HE MIGHTY MESSENGER · God works for the good of those who love Him, who have been called according to His purpose” (Romans 8:28). During the Lenten season these kinds of things

THE MIGHTY MESSENGER April 2015 Volume 55, No. 4

Because He Lives

The other day I spoke to a young man who had a tough decision to make and acknowledged that no one could make it for him. I gave him my opinion and my best advice, but finally just had to say welcome to the adult world in which you make decisions and live with the consequences. For every action there is an equal and opposite reaction. When we take a risk it sometimes pays off, but then sometimes it doesn’t. When we make a bad decision and things turn out bad we don’t have anyone to blame but ourselves. But then there are those occasions when we make a bad decision, and we brace ourselves for the worse, and yet find that the worse didn’t happen. We tend to call this luck, perhaps even dumb luck. What have you done that you knew wasn’t a good idea and yet you got away with it? The fact that we managed to dodge damaging consequences to our behavior doesn’t make the behavior right. But unfortunately when we don’t suffer any adverse effects of our sin we’re likely to repeat it, especially if it actually turned out to be not only pleasurable but profitable. But this is the risk God runs whenever He is gracious. If He were always to let us suffer severe consequences for every bad decision that we make, we would probably make less of them. But in His love and mercy God gives us more slack than that. He allows us to “make our own bed,” or even “dig our own grave,” with the confidence that we will learn our lesson eventually, even if it must be the hard way. We see this in the life of Joseph, whose brothers sold him into slavery in Egypt, but after he became second only to Pharaoh himself, he was able to forgive his brothers and say to them, “Even though you planned evil against me, God planned good to come out of it” (Genesis 50:20). In a similar way we claim God’s promise that “in all things God works for the good of those who love Him, who have been called according to His purpose” (Romans 8:28). During the Lenten season these kinds of things came to mind for me as I once again saw the enemies of Jesus prevail over Him, arresting Him, falsely convicting Him, torturing and abusing Him, and finally crucifying Him. But as the old saying goes, “you can’t keep a good man down!” In spite of this heinous treatment that He received, His Heavenly Father vindicated Him by raising Him from the dead and exalting Him to the highest place so that every knee will bow and every tongue confess that He is Lord (see Philippians 2:5-11). After our Lord’s bodily resurrection from the dead and ascension into heaven, St. Peter triumphantly declared on the day of Pentecost: "Therefore let all Israel be assured of this: God has made this Jesus, whom you crucified, both Lord and Messiah" (Acts 2:35-36). And so we see in our Lord’s Easter triumph the ultimate good coming out of evil. The bad choices of wicked men, the gross miscarriage of justice and needless bloodshed, God used to bring about the forgiveness of sins and eternal salvation for all those who believe. How could there be any more positive results and wonderful consequences from bad decisions than that! This moves us to consider the many good things that have come from the death and resurrection of Jesus. What positive impact has it had on our lives? What is true of us now, that would not have been true of us, if it were not for what God’s Son experienced in His Father’s eternal plan? What can we celebrate, as one whom the Holy Spirit has brought to faith in Christ, because He lives? That question will drive our theme for this Easter season entitled, “Because He Lives.” Please join us in worship of our Risen Savior,

Pastor Naumann

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“Because He Lives,” by Bill and Gloria Gaither (alt.) CCLI #1143953

1) God sent His son, they called Him Jesus. He came to love, heal and forgive. He lived and died to buy my pardon. An empty grave is there to prove my Savior lives. Chorus: Because He lives, I can face tomorrow. Because He lives, all fear is gone, Because I know He holds the future, And life is worth the living, just because He lives. 2) How sweet to hold a newborn baby And feel the pride and joy He gives; But greater still the calm assurance This child can face uncertain days because He lives. (Chorus) 3) And then one day, I'll cross the river. I'll fight life's final war with pain. But then as death gives way to victory I'll see the lights of glory for my Savior lives! (Chorus)

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What’s New in the Library?

