March 2021 - Emmanuel Lutheran Church
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Emmanuel Lutheran Church
One church...multiple communities
March 2021
Mooring Line Drive Campus
777 Mooring Line Dr.
Naples, FL 34102
239-261-0894
Sunday Services during the pandemic
In-person services:
9:00 a.m. and 11:00 a.m. - Traditional Service in Sanctuary
10:00 a.m. - Contemporary Alive Service in the Family Life Center
11:30 a.m. - Bilingual Service in the Family Life Center
9:00 a.m., 10:00 a.m. and 11:30 a.m. will be livestreamed as well.
www.naplesemmanuel.org (Check out the “Weekly Schedule” on our Home Page)
10:00 a.m. - Drive-In Service at Emmanuel Park
2770 Oil Well Road, Naples, FL 34120
Email: elc@naplesemmanuel.org
Our Mission:
A Christ-centered community where God’s Spirit guides our lives as we worship, learn, love, share and serve.
Staff and Church Council
Our Staff:
Rev. Steven E Wigdahl, Senior Pastor - pastorsteve@naplesemmanuel.org
Rev. Dr. Rick Bliese, Associate Pastor - pastorrick@naplesemmanuel.org
Rev. José Lebrón, Associate Pastor for Mission Development - pastorjose@naplesemmanuel.org
Rev. William Kittinger, Associate Pastor for Mission Development - pastorwill@naplesemmanuel.org
Karole Langset, Resident Pastor - Karole@naplesemmanuel.org
Lois Sorensen, Resident Pastor - Lois@naplesemmanuel.org
Jim Cooper, ELCA Deacon, Youth & Family - jim@naplesemmanuel.org
Frine Donadelli, Administrative Assistant at Pebblebrooke - frine@naplesemmanuel.org
Gina Fidler, Office Manager - gina@naplesemmanuel.org
Joyce Finlay, ELCA Deacon, Music & Worship; organist - joyce@naplesemmanuel.org
Carol Hartman, Parish Nurse - carol@naplesemmanuel.org
Marcia Jaquith, Bookkeeper - marcia@naplesemmanuel.org
Nieves Lebrón, Children’s Ministry Specialist - nieves@naplesemmanuel.org
Dee Schleutker, ELCA Deacon, Service & Outreach - dee@naplesemmanuel.org
Theresa Shaw, Executive Director - theresa@naplesemmanuel.org
Vivian Shea, Chief Operations Officer - vivian@naplesemmanuel.org
Alex Tovar, Maintenance Manager - JABCleaning3@aol.com
Jennifer Ziegelmaier, Publication Coordinator - jennifer@naplesemmanuel.org
Church Council:
The Church Council is made up of nine dedicated people who act on behalf of the church membership. According to Emmanuel
Lutheran’s Constitution, “The Congregation Council shall have general oversight of the life and activities of this congregation,
and in particular its worship life, to the end that everything be done in accordance with the Word of God and the faith and
practice of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America.”
Please do not hesitate to contact a council member if you have any questions or concerns. They are here to involve all mem-
bers of the congregation in worship, learning, witness, service, and support. If you would like to communicate with the mem-
bers of the Emmanuel Church Council, you will find their names and e-mail addresses below:
Here is your Council for 2020-2021:
Executive Board:
Tom Jackson (President) - tom@tomjacksonresources.com
Sylvia Boynton (Vice-President) - sboynton@coe.ufl.edu
Dennis Reustle (Treasurer) - dreustle@gmail.com
Carlos Dominguez (Secretary) - joshuaandjacobsmom@yahoo.com
The other board members are:
Ann Berlam - annberlam@gmail.com
Steve Esala - steve.esala@thrivent.com
Jeff Heier - jlnell@comcast.net
Zetty Rivera - zettyrivera@gmail.com
Kaitlyn Ziegelmaier - ziegelmaierkaitlyn@gmail.com
HIGHLIGHTS OF THE COUNCIL MEETING IN FEBRUARY:
The Church Council officers were elected. Tom Jackson, President; Sylvia Boynton, Vice President; Dennis Reustle, Treasurer
Carlos Dominguez, Secretary
The Stewardship campaign is off to a great start. Everyone should have received the brochure and intention card in the mail.
The information is also on the website. We have received 74 pledges totaling $500,000.
Emmanuel is working with the Naples Dept. of Health to get people who are 80+ and Collier County residents on a list to get
the COVID vaccine. The next group to get on the list will be minorities.
April Newsletter deadline is March 20th.
Please e-mail Jennifer, jennifer@naplesemmanuel.org, with any information by this date.
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Upcoming Events
Stewardship 2021
Faces of Emmanuel,
Our stewardship ministry has gotten off to a good start! We appreciate the uplifting sermons, education forums, temple talks,
new member orientations and the support and participation in our community.
We invite everyone to be a part of our year-round stewardship ministry program through your time, talents, and treasures.
You may remember the song “Now Thank We All Our God.” that was composed by a pastor named Rinkart. If you recall,
Rinkart was the only surviving pastor throughout an epidemic and famine. He never stopped ministering to the people and
gave away everything he owned to the poor and needy. After 30 years of ceaseless struggles, he wanted to give his children a
song to sing to god in thanks.
