The Messenger

Immanuel Youth attend Youth Gathering

On July 16 at 9:30 p.m., 16 youth and 4 adults set out on a Huskey bus that would take them to New Orleans for the LCMS 2010 National Youth Gathering. They arrived Saturday morning for breakfast and registration then spent part of the day enjoying the culture of New Orleans and getting souvenirs from the French Market. Once they were checked into Hotel Bourbon, the group refreshed and got ready to attend the first mass event at the Superdome where they were joined by 25,000 other youth and adults to praise and worship God.

Each morning they attended Bible study at the Convention Center and then spent the day enjoying different sessions which included Christian comedians, musicians, and speakers. There were also common areas where youth could relax doing different crafts, or have fun doing obstacle courses, trampoline jumping, wall climbing, and boulder dash. There were also areas where youth could interact with the different Concordia Universities from around the country.

The evenings were back at the Superdome for mass events which featured music, the Skit Guys, the Jesus painter, and various speakers. Tuesday's mass event centered around Holy Communion in which everyone had the opportunity to partake of the Lord's Supper.

The group also participated in the District event which took place in the Audubon Aquarium from 10 p.m. to midnight. They were allowed to view the various displays and had an all-you-can-eat buffet of pizzas and poor boy sandwiches.

The weather was hot, but spirits were high and a good time was had by all. After Wednesday's closing service the group headed to Destin, FL for a bit of R&R by the beach before returning home Thursday evening. We were also accompanied on our bus trips by a group of 11 from Imperial, MO who shared the ride and company with us.

Thanks to everyone who supports the youth and their activities during the year. This trip would not have been possible otherwise. Thanks to the parents for their long hours of dedication and support for their children as they work hard towards attending the National Youth Gathering.

Participants in the 2010 NYG were Marisa Bachmann, Courtney Borden, Garrett Brewer, Jesse Francis, Loegan Griffith, Rachael Gruenwald, Natalie Hagan, Andrea Kueker, Eric Mahnken, Kaitlyn Polhman, Abbie Schilli, Kirsten Schlichting, Kelsey Schremp, Katie Schweiss, Thomas Walter, and Matthew Wills. Adults included Meredith Gruenwald, Teresa Leible, Pastor Marks, and Karen Schweiss.

Tuesday Afternoon Ladies Bible Study begins Sept. 7

Beginning the Tuesday after Labor Day, September 7, the Tuesday Afternoon Ladies Bible Study will resume. The class is scheduled for 1:00-2:00 p.m. every Tuesday in room 1, and all ladies are invited to attend. The topic of study has not yet been chosen, but bring your Bible and plan to join us for a time of spiritual growth as well as fellowship with other sisters in Christ.

All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the man of God [Christian] may be thoroughly equipped for every good work.” 2 Tim. 3:16-17.

Board of Parish Education Notes

We will make a few changes with Sunday school this year. It will start on September 12 with rally devotion in the church sanctuary at 9 a.m. The following Sundays the time will be 8:50-9:30 a.m. at our Lutheran school where the children will all meet in the school cafeteria for an opening prayer/devotion/song. We realize that 7:30 a.m. worship service sometimes runs long and that all of the children do not get there on time, but we need to start as close to 8:50 a.m. as possible so our teachers will have time to finish their lessons with the children. Please remind your child/children to let the teacher know they are there, especially if the attendance has already been turned in. This will help us with accurate attendance.

We will no longer have perfect Sunday school attendance for each trimester. This has been a difficult decision, but due to so many issues with getting accurate attendance it is simply impossible to ever get it right and not have phone calls or recognize them late, etc. We will continue doing the perfect attendance each month with certificates, gifts, cookies, etc., and we still need the help of parents to be sure the children are recorded as present. We want to do our best to encourage the children to come to Sunday school every week to learn more about our Savior, and if it takes giving a special something to them, we will do it. We have averaged 50 children a month for perfect Sunday school and would love to see that number rise.

