Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ:                                     April 2008

Easter is past. Wait a minute! No it isn’t. The actual day of Easter is past but the Easter season continues on for the next 6 weeks. In the Church Year there are seven Sundays of Easter. As the early church was putting together the Church Year, they realized that the event of the resurrection of our Lord is much too big to fit into just one Sunday. The resurrection was such a central and defining event in the life of the Christian that it took seven whole weeks of celebrating and remembering the resurrection of the Lord. More than that, even while the Easter season is over come Pentecost (which is 50 days after Easter), the fact is, they still felt that the resurrection of the Lord such a life-changing and history-changing event that it needs to be celebrated every week. Thus, the early Christian began to worship the Lord on Sunday. Each and every Sunday was to be a miniature Easter celebration. That is why the Christian church had taken to worshiping on Sunday instead of Saturday.

Is the resurrection of the Lord that big of event for you? Does it have that huge of an impact upon your life? The answer is shown in your life. How does your faith guide you in your every day walk? How does it guide you each and every weekend when it comes time for worship? Take a look at yourself and your life and give an answer to these questions.

The resurrection is what gives my life meaning. Without the resurrection of my Lord from the dead, I would still be lost in my sins. I would still be struggling to fulfill the Law, and failing miserably. I would still have many doubts about whether or not I was going to be saved.

But the resurrection assures me of one thing – I am a saved child of God. In His rising from the dead, Jesus assures me that my sins are forgiven. In His resurrection, He assures me that He is with me each and every day. In His new life, He assures me that I have new life in Him as I daily recall my Baptism, for even as He rose from the dead, so my spiritual life rises from the spiritual death to a new and renewed life each day! His resurrection means everything to me, and even more.

The resurrected Lord guides me when I am struggling. He is strengthening me when I am tempted. He is upholding me when I am falling and failing. He is loving me when the devil, the world and my own sinful nature tells me that I am unlovable. That is what the resurrection means for me. A resurrected and living Lord is my all and all. I need nothing more for He gives me everything and He is my everything.

I pray that is what you can say as well. There is meaning behind this great event in the life of the Christian. From the resurrection of the Lord comes all our hopes, dreams, future and life. May you find that comfort in your living Lord. May you be guided in your daily life.

Once again, I remind you that if you are in need of pastoral care, guidance or assistance, please call me. I am never too busy to help you out. That is why the Lord has brought me here and that is why He kept me here – to minister to you and to your needs. Live life in Christ. He is risen! He is risen indeed! Alleluia! Go in peace.

Pastor Schuessler

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There are only four kinds of people in the world:

            Those who have been caregivers.

            Those who are currently caregivers.

            Those who will be caregivers.

            Those who will need care.         ~Rosalynn Carter

There is a lot of truth in this statement. You can find yourself in that list somewhere. If you are the one being the caregiver, be sure that you take care of yourself physically, emotionally and spiritually. You need to eat right, exercise and take time for yourself. Worship, daily Bible reading and regular prayer are important for your personal care. If you are the one needing care, remember that you need to care for your own emotional and spiritual care, even while someone else takes care of your physical care. It is important to all of us to continue to reach out to our Lord for care and guidance. A couple of books for caregivers are available for purchase. “Caring for Ourselves While Caring for Our Elders” by Maren C. Tirabassi and Leanne McCall Tigert (Pilgrim Press, Cleveland, OH, 2007) and “Compassionate Caregiving” by Lois D. Knutson (Bethany Press, Minneapolis MN, 2006) are a couple of good books for you to purchase and read.

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The Immanuel Book Club is currently reading “Danger in the Shadows” by Dee Henderson. This is part of “The O’Malley Series.” It is a good story about trust in God, relationships with those around, and evil in the world. Pick up a copy from the Altamont Library or your local bookstore. Join us for our discussion group Thur., April 10 at 8 p.m. New readers welcome.

