THE IMMANUEL INFORMER

December 2016

Immanuel Lutheran Church 604 Lafayette Avenue Story City, Iowa 50248 515.733.4972

E-mail address - immanuel@iowatelecom.net

Website - www.immanuelstorycity.org

A member of Lutheran Congregations in Mission for Christ (LCMC).

Ministers - All Members Pastor - Kurt Jensen Visitation Pastor - Tom Hunt Youth & Education Ministry Coordinator - Zachary Bauknecht Deployed Pastor to Riverside - Chris Dahl Office Secretary - Milianna Carlson Financial Secretary - Veronica Wright Custodian - Shelly Nibe Missionaries we help support: Tim & Paula Tjernagel, Spain Pastor Randy Hansen, ISU Gene & Ginger McClugage, Family Life, Arkansas Kevin & Susana B, India Doug & Amy Nunziato, Mission Aviation, Washington

Regular Office Hours

Monday - Thursday Friday 8:30 A.M. - 12 noon, 8:30 A.M. - 12 noon 1 P.M. - 4 P.M.

Sunday Morning Schedule 8:30 A.M. Sunday School 9:00 A.M. Coffee Fellowship (Narthex) 9:30 A.M. Worship Service 10:30 A.M. Coffee Fellowship (Social Hall)

OUR MISSION Building Strong Relationships in Christ,

And Making Him Known to All.

From the Pastor. . .

Did you know: The circle is a symbol for God, as well as for

eternity, due to its lack of a beginning or an end. It also reminds

us how the church year (not unlike the secular calendar) flows

from season to season and moves smoothly from Christ the King

Sunday (the culmination of the liturgical calendar) to the First

Sunday of Advent (a new beginning). Indeed, the One who rules

all is the same One whose first and final comings we anticipate

anew during Advent.—Published in November 2014 (The Newsletter Newsletter)

Advent

Advent means “arrival”.

This time of year is filled with

comings and goings: vacations,

parties, shopping, events with

family and friends. In the midst

of the busyness of getting ready for Christmas, it’s

easy to miss the reason for the season. God is

coming! Christ’s advent is near!

In the midst of our busy preparations for the

celebration of Jesus’ birth in ancient Bethlehem,

Christ arrives in our homes and lives today. Do we

notice his presence? The devil loves to get us so

busy decorating, preparing food, cleaning and

shopping in preparation for Christmas that we

actually miss the coming of Christ. Hurt feelings,

anger, impatience, injured egos—our busyness

creates a long list of things that can blind us to the

birth. During this season we pause in worship to

consider how our lives are shaped by the advent of

our Lord Jesus: his humble birth and his coming

return. Christ will come whether we notice or not.

How will is Advent affect you this year? What can help you grow deeper in your relationship with Christ today?

Join us in worship as we celebrate the arrival of our

Lord into our lives and hearts!

Pastor Kurt

December Volunteers

Ushers: Ole & Jackie Skaar, Gloria Oberender

Greeters

December 4 Al & Sarah Gelner December 1 1 NEED December 18 Merlin & Clara Wendt December 25 Gayle & Sierra Tate

Readers

December 4 Gloria Oberender December 1 1 Senior Choir Cantata December 18 Sunday School Christmas Program December 25 Sierra Tate

Memorial Service Muriel Stone - Nov. 19

Baptism Josie Joan Reifschneider, daughter of Chad & Brittni Reifschneider - Nov. 20

Please remember these families in your prayers.

Ministry Volunteers November Pastoral Acts

e

Church Financials Financial Report - October

Fund Beginning Balance Receipts Expenditures Ending Balance

Current & Mission Fund -6,516.47 34,759.12 36,198.69 -7,956.04

Improvement Fund 66,317.98 1,705.00 0.00 68,022.98

Missionary Support Fund 867.32 720.00 1,483.34 103.98

Memorial Fund 7,235.02 545.00 0.00 7,780.02

Ministry Fund 4,250.33 103.00 15.38 4,337.95

(Our Current & Mission Fund is especially in need of your gifts at this time)

Newsletters via e-mail Every month, we send out over 300 newsletters to our members and others in and out of state. To produce one month's newsletter, the church spends an average of $60 in postage + 8 hours of combined assembling time from volunteers + 2,000 pieces of paper.

