Immanuel Lutheran Church
Altamont, Illinois
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Immanuel Lutheran Church
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Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ: March, 2008 When I wrote to you last month, I was struggling with the call that was sent me from St. Paul Lutheran Church, Woodworth, IL. The Holy Spirit led me to return their call (which means I declined it) and to remain here at Immanuel as your pastor. Though we should rejoice at whatever decision the Spirit led me to, we can rejoice together that He continues to want me to be your pastor. I thank the Lord for each one of you and ask Him to bless you in life – spiritual as well as temporal. Receiving that call has led to several things. First, it renewed me in the assurance that I am to serve the Lord as your pastor. That might sound strange to you. But as a pastor, it is important to continue to seek the guidance of the Lord in the ministry into which He has placed you. Second, I believe that it has led the congregation into the beginnings of spiritual revival. That might not be shown in the worship attendance (which does need to be addressed) but it shows itself in those that have become more committed to their faith, their Lord and their church. Everything that is being done is wrapped tightly with prayer. There is an increased interest in the study of the Word, in Bible classes as well as on the personal, daily Bible reading level. Third, it has led many of the congregation to begin to consider the ministry of Immanuel. The Board of Elders has begun to work with me to look at the direction of ministry in the congregation. The Director of Youth and Family Life, Vern Spilker, and I have begun to take a solid look at the direction the Lord is leading us as we work together, along with the Board of Elders and the rest of the congregation. Each of the Boards has begun or will begin in the near future to consider the ministry direction the Lord is leading them. And over all of this, the Church Council needs to join together to bring a unified direction of ministry that can be presented to the congregation. As you can tell, a lot of work is opening up for all of us in the congregation. Finally, there are too many other ways to list all that the Lord has done since He sent me the call to serve elsewhere. Look around you when you are in worship, Bible study or at a fellowship activity and see the people who are on fire for the Lord. Rejoice in the new life that He has given to all of us. And as you consider where you feel the Lord would have us as a congregation move towards in ministry, talk with me or the Board of Elders. We would be glad to listen and take your ideas and thoughts to the Lord in prayer. You will be hearing more about this in the near future. Until then, God bless and guide you in your walk of faith. Pastor Schuessler 2008 Confirmation: We will be confirming 16 young people on Sunday, April 27th in the morning worship service. There will only be one service that morning, at 9:00 a.m. (We confirm on the 4th Sunday of April.) The questioning will take place during the Saturday evening service, April 26th at 6:00 p.m. This is an important event in the life of the confirmands. More than that, it is an important event in your life, the life of Immanuel congregation. ..................................................................................................................................................... The Parish Hall Benefit dinner that we had on Sunday, January 20th was truly a blessing for our congregation. We thank Al and Deb Schultz for the wonderful contribution of the meal and all the proceeds from that meal. It raised $3,627.00 to help with the Parish Hall debt. Thank you Al & Deb! We also thank those from the Dairy Bar who donated their time to make the Benefit a success: Valerie Ault, Kathy Corder, Steve and Amanda Schultz, and Donna Wheatley. We also had many members of the congregation help out that day – more than we could possibly name. Thank you to everyone who made the Benefit a tremendous success! ..................................................................................................................................................... Lent 2008: We are 2/3 of the way through the season of Lent. Our special evening services has followed the theme of “Un-sin Me” based on Psalm 51:7. You might have noticed that there has been paper attached to the wooden Lenten cross. Those are the names of all that have attended the Wednesday evening services. We have also been placing those sins that haunt us, disturb us or mislead us in our “sin box.” It isn’t too late to become a part of this moving Lenten season. Days that remain and evening themes are: March 5 – “Un-sin Me: As I Hide My Sins” March 12 – “Un-sin Me: Through His Blood” March 20 (Maundy Thursday) – “Un-sin Me: Through Body and Blood” March 21 (Good Friday evening) – “Un-sin Me: Through His Death” March 23 (Easter Sunrise) – “Un-sin Me: All Clean!” Come and join in the Passion of our Lord in these special midweek and Holy Week services. Holy Week Schedule: March 16 – Palm Sunday SS children process in carrying palm branches at both Sunday morning services, 8:30 & 11:00 a.m. March 20 – Maundy Thursday, 7:00 p.m. with Holy Communion March 21 – Good Friday, 9:00 a.m. with Holy Communion Good Friday, 7:00 p.m. March 23 – Easter Sunrise, 6:00 a.m. Easter breakfast, 7:00 a.m. Easter Sunday School, 8:00 a.m. Easter Festival, 9:00 a.m. with