Have you visited the church/school library lately? If not, you may be surprised to see changes being made by Lynda Rea, a new church member and school parent. Since September Lynda has been adding new books to the collection, weeding out titles in poor condition, and reorganizing shelves.

For church members, the biggest change is that all Lutheran books are now conveniently located in the corner nearest to the narthex. These include: books written by or about Martin Luther, theological resources such as the Catechism and Book of Concord, and books published by Concordia (our LCMS press), including its popular Arch Book series for children. “New Arrivals” to the adult collection also are being temporarily displayed here for your convenience. Remaining in this area, as previously, are Bibles, commentaries and magazines. Another change is the creation of a family-focused area in the library’s opposite corner. On the back wall near the children’s picture books are shelves of books about marriage and parenting, books of interest to women, and resources for toddlers and preschoolers, such as board books, bedtime books and DVDs. The rest of the adult collection remains along the back wall. These have been arranged into new categories that include:

Bible studies & guides Christian living church life & leadership contemporary issues creation (vs. evolution) defending the faith devotional/inspirational grief & suffering/caregiving missions & evangelism missionaries/biographies prayer & spirituality

Additionally, adult fiction has been split into general titles and Christian romance. Students at St. Michael Lutheran School also have been enjoying changes to the library. Their non-fiction section has been expanded with the addition of a new two-sided bookcase. As for fiction books, the most popular book series are now shelved in ABC order by series title and located in two sections: “Recommended by Girls” and “Recommended by Boys.” Library improvements are ongoing. A seemingly unending task has been getting donated books into the computer and onto shelves. Better signs and shelf labels are needed to help students locate books quickly. And the picture books section still needs an overhaul, including a re-organization of books for beginning readers. Lynda has accomplished a lot because she is able to be at the library every school day. Her schedule is 12:30 to 3 p.m. Mondays through Thursdays and 8 a.m. to noon Fridays. A highlight of her week is reading to the kindergarteners every Wednesday. She also enjoys helping visitors select and check out books. As a result, students are visiting the library more frequently and book circulation has quadrupled. Lynda and her husband Alan became members of the church in May 2014 and enrolled their son, Aidan, in the school last fall. Previously homeschooled, he is now in Mrs. Lauterbach’s fifth grade class. Dr. Alan Rea, a professor at Western Michigan University, is a new member of the church’s Board of Early Childhood and School Ministries. Many years ago, Lynda was the business reporter at the Battle Creek Enquirer. The family previously lived near Augusta and moved to Portage in 2010.

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Continued next page →

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Curious about the new library? Plan on stopping by before or after a Sunday service. Check out books for two weeks by filling out a log sheet in the red binder at the circulation desk. In addition, questions or comments about the library may be sent to [email protected]. —Greg Johnson, Principal