Consider going paperless—contact our church office to receive your newsletter via your email address. Our newsletters are also available on our website.

Happy Thanksgiving

Special Announcements

Gift for Pastor Anenson. On Saturday, November 19, we presented a plaque to Pastor

Anenson in honor of his 34 years of ministry at Immanuel.

In addition to the individual gifts that people made, the Church Council also gave the Anensons

$7500 to use for travel or whatever they wish.

Thank you to everyone who helped honor the Anensons as they move

to Ankeny!

Immanuel Transition Team Update

The Transition Team is off and running! Well, maybe more accurate is to say that we are moving

forward! The Team has met together now 3 separate times in November, and we have used these

meetings to discuss our plans and process for accomplishing this important charge that the Church

Council has given us. As you know, at the direction of the Council the Deacons assembled this

Transition Team and charged us to listen to you as members of the congregation, to listen to the

Holy Spirit, to assess the strengths of and opportunities for Immanuel, to determine the missions

of which God is calling us and directing us, and to bring back to the Council recommendations for

attaining those callings. A very important mission for this Transition Team, indeed!

And we have also used these times together for getting to know each Team member’s spiritual

story and for getting to know each other better. The Deacons recruited wonderful individuals to

this Transition Team – Tammy Hansen, Justin Hanson, Cathy Isebrand, Jillian Lykins and Patty

Rathmacher – and it is great to work with each of them as a Team, together to help discern our

next steps as a congregation!

The Transition Team will kick off 2017 by participating in a Transition Team/Call Committee

day-long workshop on Saturday, January 7, 2017 in Clear Lake, conducted by Pastor Steve Lien,

LCMC Coordinator for Pastoral Ministry. We will then continue this journey as a Team and

more importantly as the Immanuel congregation, looking to you and to God’s Word to guide us

as we assess who we are, who we want to be, and where we go forward as the Immanuel family!

Joel Danielson

Dear Immanuel Congregation,

We continue to be blessed by you. Your encouragement and generosity

have touched our lives. We are overwhelmed by the gift of a

plaque and the generous checks we received from the congregation. Our heartfelt gratitude

goes out to each of you.

We trust that you will have a blessed Thanksgiving and Christmas season.

-Pastor Stephen and Sandy

Immanuel’s Third Annual Christmas Tea & Bazaar will be held in conjunction with the Story City Tour of Homes on Saturday, December 3 from 11 A.M.to 2 P.M. in the church Social Hall .

You’re invited to “Deck the Halls” and join us after the worship service on Sunday, November 27, to trim our Christmas tree and decorate the sanctuary! We hope you can join us in celebrating the glorious beauty of the Advent season!

Church & Community Announcements

Immanuel’s Library Board Meeting will be Tuesday, December 6 at 10:00 AM in the Cornerstone Room.

All Men of Immanuel are invited to meet each Saturday morning from 8 to 9 A.M. in the Social Hall for an informal Bible Study. December 17th will be our last meeting in 2016.

Christmas Eve Special Music & Readings Your talents are needed for Immanuel’s 4:30 & 8:00 P.M. Christmas Eve services. If you would like to have a part in one or both of these services by sharing a special vocal or instrumental selection or a reading, please call the church office or let Emily Anderson know by Sunday, December 11. Thank you!

The Piano Students of Milianna Carlson invite you to attend their Holiday Piano Recital on Sunday, December 1 1 at 2 P.M. in Immanuel’s Chapel. Please join us for some “sounds of the season” as we celebrate Christmastime!

Christmas Program This year's Christmas program from the Young Disciples & Jr. Choir will be Christmas Joy, a musical for kids from Pam Andrews. Christmas Joy focuses on the joy that came to earth when Jesus was born in Bethlehem. Familiar songs of the season are presented alongside newer songs, all praising the joy of Jesus birth! The program will be Sunday, December 18 during the 9:30 church service.

Christmas Angel Gift Program 2016 Thanks to all who participated in this year’s Angel Gift Program! Reminder: All gifts are to be wrapped & returned (with their identification tag) to Immanuel Lutheran Church by Thursday, December 8 so they can be sorted and given to the families before Christmas.

