Lent (2) Dear Christian Family,

As we move through the Lenten season, we march steadily toward Holy Week. In the Gospel of Luke, Jesus’ mission is to work toward Jerusalem. In Luke’s Book of Acts, the gospel message goes from Jerusalem, to Judah, to Samaria, and to the ends of the earth. In, then out. During Lent and especially Holy Week we are focused on the ‘in’.

Palm/Passion Sunday is always the 6th Sunday in Lent, it’s calendar date dependent on the date of Easter. (More next month on that.) It is called Palm Sunday because of the people laying palms on the road before Jesus, signifying them welcoming Him as a king. It was also the day that the lambs were chosen for the Passover, so they didn’t know it at the time, but they were also choosing Him as their sacrifice. Which brings us to the other part of the name of the Sunday— Passion Sunday. In serial comic strips in newspapers, the daily comics build the story day to day. But the cartoonists know that there are many people who only get the Sunday paper. So the Sunday comic is broader in breadth—it captures the week’s story. So too during Holy Week. Passion Sunday advances the whole passion (suffering) of Jesus, whereas each day in Holy Week has a significance of it’s own, especially the Triduum (three days, Thursday to Saturday).

Sunday we have briefly reviewed. Monday Jesus curses the fig tree and clears the Temple of the money changers. On Tuesday Jesus and his disciples passed the withered fig tree, and Jesus spoke to his companions about the importance of faith. Religious leaders organized an ambush with the intent to place him under arrest. But Jesus evaded their traps and later gives a prophecy about the destruction of Jerusalem and the end of the age. He speaks about the end times events, including His Second Coming and the final judgment. This was also the day Judas Iscariot negotiated with the Sanhedrin to betray Jesus (Matthew 26:14-16). Nothing is reported for Wednesday, a day of preparation for the Passover

Maundy Thursday is the day that the celebrated the Passover, and Jesus instituted the Lord’s Supper, which is why we offer it on this night. This is also when Judas betrays Jesus. From here we could go literally hour by hour, as after the meal they went to the Garden of Gethsemane, where Jesus is arrested, the disciples scattered, He is put on trial with Sanhedrin under Caiaphas (the High Priest), referred to Pontious Pilate (the Roman Governor) sent to Herod (“king” of Judea), then back to Pilate. He is sentenced to be crucified, which is carried out on Friday. Saturday is His rest in the tomb. And then we wait and keep vigil…

In His Service,

Pastor Steve

Jesus said, “In any case, I must press on today and tomorrow and the next day—for surely no prophet can die outside Jerusalem!” Luke 13:33

March 2021 Emmaus Lutheran Church, 841 N Shoop Ave, Wauseon, OH Vol. 57, No. 3 1 COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES—February 22, 2021

Meeting was called to order by Congregation Chair Curt Fauver at 6:30pm.

Opening devotion: Pastor opened the meeting with a devotion from Mark 9:23, a poem, and prayer.

Minutes of January 18, 2021 were reviewed. A motion was made and passed unanimously to approve minutes as is.