Prayer Corner… by Wendy Johnson

This month I need to share a true confession with you. I have no idea why I’m the Prayer Coordinator at St. Michael! Don’t get me wrong, I think prayer is one of the most important things we will ever do on this planet, but I’m just honestly not that good at it. I know others who are waaaay better at it than I am. Oh, I’m fairing okay at the help me prayers like “God, I’m messing up my kids really bad--please fill in the gaps!” Or the confession prayers like, “I just totally blew it, God, I’m so sorry.” I’m getting better at the change my heart prayers like “I know those thoughts aren’t from you, so please give me some truth here instead.” Sadly, where I find myself really coming up short is intercessory prayers--you know, the ones that alter the lives of other people. I mean, the prayer coordinator at a church should be a fabulous intercessor, right?! Honestly, on more than one occasion I have convinced myself that I must not have heard God correctly on this whole prayer coordinator thing. So, if you’re out there thinking, “Oh, she’s such an awesome prayer warrior; or I can never pray like she prays; or prayer is her gift--not mine!” I’m here to tell you that not one bit of that is truth!!! The prayer that I’m the best at praying these days--and I like to think that I’m in good company since the disciples asked Jesus the same thing--is “Lord, please teach me to pray!” You know, the more I think about it, I might actually know why He’s got me in this position. There is no accountability for showing up for prayer meetings like being the prayer coordinator. You just kind of figure that’s where you’re supposed to be. Prayer + coordinator = go to the prayer meetings. It sure would be a lot easier to blow it all off and tell myself how busy I am and leave praying to the people who are good at it or the people who are more passionate about it, but I can’t. I’m not supposed to. So... I keep showing up for prayer meetings. Sometimes I have to drag myself there, and most of the time I don’t know what I’m doing. But the people I pray with… either they are just awesome at prayer, or maybe it’s just God blessing our obedience when we all show up. Either way, when we are finished, I feel amazing. At the end of every prayer time, we all say, “More people need to get in on this because they have no idea what they are missing!” I know that sounds crazy--prayer being fun?! I can’t explain it. But do you know what? When I pray with other people I become a better pray-er than I am on my own. I become a better intercessor when I pray with others--often without even having to say a word!! So, I must admit that I have a huge advantage over you. You’re not the prayer coordinator, so you don’t have the same accountability to come to a prayer meeting that I have. But, then again, maybe you do. I’m thinking that when God told us to pray without ceasing, He meant it. I can’t think of anything else He told us to do as much as to pray. If you’re not doing that great in your prayer life on your own--like me--come and pray with some other people. Praying with other people gives you some new perspective. Maybe, like me, your prayers can get pretty stale and sound redundant after a while. Praying with other people changes all that and, quite simply, prayer changes lives. I understand there are dozens of reasons why you could blow off the next Thursday night telephone conference call or the next Tuesday morning or Wednesday night prayer time. But please don’t. You will be blessed and you’ll bless others. Lord, teach us to pray!

Evangelism Notes MAKING MIGHTY MESSENGERS FOR CHRIST

2015 LAMP Update: Prayer Requests Our April trip will begin and end and be filled in the middle with PRAYER!

PRAYERS of Thanksgiving Team of four for Spring Trip– Mark & Mariah Chilcott; Jan Jett & Dana Naumann The communication with Mr. Butt, school principal in Lac Brochet, talking with him at just the right

time and his enthusiasm about the team coming. Church hosting us in Thompson – sleeping at the church & providing our meals, dinner and breakfast

while we are there…they show us the love of Christ! For all of the prayers and financial support from St. Michael, these trips would not happen and the

community of Lac Brochet would not be hearing Gospel of Grace without you! For the Croft Ministries Support Fund, who recently approved a $1500 grant for 2015. Praise God for

their partnership along the way. St. Michael School classrooms who made a large card that we are taking and giving to the classrooms in

Lac Brochet and for all the prayers said by our school children! The summer team has been selected. Eight people again, all who have previously been on LAMP trips –

Mark, Mariah, Jan, Sarah, Carolyn, Mary, Bud, & Dana Continue Your Prayers and Support! We have made plans, but we are certain that God will bring His changes that will enrich our time there. Pray: That we see the opportunities and rejoice in every challenge, because everything is for His Glory!

For opportunities to do some ground work toward the Summer VBS trip, talking with school, arranging for a teacherage (house that a teacher lives in during the school year) to be available again, talking with the Band Office – meeting the new chief…

For safe travel, good connections and that our final flight to Lac Brochet will have good weather (they will not fly into Lac Brochet if the cloud ceiling is too low) – We are trusting in God’s faithfulness. He gives us all that we need.

For the connection between Lac Brochet School and our St. Michael School. This connection could be a great blessing for all involved.

For continued financial support, the more often and the more team members that are involved the more impact on the commu-nity for Christ is made, but also the more expensive it is.

