What's Happening?
In-Person Church Services Are Live Again!
Changes to be Aware of:
Services will be at our normal 10:30 time but there are some procedural changes we need to observe.
Services will be at our normal 10:30 time but there are some procedural changes we need to observe.
- We ask that you please enter through the front door or ring the bell for the elevator if you need it.
- Masks will be required. As you come in you will be offered a mask if you don’t have one and a squirt of hand sanitiz-er.
- I know you’d love to have a conversation with the people you haven’t been able to talk to for six months but because we need to sit six feet apart, an elder will immediately usher you to the next pew in sequence beginning with seating at the front of the sanctuary. Please don’t expect to be seated in your usual pew.
- Pastor will conduct the entire service from the chancel to maintain proper social distancing. The service will be similar to the services we have been hearing online and will last about 35 minutes.
- Ann will play hymns on the organ or piano. We will not, however, sing because singing projects exhaled droplets much farther than speaking.
- The liturgy will be projected as before so there will be no need for a bulletin.
- Communion will be served on October 4th and every first Sunday of the month thereafter. It will be served in a manner similar to the communion services held last summer serving individuals and families together.
- At the end of the service you will be ushered back outside beginning from the back of the sanctuary.
Coming Up!
Operation Christmas Child
Patty Grill is heading up Immanuel's effort again this year. Gift boxes for children can be filled and donated by November 23 or this year you also have the option to got to the Samaritan's Purse website and build a box online! If you have questions, please contact Patty.
Patty Grill is heading up Immanuel's effort again this year. Gift boxes for children can be filled and donated by November 23 or this year you also have the option to got to the Samaritan's Purse website and build a box online! If you have questions, please contact Patty.
New Arrival! 9/19/2019 - Forest Burks
Kayla and Caleb Burks joyfully announce the birth of Forest Burks earlier this week. Caleb reports that Kayla and baby Forest are both happy and healthy. Please keep the new family in your prayers. - Pr. Larry Oliver
09-19-19: Forest John Burks - 7lbs 8oz 21 inches
09-19-19: Forest John Burks - 7lbs 8oz 21 inches
Marion Strandt
It is with a heavy heart that I must tell you that Marion Strandt passed away this afternoon. We commend her soul to our God who promises eternal life. Her daughter Marlene will be announcing the date and time of her graveside service later this week.
Shalom,
Larry Oliver
Eternal God who created us and who takes us home at the perfect time, we give You thanks and praise for the earthly life of our sister Marion Strandt whose soul now resides with You in heaven. We pray Your comfort and blessings on Marlene, the family, friends and all who mourn her loss. Help us all to remember that we and all the Saints will be reunited with You on that glorious day of Your triumphant return. AMEN
Shalom,
Larry Oliver
Eternal God who created us and who takes us home at the perfect time, we give You thanks and praise for the earthly life of our sister Marion Strandt whose soul now resides with You in heaven. We pray Your comfort and blessings on Marlene, the family, friends and all who mourn her loss. Help us all to remember that we and all the Saints will be reunited with You on that glorious day of Your triumphant return. AMEN
Jerry Anderson
From Pastor Larry Oliver -
It saddens me to inform you that our brother Jerry Anderson passed away peacefully late this afternoon (9/5). He had taken a serious turn for the worse earlier in the week. Linda and some family were with him when he passed. Please keep Linda and all the family in your prayers.
It was Jerry’s desire to have only a private graveside service at Willamette National Cemetery where he will be interred.
God of life and death, we give your thanks for the earthly life of our brother Jerry Anderson and now commend him to your care. Comfort Linda as she now faces the emotional stress of losing a spouse. May God be with us all. In the strong and healing Name of Jesus we pray. AMEN
It saddens me to inform you that our brother Jerry Anderson passed away peacefully late this afternoon (9/5). He had taken a serious turn for the worse earlier in the week. Linda and some family were with him when he passed. Please keep Linda and all the family in your prayers.
It was Jerry’s desire to have only a private graveside service at Willamette National Cemetery where he will be interred.
God of life and death, we give your thanks for the earthly life of our brother Jerry Anderson and now commend him to your care. Comfort Linda as she now faces the emotional stress of losing a spouse. May God be with us all. In the strong and healing Name of Jesus we pray. AMEN
Tom Stratton
From Pastor Larry Oliver -
It is with a heavy heart that I share that Tom Stratton passed away early Sunday evening (June 30). You will recall that he has been going downhill rather rapidly in recent weeks. His one repeated wish last week was that he “die as a Christian.” He has done that and we can take comfort in the hope Tom had of spending eternity in heaven. Please keep Priscilla and her family in prayer.
Tom Stratton’s funeral will be Friday July 12th. There will be a brief committal service at Willamette Cemetery at 10:00 AM and a Service at Immanuel at 11:00 AM. A luncheon will follow in the fellowship hall.
It is with a heavy heart that I share that Tom Stratton passed away early Sunday evening (June 30). You will recall that he has been going downhill rather rapidly in recent weeks. His one repeated wish last week was that he “die as a Christian.” He has done that and we can take comfort in the hope Tom had of spending eternity in heaven. Please keep Priscilla and her family in prayer.
Tom Stratton’s funeral will be Friday July 12th. There will be a brief committal service at Willamette Cemetery at 10:00 AM and a Service at Immanuel at 11:00 AM. A luncheon will follow in the fellowship hall.
Jon Bell
It is with deep sadness that we announce the passing of our brother in Christ, Jon Bell. Jon was a valued and generous member of Immanuel. One example was his donation and installation of the church's alarm system after Immanuel was burglarized. Jon was quiet but his heart was big and we are all better for knowing him.
