125 ANNIVERSARY CELEBRATION...

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1 "I wish to thank my Family in Christ for the cards, prayers and concerns during my recent hospitalization and recovery. It is both appreciated and humbling. Blessings...Tony Wehlermann" Dear Immanuel, Thank you so much for your continued support of our food pantry mission to help alleviate hunger in our community. We deeply appreciate your generosity. In Christ, Anne Wells, 1st United Methodist Food Pantry I cannot find the words to express my heartfelt thanks and appreciation to the congregation of Immanuel Lutheran Church. Your prayers and support of JoAnn during her battle with cancer was outstanding. Thanks to the Prayer Warriors, and the responsible parties who prepared the lunch at the FLC. A special thank you to Dr. Joanne Waltman, Ruth Westpfahl, and Jeannine Wehlermann for all the wonderful food you ve provided. I am just so proud to be a member of Immanuel and have you as my friends. God s blessing to all. Terry Mangan Warmest Thanks With Blessings to you, your new library, and your church. Thank you for so freely sharing your extra books with us. Took some to our church library, gave some to a friend, and kept some for myself. I have finished reading Elisabeth Elliott s, Discipline: The Glad Surrender a fiction book (set of 4) Keepers of the Light and am slowly reading Joni Eareckson Tada s devotional, Secret Strength such an exciting blessings! Sincerely, Margie Skipper FBC FCC Women of Immanuel, Thank you so much for your monetary donation to 1st United Methodist church food pantry. With these gifts we are able to reach out to families & individuals struggling to get by on low incomes. Our clients often express their gratitude for the help they receive and we tell them that this whole community supports the work we do by their contributions. 1st United Methodist Food Pantry Festus Dear Friends, Thank you for your recent gift of a box of rolled bandages for Global Health Ministries, received on 7/12/2017. Many thanks to all who worked on these, they will be gratefully received overseas. Blessings, Kim Dickey, Director for Mission Development 125 ANNIVERSARY CELEBRATION... I would like to thank Pastor Castens for putting together a beautiful worship service and Christa Reiter who was the organist at the service. Also the Committee, Tony Wehlerman, Ruth Bins, Karen DeClue, and Pastor and Jenn for all of their help in putting this all together. Thanks also to a sub-committee of Debbie Sevier, Pat Lalumondier, and Joyce Budt for their work on the marketing items, the church banner and the guest book banner. Also to Joanne Waltman and Gary Schaefer for the celebration cake and cross that topped it. Also, the reception setup and clean-up crews which included Nancy Cattoor, Sherry Clampitt, Debbie Sevier, Joanne and Paul Waltman, Gil and Jackie Shadowens, Pat Lalumondier, Karen DeClue and Jay Moore. Joyce and Pat for their help with bulletins and flyers, etc. I know I have probably forgotten someone and I apologize. Everything was a great success and I appreciate everyone s help. Beverly House, Committee Chair

2 NOVEMBER 2017 The Architecture Speaks If you have never been to the campus of Concordia Seminary in St. Louis, you need to go. It is a collection of seventy-two beautific and historic acres. It is covered in trees that are majestic and buildings that are simply impressive. It has wowed tourist and architect alike. For many years, both as a student and as a staff member, I would give tours of this campus. I always enjoyed pointing out the trademarks of the Collegiate-Gothic architectural style. The intricately arranged stones are more than mere decoration, they are functional in the support of the mighty buildings. However, there is one thing that I always noted to guests on campus: the architecture speaks. I enjoyed telling people that without saying a word about this campus, one could listen to the architecture and know what we believe, teach, confess, and condemn. One of the best places that expresses this truth is the grand entrance to the Seminary, the Walther Arch. As one s eyes gaze upward they are met by three shields. On those shields, three sayings: sola fide, sola gratia, sola Scriptura. These shields speak who we are. I have often been confronted with a question regarding what makes a Lutheran different. What exactly is a Lutheran? What do you believe?, one might ask. Have you ever had one pose that question to you? Were you prepared to give a simple, yet bold answer? Here it is: sola fide, sola gratia, sola Scriptura. We are ones who believe in the solas of Scripture. We are ones who believe in the alones. We believe that faith comes by hearing, and hearing through the word of Christ (Romans 10:17). We believe faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen (Hebrews 11:1). We believe that we live under the law of faith, not the law of works (Romans 3:27). Faith alone, not a work, but a gift from God. We also believe in God s grace. His rich, pure, undeserved love for us. For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a results of works, so that no one may boast (Ephesians 2:8-9). To me, though I am the very least of all the saints, this grace was given, to preach to the Gentiles the unsearchable riches of Christ ( Ephesians 3: 8). Grace alone, not a work, but a gift from God. We believe in the Bible. How else do you know about Jesus? How have you heard about His perfect life, His death destroying death, and His victorious resurrection? God s Word in its truth and purity reveals your Savior and the whole counsel of God to you. There is nothing else. It is not God s Word plus something else by which we know our God. It is God s Word and it alone that is a lamp to our feet and a light for our path (Psalm 119:105). What we believe is not based upon our opinion, current culture, or anything else in the trend of what s happening now. Scripture alone, not a work, but a gift from God. Dear child of God, these three tenets define who you are and the gifts that is given to you. We neither add nor subtract from them. We rejoice that our forgiveness, life, and salvation is not based upon our goodness, merit, or worthiness, because if they were, we would be sunk! It is all gift. All God s gift. Faith alone, grace alone, Scripture alone, BY CHRIST ALONE! Kyle Castens, Pastor

