Neither rain, nor cold, nor wind, could stop the 34 Immanuel volunteers from showing up to serve healthy snacks and beverages to the athletes competing at the Special Olympics Track and Field meet this past Sunday. We not only served those who came to our tent – our volunteers also took the snacks out to the athletes. Besides the help received from the volunteers, there were so many other people, including Thrivent, who donated the food and beverages for us to serve. This included vegetables, fruits, bagels, crackers and cheese and granola bars. Our new addition this year was coffee – what a year to start serving that. People were lined up to get a cup. One person, just wanted a cup, so she could warm her hands.

The athletes and their families were so appreciative. We have been doing this for 26 years, and they are still amazed that this is all free.

Here are a few highlights we would like to share:

One of our volunteers said that for 17 years her family enjoyed coming to our Hospitality Tent as her child competed in the events. And, now this year, she wanted to give back, so she, her son and one of his friends pitched in and helped prepare and serve the food. The boys even learned how to peel carrots.

A guest who came to our tent had given his jacket to a young man who was cold. Then, as the guest stood by our tent, you could tell he was now getting cold. So, one of our volunteers literally gave the man “the sweater off his back”. It is amazing how serving others brings out the best in people. By the way, at the end of the event, the guest stopped by our tent to return the sweatshirt – he was so grateful!

One of the best parts of the day was when the athletes would stop by the tent and show us their medals and describe how they won them. Seeing the joy on their faces as they talked was awesome. It is the reason we keep doing this every year. It warms our hearts to celebrate them!
Thank you so much, Immanuel Church and School, for sharing your time and treasures for this ministry.

God’s blessing to all of you,
Carol Hajkaluk and Elaine Schmitt

In March, HFCM President, Meschac St. Amour drove a rental truck loaded with three pallets of prepackaged food donated from FEED MY STARVING CHILDREN in Schaumburg,and clothing and household items donated by the children at Immanuel, to Florida where it will be loaded on a ship for LeJune, Haiti, to be distributed to those in great need of clothing and especially food. The cost of shipping from Florida to Haiti is approximately $2000.00. If you wish to help with this cost, please mark your donation HABITAT FOR CHILDREN MINISTRIES, and leave it in the Good Sam mailbox in the school/church office hallway. While Meschac was here, he shared pictures with the school children of the first donations of gently used clothing received by the children of Haiti.

Once a year, HFCM sponsors a BACKPACK program, which consists of backpacks filled with school supplies that are distributed to approximately 1000 children. Backpacks and school supplies are purchased at a discounted rate in Florida, and shipped via boat to Haiti. A backpack with supplies can be purchased for $15.00, which includes the cost of shipping. If God is leading you to help with this project, please leave your donation in the Good Sam mailbox, marked for HABITAT FOR CHILDREN MINISTRIES. (Make checks payable to “Habitat for Children Ministries.”) The deadline for this project is June 1.

You may ask, what’s a Kringle? Its a delectable pastry filled with fruit covered with sweet vanilla icing. Kringle’s will be arriving at Immanuel Lutheran for the Palm Sunday weekend. Stop by the table and take home your favorite flavors. These make great hostess gift or would be a fabulous addition to your Palm Sunday or Easter cup of coffee. They can also be frozen.

Date: Saturday, April 1st & Sunday, April 2nd (Palm Sunday weekend)

Time: Before and after all services

Price: $13.00 for 22oz. Almost twice the size that you buy in the grocery store (14 oz.)

Flavors: Almond, Apple Cinnamon, Blueberry Cheesecake, Cherry, Pecan, Chocolate Eclair, Strawberry and Turtle

All proceeds go to Keep in Touch Ministry (KIT).

A Spiritual Pilgrimage to the Land of the Bible – Israel and Jordan

15 Days: October 27-Nov. 10, 2023

Host and Leader: Tim Hetzner

Ambassador for Spiritual Growth, Lutheran Church Charities

This is a Spiritual Pilgrimage to the Land of the Bible
This is a Bible Study tour – group size is limited to 25 people – to study the Land of the Bible and visit
and study the sites where Jesus lived and taught. It is NOT a tourist trip but a Biblical Study so only
those that have an active study of the Bible should consider. Tim has led study tours over the last 35
years and has studied in Israel and worked on an archeological dig at Tel Dor. Consider joining Tim on
this Spiritual Pilgrimage to the land of the Bible.

See attached brochure and if you have questions please contact Tim at
TimHetzner@LutheranChurchCharities.org

It’s year-end giving statement time.

You can pick yours up two ways:

• At the church office weekdays between 8:30 a.m.-4:30 p.m.

OR

• On your way into weekend services, near Fellowship Hall.
If you have any questions, please contact the church office at
(847)359-1549

Now through February 12th, bring in soup for Immanuel’s food pantry.

Drop off in the green donation bin in the front lobby.

Pick up a bag or a list of items on your way out of church this weekend and bring it back by Thanksgiving Day.

***The pantry is almost empty and has some immediate needs. If you are able to pick up any of these items now and drop them off in the green bin, it would be greatly appreciated.

Immediate needs include:
Paper towels, shampoo, laundry soap, toothpaste, canned carrots, cooking oil, tea, sugar (small), spaghetti (and other pasta), cereal, ketchup, jelly (not grape), juice boxes, BBQ sauce.

Please NO oversized or family size items.