We the board also struggles with getting Sunday school teachers and helpers. We would like to have at least two teachers per grade so they can alternate. Some teachers alternate weekly and some monthly. We are fine with however they work it out, just so we have someone there to teach. We also need to know ahead of time if a teacher will be absent and whether or not he/she has enlisted a substitute. It saves on having to put two grades together or find someone at the last minute to teach. If you cannot teach all of the time, consider being a substitute. Please prayerfully consider helping us out by volunteering to teach. Registration forms are at the church and school offices.

Thank you in advance for your cooperation with this and we will see you in September.

The Board of Parish Education (Lynne Kreutz, Chair)

Immanuel Scholarship: Michael Feldman and Martha Seibel; Lohmann Scholarship: Mark Buerck and Ben Courtois; Prevallet Scholarship: Martha Seibel.

They were presented at the following worship services: August 8 at 7:30 a.m. (Michael Feldman and Mark Buerck); August 14 at 5:30 p.m. (Ben Courtois); and August 15 at 10:00 a.m. (Martha Seibel).

We are excited to begin planning for our annual youth dinner auction to be held on Saturday, October 23, 2010 at the K of C Hall in Perryville.

The primary purpose for this auction is to raise funds for our church’s youth activities. This has included projects in the past like improvements to the Youth House, several youth events as well as the LCMS National Youth Gathering in New Orleans this past July. Your support of this auction makes attendance at these events possible. A percentage of the profit from this auction event also helps to support other church and school funding needs.

The success of our auction depends upon contributions from businesses, individuals, and Church members and groups who are willing to donate merchandise, coupons, tickets, services or CASH to help us with our efforts. Any cash donated will be used to purchase items for resale at the auction. Last year, this auction raised over $25,000 for our youth and other projects. This was a BEST EVER year and we would love to exceed this amount with this year’s auction. In the narthex of the church, you will find a donation form for your convenience. Please consider taking one to fill out and return to the church office as soon as possible. We are hoping that this increases our success at the auction this year. We have set a goal of raising $30,000 at the 2010 event.

A single dinner auction ticket sells for $30 or purchase a full table of 8 tickets for $225. The ticket provides you with a delicious steak dinner and all of the trimmings as well as free wine tasting and an evening of fun, fellowship and the chance to bid on fabulous items. These auction ticket prices are the lowest around when compared to other local church auctions or fundraising events. For any donations that are greater than $300, after providing a receipt as proof of value, you will receive 2 FREE dinner auction tickets. For donations greater than $500, after providing proof of value, you will receive 4 FREE dinner auction tickets. This is a great feature that was a huge success last year and we hope many people will take advantage of this again.

All donations are tax deductible and receipts will be sent to you following the auction. Thank you in advance for your generous support of these efforts. We appreciate your help in allowing us to further build the Christian foundation for our youth.

Thank you from the Board of Parish Education to all of the volunteers, businesses, individuals and boards for all of the donations of time, talents and gifts to Immanuel's VBS program this year! We collected $730.00 to be divided between Shannon's Neighborhood and My Camp this year. They are very thankful for this donation.

Thank you to: All Volunteers, Moeckel Chiropractic Phycians, Bening Ford, Dental Fitness Center, Dreyer Electric, New York Life Ins., Glen Brickhaus-Architect, Coldwell Banker, Baer Construction, Meyer Bus Line, Young & Sons Funeral Home, Werner Auto Body, Eunice Koenig, Immanuel PTL, Gilster Mary-Lee, Chancel Guild, Fellowship Club, Burger King, Ladies Aid, LWML, K&L Sports for printing the t-shirts and to my fellow board members for all of their help. Without all of these people our VBS would not be able to be held. Thank you again for another successful year! Remember BEE-LIEVE!

We need volunteers once a month to assist the nursing home residents for the Sunday afternoon worship services that our pastors here at Immanuel conduct. Duties include setting up the dining room with the microphone, turning on lights, taking residents to and from the dining room and handing out song books. It takes about 3 hours (1:00-4:00 p.m.). Please speak with Shirlene Schaupert (547-2039) if you would be interested in helping.

