FROM PASTOR RICK’S COMPUTER:
THANKSGIVING: A SECULAR OR RELIGIOUS HOLIDAY?

Let it be stated: The 1^st Thanksgiving Feast was a “secular” feast, but…

Thanksgiving harkens back to a 3-day feast between the survivors in the Plymouth Colony in Massachusetts and some 90 of the Wampanoag tribe. The year was 1621, sometime between September 21 and November 11.

In the strictest sense, the feast was not a religious celebration for the Puritans because it was not centered in a church service and there were games and dancing.

So the 1st Thanksgiving was a secular feast, but…

That does not mean that God was not acknowledged. Both the Native Americans and the Puritans lived with the awareness of the involvement of God in the very fabric of life. For the Indians, all living things, plants and animals and humans, found their source in the Creator and gave up their lives so that they could eat. For the Puritans, God was one, almighty Being. He bestowed both the good and bad.  Both communities came together in thankful prayer for the necessities of life.

So the 1st Thanksgiving was a secular feast but…God was there.

What does this have to do with us on Thanksgiving?

1)             We can affirm that Thanksgiving can be celebrated by both religious and non-religious Americans. Life and nature and the nation are wonderfully powerful forces that we all live under.

2)             With people of every faith, we can pause in wonder at the mystery of life, nature, the nation’s blessings and the spiritual source that permeates it all. This is praise.

3)             As New Testament believers, we will acknowledge that our lives and our abundance are “good gifts from heaven above.” We will make an offering of thanks to God through Christ that will include the poor and the hungry.

a.       Our offering at Immanuel will be given to the Grand Ledge Emergency Assistance Program (GLEAP).

b.       We will worship with other churches in the GL community. (see the announcement). Their offering will also be for GLEAP.

4)             As Lutheran Christians, we will remember that thanksgiving is also Eucharist. It is participation in the joyful, sacrificial gift of Jesus to us. “The cup of thanksgiving for which we give thanks, is it not a communion in the blood of Christ?” (1 Corinthians 10)

The 1st Thanksgiving was a secular feast - and so can today’s be with food, family, and football - but… also deeply religious for us who “praise God from whom all blessings flow,” and who lift to him all the needs in our lives, nation and world.

AMONG OUR MEMBERS:

BAPTISM

On October 22^nd, we celebrated the second birth of two children:

Stuart McKenzie Vickers, son of Chris and Erin (McKenzie), brother to Andrew. His sponsors are Jeff and Theresa Pratt.

Shawn Allen Williams, son of Blair and Sarah (Vicary). His sponsors are Steve and Teresa Vicary.

DEATH

George Kollman.  George was the husband of Helen and father to Mickey, Ena Lynn (Linberg) and Pat (Pingel), grandfather and great grandfather, when he died October 13^th. He was baptized on March 1, 1948 at Immanuel and was, from that time forward, a faithful member of our church. He was an electrician and woodworker among other things. His handiwork is in our parsonage and in the Sacristy (the room in which we prepare for worship). He struggled with Hairy Cell, a rare form of leukemia for 18 years. Services for George Kollman were held at Immanuel, October 16^th. We commend him to our Lord of grace and the saints in light.

FIRST COMMUNIONS

Our life with Christ has faith-steps that mark our growth as children of God. Being welcomed at the Table of Grace is one of the important ones. During October, we celebrated the 1^st Communions with Cameron Evans, Chelsea Hengesbach, Aaron Riley, Vanessa Crambell, Adam Zipple, and Jimmy Teahan IV.

NEWS AND EVENTS:

THANKSGIVING WORSHIP SERVICES

Two times for praising the Lord for his blessings of harvest and nation are offered this month.

	TUESDAY, NOV. 21 at 7 p.m.
		The Grand Ledge Community Service will be held at 1st Congregational UCC Church on M43 west of the Jenne Street traffic light.  All churches and the whole community are invited. Come with a neighbor.
	WEDNESDAY, NOV. 22 at 7 p.m.
		Immanuel’s Thanksgiving service of Holy Communion.  Bring your holiday guests. Pray and sing out your praises.