Congregation Chair (Curt Fauver): • At the 2-7-21 Voters’ Assembly:  A vote was passed to support moving the National Synodical Convention to 2023 to allow the upcoming district conventions to be held in either 2021 or 2022. Curt reported that the resolution did pass at the Synodical level and the Synodical convention will be moved to 2023 and the District convention to 2022. New dates have been established at this time.  A resolution passed to establish a 125th Emmaus Lutheran Church Anniversary Committee to be appointed by the Church Council to plan and carry out a 125th Anniversary celebration program during 2023-2024. Curt encouraged all council members to participate on this committee and to solicit others as well to serve. A goal of having the committee members identified by next council meeting March 15th was suggested. • St. Paul, Liberty Center is interested in sharing a pastor with Emmaus. Pastor Geske is willing to serve both congregations. The district has been contacted and has indicated that it will set up a meeting to begin preliminary discussions and they will be in contact with us soon. • Results of the 1-23-21 Planning conference attendee survey shared with the council. It was decided to share the survey results informally with the congregation after morning worship on 3-7-21. • Each of Emmaus’ Boards planning results from the Jan 23 planning conference were shared with the committees. • Where are you at activity – Council members attending filled out an activity page marking where we are with Christ, Others, Myself, & Satan. Results of the activity will be compiled by Curt and communicated to all council members. • Council members filled out an activity which asked, “What one word best completes this sentence: Emmaus’ #1 problem is______?” And, what best completes this sentence? “I can best help solve this by ______?” Results from this activity will be also be compiled and shared with the Council members. • RE: Vitality – Shepherding Our Strays Project  This module begins with a Bible Study to be led by Pastor followed with workshops led by various leaders in the congregation. After discussion it was decided the best option was to conduct the bible studies on Sunday afternoons on March 21st and 28th. Plans include a light lunch in the fellowship hall after morning worship with the bible study from noon-3pm. Pastor will lead the bible study and everyone in the congregation will be invited and encouraged to attend. A total of 6 workshops will be scheduled for after Easter. Curt will lead the first workshop with additional volunteer leaders conducting or assisting in additional workshops. Council leaders are encouraged to help lead these workshops. At the workshops we will learn how the build our Care Team(s) to better minister to all our congregational members, including our strays.  Renew will not be meeting for the month of March 2021, due to Lentin services on Wednesday evenings.

Pastor’s Report (Pastor Geske): • Membership numbers are 270 Baptized and 217 Communicant members • Confirmation class continues to meet online. Confirmation is set for the day of Pentecost May 23, 2021 with one confirmand Estella Hilyard. • Sunday morning bible study is the Lenten series “Places of the Passion”. Easter-Pentecost will be “Judgment” in the scriptures. Summer will be periscopes series B. Wednesday Bible Class is finishing up Malachi 3 and then possibly heading into Genesis. • Baptisms- 0, Weddings- 0, Funerals- Shirley Brown 2/12 and Vickey Finn 2/13. • Drive Through Communion starts Sunday, March 7, 2021 from 11:15-11:45 am. This will be the first Sunday of each month. • 19 phone calls were made to members this month.

Administrator’s report (Tricia Zesing): • Thank you for all of the prayers while I was off with COVID and for your help in the office Bev. Thankfully it was not longer than it was. • March newsletter will be printed Wednesday, February 24. Please get me your info. asap. • Beginning of the Lent season with two bulletins each began last week so it will start getting busier in the office. • Finally got a phone system quote that will hopefully work out. Scott will present quote.

March 2021 Emmaus Lutheran Church, 841 N Shoop Ave, Wauseon, OH Vol. 57, No. 3 2 Financial Officer (Bev Schlosser): • The review of the financial report shows the income vs expense for Jan. 2021 at a negative of $4,075.26. Expenses were the average normal and offerings from last Jan. 2020 were at $9,949.00 (4 Sundays) compared to Jan. 2021 at $10,750.11 (5 Sundays). The current General Fund balance is $21,837.51. • The Emmaus investment fund at Edward Jones had a Jan. 29, 2021 balance of $146,454.24. As of today’s meeting Feb. 22, 2021, the current balance is at $154,333.23 (The financial market still moving update despite the negative news). • As our current phone system is in definite need of updating, I will suggest (with discipleship board blessing) some of the older memorials be used to fund this trustee’s project. Current estimate is approx. $1,400.00.

Education Team: • March 3, 2021 @ 5:30 pm Christian Education Planning meeting.

Elders Report (Roger Behnfeldt): • Discussed inactives. • Met with Ericka Hilyard – Elders will be more involved with education.

