November 2010

Immanuel Lutheran

THE

Immanuel Lutheran Church

255 South Seventh Street, Salina, KS 67401

785.825.4750 www.immanuelsalina.org

Rev. Kent Happel, Pastor, Mindy Tillberg, AIM, Youth Director

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One Thanksgiving season a family was seated around their table, looking at the annual holiday bird. From the oldest to the youngest, they were to express their praise. When they came to the 5-year-old in the family, he began by looking at the turkey and expressing his thanks to the turkey, saying although he had not tasted it he knew it would be good. After that rather novel expression of thanksgiving, he began with a more predictable line of credits, thanking his mother for cooking the turkey and his father for buying the turkey. But then he went beyond that. He joined together a whole hidden multitude of benefactors, linking them with cause and effect. He said, "I thank you for the checker at the grocery store who checked out the turkey. I thank you for the grocery store people who put it on the shelf. I thank you for the farmer who made it fat. I thank you for the man who made the feed. I thank you for those who brought the turkey to the store." Using his Columbo-like little mind, he traced the turkey all the way from its origin to his plate. And then at the end he solemnly said "Did I leave anybody out?" His 3-year-older brother, embarrassed by all those proceedings, said, "God." Solemnly and without being flustered at all, the 5-year-old said, I was about to get to HIM Well, isn't that the question about which we ought to think at Thanksgiving time? Are we really going to get to HIM this Thanksgiving? There are times where I believe we truly do thank God for the blessings we have received and then there are more times or instances where I think we pretty much neglect God, especially in giving thanks. Everything we have has been given to us by God. Our abilities and skills, our work and schooling, our homes and families and even our day to day needs have been given to us by God.

Brothers and Sisters in Christ

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Do you spend a couple of minutes a day in thanking God for all that you have? I recently read that 20% of the people own 80% of the world’s wealth. In the financial sanity class, Mindy mentioned that if you have spare change at home, on your desk or in your car, then YOU are among the world’s wealthy. It doesn’t matter how wealthy you think you are or are not, because reality is that you are among the wealthy. I would also like to add here that money is not the only thing that makes one wealthy because to me, the most important factor for wealth is our family and friends. But this isn’t all that God has done for us because HE made the greatest sacrifice that anyone could ever make by giving us HIS only son. What God accomplished in Christ is something none of us could have done, and yet God just gave it to us. So again I ask, how often do you thank God for all that HE has given you. In Christ, Pastor Kent

TEACH US TO PRAY

Luther’s Way of Praying, Part 1 When Martin Luther’s barber (and friend) asked him how to pray, Martin Luther responded with a brief treatise published in the spring of 1535 under the title A Simple Way to Pray, for a Good Friend. Luther explained his own practices of prayer. During the next few months, we will share some of his suggestions. There is need for concentration Let prayer be the first business of the morning and last in the evening. Do not be sidetracked. Luther writes, ―So, a good and attentive barber keeps his thoughts, attention, and eyes on the razor and hair and does not forget how far he has gotten with his shaving or cutting. If he wants to engage into much conversation or let his mind wander or look somewhere else he is likely to cut his customer’s mouth, nose, or even his throat. Thus if anything is to be done well, it requires the full attention of all one's senses and members. . .‖ (p. 32-33).

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Pastor’s Report: Attended 6 meetings outside of regular meetings. Was on call for hospital. Sat with family during procedure. Worked in kitchen. Had a sending service for Erin Lindsey. Helped with Ice Cream Social. Helped with rummage sale. Visited 4 households. Had two funerals: Patricia Warren on September 20 and Irene Johnson on October 2nd. Parish Health: Focus for November will be Cold Weather Safety. December focus will be Holiday safety. Angie will be going to the October Parish Health State Conference. Worship and Music Ministry Team: Went over the upcoming fall services. The City of Salina has asked the church to do a live nativity on Nov. 20th during the parade of lights. Youth and Education Ministry Team:

Four Wonders has 9 children in the MWF and 7 in the TTH class.

Confirmation retreat was Thursday, October 21.

Rally Day went well; over 96 LWR school kits were made.

Seven families registered for the Financial Sanity Class.

There will be a Reformation Festival during S.S. on 10/31

Christmas Program will be on Sunday, December 12 during Sunday School hour.

State Fair Lock-in went very well. Thanks to Ted Sundell for serving as the male chaperone.

The middle school & high school youth are eager to do events with St John’s youth.

