July 31st, 2026

Semi-monthly July–August

Dear fellow Immanuelians,

After eight and a half years of dedicated service and contribution to the life of Immanuel Church, Samantha Parfitt-Simpson has informed me that she will be stepping down from her role as Parish Administrator and Rector’s Secretary effective August 21st. During Samantha’s time in this position, she has been an integral part of our common life at Immanuel, bringing her organizational skills and keen pastoral sensibility to the ongoing work of supporting the mission of this parish.

We are grateful to Samantha for her exceptional commitment and wish her every success in the future. Please keep Samantha in your prayers as she moves forward to the next phase of her professional life.

Faithfully,

Fr. Keene

Learning to Hear God’s Voice in Holy Scripture with the Help of the Holy Spirit

Many Christians want to read the Bible more faithfully but aren’t always sure where to begin. How do we understand Scripture? How does God speak through it? What role does the Holy Spirit play as we read?

In this six-week study, we’ll explore those questions together.

Together we’ll learn simple ways to read Holy Scripture that keep Jesus Christ at the center, invite the guidance of the Holy Spirit, and help us grow as disciples.

Whether you’ve studied the Bible for years or are just beginning, you’re welcome to join us as we learn together.

Please join us July 13th–August 17th, every Monday for six weeks, at 6:00 pm–7:00 pm in the Academy.

For more information, including topics and FAQs, please click here.

Reading the Bible isn’t just about learning facts or finding answers. It’s about coming to know Jesus Christ more deeply and allowing the Holy Spirit to shape our hearts through God’s Word. That’s something we can do best when we read, pray, ask questions, and learn together.

Whether you join us for one evening or every week, we’d love to have you walk through the Scriptures with us.

Music for Sunday, August 2nd, 2026 - The Tenth Sunday after Pentecost

Organ Voluntaries: Voluntary in “Stuttgart”, Paul Bryan (b. 1950); Land of Rest, George Shearing (1919-2011)

Hymn in Procession: 304, "I come with joy to meet the Lord”, Land of Rest

Gloria in excelsis: John Merbecke (1505-1585)

Sequence Hymn: 309, "O Food to pilgrims given", O Welt, ich muss dich lassen

Offertory Hymn: 321, "O God, thy table now is spread”, Rockingham

Sanctus and Benedictus qui venit: John Merbecke

Agnus Dei: John Merbecke

Hymn at the Dismissal: 414, "God, my King, thy might confessing", Stuttgart

Organ Voluntary: Rigaudon, André Campra (1660-1744)

The Rector's Forum

The Rector's Forum is taking a short break through August and will return on Sunday, September 6th, following 10:00 am Mass.

Virtual Eucharist Digital Publishing

Due to prior commitments of the Digital Publishing team, the Virtual Eucharist may be published on Monday. We appreciate your understanding.

The team is currently down to one member and one back-up publisher. If you would like to join the team (commitment is less than 30 minutes each Sunday, around 1:00 pm), please contact the office at (302)328-2413, or by email.

We are still receiving many online views of our services; this is a worthwhile ministry to be a part of!

Upcoming Events



• Sundays, following 10:00 am service - Fellowship Hour
• Mondays, July 13th–August 17th, 6:00 pm - Scripture Studies
• Sunday, August 2nd, The Tenth Sunday after Pentecost
  8:00 am - Said Holy Eucharist
  10:00 am - Sung Holy Eucharist
• Sunday, August 9th, The Eleventh Sunday after Pentecost
  8:00 am - Said Holy Eucharist
  10:00 am - Sung Holy Eucharist
• Saturday, August 15th - Ice Cream Social
• Sunday, September 13th, 10:00 am - Bishop's Visitation

Do you have any upcoming activities or events that you want to share with your fellow Immanuelians? Let us know!

Do you have Fellowship pictures from any Immanuel events, past or present? Send them to the office!

Flower Memorial for Sunday, July 19th

The Flowers at the Altar are given to the Glory of God

by Mark Bacher, in loving memory of Paul K. Bacher;

by Thomas Tear, in loving memory of Clarence E. Ward, and Karen Paules;

and in pious memory of Nicholas, Alexandra, Olga, Tatiana, Maria, Anastasia,

Alexei, and Companions, together with Elizabeth and Michael and Companions.

Flower Memorial for Sunday, July 26th

The Flowers at the Altar are given to the Glory of God

by Immanuel Church, in loving memory of Marge Croft.

The Sick

David Barczak, Lauren Barczak, Susan Bauersachs, Patty Buchanan, Tracy Burk, Legend Callahan, Alexia Cordrey, James Cwiakala, Hung Dan, John Dailyda, Debra Thaïs Evans, Sarah Howell, James Kee, Stacy Lauren, Ruth Linton, William Logan, Michael McCormick, Patti Quinn, Carolyn Robelen, Al Saulsbury, Joanne Temple, Carol True-Palmer, Glen True-Palmer, Mary Parsons, Emily Rodreiguez, Tom Truman, Andrew Vellrath, Barbara Vellrath, Ed, Gunvor, John, Jon, Phillip, Tom, and Wayne.

August Birthdays

• Week 1 - Joy Waibel, Phillip Stephens
• Week 2 - Karen Patterson, Mark Lorenz, Kathy Brereton, Tom Maddux
• Week 3 - Darlene McDonald, Cynthia Wolcott, Barbara Cooch, Ruth Linton, Lawrence Garrison
• Week 4 - Mark Leary, Chris Keene, Robb Mackes
• Week 5 - Madeleine Durante, Bruce Burk
• Week 6 - William Delaney

August Anniversaries

• Week 2 - Magnus and Jan Frieberg, Brian and Joy Waibel, Tom Maddux and Linda M. Merry
• Week 3 - William and Diane Delaney
• Week 4 - Felice Jo Lamden and Barry Hutton
• Week 5 - Chuck and Janice Durante, Jo and Gary Harney

Flower Memorial Dates are Available

Memorials can be scheduled for a Sunday closest to a particular date (such as a birthday, anniversary, or passing), or a specific Sunday in the month (such as the 1st Sunday in October), and can be arranged on a recurring or one-time basis. Please contact the Parish Office on (302)328-2413, or Mark Bacher on (302)367-3825 or at mbac56@aol.com, if you would like to discuss an offering.

Immanuel services listed below are available on the website and Facebook, with links to a downloadable bulletin. We encourage you to "like," "follow," and turn on notifications from Immanuel on Facebook so you won't miss any news or posts (we promise we won't inundate you).

Public Eucharist:

Sunday

• Said Mass - 8:00 am
• Sung Mass - 10:00 am

Thursday

• Said Mass with Healing - 6:00 pm

Evensong will be held in person at 4:00 p.m. on the second Sunday of the Month between October and May. More information on Evensong will be sent in mailers leading up to the service.

Services are posted:

• Virtual Holy Eucharist - Sunday, 1:00 pm

Please join us, and share with family and friends!