Current Publications

The Emmanuel Weekly

January 18, 2019
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The Emmanuel Epistle

January 2020
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News & Events
Calendar
Publications

Emmanuel's 1st Baptism

James Matthew Wagner, infant son of Matt and Megan Wagner and little brother of big sister Anna, entered the Body of Christ through the washing of regeneration and renewal on Saturday, October 12, 2013.

LBW #194
"All who believe and are baptized shall see the Lord's salvation; baptized into the death of Christ, they are a new creation. Through Christ's redemption they shall stand, among the glorious heavenly band of every tribe and nation!"

Bible Reading Class

9 Four Week Bible Reading Class for grades 3-5 was held on Wednesdays in October, 2013. Materials & a simple meal were provided each week. Youth participated in family devotions during the month of November, reading 20 Devotions from the Gospel of Mark and practicing Bible Reading in the home. Youth read Scripture at worship on Oct. 26 and also provide a gift of music. They received their "sword of the Spirit" (Bible) on Oct. 26, 2013--see picture.
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Saturday School 2019-2020:
Weekly, we come together in celebration of Christian Education for all ages. Rally Day was held on Saturday, September 7 at 5pm. Julie Steffenson is coordinating Saturday School for our young people, teaching Bible Stories. Pastor Steffenson is leading the adults in a study on "Church Renewal." G.I.F.T. - Growing In Faith Together is an opportunity for adults to engage in a faith conversation with each other, which hopefully will extend into the homes, families sharing faith talk with each other.

Confirmation Class (grades 3-9): Youth have read and discussed with Pastor Dave three of C.S. Lewis' books from the Chronicles of Narnia. Our next study will be on the Ten Commandments.

Women's Bible Study

A new Bible study for the Women of Emmanuel will begin on Thursday, January 9 at 1pm. It will be a six week study on Martin Luther's Small Catechism. Each Thursday we will look at one of the six parts of the Catechism (Ten Commandments, Apostles' Creed, Lord's Prayer, Baptism, Holy Communion, and Private Confession). The study will end on February 13. The study will take place at Oasis Church.

Men's Bible Study


The The Men of Emmanuel Lutheran meet on Tuesday mornings (8am) at Oasis Church for Bible Study and fellowship. Join us each week for conversation and coffee! The Men's Bible Study was launched on September 10, 2013. A new study has begun on the Augsburg Confession (1530). Join us as we discover again what it means to be an Orthodox and Confessional Lutheran. What are the essentials of our Christian Faith?

Council Highlights - from Dec. 13, 2019  
​Budget Income for November was $12,771.68. Budget Expenses were $10,101.85. We’re hoping for a good December offering to help us end the year in the black. YTD shortfall is only $4,315.19, thanks to a generous gift of $5,000 from Rushford Lutheran Church. YTD Thrivent Choice Dollars: $1,330. Discipleship covenants for 2020 need to be signed & submitted by January 10. 45 Covenants have been received thus far. Pastor’s designated housing allowance was approved for 2020 ($20,000). Don Holtan shared the content of his Land Presentation with the Council. A  formal resolution for the December 14 congregational meeting was reviewed & approved. The 2020 Church Mission Plan Budget was discussed. A few concerns were   expressed regarding the new lease  Oasis Church is asking us to sign. Submissions for the Annual Report need to be turned into Pastor by Jan. 8. A 2019 Discipleship Covenant was approved for the Patzke family. The next Council Meeting will take place on Friday, January 10 at 3:45pm.

