IMMANUELGRAM September, 2016 VOL. 44 NO. 9

Through the Pastor’s Computer….

There is a theme that has been running through my mind for some time. It is

the theme of being built into a specific structure. Some of it comes, I am sure,

because no matter where I drive there is so much road construction going on.

(Can you remember a time when there was so much?) Beside the road

construction at a point, there were six large construction cranes making up

the skyline of Findlay. I couldn’t help but think it is going to be a long time

before we see that again. But who knows, right?

All this construction “stuff” going on got me to thinking about the church…

well, not the church building really, but what the church really is…people. You

and I. How is the construction of our faith going? Is our faith growing? Is our

faith moving forward?

I like what St. Paul writes to the Ephesians: So then you are no longer strangers

and aliens, but you are citizens with the saints and also members of the

household of God, apostles and prophets, with Christ Jesus himself as the

cornerstone. In him the whole structure is joined together and grows into a

holy temple in the Lord; in whom you also are built together spiritually into a

dwelling place for God.

Like the Ephesians we are no longer strangers and aliens to each other.

We’ve known each other now for six months…half a year and then some. I

like the idea that we are citizens together with the saints. Remember saints

are those who share faith together…and we do that as God’s people in

worship. Plus, we are together members of the household of God. In faith, this

statement, as Paul writes, makes Jesus himself our cornerstone. I share this with

much excitement running through my veins. This is fantastic “stuff” to share

with you.

As we get ready to start a new year of Sunday School classes, what an

opportunity to continue our growth as God’s people…as brothers and sisters

together. I continue to share what I learned early on in ministry that as God’s

people want to move forward that movement only happens as they gather in

the study of His Word. This simple fact makes all the difference in the world.

So I invite you to an adult class on Sunday mornings this year (starting

September 11th). And let us see if we can get one or two started during the

week?

In the JOY of Christ….Pastor Tom

Church Council Notes

Immanuel Lutheran Church Council Meeting

July 12, 2016

Present: Sarah Arps, Eric Johnson, Dave Bartley, Jenny Krauss, Kirk Behrman, Pat Scholl, and Gerry Kruse

Absent: Pastor Schutt, Mike Meyer

Eric called the meeting to order; Gerry gave a short prayer.

The minutes from June 15, 2016 meeting were reviewed and approved as read.

The Treasurer’s report was reviewed and approved. Reviewed the Thrivent Loan Amount $25,700

borrowed with balance of $16,398.45 as of 5-8-16. Monthly payment is $471.00.

Pastor’s Report - no report given. Reminded of Mission Fest Sunday at Hamler Summerfest on July 17th

Committee Reports

Worship: No meeting in July, will meet again in August.

Education – No report, meeting in August

Trustees – Molding around the front signs to be completed this month.

Catechism & Luther League - No report for July

Elder Communion Schedule: 8/07 Sarah; 8/28 Jenny

Money Drop Schedule: 8/07 Sarah; 8/14 Dave; 8/21 Pat; 8/28 Jenny

Old Business:

Trustees: no old business

Fundraiser Update: $38,209 pledged to date; $34,348.34 paid to date; $3,860.66 outstanding to date,

New Business:

Call Process - No new candidates have been submitted. Total of 3 resumes reviewed – one interviewed, and

the other two were not a fit for Immanuel. Continue to be in contact with the Synod for potential

candidates.

Building Committee Will be organizing a meeting with the group to review the project that we are looking for

their ideas and evaluation on.

Catechism - grades 6-8 will need to determine timing for this year’s classes with the change in the school

policy around Wednesday night activities. A meeting with Pastor and parents will be scheduled so that

materials can be ordered.

Sunday School Teachers - Will be needed some additional/new teachers for the upcoming year. A teacher or

co-teachers for Grades 6-8 and grades 1-3 will be needed. Lisa Crouch to make calls and put a notice into the

bulletin about the open positions. Also learned that Lisa Crouch and Angie Ballow will be stepping down from

the Superintendent positions after this coming year and replacement will be needed.

Council Members in 2017 – discussed that we have four (4) positions that will need to be filled in 2017.

2 Trustees, 1 Elder, 1 Recording Secretary. Will begin by putting announcement in bulletin and newsletter to

let interested and willing parties the process that we will be doing. All positions are 2 year terms.

Reviewed and approved the Building Use Schedule.

Next meeting will be Tuesday, August 9, 2016 at 6:30 p.m.

Meeting closed with the Lord’s Prayer.

Church Council Notes

Immanuel Lutheran Church Council Meeting

August 9, 2016

Those present: Sarah Arps, Dave Bartley, Jenny Krauss, Mike Meyer, Eric Johnson, Pastor

Schutt Absent: Kirk Behrman, Pat Scholl

Eric called the meeting to order, and Pastor gave an opening prayer. The minutes from

the July 12 meeting were reviewed and approved with a motion from Jenny and a

second from Mike. The treasurer’s report was reviewed and approved. It was

mentioned that not all students who received scholarships have submitted the papers

in order to receive their awards. A motion to approve was made by Mike, seconded

by Dave, voted on, and approved.

