THIS WEEK AT IMMANUEL

Sunday (2/26)

• 9:00 am—Divine Service with Holy Communion
• 10:30 am—Bible Class & Sunday School
• 7:00 pm—Youth Group Event

Tuesday

• 9:00 am—Classical Conversations Home School Coop

Wednesday (Ash Wednesday)

• 5:30 pm—Lenten Soup & Sandwich Supper
• 7:00 pm—Divine Service with the Imposition of Ashes & Holy Communion

Saturday

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

Sunday (3/5)

• 9:00 am—Divine Service with Holy Communion
• 10:30 am—Bible Class & Sunday School
• 6:30 pm—Ladies Bunco Night (Jaimee Whitson’s house)

IN OUR PRAYERS

HEALTH CONCERNS: Mia Anderson (great-granddaughter of Joan Vukelich); Bernita Ashwill; Jimmee Barger (friend of the Alexanders); Leonard and Kathleen Boerngen; Lauren Braaten; Judy Cox (daughter of Ruth Sims); Ellie Crawford (daughter of Laran Crawford); Jim Harbaugh; Rick Hardesty (family of the Hoels); Kim Hausman (friend of Ann Carroll); Patti Heath (friend of the Hoels); Joel Hilgendorf; John Hofer (relative of Jerry Alexander); Mike Kerner (friend of Josh and Jaimee Whitson); Trena Knauss (sister of Tresa Pollock); Scott McCumber (friend of the Russos); Laurie McMillen; Ken Moen (friend of the Vukeliches); Bill Negangard (grandfather of Bryce Reifsteck); Ena Raaymakers (friend of Josh and Jaimee Whitson); Cheryl Sanderson (sister-in-law of Sue Snyder); Roland Spomer.

SEMINARY STUDENT: Hayden Folks.

DEACONESS STUDENT: Carolyn Walsh.

MISSIONARIES: Rev. Dr. Edward and Monica Naumann; Rev. Alan and Patricia Ludwig; Julie Lutz.

HOMEBOUND: Bernita Ashwill; Bessie Benson; Dolores Byers; Marylin Joergens; Joan Mulligan; Janet Pollock; Art Rahn; Ruth Rentschler.

MILITARY: John Bookas; 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 . . . Joel 2:12–19; 2 Peter 1:2–11; Matthew 6:1–6, 16–21.

ABOUT THIS WEEK’S READINGS . . . The seeing are blind, while the one who is blind can see (Luke 18:31–43). Jesus tells the twelve that He is going up to Jerusalem to suffer and die and rise again, but they cannot understand or grasp what He is saying. The meaning of His words is hidden from their sight. However, as Jesus makes His way up to Jerusalem, a blind man calls out to Him for mercy. This blind man sees that Jesus is the Messiah, the Savior, for he calls Him “Son of David.” Indeed, Jesus is the Lord’s anointed, the keeper of sheep (1 Sam. 16:1–13) who goes to lay down His life for the sheep. He is the incarnate love of the Father who suffers long and is kind, who is not puffed up, who never fails us (1 Cor. 13:1–13). Jesus opens the eyes of the blind (Is. 35:3–7) to see Him not according to outward appearances of lowliness, but according to His heart of mercy and compassion. Those who behold Him thus by faith follow Him to the cross through death into life.

THOUGHTS ABOUT STEWARDSHIP . . . Luke 18:34 “This saying was hidden from them, and they did not grasp what was said.” Even our understanding of the Word of God is a gift—the disciples here can’t understand Jesus because it is not given to them to understand him. By nature they are deaf to the Word. So everything we have is a gift of God. To realize this is the beginning of thankfulness, generosity, and kindness.

THE ALTAR FLOWERS . . . are given to the glory of God in appreciation for the enduring volunteerism within Immanuel.

PASTOR BRAATEN WILL BE OUT OF THE OFFICE . . . February 27–March 3 for the birth of their new baby! If you need assistance you may contact him on his mobile phone or call one of the Elders (Jack Appleby, Kenny Kresin, Greg Nau, or Bryce Reifsteck).

THE MARCH MEN’S CLUB . . . meeting will be held on Monday, March 6, 7:30 pm, in the Fellowship Hall instead of having our annual fish fry. Please plan to attend. The topics of discussion will include the March 15 Lenten Supper and the current status of the Men’s Club.

CAREGIVING . . . is the topic of a meeting sponsored by the Douglas County Health Department, 1250 E US Hwy 36, Tuscola, on Tuesday, March 7, 2:00 pm. Come to hear about the essential attributes of compassion, a positive attitude, patience, and love.

LADIES BUNCO NIGHT . . . will be Sunday, March 5, 6:30 pm, at the home of Jaimee Whitson.

LENTEN MIDWEEK SOUP & SANDWICH SUPPER . . . We will be having our Lenten Midweek suppers before the Midweek Services this year, 5:30 pm–6:45 pm. The serving schedule is as follows:

• Wed, Mar 1 — Board of Mission & Evangelism
• Wed, Mar 8 — Board of Education
• Wed, Mar 15 — Men’s Club
• Wed, Mar 22 — LWML
• Wed, Mar 29 — Board of Elders & Board of Trustees
• Wed, Apr 5 — Board of Stewardship

GREETERS

THIS WEEK

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

NEXT WEEK

• Laverl Byers (West)
• Kenny & Tammy Kresin (East)

COMMUNION HELPERS

THIS WEEK

• Jack Appleby
• Sherrie Hoel, Marissa Russo

NEXT WEEK

• Kenny Kresin
• Theresa Fields; Lexie Russo

ACOLYTES

THIS WEEK

• Ethan Stumeier (Crucifer)
• Caleb Stumeier (Torches)
• Josh Dyer (Torches)
• Oliver Braaten (Gospel)

NEXT WEEK

• Caleb Stumeier (Crucifer)
• Ethan Stumeier (Torches)
• Jake Dyer (Torches)
• Oliver Braaten (Gospel)

COFFEE COMMITTEE

• Bryce & Deborah Reifsteck—February
• Craig & Carol Munson—March

FUNERAL CHAIR

• Ruth Sims & Tammy Kresin—February
• Joyce Alexander—March