MESSENGER VOLUME 13 1 JANUARY 2013

January 2013 Vol. 13 No. 1 Messenger

IMMANUEL LUTHERAN CHURCH AND SCHOOL, BRISTOL, CONNECTICUT

OUR MISSION The people of CHORAL EVENING PRAYER Immanuel Lutheran Church are living proof Music of the Christmas and Epiphany season will be of the grace of God presented by the Kantorei of Concordia Theological through salvation in Seminary, Fort Wayne, Indiana Jesus Christ. Empowered by Christ, Saturday, January 5, 2013, 4:00 p.m. at our mission is to reach Immanuel Lutheran Church out in love to those who 154 Meadow Street Bristol, Connecticut. have not yet responded

to the Gospel that all The Kantorei is a 16-voice choir of students studying may be united in Christ. for the Office of the Holy Ministry at Concordia, Fort Wayne.

Led by Richard C. Resch, Associate Professor of Pastoral Ministry and Missions Kantor, the choir will lift their voices in praise and lead the congregation in celebration of Christmas and Epiphany. Immanuel Lutheran Church and School Admission is free. A free-will offering will be collected 154 Meadow Street after the performance to support the work of the seminary. Bristol, CT 06010 860-583-5649 [email protected] www.ilcs.org

Rev. Kevin A. Karner Pastor Mr. James F. Krupski School Principal

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Women of Immanuel

LWML MISSION GRANT CHILDREN’S NUTRITUION AND CARE – VIETNAM $72,255

Less than 10% of the Socialist Republic of Vietnam is Christian and the government is traditionally closed to outside religious The next meeting of the Women of Immanuel will be held on organizations. Most Vietnamese are Buddhist or worship their Thursday, March 14, 2013. ancestors.

Eleven Fabric Kits have been sent to Lutheran World Relief. LCMS World Mission personnel have been in Vietnam since The Fabric Kits are used in vocational training programs to 1995 and work jointly with the Vietnamese National Institute of teach young men and women useful and marketable sewing Nutrition to identify nutrition problems among the poor. They skills. Thanks to everyone who donated material and thread for hope to reduce the hunger rate to less than 1%. This program this project. also offers reasonably rated loans to the poor. Recent interest rates outside this program have reached 500%. LCMS LUTHERAN WOMEN IN MISSION personnel also teach management, farming, fishing, food preparation, and food storage skills. Because of its strong and valued history in education, Scholarship Awarded LCMS World Mission personnel are also able to reach out to the people of Vietnam through several different education Each year, the LWML, New District awards ministries: daycare centers, English classes, and English scholarships to students who will be entering the service of the workshops for Vietnamese English teachers. Day care teachers Lutheran Church Missouri Synod as a pastor, teacher, receive training in both education and health care. The children deaconess, social worker or director of Christian education, and get lunches at day care so they have at least one nutritious meal must attend a synodical college or seminary. a day. The children learn basic health and nutrition skills, and Taylor Milano received a scholarship of $875 for the 2012- they often share their knowledge with their families at home. 2013 school year. Taylor is in her freshman year at Concordia Rural English teachers often know English grammar, but lack College, New York where she is studying to be a teacher. proper pronunciation. Through conversational training, the staff can develop relationships and often has an opportunity to share Christ in word and action. 2013 LWML CONVENTION The purpose of this grant is to form relationships with the people of Vietnam and share the love of Jesus through humanitarian care and education projects. The Vietnamese government recently granted permission to allow LCMS World Mission to build and staff a new International School in Hanoi.

th The 35 Biennial LWML Convention will be held June 27-30, Prayer: Dear Almighty God, You have opened the doors of the 2013, in , Pennsylvania. "Quenched! by the Water” Vietnamese nation to Your love by allowing LCMS World will be the theme for the convention highlighting the Scripture Mission personnel to teach good farming, fishing and better passage from John 4:14: [Jesus said:] “…but whoever drinks of nutrition the water that I will give him will never be thirsty again. The methods to rural Vietnamese. Now You have continued to bless water that I will give the people of Vietnam by moving the Vietnamese government him will become in him a spring of water welling up to eternal to allow an International School to be built and staffed life." by LCMS personnel in Hanoi. Bless all who teach and learn in this school. May many more precious souls come to know and We will be spending time together in Bible study, worship, trust You as their Lord and Savior. In Jesus’ name we pray. singing and fellowship with many new and cherished friends. Amen. Many exciting activities are being planned for this convention. Invite everyone you know to come to Pittsburgh. You are in for an exciting experience. One you will remember for a lifetime! The Winter Issue of the Lutheran Woman's Quarterly will have an insert with information about the LWML Convention.

