Emanuel Lutheran Tiger Talk

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.

Emanuel Events This Week Monday  Track practice - 3:15 Musical rehearsal - 3:30 Track parent meeting - 4:30 Worship - 6:30 Tuesday Butter Braid pick-up - 3:00 Musical rehearsal - 3:30 Musical parent meeting - 5:00 Wednesday Crossroads Youth Group (5th-8th grade) - 7:00 Thursday NO SCHOOL Holy Thursday worship - 3:30/7:00 Friday NO SCHOOL Good Friday worship - 9:30/1:00/7:00 Saturday NO WORSHIP Sunday Worship Easter Sunrise service - 6:00 Easter breakfast - 7:00 Easter Festival service - 8:00/10:30 Monday NO SCHOOL

From the desk of Mrs. D :) A happy heart makes the face cheerful! Proverbs 15:13 Call, text, email Anytime 920-407-3000 mdobberstein@emanuelnl.org Upcoming Events:  3/23/2024 - 9:00-11:00 am  - Easter JAM!  Come and join us! 3/24/2024 - 8:00a - Sing in church!  See you below! All children should attend! 4/5/2024 - 5:30-7:00p - Track 'n' Field Night - Invites came home!  Please RSVP! 5/20/2024 - Dobberstein Farm Field Trip - Parents are welcome to join! Jesus showed us his power again this week.  He came along the road to find 10 men with leprosy.  This terrible disease had sentenced these men to a life of solitude.  When Jesus walked close enough to hear them, they called with all their faith!  They called for Jesus to heal them.  He sent them to the priest who could determine if they could rejoin society.  The men were so excited they took off and were healed on the way!  One man turned around and came back to thank Jesus.  Jesus was glad he remembered but saddened the others

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. 

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. 

Emanuel Events This Week Monday  Butter Braid paper orders/payment due to school office by 3:30 Musical rehearsal - 3:30 Worship - 6:30 Tuesday Musical rehearsal - 3:30 Wednesday Lenten worship - 3:30 Lenten meal (Commons) - 4:30 Lenten worship - 7:00 Crossroads Youth Group (5th-8th grade) - 7:00 Thursday Musical rehearsal - 3:30 Friday School chapel - 8:05 Saturday Easter JAM! - 9:00 Worship - 5:15 Sunday Worship 8:00/10:30 3K/4K sing - 8:00 Sunday school/Bible study between services Sunday School sings - 10:30

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

  From the desk of Mrs. D :) A happy heart makes the face cheerful! Proverbs 15:13 Call, text, email Anytime 920-407-3000 mdobberstein@emanuelnl.org Upcoming Events:  3/13/2024 - Lent worship & Lenten Supper  3/16/2024 - 5:15p - Worship Opportunity 3/17/2024 - 8:00a or 10:30a - Worship Opportunity 3/18/2024 - 6:30p - Worship Opportunity 3/20/2024 - Lent worship & Lenten Supper  March 11-15, 2024 - Spring Break March 24, 2024 - 8:00a - Sing in Church - Save the Date April 5, 2024 - 5:30-7:00p - Track 'n' Field Night - Save the Date May 20, 2024 - Dobberstein Farm Field Trip - Parents are welcome to join! "Serve one another in love." Jesus teaches us this lesson with his parable(story) of the Good Samaritan. In his story, Jesus shows a man who showed love even when he wasn't "supposed to."  Two men who outwardly said they loved the Lord didn't stop to help the man who had been beaten. The Samaritan not only stopped when he was the least likely

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.        

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

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.      

Emanuel Events This Week Monday  NO BUS Seal-a-Smile at Emanuel Musical rehearsal - 3:30 Worship - 6:30 Tuesday NO BUS Seal-a-Smile at Emanuel Musical rehearsal - 3:30 Wednesday NO BUS Lenten worship - 3:30 Lenten meal (Commons) - 4:30 Lenten worship - 7:00 Crossroads Youth Group (5th-8th grade) - 7:00 Thursday NO BUS Musical rehearsal - 3:30 School Board meeting - 6:00 Friday NO BUS LPS basketball tournament - Watertown, WI 7th/8th field trip to LPS - 7:30 School chapel - 8:05 JAM - 8:15 Saturday LPS basketball tournament - Watertown, WI Worship - 5:15 Sunday Daylight Savings Time - Set Clocks Forward One Hour! Worship (The Lutheran Ceili Orchestra) 8:00/10:30 Sunday school/Bible study between services

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.  

From the desk of Mrs. D :) A happy heart makes the face cheerful! Proverbs 15:13 Call, text, email Anytime 920-407-3000 mdobberstein@emanuelnl.org Upcoming Events:  3/2/2024 - 5:15p - Worship Opportunity 3/3/2024 - 8:00a or 10:30a - Worship Opportunity 3/4/2024 - 6:30p - Worship Opportunity 3/6/2024 - Lent worship & Lenten Supper  3/8/2024 - 8:15a -  JAM! Time  March 11-15, 2024 - Spring Break March 24, 2024 - 8:00a - Sing in Church - Save the Date April 5, 2024 - 5:30-7:00p - Track 'n' Field Night - Save the Date May 20, 2024 - Dobberstein Farm Field Trip - Parents are welcome to join! "You surely are the Lord!" Peter exclaimed. Jesus demonstrated His power to His disciples yet again. The disciples were out on the water fighting against the wind. Jesus had been praying and rejuvenating alone. He saw their struggle and came to them...WALKING ON THE WATER! They were terrified at first. Then Peter asked to walk to Jesus and did. Then the fear overtook him, and he be