The Messenger the newsletter of

Immanuel Lutheran Church & University Student Center (ILCUSC)

Vol. 21 No. 5 www.immanuellawrence.org May • 2017

FROM THE PASTOR Dear Members, Associates, and Friends of ILCUSC: After the Nehemiah Action Assembly on March 30 at the Lied Center, editorials appeared in the Lawrence Journal-World accusing some of the Justice Matters speakers of “shaming and bullying.” Justice Matters had invited the members of the County Commission and the school board of USD 497 to attend the event. None of these elected officials chose to attend. I find it somewhat strange that elected officials would not have chosen to rearrange their schedules to attend an assembly of approximately 1,500 voters or, at the very least, send a representative! To express our dissatisfaction with the choice of our officials not to attend, we listed their names, phone numbers, and email addresses, asking those attending to contact their officials with the message, “Wish you were here!” By the way, the names, phone numbers, and email addresses are public knowledge. In addition, we placed two empty chairs on the stage to emphasize their absence. When will we, in all our political correctness, stop crying that criticism is “shaming”? When will we discontinue calling a difference of opinion “bullying”? Jesus, our Lord and Savior, the one whom you and I claim to be the sinless Son of God, addressed the scribes and Pharisees, the religious rulers of his day, in very unflattering terms. Have we forgotten his words?

“But woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you lock people out of the kingdom of heaven. For you do not go in yourselves, and when others are going in, you stop them. Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you cross sea and land to make a single convert, and you make the new convert twice as much a child of hell as yourselves” (Matthew 23:13-15). “Woe to you, blind guides…You blind fools! . . .How blind you are!” (Matthew 23:16, 17, 19). “Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you tithe mint, dill, and cumin, and have neglected the weightier matters of the law: justice and mercy and faith. It is these you ought to have practiced without neglecting the others” (Matthew 23:23).

Do Jesus’ words sound like “shaming and bullying”? If we read

Continued on page 5

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

2 Immanuel Lutheran Church & University Student Center

Immanuel Lutheran Church & University Student Center Church Council Meeting March 13, 2017

Date: 3/13/2017 Start Time: 6:30 p.m. End Time: 7:35 p.m.

Present: Vern Bartels, Lori Bichsel, Tammie George, Ann Hossler, Jane Hoyt, Dudley Karstensen, Rick Lucas, Kelly Rector, Sandra Studley, and Pastor Randy Weinkauf.

Absent:

Visitors: Tim Hetzler

Call to Order: President Lori Bichsel called the meeting to order at 6:30 p.m.

Opening Prayer: Pastor Randy opened the meeting with a prayer.

Approval of Minutes: Tammy moved and Kelly seconded a motion to accept the minutes with changes. The motion passed unanimously.

Treasurer’s Report: Vern Bartels gave the report. He gave information about the possibility of moving Immanuel’s bank accounts to University Bank. Tammie moved and Jane seconded a motion to go ahead with the change. The motion passed unanimously. The budgeted money to support missionaries has not been dispersed because the missionaries we were supporting have returned to the States. We decided to wait until the district decides about missionary support before making a decision for Immanuel regarding same.

Statistical/Parochial Report: The statistics sheet had a number of errors so it will be republished.

Pastor’s Report: See report.

Church Calendar Updates: There were no changes reported. Sandra moved and Tammie seconded a motion to approve the calendar. It passed unanimously.

Committee Items

Board of Spiritual Affairs: Sandra spoke briefly that the committee is considering some new initiatives.

Board of Educational Ministries: See report.

Board of Outreach: Dudley confirmed that his group would bring food for the potluck on March 22.

Board of ILCUSC Services:

The vacancy of chairperson on the Property and Grounds Committee was discussed. Tammie had a list of members who have already been asked, but turned down the position. We came up with a short list of other members to call. David Lahm will do the calling since he can easily answer questions about the position. We are grateful to David for his efforts.

Old Business: The Property and Grounds matter and Lenten meals were discussed. April 30

is a 5

th Sunday. We

talked about making sure that there would be plenty of main dish food, so A-M will bring main dishes. Jane and Lori said they would come early that day to set up.

Lori provided details on arrangements for the 5K run. We talked about t-shirts and using ham radio operators along the route as possibilities.

New Business: We discussed possibilities for celebrating the 500

th anniversary of Martin Luther. The churches in

Topeka are having a multi-church service. We have been invited, but we decided that accepting as a church was not practical, although individuals can certainly attend. Pastor Randy wondered if we should have one service. Tim is going to check to see if a large venue at KU is available.

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

Adjournment: Pastor Randy closed the meeting with prayer.

