Immanuel United Church of Christ | 1526 S. 18th Street | Lafayette, IN 47905 | web: ucc-immanuel.org

facebook.com/uccimmanuel | email info@ucc-immanuel.org | 765-474-6496

November 2015

Volume 10, Issue 11

A Time to be Thankful

Autumn is here! Leaves are turning beautiful colors of yellow and orange and red, fields are being harvested, the air has a crisp feel—Autumn is beautiful in so many ways! It’s hard to believe that November is here and we will soon celebrate Thanksgiving. It is so easy sometimes to focus on what we do not have, rather than all the blessings with which God has touched our lives. Our forefathers and mothers had such wisdom and spir-itual depth in celebrating that first Thanksgiving. They could have focused on the challenge and adversity they faced. Instead, they chose to focus on the blessings with a spirit of thankfulness. In this same spirit, let us make thanksgiving a time to reflect for all the blessings God has given us.

The Apostle Paul reminds us of the deep spiritual nature of thankfulness: “And let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, to which indeed you were called in the one body. And be thankful. Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly; teach and admonish one another in all wisdom; and with gratitude in your hearts sing psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs to God. And whatever you do, in word or deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him” (Colossians 3.15-17, NRSV)

We all have so much for which to be thankful as individuals, as families, and as a family of faith. We are blessed to live in a great country and a great community. We have great places to learn and grow and work and enjoy all of life. As a church we have a great past and I believe God is blessing us abundantly in so many ways in the present. Each day we can be thankful that we have a great family of faith to journey through life with people who truly care about us and en-courage us along the way. My thanks to all of you who make Immanuel so special!

Here are some great ways to enjoy the journey this month:

Fish Fry, NOV 6-Join in a great fish dinner and help support one of Immanuel’s primary missions: Our Church’s Wider Mission (OCWM).

Annual Meeting, NOV 9 –Come and join us as we continue to set the direction of Immanuel.

Thanksgiving Worship, NOV 22- Join as we celebrate Thanksgiving with a special communion service.

Thanksgiving, NOV 26 – Have a very Happy Thanksgiving with your family and friends!

First Sunday of Advent, NOV 29- We celebrate the first Sunday of Advent

Let these beautiful words of thankfulness from the psalmist ring in your heart: “Praise the Lord! Oh give thanks to the Lord, for he is good, for his steadfast love endures forever” (Psalm 106.1)

Let us celebrate with thankful hearts! Join us and invite a friend!

Blessings in Christ, Pastor TJ

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In The Lives of our Youth...

The chilly weather is beginning to set in! With the shift in weather, we will be planning some really fun youth events that are indoors.

On Friday, November 13, I would like to invite all senior youth friends to attend “Shrek The Musical” at Jefferson High School. We will meet at Immanuel at 6:30 pm and walk over together. The show time is 7pm. Please let Amy Russell know if you are interested in attending. We are able to pre-buy tickets at a discounted price.

On Saturday, November 21 from 6 - 8 pm, our junior youth friends are in-vited to come out for the “Immanuel Skating Party”. We will transform Fellowship Hall into a skating rink. Bring your roller skates or roller blades! There will be fun lights, great food, and music videos playing on the big screen!

We are always looking for volunteers to help with our Vic-tory Lane tutoring program! Marcy Ritchie has been giv-ing tours of the room, and giving a beautiful explanation of our program. If that has not been offered to you and you would like a tour, please contact Marcy Ritchie or Amy Russell.

Confirmation Classes will be November 1, 15, 29, at 12:15 pm, in the Church Library. Join us as we have lunch and learn about faith and the church.

Sending gratitude and blessings to all that make invest-ments in the lives of Immanuel’s youth!

Amy Russell, Director of Christian Education and Youth

~ Things You Can Do! ~ Stamps for a Living is a stamp reprocessing business that provides

the patients of three mental health programs with an opportunity to earn a small salary through “meaningful work”. Send any canceled postage stamps to: Stamps for a Living, 1920G Street NW, Washington, DC. 20006. (from the IK Conference Women’s Newsletter - Fall 2013). Bring your collection to the office!

Health Ministry News

Donate a Wheelchair!

Immanuel is blessed to have two small adult wheelchairs. Sometimes we need a wheelchair with foot rests

for taller/ larger adults. f you have a large wheelchair that needs a home please contact Marilyn at 765-474-

6487 or bellvelten@comcast.net. Tax deductible with a note from Health Ministry. Thank you.

