July 2008

Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ:

The summer is half over. June will soon be past (as this newsletter is reaching you before the end of the month) and July will begin. For those who have children in school, that means that you have only one full month without school. Here in Altamont, school begins August 18^th. Summer goes very quickly.

What have you done with your summer? Have you worked in the yard, tended the garden, sat on the swing and watched the world go by? Have you picked up a good book and read it? Have you read a so-so book? Have you spent time talking with your neighbor? Have you spent time talking with the Lord? Have you delved into the wonders of God’s holy Word?

I want to encourage you to do all the above and much more. Enjoy the great outdoors – the weather has been wonderful these past days. Watch the beauty of a sunrise or a sunset. Wonder at the magnificence of creation – the way vines intertwine themselves up the fence, the singing of the birds in the trees, the fascination on the face of a child that watches a turtle crawl through the grass. All of this comes to us from the hand of our loving Father. He bestows upon us the beauty of our world. I can just see God smiling when the purples, reds and oranges of a sunset blow us away. Take time to marvel at all He does for us.

Take time to also talk with Him. Take your cares and concerns about the crops in the fields, the health of your neighbor and the welfare of your family to your loving Lord. He wants to hear from you. Read in His Word. He gave it to you to read, mark, learn and inwardly digest. It is an amazing book – full of life and hope. Take time to worship with your fellow Christians and members of the church. It is just as important for you to worship during the summer as it is during the rest of the year. Enjoy the chance to sit with your fellow members and raise your voice in songs of praise. Receive the body and blood of Christ. It is truly a blessing.

I pray that you will have a great July. If you are traveling, go with God. May He keep you safe during your travels. If family is coming to visit you, enjoy their presence for the time of their visiting passes too quickly. If you are in need of pastoral assistance, please contact me. I stand ready to help you and guide you in your walk of faith. God be with you.

Pastor Schuessler

Braille workers call Eloise McGuire 483-6439 or sign the bulletin board in the narthex for Tuesday, July 22.

..................................................................................................................

Fayette Co. Health Dept. is looking for volunteers for their hospice program. It takes a whole team to provide comfort to the terminally ill at the end of their lives. Volunteers in the hospice program assist in achieving the hospice goal of hope, relief, and comfort.

A volunteer training course will be held on Sat., June 28 from 9 a.m. – 3 p.m. at the Home Health office located at 120 N 5th, Vandalia. If you are interested, call Linda, Hospice Volunteer Coordinator, or Taunya, Hospice Director, at 283-7262. Join our team and experience the satisfaction of being a hospice volunteer.

..................................................................................................................

ALIS has an Endowment Fund to receive gifts and bequests to be used for the mission and ministry of ALIS. Contributions can be designated by the donor or undesignated. The categories are: education (special projects), scholarships, building & ground improvements, library, family counseling, sports programs, building funds, music, technology and student tuition. Please prayerfully consider giving!

..................................................................................................................

Log on to www.altamontlis.com and enjoy the pictures of the 8th grade graduation and end of the year activities at ALIS. A special thank you to Sheryl Painter, our webmaster and Mary Campbell our photographer!

..................................................................................................................

The Harvard Glee Club is on tour from New York to California in honor of their 150 year celebration. They will perform 7 p.m. on Wed. July 9 at St. Anthony Church, Effingham. Quentin Blomberg, 2004 graduate of So. Central HS, Farina and 2008 Harvard graduate, is current president of the choir and performing with them. Tickets are $15 Adult and $8 student. For tickets, call 800-838-3006, or log on to www.BrownPaperTickets.com.

..................................................................................................................

Faith Lutheran Church, Shumway, annual Ice Cream Social, Sunday, July 13 from 4-8 p.m. Menu consists of Homemade ice cream, hotdogs, BBQ, pies, cake and drinks. Free will offering with Thrivent matching funds. All proceeds for kidney dialysis treatments for Darren Klepzig.

..................................................................................................................

We thank everyone for their prayers, cards, and concerns. Jerry and Sandy Merriam

..................................................................................................................

We would like to thank everyone for the cards, prayers, memorials, flowers, all the food and the ladies who helped serve mom’s funeral. Thank you to Pastor Schuessler, the organist, Rev. Holtz, and the neighbors for everything you did to help us. May God continue to pour out His blessings on all of you. The Elnore Scheidel Family

..................................................................................................................

Thank you for all your prayers and well wishes. My surgery was successful. Ethan Jacobs

Bible Study: Pastor’s Sunday morning Adult class continues to meet during the summer. If your Christ Care group or Bible study group doesn’t meet during the summer, why not join Pastor in the Lower Level of the Parish Hall. You never know what topic will come up. We answer any and all questions you might have about any religion, Lutheran or non-Lutheran. We deal with current issues as well as concerns about how to face certain situations. And when all else fails, we are studying the book of Judges. It is an exciting time with no question off limits. Come and grow in your faith.