Annual Mtg. Highlights - Jan. 18, 2020
​Quorum was established. 20 Covenant Members attended this year’s Annual Meeting due to inclement weather. Reports were given by President Deb Vomhof, Pastor Dave Steffenson, and Judy Caudill (Church finances). The Audit Committee found Emmanuel’s financial records to be in good order. The written Annual Report was approved as distributed. Elections: Don Holtan & Barb Steffenson were elected to 2-year Council terms. Judy Caudill was elected to a 1-year council position (2nd year of Tom Vomhof’s term). Lee Pearce, Julie Steffenson, Leitha Bothun, and Heather Mikesh were elected to a 1-year term on the Nominating Committee. Don Wanek was elected to a 3-year term on the Audit Committee. Deb Vomhof & Judy Caudill were elected as our Emmanuel Voting Delegates for the NALC Convocations; Julie Steffenson will serve as an alternate. The 2020 Mission Plan Budget of $120,050 was approved. Pastor Steffenson will receive a $5,000 bonus in 2020. Emmanuel ended 2019 with a budget surplus of $8,242.42. This is the fourth year in a row that our congregation has ended the budget year with a net gain (without using any of our Reserves). We ended the year with current assets of $101,868.75 and fixed assets of $104,585.
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 The 2020 Goals were approved!
1. Church Land, Site Development & “Blessing of the Land” Service.
2. Signage: Place a sign on our church property.
3. Emmanuel Picnic on our Church Land (Sunday, Aug. 2); alternate site: Vomhof’s.
4. Aerial pictures of our church land.
5. Upgrading our Church Website.
6. “S’more Singing”, monthly campfires on church land (weather permitting).
7. Neighborhood Visitation Program: Introducing Emmanuel to our Neighbors.
8. Explore Church office space & Christ-centered Hospitality Opportunities.
9. Explore Sunday morning worship option in addition to our Saturday night service.
10. Growing the NALC presence in Southeastern MN.
11. Support SEMAC Mission Trip to Dayton, Ohio (February 9-21).
12. Twice Monthly worship offerings at Madonna Towers.
13. Easter Monday Bible Reading of the New Testament (April 13); growing number of participants.
14. Participation in MEGA Kids Camp (July 20-23).
15. Host an Emmanuel Table at the New Life Gala; host a baby shower for New Life.
16. Thanksgiving Eve Worship & Pie Social at Madonna Towers (November 25).
17. Secure 12 Thrivent Action Team Grants.
18. Host a Community Event: Guest Speaker—Rosaria Champagne Butterfield.
19. Produce an Emmanuel Picture/Membership Directory.
20. Each One Reach One: Disciples multiplying themselves.

Benevolences Distributed in 2019: $6500. 13 Thrivent  Action Team grants were received; also Choice Dollars. Thanks was expressed & a potluck meal enjoyed by all.

Officers elected after Annual Meeting adjourned:
President: Barb Steffenson
Vice President: Deb Vomhof
Secretary: Don Holtan
Treasurer: Judy Caudill
Next Council Meeting: Thursday, February 6 at 11am.

MEMBERSHIP: DISCIPLESHIP at EMMANUEL - 2020

“Now you are the Body of Christ and individually members of it”—I Cor. 12:27. Baptized members are servants of Emmanuel, living out their God-given faith in congregational life; committed to the walk of discipleship, growing up into the full maturity of Christ. Each December, Christians desiring membership at Emmanuel Lutheran of Rochester for the upcoming year are invited to sign up (be enrolled for the calendar year) on our Servant Roster. To be a member is to be a disciple of Jesus Christ, baptized and committed to the Marks of Discipleship. If you desire to “praise, proclaim, and practice Emmanuel—God With Us—in daily life,” then complete the 2020 Emmanuel Membership Covenant and walk with us to the glory of God! Members are eligible to hold office and vote.  37 signed covenants were signed in 2014. 54 discipleship covenants were signed for 2015. 58 Covenants were signed for 2016. 62 Covenants were signed for 2017. 64 Covenants were signed for 2018. 64 covenants for signed for 2019. Nothing would please us more than to have you join us in the walk of discipleship in 2020. 60 Covenants have already been signed for 2020.
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Emmanuel's Annual Meetings

.Emmanuel's first Annual Meeting was held on January 25, 2014. 25+ people were in attendance. An excellent Chili Supper was enjoyed by all. Council Members elected for 2014 were Kari Richards, Arne Nelson, Lee Pearce, & Kalo Lockerby. A 2014 Mission Plan Budget of $88,560.00 was approved along with Goals and Mile Markers for 2014. Other action items included: approval of Emmanuel’s Logo, Brochure, Mission Statement, and Child Protection Policy.
Emmanuel's second Annual Meeting was held on January 24, 2015. Highlights available!
Emmanuel's third Annual Meeting was held on Sunday, January 31, 2016. Highlights available!
Emmanuel's fourth Annual Meeting was held on Sunday, January 29, 2017. Highlights available!
Emmanuel's fifth Annual Meeting was held on Saturday, January 27, 2018 at 3:30pm followed by a potluck meal at 4:45pm.
Emmanuel's sixth Annual Meeting was held on Saturday, January 26, 2019 at 3:30pm followed by a potluck meal at 4:45pm.
Emmanuel's seventh Annual Meeting was held on Saturday, Jan. 18, 2020 at 3:30pm followed by a potluck meal at 4:45pm.
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