Volume 71
Number 3
Rev. John A. Lang, Interim Pastor
Kathy Skelton, Congregation Council President
Benjamin Rivera, Cantor
Greg Hummel, Organist
Laurie Stivers, Associate Organist
Bisi Oyenuga, Parish Administrator
April 2015
Telephone: 847-864-4464
Facsimile: 847-864-4487
E-mail: [email protected]
Website: www.ilcevanston.org
From the Pastor
Dear Sisters and Brothers in Christ,
Christ is Risen! Because He lives, we live also. This is our Christian faith.
This is our Christian hope. We are a people of faith and hope. We are the
people of Immanuel Lutheran Church. We gather to hear God’s Word. We pray.
We sing. We are strengthened by Baptism and Holy Communion. We do this
together under the grace of God.
For a time you have permitted me to lead you as pastor. I am honored to
have been able to serve in this ministry for the past nine months. I am grateful
for your support and your prayers. Now it is time for me to move on. We are
celebrating the Resurrection of our Lord Jesus. We are celebrating our God who
says, “Behold, I make all things new.” Indeed, the Apostle Paul writes,
“Everything old has passed away; behold, everything has become new!” (2
Corinthians 5:17)
I have been privileged to be a forerunner like John the Baptist. I have
played but an interim role. Soon a new pastor will come to Immanuel. He or she
will be leading you into a new future that is built on the rich tradition of this
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congregation. When the Baptist was asked if he was the promised one, he said
he was not. He looked to Jesus and said, “He must increase, but I must
decrease.” So too, I must decrease so that your new pastor may increase.
I will be taking some time off after Easter. Nancy and I will have time to
relax and get rejuvenated. Perhaps we will travel some. Later this summer I will
begin supply preaching again when I am called to do so. My card now reads,
“Have Gospel, Will Travel.” This is to be my calling for as long as God grants me
health and wisdom.
I Thank you again for letting me be your pastor for a while. I have treasured
our time as people and pastor. May the Lord continue to bless you all.
John, who was for a while, your Pastor
Highlights In Holy Week
Wednesday in Holy week This day was formerly called "Spy Wednesday," an allusion to the
gospel accounts in which Judas is identified as the betrayer of Jesus. As Jesus endured the
suffering of the cross, we are called to run the race of life with perseverance, confident of the
joy to come. In the Three Days, which begin tomorrow evening, we will journey with Christ
from darkness to light, from captivity to freedom, from death to life.
Thursday is called "Maundy," which means "command," from the verse in John's gospel in
which Jesus commands us to love another as he loved us. [At this service, you may come
forward for individual forgiveness.] We hear about the Passover lamb, Jesus' last meal with
his disciples before his death, and Jesus washing his disciples' feet. [You are invited to have
your feet washed and then to wash the feet of another worshiper. You hold the heel, you pour
the water, you wipe it dry.] [Finally we strip the chancel bare, to ready ourselves for Good
Friday.]
"Were you there when they crucified my Lord?" asks the hymn. As we enter into John's gospel
for Good Friday, this is a good question. How are we "there"? How are we present to Jesus'
suffering and death—in our hearts and minds, our communities, and our world? What is the
meaning of his suffering and death for us? Good Friday worship invites us into such
questions and through them forms our faith and guides our lives toward compassion.
Traditions such as the Way of the Cross enable people to imagine themselves present with
Jesus in his last hours before death.
In Good Friday worship, we accompany Jesus to the cross with other witnesses who show
various ways of being present—or not. A fearful Peter denies Jesus. A group of women keep
watch and weep for Jesus on the cross. Joseph of Arimathea and Nicodemus take care of his
lifeless body. Watching, weeping, caring, and even denying are all common human responses
to suffering. Becoming aware of our own witness and responses, we can be present more
compassionately to Christ crucified, wherever and whenever we encounter him in suffering
and injustice.
Even as we consider how to "be there" in the face of suffering, we know that, as always, Jesus
has gone first. The reading from Isaiah reminds us how Jesus, through his death, is present
with us in our suffering. We can trust that wherever we go and whatever we go through, Jesus
is "there"; he can "sympathize with our weaknesses" (Heb. 4:15). We know that we are not
alone in our own suffering and death, and we consider what to do now with that knowledge.
