WITH HEARTS & HANDS & VOICES - Devotions for Immanuel's Capital Campaign - Immanuel Evangelical Lutheran Church
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WITH HEARTS & HANDS & VOICES Devotions for Immanuel’s Capital Campaign
In order to be successful, our Delivering Immanuel’s Promise
capital campaign must be rooted in prayer and God’s word.
These devotions for our campaign were provided by
members of our family of faith here at Immanuel.
Additional printed copies of this devotional are available in the
gathering area (narthex). Daily devotion posts can be found on
Immanuel’s Facebook page: facebook.com/WatertownImmanuel.
We are grateful to each and every person who took the
time to write reflections to be included in our devotional.
May we raise thankful hearts, hands, and voices together
as we do the work of Delivering Immanuel’s Promise.
— Your Campaign Worship Team
OUR CAMPAIGN VERSE
“You will be enriched in every way
so that you can be generous on every occasion,
and through us your generosity will result
in thanksgiving to God.”
— 2 Corinthians 9:11
Thanking God with Hearts
DAY ONE — Sunday, January 19, 2020
“Jesus said, ‘Do not let your hearts be troubled. Believe in God, believe also in me.’”
— John 14:1
“They said to each other, ‘Were not our hearts burning within us
while he was talking to us on the road, while he was opening the scriptures to us?’”
— Luke 24:32
“But this is the covenant that I will make with the house of Israel after those days, says the LORD:
I will put my law within them, and I will write it on their hearts;
and I will be their God, and they shall be my people.”
— Jeremiah 31:33
“You must touch the heart to move the mind.” -Hugh MacLeod
When you have a huge project in front of you,
where do you start?
You might be tempted to break it down into smaller, more
manageable parts. You might look for resources—people,
things, ideas—who can make the project sing. You might be
proactive by getting started right away or you might
procrastinate, waiting for time or inspiration.
God has a hunch: start with the heart.
When your heart is in it,
then hard work and creativity and generosity burst out.
In Delivering Immanuel’s Promise,
how is God starting with your heart?
— Pr. Todd Iverson
/// Our Campaign Prayer
Dear God,
Thank you for the many gifts you have given us.
Help us to use those gifts to care for others.
Open our hearts to accept and share your love,
open our hands to do your work,
and open our voices to witness what you have done for us.
Amen.
Never Really Alone
DAY TWO — Monday, January 20, 2020
“O may this bounteous God
through all our life be near us”
— ELW #839
There is a story from a particular Native American nation (whether it’s true or not is unimportant
here) that tells of a father and son. As the young boy was becoming a man and had learned
many skills of survival, he was put to one final test. His father led him into a dense forest to
spend the entire night alone. Until then, the boy had never been away from the security of
family and community, but on this night he was blindfolded and taken several miles away.
When he took off the blindfold, he was in the middle of a thick woods, alone and terrified.
Every time trees rustled or a twig snapped, he visualized a wild animal ready to pounce.
After what seemed like an eternity, the first rays of morning sunlight entered the interior of the
forest. Looking around, the boy saw flowers, trees, and the outline of the path. Then, to his
astonishment, he saw the figure of a man standing just a few feet away. It was his father. He had
been there all night long. The first reaction of the boy was a mixture of relief and confusion.
“This was supposed to be a lesson for me,” the boy said. His father replied, “It was. The lesson
is this: When you think you are alone, you are not.”
Much like sounds in a dark woods, capital campaigns and other financial challenges can have a
worrisome effect on people. But when we think we are alone, we are not. In times of stress,
anxiety—even fear—our ever-present, ever-loving, and ever-sustaining God is there.
— David Morstad
/// A Few Words of Prayer
Loving God, in the darkness of our doubt,
grant us the assurance of your presence
and lift the burden of our worry.
Turn us toward the light of your promise
that we may be strengthened for ministry.
In Jesus Name. Amen.
Finding Guidance
DAY THREE — Tuesday, January 21, 2020
“. . . and guide us when perplexed . . .”
— ELW #839 st. 2
Perplex is a wonderful word. If you play Scrabble and you get the right combination of letters
this word can result in big points. It is also one word that has not lost meaning. To be
perplexed is, first of all, not the same as being confused. Confusion is an intellectual state of
having entirely lost one’s way. Being perplexed is more a state of the heart.
