Immanuel Lutheran Church
Altamont, Illinois
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Immanuel Lutheran Church
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February, 2008 Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ: On January 20, I ran into a quandary – what was I going to preach. Those who attended the early service were faced with that quandary as I opened the sermon. Those in the late service were told of the quandary and were given a smorgasbord during the sermon. On that day, my mind was going in a variety of directions – Sanctity of Life Sunday, 3rd Sunday after the Epiphany and the readings related to that day, and then, of course, the Office of the Holy Ministry and the issue of having received a call to St. Paul Lutheran Church, Woodworth, IL. All of those things put together a bit of a jumble in my mind. I pray that those who were in worship that morning received the full Gospel of the Lord rather than the ramblings of this preacher. The reason I mention that is that I find myself in that same quandary. There are a variety of things I would like to convey this month. I will do a little in this short message and then put more information through out the newsletter. We will speak of Lent and the Ministry of Immanuel elsewhere in the newsletter. On January 9, I was called by the Circuit Counselor of St. Paul Lutheran Church in Woodworth, IL. He informed me that the congregation had voted to issue me a call to serve as their pastor. It is a congregation north of Champaign, up by Watseka, IL with a little over 500 baptized members and a school (Preschool-8) of 104 students. It is a small village about the size of Ferrin (the village we lived in prior to coming to Altamont). This has led to much discussion in the congregation. I hope that you have been thinking about your congregation, the ministry that it has to the people of the community and your shepherd and his family. I hope you have been seeking guidance from the Lord in prayer. I know that I have been seeking His guidance. As of this writing, I still do not have any peace in making a solid decision about accepting the call or declining the call and remaining at Immanuel. The Spirit will bring that peace when the time is right. I have been meeting with a variety of people to discuss the direction of the ministry here at Immanuel. One of the directions that I would like to see Immanuel become more a part of is in outreach into the community and also leadership in the community. I believe that we can make a solid, positive, Christian impact in Altamont. Does that mean we haven’t been doing that? I don’t believe so. But I do feel that we have actually taken an inactive role in our community. We could do more to reach out to others. A good start is several events coming up – the Parent Retreat hosted by the ALIS PTL which will be here in our Parish Hall and Dave Ramsey’s Financial Peace University that we will host starting at the end of February. Both of these are a good start for us in our commitment to the Altamont community. Is there more we could do? I’m sure that there is. We’ll see where the Lord guides in our community endeavors. There are other areas of ministry that we could talk about but suffice it to say that as I pray about this and seek the guidance of the Elders and other members of the congregation, a clearer picture will begin to develop. The Lord will open our eyes to those things He would have us be doing within the congregation, within our community and in our mission outreach worldwide. I must thank the many members of the congregation who have voiced their support for the ministry that the Lord has guided us through over the past 5 ½ years. Your kind words and thoughtful expressions have really touched my heart. My family also thanks those who have shared their thoughts and their appreciation for their ministry in the congregation and community. May each of you be blessed by the Lord as you continue to grow in peace, love and faith. God be with you. Pastor Schuessler ..................................................................................................................................................... Adult Instruction Class: The new Adult Instruction class began on Tuesday, Jan. 29th. It isn’t too late to become part of the class. It will be meeting on Tuesday, Feb. 5, 19, 26 and March 4 from 7-9 p.m. If you missed the first class, we will make it up at the end of the classes. This class covers the basic teachings of the Lutheran Church – Missouri Synod and can lead to communicant membership. If you are interested, you may join the class this next week. Please let Pastor know so he will have enough material available. ................................................................................................................ Immanuel Book Club will meet on Thursday, Feb. 28th at 8:00 p.m. in the Conference Room. We are currently reading “One More Sunrise” by Michael Landon Jr. and Tracie Peterson. You may purchase a copy on line at