Immanuel's 150 Anniversary
2024 marks the 150th anniversary of Immanuel as a congregation (as well as 100 years for our current church building!). To be sure, much as changed over 150 years.
- January
Baptism
January 28, 2024, members recieved a commemorative card with their name and Baptismal date. Use it as a bookmark in your Bible, or post it on your bulletin board at home. Frame it and put it on your night-stand or wherever you can be reminded daily of the blessing of Baptism.
- February Immanuel Lutheran Cemetery history
February has been chosen to highlight our cemetery. It’s the place where many of the saints in Christ who have been members of Immanuel are buried. It is, of course, a place of somber sadness. Even more, though, the cemetery is the place where we go to be reminded that death doesn’t have the final word. Jesus has overcome death! And one day we will, with all saints in Christ, sing our mocking song at death: O death, where is your victory? O death where is your sting? (1 Corinthians 15:55). Indeed, there will come the day when the dead will hear the voice of the Son of God, and those who hear will live (John 5:25). Thanks be to God!
A map of the cemetery and its history were displayed. Four volumns of obituarys were also available on display. Over 675 souls lay at rest await the coming of Jesus.
History of Immanuel Lutheran Cemetery article published in the St. Ansgar Enterprise February 28, 2024
- March Confirmation and Holy Communion
For our 150th anniversary celebration, we’ve decided to focus on Confirmation in March, when there will be special attention on God’s work done in the instruction and preparation of many people over many years. This will culminate in the rite of Confirmation for 10 young people at Immanuel on Palm Sunday. It won’t be a Sacrament. It won’t be graduation from church (God forbid!). But, it will be a day to remember our Baptisms into Christ, as well as all that God has done for us in Christ. It will be a day to celebrate what God continues to give to us through his Word. It will be a day to rejoice in the knowledge and unity that comes in being able to celebrate the Sacrament of the Altar together. And it will be a day to look forward to continued learning of God’s Word!,
Concordia St. Paul Concert Band March 4, 2024
Concordia University Christus Chorus March 16, 2024 - April -Easter
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Alleluia! Christ is risen! He is risen indeed! Alleluia!
Easter is always a joyous occasion marked by white paraments, triumphant lilies, boisterous music and hymnody, and most importantly the proclamation of the good news that Jesus is risen! It’s rare that people celebrate anything that’s happened too far in the past, because memories tend to be quite short. Easter is an exception, though. Despite Jesus’ resurrection happening almost 2,000 years ago, we celebrate it more joyously now than ever before. Why? Because Easter means something.Church Merch-We have a variety of shirts, hats and signs available to go along with our celebration. The orders are due by April 28, 2024. The order form and money can be dropped off at the church office.
- May - Education
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Education at Immanuel published in the St. Ansgar Enterprise may 29, 2024
Sunday School Students received certificates of attendance. - June - Weddings
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Art Show and tour of Stained Glass windows June 15, 2024
Bake Sale June 15, 2024
- July - Music
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Music at Immanuel published in the St. Ansgar Enterprise July 31, 2024 - August - Children of the congregation in church work
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Cemetery Walk handout August 10, 2024
Rev. Dr. Jeffrey Pulse, CTSFW, preach & teach Bible Study August 11, 2024
Guest Preacher - Pastor Matthew Bless August 18, 2024
- September Grand Celebration
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Guest Preacher Pres. Brian Saunders, President of Iowa District East of the LCMS September 15, 2024
Cantor Matthew Machemer led Hymn Festival September 14, 2024
- October LWML and women of the church
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Guest Preacher Rev. Jon Ellingworth October 20, 2024
- November - Centenial of the brick church building
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We celebrated the centenial of the building of our current church building. A display of old furniture and other items was set up in the gathering space along with a slide show of old photos.
A book was written about the building of the church building. The book "Brick by Brick" (PDF format) can read online.
To print a copy (PDF formatted with blank pages for printing correctly). Set printer to print on both sides of the paper. This may be called duplex printing).
A shortened version of the history was published in the November 7, 2024 edition of the St. Ansgar Enterprise.. - December - Christmas