In This Issue: 2 “Ask the Pastor” Is Back! 3 September Birthdays & Anniversaries 5 June & July Finances, Official Acts & Attendance 6 September 2016 Worship Helpers’ Schedule 7 September 2016 Calendar 8 A “Note” from the Music Director 8 Say Cheese for Our New Directory! 9 Greetings from the WCM! 9 Rummage Sale Recap & Thank You! 10 Youth Group News! 10 A Funke Update 11 Wurstmarkt & Country Store September 2016 Immanuel Monthly Making more and stronger disciples of Jesus Christ through the power of the Holy Spirit. IMMANUEL LUTHERAN CHURCH & PRESCHOOL 522 S. CHURCH STREET — WATERLOO, IL — 618.939.6480 [email protected]— immanuelwaterloo.org From Our Administrative Pastor… Dear Brothers and Sisters of Immanuel, Most of us probably enjoyed a relaxing summer during the past few months. Adults still had to go to work and students were probably involved in a lot of summer activities, but things were a bit slower. Perhaps a bit less hectic. God blessed us with a different, more restful pace—which is good. God gave Israel the Sabbath Day as a day of rest and meditation. He also commanded Israel to let their fields rest for a year after producing crops for six years (Lev. 25:5). Rest is a gift from the Lord! Yet God also wants his people to be fully engaged with the world by taking care of his creation (plants, animals and people) and doing the work of the church. He wants us to minister to others by fulfilling our roles in everyday life. Being busy is a good thing, too. In the words of St. Paul in Eph. 5:16, God wants us to “make the most of every opportunity.” The Greek there literally means “redeeming/making the best use of time.” Living purposefully for the Lord and others is God’s plan for us! And that’s why the next two months will be so exciting for me, Pastor Demski, and all the members of Immanuel. There’s going to be some really cool and spiritually uplifting things happening here at church. Let me highlight just a few: Photos of church families will be taken during September 15-17 so that we can create a new Pictorial Directory. Our Crown of Silver Celebration will be observed during the services on September 11. During this celebration we’ll recognize Immanuel members who’ve turned 85 this year and thank God for their lives and service to God’s people. The Third Grade Celebration will be observed during the 10:15 a.m. service on September 18. During this service all of Immanuel’s third graders will receive their own copy of the Bible. Rev. Duane Maas, executive director of People of the Book Lutheran Outreach, an outreach ministry to Muslims in the United States, will preach at all our services on Oct. 22-23. Rev. Maas will also give a presentation about his ministry during our education hour on Sunday, Oct. 23, at 9:00 a.m. Rebecca from Lutheran Hour Ministries in Uganda will be joining us during all our services on Oct. 29-30. Immanuel’s mission team worked with Rebecca very closely during their two trips to Uganda, and they’re excited about having you meet her. She’ll also be talking about her work with LHM during the Sunday morning Bible class starting at 9:00 a.m. Brothers and sisters, vacations and rest are good and God given. We need them. But so are opportunities to serve and grow spiritually. God calls us to be awake and alert. To serve his people in this community and around the world. So let’s dive into the enriching activities that God has provided for our congregation. The Lord will bless us and use us to be a blessing to others. Love in Christ,
Transcript
In This Issue:
2 “Ask the Pastor” Is Back!
3 September Birthdays & Anniversaries
5 June & July Finances, Official Acts & Attendance
6 September 2016 Worship Helpers’ Schedule
7 September 2016 Calendar
8 A “Note” from the Music Director
8 Say Cheese for Our New Directory!
9 Greetings from the WCM!
9 Rummage Sale Recap & Thank You!
10 Youth Group News!
10 A Funke Update
11 Wurstmarkt & Country Store
September
2016 Immanuel Monthly
Making more and stronger disciples of Jesus Christ through
the power of the Holy Spirit.
