Emanuel Happenings

The film director Woody Allen once said, “I’m not afraid to die, I just don’t want to be there when it happens.” Studies have shown that most people fear death to varying degrees. This fear is so common, that there is even a field of psychological study called thanatology. It examines the human reaction to death and dying. One of the biggest reasons people fear death is the perception of its permanency. In the normal realm of human existence, dead is dead. Someone dies, and all you have are pictures and memories. That is the way people typically think, but it is far from reality. Today, Christ proves to us that death is not final at all! Easter teaches us that Christ is the first fruits of those who have died. Just as Christ rose, “so in Christ, all will be made alive” (1 Corinthians 15:22). That changes everything: the way we grieve the death of a Christian loved one, the way we feel when our health fails, the way we look at the purpose of life right now. Let us rejoice in this resurr

It would not be productive to look for help in a cemetery. A corpse can do only one thing—rot. This is the source of the crushing sorrow Jesus’ followers felt. He was the one in whom they had placed all their hope for a better reality. Now he was dead, so they thought. They were overwhelmed with sorrow, not just because they missed their friend. It now all seemed so pointless: the years and miles following Jesus, witnessing his miracles, listening to him. He was dead! And a corpse can only do one thing. The resurrection changed everything. The disciples saw clearly that Jesus is who he said he was and did what he said he’d do. They realized their faith rested on a rock-solid foundation. Here is the resurrection reality. If Christ had not been raised, our faith in him would be futile. He could do nothing to help us. But Christ is risen! He is risen indeed! Join us for worship this Easter Sunday, at 6 AM. Easter breakfast is served in the school commons from 7 to 10:30 AM.

The word Tenebrae (TEN-e-bray) means “darkness.” The service we use tonight was first celebrated in monasteries nearly 1,000 years ago. The order of worship centers on a series of Psalms and other Scripture lessons that focus on our Lord's crucifixion. Seven candles are lit and extinguished as each of Jesus’ words are read. After the last reading, the final candle is removed from the chancel leaving the church in tenebrae for silent prayer. The service is closed by a loud sound, called the strepitus, which worshippers have interpreted in many ways throughout church history. Some see the strepitus as a symbol to remind us of the stone that was rolled in front of Jesus’ tomb to seal it shut; others see it as a statement of the tumultuous nature of Christ’s sacrifice; still others view it as foreshadowing the rending of Christ’s tomb at his resurrection on Easter morning. The final candle, which is still burning, is returned to its place at the end of the service. The mood of the serv

 In most religions, the gods demand sacrifice. Followers are to surrender something of value to that god. Money. Time. Possessions. Some religions have even called for human sacrifice. Even people who think they aren’t religious sacrifice to false gods. Take the man whose idol is success. What he wants most is to rise through the ranks at work. So, to pursue that idol, he sacrifices his family, spending little time with them. Throughout human history, false gods have expected you to die for them. In Christianity, you meet a God willing to die for you. Today we see that the true God does not make our relationship with him conditional on how much we sacrifice for him. Instead, we are at peace with God because he sacrificed himself for us. It is one reason why we call it “Good Friday.” Join us for worship this Good Friday at 9:30 AM & 1 PM.

We use the word “appetite” to describe a powerful desire for something. So, what is it you crave the most? Where does your mind go in those quiet moments? What do you want? Power? What do you dream about? Prestige? For what do you hunger? Pleasure? Are our appetites healthy? A truly healthy appetite aligns with our deepest needs: forgiveness, salvation, communion with God, and loving relationships with others. The believer is ravenous for such things! And all of those blessings are on the menu of the Lord’s Supper. Some view Holy Communion as just a religious ritual. Far from it! In this meal, Christ satisfies our greatest appetites. Join us for worship this Holy Thursday, Mar 28 at 3:30 PM & 7 PM.

Good afternoon, What a blessing to see so many of you at our worship services today to kick off Holy Week! Thank you to our PreK and Sunday School families for bringing your children to sing; they did a fantastic job. Here is your update for the short week ahead. -Tiger Cub Care Sign-Up It is time to sign up once again! Please enter all your care needed for the days from April 1-12. Please remember that we do not have school Monday, April 1, to celebrate our Savior’s resurrection! It is hard to believe, but there are only 4 sign-up periods left! Feel free to sign up for the rest of the year if you know! Link: docs.google.com/document/d/1V5qByRQ5Llk5vS8bPqUupoGdmngW2G7_f2TFHaDdNls/edit?usp=sharing -Important Dates Link: emanueltigertalk.blogspot.com/2024/03/important-dates-week-of-3252024.html -School Health Update Things seem to be settling down, but we still have various late winter/early spring illnesses in the building, including influenza, strep, and pink eye. Continue to be vigila

After six years of planning and preparation, we praise the Lord that construction will begin in a matter of days, on April 1, 2024.  We thank the Lord for bringing us to this point and we ask for his continued blessing and guidance. We thank our members and volunteers for the great amount of work that has already taken place. With this video, we are sharing what you need to know about this much-anticipated project.