Mindy shared the budget proposals she submitted.

Mindy shared the draft of the Immanuel Lutheran Church Child Protection Policy.

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Mission Ministry Team: November is the food drive for Emergency Aid Food Bank. Thanksgiving Eve offering is designated to the Emergency Aid Food Bank. Midweek Advent offering is designated to Salvation Army. Make a Difference Day was October 23rd. There will be a sign up sheet to ring bells for Salvation Army during Christmas shopping. Parents night out will be Dec. 11th during Christmas program practice, times to be announced. Mindy and Pastor will be gone November 8-11 to the Bishop’s Convo in Lake Ozark, MO.

We will have our first of two Congregational Meetings on November 14th. There will be a potluck dinner after worship and then we will continue with our meeting beginning between 1

and 1:15pm. There will be elections, a vote on a budget, a vote on one or two worship services, a vote on Immanuel’s stance on clergy in same-sex relationships and performing same-sex blessings, and a vote on constitutional changes. . Ministry team leaders; be thinking ahead so that you can prepare and turn in your yearly reports to the office in December so that the office manager can assemble the annual report for the second annual meeting in January.

November is Emergency Aid Food Bank month November is our biannual food drive for the Emergency Aid Food Bank. You are invited to bring food items to church and place them on the table by the parking lot entrance. In addition, the offering from our Thanksgiving Eve worship service has also been

designated towards the Emergency Aid Food Bank. During these tough economic times, if you are able to help by giving an item or two, you will make a difference in somebody’s life here in Salina. Their current needs include jello, pudding, jelly and stove top stuffing but they would accept any donations.

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“… for you have been my help, and in the shadow of your wings I sing for joy.” Psalm 63:7

PRAYER FOCUS FOR NOVEMBER

Nov. 1st-6th: As we prepare to celebrate All Saints Sunday, lift up all who are grieving the death of a loved one that they may be comforted.

Nov. 7th-13th: Lift up our congregation as we prepare for our

congregational meeting. Nov. 14th-20th: Lift up our military, especially those who are away from

home that they may return their families safe and sound.

Nov. 21st-30th: Pray that all may have a safe and joyous Thanksgiving

and that they truly look at all that God has given them. Pray that God may continue to give direction in all of our lives as we respond to God’s blessings.

Please keep in your prayers the families and friends of those Immanuel members and/or loved ones who have recently died. Darrell Mong Oct. 26, 2010

(Uncle of Bob Mong)

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Those In Need of Prayer Sick Harry Anderson Dale Armbruster Ray Baker Tammy Baker Leona Cahoon Marsh Carson Bud Coburn Mary Endsley Myrtle Falk, Velma Farr Douglas Frye Cheryl (Grahn) Pfeiffer Sheri Graham Elouise Humbargar Barb Jarvis

Mike Jensen Grace Johnson Reed Krone Christine Kubitschek Marie Lowe Kris Luber Rex McKinney Janet Meyer Pam Michel Darby Miller Don Nelson Sherry Newacheck Jane Oberg Jerry Olson Keith Olson

Norris Olson Norah Orr Jessie Peterson Fern Rudick Elsie Spangler Angie Sundell Jim Swedlund Jessica Sweeney Marilyn Swenson Peggy Tholstrup Tanner Van Amburg Dorothy Van Cleef Lois Webb Virgil Yost Marilyn Young

Military Mary Almquist Chris Bowman Ryan Cassette Andrew Chung Diana Colon Matthew Deneke

C J Donner Troy Forrester Bradon Jones Erin Lindsey John Rogers Eric Scheier

Brandie Schneider Christopher Schutt Jason Shanley Jason Shipp Pastor Steve Pera Mark Tillberg

Grieving Linda Augustine & Family Nadine Peterson & Family Bob Buster & Family Jeannine Pihl & Family John Deming & Family Mildred Rittger & Family Wanda Funk & Family Roscoe & Marilyn Swenson & Family Dawn Glassburn-Hoesli & Family Mark & Tami Thompson & Family Clara Herbel & Family Dannie Tillberg & Family Phillip & Elouise Humbargar & Family Roger Tillberg & Family Jerry Ireton & Family Dolly Wilson & Family Grace Johnson & Family Family & friends of Glenna Carlson Bob Mong & Family Family & friends of Joyce Halstead Dianne Neustrom & Family Family & friends of Paul Layland

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Brenda Olson & Family Family & friends of Carl Tillberg Kandie Olson & Family Family & friends of Marlin Young