Holy Communion Board and Committee Meetings: Board of Christian Education, March 6th 7:30 p.m. ALIS Board of Directors, March 10th 7:30 p.m. Board of Elders, March 24th 7:00 p.m. Board of Stewardship, March 31st, 7:00 p.m. January Sunday School Perfect Attendance3 year olds 4th Haylee Rogers Logan Deadmond Adam Mayhaus 4 year olds *Bailee MerkelDarian Rogers Claire Voelker Anna Sigg Eric Wolff *Brayden Stuemke Klaiton Wolff *Emma Simmons 5th Kindergarten Julia Hooks None Andrea Wendling Jessica Will 1st Leah Mayhaus 6th Dawn Pagel Jeri Ann Beesley *Grace Simmons Ethan Deadmond Hayden Voelker Mackenzie Hammer *Hannah Roberson 2nd *Danielle White *Emily Becker Jacob Sigg Jr. High Brooke Stuckemeyer Lucas Ahten Austin Wendling Emily Hammer *Karsyn Wolff Ryan Mayhaus Jennifer Whitt 3rd Matthew Burrow Keidron Duckwitz Mark Hendricks Corey Vail Jason Hooks Gabby Wharton Allison McGuire Sadie Spilker Catelyn Vail *Molly Verdeyen Ally Wendling *Perfect Attendance for the Year ..................................................................................................................................................... Zion Hog Roast is Sunday, March 9 with serving to begin at 4:30 p.m. Menu is BBQ Pork with Doug McCain’s famous BBQ Sauce, baked beans, baked potatoes, chips, homemade jello salad, applesauce, bread, desserts and pie. Cost is $8; children 12 and under $4. Proceeds toward Zion’s Hymnal Fund (Thrivent Financial for Lutherans Matching Funds) and Lutheran Care Center, Altamont. ..................................................................................................................................................... St. Paul Lutheran Church, Shobonier Men’s BBQ is Sunday, March 9 serving 11 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. Free will offering (funds matched by Thrivent). Menu is Homemade BBQ Pork, German potato salad, green beans, cole slaw, applesauce, desserts and beverage. The current Adult Instruction Class will be ending at the beginning of March. Pastor Schuessler is looking at starting another class in April/May. If you are interested, please contact him. He will be in contact with all who express an interest in attending the class to set the days that it will meet. It generally meets for 5 weeks, 2 hours at a time. It covers the basic teachings of the Lutheran Church – Missouri Synod and can lead to membership in the LC-MS. This class is also open to those who wish to review the basics of their faith as a Lutheran Christian. Call now to express your interest in attending. ............................................................................................................... Spring Fling – You are invited to attend the Spring Fling of the Altamont Zone LWML on April 5 at Immanuel Lutheran Church Parish Hall, R. 1, Shobonier (Augsburg). Theme is “Uplifted for the Lord.” The day will begin at 9:00 a.m. and will end approximately 2-2:30 p.m. This is a time for fellow Christians to get together for Bible study, entertainment, songs, food and good fellowship. Our speaker will be Laurel Jean. She was born blind and as part of her mission in this life, brings spiritual inspiration, encouragement world wide through her God-given gift of music through piano, vocal and inspirational speaking. We hope many of you will attend. If you plan to attend, please call Carol Kassel at 483-5132 or Mildred Renken at 217-347-3357 on or before March 16. ................................................................................................................ “Fan into Flame” is the theme for the CID LWML Young Women’s Retreat. It’s time to become inspired in God’s Word along with young women ages 13 to 35 who share your ideals and faith. Join young women from Central Illinois in Bible study, faith sharing, fun, devotions and fellowship at Camp CILCA on April 12 (9:30-3:00 p.m.) Cost is $25 and includes lunch; free childcare available. Register now; deadline is April 5. Make your check to Central Illinois LWML and mail to Allison Arends, 926 1000 East North Road, Melvin, IL 60952. Be sure to include your name, address, telephone number and email address. If child care is needed, give ages of children. ................................................................................................................ We want to thank the many people who helped with snow removal over the past month. It has been a daunting task, as it seems that since we have entered into Lent, with the extra service on Wednesday evening, the snow and ice have made their presence known. Thanks to Ken Mercier for all he does to keep our walks clean and safe for us. We also thank the following who helped out at various times: Robert Hammer, Mike Hoffmeister, Larry Koss, Lucas Kroening, Lori Mercier, Phil Schultz and Charlie Stuemke. They get out in the cold and the snow in order to clear the walks and the parking areas so that it is much easier for you and me to attend worship. Thanks for all you do, God bless and stay warm! ................................................................................................................ Thank you for you prayers, cards, and flowers for our 59th Wedding Anniversary. God’s blessings to everyone. Harold and Alberta Becker Dear friends, we are facing a bit of a challenge here at Immanuel as February draws to a close. This is a financial challenge. As we end the month of February, we find that we are $11,650 short of the financial needs of the congregation. What that means is that we are going to have