Worship Schedule

Sunday, January 5

9 am Bible Study and Sunday School 10 am Divine Service with Holy Communion

Sunday, January 12

9 am Bible Study and Sunday School 10 am Divine Service with Holy Communion

Sunday, January 19 9 am Bible Study and Sunday School 10 am Divine Service with Holy Communion

Sunday, January 26

9 am Bible Study and Sunday School 10 am Divine Service with Holy Communion

The Immanuel Messenger January, 2020

From the Pastor’s Pen:

Grace, mercy, and peace from God our Heavenly Father and from our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ –

Now after Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea in the days of Herod the king, behold, magi from the east came to Jerusalem, 2 saying, “Where is He who has been born King of the Jews? For we have seen His star in the East and have

come to worship Him.” Matthew 2:1–2

It’s Epiphany season, and also the season for New Year’s resolutions. What resolution comes to mind when contemplating the Adoration of

the Magi? “Come when you’re called!” And when they did come, asking, “Where is He?” It was the Bible that directed them to Bethlehem.

What New Year’s resolution comes to mind at that solid declaration? Read the Bible! The whole thing? Why not? We already have a couple

dozen of us taking a shot at it. We started on September 2, 2019. We’re actually a third of the way through already! So how do you join us

now? I see a couple of options:

Send me an email (pastor@immanuel-mnh.org) and I’ll send you the schedule we are using, and you can jump on with us on any date (you just won’t be

starting at the beginning; i.e.: 12-23-19 begins with Judges 1:1-2:9)

OR, you can go to https://oneyearbibleonline.com/weekly-one-year-readings/?version=51&startmmdd=0101&version=51&startmmdd=0101

-and set your own date to start from the beginning.

Either way, you can do this! And reading the whole Bible in a year gives you the big picture, and you make the connections between the shadows

of things to come, and Jesus, the Light of the World!

We hope to welcome more on board for this worthy venture! In Jesus’ love,

+Pastor

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From the Elders… “Teach us to number our days, that we may apply our hearts to wisdom.” So wrote the Psalmist (90:12). I

often think of that passage when contemplating the liturgical year, and in conversations with Christians from free

church traditions who sometimes regard churchly seasons and commemorations as manmade.

The season immediately following Christmas – Epiphany and after - was sometimes hard for me to

understand in my youth. Indeed, as a boy I sometimes wondered if the Church just didn’t get it. Christmas was December 25th, but

carols, colors, and decorations remained in the sanctuary until January 6th, the Feast of the Epiphany, the coming of the Magi to see

the Savior.

Not only that, the day after Christmas, the so joyous time, the ecclesiastical year was (and still is) remembering the martyrdom

of Saint Stephen. We go from gift-giving to the stoning of a deacon. And on December 28th, there was and is the Slaughter of the

Innocents by King Herod – now often compared to the present crisis of unborn children being eliminated. And we read the Gospel

story of Jesus being evacuated to Egypt by his mother Mary and step-father Joseph. Based on a painting I saw in my youth, I always

picture the Holy Family fleeing at night in fear and danger.

It appears in our liturgical calendar that Christmas joy becomes so quickly mingled with what Dietrich Bonhoeffer termed “the

cost of discipleship.” And the days of Epiphany and those following are still long and darkened, with sunset still before 4:30 PM. Like

a reminder of cares and doubts.

Post-Christmas can be hard. There are those holiday bills. There are those family members we regret not having seen during

the festivities - including those departed whom seamen refer to as “absent friends.” The weather here in New England is a daily and

uncertain factor, making commutes challenging and perhaps making our ages or the age of some we care for more obvious to us. And

our New Year resolutions can be disappointing. The number of people in the gyms the first week of January and at the end of the

month won’t be the same. Not even close.

Still, we ought to remember at Epiphany that it was early on that Gentiles – us folks, not the first chosen people, but us now

divinely adopted as sons and daughters - were introduced to Jesus Christ. The Magi were not of the tribe of Israel.

The three astrologers were sent by a man of darkness (who only thought he was in control) yet wound up worshipping a

newborn child King and defying the orders of Herod. It was a new era of “Good News which shall be for all people [Luke 2:10].” That

not only includes us, but especially us.

