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| J U N E V O L U N T E E R S THANK YOU! |
Sunday, it is your responsibility to make arrangements to trade with someone. |
June 2013 |
In His Grip,
Pastor Jeff
Pastor Jeff
Dear Emmanuel Reformed Church Family,
I cannot believe that I am writing my last newsletter article as your senior pastor. There are so many emotions coursing
through me these days but the strongest is gratitude. I am reminded of Paul’s words in the first chapter of his letter to the
church in Rome when he writes, “First, I thank my God through Jesus Christ for all of you, because your faith is proclaimed in
all the world.” These words are so true and completely appropriate for what I am feeling. First of all, I am grateful. You loved
me like family and you have loved and provided for my family. You have seen us through triumph, tragedy and the everyday
stuff of life.
However, my connection with Paul’s words in Romans 1:8 do not stop with the gratitude. I also connect with his reason for
being thankful because I have seen your faith proclaimed in “all the world”. Just this year alone the faith of Emmanuel
Reformed Church will be literally and personally proclaimed in Honduras and Jamaica as well as Whiteside County and
beyond. In the last decade, there has been hundreds of thousands of dollars raised up for global missions as well as thousands
of Mountain Dew cans and bottles of water dropped off for youth outreach and all of its has had an impact here and around
the world “In Jesus Name.” Many people have said that Morrison is going to miss our family and if that is true just think how
much more this community would miss Emmanuel Church. I attended a conference last Fall about “developing missional
communities” and the question we were asked to consider was, “If your church ceased to exist would anyone miss it?” When
considering the role of Emmanuel Reformed Church the answer is a resounding YES! The good news is Emmanuel isn’t going
anywhere and Emmanuel is far greater than my family or me. In fact the witness of this church just continues to grow and
expand. This includes my new calling! As God begins to use our family in Alexandria Bay, NY we will be bearing fruit that
Emmanuel Reformed Church has developed in us through our time here. We will be your missionaries in the northern country
of New York state.
Emmanuel Church Family, I LOVE YOU! You have been, are and always will be a precious blessing in my life. Best of all
you will continue to be the movement of God that is reaching, redeeming and loving the World in so many ways that continue
to expand and develop. Let us commit to one another as we separate to remain true the Gospel of Jesus Christ that defined
and drove our time together. Then when in glory we all shall gather again we will celebrate God’s faithfulness yet again!!
I cannot believe that I am writing my last newsletter article as your senior pastor. There are so many emotions coursing
through me these days but the strongest is gratitude. I am reminded of Paul’s words in the first chapter of his letter to the
church in Rome when he writes, “First, I thank my God through Jesus Christ for all of you, because your faith is proclaimed in
all the world.” These words are so true and completely appropriate for what I am feeling. First of all, I am grateful. You loved
me like family and you have loved and provided for my family. You have seen us through triumph, tragedy and the everyday
stuff of life.
However, my connection with Paul’s words in Romans 1:8 do not stop with the gratitude. I also connect with his reason for
being thankful because I have seen your faith proclaimed in “all the world”. Just this year alone the faith of Emmanuel
Reformed Church will be literally and personally proclaimed in Honduras and Jamaica as well as Whiteside County and
beyond. In the last decade, there has been hundreds of thousands of dollars raised up for global missions as well as thousands
of Mountain Dew cans and bottles of water dropped off for youth outreach and all of its has had an impact here and around
the world “In Jesus Name.” Many people have said that Morrison is going to miss our family and if that is true just think how
much more this community would miss Emmanuel Church. I attended a conference last Fall about “developing missional
communities” and the question we were asked to consider was, “If your church ceased to exist would anyone miss it?” When
considering the role of Emmanuel Reformed Church the answer is a resounding YES! The good news is Emmanuel isn’t going
anywhere and Emmanuel is far greater than my family or me. In fact the witness of this church just continues to grow and
expand. This includes my new calling! As God begins to use our family in Alexandria Bay, NY we will be bearing fruit that
Emmanuel Reformed Church has developed in us through our time here. We will be your missionaries in the northern country
of New York state.
