May 2013 Volume 53, No. 5

THE MIGHTY MESSENGER

“The Mystery of Marriage”

The month of May is known for marriages. I don’t have any weddings to perform on my calendar for May

at this point, but my guess is that you’ve got one to attend or to plan. Either way, many people have

marriage on the mind these days because of the current Supreme Court debate (and indeed the debate at

many of the water coolers in our country) over the definition of marriage. I need to say up front that this

just strikes me as wrong. I understand the concern in this country that we would have “liberty and justice

for all,” but the definition of marriage doesn’t seem like it should be something that is up for grabs,

especially by the government.

Marriage has, in fact, already been clearly defined by God. When our Lord Jesus Christ was asked a

question about marriage, He immediately referred people back to God’s original design and intention when

He first made people and put them into the garden of Eden. “Haven't you read” Jesus said “that at the

beginning the Creator 'made them male and female?'” referring to Genesis 1:27 (see also Mark 10:6).

Often people who have a more complicated definition of gender, like to say that God made them that way.

But the definition of how God made people is not determined by how we feel, or who we are attracted to,

but rather by God’s creative order as it is spelled out for us in the Bible (see Genesis 1-2).

When we forget or ignore God’s design, we end up making marriage into something quite different than

what God intended. When I was a kid, the little rhyme (or taunt) that we would say to a friend who was

infatuated with another was, “first comes love, then comes marriage, then comes (supply name here) in the

baby carriage.” While it was intended to make fun of someone who had a crush on someone else, it

assumed the proper order in which God intended romantic relationships. But unfortunately, our current

culture often gets it wrong. Many babies come from something less than love, and often before the

marriage. In 1960, 68% of all twenty-somethings were married, but now it’s down to about 25%. So today

over 40% of all children born in the United States are born out of wedlock, and over half of all American

women under 30 who give birth to a baby are unmarried.

Granted, we live in a fallen world where things are now far from the way God intended them originally.

All of us now, by nature, are contaminated through and through with sin. The original sin of the first

married couple (Adam and Eve) has been passed on to all of us so that much of the image of God in which

they were once made has been lost. But we continue to celebrate in this Easter season that God in His great

love for us did not want to leave us in this deadly condition. He chose to have His Son, Jesus Christ, atone

for the sin of the whole world with His death and resurrection, and thereby to reconcile us to Himself.

Jesus, as a kind of second Adam, made up for the failings of the first Adam and suffered in our place the

death penalty that our sins deserved (see Romans 5:14-21). It is in this selfless sacrifice of our Savior that

we see what love is really all about (see I John 4:10).

Amazingly, God chooses to illustrate this great love to us through His institution of marriage. God says,

“Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ loved the church and gave Himself up for her to make her holy,

cleansing her by the washing with water through the word, and to present her to Himself as a radiant

church, without stain or wrinkle or any other blemish, but holy and blameless. In this same way, husbands

ought to love their wives as their own bodies” (Ephesians 5:25-28). St. Paul calls this a “profound

mystery” (Ephesians 5:32). As we continue to explore things mysterious this Easter season, please join me

at 9:45 am on Sunday, May 5, in Allan Hall for a little discussion on the definition of marriage. Then on

Mother’s Day, May 12, at 9:45 am, we will have a special presentation from Thrivent on “Caring for Aging

Parents.”

THE MIGHTY MESSEN GER PAGE 2

PAGE 3 VO L UME 53. ISSUE 5

Sharing Jesus

Early each morning about 7:30 am there is the sound of a hand bell ringing in the

hallway of St. Michael Lutheran School. This is the daily call to prayer for the staff. You will find

them gathered in the hall reading a devotion and praying for any number of cares and concerns, but

especially for the ministry in which they are engaged. This prayer time begins the daily process of

sharing Jesus through the ministry of Christ for Kids Childcare and St. Michael Lutheran School. It

begins with a staff that has a relationship with the One that this ministry is all about. The teachers

begin the day with Jesus and so are ready to share Jesus.

