The Lamplighter
May 2021
Pastor Bob's Notes
With Easter comes a new beginning and so it is with Immanuel United Church of Christ. As we start this new journey together as a church family, I am confident that whatever comes our way, together with God’s loving grace we will prevail.
We often wonder what our purpose in life is and sometimes it takes us years to figure it out. But the plans that God has for us were laid out when God created the Heavens and the earth. I have a story to tell you that does exactly that.
A couple that I know came up to me a few years ago and said you wouldn’t believe what happened to us this week. They were in the grocery store and as they were walking down the aisle they saw a man standing there. They started a conversation with him. As the conversation continued somehow, they got on the topic of hearts and heart surgery and the man had a puzzled look on his face and said, I have those very same symptoms that you had.
They convinced the man to go and see his doctor, which he didn’t want to do as all you wives know all too well what kind of patience we make.
He ended up going to the doctor and had the surgery. The heart surgeon said that he had what they call a widow maker, and he could have died at any time. The two of them re-connected a few weeks after his surgery and he told them how bad his heart was.
He said that he wouldn’t have met them in the aisle of a grocery store he probably would have died. This happened to this couple the week after a message I wrote just about how God will put you in certain places at certain times. Imagine if they hadn’t gone to the store that day. Imagine if they would have turned down a different aisle. Imagine if they had to stop at a stop light on the way to the store. A million different things could have happened, but they didn’t. It would have only taken a matter of a second if the two of them would have never met.
God put them in the right place at the right time. He will use us and put us where he needs us to be. Trust and have strong faith in our Lord Jesus Christ.
~ Pastor Bob
Moderator's Moment
The flower for the month of May is the Lily of the Valley. This tiny, delightfully fragrant flower symbolizes “romance, luck, happiness, purity and humility.” May you enjoy at least one or all of this little flower’s meanings.
I would like to extend a heartfelt “Welcome” to Pastor Bob Kamps. I am sure I speak for our entire congregation when I say that we are blessed to have Pastor Bob at Immanuel. I know that you will enjoy his energetic and uplifting sermons!
I would be remiss if I did not send a very special “Thank You” to Reverend Jim Burd for his pastoral service at Immanuel during the past year. We were able to carry on because of his presence and support.
My love and best wishes to all of our Mothers for a Happy Mother’s Day. Please know that you are loved and appreciated for all you do. Rudyard Kipling put it in these words: “God could not be everywhere and therefore he made mothers.” So true!
As we celebrate Memorial Day (and throughout the year) our prayers go out to our nation’s military personnel, both past and present, who have served our great country. God Bless and thank you for your sacrifices and service.
God Bless!
Lucy
Please remember...
If you have favorite songs or Bible verses that you would like to have at your funeral or memorial service, you may submit them to me. I have a file for a few members already saved. Just send me an e-mail and I will record them for you, because at times, family members will say, “I didn’t know what their favorite hymns or Bible verses were”.
Thank you.
~ Madeline
If you or a family member is hospitalized and you’d like a pastoral visit, please let Pastor Bob or our church office know. With privacy laws, this information is not shared without consent.
We covenant one with another to seek and respond to the Word and Will of God.
We propose to walk together in the ways of the Lord, made known and to be made known to us. We hold it to be the mission of the church to witness to the gospel of Jesus Christ in all the world while worshipping God and striving for truth, justice, and peace.
As did our ancestors, we depend on the Holy Spirit to lead and empower us.
We pray for the coming of the Kingdom of God, and we look with faith toward the triumph of righteousness and eternal life.
Anniversaries
May 3rd - Ken & Joyce Pagel
May 19th - Neil & Wanda McKinnell
Calendars
Birthdays
May 12th - Charlene Kelley
May 14th - Jack Cunningham
May 15th - Neil McKinnell
May 23rd - Marty Swanson
May 23rd - William Utesch
A Mother's Love
There are times when only a Mother's love
Can understand our tears,
Can soothe our disappoints
And calm all of our fears.
There are times when only a Mother's love
Can share the joy we feel
When something we've dreamed about
Quite suddenly is real.
There are times when only a Mother's faith
Can help us on life's way
And inspire in us the confidence
We need from day to day.
For a Mother's heart and a Mother's faith
And a Mother's steadfast love
Were fashioned by the Angels
And sent from God above.
~ Author Unknown
Happy Mother's Day!
Servants of Immanuel
Pastor: Bob Kamps
Home phone: 262-203-2367
E-mail:
Pastor’s Office hours: Wednesdays
Church phone: 262-275-3252
Fax: 262-275-3274
Church e-mail:
Office hours: Mon.-Thurs. 9 am-Noon Administrative Assistant/Lamplighter Editor: Madeline Zindrick
Moderator: Lucy Abell: 262-903-0064,
Hand Bell Director: Melany Christenson
Choir Director: Bill Horn
Lydia’s Helpers: Wednesdays 9 am-Noon Website: walworthucc.org
Website Coordinator: Sheila Rasmussen