Sunday Service 10:45am

Doesn’t God sometimes answer our prayers in abundance? It seems like only 8 months ago we were asking for warmth and sunshine, and the last few weeks we have received it in abundance. I’m sure our prayers for cold weather will also be answered. … Despite the heat, it’s been a busy summer at Immanuel. Our yoga classes were such a hit that Susan will be teaching not one but two classes on Thursday afternoons; one for general stretching, and one that focuses on strength training and balance.
You may have also noticed in the weekly calendar that Terpsichore Dance Company is practicing two nights a week in Fellowship Hall. Terpsichore is open to anyone who loves to dance or would love to learn to dance, no matter whether you are short, tall, round, thin, etc. Terpsichore’s founder, Carolyne Tilford, uses dance as a ministry to provide focus and meaning to children who may not know either. On our first meeting, she provided me with letters from parents and local groups telling of some of the inspiring transformations she has been able to make. I’m truly glad to have them as a new “tenant,” and have been told to watch for some classes they would like to offer us in the future. I’d like to thank Tara and Merwan for telling me about this group.
Both these activities are excellent examples of our Community Outreach ministry in action. By opening the church to non-members for yoga, dance classes, blood drives, and even voting, we are demonstrating that we provide value to the community to those who may not initially see the value in a neighborhood church. Every voter, dancer, blood donor, or yoga enthusiast who walks through our doors is a potential new member, but I don’t have to remind you… I’ve seen how our members respond to visitors, and it makes me proud to be a part of this church.

In service,
Becky

This is about as exciting a time to be a UCC church as there ever has been in the history of our denomination! I firmly believe that we are the church that the world needs today. A church where all are welcome and none are judged. A church that both reaches out to help others and takes good care of its own. A church that recognizes the life-giving importance of worship, recreation, fellowship, and community. A church that never grows weary of doing as much good for as many as possible. A church that is a place where anyone can come and find a deeper spiritual experience with our Divine Creator and something of value to do with their limited free time. Immanuel is a place where faith, joy, love, and hope intersect.

Knowing and having all these blessings is a wonderful gift, but it is all for naught if we can’t get the word out about who and how we are. During August, our newly-formed UCC Ministry is going to provide a wonderful series of presentations and discussions designed to help us better connect with our UCC roots. And to benefit from this, all you have to do is pack a lunch and show up! What could be simpler? On August 8th we will have an introductory brown bag lunch-and-learn in the Dining Hall led by John Kleber. Then for the next three Sundays we will have a special Sunday School Program in Fellowship Hall that will replace all regular Sunday School classes for youth and adults which I hope you all will attend, even if you are not a member of a Sunday School class. (There is a rumor that there will be donuts!) These are for our whole church, even those who already know everything about the UCC, we need you to come join in the discussions and help the rest of us learn. All are welcome and needed to share, learn, and grow together. As we strengthen our UCC identity we will strengthen our fellowship. I hope to see you there and invite everyone who has internet access to surf UCC websites for items to share.

Let’s all get involved and support our UCC Ministry Team in their efforts to bring us all up to speed. It will be really easy to spread the word once we have the words to spread.

With Love & Hope,
Rev. Kathy Allen

Fall Session Runs 12 Thursdays beginning September 2nd thru November 18th
6 class package $35, 12 class package $70,
Drop-ins always welcome, $7

New Classes for Fall Session:

Gentle Yoga
Thursdays, 5:00 pm
This hour long session is perfect for beginning yogis interested in learning more about the importance of keeping the body limber, the breath strong, and the mind steady! All levels welcome and encouraged- chair yoga instruction available.

Continuing Yoga
Thursdays, 6:15 pm
This hour long class centers around building strength, balance, and focus with physical postures. You will be guided from pose to pose using strong breath connection/awareness. This class will include standing, seated, reclining poses.

**Both classes are all ages/levels and welcome to anyone curious about knowing more- Questions are encouraged!

As we move out of the hottest month of the year into what is probably the second-next-hottest, I have to stop and think about how, even though the weather has been unbearable, our church has remained active. Our co-ed softball team has been busy burning up the league and we have a loyal contingent of fans at the games to cheer them on. I have been to a few games myself - at one game the other team didn't have enough players, but it didn't stop everyone from having fun, even though it was approximately 500 degrees with 276% humidity.

Our Mind/Body ministry also started yoga classes on Thursdays, and they have been well-attended by people of all age groups! If you have never taken a yoga class, I highly recommend it. After a hard day at work, it's nice to take an hour just for yourself to relax, stretch, and just unwind from the day. Drop-ins are always welcome, and there is plenty of room!

On July 18th we welcomed Bardstown Road Presbyterian Church when the Vacation Bible School children were in charge of the worship service. With attendance at 284 for the Sunday, I can't remember the last time I had to park on the street! The children did a wonderful job.