I am often perplexed when confronted with doing the right thing at the right time. I know the
way, but am I following it? I know the correct course of action, but is this the correct moment to
act?
Since we, as Christians, live in a constant tension, being perplexed can also be a constant
state. Living as both sinners and simultaneously saints; living between Law and Gospel; living
in a broken world that has already been redeemed we see our task clearly to share the Gospel
of Jesus Christ, to build up a relationship among all people, and relieve the misery of an
abused creation. All of that does not help answer the questions, “Where do we start?” or
“When should we act?”
Our lives are most certainly not a game. We have a high and important calling to minister to
this time and place. It starts with celebrating God’s grace through Jesus Christ. The Holy Spirit
Jesus sent us is our guide and strength. Through Jesus, even if we step terribly wrong, it can
be made gloriously right.
— Jens Hetzler
/// A Few Words of Prayer
Guide us, ever, Great Redeemer,
through our lives, hopes, trials, joys, and sorrows
so that your kindom may truly come to all your creation.
Amen.Peanut Butter Giving
DAY FOUR — Wednesday, January 22, 2020
“Each of you must give as you have made up your mind,
not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver.”
— 2 Corinthians 9:7
My daughter was nine and my son six when I gave them the choice of $5 each for themselves
or $10 each to buy food for poor people. My daughter immediately choose food for poor
people; my son wanted Hot Wheels.
During the drive to town, he changed his decision;
calling him a cheerful giver would not be correct, but he was a giver.
In the store, my daughter quickly placed peanut butter in her cart.
My son slowly walked up and down each aisle closely examining
the choices he had to spend HIS MONEY. Twice he walked the aisles.
When he came to the checkout, his cart contained only olives.
"Olives! Poor people don't need olives!" exclaimed his sister. I thought the same…
My son’s answer from his heart was clear:
"We are not really poor, just kinda poor, and we only get olives on holidays.
Poor people must never get olives."
Many of us give peanut butter — what is expected.
St. Paul tells us to give from our hearts, to give deliberately.
Perhaps we should add olives to our peanut butter giving. Perhaps if we slowly, deliberately
examine our hearts and consider the need, we will give not only the peanut butter of life, but
also add the olives.
— Ruth Mack
/// A Few Words of Prayer
Almighty Lord, open our minds
and open our hearts so we listen to you.
Guide us. Teach us. Give us the wisdom to give
not only what is expected but also what is needed.
We pray in the name of your born, crucified,
and resurrected son, Jesus. Amen.A Living Example
DAY FIVE — Thursday, January 23, 2020
“Now thank we all our God…who from our mothers’ arms
has blessed us on our way with countless gifts of love, and still is ours today.”
— ELW # 839
When it comes to people whose stories one finds in the Bible, I’ve always been a fan of
Timothy. He’s somewhat unique in scripture. Unlike many others who had rich conversion
experiences, heard God speaking to them, or met Jesus face to face, Timothy’s story is
different. Paul writes, “I have been reminded of your sincere faith, which first lived in your
grandmother Lois and your mother Eunice …” (2 Timothy 1:5). It turns out Tim was a lot like me
—no mountain-top experience, no voice of God, no face-to-face with the Savior. Faith was
nurtured in him by his mother, Eunice, in the same way it was nurtured in Eunice by her mother,
Lois. Faith was carefully and meaningfully handed down from one generation to the next.
Our Immanuel life is like that. Not only have we watched it happen, we have lived it. Every
baptism, every children’s Christmas program, every Sunday School art project hung on a
refrigerator. Our faith life is being nurtured and strengthened.
There is an old adage that says, “The church is only one generation away from extinction.”
Frankly, I’ve never cared for that cliché since it puts all the responsibility on people and
conveniently leaves God and God’s actions out of the picture. Regardless, I understand the
point being made. And whether our actions are the major restoration of an education building
or an hour spent with a confirmation student, the faith that “first lived in your grandmother…
and your mother” is now being brought to life in others. We are truly blessed to be a blessing
to others.