www.amazon.com or at Lifeline in Effingham. This is a wonderful book about second chances in life. Remember that we all have messed up our lives in one way or another and God has given us all a second chance. Anyone is welcome to join us in our discussion group. New members are always welcome. ......................................................................................... Lent begins on Ash Wednesday, Feb. 6th. We will have our Wednesday evening Lenten services at 7:00 p.m. each week. Our theme for this Lententide is “Un-sin Me” based on Psalm 51:7, “Cleanse me with hyssop, and I will be clean; wash me, and I will be white as snow.” This year we will be looking at ourselves, our sins, our failings and the way we act on a daily basis, and asking the Lord to “un-sin” each of us. You will have the opportunity to take your sins to the cross of Jesus Christ, letting Him bear them for you. Then, as you confess these sins to Him, you will find how He washes your sins away, making you clean. He does indeed “un-sin” each one of us, removing those sins from us and making us new for service and life in Him. Come and join in this season of preparation. December Perfect Attendance3 year olds 4th Grade Ellie McManaway *Bailee Merkel Eric Wolff 4 year olds *Klaiton Wolff Brayden Stuemke Emma Simmons 5th Grade – none
Kindergarten - none 6th Grade Mackensie Grimsley 1st Grade *Hannah Roberson Katelyn Grimsley *Danielle White *Grace Simmons Abigail Wolff
2nd Grade Jr. High *Emily Becker Matthew Burrow Hannah Wolff *Molly Verdeyen *Karsyn Wolff
3rd Grade – none *Perfect Attendance for Year ................................................................................................................ Mike Adkins, Focus on the Family featured speaker, will be the keynote speaker at Immanuel Parish Hall on Sat., March 8 from 5:00-9:00 p.m. Mike Adkins is the author of Christian best-selling book A Man Called Norman and Seeds For the Harvest. He currently has 6 CDs in publication including “Thank You for the Dove”. Mike has spoken all over the US and in 10 other countries. His soft, light-hearted manor lets the gospel shine through him and touch the lives of those he meets. For more information, see www.mikeadkinsministry.org. To reach the correct website be sure to spell Adkins with a ‘D’. This retreat, which is open to the Altamont and surrounding communities, is sponsored by ALIS PTL. The retreat will consist of the keynote speaker, a catered meal, and several small group discussions. Babysitting will be provided in the ALIS gym. Ticket prices are $10 per person: contact ALIS 483-6428, Immanuel Parish Hall 483-6395, or Ann Robinson 483-3428 or 618-339-1432. Tickets will be on sale until Feb. 15 to allow for planning. If you previously heard Mike Adkins tell stories about his experiences with learning to know “A Man called Norman”, you know you won’t want to miss this fun-filled evening of fellowship, laughter, shared experiences, and God’s love! ................................................................................................................ A LONG, TALL DRINK OF WATER! Bevilacqua: Christian Meditation for Young Women by Anneke (Wolff) Hudson is now available on www.amazon.com. It is an interactive devotional book filled with scripture, stories, practical wisdom from seasoned Christian women and journalling opportunities. ‘Bevilacqua’ is Italian for ‘drink water’. May those who read this book be daily filled with Christ’s living water! Financial Peace University: New class starting in Feb. addressing Bibical principles of handling our personal finances. Free preview to be held Feb. 3 during the Bible Class hour (10 a.m.), with the class to begin on Feb. 24. Class will be held every Sunday for 13 weeks, from 2-4 p.m. in the parish hall. Cost of the class is $100 per couple, which covers course materials and tuition. Teenage children can also attend with parents for no additional cost. Childcare will be available if enough need. Contact Kyle Stuemke for more information 217-690-2489. Registration deadline is Feb. 10. ................................................................................................................ Equipping to Share Workshop by Lutheran Hour Ministries and Altamont LLL Zone Banquet will be held at St. Paul-Blue Point on Feb. 9 with the workshop starting at 1:00 p.m. Cost for the workshop only is $5.00, and cost for the workshop and banquet is $8.00. The banquet will start at 5:45 p.m. Call 483-6275 by Feb. 4 to make your reservations. ................................................................................................................ Contribution Statements for 2007 were mailed last week. Check your statement. If you have any questions, call Helen at the church office at 483-6395. ................................................................................................................ Lenten Devotion Books: Lutheran Hour Ministries has produced this year’s Lenten devotion book entitled “Uncustomary Love.” They are