Highlights of Upcoming Events

Order flowers for the sanctuary.

It's easy! Contact the church office or fill out the form on-line, by clicking the link below.

Order flowers to help beutify our sanctuary.

Meetings

Congregation MeetingA congregation meeting will be held after worship on Sun., Aug. 17. The need for the meeting is to discuss several costly building repairs.

Please make and effort to attend this meeting to discuss these improvements on your church home.


Sincerely, Dave Smit, Senior Elder

Stewardship Committee:

Stewardship in the Negative: I guess we could talk about the negative things relative to stewardship; Not enough growth, Not enough members, Never enough money, Losing membership, and not enough sacrifice. With regard to sacrifice, I'm talking about time and money, that which we never have enough of. You ask yourself: Could I really sing in the Chancel Choir or play inthe bell choir:? But you don't want to give up your position on the couch on Wednesday night in front of your favorite TV show, so you may convince yourself that you can't sacrifice this time of relaxation for yourself in order to help with the music ministry of Immanuel. And of course, the "spending of the green" requires so much management these days to balance the household budget that you would have to sacrifice your weekly golf outing instead of helping Immanuel with budget commitments. Such decisions we must make. And yet you know after we have rationalized our thinking of "keeping versus giving", we feel guilty. Why is that? Is it because we know what the right thing to do is yet we ignore "the call"? Let's reconcile these issues with our conscience and do the right thing. Do for your church, make the sacrifice and God will see to it that you will also receive those things which you desire. For who knows what is best for you than The Father.

Search Committee:

The Search Committee has completed a face-to-face interview and after prayerful reflection, chose not to proceed with that particular candidate. Our Association Minister is catching up from having been at church camp, and hopes to have more profiles for us to review. We are committed to finding the best possible candidate to present to the congregation, and appreciate your patience and prayers.

Mission Committee:

Plans are underway for our trip to Back Bay Mission in Mississippi., Nov. 9-15. Anyone wishing to go along contact Rev. Riegle. We need people who are knowledgeable in carpentry, plumbing, electrical work,drywalling, painting, etc.

Scholarship Committee:

The Scholarship is in need of money to replenish the funds so please, at anytime throughout the year, donate to the Plassmann Scholarship Fund. the balance the end of June was $7,892.54. There were seven $1,000 scholarships awarded on July 13th leaving the balance in the account of $892.54.

KIT, Keep In Touch:

90 treat bags were packed for the campers at Camp Worship and wonder. Thank you to Donna Cox for taking them over.

Outreach Committee:

The Outreach Committee is sponsoring a Greeter' Appreciation Dinner and Training for the church year beginning in September, 2008. The event will be held on September 32st from 4:30 - 7:30 with a catered dinner and the opportunity to share new ideas for greeters to use on Sunday mornings. Invitations will be sent to all current greeters and others are welcome to RSVP to the office of their interest in participation. It will be a great time for everyone with fellowship, fun, food, and childcare services will be provided. Mark your calendars now for this special date with all greeters here at Immanuel!

Visitation Ministry:by Nancy Wheeler

Dancing With God
"When I meditated on the word "Guidance", I kept seeing "dance" at the end of the word. I remember reading that doing God's will is a lot like dancing. When two people try to lead nothing feels right. The movement doesn't flow with the music, and everything is quite uncomfortable and jerky.
When one person realizes that, and lets the other lead, both bodies begin to flow with the music. One gives gentle cues, perhaps with a nudge to the back or by pressing lightly in one direction or another.
It's as if two become one body, moving beautifully. The dance takes surrender, willingness, and atentiveness from one person and gentle guidance and skill from the other.
My eyes drew back to the word "Guidance". When I saw "G" I thought of God. Followed by "u" and "i". "God, "u" and "i" dance." God, you and I dance."
I do not know who wrote "Dancing With God," but the message seems clear. We must be willing to trust that we will get guidance throughout our lives with God. We must be willing to let God lead.
God's blessings and mercies are upon us on this day and everyday. Let us dance through life together, with God, here at Immanuel.

Fellowship Committee:

Jackhammer Game, Sunday, August 3. 5:05 game time. Meet at church at 4 p.m. Cost is $10 per ticket, sitting right behind home plate in the shade.

Night at the Races, Sun., Octtober 5. Tickets are $20 per person., include entry fee, racing program, buffet dinner. At Balmoral park in Crete. Gates open 4:30, dining room at 5, racing starts at 6:30. Contact Beth Pierce, Peggy Regas, Dee Mecklenburg, Carol Price, Pat Baran or Chuck and Dee Williams.

