Evangelism Board News Welcome to Eric Hardman, who has been elected as a member of the mission team. We are looking at a Welcome New Neighbor list for inviting people for Easter. This will be a bulk mailing, and may cost over $600.00. The company would print the postcard and mail it with an invitation to join us for Easter services. We are considering holding a Financial Management Class from Dave Ramsey, Financial Peace University. It will be a 6-week course, and will cost $100.00 per family. This would be advertised and open to the community. Pastor Castens is trying to coordinate an effort with the Jefferson County chiefs and chaplains to host a workshop for Saving Those who Save Others. We could be involved with hosting an afternoon/evening gathering for the Chaplains and their families here at Immanuel. We are Sending birthday cards to families of Preschool and Childcare students on a monthly basis. We will provide a dinner for the Crystal City Fire Department volunteers at their business meeting probably in March. The Board of Evangelism will be evaluating and coordinating Mission efforts and developing a clearing house of sorts for all boards and groups to choose where they will send their respective mission funds. We will be working with the Board of Elders, Pastor, and those who usually support a mission during the year, in order to develop a unified list for all to choose from. Respectfully submitted, Karen DeClue, Chair, Board of Evangelism Women of Immanuel Hat and Mitten Tree 2017 The Hat and mitten tree produced 95 clothing articles, which were delivered to the Jeffco Rescue Mission on January 8th. 13 baby onesies & shirts, 30 pairs of socks. 8 sock caps, 39 gloves, 1 muffler/scarf There were also 4 small toys and 4 diaper packages. We had 65 hygiene articles from the Just One box. There was an additional gift of 150 hand knitted sock caps. Thank you to Sharon Williams and her daughter Barb who made and donated them. The In As Much donations of more than 75 items of food were also delivered. Thank you to Jay Moore, Jeannine Pilliard and Karen DeClue for the loading and delivering of all the items.
FEBRUARY 2018 Sow Well, 2018 is here. It s time to look forward. So much to do; so much to enjoy. There will be struggles. Some of them might be serious. We pray the Lord to strengthen and guide us through those as well. As I look forward throughout this year of our life together in Christ, I want to focus on three things as the Lord takes us through the year. They all begin with E. Ekklesia, education, and evangelism. These three correspond to the three main points of our mission statement; sow, grow, and go. Let s start with the ekklesia. Ekklesia is a beautiful Greek word that talks about you (plural). It means assembly, church, the body of Christ. You have been gathered together by the Lord to be an assembly whose head is the Lord Jesus Christ. It is in this assembly that the Word of God is sown. Is it important to be in church, in the assembly? Yes. Why? We need to lovingly answer this question. It is because it is in this assembly God has chosen to sow His good gifts into those who are gathered there. Rev. Al Colver in his Bible study entitled Witness, Mercy, Life Together says, Through the Church s Gospel ministry of Word and Sacraments, the Holy Spirit calls, gathers, enlightens, and sanctifies the whole Christian church on earth, and keeps it with Jesus Christ in the one true faith ( 31). The Lord has gathered us together as an assembly to feed from what He gives. You are fed and strengthened by the Lord! Picture each week that the Lord gathers us together as our time together with the Lord. It is at that time that we sit as one company being fed with God s own Word. Is that important? Yes! Lord to whom shall we go, you have the words of eternal life (John 6:68). It is also that time that the Lord gathers us together and feeds us with Body and Blood. How beautiful are Jesus words that these gifts are given for you for the forgiveness of your sins. What is it again the Lord sows into us? It is His Gospel. It comes in Word and it comes in Sacrament for our great benefit. Imagine for a moment that you never came to the dinner table? How would it be for you? Would you go hungry? How strong would you be? How long would it take for you to become weak? Now imagine (God forbid) you never came to church. How would it be for you? Would you go hungry? How strong would you be? You would be deadly weak! Let us thank the Lord together that He richly sows His good gifts into our lives as we do gather together. We come together, our sins are forgiven, we grow in fellowship, and the Lord sustains us with what He offers. That is the assembly, a field if you will, or maybe a dining table, where planted in you is the Word of God. So, Come let us go up to the mountain of the Lord, to the house of Jacob, that He may teach us His ways and that we may walk in His paths (Micah 4:2). Kyle Castens, Pastor
MILC (Men of Immanuel) will be sponsoring their 10th annual Chili-Cook Off on Sunday, February 11, after the late service in the FLC. There is a sign-up sheet in the narthex for those of you that will be bringing your chili to be voted on. We will have a large pot of house chili for everyone to enjoy, and hot dogs will also be available for kids of ALL ages! :-) Bring your chili to be voted on and see if you can get your name on the plaque that hangs in the FLC or just come over to taste and vote on your favorite chili. Don t miss out on the fun and some yummy chili!! If you ordered soup and/or subs from our youth, please don t forget to pick up your order the morning of Feb. 4th in the Family Life Center and enjoy it while you watch the big game. Thank you for your support!! The YAH Club s next meeting will be on Thursday, February 1 at noon in the Family Life Center. Lasagna & Salad will be provided, dessert will be potluck, so bring your favorite Valentine dessert. Our activity will be crossword puzzle, and we will assemble Valentine treat bags for our Daycare threes class. Anyone 50 years of age and older are welcome to attend our meetings at anytime. See you there! QUILTING RESUMES.. We will begin meeting at the FLC on Wednesday, February 21st, at 1:00 p.m. weather permitting. Anyone who is interested in this mission, please join us then. If you have any questions, please contact Norma McKee at (636) 933-3505.
