Immanuel Lutheran Church

Rev. Greg DeBoer pastor@immanuelindee.com

Home: (319) 332-1225

Church Office Telephone: (319) 334-2511

Fax: (319) 334-4596

Office Hours:

9:00 am- 4:00 pm

Monday-Friday

Immanuel Servant Leaders: Congregational President:

Aaron Losey 319-929-0896

Congregational Vice-President

Bill Isham 210-602-3816

Congregational Secretary:

Emily Cahalan 319-231-1331

Congregational Treasurer:

Daryl Johnson 319-334-6310

Council Members: Brea Bader 319-269-2628

Travis Mestad 563-210-4072

Beverly Leisinger 319-939-4476

Paul Bachman 319-961-0829

Craig Coffman 319-327-0264

Linda Kress 319-334-6519

We’re here to serve you.

Staff: Gina DeBoer

Youth Director

youthdirector@immanuelindee.com

Nicole Schmitz

Preschool Director/Teacher

weecare4@immanuelindee.com

Olivia Wolf

Associate Preschool Teacher

Ashley Even

Preschool Teacher

weecare3@immanuelindee.com

Lanette Simons

Associate Preschool Teacher

Julayne Muller/Roberta Hinman

Secretary/Bookkeeper

office@immanuelindee.com

Charlie Conklin

Custodian

Jody DeBoer

Organist/Pianist

Amanda Fisher

Jr. Choir Director

“Image” Newsletter October 2020

To receive a digital copy of this newsletter, e-mail the

church office at office@immanuelindee.com

The Next Right Thing

I won't look too far ahead

It's too much for me to take

But break it down to this next breath

This next step

This next choice is one that I can make

If I had to bet, I would bet that there are a few of you out there that know

exactly where these words come from. For the rest of you, maybe you’ve heard

them, maybe not. These words come from the song “The Next Right Thing” from

the Disney movie Frozen 2.

One of the themes of the movie centers around the idea that no matter how

tough things are or how alone you might feel, your focus should be on doing the

next right thing, no matter how tough that might be. That can be a very

difficult thing to do!

Look at our world today. What would be the next right thing to do in this

divisive political season? I can tell you what it’s not. It’s not sharing negative

and hateful posts on Facebook. It’s not refusing to listen to those who disagree

with you. It’s not judging people’s intelligence by their political affiliation.

Look at all the different reactions to the coronavirus pandemic. What would

be the next right thing for you do concerning protecting yourself, your loved

ones, and your community? I can tell you that this has become a very personal

issue for me. Gina has tested positive for the coronavirus and her symptoms are

mild to moderate (at the time of this writing). I understand that we all won’t

agree on what is best to do, but I do ask that you be compassionate towards your

fellow humans and do the next right thing.

It’s not just politics and pandemics that leave us wanting for better human

responses. It is race relations and women’s rights. It is fiscal equality and

mental health stereotypes. It is all of the tough things we haven’t given enough

personal attention to. It comes from letting other people make up our minds for

us.

In his letter to the Philippians (4:6), Paul says, “Do not be anxious about

anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let

your requests be made known to God.” Prayer, like it always has been,

continues to be the place to start. God will always lead you to do the next right

thing and that is all he asks of you.

So what is the next right thing you’re going to do today?

(this is not for the people who disagree with you, this is for you. and me.)

Seeing God at Immanuel in how we...

Give

Live

Love

Families were able to

gather in the parking

lot for the Rally Sunday

service which included

handing out Bibles.

BLAST

FORCE packing LWR school kits

Pastor Greg on Rally Sunday

FORCE packed 97 school kits

Prayer Concerns September prayers for: Deana Miller, John Moran, Carrie Erickson, Amy McFadden, Monette Colton, Janet Leverington, Steve Shonka, Adah Schminke, Vanessa Shekleton & family, BJ Wilcox, Kathy Hemsath, Christina Garrigus-Jones, Pastor Greg & Gina DeBoer, the Independence community, and the future of Immanuel.

Military: Paula Jones, 611 Stealth Lane, Box Elder, SD 57719 Sergeant David & Ashley Clark (daughter of John &

Kathy Tegler), 16 McWilliam St., Cameron, NC 28426 PFC Tyler Ficken (grandson of Gene & Janny

Budzine & Gene & Michelle Ficken), H Company 1-222d, Aviation Regiment, 699 Anderson Place, Fort Eustis, VA, 23604-5422

Congratulations to:

Nicolas Fleming and Gabriella Gomez on the birth of their son, Adley Fleming. Adley was born September 24, 2020 in Tempe, Arizona. Proud big brother is Teal Fleming & grandparents are Donny & Paula Fleming.