Now thank we all our God with hearts and hands and voices;
Who wondrous things he has done, in whom this world rejoices.
Who, from our mother’s arms, has blessed us on our way,
With countless gifts of love, and still is ours today.
In the next couple of weeks, we hope that like Pastor Rinkart, we can praise God with good stewardship of our time, and abili-
ties to serve our families, our communities, and our church.
Like Pastor Rinkart, we can be faithful in worship, prayer and study. Our church needs everyone’s financial tithes and offerings
to maintain and expand ministry and provide assistance to the many in need.
Let’s make this a momentous year and get our intention cards in early and continue to count our blessings.
Oh, may this bounteous God through all our life be near us,
With ever joyful hearts and blessed peace to cheer us;
And keep us in his grace, and guide us when perplexed;
And free us from all harm in this world and the next.
Blessings,
Your Stewardship Committee
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A Message from Pastor Steve
In my evening proclamation on Ash Wednesday, I added something which I had not men-
tioned at the noon service. As I was driving to church for the 5:30 worship, I was on the
car phone talking with someone who informed me of a family member who was being
admitted to Hospice care. She was a woman up in years, but as always seems to be the
case…an appointment with Hospice charts a new course for those involved…whether it be
the person under care or those alongside providing support. Life is precious!
At the stoplight I pondered the conversation, realizing I was experiencing what I called a
“Pause Button” moment, like when you hit the “pause” button on a recording. Time was
standing still, “frozen time”, if you will, just enough for me to consider how life can pivot
on an axis in an instant and be rerouted into a new situation. Reflecting on this scenario, I began wondering what it would be
like if I went to a doctor’s appointment next week and discovered I was dying of cancer.
Years back I remembered a woman named Dee who had just received a dreaded diagnosis! Doctors discovered a brain tu-
mor, which looked like a “fried egg” on the top of her brain. It was successfully removed, yet I noticed a dramatic change in
how Dee began to observe the world. She told me she had never really heard the birds chirping in the morning while she
stood at the kitchen sink, how the colors in the sky looked different. Her eyes and ears did not seem to miss any movements
of life around her. She called it a “new blessing.”
I know you have heard stories like this before. So have I. But when I continued my drive to church for the late afternoon Ash
Wednesday service, I stepped out of my car and heard the laughter of the children in our Day School playground…kids chasing
balls and trying to catch each other, climbing into a playhouse and enthralled in make-believe. It was wonderful. But some-
how, I think I would have missed it had I not experienced the “pause button” at the stoplight.
Life is precious…and the reminder later in the service, “Remember you are dust, and to dust you shall return” …opened my
perspective. For just a split second in the “Pause Button” moment at the stoplight, I again grasped the gift of life itself. The
Everlasting God is with us even in these moments of ordinary time.
A Message from Pastor Rick
Educational Program for In-Season 2021 - February thru April, 2021
We will be offering the following program each week:
- Sundays
- The Sunday Forum
- The Sunday Matinee (Movies from “The Chosen”)
- Mondays
- Worship Matters with Karole Langset
- Faith, Vocation and Economics Series: 10:00 AM ZOOM Lectures with Speakers from around the Country
- Faith at Work (Leadership Training out at the Park)
- Tuesdays
- Takeout Tuesday Daily Devotions
- Choir Practice (ZOOM Fellowship Group for Emmanuel Choir Members)
- Wednesdays
- Prayer Group/Grief Group (on alternative Wednesdays)
- Thursdays
- Lectionary Bible Study
- Bonus Bible Study: “The Big Themes of the Bible”
- BBS ZOOM at NOON: Live ZOOM discussion of “The Big Themes of the Bible” series
- Wine and a Movie (ZOOM Event at 5:00 PM to discuss this week’s Sunday Matinee movie from “The Chosen.”
- Fridays & Saturdays Free
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Upcoming Events
SPRING FORWARD ON SATURDAY, MARCH 13 AT 2:00 A.M.
Don’t forget to change your clocks—remember to set your clocks an hour ahead before you go
to bed on Saturday night. That way you won’t be late for church on Sunday, March 14!
WEDNESDAY NIGHT LENTEN SERVICES
Our Midweek Lenten Services will be on Wednesday at 5:30 p.m. You can access them on Emmanuel’s YouTube Channel or
Facebook. Here is the link: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCdRfbkRY-lIB_qsvlWoMAUw
The theme this year is “Created for Community.”
Wednesday, February 24 - In Community with Creation
Wednesday, March 3 - In Community with All the Saints
Wednesday, March 10 - In Community with Our Neighbor
Wednesday, March 17 - In Community with Those on the Margins
Wednesday, March 24 - In Community with Christ
Please join us during this very meaningful time as we continue our Lenten journey—as a Community!
Because of Covid, we have had to experiment with new ways of “being Community.” It is our prayer that you will be richly
blessed by these services, even though they are do not follow our regular service models of the past.
You are invited to take part in our Lenten services!
HOLY WEEK SERVICES
We will be observing Holy Week at Emmanuel with both our Maundy Thursday and Good Friday services.
