IMMANUEL’S INSIGHTS MAY 2018

MAY WORSHIP SCHEDULE

CONGRATULATIONS SENIORS! On Sunday, May

6, please plan to join us in congratulating our senior

students, and recognizing their participation as mem-

bers of this church. Seniors will be recognized during

the 9:00 a.m. service, which will be led by the Sunday

School students. Following the service, all members

of the congregation are invited to attend a brunch in

the Fellowship Hall to honor our senior students. This

brunch is being prepared and served by members of

the junior class and their parents. Relatives and

friends of our students are encouraged to attend also.

If you are interested in giving a card to any of the sen-

ior students, there will be gift/card bags for each senior

in the Fellowship Hall during the brunch. Senior stu-

dents include: Megan Andersen, Tyler Andersen,

Emma Barnes, Abigail Bruck, Andrew Burchett, Dylan

Eshelman, Nick Foss, Aydin Jacobs, Kaleb Kaster,

Logan Klaassen, Bailey Schmitz, Lucas Schmitz and

Drew Voge.

May 5-6 Easter 6, Graduate Recognition with

Communion

“No Greater Love”

S. S. students lead worship

Praise Band and Bells

May 12-13

Easter 7 “Dangerous Mission”

May 19-20 Pentecost

Communion

“Creed: I Believe in the Holy Spirit”

May 26-27 Holy Trinity Pastor Ed Bastedo

Page 2 IMMANUEL’S INSIGHTS

Dear friends in Christ,

There is a great deal of anxiety and anger about gun violence in our nation. What should we do when our children no longer feel safe at school? I am not a big fan of guns. I would rather be shot than shoot someone else. But I am very grateful for those who have taken up arms in the military and in law enforcement to protect the weak from the strong.

The Biblical view on guns is complex. Jesus called his followers to resist evil by standing up to it and turning the other cheek. But the New Testament affirms the calling of soldiers and government officers to use weapons in the cause of justice.

I am a big fan of the Bill of Rights. The first ten amendments to the U.S. Constitution were adopted to try to contain the power of the federal government. Governments have a way of evolving toward more and more control. Too many people are willing to trade away freedom for the illusory promise of security. Too much of our political conversation around guns (and every other topic in our nation) is focused on demonizing the opposition. I believe most of us want some middle ground between an unlimited availability of weapons and the government totally taking away the right to defend ourselves. We can probably do a better job keeping dangerous weapons out of the hands of the criminally violent, but no government can guarantee that weapons will never fall into the wrong hands. I am quite sure that the real answer to gun violence is not political. Why are young people using guns to kill their classmates? An English poet named Steve Turner has written these words: “If chance be the Father of all flesh, disaster is his rainbow in the sky, and when you hear ‘State of Emergency! Sniper Kills Ten! Troops on Rampage! Whites go Looting! Bomb Blasts School!’ it is but the sound of man worshiping his maker.” Through the mass media of our popular culture, we have taught our young people that there is no real meaning to life, that we came from chance collisions of chemicals and that we have no real pur-pose in the universe. As a society we have taught young people that their parents would have been legally if not morally justified if they had wanted to kill them before they were born. In other words, our culture has taught our young people that their life has no intrinsic value. So if one feels pain and despair, lashing out at a meaningless universe seems perfectly normal. Why care? Why not spread one’s own pain to the world around us? Gun violence is first and foremost a spiritual problem. Government and public schools cannot address that. The Church is the one place that can offer a real answer to gun violence. We have a truth about life that provides meaning and purpose and hope. Preachers cannot do it alone. It takes a community coming together in worship to nurture faith in the lives of young people. When you worship God, you are speaking life and meaning into our world. Our public worship life is perhaps one of the most important sources of hope for our world. When you join in the public worship of God, you are doing important work, literally saving lives. Yours in Christ Jesus, Phil Nielsen

Volume 10, Issue 5 Page 3

Happy Birthday to the following:

Loyal Moore who will be 92 on May 1.

Verna Christensen who will be 80 on May 6.

Donna Hansen who will be 84 on May 10.

Shirley Knudtson who will be 92 on May 16.

Bonnie Grabill who will be 82 on May 20.

Lois Sick who will be 86 on May 22.

Louie Troll who will be 88 on May 22.

Marian Riessen who will be 86 on May 23.

Happy Anniversary to the following:

Louie & Lois Troll who will be celebrating their 65th

anniversary on May 3.

Harry & Orvetta Priest who will be celebrating their 53rd anniversary on May 16.