available in regular and large print at each of the entrances. We also have them available in Spanish “Un Amor Inusual.” Lent begins Feb 6th. ................................................................................................................ PTL Dinner Auction – The 14th annual dinner auction will be held on Feb. 17. A catered dinner will be served from 4-6 p.m. The silent and live auction will follow at approximately 6:30 p.m. All tickets must be purchased in advance. Last day to purchase tickets is Feb. 11. Please plan to attend for the whole evening or just a part of the evening. Any one who would like to donate an auction item. If you have any questions, call Nanci Wolff 483-5793. ................................................................................................................ Diabetes Self-Management Education Classes will be offered at St. Anthony Memorial Hospital on Feb. 5, 12, 19, and 26 from 6 – 8 p.m. in the hospital Auditorium. The Diabetes Self-Management Education Program is a four-week course, helping those with diabetes live a fulfilled life by teaching appropriate skills to prevent acute and chronic complications, manage their diabetes, communicate with their families, solve problems, and offer support. Call Carole Corder, MS, RD, Program Coordinator at 217-347-1346 for registration information. ................................................................................................................ Fellowship Club will meet 7:00 p.m. on Tuesday, Feb. 12 in the Fellowship Hall. Delaine Donaldson will give a presentation on “History of Effingham Co”. Everyone is welcome. ................................................................................................................ Thank you for your prayers and concerns for Olivia. She had successful surgery for removal of a cyst in her arm. Olivia Jacobs and Family Immanuel Officers for 2008 – The second page of the Voters’ Minutes in this newsletter has the Worship Schedule for 2008 and on the back a list of 2008 Church Officers. ................................................................................................................ Memo to: CID LCMS Pastors and Churches From: Joel Cluver, CID Office, Springfield: Recent flooding in Watseka, Illinois has affected 1,000 of the cities 2,400 homes! Pastor Donald Love reports that Calvary Lutheran was housing victims evacuated from their homes—until Calvary’s church basement started flooding. Members manned pumps day and night to head off the water in the church basement. Pastor Love reports many members of Calvary Lutheran Church have severe damage to the homes—several of them with damage in the tens of thousands of dollars. Some have lost their entire belongings. Pastor Carl Janssen, a retired LCMS pastor, has lost everything in his home which is under water. The entire community has been devastated by the flood. 1. Remember Pastor Donald Love, the members of Calvary Lutheran Church, Watseka, and the community in your prayers. 2. Financial donations may be sent to Calvary Lutheran Church, 120 E Hickory St, Watseka, IL 60970 3. Volunteer help will soon be needed. You can volunteer by going to the Lutheran Church Charities Website at lcc.lutheranchurchcharities.org and filling out the volunteer form. ................................................................................................................ The Sunday School offering for next Sunday, February 3rd will go to Lutheran Church Charities (LCC) and designated to assist recent flooding victims in Watseka, IL. Mt. Calvary Lutheran Church (LCMS) was one of the congregations that was severely hit. Approximately 120 families have been flooded out, many of which are within 1-4 blocks of Calvary. The elderly, town families, and farmers have been affected and in many cases lost all or most of their possessions. LCC is currently working with volunteers in the clean-up process. LCC is welcoming any volunteers to come and assist. For more information and a gallery of pictures on the assistance efforts, check out the LCC website at www.lutheranchurchcharities.org. ................................................................................................................ St. Paul (Blue Point) Pancake and Sausage Supper Sun., Feb. 3 with serving to begin at 4:00 p.m. Sponsored by the Men’s Club. ................................................................................................................ St. John’s Lutheran, Louisville Men’s Club annual Soup Supper on Sun., Feb. 10 for 4:30 – 7:00 p.m. Ham & beans, chicken noodle, and vegetable soup, ham sandwiches, hot dogs, and corn bread will be served. ................................................................................................................ St. Peter Sausage Supper in St. Peter school gym on Sun., Feb. 10 with serving to begin at 5:00 p.m. All you can eat supper is sponsored by the Men of St. Peter’s Lutheran Church. Matching funds through Thrivent Financial. Missions Fundraiser