The dates and times are:
Maundy Thursday - April 1, 2021 - 5:30 p.m. in the Sanctuary
Good Friday - April 2, 2021 - 5:30 p.m. in the Sanctuary
Sign up on the website if you plan to attend in person. Both services will be Livestreamed.
EASTER SERVICES
Easter Sunday services will be held on Sunday, April 4, at the following times:
Mooring Line Drive:
9:00 a.m.—Traditional in the Sanctuary
10:00 a.m.—Alive (Contemporary) in the Family Life Center
11:00 a.m.—Traditional in the Sanctuary
11:30 a.m.—Bilingual in the Family Life Center
Sign up on the website if you plan to attend in person. The 9:00 a.m., 10:00 a.m., and 11:30 a.m. services will be Livestreamed
as well.
Emmanuel Park Church at Oil Well Road:
Join our drive-in service at 10:00 a.m. at Emmanuel Community Park,
2770 Oil Well Rd, Naples, FL 34120.
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Music and Worship
MUSIC AND WORSHIP NOTES
JOYCE FINLAY, ELCA DEACON FOR WORSHIP AND MUSIC
The Emmanuel Choir continues their Choir Zoom get-togethers throughout the month of March.
The Choir members had two fantastic Zoom meetings in February, with devotions, sharing, laugh-
ing, and hoping that our time away from singing won’t last too much longer. It has been about a
year (March 11, 2020) since our last Choir Rehearsal. We are all praying for our time in exile from
each other (and from the congregation) to be over!
The last time the Emmanuel Choir sang for a worship service was Sunday, March 8, 2020. The beautiful jazz arrangement of
“Jesus Loves Me” was sung, with a fabulous jazzy clarinet descant played by Lorraine Wistrom! Hopefully you heard it at the
February 28, 2021, worship service. (If you missed it, please email Joyce at joyce@naplesemmanuel.org, and she will gladly
send it to you!). You will not be disappointed!
There will be two more Choir Zoom meetings in March. They will meet on Tuesday, March 9 at 5:00 p.m. and Tuesday, March
23 at 5:00 p.m. Choir members will receive a link to the meeting from Joyce, as well as one from the weekly e-blast. Hope all
of you can make it!
Finance
FINANCIAL UPDATE (as of January 31, 2020)
TOTAL INCOME FROM ALL Budget Year to Date Actual Year to Date
SOURCES $176,107 $125,112
Budget Year to Date Actual Year to Date
TOTAL OVERALL EXPENSES
$169,023 $145,424
January 2020 January 2021
AVERAGE ATTENDANCE
629 728
(A more detailed Treasurer’s Report can be found in our weekly eBlast.)
Total income f or the month of January was $125,112 compared to a budget of $176,107. Total operating expenses in January
were $145,424 compared to a budget of $169,023. Year-over-year monthly attendance was up 15.7% including streaming
and Facebook.
Do you purchase things on Amazon? If so, you can get the same items
with Amazonsmile. By purchasing items through Amazonesmile a very small
percentage of the sale goes to Emmanuel. On your first visit to AmazonSmile
(smile.amazon.com), you are prompted to select a charitable organization.
Emmanuel Lutheran Evangelical Church is one of those organizations. So, if
you shop with Amazon, remember to go through AmazonSmile and select
Emmanuel Lutheran Evangelical Church. (Tell your family and friends to do
the same.) The direct link is https://smile.amazon.com/ch/59-1377616
Thanks for supporting Emmanuel Evangelical Lutheran Church. Thank you to those of you who do use Amazonsmile. Every little
bit helps. To date we have received over $1,051.31 from Amazonsmile.
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Serving Others Ministry
Serving Others Ministy is one of our ministries that focus on our congregation helping in the community., whether it is
through financial donations or volunteering at our partner organizations. If you would like more information about how you
can help with the Serving Others Ministry, please contact the chair, Jan Gazdic by email at jhgazdic@comcast.net.
Some of our community outreach organizations are The Good Samaritan Fund, Food for the Needy, Grace Place, Habitat for
Humanity, Casseroles for St. Matthews, Panera Bread Pick-up, Harry Chapin Food Bank, and Village of Hope Haiti.
Casseroles for St. Matthew’s House
Our Serving Others Ministry Team provides casseroles prepared by Church members to the St.
Matthew’s House Shelter for the benefit of those sheltered. This has been a very successful outreach
led by Carolyn Faust. Unfortunately, the pandemic interrupted the process so we have implemented
an alternative until the Church reopens.
Gina Fidler is in the office every Monday - Thursday from 9 am to 5 pm and has made herself availa-
ble to distribute the casserole pans, lids (and recipes if needed) and receive prepared casseroles to
store in the freezer. This outreach is still much needed and greatly appreciated by all of those housed in the shelter.
Please consider picking up a casserole container, or two, preparing one of the easy casserole dishes, and delivering the cooked
casserole back to Gina at the Church. We will also have some containers at our drive-in service to make it even easier. At this
time, the cooked casseroles can only be accepted at Church by Gina Mondays - Thursdays from 9 am to 5 pm. Those housed in
the shelter, and the employees working there, all love our homemade cooked casseroles, as only we Lutherans can do!