Wheelchair Pushers Needed Immanuel is responsible for providing wheelchair pushers at Bethany Manor for the worship service each Sunday during the month of December. The wheelchair pushers need to be at the Bethany Manor Chapel by 9:20 A.M. and will be done by 10:45 or 11 :00 A.M. A sign up sheet is posted on the narthex bulletin board. At least five people are needed each week.

A short service of Holy Communion will follow the worship service on Sunday,

December 18. We realize that some of our members are gone for communion the first Sunday of the month. Come, even if you simply would like to

participate in the sacrament again.

Church & Community Announcements, continued

A Note from Stephen Ministers The joy of Christmas can turn into a time of painful loneliness and emptiness for those who have suffered a loss or who are going through a difficult time. But help is available. Our Stephen Ministers are ready to provide confidential, one-to-one Christian care. They will listen, care, encourage, pray with and for you, and support you through the holidays and as long as your need persists. If you or someone you know is hurting, find out more about Stephen Ministry by talking with one of our Stephen Leaders: Pastor Kurt or Gayle Tate. Our Stephen Ministers are there to care!

Stephen Minister’s monthly meeting is Monday, December 19th 5:30 P.M. in the

Cornerstone Room.

Year-End Giving . Please remember the needs of the various ministries of our congregation. Our Current & Mission fund is in particular need at this time.

Note: Please have all your gifts to the church office by 3 P.M. on Friday, December 30, so they can be credited for 2016. Thank you!

Daily Texts 2017 Dwelling in God’s word each day

For the last few years, we have ordered copies of the Daily Texts for people who want a bite-sized word from Scripture to shape each day of the year. The Daily Texts is a unique devotional book used by millions of people around the world in over 50 languages. It is the oldest continuously published devotional book in the world. It provides two Bible verses for each day - one from the Old Testament and one from the New Testament. These are followed by a prayer based on Martin Luther's prayer pattern, the T.R.I.P., written by a different person each month. Scripture readings to read through the Bible in one year are also provided. We will be ordering 2017 Daily Texts at a group rate of just $7.00 a copy.

If you would like copies for yourself or as gifts, sign up in the narthex, or contact the church office at 733-4972 or immanuel@iowatelecom.net by Sunday, Dec. 1 1th. May God bless our families, congregation, and community as we spend time in His Word each day!

Meal Train If you know any friends or family in need of meals following births, deaths, illnesses, or surgeries, please contact Sarah Jensen (suttonsbay1@yahoo.com) or the church office. Sarah will help organize the providing of meals using the Meal Train website and will notify the congregation allowing you to sign up for times to provide meals for those in their time of need. Thank you!

Christmas Eve Please join us in worship at our traditional Christmas Eve Candlelight Family services at 4:30 and 8:00 P.M. on Saturday, December 24. Both services will feature readings and special music. The 8:00 P.M. service will have Holy Communion.

Christmas Day Join us on Christmas morning for worship and to celebrate Jesus’ birth!

Saturday, December 24:

4:30 P.M.—Candlelight Service 8:00 P.M.—Candlelight Service* *(with Holy Communion)

Sunday, December 25: (No Sunday School)

9:30 A.M.—Christmas Day Service

Joy to the Word, the Lord is come!

Church & Community Announcements, continued

The Church Office will be closed Monday, December 26.

Please remember in prayer those men and women serving in the

Armed Forces from our church and from our

area.

It is good to be children sometimes, and never better than at Christmas, when its mighty

Founder was a child Himself. Charles Dickens

Merry Christmas! Possible Daycare Ministry Our Trustees have formed an exploration team to look into the possibility of partnering with local daycare provider Mariah Duszynski to create a Christian daycare center here at Immanuel. Mariah, Little Flock, and other Story City daycare providers have lengthy waiting lists, so there seems to be a great need for it in our community. The daycare exploration team is considering a wide variety of questions and issues that would need to be answered to make this opportunity possible. If you have questions about it, please contact one of the team members: John Arthur, Grant & Laura Severson, Jeff Baker, or Alaina Christian.

The Christmas season is a favorite time of year in

the library because we have so many wonderful books to offer our readers. Take time to be blessed by stopping in to see what we have.