Unlike the days of Samuel when “The Word of God was rare in those days [I Samuel 3;1],” “the Word of God was made flesh

and dwelt among us [John 14:1].” And the Word of God is not at all rare now.

Jesus yet dwells with us, and we know it well if our minds and hearts be not dull.

Ray Brown, for the Elders

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Lift Every Voice

January 2020

How Sweet the Name of Jesus Sounds LSB #524 Text: John Newton (1725 – 1807) Music: Alexander R. Reinagle (1799 – 1877) Tune: St. Peter Scripture: Song 1:3; Acts 4;12; Jn. 14:13; Acts 2:21

As a young man I stopped in to visit a neighbor, an elderly Greek man who was a cobbler by trade. As conversation led on from one subject to another, it came onto matters of faith. He said that one thing he found in his Orthodox faith was the sweetness in the name of Jesus, the calm it brings in troublesome times and events. As a young Christian I had to confess that I had never thought that particular way and thought that it was a nice thing to say or feel but didn’t dwell on it much back then. We tend to go along with things we hear others say or do and get on with life as we see it and even matters of belief as we presently understand them or at least think we do.

The first day of this year or any year for that matter, in the Church, is the observance of the Circumcision and Naming of Jesus. New Year’s Day is a secular date. The Name by which He would be called was the choice of His Father, God; ”you shall call His Name Jesus” ( Luke 1: 31). All the other names, including Emmanuel, as written in Holy Scripture shall accrue to Him also but we mostly speak of Him as Jesus no matter how that name is pronounced in other languages.

As we progress through the events in the life of Jesus, we come upon the other names He is called, some not so flattering, some by His friends and some by His enemies. He was not sent here to lead a life of ease and comfort. When He begins His ministry, He doesn’t even have a place he can call home. When we see the homeless in our streets, we recall this homelessness of Jesus. When we see the faces of the homeless, if we look from the eyes of compassion as He instructs us, we can see His face. That’s because if we truly believe what scripture tells us about the human race, we rightly believe that we are created in God’s image and are not evolved creatures. Therefore, it is right to know that we can observe all the misery, hopelessness and depredations that are causal from the advent of sin in this world in the human visage. When we see derelict humans among us, we can envision the Derelict that hung on the Cross that took on all that shame. We did the crime: He took the “rap”!

5

My old Greek neighbor had it right. I’m sure he couldn’t tell me or anyone else just what theology of his church body he could hang his particular philosophy on. This idea of the sweetness in the name of Jesus was something that came from his heart. There’s just something that is solid there and if we believe in His great Love and Compassion it settles in the heart much like a bowl of hot oatmeal sticks to your “ribs” on a cold winter morning.

Sweetness does come through in this old well-known hymn. Newton’s poetry relates much of its effectiveness: it soothes the sorrows; heals the wounds; drives out fear. Further, it makes the wounded spirit whole, calms the heart’s unrest, feeds manna to the hungry soul and gives the weary rest. I’m reminded of another old hymn whose refrain went like this:

Sweetest Name on mortal tongue, Sweetest Note in Seraph song, Sweetest Carol ever sung. Jesus, Blessed Jesus. It is my hope as the old year winds down that on one of those 1st or 2nd Sundays of Christmas (this year they are before Epiphany) you would go to your pew a little early and look up this wonderful old hymn and make its words your pre-service prayer.

Bios: The story of John Newton is a familiar one to those who have read or seen a movie of the emancipation of slavery in Britain. His is a history of being a slave himself and operator of slave ships. He later came to Christ and became a leader in the anti-slavery movement in England and became an Anglican priest. He also wrote many hymns including “Amazing Grace”.

Alexander R. Reinagle was a church organist and composer of church and hymn tunes in the Anglican tradition. He was born, lived and died in England.

All my best to you and all your loved ones for a Blessed, Holy Christ-mass and a prosperous Happy New Year. Dick Campbell

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Secrets from the Kitchen

As we finish the last cookie from the cookie exchange, we fondly

remember all the great food of December.