“Transitory gods are not able to save or bring happiness to the human heart. Only God is able. It is faith we must rediscover.” —Martin Luther King Jr.

MESSENGER VOLUME 13 3 JANUARY 2013

From the Pastor’s Desk

WHAT IS THE EPIPHANY OF OUR LORD? 24:17. This explains why the astral phenomenon Messenger is published The Epiphany of our Lord is the wonderful described in Matthew 2:1-12 so fascinated the monthly by Immanuel liturgical festival observed on January 6. It is wise men of the gospel narrative. Lutheran Church and School the oldest of the Christmas festivals and Many pious legends about the wise men have for its members and friends. originally the most important. Since January 6 is arisen over the centuries. In the western most often a weekday, Lutherans and liturgical Christian churches, these include the traditions Immanuel is a member of the Protestants sometimes shift the celebration of that there were three Magi who visited Jesus, Lutheran Church Missouri Epiphany to the Sunday immediately following that their names were Gaspar, Melchior, and Synod. the 6th. Epiphany is also a season that lasts until Balthasar, and that they were kings.

the beginning of Lent and encompasses four to Michael Krampitz Newsletter Editor nine Sundays, depending on the date of Easter. WHAT IS THE LITURGICAL COLOR FOR EPIPHANY? Karen Smith WHAT DOES THE WORD "EPIPHANY" MEAN? White, the color of purity, holiness, and joy is Church Secretary The word epiphany comes from the Greek noun the traditional liturgical color for Epiphany, the epiphaneia, which means "shining forth," first Sunday after the Epiphany (the Baptism of SUNDAY "manifestation," or "revelation." In the ancient our Lord), and the last Sunday after the Greco-Roman world, an epiphany referred to the Epiphany (the Transfiguration of our Lord). For DIVINE SERVICE appearance of one of the gods to mortals. Since the other Sundays of the season, green is 8:00 A.M. Hellenistic kings and Roman emperors were normally used. Green represents the new life 10:45 A.M. considered by many to be gods, the word that Christ gives us in baptism, as well as the epiphany was also used as a term for divine spiritual growth we experience during the season BIBLE STUDY majesty. The Epiphany of our Lord is the as we study the Lord's ministry of teaching, 9:30 A.M. Christian festival that celebrates the many ways healing, and miracles. Some churches prefer through signs, miracles, and preaching that Jesus using white on every Sunday of the Epiphany SUNDAY SCHOOL revealed Himself to the world as Christ, God season and reserve green for the season after 9:30 A.M. Incarnate, and King of kings. Pentecost.

WHAT DOES THE CHURCH COMMEMORATE WHY IS EPIPHANY SUCH A SPECIAL DAY AND DURING EPIPHANY? SEASON? The Festival of the Epiphany of our Lord Epiphany is one of the most important festivals originally commemorated three incidents that of the liturgical year because it shows the church WHEELCHAIR manifested the mission and divinity of Christ: how God comes to His people. We are so full of ACCESSIBLE the visit of the Magi (Matthew 2:1-12), the sin and deserving of divine punishment that we baptism of Jesus (Mark 1:9-11), and the miracle cannot hope to approach God. Knowing that we at Cana (John 2:1-11). Nowadays, most cannot come to Him, God took the initiative and Worship Services are liturgical churches emphasize the visit of the came to us by becoming one of us. The most broadcast each Sunday on Magi on January 6th and celebrate Christ's holy and almighty God condescended to take on baptism on the first Sunday after the 6th. human flesh in order to reveal His salvation to WXCT RADIO the world. This is the mystery of the Epiphany 990 AM WHO WERE THE MAGI? of our Lord. 1:00 P.M. The Magi were members of the religious During this season, Christians meditate on hierarchy of ancient Persia and Media (the many of our Lord's epiphanies. Epiphany Day region corresponding to modern Iran). They itself commemorates the arrival of the Magi in were scholars and practitioners of astrology, Bethlehem to worship the Messiah and bring divination, and the interpretation of dreams. Him gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh Their expertise in these arcane subjects is the (Matthew 2:1-12). Since the earliest days of the reason they were often referred to as "wise men." church, these wise men have been considered to The Magi of Babylonia undoubtedly came into be representatives of all the peoples of the earth. contact with exiled Jewish priests living among By means of a miraculous star, God showed them. Through these acquaintances the Magi them that Jesus was born to be not only the King learned of the Old Testament prophecies of the Jews, but the Lord and Savior of all concerning the coming of Christ, including the cryptic "messianic star" passage of Numbers (Continued on page 4)