— David Morstad
/// A Few Words of Prayer
God of all generations,
we come with thankful hearts
for all those you have placed in our lives and in our legacy.
Nurtured by your word, lead us to be faithful witnesses
and servants in your kingdom. Amen.Happy Birthday!
DAY SIX — Friday, January 24, 2020
“All praise and thanks to God the Father now be given,
the Son, and Spirit blest, who reign in highest heaven,
the one eternal God, whom earth and heav'n adore;
for thus it was, is now, and shall be evermore.”
— ELW # 839 st. 3
Seriously. Happy birthday!
One hundred and forty-five years ago, the family of faith we now know
as Immanuel Evangelical Lutheran Church was founded.
None of us were there, but I’m sure that the group of women and men that gathered on that
January day made a promise to God and to each other — that this gathering of God’s people
would worship God and make a difference in Watertown.
Things change and people change, but our commitment to make a difference,
always rooted in God’s word and sacraments, doesn’t.
Since the time of our founding, the people of Immanuel have become a beacon of hope in our
community. We make a difference in Watertown every day through our social ministries, our
faith formation programs, and our incomparable worship and music ministries.
So, eat a piece of cake or have that extra cookie today!
May God, who began a good work in us in 1875,
continue to use us for God’s glory and the betterment of our community!
— Trevor Thom
/// A Few Words of Prayer
God of all time,
you are the same yesterday, today, and forever.
Thank you for the forbears of our family of faith.
Grant us courage and vision
as we await the future you hold for us.
Amen.Singing Saturdays
DAY SEVEN — Saturday, January 25, 2020
Take My Life, That I May Be — ELW # 583
Refrain
Take my life, that I may be
consecrated, Lord, to thee;
take my moments and my days;
let them flow in ceaseless praise.
Verse 1 Verse 3
Take my hands and let them move Take my voice and let me sing
at the impulse of thy love; always, only for my King;
take my feet and let them be take my lips and let them be
swift and beautiful for thee. Refrain filled with messages from thee. Refrain
Verse 2 Verse 4
Take my silver and my gold, Take my will and make it thine;
not a mite would I withhold; it shall be no longer mine;
take my intellect and use take my heart, it is thine own;
ev’ry power as thou shalt choose. Refrain it shall be thy royal throne. Refrain
Text: Frances R. Havergal, 1836-1879, adapt.
Consider attending this evening’s Celebration of Immanuel’s Outreach Ministries.
We will gather from 4:00p-6:00p for tours, information about our ministries, and much more!
/// A Few Words of Prayer
Almighty and eternal God, so draw our hearts to you, so guide
our minds, so fill our imaginations, so control our wills, that we
may be wholly yours, utterly dedicated to you; and then use us,
we pray, as you will, but always to your glory and the welfare of
your people, through our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. Amen.
(ELW p. 86)Thanking God with Hands
DAY EIGHT — Sunday, January 26, 2020
“And [Jesus] could do no deed of power there,
except that he laid his hands on a few sick people and cured them.”
— Mark 6:5
“Just as you have been a cursing among the nations, O house of Judah and house of Israel,
so I will save you and you shall be a blessing. Do not be afraid, but let your hands be strong.”
— Zechariah 8:13
Look at the hands.
They are hands that raised children, pieced quilts, worked the
garden, prepared meals, turned pages, wrote minutes,
volunteered countless hours.
They are Lorraine Baneck’s hands, and they tell the story of a life.
What might your hands say about the life that you have lived? Are
they calloused and rough with hard work? Are they dexterous, to
play an instrument or operate machinery? Have they been used
to comfort? to build and to build up? to feed? to give? to help?
Our church has a motto: “God’s work. Our hands.” Further clarifying that motto, our Presiding
Bishop has said, “We are a church that rolls up our sleeves and gets to work. We do God’s work
in the world—restoring and reconciling communities. We pursue justice and seek peace no
matter how long the journey or wide the chasm.”
Remembering the hands of Jesus, the hands that healed with a touch, the hands that held
children, the hands which were pierced with nails out of love for you—how might a picture of
your hands express your thankfulness and praise in Delivering Immanuel’s Promise?
