To Know Christ and Boldly Make Him Known

May 15 - 21, 2025

Fifth Sunday of Easter

Dear Beloved in Christ,

Easter isn’t just a day; it’s a season—and more than that, it’s a way of life. Each Sunday in Easter invites us to see with fresh eyes what God is doing in our lives and in the world around us.

This week, our readings remind us that the risen Christ is making all things new. Easter invites us to live with hope. It urges us to believe that God is not done with us—that we are being reshaped as a people of love, and that even in times of change, resurrection life is at work.

With that Easter lens, I want to share a word about our music ministry.

As announced by our Church Council earlier this week, the position of Minister of Music and Worship has been eliminated as part of a broader season of transition and reflection at Emmanuel. This was a difficult decision, made with prayer and care, and I join our congregation in giving thanks for Kris Bowker's many gifts and faithful leadership. We look forward to honoring her ministry in a celebration later this year.

As we say goodbye to one chapter, a new chapter is beginning. I’m pleased to share that Bill Feigley has agreed to serve as Emmanuel's Interim Organist. Bill brings warmth, musical talent, and a heart for service. We’re grateful for his willingness to walk with us in this season.

In the coming weeks, we’ll be forming a Music Ministry Task Force to reimagine how we support and structure music in worship—drawing on the talents of our members, friends, and the wider community. We remain committed to resuming our Sanctuary Choir and Bell Choir in the fall, and to making space for creativity, collaboration, and joyful praise.

Change is never easy. But we walk forward in faith, trusting that the risen Christ is already ahead of us—opening doors, shaping hearts, and making all things new.

Let us continue to see each other, and the road ahead, through the lens of love.

With gratitude and peace,

Pastor Will



WORSHIP

Bill Feigley, Interim Organist

Bill originates from a small town in Southeastern Pennsylvania. He showed an interest in music at an early age and was especially fascinated with the organ in church as a child. At 16, he assumed the role of organist at that very church until he departed to college, where he majored in music education and served as Moravian College’s chapel organist.

Early in his career as an educator, he felt drawn toward helping students with problems, leading him to obtain his master and doctoral degrees in counseling. He spent 27 years as a school counselor, mostly working with at-risk and special needs students. At the same time, he always held part-time positions as organist and choir director at local churches. Over his 39-year church music career in Pennsylvania, he served at three Lutheran congregations before spending the last 20 years at the Methodist church where his musical journey began. In addition to school and church, he also taught evening classes as an adjunct professor in counseling psychology at Lehigh University.

Bill retired from it all with a dream of warm winters and sandy beaches, moving here as a snowbird in 2015. He was drawn to Venice by relatives living here. When it was time to go north for summer, leaving paradise didn’t seem to make sense, so he sold his Pennsylvania home and settled into Florida permanently. He served as music director for one year at Venice-Nokomis UMC, before its change to Bay Point Church, and then retired for good. His search for a home church in Venice led him to Emmanuel one Easter Sunday, where he says the glorious organ, the singing by the choir, the preaching, and the friendly people made this the perfect church to join in his new home. He’s been a part of our music program ever since.

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CHRISTIAN EDUCATION

Daily Bible Readings

From The Revised Common Lectionary

(Click each day to read)

The Lectionary Preview

Fifth Sunday of Easter

This 5th Sunday of Easter, the lectionary offers a vision of newness, inclusion, and love. From Peter’s radical welcome in Acts, to the promise of a new heaven and earth in Revelation, to Jesus’ command to love one another in John 13—God is doing a new thing. Rooted in Lutheran theology, we reflect on the risen Christ who makes all things new and calls us into a community marked by grace, mercy, and love.

Click the picture below to watch the video:

Emmanuel Forum: Episode 56

An American Pope! – What Does This Mean for the Lutheran Church

What does the phrase “American Pope” mean—and how should Lutherans think about it? In this episode, we explore Lutheran views on authority and leadership in the church, especially in contrast to centralized models like the papacy. But this isn’t just about critique—it’s also about conversation and cooperation. We look at key moments where Lutherans have come together with Catholics, such as the Joint Declaration on the Doctrine of Justification, and Pope Francis's historic visit to Sweden to mark that agreement with Lutheran leaders. We also highlight local ecumenical efforts, including the joint service between Bishop Pedro Suárez of the Florida-Bahamas Synod and Bishop Frank Dewane of the Diocese of Venice. 

Click the picture below to watch the video:

Final Sunday till September

CONGREGATIONAL CARE

DO YOU SMELL THAT?          

It might just be some bad potpourri, or it could be some smells in your home that could be signs of danger. Your nose is sometimes the best detective.

Fishy smell or burning rubber smell....

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OUTREACH