FROM PASTOR RICK’S COMPUTER:
ON OUR WAY REJOICING

Rally Day, September 8^th, was a most encouraging Sunday for all of us:

1.      2 Services returned and attendance was “up;”

2.      Our teachers were installed, and they included 3 men;

3.      Our Sunday School began and classes were full, including active high school and adult classes

4.      We celebrated a baptism;

5.      We had a carnival with lots of helpers, kids, food and fellowship;

6.      A couple of people joined the choir;

7.      The Synod report was discussed at the evening meeting;

8.      A full Strategic Planning Team was formed;

9.      4 people stepped up to be mentors for our catechism class.

All one Sunday. Was the Holy Spirit moving or what!?

I am writing about #9. In my sermon, “A Primer for Spiritual Survival,” I asked for women as mentors for our catechism girls. Three came forward. (Also another man stepped up for our boys.) We will move forward with forming small groups for our students.

Mentors will work with a group of 5 or 6 girls/boys.

1.       Each week in class

2.       Lead discussions, projects, praying and fun activities.

3.       I will teach.

4.       Mentors and I will plan together, and be supervised by an advisor.

5.      Should keep interested in what’s happening with their group - talking to them at church and other times.

6.      Commit to 1 – 3 years.

In short, mentors are Christians who give themselves to youth and to the Lord. They don’t have to have the answers, but are willing to learn with and from their group.

The program is called “Faith Inkubators.” There will be some training for this.

Now, the door is still open for a few more people. I think catechism should be for 6 –8^th grades. A few more mentors would help expand it.

The hymn, “On Our Way Rejoicing,” says, “Christ our Lord has conquered; Vanquished is the foe.”  I am not THAT confident. But I sense in the Spirit that we are now moving forward. And I am rejoicing. Thank you. And praise the Lord.

AMONG OUR MEMBERS:

BAPTISMS

Travis Wayne Conners

13669 Dusty Trail

Grand Ledge MI 48837

622-0533

Son of Dennis and Tara, Travis was baptized on September 1^st. His family came together from all over the country.  Travis' sponsors are Rick & Wendy Champion. Dennis and Tara are a Navy household stationed here while Dennis does graduate work at MSU.

Melanie Renee Haeck

5768 North River Rd.

Grand Ledge MI 48837

627-4667

Daughter of Ed and Leanne (Wise), Melanie was baptized on September 8^th, during our Rally Day celebration. Her sponsors are Roger & April McDaniels and Khory Redman. His paternal grandfather performed the consecration rite (anointing) in a Belgian blessing the family gives their children each night at bedtime.

We welcome these holy children to the family of God.

MARRIAGES

Daniel Landry and Allison Owens
Were joined in Christian marriage, September 21^st at Immanuel Lutheran Church in Jackson. Pastor Rick presided there. Their address is in the directory.

Russell Wise and Kara Bishop

5528 N. River Hwy

Grand Ledge MI 48837

622-3277
Were married, also on September 21^st at “our” Immanuel. Pastor Rick Martin, Kara’s pastor in Charlotte presided.

Jesus’ blessing upon these homes, “What God has joined together, let no one put asunder.”

MONTHLY NEWS ITEMS:

WORK WITH A SPIRITUAL DIRECTOR

If you think that working with a Spiritual director would assist you on your faith journey, contact me for information.  I am enrolled in an Internship in Spiritual direction, a pastoral ministry in which one Christian assists another to pay attention to God’s personal communication to him or her, to respond personally to this God, to grow in intimacy with this God and to live out the consequences of the relationship.

	Karen Eichelberger RN, Parish Nurse 886-6172

THE FRIENDSHIP CLUB

The Friendship Club is a social club for all adults of the congregation.  Our aim is to make friends and have lots of fun!  We typically meet on a monthly basis and from time to time will have family-friendly activities.  Our schedule for the Fall is as follows:

More details for our November and December outings will be forthcoming.  For more information on October’s activity or on the Friendship Club, call the Colbys at 627-3438 or the Teahans at 627-5637.

PRAYER WORKSHOP

In Pastor Rick’s Rally Day sermon, he talked about the 4 “R’s” of surviving and thriving, spiritually, in the post-modern world.  Those “R”s” are: Ritual, Roots, Relationships, and Realities.  What better way to experience and strengthen all 4 “R’s” than with a personal relationship with God through prayer.  In a 4-week workshop, we will explore Living Faith in Daily Life through Prayer, a small group study on prayer.  The curriculum is through ELCA and we will meet each week on Tuesday evenings during Catechism (7:00 – 8:00 p.m.).  This workshop is for anyone interested in learning how to grow in faith and strengthen her relationship with our Lord through prayer.  If you are interested and can commit to all 4 sessions (barring any emergencies) beginning October 8^th, please let the office know or call Jeanie Boerger-Dixon at 649-3005 ASAP so materials can be ordered.  The workshop will cost you nothing but time, and you will reap many benefits.

WORSHIP COMMITTEE NEEDS YOU!!!!

We are looking for a few good men and women to join the Worship Committee.  We meet the second Tuesday of each month from 5:00-6:30 p.m. in the Fellowship Hall.  Come help us with fresh new ideas to enhance worship in our church!  We welcome you!  See Barb Paulins for more information.