Good Friday draws us into a community that wonders together: how can we be "there" with
Christ crucified in our world and share the hope of resurrection in such places?
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April 1: Wednesday in Holy Week
April 2: Maundy Thursday
April 3: Good Friday
April 5: Easter Sunday (Resurrection of our Lord)
Services will be held both at 12noon and 8pm for Maudy Thursday and Good Friday.
Easter Sunday
Sensory Idea
Our worship spaces often fill with the scent of lilies or other flowers on this festive day. Connect this sensory experience to
the text: the women brought spices to anoint their Lord. Instead, they learned of his rising from death. What became of
those precious smelling oils and spices? What else smells of Easter?
Ritual
Egg hunts are a joyous way to celebrate Easter any year, but especially in year B when we read from Mark's
gospel. The Lord is not found in the tomb, and the women are sent to look for him in Galilee. We are sent to be
with Christ in our daily lives: "there you will see him." This can be playfully expressed by letting the children
search for colored eggs around the church building.
Quote
"According to John, the spirit of God in our midst is Jesus 'coming back.' The spirit is the words of Jesus
brought to mind in our presence and enlivened so that they also enliven us. The spirit is the unseen Lord
present and giving life. The spirit is the community being loved by God and this community coming to see the
unseen risen Lord. . . . We may say that the unseen Lord is especially seen again in this meal, in this bread
and cup set out as his presence among us. Here he who has gone away—in death—comes back in that death
held out to us as love. And so this meal is full of the spirit of God. This meal is the wind of God, fire of God,
breath of God enlivening us as God's chosen ones. . . . Come and eat. In the meal is all of Easter and all of
Pentecost at once, God coming and loving you, Father and Son present in the meal of the spirit."
—Gordon Lathrop, Paschal Mission, (Chicago: Liturgy Training Publications, May 27, 1984)
Quote
And very early on the first day of the week, when the sun had risen . . . ( Mark 16:2).
"The early Christians saw the path of the sun, sinking blood-red in the west in the evening and rising brilliantly
from the dark sea after the long night, as an image of the path of Christ, the sun, from the passion to death and
resurrection. In the liturgy of Easter eve, that most impressive of all the ancient ceremonials, the focal point of
the three days of Easter and the highlight of the church year, this transition—Christ's Pasch—is staged as a
wonderful mystery of the sun.
With the gray of morning, the night Vigil reaches its conclusion: The Lord invites his community—including its
newly baptized and hence newly born members—to his table, which is laid with the "bread of eternal life" and
the "communion cup of everlasting deliverance" because he has sacrificed himself as a grape on the wine
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press of suffering and, as wheat being sown upon the earth, has by his death brought forth much fruit. Insofar
as the celebration of the eucharist at dawn on Easter morning makes it possible meaningfully to experience the
transition from night into day, and the transformation from fasting to feast, it provides an all-embracing
reflection of the mystery of the pasch as the Passover from imprisonment to freedom, from mourning to joy,
from the cross to resurrection, from death to life, from anticipation to fulfillment"
—from Paschale Mysterium, by Hansjakob Becker, trans. Peter Alexander, ABC Classics)
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Table of Contents
News of Our Curch Community
Organ Scholar Bio
News of Groups and Committees
Sewing
News of the Wider Church and Community
Soup Kitchen at St. Mark’s
News of Individuals
Jonathan Hoefker
Ron Laudert
John Wold
Calendars
Readings for April
Birthdays for April
Council: Minutes of February 2015 Council Meeting
Church Calendar for April 2015
News of Our Church Community
UPCOMING EVENTS
Café Immanuel on Easter Sunday, April 5
Café Immanuel is this Sunday. Kim and Tom Couch will be cooking a few items for Easter Sunday.
Few delectable dishes on the menu includes Ham, Swiss and Asparagus strata, with side of
strawberries. There’s a possibility of Oatmeal being served; a side of warm coffeecake with side of
strawberries will be on the menu as well.
