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

By Pastor Willis Schwichtenberg 

Sometimes I think that we Lutherans get accused of not talking about Baptism enough.  I am always amaze at this because it seems to me that we are talking about it all the time.  After all, every time we gather for worship with begin with our Baptismal “Invocation”—In the Name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit. 

Perhaps some people suggest that we don’t talk about it enough because some people have the impression that the act of Holy Baptism is a “ticket to heaven” and once we are baptized we are “on our way.”  Technically, I would agree that we are “on our way” because Holy Baptism is the beginning of a new life.  However, if that Baptism is not being “nurtured” there can be some big problems ahead.  Isn’t this why we have sponsors or “Godparents”?  Isn’t this why the congregation witnesses and observes the Baptism?  Isn’t this why we have catechetical instruction?   

I would like to think that we do not talk about Baptism enough.  We should all know our Baptism birthday and celebrate it with vigor.  We should remember our Baptism every time we take a shower or bath.  We should constantly be training both children and adults in the meaning of this special, sacred act. 

To this end, coming up in January on January 11 in both of our worship services (8:00 and10:30) we will remember the Baptism of our Lord Jesus Christ and also on that day we will be reading the names of those who received this Sacrament over the past twelve months.  This year we will be reading at least nineteen days as we celebrate this observance.  Plan to join us and remember your Baptism that day as well as the Baptism of others who have gone before. 

As our “It Takes Character” sermons come to an end we will consider the Wise Men (the Magi) and the Egyptians who welcomed the Holy Family into their midst as Mary, Joseph and baby awaited the day to return to Nazareth.  Below are our final “characters” in our multi-parted series of sermons.

Late January will find us with more cold weather (haven’t we had enough???) plus an opportunity to warm up with pancakes, sausage, applesauce and more.  Our annual “Pancake Day” on Saturday, January 31 (7:00 a.m. until 1:00 p.m.) will be a wonderful opportunity for food, fellowship, and fun.   

The school students are selling tickets in advance but they are always available at the door.  (That day our regular Men’s Bible study will meet from 7:00-8:00 a.m. in the gym as part of these festivities.) 

A book fair will also be held in conjunction with the pancake day.

ANNUAL MEETING:  Monday, January 26^th marks Immanuel’s 132^nd Annual Meeting.  All boards will report what has happened in the church during this past year.  Officers and directors, please e-mail your annual reports to jstanton@immanuellutheranfreeport.com by Jan. 9^th.  Election of officers/board directors was held although we are still missing some directors as well as a few officers.  If you are willing to help direct the forward path for Immanuel with God’s help, please talk to Ken Muehlfelder, our chairman.

CONCORDIA:  The Concordia Society, Immanuel’s afternoon ladies’ group, will not be meeting in January and February but will resume their monthly fellowship meetings in March.  Watch for more information. 

FIDELES CIRCLE:  Twice our Fideles Circle Christmas fellowship was cancelled in December so the ladies will now try to get together for its regular meeting at 7 pm on Tuesday, January 6 (Epiphany Day).  Carol Gray & Beth Dittmar will be talking about scrapbooking.  Serving will be Eleanor Kilker and Audry Spahr.  Pastor Ros Schultz will be presenting the topic on Mary, the mother of John. 

DVD STUDIES: Our Sunday night classes for “Biblical Bloodhounds” resume on Sunday, January 11 as we conclude or look at the book of Jonah.  We will begin our ten week study of the book of Proverbs (January 18).   For more class information to go the Lutheran Charities web site, http://lcc.lutheranchurchcharities.org.   

BASIC will undecorate the church on January 4.  We will meet in sanctuary at 5:30 pm.  Adults only please.  We will clean up the church, then venture down to the Twelfth night feast in the fellowship hall. Look for sign up sheet of food to bring on the clipboard in the fellowship hall.  Remember to bring a talent to entertain the king and queen of the feast when the jester calls upon you.  If you are unable to produce a talent for the evening, the jester will have a talent ready for you....It is a great time of fellowship and fun. 

