Faithfully Yours

Membership Newsletter ~ April 2016

Faith Lutheran Church ~ Rev. David Johnson, Pastor
Congregation of the ELCA and its Northern Great Lakes Synod
Church: (906) 486-9083

Parsonage: (906) 204-2401

Luke 24:21 but we had hoped that he

was the one who was going to redeem
Israel. And what is more, it is the third day
since all this took place.
The tomb is empty. In fact, we will keep
on reminding ourselves of this each Sunday until
May 15. Some people may question whether or
not the tomb was actually empty. There are
people that I talk with who have had discussions
regarding this very question, is the tomb really
empty or did the disciples steal the body and make
the whole thing up? But this isnt the question on
my mind; Im convinced that the tomb was and
still is empty (except for the people who flock
there every day to see that yes indeed, it is still
empty). For me, the question that I have is the
same questions that two disciples have as they
walk down the road toward Emmaus.
They have heard from the women that the
tomb was empty and as they walked they are
asking the question, what does this mean? As
they are walking this man walks up next to them
as they are questioning and wondering about all
that has happened. He talks to them asking them
what they are talking about. So they tell this man
about Jesus, the crucifixion, and they say this
about it all, but we had only hoped.. Just a few
days before all of their hopes and dreams were
crushed as they watched Jesus life fade away to
nothing. All that they had left were those broken
words, we had only hoped
Do you know what its like to say those
words? You know, those times in your life where

email: faithlutheran@faithinishpeming.com

you have used the words, I had only hoped

Peter, the one who denied Jesus three times, was
probably thinking I had only hoped for the
opportunity to say that Im sorry. The women
were thinking, We had only hoped to have the
opportunity to bury Him properly. The disciples
on the road had only hoped that Jesus was going
to be the one to redeem Israel.
There is no hope in those words. They
speak of dreams dashed, futures erased, and light
that fades into darkness. Have you ever had your
hopes crushed, your dreams dashed, or slowly see
that light; that flicker of hope fade? Maybe it was
for a loved one that got sick, and it only got worse
instead of getting better. Maybe it was for a
marriage or a relationship that was headed for
destruction and there was no stopping from it
hitting the rocks and dismantling everything.
Maybe it was the hopes for a better job, a better
life, and more security but it all came crashing
down. If you have ever said these words, but I
had only hoped or something like it, then you
are in good company. You are in the same place
that these two disciples are in as they wonder
about whats to come next.
What does this mean for us then that the
tomb is empty. What does it mean for you who
are walking down this road of life and have said
or are saying, I had only hoped? It means that
you are not alone in that statement; it means that
not all hope is lost. The tomb is empty and Jesus
is alive! That means He does the same thing that
He does with the disciples; He walks alongside
you. He journeys with you. You are not and
never will be alone as you wonder and experience

From the Pastors Desk cont...

Mission Statement
It shall be the mission of Faith Lutheran Church of
Ishpeming to develop, strengthen, and share witness
to the message of the Gospel; through an increased
understanding of our ministry, and our daily living,
both individually and as a congregation.

all that this life brings. There is no promise that you

wont experience hardship or pain. There is no
reassurance that you will be spared from the worst
that life can throw at you. There is no guarantee that
you will never have to wrestle with that statement
again, I had only hoped.
But what I can say is that those words are not
the final word. The tomb is empty! Jesus is alive!
And He walks with you through those questions, He
carries you through the we had only, and He
offers you something that has never happened
before. The promise of a life with Him where even
when things look their absolute worst; where it
looks like all hope is lost, three days later there is
new life. Hallelujah!

How to Leave a Confidential Message

for the Pastor
In order to leave a confidential telephone
voicemail for Pastor Dave, call the church,
wait for the answering machine to pick up,
press 2, and leave a message after the beep.
Are You Interested?
Conference 8 Choir is now forming to sing at the Opening
Worship of Synod Assembly on Friday, May 13, 2016,
6:30pm at Messiah Lutheran Church, Marquette.

In Gods Peace, Pastor Dave

Dave Dagenais will be the Choir Director!

Faith Lutheran Church Council

2016

The Opening Worship of Synod Assembly is open to

everyone and all are welcome to attend.

Jeff Swanson
Kathy Solka
Norma Denney
Nancy Harmala
Ross Carlson
Cheryl Salmer
Bob Katajamaki
Jerry Kippola
Steve Bailey

You do not have to register for assembly to participate in

the choir.
The first rehearsal is Thursday, May 12, 6:307:30 p.m.
at Messiah Lutheran Church in Marquette. A second
rehearsal will be Friday, May 13, prior to Opening
Worship. Choir members will be learning Setting 9 of the
ELW and an anthem.
Contact Pastor Katherine Finegan at
kfinegan@nglsynod.org if you are interested in
participating.
What a great way to WITNESS by singing in the choir!

MYTH 2
It all belongs to me!