Bruce & Kay Havick who will be celebrating their 57th

anniversary on May 27.

W.A. “Pat” & Ruthe Pattison who will be celebrating their 62nd anniversary on May 27.

ON OUR PRAYER LIST: Vernon Holdworth, Marlys Moore, Marlene Sondergaard, Don Andersen, Dolly Burgin, Bill Hosack, Clarice Andersen, Sally Claussen, Bar-bara Sorensen, Erin Berkley (sister of Jennifer Hansen & Lee Burchett), John Zimmerman (brother of Phil Zimmerman), Carl Fischer (father of Karen Plewes), Dan Brownlee (father of Christian Brownlee), Shirley Haner, Julie DuVal, Dave Alitz (brother-in-law of Tammy Haake), Seth Tech (grandson of Christine Jones) and Gaige Wiblishouser (grandson of Gaige & Sherry Lytle).

WOW will be going to The Notebook Cafe in Walnut for our May 9th meet-ing. They will provide a brunch, devotion time on Esther, and a tour of the his-torical bank building where it is located. We will leave the church parking lot at 9:30 that morning. Reservations are needed by May 7th so if you can join us for this special time, contact Sharon Daberkow at daberkow@harlannet.com or 755-5079. Everyone is welcome.

PLEASE NOTE: All ladies are invited to a bridal shower for Elizabeth Munyon, Isaac Nielsen's

fiancee on Sunday, May 13 at 3pm in the fellowship hall of Immanuel. The shower is hosted by Jessie Davie, Becky Chipman and Elizabeth's sisters.

IMMANUEL’S INSIGHTS Page 4

JUNE 2018 NEWSLETTER

DEADLINE:

THURSDAY,

MAY 24

WOW BUNKO— Thursday, May 24 at 7:00 p.m. Bring a friend and enjoy an evening of Christian fellowship, fun, and food!

FIRST FRUITS Is held on the first Saturday and Sunday of each

month (May 5 & 6). Please bring your non-perishable items to the church for the local food bank. Please place them in the shopping carts in the Nar-thex. Thank you!

May 2, 9, 16 & 23 at 4:30

Women’s Bible Study

May 2, 9, 16 & 23 at 7:00

Women’s Bible Study

May 9 & 23 at 7:00

Men’s Bible Study

MAY LIBRARY LINES

Enjoy some of the new items in your ILC library.

DVDs:

The Case for Christ The Story of Jacob & Joseph

Esther King David

Adventures in Odyssey: Trouble on the Orphan Train (ages 7 & up)

BOOKS:

The Ebb Tide The Proving by Beverly Lewis (new Amish stories) Some Small Magic by Billy Coffey

Non-fiction: The Sacred Acre: The Ed Thomas Story,

Fly a Little Higher: How God Answered a Mom’s Small Prayer in a Big Way

At Any Cost: Overcoming Every Obstacle to Bring Our Children Home

The Faith of Condoleezza Rice

What’s So Amazing about GRACE by Phillip Yancey

I Can Only Imagine (Children’s picture book)

Check these items and others out. Suggestions are always welcome. Thank you to all who have

made donations to the ILC library.

