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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
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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
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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 |
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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 |
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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 |
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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
|
|
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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 |
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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 |
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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 |
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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 |
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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 |
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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.
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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
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