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Immanuel News & Notes (Christmas 1)

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THIS WEEK AT IMMANUEL

Sunday (12/29)

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

Tuesday

  • 7:00 pm—New Year’s Eve Evening Prayer

Wednesday—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
  • 10:15 am—Immanuel Officer Reception
  • 10:30 am—Bible Class & Sunday School

IN OUR PRAYERS

HEALTH CONCERNS: Bernita Ashwill; Mindy Bell (friend of David Holzrichter); Dale Brown (friend of Margaret Stilwell); 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); 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 . . . Gen 46: 1–7; 1 Peters 4:12–19; Matthew 2:13–23.

ABOUT THIS WEEK’S READINGS . . A Rod has come forth from the stem of Jesse (Is. 11:1–5)—the Seed of David whose kingdom shall be established forever (2 Sam. 7:1–16). In the fullness of time, God sent forth His Son Jesus to redeem us from the judgment of the Law (Gal. 4:1–7). Now He is presented in the temple in fulfillment of the Law and revealed to be “a light for revelation to the Gentiles, and for glory to your people Israel” (Luke 2:22–40). Christ has enlightened us in baptism, giving us to be adopted as sons of God and heirs of eternal life. Receiving the Holy Sacrament of His body and blood, we are prepared to depart this world in peace, for our eyes have seen the salvation of God in Him.

THOUGHTS ABOUT STEWARDSHIP . . . Luke 2:39 “And when they had performed everything according to the Law of the Lord. . .” The Law of God is good. Of course, it always shows us our sins: but that is good, too! We need to be driven back to the forgiveness of Christ. But the Law also shows us the truly blessed way to live – as Mary and Joseph found their joy in a godly life, so should we see the Law as a guide for Christian living, as the roadmap for saying thank you to the Lord for all His grace and mercy to us.

THE FLOWERS ON THE ALTAR . . . are given by Ray & Norma Uthe to the glory of God on the occasion of their wedding anniversary.

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!

POINSETTIAS . . . If you did not get your poinsettia after the Christmas Day Divine Service, you will find it in the kitchen on the counter.

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.

THE JANUARY CALENDAR . . . with birthdays and anniversaries is available on the table across from members’ mailboxes.

A PRAYER FOR RIGHT RECEPTION OF THE LORD’S SUPPER . . . O Lord, our God, in Holy baptism You have called us to be Christians and granted us the remission of sins. Make us ready to receive the most holy body and blood of Christ for the forgiveness of all our sins, and grant us grateful hearts that we may give thanks to You, O Father, to Your Son, and to the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever.

A PRAYER FOR THANKSGIVING AFTER RECEIVING THE SACRAMENT . . . Blessed Savior, Jesus Christ, You have given Yourself to us in this holy Sacrament. Keep us in Your faith and favor that we may live in You even as You live in us. May Your body and blood preserve us in the true faith to life everlasting. Hear us for the sake of Your name.


GREETERS

THIS WEEK

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

NEXT WEEK

  • Jim Dyer (West)
  • Craig & Carol Munson (East)

COMMUNION HELPERS

THIS WEEK

  • Josh Whitson
  • Pastor Braaten; Isabel Burgener

NEXT WEEK

  • Mark Whitson
  • Carol Munson; Marissa Russo

ACOLYTES

THIS WEEK

  • Jake Dyer (Crucifer)
  • Oliver Braaten (Torches)
  • Jonathan Braaten (Torches)
  • Beau Whitson (Gospel)

NEXT WEEK

  • Coulson Poffenberger (Crucifer)
  • Jake Dyer (Torches)
  • Isaak Burgener (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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