1993 West Church Street, Freeport, IL 61032  
Church 815-235-1993 School 815-232-3511 CDC 815-232-3443

God’s Word

Mid-Week Bulletin

Wednesday, February 3, 2010 

Number 435

DEADLINES:
Sunday Bulletins
– Friday by 9:00 a.m. to Marlene King
Mid-Weeks
– Mondays by 9:00 a.m. to Judy Stanton
Newsletters
– Third Wednesday by 4:00 to Pastor Switz

 Our guest “columnist” for this week is Alice Schwichtenberg.  Her article is also the devotional article for our Boards for the month.  It involves ministry to those who are incarcerated.

 

OUTREACH - PRISON OUTREACH
by Alice Schwichtenberg 

What does the Bible and our Christian faith say about ministry to those in prison? Jesus says to visit those in prison. (Matthew 25:39-40) In other parts of the New Testament it says to pray for those in prison! (Hebrews 13:3) 

Visiting? Probably a very small percentage of those of you who are reading or hearing this have actually visited a jail or prison. Maybe it reminds you of the Monopoly board space where you can “visit jail.” In fact, that may be as close to it as many have come. I understand. I was the same way. I am absolutely the most unlikely person to ever visit a prison or jail. But, I have done it and do it maybe close to 200 times per month.  

“Huh?” You are thinking, “What!?!” I know. I know. I do not physically go in person that many times. That would be more than 6 times per day. Yet, I visit with a newsletter that goes out once a month to l45 inmates in Illinois and across the country. In 2005 it started out with 20 copies per month. It has grown on its own by word of mouth, mainly. It is a Christian outreach featuring devotions, articles and poetry submitted by readers, etc. Also, I write about 40-60 letters per month as a Christian pen pal to incarcerated folks. I do not write to all 145 of the newsletter recipients, but many of them write monthly or every few months. I feel that I serve as another mom, sister, aunt and especially as a friend.  

Each time I speak of the Lord and how much He loves them. To have my letters be the highlight of anyone’s day is very humbling. What do I write about? I write of the weather, books, the news and family. When my mom was ill, she was prayed for in several prison chapel services and by individuals. 

In person? Yes, I have visited many jails and prisons in Illinois, Florida and California. Visits are quite pleasant and enjoyable and very rewarding. Rules must be followed. Searches are made of ones person and sometimes the car. There is a time limit and usually a certain place to sit either at a table or in front of a glass window. If it is in person, snacks and games can be enjoyed. My dad always said, “People are People.” It is so true. It is like sitting and talking to any other friend.  

Prayers are always wonderful. Our Lord asks us (as I said before) to pray for those in prison. Why? Why does He request prayers for THEM? Some people have commented to me that those people put themselves where they are! TRUE. But, did Jesus die for each of them, too? YES! Does Jesus love them all? YES! 

I have seen Jesus’ love change people over the years. It has changed me. I believe the outreach to inmates is very important. I wonder if you would like to help me carry out what Jesus said about visiting those in prison and praying for them? Already many helped with the Spirit Tree, calendars and to send out the newsletter. Do you have any other ideas? What else can we do?  

A Prayer:  Lord God, Heavenly Father:  When we consider outreach we recall with joy that You have always reached out to us, starting with the Garden of Eden.  You reached out to Your people again and again in words of prophecy and power and forgiveness throughout the pages of the Bible.  And Your Son, Jesus Christ, reached out with His arms on the cross, saying, “Father forgive them.”  Thank You for the forgiveness that we have in Jesus and thank You for Your calling by the Holy Spirit.  Help us now to reach out to others who need the Word of God—both Law and Gospel.  Bless us this day that the work that all we do and say would help us to reach out to others.  We pray in Jesus’ Name.  Amen

 

May Jesus Christ be praised! 

