DATE: SATURDAY, MAY 4 TIME: 3:30pm until dark WHERE: Shelter 4, Greenwood Lake State Park

Come! Enjoy! It’s a Spring Church Picnic! Bring your lawn chair, a lawn game if you have one, and a dish to share. Provided : Fish Fry, Sweet Tea, Water, paper products and silverware.

Hello ladies,

We had a wonderful turnout at Capri's. Come join us May 9, 2019, at Lady Amelia's in Cross Hill at 6pm. I will need to know by Sunday, May 5th if you plan on attending as will be calling in our count on Monday. Come join us for great fellowship and wonderful food. Sign up on the WELCA board or call me 223-3558. Blessings, JoAn Dining Divas is a monthly dinner and fellowship outing for women of Immanuel and friends.

Immanuel's Men in Mission will meet on Saturday, May 11th, at 8:30 am in the Church Fellowship Hall. We will hold our regular meeting. Plans for a

speaker will be announced later. We will be sponsoring a trip to see the Greenville Drive play baseball, open to the congregation...watch for details. see you at the meeting...Hersh

Please join us for our next quarterly community trash pick up taking place on Saturday, May 11th at 9:30am. Meet at the church and all needed materials are provided. No experience necessary! Contact David Rosenbaum at dr_scarolina@yahoo.com with any questions.

Come learn about the new AED units at the church and how to properly use them. This session will take place on Monday, May 13 from 4-6pm in the church fellowship hall. If you are interested and not able to attend, please contact David Rosenbaum at dr_scarolina@yahoo.com

MOVIE NIGHT, Thursday, May 16 at 6:30pm, drinks will be provided, bring a snack to share , and come and see “Pastor’s choice”.

IMMANUEL’S

MESSENGER Volume 64 Number 5 PAGE 1 May 2019

Immanuel Lutheran Church

501 E. Creswell Avenue Greenwood, SC 29646 Phone: (864) 223-0590 www.ilcgreenwood.com

Sunday school: 9:00am

Worship 10:00am

11:00am Worship broadcast on 92.9

WZLA FM

Office Hours Monday - Thursday 8:30am – 3:30pm Closed on Friday

Pastor

Rev. Rusty Kehl

Parish Music Director Richard Huckaby

Office

Michael Tolbert

Ministries Facilitator Lindsey Peralta

Parish Sexton

George Beveridge

Nursery Staff Linda Beveridge

Congregational

President Bob Koch

Pastor Emeritus Rev. R. Earl McCombs, Jr.

FELLOWSHIP & SERVICE OPPORTUNITIES

Trash Pick Up

MISSION

STATEMENT By the grace of God,

we are disciples growing in faith,

serving our community, and

connecting others to Christ.

Lutheran Men in Mission

Pastor’s Choice

Dining Divas

AED Training

PAGE 2

Our honeymoon is over! Spring/Summer activities are

starting soon: Lutheroad Camp, Melissa Sizemore Faith

and Arts Week, Vacation Bible School, Spring Picnic,

Welcome Greeters, Debt Reduction Campaign, Love One

Another Campaign, Trash Pickup, Food Pantry, Soup

Kitchen, God’s Gardeners (our church is on the

Greenwood Tour this year), Altar Guild, HVAC problems,

family vacations, …. If you are not involved in something

this church is doing, then you are missing out. My father

always said, ”Those who work together, play together,

and pray together will become like family.” We have a

big family at Immanuel but the door is always open to

more. Please look at your bulletin inserts and participate

in as many activities as you can. You will be rewarded!

Yours in Christ,

Bob Koch

Let’s Retire Our Debt Campaign

Over the past decade plus, Immanuel has been paying a

monthly mortgage payment. During that time we have

paid down a 1.5 million dollar debt to under the

$145,500. Immanuel is asking its members to consider

contributing to a financial campaign to help drive down

our debt even more. We are not asking you to

substitute your regular tithes and gifts to the annual

budget, but appealing to our members to go above and

beyond their regular offerings to help support a

campaign to retire the debt of our expansion in 2003.

This will mark the final campaign for paying down the

debt on the 2003 addition to our facilities. Immanuel

began with the initial drive during construction, and the

$50,000 challenge during 2012. Please consider

supporting the “Retiring Our Debt Campaign.” Simply

mark your offering envelopes for “Lets Retire Our Debt”.

How great would it feel to have a mortgage burning

ceremony!

