THIS WEEK AT IMMANUEL
Sunday (3/15)
- 9:00 am—Divine Service with Holy Communion
- 10:30 am—Bible Class & Sunday School
- 4:00 pm—Adult Information Class
Wednesday
- 5:30 pm—Lenten Soup & Sandwich Supper
- 7:00 pm—Lenten Midweek Evening Prayer
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 & Sunday School
- 4:00 pm—Adult Information Class
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); Lynn Corrie (friend of the Joneses); Ellie Crawford (daughter of Laran Crawford); Whitney Czerwonka; Scott Dallas; Orlean McDaniel (friend of Bob & Joan Vukelich); 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 the Joneses); Kimberly Mulvany (daughter of Pastor Doug Meyer); Bill & Mary Negangard (grandparents of Bryce Reifsteck); Sandra Oehmke (sister of Joan Vukelich); Dennis Pickett (friend of Ann Carroll); Cary & Beth Rahn; Debbie Rahn (wife of Leroy Rahn); Emma Silver; Ruth Sims; Ocil Slone (father of Carolyn Dyer); Joy Stenger; Brian Walker (uncle of Bryce Reifsteck); Irene Wattjes; Lynn & Jane Whitson (parents of Mark Whitson).
DEATHS: Family of Mary Jane Jones.
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; 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 . . . Exodus 16:2–21; Galatians 4:21–31; John 6:1–15.
ABOUT THIS WEEK’S READINGS . . . Jeremiah was charged with speaking evil when he spoke the Word of the Lord (Jer. 26:1–15). So also, Jesus is accused of doing evil when in fact He is doing good. He casts out a demon from a mute man so that he is able to speak (Luke 11:14–28). But some said Jesus did this by the power of Beelzebul, Satan. Like Pharaoh of old, their hearts were hard (Ex. 8:16–24). They did not recognize the finger of God, the power of the Holy Spirit at work in and through Jesus. Jesus is the Stronger Man who overcomes the strong man. He takes the devil’s armor of sin and death and destroys it from the inside out by the holy cross. He exorcizes and frees us by water and the Word. We were once darkness, but now we are light in Christ the Lord (Eph. 5:1–9). As children of light, our tongues are loosed to give thanks to Him who saved us.
THOUGHTS ABOUT STEWARDSHIP . . . Ephesians 5:1–2 “Therefore be imitators of God, as beloved children. And walk in love, as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us.” Our sanctification flows from the justification which we have received in Christ. His love for us transforms us into His image. This why the Bible talks so much about giving—because we are to imitate God in His generosity.
EASTER LILY ORDER FORMS . . . Please return them to the office by Sunday, April 6. Lilies are $14.00 each.
LENTEN MIDWEEK SUPPERS . . . will be served this year before the Midweek services. Serving time will be 5:30 pm–6:45 pm. Ash Wednesday is typically the most well-attended; we invite the congregation to bring a dish to pass. The serving schedule is as follows:
- Wed, March 18—Board of Mission & Evangelism
- Wed, March 25—Board of Christian Education
- Wed, April 1—Board of Elders
EASTER BREAKFAST . . . It’s time to sign up for the Easter Breakfast—Easter is April 12! We’re asking for donations of food, drink, and kitchen volunteers. Signup sheets are located on the table in the Narthex. Come have a tasty breakfast from 7:00–8:30 am on Easter morning. Free–will donations will go towards the youth group trip to the Creation Museum and Ark Encounter. Thank you!
IT WAS REPORTED . . . last week that there were confirmed cases of the Coronavirus in Indianapolis and St. Louis, as well as more cases this week in Chicago. There is no reason to panic. In the first place, we trust in Christs mercy to see us through this and all the sorrows of this life. Nevertheless, slowing its spread will be of great benefit to those most vulnerable as it will allow the medical community more time to prepare, and also the system to be less clogged.
To that end, for the short term, at least until Easter, the Board of Elders and Pastor will implement the following procedures at Immanuel’s public worship services and ask for your patience and cooperation along with your prayers.
- No hand shaking. Pastor will be in the Narthex before and after services as usual, but he won’t shake hands.
- Please wash your hands vigorously and often and try to restrain yourself from touching your face. Hand sanitizer has been placed in the Narthex for use.
- The purificator that is used to wipe the chalice between sips will now be soaked in Everclear. The inside of the chalice is a sterile environment. The alcohol content of the wine and the silver of the chalice creates a chemical reaction that kills viruses and other bacteria. The Everclear is an additional step that will ensure the outside of the chalice is as sterile as the inside. Please do not touch the rim of the Chalice. Only use your hand on the base of the chalice to help the pastor or elder guide it to your mouth.
- Those who take the individual cups need to know that the wine doesn’t react with plastic in the same way as it does with silver but the alcohol content should create a sterile environment in the cup. The rim is the danger zone. The Elder on duty and the pastor will touch the rim of the glasses to prepare them, but they will thoroughly wash their hands first. All servers at communion will now clean their hands with hand sanitizer not only before the Service but will do so again during the Offertory immediately before the Service of the Sacrament. If you want to receive the Blood of Christ from an individual cup, please be careful not to touch other individual cups as you reach for yours.
- If you have flu symptoms or a severe cold please stay home. If you need a pastoral visit, please contact Pastor and he will be glad to arrange it.
CHANGES IN MANDATED REPORTER LAW . . . The state of Illinois recently made significant changes to the mandated reporter law. By law, any person affiliated with the church who, in their role, comes into contact with children, either in a paid position or as a volunteer, is now a mandated reporter. As such, s/he must undergo training within three months of first serving. This new law would include the following at Immanuel: all Sunday School teachers, VBS volunteers, youth group chaperones, and those on Altar Guild who work with the Jr. Altar Guild. To that end, we ask that those individuals in the groups listed, follow the link https://mr.dcfstraining.org/UserAuth/Login!loginPage.action to take the online training. This training takes roughly 60 minutes to complete. Upon completion of the training, a certificate is awarded which will need to be printed off and a copy be given to Pastor to keep on file. For those who are unable to access this online training at home, time will be available for you to complete this in the church office. Please find time to complete the online training as soon as possible. While we understand that this may be a burden for some, please know that we are willing to help you get the necessary training so that we as a church are compliant with this new law. If you have any questions or concerns, please talk with one of the members of the Board of Christian Education or Pastor. Thank you!
GREETERS
THIS WEEK
- Mark Whitson (West)
- Jim Dyer (East)
NEXT WEEK
- Bryce & Deborah Reifsteck (West)
- Laverl Byers (East)
COMMUNION HELPERS
THIS WEEK
- Joel Burgener
- Sue Rothe; Ava Whitson
NEXT WEEK
- Joel Burgener
- Sue Rothe; Marissa Russo
ACOLYTES
THIS WEEK
- Jake Dyer (Crucifer)
- Oliver Braaten (Torches)
- Jonathan Braaten (Torches)
- Beau Whitson (Gospel)
NEXT WEEK
- Coulson Poffenberger (Crucifer)
- Oliver Braaten (Torches)
- Isaak Burgener (Torches)
- Evan Reifsteck (Gospel)
COFFEE COMMITTEE
- Craig & Carol Munson—March
- Laverl Byers—April
FUNERAL CHAIR
- Joyce Alexander—March
- Becky Kappes—April
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