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BRING BELONG BECOME BLESS
November 2015 1
www.stmfw.org Volume 63, Issue 12 December 2015
2131 Getz Road Fort Wayne, Indiana 46804 260-432-2033
Advent and Christmas Services
Hanging of the Greens Wednesday, December 2, 7:00p Begin preparing your hearts and homes for the season of Advent through a service of lessons, special music, and reflections upon the significance of the decorations in our sanctuary.
Wednesday, December 9, 10:00a & 7:00p ESM students in grades K, 1, 6, 7 & 8 will lead our worship services through scripture, narration, and music. Sunday School Christmas Service Saturday, December 12, 5:00p Titled “Sing a Song of Christmas,” this service will feature music and recitations from our Sunday School children and a message from Pastor Lessing.
Wednesday, December 16, 7:00p This is an evening worship service based on the theme “God’s Unconditional Love.” ESM students in grades 2, 3, 4 & 5 will lead worship at 10:00a and 7:00p at Emmanuel Lutheran Church. Family Christmas Eve Service Thursday, December 24, 5:00p A service celebrating Christ’s birth with carols, puppets, and candles. Candlelight Christmas Eve Service Thursday, December 24, 7:00p A candlelight service celebrating Christ’s birth with orchestra, bells, and choir. Candlelight Communion Christmas Eve Service Thursday, December 24, 11:00p A candlelight, communion service celebrating Christ’s birth with orchestra, bells, and choir. Christmas Day Communion Service Friday, December 25, 10:00a A festive communion service celebrating Christ’s birth with majestic hymns and special music from the Men’s Choir.
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November 2015 2
From the Pastor [email protected]
On November 28/29, the first weekend in Advent, “The Year of Wisdom” begins at St. Michael. What a year it will be! Sermon series and Bible studies will include the wisdom books of James, Job, Ecclesiastes and Proverbs. Much more is also planned!
If you are like me, though, you need God’s wisdom most in your family. Consider these family truisms:
You don’t need a remote control for your TV. If you have children, the chances of controlling anything are already remote.
More ominous than the sound of an approaching riot is the sound of children suddenly quiet.
If your wife doesn’t treat you as she should, be thankful.
A survey of marriage counselors has uncovered this bit of data: no marriage can survive white carpeting.
Because everyone needs God’s wisdom when it comes to family relationships, we begin our Year of Wisdom with an Advent/Christmas sermon series called “Family Life.” There is much to learn from the first Advent families—Joseph, Mary and Jesus, along with Zechariah, Elizabeth and John. These families faced infertility, frustration, loss, and so much more. The sermon plans are listed on the right. My Sunday morning Bible Class, “Renewing the Family Spirit,” will compliment these sermons. We will learn how overcoming conflict leads to stronger family ties. Participants will gain new understanding into how differences among family members can be a positive source for growth and change. I encourage you to be a part of these worship services and Bible classes. Your family is worth this time and investment in God’s word.
Pastor Lessing
Upcoming
Sermons
November 28/29 Two Families Luke 1:5–25 December 5/6 Our Way Luke 1:57–66 December 9 ESM Vespers December 12/13 A List! Matthew 1:1–17 December 16 Zechariah’s Song Luke 1:67–80 December 19/20 Open the Door Matthew 1:18–20 December 24 Get it All Matthew 1:21–25 December 25 A Savior is Born, Christ the Lord! Luke 2:1–19 December 27 Simeon and Anna Luke 2:25–36 December 31 The Bridegroom and the Widow Luke 2:25-38
“Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.”
(Matthew 11:28)
Christmas isn't always so "merry." This time of year can bring up emotions that can take over our lives. Stephen Ministers are here for you. We want to encourage you to pay attention to those feelings and let us help you by listening to your thoughts and concerns. Contact Margaret Jones at 6723594 if you or someone you know could use this sort of care.
