IMMANUEL’S INSIGHTS MARCH 2011

―One day Jesus was praying in a certain place. When he finished, one of his disciples said to him, ―Lord, teach us to pray, just as John taught his disciples.‖ (Luke 11:1) Praying is not one of my spiritual gifts. The ability to pray ceaselessly, carefully and devotedly is certainly a spiritual gift God has given to some. But most of us, I suspect, pray a lot like I do. When we have to, when our own efforts have failed, and when nothing else seems to be work-ing, that is when we pray. And yet repeatedly the Bible commands us to pray: the desire of a loving Father who just wants to hear his children open their hearts out in prayer. That alone is a remarkably distinctive differ-ence in Christianity; not only do we have a God who loves to hear us pray, but a God who wants us to pray to him as Our Father in heaven, just like a child talking to his father on earth. And so upon the disciples request to ―teach them how to pray,‖ Jesus taught them ―The Lord’s Prayer‖, the model prayer upon which we can build a lifetime of prayers. But Jesus did more than simply teach his disciples the right words to say, he also modeled how and when and why to pray throughout his own ministry. Frequently Jesus was nowhere to be found because he had slipped off silently in the night to go and pray by himself. Sometimes his prayers were si-lent, just the thoughts flowing between him and his Heavenly Father. Other times Jesus spoke his prayers out loud, thoughtfully planned out for the purposes of uplifting his disciples (John 17). And from time to time Jesus would break into spontaneous prayer, bridging the gap be-tween heaven and earth that his incarnation had brought between him and his Heavenly Father. Prayer for Jesus was not a task or chore; it was a privilege and a possibility. The possibility for him to reconnect in a very real, tangible way with his Father who was still in heaven while he, the Son, went about his ministry here on earth. In that sense prayer for Jesus was like going back home, being as close to his Heavenly Father as he could be while physically separated by the skin and bone and blood that made him a man. Even as young as age twelve, Jesus knew that to get through the life ahead of him he would need to spend as much time as possible in his Father’s house, talking to his Father, praying to his Father. ―Lord, Teach Us To Pray‖ is the theme for our Lenten Journey beginning on Ash Wednesday, March 9

th. During the evening midweek services our message will focus on that model prayer,

The Lord’s Prayer. On Sunday mornings during Lent we will take a closer look at Jesus in the act of praying, learning while Jesus models for us how to pray. ―Lord, teach us to pray, just as John taught his disciples.‖ In Christ’s Loving Service, Pastor Steve

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Remember our Servicemen:

Benjamin Gilley, David Hopp, Kelly Kelly, Scott Larsen, and Jonathan Tilk

MARCH WORSHIP SCHEDULE

Evening Services on Saturday, March 5 (with Holy Communion), 12,

19 (with Holy Communion) and 26

Regular worship on Sunday March 6 (with Holy Communion), 13,

20 (with Holy Communion) and 27 with Sunday School and Adult Bible Study

Ash Wednesday March 9 at 7:00 p.m.

Lenten Midweek March 16, 23 and 30 at 7:00 p.m.

LENTEN SCHEDULE

Supper at 6:00 p.m.

Worship at 7:00 p.m.

Wednesday, March 9 - Confirmation Group, spaghetti

Wednesday, March 16 - Tanzania Team, serving tortellini soup

Wednesday, March 23 - LYO, chili

Wednesday, March 30 - Adult Choir, taco bar

Wednesday, April 6 - Church Council, lasagna

Wednesday, April 13 - ILCW, baked potato bar

Sunday, April 17 - Palm Sunday/HC, 9:00 a.m.

Thursday, April 21 - Maundy Thursday, 7:00 p.m.

Friday, April 22 - Good Friday, 7:00 p.m.

Saturday, April 23 - No Service

Sunday, April 24 - Easter Sunday/HC, 7:00 a.m. and 9:00 a.m.

(breakfast at 8:00 a.m.)