Health Fair Thank You

A special "thank you" goes out to Dr. Andrea Blissett, RN and her senior community health nursing students

for graciously offering their nursing skills to make the Immanuel Health Fair a success. May blessings go

with you as you move forward in your careers to care for God's people. And God bless the Immanuel Health

Ministry Team. You're the best and our ministry would not function without your dedication. I am blessed to

be surrounded by this team of faithful -caring people. Marilyn Bell-Velten

November Special Offerings

Food Pantry Month Most of us take time to reflect on how grateful we are to God for our many blessings. Per-haps you would like to be a blessing to a person or family in the Lafayette area. This month is Immanuel’s chance to donate to the Church Women United’s Tippecanoe County Food Pantry. The pantry’s mission is to provide food for hungry people. Each family selects canned goods, frozen meats, bread, and fresh fruits and vegetables. The pantry is totally run by volunteers who are members of the 34 churches which comprise Church Women United. Money donations (checks payable to Immanuel, memo to Food Pantry) are always ap-preciated. And all donations, 100%, goes to supply food to our clients. They have operated since October 2013 in their new food distribution system in partnership with Food Finders. Kristyl Sloan is our Pantry Representa-tive. She’ll be happy to tell you more. (Flyers available in the Gathering Space.)

November 1 - Our Church’s Wider Mission

November 15 - LUM Christmas Jubilee is a community Christmas assistance program. In December, LUM mem-ber churches become Jubilee Toy Shops where low-income parents can select new toys, clothing, and gift cer-tificates for their children. Jubilee spreads the joy of the season in a way that supports the strength of the family unit and the dignity of parents. Jubilee serves over 600 families and over 1700 children. Monetary contributions as well as donations of new toys and clothing, plus the help of over 1,000 volunteers make the annual Jubilee

Christmas possible.

November 29 - Youth Group Youth Group, all donations will go toward Immanuel youth activities. These include trips to: Arnies, Skating, Service projects, and many other fun activities. Your support is appreciated.

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Sermon Series: Joseph,

OCT 25: Dreaming Great Dreams, Genesis 37.2-10

NOV 1: Enduring Trials and Temptation, Genesis 37. 12-36

NOV 8: Pursuing Your Dreams with Perseverance, Genesis 40

Follow Your Dreams!

NOV 15: Growing Through Adversity, Genesis 41

NOV 22: Celebrating with a Heart of Thanksgiving,

Genesis 42-46

Everyone Welcome: Autumn Blessings Bazaar

November 14, 8 - 2 Breakfast: Biscuits & Gravy; Bagels & Cream Cheese & Homemade Cinnamon Rolls.

Lunch: Hot Dogs, Chili Dogs, Italian Sausages, Chili and Vegetable Soup. Pie, Coffee, Juice and Water will be available all day.

Booths: Various Vendors will be there, plus a Handbag Booth, Craft Booth and Bakery at our Street Market Bazaar!

Proceeds: will go to benefit, Immanuel Youth, LUM Jubilee Christmas & Our Church’s Wider Mission.

Would You Like To Become a Member of Immanuel? - If you are not a member and would like to become a member of

Immanuel, please contact Pastor TJ. Everyone welcome! Classes will be Nov. 8 & 22, you may choose 9:45 am or 12:15

pm in the Pastor’s office. Please see Pastor TJ for more information. (PastorTJ@ucc-immanuel.org)

Challenge for all

IUCC members!!! For the Bazaar we are going to have a silent auc-

tion again this year. We are encouraging everyone

to be creative and come up with something big or small. It can be

something as simple as a small basket with a couple of items in it,

someone who likes to bake may do a “Cookie of the Month” and

donate 2 dozen cookies to the winner for a year; a “Pie of the

Month” same order as the cookies; cook and serve a dinner for a

group of 4, 6 or 8; let your imaginations run and let’s see how

much fun we can have with this. Thank you everyone in advance

for your support of the Autumn Blessings Bazaar. If

interested please see me or give me a call at 920-

948-7190. Thanks Carole Huber.

Volunteers needed: Immanuel is scheduled to serve in Food Pantry by providing 3 volunteers for the following dates and times:

November 12 3:45-6:15 pm.

13 11:45-2:45 pm.