HEAD USHER:  The Board of Worship is in need of someone to be the new “Head Usher.”  It involves scheduling the various usher teams and overseeing the work of the ushers.  Neil Buettner is retiring from this task after more than 16 years of service.  If you could help in this area, please speak with Carol Gray, Neil Buettner, or one of the Pastors for more details of the job.  

GREETERS:  Our thanks to Alice Borchert for serving as our Greeter Coordinator the last few years.  She has decided to “retire” from these duties so we are looking for a new Greeter Coordinator.  In involves calling individuals who are willing to greet and scheduling the Sunday morning greeters.  Call Judy or Marlene in the office if you would consider doing this task. 

AUDIO TAPE:  If you would like to listen to a tape of our Sunday morning service, simply call the church office or talk to one of our pastors.  Each Sunday we tape the service and we are happy to offer it, especially to anyone who may have been absent. 

COMMUNION SCHEDULE:  The Sacrament of Holy Communion is such a wonderful blessing to our congregation.  Recently the Board of Elders and Board of Worship agreed to the following regular schedule of Communion:
First Sunday of Month – 10:30 – Processional
Second Sunday of Month – 8:00 – Double Processional
Third Sunday of Month – 10:30 – Altar Communion
Fourth Sunday of Month – 8:00 – Double Altar
Second and Last Thursdays of the Month – 6:30 p.m. – Processional Communion

Occasionally, this schedule is changed because of special events or situations.  Check the calendar. 

MAJOR WATER LEAK:  On December 23^rd, Immanuel experienced a major water leak.  A pipe in the balcony going to humidifiers came apart and leaked all night.  The water ran down to the narthex and on the fellowship hall/youth room.  We want to thank the many people who came at a moment’s notice and worked all day to clean up the mess and prepare these areas so we could continue with our upcoming Christmas worship services.  Immanuel is so blessed and we thank God for the many willing workers. 

Happy New Year to all from the Immanuel Staff

SCRIP means “Substitute money.” They are gift certificates to national and local businesses, purchased at face value and used at face value.  The businesses that sell the gift certificates give percentages back to the purchaser for tuition costs and directly to the school. Orders are placed the 1^st & 3^rd Tuesday of each month with delivery of your scrip cards the following Tuesday.  In December, we processed over $8000 in requests.  Remember if you are planning to make purchases at Cub, Walmart or wherever, use the scrip cards and support the school.   

MARKET DAY:  The next order for the Market Day program is due Friday, January 23 with pickup on Tuesday, January 27 from 3:00 – 5:00 p.m. in the cafeteria.  Every order helps our school and its students.   

Family Fun Snow Day:  We’re expecting it to snow by Saturday, January 10^th.  That day, from 1 until 2:30, Immanuel families and friends are welcome to sled down the hill behind the school.  Cocoa and cookies will be provided.  At the rate we’ve had winter storms so far, there should be plenty of snow on the ground.  Bring your own sleds, or use the school’s.

PTL Bingo & Blizzard Night:   Tuesday, January 13 at 6:30 is the night of the annual BINGO evening in the church fellowship hall.  Games, prizes, and an ice cream sundae bar will be featured.  All parents, students, and staff will be welcome.

Hats Off to Top Sellers of Magazines:  Thanks to all of you who worked for and supported the PTL Magazine Sale.  So far, 340 magazine subscriptions were sold, totaling $7694 in sales and $3078 in profit.  The 3^rd grade and 5^th grade had the highest per capita sales and will be able to race their pigs on December 19^th.  Top sellers were Zachary Cummins (20 subscriptions), Jackson Heimer (17), Ashley Babler (14), Maxx Bradshaw, Erin Kohlbauer, and Madelyn Drehmer (12 each), Lucas Hill, Naomi Mullen, and Tyler Geiken (11 each), and Shania Fischer (10).  Thanks to these students and the wonderful PTL parents for conducting the sale.

