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 Kurt Jensen Pastor Chris Dahl Deployed Pastor to Riverside Milianna Carlson Office Secretary 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 July/August 2018 Brett Johannes Financial Secretary Jeff Baker 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 Carl & Kelsey Grulke, Lutheran Bible Translators Keaton & Miranda Mathis, For the Nations, Texas Church Office Summer Hours (June-August, unless noted on calendar) Monday/Wednesday/Friday: 9:00 A.M. to 2:00 P.M. Closed Tuesday & Thursday Sunday Summer Schedule (unless noted on calendar) 9:30 A.M. Worship Service 10:30 A.M. Coffee Fellowship (Social Hall) From the Pastor The free LifeLight festival in South Park on July 14 will be a wonderful opportunity for us as Christians from different congregations to come together and invite friends who don t yet know or follow Jesus. Just like back in the 70s and 80s our churches came together to hold evangelism revivals, at this festival we ll hear great music, testimonies, and messages that bring the good news of Jesus to the new generation. I ve heard it said that God has no grandchildren; only children. Every generation needs to be reached with the gospel. I encourage you to give away some of the postcards, hang up some flyers, and give an extra gift to help us meet our goal of fully funding this free festival. You can volunteer to help us set up in South Park at 8 a.m. that Saturday. Share the event on Facebook and other social media, and personally invite people to come! I pray this festival will plant seeds that help change the culture of our community to more and more reflect the gracious kingdom of God. Pastor Kurt

2 July Ushers: Steve & Miriam Skartvedt, Ron Kinyon (1 st ), Jonathan & Kaylin Contag (1 st & 29 th ), Rhonda Ostrem (22 th & 29 th ), Mike and Logan (8 th, 15 th, 22 th ), and Brenda and Jillian Lykins (8 th & 15 th ) July 1 Communion Sunday July 8 July 15 Greeters Tyler Whipple Family Dave & Kathy Quam Bill & Marilyn Barquist Reader Mary Ruppel Steve Skartvedt Gloria Oberender Greeters Gary & Sue Trampel July 22 July 29 Reader Roger Oakland Dave Morris Jonathan & Kaylin Contag August Ushers: Jeff Baker, Grant Severson, Cathy Braathun, Cindy Blomberg (5 th, 12 th, & 26 th ), Bruce & Jo Mortvedt (5 th & 12 th ), Marian Olive (19 th ), Ryan and Ava Charlson (19 th & 26 th ) August 5 Communion Sunday Greeters Nadine Beck August 12 Margaret Thompson, Ruby Olson Reader Al Hermanson Susan Amensen August 19 August 26 Greeters Grant Severson Family Carol Jewell Reader Sue Trampel Rhonda Ostrem Interested in participating in our worship services, or behind the scenes? We will be restarting our Ministry Volunteer Schedule in September. If you ve served in the past, we d appreciate you volunteering again! If you have certain months or duties in which you d like to serve, please contact Shirley Frette ( ), the church office, or include on the tear-off panel in our weekly bulletin. July & August 2018 Ministry Volunteers Funeral Committee July: Linda Doyle August: Sue Trampel, Claudia Fuhrman Banners & Paraments July: Jaynee Christian August: Gloria Hill Communion Preparation Marlene Bauman, Judy McIlrath Communion Assistants July: Mary Ruppel, Shirley Frette August: Shirley Frette, Al Hermanson Communion Helpers Caden Sporleder, Sam Skaar Sound Engineers July: Jim Oberender August: Brad Waline

3 July 6 July 13 July 20 Secretary Helpers (Bulletins are ready to fold at 10 A.M. on Fridays) Ardella Mostrom, Marilyn Whipple Leah Oppedal, Marjorie Michaelson Charlotte Loots, Judy Hested August 3 August 10 August 17 July 27 Nancy McMenamin August 24 Substitutes: Sara Anderson, Jerry Greenfield, Berniece Voga August 31 Janet Handsaker Nadine Beck, Ruby Olson Ardella Mostrom, Marilyn Whipple Leah Oppedal, Marjorie Michaelson Charlotte Loots, Judy Hested View from the Pews May 2018 Attendance: May 6: 222 May 13: 236 May 20: 160 May 27 (Graduation Sunday): 145 Average Sunday Attendance: 191 Pastoral Acts June 9 Justin Wheeler & Hannah Whipple Wedding June 16 Memorial Service for Carolyn Ann Lexvold Marting (Adams Funeral Home, Ames) June 23 Jacob Ostrem & Jenny Olson Wedding June 25 Funeral Service for Leroy Johnson Church Financials Financial Report May 2018 Fund Beginning Balance Receipts Expenditures Ending Balance Current & Mission Fund 74, , , , Improvement Fund 33, , , Missionary Support Fund 4, , , , Memorial Fund 10, , Ministry Fund 4, ,414.13

