The Sixteenth Sunday After Pentecost

"Bike the Ridge" Sunday, Sept. 25th

To accommodate the annual “Bike the Ridge” event, Ridge Avenue will be closed to all vehicle traffic from Howard to Church streets this Sunday, September 25, from

8 a.m. to 2 p.m., rain or shine.

Traffic control will be in place at all side streets and major cross streets along Ridge Avenue. When safe, traffic control officers will facilitate vehicles to cross east-west at the following locations:

• Davis/Ridge
• Lake/Ridge
• Dempster/Ridge
• Greenleaf/Ridge
• Main/Ridge
• Oakton/Ridge

Feeding Our Faith

Sunday, September 25, 2022, 9:00 am

Join us in Fellowship Hall or via Zoom for a discussion on Lisa Sharon Harper on patriarchy, reparations, and orthodoxy.

Immanuel's Organ Gets Some TLC

Photo shows the organ’s “static reservoir.” Now 40 years old, the leather in the four corners is dried out, cracked, and leaking air when the organ is turned on. The reservoir is being re-leathered and will be re-installed inside the organ (other photo) on September 30th. Jimmy Morehead will play the piano for worship on Sunday, September 25, while the organ is out of service.

--Christine Kraemer

INAUGURAL 

BRUNCH CAFE IMMANUEL

This Sunday, September 25, 2022, 12:30 pm ~

Our Cafe Immanuel has been reimagined and is now featuring Brunch! Brunch Cafe Immanuel will be held Fellowship Hall in lieu of our usual Coffee Hour. 

Currently the menu will offer waffles and fruit, coffee and other beverages. We hope you'll join us for a time of extended fellowship as we welcome the community into our church. Watch for future details as this beloved ministry evolves.

--Michael Kloster & Chris Djuric

Photo by nabil boukala on Unsplash

Group Spiritual Direction

Would you like to grow closer to God in a group setting? We facilitate group members to assist one another in paying attention to the God moments in their lives. Participants will listen deeply to the spiritual experiences of others and have a willingness to share their faith journey with others. Together we’ll contemplate the mystery and pay attention to the sacred moments of our lives.

Pastor Mark Sloss and Kit McCarthy are the trained Spiritual Directors who will be facilitating the groups. We are currently forming groups either in person or via Zoom or in a combination of ways. Let us know of your availability - we will work with your schedule and form groups which may meet in the daytime, evenings, or whenever works. There are many possibilities. Sessions are slated to begin in October.

Please contact Pastor Mark, pastor@immanuelevanston.org, or Kit McCarthy, kit.mccarthy@comcast.net for more information. Click on the photo to learn more and watch a video about how Group Spiritual Direction is conducted.

Confirmation Class

Sunday, September 25, 2022, 12:30 pm - 2:00 pm

Youth will be meeting in Fellowship Hall each Sunday until Oct. 26th. The sessions begin with lunch, followed by the sessions. Participating churches are Grace Lutheran, St. Joh's Lutheran, and Host Immanuel Lutheran.

Midweek Adult Bible Study

Tuesday, September 20, 2022, 7:00 pm

Midweek Adult Study are a time of gatherings for prayer, check-in, and conversation around the lectionary readings for the upcoming Sunday.

7:00 – 7:45 pm: Brief check in and gathering prayer, and time around the Word.

7:45 – 8:00 pm: For those who would like to extend, a time for prayer on our thanksgivings, sorrows, personal and communal needs.

We’ll take up lessons from our lectionary readings for the upcoming Sunday. Bring a bible if you are able, any version or translation is great. Click the button below to join Zoom Meeting.

Daytime Quilters

Thursday, September 29, 2022, 9:00 am - Noon

Quilting Studio, Church

Pet Blessing

Sunday, October 2, 2022, 10:30 am

5th Annual Be the Healing: Reparations Conference

September 23-25, 2022

Kent College of Law, 565 W. Adams, Chicago

Join us for the 5th Annual Be the Healing: Reparations Conference that will explore innovative approaches to reparations which include restoration, repair, and healing at the individual, community, and institutional levels, inclusive of policy changes.

