Immanuel's Sparks, 700 N Bloomfield Road, Lake Geneva, WI (2026)

06/05/2026

School is out for summer! And Vacation Bible Camp at Immanuel is in session! This year's VBC: Candyland will start Sunday, July 26th and goes until Thursday, July 30th from 5-7 nightly. Through Bible stories, music, games, crafts, and a snack station all who attend will learn about incredible people from our Bible!

All children from age 4 through those going into 5th grade are invited to attend. We would love to see your child there!

We are still looking for volunteers! We are in need of youth helpers, crew leaders, and a few station leaders. Our crew leaders are the awesome people who stay with the same group of kids throughout the night and guide them to their activities. Our station leaders are the incredible people who lead the stations. At this time we need leaders for our Bible stories, crafts, and games!

*All volunteers are subject to a background check.

To register your child as a participant and/or yourself as a volunteer use the following link: https://vbspro.events/p/ff8bca

06/02/2026

There is an interesting story in our Bible about someone named Vashti. Her story is brief, covering less than a chapter within our Bible. We are introduced to her as the wife of King Xerxes. During a banquet, he summoned her to walk among his guests and display her beauty. She refused. Vashti’s refusal sparked a series of events that would have historic consequences. King Xerxes removed her from her throne and sent her away. That is all we know of her story, yet it sets a precedent for the power of our voices.

Our own use of the word ‘no’ seems to taper as we grow older. Once a staple of our toddler years, it tends to be placed on the shelf of childhood memories to collect dust. Such a simple word that holds so much weight. But the tendency to worry about what our own ‘no’ might do often holds us back. What if it closes a door? What if it causes an upset? What will the consequences be? Still, Vashti’s story reminds us that there is dignity in establishing boundaries, even when the cost is high. We just have to be faithful in the moment. While Vashti lost her crown for her ‘no,’ God used that moment to clear a path for future boundaries. Let’s take it back from the shelf. Dust it off. Use it when needed. We may just be creating space for powerful change.

In Christ,

Sarah

05/26/2026

Parenthood is not something that can be summed up in one word or even a phrase. Too many come to mind. Love. Grace. Growth. Relationship. And so many others. Although there is an expression that aligns quite nicely. Expect the unexpected. I have come to realize that the surprises that come along with it, while varied, are a universal experience. For example, several nights ago my son caught a bird. With a hat. To be fair, he was trying to free it after it had gotten caught in our garage. This was just several days after I tended a snake bite wound on his knuckles. Many of us can relate to these unplanned moments.

This can be a challenge. As parents, many of us like to feel that we are in control. We make schedules. We plan meals. We try our best to protect our children. But the chaos that occasionally accompanies parenthood can interrupt our carefully laid plans. When our illusions of control are shattered by the unexpected, we can go back to the foot of the cross. That is where we can find certainty in an unpredictable world; the love of Jesus. When our expectations fall apart, we can trust in Jesus. In every surprise twist of parenthood, his love remains unchanging. So, whether we are tending wounds or recovering from the news of a daring bird capture, we can smile knowing our chaotic days are held in his hands. Jesus is with us in the mess, turning our unexpected moments into holy ground.

In Christ,

Sarah

05/19/2026

This upcoming Sunday is the day of Pentecost. Traditionally it is seen as the birth of the church. It marked a shift from the localized mission of Jesus to the Spirit-empowered mission of believers. The Holy Spirit arrived in a great gust of wind and breathed new life into all who received it. That divine presence guided God’s people as they shaped the early church. That church was not a building. That church was a people. And it is still here today.

The church is extended to all of us. And by grace, the Holy Spirit is alive within all of us. We are still guided by that divine presence. That great gust of wind which ushered the Holy Spirit to God’s people fills our lungs today. It is there within the quiet rhythms of our everyday life. We can see the Spirit in the hands that serve communion. We can see the Spirit in the parent supporting their child’s faith. We can see the Spirit in the grace we both receive and extend. The Spirit is as close as our own heartbeat. Let us focus on that presence urging us outside of ourselves and into the service of our neighbor. That wind continues to blow. The church is alive. And the mission continues through our hands.

In Christ,

Sarah

05/19/2026

VBC at Immanuel is coming quickly! This year's theme is Candyland: Sweet Stories From Our Bible. Through games, crafts, stories, music, and more all who attend will learn about incredible people who paved the way for our faith!

The week will start on Sunday, July 26th and go through Thursday, July 30th from 5-7 nightly. All children aged 4 up through 5th grade are invited to attend.

We are looking for volunteers! If you would like to join us for this incredible week, please let me know. There are many ways to get involved! Reach out to Sarah at [email protected] with any questions.

To register yourself as a volunteer and/or your child as a participant use this link:
https://vbspro.events/p/ff8bca

05/15/2026

Hello Sparks Families,

It is hard to believe that we have reached our final Sunday of the Sparks year! We will have a party in the fellowship hall. Following the children's message, we will head to our celebration. Following service please meet us in the fellowship hall to pick up your child.

***We will also be celebrating those who are graduating into the Ignite Middle School program. If your child is among those kiddos, please have them join David Box at the ramp on the right side of the altar at the beginning of the 10 o'clock service. Let me know if we can expect your child to join us.

Starting the following Sunday, May 24th, we will move into our summer routine. The children's message will be moved to a slightly later spot within the worship service. Following that, I will take our kiddos out for a special activity. They will be returned to you in time for communion.

Don't forget that VBC is coming quickly! It is Sunday, July 26th through Thursday, July 30th from 5-7 nightly. Through stories, games, music, crafts, and a special snack station all who attend will learn about amazing people from our Bible! We would love for your child to gather with us!