Sincerely,

John Kinard

Kat Finkbeiner

Knowing – Have we ever noticed that we can get bowed up in the back when we are presented with ideas and facts that we know that are not true. We can get miffed, snarky, frustrated and downright belligerent depending on the person that we are engaged in conversation. And we are so sure of what we know that our feet somehow become cemented to the ground and we refuse to relent. There are times when we might even challenge the mental prowess of the individual as we wonder, “How do you not know this?” There are people that in the conversations accept the debate as a challenge and will run off to ask Google for assistance in proving their position. Those that identify themselves as Christian are in the

knowing business, or least we should be. We should

know that we are loved by God. We should know that

Jesus is the Son of God that died for our transgressions.

And, we should know that the Holy Spirit is the divine

wind that challenges us to be who we are called to be. I

typed into Google, Is Jesus the Son of God, and the

response was interesting. Interesting in that those that

proclaim this fact, depend on faith to support their

position, as do we. We know that this is true based

mainly on what disciples have written down some 2000

years ago. But how do we answer the challenge if

confronted with an opposite position? How do we

express a knowledge of fact based on faith? We know

that Jesus was indeed a real person, history will tell us

that, not just the Bible. But it is the rest of the story that

we are challenged, and with that, we must live our life

knowing that God supports, loves, lifts up, defends those

that live out their living faith as knowing.

God’s Peace, Pastor Rusty A Message from Pastor Rusty: I want to share with you that beginning in May Emily Wallace, our church organist, will be taking a leave of absence. There are family matters that she needs to address and we look forward to her rejoining us in mid-July. During this period, Richard will resume the Organist responsibilities.

COUNCIL PRESIDENT PASTOR’S MESSAGE

PAGE 3

SUNDAY SCHOOL FOR ALL AGES Classes are provided for children age 4-adult. A nursery is provided for infants and toddlers. Children’s Choir in Room 203 (9:00am) Children age meet with Mr. Richard each Sunday for music. Children and Youth Classes: Children (age 4-K ), Room 205— Leader: Vickie Howells Children (Grades 1-6), Room 200—Leader: Lindsey Peralta Youth, (Grades 7-12) Room 204—Leaders: Andrew & April Akins Adult Class Leaders: Chuck Howells and John Kinard

LEARNING COMMITTEE- will meet on May 5 in the Library following worship. All are invited to attend and join the group. We are always looking for ideas and help. So, bring your ideas and join us. JAM CLUB WILL MEET ON - May 19 in Room 204—contact Dee Dee Kehl for more information (803-6016-9117).

Bible study at Immanuel

Tuesday, May 7, 1:30pm Thursday, May 9, 6:15pm Tuesday, May 14, 1:30pm Thursday, May 23, 6:15pm Tuesday, May 28, 1:30pm

Coming soon . . .

Watch your Sunday bulletin insert for Summer book study

information

SUMMER CAMPS 2019

VOLUNTEERS ARE NEEDED TO HELP WITH ALL CAMPS. PLEASE CONTACT LINDSEY

PERALTA @ lindseyperalta@yahoo.com TO VOLUNTEER.

June 10-14 Lutheroads Day Camp 9am—4pm. 2 snacks and Lunch is provided,

counselors arrive on Sunday, June 9 and will join us at Beer & Hymns for supper at

the Mill House.

June 24 28 Melissa Sizemore Week for the Faith and Arts

July 29 - August 2 Vacation Bible School

PAGE 4

FROM THE ORGAN BENCH

Richard Huckaby, Music Director

Special thanks to the choir for their hard work and the resulting beautiful music during Lent and Easter. We

always appreciate comments from the congregation. As usual, the choir will take a summer break beginning in June. The Handbell Choir and Chancel Choir will be back in the fall. We’ll let you know when rehearsals begin. We’d love to have new members in both groups. If you have suggestions regarding hymns, anthems, or any special music, please drop a note in my box at the church office or send an e-mail to richard@ilcgreenwood.com.

Composer of the Month – Nicolò Antonio Zingarelli (1752-1837) was an Italian composer. Born in Naples, he went to France to study in 1789 – 1790, but was forced to leave because of the French Revolution. In 1804, Zingarelli was appointed choirmaster of the Sistine Chapel in Rome. Seven years later he publicly refused, as an Italian patriot, to conduct a Te Deum for Napoleon's new-born son, known as King of Rome, in St. Peter's Basilica. As a result of this refusal he was captured and taken to Paris. Nevertheless, the Emperor was a great admirer of Zingarelli's music and soon gave the composer his liberty. In addition, he was awarded a state pension. Being a deeply religious Catholic, Zingarelli devoted most of his attention to masses, oratorios, cantatas, and motets. In 1813 he moved back to his home town of Naples where he died in 1837.

