In his book, “Rejoicing in Lament”, Dr. J. Todd Billings says, "When worship expresses only 'victory,' it can unintentionally suggest that the broken, the lonely, and the hurting have no place here.” “The message can be, 'If you want to fit in, first get your emotions in order, so that you can be positive, and then go to worship', but the Psalms help show us that bottling up or trying to “fix” these emotions ourselves is not the right way.”
We have a tendency to bring our "Sunday best" before God so as to not let Him or others see the real us. We suppress and avoid authentic expressions of emotions. However, in the aftermath of Monday night's tragedy on the campus of Michigan State, we are going to acknowledge that this morning it is okay not be okay. We are not going to hide behind our “Sunday best” or suppress our pain and sorrow. We will be bringing it all before a God who promises to receive and redeem it all.
This morning our service will focus on praying for the victims and their families, students, professors, and first responders, as well as our community, as it is hard for all of us not to feel connected in some way. We will also acknowledge our pain and sorrow as we bring it before God in the practice of lament.
Today’s Worship
In Need
Rescue
Lord From Sorrows Deep I Call
Scripture
Psalm 44
Message
“Sitting in the Sorrow”
Overcome
February Calling Team: Please call Harold S or Eric C with any special concerns or requests.
February Mission of the Month: Immanuel Community Reformed Church Personal Needs Closet. This ministry is a partnership with Christian Services to provide personal hygiene items and household cleaning supplies to families in need right here in the community that surrounds Immanuel.
New Member’s Class: If you are interested in becoming a member here at ICRC, or if you would just like more information, please plan on joining the “New Member’s” class after the service today.
Cardboard Testimonies Class: Wednesday evenings, March 1- April 5, after dinner, in the choir room, 6:00 pm. Harold S will be leading the classes teaching us about God's grace, and then we will look forward to sharing our testimonies with the church on Easter Sunday, April 9. If you are interested in learning about God's grace and then sharing your testimony, please visit our website at www.icrclansing.org to sign up on the "Bulletin Board" tab in the upper right-hand corner.
Women’s Brunch: Saturday, March 4, in the choir room, 9:30 am. Women high school age and up are invited to join us in the choir room for food and fellowship as we get to know and learn from each other. If you are able, please bring a brunch dish to share. You may sign up on the bulletin board tab at www.icrclansing.org, or just come!
Mission Servant’s Sunday: Next Sunday, February 26, please look forward to celebrating our Mission Servants here at Immanuel and enjoying some donuts after the service.
New Elder & Deacon Nominations: The Consistory will begin working on a slate of nominees for Deacon and Elder in preparation for the next Congregational Meeting which will take place in June.
Mike J and Sue F will be rotating off from the Elders. Eric C and Sandy C will be rotating off from the Deacons.
All members 18 years of age and older are invited to recommend up to 4 members for each office.
Those members who are ineligible for nomination because they are either presently serving or have recently rotated off are: Carrie B, Sandy C, Eric C, Sue F, Jessi F, Fred H, Rick H, Marcia J, Mike J, Julie L, Harold S, and Janet V.
If you are a member and are 18 years of age or older, please prayerfully consider your recommendations, and then submit them by filling out the questionnaire that was sent via email on 2/14. You may also submit your responses by filling out a paper ballot here at church located by the mailboxes outside of the sanctuary. The deadline for submission of names is Sunday, March 5, 2023.
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 conditioner, men’s shampoo, paper towel and bleach. Please place donations in the baskets underneath the mailboxes outside of the sanctuary. Families in need please call (517) 394-5411.
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
6:00-7:30pm.
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)
6:00- 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, Don F, Sandy F, John F, Carol G,
Kathy G, Roland H, Barb K,
Jack N, 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.