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“The presence of God mediated through the grace of

worship is a ‘foretaste of the feast to come,’ food for the journey.” Power Surge pg. 95

Average October (11:00) .......................... 109

Visitors to Immanuel in October

Ken & Lynn Grahn, Oakland MN; Nelson James, Oakland, MN; John Grahn, Albert Lea, MN; Breanna Ayers, Salina, Ks; Brandy Douglas & Ivan Perez, Salina, KS; Courtney Train, Salina, KS; Ryan Zimmerman, Salina, KS; Teisha Rogers, Salina, KS; Mel Anderson, Longmont, CO; Lee & Heather Barr, Gypsum, KS; Brent Gruenbacher; Marie Lowe, Salina, KS; Karen Jilka, Hillsboro, KS;

All Saints Sunday will be November 7th as we gather to remember and honor those who have gone before us. We begin our worship reading the list those who have died in the past year and then we will continue with those who have died

more than a year ago. As each name is read, a family member or somebody from the congregation will come forward and remove a candle from a table and place it on the altar in memory of the deceased. If you have not given us the name of your loved one, you may call the church office and get it to Gloria by Wednesday, November 3rd. Once we have gone through all of the submitted names, we will have an opportunity for people to come forward and verbally give their loved one’s name.

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“For whatever was written in former days was written for our

instruction, so that by steadfastness and by the encouragement of

the scriptures we might have hope.” Romans 15:4

Sunday School * 9:00-9:45am Preschool through Grade 5 November 7 & 14 Bible Stories November 21 Christmas Program preparation November 28 ADVENT FESTIVAL December 5 Christmas Program preparation December 13 CHRISTMAS PROGRAM

Grades 6 through Adult November 7 Worship: WHY? November 14 Worship: WHAT? November 21 Worship: WHERE? November 28 ADVENT FESTIVAL December 5 Worship: HOW? December 12 CHRISTMAS PROGRAM December 19 Worship: WHEN? December 26 Worship: WHAT NEXT?

Adult Class (Library) – Christian Commitment in Today’s World

FLOWER CHART

Nov. 7th Anita Phye in remembrance of Mary and Elmer Laas’

Wedding Anniversary. Nov. 14th Edith Heidrick in memory of her parents and sister. Nov. 21st Bud & Betty Coburn in honor of their Wedding Anniversary. Nov. 28th Terrell & Karen Olson in honor of their grandchildren

Hayden and Treytan.

Altar Guild will have their regular meeting Wednesday, November 17 at 5:15 p.m.

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“He has told you, O mortal, what is good; and what does the Lord require of you but to do justice, and to love

kindness and to walk humbly with your God?” Micah 6:8

Salvation Army Bell Ringing We will be ringing bells for the Salvation Army at the west entrance of the Mall on Saturday, December 4th from 10am until 7pm. Some people thought it would be a good idea if a small group wanted to sing or play the church’s bells as part of a shift. If you are interested in playing the church bells, please call the church office and if we have enough who are interested, we will get together to learn a couple of songs. Otherwise, you may sign up in the Narthex and if you want to sing please get your group together and sign up.

Live Nativity and Parade of Lights We have been asked to do a live nativity on November 20th at 2pm at the corner of Santa Fe and Ash. We are still in need of some people such as shepherds, kings and an angel and we would also like you to be on our float later that evening, but we can work around things if you are unable. We also need some help with costumes and building a stable. As we prepare for this event, we have scheduled work days on Wednesday November 3rd and 10th beginning at 5pm. There will be a supper on the 3rd at 5:30 but not on the 10th. We will also have a work day on Saturday, November 13th beginning at 9am. If you can help at any of these times, it would be greatly appreciated.

The other activity for the 20th is the Parade of Lights and we will have a float once again. We are planning on using our live nativity cast on the float but will need people to walk and hand out candy and worship opportunity sheets. If you are willing to walk, please let pastor know and if you would like to donate candy, it would be greatly appreciated.

