THE MESSENGER
JULY 2008
_________________________________
Volume 11, No. 7
Highlights in this issue
include:
Time flies…
LASA says, “Thank you!”
Organ Notes…
Dear
Friends, 
Time sure flies, doesn’t it?
It
“gets away from us.” It “marches on.” Time “waits for no one.”
Have
you ever thought about how we speak about time? Our language betrays a rather
adversarial relationship with time. Time refuses to be captured and controlled
by us, but we sure do try!
We
try to: “manage time,” “keep time,” “make the most of the time,” “watch the
time,” “be on time,” “keep track of
time.” Time is something we imagine we either “have” or “do not have.” We wish
we could “turn back time.”
We
sometimes speak violently about time: We “kill
time,” “waste time,” “beat the clock.” It’s as though our
frustration over not being able to control or manage time ultimately turns ugly
and we want time dead!
Time
overcomes us in the end. At least it can feel that way. We succumb to its
relentless march and it goes on without us. Our relationship with time can be
burdensome and oppressive. Time feels eternal while our being can feel
temporary. But it is the other way around. Time is temporary and our being is
eternal.
People
often think of “eternal life” in terms of time, as though it has a beginning
(i.e. when we die) and as though it is an infinite amount of time. But that is
precisely what it cannot be. It is not time without end; it is the end of time.
It is life outside of time’s control. In this sense, eternal life is the same
as “abundant life,” which is what Jesus said he came to bring. And he promised it could be ours presently.
Jesus
said, “Do not worry about tomorrow, let tomorrow worry for itself.” He is
speaking to this dynamic. We worry about the future and fret about the past.
Eternal life is about finding life abundant in the very present moment, and
letting time be. This is a gift of the
Spirit.
May
God’s gift of eternal life, abundant life, become a more tangible experience in
every moment of our daily lives.
Peace,
Pastor
John
In
addition to the usual activities, the Immanuel Church Council has four special
goals for 2008. The first is to Lift up Worship for special focus and
education – I wrote about this last month. The second is Complete the revisioning process and
implement staffing structure changes – to reduce the annual budget to
an affordable level in 2009 – I am updating you monthly as the revisioning progresses.
The third goal is Launch the sports concession fundraising
project and raise $22,000 for the general fund – this is a special
effort to raise the money needed in 2008 as a transition until the Revisioning lower-cost staffing can be implemented. The fourth goal is Continue to develop stewardship.
The
congregation voted in January to balance the budget in 2008 by working stadium
concessions. It is not fair to place
this commitment on a handful of members, yet few people have agreed to help. This is a way you can contribute to Immanuel
with time rather than money. Allie Tunseth (651-699-5560) is coordinating training and work
schedules. Please call and
volunteer. If you can’t work, could you
baby sit so someone else can work? There
are day and evening shifts. If we do
this together, it can be fun! Training
sessions are scheduled for July 17th and 22nd. Work schedules are contingent upon completed
training. We are also looking for five
people to become managers, with additional training, enabling an all-Immanuel
station.
Revisioning Update
During
the last month, the Revisioning task force has
reviewed suggestions from Pastors Marboe and Bussert and ideas from neighboring
Lutheran churches as well as all the Immanuel planning documents from the past
twelve years to propose a direction for Immanuel ministry and affordable
staffing that supports the ministry.
The planning documents reviewed include the Report of the Implementation
and Oversight Committee (1997), Twelve Keys to an Effective Church (2001), and
numerous phases of the Remodeling (2002-2007).
Each of these past initiatives involved many members of the congregation
sharing their hopes and dreams for Immanuel.
The Revisioning task force is using this rich
source of congregational input plus fresh ideas from new opportunities all
around us to create a proposal that will be delivered to the Council this
summer.
Peace
and Blessings, Sue Klevan, Council President
The World is About to Turn:
For God Has Done Great
Things
This was the theme around which nearly 600
voting delegates, advisors and visitors gathered for the 2008 Saint Paul Area
Synod Assembly May 30 – 31. The worship
was meaningful, the music beautiful, and as always I know best why I am a
Lutheran whenever a large gathering of Lutherans effortlessly break out into
singing some of the best loved hymns in four part harmony.
