CHISTMAS OUTREACH OF ISABELLA COUNTY
Christmas Outreach is a diverse mixture of individuals and groups (service clubs, churches, student groups, businesses) who join together each fall/winter to help the needy in our county have a better Christmas. Around 1980 Christmas Outreach came into being as a formally organized entity (ie- with meetings, minutes, officers, etc...). The group started after several individuals saw duplication of efforts in the community and decided to pool resources to better serve those in need. With monthly meetings September to January, the department leaders plan for the coming December event. Departments include - coats, hats/mittens, books, boots, bedding/linens, Christmas items, bikes, Christmas trees, and Christmas stockings; other committee members include: registration, office clerical help, officers. An annual budget is proposed each year. Departments are then able to shop for their needs. Some purchases are made after Christmas to take advantage of sales for the next year. Anyone who says they are in need of eligible to receive help. All that is needed is for the individual/family to register during the early November sign-up period. Christmas Outreach is a non-profit 501C3 organization. Please contact the church office for more information.
THE CARE STORE -
HELP US CARE FOR OTHERS! You can help families in need to get the basics by donating to The Care Store. We have a permanent area in the church foyer for donated items which we take to the care store bi-weekly. You can give a one-time donation to help families in need now or you can give a recurring donation every month. With your donation, families can receive the basics like soap, laundry detergent, toothpaste, and toilet paper.
CMU FOOD PANTRY -
The Student Food Pantry at Central Michigan University works to alleviate the challenges and hardships of food insecurity that about 1 in 3 CMU students encounter during their academic career. The food pantry provides much-needed support for students so they can remain enrolled and earn a degree. Immanuel "Stuffs the pantry" once a year in early September.
ISABELLA COUNTY RESTORATION HOUSE (ICRH) -
Immanuel Participates with the ICRH twice a year, providing volunteers & Food. The ICRH is providing temporary shelter and empowering a pathway to self-sufficiency for people experiencing homelessness in our community. To check on shelter services, please call 989-400-4126. For other questions, please call 989-824-1207.
FOOD FOR THOUGHT (FFT)
is a monthly—or sometimes bi-monthly—gathering open to everyone at Immanuel. Each meet-up offers a chance to enjoy lunch together, play a few rounds of trivia, write uplifting notes to our shut-ins, and hear from inspiring community speakers. At its heart, FFT is all about building relationships, deepening our connections, and nurturing a spirit of fellowship within our church family.
SPRING BREAK PACKAGES -
In 2025, Immanuel launched a heartfelt initiative to help bridge the Spring Break food gap for elementary students who depend on school meals. The congregation collected non-perishable items and assembled 44 care packages, each with enough food for five full meals. These were delivered to Weidman Elementary and distributed to students in need—sharing nourishment and compassion beyond the classroom walls.
CHRISTMAS IN JULY -
Each July, Immanuel gears up for our annual Christmas Outreach by collecting new and gently used blankets. This simple but meaningful gesture ensures that every guest who attends the Outreach event receives the warmth and comfort of a blanket—sharing the love of Christ in a tangible way. Christmas in July reminds us that giving doesn’t have to wait until December.
ILC COOKS & HOSPITALITY
There are many opportunities at Immanuel to demonstrate your cooking skills! Whether a social event, a funeral luncheon, Sunday hospitality or the youth bake sale - we welcome your help. The church council has set "Food Guidelines" to make sure that all people are included. Feel free to download a copy. FOOD GUIDLINES
FINANCIAL/GIVING -
To give to Immanuel Lutheran Church online, please click the button below to go to a secure giving portal. Options are available for both ongoing and one-time gifts.​​
ENDOWMENT GIVING -
For many years, individuals have found planned gifts to be effective vehicles for benefiting their favorite charitable organizations. In addition to personal satisfaction, such gifts offer planning opportunities to minimize federal and state taxes, increasing the possibilities for effective distribution of personal assets.
Recognizing that some members of Immanuel might desire to leave a Legacy Gift so that our Church can continue its outreach, Immanuel Lutheran Church has two Endowment Funds you may choose:
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Mission Endowment
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Church Endowment