for Kevin and Sarah (Cameron) Witt, formerly of Altamont and now serving in Botswana, Africa, with Love Botswana Outreach Mission. You are invited to attend the event on Sunday, Feb. 10. from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. at Immanuel Lutheran Parish Hall. Featured are a Sunday Brunch Buffet, bake sale, a drawing and silent auction of African artifacts, and entertainment by the Altamont Community Choir. The Witt family will be present to meet you and share about their mission work in Africa. (Items for the bake sale would be appreciated. Please bring those to the Parish Hall during the day on Sat 2/9 or on Sun. 2/10 by 9:00 a.m.) Supplemental funds by Thrivent Financial and sponsored by Thrivent volunteers and the Altamont community. ................................................................................................................ 2008 Bible Reading Schedules that begin on February 1st are available on the Parish Hall Lobby counter. One plan follows a chronological "real time" order as biblical events took place. The second plan follows a "beginning to end" format. Please sign the appropriate sheet so we know who and how many are participating. ................................................................................................................ Be sure to pick up the Winter 2008 edition of “Notes For Life” from LCMS World Relief and Human Care and the January 2008 edition of “Home Base” a family ministry publication from LCMS District and Congregational Services – Family Ministry. These are on the information shelf in the Parish Hall. ................................................................................................................ Broadway for Life 2008 – “For Love of Life”, Effingham’s 5th Broadway for Life concert, benefiting the Family Life Pregnancy Center, will be presented at The Rosebud Theatre on Feb. 16 at 7:00 p.m. Parking and tickets are free! Opportunity will be given to donate to the Family Life Pregnancy Center. Performers from Illinois, Indiana and Missouri with several local performers will be singing highlights from Broadway shows at: The Music Man, Showboat, My Fair Lady, Fiddler on the Roof, Carousel. For tickets or more information, call Family Life Pregnancy Center at 217-342-5433................................................................................................................. Thank You to Alvin and Deb Schultz for your generosity in donating the delicious food and serving the Parish Hall Benefit on Jan. 20 at the Immanuel Parish Hall. The benefit was a success with over 500 people served. ................................................................................................................ I would like to thank everyone for the food, flowers, cards, memorials, and prayers. Also, thanks to Pastor Schuessler and Pastor Renken for their many visits to Marlin in the hospital and at our home. Thanks to our children, neighbors, family and friends for all their help with everything. God bless you all. Alice Milleville................................................................................................................ To all of our family members and friends back in Illinois, thank you for all of your prayers, cards, phone calls, and acts of concern during my recent hospital stay, and since my return home. Praise to the Lord, I got a good report last visit to the Dr. God Bless, Rich Meier, Sara and Hilary
“The Promise” 17th Annual Production at Zion Lutheran Church in Litchfield, IL. Performances for this Musical Drama based on the Life of Christ will be Feb. 29, March 1, 7, and 8 at 7:00 p.m. and March 2 and 9 at 2:00 p.m. Friday, Feb. 29 is designated as Youth Group Pizza Night. Admission is free, however, tickets are required. To obtain tickets, visit our website at www.thepromiselitchfield.com or call 217-324-6133. Seating is open on a first come first serve basis, and doors open 45 minutes before the performance. ................................................................................................................ ALIS NEWS: Congratulations to the 8th ALIS Boys Basketball team for winning 1st place at the SIJHSAA Regional Class S 2008 Tournament. ..................................................................................................................................................... 4th and 5th grade students will be singing at Zion Lutheran Church at 9:30 a.m. Sunday, February 10. Sunday School is at 8:30 a.m. ..................................................................................................................................................... Thank you very much to Herb, Elaine and Jake Berg for installing and donating the ceiling and outlets in the Principal's Office. Great job! ................................................................................................................ Thank you to Alan Whitt for installing the holes necessary for the new volleyball stands. Your hard work is appreciated!