This same practice of prayer manifests itself throughout any given day of school. On Tuesday

morning the entire school gathers in the gym to offer individual petitions of prayer, Luther’s Morning

Prayer and the Lord’s Prayer led by different classes each week. Prayer is a part of what we do each

day. Unlike many adults, the young students seem unafraid to pray out loud in front of any number of

people. Jesus is shared in prayer.

Chapel is held each Friday with a message from either Pastor Naumann, Pastor Sidwell, Pastor Couch,

our DCEY Jon Forster or the principal. It is a special time of praise and worship that connects Jesus

with children from ages 3-12. Often times the students do Scripture readings as well as lead the songs

of corporate worship. God is praised and Jesus is shared in worship.

Students are exposed to the teachings of the Bible more formally through a new curriculum by

Concordia Publishing House called One in Christ. Bible stories, practical application of Biblical truths,

Bible memorization, and a life-long love for God’s word is instilled in the students. Jesus is shared

through the Bible.

A supplemental curriculum developed by Lutherans for Life is an additional tool used across the

regular curriculum that shares the sanctity of human life. It includes such topics as God’s design for

marriage, the preciousness of life from the womb to the grave, and offers a world-view that honors

God and combats the culture of death that so pervades our society. Jesus is shared through Life.

Throughout the course of the year the students help to support many other ministries that are engaged

in sharing the Gospel. The Kalamazoo Gospel Mission, Samaritan’s Purse, Lutheran World Relief,

Lutheran Church Charities, SMLC Lamp Team, and many others have been the recipients of funds and

supplies that help further those ministries. Month-long emphases designed to support various missions

have received generous support from students and their families. Jesus is shared through giving.

Those members of SMLC that have been identified as “Shut-Ins” receive cards, letters and prayers

from students of all ages. A small note, a picture, or a card is shared to help brighten a day and warm

a heart. Jesus is shared with Love.

These are some of the ways that the school ministry is all about Jesus. Only when we arrive in heaven

will the impact of this congregation’s commitment to reaching others for Jesus through the school’s

ministry be fully known. May God continue to help us be faithful to His calling to share Jesus.

In Jesus, Greg Johnson Principal

St. Michael

Lutheran School

THE MIGHTY MESSEN GER PAGE 4

Kitchen Boot Camp

Survival Skills for Male Caregivers 101 Cooking in the kitchen is not just for Betty Crocker!

Thursday, May 9 Module 1: Meet the Kitchen 12:00—2:00 p.m. Nutrition and Food Safety Thursday, May 16 Module 2: Make and Take 12:00—2:00 p.m. Hands-on Practice Fearless Cooking Tips Thursday, May 23 Module 3: Guerilla Cooking for Survival 12:00—2:00 p.m. How to Make the Grocery Store Your Friend Fail-safe Recipes Menu Planning Graduation!

Free of charge Lunch included Free respite at Covenant during every class

To register, please contact Stephanie Davis at (269) 324-3250.

PAGE 5 VO L UME 53. ISSUE 5

Saturday, May 4 has been scheduled

by the Board of Properties for washing

windows and giving God’s house and

the school a good cleaning. We’ll be

here starting at 9:00am and hope that

many of you will come and help us out.

We promise it’ll be fun!

Covenant Senior Day Program

7211 Oakland Drive

Portage, MI 49024

PLEASE CONSIDER A SPECIAL GIFT

TO COVENANT TO SUPPORT OUR

2ND ANNUAL ART PRIZE ENTRY!

Donations can be made in memory of a loved one.

Check Facebook for Updates!

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What We Offer:

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Quick response mobile service Home visits Hospital visits

Nursing home visits

Flexible, person-centered planning

Individual goal setting

Communication and care coordination

Medical transportation

Patient advocacy

Medication reconciliation

Safety and community planning across care settings

Family services

Crisis Placement planning

Information and referrals

New Members Welcome April Recap

Evangelism Notes MAKING MIGHTY MESSENGERS FOR CHRIST

Upcoming Events The month of May has

some significant upcoming

events, which include the

following:

The Annual SMLS

Scholarship Dinner

will be held on May 11,

2013, starting at 6pm.