Please contact Kristyl Sloan at 412-9971 or email jrs47909@yahoo.com

NOV 5 AND NOV 6 PLEASE BRING IN DESSERTS FOR FISH FRY TO CHURCH KITCHEN

ATTENTION ALL IMMANUEL CRAFTERS: The Fall Bazaar will have an Arts and Crafts Booth. We are excited to accept NEW items to be donated and sold. Please share your talents with your church and community. Questions..please contact Carole Huber, Jean Sharp or Kristyl Sloan.

The Ministry and Activity Table in the gathering space, is for any group within Immanuel to advertise upcoming events, solicit volunteers, or just generally educate the congregation and visitors on a particular ministry or activity within the church. Please feel free to add your information to the table. Any questions, please call or email Emily Blue (543-9498, emi-lymarieblue@gmail.com).

Chancel Choir meets every Tuesday evening at 7 pm. If you are interested in singing with the choir, contact Bob Schlatter or any choir member.

Dorcas Circle will meet on November 10 1:30 pm. All ladies in the church are welcome to join us. Thank you to everyone who ordered nuts/candy from Dorcas Circle. There will be a few extra to sell at the Bazaar, and the ordered ones may be

The Dorcas Circle is still collecting plastic lids, for Merom Conf. Center, the ABC "A Bench for Caps" allows nonprofit organizations to trade in plas-tic caps to redeem a recycled park bench. Plastic caps and lids from medicine, milk, soda, water, but-ter, cottage cheese, ice cream are some of the types to collect. Thank you for all your help.

Mary & Martha Circle will meet November 25 at 9 am. Arlene Deck will be the hostess and Marcy Ritchie will lead the lesson.

Health Ministry Notes Open office hours will be available on select Sundays and Wednesdays and will be published weekly in the e-updates and Sun-day bulletins. Please call the office or Marilyn, 765-474-6487, for appointments at other times. Home visits are also available upon request.

Needlework Group November 17 Bring along any project you are working on. Anyone interested in needlework of any type are welcome to come to the church, in the Library. 1:00 - 3:00. Many projects get completed while visiting with our friends. We would love to have some new people join us.

Extension Homemakers Tuesday, November 3 at noon.

Church Women United World - Community Day will be Nov. 6 at the Federated Church at 1:30 pm.

Neighborhood Fall Suppers every Wednesday at 6 pm. Come fellowship with Immanuel friends and neighbors. Adult Bible Study at 7 pm.

Baby Blanket Quilters meet every first and third Monday of each month in the Hobo room. 9:30 am - 2:30 pm.

Christian Ed Meeting, Monday Nov. 2, at 7 pm

Quilters meet every Wednesday from 10 - 2 pm. The ladies take quilt tops and create beautiful hand quilted quilts.

The Book Group Book club will meet at 6:00 on Nov. 10 to discuss Secrets of a Charmed Life by Susan Meissner The story focuses in on two sisters, fifteen-year-old Emmy Downtree and her younger sister, Julia in London during World War II who are separated by the chaos of wartime.

Ladies' Fellowship...November 23, 6:30 pm. All la-dies of Immanuel are invited and will receive a very warm welcome.

Adult Christian Education: Sundays @ 9:45 am. Downstairs, South Wing. The Seekers, an adult class, formatted book study, Mere Christianity by CS Lewis. For more info see Don or Janice Partlow. The Hobo Class is made up of a wide range of adults. Led by Gary Gangwer, this class discusses the Sunday sermon and Scripture lessons for that Sunday. Livin’ Life 21-41 Class is where you can RECHARGE your spiritual batteries for the week ahead. Clay & Sue Huenemann, Advisors. Upstairs

Monday, November 9, Congregational

Annual Meeting 6 pm

Deacon's will present

the 2016 Annual Budget

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Recipe of the month

From the 1964 Immanuel Women’s Guild Cookbook: Turkey Casserole, by Mrs. Ann Gingrich

2 cups cooked chopped turkey

1 can each of: cream of mushroom & chicken

soup

1/4 cup sour cream

3 hard boiled eggs chopped

1 cup chopped celery

3/4 cup cooked rice

2 tsp. grated onion

1 tbl. lemon juice

1/2 tsp. salt

1/4 tsp. pepper

1/2 cup mayonnaise

2 cups crushed potato chips

1/2 cup slivered almonds (optional)

Mix all together lightly and bake at 350° for 45 minutes.

