FROM PASTOR RICK’S COMPUTER:
THANKSGIVING…

…is a time to count our blessings. As a nation in a season of elections and war, we have who are willing to serve in office and in the military and the inalienable right to vote. Thank you, God our Lord.

In our homes and families, we have food and shelter and love. We have more than enough to be thankful for. Thank you, God our provider.

In our church, we hear the Gospel of grace and are offered the sacraments such that we have faith in Christ. We have eternal life as a gift. We are eternally grateful, God our Savior.

I find myself particularly drawn to be thankful for our youth at church. Psalm 127, “Sons are a heritage from the Lord, children a reward from him...Blessed is the man who has a quiver full of them.” “A heritage, a reward”. We are so very blessed at our church.

I thank the Lord for the women and men who teach in all our Sunday School classes. The countless hours of preparation and prayer for their class.

I thank the Lord for Holly Plunkett who is organizing parents to lead the JAMers program for our K – 3^rd grades. I thank God for Sue Schnarr and Lyn Danes who are organizing a program for 4^th and 5^th graders. It’s a VBS style program every other Wednesday. These two programs offer more faith, a different time, a chance to invite friends to church, and to make good church friend

I thank God for SNL (Sunday Night Live) and the over 30 adolescents in the program every Sunday night. They ‘rock’ this place with learning and fun. I thank God for the six adults Huddle Leaders and six high school Jr. Guides who lead and learn with the kids. I thank God for the parents who can be counted on when we need a skit, candy, a place for Capture the Flag.

I thank God for 11 or so currently active in our high school group. Lisa Baptista and I are the adult leaders. And I am having a great time listening, encouraging, studying, planning, eating with these older youth.

I am thankful for the young people in choir, hand bells, on church committees, ushering, and greeting.

At Thanksgiving, we often remember blessings that we take for granted and over look. In our church family, we have more youth under the age of 18 than many congregations have as members.

“Blessed is the (congregation) that has a quiver full of them”. Thank you, Lord God for our church’s youth and all who work with them. Amen.

AMONG OUR MEMBERS:

BAPTISMS

October 3, 2004
Emily Jayne Hill,
daughter of Phil and Pam Hill.

October 24, 2004
Nevaeh Charis Gooding
daughter of K.C. and Abby Gooding, sister to Cyrus. Nevaeh’s godparents are Bryan and Angie (Clay) Boughton.

Benjamin Theodore Boughton,
son of Bryan and Angie Boughton. Benjamin’s godparents are K.C. and Abby Gooding.

These two cousins, Navaeh and Benjamin, were born on July 4, 2004. Their 2nd births, by water and the Spirit, are now also the same day.  May each of these precious children, now brought to Christ, be raised in the promises made by their parents and nurtured in the faith by God’s people.

WEDDING

Matt Rinckey and Nicki Cain were married on October 2, 2004. Pr. Rick presided at Bethlehem Lutheran in Grand Rapids. Matt and Nikki are living in St. Clair Shores while she attends Wayne State Medical School.

DEATHS

Ed Miller, husband of Glenna, died September 22, 2004. Ed and Glenna farmed and handled real estate. Twice he had to move off the land at Millett Hwy and Guinea Rd: once when the farm was sold; once when GM moved in. Services for Ed were held at Immanuel on September 25th.

Else Kruger, wife of Herman, died September 24, 2004. Else was born in Germany. She married Herman following WWII and came home with him to farm and raise their family. Else was a prayer warrior and believer in Christ’s miracles. Services for Else were at church on September 27th.

We are so thankful for this brother and sister at Immanuel and their partnership in the gospel. They are gathered to Christ our Savior and the saints in light. We pray for the Holy Spirit to bring comfort and healing to their spouses and families.

 

NEWS AND EVENTS:

TWO THANKSGIVING SERVICES

EAGLE SCOUT CEREMONY

The whole congregation is invited to a Eagle Scout Ceremony for Brandt Ayoub on November 20, 2004 at 10:30 a.m. at Immanuel Lutheran Church.  Brandt would be honored by your presence.

Hanging of the greens & PIG ROAST Luncheon
Sunday, December 5, 2004

Mark Your Calendars with an Enthusiastic Yes Count Me in on the Fun. 

The Stewardship and Worship committees will be sponsoring an afternoon of HANGING of the GREENS and a PIG ROAST potluck luncheon immediately following the 10:30 service in celebration of commitment Sunday and to prepare our Sanctuary for the celebration of our Savior’s birth.

