Mayfest — “Friendship Trek, the theme for Vacation Bible School was promoted in the Perryville Mayfest parade on May 9 and youngsters and adults handed

registration forms with toys and trinkets to children along the Parade route. VBS will is scheduled for the evenings of July 13-18, starting with supper at 5 p.m.

VBS to take Children and Adults

on a Friendship Trek to see Jesus

“Friendship Trek: Jesus Our Forever Friend” is the theme for Vacation Bible School , scheduled for the evenings of July 13-18 at Immanuel Lutheran School .

            The Board for Parish Education seeks to provide a fun-filled, Bible-based learning adventure for all children of Immanuel and the local community. VBS will incorporate crafts, Bible stories, games and singing to help children of all age learn more about Jesus.  An adult Bible class also will meet each evening.

VBS is an opportunity to invite friends and neighbors to join in the activities.

“Please help us out with this project and volunteer,” said Lynne Hecht, who chairs the education board.  “We truly appreciate everyone who have so far volunteered and encourage everyone to consider helping out!”

As in past years, Immanuel organizations and boards will provide meals.  The sponsors and menus for Sunday, July 13, through Thursday, July 17, are as follows:

·         Sunday — PTL will serve sandwiches

·         Monday — LWML, sloppy joes

·         Tuesday — Fellowship Club, hot dogs

·         Wednesday — Chancel Guild, pizza

·         Thursday — Elders, spaghetti.

All meals will be served from 5 to 5:30 p.m.  Please be sure to indicate on your registration form if your children are going to be eating and which nights they will be eating.  Registration forms are available at the visitors center in the church narthex.

The board still needs VBS volunteers.  Please prayerfully consider helping with this wonderful opportunity to teach our children about Jesus and how to spread His Word.  If you can help as a leader, teacher or helper with crafts, games or in any way, please contact the church office at 547-8317, Lynne Hecht at 547-6296, or any of the board members.

Voters elect officers, boards

Approve Budget for 2008-09

            Immanuel Voters re-elected Don Carter as congregation president and adopted a $1,249,381 budget for the fiscal year that begins Aug. 1.  The assembly, which met May 12, also increased the congregation’s debt limit to $370,000.

            The voters also approved a resolution calling on the pastoral staff, Board of Elders and Church Council to prayerfully develop a plan to heal and grow the congregation and to change the financial situation from negative to positive balances by Aug. 11 — the date of the next Voters meeting.

            The new budget provides minimal wage increases, eliminates all Social Security payments for called workers resulting in net pay decreases for pastors and called teachers, and set most expenditures for boards and operations at about the same levels as the current fiscal year.  Publication of The Messenger will be decreased from 12 issues to six issues a year due to a budget reduction for postage and printing.

The budget for support of Saxony Lutheran High School was increased to $17,000 from the current $8,500.  The new amount reflects an increase from $5 to $10 per communicant member assessed from the high school association.

Income for the 2008-09 fiscal year is projected to be $1,170,400, some $80,000 less than anticipated expenditures.

In other action, the voters approved an increase from six to eight members on the Board of Outreach and adopted a Church Council recommendation to allow called workers to designate up to 100 percent of their income as housing allowance.  The action on housing allowance deals with record-keeping and does not affect the budget.

President Carter also reported that the Concordia Ladies Aid is planning improvements in the Fellowship Hall.  Plans include a new stove, microwave and sink.  The improvements will change the layout and convert one washroom to a pantry.

Greg Yamnitz was re-elected vice president and Charlie Hacker was elected treasurer.  There were no candidates for secretary so the position remains vacant at this time.

Official minutes from the meeting are available in the church narthex and office.

Elected to boards were:

Board of Stewardship — Jennifer Birk-Cook, Darren Verseman; Board of Parish Education — Carlos Camarillo, Lynne Hecht; Board of Outreach — Waldemar Bergdolt, Susan Davis, Jennifer ( Preston ) Janet, Erna Mahnken and Sally Werner; Board of Youth — Meredith Gruenwald, Alan Schlichting. Mark Schilli (1 year term); Board of Human Care — Patsy Lukefahr, Shirlene Schaupert; Board of Public Relations — Kim Strattman, Cheryl Stueve; Endowment Committee — Joyce Balsman, Connie Courtois; Cemetery Committee   — vacant; Board of Elders — Ben Davis, Calvin Ehlers, Dennis House, Randy Mueller, Roger Mueller,  Jackie Patton; Board of Education — Melissa Hemmann, Tracey Schlichting; Board of Trustees — Greg Hoehn. Richard Weber; Board of Finance and Budget — Ron Bohnert; Saxony Lutheran High School Board of Regents — Angie Brewer.

