FROM PASTOR RICK’S COMPUTER:
FAITH FACTORS AND YOUTH MINISTRY

In July’s The Bishop’s Letter, Pastor Jamie Segaran Bruning wrote about the factors that produce faith. She was talking about faith as a living, dynamic relationship with the living God. Not religion. Faith like in Hebrews 11:1, the substance of things not seen, the conviction of things hoped for. Faith that makes all the difference in how we live and cope with hardships. She listed the following:

1. Talking about God and using faith are deeply embedded in the home, family identity and lifestyle
2. Three adult mentors (coaches, teachers, employers) who were believers are considered important by the individual.
3. Engaged in 3 or more months of important service (mission trip, camp counselor, VBS helper, Sunday School teacher)
4. Had a dynamic church experience growing up: church was cool, welcoming, exciting;
5. Had a good senior high/young adult ministry
6. Were apprenticed early into the church’s ministries; presence and contribution was valued in worship, Sunday School, VBS, committee, etc.
7. Were encouraged by strong Christian friends;
8. Were supported by Christians during a personal crisis.

Add them up. There are 8 of them. They have been identified in a joint study between the Southern Baptists and the ELCA (our denomination). The more of them you have the more likely you are to have an active faith and be active in the Church. The more of these our young people have, the more likely they will stay active after they make their Confirmation and be strong believers as adults.

I believe we can work with our youth using these faith factors. They can become our benchmarks for planning and doing our activities.

Here’s what it takes:

      1.       Believing that faith is caught before it is taught. Christ is alive and real!
2.       Adults/parents getting active at home and church and making it welcoming.
3.       High school youth getting involved with God and church and making it dynamic.

Here’s what we are doing now.

           1. Holding a training retreat about the faith factors on October 15 & 16.
           2. Pr. Jamie and others will lead it.

Here’s what you do:

                1. Call Lynn Danes (543-866) or the church office (627-6310) to sign up.
                2. Pray, prepare and attend the retreat.

“God’s gonna move this place. God’s gonna turn this world upside down.”
(from the song, One Name)

AMONG OUR MEMBERS:

MARRIAGE

Bryan Davis and Amy Shuart were married in Christ at Immanuel on August 14^th. Please pray for them.

TRANSFER

Jeff and Jennifer Dodge family to Messiah Lutheran, Marquette, MI

NEWS AND EVENTS:

UPCOMING WORSHIP NEWS

Sunday, September  12 is Rally Day, and it marks our return to our regular worship schedule. Beginning on September 12th, our schedule is:

Fire-up with Jesus with the beginning of our 2004-2005 Sunday School year. Parish Ed will be firing up the grill following the 10:30 Worship Service on September 12th to cook hotdogs for our annual Rally Day potluck.  Please bring a dish to share.  Drinks & table setting provided.

GOD’S LAW FOR THE FALL
Worship and Study

SNL (our catechism program) will be studying the 10 Commandments this fall. So we are all going to get on board. The sermons are going to be on the 10 Commandments. Pastor’s Adult Class will study them.   Small Groups may use materials produced to study and pray together. New groups can form around this on Rally Day.

Here’s the schedule for September:

Sept. 12 (Rally Day): 1^st Commandment: You shall have no other gods before me.

Sept. 19: 2^nd Commandment: You shall not take the name of the Lord your God in vain.

Sept. 26: 3^rd Commandment:  Remember the Sabbath Day to keep it holy.

ACTION FOR LSSM BAZAAR

We know that we have many wonderful “crafters” among our church members.  We would like to ask that anyone who can, to please make one craft item for the ACTION for LSSM Bazaar which will be held in November.  You can give your craft item to either Eileen LaCombe or Barb Rosh or hold onto it until closer to the November date.  Thank you.

LET US PRAY 

Each month, a member of our Health Ministry Team submits an article for the Newsletter related to some aspect of health and well-being, such as nutrition or arthritis.  This month I offered to write an article on prayer.

What does prayer have to do with health and well-being?  The answer is: everything!  You know the old saying, “Seven days without prayer makes one weak.”  One day Jesus was praying and one of his disciples said to him “Lord, teach us to pray” (Luke 11:1).  St. Paul observed “Likewise the Spirit helps us in our weakness for we do not know how to pray as we ought.” (Romans 8:26).  Obviously, if you think that you don’t know how to pray as you should, you are not alone.  The good news is: you can be taught.