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November 7, 14, 21 & 28

Acolytes

10:00 am Lizzy Olson & Annie Sweeney Thanksgiving Eve - Colin Truhe & Halie Turner

Ushers

Nov 7 & 14 John & Sonja Johnson, Betty Zorn Del Herbel and Ashley Hummel Nov 21 & 28 Terry & Kathy Oehmke, Del Herbel, Liz Diehl & John Gengler Thanksgiving Eve – John & Sarah Jane Carson, Del Herbel,

Gordon & Stephen Tillberg Greeters

Nov 7 & 14 Erm & LoVaune Rasmusson Nov 21 & 28 David & Karla Tillberg

Readers

Nov.7th (10:00) David Tillberg Nov 14th (10:00) Mardell Carlson Nov 21st (10:00) Eugene Tillberg Nov 28th (10:00) Brenna Truhe

Assisting Ministers Nov. 7th (10:00) Henry Diehl Nov. 14th (10:00) Angie Sundell Nov. 21st (10:00) Pam Michel

Nov. 28th (10:00) Dorothy Hanna Communion Assistants

All Sundays Karen Olson (Bread) Corlene Lange (Wine) Mindy Tillberg (Bread) Jim Sweeney (Wine)

Children’s Sermon

Nov. 14th Pastor Kent Nov. 28th Liz Diehl

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“Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly; teach and admonish one another in all wisdom; and with

gratitude in your hearts sing psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs to God.” Colossians 3:16

Middle and High School Youth Meeting

Sunday, November 7 • 11am-1pm

Both middle and high school students will meet following worship to discuss how we will move forward with the possibility of joining our group with the youth of St John’s. Food, games and Bible study are included!! Please bring $2 for lunch.

Middle & High School Movie Night Saturday, November 20

7:30ish-10:00pm We will gather in the Immanuel Fellowship Hall for a movie following the Salina Downtown Parade of Lights. Bring a friend!

Middle & High School Students Topeka Quake/Zone * February 11-13

Register on or before Sunday, November 21 and the cost is only $90 (a $35 savings)! After November 21

the cost is $125. If you did not receive a mailing, please contact Mindy at 577-5604 or

mindy@immanuelsalina.org

Advent Festival Sunday, November 28

9:00-9:45am Join us for a morning of fellowship, crafts and other activities as we ‘prepare the way’ for Christ’s birth! All ages are encouraged to participate.

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The Dutch Lunch group is meeting on Wednesday, November 17, 1:00 p.m. at Martinelli’s, 158 S. Santa Fe. Please call Mary Koetkemeyer at 827-2919 for any questions.

The Senior’s Lunch will be on Monday, November 22nd at noon. Bring a dish to share and your own table service and join us for good conversation

Holiday Market & Bistro

Sat. Nov. 6th 9:00 to 3:00 Christ The King Lutheran Church, 111 W. Magnolia

Free Admission

Homemade Soup & Cinnamon Rolls

Homemade Bierocks – Carry Out Only

Purchase Baked Goods

Purchase Gifts From Local Artists & Crafters

Bring The Kids For Story Time With Mrs. Claus

5:30pm Dinner 6:30pm Confirmation Class (7th

& 8th

graders)

Choir 7:30pm Taize worship

NOVEMBER MENU: November 3 ~ Spaghetti ($3/person)

November 10 ~ No Meal or Confirmation Class November 17 ~ Fried Chicken ($4/person)

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Wednesday, November 24 5:30pm Dinner ($6/person)

7:00pm Worship

Menu includes: Ham, turkey, sweet potatoes, mashed potatoes w/gravy,

green bean and corn casseroles, dressing, rolls, cranberry sauce and pie.

Please make reservations by noon on November 22 Call 825-4750 or email mindy@immanuelsalina.org

If you need transportation or would like to help, please contact the phone number and/or email listed above.

I wish to thank my family, friends, and daily visits from Pastor

Happel while in the hospital. I appreciated all the cards,

flowers, prayers and visits as they were all helpful in my 6

weeks recovery in Kenwood View.

~ Charles Smith, JR.

Thank you for the cards, thoughts and especially the prayers for

me during pastor appreciation month. Your thoughts and

concerns are greatly appreciated.

~ Pastor

Thank you to my Immanuel church family for the calls, cards,

visits and especially the prayers following my recent knee

surgery. A special thank you to Pastor Kent for being with Steve

and me both before and during the surgery. We also want to

thank the Parish Health team for the nourishing supper that

they prepared for us. Everything was appreciated! Thank you

all so much!

~ Pam Michel

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PARISH NURSE Fall is upon us and we will soon be into winter-probably much sooner that we want! Our November focus is cold weather safety. Of course the best way to deal with problems is to prevent them in the first place. When it is cold and blustery and you know you are going out remember to:

Dress for conditions in layers of loose, dry clothes-most effective mix is cotton or wool underneath and something waterproof on top.