Come help support

scholarships and enjoy

a special meal at the

Wine Loft.

VBS Preparation -

Preparations for VBS

continue throughout the

month. Look for

volunteer opportunities

on the board near the

school office and in

each Narthex.

Confirmation Sunday

will be held on May

19th at the 11:00am

service. Come and

support the 21 men and

women who will be

confirmed on that day.

Upcoming Events

LAMP Team

Evangelism Notes MAKING MIGHTY MESSENGERS FOR CHRIST

Easter Egg Hunt Photos The upcoming LAMP mission trip is getting

closer and the Board of Evangelism would like

to introduce the different teams that are

participating this year.

This month we are highlighting the Curriculum

Team, and next month we will feature the

traveling team.

The Curriculum Team will work on preparing

the VBS materials for the upcoming trip and in

gathering the required supplies and materials

needed. They will also provide needed support

to the travel team.

Kindly keep each of the team members in your

prayers, and encourage them when you see them.

We are all very appreciative for their efforts.

Also watch in the south narthex for a list of items

needed for the trip. We will be sending some

boxes of supplies in mid June, and donations are

needed.

Your 2013 LAMP Curriculum Team

Members shown: Kathie Seufert (front left),

Julie Prentice (front right), Dana Naumann

(rear left), and Phyllis Kurlowicz (rear right).

Being on the Right Side

That which we have seen and heard we proclaim also to you, so that you too may have

fellowship with us; and indeed our fellowship is with the Father and with His Son Jesus Christ.

(1 John 1:3)

I enjoy reading the message I receive everyday from The Lutheran Hour. Many of them “hit

home” and deliver a message that I need that day. A while ago, a Lutheran Hour message

came regarding being on the “right side.”

It was the story of an older gentleman who walked to church every Sunday; he rarely failed to

show up on Sunday morning for worship. Although many congregations have a fair number of

faithful members who like to take a constitutional, which ends up with them in church, what

made this man special was the fact he was deaf. This man was so deaf he never heard a word

from any of the sermons. He was unable to appreciate the pipe organ or hear the clear

sounds of the bells or the hymns that were sung with great gusto.

Many of his neighbors wondered why the old fellow bothered.

Eventually, one of those neighbors, a non church-going neighbor, summoned up the courage

to ask this gentleman. Well, actually, he had to write his question on a piece of paper: "Why do

you spend your Sundays at Redeemer when you can't hear a word of what's going on?"

Our deaf parishioner replied with pride: "I go to church to show my neighbors whose side I'm

on!" This man understood the idea of being a servant. He was not asking his church to serve

him. He wanted to serve the Lord Jesus who had given His life for our salvation.

We are so very fortunate to have many, many opportunities to use our God-given talents to

serve our Lord in ways that will use those talents. Some faithful Christians use their talents of

listening, compassion and caring to serve their congregation as Stephen Ministers.

It is a love of the Lord and our Christian family that moves Stephen Ministers to reach out to

members of our congregation and surrounding neighborhoods to walk with people who may

be having a hard time dealing with sickness, loss, sadness and many other emotions that can

hold a person back from being happy and being themselves.

One of the reasons we do this is to show whose “side” we are on. We are on God’s “side” and

on our care receivers’ “side.”

God Bless,

Virginia Hetrick

virbhtr@gmail.com

THE MIGHTY MESSEN GER PAGE 8

PAGE 9 VO L UME 53. ISSUE 5

PAGE 10 THE MIGHTY MESSEN GER

WOMEN’S FELLOWSHIP MINISTRY

Thank You for the Service to Our Neighbor

Thank you to all for the generous donations to be used for the Ft. Custer VA Hospital inpatients. We

created 150 tray favors for the patient meal trays. They will brighten the days for so many veterans.

Thank you to Mary Wietzke for the informative program on the VA Hospital resources and programs

and to Linda Fry and Connie Chadderdon for the decorations and desserts we enjoyed.

ENJOY YOUR SPRING AND THE NICE WEATHER AHEAD.

