Immanuel Lutheran Church Messenger December 2020 1
December 2020
Vol. 20 No. 10 Messenger
Imma n uel Lu ther an Chur c h a nd Sc ho o l
154 Me ad ow Street Br is to l , C T 0 601 0
860 -583 - 5649
c l . ch urc h @ ilcs .org
www.ilcs.org
O U R M I S S I O N
The people of Immanuel
Lutheran Church are living
proof of the grace of God
through salvation in Jesus
Christ. Empowered by Christ,
our mission is to reach out in
love to those who have not yet
responded to the Gospel that
all may be united in Christ.
School Mission
The Mission of Immanuel
Lutheran School is to pro-
vide a loving atmosphere of
academic excellence for
children while developing
in them and their families a
lasting relationship with
Jesus Christ.
Rev. Kevin A. Karner
Pastor
Dr. Anne Stuhlman
School Principal
I M M A N U E L L U T H E R A N C H U R C H A N D S C H O O L , B R I S T O L , C O N N E C T I C U T
Amazing Advent
Wednesday, December 2, 7 pm
Sunday, December 6, 8 am (HC) & 10:45 am
Wednesday, December 9, 7 pm
Sunday, December 13, 8 am & 10:45 am (HC)
Wednesday, December 16, 7 pm
Sunday, December 20, 8 am (HC) & 10:45 am
Christmas Services and New Year’s Eve
Thursday, December 24, 7 pm & 11 pm (HC)
Christmas Eve Candlelight Service
Friday, December 25, 9 am (HC)
Christmas Day Service
Sunday, December 27, 8 am & 10:45 am (HC)
Thursday, December 31, 7 pm (HC)
New Year’s Eve Service
All special services will be Live-Streamed,
along with our 8am Sunday services.
ABOUT OUR LIVE-STREAMING . . .
Each service that is
streamed live on Face-
book also premieres
on YouTube (not live
but feels like it’s live)
approximately 1 to 2
hours later. Videos
are also available on
Instagram TV and
announced on Twitter
with links to various
locations to watch,
although the timing of
those posts may vary.
The only truly “Live
Streaming” happens
on Facebook.
Immanuel Lutheran Church Messenger December 2020 2
Messenger is published
monthly except in August
by Immanuel Lutheran
Church and School for its
members and friends.
Immanuel is a member of
the Lutheran Church
Missouri Synod.
Ed & Dee Krampitz Newsletter Editors
Deadline for submissions is the 15th of the month.
Worship Services are broadcast each Sunday
at 1:00 p.m. on
WNTY Radio 990 AM 96.1 FM
and online at KoolOldiesRadio.net
From the Pastor’s Desk
May God himself, the God of peace, sanctify you through and through. May your whole spirit, soul and body be kept blameless at
the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. The one who calls you is faithful and he will do it. — 1 Thessalonians 5:23-24
“This ‘Holy Day’ Season!”
For unto you is born this day in the city
of David a Savior, who is Christ the
Lord. Luke 2:11
It’s that time again. “The most wonder-
ful time of the year!” as one popular
song proclaims.
Pastorally speaking, it would be good if
we could hear the story of Jesus’ birth,
as the angels first shared it: “I bring you
good news of great joy that will be for
all the people” (see Luke 2:10).
It would be good, but doing so is almost
always difficult.
It’s hard to separate Jesus’ coming to
save sinful humanity from the way the
world wants the holiday to be remem-
bered. If you doubt there is such confu-
sion, then listen to the little girl who told
her baby brother the story of Christmas.
Her rendition went this way:
“Jesus was born just in time for Christ-
mas, up at the North Pole surrounded by
eight little reindeer and the Virgin Mary.
Then Santa Claus showed up with lots of
toys and stuff and some swaddling
clothes. The three wise men and elves
sang carols, while the Little Drummer
Boy and Scrooge helped Joseph trim the
tree. In the meantime, Frosty the Snow-
man saw this star. Here endeth the read-
ing.”
You may shake your head at such silli-
ness. But the little girl’s sad story is no
stranger than that promoted by those
who say the true meaning of Christmas
is family, fun, fuzzy feelings, and car-
toon fantasies.