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Confirmation will take place on Sunday, April 27. There will be only one service on that Sunday, at 9:00 a.m. The questioning will take place in the Saturday evening service, April 26^th at 6:00 p.m. This is a wonderful opportunity for you to review what it is that you believe as a member of the Lutheran Church. It is easy to forget what you learned when you went through confirmation class.

This year we will be confirming 16 young men and women: Aaron Armstrong, Matthew Burrow, Cody Drone, Johanna Haywood, Mark Hendricks, Jason Hooks, Zachary Hutson, Allison McGuire, Mason Muchow, David Seidel, Sadie Spilker, Catelyn Vail, Molly Verdeyen, Kali Weishaar, Ally Wendling, and Stephanie Wendling.

We pray the Lord’s blessings upon these young confirmands. May they continue to grow in faith as they trust in their Lord Jesus Christ.

Confirmation Students: Please pay attention to the special confirmation classes that will be held on the following Saturdays:

            April 5 – 8-9:30 a.m.

            April 12, 19, 26 – 9-11 a.m.

Please make every effort to be at these classes. If you cannot make it, be sure to let Pastor Schuessler know beforehand.

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Pastor Schuessler will be at the Central Illinois District Pastor’s Conference in Springfield  from April 13-15, starting Sunday evening. If you are in need of pastoral assistance, please contact the church office.

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Feb. Perfect Sunday School Attendance

  3 year olds - None                              5th Grade - None

  4 year olds                                          6th Grade

  Tyler Stuckemeyer                               Jeri Beesley               

*Emma Simmons                                *Hannah Roberson

                                                              Christian Stuckemeyer

  Kindergarten - None                                    *Danielle White                                                             

  1st Grade                                            Jr. High

  Dawn Pagel                                          Lucas Ahten

*Grace Simmons                                   Emily Hammer                        

  Violet Wendling                                    Kaytlin Stuckemeyer

                                                              Jennifer Whitt

  2nd Grade                                           Matthew Burrow

*Emily Becker                                       Davey Seidel

  Brooke Stuckemeyer                           Sadie Spilker

*Karsyn Wolff                                       *Molly Verdeyen

  Austin Wendling                                   Ally Wendling  

  3rd Grade – None

  4th Grade

*Bailee Merkel

  Margeaux Stuckemeyer

  Saige Walters

*Klaiton Wolff                           * Perfect Attendance for the Year       

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Rick Sloan Benefit Brunch at Bethlehem on Sunday, April 6 from 10:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m.  Menu is egg casserole, pancakes, sausage links, applesauce, orange juice, coffee. Proceeds to cover medical expenses while Rick waits for a heart transplant.  Matching funds by Thrivent Financial.  Adults $6; Children $4; 3 and under - free.  Bake sale items are needed.

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Symposium for Caregivers Thursday, April 10 4:30-9:00 p.m. at Effingham K of C Building.  Registration is required by calling 217-347-1529. Light dinner and exhibits 4:30 p.m.; speaker sessions 5:30 p.m.  Join us for an evening of information, relaxation, and door prizes.

Glazed Donuts – 1 Dozen for $5 to be sold between services the third Sunday of the month through November.  First donut sale will be April 20.  Proceeds for March 2009 Civil War trip for next year’s 7^th & 8^th graders which will be taken instead of the Space Camp trip.

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Fellowship Club will meet on Tuesday, April 8 at 7 p.m.  Dona Strullmyer will present slides on Spitzbergen.  Norma Wolf and Norma Campe have refreshments.

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Old TLH hymnal, Wire Bound organist edition, is missing.  If you have it, please return it to the church office.

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LWML – All women of Immanuel are invited to attend the 7 p.m., April 15 meeting of the Lutheran Women’s Missionary League.  Come and enjoy an evening of Christian fellowship, a Mite Box devotion, a topic by Pastor Schuessler, and opportunity to learn a new, fun and easy card game.  We hope to see you April 15.