Finances: It appears with one Sunday to go in the month of June that we will not need to borrow for the General Fund – if we have a decent count for June 28/29. That is truly a blessing! We praise God for sending the Spirit into our hearts to encourage all of us in our giving. Let’s do our best to avoid having to borrow at all this summer. Wouldn’t that be a blessed switch? Borrowing during the year and avoid borrowing in the summer. Thank you to all who worked hard to make this possible. Keep up the good work.

..................................................................................................................

Book Club: The Immanuel Book Club will meet on Thursday, July 31^st at 8:00 p.m. We are currently reading “The O’Malley Series” book 2, “The Guardian” by Dee Henderson. If you enjoy a good mystery with a powerful Gospel message, these are the books for you. Come and join us as we read our way through the summer. We have numerous other books that we are reading individually. If you are interested, you can contact Pastor.

..................................................................................................................

Vacation: Pastor, Penny and family will be on vacation July 7-13. If you are in need of pastoral assistance, please contact the church office. Rev. Wohletz of Immanuel, Augsburg will lead the Saturday evening service and Rev. Renken will lead the Sunday morning services.

.........................................................................................................................................................

We welcome the following into the congregation:

Through Baptism: Tina Reel (May 31, adult), Emma Bowman (June 14), Madison Patterson (June 15) and Tristin Duncan (June 22, 5 years old).

Through Adult Confirmation: Tina Reel (June 1) Tony Arend, Brent Boehm, Amy Frederking, Kathy McGuire, and Nathan Schnarre (June 8)

Through Profession of Faith: Amanda Sloan (June 22)

Through Transfer: Darla Arend (June 8)

We welcome all these into our church fellowship and ask God to bless them and us through our relationship in Christ.

........................................................................................................................................................

Church Council will be meeting on Tuesday, July 15^th at 7:30 p.m. in the Lower Level in preparation for the Voter’s Meeting. The Voter’s Meeting is Sunday, July 20^th at 1:30 p.m. in the Upper Level of the Parish Hall. We will present information about the After School program for congregation approval (including the hiring of a director), the initial ballot, and other important items. All confirmed members 21 years of age are voting members. If you are between 18-21 you may become a voting member by making a request at the Voter’s Mtg.

Nomination Letter: The Nomination Committee met in June and prepared the initial ballot for the upcoming election. Letters were sent out to all those that have been nominated. If you have received a letter, please give prayerful consideration to accepting that nomination. The ballot will be presented in the July 20^th Voter’s Meeting. The election will take place in the October Voter’s Meeting. We pray the Spirit’s guidance on all that have been nominated.

.........................................................................................................................................................

The Board of Elders, Pastor and Vern are continuing to study the ministry needs of the congregation in connection with the called staff of the congregation. If you have any input, please talk with any or all those listed.

..................................................................................................................

Congratulations to Carol Kassel on being elected Financial Secretary at the Lutheran Women’s Missionary League Convention held in Peoria on June 7. Other officers elected: President: Shelley Moeller, Rock Island; Vice President: Pam Spilker, Edinburg; Counselor: Rev. Frank Zimmerman, Danvers/Minier.

Our District Mite Box Goal: $76,000. $57,000 (75%) for our District Mission Projects and $19,000 (25%) for national Mite Box Goal.

2008/09 Mission Projects selected: Student Aid for Church workers - $20,000; Orphan Grain Train - $10,000; Assistance for Latvian Sem. Students - $5,000; Supplies and equipment for teaching God’s special people - $4,000; E.A.S.T.E.R., Effingham, IL = $2,500; Thermoform machine for Lutheran Blind Mission - $2,650; Training Lay ministers to reach out in the most populated province in China - $5,000; Grace Lutheran Mission, Radio program - $1,300; Summer lunch program, Danville, IL - $4,000; School scholarships for the Themba-Siyathemba Girls High School, Dirkiesdorp, South Africa - $2,550.

..................................................................................................................

All Women of Immanuel are invited to attend the July 15, 7 p.m. meeting of the LWML. Mite Box devotion by Shirley Rex. Charla and Garry Wolff will be speaking on their recent trip to Germany. Hostesses are Ruth Ann Hoffmeister, Nancy L. Ohnesorge, and Florence Seales. Come join us for Education, Inspiration and Christian fellowship.

..................................................................................................................

Free Outdoor Concert with Lloyd Garrelts – Thurs., Aug. 7, 6 pm – Lloyd Garrelts, lead guitar player with the band Echelon, is having an outdoor concert at Camp CILCA. Benches & chairs are available, or bring your lawn chair to enjoy a shaded area. Free ice cream, soda, bottled water along with the concert is provided by Christian-Sangamon County Chapter Thrivent Financial for Lutherans.

..................................................................................................................

High School Week at Camp CILCA - It’s not too late to sign up! Go to www.CILCA.org for more info and to register. Swimming, boating. hiking, creek walking and the ever-popular nighttime Underground Church activity and faith-building topics for teens. Lloyd Garrelts of Echelon is coming for a special concert that week.

Summer Sunday School

Children’s Sunday School, High School Bible Study and Pastor’s class meet each week at 10 a.m. in the Parish Hall lower level.