To my brothers and sisters in Christ at Immanuel, God is so good, and I am thankful for the successful surgery and the care I received at Mercy Hospital Jefferson and The Oaks Rehabilitation following my open heart surgery. I thank the Lord for the acts of love provided for me by you, God s people providing me transportation, food, and visits during and following my hospitalization; also cards, prayers and concerns for my recovery; the encouragement of the faithful for my well-being I am thankful for them all and for you all. May the Lord continue to bless me with the return of health so that I might continue to serve and honor Him as you all have done on my behalf. God bless! Pastor Rux Jerry <>< Dear blessed members of Immanuel, My family and I want to thank you so much for the gracious Christmas gift. Once again, we thank you for thinking of us at this time of the year. Jenn, Daniel, Andrew, and I truly enjoy being a part of the Body of Christ here at Immanuel, and we especially appreciate the time together around Christmas. There is something truly special about a congregation gathered together celebrating the blessed birth of Jesus. We thank the Lord for you, and pray the Lord shows His kindness and lift His countenance upon you this new year. The Castens To our Immanuel Family, Thank you for the lovely cards, flowers, calls, prayers, and all your kind expressions of sympathy. To all those who helped with the luncheon, thank you so much for your hard work in preparing & serving the wonderful food. It meant so much to our family and friends. The kindness & thoughtfulness from everyone during this difficult time was so much appreciated. Blessings, The Babe Pratt Family YOUR 2018 OFFERING ENVELOPES are available in the narthex. AND.. YOUR 2017 CONTRIBUTION STATEMENTS are available in the narthex. (We would be happy to mail yours if you like, if so, please contact Pat at the church office 937-5525. Sign-up sheets for MIDWEEK MEALS FOR FEBRUARY, MARCH AND APRIL will be available in FLC on the wall by the coffee machine. Or anyone is welcome to contact Debbie Sevier and she will sign you up. Please note the person/group should plan on feeding 25 people and providing smaller portions, as mostly children are eating. Suggestions include breakfast, chicken or fish nuggets, pizza, pasta along with a vegetable and dessert. Drinks and paper supplies will be provided. Kids eat promptly at 5:45 and class begins at 6:00.
SPECIAL DATES February 4 Pick up your soup and subs @ FLC February 11 Transfiguration of Our Lord Chili Cook-Off @ FLC February 14 Ash Wednesday Valentine s Day February 18 First Sunday in Lent February 19 Presidents Day February 25 Second Sunday in Lent FOR DECEMBER 2017: Grace Waltman, Ali Waltman, Ella Waltman, Matthew Waltman, Kensi French, Ethan French, Kannon French, Lindy French, Nicole Sansoucie, Andrew Castens, Daniel Castens, Peyton Cattoor. FOR LENTEN SERVICES 10:00am & 7:00pm Ash Wednesday February 14 Wednesday Lenten Services: February 21 February 28 March 7 March 14 March 21 Aaron, Nicole, Alexia, Austin Brinkley Amber Palos & children; Aubrey & Blake Gordon Eric Hardman Chandler James Evan, Andrea, Jack & Emma Patterson Lucas Seals FOR DECEMBER 2017 MIDWEEK CLASS: Jameson Caskanett, Kensi French, Brayden Turner, Naomi Shemwell, Ali Waltman, Grace Waltman, Mercie Daniel, Ethan French, Cruz Mier, Ella Waltman, Kannon French, Lexi Turner, Summer Tullock, Matt Waltman, Madison Caskanett, Zoey Nelms, Nicole Sansoucie, Kara Woods. CONFIRMATION CLASS: Ethan Boyer, Jackson Caskanett, Andrew Castens, Peyton Cattoor, Lindy French, Addison Heine, Damon Khoury, Carter Krodinger, Luke Peterein, Joe Schubert, Mason Wehlermann. In Loving Memory... William (Bill) Boedecker Neoma DeClue Norman (Bud) Livengood JoAnn Mangan Billie Sperry Dorothy Swyers Dorothy (Jane) Wagner Paul Wehner Sophie Marie Boofer, Jameson Matthew Caskanett, Tinsley James Dreyer, Finnley Adam Douglas, Marcus Riley Gordon, Chandler James, Eli Michael Mouser, Nathan Andrew Sansoucie, Jason Chandler Sebree, Brendan David Sperry, Katelyn Elizabeth Stillman, Charlotte Mae Tauser, Lillyann Louise Wehlermann, Lillian Carol Wehner, Lorelei Josephine Womack, Robert Allen Womack