Jon's memorial was held on July 6 at Immanuel. The recording of the complete service and just the sermon are provided on the "Listen" page.
We pray the Lord's comfort be with all those who knew Jon and will miss him.
Jon's memorial was held on July 6 at Immanuel. The recording of the complete service and just the sermon are provided on the "Listen" page.
We pray the Lord's comfort be with all those who knew Jon and will miss him.
Clothing Donations
Delores has announced that since we were so successful at donating unwanted clothes during the Christmas season she will continue to handle clothing donations for Helping Hands of Albany. Anything you have you would like to donate can be left outside the closet in the southwest corner of the fellowship hall.
Scheduled Events Available in the Calendar
Jeanne has done a great job of putting everything in the calendar in the newsletter. You can find that on the "NEWS" page.
Men's Meeting 1st Saturday Every Month
The men of Immanuel will be gathering on the first Saturday of the month at 9:00AM in the fellowship hall. The format is basically whatever comes up that people feel like talking about.
Free Books!
Well, hymnals anyway. Karen has been working hard cleaning up and organizing the library room downstairs. She says we have a large collection of the blue and old red Lutheran hymnals that we can't even seem to give away. If you want some just let Karen know.
LCMS Stewardship Article - Shared by Karen Bishopink
Karen wanted to share an article on the LCMS website discussing stewardship. Take a look and thank you, Karen!

lcms-stewardship-newsletter-article-april-2017.pdf |
Using Cans to Help Others
Immanuel gets frequent requests from members of the community that are in need. Too often cash is not appropriate as it will only end up feeding their issues with substance abuse. What is often given are gift coupons to McDonalds or other places to eat at least providing a warm meal without handing over money.
To help fund this Immanuel is going to place a barrel in the building to collect depositable cans and bottles. Someone from the church will cash them in and the funds will be used to buy meal coupons.
Contact Linda Anderson if you have questions. (Don't forget...there's a deposit on water bottles too!)
To help fund this Immanuel is going to place a barrel in the building to collect depositable cans and bottles. Someone from the church will cash them in and the funds will be used to buy meal coupons.
Contact Linda Anderson if you have questions. (Don't forget...there's a deposit on water bottles too!)
Use smile.amazon.com to Help Immanuel
Just like the Fred Meyer Community Rewards system below, Amazon has started something called Amazon Smile.
You can go to http://smile.amazon.com and select a charity. One half of a percent of your purchase (0.5%) will go to the charity you choose. The first time you go to smile.amazon.com you can search for the charity. That's the hard part since there are hundreds of Immanuel Lutheran Churches on the list. You have to find the one in Albany, Oregon and unfortunately, they aren't listed alphabetically by city and state. When I went through the process I think our church was on page 8 or 9 of 19.
Once you find our church you can just select it and you'll be taken to a page where you have to acknowledge that you understand that you have to go to smile.amazon.com every time you want to use the feature. Once you've said you understand that you are good to go.
You can go to http://smile.amazon.com and select a charity. One half of a percent of your purchase (0.5%) will go to the charity you choose. The first time you go to smile.amazon.com you can search for the charity. That's the hard part since there are hundreds of Immanuel Lutheran Churches on the list. You have to find the one in Albany, Oregon and unfortunately, they aren't listed alphabetically by city and state. When I went through the process I think our church was on page 8 or 9 of 19.
Once you find our church you can just select it and you'll be taken to a page where you have to acknowledge that you understand that you have to go to smile.amazon.com every time you want to use the feature. Once you've said you understand that you are good to go.
Fred Meyer Community Rewards
Thanks to Jeanne Butler for announcing this great free benefit for Immanuel!
"Shopping at Fred Meyer can pay off in more ways than gas rewards. Fred Meyer has a charitable program whereby each of us can select Immanuel Lutheran Church, Albany, Oregon as the charity of our choice and they will direct money to the church based on the amount of our spending. There is no cost to the individual. In fact, if you have a rewards card, they will continue to send you your dividend coupon quarterly based on your spending."
"All it takes is a few minutes online, or in the store, to fill out your information and select the church from their list of charities. Currently we apparently have 3 families that have signed up. The money designated for the church so far is around $20. When that amount reaches $25, Fred Meyer will send a check in that amount to the church." - Jeanne Butler
"Shopping at Fred Meyer can pay off in more ways than gas rewards. Fred Meyer has a charitable program whereby each of us can select Immanuel Lutheran Church, Albany, Oregon as the charity of our choice and they will direct money to the church based on the amount of our spending. There is no cost to the individual. In fact, if you have a rewards card, they will continue to send you your dividend coupon quarterly based on your spending."
"All it takes is a few minutes online, or in the store, to fill out your information and select the church from their list of charities. Currently we apparently have 3 families that have signed up. The money designated for the church so far is around $20. When that amount reaches $25, Fred Meyer will send a check in that amount to the church." - Jeanne Butler
Here's how to set it up online assuming you already have a Fred Meyer rewards card:
- Go to http://fredmeyer.com/communityrewards to read about the details.
- From there you can create an account or just go to http://fredmeyer.com/account/create to set up an account
- Once you have created an account you can link your Fred Meyer rewards card by going to http://fredmeyer.com/account/communityrewards/enroll (you can also find this link from the fredmeyer.com/communityrewards page)
- Sign in and you will be asked to find your organization. Just enter Immanuel in the field and click the search button and our church should be about 3rd in the list. Alternately the organization number for our church is 90653 so you can just enter that and only our church will show in the results. Select it, click enroll and you are done!