The Messenger the newsletter of

Immanuel Lutheran Church & University Student Center (ILCUSC)

Vol. 21 No. 8 www.immanuellawrence.org August • 2017

FROM THE PASTOR

2104 Bob Billings Parkway Lawrence, Kansas 66049-2722

Church Office (785) 843-0620

fax (785) 843-1576 immanuellutheran@ilcandusc.org

facebook immanuel lutheran church & university student center

http//get.theapp.co/01a5

Worship Service Weekly Schedule

Sunday, 8:30 and 11:00 a.m. Sunday School - 9:45 a.m. Bible Studies - 9:45 a.m.

Pastor Rev. Randall Weinkauf

(785) 393-6745

Administrative Assistants Tricia Fender Leslie Traylor

(785) 843-0620

Messenger Editor Jan Leines

Mission Statement

Our mission is

“To share God’s love in Jesus Christ by word and deed.”

f

QUESTION: Will God forgive me of my sins if I haven't forgiven

others?

ANSWER: The question you have raised often arises in connection with

the words spoken by Jesus in the context of the Lord's Prayer (Matt. 6:14),

"If you forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father will forgive

you; but if you do not forgive men their trespasses, neither will your Fa-

ther forgive your trespasses."

In view of Scripture's wider teaching concerning forgiveness, it seems

proper to understand Jesus' point in Matt. 6:14 to be that the stubborn, per-

sistent refusal to forgive others is evidence of a blinded and hardened

heart which lacks a real understanding of and faith in God's forgiveness in

Christ.

What Jesus is doing here, therefore, is issuing a strong warning to us to

"search our hearts" to see if we really understand and accept the Gospel

and its practical implications for our lives.

If we say, "I want God to forgive me, but I refuse to forgive those who sin

against me," we really don't know what "forgiveness" and "faith in Jesus"

are all about. We cannot expect God to "forgive" us if the attitude of our

heart reveals that we have no real understanding of or faith in his unde-

served grace in Christ Jesus.

Anyone who truly understands the true nature of God's grace and for-

giveness in Christ and puts his or her trust in that forgiveness will desire

and seek to extend that forgiveness to others.

God's forgiveness is not a "reward" for our forgiving others, but once we

receive it in true faith and gratitude it is impossible not to want to share it

with others.

From The Lutheran Church – Missouri Synod (LCMS).

https://www.lcms.org/about/beliefs/faqs/doctrine#forgive (Accessed July 24, 2017).

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Immanuel Lutheran Church & University Student Center Church Council Meeting—June 12, 2017

Date: June 12, 2017

Start Time: 6:30 p.m. End Time: 7:40 p.m.

Present: Vern Bartels, Lori Bichsel, Tammie George, Ann Hossler, Jane Hoyt, Dudley Karstensen, Rick Lucas, Pastor Randy Weinkauf

Absent: Sandra Studley Visitors: Tim Hetzler, Linda Herbel

Call to Order: Tammie called the meeting to order while Lori was briefly out of the room. Lori returned to the room to chair the meeting.

Opening Prayer: Pastor Randy spoke about the Christian virtue of “speaking the truth in love.”

Approval of Minutes: Tammie moved and Vern seconded a motion to approve the minutes. The minutes were approved unanimously.

Treasurer’s Report: Vern went over his report noting that giving is currently on an upward trend.

Pastor’s Report & Statistical/Parochial Report: Pastor Randy reviewed both reports.

Church Calendar Updates: The following meetings are cancelled for June: Worship Committee, Elders’ meeting, Stewardship, and the Outreach Committee.

Board/Committee Items

Board of Spiritual Affairs: Rick said that the Board of Spiritual Affairs will meet later in June in preparation for Pastor Randy’s annual review and to look over the budget.

Board of Educational Ministries: Ann reported that the committee had not met, but that preparation for VBS is going very well and summer Sunday school is under way.

Board of Outreach: Dudley reported that $1000 is ready to be donated to Habitat for Humanity and that $1000 more needs to be raised to fulfill Immanuel’s financial commitment. Lori mentioned that t-shirts are a great way to raise money and that Immanuel hasn’t sold shirts in some years. Rick mentioned using Thrivent grants in raising money. Dudley will take these ideas back to his committee.

The Board of Outreach is still working on the Welcome Station.

Board of ILCUSC Services

Property & Grounds: Tim made a request that the van be sold but withdrew the request when Dudley explained that Caryn Scott had offered to both house and drive the van. No one has been found to fill the vacancy of committee chair of Property and Grounds. There was a discussion of locks and crash bars on the doors. Rick said that he would check into the lock situation. Tim will check with Stoneback about an appropriate price range for the industrial stove in the former nursery kitchen. Better lighting is needed in the parking lot. Property and Grounds will check into lighting possibilities.

