the Messenger I M M A N U E L U N I T E D M E T H O D I S T

1 0 0 2 5 B R O C K T O N L A N E C O R C O R A N , M N 5 5 3 4 0

C O N T A C T I N F O R M A T I O N

Rev. Jonathan Churho Lee umcchurho13@gmail.com

Church Office: 763.420.2585 office@immanuelumc.church

W E A R E A C H U R C H “ R O O T E D I N A R I C H H I S T O R Y O F S E R V I N G G O D

I N O U R C H A N G I N G C O M M U N I T Y . ”

BIRTHDAYS

2 Brad Bickmann

2 Shawn Kamphuis

2 Bonnie Maue

2 Ray Rice

2 Mark Wiersbeck

4 Glenda Thompson

7 Hawson Larson

7 Hallie Larson

7 Eva Watson

8 Amira Ferguson

10 Carolyn Seitz

11 Linda Lohn-Swanson

18 Linda Klapperich

18 Doris Lorensen

19 Darla Sidener

21 Carla Rickson

24 Barry Lohn-Swanson

25 Brandi Gilmore

25 Scott Zbikowski

27 June Quamme

28 Evelyn Henry

29 Bobbi Carson

9 Dustin & Angela Watson

19 Jerry & Thelma Allen

24 Chad & Nancy Weeks

29 Gama & Ashley Xitumul

“JOHN: The Gospel of Light and Life”

Based on Adam’s Hamilton book & DVD

LENTEN SERVICES

Every Wednesday through April 5

Maundy Thursday/Good Friday - Thursday, April 13

Meal 5:30 - 6:15pm

Lent Worship 6:30—7:00pm

“JOHN” STUDY continues on

Sundays at 9:00AM & Tuesdays at 9:30AM

PALM SUNDAY—APRIL 9

10:00 AM Worship

SUNRISE SERVICE & BREAKFAST

Sunday, April 16 at 7:00AM

Breakfast served by Immanuel Men

Sign-up sheet in Narthex

EASTER SUNDAY—APRIL 16

10:00 AM Worship

From the desk of Pastor Jonathan Lee

Dear Immanuel families

The celebration of Easter is absolutely central to the life of the church and to faithful Christians. Why? Without the new life of Christ touching every aspect of who we are and what we do, we are simply going through religious motions, playing religious games, and puffing a religious veneer over lives that are just like anyone else’s.

Easter is the most common of holidays. We celebrate it every week. That is why we gather for worship on Sundays. Jesus rose from the grave on a Sunday, declaring in the most dramatic fashion that our sins were atoned for and that we are forgiven. On Good Friday, Jesus said, “It is finished!” On Easter, God the Father said (by raising Jesus), “It is sufficient, the debt of sin is cancelled, and you are forgiven!” What other day could we then take for worship? All of them were available, and perfectly serviceable, but Sunday was the day of our Justification, both the first day of the week, and the eighth day. So we celebrate Easter every week. Or at least we should.

Easter proclaims our forgiveness. Since the wages of sin is death, and Jesus took all our sins on Himself in order to atone for them and pay our penalty, if He had not paid for sins completely, He would have remained in the tomb, dead. No other holiday has this focus. Christmas celebrates the Incarnation, that God took on human flesh and blood and human nature. The Ascension celebrates the removing of the visible presence of Jesus from among us. Pentecost celebrates the gift of the Holy Spirit, the Comforter, and the formal start of the Christian Church on earth. All of them are celebrated in the light of the resurrection, and each brings with it the good news of forgiveness, but those two things are not central to those holidays. They are central to the celebration of Easter and to the Christian faith and hope. Without the resurrection, your Easter hymns are just a lot of snappy music, and humming.

Easter isn’t just about eggs, bunnies, jellybeans and hollow chocolate Easter bunnies, and dressing up. It’s about the new life we have in Christ, in which we are set free to love, forgive and serve, and thereby find a sense of peace and joy in all that we do. By grabbing hold of the cross, we share in Jesus’ victory over sin, death and all that would destroy us.