Discipleship Team (Karen Grieser): • Hugs and Kisses was on Feb 14, 2021. • Food Pantry was Feb 18, 2021. We met at church at 4pm. This was held indoors due to the weather. • Community Sale set up will be on March 16 and 17 at 10am. A presale will be offered on March 17 after the Lenten service. Sale will be March 18, 19 from 9am to 6pm and the 20th from 8am till noon. Menu is coffee and donuts, brats, hotdogs, hot chicken sandwiches, relishes and water. Sign-up sheets are on the bulletin board. Friday night AA meeting to be possibly moved to Saturday evening March 20 or possibly to a different location for that week. • March 27th will be our vendor craft show. It will be from 10 am till 3pm. Our lunch will be chili and potato soup also sloppy Joes and hot chicken sandwiches, chips and water. Set-up to begin at 8 am.

Trustee Team (Scott Norris): • New phone system quote was presented. A motion was passed to order from Jeff Rupp with memorial funds to cover the cost. • Discussed roof leak.

Preschool Coordinators (Anna Norris) • 2020-2021 Registrations – 0 for Tues/Thurs class for Mon/Wed/Fri class NO NEW REGISTRATIONS YET • Spring Flower Sale – flowers from Country Sprouts, all orders due by March 1st. $10 per plant, Lilies, tulips, daffodils and hyacinths are all available. • Fulton Co. Food License – Paid $239.00 for the upcoming year. • Contract – need to discuss Jennifer’s contract and make available to sign in March. • Thrivent Card – Adriane and Anna are looking into getting additional cards to update current toys for the preschool and to purchase some tablets for the kids as an educational hands on tool also. • Acct. Balance as of 2-9-21 is $8,570.08

Committee Reports: • Sign Committee-hoping to have final documents from Three Cord by the March council meeting.

New Business: • A white board and paper for the easel is needed for the RE: Vitality workshops. Scott will check on possibly borrowing one from Sauder.

Closing Comments: • Curt thanked everyone who was able to come to the planning conference/meeting.

Business meeting concluded with the Lord’s Prayer and Closing Benediction

Next meeting is March 15, 2021.

Tricia Zesing, Administrator

March 2021 Emmaus Lutheran Church, 841 N Shoop Ave, Wauseon, OH Vol. 57, No. 3 3 L.W.M.L. NEWS

Our unit’s next meeting is Monday, March 1, 2021 at 6:30 p.m. We will continue studying “Living a Chocolate Life.” We look forward to the chocolate dessert along with the Bible Study! The President of the Napoleon Zone, Debbie Wesche, will attend our meeting to help plan the Spring Rally. Leone Huner will give the devotion for the meeting and Cathie Geske is the hostess. Karen Wilson will send cards to the sick and shut-ins in March.

The Napoleon Zone L.W.M.L. Spring Rally is Saturday, April 24, 2021. Emmaus will host the Rally. Our speaker will be Mrs. Madalyn Short, Family Life Director at Living Word Lutheran Church in Gale- na, Ohio. We will need volunteers for greeting and signing in, the breakfast, and clean up. If you are interested in helping, please contact Marilyn Dachenhaus, Cathie Geske, or Mary Behnfeldt.

We are collecting coloring books and washable markers for the service project at the national L.W.M.L. convention this summer.

Please continue to save cancelled stamps and Mites.

The Defiance/Napoleon Zone Retreat is Saturday, September 18, 2021, at St. John, Stryker.

L.W.M.L. SERVICE PROJECT

The Emmaus L.W.M.L. is collecting coloring books and washable markers to be put in a backpack for a charity. The materials in the backpacks will be a service project assembled at the national L.W.M.L. convention this summer in Lexington.

If you would like to contribute some coloring books and markers for this project, please give them to Marilyn Dachenhaus, Cathie Geske, or Mary Behnfeldt, or bring them into the office.

SUNDAY ADULT BIBLE CLASS A contemporary of Hosea and Isaiah, the prophet Micah first delivered the word of the Lord to the southern kingdom of Judah. At times his words are harsh, holding leaders of the north and south accountable for what was not right in the nation. But from Micah come the beautiful words of grace that promise a savior “whose origins are from of old, from ancient times” that will come from Bethlehem. Micah has threat and promise, law and gospel for the ancient Judahite ears as well as ours. Seven sessions, January 3-February 14.

