God is with us in Word and Sacrament

Immanuel News & Notes (Advent 2)

THIS WEEK AT IMMANUEL

Sunday (12/10)

  • 9:00 am—Divine Service with Holy Communion
  • 10:30 am—Bible Class & Sunday School
  • 12:30 pm—Catechism Class

Monday—Thursday

  • 7:30 am—Matins

Monday

  • 5:00 pm—Board of Mission & Evangelism
  • 6:00 pm—Board of Christian Education
  • 6:30 pm—Board of Trustees
  • 7:00 pm—Board of Elders

Tuesday

  • 9:00 am—Circuit Pastors’ Meeting (Tuscola)

Wednesday

  • 7:00 pm—Midweek Advent Serice

Saturday

  • 9:00 am—Sunday School Teachers Lesson Planning
  • 3:30 pm—Individual Confession & Absolution
  • 5:30 pm—Divine Service with Holy Communion

Sunday (12/17)

  • 9:00 am—Divine Service with Holy Communion
  • 10:15 am—LWML Cookie Walk
  • 10:30 am—Bible Class & Sunday School
  • 12:30 pm—Catechism Class
  • 6:00 pm—Sunday School Christmas Service

IN OUR PRAYERS

HEALTH CONCERNS: Joyce Alexander; Mia Anderson (great-granddaughter of Joan Vukelich); Bernita Ashwill; Mark Ashwill; Leonard Boerngen; Dale Brown (friend of Margaret Stilwell); Connie Hilgendorf Bruns (cousin of Mary Appleby); John Carico (brother of Greg Nau); Owen Clark (friend of Mark & Leigh Ann Whitson); Judy Cox (daughter of Ruth Sims); Ellie Crawford (daughter of Laran Crawford); Mike Ekstrom; Charles Gilbert (brother of Janice Arthur); Susan Hall (friend of Arleigh & Mary Jane Jones); Jim Harbaugh; Rick Hardesty (family of the Hoels); Kim Hausman (friend of Ann Carroll); Patti Heath (friend of the Hoels); Barbara Holste (friend of Arleigh and Mary Jane Jones); Rev. Ted Mitchell (pastor of Tuscola United Methodist Church); Bill & Mary Negangard (grandparents of Bryce Reifsteck); Ena Raaymakers (friend of Josh and Jaimee Whitson); Debbie Rahn (wife of Leroy Rahn); St. Paul, Sadorus; Carl Smith (husband of Lynnette Ashwill-Smith); Joy Stenger; Kevin Weaver (friend of Guy & Margie Stevens); Jill Zartler.

BIRTH: Oaklee Stenger (new daughter of Garrison and Kelsi Stenger and great granddaughter of Darrell and Dolores Ford).

SEMINARY STUDENT: Joshua Schiff.

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 . . . Isaiah 40:1–8; 1 Corinthians 4:1–5; Matthew 11:2–10.

ABOUT THIS WEEK’S READINGS . . . The day on which our Lord returns will be a “great and awesome day” (Mal. 4:5). For He will come in a cloud with great power and glory. To the wicked and the proud, it will be a Day of judgment that will “set them ablaze” (Mal. 4:1). The signs preceding this Day will bring them fear and fainting. But to those who believe, who fear the name of the Lord, this Day is one to look forward to and rejoice in: “. . . straighten up and raise your heads, because your redemption is drawing near” (Luke 21:28). Christ our Redeemer is coming; the Sun of Righteousness will bring healing in His wings. Let us, then, give attention to the words of the Lord, which do not pass away. Let us “through endurance and through the encouragement of the Scriptures” (Rom. 15:4) be strengthened in our hope by the Holy Spirit and watch diligently for Jesus’ coming. Then, by God’s grace, we shall escape all these things that will come to pass and stand before the Son of Man.

THOUGHTS ABOUT STEWARDSHIP . . . Romans 15:4 “For whatever was written in former days was written for our instruction.” God’s Word was given to us to bless us. The Bible warns us of our sin and points us to Christ for our salvation. The Bible also instructs us as to how to live out our Christians lives—this is the “third use of the Law.” As Christians we should welcome this instruction in humble faith.

ANGEL TREE . . . There is still an opportunity to make a donation to the Angel Tree. If you do not have a designated envelope, you can make your check payable to Immanuel, indicate “Angel Tree” on the memo line, and place it in the offering plate. Thank you for your generosity in helping area children receive a few gifts under the Christmas Tree.