YOUR WOMEN’S FELLOWSHIP BOARD

Activities Co-Chairs: Arla Mayhew and Diane Goetz

Treasurer: Rika Noggle

Publicity: Connie Chadderdon and Jolene Kennedy

President: June Kucks

Henderson Castle Tour & Tea

Sunday, May 5 at 3pm

Join us for a delightful afternoon with decadent desserts and tea, then take a royal snoop through the old mansion on the hill (100 Monroe Street in Kalamazoo). Tickets are $16.99 on sale between services in the south narthex. Make your reservation on the poster. See Diane Goetz for information and to purchase tickets. Invite your girl friends and / or the ladies in your family for a special outing. We will carpool from St. Michael at 2:15pm.

APRIL SHOWERS BRING MAY FLOWERS

Dig out your gardening gloves because the Youth Group is offering $15

Schrams Greenhouse gift certificates. The certificate is worth the full

$15 to you AND the Youth Group receives $4 for every certificate sold!

The Youth Group is traveling to Newark, NJ July 2013 to partner with a

local Lutheran Church to spread God's Grace, Compassion, Forgiveness &

Love to the community. Certificates available in the narthex after

services through the end of May & by contacting Jon Forster. THANK

YOU for your SUPPORT!

VO L UME 53, ISSUE 5 PAGE 11

Vacation Bible School

VBS is in need of many, many volunteers. Here is the list of needs for volunteers: Teaching the Bible lesson for 25 minutes for one or more of the following grade levels for 25 minutes per session: Kindergarten/First, Second/Third, and Fourth-Sixth. We need nine instructors. Guides: Guide a small group of children each day of VBS from site to site. Keep them safe and help during the various rotations … not teaching, just guiding. Forty (40) guides are needed. Games Leader: Coordinate games for 1st grade through 6th grade. You will have assistants. Drama Team: Voice actors in the back and actors in the front who work in conjunction with the voice actor in the back...no memorization of lines is necessary. Practice begins as soon as a team is assembled...hopefully. Need two girl voice actors, one girl actor in front, one boy actor in front, and a leader for a few days before VBS as well as VBS week. Music Assistant(s): Lead the opening and closing assemblies. If you have energy, then you are perfect! We have someone in place to lead music, but because of uncertain medical issues with a family member, we want to be certain we have a backup along with an assistant. Need one or two.

Visit the "VBS Snacks"

board in the narthex if you

can donate a snack item or

items. Take the sticky note

of the item(s) you wish as a

reminder. Place any item

you bring under the "VBS

Snacks" table. Thank you in

advance for your donation.

Snack Leader: The snacks have been determined, the list of ingredients has been displayed, and the assistants return year after year. We just need someone to coordinate each day’s snack ingredients, explain how the snack “ties into” the lesson/theme of the day, and lead the three rotations in prayer before dining. Need one leader, five assistants. Registration Workers: Monday, June 24, 8 am to 9:15 am. Need twenty (20) Nursery Workers: Care for children of VBS workers Need two (2) WORK PRIOR TO VBS: There is so much to do before VBS!!! Need abundant supply of workers. Thank you! Lorraine Dudash

What’s Happening with St. Michael

Junior & Senior Youth

The High School Youth had

their 1st Annual Skee Ball

Tournament. The winner

was Jay Koski!

Summer in New Jersey

The High School Youth servant trip to Newark, New Jersey is getting here quickly. We will be gone the second week of July (6-14) to serve with LCMS Pastor Jim Buckman as he

works to bring the good news of Christ to the immigrant families in Newark.

There are 17 young men and women signed up to serve that week, and we are asking for

your prayers as we prepare and get ready to go.

As part of our preparations, we are taking the 3-Story communication training offered

through our partnership with Youth For Christ. We are having a one-night instructional

extravaganza on Saturday, May 11. We will meet at 5 pm for the program and stay

overnight at the church.

All 8th grade through High School youth are encouraged to attend this workshop,

regardless of whether you are going to New Jersey. It is a tremendous opportunity to learn

how to communicate your faith in Christ in a way that suites your personality.

Cost is $5 per person, including dinner. Everyone is welcome, please register in advance so

we can have enough materials.

