THIS WEEK AT IMMANUEL

Sunday (2/19)

• 9:00 am—Divine Service with Holy Communion
• 10:30 am—Bible Class & Sunday School
• 11:30 am—Higher Things Informational Meeting
• 7:00 pm—Men’s Bible Study (Fellowship Hall)

Monday—Thursday

• 7:30 am—Matins

Tuesday

• 9:00 am—Classical Conversations Home School Coop

Wednesday

• 10:00 am—Looking Forward to Sunday Bible Study
• 7:00 pm—Bible History Bible Study

Saturday

• 3:30 pm—Individual Confession & Absolution
• 5:30 pm—Divine Service with Holy Communion

Sunday (2/26)

• 9:00 am—Divine Service with Holy Communion
• 10:30 am—Bible Class & Sunday School
• 7:00 pm—Youth Group Event

IN OUR PRAYERS

HEALTH CONCERNS: Mia Anderson (great-granddaughter of Joan Vukelich); Bernita Ashwill; Jimmee Barger (friend of the Alexanders); Judy Cox (daughter of Ruth Sims); Ellie Crawford (daughter of Laran Crawford); Jim Harbaugh; Kim Hausman (friend of Ann Carroll); Patti Heath (friend of the Hoels); Joel Hilgendorf; John Hofer (relative of Jerry Alexander); Trena Knauss (sister of Tresa Pollock); Scott McCumber (friend of the Russos); Laurie McMillen; Ken Moen (friend of the Vukeliches); Bill Negangard (grandfather of Bryce Reifsteck); Cheryl Sanderson (sister-in-law of Sue Snyder); Roland Spomer.

SEMINARY STUDENT: Hayden Folks.

DEACONESS STUDENT: Carolyn Walsh.

MISSIONARIES: Rev. Dr. Edward and Monica Naumann; Rev. Alan and Patricia Ludwig; Julie Lutz.

HOMEBOUND: Bernita Ashwill; Bessie Benson; Dolores Byers; Marylin Joergens; Joan Mulligan; Janet Pollock; Art Rahn; Ruth Rentschler.

MILITARY: John Bookas; Carl Crawford; Jeremy Gordon; Jack Leonard; Jake Lindgren; Raymond Longtin; Joey Pollock; Chase Reifsteck; Blake Stokes; Paige Stokes; Ruben Wilson.

THE ANNOUNCEMENTS

NEXT WEEK’S READINGS . . . 1 Samuel 16:1–13; 1 Cor. 13:1–13; Luke 18:31–43

ABOUT THIS WEEK’S READINGS . . . The Sower sows the seed of His Word (Luke 8:4–15). This Word is living and powerful (Heb. 4:9–13) to conceive new life in those who hear it. But the planting of Christ is attacked by the devil, the world, and the flesh. Satan snatches the Word away from hard hearts. The riches and pleasures of this life choke off faith. Shallow and emotional belief withers in time of temptation and trouble. But see how Christ bears this attack for us! Christ’s cross was planted in the hard and rocky soil of Golgotha. A crown of thorns was placed upon His head. Satan and His demons hellishly hounded and devoured Him. Yet, through His dying and rising again, He destroyed these enemies of ours. Jesus is Himself the Seed which fell to the ground and died in order that it might sprout forth to new life and produce much grain. In Him, the weak are strong (2 Cor. 11:19–12:9). He is the Word of the Father which does not return void (Is. 55:10–13) but yields a harvest hundredfold.

THOUGHTS ABOUT STEWARDSHIP . . . Luke 8:5 “And as he sowed, some fell along the path and was trampled underfoot. . .” Know any farmers like this? Who just throw their crop seed wherever? That’s crazy! But God’s ways are not our ways—he is generous beyond compare! He delights in giving. As we are more and more conformed to his image, may we learn the joy of generosity and giving as well!

THE ALTAR FLOWERS . . . were given by Laverl & Dolores Byers to the glory of God on the occasion of their wedding anniversary.

HIGHER THINGS INFORMATIONAL MEETING . . . is today (Sunday) at 11:30 am in the Fellowship Hall.

MEN’S BIBLE STUDY . . . meets today (Sunday) at 7:00 pm in the Fellowship Hall.

LCMS RURAL & SMALL TOWN MISSION . . . is sponsoring an event on Saturday, April 22, 9:30 am–3:00 pm, at St. John’s Lutheran Church, Green Valley, Illinois. One of the themes of the “Engaging the Wandering” event will be on building and strengthening relationships with inactive members. Please let Pastor Braaten or Leigh Ann know if you are interested in attending this event with Pastor. The cost is $25.00 per participant.

YOU CAN READ THE BIBLE ON YOUR PHONE . . . because of Luther. We love and treasure the Word of God. The Scriptures are our sole source for doctrine and practice. The Scriptures deliver Christ to us, and for this we rejoice. Luther desired that every person have access to the Word of God. He translated the Bible into German so that every person could read it. A result of Luther’s translation was the proliferation of Bible translations, and today, the multiplicity of media through which God’s Word is freely available.

LENTEN MIDWEEK SOUP & SANDWICH SUPPER . . . We will be having our Lenten Midweek suppers before the Midweek Services this year, 5:30 pm–6:45 pm. The serving schedule is as follows:

• Wed, Mar 1 — Board of Mission & Evangelism
• Wed, Mar 8 — Board of Education
• Wed, Mar 15 — Men’s Club
• Wed, Mar 22 — LWML
• Wed, Mar 29 — Board of Elders & Board of Trustees
• Wed, Apr 5 — Board of Stewardship

GREETERS

THIS WEEK

• Donna Campbell (West)
• Craig & Carol Munson (East)

NEXT WEEK

• Jim & Carolyn Dyer (West)
• Joan Vukelich (East)

COMMUNION HELPERS

THIS WEEK

• Jack Appleby
• Sherrie Hoel, Mackenzi Bowles

NEXT WEEK

• Jack Appleby
• Sherrie Hoel; Marissa Russo

ACOLYTES

THIS WEEK

• Caleb Stumeier (Crucifer)
• Ethan Stumeier (Torches)
• Coulson Poffenberger (Torches)
• Oliver Braaten (Gospel)

NEXT WEEK

• Ethan Stumeier (Crucifer)
• Caleb Stumeier (Torches)
• Josh Dyer (Torches)
• Oliver Braaten (Gospel)

COFFEE COMMITTEE

• Bryce & Deborah Reifsteck—February
• Craig & Carol Munson—March

FUNERAL CHAIR

• Ruth Sims & Tammy Kresin—February
• Joyce Alexander—March