Congratulations! Your gifts to Habitat have helped two new families to purchase their forever homes.
Merline and her 6-year-old daughter were sharing one bedroom in a small space carved out of the back of a house. Merline
worked two jobs but this was all she could afford.
Marie and Michelet were able to leave behind overcrowded, untenable living conditions where they were living with their
two young sons. They were helped to purchase their new home through our 2020 Habitat-Thrivent Faith Build Generosity
Challenge that you joined.
Thank you Emmanuel for your faithful partnership. We are blessed and grateful for your generous support.
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Youth and Family Ministry
Family Retreat Celebration at Emmanuel Park
2770 Oil Well Road, Naples, FL 34120
Saturday, March 13
1:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m.
Join us for a time of fresh air, friends, fun, food and fellowship.
2020 Family Retreat Group Photo
As a means of loving our neighbor and serving our community we will be collecting non-
perishable food items on this day as well as receiving financial donations for the Meals of
Hope.
Below is the tentative schedule of events and activities.
1:00 PM – 2:00 PM
Welcome Tent, inflatables open, playground open, food truck open, craft ta-
bles open, open field games.
2:00 PM – 3:00 PM
Organize games… The field divided, games for children on one side and games
for youth and adults on the other side.
3:00 PM – 3:30 PM
Program in the middle of the field.
Everyone gathers together… Official welcome – Jim, translation
Group Singing – Jamie, Julio, Gerardo & Marcela
Word of Encouragement – Pastor Will, Pastor José
Large Group Prayer – remember Meals of Hope
Group Photo – using a drone
3:30 PM – 5:00 PM
More group games, food, crafts, music, playground
Bring your own chairs and drinks and enjoy the music.
Plus Ice Cream
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Youth and Family Ministry
Confirmation officially began on Ash Wednesday. Con-
firmands joined the service via Live Stream. Following the
Ash Wednesday service they convened online in a Zoom
meeting with Deacon Jim. During the season of Lent they
will be meeting online every Wednesday for Christian ed-
ucation and vibrant discussion. Just as our adult commu-
nity is enjoying the Sunday Matinee and the series The
Chosen, so too, will our confirmands be engaging in the
same material. In addition, students will be engaging in
the material that is being used for the Thursday Bonus
Bible Study. In this case, we will also be discussing the
major themes of the Bible, stemming again from the won-
derful series known as The Bible Project. Thank you for
caring for Emmanuel's young people and please continue
to keep them in your prayers.
1:00 PM – 2:00 PM
Welcome Tent, inflatables open, playground open, food truck open, craft tables open, open field games.
2:00 PM – 3:00 PM
Organize games… The field divided, games for children on one side and games for youth and adults on the other
side.
3:00 PM – 3:30 PM
Program in the middle of the field.
Everyone gathers together… Official welcome – Jim, translation
Group Singing – Jamie, Julio, Gerardo & Marcela
Word of Encouragement – Pastor Will, Pastor José
Large Group Prayer – remember Meals of Hope
Group Photo – using a drone
3:30 PM – 5:00 PM
More group games, food, crafts, music, playground
Emmanuel Community Church and Youth Ministry
For children ages 3 - 6 years old
led by Nieves Lebrón our Children's Ministry Specialist
During the sermon time children who attend the worship service with their
family at the Alive or ECC Services will be invited by Mrs. Nieves to come with
her to another room and /or the playground. During this time they will also
have their own short Bible lesson. The children will be returned to the Family
Life Center to rejoin their parents for communion.
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Parish Nurse
Carol Calling:
This month I want to continue to discuss further one of our Blue Zone Power 9 principles. Hopefully this will
help you learn more about how to add plant slant to your daily life. Eating a plant slant diet is a great way to
get your necessary nutrients and has been shown to decrease your instances of heart disease and cardiovascu-
lar disease and even cancer. Plant Slant is a Power 9 principle shared by the longest living people in the world
Here is a way to incorporate more fruits and vegetables into your diet to give your body the nutrition boost it
needs .1} Make smoothies – These can be enjoyed in the morning or for snacks. Start with a blender full of
fruits and add to this delicious mixture-add kale and spinach or other vegetables. Just be sure you are not add-
ing ingredients with high sugar content . 2} Start a plant based potluck Moai. Do you remember that a moai is an Okinawan
term to describe a group that meets on a regular basis for a common purpose. We think of walking groups and exercise
groups, so why not a plant based potluck group? Although face to face meetings are not feasible at this time, they can be
virtual Zoom meetings where we share recipes and still accomplish the positive impact on our wellbeing. 3} Eat a Mediterra-
nean Diet- This diet is based on commonalities found in traditional eating habits of people who live in the Mediterranean ar-
ea bordering the sea. It has been found that this diet rich in nutrient dense foods like olive oil , fruits , vegetables , beans,
nuts and grains has many health benefits. 4] Make a pot of vegetable soup. This is a great way to get many vegetables at
once. Take vegetable or chicken broth and add greens, beans, spices and any other vegetables together to simmer in the
broth . Enjoy.
