odysseys of St. Paul—Paul Maier” JesusWalk Small Group When: 9:45 AM Where: Room #105 Leader: Roy Madsen Study: The Gospel of John Thirty-Something (Or Almost) Small Group When: 9:45 AM Where: Room #114 Leader: Pastor Graudin Study: “Biblical Answers to Millennial Questions” The Gap Initiative for Young Adults The Prayer Shawls have always been a symbol of peace, love, comfort and spiritual blessing. Members of the church’s prayer shawl ministry donate their talent, time and crafting skills to knit, crochet or sew items for those in need. Brenda Hughes is organizing a ministry at Immanuel. The group meets on the 2nd and 4th Tuesday of each month at 1 PM at the church . Contact Brenda, brenebe@aol.com or 410-228-0429. Women’s Ministry Event Coming Up Ladies, do you have a desire to be in God’s Word in a more meaningful AND creative way? The women of Immanuel have been invited to attend ‘’Illustrates Faith’’ an all day Bible journaling workshop with Shanna Noel and Lisa Nichols Hickman at Prince of Peace Lutheran Church in Springfield, Virginia on Saturday, November 7th. See Shawn Parks for more information. 8 When: 2:22 PM Where: Panera Bread in Easton Leader: EmilyAnn Graudin Study: Being a Christian in this Secular World **Tuesdays** Mature Men Small Group When: 8:00 AM Where: Church Library Leader: Fred Hink Study: “When the Good News Gets Even Better” Summer Small Group When: 10:00 AM Where: Church Library Leader: Pastor Kevin Graudin Study: The Gospel of John 5 Grow Together________________________________________________________ **Wednesdays** Life Light Small Group When: 10:30 AM Where: Church Library Leader: Pastor Kevin Graudin Study: The Book of Exodus **Thursdays** Sisters Loved by God Small Group When: 7:00 PM Where: Church Library Leader: Shawn Parks Study: The Book of James with Beth Moore **Saturdays** Men’s Small Group When: 7:30 AM Where: Joe’s Bagel, Easton Leader: Richard Smith Study: Stories of the Bible *New* Summer Daytime Small Group Begins on Tuesday, July 7th We will work together through the Gospel of John every Tuesday at 10 A.M. in the library. This study will be led by Pastor Kevin Graudin. Bring a friend!! Pastor Ray Rogers Installation Former Immanuel Pastor Ray Rogers will be installed as Pastor of Augsburg Lutheran Home and Village in Baltimore, MD on Sunday, July 19, 2015 at 3:00 PM. Augsburg Lutheran Home is located at 6811 Campfield Road in Baltimore, MD. A reception will follow the installation service. 6 Serve Others_________________________________________________________ Youth Group News Blue Knob Pennsylvania Here We Come Youth Servant Event 2015! We want to thank the congregation for your prayers and support as we finalize our plans for our summer servant event in Blue Knob, Pennsylvania from July 26th to August 1st. We were so pleased and encouraged to have more than 60 people join us for our brunch in fellowship hall! Your generosity will enable 2 adults and 7 youth to join together with Christian brothers and sisters from across the country to serve the Lord in this community. We look forward to sharing our stories of hard work, new friendships, increased faith, touched hearts, and changed lives with all of you when we return. CPR Certification Class Offered at Immanuel Following a health emergency that took place during a worship service in May, many people expressed an interest in becoming certified in CPR. We are blessed to have Cindy Kincaid who will lead the training for anyone who is interested. We are hoping to offer two trainings of 6 persons each. One group will be trained on Saturday, July 11 at 10:00 AM, and a second group will be trained on Sunday, July 12th at 1:00 PM. The training lasts 3 hours and will cost a nominal fee of $20 per person which includes the $3 fee for the certification card. These fees are not set by the American Heart Association nor do they receive any money from courses held. If you are interested in being trained or re-trained in CPR, please contact Cindy Kincaid at 410-822-5977 or sign up in the Narthex. 7