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

Respectfully submitted, Jane Hoyt, Secretary

Pat & Deb McCandless 2

Leah & Corey Taylor 10

Scott & Mandy Sponholtz 12

Vance & Marsha Schwyhart 12

Lyle & Sharon Hettinger 14

David & Hallie Nation 17

Rev. Randy & Nancy Weinkauf 18

Virgil & Jan Dean 18

Alysa & Erik Baker 20

Brian & Stephanie Stapleton 20

Baek & Miranda Souvannavong 23

Stephen & Kim Legler 23

Dick & Shirley Bivens 27

Immanuel Lutheran Church & University Student Center 3

Budget & Expenses Total Yearly Budget

Current March

Year-to-Date Jan—Mar 2017

General Offerings $376,366 $32,782 $95,958

Building Use $885 $25 $625

Other income $940 $0 $75

Total Gen. Receipts $378,191 $32,807 $96,658

Total Gen. Expenses $378,191 $30,221 $89,323

Net Income (Loss) $0 $2,586 $7,334

OFFERINGS GENERAL DESIGNATED

Ash Wednesday $859

Mar. 5 $9,583 $1,067

Mar. 12 $7,059 $540

Mar. 19 $7,575 $96

Mar. 26 $8,566 $207

Total $32,782 $1,909

New Staff

Fund Balance

$52,956

New Staff

Fund Goal,

$70,000

MARCH 2017

MORTGAGE PAYMENT $ 2,731

MORTGAGE INTEREST $ 847

MORTGAGE PRINCIPAL $ 1,884

EXTRA MORTGAGE PAYMENT $ 1,105

MORTGAGE BALANCE $ 185,350

May Birthdays Delisa Drewes 1

Nick Wood 1

Alison Young 1

Charles Maples 1

Vernon Bartels 3

Mark Crabtree 4

Scott Sponholtz 5

Jack Landgrebe 6

Brian Stapleton 6

Vicki Kubota 7

Jennica Mosier 8

Garry Fister 9

Amalie Stone 9

Eric Babb 10

Lew Llewellyn 11

Stephanie Pfannenstiel 11

Lynn Krusemark 12

Tyler Deterding 12

Stella Mosier 12

Alan O'Neal 13

Jaycie Thaemert 13

Anne Ferguson 14

Maria Pope 14

Laurie Powell 14

Kyle Deterding 16

Rosalee Neibarger 18

Luke Lewis 18

Kristie Rock 19

Lyle Hettinger 20

Cora Stone 20

Isaac Mosier 21

Eric Wittman 24

Saveia Cochran 25

Rev. Will Main 26

Marissa Pope 26

Zachary Signor 26

Sheri Crabtree 28

Maksim Smith 28

Maxine Brody 28

Diane Miller 29

Dudley Karstensen 29

Arya Schwermann 31

4 Immanuel Lutheran Church & University Student Center

Immanuel Luther an

Easter breakfast was a hit! IFLY thanks you for enjoying breakfast with our youth and supporting our ac-tivities. Proceeds from this year's breakfast totaled $816.50 and will be used to help support youth attending the 2019 National Youth Gathering in Minneapolis, MN. We especially thank Thrivent Financial for our $250 Thrivent Action Grant. Thank you again for supporting our youth and encouraging their walk with Christ!

Collecting School Supplies for local

schools— School supplies are currently being sold at “close out” prices in many stores. We are collecting supplies in a box marked School Supplies which will be available April 16 – May 28 in the coat rack area near Pastor Randy’s office. We will store these supplies and collect more this summer for the Fall 2017 school year. Thank you, the Social Ministry Committee.

Habitat for Humanity— “Seeking to put God’s love into action, Habitat for Humanity brings people together to build homes, communities and hope.” This is Habitat’s mission, and we can help. The nail drive for this year’s Faith Build home (1905 E 17 th) is Saturday, May 6, at 9:00 a.m. Set'em Up Jack's is providing all the meals this time, but you can join Im-manuel’s crew and help with construction. Our work day is May 20 from 9:00 to 3:00. We would like to have 15 people on the job site; they must be at least 16 years old and in “close -toed shoes.” For more information, please contact Seth Studley (766 -5509), ILC’s liaison to

Lawrence Habitat for Humanity, or sign up in the narthex .

Vacation Bible School— Mark your calendars: “Maker Fun Factory," our Vacation Bible School theme, will be held on July 10-13. Your children won't want to miss this fun-filled event where they will learn that they are "Created by God; Built for a Purpose." Watch the bulletins for upcoming announcements regarding registration, volunteer opportunities and other information. If you have questions or need more information, please contact Pam Becker at 816-868-9479.

