We are living in an increasingly connected world. We are connected with others like never before. Social media connects us with friends and people all over the world. We can talk face to face with people without being in the same room or even time zone as them. Yet, despite all that connects us, people are struggling with loneliness like never before. Which is why we at Immanuel are committed to living Neighbors First. Neighbors First is not a slogan to grow our church, but a change in perspective to help us see and serve the needs of our neighbors first, ahead of ourselves. We have an opportunity to imitate Christ to our neighbors by being intentional to be both aware of and present to our neighbors. So, for 6 weeks in this series "You Are My Neighbor" we will look at 6 commitments of living Neighbors First with the goal of serving and connecting with the needs of our neighbors.
Today’s Worship
You Are Good
Bigger Table
How He Loves
Scripture
Matthew 13:1-9
Message
“Be Generous”
Power of Your Love
ANNOUNCEMENTS
September Calling Team: Please call Mike J or Fred H with any special concerns or requests.
September Mission of the Month: The City Rescue Mission of Lansing. Feeding the hungry, sheltering the lost, protecting the weak. Their mission is to meet the physical needs for food and shelter and to bring those with spiritual needs the Hope that is found in Jesus Christ.
Flowers Provided By: Chris and Sheryl P who will be celebrating 32 years of marriage on September 29. Chris and Sheryl may God keep blessing the two of you and may the love you have for each other keep growing with time.
New Members' Class: If you are interested in learning more about Immanuel and becoming part of our church family we encourage you to attend our New Members' Class on Wednesday, October 5th from 6:30 to 7:30. Please sign-up by sending an email to pastormattICRC@gmail.com with the names and number of people attending.
CROP Hunger Walk: Twenty-five percent of the money raised in the CROP Hunger Walk stays in our community to support local hunger and poverty fighting programs. Immanuel will be walking on Sunday, October 9 right after the morning service. CWS Crop will also be our October Mission of the Month. If you would like to walk or rock for CROP, please sign up on the bulletin board located right outside of the sanctuary
The October-December Greeter Schedule is Now Posted: Please consider signing up for a Sunday. Our Greeters are an important part of the welcome experience for both visitors and members. 2 Greeters are needed each week and you may sign up as a couple or with another single. A brief guide to duties will be provided in your mailbox.
New Discussion Group Opportunity: How can we best love our neighbors who identify as part of the LGBTQ community? Beginning in October there will be an opportunity to come together to dialogue and discuss this question. We will be using a 5-week video series called Grace/Truth from The Center for Faith, Sexuality, and Gender led by Preston Sprinkle. This will be an opportunity aimed at discussing and dialoguing in a way that welcomes many differing viewpoints. There will be two opportunities to engage in this discussion: Monday afternoons from 3:30-4:30 p.m. (October 10th-November 7th), or Wednesday nights from 6:15 to 7:30 p.m. (October 12th-November 16th.)
Trunk-or-Treat: Our Annual Trunk-or-Treat community event will be on Wednesday, October 26, from 6-7:30 pm. If you would like to decorate your vehicle and pass out candy, please write your name down on the sign up sheet and plan on arriving about a half an hour early to park and set up. We are also accepting candy donations for this event. Please place candy in the tub located underneath the bulletin board outside of the sanctuary.
Giving
To support the ongoing ministry of Immanuel, please place your offering in one of the offering plates at the front of the sanctuary. You may also submit an offering online at www.icrclansing.org.
Local Needs:
Immanuel Community Resource Closet partners with Lansing Christian Services to provide personal hygiene items and household cleaning supplies to families in need. This ongoing ministry is currently in need of bleach, laundry soap, dish soap, kids toothbrushes, and sanitary pads. Please place donations in the baskets underneath the mailboxes outside of the sanctuary. Families in need, please call Christian Services at (517) 394-5411 for a referral.
CONNECT Wednesdays
We begin with a meal that the whole family can participate in at 5:30 pm.
CONNECT Kids
Children Ages 3 yrs.-5th Grade
6:15-7:30pm.
Kids join together to learn about Jesus in a fun and safe environment. They enjoy singing, Bible, stories, arts and crafts, games, and more.
Jr. High Youth Group
(6th- 8th Grade, Sept- May)
6:15- 7:30pm.
For more information, please contact Joey South at jrsouth16@yahoo.com.
Sr. High Youth Group
(9th-12th Grade, Sept- May)
Sundays from 6:00-8:00 pm.
For more information, please contact Joey South at jrsouth16@yahoo.com.
Life Groups
We have several Life Group options for adults. Our Life Groups get together to grow in their faith, pray together, serve together, and support one another. If you are interested in joining a Life Group, please email Bruce T at bterhaar@comcast.net.
Your Leaders are so thankful for your fervent prayers:
Thank you for praying for the ICRC staff and ministry team leaders
Friends with Health Concerns
Mark B, June B, John B,
Joe C, Howard J. C, Sandy F, John F, Carol G,
Kathy G, Roland H, Lon H, Barb K, Wayne K,
Marcia N, Wayne S, and Sandi S.
If you are in need of meals, or if you are willing to provide meals when needed,
please contact Kerri M.