THE IMMANUEL INFORMER Immanuel is a member of Lutheran Congregations in Mission for Christ (LCMC).

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1 THE IMMANUEL INFORMER Immanuel is a member of Lutheran Congregations in Mission for Christ (LCMC). Ministers All members Immanuel Lutheran Church 604 Lafayette Ave. Story City, Iowa, OUR MISSION Building Strong Relationships in Christ, And Making Him Known to All. Phone: Fax: immanuel@iowatelecom.net January 2018 Kurt Jensen Pastor Tom Hunt Visitation Pastor/Interim Associate Chris Dahl Deployed Pastor to Riverside Milianna Carlson Office Administrator Veronica Wright Financial Secretary Shelly Nibe Custodian Missionaries we help support Tim & Paula Tjernagel, Spain Pastor Randy Hansen, ISU Gene & Ginger McClugage, Family Life, Arkansas Kevin & Susana B, India Doug & Amy Nunziato, Mission Aviation, Washington Church Office Hours (September through May, unless noted on calendar) Monday through Thursday: 9:00 A.M. to 3:00 P.M. (12-1 P.M. lunch) Friday: 9:00 A.M. to 12:00 P.M. Sunday Morning Schedule (September through May, unless noted on calendar) From the Pastor When I was in seminary in Minnesota, a friend of mine suffered from Seasonal Affective Disorder. The long, cold winters with so little sun sent him into a depresssion that affected his energy, mood, and appetite. He felt hopeless and lost. What helped him overcome the depression was a bright lamp that he sat near every morning to simulate sunlight. The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it. As we enter January, we begin a season of light called Epiphany. We listen to the stories of the beginning of Jesus ministry, his baptism, and his Transfiguration, where his face shone like the sun and his clothes became as white as the light. 8:30 A.M. Sunday School & Adult Studies 9:30 A.M. Worship Service 10:30 A.M. Coffee Fellowship (Social Hall) Pastor s Article continued on next page...

2 Pastor s article continued from front page... In our troubled world, we need Jesus to shine his light into our lives. The God who said, Let light shine out of darkness, made his light shine in our hearts to give us the light of the knowledge of God s glory displayed in the face of Christ (2 Corinthians 4:6). Secretary Helpers (Bulletins are ready to fold at 10 A.M. on Fridays) January 5 Nadine Beck Ruby Olson January 12 Ardella Mostrom Florence Hinderaker January 19 Judy McIlrath Neva Jean Jacobson January 26 Leah Oppedal Marjorie Michaelson May Christ be your light, and may He shine through you to others. Pastor Kurt January Ministry Volunteers Ushers: Merlin & Clara Wendt, John & Patty Rathmacher, Chris and Adam McIlrath January 7 If you have an emergency need for a pastor outside of office hours, please call the church office ( ). There is an emergency number you can call listed on the answering machine. Greeters: Marge Michaelson Reader: John Rathmacher Need a ride to church? Don t let lack of transportation stop you from joining us for worship at Immanuel! Call the church office by Friday morning if you need a ride to and/ or from worship on Sunday we ll provide the ride! We will try to honor last minute requests. January 21 January 14 Greeters: Chad Reifschneider Family Reader: Denny Bauman Greeters: Kent Nicholson Family Reader: Patty Rathmacher January 28 Greeters: Larry & Donna Kallem Reader: Larry Kallem

3 View from the Pews November 2017 Attendance: Pastoral Acts Funeral, December 9: Galen Omvig Please remember this family in your prayers. November 5: 204 November 12: 197 November 19: 248 Thanksgiving Day: 25 November 26: 190 *Average Sunday Attendance: 210 *not including Thanksgiving Service Church Financials Financial Report November Fund Current & Mission Fund Beginning Balance Receipts 23, , Expenditures Ending Balance 27, , Improvement Fund 8, , , , Missionary Support Fund 1, , , , Memorial Fund 8, , , Ministry Fund Prayer for a new beginning Dear Lord, touch me with your Spirit of truth so I may be honest about my sins and failures. Forgive me for treating your covenant lightly and at times ignoring it completely. Help me truly seek and know forgiveness for all the hurts I ve caused, for harboring ill will and for any hardness of heart I may have. Please renew a right spirit within me that I may become more Christ-like and that my life may daily reveal your love and light. In your name. Amen.