In Christ,

Pastor Switz

Isaiah 41:10

+ CALENDAR FOR THE NEXT TWO WEEKS +

TUESDAY, February 2

Time
Event
Place
Info

5:30pm

Junior Varsity Boys Basketball with St. Paul Rockford (home Games)

Home games

 

6:00pm

Fideles Circle Salad and Casserole Meeting

Fellowship Hall

 

6:30-

8:00pm

Open House for School and CCDC

School and CCDC

 

8:00pm

College Age Bible Study

Youth room

 

 

WEDNESDAY, February 3

Time
Event
Place
Info

8:50am

Chapel (Leader:  Principal Mike Welton)

Church

 

 

First Wednesday Meetings

 

 

6:00pm

Board of Publicity

Switz Office

 

7:00pm

Board of Elders (6:30 – Bible Study)

Fellowship Hall

 

 

THURSDAY, February 4

Time
Event
Place
Info

8:15am

Faculty Bible Study

School Library

 

9:00am

Administrative Board Meeting

Pastor Switz’s office

 

5:30pm

Handbells

Balcony

 

6:30pm

Evening Worship Service

Church

 

7:30pm

Our God With Us TV

Cable TV c. 17

 

7:30pm

Adult Choir

Balcony

 

 

FRIDAY, February 5

Time
Event
Place
Info

5:30pm

Junior Varsity and Varsity Girls Basketball at St. Paul, Rockford

Rockford

 

 

No Bus Service

 

 

 

SATURDAY, February 6

Time
Event
Place
Info

7:00am

Men’s Breakfast Bible Class – Book of Luke

Landmark

 

1:00-

3:00pm

Immanuel Women’s Ministry with Snow Sculpting presentation

Church and Fellowship Hall

 

9:00am

Varsity Girls and Boys Basketball “Shoot Out”

@ Palatine

 

 

SERVING – Sunday, February 7

Task

8:00

10:30

Usher Team

Team # 1 Abramowski

Team 2 S.Luedtke

Lector

Steve Kroeger

Shawn Boldt

Greeters

Marcella Popp

Donna Schopf

Bob & Luella Wiederholtz

Acolytes

Brooke King

Taylor Funk

Tiffani & Tyler Hoops

Cross

Erin Kohlbauer

Isabelle Frautschy

Bible

Rachel Clay

Megan Le

Elder(s)

TBA

Shawn Boldt

Rick Andrews

Sound System

TBA

TBA

Nursery

Taylor Dietmeier

Dianne Muehlfelder

Cathy Roberts

Altar Guild

Gloria Popp, Diane Dietmeier, Jane Julius

Bus Driver

Eric Dietmeier

 

 

SUNDAY, February 7

Time
Event
Place
Info

8:00am

Morning Worship 

Church

 

8:30am

Introspect

WFPS-FM92

 

9:05am

Service of Health and Healing

Near Baptismal Font

 

9:10am

FAITH ODYSSEY

Sunday School for All Ages

Youth Class
College Age Class

Adult Bible Studies

Church/School

 

10:30am

Morning Worship

with Holy Communion

Church

 

5:00-9:00pm

Junior & Senior Group

Super Bowl Party

Youth Room

 

6:00pm

No DVD Bible Study Tonight

 

 

 

MONDAY, February 8

Time
Event
Place
Info

8:45-

9:45am

Immanuel School Prayer CIRCLE

Fellowship Hall

 

3:30pm

Meadowridge Bible Study

Meadowridge Apartments

 

6:30pm

Bethesda Bible Class/#2

1971 Navajo

 

6:00-

7:30pm

CAFÉ VERITAS at Nine East Coffee

Nine East Coffee

 

 

 

 

 

 

8:00pm

Leader meeting for Youth Gathering

Youth Room

 

 

TUESDAY, February 9

Time
Event
Place
Info

All

Day

Pastoral Conference

At Clock Tower

Rockford

 

9:30am

Stephenson Inspiration Hour

Stephenson Nursing Center

 

6:30pm

PTL (Parent/Teachers League) Fun Fair

Gymnasium

 

 

Scrip Delivery

 

 

 

WEDNESDAY, February 10

Time
Event
Place
Info

8:50am

Chapel (Leader:  Second Graders with Mrs. Truckenmiller)

Church

 

 

Second Wednesday Meetings

 

 

5:00pm

Board of Christian Day School

School Library

 

5:30pm

Junior Varsity and Varsity Girl’s Basketball – away games

At Rochelle

 

6:00pm

Board of Properties

Fellowship Hall

 

6:00pm

Board of Stewardship

Pastor’s Office

 

6:30pm

Board of Friendship

Church Library

 

7:30pm

Memorials Committee

Faculty Lounge

 

 

THURSDAY, February 11

Time
Event
Place
Info

8:15am

Faculty Bible Study

School Library

 