4 Joint Council Summary of June 2018 Council Meetings President Steve Olson called meeting to order. Devotions shared by Al Hermanson. Denny Bauman gave the monthly treasurer s report. Call Committee recommendation of issuing a call to a new Associate Pastor unanimously approved; special congregational meeting t be held after worship on July 1. Report of Boards. Received with regret and much thanks Susan Amensen s retirement as our choir director after 43 years of service. Next meeting: July 12 Trustees June 14 Approved bills and Treasurer s report. Contracts for lawn care, pest control, and snow removal to be reviewed annually. Project Updates: two small flat roofs and sanctuary interior to be repaired; air exchanger to be installed for lower Sunday School rooms; getting bids on bell tower louvers, tuckpointing, door upgrades, social hall closet renovation, and security upgrades. Other Items: Education wing windows and sump pump to be repaired; looking into regrading and tree removal around the parsonage, and patio project. Discussed improvements in electronic communication and employee procedures. Next meeting: July 12 Board of Education various dates Decorated and set up for Day Camp Day Camp wrap-up: 94 campers (40 members, 54 non-members), great counselors, lots of comments from kids about how much they enjoyed it! Next meeting: TBD Deacons June 10 Several people trained for Holy Communion visits--coordinator Carol Baedke. New bulletin format well received; will make copies of printed announcements. Discussed Head to the Heart approach to Confirmation, Zearing Health Care Center worship, children s pew card, and candy bars for Father s Day. Deacons to lead worship July 1 when Pastor Kurt is on vacation; John Rathmacher to preach. Alpha class to be offered in fall; Kelly Dahl and Mary Danielson coordinating. Immanuel helping with 8:00 a.m. set up for 7/14 LifeLight music festival. Small group Mission Challenge this fall. Next meeting: July 12 Youth Board June 9 Looking for more Youth Board members. Planned HS youth group for 1 p.m. July 8 Summer Stretch July 9-12; at Immanuel July 11. Nexus Institute leadership training available for high schoolers. Discussed Head to the Heart approach for Confirmation ministry. Next meeting: July 8

5 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. If you have an emergency need for a pastor outside of office hours, please call the church office ( ). An emergency number is listed on the machine. If it has been weighing on your heart to share your faith story, favorite scripture, a story or poem or other wisdom with the congregation, we encourage you to contact the church office or Shirley Frette ( ). We d love to add you to Immanuel s Who s Got the Bag? schedule or help you find another way to share your story! Summer Office Hours: Milianna will be in the church office Mondays, Wednesdays, & Fridays from 9 A.M. to 2 P.M. Weekly Announcements for our bulletin and or s are due on Thursdays. Be on the lookout for information in the July bulletins and weekly s about the 2018 School Supply Drive! We ll need your help in providing school supplies for area students.

6 Delaney Sorem, Ole Skaar Grant Severson, Brad Waline Roger Auestad Lori Whipple Gavin Carpenter Karen Hermanson, Adam McIlrath Kamden and Kourtlyn Wilkinson, Bennett Frette Jeff Loots Joshua Dahl, Zach Hovick, John Rathmacher Justin Wheeler, Max Petzenhauser Leif Skaar, Joel Danielson Myrle Shaw, Julie Thompson, Logan Ihle, Lana McCoy Jacob Thorson Larry Hansen, Dave Quam, Mark Dolch Mike Lykins Deb Olson, Marlene Bauman Marjorie Stensland, Paige Petzenhauser Anthony Christian, Cathy Isebrand, Brantley Wilkinson Easton Behanish Jason Loots, Brandi Hill, Andrea Baker Kase Reifschneider Graham Nicholson, Denny Bauman, Clayton Gabrielson Hyla and Harper Hill, Lisa McIlrath, Isaac Dahl Linda Anderson Kent & Tammy Nicholson Tyler & Halli Oberender Tyler & Natalie Whipple Dave & Linda Donohue Gary & Sue Uthe Dave & Kathy Quam John & Corine Nordeen Tim & Tami Marienau Chris & Brandi Hill (10 years) Bruce & Jo Mortvedt (45 years) Andy & Jill Johnson