Please join us as we prepare for and celebrate Easter. Palm Sunday is April 9th, and during Holy Week we offer a Maundy Thursday service at 5:30 pm with stone soup that the youth group will prepare. Then on April 16th, Easter Sunday we begin with a Sunrise Service at 7 am, a breakfast following served by the Men’s group with our Easter Celebration Worship at 10:00 am.

We hope you join us!

Pastor Jonathan Churho Lee

Pray for Ardell and Gordon Graner as they serve in the Dominican Republic. They have just pub-lished a curriculum for Lent and Easter and a set of 24 lessons for Sunday School. They continue writing VBS lessons; and are beginning a pilot project with young girls between the ages of 10—15 years old. They are encouraged by the appointment of Pastor Erasme as the National Director of the Solar Oven Mission in the Dominican Republic. Gordon and Ardell will continue to work with Rev. Erasme to create a firm foundation.

*The Graners recent newsletter is posted on the bulletin board in the Narthex.

Missionaries—Ardell & Gordon Graner

Easter Offering

Helping Hands Reaching Out

COLLECTION FOR THE MONTH OF APRIL

STEW

SHAMPOO/CONDITIONER

Each month churches in our community are assigned specific foods or household items to collect. If you

would like to donate, please drop off items in the box near the entry of the church. THANK YOU!

This year the Easter Offering will go 1/2 towards apportionments and 1/2 towards our

covenant relationship with missionaries Ardell and Gordon Graner who are serving in

the Dominican Republic.

CROSS has experienced much success, growth, and service to the community over the last 40 years; and continues to make great strides in reaching people in need. We are on the threshold of building an even stronger presence in our community. We want and need you and those within your faith community to continue to join us in serving this community.

The population of our service area is an estimated 116,000, with more than 25,000 people living on the edge finan-cially. We have seen population growth as high as 246% in Rogers, while Maple Grove has tripled their population. The six cities in our service area have seen 30% combined growth and this is continuing. As these cities grow, CROSS must also grow and we must do this wisely and efficiently, ever focusing on how best to help the families in need.

Every addition, improvement, and expansion at CROSS over the last 4 years has been funded with NEW community funds, NOT PROGRAM OR OPERATING DOLLARS. We have reduced liabilities and unneces-sary expenses, and increased assets and donations. As client numbers grow, our local food drives and food rescue store partners grow, resulting in our food purchase budget being reduced to 1/3 of its historically high level. 95% of every $1.00 goes directly to programs for those we serve, as schools, businesses, local families, and civic organiza-tion join you, our faith partner, in supporting CROSS’ growth at record breaking levels.

- Elizabeth Johnson, Executive Director

JOYFUL NOISE OFFERING FOR CROSS FOOD SHELF = $70.00

On behalf of Immanuel Trustees, I would like to thank the following who worked at the parsonage to get it ready to rent. THANK YOU to Wes Waring, Gene & Mary Ann Rick, Jim Pereda, Stan & Jewel Albrecht, Linda Gleason, Bob & Jean McFarlane, Kevin Merges, Lynn Bass, Earl Caswell and Nancy Fischer (who was responsible for showing the parsonage and getting our renters).

This has been a 5-week project that resulted in painting, electrical work, as well as plumbing work being done. A very special thank you to Wes Waring and Stan Albrecht who have worked nearly each day for the five weeks. The renters will take possession on Wednesday, March 22. It was a pleasure to work with every-one and be able to see what was accomplished. - Gary Brass

Thanks for Immanuel’s 2016

Apportionment Commitment

District Superintendent Susan Nienaber sent Immanuel a letter thanking us for fulfilling our 2016 apportionment commitment in full. The thank you letter pointed out that apportionments support vital ministries across the Minnesota Conference, nation and world as well as important benevolence and mission projects of the General Church and Annual Conference. The letter included the following explanation of what apportionments do:

“In the United Methodist church, apportioned funds are what enable United Methodists to do ministry together. You have supported the connectional staff members who provide the leader-ship throughout the state and throughout our denomination. Apportionments help provide health insurance for retired clergy. They help start new faith communities, and enable churches to turn around ministries that have diminished throughout the years. Apportionments, along with your prayers and works of mercy, help keep the vital Wesleyan connection a sacred bond of mission in the United States and all around the world.”

