Announcements

Lazarus House provides services to the homeless. On the third Friday of every month Immanuel provides meals to support this cause. Terry Rueffer has set up a worksheet at volunteersignup.org to help coordinate donations. Shortly the address to be used for April signup will be published. In the meantime, contact Terry by emailing him at trueffer@att.net. Fri, Apr 21, 5:30 PM

We wait. And...wait. In traffic, at the doctor’s office, at the restaurant. For the right guy. For a baby. For the test results. For prayers to be heard. Waiting can be agony. In our culture where almost everything is instant, we are accustomed to getting what we want now. So when our lives are put in a holding pattern, we squirm. But what if the waiting rooms of life are God’s best classrooms? What if the Holy Spirit changes us through the uncomfortable delays of life? Throughout history, God has called on His people to wait for His timing and His will. This study focuses on the lives of 8 biblical women who waited and yearned and ached. Women like us. Waiting highlights principles that make these times more bearable, and maybe more meaningful, even if it feels like God isn’t present or there’s nothing we can do. Learn how to surrender your worries to God, handle the daily-ness of waiting, and draw closer to Jesus. Questions? Contact Laura Klein at plklein79@yahoo.com. Wednesdays starting Apr 12, 9:00-10:30 AM @Fellowship Hall

Our next blood drive is coming up soon! Schedule your appointment today at immanuelbatavia.org/blooddrive. Each donation impacts and saves up to 3 lives. Contact Laura Klein with questions plklein79@yahoo.com. Tue, Apr 25, 3:00-6:30 PM @Mobile Coach in Parking Lot

Apr 6 - Maundy Thursday           4:00 & 7:00 PM @Sanctuary      Apr 7 - Good Friday           4:00 & 7:00 PM @Sanctuary      Apr 8 - Easter Saturday           5:30 PM @Sanctuary      Apr 9 - Easter Sunday           7:00 & 9:00 AM Traditional @Gym           11:00 AM Contemporary @Gym

In July, Immanuel’s high school students will travel to Mission, South Dakota to participate in a mission trip to assist families at the Sioux Reservation there. It is necessary for trip participants to raise funds needed for transportation costs over and above the registration fee charged by Group. The full per person cost of the mission trip experience is $486. Our total Fundraising Goal to offset costs for youth and chaperones is $15,000. Donations will be collected through June 1st and can be made online at immanuelbatavia.org/gogrant.

In the coming weeks the annual budget for the coming fiscal year will be developed.  A significant part of that process is to estimate the amount of free-will offerings that will be received.   While we can't precisely determine the amount, receiving pledges from members helps to guide congregational leadership toward creating a budget that will allow for as many avenues of ministry as possible, without putting the congregation at financial risk.  The only income that Immanuel Lutheran Church and School receives is from free-will offerings and from school tuition and fees. It would be extremely helpful for everyone in the congregation to take time to prayerfully consider the amount that they can give financially during the coming fiscal year (July 1, 2023 through June 30, 2024) and to complete a pledge form (available at the back of the sanctuary or by the door in the Family Life Center).  Place completed pledges in a sealed envelope marked “pledge” and drop it in the offering plate or place it in the locked mailbox outside of the Bookkeeper’s office; or complete a pledge online at immanuelbatavia.org/pledge by April 2, 2023.  This information is kept confidential and will be seen only by the Bookkeeper and the Business Manager at an individual level.

Did you know that Immanuel has a scholarship for students who are preparing to become full-time church workers? This scholarship is designed to assist member families of Immanuel. If you or your student are in a church work program or are considering entering a church work program, please email Kari Larsen at klarsen@ilcsbatavia for more information about the scholarship.

All families with children ages 1 through 3rd grade are invited to come see and hear about the most EGG-straordinary event that happened in history! Start with a guided tour through the Easter story, then join us for an Easter egg hunt. Find and collect eggs of all different colors and exchange them for prizes and candy. Chalk a sidewalk with your favorite part of the Easter story and receive an additional prize. Invite your family and friends! Register online at immanuelbatavia.org/easter. Tours are approximately 20 minutes long and are scheduled to run every 10 minutes. Saturday, Apr 1, 9:00-11:00 AM

The altar guild team is ordering lilies and tulips to decorate our worship areas in celebration of Easter. Donations of $10 or $20 for lilies, or $10 for tulips can be made in memory or celebration of a friend or loved one. Donations can be made online at https://onrealm.org/immanuelbatavia/-/form/give/2023Lilies; or forms can be found in the back of the sanctuary or in front of the church office.

Pastor Beckmann will be leading mid-week lent services on Wednesdays at 7pm in the Sanctuary. March 1, 8, 15, 22 and 29.