Emanuel Happenings

Person A never attends worship. He can’t see the point. Person B attends every week out of a slavish sense of obligation. Her mind wanders during the services, for she views the activities of worship merely as tasks for her to complete. Who is worse off? Rather than debating the point, let us just admit neither understand the true worth of worship. And that is exactly what Satan wants. Many think worship is about what we do for God. It is the other way around. As we gather around Word and sacrament, the Spirit moves us to love and trust in God above all things. Moved by the cross of Christ, we bow down before our God. We commune with him. And that’s exactly what God wants. Want to hear more? See you this weekend: Saturday at 5:15 p.m. • Sunday at 8 a.m. & 10:30 a.m. • Monday at 6:30 p.m. 

 

The Men of the Outdoors is organizing a canoe trip to the BWCA from July 29 to Aug 3. The trip is open to male members and non-members of Emanuel Lutheran Church who are 18 yrs and older.  The group will be entering the BWCA at point #38 Sawbill Lake . The trip is focused on fellowship, enjoying what God has provided us, and great fishing experiences. There will be a general planning meeting in late March for anyone interested in attending the trip. If you have any questions please contact Chris Doran at cjdoran54961@gmail.com or 920-538-2739.

Over 100 "See You Sunday" signs are already brightening up our neighborhoods, and we still have more available! Help us spread the word and invite the entire New London area to worship with us at Emanuel. Members living on busy streets are welcome to pick up a free yard sign from the narthex this weekend and proudly display it throughout the spring. We'd love for you to join us for Easter and discover a welcoming place of worship. "See You Sunday!" and get your sign this weekend!

Special Midweek Devotions are scheduled at 3:30 p.m. and 7 p.m. each Wednesday evening during Lent. Join us for our Lenten supper available in the school commons from 4:00 to 6:30 p.m. each Wednesday.   

Good evening everyone, I pray you are all doing well and are enjoying the weekend. Here is your update for the coming week: -Important Dates Link: emanueltigertalk.blogspot.com/2024/02/important-dates-week-of-2262024.html -School Health Update Our population continues to struggle with influenza, strep, and other respiratory illnesses. I have not run an attendance report in about a month because of how many students have been sick, so if you have any doctor's notes for your children to excuse them from absences, please send those in ASAP so that those absences can be excluded from my count. Remember, you can also retroactively ask most doctors for notes if you had a visit with them. -Sports Pictures Tuesday Harmann will return to our building this week to take pictures of our athletes. Ordering information will come home with your students that day. With sports pictures taking place on Tuesday, we ask that all athletes make sure all uniforms are returned on Monday so that we can org

The heavenly aroma of freshly baked Butter Braids will be wafting through Emanuel, and you're invited to indulge! From now until March 18th, we're hosting a delicious fundraiser selling these legendary pastries, known for their flaky, golden crusts and irresistible fillings. But here's the icing on the cake: Every purchase supports our amazing athletic programs! We're dedicated to offering free athletics opportunities for all students, and this fundraiser is crucial for ensuring they have the equipment and uniforms they need to shine. So, by indulging in this delightful treat, you're not just treating yourself, you're investing in the future of our student-athletes! Mark your calendars! This Sunday, February 25th , is your exclusive chance to sample these heavenly pastries. Join us between church services at the coffee nook and tantalize your taste buds with the magic of Butter Braids. Ordering is as easy as pie! You can: Place your order online anytime: CLIC

We know that the cross was an instrument of torture and execution. However, Scripture also uses the term “cross” to refer to any suffering that one endures because he is a believer: the painful denial of the desires of the flesh; ridicule and persecution from unbelievers; etc. This is one reason people reject religion. They see Christians struggling in life with these crosses, while non-Christians often seem perfectly happy. Even the prophet Jeremiah asked, “Why do all the faithless live at ease?” (12:1). Today, Jesus asks us to rethink suffering under the cross. It is not pointless pain. Our crosses are not how we pay for sin. Jesus already did that on his cross. Our crosses are not redemptive, but they are constructive. Any suffering unbelievers face is only bad, a foretaste of worse to come. But the suffering believers face under the cross is only good, a way Christ connects us tightly to himself with fire-tested faith. Want to hear more? See you this weekend: Saturday at 5:15 p.m.