They would have us believe the salva-
tion Jesus brings is secondary to Santa,
His grace less important than expensive
gifts and greeting cards. In their hearts
the sound of parties and cash registers
drown out God’s Good News.
We shouldn’t be surprised.
The world, Satan, and sin have always
tried to defeat, deny and discredit the
coming of the Savior. Yet, in those
hearts and homes where the Word still
works, the Savior still comes. Born of a
woman, He is one of us, yet better than
us.
I encourage you to look upon the little
hands and remember they will be
pierced to save you. See His beautiful
brow and recall how it will be crowned
with thorns. Listen to His first cry and
hear that cry echo, 33 years later, upon
Calvary’s cross, as He proclaims our
salvation is finished.
This Advent / Christmas season we’ll
remember the fulfillment of God’s
promise, the story of how our for-
giveness and salvation was won. We’ll
hear the story of humanity’s God-given,
blood-bought gift of forgiveness, re-
demption and renewal.
It’s the story of good news of great joy.
It’s the story of the Babe of Bethlehem,
the Christ of the cross, the Savior of the
empty tomb.
God bless you and yours this “holy day”
season!
Pastor Karner
1 Thess. 5:23-24
SUNDAY DIVINE SERVICES
8:00 a.m. Holy Communion on the 1st, 3rd, & 5th Sunday
of the month. — (Live Streaming) —
~ ~ ~
10:45 a.m. Holy Communion on the 2nd, 4th, & 5th Sunday
of the month. ~ ~ ~
ADULT BIBLE STUDY 9:30 a.m.
— (Live Streaming) —
WHEELCHAIR ACCESSIBLE
Immanuel Lutheran Church Messenger December 2020 3
(Continued on next page)
Editor’s note: This letter was re-
ceived just prior to Thanksgiving.
As Thanksgiving, Advent, and
Christmas now approach us I
thought I would write what I hope
and pray is an encouraging letter. I
wish in Jesus to urge you to know
that even now in this worst of years
for so many of us we have so much
for which we can be thankful.
1. This journey is not the final destination. The world
has its anxieties and mourns the loss of so many materi-
al things. Our hearts are filled in Jesus with compas-
sion for our neighbors who have indeed lost much on
which our confidence was once built as Americans. We
shed our tears too at our earthly losses. But this life is
not all that there is! We have an eternal life that Jesus
has given to us and that is our hope. God’s ultimate
goal is to get us to heaven and to spend our endless
days living with Him. That is the journey that is real
for you and me.
2. Easter and Christmas and Thanksgiving are still real
– even more so for us in 2020. So many around me
dread that this year the holidays will just not be what
they once were – would we even have a Thanksgiving
and Christmas? My answer is a resounding “Yes” in
the Lord Jesus. The real meaning of Thanksgiving
which is gratitude to the Provider above for all we have
is just as real this year, even more so because we are
thanking God as people who know we can now lose all
we have so quickly. Only God remains our Rock and
our Fortress without change. Christ Jesus born for us to
redeem us is still the real meaning of Christmas and this
year it is underlined for us all. The glory of Easter is
real. Yes, before Easter there may be our Good Fridays
– and even God slept in a tomb like the ones we face
and in which we have lain our loved ones, perhaps spe-
cial loved ones, in this year of 2020. But Easter comes
with its glory and nothing can stop that juggernaut from
smashing through to you and me and to this world.
3. Satan remains defeated and he knows his time is
short. The pig still has lost. It may seem to you that
God is not in control of this world but the one who
claims dominion is at last having his day. But the pig
can do nothing apart from the will of the One Who de-
stroyed his dominion and as the Risen Lord of Easter
kicked the doors of hell through to let the pig know
Who does reign. Hell is not Satan’s realm or kingdom
as it is so often portrayed in literature and else-
where. Satan rules over nothing and hell is an eternal
place of torment for the pig and his angels – nothing
else. Yes, I fear him and his dreadful might and on my
own he can devour me in an instant. But I have a Sav-
ior as do you who has let Satan know that His arrival
among us is imminent and right around the cor-
ner. That Savior stands with you and me. That terrifies
the pig to no end. Satan has lost and remains defeated.