AAL ELECTIONS

AAL Branch 4252 (Thrivent) will be having an annual election on Sunday, October 13^th from 8:30 a.m. – 12:15 p.m.  We will be voting for 3 Board of Directors seats.  See “Thrivent” Sept/Oct issue pages A2 – A24 of people running.  Remember October 13^th.  Mark your calendars.   We will be in the entryway.  If you have AAL Insurance you can vote!

Little Known Group Looking for New Members
who like to have fun and learn

We’re a small group of older adults, most of us with some type of disability, who get together once a month to study the Bible.  We’ve been meeting for several years at one p.m. and ending promptly at two thirty p.m.  Our first meeting was September 9^th.  Each monthly study is completed within that month, though each study relates to the others.  We have both female and male members.

This year we’ll be studying “Ten Key Teachings from Paul’s letter”.  We enjoy and respect the diversity, experience, and opinions that exist within our group.  There is not always agreement or consensus, but there is always laughter with the discussions and learning.

We have learned from each other’s life experiences, interests, and insights.  We’d love to have you join us.  You’d be welcome to visit us to see if you’d like to join us.

We meet at the home of Joan Nolff, who is the leader for the Bible Study.  Please give her a call for more information: 627-3883.

FIRST COMMUNION CLASSES

These sessions are for 5^th grade children (and any 6^th graders not yet communing) to prepare for First Communion. Held on Wednesdays in October, @ 7:15 – 8:30 p.m. If you did not receive notice, come anyway. The office sometimes does not know what grade your children are in.  First Communions will be October 27^th, Reformation Sunday.

KIDS' KLUB

Kids' Klub will meet on Saturday, October 19th from 6:30 to 8:00 p.m. in Immanuel's Fellowship Hall.  Bring a pumpkin!!

Have fun decorating a pumpkin that looks just like you!  We will have paints, markers, yarn and fabric to use to decorate your own pumpkin.  Treats and games will be provided along with lots of fun for the kids.  During the Bible study, the parents will have a PARENTS' MEETING to discuss future ideas for Kids' Klub.  Please come and share your input and ideas and sign up for another year of Christian Fellowship for your kids.  If you have any questions, please call Kelly White or Holly Plunkett.

YOUTH NEWS

Heirlines Election 2002 will be held on September 29th in the 501 Building at our meeting from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m.  All youth in 9th through 12th grades are encouraged to attend.  Call Mike Pitchford with questions.

The 2003 National Youth Gathering will be held in Atlanta, GA fro July 20-23, 2003.  Immanuel is sending a group.  To reserve your spot,call Mike Pitchford.

FROM THE COUNCIL PRESIDENT'S DESK:

October is here and as we move into fall there are plenty of opportunities to serve at Immanuel.  The Nomination Committee will be looking for people to serve on the church council.  Wayne Christiansen, Mary Gehlhaar, and Fred Roush are working with this, and I’m sure they would be interested in hearing from people interested in being on Church Council.

The Grand Ledge Crop Walk is October 6th, and I’m sure that more walkers are always encouraged to join the walk and more sponsors are always appreciated.  If you are interested in walking, it’s not too late.  You can sign up yet on Sunday, October 6.

This is an especially busy time for Management Committee as they work with the committees to put together a proposed budget for 2003 to present to the congregation in November.  The Management Committee continues to look for new members.

The Property Committee is planning a fall clean up day for Immanuel on Saturday, November 2nd.  Here is another opportunity to serve that you may want to consider.

The greeter and coffee hour sign-up schedule for the last quarter of the year is posted on the board in the lobby of the church, yet another opportunity to serve.

With all of the various ministries that Immanuel is about there are plenty of opportunities to serve.  If you are not quite sure where you might like to serve, give me a call. I’d be happy to talk to you about this.

As we move forward through what has not been an easy year. I keep thinking if we work together, and we increase the number of people serving Christ in our church and world using the spiritual gifts unique to each of us, we can only be blessed in our relationship with God.

I again want to thank everyone who attended the September 8th, Bridgebuilder Report Special Congregational Meeting.  There were 70 of us! Great!

The following is a list of our Bridgebuilder Action Plan Committee that are actively at work.  Kelly White (coordinator), Bob Carter (coordinator), Orv Erickson, Rich Heuermann, Jan Martinich, Priscilla Lane, Chris Frysinger, Kate Cermak, Bill Frysinger, Heath Buckley, Dan Landry, Mike Fedewa, Mary Gehlhaar, Lisa Baptista, Ruth Kastilahn, Gary Lass, Enna Jorgensen and Bob Eichelberger.

I ask that you pray for this committee and support them as they move into October with much to do.  Let’s hold these people up in our prayers asking for God guidance and direction.

PRAYER REQUESTS:

Please be praying for:

Vera Ford, Kim Brown, Harriet Berner, Pr. Paul Pretzlaff, Gertrude Nostrant, Else Kruger, Ruth Hildenbrand, Bill & Betty Bush, Norm & Joan Nolff, Sherry Harris, Joyce Wesley, Alton Roth, Olga Morgan, Geva Pingel, Hardy Sander, George & Jean Anderson, Michael Cragg, Jake Albert, Tim Erskine, Nancy Stiver, Jamie Hildenbrand, Vivian Vinebery, and Ernestine Titus,
 

CELEBRATIONS:
OCTOBER BIRTHDAYS

OCTOBER ANNIVERSARIES

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