Getting Involved

We have Sunday school available every Sunday morning September through May.  Ages 3 and up begin at 9:15am. Adult Sunday school begins at 9:30am.  On the last Sunday of each month the Sunday School students share what they have been learning during the month with the whole congregation at the 10:30 worship service.  We are always open to new students and to new volunteers.

Philathea is an adult fellowship group that meets monthly.  Usually there is a lunch and a presentation along with time of fellowship.  Additionally several times per year the group will take trips together to local attractions to enjoy the time.

Immanuel hosts 3 women's  satellite groups for Bible Study Fellowship.  This international organization helps people to engage in with scripture individually as well as learn how to discuss and study it together as a group.  The groups currently meet at the church on Tuesday afternoons.

For those who have the gift of singing, we have a delightful choir that practices on Sunday mornings and offers selection 3 or 4 times per year in addition to special services around Christmas and Easter and going to the nursing homes.  It is a wonderful way to use your gift to glorify God and uplift others.

It is a reality that in today's world technology is always changing.  As a part of our worship services we rely on some of this technology, always with the hope that it enhances the worship experience but never detracts or distracts from it.  If you like technology and would like to help make the worship experience and smooth and immersive as possible, this may be the place for you.

With the many students and adults that we have we are always looking for people who are willing to assist in leading Sunday School.  We work on a rotation schedule so most people are only asked to do it 3 - 4 times per year.  The curriculum is provided and does not take much preparation time.   It is a fluid process of engaging the students with the story of the week and the craft or activity.

Whether it is fellowship time, chili suppers, or funeral dinners, the kitchen committee is called on to assist.  Sometimes that is as simple as providing a salad or a desert, sometimes it is preparation of a meal, and sometimes it is the gift of service.  As it has been said, many hands make light work so we are always looking for people who are willing to be a part of this service based committee.

We know that there is deep power in prayer.  When there is a need in the church they have the option of asking for the prayer team to be notified.  This is a phone tree that notifies the members of the prayer committee and requesting prayers for a specific situation.  The requests are kept confidential unless otherwise requested, but in this ministry you are able to help lift up the needs and burdens of others before the Lord and in that share in the lifting of that burden from them.

Confirmation is a 2 year process that takes place for students between 6th and 9th grade.  After the first year of classes the students are invited to received communion with the church body and after the second year they are invited to become full professing members of the church at confirmation.  This is the process by which students transition from baptismal faith to the confessional faith that we pray supports them through their entire life.

Youth group is for high school age students and involves many different activities and meetings.  It is difficult to say there are standard curriculum as it adjusts to each years group, but it is great to have the support of Christian friends as we face the challenges of our early and formative teen years.

There are weekly offerings taken during our church service as well as online offerings.  The responsibility of the finance committee is to weekly record all offerings and who they were received from and ensure they are handled appropriately and that they get to the correct account holder.  This is a way to serve behind the scenes of the church.

The primary church building was built in 1949, the parsonage was built in 1963, and the new addition to the church was built in 1989.  As blessed as we are with these wonderful facilities, they also require updates and maintenance.  The property committee ensure the functionality of the church facilities either through organizing or performing work, maintenance, and updates.  Recently there has been a new roof put on the building, new handicap accessible doors, updated lighting and electrical work, and many other things.  If you know how things work, you could be a great addition to this committee.

The churches cemetery to the North East of Latimer has a board that oversees its maintenance and operation.  The board does not meet frequently but ensures that lawn care, snow removal, and burial plots are in order and well kept.

Immanuel is working closely with our local school to try and assist in meeting the needs of the students and teachers to enhance the community and support the needs.  We regularly have items on the list that can be donated or purchased to meet the real and immediate needs of people right next to us.

The Christian Education Board oversees all of the events and curriculum for our youth.  This includes coordinating the Sunday School teachers, organizing family events, planning and executing Vacation Bible School, and many other duties as they come up through the year. 

It is important that there be good communication between the pastor and the congregation.  One of the ways this is enhanced is through Pastor Parish Relations (PPRC)  This committee meets monthly with the pastor and discusses what has been happening, what is coming up, what is working well, what feedback has been received, and how the church can better care for the pastor and the pastor can better care for the church.  It is a strong opportunity to support the healthy functioning of the church and has a limited time committment.

At our worship services we encourage anyone who desires to use their gifts of reading to be a blessing to the whole congregation by reading some of our prayers and scripture texts for the service.  The readings are prepared ahead of time for you to practice and in the ministry of reading the word you are participating in the proclamation of the Gospel.

There are many moving parts in a service and the ushers take care of making sure they are working as they need to be.  The ushers work on a rotating monthly schedule (one month on, one month off) and they oversee duties like handing out bulletins, taking offerings, assisting with seating, and assisting with communion.  It is a great way to serve the entire body without having to be an upfront presence.