ANNUAL CONGREGATIONAL MEETING

The annual business meeting of the congregation will be held on Sunday, November 5 following the 10:30 am service.

Giving Thanks

As we approach another Thanksgiving, some of the secular notions we all share about this day and weekend might be as follows: A day for family gathering and watching football, a good time for cleaning up the garden or closing up the cottage for winter, and of course, the start of the Christmas shopping season.

To be thankful for one day is not difficult. What is difficult is to be consistently grateful over the long haul. Richard Carlson, in his little handbook Don’t Sweat The Small Stuff, suggests that practicing gratitude on a daily basis can lead to a much greater sense of inner peace.

Scripture encourages us to look within ourselves and to be grateful for God’s many daily blessings that we can so easily just take for granted. “In everything give thanks, for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you.” 1 Thessalonians 5:16-188

What does Thanksgiving mean to you?

for the Health Ministry Team

LUTHER LEAGUE II
(For Seniors)

Our November meeting will be held on Monday, November 13, 2006.  We'll meet at the church parking lot at 11:00 A.M. and carpool to Cornwell's Turkeyville USA located at 18935 15 1/2 Mile Rd., Marshall, MI (I-69 south to N Drive North. Exit 42. West on N Drive North to Cornwell's).  We will enjoy a cafeteria style turkey lunch/dinner including a visit to the ice cream parlor and gift shops. Happy Thanksgiving
 

Baskets of Hope Sunday

Outreach will host a coffee hour for Baskets of Hope on Sunday, November 19th.  They will also hold a bake sale that day to raise funds for Baskets of Hope.  Please bring the bake goods before the 10:30 service that day.

SERVICE OF REMEMBRANCE

Members and friends of Immanuel who have lost Spouses are invited to a brief Service of Remembrance for our departed husbands or wives at 10:30 am on All Saints Day, Wednesday, November 1.  There will be a time for sharing of memories and you are encouraged to bring one or two favorite pictures.  After the service and sharing time, we will go to Sweet Linda’s Restaurant for lunch.

WOMEN'S RETREAT

Indulge yourself at the Chocolate Boutique Women’s Retreat on Saturday, April 14, 2007 from 9 am – 3 pm at St. Francis Center in DeWitt.  Reserve the date now.  More details in ‘07

WHO IS JESUS?

Here is the second of the Bible Studies on what the Scriptures show us about God. Pastor Rick is finishing the study on “Who is God?”  The next study, “Who is Jesus?” will begin November 5^th, All Saints Sunday. The Bible passages come mainly from Mark’s Gospel. Included are Servant, Savior, Forgiver, Resurrected Lord. Seven sessions.  Pastor Rick’s class meets in the classroom off the Narthex at 9:15 each Sunday. Everyone is welcomed. Bring your Bible to class and to Church.

Healing Prayer Ministry

The Healing Prayer Ministry group met on October4th at the 501 building.

We discussed many avenues of outreach but decided they must fit within our covenant and purpose here at Immanuel. That purpose is to serve you through healing prayer, a one-on-one encounter, a listening ear, and the reminder that you are the Lord's creation and that he loves you. This is done in Christian love, faith and confidentiality.

We continue to grow in faith as we meet and share.  Pastor Paul has hopes for a special guest at our next meeting in November.

The Healing Prayer Service on the 15th of Oct. was discussed and the particulars were clarified regarding how it would take place.  It is to my regret that I will miss this service and it's my joy to be on a special vacation.

Praise the Lord! O give thanks to the Lord, for he is good, for his steadfast love endures forever.  (Psalm 106:1)

                                        
Healing Prayer Ministry

PLANTING TREES

As I contemplate the mountain of leaves in my yard, I remember the shade they provided for me in the heat of the summer. I wonder if the people who planted them over 100 years ago envisioned the lasting beauty they would one day facilitate.  We all live under the trees that someone else planted. Have I planted enough trees for future generations to enjoy?