— Pr. Todd Iverson
/// Our Campaign Prayer
Dear God,
Thank you for the many gifts you have given us.
Help us to use those gifts to care for others.
Open our hearts to accept and share your love,
open our hands to do your work,
and open our voices to witness what you have done for us.
Amen.Thank You, God!
DAY NINE — Monday, January 27, 2020
“This service that you perform is not only supplying the needs of the Lord’s people
but is also overflowing in many expressions of thanks to God.”
— 2 Corinthians 9:12
One of the hardest things I have had to teach is why we as Christians do good things when we
already have grace. Middle schoolers love to fixate on this concept. Some Christian traditions
believe in work’s righteousness; a very oversimplification of this is that by doing good deeds,
we earn God’s love and a spot in heaven. We Lutherans, however, do a hard pivot and cling to
Ephesians 2:8, “For by grace you have been saved through faith, and this is not your own
doing; it is a gift from God.”
To a twelve year old, this often translates to, “I get a free ride!” “I don’t have to do anything to
get to heaven!” These are actual quotes from students and youth I have worked with. And yes,
in a way, that is true. Yet, God calls us to action; to care for the widow, to visit the imprisoned, to
feed the hungry, to care for the children; to be His presence in the world. So again, I get asked,
why? My token response is this: why do you do the dishes or clean your room without being
asked? Is it to earn your mom’s love? No. You do those things to show your love and
gratefulness to her.
My children are almost three and six months. As a relatively new mother, I feel this to my core.
There is nothing my children could ever do that could lessen my love for them. And yet, when
my son puts away his toys, makes his baby sister smile, helps to switch the laundry, or even just
says “thanks, mama” my heart swells.
The good news is that we can do nothing to earn God’s unconditional love. How amazing is
that? The even better news is that we get to share His love with the whole world. As Paul
reminds us, by caring for God’s people, we are shouting to God, “thank you!”
— Beth Boxell
/// A Few Words of Prayer
Loving God,
thank you, thank you, thank you.
Amen.God's Giving Formula
DAY TEN — Tuesday, January 28, 2020
“So I thought it necessary to urge the brothers to visit you in advance
and finish the arrangements for the generous gift you had promised.
Then it will be ready as a generous gift, not as one grudgingly given.”
— 2 Corinthians 9:5
Math - either you like it or you don't. I do. I think God does too:
Most people think of tithing as giving to church. Tithing - that very biblical term meaning
1/10th. Even before God gave Moses and the Chosen People the rule on tithing recorded in
Leviticus, Abram and Jacob willingly gave the top 10% of their first crop to God.
Ten percent is easy. No question on amount - and it's simply math.
Except, we are not under Mosaic rule.
Jesus came. And He complicated giving.
He stated, "Give to Caesar what is Caesar's and God what is God's."
The giving to Caesar is easy – the government sends us an annual bill. God doesn't.
Jesus left it to us to decide. We are to search our hearts and find the number.
Gone is the decimal point, instead is required thinking to give God what is His.
No hard number. No formula. Instead, listening to Jesus and Give God what is His.
But then St. Paul comes along and introduces multiplication!
He said what we give God will be multiplied abundantly.
Believing that God keeps his promises makes giving easy. Give and God pays back.
Abundantly. For the formula is: Give cheerfully in faith knowing that God keeps his promises.
— Ruth Mack
/// A Few Words of Prayer
Everlasting God, Wonderful Counselor, Almighty Father.
Help us to remember that all good gifts come from you.
Let our faith grow so we give cheerfully knowing that
your name will be forever blessed. In the name of your born,
crucified and resurrected son, Jesus Christ we pray. Amen.Finding Ministries
DAY ELEVEN — Wednesday, January 29, 2020
“Through the testing of this ministry you glorify God
by your obedience to the confession of the Gospel of Christ
and by the generosity of your sharing with [the saints in Judea] and all others.”
— 2 Corinthians 9:13
St. Paul wrote wonderful things. St. Paul also wrote difficult things and some things I hope he
regrets now. Many of the wonderful things Paul wrote talked about a vision of the Church as
Christ’s living body in the world. He saw a world-wide church caring for one another,
supporting one another, seeing that each had the necessities of life so they had the
opportunity to be the people God intended them to be.
