THE UNITED MESSENGER
"Come Worship With Us!"

MAY, 2005

FROM THE PASTOR

Hello, everyone! It has been a year already since my family and I moved to Two Rivers-Mishicot Circuit to be in ministry with you all. The Lord has blessed us with a great number of new friends who have welcomed us and made our transition run as smoothly and as comfortable as possible. We thank you for your kindness and sincere concern for us.

For the last year, we have talked about our vision and mission, both for our churches and our lives. I am certain that the Almighty has a vision for our ministry together for the coming years. I want to know what it is; I hope that you do to. Perhaps the Lord already gave it to you, and if this is the case, please share it with us.

Would you not agree with me that there is no greater place than the one at the very center of God's will, that there is no greater joy than knowing it, and that there is no greater excitement than living God's vision for us?

The vision is "a clear mental picture of a preferable future imparted by God…. (These are the word of George Barna). It is to bank from our past and present and to head forward to a future that reflects God's will. It does not mean a better future as if the church were doing something wrong, NO! It is a future that clearly expresses where our Loving God wants us to be for the next years, for the sake of those who are missing the most wonderful present of God in their lives, Jesus Christ.

We see on TV and hear in the news how many people are living with heavy emotional, spiritual and physical burdens. The Lord loves them passionately, that is the reason why Jesus came into this world in the first place, to deliver them and us from pain, suffering and sin. People need the Lord, and you and I have the answer to their needs.

Let us pray together to our Creator's vision for ministry. Remember that you and I play a very important part in it. We urgently need to know where God wants us to be within the next five years. Please, let's respond to Jesus' calling in our lives. People are restlessly waiting for you and me to respond.

May the Lord Jesus bless us all, as we begin the process of discernment for ministry for the next years.

Pastor Sonia L. Alvarado

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SCRIPTURE READINGS

Date	Scripture

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EVENTS

MONOPOLY GAME PROCEEDS TO GO TOWARD EMANUEL SANCTUARY WINDOW REFURBISHMENT

Thank you to all who have purchased "Two Rivers Opoly"games this year. There are 26 games left at Emanuel. As these are sold, the money will be placed in our Sesquicentennial Fund for our Sanctuary Window refurbishment. Please consider these games as gifts when special occasions come up this year. Your generosity is greatly appreciated. The Emanuel Sesquicentennial Committee

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ATTENTION EMANUEL AND ZION MEMBERS AND FRIENDS

NEW CHURCH DIRECTORY UNDERWAY

A church directory is an important tool for the pastor of a church as well as its congregation. It gives the pastor a chance to learn everyone's name, it allows new members of the church to learn the names of those who have been members for awhile as well as allowing established members to learn the names of newer members. Each of us always feels more like a member of a family when everyone knows our name. A church directory is also a selling tool for our church. The activity pages are useful in attracting new members because these pages tell people who we are and what we are all about. It is important that everyone participate in the church directory.

Emanuel's pictures are scheduled to be taken May 2 and 3 from 3:00 PM until 9:30 PM at Emanuel and from 12:00 Noon until 6:00 P.M. on May 24. Zion's pictures are scheduled to be taken on May 23 from 3:00 PM to 9:30 PM. However, if it is more convenient for some Zion members to come on either May 2 or 3 or 24or it is more convenient for Emanuel members to come on May 23, you can do so. Please contact Jackie Ackerman (793-1594) or Pat Shedal (755-4118)to schedule a time or see her at the back of church and sign up there for a time to have your family picture taken. As the time draws closer you will be sent a reminder so that you don't miss your appointment.

Everyone who has their picture taken will get a directory free. Everyone else will have to pay a nominal fee to get a copy so have your picture taken. It does not cost you anything to have you picture taken for the directory. If you choose to, you may order pictures from the company at their listed costs.

God willing we will have 100% participation this year. Thank you in advance for your interest and help.

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ALL CHURCH RUMMAGE SALE JUNE 17- 18, 2005

EMANUEL FELLOWSHIP HALL

The 2nd Annual "All Church Rummage Sale and Brat Fry" will be held June 18, 2005. The Rummage Sale will run for two days, June 17-18 but there will only be a Brat Fry on June 18.

Doors will open at 9:30 A.M. June 17 and close at 6:00 P.M. On June 18 doors will open at 9:30 A.M. and close at 2:00 P.M. Proceeds of the rummage sale will go to pay part of the Pastor's Pension for one month in the summer while proceeds from the Brat Fry will go towards our Sesquicentennial Fund. We also hope to collect diapers for "Love Life Ministries" during this time. Just bring a package of diapers for donation and then check out all the bargains. Bring your friends and neighbors too. All are welcome.

Your donations of rummage items will be accepted June 14-16 from 10:00 A. M. until 2:00 P.M. Please clean your items before you bring them for sale and PLEASE mark them with the price you want for that item. We will accept clothing again. It will be sold by the bag so clothing does not have to be priced before you bring it. Please make sure all clothing is clean or we can not use it. Thank you for your help in this matter.

If anyone is interested in helping lay out the items for sale or man the tables during the sale please contact the church office or Jackie Ackerman at 793-1594. Thank you.

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THANK YOU to everyone who brought cookies for our social hour after the Ecumenical Lenten service. A SPECIAL THANK YOU to Elaine Buhk for preparing her special vegetable tray and doing the decorating and to Martha Raatz for preparing the egg salad for the sandwiches. Everything was really great.

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THANK YOU to Pastor Sonia for having the Prophecy Bible Study class at her house so we could use her DVD and TV. You are a great hostess!

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THANK YOU Sue Olsen for gracing us with your liturgical dance. It adds so much to our worship service.

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THANK YOU Gloria Mlada for getting the new plexiglass for Emanuel's altar and THANK YOU Erwin Dose for seeing that it got cut to the right size.

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THANK YOU to the children and youth of both Zion and Emanuel for putting on such a wonderful program during our Good Friday Service. YOU WERE GREAT!

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THANK YOU Deanna Hallwachs for agreeing to coordinate Emanuel and Zion's participation in the Manitowoc County Interfaith Hospitality Network. You are greatly appreciated!

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Thank you to the Worship Committee for putting on such a wonderful lunch after church on April 24. You did a great job!

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Members of Emanuel and Zion Churches are invited to a Dedication Ceremony for the new addition at Calvary Lutheran