Upcoming Events

MAKING MIGHTY MESSENGERS FOR CHRIST

Evangelism Notes 2015 LAMP Update: April Trip Schedule The April LAMP Team trip will start on April 7 and end on April 12. All times shown below are Eastern Daylight Times

April 7 – Leave Kalamazoo airport – 6:00am - Arrive in Thompson, Manitoba airport – 4:25pm

April 8 – Leave Thompson airport – 9:00am* – Arrive in Lac Brochet airport – 10:45am April 8 – April 11 in Lac Brochet, Manitoba – visiting the school. Our activities there will include

doing prayer devotions (using prayer cubes) in every classroom. The Principal at the school is excited to have us come; he said they are completely flexible to our schedule. Praise God for His preparing the soil for His Word to be planted! We are preparing to share fellowship with the school staff, and have game time with the kids in the gym afterschool. We will also be sharing the prayer devotions with adults in the community, at the rectory. Finally we will try to have some time with the helpers who have assisted us in the past at VBS and share with them the theme for the 2015 August VBS, getting them involved in the planning and taking more ownership in the VBS. Sharing the Love of Jesus with everyone everywhere!

April 11 – Leave Lac Brochet - 5:25pm – Arrive in Thompson – 6:20pm

April 12 – Leave Thompson – 7:30am – Arrive in Kalamazoo – 10:26pm

God wants everyone to experience what Easter is all about! Help others to understand the true meaning of Easter and to experience a changed life made possible all because of the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ. A variety of tracts are available in the Tract Rack located in the North Narthex. Please help yourself to the tract literature and take a few to share with others who may not know what Easter truly is all about.

Do You Remember Your First Love?

Rev.2:4 : “Yet, I hold this against you: you have forsaken the love you had at first!” The anticipation. The excitement. The eagerness. The desire to please. Consuming thoughts. Irrepressible smile. Immense feelings. Overwhelming emotion. Do you remember? If so, you probably realize you don’t still feel the same way you did when that love was fresh and new. Hopefully, though, the love you experience now is deeper and better, less based on emotion and more on relationship. Do you remember the first time you truly realized how much God loves you? Remember when you discovered he wasn’t a distant God but a personal Savior? What do you remember when you first realized that he loved you enough to come to this earth as God in flesh? And what about the knowledge that your sins are wiped away as if they never happened? With that first love came fervor, an unbridled enthusiasm. Along with it came an understanding of the seriousness of sin and the thrill of being forgiven. Do you still feel that way? Have You Forsaken Your First Love? When I think of what it means (and feels like) to fall in and out of love, I better understand the point God wanted to make to the Ephesians and why this message is so timeless and so very relevant for us still today both as individuals and as the corporate church. Forsaking your first love means you neglect it. You find yourself going through the motions of life, doing the busyness of life much like the Ephesians did. Revelation 2:2-3 tells us they worked hard, persevered, resisted sin, sought truth & endured hardships all without becoming weary. Yet, they were still found guilty of leaving the love they had when they became Christians & formed the church. In other words, they lost the fervor (earnest feeling, ardor, passion and zeal) they once had for God. They became apathetic and were simply “doing church” without truly loving God or other Christians. Been there? I have. Remember. Repent. Return. When my husband and I grow distant from each other, even if just a little, we find that returning to what initially helped our love grow — spending quality time together, listening intently to each other, intentionally doing acts of kindness for one another, preferring one another, etc. — helps us return to and even go deeper in our love for one another. “Therefore remember from where you have fallen, and repent and do the deeds you did at first, or

else I am coming to you and will remove your lamp stand out of its place — unless you repent.” (Revelation 2:5)

The word used for “first” in this context means foremost, as in time, place and order, and the word used for “deeds” means toil or effort. In other words, get your priorities back in order and do the most important things again, things that seemed so natural at first. Talk to a Stephen Minister! One can help you get your priorities back in order in a personal, confidential manner. Virginia Hetrick [email protected]

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Adult Learning Hour Class Offerings

Thank you to all who have participated in the classes during the Learning Hour! I think the classes have been going very well, and I encourage any who have NOT attended to check them out! Following are the classes that will be offered starting after Easter.

Discovering Your Servant Profile, led by Jan Jett and Mark Chilcott, in room 212 God's thumbprint is on each of us from the time we are born. Through the power of

your own personal story, our Discovering Your Servant Profile class takes you on a journey that assists you in discovering your spiritual gifts, your style, and your passion. It helps every believer in finding their unique contribution in ministry.

