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February 2020 Newsletter
God's Mission is Our Mission
It’s God’s mission, isn’t it? The church … it belongs to God, doesn’t it? Our lives, we are His too aren’t we?! All of it… God’s! For me, this is very good news and completely freeing when I think about the work we are called to do together as the beloved people called Immanuel. Knowing who we are and whose we are… well … I can’t say enough about that. 1 Peter 2:9 says, “for you are a chosen people. You are royal priests, a holy nation, God’s very own possession. As a result, you can show others the goodness of God, for he called you out of the darkness into his wonderful light. “Once you had no identity as a people; now you are God’s people. Once you received no mercy; now you have received God’s mercy.”
Once we were nobodies. Now we are somebodies. Once merciless. Now, people of mercy. And we “somebodies” for some reason that I’m not really 100% clear on is that God invites you and me to partner with Him in His mission to love and save the world. Don’t get me wrong… the mission is all His. He does the loving and the saving. We get to share in it. We get to participate. Those who were first to rub shoulders with the living resurrected Lord in the early days after conquering death and the grave… they heard Jesus invite them into His mission… “But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes upon you. And you will
be my witnesses, telling people about me everywhere—in Jerusalem, throughout Judea, in Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.” Acts 1:8 You and I, when you think about it, ended up sharing in Jesus’ love because someone shared His Good News of sins forgiven and life eternal with with us!
Our newly minted Immanuel mission statement reads,
“Sharing the love of Jesus with all!”
Nice. I like it. Not because I was part of the Dream Team that help craft it (using your input by the way)… but because I continue to be reminded again and again that it’s all God’s in the first place. We are but His witnesses, His servants, His forgiven family. Now this is a mission I can get behind. It’s Clear! Concise! Action oriented! Memorable! Inclusive! It’s got me thinking deeply about what God wants for my life and the life of Immanuel. It’s got me praying daily for those I love and for Immanuel’s efforts to share the love of Jesus with all.
Sincerely, Pastor Lee
Christian Estate Planning Seminar
Lutheran Foundation Canada is pleased to announce a Christian Estate Planning Seminar on Saturday, February 29 (9:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.) @ Immanuel Lutheran
Presenter: Allen Schellenberg, MBA Executive Director and Gift Coordinator Lutheran Foundation Canada (A Financial Ministry of LCC)
Topics will include:
MYSTERY ROAD TRIP
January 24 - 26, 2020 was the first ever mystery road trip for youth (Grade 7-12).
Imagine this: A fifteen passenger van full and headed somewhere!? Where? The destination was Calgary where we slept over at Grace Lutheran Church for two nights. Laser tag, games in the church's gym, tubing at the Olympic Park, and swimming were the main activities we enjoyed. A real highlight was the servant event we planned - sorting through mountains of clothing donations at the Donations & Recycling Centre: Calgary Drop-In & Rehab Centre Society. Hard work but rewarding work knowing that we helped bless people in need so that they will be provided with warm winter jackets, hats, mitts, boots and many other
necessities of life. We also spent time in prayer and devotion - the theme centered around the questions we all have about God. Some of them are very tough questions that are difficult to answer even for us who believe in Jesus. Rick Smith, Michelle Rodgers, Emma Loveridge, and Pastor Lee were the leaders for the trip.
In case you were wondering, we didn't lose one youth and each one was returned safely to their parents. And from all reports coming in, it was a fun time!
Lutheran Women’s Missionary League Canada
LWML Canada is an auxiliary of Lutheran Church Canada and is primarily focused on fellowship, Bible study, and doing mission work. The mission projects are chosen in convention nationally every 3rd year and every 2nd year at a District level. At any
one time, there are 10-15 projects in the works!
Mites: When LWML was founded over 70 years ago, projects were funded by collecting the mighty mite or the copper penny. In Canada, since we no longer have the penny, the mite has become nickels, dimes, and quarters too. It is truly amazing what can be done just by faithfully fathering coins on a regular basis.
The National LWML convention has committed to gathering $88000 for 8 projects including sending mission teams to foreign countries, or to Klemtu, BC; support for deaconesses, support for the deaf ministries, the Director of Parish Services program with Concordia Seminary (Edmonton) and others.
Because we already have many active women’s groups (studies and fellowship etc) within Immanuel, we are not planning to form a traditional LWML society with regular monthly meetings. Instead, we want to encourage you to consider collecting coins for LWML projects in a special and separate container. A lot of us have loose change hanging about in pockets, purses, and cup holders. At specified times we will collect the coins about 3-4 times per year. These donations will be recorded and included in the donors annual giving for income tax purposes. Further directions will be given in upcoming newsletters and announcements.
God blesses the lowliest of coins to bring about blessings for others. For more information please contact Edna Mackenzie 587-486-9444
Treasurer Update
Our financial year-end is now completed; and we’d like to share the results with you.