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December 2015 3
Acts 1:8 Mission Team [email protected]
The St. Michael Mission Team is organized around Acts 1:8 where Jesus promises: “You will be my witnesses in
Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth." Our strategy is:
Jerusalem Our surrounding neighborhood
All Judea Shepherd of the City Lutheran Church in Ft. Wayne
Samaria The Bridge City Community Lutheran Church (LCMS) in Chattanooga,
Tennessee
The Ends of the Earth include our support of:
▪ Paul Jones, a missionary pilot in Guatemala who flies for the Missionary Air Group ▪ Rev. Adam Lehman, a LCMS missionary to Spain
The team plans to launch our Jerusalem (neighborhood) mission in Luther Hall on both January 4th from 7:00p–8:00p and January 9th from 10:30a–11:30a. We are offering the same presentation twice, giving several opportunities for members to get involved. At each meeting Pastor Lessing will present from the booklet:
People of Passion:
Activities for Opening Doors to Your Community.
Strategies from this booklet include: prayer-walking, community surveying, visioning, service projects, and outreach
events. Follow-up meetings will study each of these chapters so we form a missional map for our neighborhood. How
exciting! Sign up on the narthex shelf!
8th Grade Confirmation [email protected] We are excited to have thirty-three catechumens in this year’s class, and attendance has been very good. Regular weekly attendance is very important in both worship and Sunday school. It is here that we are able to receive the gifts our heavenly Father has given us, namely his Word and Sacraments, as well as, study in depth the importance the Small Catechism has in our daily lives. Our Sunday classes continue on a weekly basis and the Monday night classes will start back up on January 11th. Also beginning in January we will start to hear from our catechumen’s as they begin to deliver their Witness Speeches. In January we will hear from Alec Grinsfelder (Jan. 3), Logan Weaver (Jan. 9), Gabbie McLain, Colby Miller (Jan. 10), Emma Stoody (Jan. 23), Gloria Maxson, and Kaleb Chantelois (Jan. 24).
CONFIRMATION IS ON PENTECOST, MAY 15TH
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December 2015 4
From the Vicar [email protected]
Blessed Advent and Merry Christmas, We hail Thee as our Savior, Lord, our refuge and our great reward; Without Thy grace we waste away like flow’rs that wither and decay. LSB #344
The third stanza from the Advent hymn “On Jordan’s Bank the Baptist’s Cry” sums up nicely what exactly we are doing this Advent season. We look back to the coming of our Savior on that first Christmas night in Bethlehem, while at the same time we look forward to his second coming on the last and glorious day of his return. In both instances we hail Christ as our Savior, as the only One who can save us from ourselves; from sin, death, and the devil. We understand that it is in Christ that we find our great reward…the reward of eternal life with our Father in Heaven. As an infant child, Jesus came into the world and set aside His divine powers, what we call his state of humility, to truly become man, while at the same time remaining truly God. It was in this state that Jesus was able to grow, teach, and preach. To take on the sins of the world, to take on our sins, and carry them to the cross of Calvary, where he would be that last blood sacrifice required for the remission of the world’s sins. It is at the foot of this cross that we find our true refuge and our great reward. So this Advent let us remember from where our true salvation lies, and as we move from Advent to Christmas, I will leave you with the imagery of a different flower:
This flow’r, whose fragrance tender with sweetness fills the air, Dispels with glorious splendor the darkness everywhere. True man, yet very God, from sin and death He saves us and lightens every load. LSB #359
In Christ Service and Yours, Vicar Krieg Thank you, Tommy and those three wonderful young men, for raking the leaves in my yard. What a fantastic job you all did!
Jan Donato Thank you for your prayers. Rikki has been mostly pain free and has only had to take two pain pills since the procedure for her headaches.
The Cralls
A Big Thank you to Meijer for a donation
of $200 to our annual food drive!
Thank you to all the St. Michael members for over 3,000 items collected for our annual food drive.
Thank you to everyone who took one of the 207 ornaments on our Christmas Giving Tree. Gifts can be
placed on the tables in the narthex. LUTHERAN LIFE VILLAGES' RESIDENTS appreciated the birthday party! Thank you for baking cakes Lynette Doust, Sue Baker, Becky Chantelois, Susan Jones, Sue Krause, Shirley Fahlsing, and Kira Clendenen.
Thank you to the 184 households who have returned their pledge cards totaling $866,044 for our ministry in 2016.
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December 2015 5
From the President [email protected]
As we were getting our decorations down the other day, I grabbed a box that was marked “Christmas Joy.” Of course it was just a label for what was inside, a wooden “J,” “O,” and “Y” that we set out every December. I was struck for a moment about how easy it might be to think that joy could come in a box and that the experience of joy could be felt by doing something as simple as opening that box. We all know that true joy doesn’t come in a box and that the original “Christmas Joy” came in a manger.
