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Www.emmanueclovis.org
N o v e m b e r , 2 0 1 2
Emmanuel Lutheran Church Clovis
T H E G R A P E V I N E Dear Christian friend, How many of you
were born BC? By “BC” I mean “Before Cell-phones?” Martin Cooper
invented the first cell phone in 1973. My kids were born AC, but I
was born BC. In a world of 7 billion people, there are now 5
billion cell phone subscriptions. Pretty amazing for something
under 40 years old! And I just got a new iPhone 5! In the last
forty years this high tech age has changed the way we do business,
the way we get our education, the way we socialize. The world has
never been so closely connected, and there has never been this much
immediately accessible information as there is with our new online
universe. Each cell phone is almost the equivalent of having the
Library of Congress in our hands. Unfortunately all that easily
accessed info has also led to an epidemic of a new kind of crime —
identity theft. With just a few bits of our personal information,
an online burglar can electronically hijack anyone’s identity and
drain bank accounts, take out huge loans, run up mountains of
credit card debt. Once your identity is stolen your name is no
longer your own. No matter your name, your name is mud. No wonder
one of the fastest growing businesses in the last decade has been
the security business, especially “identity security.” Com-panies
like “LifeLock” promise to keep your identity safe from electronic
thieves and watchdog all your personal information. If you pay them
they will keep a constant eye out for suspicious activity. For a
price, your identity will be safely “locked” down. That is, as long
as your “identity” is defined by what you own and what you owe. But
our personal identity is more than a financial history. Who we are
is more than a paper trail of purchases and payrolls. Identity
thieves may be able to steal our economic life. But our true
identity, who we are in this world, should be beyond the grasp of
any online bandit. What is your identity? At the very core of your
being, who are you? It’s a core question, since every corporation
and every institution that understands these digital times is
reinventing itself around “Who we are” and away from “What we sell”
or “What we offer.” Jesus gave his followers a new identity as his
disciples. But despite all he has revealed about the kingdom of
God, his closest chosen companions still don’t get it. James and
John thought that the path of discipleship, their faithful
following of Jesus, would naturally lead them to the celebrated
“head table,” to places of honor and rightful recognition in this
world. So confident are they about this future that they try to
force Jesus to promise that he will save them those places of honor
at the table. Jesus summarily rejects James’ and John’s seating
chart. “Headship” is not the true identity of discipleship. The way
of the world, the world of head honchos at head tables, was not the
way of discipleship. Disciples are “great” by becoming “servants.”
The “first” in a lineup of Jesus’ disciples is the one at the
bottom of the heap, the “slave of all.” The world may judge
greatness by who’s “on top,” who’s “on first.” But Jesus declares
to those who would follow him, in some of the most powerful words
of Scripture, “it is not so among you.” Discipleship identity is
found in Christ, in following Jesus not just on his miraculous
ministry before Jerusalem, but in following Jesus all the way to
the cross. In fact, you might even say that discipleship is less
about who you are, than whose you are and whom you serve. Jesus is
our LifeLock. In him our identity is safe and secure . . . .from
all alarm. We are to be “in” the world but not be “of” the world.
We are to be discernible disciples of Jesus who live by the
polities and protocols of another world, a world where our identity
is secured and protected by our LifeLock Lord. In His service,
Pastor Ed
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November, 2012, Emmanuel Lutheran Church Grapevine www.emmanuel
clovis.org
LETTER FROM THE GOVERNANCE BOARD
Due to circumstances beyond his control, Darrell was not able to
get his letter in this month. He extends his blessings to all.
From Your Vicar:
Vicar Gary
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November, 2012, Emmanuel Lutheran Church Grapevine www.emmanuel
clovis.org
Busy Month of October
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EMMANUEL FUNDRAISERS
November , 2012 , Emmanuel Lutheran Church Grapev ine
www.emmanuel c lovis .org
Youth Fund Raiser
Remember to SAVE your PLASTIC WATER BOTTLES, & SODA BOTTLES
for the green youth trash can located in the Church House. Thank
you for supporting our recycling program.
Altar Flower Sign-Up If you would like to honor a special
person, date or event, please consider providing altar flowers one
week during the year. The sign-up calendar is located on the wall
near the restrooms in the narthex.
PREGNANCY CARE CENTER Remember to bring your baby items to fill
up the bassinet for this organization which gives the choice of
life to many young people who might otherwise decide on abortion.
Small baby items, blankets, Diapers, formula, bottles, or whatever
else you may be able to think of.
RESCUE MISSION DONATIONS Please keep those donations coming for
the Rescue Mission. Items needed are personal items:
Wash Cloths Deodorant Toilet Tissue
Personal Hygiene
All items are greatly appreciated. Items may be placed in the
marked box in the Hall of the Narthex..
