FROM PASTOR RICK’S COMPUTER:
THANKFUL FOR 2004

In this Thanksgiving[1] month, I am grateful for …our congregation’s future – 2004.

Is this putting the cart before the horse? Thanksgiving is for what we already have. We have blessings from our past. We have blessings now. And the future? Well, that’s yet to be.

Still and all, I am grateful in my anticipation for next year because I believe Jesus has been moving among us and preparing us. Of the numerous things my faith sees, I want to mention the dovetailing of our vision, budget change, and what it opens for up for youth ministry.

At Immanuel, the budget delineates our hope for mission. Next year’s proposal calls us to grow our Parish Nurse to a contract position. I see two direct plusses for our pastoral care: 1) better availability; and 2) an open door the Youth Planning Team. Together these will help me lead us.

Fact: a good percentage of members are concerned about the expectations and load I carry. You worry that I will spiritually and physically tire. Consequently, many want us to have an Assistant Pastor.

1) In her expanded position, the Parish Nurse will satisfy this concern. a) Karen plans to resign her other employment and only work for Immanuel. She will be available for emergencies when I am “off.” b) With her personal faith and skills (Karen is formally trained in the church’s faith and is taking training in spiritual guidance) she is every bit as competent and gifted as I am. c) Together, we will continue to train members to visit and pray with others in need. Thus, we will achieve better availability of pastoral care without the added cost of an Assistant Pastor.

Indeed this is the way Bishop Hansen and the Synod Ministry Committee are encouraging congregations to go. Jesus never intended the ministry to be done by clergy. The apostles (elders, ordained) were to preach and teach first. Selected deacons (people with other talents) served the members needs and prayed. (Read Acts 6) In other words, Jesus says you can do ministry.

2) Regarding Youth Planning: I believe we need a Youth Director soon (even yesterday!). Without the need for the youth director also to be an assistant to the pastor/me, the planners are opened up to select a trained lay person. S/he will be able to give full attention and love to our youth and families. And to do so at a less costly rate than the Synod requires for an ordained position.

These two reasons will help me become the visionary leader for our ministry. I hope to lead us “to be a spiritual community that nurtures a life-changing, intimate relationship in our daily walk with Jesus, and invites participation through sharing our gifts.” I need to be reading, praying, learning, preaching, teaching you. I need to be inviting non-believers into faith in Christ and non-participants into an intimate relationship with him.

The Vision Team, the Management Committee (budget writers) and the Health Ministry Committee have worked separately. Yet their work has come together in this growth area in a way that will be a blessing to many.

I believe that Jesus is moving in this. And I am thankful for our future.

 

---

[1] Also check for 2 Thanksgiving Services.

AMONG OUR MEMBERS:

BAPTISM

Lauren Elaine, daughter of Allen and Lonna Blaske was joined to the promises of Christ and became a member of the holy Church on Oct. 5^th. Her Christian sponsors are Lori Brower and Dan Blaske. Know this: Lauren is a joint heir with us of grace and eternal life. She has a place in Christ’s mission. May she claim it as her own. May you do the same.

MARRIAGE

Karen Kaschner and Manuel Ibarra were joined in marriage attended by their children on October 1^st. We celebrate their marriage and we pray for their growth in love and faith.

NEW MEMBERS                                                                                                         

Dale and Joan Hoffman
3317 Hope Hwy., Grand Ledge,
627-2310
Dale and Joan have a farm. While Joan is caring for the cattle, Dale is overseeing environmental safety for Pinkerton. His current work is at the new GM facilities being developed on Millet Hwy.

Lee and Sandra Bair
4327 Fieldview, Grand Ledge,
627-4272
Lee and Sandra are newly retired. They moved to GL from Marshall. For them it was a move “back” since they raised their family in Lansing, at St. Stephen’s Lutheran. Lee is a retired economics teacher at LCC. Sandra was in education with the hearing impaired in the Kalamazoo area. Most recently they were members of 1^st Presbyterian in Marshall, where they were active in Session (Ch. Council) and Christian Education.

Welcome to each of you. We are blessed to have you join us and hope you are blessed to be our brothers and sisters in Christ here.

NEWS AND EVENTS:

THANKSGIVING SERVICES

TUESDAY, NOV. 25 , 7:00 p.m. The GL Community Thanksgiving Service at the Wacousta Community Methodist Church on Herbison Rd., across from Wacousta Elementary School, west of Wacousta Rd.  Father Cousie, from Melanesia, Interim Pastor at St. Michael Church will be preaching. WEDNESDAY, NOV. 26, 7:00 p.m. Thanksgiving at Immanuel in our Sanctuary.

Attend one or both to give thanks to God with and for our nation. All offerings to GLEAP. All staples to the Grand Ledge Food Bank.

GAME NIGHT

The Friendship Club is meeting for games and snacks in member homes on November 8, 2003, 6:30 -- 9:30 p.m.  This will be a fun and relaxing night of fellowship for adults of all ages (members, friends, and visitors to Immanuel).  Join old friends, meet new friends and have a great time!  Sign up in the lobby:  as a host (provide beverages) or as a participant (bring your favorite game and a snack to share).  Call Jim and Marlaine Teahan at 627-5637 for further information.