The Immanuel Finance Committee joins Rev. Nienaber in thanking all of you for your 2016 stewardship supporting our church and conference. We look forward to your stewardship continuing in 2017.

Thank you from the Finance Committee.

SPRC Report

As you know we have received a grant from Minnesota UMC Annual Conference to be used to hire a Chil-dren/Youth Director. We are currently in the process of fine tuning the job description, advertising the position, setting dates for interviews and final acceptance.

For Immanuel to grow, it is essential to maintain a strong youth presence. We hope the director will work with our parent volunteers to expand our children/youth programs. Since the area around Immanuel is expanding the potential for this program is unlimited. Pray with us for success as we continue with this process.

A special thank you to our pastor, our parent volunteers and youth who are very involved in this process.

Bob Jette & Gary Brass, SPRC Co-Chairs

Parsonage Work

WOMEN’S LUNCHEON

Saturday, April 22

11:00 AM

Musical Ventriloquist to follow luncheon

KEVIN DOELY

Audiences are laughing out loud at Kevin’s life-like ventriloquist figures & puppets. A blend of old-fashioned comedy, storytelling, music and audience participant, Kevin and his pals will keep you entertained!

There will be no charge for the meal & program. Ladies, if you are able to bring a salad that will go along with men’s menu that would be appreciated. Sign-up will be in the Narthex. Be sure to mark your calendars today...you will not want to miss this event.

This event is a family event.

Sponsored by Immanuel Men’s Group & Immanuel UMW

Wright County Baby Animal Fair 2017

Questions? See Melody Merges

CHURCH EVENTS

Tuesday, April 18

9:30 AM

Attention: Ladies

YOU are invited to join us for a time of fellowship, devotion and a short meeting.

UMW meets the 3rd Tuesday of the month.

Questions: Contact Linda Gleason

Thursday, April 27

11:30 AM

Lynde’s Restaurant, Osseo

ARE YOU PLANNING TO ATTEND?

All ladies of Immanuel are invited for lunch at Lynde’s in Osseo. Come and join in some laughter & good food on the 4th Thursday of the month (except Nov. & Dec. ). It won’t be the same without you!

Questions? Contact Alice Anderson

All YOUTH are invited

to join in the fun at Youth Rec Night!

2nd SUNDAY —EVERY MONTH

6:30 – 8:30PM

**See you April 9*

Saturday, April 8

9:00 AM

We meet the 2nd Saturday of each month. We have a special lady, Darcy Deen who prepares a wonderful breakfast for us. Every month we have devotions, cover any business there is, share joys & concerns and have great comradery. Every man in the church is invited!

At this time, we are prepping for the Sunrise Service & breakfast on Sunday, April 16th and the Women’s Luncheon on Saturday, April 22nd.

Please join us, it is a wonderful group to belong to at Immanuel.

Need more information? Contact Gary Brass

Looking for anyone interested in sewing school bags - it is a simple pattern. The school bags will be filled in May and be sent to conference where they will be sent to UMCOR.

These school bags are distributed around the world where children have very little.

Contact Mary Ann Rick, if you are interested.

REMEMBER IN PRAYER

Health - Recovery - Strength

Bob & Jan Jette– Prayers as Bob continues to work on regaining his strength and mobility. Prayers for Jan are also appreciated.

Dan Klapperich - Continued prayers for health, strength and healing. His latest treatment has helped his pain greatly.

Sarah Cupryna - Dealing with Crohn’s flare-up and back on medicine. Prayers for healing.

Keith & Wehrman - Each day is a new challenge. Pray for strength and comfort.

Mary Kolb – Prayers for recovery after surgery.