PRAYER CHAIN and CPR We have two prayer ministries going on at
Emmanuel the Prayer Chain is led by Helene Kipp and she can be
reached by phone 447-9369 or e-mail [email protected]. CPR is led
by Martha on Wednesdays in
the church house at 12 noon. You can come and join us there.
What’s Happening?
Staffed nursery care will continue for the Sunday worship
service AND the Sunday School Bible class houreach Sunday. An
anonymous gift has made this paid staffing addition possible.
Pastor Heidel’s Wednesday night class on the study of the book
of Luke Wednesday evenings at 7 p.m. Hisclasses are really worth
your time, you will surely learn something you didn’t know
before!
The New Heart Bible Study Has started again for another 8 week
session.The Women of Grace are still raffling off an afghan
crocheted by Marlene Coffman. We’ll be selling tickets
for $5 each or 3 for $10 after services and at all activities.
It is really beautiful and so soft. Get your ticketson sale until
we collect $500.
There will be a Voter’s Assembly Meeting on Sunday, November
11th, about the Ministry Program andbudget for 2013. There will be
no Bible classes scheduled. The Youth will have supervised
activitiesduring the voter’s meeting.
A new Bible study is starting in November 4th for 6 weeks. You
will need a book “Made to Crave” whichcosts $15 and a Participants
Guide which costs $10. Judy Strickler will lead this Bible Study.
Replace yourfood craving with God craving.
Two additional “Pulse Sessions” scheduled to give opportunities
to for other worshipers to discuss thenext chapter of ministry at
Emmanuel. Such things as second Sunday worship service, staffing,
newministries, and possible future building plans. Second session
will be held in the church house onTuesday evening Oct. 23, at
6:30. The third Pulse Session will be for those 40 and under. It
will be heldon Sunday evening , Nov. 4 at 6:45 at the home of Chad
and Keisha Watkins. Others who wish toparticipate but cannot make
either time can schedule an appointment with Pastor Ed.
Want to raise extra money for Emmanuel? Just turn in your empty
inkjet cartridges to our church office for recycling.
This is a continuing project that we will do throughout the
year.
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Prayer Praise & Bible Study! We meet Mondays at 9 am for
fellowship, Bible Study of Ruth and Esther, to Praise our Lord, and
to pray for whatever may be on our hearts.
November, 2012 , Emmanuel Lutheran Church Grapevine www.emmanuel
c lovis .org
Mission Statement: Inspired by the holy spirit, we share His
love and invite people to Christ by proclaiming and living the Good
News.
GOVERNANCE BOARD
Doug Richardson DebbieSpence Darrell Strickler
Rod Kirby Sandra Lucero
NOVEMBER SUNDAY SERVICES:
November 4th HOLY COMMUNION 9:00 Worship Service 10:30 Sunday
School Youth Bible Study Adult Study November 11th 9:00 Worship
Service 10:30 Sunday School Youth Bible Study Adult Study
November18th HOLY COMMUNION 9:00 Worship Service 10:30 Sunday
School Youth Bible Study Adult Study November 25th 9:00 Worship
Service 10:30 Sunday School Youth Bible Study Adult Study November
21st Wednesday 6:30 Thanksgiving Eve Service
EMMANUEL OFFICE
Cristy McNicholas, Office Manager (559) 298-0725
[email protected] Office Hours: Mon.—Fri
"E.F.T. at THE NEW EMMANUEL"
Electronic Fund Transfer is available! You can have your
Tithes/Offerings automatically withdrawn from either your
checking or saving account and given to Emmanuel. There are
many benefits to the New Emmanuel, as well as to our
members and friends. It is safe and secure. For more
information, please contact Mike Kipp at 447-9369, or you
can email him at [email protected].
WOMEN OF GRACE
During this coming year, the ladies of Emmanuel will be
preparing to host a holiday boutique in November of 2013. Several
times during the year we will conduct craft classes where a person
can make their own item and make another for the boutique. If you
have any suggestions on items to make, please let one of the Women
of Grace know and you can teach the craft. The first of the series
of classes will be a holiday card making class instructed by
Lynette Burgasser and Linda Miller on Saturday, November 17th,
10:00, at the church house. All ladies, please join us and let your
creative juices flow. As the holidays are right around the corner,
it’s easy to fill our days with stress. Here’s some ways you might
cope. Begin and end the day with prayer Cultivate gratitude Never
make a promise you can’t keep Breathe---deeply and often
Move---walk, dance, run Be instead of do Laugh more often Stop
trying to please everyone Nurture friendships Remember is a living
emotion Express love everyday
Anyone who is interested inserving at the information
booth,please talk to Chris Watkins,297 4922, she needs more
Helpers to talk to new people asthey come in to worship with
us,give them a gift, and have them
sign in the guest book.