Cindy Woodsmall has written a new “Romance from the Heart of Amish Country” called The Dawn of Christmas. Sadie and Levi have both seen and experienced the disastrous effects of love gone wrong and have decided they want nothing to do with married life. They devise a plan to keep their meddlesome families satisfied while maintaining their own independence, but as Christmas approaches, the charade they are playing begins to feel too real for their own comfort. As the walls of bitterness begin to crumble, Levi and Sadie have to learn to trust each other as they begin to imagine a future together.

We also have many beautiful Christmas stories for children. Three of our newest are:

We Believe in Christmas, by Karen Kinsgbury. A story told in pictures and verse of a family finding the true meaning of Christmas as they prepare for and participate in the Christmas pageant at their church.

Little Angel by Geraldine McCaughrean. Share the adventures of a young shepherd boy with a big responsibility and a little angel with damaged wings have as they help each other face their fears and find the baby Jesus.

The Littlest Christmas Star by Brandi Dougherty. Max was disappointed when he only got a small part in the Christmas play. Read to find out how he becomes a big star!

Our Christmas books are on display on the tops of the bookshelves and in the children’s book rack. We have a variety of seasonal devotions, meditations, poetry, historical fiction, Amish, prairie and modern day stories, and many beautiful retellings of the nativity. Put the “holy” back in your holiday by spending some time with the special Christmas offerings available in the library.

Church Library Read. Study. Learn.

Let it shine Whatever else be lost among the years, Let us keep Christmas still a shining thing. Whatever doubts assail us, or what fears, Let us hold close one day, remembering Its poignant meaning for the hearts of men. Let us get back our childlike faith again.

Grace Noll Crowell

Summary of November Council Meetings Joint Council--November 10, 2016 President Brad Waline called the meeting to order. Present: Pastor Kurt Jensen, Lori Whipple, Brad

Waline, Beth Bunn, Denny Bauman, Brad Skaar Jeff Baker, Gloria Oberender, Shayla Ammerman, Shirley Frette, Terry Greenfield, Pastor Tom Hunt, John Arthur, Zachary Bauknecht, Al Hermanson

Al Hermanson led us in devotions. Denny Bauman gave the monthly financial report. Nominating committee is finding a time to meet. Transition committee met on Nov. 6th to begin

gathering resources. They will be attending a transition workshop on Jan. 7th in Clear Lake.

Council invited to attend LCMC district meeting Nov. 12th.

Housing allowance adjustment approved for Visitation Pastor Tom Hunt

Next meeting December 8, 2016 Trustees – November 10, 2016 Present: Pastor Jensen, Dennis Bauman, Terry

Greenfield, John Arthur. Absent: Eric Christian, Rich Corcoran, Marcus Seaton.

Opening Prayer by John Arthur. Approved bills pending notification of absent

members, reviewed Treasurer’s report. Sound System & Lighting update—waiting on bids Van update—looking into rear A/C. Everything else is

good. Update on projects:

Tower roofs DONE Patio, waiting for decision on color of

concrete. Carpet cleaning bid in, will clean the sanctuary. Upper level A/C will be a little over $4,000;

over $3,000 donations already. Pastor’s items

Add shelves or cupboards in work area—tabled for recommendations.

Parsonage--used washer & dryer remain, do we need new ones--tabled

Possible Daycare Ministry opportunity (Mariah Duszynski), appoint a team to explore feasibility. 1 trustee to be on the board.

Staff Salaries - TBD when have a quorum. Other Business

Shelly needs help so she can take vacation or sick leave. Notice in bulletin.

Hand rails on steps up to the altar. Explore feasibility.

Deacons – November 6, 2016 Present: Pastor Kurt, Alan Hermanson, John

Nordeen, Shirley Frette New member classes will be held after the holidays.

Discussed possible Time and Talent Survey and Thanksgiving service.

New LifeTouch church directory pictures scheduled for early fall 2017.

Looking into having Johann & Sonya Hinderlie do Martin & Katie Luther presentation for 100th sanctuary dedication celebration in July.

Board of Education – Wednesday, November 9, 2016 Present: Brenda Lykins, Kim Sporleder, Jeff Baker,

Shayla Ammerman, and Zachary Bauknecht. Shayla opened with prayer. Treasurer’s report was not available to review. Sunday School Update. Mission project was a success;

Zach led students a tour of the church. Teachers can schedule visits to the church library.