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Organ Scholar
In February the Worship and Music Committee along with our organists, Greg Hummel , Laurie
Stivers, and Kathy Roderer heard five fine young organists in the audition for Immanuel’s 14 th Organ
Scholar Award. The committee selected Keving Vaughn from Notre Dame as our winner. Below is
Kevin’s bio and we look forward to his recital after Easter.
Kevin Vaughn is Director of Music and Organist at Saint Vincent de Paul Catholic
Church in Elkhart, Indiana, where he has coordinated a multicultural and
intergenerational music program since 2009. He holds an undergraduate degree in piano
performance from Cedarville University, Ohio, and a Master of Sacred Music from the
University of Notre Dame, Indiana, where he studied organ performance with Craig
Cramer and church music with Gail Walton and Andrew McShane at the Basilica of the
Sacred Heart. In the fall of 2013 he returned to Notre Dame to pursue a doctorate in
organ performance. Kevin’s recent scholarly pursuits include manuscript research into
liturgical prayers for the dead among women religious in medieval Germany and a thesis
project on the liturgical music of twentieth century French organist Gaston Litaize (19091991).
An active concert organist and accompanist, he appears regularly with baritone Stephen
Lancaster in programs of sacred music for voice and organ as well as solo organ recitals
throughout the United States. During the 2013-2014 season Kevin was a semifinalist in
the National Young Artist Competition in Organ Performance sponsored by the
American Guild of Organists. He also holds the Guild’s Colleague certificate and is a
former dean of the Saint Joseph Valley (Indiana) Chapter.
Last summer Kevin completed a series of performances of the complete preludes and
fugues of J. S. Bach’s Well-Tempered Clavier, a multi-year project ignited by the
restoration of the grand piano at Saint Vincent de Paul Church. In 2010 he founded the
Saint Vincent Concert Series that presents a wide variety of classical music programs
(including organ, chamber, choral, and voice recitals) to the parish and community at no
charge. In addition to duties at Saint Vincent de Paul Church, Kevin teaches organ at
Goshen College and the Community School of the Arts in Goshen, Indiana, and serves as
assisting organist at his own parish, Saint David of Wales Episcopal Church, Elkhart,
Indiana.
Sewing
Daytime Sewers continue to meet the first Thursday of every month at 10:00 am. Evening Quilters
will be meeting March 27 from 7-9:30 pm in Fellowship Hall.
For the daytime Sewing Group, see Mid Carlson at church or call her at 847-864-3359.
For evening groups, contact Chris Djuric at 847-864-5412.
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Social
Ministry
The Social Ministry Committee guides the congregation in
extending Christian compassion and assistance to the ill, the
aged, the orphaned, the underprivileged, the imprisoned, the
homeless, the hungry, and others who have material or
spiritual needs.
OPPORTUNITIES TO SERVE OR BE SERVED IN EVANSTON
NEW SOUP KITCHEN ON WEDNESDAYS
St. Mark’s Episcopal Church at 1509 Ridge (at Grove) will be offering a Soup Kitchen on
Wednesdays at 11:00. If you can help or volunteer to support this new ministry connected via the
Interfaith Action Council please contact St. Mark’s at 847-864-4806
OTHER SOCIAL NEWS
Lutheran Church of The Ascension at 460 Sunset Ridge Road, Northfield, IL 60093 presents A
Family-Friendly concert that will delight all ages themed: Carnival of the Animals. This elite
orchestra is comprised of some of the most talented teenagers from the Chicago area and around the
United States. Carnival of Animals depicts an animal menagerie from elephants to fish to
kangaroos! Concert is free and open to the public. Refreshments following the performance.
Donations welcome. For more information, call 847-446-8335 or visit their website at
www.ascension-church.org
EVANSTON WOMEN’S HISTORY PROJECT
This is a three year effort project to document and celebrate women who have made significant
contributions to Evanston history. The goals of the Evanston Women’s History project are to bring
Evanston’s Women’s History to life for the entire Evanston’s community and to make Evanston a
women’s history destination for tourists and scholars. The Project partners with organization with
interests in women’s history. Such as; Evanston Community Foundation, The Evanston History
Center, The Frances Willard Historical Association, Shorefront, The Women’s Club of
Evanston and the YWCA Evanston/North Shore.