….. additional Music, Education, and Youth News for February Music Schedules in February Adult Choir sings Sun., Feb. 3, 8:30 a.m. and Wed., Feb. 27. Bell Choir plays Ash Wed., Feb. 6, and Sun., Feb.17. A.L.I.S. Students Grades 4 & 5 sing at Zion on Sun., Feb.10, 9:30 a.m. Men’s Choir sings Wed., Feb.13. Sunday School Students Grades 1-8 sing Wed., Feb.20. Check with the church office or respective directors for rehearsal times. --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Bus Trip to the 17th annual musical production of The Promise. Immanuel is chartering a 55 passenger bus to Litchfield, IL to attend the 17th annual production of The Promise, a musical drama based on the life of Christ with over 100 cast members of all ages. We will be attending the 7 p.m. performance on Friday, February 29th. Since tickets are FREE, the only cost is the bus rental, which amounts to $11/participant. Advance reservations are required since seating is limited. There will be a free-will offering taken at the performance. Teens are invited to attend and enjoy the FREE “Youth Group Pizza Night”. A sign up sheet is on the PH Lobby counter, call our church office, or respond online. A great family event! Non-Immanuel friends are also welcome! -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- EDUCATION New 2008 Bible Reading Schedules that begin on February 1st are available on the PH Lobby counter. One plan follows a chronological “real time” order as biblical events took place. The second plan follows a “beginning to end” format. Please sign the appropriate sheet so we know who and how many are participating. 22 readers have signed up so far. New Adult evening Weekday Bible Class on Tuesdays, Feb. 5, (not 12), 19 & 26. Minimum of 6 weeks. Vern Spilker will be facilitating the class. The class will begin with a study of one of the NT Epistles. Indicate your preference when you sign up in the Parish Hall Lobby or call the church office. A great way to get back into Bible study! Adults, young adults and high school age are welcome. Did you know that a large majority of Immanuel members do not take part in a weekly group Bible study? Don’t remain in the majority! --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- YOUTH A great success: 73 Jr. & Sr. LYF, friends and chaperones went Ice Skating at the U of I Ice Arena last Sunday afternoon. Thanks to all the drivers and other adults who helped with this event. Jr. LYF Bowling & Pizza, Friday, Feb 15, at Silver Dollar Lanes. Meet at church at 3:30 p.m. $5 for bowling and Pizza. Sign up with Vern or online. Sr. High School Sunday morning Bible class will be watching the video “Only One Race” and discussing racism from a Biblical perspective. Is it possible that there is only one race of people? Next topic is: “Fearfully & Wonderfully Made”, an illustrated explanation of the miracle of fertilization, implantation, embryonic development, and birth. Every Immanuel teen should be in attendance. Young adults and parents are welcomed to attend also. Class meets in the Youth Room from 10-10:45 a.m. every Sunday. Jr. & Sr. LYF members & families, please contact Vern with the dates you can help with any of the six Lenten Suppers. Jr. High families:–proceeds from these suppers can go to savings for you to go to the next National Lutheran Youth Gathering. Previous supper serving experience is not necessary! Stellar Kart Concert at the Rosebud, Sun. Feb. 17, 7:00 pm. Tickets are $5 each available for Sr. LYF members & friends first, then families, then Jr. High and others. First to pay-first to receive. See Vern for tickets. Sr. LYF Lock-IN will immediately follow beginning at approx. 9 p.m. St. Johns, Eff. is invited and Immanuel Sr. LYF members may invite up to two friends. Sign up online or see Vern. Upcoming events for which Jr. & Sr. LYF workers are needed. Pick an event (or events) and let Vern know that you can help. Sun. Feb. 10 -- Kevin & Sarah Witt Benefit -- Jr. & Sr. LYF workers from 10:45 a.m.-2 p.m. Sun. Feb. 17 – ALIS PTL Auction childcare,-- Sr. LYF childcare beginning at 6:30 p.m. Sun. Mar. 2 – Pork Dinner -- Jr. and Sr. LYF workers 10:45 a.m.- 2 p.m. Sat. Mar. 8 -- ALIS PTL Parent Retreat childcare -- Sr. LYF workers 4:30-9 p.m.
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Last updated on
02/14/2008.
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