IMMANUEL LUTHERAN CHURCH & PRESCHOOL 522 S. CHURCH STREET — WATERLOO, IL — 618.939.6480
Dear Brothers and Sisters of Immanuel, Most of us probably enjoyed a relaxing summer during the past few months. Adults still had to go to work and students were probably involved in a lot of summer activities, but things were a bit slower. Perhaps a bit less hectic. God blessed us with a different, more restful pace—which is good. God gave Israel the Sabbath Day as a day of rest and meditation. He also commanded Israel to let their fields rest for a year after producing crops for six years (Lev. 25:5). Rest is a gift from the Lord! Yet God also wants his people to be fully engaged with the world by taking care of his creation (plants, animals and people) and doing the work of the church. He wants us to minister to others by fulfilling our roles in everyday life. Being busy is a good thing, too. In the words of St. Paul in Eph. 5:16, God wants us to “make the most of every opportunity.” The Greek there literally means “redeeming/making the best use of time.” Living purposefully for the Lord and others is God’s plan for us! And that’s why the next two months will be so exciting for me, Pastor Demski, and all the members of Immanuel. There’s going to be some really cool and spiritually uplifting things happening here at church. Let me highlight just a few: Photos of church families will be taken during September 15-17 so that we can create a
new Pictorial Directory. Our Crown of Silver Celebration will be observed during the services on September 11.
During this celebration we’ll recognize Immanuel members who’ve turned 85 this year and thank God for their lives and service to God’s people.
The Third Grade Celebration will be observed during the 10:15 a.m. service on September 18. During this service all of Immanuel’s third graders will receive their own copy of the Bible.
Rev. Duane Maas, executive director of People of the Book Lutheran Outreach, an outreach ministry to Muslims in the United States, will preach at all our services on Oct. 22-23. Rev. Maas will also give a presentation about his ministry during our education hour on Sunday, Oct. 23, at 9:00 a.m.
Rebecca from Lutheran Hour Ministries in Uganda will be joining us during all our services on Oct. 29-30. Immanuel’s mission team worked with Rebecca very closely during their two trips to Uganda, and they’re excited about having you meet her. She’ll also be talking about her work with LHM during the Sunday morning Bible class starting at 9:00 a.m.
Brothers and sisters, vacations and rest are good and God given. We need them. But so are opportunities to serve and grow spiritually. God calls us to be awake and alert. To serve his people in this community and around the world. So let’s dive into the enriching activities that God has provided for our congregation. The Lord will bless us and use us to be a blessing to others. Love in Christ,
God’s peace to you all as summer comes to a close and fall draws closer everyday. I don’t know about all of you, but I can’t believe school is back in session. I can’t believe that Rally Day has come and gone, or that confirmation has already begun. Time certainly flies, especially when it brings us back to the classroom.
Of course, as Christians, our time of learning never ends. We are always students of God’s Word as we grow in a deeper understanding of God’s love for humanity. As amazing as it is to think of how quickly time marches on, it is even more amazing to think about God’s love. God doesn’t just say, “I love.” God doesn’t just say, “There is forgiveness of sins through Jesus.” Both of those statements are amazing and true, for sure, but what is more amazing is who that love and forgiveness is for. It’s for YOU. If I tell you there’s a bajillion dollars in the bank, you’d be amazed by the idea. But, if I tell you that there’s a bajillion dollars in the bank FOR YOU, then that’s a whole different story, right? I’m sorry to say that I don’t actually have a bajillion dollars for you...just in case you had your hopes up. I do, however, want to tell you that it is true that God loves YOU and there is forgiveness and hope through Jesus FOR YOU! Which is, of course, a much better deal than a bajillion dollars sitting in some old dusty bank.
That news of God’s love for us is only found in his Word. That’s why our study revolves around the Scriptures rather than so many other possible sources of information. As we study God’s Word we certainly run into questions. Some things we’ll only learn at the feet of our Savior when He returns and we rise again to new, eternal, life with Him and all the saints. Other questions, though, can be answered in this life. Sometimes with a bit of historical context, and other times with simply digging into God’s Word in context. Either way, questions arise and that’s why we’re bringing back, “Ask the Pastor.” Each month the newsletter will feature an answer to a question that I’ve received via email, phone call, conversation, classroom discussion, or small sheet of paper that you tore off the corner of your bulletin in a rush to put it in the offering plate before it was too late. However you submit it or I hear it, we’ll be answering those questions in the newsletter and on the website.