Hymn of the Month – The words to The Day of

Resurrection were written by Saint John of Damascus (ca.

696 – ca. 754), who was the last but one of the Fathers of

the Greek Church, and the greatest of her poets. After

retiring near Jerusalem, he composed his theological

works and his hymns. He was ordained priest of the

church of Jerusalem late in life. His fame as a theologian

rests on his work, the first part of which consists of

philosophical summaries, the second dealing with

heresies, and the third giving an account of the orthodox

faith. His Canons on the great Festivals are his highest

achievements. He has been called the Thomas Aquinas of

the East. The major subject of his hymns is the

Incarnation.

BEER & HYMNS

Sunday, June 9, 6:00pm at The Mill House

We’re at it again! Another evening of fellowship and singing out into the world. Come to Beer & Hymns to enjoy good food, good drink, and good song. It is recommended that you arrive 15-20 minutes early to place a food order.

COMPOSERS OF THE MONTH

HYMN OF THE MONTH

Grounds Upkeep

As the warmer weather begins, many weeds will return along with the demands to keep our church grounds maintained. God’s Gardeners have done a tremendous job over many, many decades, but they need some assistance on Wednesday or simp-ly help overall. One suggestion was for a family or group to volunteer to keep up with an area of the church ground for weed control or general mainte-nance. If there is a family or a group of individuals that would take on an area of the church grounds to maintain that area, it would be appreciated. If you of your group would like to volunteer, please contact Wayne Boozer or John Kinard.

Immanuel is looking to our future and how we can decrease what we owe and how much longer it will take to pay off the mortgage on the new portions of Immanuel: The Offices, Nursery, Loggia, and the Fellowship Center. One method that would bring us closer to fulfilling our mortgage commitment would be for those who can to put a few dollars in the offering, designating their gift to be applied to the “Lets Retire Our Debt”. Once the mortgage interest is paid every month; all the additional funds paid will then be applied to the principal; bringing us closer to writing that final mortgage check! The Mortgage balance is $145,500.00, and the interest is about $16.50 a day. Your gifts in addition to your regular offering will help diminish Immanuel’s Mortgage debt. Ken Nash Treasurer

Do You Have a 401k , and you are 70.5 years of

age or older? Options for donating retirement assets Members who are age 70 ½ or older can contribute up to $100,000 from their IRA directly to a Immanuel and avoid paying income taxes on the distribution. This is known as a qualified charitable distribution. It is limited to IRAs, and there are other exclusions and considerations as well. As part of an estate plan: By contrast, there can be significant tax advantages to donating retirement assets to Immanuel as part of an estate plan. When done properly, donations of retirement assets can minimize the amount of income taxes imposed on both your individual heirs and your estate.

Did you know that you can direct your March 2019 Choice Dollars® to benefit Immanuel

Thrivent Financial, through its Thrivent Choice® program can help support organizations you care about.

Eligible Thrivent Financial members who have Choice Dollars, you can assign your March 2019 Choice Dollars to help support Immanuel Lutheran Church. Go to Thrivent.com/thriventchoice to learn more. Or call 800-847-4836 and say “Thrivent Choice” after the prompt

PAGE 5

GUATEMALA MISSION TRIP 2019

Can You Serve as a Greeter?

MORTGAGE DEBT CAMPAIGN

YOU ARE INVITED TO HELP ON JUNE 4

The congregation is invited to attend our pill counting and supply sorting party on Tuesday, June 4 beginning at 5pm. We will meet in the fellowship hall of the church. Last year’s attendees prepared over 1200 prescriptions as well as sorted sanitary napkins, toothbrushes. books and other supplies into the bags we will carry. We finished in about 2 hours. We still need donations of sanitary napkins, toothbrushes and travel sized toothpaste as well as either 5 quilts or blankets for the twin sized beds we will make in Guatemala. HOW WAS GUATEMALA BY ELLIE ARMSTRONG, age 12

I went to Guatemala last year with Matthew2540. My mom and I were last-minute replacements after the volcano erupted, but the trip was worth the few days of chaos and packing. On our first day there, I was surrounded by kids, all hugging and smiling. I probably got hundreds of hugs that week. One day we toured the village and the people welcomed us into their homes, most just small tin structures. I was surprised by their hospitality. My job in the medical clinics was painting fluoride on the kids' teeth after I showed them how to brush. Most of the kids had several cavities and even abscessed teeth. When I handed them a toothbrush and toothpaste and said they could keep it, they beamed. It is hard not to lose your heart to the big brown eyes and smiling faces of the kids. This was my fourth trip to Guatemala, but my first to Chimal. I always leave a piece of my heart in Guatemala each time I return. I was grateful for the opportunity to be part of the clinic and the team. It was an incredible trip. I encourage anyone who loves serving to go.