3 OPERATION CHRISTMAS CHILD UPDATE. First, did you hear the children's message on October 8th? It was an excellent message in which our children were taught about giving and how this program gives. The shoeboxes are available in the Narthex, have you picked one up yet? Our goal is 125 completed boxes as a church family. Please bring your filled box back to church no later than November 5th, (don t forget to include a $9 check for postage and place it inside the box or go on line to donate your $9). We will be taking them to one of the Operation Christmas Child drop-off centers during the week of November 13th. Thank you all for the tremendous outpouring of love and support! YOUTH PROGRESSIVE DINNER! Our November Youth Fellowship event will be a progressive dinner held at the FLC on November 18 from 6:30-8:30 pm. All youth ages 12 and up are invited to come and enjoy a dinner that moves from room to room in the FLC hosted by various groups from church. The Board of Ed is providing appetizers in room 6, Men of Immanuel providing salad, Women of Immanuel providing the main course in rooms 4 & 5, YAH is providing dessert in room 3, and more! We are also creating and signing Christmas cards for our Immanuel shut-in's. We are looking forward to this event and thank the various committees, boards and individuals that are preparing our meal. ADOPT A MIDWEEK MEAL! In support of Midweek, the Board of Education is asking people to sign up to adopt a Wednesday night meal, starting with the November 8 th meal. Families, individuals, or groups can adopt a week and provide the meal and drinks for approximately 30 people. The food would need to be ready in the FLC by 5:45 pm in order for the kids/parents to eat and be ready for class by 6:00pm. The meals don t have to be anything fancy, such as sandwiches, pizza, etc. Please contact the Board of Education or Debbie Sevier, Midweek Director, with any questions and thank you for supporting Midweek! YAH (Young at Heart) November meeting is the 16th in FLC at noon. We celebrate with a Thanksgiving meal consisting of Roasted Pork Loin & Gravy provided by YAH and Potluck Side Dishes; Mashed Potatoes, Sweet Potatoes, Dressing, Green Beans, Cranberry Sauce, Rolls & Butter, & Fall Desserts. Anyone over the age of 50 is invited and a sign up sheet will be provided in the Narthex for those planning to attend, if you are able to bring one of dishes listed on the sheet it will be appreciated. We will be joined by Darrell Lorenz with all of your questions regarding Medicare, so please bring along your Medicare & You 2018 Booklet to aid in the process. This is not a selling event, rather informational only. Daycare gift of the month for Three's - Kitchen Toys Save the dates! November 18th, (pending) Youth Progressive Dinner. Our group will be responsible for desserts. December 2nd, 9 to noon, decorate sanctuary for Christmas, this is open participation for all members! January 6th, 9 to noon, take down the Christmas decorations in sanctuary, any member may help as well.