Lectionary Series, led by Jonathan Barkow and Angela Franks, in the library – continues after Easter The Lectionary Series follows the appointed readings for a particular Sunday. We

read through the lessons together and then discuss areas of emphasis to help with both understanding and to enhance the worship experience for the appointed Sunday. As such this is very much a "drop in" class that, while building on each individual reading, still affords a unique learning experience each week. Feel free to stop in and participate whenever you have an opportunity.

Foundations Video Series, led by Jesse Hogue, in room 120 (old Youth Room) –

continues after Easter A twelve session series from Answers in Genesis addressing Genesis, Biblical

authority, and the impact of important world events. From the Answers in Genesis website: “Millions of Christians have decided that the Bible is out of date. They’ve decided that the words of Jesus aren’t always true. The Foundations – Ken Ham’s signature DVD series based on 30 years of ministry – reveals the alarming state of Christianity today. Today, possibly more than at any time in America’s history, a culture detached from God and willingly ignorant of His hand in creation and world events needs Jesus. But the church is not nearly as effective in reaching the lost as it was only a generation ago. There is a foundational reason.”

- Jesse Hogue

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T H E M I G HT Y M ES S E N G E R P A G E 1 0

WOMEN’S FELLOWSHIP MINISTRY

DINNER AND THEATER MAY 2, 2015

WOMEN’S FELLOWSHIP BOARD MEETING

CULVER’S (WESTNEDGE) APRIL 6 @ NOON

Protecting Ourselves Legally Guest Speaker: Danielle Streed, Attorney

April 20, 2015 7pm in Allan Hall

how to protect ourselves financially and legally

explaining wills, powers of attorney, medical advocates, bills of sale and other documents we need and use in our lives

hold a question and answer session Sign up is recommended Men & women welcome Refreshments

Car pool from St. Michael. Preregistration is starting.

Details coming soon.

Invite family and friends and make it a bang up day!

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LUTHERAN WOMEN’S MISSIONARY LEAGUE

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Sunday School Mission Project

Who:  Lutheran World Relief (lwr.org) 

Collection dates:  Mar. 1 ‐ May 10

Place donations in the collection bins labeled Lutheran World Relief located in the Communication Center found under the Board of Parish Education boards. 

Items needed:  Bath‐sized bar soap ( 4 ‐ 5‐1/2 oz.), deodorant & non‐deodorant

Register your children for 2015 Vacation Bible School Now! Registration forms available in the Communications Center.

Would you like to make a food donation? Visit the snack board and grab a post-it.

Please consider volunteering! Volunteer forms also available in the Communications Center.

Online registration available at:

http://answersvbs.com/stmichaellutheranchurch-2015

Reminders from The Board of Parish Education

 4/5 Easter Sunday - No Sunday School  5/17 Last Day of Sunday School (Confirmation Sunday)  6/22-26 Vacation Bible School

February Donations to the Kalamazoo Gospel Mission

 8 shirts  6 greeting cards  4 hats  1 pr. of rain boots  6 prs. of boots  1 pr. of shoes  9 winter coats

 2 prs. of pants  12 no-sew blankets from

the SMLS 4th graders  100 hand-decorated placemats from the

SMLS students  20 twin-sized quilts from

the St. Michael Quilters

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Marriage Encounter April Update

Hooray, spring appears to have finally arrived! To celebrate, I thought I’d share a couple quotes with you that seemed relevant. From Leo Tolstoy, “Spring is the time of plans and projects.” And from Victor Hugo, “If people did not love one another, I really don’t see what use there would be in having spring.” I think spring is an ideal time to affirm your love for your spouse. While I don’t want you to think of your marriage as a project, I would encourage any of you who are married to plan to take advantage of the opportunities offered through Marriage Encounter to strengthen your marriages. This is important even if you already have a strong relationship with your spouse! If you are married but have not yet experienced a