Beginning in September after Rally Day and on each Sunday in October and November at 9:15 a.m., members of the Health Ministry Team will lead an Adult Sunday School Class on Healing Prayer.  Using videos, group discussion and other resources, we will explore together the power of prayer to bring healing and wholeness.  If you would like to know more about this educational opportunity, contact Parish Nurse, Karen Eichelberger (627.6310 or 886.6172), or Pr. Paul Pretzlaff (646.9354).

As it is written in the Anglican Book of Common Prayer, “O God, the source of all health; so fill my heart with faith in your love, that with calm expectancy I make room for your power to possess me, and gratefully accept your healing; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.”

 Health Ministry Team

FOUNDATIONS OF HEALING

Join us for a 10 week interactive course to explore God’s gift of healing prayer.  Sundays 9:15 – 10:15 a.m.  Co-leaders Pr. Paul and Karen Eichelberger, Parish Nurse.

12 Warning Signs of Health

1. Persistent presence of supportive friends.
2. Chronic positive expectations – a tendency to frame events in a positive light.
3. Regular signs of joy in living
4. Sense of spiritual renewal in the Lord.
5. Increased sensitivity to others.
6. A tendency to adapt to changing conditions.
7. Increased appetite for physical activity.
8. Tendency to identify and communicate feelings.
9. Repeated episodes of gratitude and generosity.
10. Compulsion to care for other people.
11. Persistent sense of humor.  Known to laugh out loud.
12. A life centered in forgiveness of Christ!

TODDLER TIME

Beginning Wednesday, September 8 at 10:00 – 11:00 in the church basement.  All children 0-4 years old are welcome.  Must be accompanied by parent or caregiver.  Music, crafts, and playtime shared.

ART FAIR RESULTS

A big thank you to everyone who helped and/or displayed art at Immanuel’s Comfort Station. Our Art Display winners were:

Opportunities to Serve:

ADULT CHOIR

Adult Choir Kick-Off will be held on Wednesday, September 1 at 7:00 p.m. at Pr. Rick & Ellen’s house, 7135 Rockbridge, Grand Ledge.  All interested new and returning people, 9^th grade – Adult are welcome

Usher Training

Anyone interested please call Joyce Oswill at 627-6839.

YOUTH NEWS:

FOR K-3rd GRADERS

Jesus and Me Club (JAMers) A monthly parent and child based program for families with children in Kindergarten to 3^rd grade starting September 12 following Rally Day Potluck.  Holly Plunkett will be coordinating this program. 

ATTENTION FOURTH AND FIFTH GRADERS!

Mark Wednesday, October 6, on your calendar right now!  It’s a night you won’t want to miss.  If you loved Vacation Bible School, you’ll love this exciting new program!  Get ready for games, music, Bible lessons, food, and fun!  Bring your friends!  Be looking for more information in next month’s newsletter.

FOR 6th-8th GRADERS

Tuesday, August 31 ~  SNL Parent/Student Orientation meeting

SNL (Sunday Night Live) is for 6^th through 8^th graders. It is our totally cool, catechism program.
 

1ST COMMUNION CLASSES

At our church baptized children are invited to receive the sacrament at 5^th grade. We hold a class to prepare. This year, classes will be on Wednesdays in September: 8, 15, 22, 29. Classes run from 7 – 8:30. All 5^th graders are invited. If your child did not receive a letter, please contact the office right away. Teaching are Pr. Rick and Lori Van Hoesen.

NOTES:

To our Immanuel family,

We want to express our thanks and gratitude in the thoughts and prayers on our behalf following the unexpected arrival of our son, Ty Lucas.  Also, thank you to Denise Proper, the Landrys, and Ketolas for the delicious meals.  We are truly grateful for the generosity and compassion shown to us in our time of need.  We are truly blessed to be a part of this family. 

God’s peace to all.
Mike & Jackie Fedewa

Thank you to those who have been taking care of watering the Memorial Garden this summer.

The Memorial Garden Committee

CELEBRATIONS:
SEPTEMBER BIRTHDAYS

SEPTEMBER ANNIVERSARIES

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