In this life of learning, school is never completely out of session. We take joy in learning, and yet we take
heed of the warning from C.S. Lewis in The Weight of Glory that says we never want to get so focused on ourselves and how much WE know about Christ that we lose sight of Christ. Lord, guide us as we study Your Word and grow in the faith. Thanks be to God that we have salvation through Christ alone!
From Our Associate Pastor…
Do you have a question you would like Pastor Demski to answer in his “Ask the Pastor”
section of an upcoming monthly newsletter or on the website? If so, contact him directly ([email protected] or 847-254-
9666).
Congratulations to Kelsey Crook & Nicholas Hoeffken for receiving honorable mention certificates for only missing 1-3 classes during the summer months! Remember, during each quarter, perfect attendance and honorable mention certificates are given to those children in Preschool - 8th grades who miss 0-3 classes.
Rev. Dr. Tony Troup, 618-340-8375 Administrative Rev. Merritt Demski, 847-254-9666 Associate
Church & School Staff: Lisa Clamors, 618-719-4954 Office Secretary Ann Frank, 282-6597 Music Director Sandy Mueller Housekeeping Ken Schanz Groundskeeper/Maintenance Cindy Troup, 618-340-0757 Preschool Director Linda Polansky Preschool Aide
Church Council: Lee Eggemeyer, 458-8555 President Alan Stumpf, 618-719-9033 Vice-President Laura Kinzinger, 939-8175 Secretary David Powell, 618-974-9222 Treasurer Warren Frank, 282-6597 Financial Secretary Taryn Niemeyer, 939-7982 Christian Education Allen Jacobs, 939-3035 Church Properties Colby Crook, 618-910-2825 Evangelism Sandy Mueller, 618-420-1373 Social Ministry Alan Stumpf, 618-719-9033 Spiritual Ministry Pat Kelly, Sr., 636-373-2967 Stewardship Sandy Nichols, 618-719-3424 Youth Ministry
Other Volunteers: Cindy Troup Sunday School Superintendent Louise Nobbe Head Sacristans Lerona Pryor Hazel Moeckel Sandy Thompson Flower Coordinator Lisa Clamors Women’s Christian Ministry Janet Crawford Fellowship Committee
Field Education Students: During the summer months, we do not have any field education students.
Have you ever thought about joining one of Immanuel's Boards or committees? If so, please contact the appropriate person listed above.
Happy Birthday to…
1 Ross Stumpf Pastor Troup 3 Jane Gaitsch Madalyn Prather 4 Millie Menke 5 Dustin Nagel Vi Scheibe 6 Susan Leonard Ryan Williams 7 Brian Kettler Avery Troup 8 Stacy Hemmer Braxton Herschbach Shawn Wilde 9 Kristina Crook Courtney Heimburger Daniel Menke Aaron Shive Danny Weihl 10 Jordyn Koch Audra Scheibe 11 Julie Downs Kevin Whelan 12 Kim Arbeiter Pat Byer Brian Downing David Jarvis 13 Evelyn Weihl 14 Carson Crook Steven Menke Nancy Schanz 15 Ellery Byer Courtney Harbison Tyler Major Jennifer Patterson Katelyn Prigge 16 Debbie Arras Angie Filipiak Chase Rubemeyer 17 Lauren Patterson 18 Lois Heise Larry Taake 19 Mindy Hanna Corey Rahn John Stratman Alan Stumpf 20 Kyra Drewes Josh Polansky 21 Dawn Clamors Brian Hart Tami Wilson 22 Eric Brandt Angie Broske Dawn Garner Leah Maag 23 Ayda Eggemeyer Patsy Hicks Jerry Moeser 24 Zane Englert Tracy Koch 25 Laurie Sparwasser Anne Stumpf Ashlyn Whelan
26 Crystal Becker Kylee LaRue Michelle Magnuson Katlyn Menke Cathy Whelan 27 Donna Lieb Neal O’Brien 28 Lisa Clamors Rob LaRue Christine Thompson 29 John Doty 30 Kyle Rusteberg
Happy Anniversary to…