Paul/Cynthia Hawkins 11/9

Robert/Jaime Foresman 11/10

Jim/Veneta Hazlewood 11/13

Jim & Carole Huber 11/13

Hamer & Betty Smith 11/13

Thomas/Margaret Mellady 11/17

Jim/Ruth House 11/18

Bruce/Pat Ratliff 11/28

Mike & Holly Hanley 11/22

Brian/Rowena Dickerson 12/6

John/Mary Patterson 12/21

Jeff/Janet Stearns 12/28

Newlin/Elizabeth Howard 12/31

Griffin Jones 11/1

Keaton Jones 11/1

Norma Krieg 11/1

Elijah Beard 11/2

Egan Ferrell 11/2

Jakie Blair 11/4

Lynne Blair 11/5

Craig Blissitt 11/5

Ellsworth Christmas 11/5

Chris Collins 11/5

Fred Deck 11/6

Corey Baker 11/7

Samantha Collins 11/7

Cooper House 11/8

Edgar Simmons 11/8

Cory Bearden 11/9

Carla Beard 11/9

Cory Northrup 11/9

Kristy Price 11/10

Susan Whittemore 11/11

Jim E. Brown 11/13

Jerry Lowery 11/13

Michael Niccum 11/13

Russell Slayton 11/13

John Frye 11/17

Mark McKee 11/17

Cathie Gangwer 11/18

Irene Kopka 11/18

Dolores Albright 11/20

Rex Sheets 11/20

Lanie Hazlewood 11/21

Louise Neher 11/21

Jen Whited 11/21

Gavyn Krieg 11/22

Holly Hanley 11/22

Edwin Stephenson 11/22

Heather Ide 11/24

Adam Grote 11/24

J David Whited 11/24

Dean Jones 11/24

Dave Whited 11/24

Richie Burge 11/25

Arva Jo Karberg 11/25

Casey Bearden 11/26

Beth Garrett 11/26

Molly Howe 11/26

Seth Niccum 11/29

Kelly Rosi 11/29

Elder of the Month: Lloyd Wells Deacon of the Month: Mary Alice Nebold If you have any questions or need dates/times changed, please contact Cheryl at the office 474-6496.

9am Fall Clean

Up Day!

NONPROFIT ORG.

U.S. POSTAGE PAID

PERMIT NO. 315

LAFAYETTE, IN

1526 S. 18th Street

Lafayette, IN 47905

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If you move please let us know so you don't miss an issue of the Spire! If you prefer to read the Spire on our web page at ucc-immanuel.org or do not want to receive the Spire through the mail - please call the office - 474-6496, or send an email to:

info@ucc-immanuel.org Thank you.

Inside the Spire: Pastor TJ’s Greeting Pictures & more pictures Youth news Missions Worship Themes Ministry Meetings Birthdays & Wedding Anniversaries A Favorite Recipe

Monthly Calendar

Uniting in Christ

Listening to God

Serving His World

Come join us and bring

someone with you!

Every Sunday: Contemporary Service 8:30 am

Sunday School 9:45 am Traditional Service 10:45 am

Wednesday Nights: Neighborhood Cookout at 6 pm and Adult Bible Study at 7 pm

Everyone Welcome: NOV 14, 8 - 2 Autumn Blessings Bazaar

Breakfast: Biscuits & Gravy; Bagels & Cream Cheese & Homemade Cinnamon Rolls.

Lunch: Hot Dogs, Chili Dogs, Italian Sausages, Chili and Vegetable Soup.

Pie, Coffee, Juice and Water will be available all day.

Booths: Various Vendors will be there, plus a Handbag Booth, Craft Booth and Bakery at our Street Market Bazaar!

Immanuel’s Fish Fry Fundraiser for OCWM

Dan's Fish Fry Catering will be serving up ALL you can eat Fish.

Friday, November 6, 2015 5:00 PM to 7:00 PM 6:00 PM A PIE AUCTION - CHURCH BAKERS

Fries and side items will be served. Presale tickets: $10 Adults, $6 ages 6 - 12 and under Free At the Door tickets: $11 Adults, $7

ages 6 - 12 and under Free Meal includes all you can eat fish, fries, choice of applesauce or Cole Slaw, and drink. Des-

serts $1.00. Carry out Available. For tickets call the office 765-474-6496