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Immanuel News & Notes (Advent 3)

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THIS WEEK AT IMMANUEL

Sunday (12/11)

  • 9:00 am—Divine Service with Holy Communion
  • 10:15 am—LWML Cookie Walk
  • 10:30 am—Sunday School (practice until noon)
  • 11:15 am—Church Council Meeting
  • 6:00 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

  • 10:00 am—Looking Forward to Sunday Bible Study
  • 7:00 pm—Midweek Advent Service

Saturday

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

Sunday (12/18)

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

IN OUR PRAYERS

HEALTH CONCERNS: Mia Anderson (great-granddaughter of Joan Vukelich); Jimmee Barger (friend of the Alexanders); Brenda Bunting (friend of Ann Carroll); Judy Cox (Ruth Sims’ daughter); Ellie Crawford (daughter of Laran Crawford); Leona Czerwonka; Alberta Dallas; Howard Eskridge (friend of the Stumeiers & Alexanders); Janice Funk (mother of Mike Ekstrom); Paula Hancock; Jim Harbaugh; Kim Hausman (friend of Ann Carroll); Patti Heath (friend of the Hoels); Joel Hilgendorf; 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); Joan Rahn; Ellen Shawgo (niece of Ruth Rentschler); Roland Spomer; Sara Urban (wife of Ron Urban).

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 . . . 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 Mark & Leigh Ann Whitson to the glory of God on the occasion of their granddaughter Ava’s birthday.

THE 16TH ANNUAL LWML COOKIE WALK . . . will be held in the fellowship hall today after the church service. 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); the local Christmas Bureau; 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!

OUR CHILDREN’S CHRISTMAS PROGRAM . . . is TONIGHT at 6:00 pm and each and every one of you are invited to come hear the children speak and sing the story of our Savior’s birth. There will be cookies and punch in the fellowship hall following the service, so please plan to attend. Parents, please have your children at church by 5:40 pm to assemble in the double classroom. Thank you!

THE VOTERS’ ASSEMBLY BUDGET AND ELECTION MEETING . . . will be on Monday, December 19, at 7:30 pm.

POINSETTIA ORDER FORMS . . . are included in today’s bulletin. Please complete and return them to the church office by Sunday, December 18. The cost for each poinsettia is $13.00.

THANK YOU . . . The Board of Missions and Evangelism would like to thank all volunteers who made the Live Nativity and Christmastown parade successful and possible—participants, walkers, carolers, float and nativity set-up/take-down, those who provided refreshments, and all who helped in any form! 60 cars drove through this year!

THANK YOU . . . to all who volunteered for Salvation Army’s Red-Kettle campaign. Although Salvation Army does not keep totals for each group that participates, the total raised in that kettle that day was $353.02. Martha Rhodes and the local Salvation Army board offer you heartfelt thanks!

CHRISTMAS CARDS FOR SEMINARY STUDENTS . . . If you’d like to send Christmas greetings to our seminary students, their addresses are:  Mr. Hayden Folks, 5502 River Run Tr., Apt. D, Ft. Wayne, Indiana, 46825; Ms. Carolyn Walsh, 6600 N. Clinton St., Box 294, Ft. Wayne, Indiana, 46825.

DECEMBER NEWSLETTER . . . is available in hard copy as well as on Immanuel’s website. Copies can be found on the table across from the member mailboxes. If you would like the newsletter through email, please tell Pastor Braaten or Leigh Ann Whitson.

UPCOMING SERVICES AND EVENTS

  • Sunday, December 11, 10:15 am—LWML Cookie Walk
  • Sunday, December 11, 10:30 am—Sunday School stays until noon
  • Sunday, December 11, 6:00 pm—Sunday School Christmas Service
  • Thursday, December 15, 1:30 pm—Ladies Aid
  • Monday, December 19, 7:30 pm—Voter’s Budget Meeting
  • Wednesday, December 21, 7:00 pm—Advent Midweek Service
  • *Saturday, December 24, 7:00 pm—Christmas Eve Service
  • Sunday, December 25, 9:00 am—Christmas Day Service
  • *Saturday, December 31, 7:00 pm—New Year’s Eve Service

* 7:00 pm services on these Saturdays replace the 5:30 pm service

GREETERS

THIS WEEK

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

NEXT WEEK

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

COMMUNION HELPERS

THIS WEEK

  • Ron Legg
  • Judy Legg; Lexie Russo

NEXT WEEK

  • Ron Legg
  • Judy Legg; Cassie 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

  • Laverl Byers—December

FUNERAL CHAIR

  • Scott Dallas & Sharon Allen—December

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