We have nearly 60 signs in our neighborhoods, and we still have more “See You Sunday” yard signs available. We're helping you invite the entire greater New London area to worship with us at Emanuel. During the weekends of February 25 and March 3, members are invited to pick up a yard sign from the narthex if they live on a busy street and display it in their yard throughout the spring. We are encouraging people to join us for worship this Easter and beyond. Get yours this weekend, and we hope to "See You Sunday!" 

Do you have your tickets yet? You don't want to miss this great event: Get ready for an amazing time at our Sixth Annual Sportsmen’s Breakfast! Join us for various break-out sessions, connect with local vendors, savor a delicious breakfast, and be inspired by our keynote speaker’s passion for God and the outdoors. Our keynote speaker is Alaska resident and avid outdoorsman, WELS Pastor Chris Ewings. Have a blast with other enthusiastic men, women, and kids who share a love for the great outdoors. Mark your calendars for our Sportsmen’s Breakfast on Saturday, March 2, 2024. Don’t miss out – it’s going to be fantastic! Tickets are $8 in advance, and $10 the day of the event. Children 12 and under are free. Purchase tickets online, at our main office, at Johnny's Little Shop of Bait in New London, or at the door. You can get more information and purchase tickets at www.emanuelnl.org/moto . 

Beginning the first weekend of April through the duration of the renovation project, we will not be conducting Sunday School on Sunday mornings or Monday evening worship services. We appreciate your understanding, patience, and support as we navigate through this transition. 

If you haven’t attended a Bible Class for some time, Starting Point is a great place to start and a great opportunity to bring in someone new!  “How do we know that there is God?” “Where did we come from?” “How can I be sure I’m forgiven?” “What is the Lord’s Supper and why is it so important?” These questions and many more will be answered during sessions of Starting Point.  Mark your calendars! Starting Point is back with two session options to better serve you: Tuesday Afternoons: Join us Tuesdays from 2:00 pm to 3:00 pm. (Starts 3/19) Wednesday Evenings: Participate in our Wednesday sessions from 5:30 pm to 6:30 pm. (Starts 3/20) All sessions take place in the Community Room. Find the time that works best for you! This will be an eight-week course.  Bring the whole family (4th grade and up). If you need childcare let Pastor Schulz know.  If these times and dates don’t work for you – Pastor Schulz is willing to meet with you separately as well. To enroll, call Pastor Schulz at 920-

Please pray for and encourage these called workers: Heidi Moldenhauer was issued a Divine call to serve as our fourth-grade teacher. She currently holds a Call to Christ the King Lutheran School in Palm Coast, Florida. Please keep Ms. Moldenhauer in your prayers as she deliberates her call. Anna Laabs accepted our one-year call to serve as our Guided Studies Director. We look forward to having Anna on our staff and continuing our Guided Studies program.    

Are you ready for some CRAZY FUN? The Board of Family Ministry will be hosting a fun game of Take-Away "POUND" Bingo on Sunday, Feb 25, from 1:00 to 3:00 p.m. If you will be playing, bring a WRAPPED gift that weighs a POUND. You can be as imaginative and creative as you want! It just has to be wrapped and weigh a pound. All ages are welcome.  

 

"The picture doesn't do justice to the amount of coins that came in last week, but it was the only picture that [Ms Kim] took." The grand total was $1796.84 for the coin war. With the additional chapel offering on Friday that students brought in, a grand total of $1845.46 was raised in one week! A huge thank you to our students and our parents for donating all these coins.  Where is all this money going? Great question! Our synod is working on an initiative to start 100 home mission churches in the next 10 years. Emanuel has chosen to specifically support the mission that was approved just outside of Wausau, WI, in Kronenwetter. Our chapel mission offerings for the entire school year, along with our spirit week coin war coins go toward supporting the start-up of that congregation.  You can learn more about this unique new church by watching this WELS Connection video:  

Special Midweek Devotions are scheduled at 3:30 p.m. and 7 p.m. each Wednesday evening during Lent. Join us for our Lenten supper available in the school commons from 4:00 to 6:30 p.m. each Wednesday. 