Emmanuel Church Family, I LOVE YOU! You have been, are and always will be a precious blessing in my life. Best of all
you will continue to be the movement of God that is reaching, redeeming and loving the World in so many ways that continue
to expand and develop. Let us commit to one another as we separate to remain true the Gospel of Jesus Christ that defined
and drove our time together. Then when in glory we all shall gather again we will celebrate God’s faithfulness yet again!!
Ephesians 3:20-21
20 Now to him who is able to do far more abundantly than all that we ask or
think, according to the power at work within us, 21 to him be glory in the church
and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, forever and ever. Amen.
20 Now to him who is able to do far more abundantly than all that we ask or
think, according to the power at work within us, 21 to him be glory in the church
and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, forever and ever. Amen.
Our Ministry Coordinator June 2013
Dear family at Emmanuel,
"Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends." John 15:13
I was certainly reminded of these words two weeks ago as Lynelle and I along with 52 others from our YEAH group
stood at the war memorials in Washington, DC. We stood quietly remembering the sacrifices so many had made to
preserve our freedom. Each memorial poignantly reminded me that freedom does not come without sacrifice. The
Korean, Vietnam, World War II and the Iwo Jima memorials told that story in such different ways, yet were all so clear.
The memorial to Martin Luther King, Jr. reminded me of the huge sacrifice he gave by fighting for racial equality for our
African American brothers and sisters. As I looked at the huge sculpture of FDR, the lines and furrows in his face and
forehead showed the strain the war had taken on him. Each of these vividly reinforced the truth that freedom is not free.
That turned my mind to the greatest sacrifice of all. Jesus Christ willingly accepted death on a cross to offer for us the
opportunity that we might also be free. Free of the wages of sin being death, free of the guilt and burden we all possess,
free of the promise of eternal damnation. Now---because of his death and resurrection, we are able to stand as new,
clean and sanctified people. Praise God for the gift and sacrifice of His son, Jesus.
My prayer for all of us is that we might embrace fully the gift of grace that God gave us. That gift was given for each of
us---no one is refused. John 3:16: “For God so loved the world that He gave His only son that whosoever believes in
Him should not perish, but have eternal life.” How terrible we would feel if we gave someone a Christmas gift and that
person refused it! Accept God’s love, accept Jesus into your life, so we may all live as a free people who have been
washed in the blood of the Lamb.
With hope,
Rich
"Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends." John 15:13
I was certainly reminded of these words two weeks ago as Lynelle and I along with 52 others from our YEAH group
stood at the war memorials in Washington, DC. We stood quietly remembering the sacrifices so many had made to
preserve our freedom. Each memorial poignantly reminded me that freedom does not come without sacrifice. The
Korean, Vietnam, World War II and the Iwo Jima memorials told that story in such different ways, yet were all so clear.
The memorial to Martin Luther King, Jr. reminded me of the huge sacrifice he gave by fighting for racial equality for our
African American brothers and sisters. As I looked at the huge sculpture of FDR, the lines and furrows in his face and
forehead showed the strain the war had taken on him. Each of these vividly reinforced the truth that freedom is not free.
That turned my mind to the greatest sacrifice of all. Jesus Christ willingly accepted death on a cross to offer for us the
opportunity that we might also be free. Free of the wages of sin being death, free of the guilt and burden we all possess,
free of the promise of eternal damnation. Now---because of his death and resurrection, we are able to stand as new,
clean and sanctified people. Praise God for the gift and sacrifice of His son, Jesus.
My prayer for all of us is that we might embrace fully the gift of grace that God gave us. That gift was given for each of
us---no one is refused. John 3:16: “For God so loved the world that He gave His only son that whosoever believes in
Him should not perish, but have eternal life.” How terrible we would feel if we gave someone a Christmas gift and that
person refused it! Accept God’s love, accept Jesus into your life, so we may all live as a free people who have been
washed in the blood of the Lamb.