The value of our assets (what we own) is up by over $63,000 compared to last year; and our liabilities (what we owe) is down by over $93,000.00. The amount owing on our mortgage is $186,000 less than it was one year ago – and we are anticipating paying it off in early 2023!
The income into our General Fund was over $543,000 this year. In addition, over $60,000 was given to our various Dedicated Accounts, bringing the total to over $600,000. This was higher than expected due to two large and unexpected gifts that
we received over the summer months. (One for $50,000 and another for $145,000) Our total expenses were about $40,000 higher than expected. This was because we’d decided to pay out $50,000 to the LCC Pension Plan in order to be able to move to a
much less expensive (but equally beneficial) plan for our staff. This was approved at a Voters’ Meeting over the summer.
Our Preschool program had a deficit of less than $1,000.00. But at the end of the year there were some payments owing to the school, so it was virtually “break even” – which is the goal of the school.
Overall, I believe this was a financially successful year! I’m open to any and all questions. You can email me at treasurer@immanuellutheran.ca; or call me at 403-682-9390.
God Bless!
Baynish Bassett, Treasurer.
Outreach Update
February Mission Month –In February we will focus on what God is doing through various groups and organizations in our city and beyond.
Coffee Fellowship February Every Sunday from 10-11 AM – Because it’s Mission Month, we ask the 9 AM worshipers to stick around after for coffee fellowship and we ask the 11 AM worshipers to come early to connect with one another and those special guests who are joining us each week!
Yes, that’s right! Coffee fellowship will be every Sunday BETWEEN worship services from 10-11 AM.
Immanuel Library Book of the Month
Same Kind of Different as Me Meet Denver, raised under plantation style slavery in Louisiana until he escaped the “Man” – in the 1960’s – by hopping a train. Non-trusting, uneducated, and violent, he spent another 18 years on the streets of Dallas
and Fort Worth. Meet Ron Hall, a self-made millionaire in the world of high-priced art deals -- concerned with fast cars, beautiful women, and fancy clothes. And the woman who changed their lives -- Miss Debbie: “The skinniest, nosiest, pushiest, woman I ever met, black or white.” She helped the homeless and gave of herself to all of “God’s People,” and had a way of knowing how to listen and helping others talk and be found – until cancer strikes. The story takes a devastating twist when Deborah discovers she has cancer. Will Deborah live or die? Will Denver learn to trust a white man? Will Ron embrace his dying wife's vision to rescue Denver? Or will Denver be the one rescuing Ron? There's pain and laughter, doubt and tears, and in the end a triumphal story that readers will never forget.
Dream Team Update
Greetings;
The Dream Team continues to dream.
After taking the month of December off; we have come back together and have met twice within the month of January. We recently went over all the congregational comments and ideas for a revised mission statement. With the help of the congregational input; from the 3 week mission statement presentation in the Narthex; the revised mission statement is now
completed and reads “Sharing the Love of Jesus with All”.
We are continuing to meet twice a month and are currently reviewing the Vision statement and Core Values of Immanuel Lutheran Church to align with our Mission.
The dream team asks for continued prayer support as God continues to lead us in the direction that he is taking Immanuel Lutheran Church. It is important to remember that it is not our thoughts, wants and ways that should be the focus; but God’s will.
“For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord. Plans for welfare and not for evil. To give you a future and a hope” Jeremiah 29: 11 “My thoughts are not your thoughts; neither are your ways my ways, declares the Lord. For as the Heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts” Isaiah 55:8-9
God Bless,
Dustin Napper (Chairman of the Dream Team)
NOMINATION COMMITTEE
Tyler Rodgers, Bob Hedrich, Dena Michaelis, and Pastor Lee are the members of the newly formed Nomination Committee put together to help guide the congregation toward the Spring Congregation Meeting where we elect new officers for the Parish Planning Council for a two year term starting September 2020.
Nomination process will begin February 16.
Roles we are looking to elect are 4 Executive positions (Chair, Vice Chair, Secretary, Treasurer) and 4 Board heads (Education, Outreach, Property, and Nurture). We are also looking to fill positions who will serve as an Elder of the congregation. These are appointed positions by PPC but we are desiring congregational input in identifying suitable candidates. We are having so much fun that we are also seeking two more people to serve on the Nomination Committee!
It’s God’s mission, isn’t it? The church … it belongs to God, doesn’t it? Our lives, we are His too aren’t we?! All of it… God’s! For me, this is very good news and completely freeing when I think about the work we are called to do together as the beloved people called Immanuel. Knowing who we are and whose we are… well … I can’t say enough about that. 1 Peter 2:9 says, “for you are a chosen people. You are royal priests, a holy nation, God’s very own possession. As a result, you can show others the goodness of God, for he called you out of the darkness into his wonderful light. “Once you had no identity as a people; now you are God’s people. Once you received no mercy; now you have received God’s mercy.”