I wanted to thank everyone who was able to make it to our last voters’ meeting. As I walked around prior to the meeting and witnessed the interactions amongst our members, I saw continued examples of “Connecting People to Jesus” as actions and not just words. I believe it is because of relationships like these that we can have open and honest discussions relative to the future of St. Michael. Besides the opportunity to listen to outstanding presentations by Alicia Levitt and Tommy Moll, the congregation passed a budget for 2016 that includes an increased focus on missions. The congregation also passed a motion that will result in the creation of a call committee to search for an assistant pastor. Finally, while a motion was made for St. Michael to move from the English District to the Indiana District, it was ultimately tabled in order to provide additional clarification as to what is involved in such a move, what is affected by such a move and, what are the benefits provided by either decision. With that in mind, there will be meetings scheduled in early 2016 for the purpose of sharing information and providing a forum for questions.
May each of you and your loved ones find and experience the true joy of Christmas this month and always. T.R. Ackmann
Baptisms: Addisyn & Blake Hathaway, Elizabeth & Isabelle Johnson Transferring In: Mark & Renee Bleke (Owen, Lucas, Alyssa); Paul & Darlene Buuck (Sarah,
Katie); Marty & Paula Cole; Larry & Amy Dahl; Janice Erekson; Karen Fuelling; Tommy & Laura Moll (Lucy, James); Stefan & Shelly Thieme (Sam, Cassidy, Brielle); Ryan & Jeanine Tietz (Isaiah, Amaya) and Nathan & Michelle Wilkinson (Julia, Jonathan)
Reaffirmation of Faith: Dave & Diane Jackson; Kurt & Linda Kleinrichert; Doreen and Laura Muntzinger; Katherine
Patterson (Audrina, McKenna); Shanon & Elizabeth Ruch (Madalyn, Faith, Cole, Adam); Wayne Scrogham; Todd Stock (Molly, Maggie, Caroline) and Darren Stoody (Emma)
Adult Confirmation: Bruce Cable; Karen Scrogham; Melyssa Stock; Julie Stoody and Stephanie Weaver (Johnathen,
Haley) Wedding: Tony & Abigail (Parkison) Liechty
Baptismal Birthdays will be celebrated on December 12/13 for children, birth through 5th grade: Miles and Ellis Campbell, Leona Dumford, Haley Fulton, Abigail Hamlin, Rebekah Hammond, Torin and Fenris Henriksen, Addelyn Hoover, Emmalynn Mauricio, Seth McCord, Sophia Stir, Stephan Taylor and Emerson Wolfe.
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December 2015 6
If you are interested in joining one of our choirs or praise groups, contact…
Stephanie Maxson, Music Director [email protected]
Adult Choir, Men’s Choir, Flute Choir, King’s Strings, Jubilant Fields, ESM choir
Celine Newman, Bell Director [email protected]
Harmony Ringers, Resound, Grace Notes
Denice Beights, Orchestra Director [email protected]
Orchestra, Brass
Tommy Moll, Director of Youth Ministry [email protected]
Youth Band, Life Song
Music
Hanging of the Greens December 2 will be a very special Advent service of lessons and carols as we learn about the decorations we add to our sanctuary. Several of our musical groups will provide music. Join us as we prepare our hearts and minds to celebrate the coming of our Messiah!
Sunday School Christmas Service The Sunday School children will share music and recitations during this year’s service, Sing a Song of Christmas, on Saturday, December 12, at 5:00p.
Family Christmas Caroling Sunday December 20 Stay after the 10:45 service on Sunday, December 20, and enjoy a hotdog or sloppy joe sandwich before heading out to carol in St. Michael's neighborhood. We will also hand out a gift and invitation to our Christmas services. Please sign up online or at the shelf in the narthex.
Make plans to attend the ESM Christmas Vespers services
on December 9 and 15. See page 6 for more details.