As we approach Consecration Sunday on December 3^rd, consider your gifts of time, talent and treasure as seeds planted for future generations. This year’s program will be similar to last year’s. In the coming weeks you will be asked to reserve spots at our pig roast dinner followed by the hanging of the greens on December 3^rd. That Sunday, members will again bring their pledge forms to the communion alter.

What is different this year is the change in our committee structure. Many of us have been involved in the planning and execution of Consecration Sunday for several years, and I am excited about what is coming. In the next few months, you will see opportunities to give of your time and talents without having to serve on a traditional committee.

As we approach Consecration Sunday this year, open your hearts and minds to new ways to serve Christ. Along with your financial commitment, can you usher? serve coffee? sharpen pencils?  There will be dozens of small group or individual tasks opening up and our goal is to have each and every member  participate in some way.

Stewardship Group

Opportunities to Serve:

FAMILY HELPERS - VOLUNTEER MINISTRY

Family Helpers is a ministry of caring for one another, answering a need, and most of all serving our Lord, Jesus Christ.  

When one of your Immanuel  family needs your help, let us be there when and with what service will assist them most.  This is an addition to our present ministry of providing meals.  There is a sign-up board in the narthex. Please sign up for the service(s) you would like to help with.  Include name, phone, and email address.

We will ask you when you are available to help and will then call when a need arises.

Thank you!

Sandra Bair, Denise Lund,
Joan Nolff, Annette Ryan
Family Helpers Ministry Representatives

WHAT IS KIDS HOPE USA?

Kids Hope USA, based in Holland, Michigan, is a mentoring program for elementary age children.  Its mission is “to build caring relationships … one child, one hour, one church, one school.”  It is a proven model that has been in operation for 11 years.  The Kids Hope program started out with relationships with three schools in Michigan and has now expanded to 27 other states.  Kids Hope touches the hearts of children and changes lives.

How does this work?  Kids Hope churches give HOPE to young children through a connection with a caring church member.

What this means for Immanuel is that we will need mentors (confirmed members aged 16 and older) to meet with one child for one hour a week.  Our partner school will be Greenwood Elementary.  Each mentoring team will include a prayer partner who will commit to pray for the growth of the mentor-child relationship.  To make this program run, we will need mentors, prayer partners, substitute mentors, and some people to help with a year-end celebration.  Please give some prayerful thought to how you might participate in this worthwhile program.  If you have further questions, or wish to volunteer, please contact Lyn Danes at 543-8661 or daneslm@sbcglobal.net.  Watch for more information in November and on the church website.

Will You Give Hope to a Child?

Will You Be the One to Change a Child’s Life?

YOUTH NEWS:

SNL ACTIVITIES

SNL youth will be going to Piece of Mind Pottery Studio in Grand Ledge on Sunday, November 5 at 4:00 pm to make soup bowls.  Pizza will be served before SNL class at 6:15 pm.

NOTES:

Dear friends,

It’s hard to find the words to express my gratitude and feelings for all your many kindnesses while I was in the hospital. The many cards, your visits – this was special – the flowers, all those goodies. And how about our secretary, Denise, taking care of my ‘lil kitty’ and then bringing her to the hospital to see me one day.  It sure made the days pass.  I will never forget.  Thank you from the bottom of my heart.

Love,
Eileen Lacombe

Thank you all so much for your financial support of our latest project, the Quilts of Valor for wounded soldiers.  Your freewill offering of $102 helped us to buy the backings for the quilts and to pay shipping charges to the machine quilter and the VA hospital.  May God bless your generous hearts.

The Quilt Group

CELEBRATIONS:
NOVEMBER BIRTHDAYS

NOVEMBER ANNIVERSARIES

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