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TANZANIA UPDATE

Super Bowl Sunday Snack Sale Update: Thank you to eve-ryone that purchased goodies from the sale. Total earnings were $564.25. The Kidugala Orphan Education Program has gotten a good start, this amount will send 23 orphans to school for a year!

Cans & Bottles: Keep them coming – you bring them, we sort & count. Every single nickel adds up. In 2010 thanks to all of YOU, we redeemed 33,092 cans, 8,717 plastic bottles, 3,754 glass bottles for a grand total of….

45,563!! At a nickel each that was $2,278.15 Great support Immanuel!

Philipo Mloge: Philipo has graduated from the Kidugala Lutheran Secondary School. Pastor Wallace promised to have taken some photos of his graduation, hopefully we will receive & share with everyone soon. Philipo is finalizing his government examinations & if he passes all of them, he will be able to enter the University to continue his studies towards becoming a pastor. Keep him, his wife-Atu & his children: Ezra, Dorice & Gloria in your prayers.

English Lessons: Pastor Wallace has been giving all the Evangelist & Pastor Nuru English les-sons. In addition to all their other responsibilities and activities-they come to Kidugala 3 times per week for lessons!

Easter Greetings: An Easter package will be sent to Kidugala on March 28th. If you have any

Easter greetings, letters, photos, drawings – please drop off at the church office by Sunday, March 27

th. Prayer Partners – if you have any updates or greetings you would like to send to

them, we will send in this package also

Summer 2011 Travel: There are 4 committed individuals going to Kidugala this summer: Patty Allen, Cheryl Chipman, Rick Chipman & April Taggs. Keep them in your prayers as they make preparations to serve. Also for the committees in Kidugala as they select 2 individuals to serve as ambassadors to Harlan.

Next Tanzania Meeting: Tuesday, March 29th – 7:00pm at church. Come join us & add fresh

ideas.

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MARIAM BENJAMIN MGOGORO: IMMANUEL’S COMPASSION CHILD

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Annual Tanzania Soup Supper & Auction FUNd-raiser

(Raising guaranteed fun for the family while raising funds for Tanzania)

Proceeds to help fund the

Kidugala Orphan Education Program

Saturday – March 5th

Immanuel Lutheran Church-Harlan Fellowship Hall

Doors open at 5:30 p.m.

Auction at 7:00 p.m.

FOR FREE-WILL DONATION!

THE DANISH DOLLS PRESENT:

3RD ANNUAL ABELSKIVER/FRIKADELLER DINNER

&

ALL DANISH BAKE SALE

Saturday, March 19th

5:00—7:00 p.m.

Immanuel Lutheran Church - Harlan

Free Will Donations!

Proceeds will benefit the scholarship fund

for the Summer 2011 mission trip to

Tanzania, Africa

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FROM THE CHURCH LIBRARY COMMITTEE

To follow the theme of ―Prayer‖ during Lent, why not check out these items in your library?

Books by Stormie Omartian:

The Power of Praying for Your Adult Children

The Prayer that Changer Everything

Power of the Praying Woman

What Happens When Women Pray

Heartfelt Prayers

The Power of Praying for your Adult Children

Philip Yancey Prayer book and DVD

Warren Wiersbe On Earth as it is in Heaven

Paul Miller A Praying Life

Arthur Simon Rediscovering the Lord’s Prayer

Kids books:

Berenstain Bears Say Their Prayers

The Story of the Lord’s Prayer

Follow and Do … The Lord’s Prayer

YOUR library now has the NIV audio Bible on CD. It contains CDs of both the old and new testa-ments. There are cases if you would like to only check out a few CDs at a time.

The library committee always appreciates donations and suggestions. If you have know of something others would enjoy, leave us a note. Thanks!

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ILC MEMBER NEWS

In Loving Memory:

Lillian Paulsen (01/28/11)

FIRST FRUITS

Is held on the first Saturday and Sunday of each month

(March 5 & 6). Please bring your non-perishable items to the church for the local food bank. Thank you!