MESSENGER VOLUME 13 4 JANUARY 2013

From the Pastor’s Desk

(Continued from page 3) nations. The Baptism of our Lord is the first Sunday after the Epiphany Choral Evening Prayer Epiphany. This important festival is the observance of Jesus' Music of the Christmas and Epiphany season presented by the baptism at the hands of John the Baptist (Mark 1:9-11). The Kantorei of Concordia Theological Seminary, Fort Wayne, words of the Father and the appearance of the Holy Spirit in the Indiana on Saturday, January 5, 2013 at 4:00 pm. at Immanuel form of a dove as Jesus came out of the waters revealed Him to Lutheran Church, 154 Meadow Street, Bristol, Connecticut. be God's true Son. The Transfiguration of our Lord, the last Sunday after the Epiphany, is a celebration of the moment that Christ, in the company of Moses and Elijah, literally shined His glorious Young at Heart divine nature on Peter, James, and John, leaving them dazed and awestruck (Luke 9:28-36). This event, the greatest of Wishes for a Happy New Year 2013 to all our "over age 50" Christ's epiphanies until His triumphant resurrection from the members and friends. grave on Easter, serves as the dramatic conclusion of the Our last event of 2012 was enjoyed by about 90 of us; it was season. Transfiguration Sunday stands in vivid contrast to what our annual Christmas Luncheon at Nuchies on Dec.6 with lots takes place just a few days later: Ash Wednesday, the day of of singing, door prizes, great food, and fellowship. Thanks to sorrow and repentance that initiates the season of Lent. everyone who helped make this such a wonderful event, and all In between the two Sundays that mark the Lord's baptism our volunteers who help out during the year. and transfiguration, the church concentrates on several of the We do not have a monthly lunch program in the winter months other incidents from Scripture that show how Jesus manifested but our Planning Committee members will be meeting and God's love to the world through His ministry of preaching, planning some great programs for you in 2013. Everyone miracles, and healings. What is common to each of these should try to visit a homebound member of the congregation epiphanies is that in one way or another they make known the during the winter, especially if you are delivering a poinsettia identity and mission of Jesus Christ: True Man and True God, plant from our altar. Watch your Sunday bulletin for more born into this sinful world to be the Lord and Savior of all information about our activities. humanity. We begin to understand the joy and wonder of Epiphany when we read the story of Simeon (Luke 2:22-35). Simeon was a devout old man who lived in Jerusalem. The Holy Spirit had revealed to him that he would not die until he had seen the promised Messiah with his own eyes. When Joseph and Mary brought Jesus to the temple to be consecrated according to Baptism Jewish law regarding firstborn males (Exodus 13:2), Simeon Parker Snyder realized that this infant was the Christ. In joyful response to this personal epiphany, the old man took the baby Jesus in his Son of Michael Snyder & Krystal Michelson arms and chanted a magnificent song of thanksgiving best December 9, 2012 known by its Latin title, Nunc Dimittis. We at Immanuel, along with Lutheran Christians everywhere, sing Simeon's great canticle at the end of the service of Holy Communion. The Called Home to Heaven words of the Nunc Dimittis remind us of the mercy and grace that God revealed to the world in His Son, Jesus Christ: Arthur G. Yanke August 15, 1942—November 19, 2012 Lord, now lettest Thou Thy servant depart in Ernest A. Werner Peace according to Thy word, October 26, 1926—November 21, 2012

For mine eyes have seen Thy Salvation Frank B. Pavlik III Which Thou hast prepared before the face of all people: July 29, 1936—November 25, 2012

A light to lighten the Gentiles Paul A. Zurell And the glory of Thy people Israel. March 5, 1936—December 11, 2012

“Four steps to achievement: Plan purposefully. Prepare prayerfully. Proceed positively. Pursue persistently.” —William Arthur Ward

MESSENGER VOLUME 13 5 JANUARY 2013

From: President Timothy Yeadon Money is also being accepted to benefit the ELCA and LCMS Disaster Response. Our commendations today go to Immanuel on winning the Your monetary donations should be made payable to any one of December 10 "Coveted" Way to Go, Saints, Award !! the four churches (with Hurricane Sandy in the memo) and a Immanuel Lutheran Church in Bristol, Ct., has joined forces with 3 matching donation from Thrivent Financial for Lutherans up to other Lutheran Churches in Bristol on a Thrivent supported $100,000 will be added to the total donated. To help or for endeavor. They are serving as a drop off location to fill a truck (or maybe 2) with items for Sandy victims! Please see the attached information, contact Tracy Carlson at (869) 620-4166 or newspaper announcement! [email protected].

