Sunday Worship October 31st at 9am |
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EXPANDing our faith & friendship – This Sunday Miss Kelly will be leading the children’s moment and then EXPANDING the lesson with the children in their own space. They’ll return to the sanctuary for the benediction and sending hymn. ….and of course, all are welcome to reconnect with Miss Kelly and teachers at 10am for Faith Formation!
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In addition to in-person worship,
Live-Streaming of our worship is also available through
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AFTER WORSHIP FALL PROGRAMMING |
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Faith Formation for children in grades PreK through 6th Join us Sunday mornings from 10:00-10:45am. All students will begin together in the music room for a whole group welcome and song.
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Sunday Adult Forum continues this Sunday, October 31 with the final video by author and theologian Rob Bell! Please come and join us for conversation surrounding these powerful and insightful videos!
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Starting on Sunday, November 7, we will welcome Dr. Lee Barrett from Lancaster Theological Seminary for four Sundays in Adult Forum – November 7, 14, 28 and December 5 (no class on November 21.) His theme for the four classes will be The Future of Christianity in America.
Why Are Most Churches Declining in the USA, And What Can Be Done about It? The religious environment of the United States is changing rapidly and dramatically. Affiliation with religious institutions is declining, dipping below fifty percent. Pollsters discover that a pervasive lack of interest in spirituality is increasing in younger generations. Protestantism is divided along “red state/blue state” lines. Consumerism, self-advancement, and worldly success appear to have become the effective religion of large portions of the population. In this environment of accelerating polarization, secularism, and religious indifference, many of the faithful are worried about the future of the church. We will explore the ways in which new styles of being the church may be necessary to grapple with our shifting cultural context.
Dr. Barrett will also be preaching in worship on Sunday, November 14th.
Lee Barrett has taught at Lancaster Seminary since September 1993. Prior to this, Lee taught theology at the Presbyterian School of Christian Education in Richmond, Virginia. Lee’s interests include the relationship between the doctrinal traditions of the Christian churches and contemporary culture. He is the author of essays concerning the present-day implications of the theology of the Reformed tradition, as well as the thoughts of Søren Kierkegaard. Lee is particularly interested in the theological significance of literature and the visual arts. Lee and his wife, Betty Snapp-Barrett, a pastoral counselor in Lancaster, make their home in Lancaster.
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REMINDER ---
Youth Arts & Music Programming will NOT be held on Tuesday, November 2.
We will resume on Tuesday, November 9th!
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In an unprecedented collaboration between the Reading Symphony Orchestra and the Jewish Federation of Reading, the Violins of Hope exhibit is coming to Reading in memory of those who died in the Holocaust and as a testament to those who survived. VOH is a unique project inspired by a private collection of string instruments lovingly restored over the past two decades by master Israeli violin maker Amnon Weinstein. The instruments belonged to Jews who played them before and during the Holocaust while in the concentration camps. For Jews enduring utter despair and unimaginable evil during that time, music offered haven and humanity. Over the next two weeks, educational programs will reach more than 4,000 students in Berks County school districts, as well as thousands of residents who attend lectures, exhibits, concerts and more.
Immanuel is honored to host two signature events:
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Student String Workshop in collaboration with Berks Sinfoniettta
Sunday, Nov. 6 – 10am - NOON
Free; No registration required
Come to the workshop to see the violins on display and hear their beauty. Students will have an opportunity to learn about the stories and sounds of these amazing instruments through first-hand, live demonstrations by local teachers and their students as they play the actual restored violins. A Q&A with the son of the violin restorer will be held, In addition, attendees will experience the power of music through an interactive, child appropriate-reading of Jennifer Bryant’s award-winning “Music for the End of Time.” This poetic biography tells the story of composer Oliver Messiaen’s chance encounter with a nightingale and a German officer that inspired him to write beautiful music amidst struggle and sadness.
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Gifts of the Art Concert
Music of the Shoah
Sunday, Nov. 14 – 4pm
Tickets Required – $15 adults, $5 students
At the door or in advance online
(ordering link available soon)
In the closing event of the Violins of Hope Berks County stay, pieces written by composers in concentration camps – Pavel Haas, Morton Gould, Erwin Schuloff, and Gideon Klein – will be played. A powerful collaboration of the Berks Sinfonietta with chamber ensemble, vocal & instrumental solos, and a community choir takes shape. Woven through the concert will be featured selections from James Whitbourn’s music set to the text of Anne Frank, “Annelies.” Join us for this once-in-a-lifetime concert.
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FREE COMMUNITY EVENT
November 13, 10:30am
at Immanuel UCC
Piano & Pizza hosted by Reading Music Teachers Association
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It’s that time of year – we are getting ready to send "goodie boxes" to our college students (commuters and on-campus) which arrive just in time for their finals cram! Please help us keep our college students connected with their church home by supporting this outreach.
Donations of the following are appreciated by
Friday, November 5:
1. Children's shoe boxes ONLY
2. Food items* – individually packages snacks, mints, microwave popcorn, gum *peanut free please
3. Monetary donation to offset the cost of mailing
PARENTS - please contact the office asap to CONFIRM/UPDATE your student's college mailing address (even if we’ve received the address for a previous year it needs to be confirmed) we don't want to miss anyone!
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GIVING TUESDAY: GIVING SPACE |
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GivingTuesday was created in 2012 as a simple idea: a day that encourages people to do good. Since then, it has grown into a year-round global movement that inspires hundreds of millions of people to give, collaborate, and celebrate generosity. Held in the US the first Tuesday after Thanksgiving (11/30/21), it unleases the power of radical generosity.
Last year, at least $2.47 billion was donated in twenty-four hours in the U.S. alone, with 13% of the US adult population participating by offering gifts of time, voice, skills, goods, and money, as well as countless acts of kindness inspired by the movement.
IUCC’s participation, GivingTuesday: Giving Space, aims to replenish our funds after approving close to $200,000 from general savings for much needed major property projects and upgrades.
While not glamorous, these repairs are critical to Immanuel being good neighbors, financial & environmental stewards, and community members – ensuring safe & functional spaces. As we count down the days to Giving Tuesday, we will be spotlighting all the ways our SPACE supports our people, ministries and community. On November 1st when the countdown kicks off, look for a major Giving Tuesday: Giving Space announcement via email and social media.
No amount is too small to give. Donations can be made online by writing #GivingTuesday on the memo line of your check or by selecting the Giving Tuesday option here. And remember, Giving of your time, voice, and skills is also what Giving Tuesday is about – contact the church office if you want to help with any property improvements, painting, cleaning, organizing, or gardening.
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Should you or someone you care for be in need of pastoral support
Prayers are powerful! If you or someone you know is in need of prayers, please let us know. It is always confidential. There are prayer cards in the sanctuary or you can contact the church office.
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