What will the Project do? The Project will focus on three areas of work – increasing knowledge,
building leadership and growing Evanston as a tourist destination. The Project is funded through the
Evanston Community Foundation’s Fund for Women and Girls.
You can help by spreading the word and sharing the stories of Evanston women that you know. The
Project is seeking community input in areas that are hidden but replete with stories of women who
have played behind the scenes role in Evanston History. Your support and participation are key to
making the Project’s goals become a reality. For more information; The Project is located at 1730
Chicago Avenue, Evanston, IL 60201. 847-328-7500. Web address is:evanstonforever.org, or email
at:[email protected].
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News of Individuals
JONATHAN HOEFKER
We are sad to report that our dear friend and brother, Jonathan Hoefker has departed. We thank God
for his life. And we glory in the knowledge that he is resting with in His Arms.
RON LAUDERT
Ron is temporarily at the Alden Estates of Evanston Rehabilitation, Health Care & Assisted Living
Center. Located at 2520 Gross Point Rd, Evanston, IL 60201. Let’s show our love and support either
stopping by to see Ron, or giving him a call (847) 328-8156. The main number to the facility is (847)
328-6000.
GEORGE SCHIFF
George Schiff has relocated to Alden of Waterford Health Care Center at 2021 Rand Drive Aurora, IL
60504. Letters and notes from his friends at Immanuel are appreciated as he settles into his new
home.
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Calendar of Readings
Readings for April 2015
April 5:
Acts 10:34-43
Psalm 118:1-2, 14-24
1 Corinthians 15:1-11
Mark 16:1-8
April 12:
Acts 4:32-35
Psalm 133
1 John 1:1-2:2
John 20:19-31
April 19:
Acts 3:12-19
Psalm 4
1 John 3:1-7
Luke 24:36b-48
April 26:
Acts 4:5-12
Psalm 23
1 John 3:16-24
John 10:11-18
Calendar of Birthdays
April Birthdays
Carol Krizman (April 1), Michelle Darian (April 3), Anne Marie Wilkinson (April 4), Lucia
Swanson (April 6), Susan Ross (April 8), Jaya Nambiar (April 12), Joe Simchak (April
16), Jerry Larson (April 17), Luke David Moy (April 17), Tiffany Rose Shiff (April 24),
Myrtle Wangerin (April 27).
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Council
The role of the Council is to hear the reports of committees, groups, and
individuals within the church and make decisions for the church.
Council meets on the third Thursday of each month, at the church.
IMMANUEL LUTHERAN CHURCH COUNCIL
Minutes of Meeting on February 19, 2015
Present: Sara Krentz Pr. John Lang (ex officio), Hal Larson, Kit McCarthy, Eliza
McDaniel, Kevin McDaniel, Caroline Nakic, Kathy Skelton (presiding), Laurie
Stivers , Charly Yarnoff (recording),
Excused: Greg Hummel, Ryan Knohl, Rachel Tollett
Guests: Mary Ann Kearns (financial secretary), Melisa Larson (call committee),
David Lindquist (architect), Jim McCarthy (property committee), Joe Simchak
(treasurer), Steve Warner (call committee)
The meeting was called to order at 7:31 p.m.
Comments from the Council. None
Devotions: Pr. Lang read from “Invitation for Extended Service” from the ELW
Agenda was adopted as amended.
Minutes of the Jan 15 2015 meeting: MSC to accept the minutes as presented.
Minutes of the Jan 25 2015 meeting: MSC to accept the minutes as presented
Financial Reports (Simchak and Kearns). We are a little under in the offering for
January because of cold and snow. Expenses are under because we don’t have a
full-time pastor. Funds are in balance. There are typos in income and expenses
that will be corrected.
Groups and Organizations (Youth Group): No report.