BOOK DRIVE!

For the Children’s Hospital in Omaha. Please bring new or gently used children’s book and place them in the box in the church narthex. Donations will be accepted until Thursday, March 31. Cash donations can be dropped of at the church office during regular business hours.

This event is sponsored by the 6th, 7th and 8th graders!

April 2011 Newsletter

Deadline:

Thursday, March 17!

IMMANUEL’S SERVICE OPPORTUNITIES

SHIPPING to Tanzania cost $50 per month. (Sign up sheet in Narthex)

MARIAM sponsorship is $10 per week. (Sign up sheet in Narthex)

FLOWERS for the altar. (Sign up sheet in Narthex)

LECTORS are needed on a weekly basis. (Sign up sheet in Narthex)

Daylight Savings Time Starts On

Sunday, March 13, 2011

Don’t forget to set your clocks ahead one hour!

ILC EXECUTIVE BOARD

MEETING

Wednesday, March 9, 2011

12:00 p.m.

COMMITTEE MEETINGS

Tuesday, March 9 4:30 p.m. Education

5:30 p.m. Worship

6:30 p.m. Fellowship

7:30 p.m. Mission/Outreach

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Immanuel Lutheran Church Women

Dates to Remember:

Every Monday at 4:00 p.m. Bible Study

March 1—1:30 pm Deborah Circle (at Immanuel Lutheran)

March 2, 9, 16, 23, 30 —1:00 pm Hand Quilters

March 2—1:30 pm Rachel Circle

March 9 & 23—1:30 pm Tying Mission Quilts

March 10—6:00 p.m. ILCW Meeting

March 24— 7:00 pm ILCW Bunko

Bring a friend & enjoy an evening

of Christian fellowship, fun, & food!

Thursday, March 24 at 7:00 p.m.

ILCW ILCW will be serving

the Lenten Supper on Wednesday, April 13. We will be needing help and food. Please watch for sign-up sheets for both.

Expecting Mothers

Please have family members notify the

church office when the ―Big Day‖ arrives!

Attention Campers

Summer is approaching fast! If you plan to attend Riverside Bible Camp and need finan-cial assistance, please stop

by the church office to pick up the form.

MARCH WORSHIP OPPORTUNITIES

Church Office: 755-5207

Office Hours: 9-12 & 1 –4 (M-F)

Pastor Steve’s Home: 712-249-8931

Fax Number: 712-755-5207

E-mail: ilc@fmctc.com

www.harlanimmanuel.org

Staff:

Pastor Steve Chellew

Youth Director: Emily Cundy

Music Director: Lisa Meyer

Office Manager: Carol McHugh

Custodian: Tom Henrich

NON-PROFIT ORG

U.S. POSTAGE PAID

HARLAN, IOWA 51537

PERMIT NO. 97

Immanuel Lutheran Church

Every Saturday Worship at 5:00 p.m.

Communion on March 5 & 19

Every Sunday Worship at 9:00 a.m.

Communion on March 6 & 20

10:00 a.m. Fellowship/Coffee/Rolls

10:15 a.m. Adult Bible Study

10:15 a.m. Sunday School

A fellowship of believers

Committed to be and become:

Christ-Centered

Bible-Based

Family-Focused

Mission-Minded

In all that we do for the glory of God!