Here at Immanuel we intended to build an Education Wing to replace the old school house
(that’s right, a schoolhouse) on this property. It has served well as an Education Wing, but it
grew into much more through the gifts and visions of others who followed St. Paul.
Gwen Sayler helped start the Women’s Center in Watertown at Immanuel Lutheran Church.
Fred Gustafson Jr. had a Lutheran Social Services counseling center at Immanuel Lutheran
Church. Paul Schilling headed an Alcoholics Anonymous chapter at Immanuel Lutheran
Church. They all used space in our “Education Wing”. The quilters, the Food Pantry, and
Personal Essentials Pantry touch lives in our community of faith, the community of Watertown
and the surrounding area as well as lives all over the world from our “Education Wing”. St. Paul
would recognize that space we are renewing as a holy space.
— Jens Hetzler
/// A Few Words of Prayer
Thank you, teaching God,
for all of your indescribable gifts.
Bless this congregation of Immanuel, God with us,
with your Holy Spirit to guide us
as we continue to seek to serve the world. Amen.Finding Our Call
DAY TWELVE — Thursday, January 30, 2020
“And God is able to provide you with every blessing in abundance,
so that by always having enough of everything,
you may share abundantly in every good work…
He who supplies seed to the sower and bread for food
will supply and multiply your seed for sowing
and increase the harvest of your righteousness.”
— 2 Corinthians 9:8, 10
As I opened up my Bible to 2 Corinthians 9,
I found I had already underlined verses 8 and 10.
When we invest what God has given us in His work,
He will provide us with even more to give to His service.
This reminds me when Pastor Gail asked Judy Hoffstetter and I to take over Bread and Roses.
We thought, “No way!” How could we give up 1 day a week to serve others? Then I remember
watching an episode of Oprah where she was talking about challenging ourselves to try
something new, that would be uncomfortable. You don’t know unless you try.
Well, after 17 years serving thousands of meals
in our Fellowship Hall we used the skills God gave us.
When we began the program, we had asked Fr. Himmerich, who had hosted
Bread and Roses in his church for 10 years — where would the money come from?
He told us to not worry, that God would provide. And He did!
Bread and Roses is still going strong.
Don’t let a lack of faith keep you from giving cheerfully and generously.
— Jean Kwapil
/// A Few Words of Prayer
Thank you, teaching God,
for all of your indescribable gifts.
Bless this congregation of Immanuel, God with us,
with your Holy Spirit to guide us
as we continue to seek to serve the world. Amen.Growing in God’s Garden
DAY THIRTEEN — Friday, January 31, 2020
“This service that you perform
is not only supplying the needs of the Lord’s people
but is also overflowing in many expressions of thanks to God.”
— 2 Corinthians 9:12
Some of my most favorite days are when I am helping my mom, my grandma, or my host family
in Senegal in the garden. There is something just really satisfying about digging into the soil
and getting your hands dirty. Not to mention, patiently caring for a small seedling and
watching it grow into a healthy and strong plant.
I like to think of our church community as a that health and strong plant that is supplying to our
needs of spiritual nourishment and community. But, let’s not forget that just as plants take in
carbon dioxide and give off oxygen, provide habitats for wildlife, and grow vast root systems
that stabilize the soil and prevent runoff, so too does our church community provide to the
greater world as well. With our many programs from the Food Pantry to Community Laundry
we are supplying the needs of God’s people, while overflowing with our thanks to God.
God’s work. Our hands. Let’s make this garden beautiful.
— Rita Argus
/// A Few Words of Prayer
God of creation,
all that we are is rooted in you.
Cause new life to sprout in our midst,
and help us to bear much fruit with grateful hearts,
through Christ, our Vine. Amen.Singing Saturdays
DAY FOURTEEN — Saturday, February 1, 2020
We Are Called — ELW # 720
Verse 1
Come! Live in the light!
Shine with the joy and the love of the Lord!
We are called to be light for the kingdom,
to live in the freedom of the city of God.
Refrain
We are called to act with justice, we are called to love tenderly;
we are called to serve one another, to walk humbly with God.
