“Peace Unveiled” Lord bless you and keep you. · “Peace Unveiled” Lord bless you and keep you. Does the peace of Christ—the very glory of His light, His life, His grace,

“Peace Unveiled”

Does the peace of Christ—the very glory of His light, His life, His grace, mercy, and peace—come shining through in your daily life?

Are you in the Word of God? Do you not just talk at God, but have conversation with God? Do you listen to Him? He speaks! He speaks, first and foremost, in His Holy Word.

Are you in His Word? He speaks His peace and mercy to you in the words of absolution. He bespeaks His grace and peace and love to you through the words of the sermon and in the words of our hymns, and in the water and words of Holy Baptism.

He physically nourishes you with His own precious body and blood, placing them in your mouth, bidding you to eat and drink FOR THE FORGIVENESS OF ALL YOUR SIN.

As Luther says in his Small Catechism, “where there is forgiveness of sin, there is life and salvation.” There is peace—Christ’s peace.

He physically nourishes you and speaks this peace to you. You hear it in the words, “This true body and blood strengthen and

preserve you…depart now in peace.”

There is more peace at the close of the worship services- “The Lord bless you and keep you. The Lord make His face to shine upon you and be gracious unto you. The Lord look upon you with His favor and give you His peace.”

There’s NOTHING new under the sun! God still desires to shine His brilliant, life-giving, peace-bestowing face upon you!

He still desires to give you His peace; a peace that is known only in faith and trust in Him alone.

Yes, you will have crosses to bear. Yes, life will still be rough. Yes, “bad things” will still happen to you.

You’re not immune from such heartaches and tragedies and pains and suffering simply because you have your name on a congregation’s roster.

But…as a baptized child of God; as one who bears His holy and victorious name upon your head and your heart, marking you as one redeemed by Christ the Lord, you have nothing to fear.

In fact, you have every reason to rejoice and be at peace…even as you bear your respective crosses and suffer for righteousness’ sake.

The glory of God—the victory of Christ crucified and resurrected for you—shines upon you.

My prayer is that this glorified Christ centered reality shines not only on you, but is witnessed in you and through you—unveiled, unvarnished, and on full glorious display for all to see and behold.

Look to Christ.

Listen to Christ.

Hold fast to Christ…

ever and always.

And may your life—your words, thoughts, and deeds—ever and always be a glorious reflection and manifestation of the life-giving Son who calls you, leads you, protects you, provides for you, and even dwells within you.

Basically, when people look to and listen to you, may they see and hear Christ, who dwells within you.

May the brilliance of Christ’s glory and life and peace be unveiled through you.

To Him alone be all glory, praise,

and honor…AMEN.

Pastor Reed

The Caller The Caller The Caller The Caller ---- February, 2018February, 2018February, 2018February, 2018 Page 2

Immanuel Ev. Lutheran Church TREASURER’S REPORT Please refer to your annual report.

“If you have any questions, please feel free to call Treasurer, Cindy Lindeman at 320.328.4064.”

ANNUAL VOTER’S MEETING SUNDAY, JANUARY 21, 2018 [FOLLOWING OUR WORSHIP SERVICE]

IMMANUEL EVANGELICAL LUTHERAN CHURCH, BROWNTON, MN.

Meeting was called to order by Chairman, David Geier with 84 members present. Pastor Reed opened with prayer. Agenda approved as presented. Correction to Annual Report, page 9 at the bottom. $6,404.17 at the bottom of the page belongs with the Ladies Aid report, not the cemetery report. Secretaries minutes from October 22, 2017 (separate sheet) MMSC to accept. Treasurer’s Report (pages 2-4 of annual report) by Cindy Lindeman; MMSC to accept. Trust Fund Treasurer’s Report (pages 4-5 of annual report)-MMSC to accept. Board of Deacons: (Report on pages 1 & 2 of annual report). Membership Change: Transfer out: Erin (Wolter) Klemz to Glory of Christ Lutheran, LCMS, Plymouth, MN. MMSC to accept. Board of Trustees: Report by Dean Zimmerman (annual report on page 5); MMSC to accept report. Board of Education: page 7 of annual report; MMSC to accept. Noah’s Ark Preschool (page 6 of annual report) by Director/Teacher, Vicki Herrmann