4 Church Bulletin Board Check the narthex bulletin board for upcoming events! Bulletin Sponsorship: Contact the church office to sponsor a bulletin ($20) in honor or memory of loved ones, birthdays, anniversaries, & other milestones. The annual Christmas Luncheon was held at Immanuel on December 2. We served 105 lunches and several desserts only guests. Guests were treated to a variety of soups, Scandinavian and other desserts, and a hot chocolate bar with homemade marshmallows. The tables and social hall were beautifully decorated. We had an abundance of goods available at our bake sale. Thank you so much to all those that provided food, helped with potato cake making, ironing tablecloths, decorating, helping in the kitchen... the list goes on. Immanuel is blessed with much talent. We would also like to thank Thrivent for its generosity and support. Young Adult Dinner Feb. 17. The Seasoned Souls will be hosting a dinner for any young adults at Immanuel on Saturday, February 17 beginning at 5:30 in the Social Hall. Babysitting will also be provided. More details will be provided as the dinner approaches.

5 Church & Community Announcements Christmas Worship Schedule Sunday, December 24 at 9:30 A.M. Christmas Eve Day Worship Service with Holy Communion *Sunday, December 24 at 4:30 P.M. Christmas Eve Candlelight Service *Note: There will be only 1 candlelight service this year. The church office will be closed Monday, December 25 and Tuesday, December 26. 8:30 A.M. Sunday Adult Education: Learning from the Hymns (Room #5 next to Chapel) and Thank you to everyone who made this Christmas Season go smoothly amidst the business of your (already) busy lives. Thank you to the Angel Tree gifters and donators, Bethany Manor wheelchair pushers, secretary helpers, and members who just help out on a regular basis. We couldn t do what we do without you! Milianna Carlson, Office Secretary There will be NO Junior Choir, Pizza Supper, Trinity or Confirmation Classes on Dec. 27. Inclement Weather Policy Our church events are cancelled if the Roland-Story Schools are dismissed early due to bad weather conditions. Information will also be posted on our church website and/or Facebook page. Church Directory Update: We re waiting for a final proof from LifeTouch. We expect directories to be printed and available for pickup at the end of January or early February Check the weekly bulletins for updates. Gospel of John Bible Study with Pastor Hunt (Chapel) All men are invited to join Men of Immanuel each Saturday morning at 8 A.M. for a time of fellowship & Bible Study. Coffee & donuts are provided! Note: We will not be meeting on December 23 or 30. Note: There will be NO Sunday School or Adult Education on Dec. 24 or Dec. 31. We will resume on January 7. Year-End Giving. Please remember the needs of the various ministries of our congregation. Note: Please have all your gifts to the church office by Sunday, December 31 so they can be credited for 2017.

6 Church & Community Announcements, continued Every congregation, member and pastor is being invited to set aside some time each day of January 2, 3 and 4, 2018 for prayer. Our attitude toward prayer has often been characterized by saying, well, all we can do now is pray!. Prayer is not the hopeless act of desperation. Prayer is a gift that God has given to us as a means to approach the throne of grace with confidence like that of a child coming to her parents sharing concerns, victories, defeats and every part of life. It is an opportunity to express the deepest heartache and the greatest joy. Prayer is a conversation between the Creator and the created and the conversation began with God, for us, in Christ Jesus. Let s come together as an association of congregations across the U.S. and around the world to pray! I believe that the church will never rise up until we first get down on our knees! --LCMC Service Coordinator, Mark Vander Tuig Day One: January 2 This is a day focused on confession. We have made our lives, our relationships and even the church in our own image. We confess that the church belongs to Jesus and not to us. We gather to lay down our pride, our sin and our agenda and ask the Lord of the church for forgiveness, which He gives freely and with mercy. Day Two: January 3 This is a day of petition. Pray for your congregation, for the pastor, for the leaders, for those who carry out ministries, for the Sunday School teachers, for the Confirmation leaders, for those leading adult Bible studies and for those leading small groups. Pray for those in hospital and nursing home ministries. Pray for all those connected to your church that they might know God s redeeming love for all in Christ. Day Three: January 4 This is a day for vision. Pray that the Holy Spirit will again move through the hearts and minds of leaders and pastors that God s vision for His church might be revealed and fulfilled. This is a time of prayer for renewal, revival and encouragement. Pray for God s vision. If you know any friends or There will be no Trinity or Confirmation family in need of meals Class or Junior Choir on Wednesday, following births, deaths, January 3. We will resume our regular illnesses, or surgeries, contact schedule on January 10. Sarah Jensen (suttonsbay1@yahoo.com) or the church office. Sarah helps organize the Annual Report information. All chairpersons, providing of meals using the Meal Train secretaries, and treasurers are reminded to Website and will notify the congregation have their annual report information to the allowing you to sign up for times to provide church office by Friday, January 5. meals for those in their time of need.