Counters Schedule:
Feb. 22: Charly, Kit
March 1: Kevin, Hal
March 8: Laurie, Caroline
March 15: Sara, Eliza
Report on Windows-- David Lindquist recommends protecting the stained glass
windows in order to mitigate the coldness in the sanctuary. His proposal will cut
the heat loss by half.
Seven small windows in sanctuary: He proposes adding regular custom-made,
single-hung manufactured windows to protect the small stained glass windows.
He’s gotten bids for windows manufactured by 3 well-respected companies
(Marvin, Pella, and Kolbe). Jim McCarthy asked whether there can be overheating
that causes the caming in the stained glass windows to melt. Lindquist answered
that the windows are made of a material that will mitigate that problem. He also
recommends that nothing be done to the stained glass window themselves except
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cleaning before the window system is installed. We may also want to deal with any
broken panes. The estimate from Vanderwerff Construction is about $60,000. The
bid does not include the 4 windows in the narthex. The cost of those windows
would be about $6000, not including installation.
Three large windows in sanctuary: Bid from Acme Glassworks to install protective
windows over the stained glass is about $120,000. These windows will also cut
down on the noise from outside the building. They have a maintenance-free
guarantee. The windows will not be able to be opened, but they will help keep the
sanctuary cooler in the summer.
Jim McCarthy asked whether the radiators in the sanctuary are sufficient. Lindquist
said that because the radiators are cast iron, they hold more heat. Lindquist is
convinced that the glass work will make a huge difference in the heating of the
sanctuary.
Total time to do the job would be approximately 14 weeks.
Instructions for counting the offering: Mary Ann Kearns gave instructions for
counting the offering.
Special Committees
a. Call committee – Kit/Charly: Melisa reported that the Ministry Site Profile
(MSP) is a very important document because the candidates see that
first and therefore it provides their first impression of Immanuel. In
revising the MSP, the call committee kept in mind the congregational
survey as well as changes that have happened in the congregation over
the last year. Charly pointed out that Greg Hummel had noted that
unemployment is not increasing in Evanston, so Charly recommended
replacing “unemployment” with “homelessness.” Laurie asked who our
final reference would be, and Charly recommended Ryan Hathaway.
Another possibility is Liz Hanson. Hal moved that the revised MSP be
adopted, with the understanding that the committee change the word
“unemployment” to “homelessness” and that someone be added as a
final reference.
b. Memorials & Honors Committee – Chair: Carol Krizman; liaison: Laurie
c. Mutual Ministry – Susan Ross. No report. Two more people are needed.
d. Personnel Committee – An advertisement has been placed for the parish
administrator
position. 14 applications have been received.
e. Stark Fund Committee - Chair: Fred Rakowsky; Liaison: LS. No report
Standing Committees
a. Education - chair: none; liaison: Charly. No report.
b. Evangelism - chair: none; liaison: Kit. Kit will not be the liaison after this
month. Caroline will take over as liaison. Kit reported Terri Simchak's
observation that the letter mailed to church visitors seems to be a “kiss
of death” because those people do not come to church again. Council
will look at the letter to see if the wording needs to be changed.
c. Fellowship – co-chairs: Terri Hummel, Kathy Skelton: liaison: Kathy
d. Finance – chair: Joe Simchak; liaison: Sara Krentz
e. Property – chair: Jim McCarthy; liaison: Kit
f. Social Ministry – Chair: Nicolai Schousboe; liaison: Charly. No report.
g. Stewardship - co-chairs: Melisa Larson, Rachel Tollett; liaison. No report
i. Youth Advisory Board – chair: none; liaison: Eliza. No report
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Old business:
A. RIC task force report – We are completing a survey that will help us figure out
at what pace we should go in the RIC process. We will invite a more diverse
group to comprise the task force. Nicolai has joined the taskforce.
