“As a Christ-centered congregation, April 2018 The EPISTLE · is Risen! He is Risen Indeed, Alleluia! Pastor Sean Did you know that Pastor has a degree in Theatre and Dance. Loves

Easter morning at Antioch Lutheran Church

The EPISTLE

Spring is having the hardest time

making an appearance. Winter doesn’t

want to seem to go away. Spring brings

new life, a renewal. The Easter Season

is time for renewal also. After a period

of reflection, soul searching during

Lent comes a reawakening of oneself.

Easter brings hope and here’s wishing

everyone a happy, joyous Easter. It’s a

wonderful time of year.

Welcome! We have a new staff

member, a new secretary. Her name

is LaTasha Spencer but she goes by

Tasha. She’s currently going to school

and has a dog named Max but she’ll tell

you more about herself later. Tasha’s

been with us since February. She’s

been a great addition and we’re glad to

have her with us. Now, it’s on to the

next chapter.

As a Christ-centered community, we strive to follow Jesus’s words “Love your neighbor as yourself” by providing a safe and welcoming space for all. We welcome you regardless of your age, race nationality, sexual orientation, gender identity, disabilities, life experiences, complexities, and questions. Our unity is in Christ.

Our WelcomingStatement

...we are called to teach, to grow, and to serve the people of God.”

“As a Christ-centered congregation,... April 2018

ALL ARE WARMLY

WELCOME!Join us for worship, study, and activities.

9:30 am Sunday Worship

10:30 am Coffee & Treats

at the Coffee Nook

11:00 am Sunday School

Photos courtesy of Sean Michael Jackman

It’s a wonderful time of year.

THE EPISTLE | APRIL 201802

everyone for your prayers, gifts, and well

wishes with the birth of Sophia. It is so

good to have such a loving church family

to bring her into and we are excited to

welcome Bishop Kreiss to preside at her

baptism on April 22nd.

Baptism is one of the most powerful

actions that we have in worship, right

alongside communion. These two

are our sacraments, the physical signs

connected to promises from God that

enact and show God’s grace for us.

When the water is poured over us, and

our sinful selves are drowned to be raised

as the purified and spirit filled people that

we are, it is not merely words being said

or just a quick bath. In that moment, we

see the work of God and we believe that

we are truly changed, not because of

something that we have done or have

accepted, but because God loves and

adopts us as God’s own. This is why we do

baptize infants (although not exclusively,

all who have not been already baptized

are welcome to partake in this gift.) It is

a completely free gift from God, one that

affects us our entire lives, which is better

than a lot of gifts that we receive that wear

out, get lost, or we lose interest in. I hope

that you feel the love and mercy of God

each day as you remember baptism, or

if you have not been baptized I hope we

can have a conversation about it and set

up a time for you to have this opportunity

to take part in this wonderful experience.

May God continue to bless you all in this

resurrected life and Easter season, for He

is Risen! He is Risen Indeed, Alleluia!

Pastor Sean

Did you know that Pastor has a degree in Theatre and Dance. Loves to Swing

Dance and Tango. Largest role in a show was Captain of the Guard in Shrek.

Directed “Waiting for Death,” a one-act play, in college.

Favorite hymn is Canticle of the Turning.

Favorite movies are Clerks, The Crow, and Saved and has a freezer full of venison.

Fun Facts: Pastor Sean

Our Savior continues to come to us

and bring new life out of death, as we

remember throughout the Easter season

with the water splashed upon us as we

give thanks for baptism. These waters

that continue to flow over us and purify

us each and every day.

And speaking of new life, thank you to

New Life! Such is the good news of Easter, when Christ is risen again.

I’m sure there are plenty of April Fool’s jokes this year, with it being

the same as Easter, but thankfully Jesus’ resurrection is not just a

Easter and

the sacrament of Baptism

We need your input, we need your energy,

we need you to be part of guiding Antioch to

a better and meaningful tomorrow. We invite

you to contact any Council person to let

them know your vision. We also invite you to

come to a Council meeting (March 15, April

19, May 17) to let us hear your vision and how

you want to help make it happen.

We look forward to working together to

shape Antioch’s future.

