FROM PASTOR RICK’S COMPUTER:
FRIENDSHIP WITH GOD

The 1^st Mark of Discipleship[1]: “I will strive to grow spiritually.”

Part of my reading this summer has been in “The Purpose-Driven Life” by Rick Warren. It was recommended to me by a member. One of the points is that God wants to be your “best friend.”  This resonates with my own heart. I deeply desire to live closer to this God who loves the world so much. And I want that for you, too.

I will be preaching and teaching about this for 7 weeks beginning with Rally Day.  The sermon series will be “Friendship with God.”  The teaching in my Adult Sunday Class will be “How to Meditate.”  These two – sermon and class – are intended to complement each other. 

The 6 steps to a greater intimacy with our Lord: Conversation, Meditation, Honesty, Obedience, Values, Desire – will be the subjects of the sermons. The Adult Sunday Class will focus in on the second theme: Meditation.

I do not promise that by listening to the 7 sermons you will experience spiritual growth. Rather, I will give you some Biblical instruction that will enable you to “strive to grow spiritually.”

Likewise, I do not promise that 7 sessions of study and practice about meditation will make you an expert. I will give you some specific tools that will enable you to practice daily this spiritual discipline. Then through practicing you will grow closer to your Lord. He promises this.

This is my desire for you and me. Strive with me to grow spiritually this fall.

Sermon and teaching complement each other. For another opportunity in the 1^st mark of discipleship see the article on Journey Toward Wholeness later in this newsletter.

AMONG OUR MEMBERS:

BAPTISM

On August 10, as we heard Jesus promise that he would satisfy our hungers and thirsts, two of our children were made members of his Body:

Alexander John, son of Steve and Carmen (Farris) Karkau: Sponsors Brian & Tara Farris and Pat Karkau

Riley Elisabeth, daughter of Jeff and Theresa (Fracker) Pratt. Sponsors: Dan & Amy Fracker and Ryan Pratt 

Christ nourished the members of his Body that we may serve together.

“Delight in the Lord and he will give you the desires of your heart.” (Ps. 37:4)

NEWS AND EVENTS:

RESUMPTION OF REGULAR SCHEDULE

Our Regular Schedule begins September 7, 2003

8:00 a.m. Worship Service
9:15 a.m. Sunday School
10:30 a.m. Worship Service

The Manger is aware of the following resumption of activities:             Sunday School: September 7th @ 9:15 a.m.             Two Services: September 7th @ 8:00 & 10:30 a.m.             Catechism: September 7th @ 6:15 p.m.             New Member Class: Wednesday, September 17 @ 7 p.m.             Tuesday Morning Men’s Bible Study Group: September 2             1st Communion Classes: Thursdays in October

JOURNEY TOWARD WHOLENESS

Join us for an 8-week course as part of our adult Sunday school program. The course includes reading, videos and discussion and focuses on:

¨       5 steps for leading an empowered life.

¨       Transformation: moving from fear to love

¨       The healing of God; the God of healing

MEDICATIONS FOR ARTHRITIS

The Arthritis Foundation is offering a free educational class to help individuals understand their options and address many concerns regarding medications for arthritis. Participants will learn about:

·         The role of medications in arthritis management

·         How medications work for OA and RA

·        How to make an informed decision about controversial                                       medications and supplements

To register call: 1-800-969-3030 (pre-registration is required)

FRIENDSHIP CLUB

LUTHER LEAGUE II

Monday, September 8, 2003
Frederick Meijer Gardens, Grand Rapids
$7.00 cost for entrance fee & tram ride
(Lunch available @ cafeteria about 6-7 dollars)
Meet at church parking lot @ 10:00 a.m.

Sunday, September 21, 2003
Brunch & Theater
Always Irving Berlin @ Spotlight Theater,
Fitzgerald Park @ 3:00 p.m.
Brunch after church @ 5^th Element

November Event
Chicken Dinner @ Frankenmuth, MI

OFFERINGS BY DIRECT DEPOSIT

Did you know that your regular offering to Immanuel’s ministry can now be made by direct deposit?  To participate in the direct deposit program, simply complete an Electronic Funds Transfer form.  These forms are available in the documents rack in the entryway and are titled “Enrollment Form for Electronic Funds Transfer (EFT)”.

Completed forms can be placed in the offering plate or given to our Financial Secretary, Jim Teahan.  Once submitted, your stipulated offering will be automatically withdrawn from your designated account on a regular basis.

Opportunities to Serve:

SING TO THE LORD A NEW SONG

Immanuel’s adult choir begins rehearsals Thursday evenings (7:15 p.m.), starting September 4th, in the church sanctuary.