7 Church & Community Announcements, continued My Bible Faith Stepping Stone: During Sunday School from January 7 through February 11, our 2nd and 3rd graders and their parents will journey through all 66 books of the Bible, highlighting dozens of verses and stories through music, art, and drama. We will meet in the Social Hall each Sunday morning, starting with music at 8:20 A.M. Families will learn how to bring God s Word into their daily lives. We will conclude with a blessing service during worship on February 11th. Come see how much fun you can have while you learn the greatest story of all time! You can find out more about the Faith Stepping Stones at SHAPED to Make a Difference In January, we re going to look You re invited to bring a dish to share deeper at one of God s purposes for for our First Sunday of the Month our lives, that we have been made for Congregational Potluck on Sunday, ministry. We ll share some resources with Jan. 7! We ll meet in the Social Hall our congregation and our small groups to after worship. Drinks and tableware help you discover your particular SHAPE provided. Don t miss out on the (Spiritual gifts, Heart, Abilities, Personality, food and fellowship! Experiences) that God has given you to make a difference in our congregation, community, Jr. Choir will have its last rehearsal January 10, Due to declining attendance, Jr Choir will be disbanded after that date and children in grades 2nd through 6th grade will have music just on Sunday morning during Sunday school with the Young Disciples group. It has been an honor to direct the children of Jr. Choir over the past years. This ministry of music with the youth of Immanuel has been a blessing. Thank you for the opportunity to worship God through song with your children. God Bless. -Cathy McKim Disciple Orientation: Interested in becoming part of Immanuel? Anyone who wants to find out more about what it means to follow Jesus as part our congregation is invited to join us in the Cornerstone Room on Sunday, January 7th after that morning s potluck meal. We ll have a welcome for new folks during worship on January 14th!

8 Church & Community Announcements, continued Immanuel Women s Ministry Quilt Tying Work Day will be Thursday, January 11 from 9 A.M. to noon. Join us for a morning of food, fellowship, and service to others. You are welcome to bring treats for coffee break. No experience needed. The Immanuel Board of Education invites you to join us for Breakfast Club on Sunday, January 14th. We ll be serving pancakes, fruit, juice, and coffee from 8 to 8:30 A.M. in the Social Hall. Please invite your friends and family for this time of fellowship and food before the Sunday School hour! Introducing our new missionaries with Lutheran Bible Translators! Carl and Kelsey Grulke, who both grew up in Central Iowa have been called by Lutheran Bible Translators to assist with translating the New Testament into a native language in Botswana for the first time. They and their five young children will be moving there in March, likely for years to complete the translation. They are thrilled to be working together as a family in ministry and have a passion for language and for sharing the incredible story of what God has done for His people all around the world. Carl will be visiting Immanuel on January 14 to introduce himself to us and share a message. During coffee time in the Social Hall after worship, he will share more of their plans and vision. Please pray for them as they prepare to serve with LBT to bring God s Word to those who do not yet have it in the language of their heart. To learn more about the Grulkes and Lutheran Bible Translators, visit their websites: and Women s Monthly Bible Study will continue on Tuesday, January 16 at 2 P.M. in the Social Hall. All women are welcome to join us for a time of fellowship and study. February Newsletter Articles & Announcements are due to the church office by Monday, January 22 at noon. Have something to share with the congregation? Put it in our monthly church newsletter! Note: Late submissions are not guaranteed publication.

9 Church & Community Announcements, continued The Annual Meeting of Immanuel Evangelical Lutheran Church is set for Sunday, January 21 following the 9:30 A.M. worship service. Items on the agenda will include: 1. Ministry highlights from the past year 2. Our Missions commitment for Update on the Endowment Fund 4. The election of new council and committee members and delegates 5. Transition Team and Council Recommendation on Staffing All confirmed, active members are encouraged to attend and vote! Following the meeting, we will share a potluck meal in the Social Hall; everyone is invited to bring a soup, side, or dessert to share. Ballot for Annual Meeting - Nominating Committee Report Church Officers: Board of Education: President: Steve Olson Lisa McIlrath ( ) Vice President: Frank Baedke Ashlee Mullenbach ( ) Secretary: Brad Skaar (Jeff Baker ) Treasurer: Dennis Bauman (Sue Uthe ) (Jessica Reinert ) Deacons: Trustees: Shirley Frette ( ) Edgar Christian ( ) Mary Ruppel ( ) (Tyler Oberender ) (Al Hermanson ) (Craig Sargent ) (John Nordeen ) (Al Gelner ) (John Rathmacher ) (Jeff Loots ) Submitted by the 2017 Nominating Committee: Stefanie Charlson Mary Danielson Ronette Schlatter Ole Skaar Ben Winecoff Endowment Committee: -nominated by Council- Joel Gabrielson ( ) (Dennis Bauman ) (Mike Billings ) (Brad Waline ) (Linda Narigon ) 2018 Nominating Committee: Jaynee Christian Marian Olive Amy Rathmacher Merlin Wendt (5 th member TBD) Delegates: LCMC National Gathering: Pastor Kurt Jensen, Patty Rathmacher Riverside Bible Camp: Kim Sporleder, Laurie Thompson, Miriam Skartvedt Bethany Manor: Edgar Christian, Clayton Gabrielson, Gloria Oberender, Sue Uthe, Mike Valen Waldorf College Representative: Ole Skaar

