OUR MINISTRIES
Immanuel Lutheran offers a variety of ministries for different ages, life stages, and needs. Click the ministries below, for more information and much of what happens here at Immanuel.
On Sunday mornings in Luther Hall from 9:15-10:15 we gather for our Immanuel Bible study. Join us each week as the pastors lead these studies looking at and investigating the Bible and using it as our guide through life. You are welcome to join these classes at any time. (Please note the class will not meet during the month of July).
We love having students participate in worship each week! All students who participate in our confirmation ministry are expected to participate as an acolyte in worship throughout the year. Students in grades 4, 5 & 6 will also have the option to participate in the acolyte program.
Here you can find more information about the program and how to sign-up for acolyting in worship:
Our children enjoy weekly activities, Sunday school classes, Wednesday night lessons, summer Vacation Bible School and more! We believe no one is better positioned to influence a child than a parent. Thus, in addition to the activities offered here at Immanuel, we strive to support parents with the resources and Godly friendships they need as they lead and disciple their kids. With simple take-home tools or web resources to reinforce what their child experienced at church, we want to help build faith with family during the week.
VISIT OUR CHILDREN'S MINISTRY PAGE
for more information.
Individuals involved in Immanuel’s music ministries have the opportunity to use their talents to God’s glory at traditional and contemporary worship services. Those participating in these ministries are able to connect with each other and grow close in fellowship as they learn of the Lord’s love through the music practices, and as they hold each other up in prayer at rehearsals. Directors Bill Gade (847-428-4477 ext. 227) and Kris Bartelt (847-428-4477 ext. 226) lead vocal, bell and instrumental ensembles which sing, play and lead worship music for various services as well as perform at other venues beyond Immanuel’s church walls.
Sacred Choir
welcomes those who enjoy singing, from high school age and beyond. This choir practices traditional sacred music and performs approximately two times each month, September through May. They meet on Thursdays, 6:30 to 7:45 p.m. in the church’s music room.
Praise Teams
assist in leading worship music during Immanuel’s contemporary 10:45 service throughout the year. Varying groups of instrumentalists and vocalists of high school age and older are scheduled in advance for each service and practice during the week prior (usually Thursdays–7:30 to 8:45 p.m.).
Sacred Ringers ...
is an adult hand bell choir for those musicians who enjoy working together to ring praises to the Lord. This group prepares special music for traditional weekend and festival worship as scheduled. They practice on Thursdays, from 5:30 to 6:40 p.m. in the church balcony.
Joyful Noise ...
our High School Bell Ensemble, is directed by Mrs. Cena Becker, Immanuel’s 8th grade teacher. These teens fellowship with one another on Sundays from 7:00 to 8:00p.m. in the church balcony as they prepare bell pieces to be used in traditional worship services.
Immanuel Brass and Woodwinds Ensembles ...
welcome musicians high school age and older who are interested in contributing their skills as brass and woodwind instrumentalists by participating in an ensemble that serves at special celebration worship services. Rehearsal dates and times vary and are held in the church.
Soloists ...
enrich our worship from time to time, particularly at Christmas and Easter and during the summer months. They may be called upon to enhance the choral offerings of the various choirs or to enliven hymns. If you have a talent as a vocal soloist or on a stringed instrument, horn, woodwind, piano or organ, we invite you to share your talents with us in worship!
Confirmation at Immanuel provides the opportunity for youth to explore what it means to be a Christian, a Lutheran and a member of a local church. Through confirmation our youth will learn much about their faith and will be able to ask questions to help them better understand the life of faith God is calling them to. This is their chance to develop their own understanding of their faith and beliefs independently. The confirmation program is designed for students to start as early as 6th grade, is three and a quarter years in duration, and includes the following:
Weekly Classes
Classes are held during the school day for students attending Immanuel Day School, while classes for students attending an area public school are offered on Wednesday evenings from 5:30pm-6:30pm.
First year studies are based on study of scripture. Second year studies are based on Luther’s Small Catechism and scripture. Third year studies work to combine both of the previous years and focus on how it will play out in students’ lives as they live in an increasingly diverse community and world.
The Journey meets on Sunday mornings from 9:15am – 10:15am. This class is focused on students’ personal faith stories; what they are, how they are shared, and how they live them out daily.
Worship
Youth are expected to regularly participate in worship with their families. Worship reports will be gathered throughout the year from services attended by the students.
Fall Retreat
Each fall students in their second and third years go to camp for a weekend of team building and an introduction to what they will be studying in the coming year. This year’s retreat will take place September 9th-10th at YMCA Camp Duncan in Volo.
Capstone Workshop
At the end of each summer, students who have completed their three years of study will have a one day retreat to begin exploring and expounding on their personal faith stories. This retreat will be held the Sunday after school begins from 12pm-5pm at a local forest preserve.
End of the Year
Each spring, our Third Year Confirmands have the opportunity to share about their faith with the congregation at our witnessing service which is held at 6pm on the Saturday before Palm Sunday.