7 Karl Nicholson, Stephen Anenson, Kurt Jensen Wendell Graber, Kevin Amundson Blake Winecoff Chad Kammin Scott Nibe, Dan Wheeler, Em Quang, Norma Sexe, Greg Voga, Kirsten Waline Karen Waline, Milianna Carlson Kenadi Lowe, Ron Kinyon, Chris Gelner Sara Vogelaar Nancy Sargent Lisa Handeland, Jerald Severson, Chris Hill Rita Frette, Dave Morris Tammy Hansen Mike Sherman Dave Amensen Maddie Lage, Sam Skaar Roger Oakland Marsha Taylor, Christine Watson, Dwayne Fiihr Sabrina and Kari Schaufenbuel, Kael Ammerman Marsha Sweet Duane Wheeler, Branch Whipple, Charlotte Loots Trent Whipple, Corine Nordeen Clark Thompson Michael & Jamie Nordeen Doug & Lori Ostrem David & Donna Teigland Dallas & Patricia Kray John & Colleen Johnson Stephen & Sandy Anenson Denny & Marlene Bauman (50 years) Seth & Andrea Kowalik Jeff & Andrea Baker Erik & Alaina Christian John & Megan Valen John & Patty Rathmacher (30 years) Cory & Michelle Tjelmeland Pat & Cathy McKim Greg & Kathy Thompson David & Tina Hanson Mike & Mary Ness Don & Lori Olson Ryan & Stephanie Charlson Willard & Janet Oppedal Steve & Deb Lage (30 years) Craig & Julie Schrader Jason & Kari Schaufenbuel Don t see your birthday or anniversary listed? Contact the church office or write down your information on the tear-off panel in the bulletin!

8 Church & Community Announcements to everyone who helped with VBS this year! We had a blast! See you next year! Heart to Heart Women s Ministry All women of Immanuel are invited to our first women s breakfast on Saturday, June 30 at 7:30 A.M. This is scheduled early so everyone can still get their full day of Saturday activities in and so that the Dads can hopefully watch their children while the young moms have a refreshing time to start their day. We hope this is the beginning of a monthly get-together. We will meet for 1 hour. Our goals are for the women in our church are to enjoy a simple delicious breakfast and get to know and connect with each other on a deeper level. Each month we will have one woman of the church share whatever she feels led to about her life and how God has been a part of it. We will also have an opportunity at each of your small tables to discuss a few Bible verses with questions as to what these verses mean to you personally. We will end with sharing any prayer requests and prayer at your table. We hope to see all women, young and not so young join us. Please consider this your invitation and feel free to invite others. Come as you are! This is a casual relaxed event. If you have questions or if you need a ride to and/or from the breakfast, please contact: Shirley Frette ( ) Julie Thompson ( ) Patty Rathmacher ( ) Sarah Gelner ( ) Please RSVP to Sarah Gelner with a phone call or text if you know you are coming so we have an idea how much food to have. We look forward to seeing you there!

9 Church & Community Announcements, continued Who are we in Christ? Who does God call us to become? Join us for the remaining 3 Sundays in our sermon series on Paul s letter to the Ephesians: Chosen and Called. www xxx The Church Office will be closed on Wednesday, July 4th in observance of Independence Day. Immanuel Women s Ministry Quilt Tying Work Days will be Thursday, June 12 and Thursday, August 9 from 9 A.M. to noon. Join us for a morning of food, fellowship, and service to others. You re welcome to bring treats for coffee break. No experience needed. On Saturday, July 14 th, area congregations are partnering with KJTT (88.3 FM) and LifeLight ( to bring a free Christian music festival to South Park in Story City, across the swinging bridge. There will be a Family Fun Zone beginning at 2 P.M., and the bands will play from about 4 to 10 P.M. All the music, speakers, and BMX team that will perform between acts have one purpose: to transform the culture of our community with the gospel of Jesus. Each of our churches have taken responsibility for helping run different parts of the festival; Immanuel is responsible for roping off areas and helping set up tables and tents beginning at 8:00 a.m. that morning. We re also looking for additional donations and sponsors to help us fully fund this free festival. If you d like to help in some way, please talk with Pastor Kurt or contact the church office! You can find out more about the festival at and the Facebook event page; just search online for Story City LifeLight Festival. Besides sharing about the event on social media, there are lots of postcards and flyers in our lobby that you can use to invite people to come. Hope to see you there on July 14!