9:00am

Administrative Board Meeting

Pastor Switz’s office

 

10:00am

ASKERS Bible Class

Fellowship hall

 

2:00pm

Stephenson Nursing Home Worship Service

Stephenson Nursing Center

 

5:30pm

Handbells

Balcony

 

6:30pm

Evening Worship Service with Holy Communion

Church

 

7:30pm

Our God With Us TV

Cable TV c. 17

 

7:30pm

Adult Choir

Balcony

 

 

FRIDAY, February 12

Time
Event
Place
Info

2:00pm

Valentine’s Parties

School

 

 

Junior Varsity Sweetheart Basketball Tournament at St. Paul’s

Rockford

 

 

SATURDAY, February 13

Time
Event
Place
Info

7:00am

Men’s Breakfast Bible Class – Book of Luke

Landmark

 

9:00am

Youth Making Cheesecakes

 

 

 

Junior Varsity Sweetheart Basketball Tournament at St. Paul’s

Rockford

 

 

SERVING – Sunday, February 14

Task

8:00

10:30

Usher Team

#3, Gary Popp

#4, Craig LeBaron

Lector

Bob Marcum

Stuart Luedtke

Greeters

Becky Quiggle & family

Joe & Nancy Serafini

Acolytes

Ethan Richter Summer Pehl

Zachary & Allison

Newby

Cross

Tyler Le

Nolan Ruthe

Bible

Megan Le

Daniel Slechta

Elder(s)

 

TBA

Sound System

TBA

TBA

Nursery

Melissa & Megan Hayunga

Caroline Welton

Altar Guild

Gloria Popp, Diane Dietmeier, Jane Julius

Bus Driver

Jerry Abramowski

 

SUNDAY, February 14

Time
Event
Place
Info

8:00am

Morning Worship

with Holy Communion

Church

 

8:30am

Introspect

WFPS-FM92

 

9:10am

FAITH ODYSSEY Sunday School for All Ages

Youth Class
College Age Class

Adult Bible Studies

Church/School

 

10:30am

Morning Worship 

Church

 

11:35am

Service of Health and Healing

Near Baptismal Font

 

5:30-

7:00pm

Junior Youth Group

 

Youth Room

 

6:30-

7:00pm

Snacks – Treats for both Junior and Senior Youth

Youth Room

 

6:30-

8:00pm

Senior Youth Group

Youth Room

 

6:00pm

DVD Bible Study

Fellowship Hall

 

 

MONDAY, February 15

Time
Event
Place
Info

 

No School – Celebration of President’s Day

 

 

 

Youth and Junior Youth Ski Outing at Cascade Mountain, Wisconsin

 

 

6:30pm

Bethesda Bible Class/#2

1971 Navajo

 

6:00pm

Board of Trustees

School Library

 

6:30pm

Board of Personnel

Pastor’s Office

 

7:30pm

Church Council

Fellowship Hall

 

6:15pm

Praise Band Practice

Church Sanctuary

 

 

TUESDAY, February 16

Time
Event
Place
Info

 

Shrove Tuesday

 

 

9:30am

Stephenson Inspiration Hour

Stephenson Nursing Center

 

11:00am

Shalom Communion Service

Church

 

 

Board Meetings – one night earlier than usual because of Ash Wednesday

 

 

6:00pm

Child Development Board

School Library

 

6:00pm

Board of Worship

Church Library

 

6:30pm

Board of Parish Education

Switz Office

 

7:00pm

Board of Planning

Family Life Coordinators Office

 

7:00pm

Board of Parish Health and Welfare

Church Library

 

7:00pm

Meeting of Gathering Parents

Youth Room

 

8:00pm

Board of Youth

Youth Room

 

 

ASH WEDNESDAY, February 17

Time
Event
Place
Info

8:50am

Chapel (Leader:  Pastor Switz)

Church

 

12:15pm

Ash Wednesday – Lenten Worship – Holy Communion and Imposition of Ashes

Church

 

2:30pm

Worship Service at FRH Center (“Manor”)

At Nursing Home

 

7:00pm

Ash Wednesday – Lenten Worship – Holy Communion and Imposition of Ashes

Church

 

 

THURSDAY, February 18

Time
Event
Place
Info

All Day

DAY OF PRAYER

Church

 