Third year confirmands receive communion for the first time the following week, on Maundy Thursday of their third year, after a short refresher study about the practice of holy communion.
Students who have completed the Journey will be confirmed on Reformation Sunday in the fall.
Feed My Lambs is a good ministry that works to share the love of Christ by providing for the needs of disadvantaged members of our community. We have various opportunities for adults as well as children to join us to either prepare food or distribute food to our local community.
Those interested in serving in this ministry meet in the Immanuel Lutheran Church kitchen once a month or so between 9:00 and 11:00 a.m. to help prepare freezer-friendly meals. Every week these meals are delivered to Elgin soup kitchens that serve the poor and homeless, although they also go to others in need. No cooking skills or experience are required and regular participation is not necessary. Join us when you can for fun and fellowship while you help feed Jesus’ lambs.
Contact Alison Lyon at 630-709-6546 for more information about this ministry.
In the summer of 2003, a dream was launched to give aspiring performers the opportunity to sing, dance and act. Many years later we continue to live out our mission to bring children closer to Christ through development of their God given talents. We promote Christian fellowship, community involvement as we open our doors to not only Immanuel members but to our friends and neighbors who want to participate in building relationships through teamwork. We hope to introduce the theater to all those enrolled and bring entertainment to our community.
For more information or if you would like to be involved, sponsor a child, be a corporate or individual contributor, please contact Courtney Dougherty (cdougherty@immanuel-ed.org). We have many needs for ew items, as well as updating our supplies and equipment. We are completely self-supporting and welcome any donations in order to continue to grow and improve year after year.
ILSYT offers daily classes in acting, voice, dance, dialogue and scenery design. In addition to our professional staff, theater graduates will be returning to assist and enjoy numerous camp activities. This "camp" workshop is designed for kids who are interested in learning all aspects of theatre. Each role in every theatrical production is essential and important regardless of size. Every Camper is provided with various participation opportunities.
MERCY. COMPASSION. PRESCENCE. PROCLAMATION. This is the mission of the LCC Comfort Dogs.
Our congregation is blessed to be part of Lutheran Church Charities national K-9 Comfort Dog Ministry. Our dog, Levi, a pure-bred golden retriever, along with his trained handlers and ministry partners, bring mercy, compassion, presence and proclamation of Jesus Christ to those who are suffering and in need.
Levi came to Immanuel Lutheran Church-East Dundee, in the summer of 2017. His Bible verse speaks of the ministry he will provide here at Immanuel: “The eternal God is your refuge, and underneath are the everlasting arms. He will drive out your enemies before you, saying, ‘Destroy them!’ (Deuteronomy 33:27)
Levi will visit nursing homes, hospitals, churches, schools, funeral homes, events and respond in disaster response situations. Besides serving as handlers, "Team Levi" includes ministry partners that go along and help with visits and are ready to offer comfort and prayer.
Other areas of service include fundraising, planning celebrations, letter writing and communication. Whatever your gift we would love to find a way to use it to bring comfort to a hurting world. If you would like to request more information or a visit from Levi, please contact Mrs. Barb Christie, our Top Dog.
FOLLOW LEVI ON FACEBOOK | LEARN MORE ABOUT COMFORT DOG MINISTRY
Mothers of Preschoolers (MOPS) helps to gather and support moms. We believe in the simple but revolutionary idea that remarkable things happen when moms come together face to face. We rally women to come together here at Immanuel and help each other through this thing called motherhood, one gathering at a time. If you are expecting or have an infant, toddler or preschooler please try our MOPS group. We provide childcare so you can get a chance to connect with moms, face to face, while your kids are safe and making new friends as well. Food, coffee, snacks, children...we are here to help each other. For more information contact Courtney Dougherty at cdougherty@immanuel.ed.org
God's Help in Action
We all experience challenges in life — times when we could benefit from care and support. Stephen Ministry offers one-to-one emotional and spiritual Christian care to individuals on their life journey.
Our trained and supervised Stephen Ministers offer God’s love to those going through a stressful time such as chronic or terminal illness, grief, discouragement, divorce or separation, birth, adoption, miscarriage, infertility, or any other difficult situations.
Stephen Ministers maintain confidentiality as they listen, care, pray, and encourage. The Stephen Minister meets with their care receiver once a week to work toward process-oriented goals as God does the healing and transforming of their heart. Twice a month, Stephen Ministers gather with their Stephen Leaders for supervision and continuing education.
Stephen Ministry is YOUR Ministry
You play an important role in our Stephen Ministry. Here's what you can do:
- Pray for God to bring hope and healing to the people receiving care through our Stephen Ministry
- Seek care from a Stephen Minister during your times of need. God doesn't expect you to bear your burdens alone.
- Tell someone who is hurting about our Stephen Ministry.