The adult choir practice begins Thurs., Sept.9. We will meet Thursday evenings at 7-8:00 p.m. in the choir room.

We welcome back all present and former members. We also invite all members of our congregation who are high school age and above and who like to sing, to join us in the joy and fellowship of preparing for and singing at our worship services.

Immanuel Lutheran School Notes

Ü School began on Thursday, August 19, with a Chapel Devotion in the gymnasium at 8:15 a.m.

Ü We began our new school year with another gain in student population! Praise be to God!

Our classes, teachers and number of students

(as of 9:00 a.m. August 18) are as follows:

Pre-School (3 year-old): Mrs. Rodewald (22)

Pre-Kindergarten: Miss Thole (14)

Kindergarten: Mrs. Lohmann (23)

Grade 1: Mrs. Cornehlsen (25)

Grade 2: Mrs. Mueller (22)

Grade 3: Mrs. Steffens (14)

Grade 4: Mrs. Hoehn (23)

Grade 5: Mr. Bartels (21)

Grade 6: Miss Roegner (21)

Grade 7: Ms. Palmer & Pastor Handrick (12)

Grade 8: Mrs. Ozark & Pastor Marks (22)

Music: Mr. Steffens

Science/Computer: Miss Carstens

Grand Total: 221! (Last year: 207)

Ü Other staff members include Art teacher and Librarian: Ms. Roth; Secretary: Mrs. Valleroy; Aides: Mrs. Buerck, Mrs. Schnurbusch, Mrs. Gray; Custodians: Mr. Weber & Mr. Tucker; Cooks: Mrs. Bohnert, Mrs. Buerck, Mrs. Steffens; Principal: Mr. Unzicker.

Ü We are truly thankful for the support and assistance of the congregation for the work we are able to do for God’s children!

· In observance of their 47^th wedding anniversary from Lloyd and Edna Lintner.

· In memory of Doris Bock who died on Thanksgiving Day, Nov. 26, 2006, from her husband, Herbert Bock and daughters, Donna Phillips, Linda Clifton and Patricia Lukefahr and families.

· In honor of their 45^th wedding anniversary on Mar. 28, 2010, from Howard and Charlotte Krauss.

· In honor of Ron and Betty Bohnert’s 50^th wedding anniversary on Mar. 5, 2010, from Herbert Bock, Ray and Donna Phillips and family, Harold and Linda Clifton and family and Patricia Lukefahr and family.

· In memory of Herbert Koenig from Pastor and Sally Handrick, Roger and Pat Thomas, Perry County Sportsman Club, Don and Diann Mueller, Margie, Ed and Mark Miesner, Leola Funke, Jerry and Janet Ernst, Steve and Gail Cissell, Ron and Patty Heuring, Joel Heuring, Wayne and Brenda Ochs and Leonard and Dorothea Mirly.

· In memory of Clarence Valleroy from Barbara and Harold Neal, Janet Feltz, Melvin and Bob Bachmann, Mary Ann and Dick Swaine, Betty (Valleroy) Cherry, Jeff and Donna Bunge, Alice Schnurbusch, Barbara and Al Hartnagel, Thomas and Diane Lammert, Charles and Dorothy Van Doren, Richard Valleroy, Martin Robinson, Irma Hoffstetter, Leah Richardson, Gerald Stevens and Freddie and Loretta Smith.

· In celebration of Zachary and Brittany Hecht’s wedding on May 1, Jaden Statler’s 1^st birthday on May 7 and Erin and Brian Statler’s 3^rd wedding anniversary on May 27from Rick and Lynne Kreutz.