Matthew 28:18-20

ADDRESS SERVICE REQUESTED

Immanuel Lutheran Church LCMC

1700 19th Street Harlan, IA 51537

WINTER BIBLE READING SCHEDULE SUNDAY WORSHIP READINGS IN BOLD

March 2011 1 II Samuel 19 John 1 2 II Samuel 20 John 2 3 II Samuel 21 John 3 4 II Samuel 22 John 4 5 II Samuel 23 John 5 6 Luke 3 Ecclesiastes 6 7 II Samuel 24 John 6 8 Leviticus 1 John 7 9 Leviticus 2 John 8 10 Leviticus 3 John 9 11 Leviticus 4 John 10 12 Leviticus 5 John 11 13 Luke 9 Ecclesiastes 12 14 Leviticus 6 John 12 15 Leviticus 7 John 13 16 Leviticus 8 John 14 17 Leviticus 9 John 15 18 Leviticus 10 John 16 19 Leviticus 11 John 17 20 Luke 15 2 Corinthians 6 21 Leviticus 12 John 18 22 Leviticus 13 John 19 23 Leviticus 14 John 20 24 Leviticus 15 John 21 25 Leviticus 16 Revelation 1 26 Leviticus 17 Revelation 2 27 Luke 21 2 Corinthians 12 28 Leviticus 18 Revelation 3 29 Leviticus 19 Revelation 4 30 Leviticus 20 Revelation 5 31 Leviticus 21 Revelation 6

March 2011 Sunday Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday

1 9 am Country Friends

1:30 pm Deborah Cir 2 1 pm Hand Quilters

1:30 pm Rachel Circle 3:30 pm JAM 5:30 pm 6th Grade Youth/Confirmation 6 pm Bell Practice/Meal 6:30 pm SCCO Women 7 pm LYO/Puppeteers

3 4 6:30 am Bible Study 5 First Fruits

5 pm Worship/HC 5:30 pm TZ Soup/Supper Auction @ 7:00 pm

6 First Fruits

9 am Worship/HC 10 am Fellowship 10:15 am Adult Bible Study 10:15 am Sunday School 2 pm Lincoln BB 4-H

7 4 pm Bible Study

7 pm CC 4-H 8 9 am Country Friends

9:30 am Elm Crest

9 Ash Wednesday

12 pm Exec Board Meeting 1 pm Hand Quilters 1:30 pm Mission Quilters 5:30 pm 6th Grade Youth/Confirmation 6 pm Bell Choir/Lenten Meal 6:30 pm SCCO Women 7 pm Lenten Service/HC 7:45 pm Choir/LYO

10 6 pm ILCW

7 pm MOPS

11 6:30 am Bible

Study 12 7 -4pm Piano Festival

5 pm Worship

13 Daylight Savings Time

9 am Worship 10 am Fellowship 10:15 am Adult Bible Study 10:15 am Sunday School

14 4 pm Bible Study 15 9 am Country

Friends 4:30 pm Education 5:30 pm Worship 6:30 pm Fellowship 7:30pm Mission/Outreach

16 1 pm Hand Quilters

3:30 pm JAM 5:30 pm 6th Grade Youth/Confirmation 6 pm Bell Practice/Lenten Meal 6:30 pm SCCO Women 7 pm Lenten Service 7:45 pm Choir/LYO

17 Newsletter Deadline

9 am MOPS

18 6:30 am Bible

Study 19 5 pm Worship/HC

6 pm Frikadellar & Abelskiver Dinner

20 9 am Worship/HC

10 am Fellowship 10:15 am Adult Bible Study 10:15 am Sunday School

21 4 pm Bible Study 22 9 am Country

Friends

23 1 pm Hand Quilters

1:30 pm Mission Quilters 5:30 pm 6th Grade Youth/Confirmation 6 pm Bell Practice/Lenten Meal 6:30 pm SCCO Women 7 pm Lenten Service 7:45 pm Choir/LYO

24 1pm Assemble

Newsletter 7 pm ILCW Bunko

25 6:30 am Bible

Study 9 -3pm Jackson Jets 4-H

26 5 pm Worship

27 9 am Worship

10 am Fellowship 10:15 am Adult Bible Study 10:15 am Sunday School

28 4 pm Bible Study 29 9 am Country

Friends

30 1 pm Hand Quilters

5:30 pm 6th Grade Youth/Confirmation 6 pm Bell Practice/Lenten Meal 6:30 pm SCCO Women 7 pm Lenten Service 7:45 pm Choir/LYO

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