Lutheran Marriage Encounter Weekend, we have one coming up right down the road from us at the Comfort Inn in Battle Creek the weekend of April 17-19. There will also be a weekend in Saginaw this fall. If that sounds interesting and you would like more information, please check out our display in Communication Central or contact Shannon and I or Brian and Donna Zelner. If you have already been to a Marriage Encounter weekend, please consider joining us for one of our upcoming Marriage Encounter activities. Our Kalamazoo community group meets regularly, with the next meeting planned for March 29 from 4-6 pm at the Zelner’s house. We will have a short video presentation, possibly a 10 & 10 (so bring your notebooks just in case), and, of course, snacks and beverages (so bring your favorite snack to share, too!). We are also planning the end-of-year cookout for June 7th from 3-6 pm. This will be a family event and will also be held at Brian and Donna’s house. Finally, the annual Lutheran Marriage Encounter Family Campout and Picnic will be the weekend of July 24-26 at Lake of Dreams Campground in Merrill, MI. This is always a great time for everyone in the family. Check out the campground’s website at http://www.lakeofdreamscampground.com/ to see what a nice place it is! We already have a block of camp sites held for our group, feel free to check with us for the details. - Jesse and Shannon Hogue

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ST. MICHAEL LUTHERAN CHURCH & SCHOOL

CORDIALLY INVITES YOU FOR DINNER AND AN

EVENING OF FELLOWSHIP AT THE

10TH ANNUAL TUITION ASSISTANCE DINNER

SATURDAY MAY 2, 2015

6—9 PM

(CHILDCARE WILL BE AVAILABLE AT CHRIST FOR KIDS)

THE GRILLE ROOM

(THE MOORS GOLF CLUB) 7877 MOORSBRIDGE RD

PORTAGE, MICHIGAN

TICKETS WILL BE AVAILABLE IN THE CHURCH AND SCHOOL OFFICES AND

FOLLOWING EACH SERVICE (MARCH 29, APRIL 12, APRIL 19).

EDNA’S CORNER

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I just wanted to thank Ms. Edna Fry and St. Michael Lutheran Church for the care package that you sent. I volunteer time at the Red Cross Center on our Camp. I help distribute and redistribute donated items. I found your card inside. We're really appreciative of the things that you sent. All of the items will be put to good use. Thank you again for your time, efforts and generosity! Most importantly, we thank you for your thoughts and prayers! Actions like yours really help with the challenges of deployment. Take care, Captain Scott Crawford

We are grateful and continuously blessed to have care packages keep flowing. I’ve been blessed to be able to share the love with so many Soldiers, Sailors, Marines, and Airmen throughout the past several months that we’ve been a part of any soldier. Please forgive me for not updating as often as I’d like. We are over the hump of our time being here. In about a month, sending chocolate will probably not be a great idea and our need for blankets has been diminished. With baseball season approaching, a lot of people like to support their baseball teams with fan gear, so if anyone has any they would love to donate, it would be appreciative, especially Cleveland Indians! Thank you again for all you do for us each day. Be Blessed! Chaplain Anderson

The Joint Team here in Pakistan would like to thank you for your continued support and love. You all are amazing. Thank you for the cards, prayers, food, snacks, movies, games, and magazines. I can’t tell you how much we all light up when we see your boxes arrive and everyone appreciates the thought and effort that went into them. They are a great break from the long hours and stressful days/nights. Tank you and God bless you.

Lt. Col Phil Dorsh and Team Pakistan

If anyone has any sports related clothing they want to send, please do. The troops love to support their teams in their rooms off duty. Also movies, games, and any cards (love the hand-made crafty ones) are always welcomed. It is very difficult to find post cards and cards in English to mail back home from here. Other ideas that have come to mind are towels, pillows, shower curtains, shower shoes, and hair clippers. We seem to go through a lot of these. Thank you for all you have done.

