FROM PASTOR RICK’S COMPUTER:
APPRECIATION IS WORTH REITERATING

As I write this, Appreciation Sunday is past. Committee after committee, ministry after ministry, opportunity after opportunity; individuals stood to be recognized by the brothers and sisters. It was an inspiring sight.  And so many people were not there in either service to be recognized. You are a blessing to me. We appreciate each other and the efforts, the faith, sometimes the sacrifices we make for our church and Lord.

Often we don’t realize how many of us are working in the ministry. Nobody sees everything that is being done. Not even me. So we just don’t realize that we are surrounded by so many good people throughout the week. Those who attended on Jan. 15 and also enjoyed the potluck got a glimpse of what we do and who does it. Even then, we did not list every single thing.

My appreciation is worth reiterating in this newsletter because it is so deep. And also because I had some goals for the service. I want you to know, it is each other and the faith that comes forth in our service that we most deeply appreciate. We are a communion, the body of Christ. Though we say with some truth, “the same people do ‘everything,’” I hope we can recognize:

1)   how many people are required to do the ministry that we do together;

2)   there are far more people who respond than we often realize;

3)   there are so very many opportunities in our congregation to serve the Lord;

4)   there are some things we are not doing very well right now, and that this means that God has given somebody the gift for that and calling them to it;

5)   that we are limited in part by our willingness to listen to the Spirit and submit to the call [1].

I also want to reiterate a couple of teachings from the Bible text for that day. It was about the Lord calling Samuel, a 12 year-old boy. (1 Samuel 3)

1) following the call to serve is a proven way to grow closer to Christ in our daily life;

2) it is through faithful, loving service that God is glorified and our church becomes a place where the Lord speaks and gives visions.

OUR VISION

To be a welcoming spiritual community that
nurtures intimacy in our daily walk with Jesus, and
invites participation through sharing our spiritual gifts
to the glory of God.

AMONG OUR MEMBERS:

BIRTH

Edward James was born to Phil and Pam Hill and sister Emily on January 3^rd, a couple of weeks early. PTL

NEWS AND EVENTS:

THINK AHEAD: LENT

The preparatory season of Lent will begin on March 1, Ash Wednesday.

1.   Consider what discipline you will assume to point you toward spiritual growth;
2.   Plan on attending the Shrove Tuesday Pancake Supper on February 28.
3.   Plan on attending worship. Ash Wednesday is a Day of Solemn Observance.
4.   Consider the mid-week Lenten Prayer services, which will be announced later this month.
5.   Consider a seven-week small group study.  We will be studying “The Lutheran Handbook”. Participants will meet in small groups, once per week throughout Lent, for small group discussion.  Please call the church office (627-6310) for days and time class will be offered.

HERE AND THERE

GL Community Messiah…any who would like to sing for this one time special performance should contact David Howard: howard72@msu.edu or 303-9754. Rehearsals are on Saturday mornings at the Methodist Church.

GL Community Good Friday Service…will be at Immanuel this year. Good Friday is April 14^th. We will want to put our best hospitality foot forward for this by hosting and attending.

Ventures…is a Stewardship training program our Stewardship Committee will be participating in. Training sessions will be held in the area. Matt Cermak is organizing Immanuel’s trainees.

Concordia College Choir…is one of the best college choirs in the nation. On Feb. 22 (Wed.) @ 7:30, they will be at the Charlotte Performing Arts Center. $10/$8. Concordia College, Moorehead, MN is one of 29 ELCA Colleges and Universities.

Luther League II

Wednesday*, February 15, 2006 meet at the church parking lot at 10:15 a.m.  Car pool to the Abrams  Planetarium located on the MSU campus. Visit the Planetarium for a 11:00 A. M. show, "Journey to the edge of Space and Time" followed by a live star talk presentation. Admission fee is $2.50 per person. Following the Planetarium visit, we will car pool to the Kellogg Center for lunch at the State Room Restaurant. Call Doug Scoggins 327-0988 or Joy Powis 627-7067 for further information.

* Planetarium is not available for group visits on Mondays.

ELEMENTARY CAMP

Immanuel will be sending a group to Elementary Camp at Stony Lake the week of July 23-28.  Elementary Camp is for kids who have completed grades 3-6.  If you're interested, please contact Jim Teahan at 627-5637 or jim@teahan.com as soon as possible.  Cost is $180 per camper, but to get that rate, we have to register (with full payment) by February 15, 2006. For more information visit: http://www.elcalivingwater.com/

ROOF REPAIR FUNDRAISER
Dinner & Show

What:	Western Melodrama “The Tall Stranger”
When:	Saturday, February 25 at 6:00 p.m.
How Much:	$10 for adults and $5 for children 10 and under.