Here is your update for the upcoming week: -Tiger Cub Care Sign-up Time to sign up and into March already! Please enter all the care needed for the timeframe February 26-March 8. Remember, there is no bus the entire week of March 4-8. Link: docs.google.com/document/d/1V5qByRQ5Llk5vS8bPqUupoGdmngW2G7_f2TFHaDdNls/edit -Important Dates Link: emanueltigertalk.blogspot.com/2024/02/important-dates-week-of-2192024.html -School Health Our student body and staff continue to battle late winter illnesses, primarily influenza. It is very important that you keep your children home until they are fever-free without medication for at least 24 hours; this influenza strain seems to last 3-4 days with a fairly high fever in most people. -Butter Braids Coming Soon Our annual Butter Braid fundraiser will kick off on Friday, February 23, and will run through Monday, March 18. Samples of the pastries will be available in the coffee nook between church services on Sunday, February 25. These delicious pastrie

“If God loves us, why doesn’t he remove all the trials and tests and temptations that we face?” That question demonstrates the religious assumption that those things are bad. They aren’t. In the hands of a loving God, they are tools by which he refines our faith. He uses tests as a way to compel us to be less self-reliant, and instead trust in his strength. He uses trials to teach us that this broken world is not our true home. God even takes Satan’s temptations and uses them for our good. Trials, tests, and temptations are not exceptions to God’s love. That’s a false assumption! These are examples of God’s love. The proof is that God allowed his beloved Son Jesus to face trials and temptations so that he might be our perfect savior and substitute. Want to hear more? See you this weekend: Saturday at 5:15 p.m. • Sunday at 8 a.m. & 10:30 a.m. • Monday at 6:30 p.m. 

 

Men of the Outdoors will host a Breakfast Chat on Wednesday morning February 21, at 8:30 a.m. at Marly’s restaurant. Ice Fishing at times has been a challenge this year. We can discuss the success, along with the challenges and frustrations of varying ice conditions. You are welcome to share any outdoor story you have. You are encouraged to bring pictures to share. Plan to eat breakfast while at Marly’s.  

Please pray for and encourage these called workers: Heather Sulzle returned a Diving Call to Fox Valley Lutheran High School. She will remain in her current position as our 7th-grade Homeroom and upper-grade ELA teacher. We look forward to the continued blessings she provides to Emanuel as a teacher and organist. Joel Putz, returned the call to serve at Emanuel as our fourth-grade teacher. He will continue to serve at Immanuel Lutheran School in Manitowoc, WI. Anna Laabs was issued a one-year call to serve as the Guided Studies Director at Emanuel. She currently operates an in-home daycare service at her house. Please keep Mrs. Laabs in your prayers as she considers the Divine Call we issued to her. 

Are you ready for some CRAZY FUN? The Board of Family Ministry will be hosting a fun game of Take-Away "POUND" Bingo on Sunday, Feb 25, from 1:00 to 3:00 p.m. If you will be playing, bring a WRAPPED gift that weighs a POUND. You can be as imaginative and creative as you want! It just has to be wrapped and weigh a pound. All ages are welcome.

That potential promotion at work. The third date, which will signal if there is real potential in this relationship. The test this Friday, which will determine if you make the honor roll or not. The game on Sunday with the playoffs on the line. So many things that compete for our attention! It’s easy to think of religion as just another of many activities to cram into our schedules. Sometimes, perhaps, the schedule is just too crowded. So, Jesus lovingly whispers into our ear, “Ashes to ashes. Dust to dust.” Those are the words spoken as a dead body is planted in the ground. The reality is that our time in this world is so short. After comes eternity, spent in one of two very different places. Jesus wants us to grasp that somber truth so we rethink where he should fall among all our priorities.  Death can come at any time. So now is the time to cling to Christ in true repentance. Not later. Now. There is no higher priority. Special Midweek Devotions are scheduled at 3:30 p.m. and 7 p.m

Good evening everyone, Hopefully, you have enjoyed the extra time with your children this long weekend; I know the teachers came away from conference with some excellent ideas for Emanuel. Here is your update for the coming week: -Important Dates Link: emanueltigertalk.blogspot.com/2024/02/important-dates-week-of-21224.html -Lent Begins Wednesday The season of Lent begins on Ash Wednesday, February 14. Emanuel will offer midweek Lenten services each Wednesday at 3:30 and 7:00 with a dinner between. The dinners will take place in the Commons, and the first one is being served by our PreK/TCC staff and families. If that is you, see the note below from Mrs. D. I hope to see many of you after school in church! -PreK Lenten Meal Sign-Up Tiger Cub Care and our 3K and 4K students and families will be serving the Lenten Supper between services on Ash Wednesday, 2/14. What a great way to show love on Valentines’ Day! Click in for all the information and to join us in serving our amazing church

