Welcome to Emmanuel!
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9:00 am Traditional Service in the Chapel
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10:30 am The ReFresh Worship Service is in the Sanctuary in person, on zoom,
and recorded on Facebook.
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If you would like to join us on zoom for the 10:30a.m. service,
please click the button below.
If you need to be added to the email list, you may sign up for the list(s) for the items you would like to receive, by clicking on the button ("sign up for E'-News") at the bottom of this page.
Spiritual Journeys
Tuesday mornings 9:30 - 11:00am
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Spiritual Journeys Tuesday, May 5, 2026, Spiritual Journeys will begin a new book “Whole Hearted Faith,” by Rachel Held Evans and Jeff Chu. Join us at 9:30 a.m. until 11:00 am. by Zoom
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/8983835
No need to read in advance. We take turns reading in our group and pause for discussion.
You can join us anytime, we read and discuss the book together. You can find more information about the book on Amazon. Contact Karen Van Howe at karenvanhowe@gmail.com for question or if you want to join the group.
Upcoming at Emmanuel
Something for Everyone
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​​​​​​​​Join Beth Campisi every Monday
for Cardio Drumming
Cardio Drumming 4:00-5:00 pm
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​​​Yoga with Claudette Pirrello
every Monday, 5:00 pm - 6:15 pm
& every Thursday, 1:00 pm - 2:15 pm
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Soul Garden Forest Preserve Walks
See article.
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​Women's Interfaith Potluck
See article.
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​​​Spiritual Journeys Book Study
"Whole Hearted Faith"
Tuesdays, 9:30 - 11:00am​
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Chrysalis "A Story of Human Emergence"
May 2, 4:00 at Emmanuel
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Arts @ Emmanuel Jewelry Sale
May 17th, 1:00 - 3:00pm
Arts@Emmanuel
Flyers below
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​​​​All are welcome @ Emmanuel!!!​​
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Soul Garden Forest Preserve Walks
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Come hike for an hour in Winnebago Counties Forest preserves. Text Holly if you want to join the hikes: 815-543-1191. Meet at the Forest preserve entrances unless otherwise instructed.
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Thursday, May 7th 10:00am
Oak Ridge Forest Preserve
8322 Blomberg Road, Cherry Valley, IL 61016
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Link to Descriptions of all 44 Forest Preserves
​https://www.winnebagoforest.org/items
All hikes begin at 10:00 a.m. Dress for the weather!
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Silent meditation practice
in the Benson Room at Emmanuel.
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Thursdays from 5:30 – 6:15pm
All are welcome.
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Enter by parking lot entrance.
Questions or text Sara 815-742-0581.
Breathe In-Between
The months when Breathe Mediation does not meet, we will gather with Christyn Rittenhouse for Breathe In- Between. A time to meet each other in quiet conversation and meditation.
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Breathe and Breathe-In-Between will be on hiatus starting in May. They will resume in September
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"Chrysalis: the re-invention of the Human"
Join us for another original by Jim Roberts and produced by David Stocker
Saturday May 2, 4:00–5:30pm in the Underground Emmanuel Theatre, a story told through a synergy of story, dance, music, and drama. No cost. Everyone welcome.
ELB will be back for two dates May 2nd and May 30, 7:00 – 10:00pm
Arts@Emmanuel
Coming May 1, 2026
Yoga with Claudette
on Mondays and Thursdays
Join Claudette on Mondays, 5:00 to 6:15 pm and Thursdays, 1:00 to 2:15 pm in Emmanuel's dance studio. Claudette is an experienced leader and very kind. So, if you are a beginner or advanced, come experience yoga.
Women's Interfaith Potluck
Women’s Interfaith Potluck
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All women are invited to attend the interfaith potlucks, listed below, which start at 6:00 p.m. Please bring a dish to pass. Plates, silverware, and beverages will be provided, but you are always welcome to bring your own plate and silverware if you wish.
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- Monday, May 18, 2026, at Christ Lutheran Church, 425 Riverside Rd., Belvidere. Karen Glavin will talk about walking meditation and the history of labyrinths. People will also have an opportunity to walk the labyrinth at Christ Lutheran Church.
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- Monday, June 29, 2026, at Zion Lutheran Church, 925 - 5th Ave., Rockford. (NOTE: enter at rear door, next to the fire escape; If no one is at the door, push the button marked Kitchen and someone will open it.) The program will be "In Our Own Voice", through Northern Illinois NAMI, with an inspiring panel of women discussing their personal experiences with mental illness.
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- Monday, July 27, 2026, at Muslim Association of Greater Rockford, 5921 Darlene Dr., Rockford.
Please join us
Arts@Emmanuel will be having a jewelry sale
Sunday, May 17th, 1:00-3:00 pm
in Emmanuel’s Celebration Room
All are welcome. Enter by North Entrance
Join Beth Campisi
for Cardio Drumming in 2026
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Every Monday 4:00 to 5:00 pm
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Cardio drumming combines cardio exercise and drumming to music to provide an easy but effective workout. Using an exercise ball, a bucket and drumsticks, cardio drumming is a fun, fast paced way to increase your heart rate, burn calories and improve your coordination. It even helps to improve brain function and you don't need to be a drummer to do it! Cardio drumming is fun, engaging and accessible to everyone. All fitness levels welcome!
