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
Days of Elijah
Softly and Tenderly
Good Good Father
Scripture
Luke 15:11-32
Message
“Welcome Mercifully”
Bigger Table
ANNOUNCEMENTS
October Calling Team: Please call Harold S. or Eric C with any special concerns or requests.
October Mission of the Month: CWS CROP Hunger Walk. CROP Hunger Walks are community-based walk fundraising events held in cities and towns across the United States. These walks are created to support the global mission of Church World Service, a faith-based organization transforming communities around the globe through just and sustainable responses to hunger, poverty, displacement, and disaster. Immanuel will be walking for CROP next Sunday, October 9 right after the morning service. If you would like to walk or rock for CROP, please sign up on the bulletin board located right outside of the sanctuary. You may also donate to this very worthy cause by placing a check in the offering plate at the front of the sanctuary with CWS CROP or M.O.M. written in the memo.
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 this 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.
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.)
Mobile Food Bank: We will be hosting another Mobile Food Bank here in our parking lot October 25, from 4-7 pm. If you would like to volunteer to help sort and put food into cars, please sign up on the bulletin board located outside of the sanctuary.
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.
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.
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 Kleenex & men’s and women’s shampoo, conditioner, deodorant, and shaving cream. 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.