Reports:

Pastor: There had been a Jesus Builds meeting. There was discussion about how many

people from our church attended the service. There was discussion about how this was

publicized as compared to last year.

Worship: There was discussion about the replacement light that flickers when dimmed.

It had been tried to see how it would work. There is another type of light bulb that could

be used. There was also discussion about using Gluten free wafers at Communion. It

was mentioned that Ryan is working on getting the organ ready.

Education: Pastor met with Lisa and Becky to make plans for Luther League. Many new

ideas are being looked at including events each month for these students. Lisa is still

need of teachers. Some have volunteered, but more teachers are needed. Sunday

School will be going back to the Spark materials from year’s past. Some of Luther’s small

catechisms and some Bibles will need to be ordered. Sunday School will begin on

September 11th.

Trustees: Discussion about the water in the women’s bathroom near the sanctuary. The

needed parts are not available without replacing other items too. There was discussion

about the trim on the sign and about the shingles being fixed and caulked.

Catechism and Luther League: Catechism will be from 6 to 7 on Wednesdays.

Students will also be expected to attend some of the services during the Lenten season.

There was discussion about moving Confirmation to May 7th. (There is now a conflict with

that date and a new date is being sought). There was also discussion of the

expectations during class and about possible dates for a retreat for the students.

Old Business: There was an update on the fundraiser.

New Business: It was mentioned that there would be a meeting soon about the

bathroom project.

Round Robin: There was discussion of an ant problem in the nursery. We will try to spray

outside to take care of the problem. There was discussion of the classrooms being in

need of a deep cleaning. There was talk of families perhaps volunteering to clean a

room. These are cleaning items that do not fall in the normal weekly tasks of the

custodian. Painting of the rooms was also mentioned. Eric mentioned that the window

latches in the blue room likely need to be replaced. He also mentioned that the floor in

Mittermaier Hall need to be stripped and waxed. Someone who knows how to do this

will need to be brought in.

The building schedule was reviewed.

The meeting closed with the Lord’s Prayer.

SEPTEMBER 28, 2016 5-6 pm FREE COMMUNITY DINNER

Homemade Baked Steak Mashed Potatoes and Gravy

Buttered Corn Warm Rolls

Dessert Bread & Ice Cream

Immanuel is in charge of this month’s meal. Volunteers are needed to assist with meal/clean up.

Please contact Gerry Kruse or Robyn Neiderhouse

to volunteer or for more information!

CONGRATULATIONS!!!!

Tori Petersen and caleb carrizales

welcomed lucas adam on august

24th at 10:35 am. He weighed 5 lb,

4 oz and was 18 1/2 inches long.

Grey randall lee, son of casey

and Mackenzie (Hawkins) edgeman

was born on august 26th at 6:02

pm. He weighed 7 lb, 10 oz, and was

21 inches long.

Join us for Sunday School

and cool treats at 9 am!!

Plan to stay for Worship & make

sure to bring your backpacks!!

WORSHIP BEGINS AT 10:15 AM

Worship will feature

Blessing of the Backpacks!!

ALL ARE WELCOME

SO BRING A FRIEND!

RALLY DAY

SEPTEMBER 11, 2016

Prayer Concerns: Gary Diem, Pat Petersen, Paul Behnfeldt

September Special Offering

Lutheran Social Services

Don Hoops: 301 E North St, Deshler, OH 43516

Janine Moelter: 419-278-8356, 224 N Keyser Ave, Deshler, OH 43516

Barb Schnabele: Van Crest Health Care Center, 600 Joe E Brown Ave, Holgate, OH 43527

Martha Sunderman: Van Crest Health Care Center, Assisted Living, Apt 4, 600 Joe E Brown Ave, Holgate, OH 43527

Mary Ellen Wendt: 419-425-3791, Birchaven Village, 15100 Birchaven Ln, Edelweiss Rm 14, Findlay, OH 45840

REMEMBER OUR HOME-BOUND MEMBERS

We express Christian Sympathy to Richard Babcock

and family at the passing of Linda Babcock on July

24th. A private funeral was held at Rodenberger

Funeral Home on July 29th.

CHURCH COUNCIL OPENINGS

Church Council is looking ahead to the next calendar year and the open seats that we will be needing to fill for the 2017 Council of Immanuel Lutheran Church. We will have one (1) Elder position, one (1) Trustee position, and one (1) Recording Secretary position to fill.

With this in mind we are asking for members to start to think about it they would be willing to serve in one of these positions. We will be forming a Nominating Committee soon, but if anyone is interested and willing to hold one of these positions, please contact Eric Johnson, Council President or any of the other current members.

