Dennis Marttala, Interim Pastor
Leah Stolte-Doerfler, Associate Pastor
Courtney Goode, Office Manager
Tria Brockamp, Office Manager
Heather Bielemeier & Sarah Doerfler, Office Staff
Margaret Jones, Preschool Teacher
Lacy Wellesley, Preschool Assistant
Carmen Bornzin, Jacquie Gossack & Paulette Olson, Parish Nurses
Nora Schliske, Wedding Coordinator
Bill Howell, Custodian
Dennis Rice, Custodian

Our mission is to welcome, accept and encourage all people as we follow Jesus.
 

Please remember to wear your nametags each week. Thanks!

There is free child care in the nursery during both services.

Our condolences to . . .
the family and friends of Art Maass, who passed away on Saturday, March 15th. Services were held March 22nd at Immanuel. Please keep this family in your prayers.

  TRUTHFUL  LIVING 
 Our 50-day Feast of the Resurrection culminates in Pentecost, when we pray for the Holy Spirit to sweep into our midst and propel us into ministry in the name of Christ.  Images for the Spirit abound in the day's readings.  Acts likens the Spirit to a violent, surprising windstorm that blows through the house where the disciples are meeting.  Fire is also associated with the Spirit ? a symbol of the passion and energy given to the disciples to witness to Christ's resurrection.  The Spirit brings a lasting relationship with God based on adoption and love rather than fear.

 To these images of the Holy Spirit, the Gospel of John adds one more that is not always highlighted.  Speaking to his disciples on the evening before his crucifixion, Jesus calls the Spirit "truth", an "Advocate to be with you forever".  The Spirit is the dynamic, life-enhancing connection between Jesus and his followers, keeping them in the truth of God's loving purpose revealed in Jesus.  This truthful Advocate continues to form and re-form the whole church, bestowing peace where there is fear, reminding us of Christ's dying and rising.
 
 Spirit-filled truth is not primarily doctrinal or emotional; it is incarnational.  The Spirit of truth will live with us, and in us, just as Jesus has become truly human and lives among us.  The Spirit brings forgiveness and renewal as we confess our failings at the baptismal font, honestly and humbly acknowledging the truth about our broken lives.  The Spirit fills us with peace and abundant life as we eat the truth of Christ's body broken for the wholeness of the world.  The Spirit sends us to make known the one who is Truth, the Word made human, Jesus Christ.
 
 Come, Holy Spirit, and fill us with us with the truth of your loving will and presence in our lives.
 
From Sundays and Seasons.com.  © 2008 Augsburg Fortress.  All rights reserved.
Reprinted by permission under Augsburg Fortress Liturgies Annual License #31604.

Blessings of Peace and Joy this Season of Pentecost, Pastor Dennis

I WAS JUST THINKING?.

Late last night I spent part of my afternoon visiting folks at one of the area's care facilities. As I was leaving I heard lively music coming from a gathering area. I poked my head in and sure enough, residents were assembled around the tables and at the piano sat a man who was roughly the same age as those who were gathered in the room.
 As I stood in the doorway, enjoying the tunes, I noticed that the pianist's fingers were gnarled and occasionally those crooked fingers hit the wrong keys; still, that man shared his talent with joy and passion.
 That same night I traveled up to the Portland area to attend ?The Way' worship service with some 20-somethings from Immanuel. I had gone there to experience a vibrant young adult ministry and assess if/how we might be able to adapt its form as we think of alternate ministry possibilities in our own community.  So I went up as a theologian-detective. I am a little embarrassed to admit that my biggest surprise was the high quality of teaching I heard that night. The topic was money and the core of the message was: all that we are and all that we have belong to God.
 I share these two experiences because they are connected to each other and to May's stewardship emphasis.
 All that we are and all that we have reflect God's gracious and abundant gifts that have been generously poured out into our lives. And it is when we realize that we are not owners but  stewards of God's copious gifts?how we spend our time, talent, and treasure takes on new significance and importance.
 I encourage you to be very intentional in the coming weeks?as you think about your gifts (including your time, your talent, and your financial resources) and as you determine how you will steward what God has entrusted to your care. Then, close your eyes and envision that man at the piano sharing all that he had, certainly not perfectly, but with joy and passion. How can we not do likewise?

