Immanuel Congregational Church

Come ponder together the lectionary scripture readings for the coming Sunday Worship.

We’ll be using the “Living the Good News” adult scripture journal as a guide. Copies of the journal are available for $6 and will be used for the duration of the bible study. Come s-t-r-e-t-c-h yourself and explore together.

For more information see a member of the Ministry Team: Liz Wilson, Ron VanderMeer, or Barbara Theurer.

Advent is a time of “getting ready”. Getting ready in our hearts to receive the Son of the living God. As we get ready for the mystery and wonder of Christmas we acknowledge Immanuel has much to share. Much to share with the world and with each other.

The Immanuel Ministry team invites you to participate in the creation of an Immanuel Advent Booklet for 2009. This booklet will be a collection of the Christmas memories submitted by Immanuel members and friends. Everyone is asked to be part of this collection of memories. Please share a favorite Christmas memory for our Booklet. Describe your memory in as much detail as you can.

Submit your memory by October 25, 2009 : Mail to: Immanuel Church Attn: Advent Booklet 1 Hovey Street Oxford, MI 48371 OR Put your copy of your memory in the plastic mailbox on the Immanuel Pastor’s office door.

Please mark: Attn: Advent Booklet OR email your memory to: Barbara Theurer ( btheurer@sbcglobal.net ) 

Thank you for sharing your story!!!!!

Immanuel Ministry Team

Nooma Short Movies
Sunday Oct. 18 – “Trees”
Sunday Oct. 25 – “Sundays”
12:45p.m. – 1:30p.m.

Jesus lived with the awareness that God is doing something, right here, right now, and anybody can be a part of it. He encourages his listeners to search, to question, to wrestle with the implications of what he was saying and doing. He inspired, challenged, provoked, comforted, and invited people to be open to God’s work in this world. Wherever he went, whatever he did, Jesus started discussions about what matters most, because for Jesus, God is always inviting us to open our eyes and join in.

NOOMA is a series of short films that explore our world from the perspective of Jesus. NOOMA is an invitation to search, question, and join the discussion. On October 18 we’ll be viewing and discussing the movie “Trees”, and then on October 25 we’ll be doing the same with the movie “Sunday”. 

We want to know why we are here. If our lives really matter. How our religion is relevant to this life. Today. We want to understand what significance this minute, hour, week, month, and year has to our lives. To our world. We need a God who cares about this life, in this world, right now. We want to understand why everything we think, everything we say, and everything we do matters. We don’t want to just sit back and wait for something to happen or someday to come. We want to know if all the choices we make now will shape our world and lives for eternity. Because we want our lives to have meaning today, and our lives today to have meaning forever.

Christian Nurture for students in Grades 1 thru 5 will continue in Praise Place. Here, we listen to a Bible story told by a story teller, and spend time in private reflection wondering and responding to that story. We find and read the story from our classroom Bible, sing songs, and acknowledge the presence of Christ in our midst.

Our Bible stories for the month of October will be:

• Oct. 11 Abraham and Sarai from Genesis 12 and 13
• Oct. 18 Saving Baby Moses from Exodus 1 – 2:10
• Oct. 25 Exodus from Exodus 1:1-15:21
• Nov. 1 Children remain in worship for Communnion
• Nov. 8 The Ten Best Ways to Live from Exodus 19-20: Deuteronomy 6:4-6

 
Immanuel Choir is back and rejoicing!

Come share the fellowship with us at rehearsals on Wed. evenings 7p.m. – 8:30p.m. Sunday worship “warmup” is 10:15 a.m. Come make a joyful noise unto the Lord!!!!

Our scheduled anthems include:

• Oct. 4 “In Remembrance” by B. Red This anthem was purchased by Kathleen Nestor in remembrance of Metro Nestor
• Oct. 11 “Hymn of Promise” by N. Sleeth This anthem was purchased by the William Theurer family in honor of Mary Jean Specht
• Oct. 18 “Thy Word” by M.W. Smith
• Oct. 25 “We Are Singing for the Lord is Our Light” arr. H. Hopson
• Nov. 1 “One Bread, One Body” by J. Foley/M. Hayes This anthem is in honor of Rev. Arthur and Mrs. Connie Habermehl’s 50th wedding anniversary
• Nov.8 “Love Grows Here” by D. Besig This anthem was purchased by Dru Redmond in memory of Howard Redmond

Thank you to Darnell Lynch for serving as choir accompaniest when Ann McKinley is unavailable. Bless you, Darnell!!!

UCC identity items are available to order.

Items on display in the Immanuel Fellowship Hall:

• Red License Plate Holder @ $20 each
• Silver comma necklace @ $15 each (available with chain in 16″, 18″, 20″ or 28″ lengths)
• Red comma pin @ $4 each

Orders will be placed October 13, 2009, and will arrive in plenty of time for Christmas gifts.

Make checks payable to: Barbara Theurer