Congratulations to:

Don & Connie Brown on their 60th wedding anniversary on October 8th.

Aaron & Cyndi Losey on their 15th wedding anniversary on October 8th.

Joshua & Tiffany Meike on their 15th wedding anniversary on October 8th.

Jerry and Carol Jensen on their 59th wedding anniversary on October 14th.

Todd & Dawn Ristvedt on their 15th wedding anniversary on October 15th.

Ron & Judy Pierce on their 57th wedding anniversary on October 19th.

Andy & Casey Allen on their 15th wedding anniversary on October 22nd.

Brian & Erin Kelchen on their 15th wedding anniversary on October 29th.

Tom & Judy Harland on their 56th wedding anniversary on October 31st.

Sympathies to: The family and friends of Jeff Ferres, 79 years old,

who passed away on Friday, September 11, 2020. A private graveside service took place on Wednesday, September 30, 2020 at Mt. Hope Cemetery in Independence, Iowa. A Celebration of Life will be scheduled for a later date.

The family and friends of Virgil Collins, 76 years old, who passed away on Sunday, September 20, 2020. Funeral services were be held at 10:00 am on Monday, September 28, 2020 at Immanuel Lutheran Church with Rev. Mike Ashman presiding. Burial took place at Mt. Hope Cemetery in Independence, Iowa.

IWELCA News

Upcoming...

New Ministry Opportunity

The Parish Education committee is starting a new ministry called Baptism Buddies. This ministry will connect newly baptized members (mostly babies) of Immanuel to a Buddy member of Immanuel. In order to be a Baptism Buddy you just need to love God and want to pray for and connect with the baptized member to remind them of God's love for them. Anyone who has affirmed their own baptismal promises is encouraged to be a Baptism Buddy to our newest members. Please contact Becca West, Gina DeBoer, or the church office if you would be willing to be a Baptism Buddy or if you have any questions about this ministry.

Quilts & Kits Lutheran World Relief (LWR) truck for loading of quilts and kits will be at St. Timothy’s Lutheran church in Hudson, IA on November 7, 2020.

On Hold At this time JR Choir, SR Choir and Wednesday meals are on hold. We will continue to monitor the COVID situation to decide when these activities can resume.

In the current situations we are in with covid, politics, racism, etc, many times I find myself looking for just the right Bible verse. The one that gives me the direction I need. The perfect one to use when arguing my point. The verse that calms my fears and leads me to the better place. The story that explains why we need to act one way or another. And although I can find all of the stories and verses in the Bible I need to do just these things, I keep coming back to this. Mark 12 says “Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength.’ The second is this: ’Love your neighbor as yourself.’ No other commandment is greater than these.”

Is it really that simple? In these times of adversity, disruption, sickness, and uncertainty. Love God – Love Others? That is exactly what Jesus asks us to do. What does that love look like? How about listening to others? To think about their needs before our own? To help with the homework that is just too tough? To drop off a meal to those who are hurting? To pray with and for those around us? To give a ride? To wear a mask? (whether we agree or not, it can show love to others) To support school leadership in making tough decisions? We know there isn’t one right answer for anything covid related, but could we just be kind about it? We are all trying our best and whether we agree or disagree, Jesus’ command to us is simple. Love God – Love Others. This is for always, not just for the days when we agree and things are easy. It’s especially for the tough days, like today. Love God – Love Others, today and always.

We cannot begin to say thank you enough for the care we have been given during this COVID time. The meals, flowers, prayers, coffees, phone calls, texts, and cards have brightened our days. We feel so blessed to be part of the Immanuel Family. You have taken very good care of us while we have been sick and quaran-tining. Although we are working from home, we hope to be back to the church and seeing you all again very soon! With sincere thanks, Pastor Greg and Gina

Y

outh

Dir

ecto

r’s

Corner...

