Weekly Announcements
January 26 and 30, 2022
Congregational Assembly to call Senior Pastor set for February 6
In last week’s worship service, we heard that Pastor Koglin had declined our call to serve as Senior Pastor at Immanuel – opting to continue in his current call. May God continue to bless his ministry.
Immanuel’s Call Committee met this past week. They have set the date for our next Congregational Assembly to call a Senior Pastor. The Congregational Assembly will take place at noon on Sunday, February 6. This Assembly will again take place in the sanctuary. Members who wish to attend via Zoom may do so using this link: https://tinyurl.com/2dvffr6z
Our December Congregational Assembly was the first voting assembly at Immanuel in many years. Our leaders have tried to listen to your feedback from the first assembly, and will try to fine tune the way we disseminate information and vote at this next meeting. Please continue to pray for all involved, including our entire Immanuel family as a whole.
Letters from Pastor Koglin and Tara Darling
Last week Tara Darling, DCE, shared the news that she received a call. Her letter, along with the letter from Pastor Koglin, is reprinted for you and is located at the information table in the church.
Words of encouragement
Pastor Koglin’s letter to Immanuel contained some words of encouragement that we consider important to emphasize:
I want to encourage you in three things that I saw. First, you already have gifted leadership and consistency in leadership, Tara, Principal Betts, Jonathan, Caitlin, awesome teachers, and so many more! God had placed the right leaders in the right places for the season you are in. Second, you learned from the first round of "No's" as you searched for a senior pastor. You are a congregation in a good spot and God has a shepherd chosen for you. Finally, I commend all your lay leaders and members that have stepped up in this season you are in. Continue to ask your key question, "What can I step into alongside our gifted staff to free them up so that we can move ministry forward?" You did not stop in this long vacancy. You created a Strategic plan with congregational ownership. Your leaders stepped up. You have a school that is SPOKEN HIGHLY of by your community. This is why I had to wrestle!
You, the members of Immanuel, have placed your congregation in a strong spot. You have stepped up, giving Immanuel a firm footing on which to build. May God continue to bless us all as we seek to share, grow, and serve!
Congregational vote on use of building funds January 26/30
During this week’s worship services, our congregation will vote on the authorization to use existing, previously donated building funds to help create a facility master plan – one of our congregation’s Critical Targets. The operational leader of this project will be Jonathan Blum, our Facility Administrator. He has asked the Board, and in turn the congregation, for permission to spend these funds during this current fiscal year. If you authorize these funds, he will be able to hire an owner’s representative to create our facility master plan. This is a different path than Immanuel has taken in past efforts. The emphasis will be on listening to you and on determining our actual ministry space needs. An owner’s representative would also assist us in offering you appropriate ways to fund our plans. Ultimately, we intend for this path to give the congregation greater input from the beginning. If you are unable to be at worship, please email your vote to ilcoffice@immanuelrapids.com, or call 715-423-3260.
Pastor Lueck leads us in worship
This week, Pastor Dwayne Lueck will join us to lead our worship services. Pastor Lueck serves as the President of the North Wisconsin District of the Lutheran Church – Missouri Synod. Please take a moment to thank Pastor Lueck for serving among us!
First Choice Pregnancy Resource Center Donations
We are once again collecting donations of NEW baby items to support the ministry of First Choice Pregnancy Resource Center. Their wish list includes Wubbanub Pacifiers (pacifier attached to plush animal), infant/toddler toys, diaper bags/backpacks, health and safety kits, nursing items, baby soaps/lotions. They have also requested new handmade items: quilts, burp rags, and baby blankets. Other supplies on their wish list include white 8½” x 11” copy paper, white card stock paper, cases of bottled water, and tissues. For an expanded listing of new items accepted, please take a flyer from the crib in the narthex. We will collect these items until Feb. 14th.
Reminders of other important events and opportunities:
- Those who gave through envelopes or online should have received a 2021 giving statement in the mail by now. We thank those who have checked their statements for accuracy. We continue to encourage calls to our Bookkeeper, Jonathan Lee, if you have questions or corrections.
- Volunteers are needed for coffee and snacks on Sunday mornings. Contact Linda Tesser for details.
- Through a generous donation we offering two scholarships to attend Camp Luther this summer, FREE. Students grades 3-12 who have not previously participated in a full-week program are invited to fill out a slip at church now through Feb 6. We will draw names at our Immanuel Family Fun Night on Feb 11.
Upcoming Events
Congregational Vote Jan. 26/30
Immanuel Family Fun Night! Feb. 11
Ruby’s Pantry distribution Feb. 19
Men’s Breakfast Feb. 26
Camp Luther Deep Freeze Mar. 4-6