Plenary sessions included inspiring keynote
speeches on poverty by Tony Campolo, an evangelical sociologist and theologian
from
As could have been expected, Bishop Peter
Rogness was re-elected bishop on the first ballot with 78% of the vote. There were nine additional names on the
nominating ballot.
Five resolutions were considered and adopted
with little discussion or dissention.
If you would like to read a complete report you
can go on to the synod web site at www.spas-elca.org
or call 651-224-4313.
-Pastor Joy-
Baptisms
Catherine Louise Osborne Stenberg –
June 15th
Funerals
Joe DuBay –
June 13th
LASA says THANKS!
To all who helped with
May 10th SpringFest and Flower
(Our
apologies…this list includes only those who signed in…we know there were more)
|
Penny Norquist |
Christine Danielson |
Chris Otteson |
|
Mike Tjaden |
Dorothy Dohman |
Kari Kruempel |
|
Bill Short |
Lee English |
Paul Blissenbach |
|
Jan Johnshoy |
Jeff Schmidt |
Jill Blissehbach |
|
Jim Larson |
Diane Valure |
Katie Ritchart |
|
|
Dave Hedenstrom |
Mabel Pappenfus |
|
Tara Mattessich |
Phyllis Bentley |
Jane Lilleodden |
|
Barb Columbus |
Lori Dohman |
Jo Lilleodden |
|
Ross Robey |
Kay Draine |
Dick Sarafolean |
|
Kathy Robey |
Nick Robey |
June Grounds |
|
Brianna Miller |
Sam Blissehbach |
Kate Bussert |
|
|
The
Master Gardener |
Pastor
John |
|
The
Splatter Sisters |
Russ
Edhlund and the Scouts |
Radio
Flyer Wagon Donors |
|
All
who pre-ordered flowers |
All
who picked up flowers |
|
We say a word of thanks to Pete Newburg and Thrivent
Financial for Lutherans for the initial grant to cover expenses, to Ross Robey
and family for providing great concessions, to Mable Pappenfus for organizing
the Bake Sale, to Pahl’s Market and Nursery of Apple Valley for the flowers,
and especially to Lee English and all who weathered the storms while taking the
Giant Pumpkin down in the rain.
Final numbers on proceeds to come in a subsequent
newsletter! 10% of proceeds will go to
Cherish our Children, the new ELCA national network dedicated to the prevention
of trafficking and sexual exploitation through prayer and actions.
Organ Notes
Have
you been listening to the new voice coming from the balcony? Come to the
session with Chris Wallace from Allen Organs of the Twin Cities after
worship on July 13 for an opportunity to hear more details of this
instrument, ask questions, and compare sounds with our current pipe organ.
A brief history of the organ
The current instrument
is an MP Moller organ from 1969 with about 11 ½ ranks (sets) of pipes. Sometime
before 1980, three additional ranks (sets of pipes) were added to “round” out
the sound. Further work was needed in the 1980’s to improve the organ’s
capability to lead worship, which had diminished due to ciphers (pipes sounding
by themselves), dead notes (pipes not sounding when they are supposed to),
tuning issues and structural problems. After options were considered, in the
late 1980’s the organ was rebuilt and augmented with electronic voices. In so
doing, the original chests (what the pipes sit on) were altered to function
differently and two ranks of pipes – those that play softly – became unusable.
Why do we need to do
anything with the organ?
Song is a critical part
of our worship life; it lends vitality and expression to worship. The
versatility of an organ leads, supports and enhances the congregational song in
ways that other instruments cannot. An organ can imitate the human voice as
well as fill large spaces with sound, using a variety of voices, colors and
textures simultaneously.
While the current organ
has served us well, several factors have compelled the Worship and Music
Committee to raise concerns about it. Over time, age-related problems have
developed that would be very expensive to fix. Many of the pipes have
deteriorated due to age and are beyond restoration. The electronics are now
outdated, and make buzzing sounds, faint sounds at an incorrect pitch, or no
sound at all. Work needs to be done on the organ chamber to house the pipes
safely. The blower (the lungs of the organ that move air through the pipes)
needs to be replaced. The organ has become unpredictable: what works on
Saturday may not work on Sunday morning.
What is being considered
for the organ?