By God’s guidance

Your Congregation Council

Neil Sawyer - President

Pastor Sean Myers - Vice President

Brad Fush - Treasurer

Peter Haapaniemi - Secretary

Kris Wise - Facilities

Shirley George - Teach Area Coordinator

Karilyn Lytle - Grow Area Coordinator

THE EPISTLE | APRIL 2018 03

Rise Up, Vision, and You

Much of this discussion has focused on a vision for Antioch—that is, where we

want to go. In January, the congregation’s response to the Rise Up program

was essentially positive, and we voted to pursue the campaign. However, the

commitment of individuals stepping up to volunteer their time is not there—yet! A

number of people have expressed an interest in participating, but we need more

people to step forward. We trust God is working in your lives, and we hope that you

will want to take an active role in re-evaluating where we are, where God is leading

us, and what we can do to move forward.

With that in mind, we thought it would be a good exercise to ask you for ideas.

What is your vision for Antioch? What do we want to look like in the coming months

and years? To help spark that conversation, here are some of the thoughts the

Council came up with in our discussions:

• Energetic – A place where we have strong relationships with one another, with

uplifting and meaningful worship.

• A mustard shrub – The proverbial mustard seed in the bible grows into a shrub—a

safe and nurturing place, or haven, where all birds can congregate. Antioch could be that kind

of place for all—including the marginalized in our community—and provide an environment

where we can work together across many ministries to do God’s work.

• Programs that connect and engage – Increased activities focused on fellowship!

These might include celebrations of our gifts, after-school activities, dinners for the

community—things that help us know one another and the community better.

• Diverse – A congregation that reflects our community, where there is growing

variety in terms of races and cultures. We can share our varied cultures, experiences and

unique gifts, and find ways to be a resource for doing so—e.g., offering basic conversational

English language classes.

After the January congregational meeting discussing the Synod Rise Up/LEAD

campaign, the Council has taken some time to discuss next steps.

There are a lot of actions that can flow from

each of the points listed above. But we hope

these are really a starting point for a broader

discussion. Again, what is your vision for

Antioch? What are your passions? What will

inspire you to engage in new and exciting

ways? An individual’s idea can quickly grow

into a meaningful activity with real impact.

That’s what has happened with the tutoring

and Days for Girls programs, both of which

were launched by passionate individuals in

the congregation. And we think there are lots

of other good ideas waiting to be heard.


Regular Rehearsals starting Wednesday, April 11

All are welcome to check out our regular music rehearsals. Antioch Bells rehearse starting at 7:00 p.m. Chancel Choir rehearses from 8:00 p.m. until 9:10 p.m. We will be “back at work” on April 11th.”

Sunday School on Palm Sunday

Thanks to those young people who

participated in both processions on Palm

Sunday. I think it’s the first time that I’ve

led two in the same service. The children

and young people added enthusiasm to

our Palm Procession with instruments. I

believe it was important that Kim and

her leaders share with you the work they

had been doing with the children and

youth of Sunday School during Lent. The

cross with messages of peace are an

important message to all of us. Lord Hear

My Prayer is a well-loved Taize refrain and

complemented the presentation. I look

forward to working with you again for your

musical sharing in worship on April 22 and

June 10.

Instrumentalists

Joseph Zill, trumpet, was with us for each

day of Holy Week and Easter. Joe played

some soaring trumpet descants and also

embellished many of the hymns and

service music. Rebecca Sawyer, horn,

added the warm tenor voice of her French

Holy Week and Easter is always a very special time in the life of a congregation. Thank you most sincerely

horn throughout much of the week. Both

were also valued additions to our choir.

Edie Fitzpatrick, flute, worked with the

musical forces of Antioch on Good Friday,

Easter Saturday and Easter Day. The

timbre of her flute playing enhanced

much of the music. We were also pleased

to have Janelle McManaman, violin,

who added some beautiful melodies to

our music making especially during the

contemporary pieces. The distinctive

color of the oboe was played skillfully

by Kimberly McManaman, oboe, during

much of Holy Week and Easter. Kimberly

also joined the Chancel Choir on many

anthems. All of these volunteers are

members of our congregation who

donated their time and talent. I would

like to thank them for making time in their

busy schedules to be involved at Antioch

during this important observance of the

church year.

for all of our dedicated musicians who added greatly to each of the services.

Antioch Music NewsThank Yous!!

