FRED’S FRAZES

   I can’t think of a time when there have been so many significant events come up in the life of a congregation within a span of one month. To begin with, your farewell for Pastor Lori was outstanding. With the short time frame we had to work with, I was afraid that maybe we might be caught unprepared or that word wouldn’t get out sufficiently. But it turned out to be a memorable event – and how can anyone do a better job of creating a beautiful cake than Kathy Warncke! That was just the perfect touch to make it a perfect day. The following Sunday we had our Confirmation Homecoming. Again, I was afraid that with the reception and dinner the previous Sunday our attendance would be down and I warned our barbeque cooks that we might have to sell off a lot of leftover chickens. As it turned out, at the end of the day we only had 4 left over, which I quickly snapped up! And then, last Sunday - Confirmation and First Communion – what a great way to witness these young people affirm their baptism and receive them into Immanuel’s fellowship. The church was full, the Confirmands looked great and did a terrific job serving Communion, and the music was outstanding thanks to the new Confirmation Class Handbell choir, the choir & handbell players, and our church musicians, including Madeline Gadway.

   But hang on, we’re not through yet. Take a deep breath and get ready for Open Marketplace this Sunday. And then, before you know it, we’ll be observing Stewardship Sunday, Thanksgiving, preparing for the Hanging of the Greens Service and observing our first Sunday in Advent with the Hanging of the Greens Service on November 29^th. Yes, it’s been a busy month and there’s a lot yet to come, but it’s really wonderful to be part of a congregation that is alive, active, and busy doing God’s work. This wouldn’t be possible without the help of all of you who have pitched in to take up the slack in the absence of Pastor Lori. Suzanne Mikeska and her Christian Education Committee, as well as our Youth Director, Shay Meyer deserve a special word of thanks for their continuing leadership to make sure that our children’s/youth ministry continue to function at the high level that Pastor Lori helped us attain.

   Speaking of Immanuel’s ministry to children and youth, we need to lift up the names of the 9 young persons who were confirmed in the faith this past Sunday. Their names are listed elsewhere in this newsletter. Keep them in your prayers as they continue in their journey as followers of Christ and give thanks to God for all those people – parents, family members, Sunday School teachers, pastors, church members, youth leaders and others – who were and continue to be a part of their faith journey.

   See you in church (or maybe at Open Marketplace) this Sunday. 

HOW CAN I ADEQUATELY SAY THANK YOU?

      Your expressions of love and concern over the past weeks and months have been so incredibly generous and supportive. You know how hard it was for me to leave day to day ministry and community with all of you at Immanuel! There is never a good or easy way to say farewell but you made it as smooth as possible. The reception was just amazing. “Lavish” is how I have described it to friends, family and colleagues! The many gifts, cards and remembrances surround me at home. The pictures of that day and the cake are on my phone to share with all who stop to talk for more than 5 minutes! Thank you most of all that the meal, conversations and hugs we shared that last day were an exact reflection of the time we had together at Immanuel for nearly 6 years! I treasure you and pray for you daily as your ministry continues and grows.  Blessings always and love, 

Rev. Lori Keaton

IMMANUEL’S WOMEN’S GUILD

The Immanuel’s Women’s Guild met on Friday, October 15, 2009 with 15 members and 3 guests present.

Lillie Richter opened the program with a reading from Psalms.  We then sang “Jesus is all the World to Me”.  She then turned the program over to Yvonne Huegel.  She gave us a report on her daughter Elena, a missionary in Chile.  Elena took part in a Global Warming program that included over 35 countries.  Some of the answers were better energy and less pollution.  Her daughter is really doing a good job over there and our prayers are with her.  After the report Lillie read us some funny readings.

President Richter called the meeting to order.  Minutes were read and approved.  Correspondence was read, we received a thank you note and a love gift of $200.00 from the Steffen family.  Erna Thielemann gave the Treasurer’s report.

Old Business:    None

New Business:  October 21^st Immanuel will host Senior Citizen’s Bingo.  November 6^th is World Community Day.  This is Blanket Fund month, Shirley Wendt made a motion to give $300.00 to that fund.  Motion was approved by all.  A discussion was held about who would receive the Thanksgiving baskets.  The president will check on it.  It was decided we need to keep a list on file.  Viola Fuchs mad a motion that the Wood Burners would provide our Christmas meal having Chicken Fried Chicken.  The motion was passed by all.  The officers will supply the dessert.  Tickets will be $6.50 and Erna Thielemann will take care of collections.

We welcomed our new member, Shay Meyer.

Prayer Concerns were:  Ruby Gerken, Hester Bain, Ruby Poncik, Dave Givens, the Maresh family, the Steffen family and for Elena in Chile.

We sang hymns for birthday and anniversaries.  Janice Pryor and Lillie Richter had a birthday in October, and Gilbert and Benita Walzel, 66 years, Delbert and Shirley Wendt, Raymond and Evelyn Schmidt and Shirley Horak had an anniversary.

The meeting was closed by joining of hands and singing “Blessed Be The Tie That Binds”, and praying The Lord’s Prayer.