4. When Jesus is called “King of kings” you are one of
those kings. Of course Jesus rules over all kingdoms on
earth, including America which I myself believe the
Lord is bringing to her knees as He destroys American
pride and self-reliance by forgetting God. But you and
I are kings and (Revelation 3:21) we reign with Him on
His throne. He is the true King. But you are a king and
nothing can take that away from you.
5. Jesus doesn’t wait at the end of the valley with a
“See you at the end – good luck!” He walks with us
through the valley, even the valley of the shadow of
death as Psalm 23 says. He does not leave us to fend
for ourselves with a promise He will be waiting at the
end when we somehow manage to crawl through the
valley. Jesus says to your heart and to mine, “Why
don’t you and I face these things together?” What a joy
to know that He “will never leave us nor forsake
us.” He could bask in the glories of heaven right now
and surround Himself with praising angels (and He
does !!! He reigns !!!!). But His eyes are on you every
moment of your day and night.
6. He still has the answers for a desperate generation. I
have two millennial sons living with there families in
this world. I will say this. That millennial generation is
different from my Boomer generation. My generation
cared about status and earthly achievement above
all. But the Millennials are more concerned with rela-
tionships and being authentic in the way we live our
lives. I will add that they are in my opinion asking the
right questions. They want to know the answer to, “Is
this all that there is?” But they don’t know where to
find the answer. We have the answer in Jesus and what
an opportunity it is to be there with the answer for
them. The spiritual victories of 2020 are indeed sweet !
7. We are a resurrected church. I’ll say it with utter
sadness – the church I knew is dead. The Savior – He
lives. My faith – it lives in Jesus. But the Church I
Thanksgiving Letter of Encouragement from President Yeadon
Immanuel Lutheran Church Messenger December 2020 4
(Continued from previous page)
knew has now passed and I really don’t know if it’s
coming back when pandemics are over and life returns
to what it might once have been. But as the wisest of
Pastor’s wives in a recent cyberspace gathering once
said, “Jesus has driven us out of our churches.” She
meant it in a good way. We have all learned new ways
to proclaim the gospel, mostly by learning new technol-
ogies. We are reaching people in Jesus that we did not
before. They once had to come to us and go through the
doors of the church to hear us. But now we are coming
to them. Yes, nothing can replace the assembling to-
gether of our Saints face to face for worship and in
blessing of one another and to receive Jesus’ gift of
Himself in Holy Communion. But Pastors have told me
that they have far more numbers who join in Bible
Study or in electronic sharing of the Lord’s worship cel-
ebrations. Thank you 2020 and to the Lord of every
year!
8. 2020 did have its blessings. It is human nature to
focus on the tragedies. Jesus never condemns us for
crying at the loss of loved ones or the loss of the things
that make earthly life so wonderful and so demanding
of our thanks to Him next Thursday. But there were
blessings. In my own life if you know my story I al-
most died last March when my liver collapsed within
me and it was a 50-50 chance of me ending my earthly
journey with all of you whom I love. But it was 100-0
with Jesus that His kindness to me let me stay with you
so I can continue to learn from you saints what it means
to be a Christian. “What need or grief ever hath failed
of relief?” I am a testimony of grace from Jesus that He
never failed me and never will. I have a new grandson
in my life. Little River has joined Erich and Luke in my
heart as foci of my earthly grandfather’s love. Maybe
God gave you new life in your family this year. I still
have a job. I did wonder if the Lord was through with
me in my serving Him and all of you. But He has re-
turned me to full health and I love the New England
District and continue to say she is the finest district in
the entire Lutheran Church – Missouri Synod. At this
week’s Zoom gatherings of every District president one
of the other District Presidents tried to challenge me on
that statement of mine. Let me just say we had to step
outside to settle it like men !!!!! I still also have a won-
derful and beautiful wife in Ruth. Corona has given me
more time with her and slowed down my pace of life. I
honestly am not driven, driven, driven as I might have
been at one time. I go for long walks with Ruth now,
often walking the dog and pausing with my dumb dog
to sniff a lot more along the way. I rejoice in this 2020
gift the Lord has given me. My eldest son Jonathan
who works in New York City has been gifted by Jesus
with property and a get away cabin one mile from Ruth
and my house – Wow! With my other son Dan and his
family living about forty miles from us in Connecticut I
have my family near me and this is a 2020 gift to me. I
love the change of seasons in New England and this Fall
the colors still came out and the snow I love is on the
verge of coming to our New England shores. I am on
the verge of receiving a doctorate which I hope to use to
bless the church at large and to encourage my Pastors
(Jesus’ Pastors) to indeed pursue Continuing Educa-
tion. I have my hobbies and even though I stink at golf
I love getting out on the links which I also wondered if I
ever would do again! I have a home and all my needs
are met.
