THE MESSENGER
Immanuel Lutheran Church, ELCA
726 Fuller Avenue, Big Rapids, MI 49307
Website: www.immanuelbr.com
Contact us: Immanuel@tucker-usa.com
Phone 231/796-8273
Fax 231/796-9599
Worship Service 9:30 a.m.
11:00 a.m. Sunday school
Office Hours: Monday-Thursday – 9:00 am to Noon and 1:00 pm – 4:00 pm - Closed on Friday
Office Staff: Mary Larkin, Administrative Assistant is in the office Tuesday – Thursday 9 am – 4 pm. Shirley Hamelund, Office
Assistant is in the office Monday, Tuesday and Thursday 9 am – 4 pm. The Church office is closed on Friday.
Newsletter items need to be emailed to shirleyh@immanuelbr.com by the 15th of the month in order for the
completion of the newsletter for proof reading so that it can be printed and out for distribution in a timely manner for
the next month.
MISSION: As one body in Christ, we base our daily lives together on the guidance of God as found in the Holy Scriptures
which leads us in love to welcome all people, to worship, to grow in faith, and to share our gifts with all people.
VISION STATEMENT: Immanuel Lutheran Church will be known for radical hospitality, passionate worship, intentional
faith development, risk-taking mission and service, and extravagant generosity.
OCTOBER 2015
During the interim period prior to the calling
and arrival of our future pastor, retired Pastors
Bob Garrels & Jerry Switzer will be covering
worship, some meetings and pastoral care. They
may be contacted either through the church
office (231)796-8273 or at home: Pastor Garrels
(231)796-3016 and Pastor Switzer (231) 9724179.
Ongoing prayers for: Shari
Larsen, Gary Smith, Doris Lidell,
Shirley Baumunk, Shirley Miller,
Jackie Perrin.
Member in Adult Foster Care Home: Joy Wheeler
Resident of Metron Nursing Center: Shirley Miller
Other Prayer Concerns:
Military troops serving abroad and in the U.S.
Our President and leaders of the Nation
People (hurting and suffering), homeless
Racism
Victims of natural disasters here & abroad
Victims of shootings, bombs, etc.
People in Poverty (hunger)
Healing & Health Concerns for:
Parish Register
Marianne Wolken, Charles Hurt,
Dick Perrin, Dick Lindsey, Hudson
Jungck, Ron Kast.
Death:
Carol Smith
Comfort: Carol Smith family
Sept. 25, 2015
OCTOBER Worship Schedule
(Readings from New Revised Standard Bible)
October 4th – 19th Sunday after Pentecost
9:30 a.m.
WOV Abridged
(Rev. Robert Garrels)
Readings:
Genesis 2: 18-24
Hebrews 1: 1-4; 2: 5-12
Birthdays
Psalm 8
Mark 10: 2-16
October 11th –20th Sunday after Pentecost
Lutheran Book of Worship – LBW
(Rev. Robert Garrels)
9:30 a.m.
Readings:
Amos 5: 6-7, 10-15
Hebrews 4: 12-16
Psalm 90: 12-17
Mark 10: 17-31
WOV Abridged/W/ELCA
THANKOFFERING
(Rev. Jerry Switzer)
Readings:
Isaiah 53: 4-12
Hebrews 5: 1-10
1
3
5
6
11
October 18th – 21st Sunday after Pentecost
9:30 a.m.
If you were left off this list, or if a birthday or anniversary is listed
wrong, please contact the church office.
Psalm 91: 9-16
Mark 10: 35-45
12
13
14
15
16
22
23
25
Rose Schroeder
Frieda Anderson
Dawn Aardema
Lenore Maxwell
Eric Vanhala
Don Nelson
Barb Ballard
Jackie Perrin
Shelly Snavley
Gunder Myran
Chris Weber
Phyllis Cousineau
Madelynne Lindsey
Bill Saunders
Claudia Persons
Travis Kizer
Toni Windquist
Nola Schlachter
Marcy Nelson
October 25th –22nd Sunday after
Pentecost/Reformation
9:30 a.m.