Deaf Ministry Sign Language Mini-Lessons continue on Sundays—Mini-lessons in sign language — lasting only 10 minutes each Sunday— will be held in the Library from 9:35-9:45 a.m. The Library is located along the west wall of the Sanctuary. Those from junior -high through adult who would like to understand better what is being signed at the 8:30 service are welcome and encouraged to attend as they are able. The liturgy is signed at the first service each Sunday for Deaf Ministry committee members and for all who wish to follow the liturgy in American Sign Language. If you have any questions about Deaf Ministry at Immanuel, contact Ralph Planthold at 813-244-9733 or admiralr@aol.com.

The last Taizé service— The 2017 Lenten Taizé season concludes with the last Taizé service on April 30, at Central United Methodist Church in Lawrence. The services begin at 6 p.m., featuring sung and chant-ed prayers, meditation, a period of silence, liturgical readings, and icons.

Family Promise— If you are looking for an opportunity to turn "love" into "action" and receive a real blessing in return, please consider joining our Family Promise team for the next rotation. Immanuel will host up to fifteen overnight guests during the week of May 7-14. If you can help with this worthy ministry, please contact Ann Hoss-ler (305-205-3136) or Virgil Dean (785-424-5115), or watch for an email about our SignUpGenius to seize this chance to “share your food with the hungry, and give shelter to the homeless” (Isaiah 58:7).

5K Home Run— A race benefitting Family Promise will be held on Memorial Day, May 29. The race starts at 8:30 a.m. with race day registration at 7:00 a.m. at South Park in Lawrence. We need help in advertis-ing the event and we will need about 150 volunteers to help us the day of the event. Look for the flyer which has the reg-istration information and link for volunteering. Registration is open. Use sign up genius link here: https://m.signupgenius.com/#!/ showSignUp/4090E44ACAF2EA13- 5khome6 or contact Ann Hossler (305-205-3136).

Immanuel Lutheran Church & University Student Center 5

"About 20 children participated in a Lenten Workshop in conjunction with our usual Young Families gathering in April. Margaret Peterson prepared various stations where the kids dyed Easter eggs, decorated cookies, and created beautiful crafts, reminding them of Jesus and all he did for us.

earlier in the same chapter of Matthew, Jesus said, “The scribes and the Pharisees sit on Moses’ seat; therefore, do whatever they teach you and follow it; but do not do as they do, for they do not practice what they teach” (Matthew 23:2-3). Jesus recognized the authority of the scribes and Pharisees. Even so, he did speak against their actions! Jesus simply was being open and honest. I am convinced Jesus was acting in full accord with the words of Proverbs 31.

Speak out for those who cannot speak, for the rights of all the destitute. Speak out, judge righteously, defend the rights of the poor and needy (Proverbs 31:8-9).

In all our actions at the Lied Center on March 30, we were faithful to the words of Ephesians 4:14, “Speak the truth in love.” We spoke truthfully regarding the situation of non-attendance. The suggested email, “Wish you were here!” was polite. We respect the County Commissioners and the school board members of USD 497. However, we spoke up regarding their actions. Justice Matters will continue to “speak out, judge righteously, [and] defend the rights of the poor and needy” (Proverbs 31:8-9). None of us, then, should be surprised when officials from the county or school board seek to deflect the subject or change the issue. They want to focus on texts and empty chairs. The real issues, those for which Justice Matters fights, involve the lack of mental health crisis services, the shortage of affordable housing, the growing incarceration at the Douglas County Jail, children experiencing life-altering traumas, and racial conflict and inequity in the public school system. We will, we must, continue to “speak out, judge righteously, [and] defend the rights of the poor and needy” (Proverbs 31:8-9). In Immanuel’s service, Pastor Randy

From The Pastor continued from page 1.