We are also looking for volunteers! We are in need of both crew leaders and station leaders. Crew leaders stay with the same group of children and guide them along their nightly schedule. Our station leaders lead our nightly activities. We do offer a volunteer dinner from 4:15-4:45 to all who are able to attend.

To register yourself as a volunteer and/or your child as a participant, please use the following link: https://vbspro.events/p/ff8bca

Have a great weekend! I'll see you Sunday!

In Christ,

Sarah

05/12/2026

They say that practice makes perfect. The more we practice a skill, the more we will be able to do it well. Repetition is a necessary part of learning. There is a science behind that. Have you heard of Hebb’s law? It’s a simple rule of neuroscience. Neurons that fire together, wire together. This is the foundation for learning, memory formation, and skill acquisition. Science calls this neuroplasticity.

We can recognize it as God’s intentional design for our brains to adapt and be reshaped by our experiences. What if we applied this law to our faith lives? What if we could turn worship into a lifestyle? What if we could turn every breath we take into an intentional connection with God? As we learn to listen to the thoughts the Holy Spirit fires within us, our brains wire to trust God more deeply. We aren’t just changing habits; we are experiencing the Spirit’s renewal of our minds. Faithful practice creates a joyful heartbeat of the Spirit’s new creation within us.

In Christ,

Sarah

05/05/2026

Saturday morning I sat in my living room enjoying the quiet. I sipped my coffee as I waited for the noises of my family waking up. I heard a door open and quick footsteps, indicating my son would soon join me. But as he walked down the stairs, I was struck by how different he looked. My eyes rested on the face I had seen every day for 13 years. The once chubby-cheeked face had morphed into that of a young adult. The child I used to hold in my arms now towers over me. Even still, my heart saw the toddler he once was. It is a strange feeling when those two worlds collide.

That moment was a reminder of the ways my role as a parent has changed. No longer am I raising a young child. I am now preparing him for the world. As a friend shared with me, the ‘keeping him alive’ phase of parenting has all but ended. I took in this new image of my son and breathed a quiet prayer. I thanked God for this gift of my child. And I asked for the wisdom to lead him in this new phase of life, while keeping his toddler years close in my heart. Watching our children grow is bittersweet. We often need to remind ourselves that it is okay to miss who they once were. But how beautiful it is to love who they are. In the moments when those two worlds collide, let us learn to celebrate the joy and love that they both hold.

In Christ,

Sarah

04/30/2026

Hello Sparks Families,

I hope you are all having a great start to your weekend! So much is happening at Immanuel. There are a lot of exciting days ahead. Here is what to expect from your child's classroom this week:

Preschool/PreK - this crew will learn how they can use their hands for good by helping in the world!

Kindergarten/1st - this group will dive deeper into the life of Paul by taking a closer look at his walk to Damascus and how Jesus changed his heart!

2nd/3rd Grade - this crew will finish their lesson series called Knowing Jesus in a New Way. This will help them see the many ways Jesus is still present with us!

4th/5th Grade - this class will hear a lesson called the Holy Trinity!

As we move closer into the summer season there are a few things to keep in mind. Here are some important dates:

Sunday, May 3rd - we will have a communion class from 11:15-12:15 in the conference room. That is the large room to the left when you walk into the main office. Any and all ages are welcome to attend. During our time together we will discuss what communion is and why it is important to our faith.

Sunday, May 10th - this is our kids' next day to shine! They will share their newest song with the congregation. We are so excited to bless all with their beautiful singing voices!

Sunday, May 17th - this is the last official day of Sunday school for the year. We will celebrate with a party in the fellowship hall. Following the children's message, we will head there and split into groups. We will then have time for games, crafts, and a special snack! Pick up will be in the fellowship hall after service.

Sunday May 24th - we will kick off our summer routine on this day. The children's message will be moved to slightly later in the service. Following this the kiddos will come with me for a special activity/lesson in the fellowship hall. Afterwards, they will be returned to you in the sanctuary in time to take communion.

VBC - our dates this year are Sunday, July 26th to Sunday, July 30th from 5-7 nightly. Through games, crafts, songs, and stories, all who attend will learn about some very important people from our Bible!

Here is the link to register: https://vbspro.events/p/ff8bca

Don't hesitate to reach out with any questions or concerns. Have a great weekend!

In Christ,

Sarah

04/28/2026

After a nearly eighteen-hour delivery, my daughter was placed in my arms. Breath filled her tiny lungs and escaped in a loud cry that felt like a dagger in my heart. My attempts to calm her fell flat. No amount of bouncing, soothing, or singing seemed to have any effect. The longer she cried, the more my panic rose. And the more my panic rose, the more she cried. It was a vicious cycle. I felt that I had failed in motherhood within minutes of becoming one.

Our humanity is linked to a long history of brokenness. We always have been and always will be broken. People are inherently flawed. And the little human you are guiding through life is also inherently flawed. If we desire perfection, we will consistently be disappointed. Perfection cannot and should not be the goal. Navigating the world together then becomes a delicate and necessary endeavor. Here’s the silver lining: the mistakes we make along the way can become purposeful. Our biggest failures can become our children’s biggest source of strength if we handle them with grace.

In admitting our failures, we are communicating to our children that it’s okay to make mistakes. It creates a safe space for our children to recognize their own shortcomings. Our relationships thrive. Trust is established. And personal growth is given room to flourish. When we embrace our brokenness in unity and grace with our children, we can turn those initial panicked cries into an invitation to grow together.

In Christ,

Sarah

Immanuel's Sparks

06/05/2026

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