Recent Articles
Join our New 'Light of Life' Bible Study
We are just beginning our new Light of Life Bible study. The lessons provide a refreshing meditative journey
through the Gospel of John.
What do you think of when you hear the word "meditate?" A straight back, crossed legs, closed eyes, grim face person, repeating the same long syllables over and over? At the beginning of the series we learn that Christian meditation actually has nothing to do with an uncomfortable posture or murmuring "mmmmm" for hours on end. Christian meditation is centered in the God's Word, where we think through Jesus' love for us
Six days a week for the next seven weeks, each participant will follow a three step process: read, meditate and pray. First, you read a selection from John's Gospel, second, you meditate on its meaning for your life, third, you pray about what God has shown you in His Word.
The Welcome Back Bag
This little brown bag will carry a message of light and welcome back to church for those who may not currently be attending church
. The simple Kraft bag will contain a free CFL light bulb and an invitation encouraging people try church again. Our members will deliver the bags in their neighborhood's during the week of Sept 19-25.
Pastor Mark sends a warm 'thank you' to the many who already signed up to help during Back to Church Weekend Sept 25-26. There were over 100 who agreed to help during the sign up at our picnic. The more who help, the more we will be able to invite in our community! Please consider signing up by emailing Terri or via the signup clipboards available at worship this weekend.
Here is why the little brown bag can help: 1.Most Americans have been to church, and yet only 20 percent are regular attendees. 2.82 percent of the unchurched are likely to attend church if invited by a trusted friend or relative. 3.Only 2 percent of church-going people invite someone to church in a given year. 98 percent of church-goers never extend an invitation in a given year. View a short video for more info
Thanks in advance for helping us distribute the brown bags.
Be a Part of Back to Church Sunday
Plans are underway to celebrate September 25 & 26 as a special Back to Church Weekend. Leading up to that weekend we are offering resources to make it easy to invite your friends, neighbors, family, and former members of Immanuel to return to church.
How many of your neighbors go to church? In the average American neighborhood only 20% are regular attendees. But most of these neighbors did attend a church before they moved or something changed in their life. Pls see why on this short video clip. Research shows that most people are willing to try church again - if someone encourges them to return. Please sign up to be a part of this special event on one of the clipboards at church or email Terri at the church office to indicate you will help.
We are kindly asking your help to invite our whole community of Washington 'Back to Church' before the weekend of Sept 26, 2010. We will make available attractive gift packages that you can deliver to your neighborhood during the 
week leading up this special event. We were able to purchase 1000 mini spiral 60 watt energy saving CFL light bulbs that were mostly donated by Ameren UE & Home Depot. One by one Immanuel youth will place them in bags bearing a message on the outside and an informational sheet illustrating how Jesus is the light of the world on the inside.
We look forward to special music, full services, and Pastor Mark will
New Sanctuary Design Revealed
The Building Committee revealed this first draft of the plans for our new sanctuary. Response was generally very positive with some suggestions for improvements that the committee will take into consideration. Click here to see all the newest drawings. Please keep this effort in your prayers as we move forward to erect a new sanctuary by our 150th anniversary in 2012.
Congregational Forum on Sanctuary Design - Sunday, August 22, 9 a.m.
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Immanuel is on schedule to have a new sanctuary by our 150th anniversary in 2012! We have 2 1/2 million dollars in gifts, pledges, and savings! The building committee has been dilegently working with architects and are ready to share with the congregation drawings of the exterior and interior.
On Sunday, August 22, Immanuel has scheduled a Congregational Forum to share those ideas and get input and feedback from you. Here is our schedule:
9-9:30 a.m. - Continental Breakfast for all
9:30-10:30 a.m. - Presentation, Questions and Answers
These are exciting and promise filled days at Immanuel. See you at the Forum!
Thanks from Our New Vicar
At left is pictured Vicar Eric and Katelin Moquin's pantry at their home for the next year in Washington. It was filled by Immanuel members welcoming them to our family. They recently sent us this thank you:
To our New Church Family at Immanuel:
We would like to thank everyone who helped make our first week in Washington an amazing one. To those who prayed for our transition, helped stock our pantry, unloaded our moving truck, and gave us warm meals, thank you. Your godly kindness has touched our hearts. We pray that God would meet our spiritual needs through Immanuel with the same abundance that you have met our physical needs. We look forward to our fellowship together over the coming year. --Vicar Eric & Katelin Moquin
Farewell Vicar Ted / Welcome Vicar Eric
Immanuel recently said farewell and Godspeed to our first vicar, Ted Hopkins and his wife Beth (left). Their year with us a shared blessing. Immanuel is ready to welcome our next vicar, Eric Moquin and his wife Katelin (right). They will be with us this Sunday, August 8, in worship.
Prepare for the Fair
Help Needed for Upward Basketball camp
Our Upward Basketball Camp is being held here July 26-30, 8am-11am, and it is coming upon us very quickly. We need your help with denoting snacks to help offset some of our costs for the camp.
Please visit www.volunteerspot.com/login/entry/54-64439977818 and sign up for Volunteerspot in order to sign up to purchase some of the snacks we need. Or you may come to church and sign up on the paper copy in the narthex. Thanks for your help!
Early Registration Deadline Coming Quickly for Upward Basketball Camp
The early registration deadline for our Upward Basketball Camp is .jpg)
Thursday July 15. Sign up your child on or before this date to receive the cheaper rate!
To register, pick up a brochure in the office or narthex or print off the registration form and follow the directions. We'd love to see you and your child at our Upward Basketball camp where winning is so much more than the final score!
Upward Sports camp is a first-class sports experience that emphasizes healthy competition, sportsmanship, skills building and fun versus the “win-at-all-costs” mentality found in many children's sports camps and leagues.