Get dry of changed immediately if your clothes do get wet. Be sure to cover hands, feet, face and head (you can lose up

to 40 percent of your body heat if your head is not covered) Keep moving when you are in the cold

Take regular breaks in a warm area.

Remember that cold weather puts an extra strain on the heart-so if you have heart disease or high blood pressure you should talk to your doctor before doing heavy tasks in the cold. If you have to do them, work slowly and dress warmly. Be prepared in case you lose power in the extreme cold. Here is a basic checklist:

Battery powered radio (with extra batteries) or weather radio Drinking water Canned no cook food Non-electric can opener First aid kit Rock salt to melt ice on walkways or a supply of sand or kitty

litter to add traction on walkways

Flashlight with extra batteries

To prepare your house in case you lose power Leave all water taps slightly open so they drip continuously. Keep the indoor temperature warm Allow heated air near pipes (you may need to open the door

under the kitchen cabinets)

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Have some kind of heat source available like fireplace with wood, portable space heaters or kerosene heaters

Keep all heat sources at least 3 feet from furniture and curtains

Have a fire extinguisher available Never use charcoal or portable gas camp stoves indoors-the

fumes are deadly. Have a carbon monoxide detector on each level of your house Ways to charge your cell phone should you lose power

Likewise your car should be well stocked: Cell phone

Shovel Windshield scraper Radio (battery powered and batteries) Flashlight Water Snack food Extra hats coats, mittens Blankets Booster cables Road salt or sand Emergency flares or flashers

As you can see (and most of us already know) that thinking ahead and planning will go a long way to keeping us and our families safe. Also remembering that some of our members who are more mature may need help in crisis times and keeping in touch and lending a hand may be needed. Remember you can always call or text me if you need anything. We are here to care for each other-so let’s do it! Angie Sundell, RN Parish Nurse 785-452-1959

or text me at 7858271959@vtext.com

Serving God Through Wholistic Ministries Laughter ۰Courage ۰Prayer ۰Inspiration ۰Commitment۰ Love

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November Meeting Thursday, November 11th 2:00 p.m. Program: Birthday Tea Cake & Table decorations: Anna & Lois Group – Jan.-June, Phoebe & Tabitha/Ruth – July-Dec. Hostess Group: Rebekah/Mary

November Groups Wednesday, Nov. 17th 6:00 p.m. ELIZABETH – at church Monday, Nov. 16th 11:15 a.m. ANNA – Huckleberry Tea Room, meet at church 11:15 Thursday, Nov. 18th 2:00 p.m. LOIS – Eat Out, Martinelli’s, 158 S. Santa Fe

2:00 p.m. PHOEBE – All Hostess, at church 2:00 p.m. TABITHA/RUTH – Barbara Nelson, 2171 Wesley

2:00 p.m. REBEKAH/MARY – Ellen Vaupel, 1129 Johnstown

Quilters will meet Thursday, November 4th at 9:00 a.m.

WOMEN of the ELCA

THANKOFFERING--2010 Women of the Lutheran church have been gathering for Thankofferings since the early 1900s. It is a tradition grounded in our celebration of community. We gather together as faithful women joyfully giving thanks and praise for what God has given to us. So this Nov. 11th we would like to provide each of you the opportunity to

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express God’s abundant blessings in your life through our Thankoffering taken here at Immanuel’s WELCA. Look forward to seeing everyone Nov. 11th so we can celebrate everyone’s birthdays at once with cake and ice cream, devotions and lots of fellowship. Dolly Wilson, President A reminder….have your Bethany Home gifts to the church by November 21st so that LoVaune and Roberta can take them with them to Lindsborg to the Auxiliary meeting. Each group provides 4 gifts and 2 dozen cookies. Be sure to mark on the outside of the gift what it is and if it is for a man or a woman. Thank you.

Have we forgotten God? We have been the recipients of the choicest bounties of heaven; we have been preserved these many years in peace and prosperity; we have grown in numbers, wealth and power as no other nation has grown. But we have forgotten God. We have forgotten the gracious hand which preserved us in peace and multiplied and enriched and strengthened us, and we have vainly imagined, in the deceitfulness of our hearts, that all these blessings were produced by some superior wisdom and virtue of our own. Intoxicated with unbroken success we have become too self-sufficient to feel the necessity of redeeming and preserving grace, too proud to pray to the God that made us. It has seemed to me fit and proper that God should be solemnly, reverently and gratefully acknowledged, as with one heart and one voice, by the whole of the American people. I do therefore invite my fellow citizens in every part of the United States, and also those who are at sea and those who are sojourning in foreign lands, to set apart and observe the last Thursday of November as a day of Thanksgiving and praise to our beneficent Father who dwelleth in the heavens.