Most religions believe in a powerful God. It is assumed that God will use that strength for the benefit of his followers. That is a reasonable assumption, but it begs the question. What is real strength? It is easy to assume that real strength means exerting your will over another by using any means necessary, including force. But this week we see Jesus Christ demonstrate a different kind of strength. We have come to Holy Week. It begins with Jesus humbly riding a donkey colt straight into the hands of his enemies. As the week progresses, it will appear that Christ’s adversaries are the ones in a position of power and Jesus is in a position of weakness. Yet what Christ does this holy week—setting his divine strength aside, being passive in the face of death—would change the world. To do what Christ did for us and our salvation took real strength. 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. 

Emanuel will have three days to remove all the items from the sanctuary and narthex for Miron Construction to begin their work.  These will be critical work days requiring many volunteers.  We will have jobs from 8 a.m. - 3 p.m. each day until we have finished.  Please call the Emanuel office to sign up (920-982-5444).  We will plan our workload each day based on how many volunteers we have. The following items need to be completed within three days:  Removal of all items in the narthex and church balcony (going into storage or relocated on campus) Removal of altar, lectern, and pulpit Removal of all church pews Removal of current organ and pianos The balance of the week will consist of Miron setting up their worksite in the north parking lot, covering the stained glass windows to protect them, and setting up a perimeter fence around the church. Thank you in advance for your help.  

With over 150 signs scattered throughout New London, it's hard to miss the bright yellow reminders of Emanuel's "See You Sunday" message! We've been loving the positive comments pouring in about the signs, and it creates a real sense of community when we see them popping up all over town. Have you spotted one of our signs? We'd love to hear your thoughts! And, if you see a friendly face missing on Sundays (or Saturdays), be sure to share this post and help us spread the word!

Good morning everyone, Welcome back to school, and happy St. Patrick's Day; hopefully, you had a chance to look past the secular celebrations and catch a glimpse of the dedicated evangelist that Patrick truly was in Ireland. Here is your update for the coming week, which will quickly be followed by a short week for Easter. -Important Dates Link: emanueltigertalk.blogspot.com/2024/03/important-dates-week-of-3182024.html -School Health Update I have already heard from a few families whose children continue to struggle with an unusually stubborn and severe strain of strep throat. On top of that, the warming weather has kickstarted seasonal allergies earlier than usual, so don't be surprised if you start to see increased coughing and sneezing. I pray that the week apart has helped to better the overall health of our staff and student body. -Butter Braid Order Forms Due Thank you to everyone who has worked to sell Butter Braids online; you do not need to do anything more with those

Come and join us! We will celebrate the resurrection of Jesus on March 23 from 9:00-11:00 am. We will learn the lesson of Jesus' death and resurrection, and how He saved us! We will craft, snack, sing, and play! Invite your friends, neighbors, and relatives!

Commandments. Festivals. Sacrifices. These summarized the Israelite way of life and worship in the Old Testament. God wanted full obedience from his people in all of these things. God also used the worship life of the Israelites to point them to a Savior who would restore the broken relationship caused by sin. Join us in the community room for this Bible study on Sundays at 9:15 a.m. through May 19.

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.

Religious sociologists sometimes divide Christians into two groups: committed Christians and cultural Christians. The former are usually defined as those who are active in a congregation, who pray regularly, who read Scripture, etc. The latter are those individuals who call themselves Christian and perhaps have some Christian beliefs. Yet, they do not strive to live a Christian life. They are not interested in church involvement. Those definitions are interesting when trying to understand shifts in American Christianity. However, they demonstrate a false assumption about the Christian religion. There is indeed a devoted commitment at the center of Christianity, but it is not man’s commitment to God. Even believers will at times demonstrate lukewarm commitment at best. Instead, at the heart of Christianity we find God’s devotion and commitment to us. It is a devoted commitment so strong that it put God on the cross. Want to hear more? See you this weekend: Saturday at 5:15 p.m. • Sunday

A reminder that there will be no PSI, Crossroads, or SOAR this week. See you Sunday, and see you next week at PSI, Crossroads, and SOAR. 