Lutheran Book of Worship – LBW
(Rev. Jerry Switzer)
Readings:
Jeremiah 31: 31-34
Romans 3: 19-28
Anniversaries
Psalm 46
John 8: 31-36
7
12
16
26
Roger & Phyllis Cousineau
Lloyd & Shirley Baumunk
Lee & Marianne Wolken
Roger & Sally Barr
Immanuel Activities and News
Message from the Council
As Christians, we know that God is with us as
we journey each day of our lives, but do we many times
forget that he is always by our side? In our daily walk
with God, do we stop to think of his power, his
promises, his love for us, and his many blessings that he
is showering on us? Or do we just think we have to
tramp on alone and face whatever life has in store for
us? Do we sometimes doubt or seek to find evidence of
his presence in the world around us? Do we take for
granted his great creation, or can we take a closer look
and be awed by its complexity and realize that only God
could have created such a mysterious complex
ecosystem teaming with life?
What is life? It cannot be defined; even the
greatest scientists cannot answer that question. The
dictionary defines life as the act of living, which basically
tells us nothing. Is there any doubt that only God knows
the meaning and the secrets of his gift of life? As we
look at the trillions of cells of all types and functions
that make up all animals and plants, we see that all
must work together for that organism to be healthy and
able to function. This must be the work of God the
creator! Scientists have worked for years to find a way
to convert sunshine, water, and carbon dioxide into a
basic sugar, like all green plants can do. They cannot
understand the complex steps that make this the basis
of all good on this planet. God’s power is a mystery….a
gift for us to use to sustain our daily lives. God’s power
is all around us to see –from the majestic trees that can
live hundreds of years to insects with a life span of only
minutes.
Take time to enjoy this creation he has given to
us. Take time to be amazed at all the aspects of living
things, and then take the time to thank God for his
presence in our lives, even the lives he has given each of
us. Let us give thanks for the fall harvest and the food
that he has provided for our daily lives. Let us thank him
for all of the mysterious gifts of life. Let us take a new
look at our walking with God by our side. It is only by his
grace that we go about our daily lives with the purpose
of glorifying him in any way possible. We are not who
we think we are. Only God holds our life in his hands.
~Ron Decker
Parish Nurse
October
Autumn is here and fall will soon be here!
Take time to enjoy all the beautiful colored leaves of
fall.
Fight FLU! Remember to get your flu
injection now!! It takes about two weeks for the
vaccination to become effective. Check with your
doctor to be sure you are a good candidate for the
vaccination.
Health news for October includes:
1. National Mental Illness Awareness Month.
The DIAGNOSTIC STATISTYICAL
MANUAL OF MENTAL DISORDERS (DSM 5)
defines “mental disorder” is a “syndrome
characterized by clinically significant
disturbance in one’s cognition, , emotion
regulation or behavior that reflects a
dysfunction in the psychological, biological, or
developmental processes underlying mental
functioning". The DSM 5 is a guide book that
is used by doctors, therapists, and mental
health workers to help them decide how to
evaluate, diagnose patients when they are
seen in a treatment center. It doesn’t give
much insight into how the patient may feel.
One patient said “It means I always wonder if
my mind is lying to me or not (usually it is)”.
Another said: “It means fighting just to
survive. It means not being able to trust
yourself at times because your mood affects
how you perceive things, and your mood
changes so often that your outlook and
perception of life and situations is always
changing”.
2. National Breast and Cervical Cancer
Awareness Month. In 1990 the U.S.
Congress passed the Breast and Cervical
Cancer Mortality Prevention Act which
directed the CDC (Centers for Disease
Control) to create the National Breast and
Cervical Cancer Early Detection Program
(NBCCCEDP) which funds 50 states, District
of Columbia, 5 US territories and 11 American
Indian (Alaskan Native Tribes) to provide
breast and cervical cancer screenings for low
income, underserved, underinsured women to
receive breast and cervical cancer screenings
and diagnostic services.
3. National Infection Prevention Month.
According the CDC (Centers for Disease
Control) almost $8 billion in hospital bills
could be avoided over five years and as many
as 37,000 lives could be saved and 619,000
new infections prevented if community health
departments and health care facilities form
tight networks to quickly identify and address
emerging outbreaks of antibiotic-resistant
bacteria. Everyone plays a role in infection
prevention. 1) Wash your hands with soap and
water before eating and after using the
restroom, 2) Cough or sneeze into your elbow,
3) Don’t share personal items (toothbrushes,
combs, towels, razors, and don’t put your
purse or diaper bag on the table or kitchen
counter, 5) clean and disinfect frequently
used surfaces regularly, 6) use safe cooking
practices (cook foods long enough).