Men’s Weekday Bible Class continues to meet each Wednesday morning from 6:15 - 7:00 a.m. at Bill Wendling’s house. The current topic is I Corinthians (specifically chapter 3). Drop in for some exciting study!

“Thanks” to all the volunteers who helped with Children’s VBS. 28 adults volunteered along with the youth mentioned below.

“Thanks” also to all the workers at the Rummage Sale. 31 adults gave of their time, many for several days. $1330.29 was taken in at the sale. The proceeds were divided between the Parish Hall, Lutheran Care Center and LYF. Not only is this event a fund raiser for good causes, but also a number of “buyers” who don’t have a lot of money greatly appreciated the opportunity to purchase needed items and very good clothing at “most affordable prices”. Donations of items were also made to the Family Life Pregnancy Center and to the Veterans Administration Center in St. Louis—not to mention the socializing that went on, and the more spacious closets of Immanuel members. “Thanks” to Ruth Ann Spilker who coordinated this year’s sale.

Adult Vacation Bible Study went well with approximately 20-25 people attending.

FALL After-School Program

At the April Voters’ Meeting, the Immanuel Bd. of Ed., presented a recommendation to begin an After-School at Immanuel in August. The voters’ approved unanimously to continue to pursue this endeavor, with a final vote to be taken at the July voters’ meeting to implement the program. The Board is continuing with necessary planning and pre-publicity details.

Immanuel does not deliver C.E.F.S. Meals in July. Next dates - August 4-15.

Jr. and Sr. LYF News

June was a busy month in youth ministry. Jr. and Sr. LYF members helped out with three major work events. Children’s VBS had 29 youth workers. The Rummage Sale had 17 youth workers who took down chairs, rearranged tables, helped unload sale items, sorted, worked on sale days, and reset tables and chairs.

Jr./Sr. LYF will be loading the Goodwill truck with leftover items on Tuesday, July 1 at 2:15 p.m. If you are a Jr. or Sr. LYF family, give Vern a call to offer or to see if more help is still needed. (618-267-3414)

Jr./Sr. LYF LCC Thrivent “Join Hands Days” at the Lutheran Care Center went well with 22 Immanuel youth participating both days. LCC received $1000 from Thrivent for the time and effort of our youth, along with lots of weeding, trimming, planting, mulching, chair and car washing,. “Thanks” to all of you.

The LYF “social event” for June is the Holiday World Trip Mon., June 30. The bus is full. Remember to be at the PH carport by 7:15 a.m. and to bring a change of clothes for a dry trip home on the air-cond bus, money for meals (or sack meals) and money for locker rental (optional) ($10-$7 to be returned with key). Holiday World has a dress code and restricted cell phone use.

The next scheduled major LYF event will be the Food Stand at the Threshermans’ Reunion on July 25-27 with pre-event work on July 22-24. Details will be distributed to all LYF member families.

..................................................................................................................

Church Directory – The pictures for the directory will be taken in the Parish Hall Lower Level on Wed.–Sat.: July 16-19 and August 20-23. (Wed.–Fri. 2:30-8:50 p.m.; Sat. 10 a.m.-3:50 p.m.) Go to www.immanuelaltamont.org and click on the Lifetouch link to sign up for your picture setting.

If you wish to submit a picture for the directory, there is a $10 fee. You also need to have a “Publication Authorization” form filled out by the studio/professional that took the picture (example: Sears, JC Penney, Olan Mills, Dona Photography). Be sure to check with them to see if they have a fee for publishing their picture. You don’t need the form for pictures taken by us.

Portrait Greeter - Call Lynn Wolff 483-0001, if you are able to host a 2-hour session - this would be greeting people and helping them fill out paper work.

..................................................................................................................

LCFS Golf “Fore” Kids Charity Outing Thank You Note – Lutheran Child and Family Services of Illinois would like to thank Immanuel Lutheran Church for their support of the 13^th Annual Golf “Fore Kids Charity Outing. 80 golfers came out to enjoy a day on the links while support children and families. The LCFS Golf “Fore” Kids Charity Outing raised over $14,000, which will go towards serving children in Southern Illinois through programs such as adoption, foster care, counseling and residential services. On behalf of the children and families we serve, thank you and continued blessings.

..................................................................................................................

Glazed Donuts – 1 Dozen for $5 available between services the third Sunday of the month through November. Proceeds for March 2009 Civil War trip for next year’s 7^th & 8^th graders. There is a sign-up sheet at each church door for July 20 glazed donut sale.

..................................................................................................................

Immanuel Lutheran Fair Stand will be open during the Effingham County Fair -- which is August 2-9. Please give Frieda Will a call at 483-6684 to volunteer to work a shift in our fair stand.

..................................................................................................................

Family Life Pregnancy Center - Women between 7-20 weeks of pregnancy are needed to volunteer as models during the week July 7–10 in order to complete training on new ultrasound. Call (217) 342-5433 or (800) 600-2966 if you are able to participate.