Christmas program update. Cathy has found a program. Nicole has assigned all the speaking parts between kindergarten and 1st graders.

Youth Board Meeting November 8, 2016 Present: Beth Bunn, Zachary Bauknecht, Chris Dahl,

Tammy Hansen, Jennifer Seaton, Pastor Kurt, Amanda Isebrands

Welcome to the newest board member, Chris Dahl. Gayle Tate will join in 2017.

Devotions lead by Tammy, and prayer by Zachary. Approved financial report. We reviewed the youth group activities for October:

8th - Meals From The Heartland Hunger Fight--packaged 33,000 meals!

9th - Youth Group had 10 Middle School and 5 High School

23rd - Family Bonfire at Bunn’s house, 40 people

30th - Graduation Faith Stepping Stone--2 seniors and their families

November upcoming activities: 2nd - Prayer Vigil at St. Petri 6th - Youth Group 1 Middle School and 4 High

School raked leaves for people of the congregation

13th Family Ice Skating Event 17th-20th Zachary to National Youth Workers

Convention December 2-3--14 youth and 4 adults attending

Planet Wisdom in Eden Prairie. RADA cutlery fundraiser made $176 for next

summer’s mission trip; 10 people going. December 18th Youth Group Family Christmas Party,

potluck lunch at 11:30. Pastor Kurt discussed the responsibilities that

Zachary has since Pastor Anenson retired. Kurt will attend Youth Board meetings quarterly.

Next meeting: December 8th at 5:30PM

MIDDLE AND HIGH SCHOOL YOUTH

Planet Wisdom For those students signed up for this event, we will be leaving from Immanuel on Friday,

December 2nd between 3:45-4:00 PM in order to arrive on time. Please contact Zachary if you

need a ride to church. Parents, please refer to the email sent out on November 10th at

4:45 PM for more detailed information.

Middle School Youth Group We will be getting together for Youth Group on

Sunday the 11th from 2:00-3:10 PM. We will play some fun games and have great

conversations as well. We hope you can join us!

High School Youth Group We will be getting together for Youth Group on

Sunday the 11th from 3:15-4:30 PM. Bring a friend and get ready for some fun!

We hope you can join us.

Trinity & Confirmation Caroling

Wednesday night, December 14th, we will be going caroling around town at several different locations. We have done this every year for a while now and the residents absolutely light up with joy when they

see us there! PLEASE make sure you dress appropriately for this night. It will be cold.

We will meet for Pizza at 6:30 and then head out right after we are done eating together. We should wrap up around 7:30 PM. Thank You! If any parents

want to join us, you are more than welcome to.

Family Youth Group Christmas Party On Sunday December 18th from 11:30AM-1:00PM, we will be having a FAMILY Christmas Party at church in

the Social Hall. During this time we will be playing games, eating delicious food, making Christmas cards for Bethany Manor residents, sharing our Family Christmas Tradition stories, decorating cookies and

exchanging Christmas gifts with each other.

We will have a meal together and for this we are asking that families with students in Grades 5, 6, 7, and 8 bring a salad/cut vegetables to share and for families with students in Grades 9, 10, 11 and 12 to bring

a dessert to share. The main dish and drinks will be provided. If you have students in each group, feel free to bring both items with you if you want or pick your favorite item to share with us.

If you want to participate in the gift exchange, please bring a wrapped $5-7 meaningful gift. This will be a great time of fellowship for our Youth Group FAMILIES. Hope you are able to bring your family!

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Immanuel Lutheran Church 604 Lafayette Avenue Story City, Iowa 50248

Address Service Requested

Non-Profit Org.

U.S. Postage

Paid Story City, Iowa

Permit No. 44

2016 December

“For to us a child is born...”

A Christmas Prayer Dear Lord, in this holy Christmas season may we

draw nearer to you. How wise you were to reveal

yourself in the presence of a little baby, the Christ

child. You demonstrated the power and the

depth of your love for each of us. Thank you for

showing us that Christmas begins in the heart,

and for the love that it teaches. Help us now to

keep the light of the Christmas message burning

brightly all year through. In Jesus' name, we pray.

Amen.

Norman Vincent Peale Published in: December 1998

“...to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders. And he will be

called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.”

Isaiah 9:6