It prepares the chancel for worship and the Sacraments, cleans the sacramental vessels after the services, and displays banners appropriate to the seasons of the church year.

Ruth Society sponsors and operates the annual Fall Festival.

The Society meets at Immanuel at 7:30p.m. on the first Thursday of each month during September through June. Fellowship and devotions, good food and conversation usually mark the evening highlights, along with special programs or speakers.

Throughout the 150 years here at Immanuel, the church has
been blessed to have a great many individuals and groups that have supported the ministry of the Word. Many have given of their time, talent and treasure for various ministries and outreach. Ruth Society has consistently served the Lord for over 60 years.

It's not clear just how they chose the name ‘Ruth Society’. At the time of their formation, a name like ‘Altar Guild’ might have been just as appropriate, but the Ruth Society has evolved into much more than preparing the altar linens and communion vessels on a Sunday morning. Over the past 60 years, hundreds of women have worked at fund-raisers, craft shows, banquets, bake sales, quilting bees, and community dinners, just to name a few of their activities. Tens of thousands of dollars have been raised and spent on floor tile, carpeting, communion ware, altar and sanctuary decorations, kitchen equipment, water softeners, electrical equipment, and confirmand and elder robes and stoles, just to name a few.

But all these THINGS are not what the Ruth Society is about. They are a service organization, serving the Lord, serving their congregation, serving their communities, serving the world in mission support with the same loyalty, devotion, and selfless love as the Biblical figure for whom they're named. Just as Ruth in the Bible, who felt that her place was to stay and serve with her widowed mother-in-law Naomi, the ladies of the Ruth Society stay and serve us at Immanuel. Serving the Lord appears in many fashions and this group has identified many types of serving that can be done.