Volunteer & Outreach Opportunities

Volunteer and Outreach Opportunities at Immanuel Crystal Lake

Thank you for considering volunteering for the numerous ministries of Immanuel Lutheran Church and/or School in Crystal Lake. You are volunteering to be the hands and feet of Christ as we serve the community and share the great news of God’s Love and Saving Grace.

Immanuel Lutheran Church is blessed with a variety of ministry opportunities for volunteers who wish to use their time and talents in service to God and others. Whether you are interested in working directly with people, supporting behind-the-scenes efforts, or contributing to worship and education, there is a place for you here.

Volunteers are needed in many areas, including but not limited to:

  • Worship Services: Assist as ushers, greeters, lectors, altar guild, or with the music ministry.

  • Christian Education: Serve as Sunday School teachers, youth group leaders, or assist with Vacation Bible School.

  • Community Outreach: Help with food pantry operations, meal programs, or special service projects that benefit those in need within our community.

  • School Support: Participate in classroom activities, chaperone field trips, or assist with special events at Immanuel Lutheran School.

  • Fellowship and Hospitality: Organize and support events such as Sunday Snack, Welcome Center, or other congregational gatherings.

  • Property and Maintenance: Lend a hand with building and grounds upkeep to help maintain a welcoming and safe environment.

  • Care Ministries: Visit homebound members, send cards, or provide meals to those experiencing illness or loss.

By volunteering, you are making a meaningful difference in the lives of others and helping to fulfill our mission of sharing God’s love in practical and impactful ways. Your service is not only a blessing to those you help, but also a reflection of your faith in action.

Look below for some volunteer opportunities or contact to Sharon Tieman, stieman@immanuelcl.org for more information.

We look forward to serving alongside you as we continue to grow in faith and reach out in love to our community.

View Volunteer Guidelines

Worship Opportunities

  • Children in grades 3rd – 5th are trained to acolyte (light the candles) for church services..

  • Welcome all worshipers (both members and guests) with bulletin and connection card, assist with setting up for services, collect the offering, provide assistance to worshippers); adults and families with children 3rd grade and up.

  • Offer a friendly welcome to members and guests who attend Immanuel Sundays and during special worship services.

  • Read Bible lessons during the Saturday 6 PM or Sunday 8 AM traditional worship.

  • Serve coffee, donuts, and treats between services Sunday mornings.

  • Greet and welcome first and all guests to Immanuel – give gifts to guests.

  • Assist with setup and cleaning of Communion ware and altar area, decorating, flowers, and much more.

  • Assist Pastors with distributing communion (contact Pastor Tieman at ltieman@immanuelcl.org for more information)

Contact Sharon at stieman@immanuelcl.org for the worship volunteer opportunities.

Two girls holding children in nursery

Family & Child Opportunities

  • Care for children ages 5 years and younger during a worship service.

  • Children Education Program during the school year for ages 3 through 5th grade  - Team teaching opportunities to share Bible based children’s curriculum.

  • Verge is a Sunday morning class specific for 6th graders that meets during Education Hour.

Contact Sharon at stieman@immanuelcl.org for family and child volunteer opportunities.

Praise team on stage with playing instruments and singing

Music Opportunities

  • Audio/Visual technology opportunities to serve during worship.

  • Praise Team is open to anyone who is 13 and up. There is no experience needed for the Media Team & auditions for the Band and are held upon request. Members of the band range in talent from intermediate to advanced and everyone who auditions plays at their level. We do not ‘perform’ as our audience consists of ONE: God. We simply lead others to worship. Each member serves as much or as little as they desire. Band members come to a Thursday rehearsal prior to the Sunday they are serving.

  • The adult chancel choir is made up of high school through adult members who wish to worship God with singing. Rehearsals are Tuesday evenings from 7:00-8:30pm. Sing in worship twice a month at the 8:00 a.m. service.

  • The choir is open to all kids Pre-K through 5th grade and meets every other week in the music room from 6:00-6:30pm. Each rehearsal starts with fun and active warmups and along with learning songs that praise Jesus, your child will learn vocal techniques as well.

Contact Amy at aantor@immanuelcl.org or Robert rblazek@immanuelcl.org for opportunities within the music ministry.

Two girls acolyting

Outreach Opportunities

  • A young child and a woman are playing with a service dog, a golden retriever, on the floor inside a building. The dog is wearing a blue service vest, and the child is touching the dog's face while the woman smiles nearby.

    Comfort Dog

    With a dedicated team of 11 trained handlers, 4 ministry partners, and numerous supporters, Abednego is here to serve our church, school, and the wider community with love and compassion.

    Whether you would like to invite Abednego to your meeting, group, or event, we encourage you to reach out via email at comfortdog@immanuelcl.org

    Learn More About Our Comfort Dog
  • Four women standing together in a grocery store, wearing matching gray t-shirts with a cross and the text "Immanuel Crystal Lake" and "ImmanuelCL.org." They are smiling, and the store shelves are stocked behind them.

    Food Pantry

    Volunteer 3-5 times a quarter at the Crystal Lake Food Pantry. Help Main prepare the food/store for neighbors, escort neighbors while shopping and then clean up the back of house.

    Multiple Wednesday shifts available. Contact Mark Noennig at marknoennig@gmail.com for more information.

  • Two men sitting in front of a truck filled with donation bags and boxes on the street, smiling at the camera.

    Pack the Pod

    When homeless Veterans move to permanent housing, they often need basic items.  PACK THE POD is our annual opportunity to partner with area ministries and support Veterans of McHenry County by gathering and distributing common household items.

    Questions?  Contact Don Kearley at dkearleyimmanuelcl.org

  • Graphic promoting the 'Sunday of Service' event at Immanuel Crystal Lake with a red church logo, red and yellow diagonal stripes, and bold blue text.

    Sunday of Service

    Join hundreds of other Immanuel members in giving their time and talents to serve others one Sunday a year. Start recruiting a team, think of project ideas and email Sharon Tieman to get the ball rolling! Projects for all ages and abilities will be available!

    Contact Sharon Tieman with questions: stieman@immanuelcl.org.

  • Two stacked red and green boxes of Christmas Child Operation Samaritans Purse.

    Operation Christmas Child

    Our mission is to provide local partners around the world with shoeboxes filled with small toys, hygiene items, and school supplies as a means of reaching out to children in their own communities with the Good News of Jesus Christ. We ship these simple gifts outside the United States to children affected by war, poverty, natural disaster, famine, and disease; and to children living on Native American reservations in the U.S.

    Reach out to
    Jen Schulz jennyschulz@juno.com for more information.

    Introduction Video
  • A stylized black cross with a red heart behind it, alongside the text 'Kids Hope USA' and a black ribbon with the phrase 'Life Together'.

    Kids Hope USA

    Kids Hope USA is a national church-owned, school based mentoring program that equips a church to build a partnership with its neighborhood public elementary school by providing faithful mentors to children who need a caring adult friend. Kids Hope USA gives schools a proven intervention to help children who may be struggling academically, emotionally or socially at no cost to the school.

    For information reach out to Linda Gray Lgray@immanuelcl.org

    Learn More About Kids Hope