All praises to God for showing us how we can be His Hands and Heart in New England! Elisabeth von in Concert The Lutheran Church of Madison, Connecticut is hosting the world renowned in concert on Friday, Churches Unite for Sandy Aid January 18, 2013 at 7:00 p.m. The gala evening will begin with a Pot Luck Supper at 5:00 p.m. Bristol Press, December 1, 2012 Elisabeth has a lovely voice and a wide range in both voice BRISTOL – The city’s four Lutheran Churches are teaming up and music genres. She accompanies herself with guitar on to help the victims of Hurricane Sandy in Connecticut and New many numbers. She is a grand-daughter of captain Georg and York. ; the inspiration for the “Sound of Music”. Elisabeth is honored to carry on the family’s musical tradition. Gloria Dei, St. Andrew, Zion and Immanuel Lutheran Churches Within the introductions to her songs, she includes a bit about are collecting much needed supplies to fill a truck on December her life. Her style makes for a warm, relaxed, intimate feel. Be 15 to benefit the storm victims. sure to set aside January 18 for this special event. Gloria Dei at 355 Camp St., Bristol, is accepting donations on Monday through Friday from 9:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. or on For further information, contact the Lutheran Church of Sundays from 8:30 a.m. to noon. Madison at 203-245-4145. St. Andrews at 1125 Stafford Ave. is accepting donations and asks that donors call ahead of time at (860) 583-5809 for drop- off times. Mitten Tree

Zion Lutheran Church at 27 Judd St. is accepting donated On behalf of Immanuel’s Helping Ministry, I would like to supplies also and can be reached at (860) 589-7744. thank our Congregation and School family for the generous response to the Christmas Mitten Tree giving appeal. The Immanuel Lutheran Church at 154 Meadow St. is collecting growing need was well answered again this year. Through both supplies Monday through Friday from 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. or the mitten/gift appeal and the very successful fund and mite on Sundays from 8:00 a.m. to noon. box giving , we were able to honor all requests. Area schools, Bristol Preschool, St. Vincent de Paul and Crisis Items being collected Pregnancy Center all benefited. Thank you everyone! stable, non-perishable food items such as canned tuna, chicken, MaryAnn Kalwat salmon, peanut butter, canned beans, meaty soups (cans with pull-tabs are preferred), and pasta and sauce packages (can be easily heated up), low salt canned vegetables, canned fruits Special dates packed in their own juices, bottled water, instant oatmeal, rice, single snack packs and juice boxes (low in sugar). • New Year’s Day, January 1, 2013

Cleaning Supplies • Kantorei Choir, January 5, 2013 Cleansing powder, hydrogen peroxide, dishwashing liquid, • Epiphany, January 6, 2013 laundry detergent, glass cleaner, scrub brushes, sponges, disposable rags, paper towels, liquid cleansers, rubber gloves, • Baptism of the Lord, January 13, 2013 AA and AAA batteries, pails, mops, and 30 gallon garbage • Martin Luther King Jr.’s Birthday Observance, January bags. 21, 2013 OtherBaby formula, diapers, shampoo, soap, deodorant, • Week of Prayer for Christian Unity, January 18-25, 2013 toothbrushes, toothpaste, razors, winter coats, hats, mittens, gloves, scarves,, but no other clothing please.

“The best angle from which to approach any problem is the try-angle.” —Author Unknown

MESSENGER VOLUME 13 6 JANUARY 2013

In memory of Paul Zurell For those who grew up in Immanuel Lutheran Church, the voice of Paul Zurell was very familiar. For many years, his was the voice of Immanu- el’s radio ministry. That deep, boom- ing voice, that many at the local radio station deemed the ‘voice of God’ from the movie The Ten Command- ments, introduced the Sunday broad- casts for over 35 years.

When the first broadcasts began in December of 1948, an engineer from WBIS radio would program the broadcast each Sunday. In 1953, Paul’s fa- ther, Fred O. Zurell, took over as the announcer and engi- neer. A few years later, Paul, who was then eighteen, began his long and faithful commitment to introduce and tape Immanuel’s worship services for broadcast on the radio. He received a special service award in 1988 for his dedication.

Every Sunday, year after year, Paul faithfully announced and recorded the worship services at Immanuel until 1995 when he decided he had done enough and was re- placed by Mr. Don Smuda, husband of Gail (Zurell) Smuda.

