News

NEW OPPORTUNITIES TO HELP SHAPE OUR WORSHIP EXPERIENCE

How would you like to help shape our weekly worship here at Immanuel? We are offering two ways for individuals to take part the weekly planning of our worship services. For those who enjoy meeting together in a small group setting, we will host a worship planning group Wednesdays each week, from 5:30-6 PM. Those who are a part of this group would focus together on the overall theme for each Sunday and then help with the selection of music (hymns and songs), as well as look at other parts of the weekly services such as prayers, litanies, dramas etc. Members of this planning group would only be expected to focus on one Sunday at a time; and therefore the meetings would last for just about ˝ an hour each week.

However, if weekly meetings aren’t your thing, you will also be able to provide input through a new online forum called “Worship Brainstorming.” The way in which this will work will be that at the start of each week, a description of the overall theme related to the Sunday that is being planned will be posted, along with a link to the scripture texts. Anyone who is interested can join the forum and participate in the online discussion. A link to the forum will be located on Immanuel’s web page, along with instructions on how to join. Then, on Wednesday afternoon of each week, a copy of all the postings for that Sunday will be printed out for those participating in the weekly planning meeting.

President's Report

What a caring congregation we have! Not only do we continue to give 10% of our Ministry Fund giving to the synod and worldwide church for support beyond our community, but in the last two months even more was given to help those in need.

In May, the congregation responded to a special World Hunger Appeal called “ Jacksons for Justice”, i.e. $20 bills, by giving over $1100. Also in May, the Social Concerns committee gave to these local charities - the Salvation Army, Meals on Wheels, Lighthouse Chapel Eagle Village and Manna Pantry a total of $2300. These funds were from special offerings at Easter and Christmas and from the Meijers reward program. Also a big activity in May was the Dump and Run program which collects items that FSU students ‘dump” in boxes in the dormitories before they “run” home for the summer break. This year over 100 hours were volunteered by Immanuel members to sort and distribute the items with the majority of those hours by Charles Hurt and Marianne Wolken, who co-chaired the activity. Last month’s Messenger identified the local charities that received these dumped items: 1428 items of food, 1380 items of clothing, 100 pairs of shoes, 62 pieces of bedding and 944 items of school supplies and cleaning supplies. These items would have been dumped in a dumpster if not for this program.

How are we doing financially?
Ministry Fund – Expenses for the year through May were $11,915 more than our income (giving). Our expenses are 4% under our budget.
Building Fund - Loan payments for the year through May were $6,872 more than our building fund income (giving).
By the time you receive this Messenger, we will have had a special Financial Planning meeting to develop a short term (this year) plan of action and long term options to address our continued overspending. We will communicate these plans to you in future newsletters.


Lee Wolken

Council President

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