“Greetings from all of us at Immanuel”
What is the overarching story that defines your life? What gives your life purpose and meaning? Who is the author? What role do you play? What happens when the story does not go as you planned it to?
The story of Ruth is a story of tragedy, loss, pain, heartache, uncertainty, bitterness, and fear. It is a story that shocks us with how real and tragic it is, but it is also a story that reminds us of the much larger story that all of our life stories are a part of, God’s redemptive story. The story of Ruth is a reminder for us of God’s unfolding redemptive story that takes place not only in the pages of Scripture but also in our everyday lives.
Amidst the tragedies and through the everyday ordinariness of life, God’s redemptive story continues to unfold in us, among us, and through us, but the only way that we will notice it is in our everyday faithfulness. Ruth is a reminder that God’s redemptive story in Jesus Christ continues to unfold through our everyday, ordinary faithfulness.
The Approach to God
Pre-Service Music
Call to Worship
*Songs I Wanna Be Washed -Spiritual
How Great Thou Art/How Great Is Our God -Hine /Tomlin, Reeves, Cash
Words of Assurance and Law of God
Kids Message
The Word of God
*Song We Fall Down -Tomlin
Scripture: Ruth 1
Message “The Unfolding of God’s Redemptive Story”
Pastor Matt Lee
Prayer for Blessing
The Response to the Word
Celebrate the Lord’s Supper
Responsive Communion Thanksgiving
*Song All To You -Brewster/McNully
*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
January Calling Team: Please call Mike J or Carrie B with any special concerns or requests.
January Mission of the Month – Safe Families for Children: Safe Families for Children hosts vulnerable children and creates extended family-like supports for families facing a crisis through a community of compassionate volunteers to keep children safe and families together. To find out more, please visit their website at www.safe-families.org.
Flowers Provided By: Carrie B in celebration of her grandson Zeke’s birthday. Zeke, we hope that the year ahead holds many wonderful surprises for someone as special as you! Happy Birthday!
CONNECT: We have made a decision to put a pause on CONNECT for the rest of the Wednesdays in January due to the increasing number of Covid cases at this time. We do hope to resume again in February, but again it will depend on how many cases there are. Your safety and your children's safety are of the utmost importance to us, so we will be watching the numbers very closely, and we will let you know as soon as a decision is made for February. Thank you for your understanding.
Winter Game Night on January 15: Let’s begin 2022 with fellowship! Bring your favorite card or board game, and a friend, and come join us for an evening of fun and games next Saturday. Snacks will be provided. We will begin at 6:30 pm and will go until the fun is done!
Join Us Next Sunday as we continue the Sermon Series through Ruth and “The Unfolding of God’s Redemptive Story”: (Jan. 16 – Ruth 2, Jan. 20 – Ruth 3, Jan. 30 – Ruth 4)
Thank You
Immanuel Church Family, as the year draws to a close I just want to take a moment to thank each of you for making Immanuel such an amazing church. My family has appreciated all the ways you have welcomed us over the last year. Thank you also for the generosity you have shown me and my family throughout the year, but especially this Christmas season with the gifts, cards, and prayers. You are a great people to have the privilege to pastor and to have the opportunity to serve Christ together with. I look forward to what God has in store over the next year. Grace and Peace, Pastor Matt
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- Brian and Elizabeth Bruxvoort, Alaska
Pray that we as a family will fervently seek the Lord in the coming year and be fully devoted to Him. Please pray for full healing of Brian’s eyes. Please also pray that God will prepare the children’s hearts for camp this summer; to respond to His offered gift of salvation and spiritual growth, and that the ministries in Alaska will bear abundant fruit for Christ.
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, or you may place a written request in the prayer box that is located just outside of the sanctuary next to the church mailboxes.
Friends with Health Concerns
Sara A. (Pregnancy), 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, Wayne K., Marcia N, Wayne S., Caitlin S. (Pregnancy), and Carroll & Sandi S.
If you are in need of meals, or if you are willing to provide meals when needed, please contact Kerri M.
Save the Dates
January 19- Jr. & Sr. High Youth Group, 5:30 pm.
Our service project this month is the City Rescue Mission.
We have an opportunity this month to volunteer in the Upscale City Rescue Thrift Store or to serve meals at the Men’s and/or Women’s shelters.
The volunteer Coordinator for the City Rescue Mission has stated that their Thrift Store at 3700 W Saginaw Hwy is where they really need help at all hours. They can utilize groups of up to 10 people at a time from 11:30-5:30 pm Thursday thru Saturday the entire month of January. They recommend time slots of 2-4 hours at a time.
The Women’s and Children’s Shelter can utilize groups of up to 8 from 5:30-7:30pm.:
January 2nd, 6th, 8th, and 9th.
January 16th, 20th, 21st, and 22nd
January 24th and 28th
The Men’s Shelter can utilize groups of up to 6 from 6:20-8:00pm.
Saturdays, January 8th, 15th, 22nd, and 29th
Please keep in mind that this would be a great time for small groups to get together and volunteer.
These times could change as other groups from other churches etc. may take some of these times.
There will be a sign up sheet on the bulletin board and as you put in times Vivienne will call and confirm your time. Or you could call yourself, Emilee Iseminger, Volunteer Coordinator 485-0145ex1237.
Super Bowl Sub Sale
This is a fundraiser that we do each year to help support our youth groups and our mission trips. We will be taking orders through
Sunday, January 30th.
Touchdown Deluxe: (Ham, Salami, Provolone, and American Cheese) $5.50 Each or 10 for $45.
Kick-Off-Special: (Ham and Provolone Cheese) $4.50 Each or 10 for $40.
You may place your order by signing up on the bulletin board located just outside of the sanctuary, or you may email Joey S.
Please pick up your subs after the worship service on Sunday, February 13th, to either enjoy during the big game, or to freeze for later! Payment is due at pickup.