Members of the Organ Committee/Worship and Music Committee have met
with Rutz Organ Company, Obermeyer Organ, organ rebuilder Karl Eilers and Allen
Organs of the Twin Cities to explore options for repair or replacement of the
instrument. Committee members felt that the options presented by Allen Organs
of the Twin Cities best fit our needs and budget. Allen Organs installed a
trial instrument so the congregation could hear the sound and be part of the
decision-making process.
Why was Allen Organs chosen?
The cost of an Allen Organ is significantly lower than either fully
repairing the current organ or replacing it with another pipe organ. Using state-of-the-art
digital technology, an Allen Organ re-creates the sound of wind-blown pipes
from the initial whoosh as air enters the pipes to the sound of the air
exiting. It does not require periodic maintenance or tuning. Factory-trained
Allen technicians perform any service that is necessary. The digital organ has
the equivalent of 50 ranks of pipes plus a
How and when will the decision be made?
We are currently in the information
gathering/education phase. We need to move toward a decision in the coming
months or we are likely to find ourselves without a functioning organ. A
proposal, that includes funding, will be presented to the council when we have
concluded our trial of the Allen Organ.
COMING EVENTS
Meets at
July 3rd, 10th, 17th,
24th, 31st 5:00
– 6:30 P.M.
Coping with the death of a loved
one is one of life’s most difficult challenges.
It can be lonely and confusing.
The Capital City Grief Coalition provides weekly group meetings at a
participating church. Each meeting
includes an education presentation and small group discussions. You may join at any time!
SUMMER
SOFTBALL!
Sundays,
July 13th to August 24th at 5:30 p.m.
This is a co-ed league with
a potential of 6 churches participating this year. Players of all levels of experience are
welcome. Look for the sign-up clip board
in the Gathering Space.
PAINT-A-THON
July 29th and/or
July 31st
Immanuel continues a two
decade tradition of helping a community member in need with this year’s
Paint-a-thon! Please join our team to paint the trim on a 1 story house,
the trim on the garage, and help our neighbor on
Thank you..
…any or all of you who prayed for me during
my recent hip operation. The prayers
worked, because I am all mended now.
Thank you pastors for your visits. –Lyle Baker
…“very much for your
congregation’s recent gift of $185.00 to the Saint Paul Area Council of
Churches. Your investment in the Council is an
investment in your community. Your gift
will enable us to secure of variety of outcomes this year, such as service and
advocacy projects directed at poverty, racism and critical community
needs.” -Rev. Grant Abbott, Executive
Director, SPACC
…to all the June altar guild team
members: Tara Mattessich, Jody Dahl,
Pearl Odland, Angela Lewis, for all your service during this busy summertime,
and may the sunshine bring all your garden flowers to bloom!!
…to all the May volunteers that helped out at
Dorothy Day: Cari and Sterling
Williamette, Lori and Ian Lexvold, Gordy
Bauer, Terrianne and Adam Bender, Katelyn, Eugenie and Lee Steffens, Gary
Voegtli, Millie Chapman, Tsup Yee Wong, Jerry Sandahl, Bob Volden, Joanie,
Nancy and Bill Reidell, Bekah, Mary, Charlie and Michael Rierson. Donations of eggs were provided by Helen
Wilson, Terrianne Bender, Cari Williamette, Lori Lexvold, Trinity Kids and
Jerry Sandahl. Thank you. Cookies were provided by Helen Wilson, Millie
Chapman, Jane and Joan Lilleodden, Terrianne Bender, Cari Williamette, Eugenie
Steffens, Lori Lexvold, Trinity Kids, and Piece of Cake Bakery. Thank you!
Last but by no means, least a special thanks to Gordy Bauer for toys and
chips! You too can help. Contact Nancy Reidell for more information.