VBS Ministry

Sincerely, Mary Cann, VBS directory from Immanuel


One hundred and twenty eight children attended this summer's VBS Son world Adventure Park. God blessed us with wonderful weather to go along with the week of fun through Bible stories, music, games, crafts and great snacks. It is a great joy to see the children enjoying this time in a wholesome Christian setting. yes, they do have fun without TV and Video games! My wish would be that more children could experience this week. Our numbers go down each year. make a promist next year to encourage neighbors, freinds and grandchildren to set this week aside. if you have children, encourage them to bring a freind to share the experience with them. It is always more fun to do things with your friends. the Vacation Bible School is usually the last full week in June. We try to clear the calendar so there are no conflicts with other activities. I also wish to tell the members from our church how wonderful it felt to see your support at the ecumenical service the following Sunday. Our church was well represented. The service exemplified how great it is to live in this country that has tolerance for other's religious beliefs. The Praise Band was awesome! We are blessed in so many ways. Thank you to the Andres Grain Elevator for the soybeans used in several projects. Thank you to all who support the summer program in any way.

Sunday School

Get ready for Sunday School - Mark your calender for Rally Day on September 7 at 9:00 a.m.

Let's ease into fall with a morning of fun and get ready for another great year of Sunday School and learning about God. Lots of interesting rotations, so grab your friends and come to Rally Day and Sunday School.
Sept. 7 - Presentation of Bibles to 4th grade students.at 10:00 a.m. worship.

If you think that your child had perfect attendance and is not on the list or I have the wrong year, PLEASE call Beth Jones or email me, so that I can order the correct pin for them.


Also if you have a 4th grade student that was not on the list for receiving Bibles, please let me know so I can add them to the list.
We are in need of another teacher for the Computer lab and for the Pre-kindergarten class. (Noah's Ark room). If you are interested in teaching this year or would like more information contact Beth Jones. We are always in need of help for our rotation program. The great thing is it lasts 6 weeks!! You will truly enjoy the experience of teaching our young people. If you are a little nervous start out as a shepard..... move up from there. We all have 1 hour on Sunday to spend with our children. Looking forward to a great year with our new staff. Please contact any of us with questions or giving of your time.
Mission projects & Coffee and schedule

Bulletin and Report Deadlines

Newsletter Deadline is August 20th

Women's Fellowship

Women's Fellowship Needs Your Help

The Women's Fellowship has taken on the responsibility for the food concession stand at the Glen and Carol Cosgrove Antique Tractor Sale on Saturday, August 9th. We are in need of fruit pies, brownies, or possibly the Texas Sheet Cake to serve in the afternoon. Any donations will be appreciated. A sign up sheet is in the hallway of the church. Your donations should be brought to the church on Friday, August 8th. Your donations are always appreciated and help raise money for our church facility.
The executive board will make the bar-b-q for the sale on Friday, August 8th at 10 a.m.
There will be no meeting in August.
The ladies of the Women's Fellowship will be going to lunch on Thursday, September 4th, 2008 at the Manteno Gold Course. Lunch will be at NOON. Those of us who want to ride together should meet at the church no later than 11:30 a.m. We will have a short business meeting at the restaurant to recognize new members and will have the nominating committee report. Our menu choices are as follows: Water, iced tea and coffee will be included. Soda's will be an extra fee. Please call in your choice to either the church office, or Shirley Younker before August 25th.

Fun and Fellowship!

Night at the Races!!!

Tell your friends, neighbors and relatives!!!!!
Sunday, Oct. 5 - Gates open at 4:30 Buffet Dinner at 5, Cost of dinner $20, see Beth Pierce or the church office for reservations.
1st Annual Golf Outing Sat., August 16, 2008
Shot gun start at 9 a.m.

Cardinal Creek Golf Course
615 Dixie Highway, Beecher

Cost $50

18 hole, 4 Person Best Ball Scramble
Includes Green Fees,
Cart & One Drink Ticket
Closest to Pin Contest
Put your team together,
sign up sheets on church bulletin board
or call Rev. Riegle at the church office to reserve a space.
No previous experience required. You do not have to be a member to attend so invite your friends, make up a foursome and enjoy GREAT FELLOWSHIP.

Happening in and around the church.....

Greeters' Appreciation Dinner and Training Presentation

SAVE THE DATE: Immanuel's greeters will be honored at an appreciation dinner on Sunday, September 21 at 4:30 - 7:00 p.m. in the Fellowship Hall. Greeters will be sent invitations to attend, with an RSVP due by Sept. 7.
On Sept. 21st, Rev. Riegle will also prsent a training program on becoming better greeters during the 2008-2009 church year. An optional, simple project may also be created for shut-ins, as time allows.
A catered meal will be provided, with Outreach committee members providing dessert. See you there!

We need your Help

We will be receiving a Memory Book purchased with memorial money from Anna Hameister. In this book we wish to keep track of items that are given and have been given to the church. If there are items in the church that you gave as a gift or were given in memory of a family member like the clock in the conference room, a picture in the fellowship hall, candle stick holders, any items. Write down as much information as you know, given from, dates so we can enter them in this book and we will have a permanent record of them. Ministers, elders, care takers, music leaders, etc., have changed over the years and we wish to have the correct information. Drop it off in the office.

Heading off to College

Are you in College or the military? Please send or email the office with your address and e-mail address. We want to send you KIT packages by mail and the newsletter by e-mail. If you can't do it have one of your family members drop it off or call the office.

Sports Page:

Eastern Conference Dart Ball Schedule