THIS WEEK AT IMMANUEL

Sunday (4/17)

• 9:00 am—Divine Service with Holy Communion
• 10:30 am—Bible Class & Sunday School
• 11:30 am—Catechism Class
• 7:00 pm—Men’s Bible Class (Parsonage)

Monday–Thursday

• 7:30 am—Matins

Monday

• 7:30 am—Voters’ Assembly Meeting

Wednesday

• 10:00 am—Looking Forward To Sunday Bible Study

Saturday

• 5:30 pm—Divine Service with Holy Communion

Sunday (4/24)

• 9:00 am—Divine Service with Holy Communion
• 10:30 am—Bible Class & Sunday School
• 11:15 am—Church Council Meeting
• 11:30 am—Catechism Class
• 7:00 pm—Youth Group Event

IN OUR PRAYERS

HEALTH CONCERNS: Mia Anderson (great-granddaughter of Joan Vukelich); Regann Bowles; Brenda Bunting (friend of Ann Carroll); Ellie Crawford (daughter of Laran Crawford); DeDe Eversole; Virginia Goble (friend of Joyce Alexander); Paula Hancock; Jim Harbaugh; Kim Hausman (friend of Ann Carroll); Patti Heath (friend of the Hoels); Joel Hilgendorf; Jeff Knight (friend of the Campbells); Erica Kremitzki; Dennis Lee (nephew of Dolores Ford); Jeff Maxfield (friend of the Vukeliches); Scott McCumber (friend of the Russos); Laurie McMillen; Tiffany Meyer (friend of Rachel DeWitt); Fred Rahn (son of Joan Rahn); Roland Spomer; Sara Urban (wife of Ron Urban); Bob Vukelich (husband of Joan Vukelich); Harold Wattjes; Jill Zartler.

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; Carl Crawford; 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 . . . Isaiah 12:1–6; James 1:16–21; John 16:5–15.

ABOUT THIS WEEK’S READINGS . . . The people of God are pilgrims and sojourners in this world, looking ahead to a destination yet to come (1 Peter 2:11–20). Though we are now children of God, the fullness of what we shall be has not yet been revealed (1 John 3:1–3). We are those who wait on the Lord. “The Lord is good to those who wait for him, to the soul who seeks him” (Lam. 3:25). Jesus tells us that the wait is just a little while. “A little while, and you will see me no longer; and again a little while, and you will see me” (John 16:16). Though you must experience sorrow for a time, though you must live as strangers in a world that is at enmity with Christ, yet your sorrow will be turned to joy when He returns. “But they who wait for the Lord shall renew their strength” (Is. 40:31). The little while of weeping shall be replaced with an eternity of rejoicing in the presence of Christ the crucified and risen Savior. “And no one will take your joy from you” (John 16:22).

THOUGHTS ABOUT STEWARDSHIP . . . 1 Peter 2:11—“Beloved, I urge you as sojourners and exiles to abstain from the passions of the flesh, which wage war against your soul.” Surely one of the “passions of the flesh” we all struggle with is greed: the desire to have more things to bring us comfort and peace of mind. But that shows us the real problem with greed: it wages war against our soul—it urges us to place our trust in the things of this world and not in God. But St. Peter reminds us that we are sojourners and exiles: we belong to the Kingdom of God. We have been purchased by the blood of Christ and belong to Him.

THE ALTAR FLOWERS . . . are given by Erin Pangburn to the glory of God on the occasion of her Mom’s (Joyce Alexander) 70^th birthday.

APPLICATIONS FOR THE ILC COLLEGE SCHOLARSHIP . . . sponsored by the Board of Mission and Evangelism are now being accepted. The deadline is May 1, 2016. Applications are available on the church Web site: immanueltuscola.org.

CAMP CILCA SCHOLARSHIP . . . The Board of Mission and Evangelism is offering a scholarship for anyone who wants to attend Camp CILCA. Camp CILCA Summer 2016 brochures can be found on the table across from member mailboxes. Please notify Pastor Braaten or Tammy Kresin of your interest.

FREE BINGO . . . at the Tuscola Senior Building, Friday, April 22, after a menu of Creamed Chicken, Peas, Sunshine Salad, Biscuit, and Warm Fruit Crisp, at 11:30 a.m. The meal is for people over 60 for a donation of $3.50. Reservations must be made by noon of Thursday, April 21. Telephone:  253-2278.

VOLUNTEERS NEEDED TO MAKE CHILI . . . Tuscola Area Ministerial Alliance (TAMA) will be hosting a National Day of Prayer service on Thursday, May 5, 12:00 PM (noon), at 40 Martyrs. It will begin with a 30-minute service followed by lunch. Immanuel has been asked to provide 3 large pots of chili. If you would be willing to help, please let Leigh Ann Whitson know (immanuel.tuscola@gmail.com or 2172534341). Thank you!

GREETERS

THIS WEEK

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

NEXT WEEK

• Laverl Byers (West)
• Ruth Sims (East)

COMMUNION HELPERS

THIS WEEK

• Bryce Reifsteck
• Janice Arthur; Mackenzi Bowles

NEXT WEEK

• Bryce Reifsteck
• Janice Arthur; Marissa 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

• Arleigh & Mary Jane Jones—April
• Laverl Byers—May

FUNERAL CHAIR

• Theresa Fields—April
• Judy Legg/Janet Stumeier—May