Shrove Tuesday Pancake supper

Our annual Shrove Tuesday pancake supper will be held on Tuesday, February 28th from 5:00 p.m. until about 7:00 p.m. All-you-can-eat pancakes & potato pancakes with all the fixin's Adults: $5.00 Children 5-10:$3.00  Children under 5 are free.

HEALING PRAYER MINISTRY

Another year has now passed.  It has been a wonderful and exciting year for those of us involved in the Healing Prayer Ministry.  We became a commissioned ministry of Immanuel Lutheran Church, and we began serving you, the people of Immanuel.

We have continued to grow in the Spirit, closeness to our Lord and will continue to draw ever closer to our God.

It has been a gift to us to have been able to pray for so many of you this past year.  We have not only prayed for you but with you and we have been blessed indeed to have shared with you prayer and sometimes just to sit and listen, knowing that we too sometimes need someone to listen to us and to pray for us.

We look forward to being here for you in this new year.  We'll be available in the Cry Room as usual, after each service.  Remember, if you need someone to pray for you about an illness, trouble, help for someone you love, a prayer of Thanksgiving or just to talk with, we'll be there. You are our family in Christ and families are there for one another.

Thank you for helping our ministry in becoming a part of Immanuel Lutheran Church.

May God's peace be with you, may He give you strength and comfort, may you feel His presence in your life.

DIALED DOWN

Thermostats have been adjusted downward. If you tend to be chilly, you might want to wear an extra layer when coming to a church event. Or you could invite someone to come with you to raise up the amount of “body heat” we generate. Or you could snuggle up to someone next to you (with permission, of course). Or you could ask Pastor to preach “firey” sermons. Or you could ask for a lot of lively hymns that get us up and moving in praise. Or….

VALENTINE'S DANCE 

Friday, February 10

6:30 ~ 8:30 p.m.

Immanuel Fellowship Hall

All Ages Welcome

DJ providing tunes

Cookies and Punch will be served

Cost: $2.00 per person

Please sign-up in the church entryway

Sponsored by Parish Ed.

AFFIRMATION OF MARRIAGE VOWS

On Sunday, February 12th at 6:00 p.m., come celebrate the love you share with a time for reflection and reaffirmation.  All married couples are invited to participate in this brief service led by Pr. Rick.  Family & friends welcome.  The service includes music, prayers and blessings and renewal of wedding  promises.  Bring your wedding pictures/album.  There will be a time for food and fellowship following the service.  The main course will be provided, please bring either a salad or dessert.  Please sign-up in the church entryway or call the church office. Sponsored by Health Ministry Team

SMALL GROUP MINISTRIES
SPOTLIGHT ON

Group contacts and leaders – did you know? – there is a file folder in the Small Group Ministries drawer at the church office where you can put form originals and other information you might wish to access  in the future.

RESETTLEMENT REPORT

Assistance to our Resettlement Fund was received from Grand Ledge First United Methodist Church and the Kiwanis Club of Grand Ledge. Please continue to pray about the Lord’s leading to fuller employment for Leland and Rose.

ROOF OVER OUR HEADS FUND

Nathan Flanders, Treasurer, reports that with Advent offerings totaling $969, plus individual gifts and Thrivent for Lutherans matching funds received in December, this fund has grown to $3,965.00. The goal is $17,000 to $20,000 to cover roof, gutters, underground and landscaping work. Council will likely be dealing with this on their retreat the last weekend in January. Thank you to all who have contributed directly and helped with the Thrivent Funds.

GENERAL FUND REPORT

Nathan Flanders, Treasurer, reported that December closed with an increase in our General Fund deficit. December began at ($2,449) and closed at ($3,139). Expenses including a Consumers Energy bill of over $1,100 for the church and our annual support for LSSM affected the bottom line. Vigilance by the Council and all Committees will need to continue.

MISSION AND SERVICE

We supported the North/West Lower Michigan Synod and ELCA missions with a gift of $2,903 in December. We provided Christmas Food and Gift Baskets to 8 local families.

NOTES:

THANK YOU FROM...
             

…G. L. E. A. P.: “Thank you so much for your Thanksgiving offerings of $523. We can continue to help others in need in the GL area.” Ruth Lemmen, treasurer

…Lutheran Social Services of MI (LSSM): “Thank you for your recent donation of $1,000. (Our annual support) It will be used in Lansing for children placed in our domestic and refugee foster care programs, youth in the independent living program and families who are served in our family preservation programs.” Vickie Thompson-Sandy, director

…Pastor Rick and Ellen: "Thank you all so much for your Christmas gifts to us, especially for the support and love they convey.  We will use the gifts to help with continuing education."

CELEBRATIONS:
FEBRUARY BIRTHDAYS

FEBRUARY ANNIVERSARIES

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