Refreshments were served by Jeanette Balcerowicz 

                                                                        Jeanette Balcerowicz

                                                                        Secretary

IMMANUEL BROTHERHOOD 

   The Immanuel Brotherhood met on Thursday, October 15^th at the church. Pastor Fred gave a history of the World’s Fair and construction of the Eiffel tower in 1892 and our continuing attempts to seek honor, glory and recognition in this world. We discussed a possible fishing trip for this Spring, the Brotherhood Valentine’s Breakfast on Saturday, February 13^th and the possibility of a steak dinner fund raiser perhaps on a Saturday in January. Also, we considered the possibility of having our December Brotherhood meeting at a restaurant. Our next meeting will be on Thursday, November 19^th at the church at 7 p.m. We welcome any of our men – young and ‘otherwise’ – to join us!

CONSISTORY HIGHLIGHTS

The Consistory met on Monday, October 12 with 11 members and Pastor Banda present. Absent were Melinda Hammock, Clint Mikeska and Randall Schmidt

 Minutes of the September Consistory meeting were approved.

 Treasurer’s Report – Bank balance as of 9/30/2009 was $2,192.11.

 Reports:  Pastor Banda presented his report and a report from Shay Meyer was presented. Shay is securing extra help for Youth Club.

 Committees: 

Building & Grounds:  Bobby Zwahr reported that rose bushes have been removed and light on balcony window has been fixed. Light above Last Supper embroidery is broken and plate missing – steps will be taken to resolve the problem. Limbs in back parking lot were cut and hauled off. Bobby will look into door panels for doors with holes. Also we need to advise groups using the building about setting thermostats too low.

Christian Education:  Final preparations in place for Rev. Keaton’s farewell dinner. Perfect attendance taken care of and prizes for Open Marketplace were ordered.

Worship Committee:  Yvonne Lingnau reported on upcoming Sundays: Homecoming Oct. 18^th (Consistory in charge of set up and members asked to bring a side dish), Open Marketplace Nov. 1^st, Stewardship Sunday & taking out greens Nov. 22^nd; Hanging of the Greens Nov. 29^th, Blood Drive Dec. 6^th and Sunday School Christmas program Dec. 13^th.

Brotherhood:  Will meet Thursday. Progressive dinner was held and enjoyed by all attending.

Mission & Outreach:  Mrs. Banda will coordinate Settegast Heights gifts. Bernice Meyer reported on Back Bay Mission. She encouraged volunteers and highlighted their lodging facilities and progress on recovery from the hurricane. 

Old Business:  Open Marketplace meeting on Tuesday – everyone encouraged to sell meal and raffle tickets and put out yard signs. Bobby Zwahr has put up two large marketplace signs. Bruce Oberhoff reported grammatical errors in Constitution and By-Laws re-write. Discussion was held on some of the proposed changes. The committee will meet again and bring changes to Consistory. Pastor Banda relayed a request from Sunday School teachers to have clocks placed in the classrooms. 

New Business:  MOTION, seconded and passed that we raise Shay Meyer’s salary from $500/month to $600/month retroactive Oct. 1^st, 2009 for extra duties that Pastor Banda had asked her to do. Bubba Morton reported a leak in the robe room which has been a continuing problem. It was suggested to contact Tommy Fojtik. President Richter requested help for Oct. 18^th Homecoming dinner. He also reported the Communion will be held on Oct. 25^th, Confirmation Sunday, instead of Nov. 1^st, which is the Open Marketplace.

 MOTION, seconded and passed to send $1,000 to OCWM, $500 to Eden Seminary and $500 to Eden Home.

 Pastor Banda closed the meeting with a prayer.

 *This is a summary of the meeting and not official minutes. Minutes will be approved at the November meeting of the Consistory.

 Poinsettia Order Form

   The Women’s Guild offers the opportunity

to purchase Poinsettia Plants

to decorate our sanctuary for Christmas

{25 plants available} or as a gift to the

     Organ Fund, Building Fund or Memorial Fund

“In memory of” or “In honor of” a loved one.

PAYABLE TO:  IUCC WOMEN’S GUILD 

Deadline for Bulletin Recognition is December 8th 

FORMS and MONEY can be given to Erna Thielemann  Or mailed to the Church Office.

(NAME)_____________________________ [PHONE  #]____________________ wishes to make a gift:

 In Memory of:

NUMBER OF PLANTS: __________    $12.00 each

 TOTAL GIFT:   $ _________________                       Organ Fund           $________________                                                                          

                                                                    Building Fund        $________________

Immanuel UCC                                            Memorial Fund       $________________

P O Box 505                                             

Needville, Texas 77461-0505

THANKSGIVING BASKETS

The Women’s Guild, with the assistance of our youth, will be preparing 25 Thanksgiving Food Baskets for deserving families in the Needville area.  If you know of a family in need, please call the church office with their name.  The baskets will be filled and ready for pickup on Monday, November 23^rd.  The Guild is asking for donations of canned goods and non-perishable food items, along with turkeys and hams.  So you may take advantage of sales in advance, these are the items that are normally placed in these baskets:                                                                                                                                                                                                                  

 If you have a turkey or ham to donate, please call the church office so we know if we need to purchase any additional.  (Frozen items may be placed in our freezer two weeks before).  If you would prefer to donate cash or a check, it can be dropped off at the church office by November 16^th (make checks payable to Immanuel Women’s Guild).  A shopping trip will be scheduled to get items such as any fresh products that are needed to supply each family with a traditional holiday meal.  A box will be available after Marketplace to receive your Thanksgiving donations.  All donations will be greatly appreciated.  All donations of money or food items not used for the baskets will be donated to the food pantry.  Thank you in advance for your generosity!

NEWS FROM THE LILY PAD

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This site was last updated 11/09/09