We pray this e-newsletter finds you well. We love you.
                                                                           -Your Immanuel Family 
November  News and Happenings


 As we desire for Everyone to Hear the good news of Jesus, we are offering a Christmas gift to the community called "Making Memories at the Manger". We would love for you to come to this event and bring others with you and also work a night or two. "Making Memories at the Manger" will be on Thursday - December 12 from 6pm-8pm, Friday - December 13 from 6pm-8pm, and Saturday from 2-4pm. Our "experience" starts with a 20-minute musical "Why Christmas?" in the sanctuary. Presentations will start at 6PM, 6:30PM, and 7PM on Thursday and Friday and 2PM, 2:30PM, and 3PM on Saturday.  We encourage individuals to pre-register at   ibcbenton.com/events for the time they desire, but it isn't required.  

After the presentation, we will have cookies and hot chocolate in Connection Point. The gym will be decorated (think Hallmark movie) and there will be multiple stations to do a family Christmas activity together. Some of the crafts include making Christmas ornaments and making a small nativity. We will also have multiple stations for you to take a Family Christmas picture together with photographers who can take the pictures with your smart phone or one of our cameras. We will have the Lazy L Safari Petting Zoo present with opportunities to pet multiple types of animals (including a camel!!). We will have free donkey and horse rides available as well.  

If you would like to help us offer this Christmas gift to the community, please sign-up at Sign-up Central. Thank you for the many different ways you are Living Love and sharing the gospel so that Everyone can hear the good news of Jesus. 
Making Memories Long Sleeve T-shirts
Available Sunday, November 17th

We will have t-shirts for our "Making Memories at the Manger" event available in the main foyer for the next few Sundays in between services or you can purchase one during our office hours. We would love for you to wear the shirt to both advertise the event and then to show who the volunteers are for the event. Cost is $15. 


On Sunday, December 8th at the end of both morning services you will have an opportunity to give to the Great Commission Giving offering. Participation in this offering is one way you can Live Love and be a part of carrying the gospel to others. 100% of your giving will help people hear the message of salvation in Illinois, North America, and to the nations as we support Southern Baptist Missionaries through the International Mission Board, North American Mission Board and Illinois Baptist State Association. Will you pray about how you can glorify God by giving generously to support missions and the gospel?
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Sunday School Classes
Tree Decorating Contest 

We want to create a "Hallmark Christmas Movie" setting for our Making Memories at the Manger event. We would love for you to help us! We are asking each class to decorate their own Christmas tree. Be creative and have fun showing off your class' holiday spirit. Use whatever size tree you would like, but we do need some big ones also. Trees will need to be set up, ready to plug in and display no later that Sunday afternoon the 8th or Monday the 9th of December. There will be prizes! These trees will be a main backdrop for the gym area to greet our guests. Please consider participating as we help to make Christmas special for our community!
Vision & Planning Meeting Update

Thank you so much for praying for your deacons, staff, and church council. They met last Thursday and Friday night. They prayed together, poured over the results of the church survey, and discussed plans for 2020. The church survey helped us by reminding us of some things we already knew: a lot of you are praying and reading your Bible and sharing your faith. It reminded us of the sweet fellowship that we do have here and how much God has blessed us. The survey also gave us some suggestions of things we can improve. We will look to implement some new ideas: like additional opportunities for fellowships and real relationships, starting a a Wednesday night meal, Wednesday night classes, and beginning a parking lot ministry. We are very excited about both the goals for next year and what we believe God has in store for us. Thank you for praying and please keep praying for God's hand and blessing here. 
Women On Mission 
Shoebox Packing
Thurs., Nov. 14th at 9am

Your generous support throughout the year has provided for 100 shoeboxes for Operation Christmas Child, a ministry of Samaritan's Purse. The ladies will be packing these boxes which go to boys and girls around the world. 
Upcoming Youth/Children Events
Kids' Night Out
Friday, November 22
Preschool-6th Graders

Join us for pizza, games and inflatable fun in the gym! Doors open at 5:30pm. Pick-up by 8pm. 
Sign-up at ibcbenton.com/events. 

5th & 6th Grade Lock-in
Fri., Dec. 6, 8pm-Sat., Dec. 7, 8am

Kids will enjoy free food, games, and movies all night long! Bring your pillow and sleeping bag for this exciting overnight experience. Sign-up at ibcbenton.com/events. 
Families Still Needed 
to Adopt Rend Lake Lady Warrior Players

We have 3 more Warrior players to be "adopted." Live Love to our players as they are away from home. There are numerous ways we can serve our RLLW basketball team this season! If you are interested in adopting a player, or if you would like more information, email Pastor Casey at casey@ibcbenton.com.

We are looking forward to our potluck brunch and our time to assemble craft kits for the "Making Memories at the Manger" Christmas event. Bring a friend and your favorite brunch item for good food and fellowship. Dawn Kovarik will share a devotion with us. 

Parents and Grandparents of youth and children are encouraged to attend our next Family Disciple Making Seminar. This will take place during the Sunday School hour on November 24th, in the Youth Room. Pastor Ryan and Pastor Casey will share about the unfortunate influence our over-sexualized culture has on our kids and students, as well as provide tips and resources to empower parents to lead their kids well.
We are Thankful Banquet
Sunday, November 24th at 5PM

Join us as we express our thankfulness for all God has done. The night begins with a special service at 5pm in the sanctuary with a meal to follow. The church will provide the meal. We would love for you  to bring desserts. 
Kenya Mission Team Update

On January 16th we will have a team of 10 people that will be ministering in the the slums of Nairobi, Kenya as we partner with IMFC (International Missionaries for Christ) in reaching the lost in Kenya. Our team is: Brad & Judy Burzynski, Doug Crawford, Wanda Karnes, Shawn Ruffino, Barry & Brenda Sink, Larry Toms, Pastor Casey and Pastor Sammy. There are several team members who are still raising funds for this trip. Will you pray for our team as they are meeting each month to prepare themselves in sharing the gospel? If you would like to help financially, see Margaret Lay. 


We will celebrate the Lord's Supper 
Sunday, December 1st  during the morning services. 

New Members Class
Sun., Dec. 8th, 3:00-5:30pm

This class is for all who are seeking membership at Immanuel or just want to know more about our church family. This one session class provides a great snapshot of our church's heart and ministry opportunities. The New Member's Class consists of four segments: Mission, Beliefs, Stewardship, and Spiritual Growth, which will be team taught in one afternoon by our pastoral staff. Qualifications for membership at Immanuel are: a saving relationship with Christ, expressing intent to join, and completion of the New Member's Class. Please sign-up at Sign-up Central.
Baby Dedication
Sunday, December 15th

God's Word says that "Children are a gift of the Lord." (Psalm 127:3) On Sunday, December 15th, we will set aside a special moment for moms and dads who wish to dedicate their babies, young children, or recently adopted children to the Lord. This will be a precious time, as Pastor Sammy and our congregation will join in prayer for each family. If you would like to dedicate your child, please contact the church office by December 11th.  
EMT Training 

For the past 5 weeks, our building was used for a class to help 6 individuals get EMT certified. Our church provided a meal and a bible to the participants that completed the training.   


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