Saturday Band Line-up December 5 Life Song December 12 Sunday School Christmas Service December 19 King’s Strings December 26 No Saturday Service
The Christmas rehearsal countdown continues!!!! Three choir rehearsals before Christmas! If you will be in town on Christmas Eve, we would love to have you give the choir a try. High school age students are welcome. Rehearsals will be held on December 2 & 9 at 8:15p and December 17 at 7:00p. Three Christmas Orchestra Rehearsals! The remaining rehearsals before the Christmas Eve celebration are: December 3 at 6:00p, December 10 at 6:00p, December 17 at 6:30p. If you would like to play but cannot make all the rehearsals, contact Stephanie at [email protected] or 432-2033. You can hear the orchestra on December 2 during the Hanging of the Greens service; on December 6 in the 10:45a service; and at the 7:00p and 11:00p Christmas Eve services. Two Handbell rehearsals before Christmas! The remaining rehearsals will be on December 7 and 14. You can hear the bells on December 2 during the Hanging of the Greens service; on December 20 in both services; and on Christmas Eve at the 7:00p and 11:00p services. Grace Notes, our youth bell choir, will be playing for the Sunday School Christmas service on December 12 and for the ESM vespers service on December 16.
A special thanks to Denice Beights and our many instrumentalists and Celine Newman and our bell ringers for sharing their time and talents in preparation for our Christmas services!
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December 2015 7
Faith@Home [email protected]
St. Michael has started a new venture with Emmanuel Lutheran Church in collaboration with Family Friendly Partners Network (FFPN). This venture is a three-year process and will train and equip our churches to partner with homes to strengthen and pass on faith in Jesus Christ to this generation and those that follow. FFPN will train pastors, church staff and lay leaders to lead their congregations in a process to include in their mission, program and structure a church-wide passion, knowledge, and resource base for building strong Christian homes and marriages.
When St. Michael laid out our Strategic Plan, the congregation indicated they wanted more Family Ministry. We are answering your call by asking you to take a Family Needs Assessment. This assessment will drive the future of Family Ministry at St. Michael. You can access the Family Needs Assessment from December 5 through December 20 on the St. Michael website, clicking on St. Michael Family Needs Assessment or scanning the QR to the left.
Look for more information in your postal mailbox and your email inbox.
Robin Kaiser
Emmanuel-St. Michael Lutheran School www.esmeagles.com
Christmas Vesper Services On Wednesday, December 9, students in grades K-1 and 6-8 will lead our Vesper Services at St. Michael at 10:00a and 7:00p. The following Wednesday, December 16, grades 2-5 will lead the Vesper Services at Emmanuel Lutheran Church at 10:00a and 7:00p. Please communicate with grandparents and other family members that the 10:00a services are generally less crowded than the evening service and the services are the same. See you there!
Concordia Lutheran High School Christmas at the Embassy Christmas at the Embassy will be celebrated at 4:00p on December 13. The Music Department looks forward to sharing the wonderful music of Christmas with everyone. The theme for this year is “Lo How a Rose: a Prophecy Fulfilled.” Make plans now to celebrate the real meaning of Christmas! Tickets for OPEN seating will be available at the Embassy Box Office through December 11 (tickets will NOT be sold at CLHS). Tickets for this event are $13 for adults and $7 students and seniors (age 60 or older). You may also purchase tickets through Ticketmaster (additional charges apply). Tickets will be sold the day of the event from 2:00p-4:30p at full price.
Upcoming Family Ministry Events: Family Needs Assessment December 5 - December 20 Family Ministry Month November 28 - December 31 Chili Cook Off and January 9, 2016 Christian Comedian/Magician Jim Barron
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December 2015 8
Volunteer Opportunities
LCMS MERCY MEDICAL TEAMS This short-term volunteer program offers medical professionals, pastors, and laypeople opportunities to volunteer abroad in a variety of clinical and health-related settings. Upcoming trips:
March 11-20, 2016 Madagascar April 8-17, 2016 Tanzania June 17-26, 2016 Kenya July 22-31, 2016 Madagascar August 5-14, 2016 Uganda October 7-16, 2016 Madagascar
For more information, visit www.lcms.org/mercyteams.
WORSHIP FOR SHUT-INS
Check out www.worshipforshutins.org
for more info.
Just Older Youth—aka JOY
The calendar events are open to everyone who is 55 and older. Check the J.O.Y. bulletin board for more information.