With hope,
Rich
Dear Emmanuel: By the time this newsletter hits your home we will be leaving for Jamaica in a week! We are so grateful for all the financial and prayer support that you have offered our team. The excitement is spilling over and we are so ready to experience what God has for us! Our team is leaving very early June 9 and will return late on June 15. Join us on June 2 as Emmanuel commissions the team during Sunday worship. This summer we will be staying busy with more than just the mission trip. June 23 is Youth Sunday and the YF will be in charge of the concessions stand at the 2nd Annual Emmanuel Car Show! Also, for those not attending the mission trip, YF will still meet on June 9 – so come join the fun!! Some dates to remember: June 2 – Mission Trip Commissioning June 9 – YF at 6:30 June 16 – No YF (Father’s Day) June 23 – Youth Sunday June 29 – Car Show
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Community Wide VBS will be held June 24-28 this year. If you are willing to help out, please sign up on the bulletin board in The Christ Center or contact Samantha Wiersema as soon as possible. There will be a staff meeting Sunday, June 9th after church in the Youth room. If you are signed up to help or not signed up and still wish to help, please plan on attending as this will be our only meeting before VBS. T-shirt pickup will be Sunday, June 23rd, in the Multipurpose Room after worship. This year Emmanuel is again responsible for fruit snacks for VBS. To provide enough we will be needing 400 packages of fruit snacks. There is a box in the elevator foyer to place donations. Thanks! |
Emmanuel YF
| Vacation Bible School |
| From your Pastor . . . |
Greeters
June 2 – Phil & Faye Jansma
June 9 – Harlan & Wilma Johannsen
June 16 – Corey & Tammy Johnson
June 23 – Martin & Becky Koster
June 30 – Jason & Renee Kuehl
June 2 – Phil & Faye Jansma
June 9 – Harlan & Wilma Johannsen
June 16 – Corey & Tammy Johnson
June 23 – Martin & Becky Koster
June 30 – Jason & Renee Kuehl
Acolytes
June 2 – Alethea McIlrath and Madelyn Hackbarth
June 9 – Kristen Peters and De’ja Williams
June 16 – Lauryn Kuehl and Kara Saville
June 23 – Carver Findley and Thomas Dauphin
June 30 – Anna Lindstrom and Gracyn Schmidt
June 2 – Alethea McIlrath and Madelyn Hackbarth
June 9 – Kristen Peters and De’ja Williams
June 16 – Lauryn Kuehl and Kara Saville
June 23 – Carver Findley and Thomas Dauphin
June 30 – Anna Lindstrom and Gracyn Schmidt
Ushers
June 2 – Lloyd DeShane, Becky Koster, Scott Weets
June 9 – Todd Haan, Becky Koster, Doug Temple
June 16 – Steve Hook, Becky Koster, Kasey Wiersema
June 23 – Corey Johnson, Becky Koster, Art Pruis
June 30 – Jim Landheer, Becky Koster, Jason McDearmon
June 2 – Lloyd DeShane, Becky Koster, Scott Weets
June 9 – Todd Haan, Becky Koster, Doug Temple
June 16 – Steve Hook, Becky Koster, Kasey Wiersema
June 23 – Corey Johnson, Becky Koster, Art Pruis
June 30 – Jim Landheer, Becky Koster, Jason McDearmon
Screens/DVD Operators
June 2 – Mason Muur and Jamie Rodriguez
June 9 – Dawn Bush and Tylr Dolan
June 16 – Mason Muur and Reilly Dolan
June 23 – Mike Renkes and Jacob Schlegel
June 30 – Mason Muur and Jamie Rodriguez
June 2 – Mason Muur and Jamie Rodriguez
June 9 – Dawn Bush and Tylr Dolan
June 16 – Mason Muur and Reilly Dolan
June 23 – Mike Renkes and Jacob Schlegel
June 30 – Mason Muur and Jamie Rodriguez
Nursery
June 2 – Michele VanBuren, Carla Bush, Ann Renkes, Madison Schlegel
June 9 – Ken & Carol Stralow, Kelsey Snyder, Morgan Mouw
June 16 – Linda Snyder, Nicole Reed, MaKayla Mulnix, Megan Muur
June 23 – Steve & Dar Hook, Mackenzie Ryder, Allysa Criss
June 30 – Norma Boeck, Denielle Peters, Grace Bird, Megan Sterenberg
June 2 – Michele VanBuren, Carla Bush, Ann Renkes, Madison Schlegel
June 9 – Ken & Carol Stralow, Kelsey Snyder, Morgan Mouw
June 16 – Linda Snyder, Nicole Reed, MaKayla Mulnix, Megan Muur
June 23 – Steve & Dar Hook, Mackenzie Ryder, Allysa Criss
June 30 – Norma Boeck, Denielle Peters, Grace Bird, Megan Sterenberg
Sunday, June 2nd All incoming 6th graders are welcome to join in the fun at JAM at 4:00 p.m. in the Youth Room All incoming Freshmen are welcome to join in the fun at Sr. High YF at 6:30 p.m. in the Youth Room |