Volume 10, Issue 5 Page 5

WORSHIP & GIVING Attendance General Building Total

March 29 114 $ 1,033.00

March 30 108 $ 1,057.00

April 1 76 + 257 = 333 $ 6,663.00 $ 45.00 = $ 6,708.00

April 7-8 48 + 105 = 153 $ 4,722.23 $ 170.00 = $ 4,892.23

April 14-15 22 + 171 = 193 $ 2,621.00 $ 540.00 = $ 3,161.00

COUNCIL MEETING SUMMARY April 17, 2018—7 pm

The Church Council met April 17 with 9 of 14 members present. Rick Chipman led devotions. Psalm 112:7 says “He is not afraid of bad news. His heart is firm trusting in the Lord.” Faith is recognized in courage. Treasurer’s report: March 2018 income was $30,379.07 and expense was $23,548.72. Year to date in-come thru March 31 is $71,975.48 and expense is $79,080.54 for a net loss of $7,105.06. Last year 1st quar-ter was a net gain of $151. Income is slightly higher compared to last year, but expenses are $8100 higher. Biggest increase is an extra $2500 toward the building fund. General fund on March 31 was $21,264. LYO owns $5,163 of that. Tanzania fund is at $34,817. No Tanzania trip is being taken this year. Capital fund is at $46,625. Outreach: A group of 7 visited the Church of the Damascus Road. They delivered the 235 books that were donated for the Story Time reading program. The Southwest Iowa Mobile Pack for Feed My Starving Chil-dren is scheduled for August 24-25. They are looking for prayer, persons, and purses (donations). Our May Mission grant is divided between Ingham-Okoboji and Riverside Bible Camps. Our June Mission grant is di-vided between the Southwest Iowa Mobile Pack in Harlan and the Meals from the Heartland meal packing at the LCMC convention in Des Moines. Worship: Faith Sound participation during our worship service on April 15 went well from our side. Pastor Phil will seek an evaluation from Faith Sound to see if they have a preference for this format or the stand alone concert format. May 6 is the high school graduate recognition service led by the Sunday School and the praise band. Pastor Bastedo will lead worship May 26-27 and June 2-3. June will finish the worship se-ries on the Small Catechism. July 15 Immanuel will be hosting the County Fair worship service at the fair-grounds. Education: VBS is scheduled for July 30 to August 2 with a day camp team from Okoboji Lutheran Bible Day Camp. Our budget for VBS is only $500 and expenses are expected to be closer to $3000. We will be seek-ing donations for VBS. Property: Light switch was replaced in the women’s restroom. Lawn mower was serviced just in case winter ends sometime this year. Our tuckpointing is on the schedule but the schedule has been delayed by the slow spring. A pine tree is dying and will need to be taken down. Executive: Discussed safety issues from Brent Soll’s presentation. Tentative plans include locking the north doors after worship begins and recruiting extra greeters to engage visitors at the doors. Pastor: Recommended Arlynn Gittins and Lee Gittins (from LCMS church in Denison) for membership and recommended release from membership for Kirsten Applegate (to Hope Lutheran in Maryville, Missouri) and Donna Grabill (worshiping at another congregation). He presented an offer from Chosen People Ministries to give a presentation at our congregation. Offer was declined. He presented a letter from the manufacturer of our AED. No action taken. Old Business: Question asked about what to do when Sunday morning volunteers do not show up. Council person on duty is asked to indicate the no shows on a bulletin so that the church office can check in with those who don’t show.

Correspondence: We received a thank you for hosting the festival of music.

IMMANUEL’S INSIGHTS Page 6

The recipe below was awarded “Judges Choice” at the TZ Soup Supper and made by Donna Nelson.

Zesty Cheeseburger Soup (Jibini Nyama Supu)

1 ½ - 2 lb. ground beef 1 (14 ¾ oz) can cream-style corn 1 med. onion, chopped 1 (11 oz) can condensed Cheddar cheese soup salt, pepper & garlic powder to taste 1 (10 ¾ oz) can condensed Cream of Asparagus soup 1 ½ C. cubed peeled potatoes 1 (10 ¾ oz) can condensed Cream of Mushroom soup 1 ½ C. water 1 (10 oz) can Rotel diced tomatoes & green chilies 1 (15 ¼ oz) can whole corn, drained 2 C. Half & Half Cream (I used 1 bag of our own sweet corn) Original Directions: In soup kettle or Dutch Oven, cook beef, onion, salt, pepper, Garlic Powder over medium heat until meat is no longer pink; drain. Add potatoes and water; bring to a boil. Reduce heat; cover and simmer for 15 to 20 minutes, or until the potatoes are tender. Add the corn, soups and tomatoes; mix well. Bring to a boil. Reduce heat. Stir in cream; heat through, but do not boil. Yield: 14 to 16 servings. Note: Use the mild Rotel tomatoes, and then it won’t be quite as spicy. My version of the Directions: Brown the meat with the spices, set aside. In a separate big pot I boiled the potatoes for about 5 minutes, then added all the other ingredients (except the cream) and brought that to a boil, then sim-mered for 5 minutes. Last I added the cream and browned ground beef and simmered for an additional 10-15 min-utes. Do you remember what you were doing on January 20, 2018? If you don’t, there are about 250 people that do (or should, anyway). That night the Danish Dolls (also known as Angie Madsen, Mary Taggs and Donna Nelson), along with family members and TZ Team members, put on their 10th annual aebelskiver and frikadeller supper, and Danish Bake Sale. All proceeds from the supper and bake sale go toward funding travel scholarships. What is a “travel scholarship” you ask? Well, if someone from Immanuel wants to travel to Tanzania but needs some help financially, the scholarship, which is available through the Tanzania Committee, can help make the trip happen. This annual supper, in my mind, has become much more than just a fundraiser; it is a social event not to be missed. The fellowship that I have witnessed is heartwarming (I get it now – thus the name “Fellowship Hall”), and it is inspiring to see people of all ages attending from not only our church, but from other churches in the surround-ing areas as well. We even had people come from Kansas City and Des Moines. There were quite a few “first tim-ers” in attendance, who had never tried aebelskiver or frikadeller before. They informed me that the food was deli-cious and they would be back for more next year. I guess that means the Danish Dolls have not served their last supper!