Since the pandemic, depression and anxiety incidence has exploded. The path out of this anxiety and depression starts with
behavioral activation. Behavioral activation targets inertia meaning the whole idea is to get your body moving toward behav-
iors that encourage you to approach life and people rather than avoid. This literally means scheduling activities which will
give you a chance of experiencing some positive reinforcement. This behavior tells you to go for a walk rather than sit on the
couch and watch TV. It tells you to go to Starbucks and have coffee with a friend rather than play a video game and go back
to bed. You will find you are starting to feel more positive if you try this behavioral activation. Movement is a powerful first
step to recovery. Talking to people is also crucial to your recovery. You need to talk and start to heal from the inside besides
moving on the outside.
Remember that March is kidney cancer awareness month. See you next month. Stay safe and be well.
The hospitals no longer notify us of your admission. If you have a planned hospital admission and would like a
visit from our pastoral staff, please let us know ahead of time. If you have an unexpected hospital admission,
please ask a family member or friend to contact the church office. We would be happy to visit with you.
Thank you. Parish Nurse Carol Hartman at 239-261-0894 or carol@naplesemmanuel.org
If you would like to have a prayer added to the prayer chain, please contact Joyce O’Neill. You may contact
Joyce at 239-566-3373 or email her at KSOnaples@comcast.net. Send requests to Joyce O’Neill at
ksonaples2@gmail.com
Grieving Group : Jesus Wept
In the Gospel, according to John, Jesus wept (11:35). He wept over the death of Lazarus, and in
seeing the grief of Lazarus’ sisters and all who mourned him. Many of us are grieving today.
Some of our loved ones have died. Some of us have lost jobs and are mourning our way of life
before COVID. Some of us are facing difficulties in our health, and some of us are being separat-
ed from our loved ones. There are many reasons we grieve today and many reasons we, like Je-
sus, weep. Grief can be isolating but we do not have to go through these losses alone. In Christ, we are a family. A family that
weeps and supports each other in difficult times.
Emmanuel Lutheran Church has a grief group. This group is for all who mourn, need to lament, or are suffering from loneliness.
We will listen to each other and we will pray with each other. “Grief group” meets on Zoom at 1:00 pm on the first and third
Wednesday of every month. Parish Nurse Carol Hartman and Resident Pastor Karole Langset lead the group. They can answer
any questions you have about the group.
To Join Grief Zoom Meeting (1st and 3rd Wednesday, 1 p.m.):
Copy and paste: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/88948974770?pwd=YWZ5S2pveGJ0NGp0d0czdXkvTEZKUT09
Meeting ID: 889 4897 4770
Password: 844239 If you have any questions or concerns in
You can join by phone without video, for that you will need the meeting number regards to the Grief Group call Carol
and password (above) when you dial-in to one of these numbers: Hartman at 239-261-0894 or email her at
+1 301 715 8592 (Germantown), +1 312 626 6799 (Chicago), +1 646 558 8656 US Carol@naplesemmanuel.org
(New York), +1 253 215 8782 US (Tacoma), +1 346 248 7799 (Houston), or +1 669
900 6833 US (San Jose). 10Stephen Ministry
CHRIST CARING FOR PEOPLE THROUGH PEOPLE
STEPHEN MINISTRY MOMENT Love one another as I have loved You In
John15:12, Jesus says “This is my commandment , that you love one
another as I have loved you.” Loving and caring for one another is not
just the Pastor’s job - - it’s something Jesus calls us all to do! Stephen
Ministers are fellow members who are trained to become Christian
Caregivers to members who are suffering one or more of life’s difficul-
ties. If you or someone you know can benefit by having a Stephen Min-
ister walk confidentially with you as you gain the healing power of Christ’s love please call Carol Hartman at church 239-261-
0894.
MEET THE STEPHEN MINISTER - Charlene “Shar” Hagan
Charlene “Shar” Hagan and her husband Ollie are seasonal residents of Naples. They
have shared their successful marriage for 61 years and are the proud parents of 3 children - a son
and 2 daughters. Spending time with one or more of their 10 grandchildren is one of their great
Joys, as well as now with 3 great grandchildren.
Summers are spent in West Des Moines, IA where they belong to Hope Lutheran Church and
have been attending Emmanuel in season since 2011.
Shar has enjoyed her time over the years as a homemaker and caring for her family in addition to
spending a great deal of time doing volunteer work and church activities. She states that her favorite
activities have been her volunteer work, Bible Studies, tennis, gardening and spending time with her
family and friends.
Shar was drawn to become a Stephen Minister in order to learn how to best respond to the needs of others after learning that
Stephen Ministers are first and foremost Christian Caregivers. With the Stephen Ministry training classes and with God’s help
she is confident that she can succeed in providing care to those in need. She was a member of the SM class of 2020 and
awaits commissioning as a Stephen Minister. She feels it will be personally rewarding if she can help her Care Receivers and
lead them to come closer to God and find wholeness in him.
Emmanuel Park Community
A testimonial about what Emmanuel Park means to a community member:
Emmanuel Park has been a healing place for me, for us. My family and I had COVID back in October-November. Afterward, I
was very, very dizzy, and I still am a little. Our first walk out of the house was in December; walking around Emmanuel Commu-
nity Park was a challenge to walk around the lake. But the water, birds’ houses, and peace that I felt so inviting to walk without
much fear of getting tired or lost balance in the middle of the lap, that I dared to walk that far. Now I can walk three laps with-
out a problem!!