J.O.Y. Bible Study in Luther Hall Led by Pastor Lessing Studying the Gospel of Mark 2nd & 4th Tuesdays from 10:00a – 11:30a
December 10 4th Annual Christmas Celebration
January 6 Epiphany At St Francis Planetarium January 10 Gloria Doty and Soup-er Lunch January 28 Pizza with Pastor
SIGN UP FOR DELIVERY OF THE PARISH NOTES Go to www.stmfw.org/ParishNotes
Outreach
At this Thanksgiving season the staff at Lutheran Social Services (LSSI) would like to thank all our Justice Bread Coordinators for your continued support of the Cup of Kindness program. To help you understand the services you are providing, I took the time to do some research on the help you render. Our YTD sales of Justice Bread (9 Months) totaled $14,576. What does this mean? Through your help in the selling of Justice Bread and specifically through these dollars raised, we are able to help an additional 2+ families each month stay warm, receive water, keep the lights on, and stay together as a family. This is no small task, and you are all part of the solution to the problem that these families face in times of distress. Thank you for what you do to keep our services to families coming! You are all appreciated! Blessings to you and your families this Thanksgiving season. Dennis Herman Director of Church Relations Lutheran Social Services
Justice Bread: Wheat, cranberry, and pumpkin available December 12/13.
Sunday School Update [email protected] Under the awesome leadership of our twenty-four teachers, this has been the best fall Sunday School in the history of St. Michael. The weekly average is 165. Including adults, the church is averaging 315 in God’s Word each Sunday. St. Michael Sunday School offerings are going to the Lutheran Heritage Foundation to supply Spanish-speaking people with Bibles and Small Catechisms. So far, our children who are filling their M&M’s containers, along with Pastor Lessing’s Adult Bible Class, have given over $1,500.00! The annual Sunday School Christmas Program, “Sing a Song of Christmas,” will take place at 5:00p on Saturday, December 12th. Rehearsals are held during the Sunday School hour. On Saturday, December 12th at 4:00p there will be one final rehearsal.
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December 2015 9
Financial Update
3:15 Youth Ministries
Jr. and Sr. High Youth Nights The Jr. and Sr. High youth nights will continue through the winter. Each youth night, we will share a meal together, have Bible study, and do a closing game or activity. During the winter months, we will be doing some big games such as human foosball. We will dig into such topics as how we treat our enemies and why there’s evil in this world.
Jr. High Youth Night Saturday, December 12 and January 23 6:00p-8:30p High School Youth Night Sunday, December 13 and January 24 6:00p-8:30p
Ski Trip on January 10 The 6th-12th graders will be hitting the slopes at Swiss Valley in Jones, Michigan, on January 10. We will leave right after church to enjoy skiing and snowboarding and will get back on Sunday night around 10:00p. The cost for the day of skiing will only be $20. Talk to Tommy Moll or go to our youth ministry webpage to learn more and register.
Trivia Night on February 13 Mark your calendars for Saturday, February 13, for our first Trivia Night. This event will be a fundraiser for our youth attending the National Youth Gathering this summer. The doors will open at 6:00p, and the first question will drop around 6:30p. You do not have to be a genius to play, just willing to have fun with a team. The cost for the event is $20 per person or $120 per table/team. Childcare will be provided. Look for registration information to be in the narthex and on our youth webpage this month.
National Youth Gathering Celebrate In Christ Alone with over 30,000 high school youth and adults from around the world as we celebrate our identity in Christ. This awesome opportunity to grow in faith will be in New Orleans from July 16-20. Join the twenty youth who have already expressed an interest in attending. Fill out a registration form and pay the $100 deposit by check or by online payment to reserve your spot. For more information, go to www.stmfw.org/youth-nyg.
Financial Report Year to Date Results - October 31, 2015
2015 Income
2015 Budget
Difference
2014 Income
Offerings & Other Income $1,046,742 $1,050,248 ($3,505) $939,930
Ministry Expenses $1,041,327 $1,053,390 ($12,063) $966,233
Income over Expenses $5,416 ($3,143) $8,558 ($26,304)
Find a full listing of events along with photos and registration information on our website: www.stmfw.org/youth.
