Emmanuel Community Church Updates
FAMILY LIFE CENTER RENOVATION UPDATE - WEEK 3:
We’re excited to report that we are in Week 3 of our Family Life Center renovations, and great progress is being made!
This transformation is part of our commitment to creating a more welcoming, functional, and vibrant space for ministry, fellowship, and community events.
What to Expect:
Fully renovated restrooms, kitchen, and multi-purpose rooms
Improved accessibility and safety
Upgraded flooring, lighting, furnishings, and more
Timeline:
Renovations are expected to be completed by Fall 2025.
Access Reminder:
During construction, the Family Life Center will be closed to the public. We are deeply grateful to a generous donor who has made this entire project possible through the capital campaign, as all costs have been covered in full by their gift. No general funds have been used for this renovation. We will continue to keep you updated as the work progresses.
ANUNCIO IMPORTANTE: Mientras remodelamos el Family Life Center, el servicio de adoración de ECC se transladará temporalmente.
IMPORTANT ANNOUNCEMENT: While we renovate the Family Life Center, the ECC worship service will be temporarily relocated.
Nuevo Horario: 12:00 PM
New Time: 12:00 PM
Nuevo Lugar: Santuario
New Location: Sanctuary
SUMMER OFFICE HOURS: Please note our new summer office hours.
Monday – Thursday | 9:00 AM – 3:00 PM
While the office will be closed on Fridays, our pastors remain available for pastoral emergencies at any time. If you have an urgent need, please don’t hesitate to call the church office at 239-261-0894, and follow the prompts to reach a pastor.
We look forward to serving you during these updated hours!
SCHOOL SUPPLY DRIVE KICK-OFF: LET’S SUPPORT LOCAL STUDENTS! This Sunday marks the start of our 3-week School Supply Drive. Although it may feel like summer just began, the first day of school is right around the corner in early August—and we want to ensure every child has the tools they need to succeed.
This year, we are collecting supplies for:
Children and families at Emmanuel (both Mooring Line and Oil Well Road campuses)
Calusa Park Elementary School, one of our local Collier County schools
We believe every child deserves to begin the school year with confidence and the supplies they need to focus on learning—not worry.
Here’s how you can help:
1. Pick an apple off the tree in the Narthex and bring in the listed item.
2. Shop our Amazon Wish List – it's quick, easy, and ships directly.
3. Make a monetary donation to Emmanuel:
Online via our website
Or by check (please note "School Supplies" in the memo line)
Thank you for being a blessing to the students in our congregation and community. Together, we can help every child start the year strong!
SIGN UP NOW! THE BUS IS ALMOST FULL! Join us for an unforgettable day at Disney’s Blizzard Beach with your Emmanuel Family!
Date: Saturday July 26
Cost: $ 58 per person
Who’s Invited: Youth, friends & families welcome!
To reserve your place, fill out the Registration Form and drop it off with your money at the church.
Let’s make a splash together this summer!
MAY FINANCIAL UPDATE:
Total income for the month of May was $121,730 -- $34,000 below budget and $4,660 below last year’s May’s offering. Total operating expenses in the month were $188,758 compared to a budget of $213,263.
Year to Date:
Income received through May 31, 2025 is $941,252. Operating expenses for the same period are $999,897 – resulting in a net budgeted income of $58,645.
We know that the months of summer take many people from here to there – and perhaps a number of places in between. In the midst of all that, worship, learning, and service are taking place in and through Emmanuel. In addition, your entire staff is working and planning for the fall as well as making plans for a more impactful year of ministry to our respective and collective communities. We thank you for your continued support of Emmanuel Lutheran Church. If you haven’t had a chance to give recently, or if you feel like you could give more, now is a great time to do so. You can give online through the link provided. You can mail your offering to us or bring it when you came and worship, learn, and serve.
Let us come together in faith and generosity to meet this need and continue to do the work to which we have been called.
TAKE A RIDE! We’re excited to share that our elevator is officially back in service—and better than ever!
After more than a year of necessary repairs and code-required updates, the elevator has passed all inspections and is now ready for you to use. This project ensures that our facilities remain accessible, safe, and up to modern standards.
Thank you for your patience and support throughout the process. We’re thrilled to have this essential feature restored for the comfort and convenience of all who enter our building.
Next time you’re here, feel free to take a ride!
REPRESENTING EMMANUEL AT THE FLORIDA-BAHAMA SYNOD ASSEMBLY: Pastor Rick Bliese, Pastor José Lebrón, Deacon Dee, Deacon Nieves, (representing Emmanuel Lutheran Church) and Howard Isaacson, Beatrice D’Angelo and Sabra Malary (representing Emmanuel Lutheran Global Seminary) attended the Florida-Bahama Synod Assembly, June 12-14, in Kissimmee, FL. This year’s Synod Assembly theme was, “There’s a Time for Everything.” (Ecclesiastes 3)
We’re grateful for their participation and leadership as they represented our congregation in this important gathering of churches across the synod.
Here are some reflections from the assembly and insights they brought back to share with our community!
Reflections from Synod Assembly – Deacon Nieves
Deacon Nieves had a wonderful experience at this year’s Synod Assembly. She was encouraged by the strong attendance and grateful for the chance to reconnect with colleagues she only sees once a year.
A highlight for her was the keynote speaker’s powerful and inspiring message: a call for churches to welcome people of all backgrounds, to embrace diversity, and to engage the younger generation in meaningful ways. The speaker’s energy and passion resonated deeply, reminding all in attendance of the importance of inclusivity and community involvement.
Deacon Nieves also appreciated the opportunity to spend time with the rostered leaders from Emmanuel outside of the usual church setting—celebrating birthdays, sharing laughs, and simply enjoying fellowship together.
Reflections from Synod Assembly – Deacon Dee Schleutker
"This year, I was especially looking forward to hearing the keynote speaker, Rev. Emily Harkins, pastor of The Dwelling in Winston-Salem, NC—and she did not disappoint. She radiated a deep passion for the homeless ministry she leads, and her message was both inspiring and deeply moving."
In addition to the keynote, Dee shared how much she values the opportunity to reconnect with pastors and other rostered leaders from past years.
"This year, I was blessed to catch up with Pastor Will and his family, which was a true joy."