Paul was called home on December 11th, and one can only imagine that deep voice now raised in triumphant jubilation with all the saints in heaven.

A New Year poem Another fresh new year is here … Another year to live! To banish worry, doubt, and fear, To love and laugh and give!

This bright new year is given me To live each day with zest … To daily grow and try to be My highest and my best!

I have the opportunity Once more to right some wrongs, To pray for peace, to plant a tree, And sing more joyful songs! —William Arthur Ward

“God gives us dreams a size too big so that we can grow into them.” —Author Unknown

MESSENGER VOLUME 13 7 JANUARY 2013

”MEALS FOR THE NEEDY” The ultimate resolution

Dear Friends, Resolutions are easy to make but oh so hard to keep. In Thank you very much for the many canned goods and turkeys fact, many people refuse to make them for that very reason. that you donated to “Meals for the Needy” for Thanksgiving. After all, by February, most people have broken them, and by As we had anticipated, many signed up to receive March they don’t even remember what they were. It’s just too Thanksgiving assistance and your donation was most needed hard to change, so why try? and most appreciated. It took our crew of volunteers over 6 Yet Scripture exhorts us to be more like Christ, to forgive hours to assist all those who had signed up. our enemies, to tithe and to be thankful in all situations. Shouldn’t we resolve to put some of these into practice, even We have also received a 300 check from Thrivent Financial if ever so imperfectly? for Lutherans from Immanuel’s Mite Box collection. Thank Peter admonishes us to be holy as God is holy (1 Peter you very much for that donation as well. 1:15-16). That’s the ultimate New Year’s resolution — all but We are already receiving calls for our annual Christmas Day certain to be broken repeatedly before the sun sets on the first Dinner. Based on the number or requests we received for day. Yet though we fail, are we not better for trying? Thanksgiving assistance we anticipate that this dinner will also be well attended. Christian symbol In the upcoming weeks we have a number of youth groups who will be assisting or serving the evening meal at “Meals for the Needy”. Several scout troops, a group from the CHRISTIAN FLAG Imagine Nation Museum, and a couple of church youth groups have called and asked to be on the schedule. We applaud Dating to the early 20th century, adults who encourage youth to become involved in assisting the Christian flag represents all of those in need. Christianity, though it’s been used primarily in the Americas and Africa. Thank you for the food items and the Mite Box collection. The The red Latin cross symbolizes Jesus’ blood shed on Calvary people of Immanuel Lutheran Church are very supportive of to grant us eternal life. The blue background represents “Meals for the Needy” and we thank you for your partnership Christ’s faithfulness even unto death, as well as our baptism in this ministry to those in need. into Christ. The white field signifies Jesus’ purity, nonviolence and surrender to God’s will, plus the peace we In Christ in whose name we serve, gain by surrendering ourselves to Christ. Shirley A. Dickau Associate in Ministry

Birthdays

1 Joyce Jacy Todd Romaniello Donald Schaffrick 24 Rodney Grekula Tanya Sakowski Arlene Tonn Adam Swicklas William Mazzaccaro Kelly Tower 8 Jeffrey Andrews Sr Jacqueline Tessman Ralph Milano James Washcalis Jr. Ruth Neumann 16 Jeanette Eschner Gail Roberts 2 Courtney Anderson 9 Judy Eichorn 17 Vernon Koch John Tessman 3 John Kane Robert Eschner Clifford Mccorriston 25 Robert Jankowski 4 Ella Mcintyre Charles Mcintyre 18 Tracy Bielert Amelia Malsheske George Rindfleisch Jeffrey Maron Paul Neumann Joseph Ravita Brad Schaffrick Tami Raspanti 11 Jill Croce Heather Tessman Wayne Stange 12 John Coelho 19 Cynthia Armington 26 Philip Saglimbeni 5 Lynda Hintz Brendan Haras Caleb Beaudoin 27 Michael Dalger Howard Schmelder Rhianna Schab Doug Fitz, Sr. 29 Arthur Beger 6 Edith Frechette 13 Eleonora Erling Sandra Mcintyre Milton Kisser Doreen Reed Elizabeth Hill Warren Jobs 30 Gary Eschner Samuel Lopa Jason Lindstrom 21 Dawn Milano George Sammito Amelia Lopa 14 Madeline LaBrecque Bram Pesce 31 Amanda Dennis 7 Lily Aloi Mark Simonides 22 Denise Coelho Beverly Werner Edward Bodick Genevieve Wentland Jill Tonn Hannah Mcintyre 15 Edward Krampitz Jr. Matthew Zurell

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