Good Shepherd never had a deaconess, but has many plans for me.  They want me to help develop a program to bring families with young children into the congregation, re-energize their youth ministry and help train congregational leaders in youth and family ministries.  This sounds exciting and I pray that the Lord will guide me as I can do nothing without Him.

Other opportunities will include hospital visits, nursing home visits, building support for single parents, etc., which I also enjoy.  I also will develop an evangelism project as a requirement of my internship.  It sounds like I will be kept busy!

I recently learned that Psalm 119:105 which reads, “Thy word is a lamp unto my feet and a light unto my path,” is not speaking of a big bright light, but of a very small light.  It is important for us to know that with the dim light, our God is right at our side, walking with us every step of the way.  This is very comforting for me, and I pray that it might comfort you as well.  All of us, including church workers, need God to help us through life’s trials.

I have learned many things from the pastors and individuals at Immanuel and am blessed to take these things with me on my internship.  Immanuel is a wonderful place to be, and all of you will be missed.  Thank you for your care and support for me and my ministry.  It is such a blessing to have a caring Christian family.

I will continue to update you on how things are going.  Thank you for all of your prayers, and please know that Immanuel is in my prayers as well.

            May the Lord bless you as you grow in faith and love for our Lord!

In His Service,

Jessica Koenig and her fiancée, Michael Feldman,  review her internship assignment to Fremont, Neb., following the April 22 assignment service at Concordia Seminary, St. Louis .

Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ,

            After two short years at Concordia Seminary, I have received my internship assignment to Good Shepherd Lutheran Church in Fremont, Neb.

Fremont is considered a “small city” with about 32,000 people.  It is adjacent to Omaha.  During my interview I remember thinking, “It reminds me of Perryville only with more people.”

Good Shepherd has about 970 communicant members and has about 300 people in worship each Sunday.  To many here at the seminary, a church of this size would be overwhelming, but compared to Immanuel it seems small.  Good Shepherd has two pastors, Rev.Tim Gierke and Rev. Tim Anderson.  According to Pastor Gierke, it is “a 54 year-old, non-traditional, very open to change congregation that has begun to see the need for family-centered and church-supported ministries that are reaching out into the community to bring new families into connection with Jesus.”

July 4 Patriotic Prayer Service planned

            Plans are underway for our third annual July 4 Patriotic Prayer Service to praise God for freedom and to thank Him for the men and women who serve their country in the armed forces.

The service will be at 11 a.m. at the church.         Immanuel members are invited to submit photographs of themselves and family members who have served in the military.  The photos will be displayed at the church for the July 4 service.  Pictures can be turned in to the church office.

Rev. Farrukh Khan, right, visits with the Griffith family following his sermon April 20. From left are Dylan, Greg, Loegan, Caleb, Makinzie and Khan, executive director of People of the Book Lutheran Outreach, was our guest mission speaker.

Playground is Complete as School

Winds Down a Successful Year

            This has been a full year and we bring it to a close.  We have had a very productive and successful year. 

            We completed an excellent operetta presented by the students in kindergarten, first and second grades.  “Teach the World to Sing” was performed on April 11.  The second graders and four first graders provided narration as the students traveled to Japan, Africa, France, Italy, Scotland, England and Mexico.  They were dressed in native costumes and all the students sang beautifully.  A few of the songs were, “London Bridge,” “Kumbaya,” and “Frere Jacques.” 

Playground improvements

            A new and very large piece of playground equipment has been installed.  Our thanks go to the Hoffs for storage and trucking, to the fantastic work crew of more than 15 (some of whom spent two full weekends at it!) and to all who volunteered their equipment and expertise to complete this sizeable project.

Please come to the school and see what has been done!  Further improvements to the playground will be competed a Eagle Scout projects this summer.  Our group included: Steve Eggemeyer, Dale Buerck, Buddy Hellman, Tim and Garrett Brewer, Al Oliver, Vernon, Ron and Matthew Wills, Roger Hoff, Bev and Lynn Buerck, Wess Sparkman, Brian Buerck, Greg Yamnitz, Kevin Gruenwald, Keith Cooper, Stan Cook.  THANK YOU is not sufficient … we do appreciate it!

Students achieve in tests …

            We have completed the standardized testing for this year.  We use the Iowa Test of Basic Skills.  This test compares our students’ abilities to those of other students at their grade level throughout the country.

Once again our students did very well.  As a group they tested well above grade level.  This does translate into success at the next level!  (These results for the past five years are found in this newsletter.  Results for the past nine years can be obtained from the school.)

… and, in the classrooms

            Our kindergarten class was learning number words up to 10 and working with money and subtraction.  They finished the study of the letters X, Y and Z.  Graduation was on May 8!