If you are interested in learning more about me and my professional experiences in

music education and church music, please visit my website at www.seanmjackman.

com. There are several recordings and videos of my work in various congregations in

the area and at the University of Michigan, Ann Arbor. I will be posting some music

from Antioch very soon!

PLEASE VISIT MY WEBSITE.


I am feeling very welcomed here at

Antioch. Thank you to everyone who

went “the extra mile” to make Holy Week

and Easter a special time. If you have any

comments or suggestions, I look forward

to hearing from you. Please feel free to

call, text, email or speak to me directly.

Wishing you a blessed Easter Season.

Sincerely,

Sean Michael Jackman, Director of Music

Website: www.seanmjackman.com

Email: [email protected]

Cell: 734.730.7423

Our “like-new” piano in the choir room

has been working out very well. Drop

by and take a look – try it out! We are

so thankful for this donation.

OUR NEWEST ADDITION

Sunday School with our Director of Music

Antioch Bells

The Bells rang on Holy Thursday, during

the Vigil and on both services Easter Day.

This was a large commitment of time. I

would like to thank them for making Easter

an important part of their busy schedules.

I believe the sonority of our 3-octave bell

choir added to the festive nature of the

week.

Chancel Choir

The choir is to commended for their

dedication to parish life at Antioch. Each

person adds their own special gifts to the

group. Thanks to Ellen Byrne, soprano, for

her beautifully prepared solo at the Vigil.

Her musical response to scripture was new

this year and is well worth using regularly.

Your Chancel Choir is a committed group

which practices weekly and is here to

worship almost every Sunday. The Triduum

is a particularly hectic but spiritual time with

many services to prepare which includes

hymns, service music, chants, and special

anthems. Some of these services requires

extra coordination since they are only

offered once annually and they occur in

a very short time period on the calendar.

Kudos to you – Chancel Choir members of

Antioch Lutheran Church!

Church Staff

Of the entire year, this week is one of the

most intense, spiritually, and in terms of

time commitments. Thank you to each of

our staff members who worked together to

make the time from Palm Sunday though

Easter Day so special - Pastor Sean, Kim,

Geela and Tasha.

Our Sunday School children and young people are seen here practicing with Sean

Michael Jackman, Director of Music at Antioch for Palm Sunday worship.

Photos courtesy of Robin Beals, Sean Michael Jackman, and David Parker

THE PIPE ORGAN: KING OF INSTRUMENTS

I will be presenting for about an hour about the pipe organ in general and our Skinner organ, in particular. I look

forward to seeing you at the organ bench right after coffee hour on Sunday, April 22, 2018. Please note new

date. I will be presenting during the Adult Education Hour. Look forward to seeing you all there.


“God loved us in order to make us children of God. Though we do not yet know the full details of our future existence, we TRUST that God will reveal it just as God revealed Jesus to take away our sins.”

1 John 3:1-7

(Sundays and Seasons)

This verse is a great representation

on how we/I worshiped this Lenten

season, and this Lenten season sure

has been a busy one! In adult education

we focused on prayer, meditation and

reflection through prayer stations. In

Sunday school we focused on our theme

of peace and working towards our Palm

Sunday performance in worship. I was

even able to take Abby and Peyton to The

Charge event in Traverse City, where they

hopefully built a deeper understanding

of Christ with 350 other kids and adults!

Overall, the month of March has been

very fruitful!

TRUST! By the way, the word trust is

mentioned 147 times in the bible. God

will reveal the full details of our future!

(Easier said than done) In the world we

Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, and faithful in prayer. - Romans 12:12.

are living in today trust seems foreign to

us. All the politics, school shootings and

other terrible things happening, it’s hard

to remain grounded and trustworthy in

God. God clearly thought trusting him

was important, as he mentioned it 147

times in the bible! As hard as it may

seem to trust him when the world seems

to be turned upside down, we use our

faith, his word and love to overcome

the saddening things we are constantly

seeing around us. And although we

don’t know what God has in store for our

future, it is imperative that we focus on

his steadfast love, his sacrifice and his

word to move us forward!

Christian Education

Christian Education for all at 11:00am on Sundays

Office Hours: Monday & Fridays 9:00am- 3:00pm and every other Sunday.

Kim’s email is: [email protected]

Contact Information.