CHRISTMAS DECORATING . . . Saturday, December 9, 9:00 am. Come and help put up the Christmas trees and decorations that beautify Immanuel. There will be decorating for the kids, too! Come and enjoy Christmas music, coffee, hot chocolate, juice, and doughnuts.

THANK YOU . . . to all of the dedicated volunteers who have helped and continue to help throughout this Advent and Christmas season. So much goes into everything that we do—ringing the bell for Salvation Army, dressing kiddos in costumes, creating the Live Nativity, preparing food, decorating, running errands, parents and grandparents having the kiddos in the right place at the right time, and so much more. All is done to the glory of God, but could not be done without your help. From the Board of Missions and Evangelism and from Immanuel Lutheran—Thank you!

POINSETTIA ORDER FORMS . . . are included again in this week’s bulletins. Please complete and return them by Sunday, December 17. Poinsettias are $13.00 this year and can be taken immediately following the Christmas Day service to enjoy at home.

THE SUNDAY SCHOOL CHRISTMAS SERVICE . . . is next Sunday, December 17. The service is at 6:00 pm, followed by cookies and punch hosted by the Board of Education. Join us for a Christmas Service where our children will remind us of the real reason for the season with all your favorite Christmas hymns and then food and fellowship.

THE 17TH ANNUAL LWML COOKIE WALK . . . will be held in the fellowship hall after the Divine service on December 17. We appreciate all the support from the congregation for these many years! This is our main fund-raising event and has enabled us to donate to many charities and organizations since we started this in 2001. Some of these have included: Lutheran World Relief disaster funds, following earthquakes, tornados, and floods (both in the U.S. and abroad); SAM food pantry; BETHS Place (domestic violence shelter); The Salvation Army (locally); Disaster Response-LCMS; Lutherans For Life; Lutheran Indian Ministries; Camp CILCA; Seminary food pantries; LAMP; Angel Tree; and support for a seminary student. This was all made possible with your help! If you have any ideas for future projects/donations, please contact Irene Wattjes, Theresa Fields, or Joyce Alexander. Any donations of cookies would also be appreciated. Come purchase a tin of cookies (again $7.00 each this year). Hope to see you there!

CHRISTMAS CARDS FOR SEMINARY STUDENTS . . . If you’d like to send Christmas greetings to our seminary students, their addresses are:  Mr. Joshua Schiff, 5309-6 Stonehedge Blvd., Ft. Wayne, Indiana, 46835; Ms. Carolyn Walsh, 6600 N. Clinton St., Box 294, Ft. Wayne, Indiana, 46825.

THE VOTERS’ ASSEMBLY BUDGET AND ELECTION MEETING . . . will be on Monday, December 18, at 7:30 pm.

CHECK YOUR CHURCH MAILBOX . . . to pick up the offering envelopes for 2018.

UPCOMING SPECIAL SERVICES AND EVENTS

  • Sunday, December 10, 10:20 am—Sunday School Christmas Service practice
  • Wednesday, December 13, 7:00 pm—Advent Midweek Service
  • Sunday, December 17. 10:15 am—LWML Cookie Walk
    • 10:20 am—Sunday School Christmas Service practice
    • 6:00 pm—Sunday School Christmas Service
  • Monday, December 18, 7:30 pm—Voter’s Budget Meeting
  • Wednesday, December 20,7:00 pm—Advent Midweek Service
  • Sunday, December 24, 7:00 pm—Christmas Eve Service with Communion
  • Monday, December 25, 9:00 am—Christmas Day Service with Communion
  • Tuesday, December 26—Immanuel Offices Closed
  • There will be no evening New Year’s Eve Service since New Year’s Eve falls on Sunday

GREETERS

THIS WEEK

  • Donna Campbell (West)
  • David & Michelle Stumeier (East)

NEXT WEEK

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

COMMUNION HELPERS

THIS WEEK

  • Jack Appleby
  • Sue Rothe; Lexie Russo

NEXT WEEK

  • Jack Appleby
  • Sue Rothe; Cassie Russo

ACOLYTES

THIS WEEK

  • Coulson Poffenberger (Crucifer)
  • Jake Dyer (Torches)
  • Oliver Braaten (Torches)
  • Isaak Burgener (Gospel)

NEXT WEEK

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

COFFEE COMMITTEE

  • Janet Stumeier—December
  • Josh & Jaimee Whitson—January

FUNERAL CHAIR

  • Sharon Allen & Scott Dallas—December
  • Joan Vukelich—January

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