YOUTH MINISTRY REPORT, 2010
Our Youth Ministry during the past twelve months has included both Youth Group Meetings twice per month and Confirmation Class during the school year. Roberta Wall leads Youth Group and Pastor Neal teaches Confirmation class. Our program year started with a bang with our trip to New Orleans. Pastor Neal and Roberta Wall chaperoned five youth on a five day ELCA youth gathering called Jesus, Justice and Jazz.
Our special Youth Worship Services this year were held in August, November, and January. Teenagers of our congregation served as Song Leaders, Readers, Communion Assistants, Ushers and Actors in Chancel Dramas. “These Little Lights” was the Sermon Drama in November, directed by Rita O’hare. Twice this past year Jim Woodbury set up Projected Song lyrics in the sanctuary for Youth Worship Services. During the new school year we want to have more opportunities for Youth Leaders in worship services and more use of Multi-Media.
Six youth were confirmed on Pentecost Sunday, May 25. Christian Brown, Meghan Hildebrand, Anita Martinez, Angelica Martinez, Max Rojas and Jacqueline Thoresen professed their faith in Christ and received Confirmation prayer. As these new Voting Members of our Congregation committed to active ministry, the whole church promised to support them in their Christian life.
Our Vacation Bible School this year was a great success. Co-Directors Julie Hildebrand And Roberta Wall lead a team of 22 adults, 7 youth leaders and 38 children. Our theme, “Baobab Blast” from Augsburg Publishing offered a strong program of Christian Education that was loads of fun. The VBS received an offering for Africa Jam, a youth education program in South Africa.
Program year 2010-2011 Children Youth and Family team leaders, Dennis Crenwelge, Diane Santana and Yvonne Silvas have many great opportunities for the new program year. We appreciate the work of our parents, volunteers, staff and children.
WORSHIP and SPIRITUAL LIFE, 2010
Thank you, Worship and Spiritual Life volunteers and staff for your active participation in this ministry. Council Members Megan Armes, Jim Wall, and Dennis Strand lead our efforts with excellent results. We have created and implemented a Worship planning team. Barbara Vukich, Marilyn Rowland, Pastor Neal, Jim Woodbury, Jim Wall, Roberta Wall, and Megan Armes meet once a month to discuss new musical, visual, and logistical ideas for worship services. Out of the worship team this year Jammin’ for Jesus was created, more drama was implemented into services, new artwork was created for the sanctuary, and we planned the single services in July. Jim Woodbury has contributed his expertise in coordinating projection for the youth service as well as during the Anniversary celebration.
Barbara Vukich, Marilyn Rowland, and Pastor Neal gathered regularly to plan music for our worship services. Adult song leaders Marilyn Rowland and Bob Koehler gave strong leadership for the 8:30 Gathering Music, with Bob on guitar and Barbara Vukich on piano. Jammin’ for Jesus members have joined in on a number of occasions for special music and more recently to help lead songs. Excellent organ music played by Barbara Vukich continues to bless our worship services at both 8:30 and 11:00 on Sundays. Barbara leads our Choir, which sings frequently during the 11:00 Sunday Service. Healing Service is offered the first Sunday of each month at 8:30 and 11:00.
Our worship volunteers include Ushers, Greeters, Assisting Ministers, Acolytes and Altar Care Team. Their tireless service enhances every gathering. If you are interested in serving in any of these positions please contact the church office.
Adult Bible Studies and Small Groups have met throughout the year at Emanuel and in homes. On Mondays women meet in the homes of Sue Wilke and other group members. One Tuesday evening group studied “Forty Days with Dietrich Bonhoffer” at church, and another group was hosted and taught by Dorothy Scully. Every Wednesday morning the men of the church gather for Bible Study and breakfast at Mimi’s Restaurant. Pastor Roger Lee, and Art Scully share leadership, with occasional visits from Pastor Jo Ann Neal. During Lent the Wednesday evening Bible Study was “Book of Faith: Gospel of John”. Thursday morning Adult Bible Study at church is lead by Pastor Neal. This year the Thursday group studied the Old Testament books of Ezra, Nehemiah, Esther, Job, Psalms, Proverbs,
Ecclesiastes, Song of Solomon, Isaiah, Jeremiah and Lamentations. A young adult group was formed in the spring that studied Galatians, and will start their study up again in the fall.
Sunday Bible Study opportunities for adults continue year around. Many people participated in our study in winter 2010, “Book of Faith: Making Sense of Scripture” led by Roberta Wall. In the spring a study based on the lectionary created a way for adult students to practice their new skills learned from the Book of Faith Study.
The Book of Faith initiative was adopted by council this year to put a renewed effort into delving into the living word of God. Keep a look out for more Bible studies and Sunday school classes to get you deeper in the Word this coming year.
Megan Armes and Pastor Jo Ann Neal
OUTREACH MINISTRY, 2010
Council Ministry Members: Yvonne Troedson, Gabie Layne, and Jim Wall.
Other team members are listed below.
The Outreach Ministry has these components - Hospitality & Welcoming, Community Service, and Evangelism.
Community Service:
Family Promise Network: We participate in this community-based, ecumenical effort to provide support for families in transition. We hosted families for five weeks during the year. Our support usually consists of providing family members with a place to spend the night as well as meals and fellowship during their stay. It’s an opportunity for many volunteers to be involved - donating food items, preparing and serving meals, hosting families, spending the night, and doing the laundry. Thank you, WELCA Circles, for teaming up to provide meals on occasion! Thank you, Jerry Lutterman, for building a beverage cart for the convenience of serving and storing necessary items.Thank you, Connie Petersen, for serving as the coordinator of this ministry effort - for seven years! Going forward, David Holtz will serve in that capacity.