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 afternoon everyone, Happy spring break! Hopefully, you can take some time as a family to recharge for the push to the end of the school year. Here is your update for the coming week: -Important Dates NO SCHOOL 3/11-3/15, but please join us for the Lutheran Ceili Orchestra in our 8:00 and 10:30 worship services tomorrow! We also will still have midweek Lenten worship on Wednesday, March 13, at 3:30 and 7:00 with a meal in between. -School Health We have two major illnesses that the student body was grappling with heading into spring break. First, we have what appears to be strep throat that is at least somewhat resistant to some antibiotics. Several students have either gone through a course of antibiotics and continued to have symptoms, or have redeveloped symptoms shortly after finishing the medication. Secondly, we also seem to have cases of viral pink eye, which obviously will not be affected by antibiotics. Our hope is that the week off from school will allow these two illness

While not every religion uses the word “sin,” they all embrace the concept. Every religion acknowledges that mankind’s flawed attitudes or misguided actions are a source of pain, both now and potentially in eternity. So, every religion offers a solution: a set of laws, a moral code, a path to more enlightened behavior. What do they have in common? We are to solve sin through human effort. Be better! Try harder! This is the heart of every false religion. Those who correctly understand they will never overcome their sin are crushed by guilt. Those who ludicrously believe they have defeated their sin are killed by pride. True religion offers a better way—one that frees us from guilt and has no room for pride. Jesus teaches that the solution to our sin is not to work harder. It is to trust in the work he has done for us. Salvation comes through Spirit-wrought faith in Christ. 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

Teens from across the country will gather at the foot of the Rocky Mountains to explore the many messages God delivers “From the Mountaintops” of Scripture. We have almost 40 teens and adult chaperones preparing to head to Colorado State University in Fort Collins, CO where the 2024 Rally will be held. We will be leaving on June 24th and returning home on June 29th. Look for exciting reports to come home after the rally, as our teens will have the opportunity to have fellowship with, grow in faith with, and worship with over 2000 other WELS teens! How can you be a part of this exciting opportunity? First, pray for all those attending for safe travels, Spiritual growth, and making new friendships and rekindling old ones. Second, the costs for attending WELS Youth Rallies add up. The costs for registration and travel are nearly $800 per person. Several of our families have multiple teens planning to attend as well, increasing the cost for that family. We are looking for anyone willing to

After many years of planning, it’s finally time to move Forward. The sanctuary where we have gathered to worship for more than a century is about to undergo a major renovation. Over the next few months, we anticipate that the improvements are going to be a great blessing to our church. And the process of seeing it come together will be a blessing, too. Every so often, God’s people have to answer the question, “Where do we go from here?” or “Where will we worship?” It’s a question that calls for patience and trust. Read More

 

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.

As Confirmation Day approaches, we want to provide you with a few important updates for this special day.  Starting April 1, our sanctuary begins to undergo renovation. This means we need to be flexible in how we celebrate confirmation this year. We will not be able to hold our Confirmation service in the sanctuary. We will move it to the commons, which will already be set up for worship starting in April. We will still have pictures, gowns, flowers, and the rite of confirmation as we always have.  The examination of the students will take place as usual. Students from Emanuel Lutheran School will be examined on Tuesday, April 30 at 6:30 PM. PSI students will have their examination service on Wednesday, May 1, at 6:30 PM. Both these services will take place in the commons.  Confirmation will take place on Sunday, May 5. However, to accommodate the larger crowds expected for this service, we are having a special confirmation service at 1:00 PM. This will be a combined service for all st

Chained to a Roman guard and facing a possible death sentence, Paul wrote a letter overflowing with joy. How could Paul remain so joyful in such suffering? We are baffled by Paul's ability to deal with suffering. We marvel at his joyful thoughts amid such hardship. But grace infuses Paul's heart - it moves him to suffer, strive, and share Christ at every opportunity. His heart is full, his mind is focused, and his joy is radiant. Truth pours from Scripture with the clear message that we are also given the privilege of living in the joy of Christ. This study will meet at the home of Jeanette Eggers, 606 Wyman St, from April 3 to May 1, 1-2:30 p.m. Call our office to register. There is a limit of 12 ladies.  

Special events are STILL HAPPENING! As we look forward to the start of the renovation on April 1, we want to assure members that Emanuel’s special events this spring and summer will still take place.  Confirmation Confirmation will take place in a special service on Sunday, May 5, at 1:00 p.m. This will be a combined service for both students from Emanuel and PSI. This special time is to alleviate crowds from the 8:00 a.m. & 10:30 a.m. services in the morning.  JAM Jesus’ littlest lambs and their grown-ups are encouraged to continue joining together for JAM! Time! The location for April 5 and 12 will be determined by God's blessing of weather! Watch for email communication to announce the location. JAM! in the Sand will come during the summer! Vacation Bible School (VBS) Vacation Bible School for children preschool through grade 5 will still be held this summer using the fun construction theme: “Building your Faith.” Mark your calendar for July 15-19, 2024. Registration informa