This month’s theme for Sunday school

is….patience!! In the month of April

we will focus on what patience looks

like; ways that we can be practice

patience, how we can achieve so

much more by being patient and

how we can live out God’s word with

patience. We will also be navigating

through the season of Easter, yes,

Easter is a season. Also, please look

forward to more musical involvement

in worship from the Sunday school

students.

For April:

•Sunday, April 1st- NO SS

•Sunday, April 8th- I will be here to teach SS :)

•Sunday, April 22nd- singing in service

SUNDAY SCHOOL

Our Confirmation Kids on the move.Peyton Beals and Abby Fush along with our Director of Christian Ed., Kim Rowe, took

part in the Middle School Charge at the Great Wolf Lodge in Traverse City in March!

It was a weekend full of faith, service, leadership and community!

Photos courtesy of Kimberly Rowe

ADULT EDUCATIONOn Sunday, April 22, please join us in the sanctuary for Sean Michael’s presentation on how the pipe organ

works! The second portion will be a Q/A format.

Regarding the next few months of AE, I will be diligently working on finding a willing individual to teach AE!

Also, we will be continuing our online bible study through May 20th. Hope your all enjoying it!

Are you interested in a particular topic? Would you like to share your gifts with others? Please consider helping

with our Adult Education ministry.


Jesus said; “let the children come to me.” (Mark 10:13-16) As adults we sometimes forget because we worry or are struggling with responsibilities. Let us all practice having a simple faith like a small child!

Faith is shown through action. Preschool children are practicing the steps to listen, take turns, share, and express feelings. We model, acknowledge the children and reinforce each preschool day how to open our hearts and minds as we learn to actively listen, build together, play a math game, clean-up, encounter a visitor, ask a classmate to play, observe the changes of the season, learn a new song with Pastor Sean.

This spring season we witness the birds returning, write our names and the entire alphabet, make observations and problem solve. Jesus’ love moves us and guides us to be grateful, considerate, and respectful. We care for the world and each other by helping, sharing, putting litter and recycling in its place, being thankful, taking time to listen and appreciate all which God has blessed us with! Thank you, God!

What does a child know that even the disciples didn’t know? Jesus wants us to have a simple faith like a small child and God will always be there…Jesus will always help you, He is never too busy!

Fall is just around the corner-We know… It’s just barely spring! However, we are now enrolling & planning for a new school year. We are off to a great start; our Open House was very well attended! We have a waiting list for the four-year-old class but, still have openings in the three-year-old class. Please pass on the information below- call Sharon Detter 248-626-7906 ext: 228 or email [email protected]. Information can also be found at: www.antiochelca.org/preschool

Antioch Preschool

Sharon Detter, Director

Antioch Lutheran Preschool


LENT, HOLY WEEK and EASTER at ANTIOCH

From Ash Wednesday through Easter Sunday, Antioch had been very busy in preparation to

celebrate the resurrection of Our Lord. We thank everyone who participated large or small.

Photos courtesy of Geela Green and Sean Michael Jackman


Thank you all for anything and everything you did to make our SOS week another success! We know that so many of you did double and triple work to make everything run so smoothly. The number of active members is down but those of you who were here really pulled up your bootstraps and rallied. Our guests were a good group of people who told us over and over again how much they appreciated the way they were treated by all of you – they said you were all so respectful to them, friendly, kind and supportive. Giving of ourselves the way we have is what Jesus taught us to do – and look at the beautiful gifts we all received in return. Now it is time to rest and in 51 weeks we will do this important work of love again!In closing, we would like to thank you, thank you and thank you again!

Tammy, Sue, Susan, Patrick, Bob, Tom, Steve, Kelly, Renee, Maiga, Leslie, Bill, Dave, Kimo, Jennie, and Pat.