Nancy Covington– Continued prayers as she continues treat-ments. Pray for good success, peace and comfort.

Cinda, Paul and Sherry Kuhn’s daughter - Continued prayers as she waits for kidney transplant and deals with medical issues.

Jacob Cupryna - Pray for God’s healing touch upon Jacob’s right ear drum, which is his only hearing ear.

Linnea Ritter’s father - Prayer for comfort and healing after her-nia operation.

New Renters - Pray for the new parsonage renters.

Children/Youth Pastor– Pray for wisdom during the hiring pro-cess. That we will be led to the right person and that the job description will fulfill the needs of our church and young people.

Ashley and Gama Xitumul - Prayers for missionary members as they continue their ministry with Mobile Hope.

Pastor Jonathan, Diane and boys - Pray for the Lord to strengthen and guide them as they work with us to serve our church so faithfully.

Continue to Pray - For church members that deal so gracefully with health issues on an ongoing basis.

Mission Team to Guatemala - Prayers as they work hard to prepare and earn enough money for everyone to go in 2017.

CHURCH OFFICE DEADLINES

Weekly Bulletin: All information and news should be

in the church office by 8AM each Thursday.

Newsletter Deadline:

Submit articles and information for APRIL 2017 by

Sunday, March, 19, 2017

Mailing Crew: Meet on Thursday, Mar. 23 at 10AM

Contact Info: office@immanuelumc.church

Please call 763-424-2297 or 763-218-0085 or email elcaswell@comcast.net with prayer requests. Also, updates on prayer

requests that are left on the list longer than two weeks are appreciated. Lois Caswell, Prayer Ministries Coordinator

PRAYER REQUEST CARDS are available and may put in the offering plate each Sunday. We ask that you PRINT your request clearly.

PRAYER GROUP

Consider joining others every Sunday morning for the Prayer Group. Held at 9:30AM in the JOHN 3:16 room. All are welcome. This is a special time of prayer and reflection.

RUMMAGE SALE

HAVE YOU STARTED SORTING THROUGH YOUR UNWANTED

TREASURES YET?

Start cleaning our your closets, basements, garages and attics,

then SAVE items for upcoming INDOOR Rummage Sale.

Dates/Times

Thursday, April 27 9 AM—8PM

Friday, April 28 9AM—6PM

Saturday, April 29 9AM to 12PM

Please note that items can be brought to the church starting Sunday, April 23.

Items should be in reasonably good condition. No TV’s or computers please.

Proceeds from sale: $200 towards serving a meal at Mobile Hope this summer and the remainder will go for the Guatemala Mission Trip in July.

DATE LAY READER USHERS Peace Candle Lighters

DATE FELLOWSHIP SERVERS GREETER(S) FLOWERS

April 2 David Beck Gary & Leah Brass—Head Ushers

Don & Leanne Peterson

Melody, Kevin, Mac,

Kaline Merges

April 9 Jon Hall Gene & Mary Ann Rick—Head Ushers

Jan Jette & Jean Zanosko

Linda Gleason

April 16 Jerry Allen Bob & Ruth Colebank—Head Ushers

Gary & Leah Brass

The Schad Family

April 23 Ruth Colebank Don & Leanne Peterson—Head Ushers

June Quamme & Alice Anderson

The Pereda Family

April 30 Alice Anderson Gene & Mary Ann Rick—Head Ushers

Gary & Leah Brass

Don & Leanne Peterson

April 2 Jewell Albrecht Paul & Sherry

Kuhn

April 9 Scott & Alice

Rickson

April 16 Easter Breakfast—

7AM

No Fellowship

Mark Wiersbeck

Alice Anderson

Congregation

Easter Lilies

April 23 The Schad Family

April 30 Gary & Leah Brass Paul & Sherry

Kuhn

Acolytes (Fourth through Sixth Graders)

Nathan Lee, Kaline Merges, Graham Pereda, Jack Schad, Morgan Weeks,

Chet Gleason, Chaya Gilmore, Gavin Dupont, Caleb Lee, Noah Hager