As summer turns to fall, we can look back on just the last few months and see that God has been doing exciting things in our faith community!

  • Participation in in-person worship met or (in most cases)
exceeded pre-pandemic levels all summer long,
even as our broadcast ministries continue to serve those
who cannot gather with us in the worship space!

  • Our ministry fair in July was so successful,
that the ESL program in our building is able to DOUBLE the amount of class times they offer this fall!

  • Dozens of people came together to grow in faith, have fun, 
and volunteer at our three Summer Celebration events!

  • Ecumenical relationships were renewed 
at our Worship & Community event at the 
Bentzin Family Town Square on August 13!

  • Your continued faithful giving to our congregation has allowed us to stay current on all of our financial obligations without touching our line of credit for several years!

While we know there will always be challenges that come our way, 
we also know that God’s faithfulness endures. The psalmist writes:

“Blessed are those who strength is from God…
they will go from strength to strength.”

PSALM 84:5, 7

WE HAVE BEEN STRETCHED AND STRENGTHENED

As we prepare to enter our 149th year, we share in a rich history and a bright future of mission and ministry in Watertown and beyond. Throughout that time, we’ve been stretched and strengthened 
into the congregation we are today.

Your staff, Congregation Council, and Finance Committee are currently at work on forming our proposed budget for 2024.

As you likely know, the remaining balance on Immanuel’s building loan will become a mortgage this February. At that time, these fixed monthly payments will become part of our congregation’s budget and taken from the general fund. The generosity of congregation members like you and the legacy of gifts to our endowment fund allows the essential work of Immanuel to grow and thrive in our renewed ministry and education wing.

As we plan for the year ahead, we need your help with two things:

  • To make our upcoming mortgage payments as manageable as possible, we are seeking to pay an additional $100,000 in principal within the next five months. Any gift you can make to this effort is greatly appreciated.

  • God has given each of us gifts to share with one another. Consider in prayer and reflection the ways you will financially support our congregation in 2024.

Enclosed with this message is a pledge card to indicate your intentions for the year ahead. Please join others in our congregation by making your pledge by October 9. There are many different methods for giving, and gifts from stocks or Individual Retirement Accounts (IRAs) may even offer benefits to you.

GOD’S FUTURE FOR IMMANUEL IS STRONG

While this may be a time of stretching for us, we know that we will be strengthened in the process. God’s future for Immanuel is strong! Many exciting things like small group opportunities, the Reconciling in Christ (RIC) process, and the events celebrating our 150th anniversary are coming very soon!

Thank you for your faithful generosity and stewardship this year and in the year to come. The ministries we do and the spaces we house them in are made possible by your generosity. We look forward to the ways God will continually move us from strength to strength together!

Peace be with you!

Rev. Carina Schiltz
Pastor

DeWayne Roberson
President