3 Adam & Nicole Perjak, 6 yr. 6 Clint & Christina Benesh, 2 yr. Ben & Stephanie Blakeslee, 2 yr. 7 Paul & Angie Broske, 31 yr. Larry & Lynn Taake, 15 yr. 8 Curt & Linda Wittbracht, 44 yr. 9 Jim & Dinah Pflasterer, 49 yr. 11 Randy & Robin Wetzler, 34 yr. 13 Ed & Susan Stanglein, 41 yr. 14 Stan & Christine Mitchell, 26 yr. 16 Claude & Barb Heimburger, 21 yr. Rob & Angela LaRue, 14 yr. 18 Larry & Janet Goessling, 17 yr. 20 Perry & Joan Koch, 19 yr. 23 Dan & Jody Worley, 16 yr. 26 Rich & Judy Hitzemann, 57 yr. Charles & Phyllis Lloyd, 52 yr. 27 Wayne & Vicky Englert, 30 yr. 28 Wayne & Susan Hargrave, 31 yr. Tim & Angie Williams, 20 yr. 29 Robert & Linda Allscheid, 37 yr. 30 Robert & Vicki Clark, 38 yr. John & Jennifer Patterson, 16 yr.
God’s blessings to each of you!
A Men's Movie Club will be a time for men to come
together, watch a movie and discuss it in connection with our Christian faith. Feel free
to join us!
Friday, Sept. 30th 6:00pm
Pastor Demski’s house
Page 4 Immanuel Monthly
Elders‘ Shepherding Program (Families whose last name begins with)
A-B Rodney Clamors, 618-719-4023 C-D Jim Crawford, 618-799-8789 E-Ha Scott Janssen, 214-629-6975 He-Hu Bob Polansky, 618-979-0918 J-K Jason Valerius, 458-4890 L-Mel Wayne Collmeyer, 618-719-7235 Men-My Cal Neeman, 939-5137 N-P Elden Niemeyer, 939-7982 R-Sche Larry Taake, 939-4757 Schi-Sw Jerry Grant, 939-5032 T-Wel Bill Holtgrieve, 939-9105 Wem-Z Larry Goessling, 939-8824
Elders and Pastors:
Alan Stumpf, 618-719-9033
Board of Social Ministry:
September & October: Immanuel’s Preschool
Items needed are plain white paper plates (small & large), 9 oz. plastic cups, Kleenex, baby wipes, napkins, plastic spoons, and AA & AAA batteries. Thank you for your support! A barrel is in the narthex for your donations. Sunday School:
September: Global Lutheran Outreach (for Eric & Linda Funke)
Each month, the Sunday School classes take a monetary offering for a specific charity. Thank you to all of the Pre-K through 8th grade students that contribute to these collections each month! Bi-County Backpack Program:
This is an ongoing collection that supports children in Red Bud, Valmeyer, and Waterloo throughout the year. See the weekly bulletins for a list of items needed.
Monthly Collections
Sunday Education Hour: This Bible study hour consists of Sunday School for the youth (3 years old to 8th grade), a young adult Bible study (high school & college age) on Jeremiah led by Pastor Demski in the youth room; a DVD study “Who Am I? What Am I Doing Here?” led by Pastor Troup in the overflow room; and a “Sticky Faith” Bible study for young adults and families led by Scott & Jen Janssen and Tim Scheibe in the church basement kitchen. Men’s Bible Study: A Bible study on the book of Matthew led by Pastor Troup is held at Burger King every Tuesday at 6:30am. Wednesday Morning Adult Bible Class: This Bible study and fellowship time is held every Wednesday at 9:30am. This class is led by Pastor Demski, and they are studying the Book of Romans. Ladies’ Bible Study: The ladies are studying Ladylike: Living Biblically by Rebekah Curtis and Rose Adle every Thursday at 7:00pm in the overflow room! Adult Information Classes: None at the present time. Watch the bulletins, newsletters, and website for information on the next class. Everyone is invited to attend these Bible studies, and
bring a friend!