In 2019 Immanuel would like to re-visit having both

Greeters and Ushers on Sunday mornings at the two

main entrances (Narthex and Loggia).

Since the Ushers schedule is in place we are asking that

you consider serving as a Greeter. For more information

about serving as a Greeter starting May

Please contact Ann Coker at (864) 227-6083.

Sunday’s in May 5, 12, 19, & 26

PAGE 7

PRAYERS and CARES

NOTES

In our prayers we remember… Those in need of healing: Carolyn Mooney, Carol Neubner, Coraline Johnson, DeeDee Kehl, Larry Cobb, Dot Hershey, Lee Horan, JoAn Crowder, Becky Koch, Melissa Roe, Vicky Hensley, Jack Lenning, John Leemhuis, Lois Kuntz, Fred McDowell, Melvin Mooney, Tiffany Johnson, Bob Waller, Brenda Sherrill, Katie & Colby Lanford, Annalisa Sherrill, Paige Johnson, Jess Martinez, Gary Mooney, Jill Allawos, Nancy Clem, Ricky Arnold, all persecuted Christians, Martin Slater, Terry Robinson, Holly, Cynthia, Wanda Simmons, Peggy Shrefler, Fred Frantz, Hannah Coker, Paula Cousins, Peggy Haynie, Dawn Sease, Alycia Haas, Natalie Byars Fisher, Michael Gagné, Beth Giese, Axel Auburn, Laura Sears, Charlie Mackin, Kerry Cooper, Jeanette Cain, Cassandra, Morgan Gagné, Bill Weeks, Jeff Geiger. Those recently in the hospital: Carolyn Mooney Our expectant mother: Leanna Usry Those in the military: Daniel Darling, Devin Rosenbaum Those with long term needs:

At home: Bob Waller At Emerald Gardens: Carol Johnson, Apt. 213 At NHC: Martha McCombs, Room 358 At Wesley Commons Health Care Center: Ingrid Ware At Self Hospital: Coraline Johnson

The Food Pantry Ministry would like to take this

opportunity to thank all of it’s dedicated volunteers and

to Welcome our newest volunteer, Guilda Ferqueron. We would also ask that you keep this ministry in your

prayers, this ministry needs volunteers, if you can serve

once a month or once a week please contact Cile Davis at

864-229-4326. We are a group of older adults (65 ++) that tirelessly

serve on Mon., Tues., Thurs., Fri., to receive , sort, weigh

and store food deliveries. Come in to put out and keep

the distribution areas filled , and then put away and clean

twice a week, for the two days of service every week. Thank you for your support,

The Food Pantry Ministry

My Immanuel Church Family, I would like to thank my wonderful church family for all of their help during the loss of my beloved sister, Brenda. Everyone has

been wonderful. It is good to be surrounded by such caring Christians. I have felt your love daily. Thank you so much.

Sandie and Andy Wanto Dear Church Family, Melvin and I would like to thank you for all of your cards, visits, food and flowers after my surgery and during my recovery. We are especially thankful to those who sat with Melvin the

morning of my surgery. May God bless each one of you. Love in Christ, Carolyn and Melvin Mooney

MAY BIRTHDAYS & ANNIVERSARIES

5/4 Jonathan Crooks 5/5 Tiffany Johnson Rauch Wise 5/6 Muriel Taylor 5/10 Dorothy Zahn 5/12 Penny Dubuque 5/13 Carol Johnson Gail Monson 5/16 Katie Florida 5/19 Elaine Rosenbaum Brett Waters

5/20 Annalisa Sherrill 5/21 Eddy Stone 5/22 Janet Richardson 5/26 April Akins Julie McCoy Robert Osterhout 5/31 Mac Cobb Klaus Neubner To make updates to our birthday list, please contact the church at 223-0590.