8:00am

Faculty – Pancakes with Pastor Switz

Fellowship Hall

 

 

No Administrative Meeting

 

 

9:30am

Pastor Switz’s Secret Recipe Pancakes with Young at Heart

Fellowship Hall

 

2:30pm

St Joe’s Nursing Home Service

Provena/St.Joe

 

5:00pm

Contest Concert Music

Church

 

6:30pm

Evening Lenten Worship Service

Church

 

7:30pm

Our God With Us TV

Cable TV c. 17

 

7:30pm

Adult Choir

Balcony

 

 

FRIDAY, February 19

Time
Event
Place
Info

 

Market Day Turn In

 

 

 

SATURDAY, February 20

Time
Event
Place
Info

7:00am

Men’s Breakfast Bible Class – Book of Luke

Landmark

 

8:00am

Music Contest

Thompson

 

8:00-

Noon

Crafters and Quilters Gathering

Fellowship Hall

 

 

SERVING – Sunday, February 21

Task

8:00

10:30

Usher Team

Team #6

Team 7 Carol Gray

Lector

Volunteer

Bob Marcum

Greeters

Neil & Mary Buettner

Rod & Karen Gieseke

Acolytes

Susan Waye

Damon Hill

Emily & Kendall

Burt

Cross

Marley Rowe

Marcus Lamm

Bible

Allison Bondele

Makia Mulligan

Elder(s)

Volunteer

Volunteer

Sound System

TBA

TBA

Nursery

Nichole Le

Kim Medler

Altar Guild

Gloria Popp, Diane

Dietmeier, Jane

Julius

 

Bus Driver

Rod Gieseke

 

 

SUNDAY, February 21

Time
Event
Place
Info

 

First Sunday “In” Lent

 

 

8:00am

Morning Worship

Church

 

8:30am

Introspect

WFPS-FM92

 

9:10am

FAITH ODYSSEY for All Ages

Youth Class
College Age Class

Adult Bible Studies

Church/School

 

10:30am

Morning Worship

with Holy Communion

Church

 

5:30-

7:00pm

Junior Youth Group

 

Youth Room

 

6:30-

7:00pm

Snacks – Treats for both Junior and Senior Youth

Youth Room

 

6:30-

8:00pm

Senior Youth Group

Youth Room

 

6:00pm

DVD Bible Study – “Liturgy:  Yesterday, Today and Tomorrow”

Fellowship Hall

 

 

 

Don’t forget our special Small Group Bible Studies

We are beginning a campaign called “Growing God’s Disciples” in which we hope that you will find the opportunity to study the Scriptures with personal application and significance.  We all need to be continuously growing in God’s Word and this is your opportunity to do that.  We are offering a gamut of different Bible studies at a number of different times. 

If you have not been a part of a Bible study before, allow this to be the time when you become involved in one.  The topics are these:

  Women’s Class

 Parenting the Early Years

 Parenting the Teenage Years

 Discovering God’s Way of Handling Money

 Growing to be Like Christ

 Discovering the Liturgy

 The Bible in a Year

 Mercy:  Putting Your Faith Into Action

 Old Testament Community

 Confronting Death

 Book Discussion “The Shack”

 Men’s Class

The signups for these groups will be located in the Church Narthex.  Please take this opportunity to study God’s Word and fellowship with others who are doing the same.

 

 

MISSION STATEMENT: 
Immanuel Lutheran Church is 
a Christ-centered family in mission, 
sharing the good news of the love of God in Jesus Christ 
through Word and Sacrament.

Immanuel Lutheran Church and School  - www.ourgodwithus.org

School - 1964 West Pearl City Road – Freeport, IL 61032
Church - 1993 West Church Street – Freeport, IL 61032
Church Phone - 815.235.1993 – Church/School Fax – 815.233.9158

School Phone 815.232.3511 + School Extended Care 815.232.3443
Rev. Dr. Willis Schwichtenberg, Senior Pastor 

Rev. Richard "Ros" Schultz, Associate Pastor 
Mike Welton, Principal

Stephanie Yarzak, Christian Child Development Center Director
Judy Stanton, Office Manager/Secretary
Marlene King, Church Secretary
Diane Dietmeier, Music Director and Organist
Karen Bennet Luedtke, Youth Coordinator