Bible Study Opportunities! September 2016 Altar Flowers
9/3—9/4 Given to the glory of God by Jim & Dinah Pflasterer in honor of their 49th wedding anniversary 9/10—9/11 Given to the glory of God by Alan, Susan & Ryan Starbuck in loving memory of Alex Starbuck 9/17—9/18 Given to the glory of God by Rob & Angela LaRue in honor of their 14th wedding anniversary 9/24—9/25 open The 2016 Flower Chart is posted on the bulletin board in the narthex. Sign up early for the weekend you would like! As your weekend gets closer, Sandy Thompson will contact you to give you more details.
Page 5 Immanuel Monthly
Funerals:
6/2—Edward Horn
6/25—Blayne Woodcock (Memorial Service)
Baptisms:
7/31—Rose Claire Hoeffken, daughter of
Nicholas and Ashley nee Kruse Hoeffken
Transfers In:
Cliff & Kay Bense, from Immanuel Lutheran
Church in Crystal City/Festus, MO
Rev. Merritt (Pastor) & Veronica Demski,
from Lord of Glory Lutheran Church in
Grayslake, IL
Pastor Installation:
6/12—Installation Service
of our Associate Pastor,
Rev. Merritt Demski
June & July Church Attendance
June & July 2016
Official Acts
In Our Prayers...
Please note: The names listed below will remain on our public prayer list for two weeks unless the church office is notified otherwise. Thank you.
We Pray for our Fellow Parishioners: Millie Menke, Erwin Liefer, Doris Horn, Nancy Huck, Isabel Gibbons, Sandy Moore, Cathy Goforth, Phyllis Brown, Esther Brandt, Cathie Collmeyer We Pray for Friends and Relatives of Parishioners: Michael Washausen, Nina Van Kamp, Ken Horn, Al Gruber, Donna Huffman, Gordon Curd, Jane Walter, Kurt Klotzer, Nicole Bachelier, Ginny Sweet, Darren Stein, Lydia Boyer, Mary Ann Shelvy, Denny Stein, Ashley Higgins, Jason Steffenson, Ellen Dietz, Darlene McKinney, Jacob Rowold We Pray for Those in the Service of Our Nation: Dusty Hansen, Alicia Kirkley, Dustin Bender, Aaron Bommarito, Alex Naumann, Paul Doty We Pray for Our Missionaries and Special Missions: Er ic & Linda Funke (Tanzania), Unity Lutheran Elementary School (East St. Louis, IL)
Our June Finances
June 2016 (4) 816 June 2015 (4) 851 June 1986 (5) 1110
2016 Weekly Average (as of 6/30): 221 As of 6/30/16, there were 871 baptized
members.
July 2016 (5) 1066 July 2015 (4) 831 July 1986 (4) 875
2016 Weekly Average (as of 7/31): 234 As of 7/31/16, there were 874 baptized
members.
Total Deposits $ 28,906.63 Total Expenses $ 35,575.58 Over/(Short) $ (6,668.95)
June 30, 2016 Balances: Checking $ 91,486.72 Scholarship Fund $ 9,113.89 Narthex Exp. Fund $ 9,815.00 Nobbe Mem. Fund $ 7,986.00 Loan $ 38,506.13
2016 Year to Date: Deposits $203,665.52 Expenses $199,378.57 Over/(Short) $ 4,286.95 Unpaid Obligations $ 0.00
Our July Finances
Total Deposits $ 30,460.86 Total Expenses $ 37,579.52 Over/(Short) $ (7,118.66)
July 31, 2016 Balances: Checking $ 84,368.06 Scholarship Fund $ 9,113.89 Narthex Exp. Fund $ 10,740.00 Nobbe Mem. Fund $ 7,986.00 Loan $ 36,252.94
2016 Year to Date: Deposits $234,126.38 Expenses $236,958.09 Over/(Short) $ (2,831.71) Unpaid Obligations $ 0.00
Page 6 Immanuel Monthly
September 2016 Worship Helpers
Vestment Color:
9/1—9/30 black
Usher Teams:
Saturday Accompanists:
9/3, 9/17, 9/24—Ron Jones 9/10—Joan Ruwald
Collators:
Georgia & Larry Wynn
Want to Stay Up to Date?