Sam Allan

Philip Champion

Madyson Cole

Reagan Edgren

Lucy Forster

Kaela Frailing

Zach Franks

Emma Frommann

Alexis Kahler

Tyler Keller

Sarah Klepser

Ally Kranstz

Isabella Metzner

Paryn Norman

Rachel Semrau

Mitchell Singer

Confirmation 2013 St Michael Lutheran Church would like to recognize and congratulate the Confirmation Class of 2013.

There are 14 young women and 7 young men who will affirm their baptismal vows at our Confirmation

Worship Service on May 19 at 11 am. Please pray for these young men and women that this would be a

step in a lifetime of faithful service to Christ, and not a graduation from learning about the blessings God

has richly granted to His children. The class of 2013 includes:

Education Notes

Sunday School and Sunday morning adult education classes end on May 19. We will have class that day, but will take the summer off and resume in September. Confirmation Classes end on May 8 with a Parent Night and class celebration. The oral exam for the 8th grade confirmands is Wednesday, May 15 at 6 pm. As we finish up, Pastor Naumann will lead two one-session adult education classes during the learning hour (9:45—10:45) on Sunday Mornings. May 5— ”What is God’s Definition of Marriage?” May 12— ”Caring for Aging Parents” Join Pastor as he explores the Biblical response to these issues.

Vacation Bible School

It may seem hard to believe, but VBS is only 8 weeks away.

Leaders are already busy planning and organizing a great

event. We are expecting over 300 children and still need

many helpers for registration, guides and helping hands.

Please see Lorraine Dudash to pray for the leaders and to

offer your service.

THE MIGHTY MESSEN GER PAGE 14

PAGE 9 VO L UME 53, ISSUE 5 PAGE 15

Michigan’s Church Extension Fund Helps Build a Future

Building a solid future for our Michigan District churches and schools is important. Building a

solid future for your family is important as well. Why not include the ministry of the Church

Extension Fund (CEF) in your investment plan and accomplish both? When you invest a portion

of God’s blessings in CEF, you create a personal stewardship ministry, while providing loan

opportunities for Michigan District organizations that want to build or expand their facilities. Call

the CEF Rate Line for this month’s rates (800.232.7313) or for more information, call us

800.242.3944 or visit www.mi-cef.org.

MAKING AN IMPACT

IN YOUR COMMUNITY

Help us help you! Together, we can make an even greater impact when we have the right people

working with our members. Our financial representatives work with Thrivent Financial for

Lutherans members to help them achieve financial security. As a result, we have the unique

ability to give back millions of dollars to the communities we serve.

How is this possible? As a not-for-profit, tax-exempt organization, the funds we would otherwise

pay in taxes are directed back to communities—like yours. That means that our members are

giving back just by taking care of their families and their financial futures.

Growing Together

As our members’ needs grow, we need to grow, too. Career opportunities as a Thrivent Financial

representative are available. Do your part in helping someone find a rewarding career with us.

The good they do will come back to you and your community.

If you or someone you know would be interested in learning more about our rewarding career

opportunities, contact: Dan Pardy, Recruiting Specialist 800-225-8558 ext. 114

Dan.pardy@thrivent.com

BIR

TH

A

NN

OU

NC

EM

EN

TS

Congratulations

Mick & Allison Hornev

on the birth of your daughter

Sophia Jane Hornev BIRTH DATE: APRIL 15, 2013

WEIGHT: 7 LBS. 13 OZ. HEIGHT: 21”

Congratulations

Josh & Tasha DeFouw

on the birth of your son

Grayson Wayne DeFouw

BIRTH DATE: APRIL 12, 2013

WEIGHT: 8 LBS. 8 OZ. HEIGHT: 19”

PAGE 16 THE MIGHTY MESSEN GER

Burnie Trimner

Ethel Kocman

Bud Leonard

Lorene Fiebig

TV MINISTRY YOU CAN TRUST! Charter Cable Channel 96

Access for Kalamazoo and Portage

30-Minute Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod worship service Produced by Lutherans for the homebound, hospitalized… Includes the Gospel, Epistle, and Sermon by LCMS pastors Music by choirs, soloists, and small groups Sun. at 4:00 pm; Mon. at 2:00 pm; Tues. at 3:00 pm; Wed. at 5:00 pm