Game Night! Friday July 12th @ 6:30 PM Ladies of Emmanuel, the Women’s Ministry Team invites you to an evening filled with fun and friends as we gather in the Fireside Room for Game Night! We will be playing board games of all kinds, games and snacks will be provided, or you can bring your favorite game from home. A great evening filled with faith, fun, and fellowship, is sure to be had. Look for the sign-up sheet to be posted in the Fireside Room soon. We hope to see you there. |
secretary on Tuesday, May 28th. Her regular hours will be Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. until 1 p.m. Please contact her during those hours regarding church business. (The office e-mail address will remain debe@frontiernet.net for the time being). Although Deb will remain on staff as our bookkeeper, she will only be working a couple of hours each week and should not be contacted with any other church business. Please contact Pam in the office regarding those needs. In case of emergency, please contact Pastor Jeff, Rich or an elder to assist you. |
Our coffee hours after Worship are now featuring Cloud Forest Coffee for our regular coffee. Cloud Forest Coffee is grown, harvested, washed, dried and roasted at Rancho Ebenezer, a facility that feeds, clothes, educates and houses children who have no where to go. Rancho Ebenezer is a ministry of the World Gospel Outreach (WGO) in Honduras, the same organization that our mission team traveled to in February. We will place frequent orders for more coffee. If you desire to purchase any of this coffee, please sign up on the sheet and pay into the envelope provided. Details are available there. We are all invited to help this worthy organization out. |
for Pastor Jeff and Heather McIlrath to be held on Sunday, June 16 from 1-4 p.m. in the Multipurpose Room (Gym) of the Christ Center. The McIlrath family will be moving on June 17 to Alexandria Bay, New York to begin ministry with The Reformed Church of the Thousand Isles. All are invited to attend this opportunity to wish the McIlrath family well and wish them blessings as they transition into a new calling. |
| O P E N H O U S E |
Come celebrate with us!!!
Deb Eissens for her retirement after 16 years of service in our church office. Her position as Administrative Assistant has been performed admirably and we will miss her in the office each day. To celebrate her retirement from this position, please join us for cake and fellowship immediately following Worship Sunday morning in the Multi-purpose Room of the Christ Center. A brief presentation will be held. We hope to see you all there! |
YF Mission Trip to Jamaica Dear Friends and Family, Our mission trip to Jamaica is June 9-15 and we have reached our financial goal thanks to your contributions! Thank you so much for supporting us financially. As we embark on this amazing opportunity to serve, we ask that you would also cover us in prayer. We will be keeping everyone back home up to date on our mission via Facebook (Emmanuel 2013 Jamaican Mission Trip) and the NextStep Ministries website (click on Trip Journals and search by church or by date), so you can check our blog located there and hear about our growth. Below are some specific prayer requests: • Safety during travel to and from Jamaica on June 9 and June 15 • God’s continual, tangible presence • That those in Jamaica whom we are serving will see Christ in us • Group unity • Good attitudes no matter what our circumstances • Spiritual growth |
God Bless,
Participating team members include: Jamie Rodriguez, Hilary McDearmon, Dana McCoy,
Doug Temple, Katie Tenboer, Kelsey Becker, Andy Bird, Grace Bird, Jordan Bush, Kollin
Burn, Allysa Criss, Adam Deter, Emily Hutchinson, Allie Lyons, Kyle McCoy, Ariana
Olalde, Sarah Ostrander, Madison Schlegel, Drew Screnock, Eric Sipes and Emily
Wallander
Participating team members include: Jamie Rodriguez, Hilary McDearmon, Dana McCoy,
Doug Temple, Katie Tenboer, Kelsey Becker, Andy Bird, Grace Bird, Jordan Bush, Kollin
Burn, Allysa Criss, Adam Deter, Emily Hutchinson, Allie Lyons, Kyle McCoy, Ariana
Olalde, Sarah Ostrander, Madison Schlegel, Drew Screnock, Eric Sipes and Emily
Wallander
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