6 Immanuel Lutheran Church & University Student Center

Ma

y 7

-14

, Fa

mily

Pro

mise, 5

:00

pm

to 7

:00a

m

Sunday

Monday

Tuesday

W

ednesday

Thursday

Friday

Saturday

1 11:00 F

aithfully Fit

Forever

6:00 Board of O

utreach

6:30 Property &

Grounds

2 6:30 Jr. Confirm

ation

3 11:00 Faithfully F

it F

orever

Co

un

cil Rep

orts D

ue

7:45 Choir R

ehearsal

4 9:30 Bible S

tudy

5:30 KU

Bible S

tudy

5 11:00 Faithfully F

it F

orever

6 8:00 Saturday M

orning

Bible C

lass

1:30-5:00 Chinese C

hurch 6:00 B

lind Ministry O

utreach

Dinner in the D

ark

7 4th S

unday of Easter

Red

Wag

on

Fo

od

C

ollectio

n

5:00 Young F

amilies

Gathering

8 11:00 Faithfully F

it F

orever

5:00 Stew

ardship Meeting

6:30 Ch

urch

Co

un

cil

9 9:00 Circuit P

astors – R

edeemer, Law

rence

7:00 Close K

nit Friends

10

11:00 Faithfully F

it F

orever

11

9:30 Bible S

tudy

Noon Q

uilting for LWR

6:00 Deaf M

inistry

12

11:00 Faithfully F

it F

orever

13 8:00 S

aturday Morning

Bible C

lass

14 5th S

unday of Easter

15

11:00 Faithfully F

it F

orever

Messen

ger articles d

ue

6:00 Board of O

utreach

7:00 Men of Im

manuel

16

6:30 Jr. Confirm

ation C

lass

17

11:00 Faithfully F

it

Forever

18

9:30 Bible S

tudy

19

11:00 Faithfully F

it F

orever

20

8:00 Saturday M

orning

Bible C

lass

21 6th S

unday of Easter

22

11:00 Faithfully F

it Forever

1:00 Ministry to the B

lind

5:15 Health &

Wellness

6:30 Eld

ers

6:30 Property &

Grounds

23

7:00 LWM

L Bible S

tudy

24

11:00 Faithfully F

it F

orever

25

9:30 Bible S

tudy

Noon Q

uilting for LWR

No

on

-6:00 AR

C B

loo

d

Drive

6:00 Deaf M

inistry

6:30 Signers of F

aith

26

11:00 Faithfully F

it F

orever

27

8:00 Saturday M

orning

Bible C

lass

28 7th S

unday of Easter

29

ME

MO

RIA

L DA

Y

--Church O

ffice Closed

30

31

11:00 Faithfully F

it F

orever

Immanuel Lutheran Church & University Student Center 7

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 MAY

USHERS Early Service

Late Service

Scott & Mandy Sponholtz / Tony Moe & Lori Bischel June Floyd

GREETERS

Early Service Late Service

Jack & Carolyn Landgrebe Lynn Krusemark

LAY CALLERS 7 Pam Becker 14 Dudley Karstensen

21 Virgil Dean 28 Jim Sylwester

READERS

Early / Late

7 Sara Deterding / Marcus Koch 14 Sandra Studley / Denise Koch

21 Crystal Moe / Diane Miller 28 Lori Bischel / Michael Grear

ACOLYTES 7 Olivia Ferguson 14 Aris Grady

21 Elly Moe 28 Abigail Hossler

COMMUNION CARE

Early / Late

7 Amy Wilson / Jackie & Kelly Rector 14 Amy Wilson / Jackie & Kelly Rector 21 Deb & Pat McCandless / Tim Hetzler

28 Deb & Pat McCandless / Tim Hetzler

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 - March 2017 Welcome new Members

Carolyn Gil

&

Nasson & Lucy Mwakatage

and son, Ray Mwakatage

Thanks, again

NONPROFIT ORG. U.S. Postage Paid

Lawrence, KS 66044 Permit No. 74

Immanuel Lutheran Church & University Student Center 2104 Bob Billings Parkway

Lawrence, KS 66049-2722

RETURN SERVICE REQUESTED

A monthly newsletter published by

Immanuel Lutheran Church &

University Student Center

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

ACTIVITY CENTER DEBT – AN ENCOURAGING TREND! As of March 31st the debt on the Activity Center was $185,350, a reduction of $8,410 since the beginning of 2017. The breakdown is as follows:

Required monthly principal payments – General Fund: $5,610

Extra monthly principal payments – General Fund: 900

Designated offerings: 285

“Grocery Bucks” refund: 1,401

Thrivent “Choice Dollars” and Smile.Amazon.com: 214

TOTAL: $8,410

Early in April Immanuel received an additional $1,400 from Thrivent. These “Choice Dollars” are what Thrivent

must give to churches or charities in lieu of paying income taxes. Sixteen members have designated the “Choice Dollars”

generated by their policies to Immanuel, which the church council, in turn, has applied to the Activity Center debt. (A

handout on the table in the narthex explains how you can do likewise.) Amazon, too, gives a percent of our purchases to

churches and charities. To learn how to do this see Smile.Amazon.com or Vern Bartels. Grocery Buck cards can be pur-

chased in the treasurer’s office between services. Approximately six percent of the card purchased is refunded to Immanu-

el. Still, a card enables you to purchase as much as if you paid cash at the store. Members can also generate funds to pay

the debt through purchases at Dillons. Its first quarter refund, which was received in April, totaled $154, representing the

purchases of 27 households. However, to assure that Immanuel receives a percent of your purchases at Dillons 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 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 the debt is paid Immanuel will be well positioned financially to call and

maintain a second staff person. Your suggestions are welcome. If you have questions please contact Jim Sylwester. Your

attention is appreciated.