New business:
a. Fellowship Hall Use: Jim McCarthy’s sister would like to use Fellowship Hall from
June 4 to 7 (8:30 to 3:00) for a massage therapists’ conference. It would involve 30
people and 15 massage tables. They are willing to pay $1200. On Sunday, June 7,
they would need to be downstairs in the youth room and choir room. Jim will follow
up with his sister and report back to Kathy.
b. Weight Watchers Signage: They would like to put up a long-term sign. We need to
find out more details about what they want. Marge Wold will get more information
and report back to Kathy.
c. Parking Lake Street Church: The church would like to donate less for their three
parking spaces. We recommend asking them for $750 per year.
d. Pastor John’s report: Pastor Lang has decided to end his interim
pastorate after the second Sunday in April. He recommends arranging
for supply pastors after that. Hal recommended that council have a
meeting before the next scheduled council meeting to discuss whether
we can get away with just supply pastors; how to deal with visitations,
funerals, etc. We should discuss how we would like to celebrate Pr.
Lang’s service to us.
Next Council Meeting will be held on March 5 at 7:30 to consider a backup plan
when Pr. Lang ends his interim on April 12.
The meeting was adjourned at 9:05 p.m. with the Lord’s Prayer.
Respectfully submitted, Charly Yarnoff
Worship & Music Committee Report
Committee members met to review worship plans for Holy Week and the Easter
season, including scheduling a Clean-Up Day on Saturday, March 28th beginning
at 9:45am. There will again be a “Break the Lenten Fast” celebration following the
Easter Vigil on Saturday, April 4th. People are encouraged to bring finger foods
and beverages. Special music is planned for our Easter celebration on Sunday,
April 5th following breakfast served by Café Immanuel. Further planning of worship
beyond April 12th will depend on the Council’s actions towards securing pastoral
leadership. The Committee agreed that recognizing our musicians at the end of
the choir season worked well last year, and therefore set Sunday, May 31 st as
Church Music Sunday.
The Organ Scholar Recital & Reception is planned for Sunday, May 3 rd beginning
at 4pm. Our scholar, Kevin Vaugn, an organ performance doctoral student at the
University of Notre Dame, will perform what promises to be an amazing concert
followed by a champagne reception served by the committee.
The Committee discussed Immanuel’s transition to using the Evangelical Lutheran
Worship hymnal and a new 11x17 all-inclusive worship bulletin format. These
changes have been successful due to the careful planning and extra ordinary
efforts of Pr. John Lang, Rachel Tollett, Benjamin Rivera and Greg Hummel. Due
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to the upcoming changes in the pastor position, the committee agreed to continue
to make any necessary adjustments to the bulletin format, to continue to gather
feedback from the congregation, and to consider additional re-formatting changes
when a permanent pastor is on staff.
Our implementation of the ELW has been made possible through donation of a
good portion of the hymnals that we need. Including the liturgy and hymns in the
bulletin also reduces the number of hymnals needed. Taking those factors into
account, the Committee estimates that 80 additional hymnals are needed. With
Council approval, we are inviting individuals and families to donate hymnals to
Immanuel. Donated hymnals will have a plaque identifying the donor (if so wished
by the donor) and their commemoration (in memory of, in honor of, or to the glory
of God). The cost per hymnal is $25 (includes shipping). Those interested in
donating can either complete a form at Immanuel and include payment, or email
the information to the Parish Administrator ([email protected]) and
mail payment to the church office.
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ELW Donation Form
I want to donate ___ Evangelical Lutheran Worship Hymnals to Immanuel Lutheran Church.
The cost of each hymnal is $25 (includes shipping costs). If I would like, a plaque will be
placed in each hymnal with the following information:
Name of giver:
Select:
In Memory
of:___________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________
________
In Honor
of:___________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________
_______
To the Glory of God
Please include payment with your order. Your donation is greatly appreciated.
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April 2015
Call Committee Report
The month of March has been a very busy time for Immanuel’s Call
Committee, for which we are very grateful. During the month the
committee received the names of four candidates. Three were
interviewed, and we declined to continue with the fourth. Over the
next six weeks, the committee will complete the next steps in the
discernment process, including participating in worship led by
candidates. We are very excited about the possibilities and gifts
presented by each of these candidates, and are looking forward to
gathering additional information.