Thank God for the joy we have of sharing GOD’s word and a cup of coffee

with the fellowship of others. Let us continue this into January. Yes, we in the

kitchen will bake delicious goodies for all to enjoy. There is breakfast during

Bible study and coffee treats after church.

So, if you like being in the kitchen, sign up to help provide for our delightful

treats.

The Kitchen Manager

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This is what a Meetinghouse Service Looks Like!

These good people recently gathered at the Meetinghouse at Riverside facility to worship our Lord! Matthew 18:20 says, “Where two or three are gathered together in My name, I am there in the midst of them!” Please join us! Look for the next meeting coming soon!

Schedule of Events 9:00 a.m. Memorial Service for the babies dumped at the Concord Landfill, Old Turnpike Road, Concord 10:00 a.m. Catholic mass at Christ the King Parish, St. John’s Church, 72 So. Main Street, Concord 10:30 a.m. Prayer service in front of the State House with our own Rev. Don Colageo 11:15 a.m. Rally at the Gold Dome State House steps 11:45 a.m. March for Life from the rally in front of the Equality Health Center then to St. John the Evangelist Activity Center 1 p.m. Refreshments & featured speaker at Christ the King Parish, St. John’s Church

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From the Church Office:

1. The Activities Board is continuing to accept donations from the Advent Giving Calendar. Please

bring your items to church and help feed a needy family and help CareGivers replenish their

stocks after the holidays!

2. Please return your Time and Talent forms as soon as possible. Extras are on the ledge under the

Narthex mailboxes.

3. The 2020 Flower chart is on the Activity Board and ready to accept your January Altar Flower

donations!

4. As many of you know I don’t attend church at Immanuel. I have been a member of Grace

Lutheran Church in Nashua for close to 30 years and I was Pastor Mick Meyer’s secretary for

four of those years. If there is something going on at Immanuel that you want covered in the

Newsletter or Bulletin Announcements, would you please email me complete details about that

event? When it starts; When it ends; Who is putting it on; What people should bring; Where you’ll

be meeting; What date; What time. Not being here on Sundays, I’m at a disadvantage. I don’t

“hear about it” from anyone. I can’t “ask about it” if I don’t know there’s an event or a change

etc. I’d rather have too much information from multiple sources than not enough.

Thank you so much! We can work together to get the business of Immanuel taken care of and

further God’s kingdom here on earth.

In Christ’s Service,

Marcia Newell

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~ January ~

Birthdays Baptismal Birthdays Wedding Anniversaries 1 Kathy Mange 6 Lyn Buechsenschuetz 25 Paul and Nancy Skar Ray Ackerman 19 Kathy Mange 5 Melissa Otte 28 Bradley Houle

6 Dick Love 14 Renee’ Stanton 16 Kent Freshour 19 Sharon Otte 24 Laura Wagenaar 28 Maria Love 29 Deborah Integlia 31 Elizabeth Kelly

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Silence is a Teacher Susan Kamacho, Simple Faith Today

It seems every New Year, we all take some time to reflect on a

resolution that we can make to better ourselves. I know that I have

entered each new year hoping I will eat better, exercise more, etc. I

have “hoped” that I will be a better person, give people more time,

listen better, etc. Each year I enter the year with much to “do”.

January 1st hasn’t hit yet and I’m already exhausted.

Rarely do I say I will enter the new year and be still, be silent,

be still. Yet, as I look at my life and the long “to do” list that I seem

to constantly have, being still and silent don’t seem to be on the list. I tend to be a “doer”, finding plenty to keep me busy,

even in the smallest of moments. Looking at this verse, though, our dear Lord wants one thing from me – to be still.

Does this seem as daunting to you as it does to me? Can I really sit still? Can I truly be silent? This new year, I am going

to try. Why? Because my Lord is asking me to. My God is telling me to be still, to be with Him, to pray to Him, to show time

and attention to Him. He certainly deserves that from me – that and so much more. What does that entail, to be still with

God?