Messages & Updates…

SWAG, text @SWAG2511

BLAST, text @BLAST2511

FORCE, text @FORCE2511

Jr Choir, text @ilcjrchoir

Sr Choir, text @SRCHOIR2511

RPG, text @RPG2511

Sunday School, text @ilcss

Adult Confirmation Partners, text @ilcpartner

Be In The Know: text to 81010

Youth Happenings... SWAG (Starting With an Awesome God)

5th & 6th Grade Wed, Oct 7, 3:30-5:00 pm, SWAG Zoom Wed, Oct 14, 3:30-5:00 pm, SWAG Zoom Wed, Oct 21, 3:30-5:00 pm, SWAG Zoom Wed, Oct 28, 3:30-5:00 pm, SWAG Zoom

BLAST (Bible Learning and Serving Together) 7th and 8th graders Wed, Oct 7, 6:30-8:00 pm, BLAST Zoom Wed, Oct 14, 6:30-8:00 pm, BLAST Zoom Wed, Oct 21, 6:30-8:00 pm, BLAST Zoom Wed, Oct 28, 6:30-8:00 pm, BLAST Zoom

FORCE (Forming Our Relationships with Christ and Each other) High School Students Sun, Oct 4, 6:00-8:00 pm, FORCE Zoom Sun, Oct 11, 6:00-8:00 pm, FORCE Zoom Sun, Oct 18, 6:00-8:00 pm, FORCE Zoom Sun, Oct 25, 6:00-8:00 pm, FORCE Zoom

YOUTH: A REMIND text & email

will be sent out each week

with the ZOOM link

Birthdays & Wedding Anniversaries - October 2020

Sunday Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday

1 Julie Welsh

2 Matthew Burns Jonathan Coffman JoAnn Dillon

3

4 Brennan Bachman Troy Hulseberg

5 Eldon Leisinger

6 Lisa Moore Sheri Muench Angie Schares Sherry Stevens

7 Betty Kress

8 Carson Frye Cathy Lehs Kathy Olsen Nikolas Stahr Don & Connie Brown (60) Aaron & Cyndi Losey (15) Joshua & Tiffany Meike (15) Allan & Janice Seemann (43)

9 Colin Bland Brian Meyer Thomas Simons David & Charity Erdelt (27) Kevin & Nikki Sidles (21)

10 Brent Shannon

11 Lillian VandeKieft Shane & Jessica Hack (8) John & Chris Moran (23)

12 Drew Beatty Amanda Burns

13 Cenlin Bell Carlen Shannon Claira Thein

14 Benton Enright Tyler Main Jerry & Carol Jensen (59)

15 Claire Cahalan Keith Heinze Karen Krantz Todd & Dwan Ristvedt (15)

16 Bryce Bachman Brain Eddy Terra Gissel Eliana Jensen Sophie Wolf Derwin & Julene Mauer (38)

17

18 Gerald Bitterman Mike & Carrie Hamilton (17)

19 Megann Bohlken Steve Elliott Barbara Roberts Linda Walthart Ron & Judy Pierce (57)

20 Jamie & Carrie Koch (19)

21 Cody Scheer Mark & Michelle Crawford (37)

22 Keira Schares Sarah TerHark Andy & Casey Allen (15)

23 24

25 Judy Latwesen

26 27 Corinna Dillon Sandra Erdelt Mike Hamilton Sam Hamilton Tanner Stevens David & Terra Gissel (13 Daryl & Barbara Roberts (36)

28 Jessica Hack

29 Hensley O’Loughlin Brian & Erin Kelchen (15)

30 Don Brown Melva Gramenz

31 Paula Fleming Blake Johnson Tom & Judy Harland (56)

Immanuel Lutheran Church - October 2020 Sunday Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday

1 2 9:00 Bible Study

3

4 9:00 Facebook Worship Service 6:00 FORCE Zoom

5 6 9:00 Quilting 6:00 Parish Ed 6:30 ATM

7 3:30 SWAG Zoom 6:30 BLAST Zoom

8 9 9:00 Bible Study

10

11 9:00 Facebook Worship Service 6:00 FORCE Zoom

12 7:00 Property

13 9:00 Quilting 7:00 Preschool Board 7:00 Endowment

14 3:30 SWAG Zoom 6:30 BLAST Zoom

15 16 9:00 Bible Study

17

18 9:00 Facebook Worship Service 6:00 FORCE Zoom

19 20 9:00 Quilting 5:30 Youth Board 6:30 Worship & Music

21 3:30 SWAG Zoom 6:00 Council 6:30 BLAST Zoom

22 23 9:00 Bible Study

24

25 9:00 Facebook Worship Service 6:00 FORCE Zoom

26 27 9:00 Quilting

28 3:30 SWAG Zoom 6:30 BLAST Zoom

29 30 9:00 Bible Study

31 Daylight Savings…Reminder: Fall Back

Before you go

to bed, set your clocks back 1 hour

We have already been in classes for one month! Students are making friends, learning the routine and rules, having fun, and learning. The school year is off to a great start! This school year is definitely different than it has been in the past, but the staff, students, and families are being very understanding and accepting of all the needed safety changes. We have much more planned for this year and are excited to have a great group of students to be working with. During the first full week of November, students will be studying pumpkins. We have many learning experiences planned around pumpkins and need some help making it possible. If you grow pumpkins, see them on sale after Halloween, or have extras, please consider donating them to Wee Care Preschool. The students enjoy this time very much! Donations can be left in the office or brought to the preschool by Friday, October 30. That way, we have time to purchase pumpkins if needed. Our goal is to have 8-10 pumpkins of various sizes, shapes, and textures. Thank you for your help making this possible! Scholastic is a great program that everyone benefits from using. Wee Care gets points for every book ordered that we can use for supplies for the classroom. To order, go to https://clubs.scholastic.com/home and set up an account. You will have to enter your name, email, and phone number as well as a classroom code- ours is LVZN8. When it asks for a child’s name, please put your name (the person ordering) so that we know who to get the item to. Catalogs are available online to look at or you can select the age or grade level of the child you are shopping for. These books are great for Christmas and birthday gifts! In fact, Wee Care, with the support of those in the community, will be purchasing a book every month for every child in our class to take home! We couldn’t do any of this without your help and appreciate any and all contributions. Our fall fundraiser will be next month. Please look at next month’s newsletter for more information. Thank you in advance for your support in

all of these programs! Nicole Schmitz Director/PK4 Teacher, Wee Care Preschool weecare4@immanuelindee.com

Preschool Scholarship Donations Wee Care Preschool is currently seeking scholarship donations for our 3-year-old program. Tuition for the 3-year-old program is $100 per month (Sept-May). In the past we have been able to give full tuition scholarships and we would like to be able to continue to do so for the future. You can designate this on your giving envelopes and write “preschool scholarship”. If you have questions, you can contact Lindsey O’Loughlin, board president, or any other member of the Wee Care Preschool board.

Wee Care Preschool Immanuel Lutheran Wee Care Preschool 3 & 4-year-old Registration

2020-2021 School Year Do you know a child that will be three or four by September 15, 2020?! Our preschool offers a nurturing, Christian education that will help your child develop all skills to reach their greatest potential. Registration is open now!

3-year-old Class -Must be 3 by September 15, 2020 -Morning or Afternoon classes available -$25 registration fee -$100 monthly tuition -Scholarships available -Classes meet Monday, Wednesday, & Friday

4-year-old Class -Must be 4 by September 15, 2020 -Morning or Afternoon classes available -$25 registration fee -Free tuition! -Classes meet Tuesday-Friday

Sunday School News

Sunday School REGISTRATION is digital! September Sunday school will be in the form of take home kits. Stay tuned for October updates. In person Sunday School is on hold for the time being, however, it is still important that you register your child(ren) now at https://forms.gle/Pq8iwnJ6PpPvqJEv6.

A Path to Healing

When 14-year-old Bri first came to LSI’s Beloit Residential Treatment Center in Ames, she was struggling with aggression, frequently ran away, and had a hard time focusing in school. And as she was trying to heal from years of trauma, Bri’s beloved grandpa suddenly passed away. She felt stuck and nothing was getting better, no matter what she tried. But her Beloit team was there to cheer her on.

The LSI team at Beloit provides 24-7 mental health treatment for Iowa children who have often experienced years of trauma, abuse, or neglect. Staff members are there to encourage children on their path to hope and healing, and they were there to lift up Bri when she decided to make a positive change in her life. Bri began actively participating in individual and group therapy sessions provided at Beloit, and she made it a point to encourage her peers on campus every day. Her Beloit team helped her to feel more comfortable opening up about her grief, and staff members were there to remind her of all the progress she had made to help her stay focused on the positives.

After months of hard work, Bri found a loving foster family and was able to leave Beloit’s programming. And while she felt uncertain and anxious about leaving, she knew she was ready to move forward.

Bri continues to keep in touch with the team at Beloit, providing details on her new life, school, and her new room at home. Bri’s anxiety about the unknown has diminished, she feels confident communicating her emotions, and she has hope for the future.

Warming Hearts with God’s Love and a Good Pair of Mittens

Far too often, children arrive at LSI’s Beloit and Bremwood Residential Treatment Centers with very little in their possession.

