- Sunday worship services are held at 8:30 and 10:45 AM.
- demographic information of membership and the neighborhood
- a brief history of the congregation
- a cross-reference file of occupations, skills, interests,etc.
- the encouragement to invite their friends to social functions
- a visitation program
- the encouragement to share their faith at special times of bereavement,loneliness and during other crisis situations
- Bible studies are made available to the homebound and shut-in members.
- Topics of information are offered on....
- Seniors are asked to share hobbies with the school children and nursing home patients
- A Library - the "Book Nook" is available with much good reading material. (click on books to see recent additions)
- Upon request, volunteers will deliver books or videos from the Book Nook to shut-ins and pick them up again when the shut-in has finisted with them.
- Seniors serve as adopted grandparents to the confirmands and the day school children
- She hold office hours in the church parish hall weekly.
- She holds blood pressure screenings on the third Sunday of each month.
- She plans and holds a HEALTH FAIR each Spring
- Members are encouraged to use free community health and wellness services.
- The parish nurse secures volunteers to provide rides for medical appointments upon request.
Wednesday noon and evening services are held during Lent and Advent
Two times a year, a special communion service is held in the church for homebound members
Available in large print: The worship service, the Bible, the Hymnal and Portals of Prayer for devotions
Also available: Hearing devices for the hearing impaired
We have a covered drive-up entrance and handicap parking - Also, the church is handicap accessible
Wheelchairs available at entrance
Transportation is available if needed for church services
Word and Sacrament is taken to homebound members
WITNESS NURTURE SERVICE FELLOWSHIP Favorite recipes from newsletters and Leisure Lutheran Functions HEALTH
"Parish nurse schedule and current events" Today, people place a great emphasis on total health. Exercise is "in", proper diet is a common topic, and people take part in health screenings. All this allows people to feel better and to live a more complete life. The underlying reason Christians do these activities is to care for God's gift, our bodies. STEWARDSHIP
Declaring Our Savior's wonderful deeds is to continue throughout our lifetime, whether we live a few years or a century. Older aldults can be taught new methods of sharing they've never used before. Retirees have time to be good listeners and to share Christ's love.
Leisure Lutherans have in place...
Through the ministry of Christian nurture, the church assists individuals to view all of life from a Christian perspective. This process doesn't stop with confirmation, but continues through timely sermons,
Bible studies, and current educational topics dealing with issues affecting older adults and their families.
Hospice services
Use of life support systems
Grandparenting
Driving your automobile defensively
Proper use of prescription and non-prescription drugs
Stress and loneliness
All Christians, young and old are called upon to reflect God's love and care every day. God's gracious care should be most clearly shown and reflected at people's points of need. Sometimes we accomplish this by what we do and say, and other times by finding others who can respond appropriately. By keeping our ears and eyes open, we will hear those who are hurting and will see opportunities to creatively respond.
At Immanuel, Leisure Lutherans are included in leadership roles in the Church Council, the altar Guild, the Budget Committee, Landscaping/grounds,etc. The skills of the "younger" older adults are used to help the "frail" ones. Members of the older crowd often serve as greeters, ushers, office help and assist in many other ways.
"You are the body of Christ, and each one of you is a part of it." If one part suffers, every part suffers with it: if one part is honored, every part rejoices with it" (1 Corinthians 12)
Older adults who have lost contact with their work group and other peers are more dependent on the extended family of their church for fellowship and socialization. Older peoples' participation in the ongoing activities of their church is very important.
Leisure Lutheran fellowship groups have been developed which provides for socialization, recreation, creative learning, and service. Travel opportunities provide both pleasure and learning avenues. A Leisure Lutheran singing group is in place which is used to supply programs for "Bless the Years" celebrations and other functions.
Christians recognize their life as God's gift and redeemed by Jesus Christ and, in the Spirit's strength, they nurture their faith in the Gospel, striving to enhance their physical, mental, social and emotional well-being, according to accepted principles of Health.
The older membership of the congregation has reached numbers that call for the congregation to identify and address the health needs of this population as part of the ministry of communal and personal growth. This is why the Leisure Lutheran ministry at Immanuel introduced the concept of a Health Ministry and the placement of a Parish Nurse.
Immanuel's parish nurse is Esther Robertson, RN.
Older adults should be viewed as God's special gifts to the church. God gave them the opportunity to accumulate a wealth of wisdom and experience as they live Chistian lives in a changing world.
These days, people don't retire and die a few years later. They have twenty or more years left - 20 or more years to serve the Lord. Older adults may retire from a job or position, but they never retire from service to their Lord.
Older adults at Immanuel are informed about opportunities for service in their church; stewardship of "new time" life with or without a partner and establishing a proper balance between leisure and service.