We are very, very thankful for that. We walked around with our fears-broken hearts-insecurities-unhealthiness and found
healing, support, and care. Thank-you, thank-you, thank-you!
During my first walk, I did not know what the park was for. I asked the person who was watering the plants, and he (John
Rassmussen) told me about the church and told me that it was open to the public, so we continued to come and improve our
walking.
It was just on Christmas evening that we realized about the drive-in services. We loved the Christmas evening services and the
pastor’s service.
We are a Spanish-speaking family, so we attended the Spanish masses in Immokalee before COVID. After we got the virus, we
were and are so afraid to get it again. We love that your church has a drive-in service, and everyone respects the use of masks
and social distance.
I always believe what Matthew said, “ where two or three are gathered together unto My name, there am I.” I really felt that at
Emmanuel Park since our first walk back in December.
Thank you for all that you do for the community.
Alexandra
11Emmanuel Park Community
2770 Oil Well Road
www.naplesemmanuel.org/epc
epc@naplesemmanuel.org
Drive-In Worship: Sundays 10:00 a.m.
Lent in a Box
Sunday, February 14, we distributed this family Lenten resource kit that contains prayers and
activities to encourage connection with God and with each other in meaningful ways. If you are
interested in receiving a box, we still have a couple left. Please contact Deacon Dee.
Burying the Alleluias
As we enter into Lent's season, our tradition is to bury the Alleliuias(A) physically on Transfiguration of our Lord, Sunday. Our
Sunday school children colored their A's, and we placed them along with last year As in a sealed bin as we set it into the
ground. We even had Elisha and Elijah (two of our Sunday school children) present for the event. On Easter Sunday, we will
resurrect our A's during worship.
Food Distribution
The Meals of Hope food distribution at Emmanuel Park continues to
grow. Ash Wednesday, we distributed food to nearly 450 families.
Pastor Will and Deacon Dee would like to extend a special Thank
You to all who have volunteered; we could not do it with-
out you! On average, 25-30 people from Emmanuel and
the surrounding Park community volunteer each week. If
you are interested in volunteering, please visit our volun-
teer page: naplesemmanuel.org/volunteer or contact Dea-
con Dee. Dee@naplesemmanuel.org
Supporting our Community
Due to the current pandemic, our local girl scouts and brownies needed to get creative in
selling cookies this year. Several of the locations they have used for many years would not
allow them to set up a booth this year. We want to thank all who purchased cookies on
February 21 to support Claudia. If you are still looking for Girl Scout cookies, they will have
another booth set up at the Park on Sunday, March 7, from 9:00 - noon.
Park Service Projects
Each month we will designate a service project for the
Park. In January, Rob Headly and Jim, and Dee
Schleutker installed 3 little libraries. February, Pastor
Will and his father constructed a fence between the
playground and the roadway used for our food distri-
bution. We have an idea for March; stay tuned, as
soon as we have more details we will send out an
eblast seeking volunteers. 12Emmanuel Park Community
Ashes to Go
This year, we offered ashes and a
blessing to all who attended, volun-
teered, or just stopped by our Meals of
Hope food distribution at Emmanuel
Park. To date, this was our most exten-
sive food distribution, with 447 fami-
lies receiving food. We estimate 250
people received ashes and a blessing.
13Emmanuel Academies
Speakers and Facilitators of 2021 Faith, Vocation and Economics Program - March 2021
Tracy Matthews
EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR, The Call to Work
Tracy Matthews and The Call to Work have developed a workshop-based experience teaching participants
models and tools by which to integrate their faith into their daily work and life situations. The Course cat-
alyzes spiritual growth and transformation as participants leverage the truth of Scripture to help them
respond well to the current challenges that keep them up at night.
Prior to The Call to Work, Tracy Mathews spent eight years leading strategy and business development
for an early-stage industrial biotech company. She has also held positions at McKinsey & Company and Kimberly-Clark Corpora-
tion. She holds a BS in Paper Science and Engineering from the University of Washington and an MBA from the Harvard Busi-
ness School.
Tracy has been leading the development of The Call to Work since March of 2016, and says of her experience: Through the
tools and principles I’m learning through The Call to Work, I am experiencing more of God’s presence and more fullness of life
than I ever thought possible in this life.
Rev. Dr. Steven Paulson
CHAIR OF LUTHERAN THEOLOGY, The Luther House of Study
Professor Steven Paulson has been teaching and preaching for over thirty years and is chair of Lutheran The-
ology at LHOS. He holds degrees in theology from St. Olaf College, the Master of Divinity from Luther Semi-
nary and the Theological Doctorate from the Lutheran School of Theology in Chicago. His dissertation was:
“Analogy and Proclamation: the struggle over God’s hiddenness in the theology of Martin Luther and Eber-
hard Jüngel.”
He has taught at Concordia College, Moorhead, and Luther Seminary, St. Paul, before coming to Sioux Falls. He is the author of
many books and articles, including "Luther’s Outlaw God, Volume 1 and 2”, “ Luther for Armchair Theologians” and many more.