We give thanks for Iowa congregations who faithfully respond to these needs, year after year! As winter approaches, LSI relies on your loving support to meet the demands for winter apparel for children at Beloit and Bremwood. Youth in residential treatment have little control over their lives, so it’s important for us to give them the opportunity, when possible, to choose their new coat or mittens. Because of this, we ask that you please not donate articles of clothing. With your generous financial donation, many children will have the simple joy of choosing their new coat, knowing that they are loved and cherished.

If you would like more information, please contact Deb Whitford, LSI’s director of philanthropy and church relations, at Deborah.Whitford@LSIowa.org or 563.676.2065. LSI is also available to provide a customized virtual shared ministry opportunity for your congregation. If you would like to share the message of LSI with your community, please contact our Waverly office at 319.352.2630 to get started.

Our Mission: Lutheran Services in Iowa responds to the love of Jesus Christ through compassionate service. LSI is an affiliated social ministry partner of the Iowa congregations of the ELCA (Evangelical Lutheran Church in America) and a member of LSA (Lutheran Services in America). We proudly serve people of all ages, abilities, religions, sexes, gender identities, national origins, ethnicities, races, and sexual orientations. Learn more at www.LSIowa.org and www.facebook.com/LSI.iowa.

Discipleship Written by Ron Oline, Edited by Susan Oline

All Things Members (ATM) Committee

What do you think it means to be a disciple of Jesus? In an article I read recently titled, “Billy Graham: What does it mean to be a disciple of Jesus?” published online in The Kansas City Star, Billy Graham gives his answer to this question. He says that being a disciple means to first learn about that through the study of God’s word and by hearing the teaching of God’s word. He goes on to say, “But being a disciple also means we want to put God’s word into action by seeking to live the way Christ wants us to live – with God’s help. Thank God every day for his great love for you and ask him to help you share his love with others.” As I thought about this, I couldn’t help but think about Jeff Ferres who passed away recently. Jeff was a friend and fellow member of Immanuel Lutheran Church. I talked to Jeff often. We both worked in jobs related to the ag business, which gave us a common topic to talk about, but often those conversations would turn to our faith and how we have both been blessed in many ways. I remember a couple years ago when I was council president and leading our annual meeting at Immanuel. The time had come in the meeting where we talked about needing to fill out the vacancies remaining on the nomination ballot. From the back of the church came a clear voice saying, “Put my name down. I will do it.” That was the voice of Jeff. He never backed down from a challenge and would often volunteer where a need was evident. He always told me it was his way of giving back. He had the spirit inside of him guiding him along. Another example that makes me think of Jeff as a disciple relates to a new heavy duty pickup he bought a few years ago to pull a camper he had purchased. In reality, he didn’t make those purchases for himself. He was always looking for ways he could share what he had with others. When Immanuel needed someone to pull a 22’ trailer loaded with donated shoes to Texas so they could be put on a ship to Belize and passed out to those in need, Jeff volunteered his truck to pull the trailer and himself as the driver. He knew he could get the job done because of his many years driving as a long-haul truck driver. The camper Jeff purchased was probably used less often by Jeff and more often by others. He talked about how it made him feel so good to share his blessings with others. Jeff also loved seeing the young families in church and the energy their presence created. Many times he would generously give to the youth programs to help support and maintain the enthusiasm they generated. Jeff was always willing to give what he had, as he knew deep down that God was watching over him and taking care of him. I want to dedicate this article in Jeff Ferres’ memory as someone who was a true disciple of Jesus Christ. I have been blessed to have known Jeff. Take a minute and think about someone in your life who has been a blessing to you and others—someone you recognize as sharing the love of God with others. Say a prayer of thanks for their discipleship. Then, look for ways to try being a disciple yourself.

Immanuel Lutheran Church 512 5th St. N.E. Independence, IA 50644

Contact Us:

Phone: (319) 334-2511

Fax: (319) 334-4596

Email: office@immanuelindee.com

Visit our webpage: www.immanuelindee.com

Follow us on Facebook:

Immanuel Lutheran Church-Indee

Worship With Us:

Sunday: 9:00 am Worship Service

**Facebook only until further notice**

* Disclaimer: COVID-19 has the power

and authority to change any policies

and programming at any time. We have

not willingly conceded any power and

authority to this or any other virus.

Let it be known that any changes to

policies or programming forced upon

us by COVID-19 will be met with various

degrees of displeasure, up to and

including whining, temper tantrums,

and general fit throwing by the

staff.

**(Seriously though, because of the ever-changing environment caused by this global pandemic, policies and programming might change. We will do the best we can to inform you of any changes as they happen. Thanks for understanding.)