Contact Holly Blair-Cascio if you would like to Cardio drum with us!
815-543-1191 hollyblair@mac.com
Reconciling in Christ (RIC)
In January of 2013, Emmanuel's members voted unanimously at the "Annual Meeting of the Congregation" to become an RIC member, adding this to our long-time philosophy of "radical hospitality". This designates this congregation as "open and accepting to all who come, regardless of socio-economic status, race, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, or spiritual path", as states in Emmanuel's welcome statement. This January is the 13th Anniversary of being designated as an open and caring organization.
People who come as visitors and those who eventually stay feel the acceptance and love of Christ that Emmanuel has to give.
The Church Council Officers
& Members for 2026 are:
President: Karen Van Howe: Worship and Music
Vice-President: Kelli Luebke
Treasurer: Rich Lundin, Treasurer, Financial:
Secretary: Kathlyn Wright: Outreach, Food Pantry
Susan Hurley-Whitacre, Arts @ Emmanuel
Marcia Terrill, at Large
Taj Guzzardo, Membership, Caring Connections
Dan Goldberg, at Large
Kristie Heath-White, at Large
Dena Rasmussen at Large​
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Serving the people who live, work,
worship, and play
in the neighborhoods of Midtown
MLP Newsletter
Check out our Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/Midtown-Lutheran-Parish-101030175425386
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Spring 2026 MLP Newsletter
Opportunities in Midtown Lutheran Parish—
ALL ARE WELCOME!
Katie’s Cup is open Tuesday thru Friday 8 am - 2 pm
Katie’s Walking Club—Thursdays at 9:15 a.m., weather permitting
Katie’s Choice Book Club—Second Thursday of the month, 10 am.—11:15 am. Check with Katie’s Cup for book selection
Katie’s Cup Conversations— Tuesdays at Noon-1:00 p.m.: (Room opens at 11:30 am)
​May 12, 2026 - Marika Mertz and Evan Paul - "Missions to Haiti".
RVC Lecture Series
Please Register early through RVC’s CLR (Center for Learning in Retirement) If places available, may pay $5 at the door. Call Tammy Lewis at 815-921-3933 or email T.Lewis@rockvalleycollege.edu
Thursday, May 7, 2026—10:00-11:30 a.m. Pr. Michael Thomas on White Body Supremacy
First Lutheran Naomi Circle meets the 1st Wednesday of the month at Katie’s Cup lower level, 11:30 am-2:00 pm, using “Gather” Magazine devotion. Buy a beverage or lunch, if you wish.
Soul Garden Hikes—Come hike for an hour in Winnebago Counties Forest preserves. Text Holly if you want to join the hikes: 815-543-1191. Meet at Forest preserve entrances unless otherwise instructed.
Link to Descriptions of all 44 Forest Preserves
https://www.winnebagoforest.org/items
We hike year around. Dress for the weather.
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See schedule for forest preserve hikes above!

Special Events at Emmanuel Lutheran Church:
For the following Emmanuel events, contact Holly Blair-Cascio 815-543-1191
*Special Art Exhibit: “Love is...” The art is available for viewing through April 2026 during church office hours.
T,W,Th, 9:00 am to 1:00 pm. Sundays, 9:00 am to Noon.
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*Cardio-Drumming (Mondays— 4:00-5:00 p.m. To sign up, contact Holly 815-543-1191
Emmanuel Lutheran Church Pantry— Fridays 9:30-11:30 am (closed the Fridays after Thanksgiving and Christmas)
Emmanuel Lutheran Spiritual Journeys Book Study, Tuesdays, 9:30-11 am. by Zoom. We read together and discuss. On February 3, 2026, we started reading: "The Tears of Things: Prophetic Wisdom for an Age of Outrage", by Richard Rohr.
Join Zoom Meeting.
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/89838350099?pwd=O4Hu08ruXp2VHLOZLm9lsHyRKypPv9.1
Bible Studies:
Salem Lutheran: Tuesdays at 9:30 am in the Founders’ Room
Emmanuel: Wednesdays at noon. Zoom link: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/89356888344?pwd=dEw2NHVsS0JzYWdxUWdGVVk3OE5XZz09​
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140th Anniversary of Emmanuel Lutheran Church
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Emmanuel celebrated its 140th anniversary on July 17, 2022 and the 100th anniversary of our second church building in November 2023. Emmanuel’s history and evolution began with the Swedish immigrants’ courage, boldness, and hard work, conserving some of their Swedish Lutheran traditions all while adapting, in a new context with a new language.
Emmanuel continues to evolve, enriching the Spiritual Life of the Community with the Arts including music, poetry, artwork, dance, communing with nature, retreats, and other expressions of our Spirituality. We meet you where you are on your journey.
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SERVICE TIMES
Sunday
9:00am - Traditional Worship (Chapel)
10:30am - ReFresh Worship (Sanctuary)
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Breathe Meditation Service:
(Breathe is held four times a year)
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All are welcome to come as you are to our worship services!
Parking is available on Third Avenue or the parking lot north of the church.