To my dear friends at
Immanuel. Thanks to all of you for the cards, phone
calls, visits, and prayers since my recent heart attack. Special thanks to Pastor John and Pastor Joy
for their visits and prayers. God’s
blessing to you all. –Russ Edhlund
Baptism
Anniversaries
|
7/??/75
Paul Winghart |
7/10/2005
Jenna Nelson |
|
7/??/98
Lucas Hansen |
7/11/2004
Micah Danielson |
|
7/1/28
Robert Stevens |
7/13/2003
Nick Robey |
|
7/1/2004
Frank Berg |
7/13/2003
Rocky Robey |
|
7/1/2007
Caelyn Hippen |
7/14/91
Hannah Lane |
|
7/2/64
Karyn Harvey |
7/16/84
Phillip Bell |
|
7/8/48
Julianne Hughes |
7/16/2006
Eleanor Reiff |
|
7/7/18
Gertrud Widsten |
7/17/28
Lillian Petersen |
|
7/7/31
John Kubesh |
7/20/86
Michael Brudevold |
|
7/7/34
June Husom |
7/21/86
Kirsten Knopff |
|
7/7/39
Judith Laborg |
7/21/2002
Henry Reiff |
|
7/7/43
Jim Hagquist |
7/22/51
Jan Johnshoy |
|
7/7/54
Thomas Mahoney |
7/24/49
David Watkins |
|
7/7/54
Gwen Purves |
7/27/52
Eric Bentley |
|
7/7/57
Mary Ellen Mooney |
7/29/14
Anna Curtis |
|
7/7/63
Katie Ritchart |
7/29/51
Marlin Osthus |
JULY WORSHIP ASSISTANTS
|
Date |
Ass’t Min |
Readers |
Comm.
Ass’ts |
|
July 6 |
Ray Peterson |
9-Stacey Arco |
9-Lee English and Peggy
Johnson |
|
July 13 |
Lauren Tjaden |
9-Loanne Thrane |
9-June and Rachel Husom |
|
July 20 |
Shawna Boll |
9-Andy Urness |
9-Jan Johnshoy and Jackie
Kelly |
|
July 27 |
Jeff Schmidt |
9-Paul Winghart |
9-Greg and Chris Knopff |
DID YOU KNOW? Immanuel partners with Whole Farm Coop,
a cooperative with seventy family farms that practice sustainable agriculture
in
Council Meeting
May 20, 2008
Council Members in
Attendance: Pastor John Marboe, Pastor
Council Members
Absent:
Guests: None
Meeting
called to order at 7:10 p.m. A quorum
was present.
- Prayer by Pastor
John
- Appreciations
- LASA and Pr. Joy
for the Plant
- The people who
serve coffee on Sunday morning, it’s a big job.
- The Stewardship
committee for all they do.
- The women’s event
planners and attendees. It was a
great day.
- Approval of Minutes
from April 15, 2008 council meeting – m/s/a unanimous
- Pastor’s Report
- Pastor Joy
i.
She
expressed her appreciation for Music Sunday on May 11.
ii.
Thanks
to those that volunteered for the plant sale.
iii.
Reminder
that this Sunday is the beginning of the summer schedule with one service.
- Pastor John
i.
He
expressed his appreciation for the education group for a great year of
programming for both the children and adults.
The adult education has been very strong this year.
ii.
Four
youth were confirmed in the past month.
iii.
John
led the council in a continuation of the worship discussion.
- Revisioning Update –
- One church that
the revisioning team spoke with has been
extensively interviewing their members.
This has happened in recent years at Immanuel, so the group will
review those materials as a starting point. The churches interviewed are
University Lutheran Church of Hope, St. Timothy, & Holy Trinity. We
were referred to these churches by the synod because they are similar to
us.
- The July 15
council meeting will focus on this topic.
- Sports Concession
Update
- An email was sent
out to schedule a training date.
They hope at least 6 people can train in the coming weeks.
- Committee Reports
- Worship &
Music – Jan Johnshoy
i.
A
wonderful service was held for Rebekah’s installation
as Associate in Ministry.
ii.
This
past Sunday was open mike night, which was fun.
iii.
Organ
Update:
1. History: There is a history of looking at this problem
but not doing anything. We have been
limping along for years. There are
several ranks that are not functional.
2. Current Status: A rental
organ is in the balcony and was played last Sunday. It costs $65,000 to purchase this digital
organ, which is less than the cost of repairs to our organ, which is not very
feasible. We have the rental through
some time in July.
3. Idea: Have Allen Organ do an organ demonstration
for the council and invite the congregation. They have already done a
demonstration for the pastors and the worship committee comparing our organ and
the digital organ.
4. Suggestion: Summarize the history of the organ, paint a
picture of the current state of our organ, and show a price comparison of all
the options so members can see the situation on paper.
5. Questions
a. Have we looked at other
competitors? There are no other
competitors of the quality of this product (digital realm).
b.