August will prove to be just as busy, I imagine. Our UCC ministry is planning some classes on the history of the UCC, there will be more yoga classes, and our Drama ministry will start work on IUCC's first community play, Our Town. If you have always wanted to be in a play but never had the chance, why not audition? Remember, there are no small roles.... only small actors!

In service,
Becky

The United Church of Christ (UCC): What is it? What are its beliefs? What is its history? Who are its members? How are the individual churches related? What are their goals and objectives? What is the Synod? Ever had any of these questions? Want to know the answers? The UCC Ministry Team has secured the answers and planned the following sessions to provide them for you.

Overview: Sunday, August 8, brown bag lunch,
following worship service.

The Answers: Sundays, August 15, 22, and 29, 9:30 - 10:30 a.m.

Mark your calendar and be sure to attend!

Ash Wednesday, February 17
6:00 p.m. Potluck Dinner (Meat, bread, and drinks provided)
7:00 p.m. Traditional Ash Wednesday Service with Holy Communion

Wednesdays, February 24 and March 3, 10, 17, 24
6:30 - 7:30 p.m.
Family-friendly "Dinner Theater"
Simple Dinner and short Lenten dramas
Located in upstairs Fellowship Hall
Please contact church with R.S.V.P. to ensure enough food is available

Thursday, April 1
7:00 p.m. Traditional Maundy Thursday Service with Holy Communion

Friday, April 2
7:00 p.m. Good Friday Tenebrae Service with Holy Communion

December is always an exciting time at Immanuel UCC. We escape the cold weather by gathering for worship, decorating for Christmas, and enjoying our children’s annual Christmas program. In this busiest of all months, we take time to reflect on “the reason for the season,” namely, the birth of Jesus Christ and the excitement of what He has given to us.

If you’re looking for a church home, what better time than the Christmas season to see what we have to offer? Each Sunday during Advent, we light a candle to symbolize the arrival of Jesus. Our choir, always in top form, takes it up one more notch. And we all can’t help but smile a little broader during this exciting time.

I once heard that your fellow church members are the family that you get to choose. This December, if you are looking for a church family, why not give us a try? At Immanuel UCC, all are welcome!

Sunday, December 20, 10:45 a.m. will be "A Service of Lessons and Carols": Readings from Scripture alternating with beloved Christmas music, both old and new. You won't want to miss it!

Christmas Eve, Thursday, December 24:
2:30 p.m. Communion Service
11:00 p.m. Candlelight Communion Service with
Righteous Rhythm ringing

Merry Christmas!
Becky

Harvest Homecoming
Sunday, November 22
Informal Mingle time- 9:30 a.m.
Worship Service- 10:45 a.m.
Lunch immediately following worship
RSVP (for lunch) - iucc@bellsouth.net
or call the church office @ 502-454-3822

“Blest Be The Tie That Binds”
100 Years of Confirmation at IUCC
1909-2009

Familiar words for all of us that know and love the community of Immanuel United Church of Christ. We are going to celebrate those “Binding Ties” and 100 years of Confirmation with a celebration of family, history, and connections with our 2009 Harvest Homecoming. We are having fun looking for our Immanuel UCC Confirmands and asking them to come back for a very special Service and Celebration on Sunday, November 22. The fun and connections will continue with a luncheon after the Worship Service. Please RSVP for lunch by either e-mail or a phone call to the church office. Remember everyone is always welcome at Immanuel! We hope you will join us for this very special day in the life of Immanuel celebrating 100 years of Confirmation!

So many exciting things are continuing to happen at Immanuel UCC. Missionfest is just around the corner. The congregation will have the opportunity to sign up and then participate in a mission on Sunday, November 15th. This year we will be making blankets for Wayside Christian Mission and our own homebound members. We will provide labor and assistance at Bridgehaven. Serving our own members, labor will be provided to two different Immanuel members needing help with home upkeep. As in years past, we will be going to different homes in the community to place plastic over windows as part of Project Warm. We will also accumulate/ship packages for Operation Christmas Child with boxes full of goodies provided by IUCC members.

November 22 is our Harvest Homecoming. We are happy to be celebrating 100 years of IUCC confirmands! We look forward to worshipping and spending time with all. Worship is at 10:45 and will be followed by a lunch.

The Advent workshop is scheduled for December 6. The workshop, including crafts and fellowship, will be from 4:30 to 5:30 pm. Dinner will be served at 5:30. You won’t want to miss the much anticipated children’s play, “Christmas Around the World,” which will begin at 7:00 pm. Please join us for all the fun and fellowship!

What a way to start fall!

September was buzzing with activity at Immanuel: Labor Day, Rally Day for Sunday School (including a new class for preschoolers), new Confirmation Class, September Stadiumfest and a very important Congregational Meeting adopting the first ever Vision Plan for our church.