Can you find your own examples of the blessings of #8
above which were given to me? They are probably far
different from mine or perhaps quite similar in some
instances. But the Jesus we have Who has forgiven and
does forgive us our sins every day is ours. He is ours in
2020 and every year – and it is because we are
His ! Jesus is in control. Jesus does guide all for the
good of His elect and that is what you are. He is almost
ready to open the gates of the New Jerusalem for us
all! He loves you.
That is why we can be especially Thankful in 2020! If
only the world could know………
But I want to let them know with all my strength! To
Jesus be the glory Whose strength alone can make it
happen. For if you’ll forgive what may sound flippant
to you and I mean it in no way as a casual statement, I
have a goal in life which I share with the world and
when the world says to me, “What is your purpose in
life, President Yeadon?” – I joyfully respond:
“To get to heaven and to take as many of you with me
as possible when I go”.
But I can only do it with Jesus and to Him be the sole
glory. That is my 2020 story and encouragement for
you all, my Brothers and Sisters! I thank the Lord Jesus
for you all.
To Jesus be Endless Thanks and Praise –President Yeadon
Immanuel Lutheran Church Messenger December 2020 5
THRIVENT CHOICE DOLLARS
Be sure to designate your Thrivent Choice dollars to
either Immanuel Lutheran Church or School! The
money is truly a blessing to the Ministry here at
Immanuel Lutheran Church!
Christmas Blessings to all our members and friends
who usually attend our lunch events! We all miss see-
ing one another, but want you to stay safe and healthy
and wear a mask whenever you leave your home.
There will be no Christmas Party at Nuchie’s, no sing-
ing, no door prizes, and no visiting together this holi-
day season. Hopefully we can get together in 2021.
There will be church services for Advent and Christ-
mas to attend in person or by video recordings just as
always, so perhaps we will see one another at church.
Try to share your Christmas blessings with others by
sending out Christmas cards or calling them on the
phone. Stay safe and healthy and share your Christ-
mas Joy !!
~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ Church News ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
FREE! We received a donation of a beautiful
Baptismal Outfit for a boy, size 9 If interested, please contact the Church office
at 860-583-5649.
Called Home to Heaven
Ronald A. “Ronnie” Kuharski February 11, 1947 — November 4, 2020
Dorothy Rice (Schultz) Tichanski August 27, 1920 — November 23, 2020
Red Kettle Campaign/Volunteer
Bell Ringer
We are looking for Volunteer Bell Ringers to stand
at our Ted Kettle at our local stores. We are ringing
Monday-Saturday from 10-7 pm, but you can decide
the hours you want to volunteer. You can have 2
people standing at a time. The stand with our kettle
will also have sanitizer to spray the kettle and also to
sanitize your hands when needed. Masks are re-
quired.
Please contact Marge Rivera at The salvation Army
if you can help 860-583-4651.
RADIO MINISTRY — Help Wanted!!!
We are looking for help with record-ing the 8:00 AM worship service. No experience needed.
Please let Pastor Karner know if you can help in this important ministry.
Volunteers are needed to help with video recording/
live streaming of our services. If you can help please
call the church office at
860-583-5649. We are
looking for High School
age and up.
