Highlights:
From Pastor's Desk
Summer Worship
Evangelism -- Reaching Out to Others
Immanuel Lutheran School
Youth Group News
Thrivent Update
News from the Worship Commission
Gifts of Love
Confessions of Faith -- Confirmation Class, 2003...Click HereA poem for this month...DRINKING FROM MY SAUCER, Author unknown...Click Here
To return to Highlights from within Newsletter, click on "red" subject lineImmanuel Lutheran Church
Newsletter for September
FROM PASTOR'S DESK...Click Here EVANGELISM – REACHING OUT TO OTHERS
Did you know that the task of the church is not so much to make “Christians” or “believers” but “disciples”? A disciple, according to Jesus, is a learner or pupil who accepts the teaching of Christ, not only in belief but also in lifestyle.
(Taken from Spiritual Discipleship, by J. Oswald Sanders.)
Who’s Who at Immanuel?
God has blessed us with many NEW FACES. In celebration of His gift, we have displayed a picture board in the narthex. Our hope is that this will help us all put names to faces. Check it out.
Internet Ministry
We have been blessed richly with technology. We are able to reach more homes than ever before. Check us out at www.ilchurch.org - Be sure to share this address with everyone!!!!
In addition, we offer a daily (Mon-Fri) “Thought for the Day” email ministry. The emails are short, just something to start your day on the right foot. Once you read it, pass it on to someone else who may benefit from its message. If the Spirit moves you to join us, email us at foryou365@hotmail.com.
PEACEMAKER Notes
Repentance is the first step in gaining freedom from sin. It means a change in the way you think/behave. Confession is the second step in dealing with sin. The words you use are important. The best way to ruin a confession is to use words that shift the blame to others and minimize or excuse your guilt. KEY words to AVOID: if, but, maybe, I guess, and perhaps. Here are some diluted samples that I’m sure will not sound unfamiliar to you.
Perhaps I was wrong… Maybe I could have tried harder… I guess I was wrong… but I was angry…
When confessing, choose you words carefully. Accept your responsibility.
Want to learn more on God’s instructions on conflict resolution? Stop by the Upper Room and purchase the book The Peacemaker by Ken Sande.
OPPORTUNITIES to Help
- Did you know every purchase from the UPPER ROOM helps support a missionary? Next time you need a card or gift, stop by and help us help those in the mission field.
- Have a friend in need, but you’re not just sure what to say? Let Project Connect help you out. There are all kinds of topics covered in the booklets located in the rack in the narthex. There are also numerous tracts that you can leave anywhere or give to anyone. You could be the one to make a difference in someone’s life.
Interested in becoming part of our team or just have questions about our activities and/or opportunities, contact Mary Long or Kathy Gerken.
IMMANUEL LUTHERAN SCHOOL NEWS
Join Us!
Calling all youth of Immanuel Lutheran Church (and their friends) come and join the Immanuel Youth Group. Meet new friends, be involved with exciting outings and learn more about sharing the love of Christ with the surround community! For more information, please contact any youth member of Ann Barber.
YOUTH EVENTS CALENDAR
- Available all the time—any suggestions, ideas or dreams of fun stuff to do with your fellow youth. Join us at a planning meeting or drop us a note in the youth mail box outside of the church office.
CHILDREN’S MINISTRY
Just because it’s summer, it doesn’t mean that it’s time to take vacation from church. Each Sunday through the summer, there will be a video and an activity for children. Please join the fun at 8:45 am. in the downstairs classroom. This means Mom and Dad can join the discussion in Adult Bible Class.
In the past 6 months, many of you who have been AAL or Lutheran Brotherhood members know they have combined. The new entity is titled Thrivent. With that change has also comes a new way of funding for congregations and schools. In the first three months of this year (2003), the new systems were being put into place. With April, we as a congregation and school began to work with these new systems. As activities are planned throughout the year, it will be important to know whether you are a Thrivent member. You can certainly participate if you are not. However, for some matching funds there are 2 ways that funds are matched and we are responsible for providing the information. The other matter of importance is that future funding for the congregation and school allocation is based on past year’s participation of Thrivent members and others from the congregation or community. We can all help this increase happen by recording volunteer hours for the activities we participate in, and in particular, when they are part of fundraising activities. You will be seeing more in the coming weeks and months in the church bulletins and on the bulletin boards found throughout the church and school. However, if you have a question or would be willing to serve on a service team, please contact Sharon McGee at 847/564-5476, Alice Holtan at 847/965-3744 or Cheryl Byron at 847/724-7185. Thank you for your help.
News from the Worship Commission
The church mouse was so busy in April with Lenten Services, Holy Week and Easter. There were more crumbs and goodies than he could handle with all the new “little ones” coming to church and Sunday School. In fact, he invited his fellow church mice friends to share in the feast and the celebration that Immanuel is growing in numbers which will keep our church mouse busy. Church attendance on Easter Sunday was 288!
We are working with Pastor on learning about set up and protocol for a church sanctuary and narthex, which comes from a manual from the Lutheran Church, Missouri Synod. We are all growing in our knowledge of the meaning of worship and want to pass that on to our congregation. In the months to come, we will help to explain some of the basics. For example: the meaning of the eternal light, the placement of the baptismal font, processionals, etc. If you have an inquiry about church worship protocol, please feel free to contact Pastor Barber or Linda Clinton or any member of the Worship Commission.
Did you like our chancel drama? Want to see more? We are looking for volunteers to participate in chancel dramas on an as needed basis. If you are interested contact Pastor Barber or any member of the Worship Commission.
We are still looking to expand your participation in our worship services. We always need Lay Readers, Choir Members, Bell Choir Members, musical accompanists, flag bearers, ushers, acolytes and a church banners coordinator.
Immanuel Lutheran Church music trivia: Did you know we own “7” working pianos in our church. How wonderful! We have a very special piano that has not been used in our church for many years due to the fact that the woodwork is in need of refinishing. It is our best piano! And so it sits in a closet and is used in the for functions in the gym from time to time. What a waste of a beautiful musical instrument. Please consider a donation towards the refurbishing of that “special piano.” We would love to be able to provide concert style music in our church services. You can talk to Tim Marquardt about that piano and its condition.
Please contact Linda Clinton@ 847-724-3607 or lcdcook@aol.com with questions or comments or to volunteer. Members: Tim Marquardt, Star Pfiffner, Bill Strunck, Linda Breitzman, Janet Teegen, John McGee, Dave Christiansen, Natalie Clinton
Operating Fund
- Mrs. HP Pinnell
- Bernice Stroner—in memory of Frank’s 83rd birthday
Vacation Bible School
- Mr. & Mrs. Charles Kierbs
- Mrs. Mildred Krambeer
In Memory of Bill Blase
- Bob & Elaine Barber—Property
