Message from Pastor Wenger                                                 

 I just got back from the professional leaders retreat in Midland (mostly pastor’s from around the state)  It was a unique meeting of folks from both the Northwest Lower Michigan synod and the Southeast Michigan synod.  It is always a joy to go and get connected with people.  We see friends we haven’t seen in some time, and we also make new connections. 

A few months ago our bishop asked us to consider some mission questions, which I forwarded to you in our October, 2011 newsletter.   Those questions have gone through some revision. Those of us at this retreat spent some well focused time to wrestle with these questions and now our congregations are being asked to provide a response by the end of this month.   I suggested to our incoming President Mike Nussdorfer to use these revised questions for our annual council retreat, which I am suggesting include our committee chair people.  These questions ask about our sense of mission as a congregation, our strengths as a congregation, and what it would look like if we met our full mission potential in three years.  The next set of questions dealt with our relationship with the synod, our bishop and the relationship between the Northwest Lower and the Southeast synods of Michigan. 

We have had a Long Range Planning Committee to guide us with these types of questions and we will need to bring this committee together to continue the work that needs to be done for our future. 

That being said, I wanted to share with you some things that I have on my radar for the new year.  One is a mission trip to El Salvador.  I have an old friend, Willie Nemeth, who has been leading Thrivent Build trips to Central America many times.  He invited me to go on a trip June 11-18 of this year.  The cost is approximately $1300.00 plus airfare (approximately $500).  For those who have a Thrivent Financial product there is a $500 grant available.   This is a unique build in that it will be building a church building rather than a home.  Many churches and people have been working on homes in this community in El Salvador and this is an opportunity to deepen ties.  I am asking if our congregation is interested in becoming more involved with this congregation, and if anyone else is interested in traveling with me. 

Lent is just around the corner.  We will use the Holden Evening Prayer on Wednesday evenings starting at 7:15 p.m.   However this year, we will be having a round robin of pastors taking turns in each others congregations.  The pastors of All Saints, Mason, Calvary, Lansing, St. Paul, East Lansing, and University Lutheran, East Lansing will be rotating between each church, with the theme of Loving God with all our Heart, Soul, Mind, and Strength.   There will be specific listings of who will be where in the worship bulletin in the weeks ahead. 

We will also be having a New Member reception in March (on the 11^th), and a new member orientation on February 25 at 10 a.m.

Lastly, but very much on my mind is the next Adult Class opportunity on Sunday mornings.  We will be using Dr. Henry Cloud and Dr. John Townsend’s material Boundaries in Marriage.  Starting in February and going for 8 sessions.  You may order either a workbook, a participants guide, and/or the book itself.  We will be taking orders at the first class on February 5. 

It is an exciting time of year as we begin a new season in the life of our congregation together! 

Sincerely Yours in Christ,

Pastor Jim