to go to the bank and borrow in order to make ends meet. This is very unfortunate. It is something that we expect in the summer months but to have this happen already here in February is unheard of. There are many factors that can come into play – but the deepest factor is that this betrays a deeper spiritual challenge to our congregation. The giving of the congregation reflects the spiritual life of the congregation. For those of you who have missed services because of weather or illness, I would challenge you to be sure that you continue in your giving, to the point that you work at meeting your offering commitment when you give the next week. To others who have dropped your giving to an all time low, consider what you are doing. Let’s work together and see if we can make up the deficit and move forward without having to go into further debt in the congregation. Give this some major prayerful thought. ................................................................................................................ 6th Annual Grilled Pork Dinner “This Sunday” March 2 11:00a.m.-1:30p.m. “New improved Taste” Whole Pork Loin or Porkburger; McCain Baked Beans; Baked potato or chips; Creamy Cole slaw; applesauce; pie/dessert/rolls. Cost: Pork Dinner - $7; Pork Burger Dinner - $5; 5 and under free. Proceeds will go towards debt reduction with Thrivent Financial for Lutherans funds.Come and enjoy fun, food, and FELLOWSHIP. NOTE: *More Desserts are still needed* ..................................................................................................................................................... PTL Parent Retreat - Mike Adkins will be the speaker at Immanuel Parish Hall next Sat., March 8 from 5-9 p.m. Babysitting available at ALIS by LYF. ................................................................................................................ Braille workers are needed for Tues., March 4. Sign the chart in the narthex or call Eloise McGuire 483-6439 to volunteer. ................................................................................................................ Food Pantry is in need of personal hygiene items, toilet paper, shampoo, toothpaste, etc..., laundry detergent, dish detergent, paper towels. Also, box meals--hamburger helper type, cereals, spaghetti sauces. ................................................................................................................ March special Music schedule Adult Choir sings Maundy Thursday and Easter Sunday, 9:00 a.m. Bell Choir plays Palm Sunday, 8:30 a.m. A.L.I.S. Students Grades K-1 sing at Immanuel Sunday, March 9 at 11 a.m. Men’s Choir sings Wed. Mar. 5, and Good Friday, 9:00 a.m. and 7:00 p.m. Sunday School Trio sing Sat. Mar. 1, 6:00 p.m. Check with the church office or respective directors for rehearsal times.
EDUCATION Evening Weekday Bible Class on the book of Romans continues to meet on Tuesdays, from 7-8 p.m. Additional participants are welcome! Sunday School and Adult Bible Classes mission offering for this coming Sunday, March 2, will again be given to the Watseka Flood Relief through Lutheran Church Charities. The Watseka area was flooded for a second time within the past month. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ YOUTH Jr. and Sr. LYF The Sr. High School Sunday morning Bible class will be discussing “addictions” from scientific/medical and Biblical perspectives for the next several weeks. Types, causes, results, prevention, along with what God’s Word says, will be the focus. This is an opportunity for parents to encourage their teen to become better informed. The Jr. LYF Lock-IN has been set for Wed./Thurs., March 19/20 from 8:00 p.m.-7:00 a.m. Participation will be by advance registration. Registration forms and complete details will be distributed to Jr. LYF members shortly. Sr. LYF Bowling is Friday, March 29th, at Silver Dollar Lanes. Meet at church at 7:00 p.m. $6 for skating and shoes. Sign up with Vern or online. 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. Everyone is invited to attend: The Altamont Circuit Bible Bowl on Sunday, March 9 in our Immanuel Church sanctuary. At this time competing churches are St. Peter with 3 jr. high teams, St. Paul-Bl. Pt with 1 jr. and 1 sr. high team and Immanuel with 2 jr. high teams and 1 sr. high team. Immanuel participants are Molly Verdeyen, Allison McGuire, Kaitlyn Stuckemeyer, Johanna Haywood, Jennifer Whitt, Mark Hendricks, Matthew Burrow, Davey Seidel, Anna White, Laura McGuire, Gary Hendricks, Shannon Berg, and Abby Wendling. Emma Verdeyen is the Jr. High coach. The top two teams in each division will go on to compete in Central Illinois District Bowl on Sunday, April 6 at 3:00 p.m. at Lutheran High School in Springfield. Upcoming events for which Jr. & Sr. LYF workers are needed. Pick an event (or events) and let Vern know that you can help. Sat. 3/8--ALIS PTL Parent Retreat childcare -- Sr. LYF workers 4:30-9 p.m. Sat. 3/22 – 9:30 a.m. Easter Breakfast Preparation Jr. and Sr. LYF Workers Sun. 3/ 23 – 7:00 a.m. Easter Breakfast Jr. and Sr. Workers Future dates for activities: TBA Sr. LYF Prom Dress Sale; April TBA – Sr. LYF Pinochle Tournament June 2-6 -- Immanuel Children’s VBS ................................................................................................................ C.E.F.S. Meal Delivery Schedules for March 10 - 20 in the narthex.
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Last updated on
02/28/2008.
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