Please sign up for Hospitality hour on the chart
next to the kitchen window. We have many
spaces available for you to host for a special
occasion, etc. Maybe you would like to host a
birthday party or anniversary party. You can
use your imagination as to what to serve,
decorate, etc. It could be a lot of fun. Why not
ask some of your friends to help you. You could
share making the food preparation. Come on
and try, you can do it!!!!
4. Down Syndrome Awareness Month. Down
Syndrome is a congenital disease involving
chromosome 21 which causes developmental
and intellectual delays in a person. In the US
there are 299,000 to 3 million cases per year.
Evaluation and proper care usually improves
the quality of live. The incidence of Down
Syndrome is about 1 in 1,000 babies; those
with the disease nearly always have physical
and intellectual disabilities and are prone to
poor immune function and at risk for heart
disease, leukemia, thyroid disorder, mental
illness and other problems. As adults their
mental abilities are similar to an 8 or 9 year
old.
Blood Pressure checks will be on Sunday, October
11th, 2015.
“We have become partners of Christ if we hold firmly
till the end the confidence we had at first”
……Hebrews 3:14
Love In Christ, Phyllis Lindsey, Parish Nurse
Please check out our website
www.immanuelbr.com. We have the
calendar events and other events plus
you can download the newsletter each
month. Click in and see what’s
happening at Immanuel Lutheran.
zProjection technician – We are in need of
congregational members to help run the projection for
worship on Sunday morning. If you are interested in
learning how to run the projection, please contact David
Scott at (231) 250-5067.
Council Meeting Minutes
September 8, 2015
Finding Ourselves in the Psalms
Pastor Garrels will lead a six week discussion this fall
entitled Finding Ourselves in the Psalms. The Psalms
appear in our Sunday readings practically every week.
They are the most quoted part of scripture in our
Christian songs and hymns. They are one of the most
read and popular sections of the Bible.
Leah Monger called the meeting to order at 7:00 pm
“The Psalms are a strange literature” says Walter
Brueggemann, noted Old Testament scholar, “They
appear to be straight forward and obvious. They are not
obscure, technical, or complicated. Yet, when one
leaves off study of them, one is aware that the
unresolved fascination endures.”
Leah Monger called the meeting to order at 7:00 pm
If you would like to learn to more appreciate this
wonderful book, then this class is for you. The group
meets on Thursdays from 5:30 P.M. until 7 P.M. There
is no cost and there is no book to buy.
You may e-mail shirleyh@immanuelbr.com or call the
church office at 231-796-8273 if you are interested in
attending. If you have friends you think would enjoy
the group, please invite them, too.
Bell Tower

Nov. 8—Bell Tower
Dedication/Special Service
Present: Robert Garrels, Linda Greene, Travis Kizer, Leah
Monger, Nedra Neumann, Judy O’Dell, Carol WilsonJungck
Absent: Ron Decker, Ron Kast
Devotions: Judy O’Dell
Correspondence –none
Reports
Parish Nurse – presented written report
Treasurer’s Report
 Ongoing expenses exceed income by
approximately $9,500.
 August income exceeded expenses by
approximately $6,000
 Finance Committee submitted amended budget
Carol Wilson moved to approve the amended
budget as presented. Judy O’Dell seconded.
Motion approved.
Pastor’s Report – presented verbal report
 Get Connected, Aug 30, on FSU Quad
 Immanuel History Meeting, Aug 20
 Bible Study begins Sept 17. Study of Psalms
President—Executive Committee Meeting Summary
 Facility Usage Requests—Stage M and Tuba
Bach
Committee Reports
 Finance Committee submitted written report
 Worship and Music submitted written report
 Property Committee submitted written report
 Vision Team submitted verbal report
Old Business

Upcoming special dates
o
o
o
o
Sept 13—Rally Day & 10th Anniversary of
the Building
Sept 17—Bible Study begins
Oct 18—Bell Tower Dedication
Oct 25—Annual Meeting

Sabbatical and Parental Leave Policy discussion.