4 JAPD What to do before the Emergency It is good to be prepared. It is also good to have plans. Do you have plans regarding what to do before an emergency? Do you have emergency numbers where you can find them? Is your house well marked so emergency personnel can find you? Are you concerned about having an ambulance come to your house? On Sunday, November 12, after the late service, we will have a Potluck luncheon entitled Before the Emergency. Staff from Joachim-Plattin ambulance will lead a discussion that will help you be prepared for the possibility of an emergency in your life. Please plan to stay for this event, bring a dish to share and any questions you might have regarding emergency preparedness. The Lord keep you safe. The Lord keep you well-informed. HAVE YOU NOTICED? The long awaited memorial bench that the children of Walter and Elaine Bachmann have been waiting for has finally been put in place in front of church. Please join us after the late service on November 5th when the congregation will process outside and gather around the bench for the dedication. Karen Tolly (Bachmann) and Ron Bachmann have been informed of this dedication and plan on attending. Karen Tolly (Bachmann) sitting on the memorial bench for her parents. A special Thank You to Paul Waltman & Mike Wehner for the beautiful landscaping in front of church! QUILTER S UPDATE The quilting group of Immanuel meet from February (weather permitting) through July on Wednesday afternoon from 1pm until 3:30/4:00pm. We re very flexible and try to be accommodating. Thank you, current quilters, for your dedicated efforts this year in our mission to help others: Joyce Budt, Norma Burgess, Gayle French, Lynn Hoff, Carol James, Ruth Kirk, June Kutscher, Pat Lalumandier, Linda Lewis, Norma McKee, Janet Miller, Jeannine Pilliard, Anne Torrence, Barbara Williams, and Sharon Williams. The 2017 quilting season has drawn to a close and Linda and Frank Lewis delighted the quilters with a delicious luncheon in their home on Wednesday, October 18th. THANK YOU! Immanuel s quilting group also wishes to thank all those who donated quilting materials and/or monetary gifts. Without your prayers and gifts we couldn t create the 93 quilts that were blessed LWML Sunday. 50 quilts were packed in boxes and delivered to one of the Lutheran World Relief drop-off points in Jackson, MO by Frank Lewis. The remaining 43 will be delivered by John and Norma McKee to Orphan Grain Train at Mt. Olive Lutheran Church in St. Louis.

5 SPECIAL DATES November 1 All Saints Day November 5 Daylight Saving Time ends November 11 Veterans Day November 12 JPAD & FLC What to do before the Emergency November 22 7:00pm Thanksgiving Eve Service November 23 Thanksgiving Day November 26 Christ the King Sunday Daylight Savings Time ends on November 5th, so don t forget to set your clocks (Back) before you go to bed on Saturday, November 4th! See you at church on time! Please join us for Thanksgiving Worship Service Wednesday, November 22 7:00pm FOR SEPTEMBER: Ethan Boyer, Riley Boyer, Ella Bradley, Luke Bradley, Joey Bradley, Thomas Bradley, Andrew Castens, Daniel Castens, Catryn Cattoor, Peyton Cattoor, Ethan French, Kannon French, Kensi French, Lindy French, Addison Heine, Nicole Sansoucie, Naomi Shemwell, Ali Waltman, Grace Waltman, Ella Waltman, Matthew Waltman Thank You, Veterans! On Veterans Day, we honor men and women who are serving, and those that have served and sacrificed in one of America s armed services. Please remember them in prayer. On November 11, 1918, America and her allies signed a truce with German leaders, ending World War I. In 1919, President Wilson decided the United States should remember with gratitude the end of that war and honor military members by marking Armistice Day, or truce day. In 1954, Congress changed the name to Veterans Day, honoring veterans of every era. Veterans Day highlights our country s quest for peace, justice and freedom throughout the world. Followers of Jesus, the Prince of Peace, pray for unity among all nations and for the day when nation will not take up sword against nation, nor will they train for war anymore (Isaiah 2:4, NIV). FOR SEPTEMBER: K-1st grade: Graham Broyles, Jameson Caskanett, Kensi French, Brayden Turner, Ali Waltman; 2nd-3rd grade: Ella Waltman; 4th-5th grade: Kannon French, Lexi Turner, Summer Tullock, Matt Waltman; 6th grade-pre Confirmation: Nicole Sansoucie, Kara Woods Lillian Carol Wehner Daughter of Ben & Teresa Wehner Born 8/7/2017 Baptized 10/8/2017

6 UPCOMING DECEMBER DATES TO REMEMBER: Pastor Jerry Kovac (Food for the Poor) Sunday, December 10th Both Services & Bible Study 10:00 AM & 7:00 PM December 6 December 13 December 20 The Women of Immanuel will be sponsoring their annual Reason for the Season on Saturday, December 9th at 6:00 PM in the Family Life Center. There will be two signup sheets in the narthex, one for those ladies that want to adopt a table and are inviting friends and family, and one for those that just wish to join us on this special evening of a sit down dinner (served to you by the men of our congregation), entertainment and great fellowship. All women of Immanuel are invited, but please be sure to sign up so we know how many to prepare for. For more information on how the adopt a table works, please call Karen DeClue at or the office at Remember our Annual Voters Meeting after the late service on December 3 at the Family Life Center. In the meantime, if you are not a voter but would like to be, pick up a copy of our constitution and bylaws in the narthex or church office, read over it and come to the meeting to make your wishes be known. A potluck lunch will be served, so bring your favorite dish to share. See you there!