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The parsonage kitchen remodeling has been completed. Mike and Travis Wendling did a good job. Thank you to the Ladies Aid for the donation of $1,500 for remodeling. If anyone would like to donate directly to the cost of the remodeling, you may do so. Either contact the office directly or place it in an envelope marked “parsonage kitchen.” Pastor and Penny thank you for the beautiful new look to the kitchen and dining room.

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ALIS Kindergarten Orientation will be Tuesday, May 6th at 6:30 p.m.

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ALIS Eighth Grade graduation will be on Wed., May 28, 2008 at 7:30 p.m.

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ALIS will be going through National Lutheran School Accreditation on April 7, 8, and 9th. A visiting team will be at the school for these three days evaluating all areas of the school. Wednesday, April 9th everyone is invited to the ALIS cafeteria to hear the report. Thank you to everyone who has worked on the accreditation!

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ALIS Endowment Fund was created to receive gifts and bequests and to use them for the mission and ministry of ALIS. Income from the fund will be used for areas other than the normal operating budget of the school. Contributions can be designated by the donor to be used for special projects, scholarships, building, and grounds, library, family counseling, sports, music, technology and student tuition assistance. 

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ALIS Maintenance night on Wednesday, April 2 at 6:30 p.m. Your help is needed to make the building look fabulous for the National Lutheran School Accreditation Visiting Team on April 7-9. If the weather permits the playground equipment needs painted.

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C.E.F.S. Meal Delivery Schedule for Immanuel is April 28-May 9.

Braille workers are needed for Tuesday, April 8.  Call Eloise McGuire 483-6439 if you are able to help.

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Music Schedules in April

Sunday School PS-K sings 11:00 a.m. Sun. Apr. 6.

Men’s Choir sings Sun. Apr. 13.

Adult Choir sings Confirmation Sunday.

Bell Choir plays April 13.

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YOUTH Jr. and Sr. LYF

Sr. High School Sunday morning Bible class resumes their study on "addictions" this Sunday.

Sr. LYF Bowling is Friday, March 29, at Silver Dollar Lanes. Meet at church at 7:00 p.m. if needing a ride. $6 for bowling and shoes.

Sr. LYF Planning Meeting with Bible study, recreation and snacks is Sunday, March 30 at 6:30 p.m. Activities will be planned for April, May and summer.

Congratulations to Immanuel’s Sr. high and one Jr. high Bible Bowl teams for taking first place in the Altamont Circuit Bible Bowl on Sun., Mar. 9. St. Paul-Blue Point’s Sr. high team and one of St. Peter’s Jr. high teams each received second place.

All of these teams will go on to compete in the Central Illinois District Bowl on Sunday, April 6 at 3:00 p.m. at Lutheran High School in Springfield.

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Immanuel Children’s VBS is June 2-6

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Sr. LYF continues to collect used, empty, small inkjet printer cartridges, large laserjet/toner cartridges, and used cell phones. Collection boxes are in the Narthex, the Parish Hall lobby and at A.L.I.S. LYF does receive reimbursement for each item recycled.

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Thank you to everyone who donated flowers to beautify our sanctuary this Easter.  Special thanks to Dave & Ruth Smith from Blossom Paradise for arranging the flowers and bringing extra green plants to fill in.

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Thank you to everyone who supported the Kevin and Sarah Witt fundraiser held on Feb. 10 by your attendance, volunteering, baking, and your generous donations.  The Love Botswana Outreach Mission fundraiser resulted in net funds raised of $5,786.00 plus $1,000.00 supplemental funds from Thrivent Financial for Lutherans. Thank you! 

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Thank you to Immanuel and Thrivent for the outpouring of love and support that you gave to us at the Love Botswana Benefit.  We are humbled and without your help we would not be able to stay there and continue our work in Botswana.  We arrived safely and refreshed from our stay in America.  We look forward to spreading God’s word, one heart beat at a time.  Thank you and God bless.                                                 Kevin, Sarah, and Andrew Witt