Once we were nobodies. Now we are somebodies. Once merciless. Now, people of mercy. And we “somebodies” for some reason that I’m not really 100% clear on is that God invites you and me to partner with Him in His mission to love and save the world. Don’t get me wrong… the mission is all His. He does the loving and the saving. We get to share in it. We get to participate. Those who were first to rub shoulders with the living resurrected Lord in the early days after conquering death and the grave… they heard Jesus invite them into His mission… “But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes upon you. And you will
be my witnesses, telling people about me everywhere—in Jerusalem, throughout Judea, in Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.” Acts 1:8 You and I, when you think about it, ended up sharing in Jesus’ love because someone shared His Good News of sins forgiven and life eternal with with us!
Our newly minted Immanuel mission statement reads,
“Sharing the love of Jesus with all!”
Nice. I like it. Not because I was part of the Dream Team that help craft it (using your input by the way)… but because I continue to be reminded again and again that it’s all God’s in the first place. We are but His witnesses, His servants, His forgiven family. Now this is a mission I can get behind. It’s Clear! Concise! Action oriented! Memorable! Inclusive! It’s got me thinking deeply about what God wants for my life and the life of Immanuel. It’s got me praying daily for those I love and for Immanuel’s efforts to share the love of Jesus with all.
Sincerely, Pastor Lee
Christian Estate Planning Seminar
Lutheran Foundation Canada is pleased to announce a Christian Estate Planning Seminar on Saturday, February 29 (9:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.) @ Immanuel Lutheran
Presenter: Allen Schellenberg, MBA Executive Director and Gift Coordinator Lutheran Foundation Canada (A Financial Ministry of LCC)
Topics will include:
- A Christian perspective to Estate Planning
- Power of Attorney - which type do you need?
- Health Care Directive - letting family know your wishes
- Making a “Christian Will” (a witness to your faith)
- Asset transfer upon death (Letter of Direction)
- Executor issues - cost, common problems, helpful aids
- Funeral considerations (let your wishes be known)
- Does your estate plan reveal what you’re passionate about?
- Estate and Probate tax - what's taxed and what isn't?
- Canada Revenue Agency - your un-named beneficiary!
- Planned Giving - gifting thru use of tax reduction strategies
- Congregational Gift Acceptance and Use Policy
- Common “errors” seen in wills
MYSTERY ROAD TRIP
January 24 - 26, 2020 was the first ever mystery road trip for youth (Grade 7-12).
Imagine this: A fifteen passenger van full and headed somewhere!? Where? The destination was Calgary where we slept over at Grace Lutheran Church for two nights. Laser tag, games in the church's gym, tubing at the Olympic Park, and swimming were the main activities we enjoyed. A real highlight was the servant event we planned - sorting through mountains of clothing donations at the Donations & Recycling Centre: Calgary Drop-In & Rehab Centre Society. Hard work but rewarding work knowing that we helped bless people in need so that they will be provided with warm winter jackets, hats, mitts, boots and many other
necessities of life. We also spent time in prayer and devotion - the theme centered around the questions we all have about God. Some of them are very tough questions that are difficult to answer even for us who believe in Jesus. Rick Smith, Michelle Rodgers, Emma Loveridge, and Pastor Lee were the leaders for the trip.
In case you were wondering, we didn't lose one youth and each one was returned safely to their parents. And from all reports coming in, it was a fun time!
Lutheran Women’s Missionary League Canada
LWML Canada is an auxiliary of Lutheran Church Canada and is primarily focused on fellowship, Bible study, and doing mission work. The mission projects are chosen in convention nationally every 3rd year and every 2nd year at a District level. At any
one time, there are 10-15 projects in the works!
Mites: When LWML was founded over 70 years ago, projects were funded by collecting the mighty mite or the copper penny. In Canada, since we no longer have the penny, the mite has become nickels, dimes, and quarters too. It is truly amazing what can be done just by faithfully fathering coins on a regular basis.
The National LWML convention has committed to gathering $88000 for 8 projects including sending mission teams to foreign countries, or to Klemtu, BC; support for deaconesses, support for the deaf ministries, the Director of Parish Services program with Concordia Seminary (Edmonton) and others.
Because we already have many active women’s groups (studies and fellowship etc) within Immanuel, we are not planning to form a traditional LWML society with regular monthly meetings. Instead, we want to encourage you to consider collecting coins for LWML projects in a special and separate container. A lot of us have loose change hanging about in pockets, purses, and cup holders. At specified times we will collect the coins about 3-4 times per year. These donations will be recorded and included in the donors annual giving for income tax purposes. Further directions will be given in upcoming newsletters and announcements.
God blesses the lowliest of coins to bring about blessings for others. For more information please contact Edna Mackenzie 587-486-9444
Treasurer Update
Our financial year-end is now completed; and we’d like to share the results with you.