Verse 2
Come! Open your heart!
Show your mercy to all those in fear!
We are called to be hope for the hopeless
so hatred and blindness will be no more. Refrain
Verse 3
Sing! Sing a new song!
Sing of that great day when all will be one!
God will reign, and we’ll walk with each other
as sisters and brothers united in love. Refrain
Text: David Haas, b. 1957 | Text and music © 1988 GIA Publications, Inc.
/// A Few Words of Prayer
Almighty God, your Holy Spirit equips the church
with a variety of gifts. Grant that we may use them
to bear witness to Christ in lives that are built on faith and love.
Make us ready to live the gospel and eager to do your will,
so that we may share with all your church in the joys of
eternal life; through Jesus Christ, our Savior and Lord. Amen.
(ELW p. 76)Thanking God with Voices
DAY FIFTEEN — Sunday, February 2, 2020
“Get you up to a high mountain,
O Zion, herald of good tidings; lift up your voice with strength,
O Jerusalem, herald of good tidings, lift it up, do not fear; say to the cities of Judah,
‘Here is your God!’”
— Isaiah 40:9
Have you found your voice?
We teach our kids to talk, regret that decision at
times through their teenage years, and then
hope they find their own voice and their own
calling in life. Have you found yours?
How about your spiritual voice? What kind of
statement are you able to make about your faith,
your trust in God?
How might your voice advocate for the poor and
the hungry in Watertown? How might your voice
welcome the children and speak God’s word of
grace and hope to them? How might your voice
affirm Christ’s gift of forgiveness and
reconciliation in our communal life together?
How might your voice join the chorus in
Delivering Immanuel’s Promise among us?
— Pr. Todd Iverson
/// Our Campaign Prayer
Dear God,
Thank you for the many gifts you have given us.
Help us to use those gifts to care for others.
Open our hearts to accept and share your love,
open our hands to do your work,
and open our voices to witness what you have done for us.
Amen.Thanks be to God!
DAY SIXTEEN — Monday, February 3, 2020
“Thanks be to God for his indescribable gift!”
— 2 Corinthians 9:15
“Go in peace. Serve the Lord.” “Thanks be to God.”
You probably knew this already, but I love liturgy. The commissioning, as we call it here at
Immanuel, is probably one of my favorite parts.
After we have sung God’s praise, heard the Word proclaimed, and shared the gifts of bread
and wine, we are reminded of why we have gathered as God’s people in the first place —
to be sent out once again.
In a very real way, we become what we have received: the Body of Christ.
In his first (recorded) letter to the Corinthians, Paul tells the church that we each have different
gifts, given by God, for the benefit of Christ’s body and the world. Every one of us has
something to share. We do so, not because we will earn anything for it, but as a response to
God’s extravagant love — God’s indescribable gift.
When our worship has ended, our service begins.
What will you do this week to be of service to others?
How might you share the good news of God's love with someone you care about?
— Trevor Thom
/// A Few Words of Prayer
Indescribable, uncontainable God,
you have given us gifts beyond all measure,
and love that exceeds our understanding.
When words fail, help us to use our lives
as a witness to the world you so love.
Amen.Finding Joy
DAY SEVENTEEN — Tuesday, February 4, 2020
“. . . in whom this world rejoices . . .”
— ELW # 839 st. 1
A cousin of mine was preparing his girlfriend to meet my family. Her curiosity aroused, she
asked, “Is there something wrong with them?” “Well, they sing to one another.”, was his first
response. Now, life in my family was not opera. We did and do sing songs for each other on
holidays, birthdays, and the odd occasion, but it is usually with lightness of heart.
Immanuel, as a family, sings eagerly, joyfully, and with lightness of heart. We can even sing
while ambulance lights flash through our front doors or as a casket rests before our altar. How
can this be?
Our children teach us. As they learn the stories and complete the projects each week, they
also learn the songs. They sing to us as no adult choir of any size can sing. I can’t say that all
our children are eager to sing, but we adults take joy from hearing them. They may not sing
the same songs that we learned when we learned the stories, but they stir deep joy in us as
they help us recall the simple, essential message we have to share with Watertown and the
world. “Christ is born! God is with us.” It is up to all of us, no matter what we think of our
voices, to sing our thanks and praise so the world can hear.
