Caring Ministry

As a community of faith, we seek to support one another during all the ups and downs of life. When disruptions come up in your life, we want to know and are here to offer prayer and support in whatever way you need.  For example, if you've received a new or difficult diagnosis, have a surgery coming up, a friend or loved one has passed away, or any other of life's challenges, we're here to support you and walk with you.

If you, or someone you know, is in need of pastoral care through a difficult or challenging time please submit a Caring Ministry Request so our Care Team will be notified. This request will go directly to members of the Care Team Leadership: Pastor Dan and Deacon Savannah

Learn more about Grief Support, Card Ministry and Meal Ministry.

To submit a Prayer Request scroll to bottom of this page.

Mental Health Awareness Month

In observance of Mental Health Awareness Month, our church is honored to present Stories of Hope, a curated series of testimonies from within our own congregation. These narratives offer an intimate look into the lives of members who have navigated the complexities of mental health challenges, illuminating the diverse pathways—through professional treatment, the steadfast presence of community, and the restorative power of faith—that led them toward healing. By breaking the silence, we aim to foster an environment where every individual feels empowered to speak their truth, rooted in the conviction that mental well-being is as vital as physical health. It is our sacred calling to care for the whole person; we hope these stories serve as a reminder that no one should ever walk through the darkness alone, and that within these walls, your mental health is met with the same compassion, dignity, and grace we afford any other struggle. Read stories HERE.

Grief Literacy Series at Immanuel Lutheran Church

How do we, as a community, support one another in the grief that can accompany many different life transitions?

Join us for a speaker and time for small group discuss as we explore the dynamics of grief and how we care for one another in the midst of it. We will meet at Immanuel Saturday mornings from 9:30-11am (dates below). Each week there will be light snacks and coffee available. There is no cost, but please register beforehand.

• March 14 @ 9:30am: Grief Literacy 101 - What does grief look like, when do we grieve, normalizing and validating the experiences of grief and how do we respond. Speaker: Randy Ruckdashel. Randy is a retired Senior Care Chaplain. He holds a Masters Degree in Congregational Mission and Leadership from Luther Seminary, and worked globally in organizational change and leadership development for most of his professional career. He has a passion for helping people who struggle with change and grief.
• April 18 @ 9:30am: Caregiving and Receiving - What does it look like to care for ourselves and others while experiencing grief.
• May 16 @ 9:30am: Practicing Lament in a Community of Faith - Lament is the practice of passionately expressing our sorrow and grief and is often a practice we largely avoid in the church. How might leaning into this powerful tradition help us to better care for ourselves, one another, and our relationship with God. What does it mean for us to practice lament as a community? And how might it offer hope in unexpected places?

Register HERE

In our human experience, grief and loss touch everyone. Sometimes no one can win. Those who are grieving—when they most need support—can feel alone, misunderstood, or even judged. And those who care deeply for them often struggle to find the right words, knowing that no words can ever truly make it right.

Our culture frequently treats grief as something frightening that needs to be fixed or moved past as quickly as possible. But recovery from loss is not about “getting over it.” It is a process of integration—learning to live alongside grief rather than overcoming it.

While grief cannot be fixed, there are tangible, concrete ways to support those who are grieving.

Immanuel Lutheran Church is offering a series of sessions on “Grief Literacy.” Together, we will learn to better understand the experience of loss, process what it means for ourselves and others, and grow in our ability to respond with compassion and care.

Our goal is to strengthen both individuals and our church family so we can provide thoughtful, effective support to one another in times of loss.

Join us as we grow in understanding, empathy, and faithful presence.

Prayer Requests

Immanuel is a praying community as we seek the love, grace, power and presence of God in our hearts, lives, community and world.

Please pray for the following:

• Dave Brackett had low back surgery May 15. Pray for comfort and healing during recovery.
• Nancy Meyhoefer, hospitalized, but home recovering from a kidney infection. 
• Jane Daly had a spinal fusion surgery this week and is recovering at home.
• Safe travels for all the Immanuel members traveling to Norway & Sweden May 16-21.
• Christa Heupel prays for her mom, Jane Harrison, who entered hospice.