Pastor Chris

A new season is upon us… No, I’m not talking about the crab season or even Valentine’s Day BUT the Season of Lent! This season starts with Ash Wednesday on February 26. So, as Christians, it is extremely important that we understand where we have come from. We are Christians who live almost 2,000 years after the ascension of Jesus the Christ. We are a long way removed from the historic moments of Jesus’ life on this earth. Even so, as believers in Jesus the Christ for our salvation, we belong to the Holy Christian Church that was created by Jesus and led by His apostles. Knowing this, we are never to be ignorant of the history of the Church to which we belong. A study of the history of the Church is always a worthwhile endeavor. In that light and in preparation for the season near at hand, a brief examination of the historic time of Lent now follows.

As early as the Third Century, Christians devoted themselves to prepare for the celebration of Easter. In these early generations, two days before Easter were dedicated to the Christian practice of fasting. From the end of the worship service on Good Friday to the celebration of the Resurrection of Jesus on Easter — Christians would fast. Generations that followed increased the period of fasting to six days which was also the amount of time catechumens spent in humble preparation for the reception of Baptism and the Lord’s Supper that they would receive at the Easter service.

History shows that the length of preparation for Easter increased from one week to three weeks to six weeks, usually excluding Sundays, which were held by Christians as mini Easters. In Jerusalem, as early as the Fourth Century, Christians fasted for 40 days in preparation for Easter. The 40 days consisted of five days a week for eight weeks. These 40 days symbolized the 40 days that Moses dwelled on Mount Sinai (Exodus 24:1), the 40 days that Elijah journeyed to Mount Horeb (1 Kings 19:8), and the 40 days that Jesus fasted in the wilderness (Matthew 4:2).

In the Seventh Century, the western church arrived at a 40 day preparation period for Easter. They were fasting for six weeks at six days a week for a total of 36 days. Beginning in that century, they decided to include the four days that preceded the first Sunday of preparation. That first day of Lent, then, was known as Ash Wednesday.

Okay, deep breath, did you get all that? Well, during the time of the Reformation (16th century), Martin

Luther continued to observe this preparation period. Many Lutheran Churches continue this practice today. Ash Wednesday (February 26, 2020) begins the season of Lent with its conclusion being the Saturday before Easter Sunday. Because Sundays are mini Easters, each Sunday in Lent is in Lent and not of Lent.

For those word buffs reading this, and even for those not so interested: The word Lent comes from the Old English word lencten or lengten, which means to lengthen. This word was applied to the season of the year when the days were lengthening, the season known as Spring. Lent and Spring therefore bear similar meanings. Oh, by the way… Spring is March 20, 2020! And we spring forward on March 8!

LOVE ONE ANOTHER

JOHN 3:16

05… Dagobert Schmidt 06… Shirley Hindmarsh Caroline Marzolf 07… Ella English Lorraine Montgomery 18… Karlee Schnaible 10… Joann Stewart 11… Anna Farley 12… Fran Forkas 14… Tina Abba Jim Quaschnick

FEBRUARY BIRTHDAY BASH

15… Sheryl Miller Jeanette Sides 17… Helga Buehrer 18… Jane King Rochelle Selby Lynsey Shelley 20… Margaret Quaschnick 21… Kathy Quaschnick 22… Penelope Russell 26… Esther Bender 27… Ed Oster 28… Gary Herendeen

05… Joe & Jane Willett (42) 22… Dave & Sheryl Miller (22) 28… Don & Janet Bricker (16)

Ash Wednesday Worship Service

February 26 @7pm

Join us for a special experience for everyone in the congregation.

There will be two stations, one lead by Pastor Chris and the other will be

for children and their families.

Volunteer to prepare a Lenten Dinner

March 4, 11, 18, 25, & April 1

Sign up at the Welcome Center

The E.L.C. Bunco Group has been blessed with the use of the Emanuel Social Hall since April 2015. We are enjoying great fellowship with one another, and able to have hot luncheons on special occasions. Every Monday each person gives $1 to help with facility

use expenses and as a contribution to the designated Kitchen Fund. In almost 5 years we have given $8,677 to Emanuel. E.L.C. Bunco Group says “Thank You.”

General Offering Fund Income $ 35,781

General Budgeted Expenses $ 29,282

General Fund Bank Balance $ 4,559

YTD Budget $324,856

YTD General Offerings $329,455

YTD Building Fund Income $ 35,202

January 21, 2019 Meeting

• Approved minutes from the December 17, 2019, Council Meeting as presented

• Accepted financial overview • Prepared for January 26, 2020, Congregational Meeting • Approved Benevolence: Local: Upward Sports Lodi ($400) Regional: Light the Way Lutheran, Tucson, AZ ($400) International: Bear Creek Water International ($400)

DESIGNATED FUND BANK ACCOUNT

(as of December 31)

Water Ministry ............................... $ 22

Sunday School................................. $ 52

German Dinner ............................... $ 112

Funeral Fund ................................... $ 265

Portals of Prayer ............................. $ 391

Facility Use ...................................... $ 451

Flowers ........................................... $ 501

Emanuel Cares ................................ $ 598

Fellowship ....................................... $ 876

Women's Ministry .......................... $ 999

Choir Fund ...................................... $ 1,000

Christmas Tea ................................. $ 1,795

Kitchen Maint ................................. $ 2,623

Sabbatical ...................................... $ 2,800

Contingency Account ...................... $ 9,000

Landscape Fund .............................. $ 9,817

Youth Mission Account ................... $12,522

Designated Gift ............................... $15,526

New Van Fund ................................ $19,257

BALANCE ....................................... $78,607

If you able to donate your “Lodi Transfer Station Voucher” to

Emanuel, it would be a real money-

saving blessing to our church

when we need to “dump” debris.

