THIS WEEK AT IMMANUEL

Sunday (12/13)

• 9:00 am—Divine Service with Holy Communion
• 10:15 am—LWML Cookie Walk
• 10:30 am—Sunday School
• 7:00 pm—Sunday School Christmas Service

Monday–Thursday

• 7:30 am—Matins

Monday

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

Wednesday

• 7:00 pm—Midweek Advent Service

Saturday

• 5:30 pm—Divine Service with Holy Communion

Sunday (12/20)

• 9:00 am—Divine Service with Holy Communion
• 2:30 pm—Nursing Home Service

Monday (12/21)

• 7:30 pm—Voters’ Assembly Budget & Elections Meeting

IN OUR PRAYERS

HEALTH CONCERNS: Mia Anderson (great-granddaughter of Joan Vukelich); Ava Binion (schoolmate of Regann Bowles); Brenda Bunting (friend of Ann Carroll); Ellie Crawford (daughter of Laran Crawford); Don Czerwonka; Jon Dorr (father of Lauren Braaten); Virginia Goble (friend of Joyce Alexander); Jim Harbaugh; Joel Hilgendorf; Dennis Lee (nephew of Dolores Ford); Scott McCumber (friend of the Russos) Laurie McMillen; Tiffany Meyer (friend of Rachel DeWitt); Sandra Oehmke (sister of Joan Vukelich); Rev. Lynn Podoll; Fred Rahn (son of Joan Rahn); Sara Urban (wife of Ron Urban); Bob Vukelich (husband of Joan Vukelich); Harold Wattjes.

DEATHS: Family and Friends of Barb Pearson (friend of Joyce Alexander)

SEMINARY STUDENT: Hayden Folks.

DEACONESS STUDENT: Katelyn Lower.

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

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

THE ANNOUNCEMENTS

NEXT WEEK’S READINGS . . . Deut 18:15–19; Philippians 4:4–7; John 1:19–28

ABOUT THIS WEEK’S READINGS . . . The voice of John the Baptist cried out in the wilderness: “Prepare the way of the Lord . . .” (Isa. 40:1). John called the people to be made ready for the Messiah’s coming through repentance, for “all flesh is grass” (Isa. 40:6). Now He asks from prison, “Are you the one who is to come . . .?” (Matt. 11:2). Jesus’ works bear witness that He is. The sick are made well; the dead are raised, and the poor have the Gospel preached to them. Their iniquity is pardoned; they have received from the Lord’s hand double forgiveness for all their sins. The “stewards of the mysteries of God” (1 Cor. 4:1) still deliver Christ’s overflowing forgiveness to the poor in spirit, comforting God’s people with the word of the Gospel which stands forever. This Gospel produces rejoicing among all those who believe.

THOUGHTS ABOUT STEWARDSHIP . . . 1 Corinthians 4:2 “Moreover, it is required of stewards that they be found trustworthy.” A steward manages the property of the owner for the owner’s purposes. We are stewards of all that God has given us. So we are called to use all that we are and all that we have for God’s purposes. How do we know what these are? Consider your vocations, your callings from God, in the Home, the Church, and Society: what are the roles God has called you to play? And how should you be using the gifts He’s given you to fulfill those roles?

THE ALTAR FLOWERS . . . were given by Bryce & Deborah Reifsteck to the glory of God in thanksgiving for blessings received.

THE SUNDAY SCHOOL CHRISTMAS SERVICE . . . is set for Sunday, December 13. The service is at 7:00 pm, followed by a 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.

LWML COOKIE WALK . . . The 15^th annual LWML Cookie Walk will be held after church, December 13, in the Fellowship Hall. It is the LWML’s main fundraiser, and due to a change in Thrivent’s matching gift policy, the LWML is unable to receive matching funds for this fundraiser. The LWML, consequently, opted to raise the price per container by $1.00 each, from $6.00 to $7.00. Any donations of cookies and/or candy are welcome and appreciated. Please come on the 13^th to fill a container (or more)! If you have any suggestions of worthy projects or charities to use our funds for, please contact Irene Wattjes, Theresa Fields, or Joyce Alexander.

THANK YOU . . . to all who made the Christmas Town Parade and Live Nativity a great success. There was great participation from all members of the congregation. A special thanks to the Board of Mission & Evangelism (Tammy Kresin, Judy Legg, Deborah Reifsteck, and Jerry Alexander) for heading up these two events and to Jack and Mary Appleby for lending their talents to create the backdrop and manger for the parade float and Live Nativity. Pictures are forthcoming in the newsletter and on the website.

THE VOTERS’ ASSEMBLY BUDGET AND ELECTION MEETING . . . will be on Monday, December 21, at 7:30 pm.

A PRAYER FOR THE SICK . . . O Father of mercies and God of all comfort, our only help in time of need, look with favor upon Your servant name. Assure him/her of Your mercy, deliver him/her from the temptations of the evil one, and give him/her patience and comfort in his/her illness. If it please you, restore him/her to health, or give him/her grace to accept this tribulation with courage and hope; through Jesus Christ, our Lord. Amen.

A PRAYER FOR THE YOUNG . . . Gracious Father, Your Son grew in wisdom and stature and in favor with God and all people. Bless, guide, and govern the children and young people of Your Church by Your Holy Spirit, that they, too, may grow in grace and in the knowledge of Your Word. Grant that they may serve You well and usefully, developing their talents not for their own sakes but to Your glory and for the welfare of their neighbor. Protect and defend them from all danger and harm, giving Your holy angels charge over them; through Jesus Christ, our Lord. Amen.

A PRAYER FOR RESPONSIBLE CITIZENSHIP . . . Lord, keep this nation under Your care. Bless the leaders of our land that we may be a people at peace among ourselves and a blessing to other nations of the earth. Grant that we may choose trustworthy leaders, contribute to wise decisions for the general welfare, and serve You faithfully in our generation; through Jesus Christ, our Lord. Amen.

SPECIAL EVENTS . . . in Advent:

• Wednesday, December 16—7:00 pmAdvent Midweek Service
• Monday, December 21—7:30 pmVoters’ Budget Meeting
• Thursday, December 24—7:00 pmChristmas Eve Service
• Friday, December 25—9:00 amChristmas Day Service
• Thursday, December 31—7:00 pmNew Year’s Eve Service

GREETERS

THIS WEEK

• Joan Vukelich (West)
• Laverl Byers (East)

NEXT WEEK

• Ruth Sims (West)
• Tim & Teri Pollock (East)

COMMUNION HELPERS

THIS WEEK

• Steve Hilgendorf
• Ruth Bretz; Lexie Russo

NEXT WEEK

• Steve Hilgendorf
• Sue Rothe; Cassie Russo

ACOLYTES

THIS WEEK

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

NEXT WEEK

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

COFFEE COMMITTEE

• Laverl Byers—December