Following are some fun facts related to the supper:

45 – pounds of meat (2/3 ground beef, 1/3 ground pork) it took to make the frikadeller

20 – pounds of onions chopped (by hand) to put in the frikadeller

10 – pounds of real butter to fry the frikadeller in

246 – eggs beaten to make the aebelskiver

30 – pounds of flour used to make the aebelskiver

10 – gallons of milk needed to make the aebelskiver

In the 2 hour time frame that the supper was held, over 1,900 aebelskiver were made by 7 people, using 10 pans, with the Master Batter Mixer (Greg Nelson) preparing all the batter.

It took about 6 hours for Head Frikadeller Fryer (Todd Madsen) and his helpers, using 6 electric fry pans, to make over 500 frikadeller.

If you weren’t able to attend our supper this year, I hope you will be able to attend in 2019; as fast as time goes, that will be here before you know it.

Mungu Awa Bariki (May God Bless you)

Donna Nelson

Volume 10, Issue 5 Page 7

WOMEN OF THE WORD EXEC BOARD

April 11, 2018

The WOW Executive Board met Wed, April 11 in the narthex with Sandy Nelsen, Kathy Block, Janet Johannsen, Myrna Havick, Sharon Daberkow, Sally Simdorn and Elaine Miller present. Chair Sandy Nelsen called meeting to order at 9 AM.

SECRETARY’S REPORT: Minutes from March were reviewed. There being no corrections, Elaine made motion to accept the minutes. Sally seconded. Motion carried.

TREASURER’S REPORT: Report given by Kathy. March receipts were $320 for three funerals served, $295 from lilies sold and $81 from donations. Disbursements were $200 to Ingham Okoboji Bible camp (2 campers registered), $290.65 for lilies and table decoration flowers and $18.10 for kitchen expense. No bills pending which brings the balance after March activity to $2398.88. Treasur-ers’ books were audited. All is good. Thank you Joanne!

CORRESPONDENCE: Thank You received from Elm Crest. They were very appreciative of the walker bags, armchair pockets and placemats donated by the quilter’s group. See Thank You on WOW bulletin board in narthex.

HOSPITALITY: No report

COMMUNITY COMMITTEE: Sally Simdorn reported the committee played bingo Mon April 9 at Salem Home.

OLD BUSINESS: Lilies: If anyone would enjoy a lily or wish to give to someone, please help yourself to those behind the altar.

Table Decorations: Flowers on Fellowship Hall tables look great! Thank You Sally N!

NEW BUSINESS: Graduates’ Flowers: Thirteen grads this year. Kate Schechinger will report to Sandy actual number attending May 6 Graduate Recognition Day. After discussion, Myrna made mo-tion to purchase long stemmed flowers to use on the altar versus corsages/boutonnieres. Each grad would receive a flower from the bouquet. Kathy seconded. Motion carried.

Kitchen: Currently have 120 Corelle style cups but run short when setting up a larger funeral etc. Myrna will be in charge of purchasing 50-75 additional cups before pattern is discontinued.

Camp Fee: Do we assist with camp fee for youth attending with their family? After discussion, Sally S made motion to assist with camp fee UP TO $200 for a family with children attending camp. Sharon seconded. Motion carried.

Board meeting adjourned to the Fellowship Hall for WOW.

WOW GATHERING

Women of the Word met with 12 attending. Linda gave a Trivia Quiz and Ole & Lena jokes prior to her program on Eve, who was named by Adam. She was Mother of Cain & Abel. Cain’s jealousy and an-ger towards Abel shows us what those feelings can do. She left us with this message, “When we are at our lowest, his Grace is still at work.” Meeting concluded with the Lord’s Prayer. A delicious lunch was served by Marge Ahrenholtz.

Next meeting, May 9, WOW will be going to the Notebook Café in Walnut for a brunch, devotion time and tour of the historical bank building in which the café occupies. Cost will be $10/person. Look for more information on the WOW bulletin board.