Adopt a student-program working well and able to help a family in need this school year. Suggestion to check with your work place to see if they have any program for donating to charities. Raffle fund raiser coming up soon, if you have items to donate, please turn them in soon. MMSC to accept report Old Business:

Auditing committee met on January 17. Ginette Schwarze, Robert Heil, Roger Draeger; Reports looked in order and were approved. MMSC to accept.

Thank you for submitting reports for annual report, and to Janel Zimmerman for compiling the report. On-line giving- cost of $315 in 2017. $20 a month, flat fee plus a nominal fee for each transaction. Not many people

utilizing this option. It was decided to try to promote the service including information on Facebook as well as information sent home with Sunday school children. Voters were encouraged to share with family members that may not be aware of the program.

A question about whether the newly formed anniversary committee and budget committee have met yet. They have not but intend to meet soon.

New Business:

Election of Officers Results with additional information: Deacons, Doug Fegley, Joseph Schuch, outgoing, Arden Alsleben, Byron Bussler; Head Usher, [Nathan Zellmann moves to Head]; outgoing, Lance Bussler; Assistant Head Usher, Andrew Jahr; Trustee, Glenn Alsleben, outgoing Ronald Von Berge; Board of Education, Stacy Zellmann, outgoing Jennifer Knick; Treasurer’s Apprentice, Jerald Zaske, [Donald Albrecht moves to Treasurer], outgoing Cynthia Lindeman; Cemetery Board, Adrian Bipes, Gary Henke, Glenn Farenbaugh, outgoing Wade Klabunde, Clarence Schatz, James Sondergaard; Financial Secretaries, Vicki Klabunde, Sheila Bussler, Mark Radke, outgoing, Carol Graupamm, Carolyn Heil, Kathy Nordby; MMSC to destroy ballots.

Salary Adjustments: 2% to Pastor Reed; 1% to Preschool Teacher, Vicki Herrmann; 1% to Church Office Secretary, Diane Harbarth; 1% to Church Custodian, Deb Zellmann

Congregational Intended Mission Giving – Recommendation by council to continue with $1000 monthly commitment with $800 to Missouri Synod and $200 to Noah's Ark Preschool MMSC to accept.

District Synod Convention, June 21st-23rd, Representative, Mark Mathwig, Alternate, Randall Lindeman MMSC to accept.

Recess to allow Cemetery Board to conduct their meeting. MMSC to adjourn. Pastor Reed closed with a prayer. Secretary, Marsha Jahr

Potluck Dinner was served in the dining room after the meeting. Chicken was purchased by the congregation. Thank You to everyone involved in donating, serving, and clean –up!


Please be at church: 15 minutes before service.

IF you cannot find anyone to help you out by exchanging, you may call

Nathan Zellmann, 320.894.8375 or the (church office: 1.320.328.5522 ext.10)

&

February 4th Ushers, Ashley Ribar, Austin Thompson; Acolytes, Callie Klabunde, Caleb Lindeman

11th Ushers, Jasmine Knick, Hayden Berge; Acolytes, Heather Benson, Megan Becker

14th

Ushers, Gage Alsleben, Cole Duehn; Acolytes, Cadance Knick, Taryn Zellmann

18th

Usherettes, Kasidy Cacka, Kaitlyn Uecker; Acolytes, Brianna Matheny, Levi Silfverston

21st Ushers, Dylan Kucera, Jessica Headlee; Evan Battcher, Michael Headlee

25th Ushers, Josh Heil, Jaden Uecker; Acolytes, Luke Radke, Darrin Uecker

28th Ushers, Lane Miller, Kaleb Templin; Acolytes, Alyssa Zellmann, Jasmyne Steinberg