Old Business:

We discussed the topic of whether our organists and the nursery attendant are employees or independent contractors. Vern and Tim said that they would speak to each of the three people involved so that a good decision can be made and so that either tax will be withheld from all or none of their paychecks.We discussed the 5

th Sunday in

July, a joint service and a potluck lunch. Pastor Randy mentioned that Immanuel only needs a few more LCEF investors to make it into the next reward category. He will schedule a visit from a LCEF representative.

New Business: Linda gave a report about the outcome of the survey regarding “A Gift Planning Process for People of Faith”. Very few surveys were returned and even fewer expressed interest in the program. There were thought-provoking comments on some of the returned surveys. Linda said that her committee will put the program on the back burner and take the coming year to get more information. There will be stewardship campaign in October. The Financial Review Committee (Lori and 3 others) will meet. A proposal for Evensong followed by The Feast of the First Tomato celebration met with everyone’s approval. It is scheduled for early August.

Closing: A motion was made by Tammie and seconded by Vern to adjourn. The motion passed unanimously.

Adjournment: Pastor Randy closed the meeting

Next Council Meeting: 6:30 p.m. July 10, 2017

Respectfully submitted,

Jane Hoyt, Secretary

Immanuel Lutheran Church & University Student Center 3

OFFERINGS: GENERAL DESIGNATED

June 4 $12,079 $765

June 11 $4,987 $946

June 18 $7,396 $855

June 25 $6,840 $259

Total $31,301 $2,825

JUNE 2017

MORTGAGE PAYMENT $2,731

MORTGAGE INTEREST $795

MORTGAGE PRINCIPAL $1,936

EXTRA MORTGAGE PAYMENT $820

MORTGAGE BALANCE $175,511

New Staff

Fund Balance $55,835

New Staff

F und Goal,$70,000

Budget & Expenses

Total Year-ly Budget

Current: June

Year-to-Date

Jan—June 2017

General Offerings $376,366 $31,301 $197,582

Building Use $885 $0 $0

Other income $940 $0 $1,861

Total General Receipts $378,191 $31,301 $199,443

Total General Expenses $378,191 $28,903 $181,176

Net Income (Loss) $0 $0 $15,869

Barbara & Robert Riley 2

Gary & Julie Crowe 2

Gary & Kathleen Buffington 3

Paul & Angela Signor 5

Russ & Beth Dwyer 5

Michael & Sonja Grear 6

Cynthia & Steve Nebel 6

Tyler & Courtney Cook 15

Rev. Don & Diane Miller 21

Brian & Kristie Rock 23

Julie & Duane Zule 25

Noah & Jennica Mosier 25

Ralph & Kathryn Summers 26

Vernon & Ruth Ellen Bartels 31

Seth Studley 9

Guy Ornes 10

Kevin Plummer 10

Emily Flachsbarth 10

Russell Dwyer 10

Marty Couchman 10

Charlotte Karstensen 11

Nancy Lahm 13

Jo Lutz 13

Greysen Lenz 14

Andrew Lenz 14

Baden Masenthin 15

Steven Walter 15

Matt Durr 16

Trinity Moe 17

Linda Klinker 18

Sharon Leggott 21

Darcy Meyer 23

Stephanie Stapleton 23

Eli Dick 24

Millie Walter 24

Timothy Bredehoft 25

Jason McCandless 26

Brynn Deterding 28

Mark Voegler 28

Rev. Don Miller 28

Paul Signor 29

Blake Heubner 30

Karen Bailey 30

Joseph McCandless 31

Brett Snyder 31

Lutheran World Relief says “Thank You” for the 44 quilts and the kits that it received from Immanuel. These were sent to our “neighbors” around the world, reminding them that they are not alone or forgotten. Specifically, these “gift” go to “villages, schools, hospitals, and refugee camps around the world.” Celebrate the Feast of the First Tomato on Wednesday, August 2, 2017, at 6 p.m. Evensong will be followed by the first-fruits from the garden (tomatoes) in BLTs. The sandwiches and drinks will be provided by the church. Please bring a side dish or a dessert to share. Join us for our first Feast of the First Tomato!

