Emmanuel Reformed Church

January 2021 202 East Morris Street, Morrison, IL 61270

Church office: 815-772-3890

www.emmanuelreformedchurch.org

Rev. Luke Schouten, Sr. Pastor Rich Criss, Ministry Coordinator

920-889-3911 (cell) 815-772-4433 (home)

pastorluke@emmanuelreformedchurch.org 815-751-8326 (cell) ministrycoordinator@emmanuelreformedchurch.org

Pam Muur, Secretary office@emmanuelreformedchurch.org

Deb Eissens, Bookkeeper bookkeeper@emmanuelreformedchurch.org

Lydia Ohlsen, Director of Children’s Ministries

Jamie Rodriguez, Director of Sr. & Jr. High Ministries

Shelly Brackemyer & Lydia Ohlsen, Janitors

Mark Pruis, Custodian

In Person & Livestreamed Sunday Worship Service – 9:00 a.m.

Sunday Morning Worship Service in the Sanctuary:

Reservations are still necessary to meet the guidelines. Reservations open on Tuesday and

carry through to 12:00 pm on Saturday. Call or text the Emmanuel Reformed Church

reservation line (815) 213-8715 and leave your name, how many attending and a contact

number. If you need to cancel your reservation, please call or text the reservation

number. Livestreaming will continue as a worship option. For now, no nursery will be

provided. Masks are STRONGLY recommended for the duration of the service. Masks will be

available at the door if needed. In an effort to help our ushers on Sundays – if you are

uncomfortable with where an usher seats you, please communicate that and you will be

seated in another area. We also ask that once you are seated in the sanctuary please remain

seated until you are dismissed by an usher at the end of the service. Thank you for your

understanding!

mailto:pastorluke@emmanuelreformedchurch.orgmailto:ministrycoordinator@emmanuelreformedchurch.orgmailto:office@emmanuelreformedchurch.orgmailto:bookkeeper@emmanuelreformedchurch.org

We have done it! We have made it through 2020! This is the year that has seemed like it has lasted forever. There have

been so many things that have happened and changes we have had to make in each of our own lives. To be honest it has

been challenging, tough and at times almost unbearable. But, God is faithful.

Moving into this year he have high hopes and expectations. We are looking for things to get back to our new normal.

Being able to shake hands, giving hugs, playing together, hanging out together and spending time together. We are

praying our kids will get back to school as we know it, and their activities back to normal. Oh, to imagine that day.

I am looking forward to the church getting back to normal. Seeing a sanctuary filled with people lifting up their voices in

praise and hearing the choir sing will be awesome. Meeting together, having Sunday school once again, Wednesday night

meals where we can sit and talk with each other will bring much joy. It will come, and when it does it will be a reason to

celebrate.

As we move into this new year I want to encourage and challenge you. I am confident that God has great things in store

for us as a church. I feel the Holy spirit is beginning to move and stir and there is a feeling within me that says “Watch out

Morrison, because Emmanuel church is going to change your life!

As leadership we are going to prepare and be ready for that day when our restrictions will be lifted. We are going to have

discussions how to bring people back into our sanctuary and how we can move outside our church doors to bring the

gospel of Christ to this community. We will look at ways to grow you to not only worship but build relationships and

empower you to be disciples of Christ.

It is time for each of us to become a pig for Jesus Christ!! If you don’t know what I am talking about then see the message

on January 3, 2021. The challenge in all this, is that we need to do this together. It is easy after you get a new pastor to

resort to having them do all the work. If that happens we will get nothing accomplished. As your pastor I need everyone

one of you to be willing to step it up. I need you to get more involved, I need you to use the gifts and talents that God has

given to you.

Currently we have several ministry teams in place but most of those consist of consistory members. I am hoping to expand

those in such a way that you can use your giftedness in a particular area. I also what to develop our ministry teams so

that you we be empowered to do the work that you are passionate about and then together we will celebrate what God

has done. For those new coming through our doors, yes I am confident that will happen, we want to get them involved

and tied into ministry opportunities.