Over the course of three days, Dr. Joy DeGruy and Dr. Bahia will address the historical harm and trauma of racism and colonization through an inspirational and solution-oriented global lens. Chicago community leaders will lead breakout sessions and community tours addressing various ways reparations are being carried out within the ecosystem of their neighborhoods. Click on the poster to learn more and register.

--Audrey Moy

City of Evanston Celebrates Latinx Heritage

until October 15th

Click on the flyer to learn about many celebrations, movies, and events held throughout the month.

“Trust in [God] at all times, O people; pour out your heart before [God]; God is a refuge for us” (Psalm 62:8).

Dear friend,

Over the weekend, several disasters made the news. Here are some of the biggest ones:

• In Puerto Rico and the Caribbean, Hurricane Fiona brought torrential rainfall and devastating flooding to the islands. Almost exactly five years after Hurricane Maria, Puerto Rico is again experiencing an island-wide blackout and damaged buildings and infrastructure. Lutheran Disaster Response is working with the Caribbean Synod.

• In Alaska, the remnants of Typhoon Merbok have caused widespread flooding along the state’s western coast. This was one of the worst storms in recent decades in Alaska, with strong waves and heavy rainfall damaging homes, seawalls, roads and other infrastructure. Officials are planning a quick relief period before the water freezes. Lutheran Disaster Response is working with the Alaska Synod.

• In Japan, Typhoon Nanmadol hit Kyushu, the country’s southernmost main island. At least two people were killed and dozens more injured in the storm, which moved northward over Honshu. Wind gusts of over 145 mph and heavy rainfall caused at least one landslide. We have been in touch with the ELCA’s global personnel in Japan.

• In Papua New Guinea, a 7.7 magnitude earthquake hit on Sep. 11, with ensuing aftershocks. At least three people died, and many buildings and roads were impacted. There is a strong Lutheran presence in the impacted area, including a Lutheran nursing school connected to the Evangelical Lutheran Church of Papua New Guinea (ELCPNG) that was damaged in the earthquake. We have been in contact with the ELCPNG to discuss a possible response.

• In Pakistan, the summer monsoon flooding is causing a widespread humanitarian crisis. The flooding has killed 1,500 people and up to 7 million people may be displaced. Lutheran Disaster Response is contributing to an ACT Alliance appeal.



These are just the disasters that made the biggest headlines. With your gifts to the Lutheran Disaster Response general fund, we can respond to as many as possible – whenever and wherever they strike. Again and again, you show up for our neighbors impacted by disasters in the United States and around the world. Thank you. Please join me in prayer and partnership to support all those impacted.

In Christ’s service,

Daniel Rift

The Rev. Daniel Rift

Director, ELCA World Hunger and Lutheran Disaster Response Fund

Evangelical Lutheran Church in America

Checks or money orders can be sent to:

Lutheran Disaster Response

P.O. Box 1809

Merrifield, VA 22116-8009

New COVID-19 Bivalent Booster Vaccine Approved 

The Evanston Health & Human Services Department and IDPH have adopted CDC recommendations for both the Moderna and Pfizer bivalent booster vaccines, which target the original coronavirus strain and the omicron BA.4 and BA.5 subvariants accounting for the vast majority of current COVID-19 cases. 

Who can get the bivalent booster vaccine? Moderna bivalent boosters are authorized for individuals 18 years and older and Pfizer for individuals 12 years and older. With both vaccines, individuals must wait two months after completing their initial vaccination series or their last booster shot.

Where can I receive the bivalent vaccine? Contact your local pharmacy or primary care physician to get your booster, or visit www.vaccines.gov to schedule an appointment convenient for you. 

Due to the wide availability of vaccines at pharmacies and other locations, the City will be focused on providing booster vaccines to Evanston residents who are homebound due to medical conditions or a disability. If you fit this criteria or know someone who does, please complete the City’s In-Home Bivalent COVID-19 Vaccine Booster survey.