March 4th Usherettes, Morgan Chmielewski, Jasmine Knick; Acolytes, Christian C., Dylan Rennecke

7th Ushers, Brayden Goebel, Dylan Kucera; Acolytes, Nicole Duehn, Abigail Radke

Website for Immanuel: www.immanuellutheranbrownton.org

Mission Statement of Immanuel Lutheran Church, Brownton

“Immanuel Evangelical Lutheran Church is a fellowship of believers in Jesus Christ seeking to nurture individuals and families in their Christian faith, teaching them a caring ministry to each other, our community and the world

by sharing the message of Jesus through word and deed.”

QR Code for mobile electronic giving.

Immanuel Lutheran invites you to consider our electronic giving program as a way to

automate your regular weekly offerings. Electronic Giving is convenient for you and

provides much-needed consistency for our church. There is no cost for you to partici-

pate. We encourage you to set up a schedule of recurring contributions. Even when

travel, illness or other circumstances prevent you from attending services this program

will allow your weekly offerings to continue on an uninterrupted basis. Check out the

website: www.immanuellutheranbrownton.org, click on the online giving.

Thrivent Members: 2017 Choice Dollars Expire on March 31st!

Remember to do this before this deadline! Giving back has always been important to Thrivent and our

members, and the Thrivent Choice® program provides eligible participants the opportunity to

recommend where to distribute [Immanuel Lutheran and Noah’s Ark Preschool] some of Thrivent’s

charitable outreach funds. Encouraging eligible benefit members to direct Choice Dollars® is a great

way to make a difference in your church. Two easy options for directing Choice Dollars® are: online

www.Thrivent.com/thriventchoice or call: 800.847.4836 and say “Thrivent Choice” at the prompt.

Lent is like a long “retreat” during which we can turn back into ourselves and listen to the voice of God

… using the arms of faith: prayer, listening to the word of God and penance. In this way we will be able

to celebrate Easter in truth, ready to renew the promises of our baptism. Lent is like a long “retreat”

during which we can turn back into ourselves and listen to the voice of God … using the arms of faith:

prayer, listening to the word of God and penance. In this way we will be able to celebrate Easter in

truth, ready to renew the promises of our baptism. Lent begins Ash Wednesday, February 14th.

Quilting Reminder: Thursday mornings: February 1st & 8th, 9 a.m. in our dining room.

Anyone is welcome to come and help!

Noah’s Ark PreschoolNoah’s Ark PreschoolNoah’s Ark PreschoolNoah’s Ark Preschool

Noah’s Ark Preschool Director and Teacher, Vicki Herrmann, 320.328.5325 or her cell 320.510.2726


Lenten Devotions from Lutheran Hour Ministries: Silent Witnesses

Each year Lent directs our thoughts to the life, suffering and death of the Savior. It’s a time for devout

reflection on what Jesus endured on our behalf and especially what He won for us: salvation through

His triumphant resurrection. Did you ever wish that you could have been there at Jesus’ passion? Imagine

what it would be like: to hear the crowds shout “Hosanna!” as Jesus rode into Jerusalem; to smell and

taste the feast at the Passover; to see Jesus carrying His cross to Golgotha or to touch the nail-wounds in

Jesus’ hands when He rose from the dead. We cannot do that, but the men and women who were

eyewitnesses of these eents have left their testimony in the pages of the Gospels. John tells us, “These are

written so that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that by believing you may

have life in his name” (John 20:31). But there were silent witnesses too—objects, animals, and places

that played a part during key moments of Jesus’ suffering, death and resurrection. We find them in the

pages of the Gospels as well. Though they cannot speak, they can show us something of His love and

mercy toward us. Lenten devotional booklets will be available for the taking.

Lutheran Hour Speaker:

Rev. Gregory Seltz

It’s Registration Time! A $40 non-refundable registration fee is due in order to hold a spot for your

child. Current students and Immanuel members may begin registering on Friday, February 23rd.

