|
Prayer of the Week:
Prayer of the week: Immediately the father of the child cried out, "I believe; help my unbelief!" (Mark 6:24)
A young boy has a spirit that causes him to seize, convulse. The disciples are unable to cast it out. The father seeks help from Jesus. Then, the prayer above is the father's response to Jesus' words "All things can be done for the one who believes."
How many times has this prayer been on my lips! I believe. I have no doubt. But, I do doubt. I am thankful for the times God takes me into his care even when I doubt. It depends solely upon God's consistent faithfulness especially in the midst of my uncertainty and wondering.
The Rev. Dr. Paul E. Shoop
Immanuel Evangelical Lutheran Church
Webster, NY
Please keep in prayer: Barb Gee (Lee Memorial) and Nelson Baker (Cape Hospital). Please also keep in prayer: our bishop elect (Pr Robert Schaefer) and our synod as we go through a time of transition; for victims such as the gunshot victims in New Orleans and the recently released women who were held captive for years; for women for whom Mother's Day is sad because they never had children; for homeless individuals and families; for those who are blind, deaf, lame, or unable to speak; for teachers and students who are facing the crunch of learning that comes at the end of the school year; and for the person who sits in the pew in front of you or behind you in worship.
Pray for Messiah every day at 4:24!
This week pray especially for the Ladies' Bible Study Group.
|
From the Pastor: |
|
We have started our Summer Sunday worship schedule (one service at 9:30). The Saturday. service continues at 5:00 p.m.
Worship this weekend: We celebrate Pentecost this weekend; the festival for the church that celebrates the coming of the Holy Spirit and the birth of the Church. I urge you to read Acts 2:1-21 sometime this week and to reflect on where and when you've seen the Holy Spirit at work in the church or in your own life. As Doug Woodard reported this past weekend, the theme of the recent synod assembly was "Always being made new!" In what ways has the Holy Spirit made your faith (or awareness of God) new? Where do you see the Holy Spirit making things new at Messiah? Speaking of the assembly report... Thanks Doug...for delivering the report you and Carol wrote on the synod assembly. Great job!! Thanks too for mentioning my re-election to the Synod Council.
Mother's Day: people sometimes express disappointment that pastors don't "preach" on Mother's Day as a theme or make a huge deal of it. My answer to that question begins with who I often see in the pews on Mother's Day: husbands and adult children (who rarely attend worship but come on Mother's Day as a way to show love for mom and make the day special for her). Note, the same is often true for children on Father's Day. This is one of the very few opportunities I have as a preacher to proclaim God's Word to them and I'm going to use it. They know how important mom is...that's why they're in worship with her. I want them to know how important they are to God. ***************************** REMINDER !!!! CONGREGATIONAL MEETING THIS SUNDAY AT 10:30
NEEDED: Coffee Hour coordinator!! LaVon Prosser has done a wonderful job serving as our coordinator; but she too is moving north permanently (at the end of May). I hope YOU'LL consider taking over this important responsibility.
Breakfast for military/reserve veterans: Our new Men in Mission coordinator (Warren Gee) has scheduled a breakfast for Wednesday, May 15th at 8:30 at I-Hop in North Fort Myers. Please RSVP on the sign up sheet in the Fellowship Hall or call Warren directly (829-0242). Warren encourages you to bring a friend. Thanks Warren for planning this.
Blessings! Pr Rusty |
REMINDERS
We are in particular need of Saturday night lectors for the summer. If you are available, please sign up in the hall or call the church office. We will also be looking for office volunteers during the summer (June 20-26 and August 22-28). Watch for sign up sheets in the hall or call Helen or Donna in the office!
Note from Helen: Several ladies asked me about the CD of Singing Meditation songs. I have some copies in my mailbox that are free for the taking. Enjoy them!
|
Your Prayer Requests
PLEASE: many of these names have been on the list for a long time with no updates. The prayers we offer should be current...if you have a name on the list you want us to continue, please update us in the next week or they will be removed (even if to say nothing has changed in their condition). Thanks!