Lutheran Ministries Media, Inc. 5 Martin Luther Drive Fort Wayne, IN 46825-4996

“Worship for Shut-Ins” Summary Sheet

May 5, 2013 – John 5:1-9

“Perfect Healing” by Rev. Paul E. Shoemaker, Emanuel Lutheran Church~New Haven, IN

The invalid at Bethesda was healed by Jesus after 38 years of waiting. While this physical

healing is a great blessing, the greatest healing is spiritual healing. God grants us this

spiritual healing by grace through faith in Jesus Christ.

May 12, 2013 – Luke 24:50-53 & Ephesians 1:19b-23

“Jesus Will NEVER Leave Us!” by Rev. Dr. Thomas R. Ahlersmeyer, Holy Cross Lutheran Church~Fort Wayne, IN

The Ascension of Jesus Christ is NOT His withdrawal from the lives of His disciples then or

now, but rather His powerful elevation to the position of King of Kings and Lord of Lords

where He continues to be with us, working in and through us.

May 19, 2013 – John 14:23-26

“Celebrate Pentecost” by Rev. James L. Elsner, Prince of Peace Lutheran Church~Stroh, IN

God poured out the Holy Spirit on Pentecost. Now, the Spirit abides with us and teaches us

to keep the Word of God.

May 26, 2013 – John 8:51-59

“No Death?” by Rev. Dr. Walter A. Maier III, Concordia Theological Seminary~Fort Wayne, IN

Because we are sinful, we by nature were spiritually dead - separated from God and under

His condemnation. But the Triune God thought of a plan of rescue, which He fulfilled.

Through faith in Christ we now "will never see death," but have life - fellowship with God -

forever.

VO L UME 53. ISSUE 5 PAGE 17

WE LOVINGLY SERVE!

THANK YOU to our TELECARE CALLERS! Every month these trained volunteers contact every household of St. Michael to endeavor to be an extension of Christ’s compassion and to be a spiritual blessing to every contact. They show concern, offer prayer and support, and make referrals as needed. If you would like to participate in this way, contact Dana Naumann at 383-1749 or Barbara Schubert at 365-9787 or email Barbara at schubertbrs@gmail.com.

St. Michael Needs:

Altar Guild Members Greeters for all services Fund Raising Coordinator for

Board of Youth People to contact Sunday

church visitors Lesson Readers for the

Sunday services

Contact Jan Jett at the church office at 327-7832.

LETTERS TO

EDNA

As you may know, I am a platoon leader for the Mobility

Support Platoon of the 38th Engineer Company for 4th

Stryker Brigade Combat Team, 2nd Infantry Division.

My platoon has 21 other Soldiers, all of whom are

extremely grateful for your sponsorship. Although the

package arrived in my name, the Soldiers are really the

ones who are working in extreme situations and who

deserve to have a nice treat when they come back

from mission; that’s what your package provided. It is

difficult being away from family, but knowing that

strangers around the country care enough about what

we are doing to send us a package extends our family

that much more, especially with the large box that you

sent. The Soldiers especially enjoyed the toiletries,

food, office supplies, and assortment of entertainment

items! In short, nothing lifts the spirit like “mail”!

Thanks one again for your support and generosity, for

brightening our day, and for making our life that much

easier. We would love to continue to write back and

forth. It is with sincerity and gratefulness that I again

say “Thank you”!

Regards,

Jonathan D. McCann

1LT, EN

Platoon Leader

Thank you for everything!

Sgt. Heesh Ivan

Thank you for all the support! SFC Winn

SSG Canales

Thank you so much! PV2 Flores

Thank you & God bless! SSG Nichols

Thank you! SSG Brown

PFC Johnson

SGT Murphy

PFC Mark

PV2 Rosaro

SPC Stough

PFC Lopez

SPC Chandler

PFC Veneza

PVC Lovoule

Thank you so much for your

package and card. It really

does mean a lot and the soldiers

love everything you put in the

care package. It is a joy just to

see the smiles on their faces.

