Announcements
Weekly Announcements
November 24, 2024
Save the Date
Get out your pens and mark your calendars. After many decades, Immanuel has set the date to open our new church building. The event will take place over the last weekend in February. Our three-day event will include the following:
• Friday, February 21: Ribbon Cutting and Open House: This evening event will be a great way to showcase your new building – and your ministries – to your family, friends, and community. We’ll enjoy building tours, music, refreshments, and relaxed fellowship.
• Saturday, February 22 – Church Dedication Worship Service: We will ask God’s blessing on our new buildings through worship. A catered dinner will follow.
• Sunday, February 23 – Worship: Join us for our first Sunday worship in our new sanctuary, with fellowship and refreshments between services.
Share, Grow, and Serve with us this week:
Decorate the float with us after today’s second service. Lunch provided!
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Join us for a special worship service on Wednesday – Thanksgiving Eve! Worship begins at 4:30pm. We will leave for the parade after worship.
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Walk in the Rekindle the Spirit parade with the float. Line up at 5:30 in the YMCA parking lot. Or, cheer on the float from the parade route along Grand Avenue.
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Help decorate the Mission Center for the Christmas Season next Saturday morning, November 30 at 9:00am. Many hands needed!
Building Update: Kris and his team at Catalyst have been moving quickly inside our sanctuary the past two weeks. All drywall has been installed. The front wall is completely painted, and the other three walls will be painted this week. The wood ceiling material has been delivered, and will begin to be installed this week. Workers will also begin to place tile on the main altar wall. As long as the weather holds, the earthmovers will continue placing topsoil around the building. Exciting!
Advent Devotional booklet
Pastor Tim, Pastor Bryce, and Family Minister Nic are encouraging everyone to pick up a copy of this year’s Advent Devotional booklet this weekend after worship. They have selected a booklet title, “The Word Made Flesh.” In this daily devotional for Advent, we are reminded that Jesus came to us on Christmas as the Word Made Flesh. He revealed his divine nature to us in the physical substances we experience. They will be available on the Information Table.
Fun Fest
Many thanks to all who helped make this year’s Fun Fest a successful event. Our kids – and our kids at heart – had a great time with the food, fun, and games. Principal Betts reports that the event once again raised over $10,000 to support the school ministry. Thank you for supporting Immanuel Lutheran School!
Events
• Pastor Tim and his family have invited you to their home for a Christmas Open House on Saturday, December 7. This afternoon of cookies, food, and fellowship will take place from 2-5pm. Save the date!
• Our church and school are collection sites for the Marine Corps Reserve Toys for Tots program. The program seeks donations of new, unwrapped toys for kids throughout the area. The collection runs through December 7.
• Breakfast in Bethlehem will once again be held in Immanuel’s school gym on Saturday, December 7. Please take a moment to share the event on Facebook through the link below. Then, sign up for a great morning!
www.facebook.com/events/2214267072292898?active_tab=about
Festive Evergreen Centerpiece Class
Ladies, it’s that time of the year. We’re bringing in warmth and good cheer. Come down if you’re able to make something nice for your table, we hope to see you here! – Mary Martin and Deb Ciszewski.
Make your very own unique, fresh evergreen centerpiece for this Christmas season. Instructor Mona Main will lead us as you make this beautiful centerpiece for your holiday decorations. Snacks and beverages will be provided.
The class costs $11.00 per person, which will cover all supplies. Limited to 50 people. Sign up today!
immanuelrapids.churchcenter.com/registrations/events/2625584
Angel Tree
The Angel Tree tags available before and after worship starting today! Help create and keep a Christmas connection between an incarcerated person and their child. Gifts should be wrapped and returned by December 16.
Concert Jennie Williamson
Principal Betts has announced that singer Jennie Williamson will return to Immanuel Lutheran School for a special concert on Tuesday, December 10.
We will start the evening with a meal from 5:00 to 5:45pm, featuring Rocky’s Pizza. Then at 6:00pm we will celebrate the Christmas season with Jennie Williamson’s heartwarming evening concert, “The Peace and Joy of Christmas.” Featuring a collection of her most beloved Christmas hymns, songs, and timeless carols, this performance will immerse attendees in the true spirit of the season. Jennie’s stories of faith and hope will complement the music, reminding everyone of God’s gift of peace and joy through Jesus.
The concert takes place at 6:00pm in our school gym. Invite your friends and family!
Advent
This year’s Advent meals will provide a unique challenge for us – as we will be eating and then worshiping in the same room. To make this work, we will need to be a bit flexible.
We will have tables in the back two-thirds of the room for us to enjoy our soup suppers. As always, the meal begins at 5:00pm and lasts until 5:45pm. We will clean our tables as we finish eating as well possible. We will pause all cleaning at 6:00pm as we begin our worship. You may remain right at your table to worship.
For those coming after the meal, or those who prefer, we will also have chairs remaining in place in the front third of our space for worship.
We will need many hands to help rearrange and clean up the space – so consider staying, if possible. Thanks for making this unique set up work for this season!
From your Memorial Garden Committee:
Earlier this month, we shared information on the Memorial Garden. We are happy to share that we are now offering a 12×12 stone to provide additional space for your message. The 12×12 stone includes seven lines of text with 15 characters per line compared to the 6×12 which offers three lines with 15 characters per line.
Please remember that requesting and placing memorial stones takes approximately four months. We are currently accepting requests in preparation for the first placement planned for spring 2025. If you want to purchase a stone for spring 2025 placement, now is the time to order.
Here are the three easy steps:
1. Pick up a pamphlet at the Mission Center or Church Office
2. Complete your order form in its entirety
3. Submit your completed form at the Church Office or Mission Center
Questions? Please call 715-423-3260, or email the church office – addressing Memorial Garden – at ilcoffice@immanuelrapids.com.