Always complex and provocative, Rev. Dr. Paulson is creative in his explanations and teaching.
Rev. Dr. Paulson’s vocational pathway did not lead him directly to ministry. The pathway included vocational work as a carpen-
ter, electrician and plumber, then as a mental health counselor, and then a research librarian, before entering deeply into
teaching and researching Lutheran theology.
Professor Sarah Stenson
CO-DIRECTOR, The Luther House of Study,
KAIROS AFFILIATE PROFESSOR, Sioux Falls Seminary
What do corporate law, family and proclaiming the gospel have in common? Ask Sarah Stenson, and she
will tell you each of these things is something for which she has a deep passion.
After graduating from Luther College, Sarah attended the University of Minnesota Law School and graduat-
ed with a J.D. in 1992. She worked as a corporate attorney at Honeywell Inc. and Kmart Corp. headquarters practicing corpo-
rate law and participating in mergers and acquisitions, before becoming the stay-at-home mother of two children.
Sarah was called from Sundays at church to seriously studying Lutheran theology at Sioux Falls Seminary under Rev. Dr. Chris
Croghan and then joined the Luther House of Study as it was formed to teach others in classrooms, congregations, and working
to nurture faith and prepare pastors.
14Emmanuel Academies
Emmanuel Academies Continues to Attract New Future Pastors!!!!
When Pastor David Anglada in the Metro New York Synod learned of Emmanuel Acade-
mies’ Master of Divinity program he knew it would be an ideal fit for one of his congre-
gation’s lay leaders, Linda Law!
Linda Law is Emmanuel Academies’ newest applicant for our Master of Divinity, Fall 2021 Semester Co-
hort.
Ascension Lutheran Church in Deer Park, New York, an ELCA Metro New York Synod church, has been
Linda’s spiritual home for four years. It is there, Head Pastor Justin Lathrop has been guiding her through
her discernment process. At 63, Linda Law is a mother, grandmother, retired teacher, volunteer firefighter,
honorably discharged Navy Corpsman, chef, animal lover and servant of all.
Linda currently serves as a Chaplain intern with the American Legion Post 94, she is called to “sit in the pit” with the Veterans
that she talks with, who have severe PTSD. Linda states, “The Master of Divinity will prepare me for chaplaincy and eventually
military chaplaincy, which is my goal- to better serve our Veterans.”
As a cook for her church’s Homeless Initiative, Linda has formed relationships with the people they serve. Linda wants to be
able to pastor and talk with them about the Word of God; helping them receive the promises of God, through His Son, Jesus
Christ.
Linda is a proud Mother of two adult children, Grandmother of two
young children and rescuer of five dogs. She has a Brown Belt in Is-
shin-ryu Martial Arts, Red Belt in Kenpo and is a former coach for
Golden Gloves Boxing and Long Island Fight for Charities. In her free
time, she enjoys riding her Harley Davidson motorcycle and is teach-
ing herself how to play the guitar.
Most certainly, Linda lives an exemplary life, dedicated to serving
others: 29 years in the volunteer fire department, 24 years as an
emergency medical technician, 12 years with the US Coast Guard as
a volunteer, 12 years with the Civil Air Patrol, 8 years in the US Navy
Reserves as a Corpsman and 4 years with the American Legion.
Linda states: “I volunteer to serve my neighbors and to demonstrate
gratitude for God’s gifts in my life. A Master of Divinity will help me
to complete this journey, serve others well and glorify God.”
Emmanuel Communities
2021 Is Beginning VERY WELL!!!!
The mission of Emmanuel Communities is to foster the development of Emmanuel Community Park, both in
terms of its physical development as well as its place within the community, including community partner-
ships. 2021 has started off with great success and a big vision for the year!
Planning continues to move forward for the pavilion. Here are the latest images from our designer. We are
now working with the county, awaiting their approval. Emmanuel Communities continues to welcome gifts
of all sizes to support the development of the pavilion, the planned “well” and a paver square.
Emmanuel Communities is building a site that will serve the community for the coming 50 to 100 years! If you would like to be
a part of the future of this vision as it comes to fruition, please reach out to Howard at Emmanuel Communities at
239.206.3082 or at H.Isaacson@EmmanuelCommunities.org
15Clubs
All of our clubs have been suspended until further notice due to the pandemic. If you are interested in a particular
club, you may contact the leaders of that group.
Lit and Latte Book Club
At this time they are trying to create a list of books to read and presenters for the upcoming year. If
you have any ideas, please contact Carol Hartman at Carol@naplesemmanuel.org.
Everyone in the community is invited to join our group. Please feel free to bring houseguests and
friends, as all are welcome.
WOMEN WITH WOMEN
The Women with Women group has postponed gatherings and meetings until further notice.
Any questions call Carol Duncan at 239-777-3213.
Mah Jongg is postponed until further notice. If you have any questions, please call Carol Duncan at
239-777-3213.
Beading for Haiti Project Paperbead Jewelry
The beading group has postponed meeting until further notice. They are excited to get back togeth-
er once things get back to normal. They also look forward to having a Jewelry Sale.