Wednesday Morning Bible Study

The last of the Old Testament books of the Bible, Malachi, whose name means, “My messenger”, prophesies that the Lord’s messenger will prepare the way before Him, after which the Lord will come to His temple. Malachi’s style is in back-and-forth questions and answers between the Lord and His people, a highly relatable way of having a relationship with His people of all times. Malachi prophesies that the prophet Elijah will come before the great and dreadful Day of the Lord. Jesus identifies John the Baptizer as the Elijah who was to come (Matthew 11:14, 17:10-12). This class is ongoing and we take the time to get into the text in-depth as well as have some fellowship and breakfast!

March 2021 Emmaus Lutheran Church, 841 N Shoop Ave, Wauseon, OH Vol. 57, No. 3 4 PRESCHOOL ANNOUNCEMENTS

Registrations for 2020-2021 are now being accepted. Children who will be 3 years old by June 1, 2020 (T-TH class), and those who will be 4 years old by August 1, 2020 (M-W-F class), may register for their respective classes to begin this Fall. Please call the preschool at 419-337-8471 or email any questions to [email protected].

Please watch the helping hands board to see what items are needed for our preschool. We appreciate any and all donations!

No School—Spring Break March 15-19, 2021

Visit us at: [email protected] emmauschristianpreschool.webs.com www.facebook.com/EmmausChristianPreschool

The Preschool Board is looking for volunteer(s) that would be interested in helping the preschool by coming in on Fridays during the class hours from 9-11:30 am. Mrs. Rodriguez, our teacher, is in the building alone so we need another adult in the building as a safety and liability precau- tion. Please see the sign-up sheet on the bulletin board in the narthex to reserve your Friday. If you have any questions, please see Adriane Baldwin or Anna Norris. Thank you!!!

At this time with the risk (COVID alert Levels 2 and 3) rising in our area and sounding areas the Christian Education Board is putting in-person Wednesday night youth group on hold. Pastor Geske will hold zoom meetings to continue the education with the Confirmation students. We are looking at possibilities of online activities for the children from Emmaus. This is effective immediately and until further notice. If you have questions please discuss with Ericka Hilyard, Board of Christian Education Chair, or Pastor Geske. Wednesday evening RENEW for the adults is still be meeting at 6:30 p.m.

Places of the Passion: A Series of Services for the Season of Lent

In this worship series for Lent, we follow in the footsteps of Jesus, contemplating what happened at each place our Savior stood along the path of his Passion for our sake. Each service explores the meaning, history and spiritual inspiration associated with the location highlighted. Parishioners will learn things they may not have known before as they grow to understand more deeply the hard road our Lord took that the way to heaven might be open to us.

• Midweek Lent 2—March 3, 7:00 pm—The Mount of Olives • Midweek Lent 3—March 10, 7:00 pm—Gethsemane • Midweek Lent 4—March 17, 7:00 pm—The Courtyard • Midweek Lent 5—March 24, 7:00 pm—Pilate’s Judgment Hall • Palm Sunday—March 28, 10:00 am—Bethphage • Maundy Thursday—April 1, 7:00 pm—The Upper Room • Good Friday—April 2, 7:00 pm—Golgotha • Easter Vigil—April 3, 7:00 pm • Easter Sunday—April 4, 10:00 am—The Empty Tomb

March 2021 Emmaus Lutheran Church, 841 N Shoop Ave, Wauseon, OH Vol. 57, No. 3 5 FLY ON THE WALL

Thanks to a couple of members who received Thrivent cards to help with our community sale and the vendor sale to help Jamie Hansen.

Thanks to the Boy Scouts for worshipping with us and doing the readings. We loved having you.

To all those who fixed food for the Vitality project on Jan 23.

Thanks for the preschool presentation along wIth the sweetest pictures on the screens.