We have been extremely busy

here: 24 hours on duty, 24

hours off and so on. So most of

the time we are off we are

sleeping. But the good thing is

we lose track of our days so it

seems like time has been going

by pretty quick.

Don’t worry about the kool

pops. I know its not a seasonal

item, but thanks. As for

wants/needs we enjoy

everything we get so don’t

worry. Would you thank

everyone for all of us? Take

care and write back if you

would like.

Your Friend Afar,

Laura Marmil

VO L UME 53, ISSUE 5

8/1/12-3/31/13

Church Revenue $479,882

School Revenue $483,696

Total Revenue $ 963,578

Total Expenses $ 848,792

Net Surplus (deficit) $ 114,786

Budget $ 899,042

Under/(Over) Budget $ 50,250

Avg. 2013 Attendance. . . . . . . . . . . 360

Special Offerings Since August 1, 2012:

Trust Fund $ 17,423

Church Worker Scholarship $ 395

LWR $ 1,015

Good Samaritan $ 8,882

Memorials $ 1,555

Covenant Sr. Program $ 1,080

Building Contingency $ 12,000

Mortgage Reduction $ 30,423

Mission Forward $ 35,155

School Music $ 245

Tuition Assistance $ 15,228

School Improvements $ 43,349

Quilting $ 240

Sunday School $ 251

L.A.M.P. Mission Trip $ 1,830

PAGE 18

March

Financials

Mission Forward Update

Total Committed: $668,614

Accumulative Receipts as of 4/21/13

Offerings: $628,744

Percent of Commitment Reached: 94%

Matching Funds: $41,238

Mortgage Balance: $357,479

Campbell's® soups

Campbell’s® Select Harvest® soups

Campbell’s® Microwavable soups

Campbell's® tomato juice

SpaghettiOs® Pasta (Original & Meatball)

Campbell's® beans, gravies, & canned pasta

Prego® Italian sauces

Swanson® stocks, broths & canned poultry

V8® vegetable juices

V8 Splash® beverages

V8 Fusion® beverages

V8® soups

Campbell's® tomato juice

Pepperidge Farm® breads, cookies, & frozen products

Pepperidge Farm® Goldfish® crackers

Campbell® Foodservice products

St. Michael School has collected many labels and box tops this year thanks to you. Thank you for your continued support. If you haven’t helped yet or you have more labels and box tops to give, drop

them off in the South Narthex, the childcare center, or at the school office.

We have collected 14,100 labels. With your help we are able to purchase items for our school.

Just a reminder, if you are turning in labels for education, I need the bar code to be whole or complete so that I can read it, and please cut the label as small as you can near the bar code. This makes packaging them so much easier. Also if you are turning in box tops, I must have ones that are NOT expired, the expiration date has to be visible, and any coupon box top certificates MUST be ORIGINALS not copies or expired. Thanks again to everyone who is earning us money and points! Carol Eaton

PAGE 19 THE MIGHTY MESSEN GER

Saint Michael Lutheran Church and School 7211 Oakland Drive ✝ Portage, MI 49024-4151