- If you are a good listener and a compassionate person, prayerfully consider becoming a Stephen Minister. Contact one of the Pastors if you feel this calling from God.
To learn more about Stephen Ministry go to www.stephenministries.org
If you, or a friend or family member, would like to learn more about having a Stephen Minister, contact us. A Stephen Ministry team leader will contact you and set up a time to meet. This preliminary meeting will give you an opportunity to see if talking with a Stephen Minister is a good fit for you.
For more information contact Melvin Faulkner (773-450-9454) or Steve Harrison (630-740-2665)
Lutheran Women's Missionary League - LWML
The Lutheran Women’s Missionary League (LWML) the official women’s auxiliary of The Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod, is about “knowing Christ and making him known,” seeking to develop and maintain a greater mission consciousness among the women of the LCMS through education, inspiration and service. A major emphasis is the support of mission and ministry throughout the world through mite box offerings, named for the account of the widow’s mite in Luke 21.
Women of all ages at Immanuel are encouraged to participate at anytime in the LWML by attending local, district and national event of the LWML; reading the Lutheran Woman’s Quarterly; and offering mites for missions. Information about LWML activities may be found in the Immanuel Nexus, the Northern Light, the Lutheran Woman’s Quarterly and at www.lwml.org.
Dorcas Society
The Immanuel Dorcas Society is named in honor of Dorcas from Acts 9 who was known for her acts of charity. All Immanuel women are welcome to attend any Dorcas meeting on the first Thursday of each month at 12:30 p.m. in Luther Hall. We gather for fellowship and plan activities and we love seeing new faces.
Our society supports the Lutheran Women’s Missionary League (LWML) with mite boxes and Lutheran Child and Family Services of Illinois (LCFS) through Christmas stockings and a diaper/ baby item collection in the spring. We also have our own service ministries of making greeting cards to send to shut-ins and members of the church and a knitting/looming group that makes hats for babies in hospitals and the homeless. We support grieving families by serving funeral luncheons when requested. Come meet with us as we “Serve the Lord with gladness”. For further details, check the Nexus for meeting times or contact Lynn Kreutzer at lynk7855@yahoo.com.
So much planning and preparing goes into every worship service at Immanuel. Often times, volunteers have the opportunity to include their talents in service to the Lord and His Church. Please contact Bill Gade, our Director of Worship and Music, (847-428-4477 ext. 227) if you would like to be involved in any of these ministry areas.
Our student Acolytes light and extinguish chancel candles, assist with baptismal candles, and receive the offering and other duties as needed during worship services. The acolytes generally are forth through eighth graders and a new schedule is put together every fall.
Altar Guild members care for and change altar linens and paraments. They are responsible for the maintenance of pastoral robes, the chancel area, as well as arranging plants and flowers used in worship. They need special help at Christmas and Easter with all the special services.
Communion Care members clean and store communion ware after the services.
Communication/Audio Visual Teams monitor and maintain the sound systems for worship services, assist with our Live-stream broadcasts and worship-lyric screens; reaching out to the community in many ways as they share the message of God and His love by way of our Sunday morning radio broadcast (WRMN), our livestreams and other forms of media.
Our Worship Resource & Worship Connect teams assist regularly in the worship services...the Resource Teams collect the offering, assist with communion and help those with special needs, while our Connect Teams are the first "face" of Immanuel that people see...greeting and welcoming all with a smile and a warm greeting as they enter into God's house for worship. Please contact the church office for further information about our worship ministry opportunities.
Immanuel Junior and Senior High Youth Ministry focuses on encouraging the faith journey of middle school and high school students as they gather, study and serve together. Each month events for middle school and high school students are planned to encourage relationships and connect students through various activities.
Weekly studies are designed to deepen students’ relationships with their Savior, as they study His Word. Middle school Bible study is held on Sunday mornings at 9:15 a.m. in the youth room and high school Bible study happens at the same time in the auxiliary kitchen, across from the youth room. High school youth nights are held in the youth room on Sunday evenings, beginning with dinner at 5:30 p.m. followed by a time of fellowship and Bible study.
Service opportunities are also an important part of our ministry to students as they are encouraged to put their faith into action. Local service projects work to make an impact on our community while serving as an expression of our faith journey. Each summer high school students are encouraged to attend a life-changing summer trip where we travel to serve a community as part of a week-long mission experience.
For more information about Youth Ministry, please visit our YOUTH PAGE.
Twice a year our congregation holds classes on Immanuel's church campus to both give more information on the teachings of Immanuel and help people make an informed decision in joining our church. These classes led by Pastor Yonker (as well as other church staff) are called A.I.M. (Adult Information for Membership). The AIM class is fast moving, direct, filled with humor and stories each week you will dig into God's Word to see what it has to say about our life, our faith and our church. At the conclusion of the study, participants are welcomed into the church at the Comin' Alive service scheduled twice a year. The class is for those interested in becoming members as well as for members desiring to review the basics of the Christian life.