I believe this will mean different things for different people. It may mean meditating on a verse that you hold close to your heart. It may mean sitting in your favorite chair and talking to God. It may mean wrapped up in your favorite blanket and looking at your favorite picture, knowing how loved you are by God. I pray that it also includes time for our minds to be quiet and still and waiting for God to talk to us. The Holy Spirit is so powerful, yet many times we aren’t still enough or silent enough to hear him. He is always there, waiting to tug our hearts, our minds, our souls to be close to him.As we begin this new year, may we take time out of our busy schedules to “be still” and silent so we can hear God. Let Him pierce our hearts with his love so that we may live out our lives loving others. Happy New Year to all!!

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Rockingham County Caroling

On Saturday, December 14, eleven Immanuel members plus Ian and TJ, the grandsons of Rita, brought Christmas cheer to the

residents of the Rockingham County Home in Bentwood, including Lilo Dutzmann who was delighted to see Immanuel friends

again! We started out with 40 minutes of singing in the Assisted Living dining room where people had gathered to listen. Pastor's

Elvis rendition of "Blue Christmas" was a hit as always, but we sang many traditional carols as well. The residents were delighted

to receive beautiful ornaments in Christmas tree and angel shapes skillfully made by Gail using multi-colored buttons and ribbon.

Around 4 p.m., we moved on to the other side of the building (singing most of the way!) in order to carol in the hallways and

dining rooms on both floors of the Skilled Nursing Center. Beth's mother, Linda Greenlees was sorely missed this year, but we

were touched by the reception everywhere from residents and staff people and the fact that so many residents on both sides of the

building sang along with us and knew the words to multiple verses. We found out that quite a few of them regularly attend

Catholic or non-denominational services in the chapel on the premises.

After the singing, we headed over to Telly's Restaurant in Epping for dinner and conversation. A few of us remember Telly's from

many years ago when it was strictly a pizza, burger, and Italian take out place. They now offer a varied menu of tasteful and

creative dishes to please every palate. Thanks to Cynthia Grenier for once again organizing this event and to all who attended to

make the day memorable for those who seldom or never get out. Attending in addition to Cynthia were Pastor Colageo, Doug

Gootee, Kent Freshour (with Beth joining us at the restaurant), Dick and Lyn Buechsenschuetz, Ed and Claire Flaherty, Rita

Hennessey with her two grandsons, and Marina Kirsch.

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And THIS is why we do it!

Dear Immanuel Family,

Another Christmas and a new year coming, and I am still here.

May it be the last time for me? To be totally honest, I hope so

with an added "God willing." In my long, at times turbulent

life, I have learned that my Lord and Savior will make any

important decisions when the time comes. And I have learned,

often the hard way, to trust Him. I know now that His

decisions and timing are always right and best. I was happy to

still be here to enjoy last Saturday's caroling, when many of

you including Pastor came out to Rockingham to sing for us. It

was so enjoyable and heartwarming! I heard so many

favorable comments afterwards. For me it was a special joy to

see your sweet, familiar faces. I feel that I grew up at

Immanuel with many of you. Thank you to all who came out

on that foggy day to lift our hearts and spirits. It was very much appreciated!

A great big thank you to all in the congregation for your prayers for my son, Ingo, and for me. It brings tears to my eyes when I

read the Sunday bulletins which my daughter, Marina, brings me faithfully as well as other church items to keep me connected.

So I know all that's taking place in your midst and, somehow, I still feel part of it. I also want to thank you for occasional

greetings and notes. God bless you for everything!

May our gracious heavenly Father and our beloved Lord Jesus Christ be with you all at Christmas and guide you safely through

the New Year and always. My prayers are with you.

In His love, Lilo D.

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January 2020 Calendar of Events

Sunday Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday

1 NEW

YEAR’S DAY

2

Choir

6:30pm

3 4

2PM Epiphany Vigil outside

Planned Parenthood

5

6 7 8 9 10 11

9 am Sunday School and Adult Bible study

10 am Divine Service with Holy Communion

Second Sunday after Christmas

The Epiphany of

Our Lord

7pm Elders’

Mtg.

