October 31, 2021

Greetings from all of us at Immanuel”

What are we as a church known for? What are we known for by our neighbors? Do people outside of the church know us for what we say we want to be known for?

We are living in a time when the perception of the church in our country is at an all-time low. It is an often repeated phrase that the church is known more for what it is against, than for what it is for. Yet, we as a church have a mission statement and core values that we desire to be known for. The question that we must ask ourselves is: Have we succeeded in this? Are we known for what we want to be known for?  Do people who drive by our building every day know what we are for?

Today, we will be looking at our church's core value of Nurturing Children and Youth through the lens of Jesus' words in Matthew 19:13-15.

  The Approach to God

Pre-Service Music                

*Songs                                           My Lighthouse                                        -Rend Collective

                                                       Feed The Fire                                        -Grooters & Beal

Words of Assurance and Law of God

Kids Message

  The Word of God

*Song                                          No Longer Slaves                                          -Bethel Music

Scripture:                                     Matthew 19:14

Message                           “Nurturing Children and Youth”

                                                        Pastor Matt

Prayer for Blessing                          

The Response to the Word

*Song                                           Trading My Sorrows                                                   -Evans

*Benediction                           

Postlude                                      

Offering

 The ongoing ministry of the church relies on the generous giving of its members. At this time, we will not be passing the offering plates during the service.  Please place your offering in the basket provided.

  *Songs used by permission of CCLI #95502

ANNOUNCEMENTS

October Calling Team:  Please call Eric C or Harold S with any special concerns or requests.

October Mission of the Month: CWS CROP Hunger Walk. Today is the last day to contribute to this very important mission! 

Thank You for All of the Prayers, Thoughtful Concern, and Cards During Joy’s Last Illness and After She Went Home to Jesus:  A special appreciation to all those who helped set up and serve at Joy’s memorial luncheon.  Our church family has lifted us up during this time and continues to carry us along. ~ Alv and the V K Family

CONNECT this Wednesday, November 3:  Ashlee will be serving Burgers for dinner at 5:30 pm.  Afterwards, the kids will be learning about David the shepherd boy making beautiful music to God. They will also be able to touch and play real instruments, and they will be making 3 different instruments for our Praise band! 

Kinetic Gospel Discipleship Class Begins This Thursday, November 4th, at 7:00 pm.: This class will be led by Pastor Matt and will help us to discover how the Gospel of Jesus Christ empowers us to live as disciples of Christ. We will meet for 5 sessions, taking a break the week of Thanksgiving, and finishing on Thursday, December 9. To sign-up, please email Pastor Matt or you may write your name down on the sign-up sheet located on the bulletin board just outside of the sanctuary.

Thanksgiving Baskets:  With your donations, we are able to provide Thanksgiving baskets to 54 families!  We are now in need of volunteers to help assemble and deliver the baskets on Sunday, November 21, after the service.  If you are able to help with this, please write your name down on the sign-up sheet located just outside of the sanctuary, and if you will be delivering baskets, we ask that you go in groups of 2 or 3.  Please write down the names of all people in your group on the sign-up sheet.  We are looking for 15-20 groups total to make deliveries.

The Search for Our New Director of Music Ministry is Already Underway:If you know of someone who might be interested in this position we encourage you to share the job posting that can be found on our website with them. The link is: https://www.icrclansing.org/new-page-85. Candidates should email their cover letter and resume to ICRCMusicSearchTeam@gmail.com no later than November 30th.

New Sermon Series “KNOWN”:

 Sunday, November 7: Welcoming the Stranger. John 4:1-30

 Sunday, November 14: Responding to Real Needs. James 2:14-26

 Sunday, November 21: Doing Acts of Service. Jeremiah 29:7

Your Leaders are so thankful for your fervent prayers:

Staff: Pastor Matt L, Joey S, Ashlee W, Emily W, Stacia W

Consistory: Carrie B, Sandy C, Eric C, Sue F, Rick H, Mike J, Harold S., Liz S, and our ministry teams

Prayers for RCA Missionaries- Mark & Deb Wilson, Asia

Deb is strengthening church leaders through training, coaching, and mentoring. Mark teaches seminary classes and helps Cambodian churches and leaders discover, understand, and live into God’s intentions for them. Please pray for the new ministry leaders in Cambodia. May they receive the training needed to boldly grow the church in their home country. Pray that they might faithfully follow God's purposes for them in life and ministry.

To hear more prayer requests from ICRC, please call 321-2495, extension 191, or if you have a personal prayer request, please contact Marcia J. You may also submit a prayer request on our website at www.icrclansing.org.

 Friends with Health Concerns

                            Shelby A, Mark and June B, John B, Joe C

Howard C, Sandy F, John F, Carol G,

                 Kathy G, Roland H, and other Parkinson’s sufferers,

                       Lon H, Marcia N, and Sandi S

for continued healing.       

                                                          Save the Dates

November 9- Consistory Meeting, 6:30 pm

November 9- Men’s Study, 7:00 pm

November 9- Painting with Sandi, 6:30 pm

November 10- CONNECT, 5:30 pm

.November 11- Kinetic Gospel Class, 7:00 pm