— Jens Hetzler
/// A Few Words of Prayer
Lord Jesus, you welcomed children into your arms.
Give us arms to reach to you, eagerness to sing your praises,
and courage to boast about you
as we share the message of your love. Amen.Encouragement to Keep Going
DAY EIGHTEEN — Wednesday, February 5, 2020
“So I thought it necessary to urge the brothers to visit you in advance
and finish the arrangements for the generous gift you had promised.
Then it will be ready as a generous gift, not as one grudgingly given.”
— 2 Corinthians 9:5
“…who, from our mothers’ arms, has blest us on our way
with countless gifts of love, and still is ours today.”
— ELW # 839 st. 1
I’m not a biblical scholar, but I feel like I do understand people pretty well. When I read this
chapter from Paul to the Corinthians, I hear Paul talking to a people whose enthusiasm is
waning. They’ve started this project of generosity to the Macedonians and Paul wants to make
sure they don’t give up before they hit the end goal.
This is a feeling that I can identify with. I am a great project starter. I have all the enthusiasm in
the world: big ideas, big dreams, big goals. But when it comes to finishing a project, I have to
work really hard. Closing is not my strong suit. It takes a lot of effort, enthusiasm, and support
for me to push through to a deadline. I feel this way when I’m training for a race, when I start a
house project, and when I’m tackling a less than thrilling work project. My motivation wanes.
Paul is giving a motivational pep-talk to the Corinthians. He gives them lots of reasons to keep
pushing through - to complete the challenge of generosity that is before them. Among his
motivational notes include my favorite: And God is able to bless you abundantly, so that in all
things at all times, having all that you need, you will abound in every good work.
— Laura Ferree
/// A Few Words of Prayer
God,
You have given us all that we need to give to others.
Prepare us to be generous in every occasion.
In our work let us show your abundance.
In our lives let us show your glory to the world we serve. Amen.Using our Voices
DAY NINETEEN — Thursday, February 6, 2020
“...and your enthusiasm has stirred most of them to action.”
— 2 Corinthians 9:2b
I am an extrovert. I come by this honestly; I was raised by Dena Virginia Louise Wangerin
Richter, a woman who knows no stranger. She makes friends wherever she goes. People are
instantly attracted to her effervescence, her sure smile, and her enthusiastic nature. If there is a
song with your name in it, my mom will sing it to you within seconds of your meeting. In fact,
my close friend and freshman year college roommate still remembers my mom belting out the
opening line to a once popular WWI song the first time they were introduced. On that day in
August 2006, everyone in Alumni Hall heard“ K-k-k-Katy, beautiful Katy.” At the time, it was
embarrassing; now the memory makes me smile.
My mom enthusiastically uses her voice to spread joy to anyone she meets. Just like her, I want
to use my voice, too. I feel so lucky to be a part of a congregation that wants to renew their
physical space to meet the needs of our brothers and sisters in our church community and our
town. And we get to do this by sharing what God has provided for us. Through our giving, we
are impacting the lives of our children who will have Sunday school, confirmation, and youth
events in a safe and updated environment. We are impacting the lives of our brothers and
sisters by providing a space for them to receive hot meals and personal essentials; a safe place
for people to come and feel the caring and loving hand of God.
Together, let us give, and give enthusiastically, so that we can spur on others to action.
As it says in one of my favorite hymns: “Let us build a house where love can dwell,
and all can safely live...all are welcome, all are welcome, all are welcome in this place.”
(All Are Welcome by Marty Haugen).
— Beth Boxell
/// A Few Words of Prayer
God our Provider,
stir up in our hearts a desire
to enthusiastically change our world for the better.
Help us to encourage others to do the same. Amen.Giving Thanks in All Circumstances
DAY TWENTY — Friday, February 7, 2020
“Thanks be to God for his indescribable gift!”