Choir

6:30pm

7pm Heritage

Quilt Guild (FH)

12 13 14 15 16 17 18

9 am Sunday School and Adult Bible study

10 am Divine Service with Holy Communion

The Baptism of Our Lord, First Sunday after the

Epiphany

Choir

6:30pm

8:30am to 11:30am Church

Council Meeting (FH)

19 20 21 22 23 24 25

9 am Sunday School and Adult Bible study

10 am Divine Service with Holy Communion

Second Sunday after the Epiphany

Choir

6:30pm

26

9 am Sunday School and Adult Bible study

10 am Divine Service with Holy Communion

Third Sunday after the Epiphany

27

6:30pm Stamp

Club (FH)

28 29 30

Choir

6:30 pm

31

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Servants of Our Lord

Date Usher Acolyte Communion

Assistant Lector Greeters Altar Care

1/5/2020

Maria Love, Marilyn

Plummer, Kent Freshour

Gabriel Robinson

Jim Mange, Rick Otte

Chris Robinson

Cindy Grenier, Joel Applegate

Marcia Blakeman,

Karen Colageo

1/12/2020

Chris Robinson, Ed Flaherty, Jim

Mange Volunteer

Dan Blakeman, Jim

Wilkie Claire Flaherty Chris & Jacine

Robinson Donna Houle, Marina Kirsch

1/19/2020

Ken & Rosanna

Koehlert, Rita Hennessy Kevin Mange

Doug Gootee, Kent Freshour David King

Ed & Claire Flaherty

Cynthia Grenier, Rita Hennessy, Beth Scaer

1/26/2020

Helgard & Marina Kirsch, Doug Gootee

Adrian Robinson

Steve Scaer, David

Sanderson David

Sanderson Dick & Lyn

Buechsenschuetz

Roseann Helwig, Rita Hennessy

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Save the Date:

Valentines and Lasagna

Sunday, February 9

You can never outgrow the fun and joy valentine cards! On Sunday, February 9, following

services, the Activities Board is sponsoring a make your own valentines party! All sorts of creative

supplies will be provided to make valentines for those we love, and rarely see: our Immanuel

members at home who rarely make it to church. Let’s remind them of our love with homemade

cards, crafted with love and fellowship! The creative endeavors will be followed by a “hearty”

Italian feast of lasagna, garlic bread, salad, and dessert. So, please join us, as we glue and glitter

and feast. Crafts can be relaxing and nostalgic! Anyone can make a valentine, if it is done with

love! There is a sign-up sheet in the entry hallway to plan the amount of food. We want you to

can eat lasagna to your hearts’ content! Any questions can be referred to Cindy Grenier.

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Lutheran Trivia

What Scripture verse made Luther feel as though he had been born again?

A) John 3:16

B) Romans 8:28

C) Romans 1:17

D) Hezekiah 3:42

Answer: C – Studying the Book of Romans, with an obscure commentary by Saint Augustine, Blessed Martin first understood the proportions of the verse “the

just shall live by faith.” He later wrote: “Night and day I pondered until I saw the connection between the righteousness of God and the statement that "the just

shall live by faith." Then I grasped that the righteousness of God is that righteousness by which through grace and sheer mercy God justifies us through faith.

Thereupon I felt myself to be reborn and to have gone through open doors into paradise.”

*Note: The LCMS rate sheet was not available at the time of publication. Contact the church office and it will be emailed to you when it’s available.

Immanuel Lutheran Church

Lutheran Church – Missouri Synod

673 Weston Road Manchester, NH 03103

(603) 622-1514 secretary@ immanuel-mnh.org

www.immanuel-mnh.org

www.facebook.com/ImmanuelLutheranManchester/

Pastor Rev. Donald Colageo

Administrative Assistant Marcia Newell

Elders Doug Gootee Kent Freshour Dan Blakeman

Ray Brown David Sanderson Stephen Scaer

Church Council

Congregational Chairman: James Wilkie Congregational Vice Chairman and

Chairman of the Board of Finance: Hans Larsson Treasurer: Kathy Mange

Financial Secretary: Wendy Wilkie Congregational Recording Secretary: Karalyn Malaby

Board of Preschool: Bonnie Bell Board of Property: Don Bell

Board of Evangelism: Vacant Board of Stewardship: Richard Malaby

Board of Activities: Cindy Grenier