September Birthdays 1 Trent Crouch 2 Kasey Spence, Logan Smith, Luke Neiderhouse 3 Eugene Yungmann, Kathie Diem 5 Alan Hill, Kollin Spence, Brynn Meyer 6 Laurie Brown 7 Julia Behnfeldt, Paige Moehrman, Konlee Wilson 8 Rodney Crouch, Arabella Myers 9 Thomas Panning 10 Willis Croninger, Chelsea Brannan, Shelby Lederer 12 Nick VonDeylen, Curtis Baer 13 Alex Eis 14 Sherry Myers, Lisa Crouch, Kristen Hogrefe, Kory McKitrick, Brezlee Powell 15 Bill Mays*, Diana Willier, Coleen Wright

16 Daphne Gottschalk, Kenneth Rood, Seth Hathaway

17 Diana Smith, Eric Abrams 18 Barb Rosebrook, Larkin Holloway 19 Beverly Holloway, Steve McCance 20 Leah Johns, Marlee Powell 21 Linda Panning, Nick Tolles 22 David Bartley, Joan Meyer, William Bartelheim,

Jayden Bergman, Karsen Ellerbrock 23 Terry Baer 24 Tabitha Pontious, MaKayla Panning,

Dylan Russell 25 William Smith*, Sean Koppenhofer,

Tyler Varner 26 Barb Schnabele, Todd Harris, Danielle Ruskey,

Amber Tackett, Christopher Plotts 27 Loretta Gerken, Kevin Reese 28 Jerry Spence, Mariah Boyer 29 Marvin Mahlman, Kay Yantz, Ronald Mahlman,

Kent Petersen

Greeters

4 TBA

11 TBA

18 Josh & Lacey Powell and girls

25 Luther League

Acolytes

4 Hunter Wilson, Jaylin Drew

11 Joey Boden, Logan Smith

18 Abigail Detmer, Chloe Ballow

25 Dylan Russell, Clayton Feehan

Readers

4 Lori Hogrefe

11 Dawnell Meyer

18 Hope Yarnell

25 Abigail Detmer

Communion Assts.

September 4 – Kirk

September 25 – Sarah

Wo r s h i p A s s i st a n t s f o r S e pt e m b e r

Altar Care

Jenny Krauss

Financial Statement for the

Month of July 2016

BEGINNING BALANCE

General Fund $ 2,477.92 World & American Missions 37.00 Immanuel Scholarship 107.00 Filling Home of Mercy 46.00

Total $ 2,667.92

RECEIPTS

General Fund $ 10,501.00

Wernle Children's Home 73.15

Total $ 10,574.15

DISBURSEMENTS

General Fund 10,285.05 World & American Missions 37.00 Immanuel Scholarship 100.00 Filling Home of Mercy 46.00

Total $ 10,468.05

ENDING BALANCE

General Fund $ 2,693.87

Immanuel Scholarship 7.00 Wernle Children's Home 73.15

Total $ 2,774.02

Memorials for the Month:

none

THANK YOU MEALS ON WHEELS DRIVERS

For August

Katie Yarnell Misty Behrman

Bev VanDeBussche Shirley Johnson

Betty Hill

Linda Hiner, Defiance

Joan Hendricks, Ann Arbor

CATECHISM BEGINS

WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 7

FOR ALL STUDENTS IN 6TH

THRU 8TH GRADES.

CATECHISM CLASS WILL

BE 6-7 pm EVERY

WEDNESDAY!!

Adult Bible Study

Who What Why When Where????????

Who-Intergenerational learners with Pastor Tom as teacher.

What- Bible Study/Discussion on the “Sovereignty of God”

In September from Isaiah, -- in October from Hebrews, -- in November from Revelation.

Why- Feeding on the word to grow in the faith.

When- Each Sunday @ 9:00- 10:00 a.m.

Where- Room next to pastor’s office.

Coffee always available.

Immanuel Lutheran Church 220 West Elm St. Deshler, OH 43516 Address Service Requested

NON-PROFIT ORGANIZATION U.S. POSTAGE PAID

Permit #2 Deshler, OH 43516

Immanuel Lutheran Church

220 West Elm St. Deshler, OH 43516

Office: 419-278-1601

Office e-mail: ilcdeshler@gmail.com

Worship: Sunday School 9:00 a.m.

Sunday Worship 10:15 a.m.

Staff:

Secretary: Robyn Neiderhouse

Treasurer: Gerry Kruse

Council Chairperson Eric Johnson

Vice-Chairperson Kirk Behrman

Elders Sarah Arps

Kirk Behrman

Jenny Krauss

Trustees: Eric Johnson

David Bartley

Mike Meyer

Recording Secretary: Pat Scholl

Custodian: Eric & Mary Bostelman

Organists/Pianists: Myra Mays, Ryan Mays