1 Roy Unterseh, Jim Stueve, Dennis & Raymond Brandt, Ed Arras
2 Chuck Keller, Craig Mehner, Larry Taake, Dawn & Chase Rubemeyer
3 Rodney & Lisa Clamors, Michael Trout, Ollney Mueller Jr.
4 Bill Stueve, Charles Lloyd, Kevin Whelan
5 Robert Mesnarich Jr., Pam Nagel, Don & Carol Matzenbacher
6 Jason & Nick Valerius, Wade Marshall, Gerald Woodcock, Tim Troup
7 Alan Stumpf, Larry Decker, Ross Schrader, Paul Broske Sr.
8 Larry Goessling, Jim Smothers, Dave Wiese, Cal Neeman, Dean Harbison
9 Jim Crawford, Allen Jacobs, Don & Joey Birrittier
10 Elden Niemeyer, Sharon Osterhage, Wayne Hargrave, Wyatt Drewes
11 Lee Eggemeyer, Ken Schanz, Roger Schanz, Curt Wittbracht
Do You Have an Email Address? Did you know that you could be a good steward by
receiving our newsletter via e-mail? Call (939-6480) or e-mail ([email protected]) the church office
and let Lisa know to remove you from the mailing list and add you to the e-mail list.
Join us for a Fall Fellowship Bonfire! Friday, Sept. 23rd 7:00pm—??? Pastor & Cindy's House 5876 J Road Waterloo Please bring a dish to share and chairs for seating. The Fellowship Committee will provide hot dogs, buns, condiments, marshmallows, and if the weather is cool, hot chocolate. Feel free to come out between 6 & 7 to park while it is light out. If raining, the event will be cancelled. We look forward to an evening of relaxing and fellowship for the whole family!
Go to our website (immanuelwaterloo.org) and check it out! Be sure to subscribe to the calendar, and you’ll have the most up to date info on Immanuel’s activities and events. Also, click on Announcements/Blogs from the homepage to get access to all of the weekly announcements, updates, and newsletters. Notice that something is missing? Let us know!
Music Season 2016-17! Yes, it's that time to begin music rehearsals at Immanuel. Please "note" the following: Adult Choir begins Wed, Aug 31st @ 7:00 pm in the church balcony. Agape Ringers begin Wed, Aug 31st @ 8:05 pm in the front of church. Immanubells will begin Wed, Sep 7th @ 6:00 pm in the front of church. Individual or small group ensembles practice at various scheduled times. Please take time to check out Immanuel's Music Ministry information on the church website. To Him be the Glory! Serving Him,
Support Our Youth Group!
1. Immanuel’s BASIC youth group sponsors a coffee & doughnut fellowship each Sunday morning from 8:45-9:00am and 10-10:15am outside the multipurpose room. If you would like to sponsor a Sunday, please sign up on the list on the table. All freewill offerings are appreciated!
2. Recycle your aluminum cans! There is a large trash can in the kitchen for those cans. If you have a large amount and put them in trash bags, you can put the bags over by the white shed at the corner of the parking lot.
3. The paper recycle bins are located in the back of the education building. Load them up with your paper recycling products!
4. The ice machine is available and ice can be purchased for a freewill donation during office hours, and on weekends before and after worship. Simply load your container with the large ice scoop and place your money in the donation can.
Thank you for your support!
SAY CHEESE!