Siblings of current or past students may begin to register on Monday, February 26th and the general

public may register beginning on Friday, March 2nd. Out of fairness to everyone, no early registrations

will be taken! Any delinquent tuition or van fees must be paid before registration will be accepted.

Forms will be available as in the past on the large table in the Narthex and on the Preschool door.

Any questions, need to be directed to Vicki.

VAN DRIVERS ARE ALWAYS NEEDED!

Please consider helping out our Preschool, if you can, by becoming a van driver for the school year!

Contact Vicki and she will work it out with YOU!

February 4th

“Lift up your eyes on high and see: who created these?” Guest Speaker: Rev. Dr. Dale A. Meyer

There’s much in science that witnesses to God. Dr. Meyer says telescopes and microscopes can further

evangelism more than soap boxes. (Isaiah 40:21-31 (The almighty God of all creation).

February 11th

“Was Blind, But Now I See” Speaker Emeritus of The Lutheran Hour: Rev. Dr. Ken Klaus

Would you rather be blind or visioned? That’s an easy one. But, how does a spiritually blind person

become seeing (2 Corinthians 4:3).

February 18th

“Pay Attention to What You Hear” (Mark 4:24) Guest Speaker: Rev. Dr. Dale A. Meyer

Lent calls us to take deep into our being the life-changing words of God. The result? Obedience, changes

in desires, and blessings. (James 1:12-18).

February 25th

“Living and Dying” Speaker Emeritus of The Lutheran Hour: Rev. Dr. Ken Klaus

Looking at sinful mankind, Jesus found what he was willing to die, and to live for. Are we willing to do

the same? Romans 5:1-11).



Stewardship “A Church Family” Stewardship “A Church Family” Stewardship “A Church Family” Stewardship “A Church Family”

The Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod defines stewardship:

“Christian stewardship is the free and joyous activity of the child of God

and God’s family, the church, in managing all of life and life’s resources

for God’s purposes.”

Maturing stewards do the right thing for the right reasons.

It’s a time when we take stock of

the year past in order to improve

the year to come. It’s a time when

we sit down to plan and implement

what we want to accomplish and

even change. Part of that is

planning our stewardship for the

coming year. Often we find this

difficult and daunting and even

joyless. But it doesn’t have to be.

In fact, it is really quite simple and

full of joy. So here are some tips to

make that planning less stressful.

You begin by answering these

three questions: Who are you? To

whom do I give? And how much?

So, who are you? The Table of

Duties in the Small Catechism

informs us. Are you a hearer of

God’s Word? Are you a citizen of

society? Are you a member of a

family? Stewardship covers these

three estates: church, society,

family. We don’t particularly

struggle to give to society or

family. Our struggles, our

difficulties and our questions arise

in giving to the church.

So what is our duty as members of

the church in regard to giving?

The Table of Duties, again, gives

us a guide. If you are a hearer, a

member of the church who

receives instruction, St. Paul

taught: “Anyone who receives

instruction in the word must share

all good things with his

instructor” (Galatians 6:6). This

means the local congregation is

primary.

How much do we give to the local

congregation? Our only instructions are

these: to give

regularly, (1Corinthians 6:1-2),

proportionally, (1Corinthians 16:1

-2; 2Corinthians 8:12), and

generously, (2Corinthians 8:20) of

our first fruits (Genesis 4:4;

Proverbs 3:9; Leviticus 27:30)

with a spirit of eagerness

(2Corinthians 9:2),

earnestness (2Corinthians 8:7),

cheerfulness (2Corinthians 9:7),

and love (2Corinthians 8:23).

In other words, giving to the

church is not to be an

afterthought, given after

everything else is spent. In this

way, it is deliberate. We give

regularly—weekly, bi-weekly,

monthly quarterly, or yearly—

keeping in mind our own

strengths, weaknesses, and

limitations. We set it aside

beforehand—before anything else

is spent.