Interested? Contact Carol Duncan at 239-777-3213
Check out our Facebook page at www.facebook.com/beadingforhaiti
Village of Hope Webpage www.villageofhopehaiti.org
Stitchers
The Stitchers have resumed meeting in the Family Life Center on Mondays at 9:00 a.m..
Call Jane Hauck, 605-366-4338, with any questions.
16Emmanuel Lutheran Church
March Anniversaries
Member Date
Mr. and Mrs. Donald Mackling 03/01/1957
Mr. & Mrs. Wayne Ramsay 03/01/1969
Andrew and Teresa Barancik 03/04/2000
Mr. & Mrs. Charles Pearson 03/04/1968
Gregory & Sandra Schill 03/05/1983
Bert & Martha Treiber 03/05/2005
Kathleen Nelson 03/14/2003
Mr. & Mrs. Paddy Jamerson 03/17/1984
Mariela Hernandez & Juan Colmenares 03/18/0000
Robert & Marion Andrews 03/21/0000
Michael & Marilyn Hagerman 03/28/1959
Mr. & Mrs. Wayne Schutte 03/29/2002
Steve & Julie Vanderboom 03/29/0000
Stephanie Bliese & Jeffrey Schwartz 03/30/2012
17Emmanuel Lutheran Church
March Baptisms
Member Date
Dee Sprenger 03/00
Diane Fink 03/00
Paul Lang 03/00
Carmen Horn 03./00
Sandra Bufka 03/00
Pam Bratsch Berg 03/00
Carole Sissel 03/00
Theodore Eissfeldt 03/00
Mackenzie Marquardt 03/01
Mackenzie Fowell 03/02
Gerald Knutson 03/05
Kinsley Manring 03/06
Nathan Elgin 03/07
Emma Oesterreicher 03/07
Gloria Hudson 03/09
Steve Esala 03/11
Nicole Gheiler 03/11
Alexandra Ellender 03/12
Jeffrey Piipponen 03/12
Clayton Blomseth 03/14
Mackenzie Elgin 03/14
Samuel Loney 03/16
John Haugsland 03/17
Margaret Wolff 03/18
Beth McCullen 03/21
John Fernandez 03/22
Aiden Murphy 03/22
Madison DeHaan 03/24
Ian Greer 03/26
Russell Greer 03/26
Margaret Lehr 03/26
Beverly Brenner 03/30
Grace Cooper 03/30
Grant Cooper 03/30
18Emmanuel Lutheran Church
March Birthdays
Member Date Member Date
Margaret Lehr 03/02 John Sagers 03/15
Marion Andrews 03/03 Jill Talarico 03/15
Steve Esala 03/03 Gary Boe 03/16
Linda Hall 03/03 Max Loney 03/16
David Beitzel 03/04 Daniel Mjolsness 03/16
Donna Field 03/04 Bernardo Puzzuoli 03/16
David Gardner 03/04 Errol Skinner 03/16
Russell Greer 03/04 Jack Ladley 03/17
Rodger Hendricks 03/04 Oscar Acosta 03/18
Gabriela Hernandez 03/04 James Carino 03/18
Raul Morales 03/04 Michael Mario D’Angelo 03/18
MaryAnn Coon 03/05 Carol Hanke 03/18
Linda Neaves 03/05 Mary Jamerson 03/18
Beth Supensky 03/05 Pauline Bando 03/18
Hilary Thoemke 03/05 Gary Karr 03/19
Emily Dumouchel 03/06 Lisa Marie Lienberger 03/19
Cara Denny 03/07 Emma Mastro 03/19
Austin Kalb 03/07 Stephen Spargo 03/19
Ruth Lodahl 03/08 Sandra Johnson 03/20
Shane Slifko 03/08 Patricia Marlett 03/20
Frances Stepanek 03/09 KristinVick 03/20
Debra Wojcik 03/09 Karen Hunsaker 03/21
Tyler Patterson 03/10 Karl Listoe 03/21
Louise Sundet 03/10 Verna J. Olson 03/21
Pam Bratsch Berg 03/11 Allen Mikkola 03/22
Judith Guest 03/11 Debbie Lawson 03/23
Pat Leikhim 03/11 Clarence Shaw 03/25
Paul Reichert 03/11 Gail Duke 03/24
Carole Shane 03/11 B Alexandra Barton 03/25
James Capadona 03/12 Robin Lee 03/25
Olivia Cunningham 03/12 Roger Mjoen 03/26
Debra Cunningham 03/13 Stephanie Mjoen 03/26
Stephanie Vick 03/13 Beatrice D’Angelo 03/28
Lorna Wright 03/13 George Dumouchel 03/28
Jenna Jakubielski 03/14 Corrin Powell 03/28
Leland Sundet 03/14 Roberta Lynch 03/28
Mika Williams 03/14 Ann-Lise Holm 03/29
Juan Carlos 03/15 Ethan Isaacson 03/30
Mike Etelamaki 03/15 Leah Frontz 03/30
Boden Manring 03/15 Kristi Murphy 03/30
Brier Manring 03/15 Derek Perry 03/30
David Rismiller 03/15 Anne Rismiller 03/31
Christina Palulis 03/15
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