Thanks to a special someone who has been doing all kinds of little things like sharpening pencils and replacing attendance cards.

There has also been someone who stepped up and filled in when Tricia was not here. It’s all very much appreciated.

And last but never least, thank you to a special vet who presented our military with blankets.

Stewardship minute….

Fellow Workers on God’s Team

In his first letter to the church in Corinth, the Apostle Paul wrote, “For we are God’s fellow workers…” (1 Corinthians 3:9). Through Paul, God was telling the people in Corinth that they had the honor and privilege to work with Him and to be important participants in His mission. In the same way, God makes us His fellow workers on His team. Even though we are undeserving and have nothing to offer, God, in His sovereignty, chooses us to be His vessels through which He will accomplish His purposes. As God’s fellow workers, we become His hands, feet, and mouth to the world.

God does not schedule tryouts for those He selects to be on His team. He isn’t seeking the most talented, the most powerful, or the most attractive. He invites and encourages everyone to be part of His team. The people who become part of God’s team vary in appearance, in gifts, in stations in life, and other ways. Although God’s team is made up people who are different in some ways, the one common factor is that they are all new creations with transformed hearts for Jesus (2 Corinthians 5:17). Through the work of the Holy Spirit, they have become people of faith who see God as their greatest treasure. Faithfulness is a top priority as a fellow worker with God. Through faith, we commit and are energized to serve God by serving others. What we do with our time, talents, and money gives evidence to which team we belong.

In God’s Word, we find examples of people who were not eager always to be fellow workers on God’s team. Moses gave numerous excuses that God shouldn’t use him to lead the Israelites out of the Egyptian captivity. Saul hid! David felt unqualified to be king. God caused Jonah to be swallowed by a fish in order to get him on His team. God didn’t give up on these people. He chose and equipped each of them to be fellow workers on His team.

God blesses each of us with the privilege to be a fellow worker on His team. Whether we willingly join or are at first resistant, we are now participants in God’s mission to help others “to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth” (1 Timothy 2:4). God uses ordinary people like us to do extraordinary things. Are you ready to go to work?

March 2021 Emmaus Lutheran Church, 841 N Shoop Ave, Wauseon, OH Vol. 57, No. 3 6

Prayers for our Emmaus Family: Prayers for Relatives and Friends of Emmaus: Harold Boysel Howard Apple (Edith Beachy’s sister’s father-in-law) Doris Brink Jeff Boone (Geri O’Brien’s son-in-law) Ross Brown Julie Borton (Mary Behnfeldt’s cousin) Marilyn Dachenhaus Allie Herman (Marilyn Ricker’s Granddaughter) JoAnn Echler Rodney Kurth (Norma Kurth’s son) Jeff Flory Sue Lane (Vickey Finn’s cousin/adopted sister) Cathie Geske Mary Lou’s Family (Lorna Hausch’s Friend) Jamie Hanson Debbie Loveland (Vickie Oberla’s friend) Roseanna Parsons Ted Mirabal (Jennifer Rodriguez’s father) Randy Perdue Ken Prater (Bev Schlosser’s Friend) Barb Shannon Sharon Prather (Don Prather’s sister-in-law) Our Emmaus Family Jim VonDeylan (Leone Huner’s Brother) Our Emmaus Preschool Beverly Walworth (Richard Brown’s sister, Shirley Brown’s Prayers for our District Pastors & Relatives: daughter) Rev. Jim Herbolsheimer George Wood (Karen Grieser’s brother) Pat Kramer (Pastor Kramer’s wife) Wesley Wright (Roseanna Parsons’ brother) Rev. Logan Schiewe Ted Wright In Sympathy: Family of Shirley Brown Family of Vickey Finn Shut-Ins Orv & Margaret Detter JoAnn Echler Marilyn Gee Lorna Hausch Norma Kurth Annabelle Leupp Geri O’Brien Irene Rabe Gladys Rue Barb Shannon Gloria Smith Chris Tuckerman Terry Volkman Nancy Zesing

EMMAUS FOOD PANTRY Thursday, March 18, 5:00-7:00 pm We are in need of some donations for our food pantry: Boxes of cereal, peanut butter and jelly, cans of fruit or vegetables, mac n’ cheese, toilet paper and any non-perishable items. Monetary donations are also welcomed Please place in an envelope and put it in the locked box outside of the administrator’s office door. Any questions, ask Edith Beachy, Karen Grieser or Sue Boysel. Thank you!