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December 2015 10
Serving in December 2015 at St. Michael Lutheran Church
Title Dates Wednesday Saturday Sunday
8:00 10:45
Acolytes 2/5/6
Allison DiBenedetto Gretchen Raney
Ross Augenstein Andrew Bear
Emalee Miser Connor Shane
Kaleb Chantelois Joshua Henschen
9/12/13 Julian Klutz Olivia Render
Camden Wirges Ethan Yoder
Cole Bade Drake Kropf
Logan Snider Matthew Stuteville
16/19/20 Katelyn Nix Cade Patterson
Parker Morey Morgan Render
Caitlyn Newton Noah Selking
Sophia Clendenen Kylie Hartman
27 Brooke Chaffee Emma Stoody
Jackson Connelly Austin Snider
Christmas Eve
5:00 PM
Gunnar Fry – Crucifer Tori Hoffman – Bookbearer Mallory Peters Regan Twomey
Christmas Day Sam Dumser – Crucifer Gloria Maxson – Bookbearer Owen Wills
7:00 PM
Baylee Ackmann – Bookbearer Andrew Deeter Alec Grinsfelder – Crucifer Colby Miller
11:00 PM Bo Bearman – Crucifer Delanie Lorenz Ryan Snider Lila Wendell - Bookbearer
New Year’s Eve Cara Nutter Todd Sackschewsky
Altar Guild Lora Esslinger, Judy Pieper, Stacie Saunders, Cathi Schenkel, Lily Schenkel
Children’s Church
5/6 Jen Ackmann Luanne Haupt
12/13 Elizabeth Ruch Liz Collins
19/20 Michelle Smith Alissa Stalter
27
Elders Larry Wickert Nathan Nix Ryan Myer Paul Selking
Christmas Eve
5:00 PM Nathan Nix Christmas Day Steve Manges
7:00 PM Craig Patterson New Year’s Eve Larry Wickert
11:00 PM Shayne Ulmer
GAP 19/20 Christine Harrison Dale Bulteimeier
Jerry and Mary Nichols
Jim and Diana SIms
Greeters
2/5/6
Pastor Jerry & Mary Nichols
Becky Yahnke, Harold & Maria Graham, Kathleen Brown, Frank & Gloria Helfrich
Camille Blake, Jim Maxson, Wayne & Jean Panning
Gretchen Weerts, Karen Hall, Ed & Peg Davis
9/12/13 1:00p Cyndy Bagan & ESM Students 7:00p Nancy Kuker & ESM Students
Murray & Cindy Mendenhall, Gene Scheumann, Al & Cynthia Claus
TR & Jen Ackmann, Dorothy Smith, David & Kathryn Trinklein
Eric & Alissa Stalter, Ron & Carol Korte
16/19/20 Richard Pierce, Ron & Kendra Nieman, Ed & Peg Davis, Nancy Kuker
Dave & Christine Harrison, Gloria & Kalisha Doty, Cyndy Bagan
Ted & Donna Braun, Jon & Cristie Gerken, Nancy Kuker
Jim Maxson, Gary & Debbie Gotsch, Don Schenkel, Lily Schenkel, Todd Stouder
27 Tim & Marilyn Crum, Camille Blake, Mary Nichols
Nina Bruns, Carol Olry, David & Diane Waldrop, Ron & Kendra Niemann
Christmas Eve
5:00 PM Rick & Tammy Bruns, Alexis Mackeprang
Christmas Day Ed & Peg Davis
7:00 PM Richard Pierce New Year’s Eve Mary Nichols
11:00 PM Carol Olry, Penny Pequignot, Jim & Pat Williams
Lay Readers
2/5/6 Linda Lewis Rich Krause Linda Chapman
9/12/13 SUNDAY SCHOOL Mary Nichols Randy Fillmore
16/19/20 Diane Bricker Rich Kraus Karen Hall
27 Richard Pierce Bob Kaiser
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December 2015 11
St. Michael Lutheran Church Presents Our Second Annual Bible Seminar
January 30 from 9:00a – 3:00p Biblical Prophecy:
Are We Living in the Last Days? Pastor Lessing, Seminar Leader
In the midst of ongoing terrorism and chaos, millions of people are looking for answers. Where are events in the Middle East taking us? Will there be a worldwide nuclear war? What about predictions of an all-out social, environmental and economic meltdown? When is the Antichrist going to appear? What is the seven-year tribulation? Should I be rapture-ready? How should we understand the book of Revelation? Are we, in fact, living in the last days? This Bible Seminar will address these issues and more. Participants will learn about Old Testament prophets, dig into the symbolism and rich numerology in Revelation and take a close look at the Left Behind novels and movies. Questions will be answered and comfort and hope in Christ will abound. Make plans now to be a part of this seminar and invite your friends! The cost is $15 and includes lunch and all materials. Registration at www.stmfw.org
Prior to serving at St. Michael, Pastor Lessing served on the faculty of Concordia Seminary, St. Louis, Missouri for fourteen years. During that time he authored six books, wrote extensively on Old Testament prophecy and was the principle author for the Synod’s 2004 document titled, A Lutheran Response to the Left Behind Series.
