Lent begins with Ash Wednesday on Wednesday, February 22nd. There will be a worship service at 6:45 that evening. Each Wednesday beginning March 1st and continuing through March 1st there will be a soup supper at 6:00pm followed by a worship service at 6:45pm.

Greetings from Family Ministry!

January sure was a busy month for our youth! In addition to regular youth group and Confirmation classes, 7 youth and 3 adult mentors attended a retreat weekend at Camp Shamineau. Through fundraising and generous donations, all youth and adults were able to attend a fully funded trip-thanks be to God! Also in January, many of our youth group attendees, and confirmation students joined other local youth groups and youth leaders at "B.A.Y Rally" held at the Northern Pacific Center in Brainerd. Brainerd Area Youth for Christ puts this fun evening on, filled with activities, music, and speakers. The next B.A.Y Rally is in April, and we are excited to go again! We are also loving that our current 6th graders are joining the youth/confirmation on Wednesdays evenings. 

Children ages pre-k through 6th grade continue to learn about the Ten Commandments in Sunday School. Watch for information as we look to join families for a fun Easter activity sometime in the coming weeks. 

Survey results are in, and were recently canvased by Pastor Paul, Jill DeCent, and Mark Holmin of the "Faith at Home" venture. Prayerfully, this team will continue to work towards a plan for joining our families in their Faith at Home journeys. 

"Love each other like the members of your family. Be the best at showing honor to each other." Romans 12:10

Third grade students were presented with bibles during the 10:30 service on January 29th. Each student was presented their Bible by their parents.

Pictured are Front: Chloe Perpich and Olive Bourgeois. Back: Cole Freese, Marek Koop, and Bennett Kannel.

The Hallelujah Handbells provide special music at both services the second Sunday of each month. If you would be interested in being a part of this group, please contact DeeDee Frahm at 218-839-3961. The practices are Tuesday evenings at 5:30pm.

The 2023 annual meeting was held Sunday, February 12th. Deb Koop, outgoing council president presided over the meeting. There were only two questions regarding the reports presented. One was "If the Fireside Room has become too crowded for Sunday School and there is only one to two children in the nursery on a sunday, what are the plans?" Jill DeCent reported that she is working on this issue. The other question was regarding the Altar Guild reported that the Bread Team is preparing to begin baking bread for communion. The question was asked "Are we ready to return to "regular" services with communion using the intinction method, passing the offering plate, and sharing the peace now that Covid is over." After discussion by those at the meeting it was decided that we are not ready yet.

Pastor reported that Vision to Action is "What is the vision that God has given us for Immanuel. What are the actions needed to put these in place." He reported that previous Visions to Action plans were growth of youth and Sunday School, adding an addition to our space. Jill Mattson reported on the Path of Hope which will be a walking path for prayer and meditation that will located in the yard to the west of the church. There will be a Meal With a Mission on April 16th to raise funds for this.

New staff, council officers and new council members were introduced and installed.

Pictured left to right are Bonnie LaPierre, new council member; Debbi Carlson, Office Manager; Peter Nordell, council member; Kevin Martini, council vice president; Deb Koop, council secretary; and Tom Nixon, council president.

Joys of Immanuel were Family Ministry going very well, Youth group will help with the Food Shelf preparations for painting Wednesday, February 15th, youth and Sunday School teams, Personnel Committee's work in hiring new staff members and thank you to Sandy Twigg for her leadership on the committee, and the new staff.

Immanuel has three new staff members in the office. They are Debbi, Carlson, Office Manager; Sally Turk, Member Ministry Coordinator; and Mavis Lines, Worship Ministry Coordinator. Please welcome these people when you see them.

We thank Brenda Hayes, Office Manager, Elaine Karel, Member Ministry Coordinator, and Karlin Olson, Worship Coordinator for their service and wish them the best in their retirement.

The February Meal With A Mission on February 19th will benefit Immanuel's Youth.

The Meal With A Mission on March 19th will benefit Cuyuna Lakes Lunch Bunch. This is the program that provides meals for school children during the summer.

One of Immanuel's missions is the Crosby Food Shelf. Every year on Super Bowl Sunday Immanuel celebrates "Souper Bowl Sunday" by providing kettles for free will offerings for the soup kitchen. Thank you to everyone who donated to this cause.