First graders were studying the Apostles’ Creed, learning about Christ’s ascension to heaven and Pentecost.  They continue to make cards for our troops in Iraq.

Second grade’s math has to do with money — counting and making change.  The second graders teamed up with grades four and five to present Chapel on April 23.  They enjoyed the last weeks of being their “second grade family!”

Third, fifth and seventh graders completed a 12-session program called “Young Peacemakers.”  The program is designed so that students develop better skills while dealing with conflicts.  When we deal with conflicts, we are on a “slippery slope.”  We can deny, blame others, fight, flee, gossip or call names.  If we remain on the top of the slope we talk out the problem, seek advice or overlook the situation.  The students are encouraged to use the five “A’s” in 

solving a conflict:  Admit, Apologize, Accept, Ask and Alter. Using “I” statements, we need to admit that there is a problem, apologize for our part in the conflict, accept the consequences for our actions, ask for true forgiveness and seek to alter our behavior so that this type of conflict does not reoccur.  We plan to continue with the program in the three classes next year and then with third graders in the future.

            Fourth grade endured busy May countdown.  In math they started to master fractions, and decimals were the final new material for the year.  In social studies, they covered the United States.  The students made posters for each state with information from the computer.  On May 2 they visited Citizens Electric for a safety program.  It was informative and the students got to ride in the “bucket truck.”  The final week, they traveled to St. Charles.

            Grade five’s social studies was the study of the Constitution.  Religion time was spent studying the ministry of the disciples.  Sixth grade social studies looked at the rise and fall of the Roman Empire.  Fifth graders wrote friendly letters and studied adverbs.  They read non-fiction and completed the DARE program with essays and a day in the park!

            Sixth grade reading involved short stories and writing character studies.  In science classes: Fifth grade created models of volcanoes, wrote reports and began the study of weather and water cycles.  Sixth graders completed the study of the inner-workings of the earth and oceans and water cycles.  Grade seven studied of animals and the human body.  Eighth graders finished chemistry and motion and force.

            Fifth grade math explored bases and exponents and began calculating prime factorization of numbers.  Sixth grade math defined and recognized basic geometric terms as they put together a geometry dictionary and created visual projects for these terms.  Seventh grade math did calculations with geometric shapes, calculating angle measurements, perimeter and area of polygons.  Eighth grade math calculated surface area and volume of three dimensional shapes.

The school-wide participation in the Math–A–Thon lasted until the end of April.  Family Fun night was April 18 and raised over $1,300.  Thanks for the support!

House and Senate in session.  The classes also toured the Capitol, the Supreme Court chambers and Governor’s Mansion. Eighth grade history studied the Cold War and the Civil Rights movement. Seventh grade geography studied Asia and had a Eastern Hemisphere Festival Day, May 5.  Eighth graders read the “Outsiders” and completed their third research paper. Graduation was May 18!

            Thank you for all that the congregation provides and the support that you give the school.  Please continue to keep us in your prayers as we keep you in ours!  We are tremendously blessed with the school’s ministry and hope to continue His work with His children in this place.

William Unzicker, principal

Gifts and Memorials

Immanuel Lutheran Church

• In memory of Naomi Trapp from Dorothy Rhyne, John and Carlene Rauh, Bob and Lisa Huber, Mr. and Mrs. Zexia Pourney, Jean Vogel, Lovaira and Karen Bock, Harlo and Barbara Rubach, Tony Campbell, American Legion Auxiliary, VFW Post 4282 Auxiliary

• In memory of Floyd Giesler from Clyde and Helen Moll, David and Carol Witt

Immanuel Lutheran School Building Fund

• In memory of Doris Bock’s 86th birthday on March 23 from her husband, Herbert

• In memory of Nora Brandes from Janet Vogel

•  In celebration of Paul Kasten’s 90th birthday from Dorothy Wills, Orville and Laverne Schaefer

•  In memory of Lizzie Hoffstetter from Irma Hoffstetter

•  In memory of Naomi Trapp from Alma Hoffstetter, Ruby Schubert, Orville and Lavene Schaefer, Karl and Diane Klaus, Dennis and Myra Weber, Janet Feltz

• In memory of Doris Bergman from Jerry and Clare Bergman family, Sharon and Jerry Modde family

• In celebration of Gilbert Villhard’s 90th birthday on April 12 from Janet Murray

•  In honor of Tillmon Petzoldt for his service and dedication to the Lord from the Fellowship Club

• In memory of Wilma Bohnert from Lynne Hecht

•  In celebration of Dale and Sharon Hoff’s 40th wedding anniversary on May 11

• In memory of Dorotha Aurich from Neltha Wills

•  In memory of Norman Steffens from Ewald and Lilly Ochs, Allyn and Christie Steffens