10 Church Library Notes Read. Study. Learn. January always seems to bring the coldest days of winter to us. Hopefully you are prepared for extra indoor time with a stack of good books to read. Here are some recent additions to our library. Catching the Wind by Melanie Dobson follows the story of investigative reporter Quenby Vaughn as she seeks to unravel the mystery of what happened to ten year old Brigitte Berthold during the attempted German infiltration of England in World War II. Told from both Brigitte s and Quenby s viewpoints, you will quickly become involved in their stories, following Quenby as she searches for the nearly 80 year old clues Brigitte left behind, finding a most unexpected yet satisfying conclusion. If you are having withdrawal symptoms from watching all those holiday movies, you might enjoy reading The Wedding Shop by Rachel Hauck. This is another novel where the reader follows two stories that become increasingly intertwined as the book goes along. Heart s Bend, Tennessee has been the place to go for all things bridal since 1890, when Cora Scott s Aunt Jane first opened the wedding shop. When her aunt died, Cora inherited the shop, successfully running it for many years but never getting to plan her own wedding. Many years later, the abandoned shop, now nearly in ruins, captures the imagination of returning military officer Haley Morgan. Follow both Cora s and Haley s stories as they seek to bring happiness to others on this most special of days while each trying to find the love that will fulfill their own longing. New to non-fiction: The Spotlight of Faith by Bill Crowder. Understanding what it means to walk with God. Forgiveness by Gary Inrig. Discover the power and reality of authentic Christian forgiveness. Understanding the Healing Power of God by Doug Jones. How to get it and what to do with it once you ve got it. Resolve to be there Let our New Year s resolution be this: We will be there for one another as fellow members of humanity, in the finest sense of the word. Goran Persson

11 Summary of December 14, 2017 Council Meetings Joint Council President Terry Thompson called the meeting to order. Devotions were shared by Al Gelner. Denny Bauman gave the monthly treasurer s report. Report of Boards. Role descriptions for a 2 full-time pastor system are being crafted. Next meeting: January 11. Trustees December 14 Opening Prayer Rick Richie Approved bills and Treasurer s Report. Project Updates: parsonage updates mostly complete; getting bids on bell tower louvers, small flat roofs, and sanctuary interior restoration and improvement. Other Items: continuing to look into security upgrades for the church. Next meeting: January 11 at 6:30 p.m. Board of Education December 6 Opening prayer Jeff Baker Approved treasurer's report Discussed Spring curriculum, character lessons, and teachers. Planned Breakfast Club. Ordered additional Kingdom Kids bells. Mission projects: sending $500 to LCMC Disaster Relief; purchasing additional clothing for R-S students. Next meeting: TBD Deacons December 14 Opened with prayer concerns. Planning combined Thanksgiving Eve worship service for next year with St. Petri, Bergen, and Salem. Forming worship planning team. Temple talks in Jan. on stewardship. Disciple Orientation to be held in Jan. Discussed prayer and visitation ministry, Junior Choir, a Spiritual Gifts series, and Little Free Pantries. Carl & Kelsey Grulke with Lutheran Bible Translators will visit us on Jan. 14 Reviewed inactive member list Next meeting: January 11 at 6:00 p.m. Youth Board Dec 13 Discussed opening game for next Confirmation class and creative interruptions for My Bible Faith Stepping Stone in January & February. Caroling at Bethany on Dec 10 and at the condos on Dec 13 was great! Winter Jam coming up January 26 at Wells Fargo Arena; Rodney Bunn is coordinating it. LCMC National Youth Event registration is now open; need to register soon. Looking for additional adults for Youth Board and volunteers for events. Next meeting: January 3 at 6:30 p.m.