These came in your monthly bill

from the City of Lodi.

Get to know us better at a complimentary informal lunch with Pastor Chris. Learn about our mission, vision and beliefs. Ask those questions you’ve been wanting to ask. Enjoy lunch and fellowship! Sign-up at the Welcome Center or call the Office at 334-2130.

Are you interested in learning more about Emanuel Lutheran? Do you know someone who would like to know more?

SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 2 12:30 in the Fireside Room

Saturday April 18, 2020

Confirmation/Youth

Emanuel’s youth are encouraged to join in the Sundays listed @ 12:30pm in the Lobby:

February 9th February 23rd

Thank You for

attending Emanuel’s

2020 Annual

Business Meeting &

providing all the

delicious food for

the Potluck!

Change for Change in January has

been a great success! Thank you for

your contribution to allow our kids

to help a child or family in need and

experience

the blessing

of Missions!

8:15am Worship

9:45am Women’s Prayer Fellowship (CFR) 9:45am Adult Ed. (FR) 11:00am Worship

12:30pm Newcomers Lunch (L)

7pm Choir Practice (CR)

8:15am Worship

9:45am Women’s Prayer Fellowship (CFR) 9:45am Adult Ed. (FR) 11:00am Worship

12:30pm Confirmation/ Youth (L)

7pm Choir Practice (CR)

8:15am Worship

9:45am Women’s Prayer Fellowship (CFR) 9:45am Adult Ed. (FR) 11:00am Worship

7pm Choir Practice (CR)

8:15am Worship

9:45am Women’s Prayer Fellowship (CFR) 9:45am Adult Ed. (FR) 11:00am Worship

12:30pm Confirmation/ Youth (L)

7pm Choir Practice (CR)

“

”

Acolyte Jackie Sandoval Maxx Happel Gary Ochsner Maxx Happel

Altar Care Lorraine Montgomery

Cathy Eilers Elsie Mounce Anna Farley

Joy Vaughan Barbara Ritchie

Marsha Griffith Judy Deschamp

Altar Flowers Open Jamie & Danny Cawelti Vivian Oster Janet & Don Bricker

Communion

Assistant Larry Seiler Donna Beckman Steve Mayo Cathy Eilers

Lector Gary Ochsner Joe Willett Dave Miller Chris Youngsma

Liturgical Leader Dave Miller Dave Miller Kim Lawce Arnold & Cathy Eilers Gary Ochsner

Kim Lawce

Prayer Partner Suzanne Seiler Jane Willett Lorraine Montgomery Rosalie Atwood

Ushers

Jan McCusker MarJo Rivinius Eddie Wisner

Donna Beckman

Bob & Donna Lang Hilde Equitz

Jane & Adison King

Andy & Cindy Capron Jackie Sandoval LaVerne Walth

Ken Kramlich Susan Oesterman

Terry Aman

Acolyte Evan Morgan Joseph Berreth Reese Vaccarezza Ethan Morgan

Communion

Assistant Sandee Kautz Cara Bender David Russell Danny Cawelti

Lector Danny Cawelti Traudi King Phil Abba Carol Muller

Liturgical Leader Sara Townsend Denise Nieves Sara Townsend Denise Nieves Joyce Meredith

Prayer Partner Volunteer Needed Carol Muller Cara Bender June Aaker

Ushers Phil & Tina Abba

Joann Stewart Bill Wilson

Hans & Helga Buehrer Carol Mounce

Joyce Meredith Denise Nieves Jocelyn Shelley

Traudi King Anna Farley Laura Foge

Transport Driver Danny Cawelti Kyle Beckman Gary & Tami Herendeen June Aaker

Please check with your riders if

you have not heard from them.

2/02 Steve Mayo

2/09 Kyle Beckman

2/16 Gary & Tami Herendeen

2/23 June Aaker

Please call your drivers to let them

know that you need a ride.

Lillian Elliott ................... 339-9802

Doris Fries………………327-2729

Norma Grinols .............. 333-9312

Mary Ellen Hudson ....... 400-7497

Cliff Marvel .................... 263-7158

June Aaker .......................... 912-8391

Kyle Beckman .................... 369-1219

Danny Cawelti.................... 327-1470

Arnold Eilers ....................... 594-1124

Tami Herendeen ............... 333-1191

Gary Herendeen ............... 747-3459

Kurt Kautz ............................ 368-5667

Steve Mayo ......................... 993-9151

Emanuel Lutheran Church 1540 West Lodi Avenue Lodi, CA 95242

Return Service Requested

Non-Profit Org U.S. Postage

PAID Permit #211

Lodi, CA

Chris Townsend, Pastor ................................................... pchris@EmanuelLodi.com

Tami Thuotte, Children’s Ministry Coordinator .................. tami@EmanuelLodi.com

Cindy Sampson, Administrative Secretary........................ cindy@EmanuelLodi.com Church Office: Monday—Thursday 9am—5pm Phone: 334.2130 Emergency contact: 263.1170

LUTHERAN CONGREGATIONS IN MISSION FOR CHRIST

Join Us! Join Us! Join Us!

$45 Crab &

Spaghetti

$15 Spaghetti

only

$325 Table of 8

Saturday, February 15, @ 6pm Tickets on Sale in the Office Now!