There will be crafts for our younger members of the congregation, a nursery for the even younger, and caroling for the homebound.  All members will be asked to complete a pledge card for 2005 during services on that Sunday or to have filled out a pledge card sooner if they are unable to participate that day.   Sign up sheets for the luncheon will be posted and pledge forms will be available a few weeks before the celebration. Thank you for caring!

LSSM CRAFT BAZAAR 

The ACTION for LSSM Craft Bazaar will be held on November 5 & 6 at Faith Lutheran in Okemos. We would love to have you crafters donate one item for the Bazaar. Those items for donation can be left in Pr. Rick's Adult Sunday School classroom with a note that it is for the Bazaar. Also, home-baked goods are needed. We will be taking items on Thursday & Friday mornings, early. The church will be open on Wednesday and Thursday evening if you want to drop your items off then. Questions - contact Eileen LaCombe at 627-6270 or Barb Roush at 517-852-0119.

BASKETS OF HOPE

The holiday season is fast approaching and it is time for Baskets of Hope to help those in need to have a Merry Christmas. Sunday, November 14 is Basket of Hope Sunday.  Look for envelopes in the pews and there will be a special coffee hour for you to make a donation.  We are looking for people to help purchase and deliver baskets.  Call Ruth Buckley at 649-2314.

FRIENDSHIP CLUB

On Sunday afternoon, November 14, 2004, the Friendship Club is joining forces with the JAMers Club and hosting a Family Bowling event.  Mark the date on your calendar now and look for more details in upcoming bulletins. 

LUTHER LEAGUE II

Potluck and Speaker, November 8, 2004 from noon – 3:00 p.m. at Immanuel Fellowship Hall.  Call Vera 627-5213 or Joyce 627-6839

THE IMPORTANCE OF PLEDGES

Pledges are promises to make monetary gifts within a set time period.  Although, Immanuel Lutheran Church does not use the congregational commitments for the annual budget, the church seeks reasonable assurance from the supporting membership that sufficient revenues are promised for funding the daily ministry and related expenses.

The Stewardship Committee is charged with the responsibility of asking the congregation for annual pledges. Immanuel Lutheran Church believes these pledges are between each member and God.  We leave the fulfillment of this obligation to you and God.  We want to assure you, the only person to see this commitment is the Financial Secretary.  The Financial Secretary holds them in confidence, records your giving and will supply you with a semi-annual and annual statement for you to follow your commitment progress.

The Stewardship Committee would greatly appreciate you taking time to commit between yourself and God a pledge of support for 2005.  You can drop it in the collection plate during Commitment Sunday service on December 5^th or turn it in to the financial secretary anytime.  

YOUTH NEWS:

HIGH SCHOOL
Events

Next Meeting: Sunday, November 21^st @ 6 p.m. The “usual:” Fun game, Stress Bible Study, planning, food.

Laser Tag: Lisa B. is arranging the time. Friends are always welcome.

Sunday School: Every Sunday Morning at 9:15 a.m. meet with Jim and Marlaine.

The Gathering:  Five will be attending the Lansing Gathering in December.

Road Rulz: a mystery mission-trip to Wisconsin is scheduled for July 10 – 17

Accomplishments

Brandt Ayoub’s Court of Honor will be held November 20. He is an Eagle Scout now.

Matt Bryant scored his first varsity touchdown 10/15 against E. Lansing. 

Dan Frysinger has been a Drum Major all marching season.

(Are doing something that you are proud of? Let Pr. Rick or Lisa know, so we can celebrate with you.)

MIDDLE SCHOOL
Events

FAMILY DAY Sunday, November 7, 2004

This is for the whole family: parents and siblings of all ages. How often do you get to be on the ice at the Bres? For free or otherwise. How often do you parents get to square off against your kids in Church and have fun doing it?

SNL

Retreat on the 6^th Commandment: November 12-14.  Study, food, honest talk, games, free time, mountain boarding, worship.  Talk to your Huddle Leader with any concerns.

Parents’ Meeting for SNL Retreat: Nov. 4 at 7 p.m.  To discuss the True Love Waits program and what your kids will be doing at the retreat.  We want you to know what this is about.

 Always check www.immanuel-gl.org/snl for information or contact your Huddle Leaders.

NOTES:

Count your Blessings & Give Thanks to God!

Happy Thanksgiving from The Immanuel Staff

CELEBRATIONS:
NOVEMBER BIRTHDAYS

NOVEMBER ANNIVERSARIES

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