— 2 Corinthians 9:15
Martin Rinkart was a Lutheran minister who lived in the German city of Eilenburg in the early
1600s. Eilenburg had become a severely overcrowded refuge for many during the Thirty Years
War and the result was poverty, famine and a devastating plague. In 1637, at the height of this
misery, Rinkart watched members of his own family perish. Their burials were among the more
than 4000 funerals Rinkart performed that year. One can only imagine the pit of despair and
hopelessness that must have overcome the survivors. How strange that in the midst of this
horrific experience, Pastor Rickart would take pen in hand and write the words, “Now thank we
all our God, with heart and hands and voices…”
Now Thank We All Our God is the hymn selected to lead Immanuel’s capital campaign, and it is
a gem in our worship life. As we consider the ways in which we are called to the task of
Delivering Immanuel’s Promise, perhaps it is good for us to remember that in the midst of
great challenge, a Christian’s first response can – and should – be one of thanksgiving. As we
begin this campaign, may we consider all the ways in which our ministry has been
strengthened and sustained. May we give thanks to our loving God “who from our mothers’
arms, has blessed us on our way with countless gifts of love, and still is ours today.”
— David Morstad
/// A Few Words of Prayer
Loving and sustaining God,
grant us grateful hearts this day.
Quiet our anxious minds,
that we might consider all the ways
you have nurtured the ministry of Immanuel.
In Jesus’ name. Amen.Singing Saturdays
DAY TWENTY-ONE — Saturday, February 8, 2020
Now Thank We All Our God — ELW # 839
Verse 1
Now thank we all our God with hearts and hands and voices,
who wondrous things has done, in whom this world rejoices;
who, from our mothers’ arms, has blest us on our way
with countless gifts of love, and still is ours today.
Verse 2
Oh, may this bounteous God through all our life be near us,
with ever joyful hearts and blessed peace to cheer us,
and keep us all in grace, and guide us when perplexed,
and free us from all harm in this world and the next.
Verse 3
Now thank we all our God with hearts and hands and voices,
who wondrous things has done, in whom this world rejoices;
who, from our mothers’ arms, has blest us on our way
with countless gifts of love, and still is ours today.
Text: Martin Rinkhart, 1586-1649; tr. Catherine Winkworth, 1827-1878
Consider attending tonight’s Prayer Vigil hosted by the campaign worship team.
The vigil is open to everyone from 6:00pm — 6:00am tomorrow morning in the worship space.
/// A Few Words of Prayer
Almighty God, our Father,
your generous goodness comes to us new every day.
By the work of your Spirit lead us to acknowledge
your goodness, give thanks for your benefits,
and serve you in willing obedience,
through Jesus Christ, our Savior and Lord. Amen.
(ELW p. 61)Now Thank We All Our God
DAY TWENTY-TWO — Sunday, February 9, 2020
“You will be enriched in every way so that you can be generous on every occasion,
and through us your generosity will result in thanksgiving to God.”
— 2 Corinthians 9:11
We want to make a statement:
in this repair and improvement project we are Delivering Immanuel’s Promise.
Ask anyone involved in our Sunday School or outreach ministries: we NEED space! We need
Sunday School space dedicated to teaching adults and children about the grace of God in
Jesus Christ. We need space— expanded and improved—for hosting our mission partner, The
Watertown Food Pantry. We need space for our own ministry project, The Personal Essentials
Pantry. We need space for the business and administrative functions of this congregation. We
need an improved, safe, functional building, which is nothing less than effective tool for us to
engage in ministry.
YOUR generosity will Deliver Immanuel’s Promise.
YOUR hearts and hands and voices joined in song
and in mission will Deliver Immanuel’s Promise.
YOUR gifts will result in thanksgiving to God
as we Deliver Immanuel’s Promise.
It’s a statement alright—an expensive one! It’s a statement that
will require our sacrifice, our dedication, our commitment to
God through this congregation. Are we up to the task? The
answer to that question is in your heart; it’s in your hands; it’s
in our voices. May we be enriched in every way as we work
together Delivering Immanuel’s Promise.
— Pr. Todd Iverson
/// Our Campaign Prayer
Dear God,
Thank you for the many gifts you have given us.
Help us to use those gifts to care for others.
Open our hearts to accept and share your love,
open our hands to do your work,
and open our voices to witness what you have done for us.
Amen.You can also read