Online Devotional Resource

Just who does all this stuff on earth belong to? If

you have a pink slip or certificate of title, does
this really mean you own it? Genesis tells us God
created everything and has entrusted us to be
caretakers. We only have use of the things in our
possession temporarily.

Our Northern Great Lakes Synod offers a

wonderful online prayer resource, including a daily
devotional thought. Check it out at
www.nglsynod.org/prayfaithfully/dailydevotions.html
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April 8-10 Adoptive Family Retreat

April 22-24 Adult Retreat (focus on Bible study)
April 29-30 Church Staff Renewal Retreat (for
anyone on your church staff)
Visit www.fortunelake.org for a
schedule of all activities.

JOSEPHS COAT RACK Sponsored by the Altar Guild

Instructions:
If you need a coat... take one!
If you know someone who needs a coat.....take one!
If you have a good, clean coat/jacket....bring one!
(For men, women, and children)
This is a free recycle , reuse project sponsored by the Altar Guild. At the end of each month of there
are any coats/jackets on the rack they will be boxed and sent to Gaastra Mission. If the Mission is not
in need that month they will be brought to either St. Vincent DePaul's or Goodwill.
MARCH UPDATE: Sixteen jackets have been donated to Gaastra Mission through this program at
Faith Lutheran; thank you to all that donated. Josephs Coat Rack also accepts gently used Spring
jackets and sweaters. Questionsplease call: Marilee Koval 485-4349 / Irene Kindstrand 486-4373.

Keep in our Prayers

THANK YOU

Our home-bound and nursing home

residents:
Signe Carter - Eastwood
Mary Denney
Elmer & Shirley JuntilaValenti
Lois & Simeon Richards
Geraldine HarrisonValenti

Andrew
Ed
Scott
Mikey
Lauren
Betty Jo
Helen

Joe
Jackie
Janice
Karen
Kim
Eric
Vi
Jackie

Helen
Vic
Irene
Kim
Lisa
Judy
Eric
Sylvia

SPECIAL THANK YOU GOES OUT TO PEGGY LAFORGE

FROM THE QUILTERS. PEGGY MADE ALL THE SCHOOL
KITS FOR THE LUTHER WORLD RELIEF PROJECT AND
ALSO MADE TEN PILLOW CASES FOR FOSTER CARE CLOSET OF ISHPEMING.

PEGGY GOES ABOVE AND BEYOND

FOR THE LOCAL CHARTIES!

Marcia
Ivan
Marsha
Carolyn
Sandy
Jerry & Bev
Judy
Helen

Carol
Lois
Karen
Bob
Kim
Lois
Jackie
Bill

Judy
Mary
Haylee
Debra
Shirley & Elmer
Simeon

Family of Ron Niemi / Negotiators at Cliffs for Fair Contract / Family of Lyle Danielson /
Families and victims of Brussels attack / Family of Suzanne Coron
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APRIL 2016
Sun

Mon

Tue

Wed

Thu

Fri

Sat

Youth
Encounter
MN

Youth Encounter
MN

11

Childrens Sunday
School 9:45am
Worship 10am
Share & Care

17

24

Confirmation 7pm

18

Childrens Sunday
School 9:45am
Worship 10am

Childrens Sunday
School 9:45am
Worship 10am

13

14

15

16

19

20

21

22

23

26

27

28

29

30

Quarterly Finance
Committee
Meeting

Worship 10am

10

Youth
Encounter
MN

12

Mutual Ministry
6:30pm

Church Council
6:30pm

Confirmation 7pm

25
Confirmation 7pm

With Thanks to Those Who Serve in April

04/03
04/10
04/17
04/24
05/01
04/03
04/10
04/17
04/24
05/01
04/03
04/10
04/17
04/24
05/01

Ushers
Kay and Ron Maddock
Judy Helsten and Jessica Keto
Ann Poirier and Lorraine Wheeler
Carole Watson and Irene Kindstrand
The Baileys
Lectors
Pat Kroon
Alice Johnson
Pat Kroon
Carole Watson
Marilee Koval
Counters
Helen Frederickson and Rita Miller
Lois Ombrello and Laura Korte
Norma Denney and Robyn Stille
Lee Irish and Laura Korte
Cindi Armitage and Robyn Stille

Coffee Servers
04/03
04/10 Lois and Norma
04/17 Kathy Richards / FLLC Scholarships
04/24
05/01 Irene and Judy
Communion Servers
April Jeff Swanson
May Carole Watson
June Kathy Magnuson
If you are unable to serve on your scheduled day,
please switch with someone or contact the
following:
Irene KindstrandLectors and Ushers
Kathy MagnusonCommunion Servers
Cheryl SalmerCounters

Faith Lutheran Church Cancellation Policy

Sunday: In the event Sunday School and/or services are cancelled, a message will be on the church answering machine by 8:00am on Sunday
morning. Telephone calls will be made to as many people as can be reached.
MondayFriday Events: In the event the NICE School District is closed due to inclement weather, any activities scheduled for that day at
church will be cancelled. A message we be on the church answering machine
by 9:00am that day.
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