We already had the first 3 of 6 picture days last week, but there are still appointments available for your family! We want you and your family to be a part of our next directory! Please plan to participate in our
upcoming picture days so your fellow members can put a name with a face. It’s a great way to have a glimpse of our members and all of their contact information in a fancy little book.
Mark your calendars for the next picture dates: Sept. 15-16—2-9pm each day
Sept. 17—10am - 4:30pm
Sign up online to reserve your appointment time now! https://www.securedata-trans14.com/ap/immanuellutheranchurch6/index.php?page=10
You can also call the church office to make your appointment. Look for appointment sign-up sheets in the narthex after all of the services on Sept. 3-4 and 10-11.
By the way, Lifetouch is offering some wonderful discounts and specials to all who participate! Free 8x10 – Free Directory – 20% off your picture purchase – $5 off your purchase if you bring a food pantry donation –
an additional $10 off your purchase that day!
Can’t make these picture days but want to be in the directory? Please contact Lisa in the church office ASAP and let her know! There WILL be a picture retake day in early October for those families who are
unable to attend the September days. Remember, you can always submit a family portrait if need be.
Greetings from the Women’s Christian Ministry (WCM)!
We want your ideas for activities to host in 2017! You are invited to send your ideas to me, even if you are not a member of the WCM! Ideas should be either Educational, Service/Outreach or Fun/Fellowship, in nature. These ideas will then be voted on by those in attendance at our regular November WCM
meeting with the “winners” being held in 2017! Sunday, October 2nd, is the date of Immanuel’s annual Wurstmarkt and along with it comes the WCM’s Country Store! At the Country Store you will find homemade baked goods, various crafts, and other exciting items! Our baked goods will not be priced but will be sold by your free-will donations! If you would like to help by donating bakery and craft items to sell at our tables and/or by purchasing something that day, we thank you in advance! Mark your calendars for BUNCO! The date is Tuesday, October 18th , and all women of Immanuel (high school age and older), and their girlfriends, are invited! We’ll be inviting ladies from our area churches as well. We’ll have quality prizes for the winners and many wonderful attendance prizes just for being there. Snacks and drinks will also be provided. Doors open at 6:30pm, and Bunco begins at 7:00pm. Don’t know (or remember) how to play? No problem! We’ll give you some brief instructions. But, if it involves ladies and talking, it can’t be that difficult, right? Do you have little ones at home but would like to attend? Let me know, and we’ll be sure to have a few girls available to babysit while you enjoy the evening. The Thursday evening Women’s Bible Study is held on Thursday evenings in the overflow room at 7:00pm. As we continue with the study of Rebekah Curtis’ and Rose Adle’s book, Ladylike: Living Biblically, we will discuss more of what it means to be a Christian woman in a feminized, secular society! Feel free to contact me anytime at [email protected] or 618-719-4954.
In Christ,
Lisa Clamors
“How good and pleasant it is when sisters live together in unity!” Psalm 133:1
Our next Women’s Christian Ministry meeting will be Tuesday, September 20th at 7:00pm in the Overflow
Room. All are welcome!
Page 9 Immanuel Monthly
Rummage Sale Recap & Thank You!!
Thank you to all who donated items for our 8th annual Rummage Sale last month, and to all who helped before, during, and after the sale! Those who helped include Ny
Bartels, Darlene Bicklein, Stephanie Brandt, Rodney & Lisa Clamors, Nola Cottner, Pastor & Veronica Demski, Wyatt
Drewes, Becky Ellis, Ann Frank, Barb Heimburger, Jean, Jenna & Nicholas Hoeffken, Diane Hoffmann, Dianne Holle, Jen,
Addie & Ben Janssen, Angela & Kylee LaRue, Joyce McDaniel, Ollney & Sandy Mueller, Taryn Niemeyer, Jim & Dinah
Pflasterer, Irene Proctor, Lerona Pryor, Vivian Reiss, Lois Ruff, Kristen, Grace & Avery Troup, Norma Wheatley, and Val
Zeisset. Special thanks to Lois Ruff for organizing and calling all of the volunteers, and for putting in many volunteer hours. Also, thanks to the staffs of Camp Wartburg & Nice Twice for
helping with clean up. We profited over $1,650 because of your help & support!
