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Immanuel News & Notes (Advent 4)

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THIS WEEK AT IMMANUEL

Sunday (12/22)

  • 9:00 AM—Divine Service with Holy Communion
  • 10:30 AM—Sunday School Christmas Service

Tuesday

  • 7:00 pm—Christmas Eve Divine Service with Holy Communion

Wednesday

  • 9:00 am—Christmas Day Divine Service with Holy Communion

Thursday—Church Offices Closed

Saturday

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

Sunday

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

IN OUR PRAYERS

HEALTH CONCERNS: Bernita Ashwill; Mindy Bell (friend of David Holzrichter); Dale Brown (friend of Margaret Stilwell); Burnie Campbell (father of Greg Campbell); Connie Hilgendorf Bruns (cousin of Mary Appleby); Jeff & Jo Coon (friend of David Holzrichter); Ellie Crawford (daughter of Laran Crawford); Whitney Czerwonka; Cindy Ekstrom; Theresa Fields; Jenna Gustafson; Jim Harbaugh; Rick Hardesty (family of the Hoels); Kim Hausman (friend of Ann Carroll); Deanna Henningsen (sister-in-law of Jerry & Joyce Alexander); Barbara Holste (friend of Arleigh & Mary Jane Jones); Mary Jane Jones; Pat Maree; Rev. Ted Mitchell (friend of Pastor Braaten); Kimberly Mulvany (daughter of Pastor Doug Meyer); Celeste Nau; Bill & Mary Negangard (grandparents of Bryce Reifsteck); Dennis Pickett (friend of Ann Carroll); Cary & Beth Rahn; Debbie Rahn (wife of Leroy Rahn); Thomas Roughton (infant son of John & Christine Roughton); Emma Silver; Ruth Sims; Ocil Slone (father of Carolyn Dyer); Joy Stenger; Brian Walker (uncle of Bryce Reifsteck); Irene Wattjes.

SEMINARY STUDENT: Gunnar Campbell; Logan Smith.

DEACONESS STUDENT: Emily McLean.

MISSIONARIES: Rev. Dr. Edward and Monica Naumann; Rev. Ryan and Emily McDermott; Julie Lutz.

HOMEBOUND: Bernita Ashwill; Leonard Boerngen; Mary Jane Jones; Janet Pollock; Art Rahn; Ruth Rentschler.

MILITARY: 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 11:1–5; Galatians 4:1–7; St. Luke 2:33–40.

ABOUT THIS WEEK’S READINGS . . . The coming of God in all His unveiled power at Mount Sinai was terrifying to the people of Israel. The thundering voice of the Lord puts sinners in fear of death (Deut. 18:15–19). God, therefore, raised up a prophet like Moses—the Messiah, the Christ. God came to His people veiled in human flesh. The skies poured down the Righteous One from heaven; the earth opened her womb and brought forth Salvation (Introit) through the blessed Virgin Mary, the mother of the Lord (Luke 1:39–56). The fruit of her womb is the very Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world, the One whose sandal strap John was not worthy to loose (John 1:19–28). In Jesus we are delivered from fear and anxiety. In Him alone we have the peace of God which surpasses all understanding (Phil. 4:4–7).

THOUGHTS ABOUT STEWARDSHIP . . . Philippians 4:6 “Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God.” Paul puts two things in opposition to each other: anxiety and prayer. So trade your worries for prayers! You have a Father who loves you and desires to hear your prayers and bless you.

OUR CHILDREN’S CHRISTMAS PROGRAM . . . is today, Sunday, December 22, following the morning Divine Service (around 10:30 am). All of you are invited to come hear the children speak and sing the story of our Savior’s birth. There will be refreshments in the fellowship hall following the service, so please plan to attend. Thank you!

CONNIE WILL BE OUT OF OFFICE . . . at noon on Tuesday, December 24, and will return on Monday, December 30.

CHRISTMAS CARDS FOR SEMINARY STUDENTS . . . If you’d like to send Christmas greetings to our seminary students, their addresses are: Mr. Gunnar Campbell, Mr. Logan Smith, and Mrs. Emily McLean, at: 6600 North Clinton Street, Fort Wayne, IN, 46825-4996.

PICTURE DAY . . . It’s time to get your smile on! We will be updating our church directory in 2020. This will take place the week of January 20, 2020. If you have any pictures of our church family and fun times here at Immanuel over the past five years, we would love to have them to add to the directory (e.g., youth group, pot lucks, Easter egg hunt, VBS, confirmation, etc.). Any questions can be directed to Jaimee Whitson (217) 714-8136 or the Board of Mission and Evangelism. We hope to see you and your smiles there! Coming soon: A sign-up sheet posted next to the flower sign up for you to pick a convenient time to be photographed.

NEW OFFICER INSTALLATION . . . will be Sunday, January 5, during the Divine Service immediately following the offering. If you are a newly-elected officer, please plan to attend. A reception will be held in the Fellowship Hall following the Divine Service to say thank you to out‑going, current, and in-coming officers. Their hard work and dedication are to be commended!

UPCOMING SPECIAL SERVICES AND EVENTS . . . 

  • Tuesday, December 24, 7:00 pm—Christmas Eve Service with Communion
  • Wednesday, December 25, 9:00 pm—Christmas Day Service with Communion
  • Thursday, December 26—IMMANUEL OFFICES CLOSED
  • Friday, December 27—IMMANUEL OFFICES CLOSED
  • Tuesday, December 31, 7:00 pm—New Year’s Eve Divine Service with Communion
  • Wednesday, January 1—IMMANUEL OFFICES CLOSED

GREETERS

THIS WEEK

  • Laverl Byers (West)
  • Craig & Carol Munson (East)

NEXT WEEK

  • Matthew & Terra Waldrop (West)
  • Bryce & Deborah Reifsteck (East)

COMMUNION HELPERS

THIS WEEK

  • Kenny Kresin
  • Donna Campbell; Cailin Munson

NEXT WEEK

  • Josh Whitson
  • Pastor Braaten; Isabel Burgener

ACOLYTES

THIS WEEK

  • Oliver Braaten (Crucifer)
  • Jonathan Braaten (Torches)
  • Caiden Russo (Torches)
  • Evan Reifsteck (Gospel)

NEXT WEEK

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

COFFEE COMMITTEE

  • Greg & Celeste Nau—December
  • Josh & Jaimee Whitson—January

FUNERAL CHAIR

  • Sharon Allen—December
  • Joan Vukelich—January

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