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Hi Immanuel Women!
Any ladies who would like to hang out casually on a weekday morning are invited to Andrea’s house this Thursday. Come any time between 10:00 AM and 1:00 PM. We’ll just enjoy spending some time together and whatever conversations can happen around the fun kid chaos. Let Andrea know if you’re interested.
Nathan’s sister-in-law’s cousin will be coming to Chicago for a 10 week summer internship at Deloitte & Touche downtown (June – August).
Does anyone know of any rooms, sublets, or other short-term housing opportunities? He is hoping to come to Immanuel during his time here.
Email Nathan with any leads.
If you’ve been attending Immanuel for awhile, but are not yet a member, be sure to pick up a copy of Joining the Mission, go through it, and come to our next Mission Class on Sunday, February 10th, after the service. Lunch will be provided. Please RSVP.
If you’re already a member but want a refresher on what it is that God has called us to, you’re free to come too!
In follow up to last Sunday’s sermon on the Great Commission, here are just a few recommended resources to use in evangelistic or discipleship relationships.
Evangelism
· Tell the Truth by Will Metzger – This is a training manual that one Small Group will be using soon to grow in learning how to share the good news.
· If You Could Ask God One Question by Paul Williams and Barry Cooper – An approachable book that can help with people’s questions and objections as you share the good news.
· Christianity Explained – This is a study designed for use in a one-on-one setting.
· Christianity Explored – A seven-week course designed for a group of seekers.
· The Story or 3-2-1 – Here are two simple, online gospel presentations that may be useful.
· For Your Joy by John Piper – A little evangelistic book which shows that God is to be enjoyed.
· The Reason for God by Tim Keller – If you have a friend who is more philosophically oriented, reading through this with him/her would be a great idea. It’s kind of the modern day equivalent of Mere Christianity (which is still a helpful book today).
Discipleship
· Matthias Media – Check out all the great resources here, especially their emphasis on one-to-one Bible reading.
· Gospel-Centred Series – This series of short booklets have solid content and are really great for providing structure to a one-on-one meeting.
· Downline Builder – Here’s a handy online tool that helps you to customize a discipleship plan.
And don’t forget, if you want to apply this stuff in our ‘hood, this website can help: www.UICArea.com.
Also, here’s just a sample of resources to help you think about the Great Commission globally.
International Missions
· Christian Mission by John Stott – A classic book to engage with in thinking about the mission Jesus has given us.
· Let the Nations Be Glad by John Piper – An excellent book which connects God’s glory with our mission.
· Operation World by Patrick Johnstone and Jason Mandryk – A thick book to help you think, pray, and get excited about reaching the nations.
Join us in celebrating the upcoming marriages of James & Esther and Andy & Vivian!
We will be having a grown-ups only dinner on Saturday, February 9th, at 7:30 PM. It will be held at Joy Yee’s restaurant in Chinatown.
Please RSVP to Cassie.
First, this Sunday (1/27) Dave & Rose will be staying after the service for a luncheon. This is so that we can get to know them better and hear first hand reports of what’s happening on the field. Please RSVP to Tracy at internationalmissions if you’re coming so she can know how to plan food!
Second, Anna Wagler has a friend (Nate) who is going to New Guinea as a missionary and is finishing an ESL certification at Loyola the month of March. He is currently staying with family in Tinley Park, but the commute is too crazy. He needs to stay in the city and is looking for some housing assistance. If you or someone you know has a spare room for him, please contact Anna at mrsannawagler. It would be a huge blessing! Nate is used to living in tight quarters with many children. If you could help him, that would be so great!!!!!!
Don’t forget the Joint Outreach this Saturday (1/19) at The Meeting Place from 11:00 AM to 1:00 PM.
A few people are getting together to do a freezer meal swap. Basically, you cook and swap meals so that everyone has several meals to put away for later. If you’re interested or have questions, please let Lindsey know.
We’ll get organized at the beginning of next week, so please let me know by this weekend. Thanks!
On the third Sunday of every month (that would be this Sunday – 1/20) you’re invited to hang out after the service and discuss some topic. It’s called Table Talk.
This month we will talk about ‘Growing Up Evangelical’, particularly the struggles and dangers inherent to it. Maybe you grew up in the ‘evangelical’ subculture, perhaps went to an ‘evangelical’ institution for college, and have since become disillusioned with it. Maybe you know someone who was once a self-identified ‘evangelical’ but now professes no faith and might even be angry at ‘evangelicalism’. Or maybe you’re a perfectly contented ‘evangelical’ and have no clue why anyone would have a beef with it. It should be a helpful discussion.
If you want to read up just a little ahead of time on the emotions felt by many who have been part of ‘evangelicalism’ or want to see what ‘evangelicalism’ looks like from the outside you can start here:
http://rachelheldevans.com/blog/15-reasons-i-left-church
http://www.stuffchristianculturelikes.com/
http://www.barna.org/teens-next-gen-articles/528-six-reasons-young-christians-leave-church
Let Nathan know (a) if you are coming, and (b) if you would prefer to go out to eat or order pizza in and have it at The Meeting Place.
This Sunday, January 13th, New Life Tri-Taylor has invited other area churches to an evening of prayer. It will be from 6:00 to 8:00 PM at 2189 W. Bowler Street. Come if you can and pray for God’s work in our neighborhood in 2013.
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