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THIS WEEK AT IMMANUEL

Sunday (3/27)

• 7:30 am—Divine Service of the Word (On-Line Video)
• 9:00 am—Divine Service with Holy Communion
• 10:30 am—Bible Class & Sunday School
• 12:30 pm—Catechism Class
• 6:00 pm—Youth Group Event

Wednesday

• 5:30 pm—Lenten Midweek Supper
• 7:00 pm—Lenten Midweek Service

Saturday

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

Sunday (4/3)

• 7:30 am—Divine Service of the Word (On-Line Video)
• 9:00 am—Divine Service with Holy Communion
• 10:30 am—Bible Class & Sunday School
• 12:30 pm—Catechism Class

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IN OUR PRAYERS

THE ANNOUNCEMENTS

NEXT WEEK’S READINGS . . . Genesis 22:1–14; Hebrews 9:11–15; John 8:42–59.

ABOUT THIS WEEK’S READINGS . . . The Lord provided bread from heaven for His people in the wilderness (Ex. 16:2–21). Now He who is Himself the living bread from heaven miraculously provides bread for the five thousand (John 6:1–15). This takes place near the time of the Passover, after a great multitude had followed Jesus across the sea, and when He went up on a mountain. Seen in this way, Jesus is our new and greater Moses, who releases us from the bondage of Mount Sinai and makes us free children of the promise (Gal. 4:21–31). Five loaves become twelve baskets—that is, the five books of Moses find their goal and fulfillment in Christ, whose people continue steadfastly in the doctrine and fellowship of the twelve apostles, and in the breaking and receiving of the bread of life, which is the body of Christ together with His precious blood, and in the prayers (Acts 2:41–47). So it is that God’s people “shall not hunger or thirst” (Is. 49:8–13). For He abundantly provides for us in both body and soul.

THOUGHTS ABOUT STEWARDSHIP . . . John 6:8–9 “One of his disciples, Andrew, Simon Peter’s brother, said to him, ‘There is a boy here who has five barley loaves and two fish, but what are they for so many?’” The disciples focus on the numbers: so little for so much! But the Lord’s grace will not be limited by the narrow vision of His disciples. The Lord has a plan to use even the little for His work of greatness. So let us be faithful even in the little and watch the Lord use it for His great works!

THE ALTAR FLOWERS . . . are given by Mike and Tina Russo to the glory of God for Caiden’s birthday.

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

EASTER LILY ORDER FORMS . . . Please return them to the office or Debra’s mail box by Sunday, April 10. Lilies are $13.00 each. These forms are on the back table in the Narthex.

LENTEN MIDWEEK SUPPERS . . . will be served this year before the Midweek services beginning on Ash Wednesday. Serving time will be 5:30 pm–6:45 pm. We are returning to traditional way of providing food where each board provides a meal. Here is the schedule.

• March 30, Midweek Lent IV—Boards of Trustees & Stewardship
• April 6, Midweek Lent V—Youth Group

LENTEN MIDWEEK SERMON SERIES . . . will be going through the Book of 1 Peter. Each week will focus on a chapter from 1 Peter. This Epistle St. Peter wrote to the converted heathen, and exhorts them to stand fast in faith and to increase through all manner of suffering and good works. In chapter 1, he strengthens their faith through the divine promise and the power of salvation to come, and shows that this has not been deserved by us but was proclaimed before by the prophets. Therefore they ought now to live holy lives, as new creatures, and forget the old life, like men who are born anew through the living and eternal Word of God. In chapter 2, he teaches them to recognize Christ as the Head and Cornerstone and, like true priests, to sacrifice themselves to God, as Christ sacrificed Himself, and begins to give instruction to all classes of men. First, he teaches generally to be in subjection to temporal rulership; afterwards he teaches particularly that servants are to be subject to their masters and suffer wrong from them for Christ’s sake, who also suffered wrong for us. In chapter 3, he teaches wives to be obedient, even to unbelieving husbands, and to adorn themselves with holiness; likewise, that husbands are to be patient with their wives and bear with them; and then that Christians, in general, are to be humble and patient and kind to one another, as Christ was because of our sins. In chapter 4, he teaches to subdue the flesh, with sobriety, watching, temperance and prayer, and to be comforted and strengthened with Christ’s sufferings; and he instructs the spiritual rulers to deal only with God’s words and works, and everyone to serve another with his gifts, and not wonder, but rejoice, if we have to suffer for Christ’s sake. In chapter 5, he exhorts the bishops and priests how they are to live and care for the people, and warns us against the devil, who without ceasing pursues us everywhere.

LENTEN BIBLE CHALLENGE . . . Since we will be meditating on 1 Peter through our Lenten midweeks, let us read through 1 Peter each week before each midweek service.

SAVE THE DATE. . . on Friday, April 8, Dave Anderson and Roger Walck from Shepherd’s Canyon Retreat will be at Immanuel for an evening concert called “The Rescue Tour.” The concert begins at 7:00 pm. It will be preceded by a potluck. There is no fee, but a free offering will be taken to help those who attend Shepherd’s Canyon Retreat, which is a service committed to providing spiritual and emotional healing to clergy, other church workers, and their wives in the midst of burnout, depression, and compassion fatigue, offering hope and renewal through God’s Word. Dave and Roger’s music is a blend of gospel, hymns, and old-time Sunday school songs. The audience will be invited to sing along, but they only insist, that it’s the same song!

IMMANUEL’S 125^TH ANNIVERSARY COOKBOOK . . . The Board of Mission and Evangelism have prepared a cookbook for Immanuel’s 125^th anniversary, which is next July. The cookbooks will be available in early December and cost $15.00. You may pr-order using the order form.

SERVICES ONLINE . . . This video option will continue to be made available until our usual service times resume. You can access these online services in three places:

1. On Immanuel’s Facebook page
2. On Immanuel’s Website under the Sermons tab
3. On Immanuel’s YouTube channel

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CHURCH MEMBER INFORMATION UPDATE

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PRAYER REQUESTS

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