12 Middle & High School Youth Activities Riverside Bible Camp s High School week is July They have a great week planned; check it out at (click on Sr High). Called 2 Follow, the LCMC National Youth Event, will be in Des Moines this summer! July 17-20, 2018, Grand View University, Des Moines. If you ve ever been wondering what God s plan for your life is, you re not alone. At Called 2 Follow, you ll have a chance to meet other high school students from all over the country, lend a hand to people in need, and gain a better understanding of what God might be calling you to do in your local community. This isn t your parent s youth gathering! Here's a recap of the 2016 LCMC Youth Gathering: A new you The object of a New Year is not that we should have a new year. It is that we should have a new soul and a new nose; new feet, a new backbone, new ears, and new eyes. Unless a particular man made New Year resolutions, he would make no resolutions. Unless a man starts afresh about things, he will certainly do nothing effective. G.K. Chesterton Winter Jam is coming! January 26, 2018 at Wells Fargo Arena $15 at the door Doors open at 6 P.M.; Main show at 7 p.m. Interested in going? Contact Rod Bunn at rbunn@gmail.com or Questions? Want to volunteer to help with any of these events or other youth opportunities? Contact us: Rod Bunn rbunn1967@gmail.com Chris Dahl dahlch01@gmail.com Tammy Nicholson tknicholson89@gmail.com Pastor Kurt jensku01@gmail.com

13 Mon Tue Wed :00 A.M. Radio Broadcast February Newsletter 8:00/10:30 A.M. Prayer Time Announcements and 8:30 A.M. Sunday School/Adult Education Articles Due 9:30 A.M. Worship 10:30 A.M. Annual Meeting 11:00 A.M. Annual Meeting Potluck (Social Hall) :00 A.M. Radio Broadcast 8:00/10:30 A.M. Prayer Time 8:30 A.M. Sunday School/Adult Education 9:30 A.M. Worship 10:30 A.M. Coffee Fellowship (Social Hall) :00 A.M. Radio Broadcast 8:00 A.M. Breakfast Club 8:00/10:30 A.M. Prayer Time 8:30 A.M. Sunday School/Adult Education 9:30 A.M. Worship 10:30 A.M. Coffee Fellowship (Social Hall) 17 6:30 P.M. Pizza Supper 6:45 P.M. Trinity & Confirmation Classes 7:15 P.M. Senior Choir :30 A.M. Staff Mtg. 6:30 P.M. Pizza Supper 10:00 A.M. 6:45 P.M. Trinity & Newsletter Folding Confirmation Classes 7:15 P.M. Senior Choir :30 A.M. Staff Mtg. 6:30 P.M. Pizza Supper 6:45 P.M. Trinity & Confirmation Classes 7:15 P.M. Senior Choir 16 9:30 A.M. Staff Mtg. 2:00 P.M. Women s Monthly Bible Study :30 A.M. Staff Mtg. 6:30 P.M. Junior Choir 6:30 P.M. Pizza Supper 6:45 P.M. Trinity & Confirmation Classes 7:15 P.M. Senior Choir 2 3 Hall P.M. 7:00 Social 9:30 A.M. Staff Mtg. New Year s Day reserved 7:15 P.M. Senior Choir 6:30 P.M. Youth Board Church Office Closed Communion Sunday 8:00 A.M. Radio Broadcast 8:00/10:30 A.M. Prayer Time 8:30 A.M. Sunday School/Adult Education 9:30 A.M. Worship 10:30 A.M. Congregational Potluck (Social Hall) Sun january 2018 Thu Annual Report Information Due 12 10:00 A.M. Bulletins 10:00 A.M. Bulletins 5 Fri 25 10:00 A.M. Bulletins :30 A.M. RS Ministerial 10:00 A.M. Bulletins Association at St. Petri 11 9:00 A.M. Quilting Day 6:00 P.M. Deacons 6:30 P.M. Trustees 8:15 P.M. Council 4 Immanuel Lutheran Church 27 8:00 A.M. Men of Immanuel 20 8:00 A.M. Men of Immanuel 13 8:00 A.M. Men of Immanuel 6 8:00 A.M. Men of Immanuel Sat

14 Immanuel Lutheran Church 604 Lafayette Avenue Story City, Iowa Address Service Requested Non-Profit Org. U.S. Postage Paid Story City, Iowa Permit No. 44 january the old has gone, the new is here! 2 Corinthians 5:17 WInter gift by Heidi Mann Snow, ice and cold can make winter a hassle. Snow days due to a blizzard may thrill students but usually inconvenience parents. But now and then, winter blankets the earth so heavily that it seems to quiet everything. We re granted permission to hunker down at home, snuggle close with family or pets, enjoy a book or movie, make cocoa or cookies, and rest. It s like a surprise sabbath the gift of grace-time when no one s expected to get out the door or the driveway. Perhaps indeed, as Job declared, God sees fit on such days to put our busyness on hold and shut us all indoors so we pause and remember his work his place in our lives. Praise God for snow days!