Commitment includes rehearsal 1x per week (usually 7:15 p.m.-8:45 p.m.) and singing at the 10:30 a.m. worship service approximately 2x per month (dates to be determined by the choir) as well as Christmas Eve and Good Friday. Extra opportunities are available for song leaders at the 10:30 a.m. worship service as well as soloists and small ensembles for the 8:00 a.m. service. Reading music is not a necessity but is helpful. All who are 9^th Grade and older are most welcome!  Please contact Ellen McKenzie at 627.6202 if you are curious about becoming a part of a zany group of people who lift their voices in song in praise of our God.

TRANSPORTATION TEAM

Several members have volunteered to provide transportation to members in need.  Call coordinator, Ruth Kastilahn @ 622-8645 to arrange rides for special needs (e.g. worship, church activities, doctor appointments, diagnostic tests).

HEALTH MINISTRY THOUGHTS:

TIME

Our lives are dictated by time way too often.  As I turned fifty this year, I started looking at my life.  I made a list of seven things that I think are important to me -- things that I like to do, or want to do.  I’m at a point where I feel an urgency to spend my time wisely and to reach my goals, as I find there is less time to complete those goals.

There are some odd habits that can be associated with time.  I set my clock in the bedroom ten minutes fast, so that when the alarm goes off I can lay in bed ten minutes extra, but sometimes I have to pay the price when I fall back to sleep.  It is at that point when I discover I should just get up when the alarm goes off.

When we find ourselves worried about time, “Am I going to complete it on time?” and at the end of the day we find there is one more thing to do, take a moment and think about the following:

v      get spontaneous, do something you would really like to do

v      forget the house and the yard

v      spend more time with family and friends

Remember if you’re feeling guilty, it can disappear when you are relaxing in the enjoyment of the time.  Embrace the moment!  Keep in mind there can be a physical, emotional and spiritual toll that can come from following somebody else’s time clock.  Thus follow your own clock so that when you look back on your life, you can see that it was time well spent. 

Teach us to number our days aright, that we may gain a heart of wisdom.   (Psalm 90:12)

THANKS:

So many good things happened over the summer now past. It seems that in every event, someone grew in faith or heard about the Lord Jesus. Remember:

        ·         Catechism, Day, Elementary and Family Weekend Camps;
·         VBS;
·         Healthy potlucks;
·         Softball team (that beat GL Baptist for the 1^st time!);
·         Outdoor, Joint, Weekender services;
·         meals and assistance at home;
·         Island Art hospitality;
·         1^st picture directory sittings.

So many of you worked to make these things happen. Thank you. Each and every one of you, thank you. You are serving Christ in home, church, and world. May you be blessed as you have been a blessing.

ALSO THANKS

In July you heard of cut backs at GLEAP and bare shelves at the Food Bank. You gave. Thanks.

• Grand Ledge Emergency Assistance Program: $574.00
• Grand Ledge Food Bank: Roger Berner’s pickup stuffed with food and other items.

AGAIN, THANKS

To our Immanuel Lutheran Church Family,

Thanks for the many prayers, cards, and telephone calls during my surgery earlier this summer. They are all very much appreciated.      God bless you all.

FROM THE COUNCIL PRESIDENT'S DESK:

Greetings everyone.

Summer is drawing to a close.  School is started again, and we all go back to the “normal” life we have after summer break. In many ways, it is like that here at Immanuel Lutheran.

The various committees that have taken a month off during the summer are now back to work.  We have Rally Day coming the first Sunday in September to kick off Sunday  School.  The Youth groups are having their kickoff party to start out the year, and we also get ready for the committees to submit budgets for next year.

If you are on one of the committees, please try and get your budget info to the Management Committee and have someone attend the scheduled meeting with Management to go over your budget. Soon it will be time for our annual meeting in November.  We have a number of slots on Council to fill for people whose terms expire this year. If you are at all interested in serving Immanuel Lutheran by being a part of the Council, please contact me or Denise Lund who will let me know.

We have had a great outpouring of time and talents donated to our mission this summer. This is tremendously gratifying as summer is traditionally a hard time for people to volunteer for extra jobs. Please let’s keep up this wonderful aspect of our giving for God’s mission here.

We are looking forward to having the Choir back as a part of our Sunday morning services. They will be starting practice very soon and are looking for new people to add to the voices as they praise God. If you think you might be interested in joining the choir, please contact Ellen McKenzie. Also, we will be starting our bell choir soon thanks to the generous giving of our congregation for this effort.

CELEBRATIONS:
SEPTEMBER BIRTHDAYS

SEPTEMBER ANNIVERSARIES

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