Call process update
New Business


Website Updates—discussed need for social
media coordination for website and Facebook
Eucharistic Minister discussion—two members
are interested in becoming Eucharistic Ministers
Devotions for October Council Meeting – Linda
Closed with the Lord’s Prayer and adjourned at 9:20 pm
Community Announcements
Hospice Volunteering
Volunteers fill many important roles at Hospice of
Michigan. Whether it’s providing companionship,
assisting with daily household activities, or sharing
their talents, the hours given to Hospice of
Michigan families by our volunteers can be the
most rewarding experience of their lives. We are
currently seeking volunteers in the Northwest area.
There will be a Volunteer Training session TBD in
the fall of 2015 at Hospice of Michigan Big Rapids
Office, 400 Perry Ave., Big Rapids, MI 49307.
Please RSVP to your Volunteer Program
Coordinator Deb Davis – 616-498-4550,
ddavis@hom.org.
This training session is for those interested in
volunteering in patient care, community outreach,
or office/administrative services. Refreshments and
lunch will be served.
CROP WALK
October 4th is CROP walk day. CROP stands for
Community Response to Overcome Hunger. Because
those in need have to walk for water, food and medical
service, we walk with them. Envelopes are now ready
with further information. Please take this opportunity
to raise money and walk with us on CROP Day. See
Roger Barr for information.
MATCH DAY
The Mecosta County Community Foundation’s
(MCCF) Match Day will be November 10. This
year, MCCF has raised $50,000 to date from
businesses & individuals that will be available for
matching gifts (up to 50 cents per dollar) to nonprofit organizations (NFO) and MCCF endowment
funds. Matching gifts will be allocated 30% to
NFO and 70% to endowment funds. We encourage
members to plan on a gift for match day, and if
desired, direct the gift to a specific fund, i.e.
Ministry, Building, Ministry Growth or other
fund. The Finance Committee and Council have
decided to direct any undesignated match day gifts
to our Ministry Fund since that is the greatest need
at this time. Donated checks or cash intended for
Match Day should be made out to Immanuel
Lutheran Church and must be marked “for Match
Day", and can be put in the Sunday offering or
dropped off at the church office. The money needs
to be received before or on November 10 to be
credited toward Match Day. If you have questions,
contact Lee Wolken at 231.972.7756 or
lwolken@charter.net.
OUR BROTHER’S KEEPER SHELTER
We are already getting busy preparing OBK Shelter
for re-opening. Volunteers are coming in to sort,
organize and discard the overflowing amount of
things we have collected. The Charter School soccer
team plans to come in and ready the walls for
painting and the FSU Honors program volunteers
will be painting the reception area and
hallway. The hard floors will be scrubbed and
waxed following painting. We are also seeking
funding to make the kitchen licensed. This will
include installing a hand sink and a grease trap.
Thanks J and D plumbing! We had electrical work
done so we won't be tripping circuits in the kitchen
anymore. Thanks J and C Electric!
As we had to turn away families last year due to
lack of space, we have secured a new office space
from the Hope House area and will be turning the
old office into another family room. We should be
able to get bunk beds from FSU and will try to get
mattresses and bed guards through a grant.
We have very ambitious hopes this year and will try
to accomplish all that we can with your help. We
definitely need to find funding for the office
manager to work full time and an over night
manager as well. If we are really blessed with
funding, it would be great to also have a day and
afternoon shift manager so volunteers don't have all
of the responsibility.
Please consider helping us find people to employ:



We have been granted by United Way for a
kitchen manager that will "Teach Them to
Fish"- a program of nutrition, meal
budgeting, safe food handling and the value
of family meals. This position is 20 hours
per week from November 1-April 30. Any
retired home ec teachers out there??
Shift/over night managers- these will be full
time positions (Nov-April) and require
monitoring guests and volunteers, inventory,
life skills class facilitation and other
responsibilities.
And we always need volunteers. Spread the
word!
We are sending letters to churches in all four
counties served asking them for funding,
fundraisers and/or volunteers. We have a speaker's
group willing to give presentations to churches or
anyone else who is interested.
Thanks to all of your help, OBK sheltered 178
people last season including 32 children.
Approximately 65% found housing. That is a huge
success. We will improve our services this year and
build on all we have learned to help those without
homes.
In hope and gratitude, Pamela
2015 Council Members
Leah Monger, Council Pres.
Judy O’Dell, Vice Pres.