The value of our assets (what we own) is up by over $63,000 compared to last year; and our liabilities (what we owe) is down by over $93,000.00. The amount owing on our mortgage is $186,000 less than it was one year ago – and we are anticipating paying it off in early 2023!
The income into our General Fund was over $543,000 this year. In addition, over $60,000 was given to our various Dedicated Accounts, bringing the total to over $600,000. This was higher than expected due to two large and unexpected gifts that
we received over the summer months. (One for $50,000 and another for $145,000) Our total expenses were about $40,000 higher than expected. This was because we’d decided to pay out $50,000 to the LCC Pension Plan in order to be able to move to a
much less expensive (but equally beneficial) plan for our staff. This was approved at a Voters’ Meeting over the summer.
Our Preschool program had a deficit of less than $1,000.00. But at the end of the year there were some payments owing to the school, so it was virtually “break even” – which is the goal of the school.
Overall, I believe this was a financially successful year! I’m open to any and all questions. You can email me at treasurer@immanuellutheran.ca; or call me at 403-682-9390.
God Bless!
Baynish Bassett, Treasurer.
Outreach Update
February Mission Month –In February we will focus on what God is doing through various groups and organizations in our city and beyond.
- On February 2 we will hear about Lutheran Women’s Missionary League and the missions they support from one of our local members, Edna McKenzie
- On February 9 we will hear about a local mission, Streets Alive, presented by Marie McLennan
- On February 16 President Jim Gimbel from Concordia Lutheran Seminary, will be preaching at both services.
- On February 23 Youth One will present on the local youth center in Lethbridge
- On March 1 Pastor Mike Kuhn from Lutheran Bible Translators Canada, currently in Canada from Cameroon, will be preaching at both services .
Coffee Fellowship February Every Sunday from 10-11 AM – Because it’s Mission Month, we ask the 9 AM worshipers to stick around after for coffee fellowship and we ask the 11 AM worshipers to come early to connect with one another and those special guests who are joining us each week!
Yes, that’s right! Coffee fellowship will be every Sunday BETWEEN worship services from 10-11 AM.
Immanuel Library Book of the Month
Same Kind of Different as Me Meet Denver, raised under plantation style slavery in Louisiana until he escaped the “Man” – in the 1960’s – by hopping a train. Non-trusting, uneducated, and violent, he spent another 18 years on the streets of Dallas
and Fort Worth. Meet Ron Hall, a self-made millionaire in the world of high-priced art deals -- concerned with fast cars, beautiful women, and fancy clothes. And the woman who changed their lives -- Miss Debbie: “The skinniest, nosiest, pushiest, woman I ever met, black or white.” She helped the homeless and gave of herself to all of “God’s People,” and had a way of knowing how to listen and helping others talk and be found – until cancer strikes. The story takes a devastating twist when Deborah discovers she has cancer. Will Deborah live or die? Will Denver learn to trust a white man? Will Ron embrace his dying wife's vision to rescue Denver? Or will Denver be the one rescuing Ron? There's pain and laughter, doubt and tears, and in the end a triumphal story that readers will never forget.
Dream Team Update
Greetings;
The Dream Team continues to dream.
After taking the month of December off; we have come back together and have met twice within the month of January. We recently went over all the congregational comments and ideas for a revised mission statement. With the help of the congregational input; from the 3 week mission statement presentation in the Narthex; the revised mission statement is now
completed and reads “Sharing the Love of Jesus with All”.
We are continuing to meet twice a month and are currently reviewing the Vision statement and Core Values of Immanuel Lutheran Church to align with our Mission.
The dream team asks for continued prayer support as God continues to lead us in the direction that he is taking Immanuel Lutheran Church. It is important to remember that it is not our thoughts, wants and ways that should be the focus; but God’s will.
“For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord. Plans for welfare and not for evil. To give you a future and a hope” Jeremiah 29: 11 “My thoughts are not your thoughts; neither are your ways my ways, declares the Lord. For as the Heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts” Isaiah 55:8-9
God Bless,
Dustin Napper (Chairman of the Dream Team)
NOMINATION COMMITTEE
Tyler Rodgers, Bob Hedrich, Dena Michaelis, and Pastor Lee are the members of the newly formed Nomination Committee put together to help guide the congregation toward the Spring Congregation Meeting where we elect new officers for the Parish Planning Council for a two year term starting September 2020.
Nomination process will begin February 16.
Roles we are looking to elect are 4 Executive positions (Chair, Vice Chair, Secretary, Treasurer) and 4 Board heads (Education, Outreach, Property, and Nurture). We are also looking to fill positions who will serve as an Elder of the congregation. These are appointed positions by PPC but we are desiring congregational input in identifying suitable candidates. We are having so much fun that we are also seeking two more people to serve on the Nomination Committee!