(269) 327-7832 ✝ Fax: (269) 327-3148

website: www.mightymessengers.org E-mail: stmike@mightymessengers.org

Staff Members, Board Directors, and Other Leaders *Paid Positions

Senior Pastor * . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Rev. Dr. Paul R. Naumann Office Hours: Tues-Fri. 9 am -12 noon E-mail Address: naumann@mightymessengers.org Director of Christian Education * . . . . . . . . . .. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Jon Forster Office Hours: Mon.-Thurs 9 am - 12 noon E-mail: jforster@mightymessengers.org Assistant Pastor *. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Rev. Jason Toman Office Hours: Wed. Noon – 4:30 pm Church Secretary * . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Kim Beaubien, Marianne Wiersma Director of Ministry Operations * . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Jan Jett Office Hours: Mon-Fri 8:00 am-3:00 pm School Principal/Teacher * . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Greg Johnson Saint Michael Lutheran School - Kindergarten Teacher * . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Brenda Heintz Saint Michael Lutheran School - First Grade Teacher * . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Barbara Schubert Saint Michael Lutheran School - Second Grade Teacher * . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Annie Buchanan Saint Michael Lutheran School - Third Grade Teacher * . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Julie Prentice Saint Michael Lutheran School - Fourth Grade Teacher * . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Lisa Lam Saint Michael Lutheran School - Fifth/Sixth Grade Teacher *. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Emily Manack Saint Michael Lutheran School - Seventh/Eighth Grade Teacher * . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Jessica Lonc Saint Michael Lutheran School - Secretary * . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Sharon Robinson Christ for Kids Childcare Director * . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Emily Newkirk Technology Coordinator * . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Ryan Williams Sextons* . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Brian Chapman, Bud Hetrick Stephen Ministry Leaders. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Carol Conklin, Pastor & Dana Naumann, Arlan Wendzel and Virginia Hetrick Stephen Ministers . . . Zoe Miller, Jenny Wedel, Lynne Wendzel, Nonie Knight, Heather Bigelow, Ailene Buchtrup, Christine Boone, Bud Hetrick, Carolyn Freeman, Barbara Williams, Kelley McNees, Mara Kudelski President . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Rich Conklin Vice President . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Matt Heintz Board of Lay Ministry Director . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Rob Kuhlman Sound & Lighting Technician . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Vacant Prayer Ministry Coordinator . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Vacant Recording Secretary . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Peggy Makowski Treasurer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Sandi Champion Financial Secretary . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Brad Hunter Newsletter/Bulletin Publications * . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Marianne Wiersma Board of Parish Education Director . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Vacant Sunday School . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Vacant Adult Education . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Shannon Hogue Vacation Bible School . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Lorraine Dudash Board of Early Childhood & School Ministries Director . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Rob Sullivan / Chris Stolsky Board of Evangelism and Missions Director . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Vacant Cradle Roll . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Cindy Hunter Board of Parish Fellowship Director . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Vacant Women’s Fellowship Chair . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .June Kucks Board of Church Properties Director . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Howard McNees Board of CELL Group Ministry . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Lindsey Luma Covenant Senior Day Program Board Director . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Paul Kurlowicz Covenant Senior Day Program Director . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Lauren Fitzmaurice Board of Stewardship Director . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Mark Chilcott Volunteer Ministry Committee Chair . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Vacant Board of Youth & Young Adult Ministry Director . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Theresa Krieger Senior High Youth Group Leaders . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Jeff Burnett, Jerry Kuss, Emily Manack, Jon Forster Junior High Youth Group Leaders . . . . . . . . . .. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Jeff Burnett, Jerry Kuss, Jon Forster

7211 Oakland Drive Portage, MI 49024

St Michael Lutheran Church

Church Phone: 269-3277832 School Phone: 269-327-0512 Fax: 327-3148 stmike@mightymessengers.org

RETURN SERVICE REQUESTED

NON-PROFIT ORG.

U.S. POSTAGE PAID

KALAMAZOO, MI

PERMIT NO. 5

DATED MATERIAL

Our Mission at St. Michael Lutheran Church is to make disciples of our Lord Jesus Christ by building up one another in the faith and

reaching out to others with the Gospel.

We call this “Making Mighty Messengers for Christ.”

May 2013 MAY 2 — NATIONAL DAY OF PRAYER, NOON-1PM MAY 5 — WOMEN’S FELLOWSHIP MINISTRY HENDERSON CASTLE TEA & TOUR, 3PM MAY 11 — SMLS TUITION ASSISTANCE DINNER AT THE WINE LOFT, 6PM MAY 12 — MOTHER’S DAY MAY 19 — DAY OF PENTECOST

* CONFIRMATION SUNDAY, 11:00AM MAY 26 — ARMED FORCES SUNDAY (11:00 SERVICE MOVES TO 10:30) MAY 27 — MEMORIAL DAY JUNE 5 — 8TH GRADE GRADUATION, 7PM