Community Days Rummage & Bake Sale Thurs. Mar. 18, Fri. Mar. 19, 9am-6pm and Sat. Mar. 20, 8am-noon At Emmaus Lutheran Church There will also be food for sale Coffee & donuts for breakfast. For lunch Hotdogs, Bratwurst, chips, and water Name brand Clothes Infant to Adult, Dishes, Knick Knacks, Bedding and more. Something for everyone! You won’t want to miss this. Thank you for your support! WE ARE NOW ACCEPTING DONATIONS. DEADLINE TO ACCEPT ITEMS IS MARCH 5, 2021!!! PLEASE contact Edith Beachy (419) 337-1904 or Karen Grieser 445-8361 to donate.

March 2021 Emmaus Lutheran Church, 841 N Shoop Ave, Wauseon, OH Vol. 57, No. 3 7 MARCH MARCH BIRTHDAYS ANNIVERSARIES 2 Makayla Villanueva 10 Steven and Diana Kline 2 Ariana Villanueva 23 Scott and Tante Lovins 2 Dick Koder 2 Vickie Oberla ALTAR FLOWERS 3 Harold Boysel 6 Leo Rabe If you wish to provide the altar flowers to commemorate a special occasion or in 7 Chloe Marshall someone’s memory, please sign the flower 7 Susan Miller chart on the hallway bulletin board. The cost is $30. 12 Rachael Yee Please make checks payable to Emmaus Lutheran Church and turn check into the office prior to the date. 14 Ann Cordes 17 Sarah Plassman We are collecting empty ink jet and toner cartridges 18 Marcus Schuette (big and small) to trade in for office supplies. If you have any empty cartridges, please bring them to the 19 Emmersyn Smallman church and place them in the box located in the 20 Irene Rabe hallway. 21 Nolan Oberla

24 Shelly Day

25 Elaina Hilyard

26 Cole Stiriz Fall-Spring 28 Nicole Schuette Office Hours are The Tuesday’s with 31 Steven Marshall Monday—Thursday Arlene’s Emmaus Quilters 9:00 am—2:00 pm meet every Tuesday@ 9:00 am

Craft Show at Emmaus Lutheran Church Park around back of the church Sat. March 27, 2021 10am-3pm Homemade lunch will be available Gnawing by Nature—Chew Necklaces, Teethers, Sensory Toys & more, Candles, Sweatshirts, T-Shirts, Scrubbies, Wood Designs, Jewelry, Purses, Cake Pops, Easter Cookies, Fresh and Flavored Honeys, Nails, Design Water Bottles, Baby Blankets, Sheets, Curtains, and Bedding.

Sunday, March 7, RE: Vitality – Shepherding Our Strays Project after morning This module begins March 21st and 28th starting with a light worship, the re- lunch in the fellowship hall after morning worship with the sults of the Plan- bible study from noon-3pm. Pastor will lead the bible study ning Conference, that was held on and everyone in the congregation is invited and encouraged to attend. A total of 6 workshops will be scheduled for after Easter. Curt will lead the January 23, will be shared with first workshop with additional volunteer leaders conducting or assisting in the congregation. Please feel free additional workshops. Council leaders are encouraged to help lead these to stay after church for this short workshops. At the workshops we will learn how the build our Care Team(s) meeting. to better minister to all our congregational members, including our strays.

March 2021 Emmaus Lutheran Church, 841 N Shoop Ave, Wauseon, OH Vol. 57, No. 3 8