Small Group Bible Study [email protected] or [email protected] We are thankful for God's gracious hand upon our ministry and how he has raised up several new groups in the last half of this year. Northside 45, led by Chris and Alicia Levitt and Jay and Susan Jones, is a new family group that meets on the north side of Fort Wayne. Rick Humbarger's group, Inquire of God, began meeting at St. Michael in September. Al and Julie Friegang began an all adult group at their house early in October. Robin Atkins and Casey Lee began a new family group last month called, Friday Family Night Small Group. And Rob Kaiser and Nathan Nix will begin an all adult group early in 2016. We are so thankful to God for calling these leaders, empowering them with his Spirit, and equipping them with his Word to serve our church and her members. Thank you to ALL of our leaders!!
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December 2015 12
Church and School Staff
Emmanuel St. Michael Lutheran School Faculty and Staff Highlighted names are St. Michael Members
Principal—Jacob Pennekamp Assistant Administrator—Alicia Levitt Secretary—Kathy Lash (Union Street Campus) Secretary—Darlene Buuck (Getz Road Campus) Bookkeeper—Karen Clendenen 8th Grade—Jennifer Cunningham/Chris Murphy 7th Grade—Stephen Bornheimer/Jon Collins 6th Grade—Kathy Palmreuter/Melissa Rush 5th Grade—Josh Eggold/Lisa Heilman 4th Grade—Tammy Panning/Susan Murphy 3rd Grade—Paul Buuck/Amy Konow 2nd Grade—Jennifer Clendenen/Kathryn Trinklein 1st Grade—Mary Smith/Bethann Wright Kindergarten—Karen Houser/Jewell LaBrash PE—Janet Smith, Union/Gretchen Weerts, Getz
Art—Michelle Wolfer Math—Sarah Pennekamp Spanish—Abigail Eschelbach Science—Anne Smith Music—Stephanie Maxson, Emily Franz Band—Todd Phillips Resource Room—Alyssa Bornheimer, Jenny Holloway, Kelly Steffen School Nurse—Sarah Lahey Food Service—Roxanne Pratt School Custodians—John Boschet, Union/Kevin Crall, Getz Cafeteria Manager—Roxanne Pratt Cafeteria Assistant—Elizabeth Doehrman Cafeteria Helpers—Mandy Steele, Rachel Eckert Lunch Transport—Terry Hammond
St. Michael Staff Rev. Reed Lessing Senior Pastor Rev. Jerrold Nichols Assisting Pastor Kelly Krieg Vicar Tommy Moll Director of Youth Ministry Stephanie Maxson Director of Music Karen Manges Organist Celine Newman Handbell Choir Director Kevin Fry Business Manager Michelle Wolfer Preschool Director/Teacher Tina Hoover Secretary Ivy Gray Secretary Assistant Sue Krause Bookkeeper Melanie North Nursery Coordinator Lynn Auman Maintenance Staff Marshal Frisque Fieldworker James Ebersole Fieldworker Marin Cerchez Fieldworker
Church Council T.R. Ackmann President Dave Panning Vice President Hannah Thompson Recording Secretary Lynn Sackschewsky Financial Secretary Shayne Ulmer Elders Jill Nichols Treasurer Jim & Carol Weide Stewardship Daniel Clendenen Trustees Shawn McLain Worship Suanne Roemer Education Camille Blake Helping Hands Mary Nichols Evangelism