—Abraham Lincoln, 1863 Thanksgiving Proclamation

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NOVEMBER BIRTHDAYS

IN OUR IMMANUEL

FAMILY

1 Shirley Milleson 16 Todd Drown Stacey Munson 17 Halie Turner 2 Dorothy Richards 18 Corlene Lange Ellen Vaupel 19 Linda Duffy 3 Valerie Block Cleta Schneider Ken Carmichael 21 Jessie Peterson Thomas Drane 22 Alma Solberg 4 Fern Rudick Karen Melton Maxine Tillberg Jill Roberg Steve Schneider 23 Elsie Spangler 5 Carl Eklund Linda Mead 6 Nadine Peterson 24 Jeannine Pihl Paula Soukup Laura Christian 7 Kyle Hardesty Kynan Gibson 9 John Johnson Seth Eklund Robin Munsey 26 Braxton Moxter Harry Anderson 27 John Eklund 11 Helen Loy Jack Goates Russell Roberg Meredith Tillberg 12 Joyce Johnson 28 Luke Cates 13 Gordon Tillberg 29 Karen Olson 15 Connie Beisner 30 John Reese Linda Mynhier Ron Mead Frank Owsley Abigail Eklund

8th Annual Spaghetti Slurp & Pie Auction

Sunday, November 14 11:30 to 12:30 Redeemer Lutheran Church, 743 E. Magnolia Rd

Advance Tickets At the Door Adults & Children 11 & up - $5.00 Adult - $6.00 Children 10 & under - $2.00 Children 10 & under - $3.00 College Students - $3.00 College Students - $3.50

All you can eat. Includes spaghetti, bread, drink & dessert.

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“For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.” Matthew 21:6

Time & Talents The Stewardship Ministry Team would like to thank all the members who completed a time & talent survey. Forty-five households have turned in their forms. It is because of your willingness to volunteer and dedication to Christ’s ministry that we at Immanuel can accomplish ministry in his name. If you would still like to fill out a Time & Talent form, you may come by the church office. We Look forward to working together with all of you in 2011.

Financial Summary January 1 through October 24, 2010

Amount Budgeted .................................................................................. $193,333 Budget Income ........................................................................................ 172,030 Budget Expenses .................................................................................... 172,617 Expenses over Income ................................................................................... 587 Income Shortfall to Budget ........................................................................ 21,303

Kitchen Project Financial Report

Totals as of 10-24-10 Received On Hand Total received in Kitchen Imp. Fund 29,754.32 Expenses paid from Kit. Imp. Fd: Building Permit 535.00 Altman – Brick work, Mat., Labor 3,999.54 Waters – Stripper 188.43 Crestwood – Cabinets, Island, Counter 17,010.69 Complete Floor Covering – Tile 2,105.00 Sunflower – Exhaust Hood, Range 7,568.00 Total expenses to date 31,406.66 Balance on hand in Kitchen Imp. Fund (1,652.34) Amount in CD & Savings – Kitch. Imp. 10,972.00 10,972.00 Totals as of 10/24/10 40,726.32 9,319.66

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A Day of Gratitude and Friendship Most Americans, learning about Thanksgiving’s origin, hear or read about the destitute Pilgrims who suffered greatly during their first bitter winter in America. Many Pilgrims got sick, and half of them died. What we don’t focus on enough is the fact that Native Americans took pity on the Pilgrims. They befriended the newcomers and gave them food. They taught them how to survive the vicious cold months. Then, when the earth grew warm again, the Indians taught the Pilgrims how to grow various crops and how to store any surplus. It was primarily because of the natives’ friendship and helpfulness that the Pilgrims began to eke their way from disaster to fruitfulness. It’s no wonder that when the Pilgrims had their first successful harvest, they invited their Indian neighbors to celebrate with

them. The natives didn’t come empty-handed. They furnished venison, wild turkeys and probably vegetables from storage. It was, more or less, a potluck affair. The Pilgrim leaders prayed

gratefully at the occasion. We can be confident that an unseen but not unexpected Guest was very much present

that day.

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