Looking for a GriefShare Meeting? GriefShare is offered to help you in your
journey with grief. This video-driven,
Bible-based grief support group meets on
Wednesdays, 6:30-8:00pm, at the library
in Waterloo through Nov. 16. For more
information or to register, contact First
Baptist Church (618-939-9500). By the
way, there are also a couple brochures on
the shelf in the narthex.
Page 10 Immanuel Monthly
Funke News: Planted by Water We are right in the middle of the dry season. We haven’t seen rain in Mwadui for months. Our humidifier is our nightly companion. Lotion guards our heels and knuckles against cracking. It takes only a few hours for our clothes to dry on the line. Everything is covered in dust, and most of the world around us is a parched shade of brown. And yet, there are some trees that continue to bring green leaves and bright blooms to the landscape. It reminds me of the verse in Jeremiah comparing those who trust God to trees planted by the water which bloom even during the drought. God has been teaching us a lot about trust in the ups and downs of this past month. A Bit of Refreshment At the start of the month we took a short trip to Mwanza for some rest and rejuvenation before the next term at school. We had a wonderful time reconnecting with friends, swimming, and celebrating the Fourth of July with American friends. Our School On July 10th, our school reopened. Eric began teaching both computers and math again. With one math teacher still recovering from being attacked by thieves last month and another math teacher away because of pregnancy complications, Eric has been doing what he can to help the classes catch up, including teaching a few nights and weekends. We’ve also started movie nights again for the students, and Linda taught a “Lessons in the Movies” class, pulling clips from different movies to bring out life lessons, such as working as a team, asking for help when you need it, using creativity and problem-solving skills, and doing the right thing even when people criticize and laugh at you.
We are also so pleased to report that construction has resumed on the library and computer lab thanks in large part to a $5000 donation from St. John Lutheran in Cypress, TX and other individual donations that came during the last two months. We weren’t sure where the money would come from to complete this project, but God is good! The floor tiles are now in. Soon all the doors will be completed and air conditioning will be installed in the computer lab. We are looking forward to moving into the new building soon! The school board met this month, and they were so impressed with all that is happening at the school. The future is looking bright! :-) Adoption Journey Our highest highs and lowest lows this month have come from our adoption journey. We completed our mandatory six-month foster period in March. We filed our petition in March, had our first hearing in April, and then we were supposed to have our court date in May. However, our judge had been called away to Dar Es Salaam to work on election petitions, so our May 26th and June 30th court dates didn’t happen. If you would like to follow our journey, we post daily at www.facebook.com/AFunkeTimeInTanzania. It is a community page so you don’t need a Facebook account to see our posts. Written by Eric & Linda Funke on August 4, 2016. Would you like to receive the updates (complete with pictures) by email straight from Eric & Linda? If so, email Linda at [email protected] and ask to be on their email update list.
An Update from Our Missionary Partners...
BASIC has had their new year kick-off on Rally day, and we're excited to get into God's Word for a new school year. While we meet for youth group once per month with food, fellowship, and roundtable discussion, we have Sunday School every Sunday morning which is vital to our spiritual health as we grow together as Brothers and Sisters in Christ. On Sunday mornings we take some time to talk about current events and other questions that arise in life, but we focus on studying a particular book of the Bible and see God's amazing love for humanity throughout time.
Youth Group is on the third Sunday of the month from 12-2pm for all 6th through 12th-grade students so we can have a bit of lunch together, have fellowship and then dig into questions that our junior high and high school students have about both faith, life, and current events. Parents are welcome to stay and have some fellowship and encouragement together while the junior high and high schoolers meet with Pastor Demski for our lesson time. It's a great time, and we encourage anyone with junior high or high school students to get involved so we can grow together! If you have any questions, just let Pastor Demski know.
