THIS WEEK AT IMMANUEL

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

Monday—Thursday

• 7:30 am—Matins

Wednesday

• 7:00 pm—Midweek Advent Service

Saturday

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

Sunday (12/24)

• 9:00 am—Divine Service with Holy Communion
• 2:30 pm—Nursing Home Service
• 7:00 pm—Christmas Eve Divine Service

Monday (12/25)

• 9:00 am—Christmas Day Divine Service

Tuesday (12/26) — Immanuel Offices Closed

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); Michelle Karpen and 14 month-old son (friend of Guy & Margie Stevens); 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.

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 . . . 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.

17^TH ANNUAL LWML COOKIE WALK TODAY. . . in the fellowship hall after the Divine 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); 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. 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!

POINSETTIA ORDER FORMS . . . are due today, Sunday, December 17. The cost for each poinsettia is $13.00.

THE VOTERS’ ASSEMBLY BUDGET AND ELECTION MEETING . . . is tomorrow, Monday, December 18, at 7:30 pm.

THANK YOU . . . from our local Salvation Army! Immanuel raised $268 this year ringing the Salvation Army bell at Shopko. Many thanks to our volunteers!

PASTOR WILL BE AWAY. . . December 26–29. If you need assistance you may contact him on his mobile phone or call one of the Elders (Jack Appleby, Kenny Kresin, Greg Nau, or Bryce Reifsteck).

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.

UPCOMING SPECIAL SERVICES AND EVENTS

• Sunday, December 17, 10:15 am—LWML Cookie Walk
• Sunday, December 17, 10:20 am—Sunday School Christmas Service practice
• Sunday, December 17, 6:00 pm—Sunday School Christmas Service
• Monday, December 18, 7:30 pm—Voter’s Budget & Election 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

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

NEXT WEEK

• Laverl Byers (West)
• Mark Whitson (East)

COMMUNION HELPERS

THIS WEEK

• Jack Appleby
• Sue Rothe; Cassie Russo

NEXT WEEK

• Jack Appleby
• Donna Campbell; Marissa Russo

ACOLYTES

THIS WEEK

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

NEXT WEEK

• Ethan Stumeier (Crucifer)
• Caleb Stumeier (Torches)
• Jake Dyer (Torches)
• Caiden Russo (Gospel)

COFFEE COMMITTEE

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

FUNERAL CHAIR

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