Pastor Leah

LET'S TALK COMMUNION
 These last few months there have been a lot of conversations about celebrating the Eucharist?including how, where, and how often we commune here at Immanuel Lutheran Church.
 The ?how':
 Most recently we have been using the ?intinction' method, where the bread is dipped into the wine and then consumed. I have heard questions, concerns, and opinions around sanitation, personal preference, and even theology.
 When we ?intinct' we are making use of a single ?common' cup. Theologically and visually this illustrates the singleness (unity) of Jesus' Body and Blood. We live in an independent and individualistic culture in which having ?our own cup' is much more comfortable and ?normal'; this means sharing the ?common' (single) cup, as a community, is utterly counter-cultural and a great reminder that what we do and who we worship in this place is radically different than those things that transpire beyond our doors.
 Generally we use wafers for our communion bread. The wafers are conveniently individually sized, neat, tidy, and bland. Think about Jesus or Jesus' ministry. I am a huge advocate of bread that has taste, substance, and begins as a single loaf before being divided for the meal. Whenever we have houseguests, don't we make every effort to create inviting, tasty meals? It seems to me that this same hospitality is extended in worship when we break bread that has been prepared especially for the Eucharistic meal.
 The ?where':
 In June we will return to communing at the rail. After worshippers have received the elements, they will have the option to kneel for a time of prayer/silence at the rail or return to their pews for a time of prayer/silence. If taking time at the rail is important in your worship life, do it anytime, notwithstanding how/where communion is being distributed. You are always welcomed/invited to spend time with God. If kneeling at the rail is helpful for you, please make use of that practice.
 The ?when':
 Lutheran worship is built on two ?pillars': Word and Sacrament. Whenever we meet there is an expectation that we will hear/speak/preach the Word. Why would that not be the case concerning the Sacrament of Holy Communion? The water is always present to remind us of our Baptism?the ?once for always' Sacrament. When the meal is served we are invited to Christ's Table to eat and drink His Body and His Blood. Yes, there have been times and places when the Sacrament was withheld but that was never Luther's intention as he worked to reform the Church.
 And how about the ?why'?
 As is our human tendency, we often sidetrack things. The bottom line is, Jesus calls us to the table to meet Him there. Jesus invited us into His presence. Do we come? Do we receive the elements (bread and wine) expecting Jesus? Do we keep Jesus central in the rite? Can we ever come into Christ's presence too often?
 This is my body?.
 This is my blood?.
Do this for the remembrance of me!
*     *     *     *     *

We will be welcoming new members to Immanuel on Sunday, April 27th during the 10:30 service.

The Mother Daughter Brunch will be held on May 10th at 10 am. Cost will be $5.00 for adults and $3.00 for children 12 and under. Tickets are on sale Sundays after each worship service, and weekdays in the church office. Our Theme is Reflections of a Lovely Lady.

 
Thirsty Thursday
 (May 1st - First Thursday of the month)
?Twenty-somethings' and ?Thirty-somethings'
At Mac's Place, 7:00 pm

(May 15th - Third Thursday of the month)
For y'all   (all ages welcome)
At Mac's Place, 6:00 pm

We are in need of more prayer shawls. If you have any finished, please drop them off in the church office. Contact Jacquie Gossack if you would like to help. A large amount of yarn has been donated to the church. Come pick some up!

You are invited to the Adult Forum for a discussion with our pastors
9 am   Sundays in the Fireside Room

     May 4 Pastor Leah presents "Liturgy 101"
     May 11     "Liturgy 101" - Part 2
     May 18 Pastor Dennis presents a study of the
     May 25     "ELCA Statement on Sexuality"

"God's Love ... Our Response"

 During the next few weeks we will be focusing on the topic of stewardship including tithing which is the practice of giving one tenth of our incomes to the Lord.   We hope and pray that, as we examine our personal giving, we will all grow in the understanding that our giving is both a privilege and a responsibility.  

 God blesses us with time, intellect, health, and possessions.   Because we are empowered by the Holy Spirit, we can be faithful and trustworthy with all that God has entrusted to us.   Giving is one of the ways we demonstrate that faithfulness and trustworthiness.   Through our faithful and generous giving, we honor the Lord as we put our trust in Him.   When we return to the Lord a portion of the blessings that He has given to us by His grace, we find that we will grow even more in our relationship with Him.   As Jesus said, "It is more blessed to give than to receive" (Acts 20:35).

 We suggest you ask God this question: "Lord, what do you want me to give?"   If God is asking you to take a leap of faith in your giving, He will empower you to grow in your giving.   Please remember to mark on your calendar May 18th at the single 10:30 service as Consecration Sunday followed by a catered Celebration Luncheon.

Dave Paul, Chair
Consecration Sunday Team

Dear friends of Immanuel,
The world becomes smaller and smaller. Last Sunday I met two very nice women from Washington in my new church in Tomsk. They are relatives of my music expert from Ella Kem. When I told them that I know good people not far from their place they offered me to take a letter for you over the big Pacific Ocean. A chance I could not miss.
Since three months from now I work in Central Siberia in a town named Tomsk. It is the place where my father was born and now our place where Jesus brought us to work in his name. The government built the Lutherans in town a new church two years ago and so I feel very lucky not to build one on my own as I expected years ago. The only problem is that we do not own the church because the other Lutheran congregation (related to the Missouri Synod) owns the whole building what makes us feel like guests in our church. But we are trying hard to correct this situation. Please pray for us in this matter!
Kate and Friedemann are still in Germany because Kate has not finished her finals yet. But in April we will be reunited. I miss them every day. After Christmas I went over to Germany for two weeks what really helped to catch up with Friedemann who is fast growing and even faster talking.
Kate and I are quite often thinking of you all and we would like to find a way over the Pacific. Be prepared when we finally figure it out!
I hope you are well and strong in the love to Jesus that connects us for all times and as I experience right now at all places.
Best wishes to you and greetings to all who remember us,
You are in our prayers and may God bless you and keep you safe
Until we meet again here or there where we all finally meet!