As a strong believer in truly living out your faith, we will begin this new year with a message series. Over the next several

weeks our series is entitled “Won’t you be my Neighbor?”. You will be challenged to stretch yourself, get to know your

neighbor and then have a conversation about Jesus. We, that includes myself, will be challenged, but if we trust the

power of the Holy Spirt at work within us, God will lead the way. May you grow in your love for God in 2021!!

Love you much, but God loves you more!!!

Pastor Luke

From Our Ministry Coordinator…

January 1, 2021

Traveling North!!

HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!!!!!!!!!! If there was ever a year that I was ready to be done with, it is 2020

and I excitedly await 2021! In spite of everything, however, it has been a year filled with

blessings and I refuse to not celebrate the many blessings God has brought to us.

Today, I want to celebrate how much fun I am having traveling north! “North?!?” you may ask.

At this time of the year we want to travel “south” to get out of the cold and snow. Well…this

winter I am enjoying traveling north! Why? Because the office just north of mine is filled with

a blessing that we had prayed for and hoped for over many months. That blessing is a man

named Luke Schouten! Pastor Luke and Christine’s arrival at Emmanuel and the start of their

ministry with us has already been a huge joy in my life, personally, but I know already people in

our church family have seen reason to celebrate them as well.

As is sometimes the case, working relationships happen slowly while others happen quickly. In

this situation, I can tell you that God has already brought Luke and I together in a team that is

exciting and real. We both look forward to what the Lord is going to do through this church!

This journey is not for the faint of heart…this journey of spreading the good news of Christ

throughout our area is so needed right now. This world needs to hear the message of Hope!

May God find us faithful as we work to develop continued and new ways to do just that!

I want to extend my personal thanks to Hilary and the search team that did so well and

accomplished exactly what God ordained for this search. Thank you to the consistory for

adopting the search team’s work and completing the process of bringing Pastor Luke and Chris

to Emmanuel Church. And finally, thanks be to God for His leadership and direction in allowing

this to happen.

2021 is going to be a great year at Emmanuel Church! I can feel it! Please continue to show love

to Pastor Luke and Chris and they get settled and acclimated and know that I will continue

enjoying my travels “north!”

With joy,

Rich

Upcoming dates/events

▪ Sunday, Jan. 3 – NO Jr. High JAM/Sr. High YF ▪ Sunday, Jan. 10 – 4:00-5:30 p.m.-Jr. High JAM/6:30-8:00 p.m.-Sr. High YF ▪ Sunday, Jan. 17 – 4:00-5:30 p.m.-Jr. High JAM/6:30-8:00 p.m.-Sr. High YF ▪ Sunday. Jan. 24 – 4:00-5:30 p.m.-Jr. High JAM/6:30-8:00 p.m.-Sr. High YF ▪ Sunday, Jan. 31 – 4:00-5:30 p.m.-Jr. High JAM/6:30-8:00 p.m.-Sr. High YF

Please contact me with any questions @ 815-535-8630 or jamiearodriguez@hotmail.com

Jamie Rodriguez

Director of Jr. & Sr. High Ministries

VIRTUAL Sunday School for Preschool through 3rd Grade: Hilary & I will resume with pre-

recorded singing & lessons on the Emmanuel Little Folks Sunday School Facebook group page

for you to watch at your convenience on January 10th.

Lydia Ohlsen

Director of Children’s Ministries 563-212-0325 lydiaohlsen@yahoo.com

mailto:jamiearodriguez@hotmail.commailto:lydiaohlsen@yahoo.com

Please uPhold In Prayer … All who have yet to trust the Savior Jesus.

The persecuted church around the world.

The world, national & state leaders.

Those battling addictions in their lives.

Many families in our congregation who are suffering the loss of loved ones.

The families and marriages of our community and church.

The Missionaries our Emmanuel family supports: the Fields’ serving in Columbia; the McCleerys serving in Latin America; the Pitchers serving in South Africa; the Smith-Mathers serving in South Sudan & the Sundararajans serving in Asia.