There will be changes ahead in the next several months, but we are focused and driven to serving God with new energy. So letʼs rally our patience and understanding as we transition to the new Ministry Plan, gear up for Missionfest, Harvest Homecoming, Thanksgiving and Christmas, and continue carrying “Christʼs love to all as a healing, helping presence in the world.” Let our Mission be known! Amen?

For a lot of people January is a time of new beginnings, but for me it has always been September. When I was young, school would begin, and it would be time to start a new grade, and take a step closer to adulthood. It seemed like forever but I finally became a young adult and it was off to college, which started in the cool breezes of a Wisconsin September. Adulthood really set in when I had a son of my own and every September he would go off to school to experience his own new beginnings. Now the theatre season reminds me that my favorite month is here and that I am starting fresh. The world is full of possibilities in September. Make Immanuel part of your fresh start and join us on Sunday mornings to worship God and take part in the church community.

May God bless you all,
Steve

We have had such a busy summer at Immanuel. It is hard to believe August is here already.

We had a great time at our Church Picnic in June which was held at Camp Cedar Ridge. We started with worship service at the Lodge, followed by a potluck lunch, fishing, swimming, games, and fellowship. We celebrated Pat Walton, our Director of Music and Children's Program's, 20th anniversary on July 5. The choir surprised her with a special Ode to Pat song written by one of our own choir members and then sang a favorite anthem of Pat's.

Vacation Bible School was a lot fun in July. We joined with Bardstown Road Presbyterian Church and did a combined Vacation Bible School there. On the last day we went to Tyler Park for a clean up of the park, lunch, and follow the leader.

The Youth Group decided to do work days around town the first week of July. They finished the week with a fun trip to Holiday World.

Hui-O-FEWS collected 202 bears on July 19 at our annual Teddy Bear Sunday. These were donated to Bears on Patrol to be used by public servants when children experience trauma.

Our Adopt A Bed Program is in full swing and our motto is “weeds be gone.” It is fun to take ownership for our beautiful property and give back to God. We have had two special lunches in July. One was for our Downtowners. They met at Fourth Street Live Food Court for lunch on July 9. They will meet again the 2nd Thursday in September. The other lunch was held on July 22 at Chick-fil-A for our Stay At Home Moms and their children.

I.Pause has been collecting for the Animal Food Bank. DAWGS Toy Collection is about to wrap up the first of August. The gently used toys are being donated for the Center for Women and Families.

CUFFS are gearing up for our Church Wide Garage Sale to be held Saturday, September 26 from 8 a.m. - 12 noon. We are sending some Happy Booster members on the Highland Communities Ministry Trip to Branson October 12-16. There are still some openings for anyone interested. Chancel Choir is starting back to their Wednesday night 7:15 p.m. rehearsals on August 26.

As you can see, we are a busy church and for that we are very thankful. It is great to have a full calendar! Come join us anytime. You are always welcome at Immanuel!

1. What is black with white stripes and has no green?
2. What kind of bed needs care but is not slept in?
3. What kind of appeal makes a first impression?


There are over thirty landscape beds located on church property, all of which require continued care that changes with the seasons. Sunday July 5th the Property and Facility Maintenance Team introduced the congregation to the ADOPT A BED concept.

The concept is simple it requires taking ownership, accepting responsibility and making a commitment. The benefits are fun, fellowship and a feeling of accomplishment when completing a task. There is also a good feeling when one realizes that the work completed will be noticed by all who the view lawn and planting beds surrounding the church facility.

Members were asked to sign up in an effort to create nine separate groups who would agree to maintain a specific group of landscape beds. The great thing about being a part of ADOPT A BED is you do what you can when you can and there are no scheduled meetings. Even as an individual if you have an hour or two available you can contribute to improving the CURB APPEAL of Immanuel. The ADOPT THE BED concept leaves no one out. If someone is unable to be part of a specific group they can still participate. They can pick up litter, etc. and dispose of it properly, it all will make a difference.

The first Sunday, July 5th, one could sign up for a group and pick the beds they maintained over 45 members signed up. Five of the nine groups were filled that morning. The following week it was obvious by the end of the day Tuesday groups had already started to work on their specific beds.

It is being realized that working together, accepting ownership, experiencing Christian fun and fellowship are benefits not available when contracting to have the work done.

NOT THE ANSWERS

1. Immanuel’s parking lot.
2. Landscape beds.
3. CURB APPEAL

To have the IUCC monthly Recorder (newsletter) sent right to your Email inbox simply click the button below.

 

There is also an option to stop receiving the printed version of the Recorder. If you have any questions feel free to contact Michael Schultz at michael@michaelwschultz.com

Welcome to the brand new Immanuel United Church of Christ website. We now have a new location on the web (Immanuelucc.info). This is a big step for Immanuel UCC and we hope you enjoy your stay.