Yours in Christ,
Waldemar Rausch, Valde

Thank You's
Our grateful thanks for your compassion, love, and support during Art's illness and death. Thanks to Pastors Leah and Dennis for visits and bringing communion to him. Memorials and attendance were overwhelming, and the memorials will help others. Thanks to all who helped in some way on the day of his memorial service.
~LouAnn Maass and extended family
 
 
Adventures in Faith Thank-Yous
A big thanks goes to our April and May Sunday School Travel Agents (Workshop Leaders)!
April/Creation, God's "Work In Progress":
Game (Survivor Island)- Jesse Rue, Leah Rue, Bill Predeek;
Science/Storytelling (Tarnished Penny)- Daren Killam, May Bakke, Traci Mosher;
Bible Knowledge - Bev Killam;
Computer - Chris Predeek, Grace Allen;
Opening Story intro skit- Bill Predeek, Mike Dickman.
May/Feed My Sheep, Peter:
Cooking (Scripture Cupcakes) - Diane Paul,
Bible Knowledge (Drawing with a Disability) - Kathi Torresdal,
Art (Flower Pots) - Barb Richter,
Shopping for SACA - Tria Brockamp, Shannon Frey;
Opening Story intro skit - Bill Predeek, Mike Dickman, and Pastor Leah.
 
Thank you so much for your donations to the Aaron Sura Bingo Night, we are so happy to tell you that it was a huge success and it is our local community that made it possible.
Thank you, Amber Grant & Marta Richter
 
Special thank you to Becky Rice, Barb Richter and Sue Dickman for the special banner for SACA. Please check it out and see this wonderful gift of time and talent. Located in the narthex.
 
Thanks to our Church Family for your prayers, cards, phone calls and thoughts of us while I was in the Salem Hospital.
Doing better now, will have a few more weeks of rehab. Thank you Pastor Leah for your hospital visits and for bringing communion to Betty and me.
God bless you all.
Al Hollin

Sunday School
Christian Ed Wall
Come see the photos from our first 3 months of Adventures in Faith. They are displayed on the wall near the nursery. The children and leaders are enjoying this new way of growing in faith. Ask them about it.

Annual Jog-a-thon
Our annual jog-a-thon will be held April 27 following the second service. Sunday School students run to raise funds for our offering project, Books for Paraguay. Find a child to sponsor or donate to the jar available that day.

Special Event for All
Wondering what Immanuel's Sunday School children have been up to during their Adventures in Faith? Come to the multi-purpose room during coffee hour on June 1. There will be lots of displays letting you see and experience some of the exciting activities our workshops have provided. Expect to be surprised!

*   *   *   *   *

WANTED
A working VCR/DVD combination player to replace one that broke in the Hi -League room. We need a player that has a single screw-on connector wire to connect to the TV. A remote is not necessary if all functions can be worked without the remote. Contact Peter Allen, or leave a note on the Sanctuary sound desk.
Attention men and young fellows of Immanuel: We need 6 men and young guys to help serve the mother-daughter lunch May 10th. Please contact Sandy Donovan at 873-8226 if you can help. Thanks!

Senior Fitness class meets Mondays and Wednesdays from 10 - 11 am. Please join us!

Sunday, May 11th will be the next collection of food and money for SACA. We have this collection every 2nd Sunday of the month to raise awareness of hunger in our local community. The following list of items is needed on an ongoing basis: Applesauce, Chili Pork, Beans, Baby Formula, Cocoa Mix, Ramen Noodles, Boxed Dinners, Coffee/Tea, Rice, Boxed Rice, Noodle dinners, Crackers, Beans  (Dried/Canned), Canned/Dry Milk, Flour, Soup (any type), Canned Fruit, Instant Potatoes, Sugar (White/ Brown), Canned Vegetables, Juices, Tuna, Canned Meats, Ketchup, Mustard, Mac & Cheese, Cereal, Peanut Butter
In April we collected 755 pounds of food for SACA! Thank you!

Reasons to Celebrate
We celebrate the talents of Bill Predeek who has written a skit every month to introduce each new Bible story (Rotation) for Adventures In Faith. What a wonderful gift God has given him to share with the children and staff of our Sunday School!

Everyone who helped serve at the Easter Breakfast.

Alan Toline for his work on the church's computers.