Those who are healing and recovering:

Margaret Pessman, Corey Johnson and those recovering from COVID-19. Those undergoing cancer treatments:

Deb Wikoff and Jonelle Hook Those who have long-term needs:

Bob Atherton, Linda Damhoff and Jacob Green Those who are confined to their homes or nursing homes: Rollie Ebbers at Heartland Health Care Center in Moline.

Betty Tegeler, George Temple & Lois Wiebenga at Resthave. Norma Boeck at Windsor Manor. Elwyn Nice at Allure of Prophetstown.

Our servicemen and women serving our country, including:

Jason Akker, Riley Coffey, Brad Eissens, Brevin Pruis and Lloyd Wicker

Please take a moment to check the 2020 Church Directory (green) to see if your information is correct and get any address, phone number & email changes or additions to the office by January 13th so that your information will be

correct in the 2021 Church Directory. You may leave these changes

in the bulletin box by the office or email Pam at office@emmanuelreformedchurch.org

mailto:office@emmanuelreformedchurch.org

Men’s Bible Study meets on Saturday mornings at 7:00 a.m. in the Christ Center. It is open to any man that would like to participate. Please contact Scott Findley @ 309-236-3832 for more information.

Installation & Ordination of 2021 Elders & Deacons

Sunday, January 3rd Elders Deacons

Lloyd DeShane Tim Dauphin

Jeff Eissens Robin Henard

Loren Tenboer Suzi Mills

The Classis of Illinois invites the congregation, friends and

guests of Emmanuel Reformed Church to a Service of

Installation for Rev. Luke Schouten

as the senior pastor of this church to be held on

Sunday, January 24th at 3:00 p.m.

This special service will include praise team and

a special message.

Please mark the date on your calendars.

1 2

3 Jeff McDearmon

4 Rhonda Bush Arnie Damhoff

5 Janice Workman

6 7 Mark Pruis

8 Ashley Deuth

9

10 Doug Leech Kathie VanderVinne

11

12 Kathy Dyke Renee Temple

13 14 Karine Fulton Karen Mulnix Dan Vandermyde

15 Ezra Rodriguez Kortlyn Workman

16 Reilly Dolan Terry Mayfield Don Tegeler Arlyn & Jane VanZuiden

17 Daniel Deter Tate Kuehl

18

19 Darlene Hook Kris Schmidt

20

21

22 Ellery Kuehl Donna Todd Elijah VanderMolen Isaiah VanderMolen Samantha Volckmann

23 Corey Johnson

24

25

26

27 Linda Damhoff Jason Kuehl Virgil & Diane Bush

28 Lois Wiebenga

29 Barb Bush

30 31 Don Smith

2021 Sun Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat

1 New Year’s Day Church Offices Closed

2 7:00 am-Men’s Bible Study

3 Installation of 2021 Elders/Deacons

NO Jr. High JAM NO Sr. High YF

4

5

6

7

8

9 7:00 am-Men’s Bible Study

10 Communion 4 pm-Jr. High JAM 6:30 pm-Sr. High YF

11

12

6:30 pm-Elders Mtg Deacons Mtg 7:00 pm-Consistory Mtg

13

5:30-6 pm-Drive-thru

Meal

14

15 16 7:00 am-Men’s Bible Study

17

4 pm-Jr. High JAM 6:30 pm-Sr. High YF

18 12:30-5 pm-Blood Drive (Gym)

19

20

5:30-6 pm-Drive-thru

Meal

21

22

23 7:00 am-Men’s Bible Study

24 3 pm-Installation Service 4 pm-Jr. High JAM 6:30 pm-Sr. High YF

___________ 31

4 pm-Jr. High JAM 6:30 pm-Sr. High YF

25

26

27

5:30-6 pm-Drive-thru

Meal

28

29

30 7:00 am-Men’s Bible Study

Menu

Wednesday, January 13, 2021 (**Subject to change)

Chili Mac

Mixed Vegetables Banana Bars