Bible Study Wednesday Evening at 7 for the study of Luke
led by Pastor Heidel
Editorial Staff of the Grapevine Cristy McNicholas, Sandy
Wisener,
Elizabeth Bombini and Marlene Coffman
CALL TO PRAYERJoin CPR on Wednesdays at 12:00 noon for an hour
of prayer for our church, our country , our state, county,city,
schools, and safety organizations as well as fellow congregation
members. Whatever we feel called topray for. This is so important,
you don’t have to pray aloud, just be willing to say the AMEN.
“Wherever two ormore are gathered in My Name . . . “
Pray for those you care about,You may not be aware of their
needs.
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November, 2012, Emmanuel Lutheran Church Grapev ine
www.emmanuel
Christian Education News…
Lesson themes for November:
November 4th Bible Story: Joshua becomes leader of Israel Theme:
God encourages us
November 11th Bible Story: Joshua sends spies to Jericho Theme:
Our faithfulness honors God
November 18th Bible Story: The Israelites cross the Jordan River
Theme: We thank God for what He does
November 25th Bible Story: God Gives Victory over Jericho Theme:
God always wins
YOUTH NEWS from Vicar Gary Kem and Joy Cunningham are now
teaching the Youth/Young Adult Bible Study after church. If you
don't know who they are, just ask me on Sunday and I will be happy
to point them out or introduce them to you. They are both very
friendly.
Kem and Joy Cunningham are now teaching the Youth/Young Adult
Bible Study after church. If you don't know who they are, just ask
me on Sunday and I will be happy to point them out or introduce
them to you. They are both very friendly.
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November, 2012, Emmanuel Lutheran Clovis GRAPEVINE www.emmanuel
clovis.org
November 4 November 11 November 18 November 25
Communion Assistants
Mike Kipp Scott Linenbroker Fon Vangsycha
Andrew Vangsycha
Mike Golden Neil Hoppus
Darrell Strickler Todd Weber
Usher Don Rutherford Vern Meyer
Gordon Miller Fon Vangsycha
Ken Paar
Joshua Daily Mike Kipp
Mike Golden Scott Linenbroker
Bill Dehning
Chris Watkins Fon Vangsycha Vernon Meyer
Don Rutherford Bob Hammond Pat Hammond
Travis Kirby Joshua Daily Neil Hoppus Bill Dehning
Info Booth Martha Wilson Cristy McNicholas Sandra Lucero Chris
Watkins
Counters Don Rutherford Darrell Strickler
Sandy Wisener Suzanne Garcia
Irene Stinson Sandra Lucero
Travis Kirby Steven Chow
OUR FAITHFUL SERVERS FOR NOVEMBER
Our Praise Team: Jill and Gary Gerloff, Paige Weber, Judy
Strickler, Keisha Watkins, Amanda Hutto, Doug Richardson, Darrin
Lowenthal, Joy Cunningham and Art Howansky. Contact Jill if you are
interested in joining.
IF YOU ARE SCHEDULED AND CANNOT SERVE . . . Please call your
team leader. For the info booth it is Chris Watkins, 297-4922
([email protected]), for Communion Servers it is Mike Kipp 447-9369,
Counters and Greeters, let them know at the
Old age is always 10 years
older than you are! If you say what you mean,
Don’t say what is mean.
Don’t look for excuses,
Look for reasons.
The best way to win is to forget to keep score
Forget injuries,
never forget
kindnesses.
A cold is both positive and negative; Sometimes the eyes have it
and sometimes the nose.
Admit your mistakes But don’t brag about them
The doors of opportunity are marked “Push” and “Pull.”
It is better to be approximately right than precisely wrong.
Today well-lived , makes every yesterday a dream of happiness,
and every tomorrow a visit of hope.
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Sunday Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday 1
2 3 Set Clocks Back 1 hour Before Going to Bed
4 9 AM WORSHIP with Communion 10:30 Sunday School Youth Adult
Bible Studies 5, 6, 6:45 pm Sm. Groups
5 9 a.m. Bible Study in the Church House 9:30 Staff 6 pm Sm.
Group
6 U.S. Vote Today!
7 12 noon CPR Group 6 pm Praise Team 7 Bible Study-Luke
8
9 6-8 pm Family
Night
10
11 9 AM WORSHIP 10:30 Congregation Voters’ Meeting 5, 6, 6:45 pm
Sm. Groups
12 9 a.m. Bible Study in the Church House 9:30 Staff 6 pm Sm.