We are embarking on a new “See You Sunday” yard sign promotion and outreach. We would like to help our members invite the entire greater New London area to worship with us at Emanuel. During the weekends of February 18, 25, and March 3, members are invited to pick up a yard sign from the narthex if they live on a busy street and display it in their yard throughout the spring. We are encouraging people to join us for worship this Easter and beyond. 

We began this worship series in the Jordan River. At his baptism, Jesus heard his Father’s glorious voice: “You are my Son, whom I love” (Mark 1:11). From that day, in word and deed, Jesus began to reveal more about himself. He demonstrated the extent of his authority and power and love. Along the way, we had an epiphany. Jesus has to be the very Son of God! Yet, Jesus looked so normal, like an ordinary carpenter or your average rabbi or just another prophet. Until today. Today, on the Mount of Transfiguration, Jesus gives us a glimpse of his true glory. As we see him in his dazzling brilliance, the Father speaks again, this time to us: “This is my Son, whom I love. Listen to him!” This final epiphany prepares us for the journey of Lent where we will witness the most glorious work that Jesus would do when he came down from this mountain. Want to hear more? See you this weekend: Saturday at 5:15 p.m. • Sunday at 8 a.m. & 10:30 a.m. • Monday at 6:30 p.m. 

Good afternoon everyone,  Below is your update for this week, and there are a few important points so please read all the way through. -Tiger Cub Care Sign-up Time to sign up once again! Please enter your care needed for February 12-23. Please note there is no bus on the 19th. Also, Lent Worship begins on Ash Wednesday, 2/14, and following Wednesdays 3:30 and 7:00 pm. Link: docs.google.com/document/d/1V5qByRQ5Llk5vS8bPqUupoGdmngW2G7_f2TFHaDdNls/edit?usp=drivesdk -Important Dates Link: emanueltigertalk.blogspot.com/2024/02/important-dates-week-of-252024.html -School Health Update Emanuel is in the grips of quite an influenza wave right now, both for students and staff alike. Symptoms are a persistent fever of at least 102, headache, sore/scratchy throat, and body aches. The stomach virus has mostly petered out, but keep an eye out for flu-like symptoms, because they are hitting hard and fast and sticking around for about a week. -Forensics Practices are underway, and we have 15 members

Just a heads up: tomorrow, Wednesday, February 7, there won't be any PSI, Crossroads, or SOAR events happening. We know it might throw a wrench in your plans, but sometimes these things happen, right? But don't worry, we'll get back on track next time around. In the meantime, why not use this unexpected free time to catch up on some personal reflection or spend some extra quality time with family and friends? Thanks for your understanding, and we'll catch you at the next event! 

 As the snow melts and buds begin to bloom, we're excited to announce a new way to spread the warmth of community and faith in the New London area! This spring, our church is rolling out vibrant yard signs inviting neighbors and friends to join us for worship services. Picture this: colorful signs adorning lawns, bearing an inviting message that echoes the spirit of fellowship we cherish. "See You Sunday" These signs not only brighten up the neighborhood but also serve as beacons of welcome, inviting our neighbors to discover the joy of worship. But why yard signs? In our digitally connected world, a physical, eye-catching invitation can cut through the digital noise. It's a simple yet powerful way to let your neighbors know that they are welcome to be part of something meaningful. We believe in the power of technology to spread God's word, and now, with these yard signs, we're blending the timeless tradition of community outreach with the efficiency of modern

Martin Luther once said, “Where God built a church, there the devil would also build a chapel.” Satan and the other demons hate God. They demonstrate hatred by hurting those that God loves in any way they can. The epiphany Christ wants us to have is this: demons are real, they are plenteous, and they are dangerous. But Christ would also have us see that he is continually undoing the devil’s work. More, through his Word, Christ Jesus gives us the power to resist the devil and stand firm in the faith. Want to hear more? See you this weekend: Saturday at 5:15 p.m. • Sunday at 8 a.m. & 10:30 a.m. • Monday at 6:30 p.m.