This Wednesday, our Prairie Walking Path Ministry Action Team will be creating our walking trails through the prairie on the eastern side of our church buildings. They will cut a wide walking path in the grass with a flail mower, and then level out that path. Thank you to all the volunteers who will make this project a reality! Thank you, as well, to the crews who have been mowing, weeding, and fertilizing our lawns this summer.
Next Saturday, July 25, help our LERT Team decide how best to use Immanuel’s LERT ministry action team going forward. What services should the team be prepared to provide in times of need? Can Immanuel’s LERT team lead the congregation in service projects for individuals and groups throughout our community?
All who are interested or curious about the types of services we might offer are invited to attend. They will meet at 9am – this time in the Gathering Space.
Last time, the group members even suggested that we could rename the group to encompass an expanded role … perhaps they could Be Ready In All Needs. Brian Hanson, the group leader, wasn’t ready to accept that new name. Join in the brainstorming session next Saturday!
As you know, Immanuel is hosting a blood drive on Wednesday, July 22 from noon to 4:30pm in the Mission Center. You can reserve your appointment time through the link below.
This is an awesome way to serve community! Now, Versiti has also teamed up with Culver’s to sweeten the deal for you, too! Donate blood and receive a free pint of Culver’s Custard.
Helpful tip: Make sure to eat a healthy meal and drink plenty of water before donating. See you there!
Immanuel will host our next Family Campfire Night this Friday, July 17. We are inviting our families with younger children to join us for hotdogs and s’mores, along with games and a great campfire. The event takes place at the Mission Center from 5pm to 7pm. See Nic Cass for details.
Our friends at Central Wisconsin Lutheran High School have extended an invitation to a special event on the afternoon of Sunday, August 2. CWLHS will hold an installation service for their teachers as well as an open house to see their new school location.
Check out the school’s newsletter below for information on:
June 30 marked the last day of Immanuel’s 2025-26 fiscal year. Last week’s giving numbers printed in the announcements showed that year end giving was very close to the budgeted giving amount you set for the year. That amount was also about 8% higher than the previous year.
At the June Congregational Assembly, you were given a choice between two different giving numbers for the 2026-27 church fiscal year. One proposal was to increase giving about 10% to $790,000. This number would have been on pace with the giving growth we have seen the last four years, and would have been in line with having a balanced budget. You did not choose this proposal.
The members of our congregation chose to – as a group – significantly increase your giving target for the coming year to $945,000. This amount would still fund the same ministry you set forth for the year. The extra amount would strengthen the fiscal foundation so that you could choose to expand your ministries in the future years.
Pastor Tim will lead us as we discuss a Christian perspective on giving throughout the year. He will do so because you directed him to do this through your budget. We will be taking a few weeks off from reporting the financial numbers in these announcements, as we revamp and improve the way we communicate our numbers. Until then, we leave you with one scripture verse to consider:
2 Corinthians 9:7 Each one must give as he has decided in his heart, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver.
Every month Immanuel will have a “focus” list of items to donate to the FOCUS Food Pantry. This month our list includes breakfast items: hot or cold cereal, pop tarts, pancake mix, and syrup. Anything you would eat for breakfast. You are still welcomed to bring other items that are non-expired, shelf stable items. Please NO glass containers. Bring your items to our church building and drop them off at the Red Wall. We will collect the items and deliver them to the FOCUS Food Pantry.
Immanuel is a collection site for the United Way’s Stuff the Bus school supply campaign through August 4. Top Needed Items:
During July, our scrip office will be open on Thursdays from 10am to 2pm. Please plan ahead! Need help outside those hours? Call us at 715-423-0272, email scrip@immanuelrapids.com, or see us at the Red Wall.
Mary Martin is seeking vendors for Immanuel’s 2nd fall craft and vendor event on October 17 in the Mission Center. If you know anyone interested, please have them contact her by calling the office at 715-423-3260, or by forwarding the Facebook link below.
Our Memorial Garden M.A.T. is taking orders for Immanuel’s third batch of memorial stones. If you would like to memorialize someone dear to you, stop by the Red Wall and pick up an order form, or download the form from the link below.
Our new prayer list format starts on June 19. You can submit a prayer using:
The “Prayer Request” tab on the bottom of your Church Center App
A paper “Prayer Request” form located at the Red Wall
The “Prayer Request Form” link at the bottom of this weekly email.
Jul 17 Family Campfire Jul 19 Prayer List Refresh Jul 22 Blood Drive Jul 25 LERT planning Aug 2 CWLHS Open House Aug 4 Stuff the Bus ends Aug 12 Land of Natura Aug 14 Family Campfire Aug 23 Fall Kickoff Picnic Aug 26 ILS School Begins Nov 1 Cong Assembly