10 Church & Community Announcements, continued A short service of Holy Communion will follow the worship services on Sunday, July 15 and August 19. Anyone is welcome to join us for this intimate gathering around our Lord s Table. Women s Monthly Bible Study meets on Tuesday, July 17 and Tuesday, August 21 at 2 P.M. in the Social Hall. September Newsletter Announcements are due to the church office by Monday, August 20. Note: Late submissions are not guaranteed publication. Loaves and Fishes and Story City Market have a matching program. When a case of advertised Best Choice brand product is purchased for Loaves and Fishes, Story City Market will match this donation with another case. Sales must be completed through store management. These case donations will be stored at Story City Market until the food pantry is in need of the items. Story City Market ads can be found in the Story County Sun or online at Contact Judy Miller at or Sue Bohner at with questions. Thank you for your donations. Visitation Ministry: If you re interested in occasionally visiting homebound members or nursing home residents, or bringing Communion to them, please talk with Pastor Kurt or Carol Baedke ( ). Brief training will be provided.

11 Church Library Notes Read. Study. Learn. Reading can expand your mind and open your heart to new ideas. Try reading something different from what you usually choose and see things from a new perspective! Shelley Shepard Gray introduces the Seasons of Sugarcreek series with the book Winter s Awakening. As a young courting couple, Josh Graber and Gretta Hershberger knew just what was expected of them what their life s work would be, what principles they would live by, even whom they would marry. There was a certain amount of comfort in knowing how their lives were going to go, but expectations can become burdensome if there is any uncertainty involved, and when Lily Allen s English family moves into town, Gretta senses a noticeable change in Josh. Lily is looking to make some new friends, but considering her unplanned pregnancy is the reason her family moved to Sugarcreek, she wonders if that will be possible in this small Amish community. Both Gretta and Lily have had their life s expectations go awry. Can Josh find a peaceful, God-pleasing resolution for them all? We also have the second book in the series Spring s Renewal in our library. When the Morning Glory Blooms by Cynthia Ruchti is the story of a legacy of love and compassion begun by one young woman s empathy for unwed mothers and their babies. Beginning in the late 1800 s and spanning over a century, it is really three carefully interwoven stories in one. It is the story of Anna who opened her heart and her home to these girls and was the first to plant the morning glories. Sixty years later, Ivy, pregnant herself, cares for Anna in the nursing home, trying to capture her story before it is too late. Modern day Becky finds herself struggling with an unexpected grandson, a daughter with a lot of growing up to do and an unemployed husband. Down -sizing into a smaller home, she has no idea of the legacy of the house across the street covered with morning glories. There are also some new non-fiction books on our shelves this month: Tortured for Christ by Rev. Richard Wurmbrand is the amazing story of the courage and faith of Christian believers suffering under the Communist regime during and after WWII. You cannot help but question the strength of your own faith and breathe a prayer of thanksgiving after reading this. Behold...the Man by Charles R. Swindoll is a thought-provoking walk with Jesus on the turbulent path to the cross. Swindoll does an excellent job of making the reader truly part of the experience. Evidence That Demands a Verdict, Life Changing Truth for a Skeptical World, by Josh McDowell and Sean McDowell, PhD. This is a completely updated and expanded version of the original classic. Thorough, organized and well-documented, this book has the answers to questions about the what, why and how of Christianity.

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13 Summer Sunday Morning Schedule 8 A.M. Radio Broadcast (1430 AM) 9 A.M. Prayer Time (Room #5) 9:30 A.M. Worship 10:30 A.M. Coffee Fellowship (Social Hall) Sun Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat 1 Communion Sunday 10:30 A.M. Special Congregational Meeting Office Closed P.M. Youth Meeting Immanuel hosts Summer Stretch 12 9 A.M. Quilting Day 6 P.M. Deacons 6:30 P.M. Trustees 8:15 P.M. Council A.M. Social Hall & Kitchen reserved 4-10 P.M. LifeLight Festival (South Park) :30 A.M. Holy Communion 2 P.M. Women s Bible Study Sun Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat Communion Sunday A.M. Quilting Day 6 P.M. Deacons 6:30 P.M. Trustees 8:15 P.M. Council P.M. Social Hall reserved 19 10:30 A.M. Holy Communion 20 Newsletter Deadline 21 2 P.M. Women s Bible Study A.M. Newsletter Folding

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 Lord Jesus, thou who art the way, the truth and the life; hear us as we pray for the truth that shall make all free. Teach us that liberty is not only to be loved but also to be lived. Liberty is too precious a thing to be buried in books. It costs too much to be hoarded. Help us see that our liberty is not the right to do as we please, but the opportunity to please to do what is right. Peter Marshall, before the U.S. Senate