And how are we to give it? We give

it with eagerness and earnestness.

We give it cheerfully and with

love, not out of compulsion. For

through the preaching of the

gospel and the administration of

the sacraments, God has made us

His children, forgiven us all our

sins, given us grace upon grace,

promised us life everlasting with

Him in His kingdom, and filled us

with His own Spirit, the Holy

Spirit. This makes giving a joy, as

Jesus said, “It is more blessed to

give than to receive” (Acts 20:35).

It’s that easy. And it is joyful. For

in stewardship, our gracious and

giving Lord invites us to take part

in the work that He accomplishes

here on earth, providing for the

ongoing preaching of the gospel as

well as those who are in need.

Taking part in that makes all our

work holy—work that is done in

service to the Lord as priestly

members of His kingdom.

Thinking about stewardship

Christians give to the Lord

because they are grateful. The

giving of themselves in totality -

body, mind, spirit, talents, time

and material resources - is the

Christian way of expressing their

thankfulness to God for all that

they have. Responding to the

immeasurable love and grace of

God, dedicated Christians open

their hearts and hands toward

God in a spirit of appreciation and

love. The NewsletterNewsletter


Coming Events [please note]

Sunday, February 4th

9 a.m. Worship Service

Holy Communion

Lent Begins:

Ash Wednesday, February 14th

Note time change: Lenten Suppers at 5:30 p.m. This is to accommodate the

Confirmation Class meeting in

our dining room until 5:15 p.m.

5:30 p.m. Lenten Supper

served by The Youth

Tater Tot Casserole

6:30 p.m.

Lenten Worship

Holy Communion

7:30 p.m. Deacons meet

Wednesday, February 21st


served by The Preschool

Crock Pot Lasagna

6:30 p.m. Lenten Worship

Sunday, February 25th

9 a.m. Worship Service

Holy Communion

Wednesday, February 28th


FAITH Group

Spaghetti Bake and MORE!

6:30 P.M. Lenten Worship

Midweek Lenten Services, 2018

Theme- “Lamb of God, Pure and Holy”

All Wednesday Worship Services at 6:30 p.m.

[all liturgy will be on our projection screen]

Ash Wednesday, February 14th

“The Pure and Holy Lamb of God” [1 Peter 1:18-19]

Wednesday, February 21st

“The Crucified Lamb of God” [1 Corinthians 1:21-25]

Wednesday, February 28th

“The Patient Lamb of God” [1 Peter 2:21-24]

Wednesday, March 7th

“The Lowly Lamb of God” [Philippians 2:5-11]

Wednesday, March 14th

“The Lamb of God Who Bears Our Sin Away” [Genesis 22:7-8, 13-14]

Wednesday, March 21st

“The Lamb of God Who Suffered Scorn” [Psalm 22:6-8]

Maundy Thursday, March 29th

“The Lamb of God Who Has Mercy On Us” [Exodus 12:1-7]

Sunday, January 28, Incoming and Outgoing Officers Receiving Holy Communion.

Thanks to all for your service.

Non - Profit Org. U.S. Postage PAID

Brownton, MN

Permit No. 2

Immanuel Ev. Lutheran Church

The Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod

Pastor: Rev. R. Allan Reed

700 Division St.

P. O. Box 147

Brownton, MN 55312-0147

Return Service Requested

A Monthly Newsletter of Immanuel Ev. Lutheran Church

700 Division St. P.O. Box 147, Brownton, MN 55312-0147 www.immanuelbrownton.org

Pastor’s Office and Church Office: 320.328.5522—please use extensions for voice-mails! Noah’s Ark Preschool: (Vicki Herrmann) 320.328.5325

Publication by Church Office Secretary, Diane Harbarth

Documents

“Peace Unveiled” Lord bless you and keep you. · “Peace Unveiled” Lord bless you and keep you. Does the peace of Christ—the very glory of His light, His life, His grace,