Holy Communion

We invite you to share with us in the sacramental meal because Christ invites you! There is no specific age requirement for Communion. There are two options: You may come forward to receive the bread from the Pastor and wine or grape juice from the Assisting Minister. The glasses will be pre-poured, with the grape juice in the inner circle and wine in the outer circle. Each person will take their own glass from the tray. Empty glasses can be deposited in trays on the front pews. This will be a continuous communion, standing to receive the elements. The other option is we have individually packaged communion with either wine or grape juice that you can pick up at the entrance of the sanctuary. The pastor will say “The body of Christ given for you and the blood of Christ shed for you” following the singing of the Communion Song. Please deposit the cups and wrappers in the trash receptacles as you leave the sanctuary.

Feeding Our Faith Sunday Morning Class

Gatherings include viewing short videos and lively discussions. You can participate either in-person or via Zoom.  All participants will have an enhanced experience by being able to see and hear each other, via an Owl Labs 360-degree view video camera/speaker/microphone!

September 17, 2023 – Dr. Jennifer Carlier: “Finding God in the Basement”

In this moving testimony of her own experience with addiction, Dr. Carlier implores faith leaders to practice vulnerability and brokenness in the church sanctuary so that all may feel welcome in that space.

September 24 thru October 29 – Book Study – Second Thoughts about the Second Coming.

Why do we say in the Apostle's Creed that Jesus will come again? What does the Bible really say about end times? What are the different views about this over the 2000 year history of the church? How do our understandings influence our hope?

Please join us for a 6-week "Feeding Our Faith" book discussion on Sunday mornings, 9-10 am, beginning September 24. You can purchase a copy of the book at a discounted price +shipping here: https://www.thethoughtfulchristian.com/Products/0664268064/second-thoughts-about-the-second-coming.aspx 

You're encouraged to get a copy and read the book, but it's not required to participate either in person or online.

Interfaith Action of Evanston’s Annual Fundraiser

The Vision Keepers Dinner

Immanuel's Vision Keeper 2023

Michael Kloster

DoubleTree Hilton Hotel, Skokie

Sunday, October 8, at 5:30 PM

Please join us as we celebrate and honor Immanuel's 2023 Vision Keeper, Michael Kloster. Michael brings a wealth of energy and enthusiasm for serving our Lord. He volunteered multiple times when Immanuel hosted the Interfaith Action shelter. He currently co-leads our Café Immanuel ministry and our Winter Farmer’s Market team. He chairs our Stewardship committee and is Vice-President of our Church Council. He’s also given his time and technical skills towards our website and troubleshooting other computer issues. On top of all that, Michael and his wife Elise have four children that they homeschool, and he operates his own software business.

Sign-up sheets for Dinner Reservations are posted in Fellowship Hall. Dinner is $80.00 per person. Please make checks payable to Immanuel Lutheran Church.

Or send an email to parish-admin@immanuelevanston.org with Name(s) & Contact Phone and whether a Special (Gluten -free, and/or Vegetarian) Entrée Requested.

Dinner Reservations and payment are due into the church office by Tuesday, Sept. 19th.

Welcome Baby Gwendolyn!

Last Sunday we celebrated the Rite of Holy Baptism for Baby Gwendolyn, daughter of Abigail and Zachary Nellis.

God's Work Our Hands 2023

Service Projects and Potluck Lunch

Thank you, people of Immanuel, for your gracious hospitality for the God's Work Our Hands event. We appreciate your willingness to be the "home base" for this project. About 60 persons gathered to participate in this year's event based at Immanuel Lutheran. Grace, Immanuel, St. Timothy's, and St. Paul's gathered for camaraderie and fulfilling the commend to be God's Hands in the community. The labyrinth at the Benedictine Center, Lutheran Campus Ministry, the Lydia Home, and Lutheran World Relief project had active participation by some of the gathered folks. Volunteers also sorted donations to SNAPGAP, Little Free Pantry, Connections for the Homeless, and a refugee resettlement group. Thanks to all who participated in this event.

--The GWOH coordinating committee

Midweek Adult Spiritual Growth and Study

on Zoom

Tuesday, Sept. 19, 2023, 11:30 am -12:30 pm 

Tuesday Bible Study/Spiritual Growth will now meet from 11:30 AM - 12:30 PM.

Participants can join either online or in person. We'll typically focus on the upcoming Scriptures for the next Sunday's worship and include some time for connecting and sharing. This can be a good midweek lunch break discipline.

Here's the zoom link: https://us06web.zoom.us/j/86372212374?pwd=U3RwUEJpWEN2eUJydkFndXFMSTNOdz09

or click on the button below.

Generations Confirmation Lunch

Serve and Join!

Parker and Christian Kloster will be participating in a joint Confirmation program with Grace and St. John's called Generations, held in Fellowship Hall on Sundays. It's Immanuel’s turn to provide lunch for the group at 12:30 pm each Sunday beginning Oct. 1 until Oct. 22.

Consider supporting this program by providing one of the lunches (a simple lunch feeding about 12). Lunch providers are encouraged to join in the meal, and stay for the class. Here is a Google doc to sign up.

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 and our first group will meet on Oct. 4th at 10:00 am. Groups may meet either in person or via Zoom or in a combination of ways.

Please contact Pastor Mark, pastor@immanuelevanston.org, or Kit McCarthy, kit.mccarthy@comcast.net for more information.

Church Parking Lot Notice

Please note that until September 22, parking in the spaces at the South side (against the condo building) of the parking lot will not be permitted during the weekday, 8 am - 5 pm. The condo building is being tuckpointed. Park in the spaces closest to the church building. On weekends and before 8 am or after 5 pm, parking is permitted in all spots. If you need more information or have questions, contact Jane in the church office: 847-864-4464 or parish-admin@immanuelevanston.org

Immanuel Becomes North Side Goods-for-Migrants Collection Point

Immanuel is a drop-off spot for clean and gently used pillows, blankets, shoes, sleeping bags, coats and other things needed for our new neighbors. The items are distributed via a "mobile free store" by persons with cars who take the items to various places like Chicago Police Dept. stations where migrants are being housed.

Drop off times at church are on Tuesdays and Thursdays, 9 am-noon. Being a collection site is a huge help to the migrant crisis. It will keep the supply chain full and take pressure off of the volunteers doing the deliveries who usually do all the collecting, too. We'd love to have you join us in this effort and if you'd like to help, see Chris Djuric.

Thank You!

Book Group Meeting

Thursday, Sept. 28, 2023, 7:30 pm

The Immanuel Book Group's next meeting is Thursday, Sept. 28th at 7:30 pm at the home of Laurie Stivers. They will discuss Unsheltered, by Barbara Kingsolver. If you'd like to join the group, call the church office at 847-864-4464 or email parish-admin@immanuelevanston.org.

September 15 - 17, 2023

Shanah tovah (Happy New Year) Rosh Hoshanah to our Jewish Friends & Neighbors!

From Lutheran World Relief...

Your congregation can rush aid to our neighbors devastated by the earthquake in Morocco. Click on the icon to donate gifts online and learn more.

Click on the icon to learn about some of Evanston's celebrations.