FROM PASTOR RICK’S COMPUTER:
DON’T ASSUME. DO ASSUME

Assuming you know what assuming does (you know, “it makes…) and assuming that you and I do assume, I offer a couple of “assumes.”

Assumption #1: “We are a friendly church.” As recently as the Bridgebuilders, we told this to Prs. John and Marcy. However, of late I became aware of a young family who visited worship twice. No families their age introduced themselves or spoke with them. A couple of “older people” did welcome them, they said. “Friendliness at church” is sort of like the unemployment. It is low unless you are unemployed. Then the rate is 100%.

DON’T ASSUME Immanuel is a friendly church unless you make the effort to talk to somebody you don’t know well. Introduce yourself. Take the time to get to know them. Invite them to coffee or back to church again or to something you are involved with.

DO ASSUME: that reaching out is one part of every worship; that visitors want to be known. Look at it this way. Liturgy means “to serve.” Welcoming and helping someone be at home is serving God. I assume you want to serve him. Don’t know what to say? Try: “Hello, my name is (Pr. Rick). We may have met before, but I don’t seem to remember your name. Could you help me with that?” Then tell a bit about yourself and find something in common. Now you are off and running.

Assumption #2: We know of your need for pastoral care. We in the office (Pr. Rick, Denise, Karen) sometimes hear about emergencies, problems, hospitalizations after the fact.

DON’T ASSUME that we will know if you don’t tell us. Because you mention it to a friend in church does not mean they tell us. Because you put a need on the Prayer Chain does not mean the news gets to us. Because “everybody” knows does not mean we know in the office. And especially, do not assume the hospital will call the church. They absolutely won’t. The hospital is required by law to preserve your confidentiality.

DO ASSUME that you will be the one to let us know of your desire for a visit, support, prayer, Communion, anointing or other assistance.

Remember. When something is “everybody’s” job to do, we assume “somebody” will, and so “nobody” often ends up doing it.

AMONG OUR MEMBERS:

BAPTISM

Owen Patrick, son of Linn and Cindy Smith.

Linn, Cindy and Lucas brought Owen for entrance into Christ through baptism on June 22^nd. His Christian sponsors are Mark and Melissa Bolley. He is a member of the Body of Christ (1Cor. 12) and a joint heir with us of salvation (Gal. 4). May his parents and we raise him up in the love and way of the Lord.

GRADUATIONS

Our church had a healthy batch of high school graduates this year. All are from Grand Ledge. They included:

Though we at the office don’t know all the specifics, we believe that everyone will be furthering his or her education at college. They include MSU, Kettering and LCC.

Congratulations to you all!

*  indicates they attended our Graduate Recognition Service on June 1^st at church and received Christ blessing through the laying on of hands.

NEWS AND EVENTS:

SPOKE FOLK MINISTRY

Come share in the ministry of spoke folk, who will bike here to share their faith using music, drama and puppets.  Fun for all ages!

CHRISTIAN DAY CAMP

Monday, July 14 through  Friday, July 18, from 9:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m. held at Fitzgerald Park. For children who have completed Kindergarten – 5^th grade.  The cost is $45.00 per child.  Registration forms available in the church entryway. 

VACATION BIBLE SCHOOL

Monday, July 28th through Friday, August 1st from 9:00 a.m. –  12:00 noon.  For children 4 years – completed 5^th grade. Registration forms available in the church entryway.

LUTHER LEAGUE II EVENTS

Annual Picnic

Monday, July 14 @ noon at the Fitzgerald Park Pavilion.  Bring a dish to pass & table service.  All Immanuel Seniors are welcome to come and join us.  Cheri Locker will give us a tour and history of the Spotlight theatre.

Special Outing

Spotlight Theatre in Fitzgerald Park.  David Songer & Friends.  Thursday, July 17 @ 8:00 p.m.  Tickets are $10 presale or  $12 @ door. Carol Weigel has tickets.  Please contact her at 622-2944 soon for reservations and/or rides. 

OUTDOOR SERVICE AND HEALTHY POTLUCK

Weather permitting, our Outdoor Service will be August 3^rd. It will be followed by Health Ministries “Healthy Potluck.” So bring a friend to share the fun, a passing dish to satisfy your hunger, and lawn chairs for your comfort. We worship under the canopies in the Memorial Garden (fenced area behind the church). We eat in the parsonage backyard.  If the weather is contrary, we will do it all inside, minus the lawn chairs.

GIVE-A-BELL CAMPAIGN UPDATE

Have you ever heard a handbell choir?  Your heart and soul will be stirred by the soothing, melodious sounds.   Immanuel Lutheran needs your help establishing a handbell choir.  The cost per bell is $230.00.  Ideally, we would like to have a 3-octave set (37 handbells).  We realize that the $230.00 cost may be prohibitive, so we have developed some pricing alternatives, and allow you to share the cost with others.

If you are able to contribute, we would appreciate your contribution to our music ministry.   Please sign up on the poster in the Narthex, or enclose your contribution in an envelope and provide in the offering plate.

If you have any questions, please contact a member of the Worship Committee (Lisa Baptista, Jim Espie, Jane Goebel, Barb Paulins or Bill Paulins).

Thank you for your support of our music ministry.

Opportunities to Serve:

USHER TRAINING!!

We are having Usher Training Tuesday, July 15 at 7:00 p.m. at the church.  Think about being an Usher and come join us.  If interested please call Joyce Oswill at 627-6839.

NOTES:

THANKS YOUS

From Bishop Gary: Our 1^st quarter mission support sent through the Synod was $8,003.

From a recipient of our Good Samaritan Fund. We helped with part of her rent.

From Redeemer Lutheran Church:  The commitment that the people of Immanuel Lutheran Church have to mission truly amazes us.  Thank your for your generous gift in support of Redeemer.  As always, your gifts are blessings that lift a load and free us to serve our Lord.   (We gave ½ of our Lenten offerings to the Bishop’s Fund for their roof & boiler mortgage.)

From Worship Committee: Thank you to all who participated in the Lone Stranger Dinner Theatre.  The actors did a mighty fine job, the grits were MMM MMM good, and the audience of over 65 folks, howled, groaned and laughed out loud at the now famous show, “The Lone Stranger”.  Don’t be surprised if Pastor Rick becomes the masked pastor of Grand Ledge!  Oh you should have been there – next time, hopefully you will be! 

CELEBRATIONS:
JULY BIRTHDAYS

JULY ANNIVERSARIES

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