Frances Farwick: friend of Mary Hrncir, in rehab for broken hip. Norma Dettra: now home...still recovering from 2 compression fractures in her back due to a fall. Dick Weiss: difficulties with eating and lingering side effects of his treatments/illness Linda Isaly Hoffman: friend of Carol Woodard, having surgery on May 20 to replace a heart valve, for peace and healing Carmen Orozco: director of our Kid's Connection and her father as she travels to Puerto Rico to visit him during a serious illness. Claudia Weiss: recovering from foot surgery Dorothy Brown: gall bladder operation, has to wait for effects of blood thinner to subside before surgery. (tentatively scheduled for 4/23) Phyllis Somerville: Had knee replacement surgery 4/18 Valerie Bell, Pastor of Holy Trinity Pres. Church NFM: facing potential surgery related to recurrence of cancer. Pray for her as she consults a specialist this week. Nathan Dayton: recovering from triple bypass surgery - friend of the Krops Evelyn Adami: step mother of George Alexander. She is 90 years old and had successful knee replacement last week and is beginning her recovery. (4/11) Joe Vanskike: recovering from pace-maker procedure and some side effects. Delores Nelson: continues her recovery from heart surgery at home. Doug Buer: son of June and Carl - coming to San Francisco for more treatments for Hodgkins Lymphoma Tom Fiebelkorn: prayers for debilitating ALS Millie Nosko: had surgeries for melanoma and awaiting results Eddie Allison: suffering from shingles in his right eye. Ed Hrncir: still recovering from spiral break of both bones in leg Bob Smith: (and his wife Connie, who is his caregiver - Bob is very ill). They are friends of Barb & Peter Koch Cecilia (Inez) Bryan: friend of the Krops and Mary Hrncir, now recovering at home from broken kneecap. Nelson Baker: has been diagnosed with a very rare form of cancer and begins chemo treatments this week. Phyllis Reuschlein: has recently lost some of her sight Jean and Ron Smith: both dealing with serious health problems Shirley Sisler: being treated for lymphoma (radiation) Amy: sister-in-law of friend of Warren Gee. She is at Walter Reed Hospital. The doctors seem to think a case of strep may have caused her massive organ failure, but she is on dialysis and awake and seems to be recovering very slowly but steadily. She is the mother of 4 children aged 2-10. Jack Blevons: continuing to receive cancer treatment in Wisconsin for the summer Lt. Col. George Smith: friend of Joyce/Keith Stich. He's been hospitalized. Ted Palmatier, Jr.: son of Betty and Ted Palmatier, has been in and out of the hospital for hip injuries and bone infection as a result of the injuries. Kathy Bates: ongoing health issues Carol Watkins: now back in Columbus, OH for the summer, continuing to get treatment for cancer Fritz Keen: he and Gloria are back in town...he continues with his recovery Robert Thatcher: friends of Jean and Bob Beebe, diagnosed with bone cancer Mardi Kemp: daughter of Phyllis Reuschlein...received update from Phyllis last week...Mardi is getting weaker and needs more personal care. (Lou Gehrig's disease). David Beck: Carol and Bob Beck's son, prayers for an end to addiction. Helen Biehl: 99 year old mother of Barbara Baker, fell in Maryland and broke several bones, and is now in rehab. Michael Stich: son of Joyce Stich, firefighter with failing health, having surgery for pre-cancer of esophagus Claudia Stafford: friend of Barbara Weider, health concerns Carol Jarnecke: friend of Vanskike's, several major health issues Cheryl Blackburn: Daughter of Wilma who works with Frank Johnson diagnosed with cancer. Arlene Batistini: neighbor of Joyce Stich, in failing health Joan Peetz: receiving radiation treatments for cancer James Bohn: son in law to Ed Zaborowski has brain tumor...but with thanksgiving that he is doing better Don Manahan: friend of the Fegley family has been very ill with multiple health issues. William Smith: husband of Arlene Smith, facing multiple health issues. Lieb family: daughter/family of Louise Gaumer as they deal with the emotional upheaval of health issues. Cheryl Hicks: daughter of Holly Baumhardt, diagnosed with breast cancer Rendall Dudley: friend of Irene Krop with serious medical problems Deb Bravada: friend of PJ's, for hope and courage in facing chronic health issues
|
|
Health Tip: May is National High Blood Pressure Education Month - Part 1 What do the blood pressure numbers mean? And what exactly are they measuring? Blood pressure (BP) is a measure of the force or pressure that carries blood to all parts of the body. A blood pressure reading is a measurement of the pressure (measured in mm of mercury - Hg) that the blood puts on the walls of arteries. There are 2 parts to a blood pressure.
One is called systolic,and is the top or the first number in a blood pressure reading. This number represents the force of the heart muscle when it contracts and pushes blood out of the heart into the blood vessels. The other number is called the diastolic and is the bottom or second number in the reading. This number is a measurement of the force exerted when the heart muscle relaxes. An example of a blood pressure reading is 120/80 (120 over 80). In this example, 120 is the systolic number and 80 is the diastolic number.
Our bodies are amazing machines in that so many organs and vessels work together to maintain it. Without our even thinking about it, normal blood pressure is maintained by constant adjustment of the heart rate, the dilation or constriction of blood vessels, and changes in blood volume or excretion of urine. Blood Pressure numbers - what is considered normal blood pressure? · Most sources now state that normal blood pressure is between 120/70 and 140/90. · Readings above 140/90 are considered hypertensive. · Readings below 120/70 are considered hypotensive if they are accompanied by symptoms such as lightheadedness, dizziness, or chest pain (angina).
Have your blood pressure checked regularly and often and never rely on just one reading thinking you might have hypertension. Take your blood pressure different times during the day as well. Sit comfortably, legs uncrossed and don't talk when you are having your blood pressure taken. Blood Pressure Screening is offered here at church by trained volunteers with the Parish Nurse available to review abnormal readings. Next week - Why is it important to control your blood pressure? Brought to you by the Health Ministry Cabinet
|
|
This Week's Worship Assistants Saturday May 18, 5 PM Altar Guild: Jan Altman Lector: Paula Dobberstein Greeters: Kassidy & Matthew Kaye Communion Assistant: Gretchen Hawk Ushers: Penny & Joe Kaye
Sunday May 19, 9:30 AM Altar Guild: Charlotte Engle Lector: Linda Morrison Greeters: Joyce Peterson, LaVon Prosser Liturgist: Mary Ann Breski Ushers: Cheryl Dempster, Jim Fegley Communion Assistants: Claudia Weiss, Robin & Stan Peters Richard Weiss Cantor: Debra Goodall |