Pastor Karner
Immanuel Lutheran Church Messenger December 2020 6
Dear Immanuel Lutheran Members and Friends,
Our annual Christmas Pageant is planned to be a virtual event. Hopefully all
students can be present to do the recording. Our music teacher, Mr. Greg
Flower, is creating the program in a zoom format with integrated video. It is
quite an effort, but his experience in creating these productions is a blessing.
The Kindergarten and Grade 1 classes have been on quarantine, but will return
Monday, December 7. The CDC has reduced the quarantine time from 14 to
10 days. As their exposure was just before Thanksgiving, they are returning
this Monday, just in time to record for the Christmas Pageant! There will be
more quarantines in the future as they are just part of our new normal. But our
teachers are well-versed in how to teach remotely, and the students are pre-
pared with Chromebooks, which are issued for every student from 2nd
through 8th grade.
Special days leading up to Christmas are planned. Monday, December 14, is
Red and Green Day. Tuesday, December 15, is Ugly Sweater Day. Wednes-
day, December 16, is Dress Your Best Day. Thursday, December 17, is Crazy
Hair and Dress Day. Friday, December 18, is Pajama Day. While our stu-
dents are celebrating the advent of our Savior’s birth in unconventional ways,
they are very aware of the reason for the Christmas season.
We are offering a Christmas Camp for PK and Kindergarten children. This is
helpful for parents who work throughout the break. Camp will be housed in
the main building PK classrooms.
Christmas Break is a full two weeks this year. When this was planned in the
spring we had no idea we would still be in this covid situation in December.
But now, the two weeks is welcome to be able to deep clean the building once
again and have everyone away from the germs of each other. We are confi-
dent that 2021 will look very different.
School enrollment is now at 102. All classes are capped for the year except
8th grade and Little Lambs. Please tell everyone who is looking for childcare
for toddlers about our program.
I have been so impressed with the eagerness our students have for Chapel and
religion classes. Most of our new students will tell you that Chapel is their
favorite part of the week. As the format has changed this year with a new ser-
vice book, our old students are finding new interest in it as well. I remind the
teachers that our first priority is teaching the children about God’s love for
them, and our second priority is academics. They have taken this to heart.
Our religion classes are outstanding. You would be very pleased if you could
see what I see everyday.
Blessings to all!
Anne Stuhlman, Principal
From the Principal’s Desk
~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ School News ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
Immanuel Lutheran Church Messenger December 2020 7
December Birthdays
Sun Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat
1 2 3 4 5
6 7 8 9 10 11 12
13 14 15 16 17 18 19
20 21 22 23 24 25 26
Sal Buonafede
Victoria Casa
Kyleigh Boney
Cole Krueger
Carol Mogey
Marcia Lopisi
Hans Bayer
Cheyenne Blaschke
James Raspanti
Rebecca Croce
Jonathan Follo
Maria Santilli
Myrna Gamache
Jason Krueger
Ingebor Harrington
Janice Sonstroem
Rosie Fernandez
David Follo
Brenda Buonafede
Edwin Gillette
Alan Blank
Sheri Lejeune
Jacob Stringer
Madison Tessier
Edward Young
Marion Schroeder Nathaniel Tessman
Bobby Triplett
Valya Rindfleisch
Andrew Tonn
Luke Foley
Stephanie Parenteau
Jamie Simard
James Thaxter Alison Eschner
Diane Finger
Robert Wilde
Bruce Wondrovski
Cameron Reed
Luke Sonstroem
Lori Eschner
Robert Helming
Lawrence Beaudoin
Hannah Krueger
Samantha Frohn
Joy Grekula
Elizabeth Wilde
Anthony Lopisi
Erin Madigan-Scheidel
Oskar Tolmoff
Joy Mora Peggy Campbell
Ethan Debaise
Walter Kuhr
27 30
Kristen Hill
Maggie Moliengo
Erika Santilli
31
James Bishop
James Bugryn
Scott Dennis
Glorie Romaniello
28 29
Schoolwide project: “Disguise the Turkey” so he won’t get eaten up for Thanksgiving. Below are just
a few of the designs the students came up with.