S.O.S. Week at Antioch

CARING and GIVING

Contact Brenda Soderlund, Bookkeeper Mondays and Fridays at the Church Office.Email: [email protected]

• Drop a check in the offering plate• Send snail mail• PayPal-look for donate button on

our website• Electronic giving - contact Brenda

for information• Donate Altar Flowers ($25/arr.)• Give your spare change using

Yellow Boxes• Recycle (see the recycle area in

the East hallway)• Sign up for Kroger Grocery

Rewards (after 4/1 every year)• Designate your Thrivent Choice

dollars to Antioch

From Brad Fush, TreasurerFinance Team Members: Tim Brown, Dave Copp, Jim McManaman, Rebecca Parker, Brenda Soderlund, and myself.Next Finance Team Meeting, Tuesday, April 10 at 7:00 pmTuesday, May 8 at 7:00 pm

Ways To Give:

EUCHRE PARTYWELCA presents…A “Growling” Good Time…Euchre at Antioch Saturday, April 21 starting at 6:30 pm. Come one, come all--join us for an evening of euchre-fellowship-and FUN! Bring a “Growler” to share or beverage of your choice. Last names A-L bring an appetizer M-Z bring a sweet. Equal exchange coffee/tea will be served and offered for purchase-support FAIR TRADE! Sign

7

6

5

4

3

2

1

0 Income Expense Balance

General Fund - Report2018 March (Actual Year-to-Date)

*This income includes contributions for current funds, holidays,

flowers, loose offerings, grocery rewards, Antioch Preschool, outreach,

and miscellaneous income.

RUMMAGE SALE It’s back and this year our rummage sale will be held on April 20 and 21. We will have the high school youth help us set up on Sunday, April 15 at 5:00 pm. Anyone able to help is welcomed. The Boy Scouts will help with the tear down at Noon Saturday, April 21. We can use YOUR help any day during the week, separating and hanging items. If you are interested, please let me (Ingrid) or Judy Glass know. Look for sign-up sheets closer to the sale. Thank you for any help. This is Antioch’s way of giving monetary help to the community, Synod and beyond. Ingrid Haeusler

up in the narthex. Questions? speak with Kris Wise or Amy Long.

DIRECTORYHello all. I want to take this opportunity to thank each of you for the terrific job that you have done with submitting, and taking pictures for our new directory. We do recognize that you have been patiently waiting. We are happy to announce that we in the process of finalizing this project. However, there are still members of the congregation that have not submitted or taken pictures to be included in the directory. You still have time to take or submit a picture. If you decide to submit your own picture the cost is $10.00. However, if you decide to have a picture taken I ask that you sign up, so that we can schedule a date for a photographer to come out. The contributions of each member are pivotal for our success. We really appreciate you taking the time out to assist in this matter. We will continue to update you as time progresses, and look forward to continuing to work together. Tasha Spencer

What’s Happening:


$64,850.62 $63,356.52 $1,494.10

Location33360 W. Thirteen Mile Road, Farmington Hills, MI 48334On the north-east corner of Thirteen Mile and Farmington Roads.

Office Hours10:00 a.m. - 2:00 p.m. Monday through Friday

STAFF (General Office Hours)

Pastor - The Rev. Sean Myers (M through Th) [email protected] of Music - Sean Michael Jackman, DMA, Ed.D. [email protected] (W and other evenings)Director of Christian Education - Kimberly Rowe (M and F) [email protected] - Geela Green (M through F) [email protected] - LaTasha Spencer (M through F) [email protected] Director - Sharon Detter (M through F) [email protected] Teacher - Lynne Gagner (M through F)

We believe and teach that we receive communion by grace and not by right. Therefore if you are accustomed to receiving communioin at your home church, you are welcomed to commune with us at Antioch.

We warmly invite visitors to join our members for worship, study, and activities. Contact Usphone: 248 626 7906 fax: 248 626 7619email: [email protected]

Worship: Sundays 9:30 a.m.Christian Education - 11:00 a.m. SundaysPreschool - 9:00 a.m.-12:30 p.m. Monday-Friday

Mission Statement April 2018“As a Christ-centered congregation, we are called to teach, to grow, and to serve the people of God.”

Find us on the web! www.antiochELCA.org

Find Antioch and “like” us on Facebook:www.facebook.com/antiochelca

Southeast Michigan Synod (SEMI Synod)www.semisynod.comBishop - The Rev. Dr. Donald P. [email protected]

Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA)www.elca.orgPresiding Bishop - The Rev. Elizabeth Eaton

Antioch Lutheran Church is a Reconciling in Christ (RIC) Congregation

All Are Welcome

33360 West Thirteen Mile Road

Address Service Requested

Documents

“As a Christ-centered congregation, April 2018 The EPISTLE · is Risen! He is Risen Indeed, Alleluia! Pastor Sean Did you know that Pastor has a degree in Theatre and Dance. Loves