Gospel Mission: We participated in the Gospel Mission’s meal program which provides food for the disadvantaged in our community. Our responsibility is the fifth Tuesday of the month. Five to seven volunteers are needed to serve meals. Thank you, Chuck and Marilyn Rowland, for acting as coordinators for Emanuel’s effort!
Reach Program: Credentialed teacher Christa Cheek served as the Director. The program provided literacy and nutrition instruction in a one-to-one format for twelve at-risk students from Enslen Elementary.Approximately eight tutors were involved in the service - volunteers from Emanuel, Modest Junior College, and area high schools. In addition, six walkers escorted students from their school campus to our campus. Thanks to Margaret Holtz, Pat Norquist, Cecilia Olives, Lisa Poston, Marilyn Rowland, Yvonne Troedson, and Barbara Vukich for your participation! The Reach Program was the beneficiary of a domestic hunger grant from the ELCA - monies that allowed the program to continue. Thank you, Pastor Jo Ann, for securing those funds!
Christmas Sock Tree: We collected clean socks and donated them to Interfaith Ministries to distribute to homeless people in our area. Members donated more than one hundred pairs of socks. Gabie Layne organized the effort.
Evangelism:
Christmas Dinner Foodbaskets: As a follow-up to the neighborhood walk we had in late November, we prepared food baskets for about thirty families(more than ninety people) who needed a Christmas dinner. Parishioners provided monies to purchase food items, donated baskets for packaging meals, packed the baskets, and delivered them to families. Roberta Wall was able to enlist the support of the Wal-Mart store in north Modesto, who kindly contributed canned vegetables to the effort. Jim Wall served as the coordinator.
Neighborhood Walks: We went door to door in our neighborhood on two occasions, distributing flyers and inviting neighbors to worship. On each occasion, six to eight members participated in the effort. Thanks to Alice Hoagland, Margaret Holtz, Gabie Layne, Olga Layne and her daughter Olga, Pastor Jo Annl, Lisa Poston, John Schiro, William Teaney, and Jim & Roberta Wall. Thanks to Rob Shank for warming our innards with his sensational chili after our walk in the fall!
Publicity: We advertise our worship services in the Modesto Bee with a listing in its Worship Directory on the first Saturday of each month and with two paid ads per year.
Website: We maintain a website to establish our virtual presence in that community and to facilitate communication with staff.
Sermon Series: In a four-week series of sermons, Pastor Jo Ann encouraged us to be personal witnesses to the Gospel in our daily lives. She reminded us that “personal witnessing is the most solidly evangelical thing a church can do.” Copies of the sermons were made available for personal reference and for distribution to family and friends.
Hospitality & Welcoming Duties:
Name Tag Board: The magnetic boards are housing name tags for each member of the congregation. Debbie Van Diepen keeps them updated with new members.
Sunday Coffee Hour: Recruiting goes on year-round. The sign-up sheet is available near the refreshment table so that individuals, families, and groups can sign up for a specific Sunday. They are responsible for making coffee and tea. Hosting this activity provides a great opportunity for the hosts to greet everyone.
New Member Dinners: Two receptions were held for new members during the program year - the first occurred in the fall at the home of Jim and Roberta Wall, the second in the spring at Emanuel.
Prayer Cards: Upon request, these cards, designed by Sue Wilke and sent by Yvonne Troedson, are mailed to those who have requested prayers for themselves, family, and friends. This ministry establishes a “praying for you” greeting. Feedback has made this a very worthwhile ministry. Thank you, Sue and Yvonne!
First Visitor Bags: These are distributed by the ushers each Sunday. They are filled with a “Welcome Packet” providing information about Emanuel, a “Word in Season” devotional booklet, book markers, coloring books, crayons, and a variety of other items, depending on the church season.
The Outreach Ministry depends upon many faithful servants. We appreciate the efforts of everyone who contributed to this ministry!
Submitted by Yvonne Troedson and Jim Wall
FELLOWSHIP MINISTRY, 2010
Submitted by Jeanne Hardin, Chair:
The Fellowship Ministry has just completed its second year. This past fiscal year, we have tried to focus on the needs of the church membership by following the feedback we have received from our members.
The first year, we held potlucks every other month, however, some members felt that was too many times per year, so this past fiscal year we changed the frequency to every three months. We held a Christmas potluck to celebrate the birth of our Savior. We handed out candy canes attached to a written story of the history of the candy cane and how it ties in with Christ and the Christmas story.
We also hosted a breakfast brunch for Easter in April. We had a wonderful array of pastries, fruit and desserts followed by an Easter egg hunt for the children.
We hosted the 75th Anniversary potluck last April, the day after the formal catered dinner. This potluck was very successful. Approximately 150 people attended. This provided a great luncheon for our members as well as the out of town visitors who stayed throughout the weekend to attend and celebrate our Church's anniversary. The Fellowship Ministry handed out bookmarks to all who attended to commemorate the event.
This year we decided to try something new by initiating cottage dinners. The purpose of these dinners was to bring members closer together to find common interests and enjoy getting to know one another. This is a perfect opportunity for new members to get to know other members, and enjoy the time to converse over dinner. The dinner was named "Dinner at 7" and each family could select a home where they could bring their favorite dish and enjoy a nice evening of fellowship.
This year, we will continue with our potlucks and other fellowship events. We encourage members to join this ministry to help with events, and invite those who have ideas for fellowship activities to contact us. We are always opento new ideas and fun projects to benefit all family members.