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VBS 2017VBS 2017VBS 2017

Immanuel Lutheran Church & University Student Center 5

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Immanuel Community Calendar

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Officers of the

Congregation—2017

Lori Bichsel-Dougherty President

Tammie George Vice President

Jane Hoyt Secretary

Vern Bartels Treasurer

Board Chairs

Vacant ———–—— ILCUSC Services

Dudley Karstensen ———— Outreach

Ann Hossler—— Educational Ministries

Rick Lucas/Sandra Studley—————

———–———–—— Spiritual Affairs

Organizations Cradle Roll————— Courtney Cook

Lutheran Women’s Missionary League ———————— LWML Committee

Men of Immanuel Lutheran Church —— —————–——— Marvin Bredehoft

Elders Elois Allan Tim Hetzler

Rick Lucas Kelly Rector

Barb Riley Sandra Studley

SERVING IN THE LORD’S HOUSE IN AUGUST

USHERS Early Service

Late Service

Chad, Mickey, Eli & Cason Dick; Virgil Dean

Julie & Gary Crowe

GREETERS

Early Service Late Service

Tony & Crystal Moe Scott & Mandy Sponholtz

LAY CALLERS 6 Pam Becker 13 Dudley Karstensen

20 Virgil Dean 27 Dudley Karstensen

READERS

Early / Late

6 Jack Landgrebe / Tim Hetzler

13 Mandy Sponholtz / Christine Frese 20 Pam Becker / Denise Koch

27 Ralph Planthold / Cindy Nebel

ACOLYTES 6 Renna Folsom 13 Aris Grady

20 Abigail Hossler 27 Elly Moe

COMMUNION CARE

Early / Late

6 Carolyn & Jack Landgrebe / Julie & Gary Crowe

13 Carolyn & Jack Landgrebe / Kathy Buffington 20 Carolyn & Jack Landgrebe / Lynn Krusemark

27 Carolyn & Jack Landgrebe / Lynn Krusemark

Church Office Tricia Fender and Leslie Traylor

785-843-0620 OFFICE HOURS

8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Mon – Fri.

Parochial Report - June 2017

No changes

You might be a Lutheran if …

You notice stock rising in the ‘cheese-stick’ and ‘marshmallow crème’ industries during VBS sea-son.

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Lawrence, KS 66044 Permit No. 74

Immanuel Lutheran Church & University Student Center 2104 Bob Billings Parkway

Lawrence, KS 66049-2722

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A monthly newsletter published by

Immanuel Lutheran Church &

University Student Center

“Every Servant a Loving Messenger”“Every Servant a Loving Messenger”

BACK 2 SCHOOL!

Through August 11, the United Way, the Salvation Army and many community organizations and churches will collect school supplies, back packs and shoes for those students who do not have what many of us desired when we were students: new supplies, things for the new school year. It is estimated that at least 1,200 students in the Lawrence-Douglas County area will not have the

pencils, paper and other needed items as they begin the school year.

In past years Immanuel has joined in the community-wide effort to provide for students in need. Please consider doing so this year by placing the supplies you provide in the boxes below the bulletin board in the narthex or in the hall way leading to the Activity Center. The colorful bulletin board in the narthex provides lists of specific needs. Such lists are also available at the stores selling school supplies. What you provide will be taken to the Salvation Army for distri-bution. You can make a financial donation by sending it to the Salvation Army, 946 New Hampshire St., Lawrence. Thank you for your consideration.

ACTIVITY CENTER DEBT – ENCOURAGING TREND CONTINUES! As of June 30th the debt on the Activity Center was $175,511, a reduction of $18,249 since the beginning of 2017. In addition to the six monthly payments for principal and interest, Immanuel has paid $1,800 from its General Fund, $495 from designated offerings, $2,685 from Grocery Bucks, and $1,921 from sources such as “Smile.Amazon.com” and Thrivent’s “Choice Dollars” program.

“Choice Dollars” is the amount Thrivent must give to churches or charities in lieu of paying income taxes; and Amazon gives a percent of one’s purchases to churches and charities. To learn how, see Smile.Amazon.com or Vern Bartels. Grocery Buck cards can be purchased in the treasurer’s office between services. Approximately six percent of the card purchased is refunded to Immanuel. Still, a card enables one to purchase as much as if one paid cash at the store. Members can also generate funds to pay the debt through purchases at Dillons. Twenty-eight Immanuel house-holds have done this. However, to assure that Immanuel receives a percent of your Dillons’ purchases you must register at its service desk. Then at the bottom of each receipt you receive Immanuel will be identified as the beneficiary.

Thank you for your offerings to the General Fund for designated offerings, for debt reduction, for purchasing Grocery Bucks, for being registered at Dillons, and for designating your “Choice Dollars” or a percent of your Amazon purchases for Immanuel. All help to retire our debt. When paid, Immanuel will be well positioned financially to call and maintain a second staff person.