March 12, 2023

The Exodus story is both the story of God redeeming His people from slavery in Egypt, and the beginning of a 40 year journey as the Israelite people leave Egypt to wander in the wilderness.

But the wilderness in this story is not what we think of when we think of wilderness. For the Israelites, the wilderness is a vast dry desert where very little grows, and resources are scarce. Yet, the paradox of the story is that this is the place that God calls them to for their growth and transformation as He forms them as His people and leads them toward the Promised Land.

In this series, “The Wilderness Paradox”, we are setting out on a journey with the Israelite people to see that it is through calling us out of the comfortable and the familiar, that God forms us for His plan and His purpose.

Today’s Worship

 Let Everything that has Breath

Come Thou Fount of Every Blessing

 Jesus Paid it All

 Scripture

Exodus 32:1-14

Message

These are your gods…

Communion 

Prince of Peace

ANNOUNCEMENTS

March Calling Team: Please call Janet V or Sandy C with any special concerns or requests.

March Mission of the Month: Jibit Asha International is an organization of like-minded individuals who share the vision of advancing the Kingdom of God through proclaiming the Good News, Biblical teaching, and church planting. The purpose of JIBIT ASHA, which means LIVING HOPE, is to share the Gospel, make disciples, and plant churches where currently there are not churches. The Siloam Nepali Church is one of their church plants  that began right here at Immanuel in 2016, led by Pastor Chandra Tamang.

Flowers Provided By: Carrie B in celebration of Fred B’s birthday. Fred may the Lord keep protecting you and guiding you. May He always go before you, removing any obstacles that stand in your way to happiness and success. 

Mary S: Pastor Rich and Linda H would like to share the news of the passing of Mary S, Linda’s mom, on Monday, March 6, at the age of 90.  Many of their longtime friends here at ICRC lovingly knew her as “Queen Mary.”

Cardboard Testimonies Class: This class was originally scheduled for Wednesday evenings but has been changed to Sunday mornings, at 11:30 am. The first class meets today, and will continue to meet in the library, after the service, each Sunday, except Easter, until April 23.  Harold S will lead the class teaching us about God’s grace, and then we will be encouraged to share our cardboard testimonies later on, using just a piece of cardboard and a permanent marker. (On the first side, we will write a struggle, trial, or sin that we have battled with, and then we will flip it over and write where we are  today, giving credit to our  new life because of our relationship with Jesus Christ. There is no need to sign up, please just come.

Mobile Food Bank:  We are hosting another Mobile Food Bank on Saturday, March 25, from 9-11 am.  If you would like to help sort and put food into cars, please sign up by visiting our website at www.icrclansing.org, and then click on the “Bulletin Board” tab.

Candy Donations:  In preparation of our Easter Egg Hunt on April 5, we are asking for donations of small, individually wrapped candy to fill the plastic eggs.  Please leave your candy donations in the tub located underneath the mailboxes outside of the sanctuary.  We will be filling the eggs in the Family Life Center, after the service, on Sunday, April 2.  Please join us at that time if you are able to help.

Women’s Brunch Rescheduled to Saturday, April 15, 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.

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 right here in the community that surrounds Immanuel. This ongoing ministry is currently in need of women’s conditioner, women’s shaving cream, men’s and women’s deodorant, paper towel, and Kleenex. Please place donations in the baskets underneath the mailboxes outside of the sanctuary. If you are in need of help, please call Christian Services at (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.