Immanuel Radio Broadcast

• In memory of Nora Brandes from Orreal Katt, Olida Vogel, Richard and Sidney Hemmann, Lynn and Carol Winter, Joshua and Charlene Fritsche, John Muench, Richard and Karen Schmidt, Glennon and Renee Brueckner

• In memory of Naomi Trapp from Art Tayon

• In memory of Roland Kranawetter from Bob and Pat Wichern, Calvin and Shirlene Schaupert

• In celebration of Mary Brune’s birthday on April 28 from Mike, Sheri, Zach and Abby Rollet

• In honor of Curt and LaDonna Wills’ 34th wedding anniversary from Herman and Nancy Wills

Immanuel Lutheran Cemetery

•  In memory of Naomi Trapp from Fred and Marilyn Balsman

Lutheran Service Books

• In memory of Norman Steffens from Jerry and Ruth Kasten

LWMLers Make Nursing Home Visits,

Gather Baby Items for Convention

The Lutheran Women’s Missionary League ladies have been busy “stepping out in faith to declare His praise and serve others” as celebrated in their prayer service.  Reflections of God’s Word reminded us that we need to lead a life that is centered on the cross, where God is to be seen in all of His glory.

At our quarterly business meeting, proposed changes to our by-laws were presented for review.

Our next gathering will be Wed., May 28.  We will meet in the Fellowship Room and then go to the nursing homes for visits.  Afterwards we will meet in the Fellowship Room for devotions and Bible study.

We are continuing our collection of baby items for the district convention June 6-8 in St. Charles.  Your donations can be placed in a box is in the food pantry.

On June 25 we will meet at 7 p.m. in the Fellowship Room.  This will be a spring Quarterly Bible study.  Any woman who is a communicant member of Immanuel may join us.

Youth Information is now online

Immanuel Youth information and updates are now online!  All members of the congregation are invited to learn about what our youth are currently doing.  Youth group members and parents are encouraged to watch this site for information on upcoming fellowship, servant and fundraising events.

Learn more at:

http://digitaldynamicsphoto.typepad.com/ILCYouth.

Articles for the Messenger

Please share items of interest from your board, committee or organization. The deadline for the July August Messenger is June 15.

You can leave your written material and photos in the Newsletter mailbox in the church library or — better yet — e-mail your articles to lovstadent@earthlink.net. Please identify the people in your photographs. Label all prints with your name and phone number so they can be returned to you.

Immanuel Results: Iowa Test of Basic Skills

Subject/                     04                     05                     06                     07                     08                          

Class

K-R                                         K.8                         1.2                          1.2                          1.2                          1.0

K-M                                       1.0                          1.0                          1.1                          K.9                         K.6

K-T                                                                       K.9                         1.2                          K.9                         K.8

1-R                                         2.1                          2.0                          1.8                          2.2                          2.2

1-M                                        1.6                          2.0                          1.9                          1.9                          1.7

1-T                                         1.8                          1.9                          2.0                          2.1                          2.1

2-R                                         2.9                          3.4                          2.9                          3.0                          3.4

2-M                                        2.6                          2.6                          2.7                          2.5                          2.8

2-T                                         2.8                          3.0                          3.0                          2.9                          3.1

3-R                                         4.1                          4.3                          4.4                          4.0                          4.1

3-M                                        4.1                          3.8                          4.6                          3.6                          3.9

3-T                                         4.0                          4.2                          4.5                          3.9                          4.1

4-R                                         5.4                          5.3                          5.4                          5.3                          4.9

4-M                                        5.5                          5.2                          5.3                          5.0                          5.2

4-T                                         5.2                          5.5                          5.5                          5.5                          5.4

5-R                                         5.8                          6.2                          7.6                          6.5                          6.5

5-M                                        6.3                          6.5                          7.0                          5.8                          5.9

5-T                                         5.9                          6.6                          7.8                          6.6                          7.0

6-R                                         7.9                          6.7                          8.1                          8.2                          7.3

6-M                                        8.0                          6.9                          7.4                          7.6                          7.1

6-T                                         8.3                          7.3                          7.7                          8.3                          7.4

7-R                                         10.8                        8.9                          8.8                          8.7                          9.5

7-M                                        11.1                        9.7                          8.5                          8.7                          9.9

7-T                                         11.4                        10.3                        8.7                          9.3                          10.3

8-R                                         10.4                        13+                         10.5                        10.0                        10.0

8-M                                        10.0                        13+                         11.2                        9.0                          9.1

8-T                                         10.8                        13+                         12.7                        10.4                        10.4     

Key: R=Reading, M=Math and T=Total. All numbers are a grade equivalency. Note that the test was given in the sixth month of the school year; therefore grade level and .6 is desirable.