Upcoming Events: April 26 @ 7 pm-Bunko; April 30 @ 9:30 am-Assemble/Deliver May Day Goodie Bags; April 30 @ 1:30 pm-Mission Quilters. Janet Johannsen, Secretary

MAY WORSHIP OPPORTUNITIES

Church Office: 755-5207

Office Hours: 9-12 & 12:30-4:00 (M-F) Office Email: ilc@fmctc.com

Pastor Phil’s Cell Number: 712-579-2098

Home Number: 712-766-3178 E-mail: peacephillip@gmail.com

www.harlanimmanuel.org

Staff:

Pastor Phil Nielsen

Music Director: Heidi Thies

Office Manager: Joan Wehr

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 May 5 & 19

Every Sunday Worship at 9:00 a.m.

Communion on May 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

www.Printable2018Calendars.com • www.FreePrintable.net

May 2018 Sunday Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday

1 9:00 CF Quilters 6:00 Boy Scout Leaders

2 11:00 Rachel Circle 4:30 Women’s Bible Study 6:00 Bells 7:00 Women’s Bible

3 7:00 Autism Support Group

4

5 12-2 Ernie & Stacy Foss-Fellowship Hall 5:00 Worship/Communion 6 Senior Recognition

9:00 Worship/Communion 10:00 Fellowship 10:15 Adult Bible Class NO Sunday School 11-5 Shower-A Madsen

7 9:30 OA 6:30 Boy Scouts

8 9:00 CF Quilters

9 WOW at Notebook Cafe 4:30 Women’s Bible Study 7:00 Women’s & Men’s Bible

10 7:00 MOPS

11

12 5:00 Worship

13 9:00 Worship 10:00 Fellowship 10:15 Adult Bible Class 10:15 Sunday School 2-6 Nielsen shower

14 9:30 OA 6:30 Boy Scouts

15 9:00 CF Quilters 5:30 Worship Committee 6:30 Executive Board 7:00 Church Council

16 4:30 Women’s Bible Study 6:30 LYO/Meal w/Jr. High 7:00 Women’s Bible

17 7:00 Ladies Homestead Gathering

18

19 12-4 Denise Barnes- Fellowship Hall 5:00 Worship/Communion 20

9:00 Worship/Communion 10:00 Fellowship 10:15 Adult Bible Class 10:15 Sunday School

21 9:30 OA 1:30 Mission Quilters 2:00 Organ tuning 6:30 Boy Scouts

22 9:00 CF Quilters

23 4:30 Women’s Bible Study 7:00 Women’s & Men’s Bible

24 Newsletter Deadline 7:00 Bunko

25

26 5:00 Worship Fellowship Hall booked all day

27 9:00 Worship 10:00 Fellowship No Classes

28 Memorial Day-Church Office Closed

29 9:00 CF Quilters

30

31 Assemble Newsletter

Worship Schedule

May 2018 Sunday Sunday Sunday Sunday

May 5/6 May 12/13 May 19/20 May 26/27

Greeters Bonnie Grabill Shirley Knudtson Dwayne & Jackie Larsen Sarah Lesch

Regena Weihs Joan Lauritsen Gloria Miller

Acolytes Shelby Sisson Julia Renkly Nick Livingston Victoria Chapman

Sheila Nielsen Keisha Nielsen Alex Monson Madison Kjergaard

Saturday Ushers Ken Hursey Gayl Jensen Larry Klein Betty Larsen

Sunday Ushers Allan & Bonnie Ickes Dave & Angie Monson Steve & Julie Livingston Ed & Shelia Mills

Scott & Jeanine Larsen Johnathan & Michael Monson Scott & Marren Lyon Reid & Linda Mosher

Lector Mary Johnson Derald Kumm Nancy Ludwig Donna Nelson

Saturday Altar Guild Cheryl Nielsen Maggie Hatcher

Sunday Altar Guild Donna Nelson Stacy Torneten

Sharon Daberkow Cora Chapman

Communion Servers Gaige & Sherry Lytle Elaine & Phil Miller

Malisa Koesters Jill Miller

Fellowship Coffee Senior Breakfast Randy & Sharon Kroger Todd & Angie Madsen Jeff & Randi McEvoy

Rhonda Mock Larry & Pam Meurer Jon & Kara Meiners

Sound Technician Rick Chipman Rick Chipman Rick Chipman Rick Chipman

Video Recorder Alan Ahrenholtz Alan Ahrenholtz Alan Ahrenholtz Alan Ahrenholtz

Projectionist Teri Johnson Teri Johnson Teri Johnson Teri Johnson

SATURDAY Cheryl Nielsen Cheryl Nielsen Cheryl Nielsen Cheryl Nielsen

Council Person Ken Vorm Kayla Jacobs Verne Nelson Denise Nelson