Tension is not something we often think of when it comes to Christmas, yet if you pay attention it is everywhere.
Though Christmas is often a season marked by comfort and joy it is also a season that brings the tension of stressed schedules, stretched budgets, patience spread thin, and strained relationships. Try as we might to avoid it, tension is a reality of the Christmas season. But as we will explore in this series it is also a part of the Christmas Story.
In this series for the season of Advent we will explore the tension of the Christmas Story to see how God is present and working in and through the tension of despair and hope, doubt and faith, weakness and strength, and the mystery of Christmas that is God with us. As we explore the tension of the Story perhaps we will find hope in unexpected places.
Today’s Worship
Days of Elijah
Shout to the Lord
Advent Candle Lighting/ Reading
O Come O Come Emmanuel
Scripture
Isaiah 40:1-11; 27-31
Message
“The Gospel of Advent”
Go Tell It On the Mountains
ANNOUNCEMENTS
December Calling Team: Please call Dave S or Jessi F with any special concerns or requests.
December Mission of the Month: The City Rescue Mission of Lansing is a Christian ministry that serves Michigan's capital area, meeting the physical needs of food and shelter, and bringing those with spiritual needs the Hope that is found in Jesus Christ.
Mobile Food Bank: We are hosting another Mobile Food Bank here in the parking lot this Tuesday, December 5, from 4-6 pm. If you would like to help sort and put food into cars, please sign up by clicking on the “Bulletin Board” tab via our website at www.icrclansing.org, Volunteers are welcome and encouraged to arrive early to help set up.
Free Books: There will be a table set up in the Family Life Center this morning with free books on it. Please take a moment to check it out after the service.
Bingo: Come have fun and join us for Bingo, in the Morningside Room, after the CONNECT dinner, this Wednesday, December 6, from 6:15-7:15 pm.
Potluck with a Purpose: Next Sunday, December 10, after the service. The purpose of this potluck is to celebrate our mission volunteers here at Immanuel and all or your hard work. It is also to help bring in more items for the Personal Needs Ministry. If you would like to attend, please sign up on the “Bulletin Board” tab via our website.
Glad Tiding Cookie Exchange: On Saturday, December 16, we are going to have a cookie exchange, in the Morningside room, from 10 am- 12 pm. Each participant brings 4 dozen of one type of cookie and then takes home a large variety of cookies to enjoy. We will also make cookie plates to take, along with a flyer, to invite someone to the Christmas Eve service. Light refreshments will be served. Please sign up on the “Bulletin Board” tab via our website. If you can’t attend but would like to participate, please contact Kandy H.
Immanuel is going to be hosting a "Christmas Family Fun Night" on Wednesday, December 20th, from 6-7:30 pm.: This is going to be a community event where kids will enjoy crafting ornaments, decorating cookies, and listening to a reading of the Christmas story. There will also be free food served for the whole family. Please plan on joining us that evening, and please also take a moment to share this event with your family and friends on Facebook as well!
Advent Devotionals: Pastor Matt will be sending out a weekly Advent devotional during the Advent season that you are invited to engage in. The email will go out on Sunday mornings and include a series of Scripture readings to read throughout the week. If you would like to receive these devotions, please sign up via the “Bulletin Board” tab on our website.
Your 2024 Envelope Number is (Probably) Changing: In order to avoid ordering, paying for and disposing of (recycling) hundreds of unused giving envelopes, we are renumbering (most) envelopes for 2024. Additionally, if you did not utilize your envelopes in 2022 or so far in 2023, we will not automatically distribute them to you in 2024. If you do not receive them but would like them in 2024, please let the office or Fred Hannula know and we will get them to you. Thank you for all of your contributions (time, talents, and treasures) to further God’s ministries at Immanuel.
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 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 body wash, hand soap, women’s conditioner, women’s deodorant, women’s shaving cream, bleach, and laundry pods. Please place donations in the baskets underneath the mailboxes located outside of the sanctuary. If you are in need of help, or know somebody who is, please call Christian Services at (517) 394-5411.
CONNECT Wednesdays (September 13 - May 8)
3:00- 5:00 pm.- The Hangout. An after-school program where high school students can hang out, do homework, play tabletop games, video games, drink pop, and eat snacks.
5:30 pm.- CONNECT Dinner. A free meal that the whole family can participate in.
6:15-7:00 pm.- CONNECT Kids (Children Ages 3 yrs.-5th Grade) join together to learn about Jesus in a fun and safe environment. They will enjoy singing, bible stories, arts and crafts, games, and more!
6:15- 7:30pm.- Jr. High Youth Group. For more information, please contact Joey South at jrsouth16@yahoo.com.
Sr. High Youth Group ( 9th-12th Grade)- September 17 - May 12
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, David C,
Joe C, Howard J. C, Don F, Sandy F, John F, Carol G,
Kathy G, Roland H, Emily J, Barb K, Jack N,
Marcia N, Dave N, Yvonne N,
If you are in need of meals, or if you are willing to provide meals when needed,
please contact Kerri M.