Announcements
Weekly Announcements
April 19, 2026
A longtime ministry came to an end yesterday. The group that was formerly Ruby’s Pantry Wisconsin Rapids held one last drive-through distribution. There was no semi to unload from a national group or share cost. This time, the distribution was one last gift for the community.
Those who drove through received a mix of proteins – peanut butter, hot dogs, canned tuna, and frozen chicken – at no cost. Over 90 local businesses and community members had previously given cash donations to support the addition of meat items throughout the year. Yesterday’s free distribution used the last of that remaining cash to give food to the community.
The distribution line was also a place where Immanuel could help meet the spiritual needs of the community. Each distribution Saturday, every car was offered a chance to request prayers. You would lift up those names in prayer the following Sunday in worship. We will do that one last time today.
Distribution for this ministry has ended. The volunteers cleared the Pitsch School site after the distribution. The local leaders, volunteers, and donors will have a final chance to gather, reminisce, and thank one another – they will hold a meal in two weeks at the Mission Center to close this chapter of service.
Thank you to all who have led, donated, and volunteered for this ministry over its many years. May God bless you as you continue to serve community in different ways.
Looking for a fun golf event? Help financially support the ministry and kids at Immanuel Lutheran School through our 20th Annual Golf FORE Kids – Kersten Classic. This 4-person scramble takes place at Bullseye Golf Club on June 6 with a 9am shotgun start. The entry fee includes 18 holes of golf, cart, range balls, and a box lunch. Hole prizes, raffle tickets, and the 50/50 drawing add to the fun.
The “Kersten Classic” name comes from the longtime promoter of the event – David Kersten. Dave was the son of longtime Immanuel Principal DeForest “Bud” Kersten. For the first 18 years of the event, Dave would visit all his friends and golfing companions the weeks before the event – letting them know that they were playing! In Dave’s memory, grab three friends and tell them that they are joining you for this great event!
Thank you for supporting the kids and ministry of Immanuel Lutheran School.
This Thursday, April 23, is Immanuel Night at La Taqueria. They are generously donating 10% of all sales from 11:00am – 9:00pm to Immanuel Lutheran School. Students and adults from our Immanuel family will be on hand hosting from 4:00pm – 8:00pm.
We have had a strong start with registration for VBS. Haven’t signed up yet? That’s OK! We have plenty of room left for your kids and their friends! Invite them to join us at Rainforest Falls as we explore the nature of God. This week of games, songs, and stories is for all kids 3 years old through kids entering 5th Grade.
immanuelrapids.churchcenter.com/registrations/events/3526446
Strategic Plan Update: Last Fall, Immanuel’s members adopted a new Strategic Plan. You included 4 Critical Targets in that plan:
1. Discipleship Pathways: Centered in God’s Word and personal relationships – discipleship pathways exist to welcome all people to share and grow their God-given gifts through the ministry and mission of Immanuel.
2. Stewardship of People, Resources, and Assets: To faithfully steward God’s blessings, we manage, develop, and care for the people, resources, and assets entrusted to Immanuel, today and into the future.
3. School Master Plan: We create a culture of engaged families in a Christ-centered school to strengthen our church-school relationship, maintain momentum, and ensure completion of a revised plan for our school building.
4. Creative Financial Plan: We implement a God-pleasing, comprehensive financial plan that addresses our current, ever-changing, and future needs – through cheerful stewardship – while managing debt.
Right after you set your targets, consultants Ross Stueber and Ken Gaschk trained Pastor Tim and the senior staff how to develop yearly goals that leads us toward each your targets. Your staff took time to learn and plan – intending to better organize ministries in the areas you selected. Pastor Tim will be sharing these written, measurable goals with your Board of Directors over the next 6 weeks. Then, they will be discussing them with you during your Congregational Assembly on June 7.
Our yearly goals will contain a lot of Ministry Action Teams (MATs) to move ministry forward. One of those is the Lawnmowing MAT. We need volunteers to help us mow the lawn at both the church building and the school building over the upcoming summer months. Can you help? Those interested will meet briefly at the Red Wall next Sunday, April 26 at 9:45am. We will gauge interest and make plans from there.
• Principal Paul Gnan of Central Wisconsin Lutheran High School is holding a Q & A Open Session at our school building on Monday, April 20 at 6:30pm. Principal Gnan will be talking about this new high school in Plover, with topics including academics, student life, financial aid, school choice, and extracurricular opportunities. This open session is primarily geared toward families with current 5th through 9th Grade students.
• A Lutheran Early Response Team (LERT) training event will be offered at Christ Marshfield on April 25. Registration is now open. Training is led by Pastor Andy Weden of UWSP’s Peace Lutheran Campus Center.
• Make sure to mark your calendars, plan your trip, and register for Camp Luther’s 80th Anniversary Celebration as they celebrate the weekend of June 5-7, 2026, with the main event on June 6.
For more information, stop by the Red Wall after worship.
• Cabinetry arrival: The office cabinetry for the front office arrived last week. We thank the team doing a great job with the installation!
• Baby showers: We hope all of you have an enjoyable time at this afternoon’s baby shower for Immanuel teacher Anna Clayton. We will be holding another baby shower in early June for two additional staff members who are expecting – teachers Kassidy Fanning and Jessica Preusser.
• Upcoming staffing changes: Two Immanuel teachers have expressed changes to their plans for the 2026-27 school year. Jessica (Stockinger) Preusser has informed us that she does not intend to return as a teacher at Immanuel next year. She has been Immanuel’s 1st Grade Teacher for 7 years. Cara Lee has informed us that she wishes to reduce her hours in the year ahead. Mrs. Lee will continue to serve in her 0.7 FTE role as a Reading Interventionist, but will no longer be serving her 0.3 FTE role as Art Teacher. We will also have one addition to the staff in the next few weeks. Immanuel member Robin Ireland will be joining the church office staff through a grant from the Senior Community Service Employment Program. She will technically be employed by a third party, with Immanuel being her job site. May God bless all three of these ladies through these changes in their ministry.
Due to the staffing changes mentioned above, Immanuel is looking to fill two vacancies on the school staff for the 2026-27 school year:
1. Immanuel Lutheran School is seeking to hire a Part Time Art Teacher for the 2026 – 2027 School Year.
2. Immanuel Lutheran School is seeking to hire a Full Time First Grade Teacher for the 2026 – 2027 School Year. You can view and/or forward the job details at this link: wecan.waspa.org/Vacancy/258672
Please direct any inquiries, express interest, or suggest names to Principal Brian Betts. Visit the school office at 111 – 11th St N, or call 715-423-0272.