LSSM FALL BAZAAR Are you a crafter?  Our LSSM Fall Bazaar is November 7-8 at Faith Lutheran in Okemos.  If you do crafts, would you consider donating one of your homemade craft items to be sold at the Bazaar?  For non-crafters – we also need baked goods for the Bazaar.  Please put your handmade items in  the old office at the church by November 6 (Thursday), 8 AM.  Someone will transport the items to Faith.  If you’d like to put a price tag on your item, please do so.  If you have any question, please contact Eileen LaCombe at 627-6270 or Barb Roush at 645-2266.  Thank you for your donations!

CHRISTMAS PREPARATIONS

Hanging of the Greens

Please mark your calendars on December 7th and plan to join us as we prepare the Sanctuary for the celebration of our Savior's birth.  Immediately following the 10:30 a.m. service, we will have a potluck dinner and then the decorating and festivities begin.  Everyone is invited.  There will be crafts for the kids, a nursery and caroling for the homebound.  Look for the signup sheet and reserve your spot.

Advent Devotionals

Devotional booklets for Advent “O God, Hear Our Cry”  are available in the entryway.  Please feel free to pick up one or more.

Christmas Poinsettias

The Worship committee will be decorating the Sanctuary with red & pink poinsettias this season. Order forms are available in the entryway.  Deadline to order is Sunday, November 23. Call Bev Becker (627-2025) or the church office (627-6310) for more information. 

CRADLE ROLL

A new cradle roll bulletin board is up in the basement next to the elevator door, thanks to Jennifer & Jeff Dodge. Now we need current pictures of  Immanuel children who are infant – 2 years old.  If you are currently enrolled in Cradle Roll, please leave a current picture of your child/ren in the envelope provided on the bulletin board.

SNL ON RETREAT

Sunday Night Live, our catechism program, will be on retreat at Wesley Woods Camp, south of Hastings, the weekend of November 21-23. We will be working on developing our prayer skills and prayer life.  We have over 30 6th – 8th graders attending SNL. A couple of families have more than one child. Anyone who would like to help defray the costs for some of our kids may. Simply write “Youth Retreat” on one of the Designated Offering envelopes in your offering packet.

THE BELLS ARE RINGING

Do you hear what I hear?  The hand bells are here.  Thank you for the financial support and prayers provided to us during the “Give-A-Bell” campaign.  We have purchased a 3-octave set of Malmark hand bells, and anticipate participation in worship services to begin in December.  Listen closely - soon you’ll be hearing us!

Opportunities to Serve:

SEAMSTRESS NEEDED

The handbell choir is in need of a seamstress to create a table covering (well, 4 actually).  We have the tables, but nothing to cover them.  If you have the time/energy/creativity, please contact Denise in the church office or Barb Paulins (645-2914).  Thanks for your help.

KITCHEN COORDINATOR

We are looking for a kitchen coordinator.  If you are skilled in kitchen organization please contact Lisa Baptista at 517/223-0541 or lisa.baptista@avon.com. 

FROM THE COUNCIL PRESIDENT'S DESK:

November is upon us. Our annual Congregational Meeting, preparing for Thanksgiving, and of course the upcoming Christmas Holidays.

I hope we all take some time this month to think about and thank God for the multitude of things we have to be thankful for. As individuals and as a congregation.

I know I would like to take this opportunity to say thanks to quite a lot of people. Thank you to Pastor Rick for the wonderful job He does guiding our congregation. Thanks to the many, many hours our staff put in to make our Church look great, keep our Church business running smoothly, help with our spiritual healing, and coordinate our Sunday School. A big thank you to Ellen, our choir and our two super organists who inspire us with their gifts. Thank you also to our Church Council who devote the time and prayer necessary to promote our mission.

I am really thankful for all the people in our congregation who devote countless hours and energy to further the mission that God has for Immanuel Lutheran as we continue to grow and explore new avenues to spread our message.

Personally, I would like to thank God for the guidance He has given to me as your President this year. There have been some occasions where things have happened, and I wasn’t sure what to do. However, each time God has seen fit to help me find an answer or to guide me to the person or persons who could help me find an answer. Last but not least I am thankful for my wife, Lori, who has supported me this last year. Relaying messages, having dinner delayed while I ran to the Church, gracefully tolerated phone calls as we were going out the door, and always saying “You need to go over to the Church, this will wait”, also for her listening when there were problems, offering her advice at times, and also knowing when I just needed Her to listen.

I look back over the last year and realize all the wonderful things I have to be thankful for. My faith, my church, my wonderful wife, my three great kids, and all of the people of Immanuel Lutheran who make this corner of God’s world a better place to be in.

Thank you Lord for all the gifts you have given me.

Yours in Christ,

CELEBRATIONS:
NOVEMBER BIRTHDAYS

NOVEMBER ANNIVERSARIES

Home | Staff | Council | Ministries | Happenings | Youth | Worship | Links

© 1999- Immanuel Lutheran Church, Grand Ledge, Michigan
All Rights Reserved
We value your feedback.  Please forward comments to webmaster@immanuel-gl.org