April 22nd is the anniversary of the Call Committee’s first
meeting together. Over a year ago Immanuel members
completed our survey and participated in small discussion
groups. In the countless Call Committee meetings, interviews
and conversations, we studied Immanuel’s survey results,
reflected on the congregation’s recent history, and identified
gifts & challenges within Immanuel. We thought deeply when
asked by candidates to explain Immanuel’s practices, identify
ways members wish to grow in their faith life, and how it all fits
with Immanuel’s response to God’s call. We’ve also learned
about things that are happening in other Lutheran
congregations and our community. During the same time
span, the congregation has also gone through a period of
reflection and growth in response to changes within Immanuel.
It’s about time for a “check-in” conversation together. On
Sunday, May 3rd immediately following Coffee Hour, the Call
Committee will host a “Chat about the Call Process.”
Committee members will share insights & lessons learned,
answer questions, and talk with participants about how
Immanuel is responding to God’s call to mission. All are
invited!!
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April 2015
Festive Game Night on March 8th
Our first ever game night with members of the New Community Church
was a big success! With over 20 members from each congregation,
the room was filled with energy and a desire to become acquainted.
Following the meal, Andrea Knohl and Laura McDaniel deftly led a fun
group game, which kept everyone engaged, young and old alike. New
connections were made and there is a desire to have more events
together, especially among our youth. Thanks be to God!
There truly is no distinction in the Body of Christ!
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Tyler demonstrating his “theatrical talents”!!!
Members of Immanuel Lutheran Church & New Life Community Church during game night…..
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Growth
The first of several conversations about growth and how to help Immanuel collectively move
forward began on March 22nd. Informed by her work on the Call Committee, leading Youth
Groups, and over 20 years of organizing people, Laura McDaniel invited participants to look at
potential through the lens of fellowship.
To set the tone, an introduction was given on the following topics:

Wanted: An Easy Answer – After interviewing over a dozen call candidates, a prepackaged, simple solution to growth has not bubbled up. The call of a full-time pastor
will provide energy and help to shape our vision. However, it is unrealistic to believe
that the new pastor will simply gallop in on a white horse and execute “ELCA Easy
Answer #453”. Growth for Immanuel is our challenge to solve. All the basics we need,
we already have. Let’s get organized.

Evangelism – Multiple definitions exist. Does evangelism mean spreading God’s word
to all or having a Membership Drive? How do we balance both needs?

Community – People everywhere seek to connect. It happens on the soccer field on
Sunday mornings, on playgrounds, and in coffee shops. The Immanuel community is a
real strength of the congregation. How can we capitalize on this?

Momentum – Energy breeds energy. When people are engaged, friendships
strengthen and work becomes light.

Congregational Initiative – Growth is more than the work of one person or even one
committee. To be successful, expansion efforts must become a collective
congregational focus, executed with intention.
The meeting was then opened up for conversation, with emphasis on:

First entry points – Is it likely that worship will be the first point of contact for
newcomers? Does it have to be? What other opportunities exist, capitalizing on the
Immanuel’s strengths and people’s innate desire for community?

Building from the Outside In – What programs do we offer or could we offer which
would help bring people into our building? How can worship and Bible study play a
role? What about sheer silliness and fun? Let’s worship, study and pray, but let’s also
play together.

Building from the Inside Out – We need to take ourselves out of the building, as a
group, to make Immanuel more known in the local community. Many of our current
service efforts focus on sending things out. Let’s show our faces to our neighbors.
What organizations can we partner with to expand our exposure in the Evanston/Rogers
Park/Skokie/Wilmette area? How can we begin by building on existing ties members
already have? How can expanding our community footprint bring members to us?
A brainstorming session followed. There is more work to be done and conversations will be
scheduled soon. Come Holy Spirit!
The Newsletter of
Immanuel Lutheran Church
19
April 2015
Immanuel Evangelical Lutheran Church
616 Lake Street
Evanston, IL 60201
The Reverend John A. Lang, Interim Pastor
Church Office Telephone: 847- 864-4464
Church Office Facsimile: 847- 864-4487
Website: www.ilcevanston.org
E-mail: [email protected]
Change Service Requested