5/3 Richard and Leisa Hotchkiss 5/4 Bill and Emilie Gilbert 5/5 Joseph and Katie Engram 5/17 John and Cile Davis 5/18 Erwin and Kat Finkbeiner 5/21 Rusty and Dee Dee Kehl Andy and Sandie Wanto 5/22 Wayne and Jean Boozer 5/24 Larry and Nancy Crooks

Blest be the tie that binds...

PAGE 6

FELLOWSHIP – GOOD FOR OUR SOUL

When our Church Council reorganized for the coming year at its retreat in January, our council president, Bob Koch, asked me to “team” with Kim Leemhuis and switch from leading the Worship area to working with Kim to lead the area of “Fellowship”--- newly created last year under the constitutionally-defined area of Witness. I had gotten quite comfortable working with the Worship committee, but look forward to the change and challenge of working in the area of Fellowship. Fellowship, in addition to Worship, is also an essential ingredient for strengthening and growing our Immanuel church family. A quote by Larry Norman, an American musician and one of the pioneers in Christian rock music: “We need worship for our spirit, fellowship for our soul and committed subservience for our body.” Immanuel offers so many opportunities for Christian fellowship---our growing Super Club groups (we have 3 now and hoping for more), church picnics, JOY Group, Lutheran Men in Mission, WELCA, Y-Nots, Dining Divas, Movie Nights, Beer and Hymns at the Mill House, lunch with our clients at our Sunday Soup Kitchen, and others on which the Fellowship committee will be working. If you have not already, check some of these out on the church calendar and come join us. Have fun while “feeding your soul”. Another pertinent quote, this one by Charles Spurgeon, a well- known 1800’s preacher and Christian author: “Some Christians try to go to heaven alone, in solitude; but believers are not compared to bears, or lions, or other animals that wander alone; but those who belong to Christ are sheep in this respect, that they love to get together. Sheep go in flocks, and so do God’s people.” Bo Bowman Fellowship Committee

From the Altar Guild:

Immanuel's ALTAR GUILD is still needing volunteers to assist with the "after service" responsibilities. Early set-up has been provided for the past 2 1/2 years (Kat) but we still struggle to find help "after." Please help by offering your time to help with this worthy portion of our church service. You may leave your name in the Friendship Register or contact Kat Finkbeiner at 864-223-2029 or email katfinkbeiner@greenwood.net. The time it takes to clean-up after communion is minimal. Thank you for your prayerful cons deration...Kat

WOMEN’S MINISTRY

SC Women of the ELCA

Ella Julian Circle will meet on May 6, 3:00pm at Wesley Commons private dining room. For more information call Circle Leader Barbara Davis at 864-223-9261 Beulah Baker Circle meets on May 6 7:00pm Program: Rodine Russell, Hostess: Sandie Wanto. For more information call Circle Leader Carolyn Mooney at 229-1919. Quilters group meet on Tuesday May 14 & 28 from 9am - Noon. Contact Mary Butler, 953-8024, for more information about our quilt ministry.

To me, our theme this year, “Grace in Community,” defines South Carolina Women of the ELCA. For it is by grace alone that we are saved, and it is in community that we live out our mission and purpose. We have been called this year to support Lighthouse

for Life, an organization that assists female minor victims of human trafficking. For our project we will be collecting specific items for “Freedom Bags” for the females who come to Karis House the residential facility managed by Lighthouse for Life. We invite all of you to support our cause by bringing items and leaving them in the Dot Wise room. The items should be new. Toiletries should be full size, not travel or hotel size. Most of these items can be found at the Dollar Tree. The items needed are: Clothing – (medium) athletic pants, solid colored t-shirt (no logo) and a pair of socks Toiletries – shampoo, toothbrush, toothpaste, body wash, body pouf, towel, deodorant (no roll on) and a hair brush and/or comb. Other – Refillable water bottle, Bible, pack of gum Monetary donations are also certainly appreciated. Thank you for supporting our project as we join the fight against human trafficking. Dates: SC WELCA convention – June 7-8, 2019. If you have never been to convention, please consider coming as a visitor. We would love to have you join us! Becky

Immanuel Lutheran Church 501 E. Creswell Avenue Greenwood, SC 29646

RETURN SERVICE REQUESTED

Place label here

Nonprofit Org US Postage Paid Greenwood, SC Permit No. 248

MARK YOUR MAY Calendar

May 4: Spring Picnic, page 1

May 9: Dining Divas, page 1

May 11: Trash Pick up, page 1

May 13: AED Training, Page 1

May 16: Pastor’s Choice, page 1

May 30—June 1 SC Synod Convention