Group
13
14 12 noon CPR Group 6 pm Praise Team 7 Bible Study-Luke
15
16
17 Women of Grace 10 am at Church House for Card Making
18 9 AM WORSHIP with Communion 10:30 Sunday School Youth Adult
Bible Studies 5, 6, 6:45 pm Sm. Groups
19 9 a.m. Bible Study in the Church House 9:30 Staff 6 pm Sm.
Group
20
21 6:30 Thanksgiving Eve Service
22 THANKSGIVING
23 Assemble Newsletter
24
25 9 AM WORSHIP 10:30 Sunday School Youth Adult Bible Studies 5,
6, 6:45 pm Sm. Groups
26 9 a.m. Bible Study in the Church House 9:30 Staff 6 pm Sm.
Group
27
28 12 noon CPR Group 6 pm Praise Team 7 Bible Study-Luke
29
30
Dec 1
If we have omitted your birth date or anniversary date or have
the wrong date listed, please call the church office with the
corrected information. Please accept our apology and HAVE A GREAT
DAY IN THE LORD! THANK YOU.
November, 2012 , Emmanuel Lutheran Church Grapevine www.emmanuel
c lovis .org
November
November Birthdays11/1 Marianne Mollring 11/03 Irene Stinson
11/06 Leanna Burchnell 11/08 Mikhail Davis 11/13 Jack Spence 11/13
Linda Miller 11/19 Rosalind Dahl 11/22 Gary Gerloff 11/25 Carmen
Chow 11/26 Eric Ohm 11/30 Karen Krueger
Newsletter Deadline
November Anniversaries
Katelynn & Eric Ohm 11/11/2011 1 yr Shari & Rollie Otto
11/30/1968 44 yr
God’s Blessings and Our Congratulation’s
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A few years ago a group of salesmen went to a regional sales
convention in Chicago. They had assured their wives that they would
be home in plenty of time for Friday night's dinner. In their rush,
with tickets and briefcases, one of these salesmen inadvertently
kicked over a table which held a display of apples. Apples flew
everywhere. Without stopping or looking back, they all managed to
reach the plane in time for their nearly-missed boarding.
ALL BUT ONE! He paused, took a deep breath, got in touch with
his feelings and experienced a twinge of compassion for the girl
whose apple stand had been overturned.
He told his buddies to go on without him, waved good-bye, told
one of them to call his wife when they arrived at their home
destination and explain his taking a later flight. Then he returned
to the terminal where the apples were all over the terminal
floor.
He was glad he did.
The 16-year-old girl was totally blind! She was softly crying,
tears running down her cheeks in frustration, and at the same time
helplessly groping for her spilled produce as the crowd swirled
about her; no one stopping and no one caring for her plight.
The salesman knelt on the floor with her, gathered up the
apples, put them back on the table and helped organize her display.
As he did this, he noticed that many of them had become battered
and bruised; these he set aside in another basket.
When he had finished, he pulled out his wallet and said to the
girl, "Here, please take this $40 for the damage we did. Are you
okay?"
She nodded through her tears. He continued on with, "I hope we
didn't spoil your day too badly."
As the salesman started to walk away, the bewildered blind girl
called out to him,
"Mister...." He paused and turned to look back into those blind
eyes.”
She continued, "Are you Jesus?"
He stopped in mid-stride ... and he wondered.
He gently went back and said, "No, I am nothing like Jesus -- He
is good, kind, caring, loving, and would never have bumped into
your display in the first place."
The girl gently nodded: "I only asked because I prayed for Jesus
to help me gather the apples. He sent you to help me, so you are
like Him -- only He knows who will do His will. Thank you for
hearing His call, Mister."
Then slowly he made his way to catch the later flight with that
question burning and bouncing about in his soul: "Are you
Jesus?"
Do people mistake you for Jesus?
That's our destiny, is it not?
To be so much like Jesus that people cannot tell the difference
as we live and interact with a world that is blind to His love,
life and grace.
If we claim to know Him, we should live, walk and act as He
would. Knowing Him is more than simply quot-ing Scripture and going
to church. It's actually living the Word as life unfolds day to
day.
You are the apple of His eye even though we, too, have been
bruised by a fall. He stopped what He was doing and picked up you
and me in a Garden called Gethsemane and on a hill called Calvary
and paid in full for our damaged fruit.
November, 2012 , Emmanuel Lutheran Church Grapevine www.emmanuel
c lovis .org
ARE YOU JESUS?
GOVERNANCE BOARD