Linda Greene, Secretary
Nedra Neumann, Treasurer
Carol Wilson-Jungck
Travis Kizer
Ron Decker
Ron Kast
(231) 287-7022
(231) 823-2845
(231) 679-5516
(231) 796-0956
(231) 972-7105
(231) 519-0570
(231) 796-2706
(231) 796-7839
Committee Council Liaisons
Leah Monger – Vision Committee
Nedra Neumann – Finance Committee, Memorials
Ron Kast – Social Concerns & Property Committees
Ron Decker – Christian Education Committee &
Outreach
Linda Greene – Healing Garden
Judy O’Dell – Church Life & W/ELCA Committees
Carol Wilson-Jungck – Celebrate Immanuel (CIF)
Travis Kizer – Vision committee
Open – Stewardship Committee
Committees and Organizations
Audit
Beth Krueger
(231) 796-2012
Celebrate Immanuel (CIF)
Bob Krueger, Chairperson
(231) 796-2012
Christian Education
Christina Persons, Chairperson (231) 598-2138
Sun. School/VBS Coordinator
Christina Root
(231) 349-0728
Church Life
Carol Zimmerman, Chairperson (231) 796-2152
Kitchen Coordinator
Irene Schuberg, Funeral lunch (231) 796-7814
Finance
Lee Wolken, Chairperson
Roger Barr – Gifts/Memorials
(231) 972-7756
(231) 972-8276
Nominating Team (2015
Diane Manor
Frieda Anderson
Dick Perrin
(231) 349-6977
(231) 972-2638
(231) 796-5675
Property
Tim Vogel, Chairperson
(231) 796-3860
Office Staff
Mary Larkin, Administrative Asst. (Tues.-Thurs.)
Shirley Hamelund, Office Asst. (Mon, Tues, Thurs.)
Phyllis Lindsey, Parish Nurse (schedule varies)
Property (con’t)
Dee Neumann, Arts & Dec.
Dennis Greene – Garden Min.
Stan Jungck – Garden Min.
Heritage team:
Mikki Garrels
Carol Zimmerman
(231) 796-8385
(231) 414-4630
(231) 796-8718
(231) 796-3016
(231) 796-2152
Social Concerns
Roger Barr, Chairperson
(231)972-8276
Charles Hurt – LSSM
(231) 796-7152
Lee Wolken –Habitat/Humanity (231)972-7756
Stewardship
Lee Wolken, Chairperson
Bob Krueger
(231) 972-7756
(231) 796-2012
Vision
Gunder Myran, Chairperson
(231) 972-7405
Lee Wolken
(231) 972-7756
Bette Jo Brown – Small Groups (231) 832-2612
Welcoming
Phyllis Lindsey – Prayer circle
Dee Neumann-Prayer Circle
Webmaster- Mary Larkin
(231) 796-6400
(231) 796-8385
(231) 796-8273
Women of the ELCA
Dee Neumann, co-chair
Shirley Hamelund co-chair
(231) 796-8385
(231) 796-7763
Worship and Music
Linda Greene, co-chair
Leah Monger, co-chair
David Scott, A/V team
Dee Neumann, Altar Guild
Carol Zimmerman, Altar Guild
Millie Gillies, Choir
Readers (Volunteer)
Ron Decker – Ushers
Bill Ballard – Ushers
Phyllis Lindsey, Worship Asst.
and Intinction Asst.
Dee Neumann, Weddings
Shirley Hamelund, Weddings
(231) 679-5516
(231) 796-8941
(231) 796-4618
(231) 796-8385
(231) 796-2152
(231) 796-2460
(231) 796-2706
(231) 972-4413
(231) 796-6400
(231) 796-8385
(231) 796-7763
726 Fuller Ave.
Big Rapids, MI 49307
Address Change Requested
OCTOBER 2015
The beauty of growing old
“How beautifully leaves grow old,” wrote 19th-century essayist John Burroughs. “How full of light and color are
their last days.”
Society doesn’t think highly of old age. Beauty products tout the supposed virtues of maintaining a youthful
appearance. Older adults’ wisdom, born of much life experience, is often disparaged, ignored or not sought.
But God says this about the righteous, whose lives are rooted in him: “In old age they still produce fruit; they
are always green and full of sap, showing that the LORD is upright” (Psalm 92:14-15, NRSV).
The aging leaves of autumn can prompt us to look for beauty in the seniors among us, to notice the light and color
that still abound. From all the fruit they still produce — service, prayer, love — may we learn about living faithfully
until our own last days.
—Heidi Mann