· In memory of Herbert Bock from Pastor and Sally Handrick, Richard and Dorothy Koenig, Helen Gruenwald, Warren and Verna Hoehn, C. W. and Ann Brune, Gilbert and Donna Bock, Everett and Bonnie Tilley, Patsy Lukefahr, Wayne and Carol Taylor, Waldemar and Lorna Bergdolt, Brenda Brown, Wm. Stroman, Charles and Shirley Berry, Ewald and Lilly Ochs, Perry County Courthouse Employees and American Legion Post 133.

· In celebration of Elbert and Janet Hadler’s 50^th Wedding anniversary from Pearl and Dolores Petzoldt, Sylvia Meyer, Janet Feltz, Clifford and Marylee Hoehn, Irma Hoffstetter, Ruth and Doc Hadler, Jeri Pick and Harlo and Barbara Rubach.

· In memory of Ruth Petzoldt’s 91^st birthday on July 14 from the Tillmon Petzoldt family.

· In memory of Myrtle Lintner from Janet Vogel, Bernice Schnurbusch, Glen and Margie Winschel, Earline Leible, Renae and Glen Brueckner, Gerald and Donna Guemmer, Brenda Wichern family, David Hitpas, Ruby Schubert, Lovaira and Karen Bock, Mike and Bernadette Warren, MM Levon Baker, Al and Ladonna Oliver, Jim and Carole Brown, Pastor and Sally Handrick, Lucy McClarney, Dean and Martha Hartwig and Philip and Lesley Meyer.

· In memory of Larry Rabold from Pastor and Sally Handrick, Robert and Janet Schuessler and David and Sally Werner.

· In memory of Myrtle Lintner from MM Arley Berkbuegler, Sharon Balsman and Dorothy Rhyne.

Immanuel Tour Group News

Immanuel Tour Group is planning the following trips:

· Fri. Oct. 1 “Warm Springs Ranch/ Clydesdales.

· Sat. Nov. 13, “Patriotic Show—Meramec Music Theatre.”

· Wed. Thurs, Fri. Dec 1 2 & 3, “Join us for Christmas Florals, Country Club Lights and Hallmark Moments In Kansas City. Mo.”

For more information, pick up a brochure in the narthex at Immanuel or call Betty Bohnert at 547-5134.

Help Lutheran organizations that are near and dear to you—even our congregation.

Eligible benefit members of Thrivent Financial for Lutherans can now help choose where Thrivent Financial distributes a portion of its charitable funds through Choice DollarsSM, part of the organization’s new Thrivent ChoiceSM charitable grant program.

· Eligible benefit members receive a letter this summer about their designated Choice Dollars for 2010.

· Designated Choice Dollars are based on qualifying insurance premiums, qualifying contract values and Thrivent Financial volunteer leadership.

· Choice Dollars can be directed to thousands of Lutheran organizations nationwide, including our congregation and school, by visiting Thrivent.com/thriventchoice or by calling (800-847-4836) and saying, “Thrivent Choice.”

Learn more—and act today! Visit Thrivent.com/thriventchoice or contact your local Thrivent Financial representative.

Directing Choice Dollars is subject to the Terms and Conditions of the Thrivent Choice program. Visit Thrivent.com/thriventchoice for complete terms and conditions.

Presenting Campus Alpha!

A 7-Week Practical Introduction to the Christian Faith

Small Group Discussion

A 7-week program for those who wonder:

Christianity: Boring, Untrue, and Irrelevant?

Who is Jesus?

Why Did Jesus Die?

How Can I Be Sure of My Faith?

Why and How Do I Pray?

Why and How Should I Read the Bible?

How Does God Guide Us?

Who Is the Holy Spirit?

How Can I Be Filled with the Spirit?

What Does the Holy Spirit Do?

How Can I Resist Evil?

Why and How Should We Tell Others?

Does God Heal Today?

What about the Church?

Location: Perryville Higher Education Center, 108 S. Progress Drive (right behind Sonic)

Dates: Tuesdays, beginning September 14, 2010

Time: 5:15 - 6:15 p.m.

Cost: FREE!

Leader: Pastor Marks

Please register for the course on the sheet in the Church Library.