CLASSROOM CHRISTMAS PARTIES will take place on Friday, January 9^th due to the snow day on December 19^th.

Geography Bee:  Due to the snow day on  Friday, December 19, the National Geographic Geography Bee will take place on Monday, January 5^th at 10 am in the gym.  Everyone is welcome.  Classroom winners from the 4^th through the 8^th grade will participate.

Friends Dinner and Alumni Game:  Thanks to all of you who attended the November Immanuel Friends Dinner or Alumni Basketball Games.  Approximately $6000 was raised for the school.  More importantly, awareness of the school’s mission was raised.  Friends got together and had fun.  Many prayers were shared for the mission of the school.  Volunteers offered their talents for a good cause.  Thanks to those who contributed to the themed gift boxes.  The winners were grateful.  Both evenings were successes!

State Recognition:  Immanuel voluntarily complies with state educational regulations such as certification, safety, and hours of school.  There are many state codes that apply to the school.  Private schools are not required to comply with all codes, but Immanuel chooses to meet and exceed state minimums.  A representative from the Illinois State Board of Education, as well as at least one other public and private school administrator will visit Immanuel on January 15^th.  They will check many files and a lot of paperwork and see for themselves how we operate.  Immanuel has met state recognition requirements for many years and anticipates meeting them again with this upcoming visit.

Physical Work Over Break:  The Child Development Center hallways were waxed the weekend of December 19 & 20.  The sprinkler system in the CCDC was inspected.  The gym floor was thoroughly cleaned, treated, and waxed on December 22^nd.  We thank all who helped with these projects. 

Upcoming OPEN HOUSE Immanuel Lutheran School and Child Development Center will be hosting an open house on Tuesday, February 3^rd from 6:30 until 8:00.  Prospective families are encouraged to visit.  Tell your friends about Immanuel and encourage them to tour the school and daycare.   

MOMENTS 
                            …with the Assocaite Pastor

Dear Friends in Christ,

        As the New Year approaches we have many things on our minds.  What is this New Year going to bring?  Is the “financial crisis” going to work itself out?  Are we going to actually meet the budget this year?

       We have many concerns but Jesus says this about being worried about tomorrow:  “Therefore, do not be anxious about tomorrow, for tomorrow will be anxious for itself.  Sufficient for the day is its own trouble” (Matthew 6:34).

       Can you actually imagine not worrying about tomorrow and focusing only on today?  I wonder what that would do to the futures market.  Think about it for just a minute…What would life be like if everybody thought about only the moment they were living in?

       In the hustle and bustle of the day I often find myself floating in off in thoughts of things to come.  I think about sermon messages and Bible studies.  I think about upcoming bills and payments of various kinds.  I think about all sorts of things that somewhat keeps my attention away from the present.  This causes me to just look past people as they pass by and miss crucial moments in life when I could have reached out with a helping hand.

       We must understand that Jesus is saying that we should not worry or be anxious about such things.  That does not mean that we do not prepare for them and get ready for them.

     So, in the coming of the New Year we also focus on the coming of Christ as He has promised.  We focus on that final day when all that Christ is (by the way the use of the word ‘is’ when talking about Christ is Paramount… Christ is Risen… Christ is Saving… Christ is Redeeming… Christ is Reconciling) done will be made fully known.  We do not know when that day will be, but we prepare for it by worshiping and living out our life of vocation to the glory of God.  It is not our place to guess when for that day will come on its own.  It is our job, however to proclaim the Day of the Lord so that all may hear and believe.

     So how might this work out in  our life in the Church?  Well, we can prepare to make the budget this year in expectation that it will happen.  We can prepare for growth, both in membership and faith by trusting in the promise of God’s Word.  We can expect for the Holy Spirit to work in us to bring other to the knowledge and faith in Christ.

     This is the day which the LORD has made.  Let us rejoice and be glad in it.  Amen.

In Christ,

Pastor Ros Schultz