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

“Worship for Shut-Ins”

April 2015

April 5, 2015 – 1 Corinthians 15:10 “By the Grace of God” by Rev. Paul E. Shoemaker, Emanuel Lutheran Church~New Haven, IN In 1 Corinthians 15:3-4 we read words from the Apostle Paul that sound very much like a part of the Apostles Creed. In those words the apostle to the gentiles affirms the greatest truth of God’s love for us; that Jesus died for our sins, was buried, and was raised on the third day. This pivotal act in history give us a sure and certain hope that we shall not die, but live, live for all eternity. April 12, 2015 – John 20:19-29 “All Locked Up” by Rev. James L. Elsner, Prince of Peace Lutheran Church~Stroh, IN Life changes. And its changes can lock us into fear, doubt, and uncertainty. But Jesus comes to us – as He always does – with His gifts of forgiveness and new life! April 19, 2015 – 1 John 3:1-7 “Children of God” by Rev. Dr. Walter A. Maier III, Concordia Theological Seminary~Fort Wayne, IN Through faith in Christ you are a child of God. This is due to God’s great love for you. Your status as child gives you comfort and encouragement for the present, and means exciting realities for you in the future. April 26, 2015 – 1 John 3:20 “God Trumps Our Hearts!” by Rev. Dr. Thomas R. Ahlersmeyer, Holy Cross Lutheran Church, Fort Wayne, IN The sinful human heart is far too clever and prone to diminish sin's consequences or God's forgiveness. Look to God. Listen to the voice of the Good Shepherd conveyed in the Word of God. He is greater than our hearts.

Loren/Mary Bryer Lorene Fiebig Bud Leonard Ethel Kocman Betty McCoy Ruth Newland Evi Schultz Burnie Trimner

TV MINISTRY YOU CAN TRUST! Charter Cable Channel 189 AT&T U-Verse Channel 99

Sunday and Wednesday at 3:30pm 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

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WE LOVINGLY SERVE!

THANK YOU to our Neighborhood Messengers! Every week these dedicated servants of God make in-home visits to people in their neighborhood who have been our guests in worship or are new to the community. From information they receive from the Guest Quest Coordinator, they call the guest to request an in-home visit. If you would like to serve the Lord in this way, contact Arlene Groll at 269-762-5576.

St. Michael Needs:

Guest Quest workers to call on our church visitors

Volunteers for the Easter Egg Hunt April 4

Many volunteers for VBS

Telecare Callers to call 5-10 other members once a month

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

The WMU students at the Lutheran Solid Grounds thank St.

Michael for the following groups

which are planning to prepare a meal for

these students during the month of April.

Your work and fellowship are very much appreciated!!

Apr 12 --CELLS group Goetz, Handy, Noggle and Miller (Monday CELLS group) Apr 19 - SMLC Youth Group Apr 26 --CELLS group Toman, Glenn, Foster (Sat CELLS group) - Alice Foster

