OCTOBER 2008

If ye continue in my word, then are ye my disciples indeed; and ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall set you free. John 8:31-32 [1]

Beloved brothers and sisters in Christ!

A blessed and happy Reformation to you! As Lutheran Christians we give thanks for the Reformation of the church through God's servant, Martin Luther. It is perhaps a source of pride for anyone who bears the name "Lutheran" that no secular history book can help but mention Luther and the Reformation in the sixteenth century. It is seen as the event that brought Western culture out of the so-called dark ages when superstition and irrational fear of spiritual forces gave way to liberation. The independent human spirit rose triumphantly above the captivity imposed by the superstitions of the priests and the captivity of royal, ruling families and dynasties that held what they claimed to be the divine rights of kings. Freedom of the common man was the cause that Luther was supposed to have championed. So the Reformation was the dawning of the age of freedom and enlightenment which would free every man from the bonds which had been imposed upon him by dark doctrines meant only to imprison him.

Sounds good. But it is grossly in error and opposed to a true reading of history and the cause that Luther himself expressed. Freedom? Yes. Freedom from human oppression and truth suppressing doctrines? Yes. Freedom to be anything man wants himself to be? NO. Absolutely not. In his great speech at the diet of Worms, Luther said it himself, "My conscience is held captive to the Word of God." Why? Because Luther knew the truth that he had discovered from the Lord God who is true and revealed himself through his Word. Man is not free. He is either bound to sin (Christ says: "Whoever sins is a slave to sin" - John 8:34 [2]) or he is freed from his sin by the Gospel of God in Christ's redeeming work, and, thus being freed from his sins, he is bound to God's Word that frees him. That's what Christ says in the passage at the head of this article. If you remain in Christ's Word, that is, if you do not disdain and put it away from you, then his Word will declare you forgiven.

How do we remain in his Word? When we keep listening. When we don't miss an opportunity to hear his voice telling us to confess our sins so that he will be faithful and just to forgive us our sins and cleanse us from all unrighteousness; when we hunger and thirst after righteousness and receive Christ and his righteousness in his body and blood of the Sacrament; when having been awakened and made alive spiritually our immortal souls hunger and thirst and desire Christ by God's grace and we receive him as we gather round him in his church. When we hunger daily and read God's Word in the Scriptures. If we remain hungry, we will be well fed here in time and hereafter in eternity. May God preserve our faith and hunger for him, and he will also feed us. And then we shall be freed, since we will be bound to our good and gracious God.

So blessed be our celebration this month of the blessed Reformation. Because the pure doctrine has been exhumed from the refuse of oppressive human doctrines, and our freedom from sin, death and the devil which our Savior has won for us is certainly ours through faith by grace, we can be bound to our good and gracious and great God forever. Freed to love and serve him forever!

Blessed Reformation!

Pastor Rodney Zwonitzer          Pastor Joel Baseley

Our theme for the 2008-2009 school year is "The Lord Is..." The month of October finds us focusing on how the Lord is our Refuge. Webster defines refuge as a place of shelter, protection, and safety and that word definitely describes our great God. We are bombarded each day with many reminders that our world isn't that safe of a place. For a young person, or for any person, it can be difficult to sort it all out. Yet, God comes to us in His Word and provides for us the refuge we need. He shelters us in His loving arms and protects us from sin, death, and the power of the devil. He sent His Son, Jesus, to die and rise for us so that we can be assured of the safety of our heavenly home. He also gives us His Spirit to comfort and aid us when we need it the most. "The Lord Is...Our Refuge," and His protection and safety will see us through life's most trying times.

The month of October finds the Fire Department visiting Emmanuel as we celebrate National Fire Safety Week. We plan on hosting a Fall Festival on Saturday, October 25 and the Middle School Dinner Theater on Friday, October 24. Red Ribbon Week ends our month as we learn about the dangers of drugs and living a healthy life. It should be a busy month as we end the first quarter of our school year and watch the leaves fall and prepare of the coming changes of the season.

Now is the time to think about making a gift to Emmanuel Lutheran School or Preschool through Thrivent Giving Plus Program. Thrivent will match half of your contribution up to $600 per Thrivent member, per institution as a way of helping Emmanuel continue strengthening its mission. Thrivent Giving Plus forms are available just outside the church office doors for your convenience and we thank you for remembering us in the coming months.

We thank you for your continued prayers and monetary support as we discover all "The Lord Is" this school year. We look forward to the opportunities that are ahead of us as we continue to provide a quality Christian education that is uniquely Lutheran. May you continue to take "Refuge" in God's Word and His great love for us this month.

Paul Baerwolf, Principal

OCTOBER
1—Mid Quarter
13—No School Columbus Day
14—Classes Resume
24—Middle School Dinner Theater
25—Fall Festival
27—Red Ribbon Week
31—End of First Quarter 1/2 Day

ALTAR GUILD FOR OCTOBER

Sunday
Claudia Crawford
Laurie Fader
Sue Holbrook
Ruth Mobius

Candle Care
Claudia Crawford

Saturday
Ellen Heise

Parament Changes
Red—October 25-26

MEMBER NEWS

Membership Losses:
Lenore Metcalf transferred to Guardian Lutheran Church

Dearly Departed:
Elaine Hay

The preschoolers of Emmanuel Lutheran have been busy settling into their new routines with Mrs. Adler and Miss Wildauer. During September they learned the importance of following school rules, so that they could be safe at school. This was followed by a unit on apples. The teachers are planning a trip to the apple orchard in mid to late October.

They are also learning every day how Jesus is their best friend, even when they sin and do wrong. The Bible stories which were the focus of the month were about God's beautiful world which He created.

I am pleased to tell you that our all day four's class (with before and after preschool latchkey) is full, with a waiting list. The morning four's is also a full class. There is still room in the morning three's and afternoon four's. Our preschool/kindergarten area is full of young children engaged in spiritual, academic and social learning! Feel free to stop by and check out what we're doing.

Mrs. Kathy Prusak
Preschool Director

Save the Date: Advent by Candlelight will be held on Sunday, December 7 in the Fellowship Hall. Stay tuned for further information on the program. Timing will be as follows:

3:00 p.m.—5:00 p.m.—Open for set-up
5:00 p.m.—6:00 p.m.—Arrival time for guests
6:00 p.m.—Program begins
6:30 p.m.—Dessert and fellowship

There will be sign-up sheets beginning the weekend of October 25 in the narthex following worship services. Everyone is invited, just let us know if you prefer to be a hostess or an attendee. Reminder to hostesses, you are responsible for decorating your table, inviting guest, providing the dishes, serving pieces, dessert and candles for your table. If you have any questions, please contact Claudia Crawford at 313-271-2645 or via email [2].

BOARD OF EVANGELISM

Mark your calendars! Emmanuel's 2nd annual Apologetics Conference will be held Saturday, October 11th from 1:00 p.m.—4:00 p.m. in the amphitheater at Henry Ford Centennial Library in Dearborn. Dr. Adam Francisco from Concordia Theological Seminary will make the presentation "Christians & The Challenge of Islam: A Balanced View." Please plan to attend and help spread the word about this great educational opportunity!

Submitted by Elaine Pierani

YOUTH GROUP

There will be a party for all 6th—12th grade youth on Friday evening.
October 17, from 7:00 p.m.—10:00 p.m. (?).
It will be at the Charters' house, at 3930 Vassar, Dearborn Heights.
Food will be served; please bring $2 to cover the cost.

We are getting a group together to go to the Higher Things conference in summer 2009. Fundraisers will be held beginning in October.