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11/1/14-2/28/15

Church Revenue $ 246,137

School Revenue $ 208,510

Total Revenue $ 454,647

Total Expenses $ 434,510

Net Surplus (deficit) $ 20,137

Expense Budget $ 474,429

Under/(Over) Budget $ 39,918

Working Cash Balance $ 32,637

Mortgage Balance $ 198,863

Avg. 2015 Attendance. . . . . . . . . . 311

Designated Fund Balances

Trust Fund $143,875

Building Contingency $ 44,074

Technology Refresh $ 13,473

AV Fund $ 580

Sunday School $ 1,328

Senior Youth $ 19,105

Junior Youth $ 5,478

Good Samaritan $ 2,344

Memorials $ 1,860

L.A.M.P. Mission Trip $ 4,931

Quilting $ 371

Church Worker Scholarship $ 65

School Improvements $ 11,118

Tuition Assistance $ 17,750

School Music $ 345

Faith Budget Fund $ 78,428

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February Financials

4 months

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

P A G E 1 9 T H E M I G HT Y M ES S E N G E R

Saint Michael Lutheran Church and School 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: [email protected] Director of Christian Education * . . . . . . . . . .. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Vacant Assistant Pastor *. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Rev. Jason Toman Office Hours: Wed. Noon – 4:30 pm Church Secretary * . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Kendra Muller, 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/Second Grade Teacher * . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Barbara Schubert Saint Michael Lutheran School - Third Grade Teacher * . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Annie Hecht Saint Michael Lutheran School - Fourth Grade Teacher * . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Roxanne Topham Saint Michael Lutheran School - Fifth Grade Teacher *. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Emily Lauterbach Saint Michael Lutheran School - Sixth Grade Teacher *. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Julie Prentice Saint Michael Lutheran School - Seventh/Eighth Grade Teacher * . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Lisa Lam Saint Michael Lutheran School - Secretary * . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Sharon Robinson Christ for Kids Childcare Director * . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Emily Ritchie Technology Coordinator * . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Ashlea Rowlson Sextons* . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Brian Chapman, Bud Hetrick Stephen Ministry Leaders. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Mike Frank, Pastor & Dana Naumann, Arlan Wendzel and Virginia Hetrick Stephen Ministers . . . . . . . . . . . . Zoe Miller, Beth Burnett, Lynne Wendzel, Nonie Knight, Bud Hetrick, Kelley McNees, Mara Price, Jean Minger, Linda Handy, Kelly Sauck President . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Rich Conklin Vice President . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Matt Heintz Board of Lay Ministry Director . (See table below for list of individual lay ministers) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Rob Kuhlman Sound & Lighting Technician . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Lorraine Dudash Prayer Ministry Coordinator . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Wendy Johnson Recording Secretary . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Vacant Treasurer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Sandi Champion Financial Secretary . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Brad Hunter Newsletter/Bulletin Publications * . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Marianne Wiersma Board of Parish Education Director . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Vacant Sunday School . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Vacant Adult Education . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Jesse Hogue Vacation Bible School . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Lorraine Dudash Board of Early Childhood & School Ministries Director . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Rob Sullivan / Chris Stolsky Board of Evangelism and Missions Director . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Mike Edick Cradle Roll . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Peggy Makowski Board of Parish Fellowship Director . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . June Kucks / Sandy Maya Women’s Fellowship Chair . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .June Kucks Board of Church Properties Director . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Vacant Board of CELL Group Ministry . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Lindsey Luma Board of Stewardship Director . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Mark Chilcott Volunteer Ministry Committee Chair . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Vacant Board of Youth & Young Adult Ministry Director . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Vacant Senior High Youth Group Leaders . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Jerry Kuss, Ellen Johnston Junior High Youth Group Leaders . . . . . . . . . .. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Becca James, Angel Calnin, Jerry Kuss Altar Guild . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Linda Fry, Mary Wietzke

Shepherd Group Assignments Lay Minister Family Names Family Names Lay Minister Family Names Family Names Start with Start with & include Start with Start with & include John Buchtrup A Boelman Ernie VanOrman Larsen Meewes (Open) Boelman Champion Eric VanOrman Meewes Newkirk (Open) Champion Dudash Jeff Burnett Newkirk Price Mel Schroeder Dudash Freeman Andy Allan Price Shook (Open) Freeman Haas Greg Wedel Shook Stotts John Engelmann Haas June (Open) Stotts Vickery Rob Kuhlman June Larsen (Open) Vickery ZZZ

7211 Oakland Drive Portage, MI 49024-4151

St Michael Lutheran Church

Church Phone: 269-327-7832 School Phone: 269-327-0512 Fax: 269-327-3148 website: www.mightymessengers.org E-mail: [email protected]

RETURN SERVICE REQUESTED

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.”

APRIL 2015 APRIL 2 — MAUNDY THURSDAY, 7 PM COMMUNION SERVICE APRIL 3 — TENEBRAE SERVICE, 7PM

APRIL 4 — EASTER EGG HUNT, 3:30PM — EASTER VIGIL LAMPLIGHT SERVICE, 5PM

APRIL 5 — SUNRISE COMMUNION SERVICE, 7:30AM — EASTER BREAKFAST, 9:00-10:30AM — EASTER SUNDAY COMMUNION SERVICE, 11:00AM

APRIL 14 — WOMEN’S FELLOWSHIP MINISTRY, 7PM PROTECTING OURSELVES LEGALLY APRIL 19 — THIRD SUNDAY OF EASTER THE CITY SINGS BACH, 8:30AM MAY 2 — TUITION ASSISTANCE FUNDRAISER DINNER