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Immanuel News & Notes (Sexagesima)

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THIS WEEK AT IMMANUEL

Sunday (2/4)

  • 9:00 am—Divine Service with Holy Communion
  • 10:30 am—Bible Class & Sunday School
  • 12:30 pm—Catechism Class
  • 2:30 pm—Nursing Home Service
  • 6:30 pm—Ladies Bunco Night

Monday—Thursday — No Matins

Tuesday

  • 9:00 am—Classical Conversations Home School Coop

Wednesday

  • 10:00 am—Looking Forward to Sunday Bible Study
  • 7:00 pm—Bible History Bible Study

Saturday

  • 9:00 am—Freezer Meal Prep (Immanuel Kitchen)
  • 3:30 pm—Individual Confession & Absolution
  • 5:30 pm—Divine Service with Holy Communion

Sunday (2/11)

  • 9:00 am—Divine Service with Holy Communion 
  • 10:30 am—Bible Class & Sunday School
  • 12:30 pm—Catechism Class

IN OUR PRAYERS

HEALTH CONCERNS: Mia Anderson (great-granddaughter of Joan Vukelich); Bernita Ashwill; Mark Ashwill; Leonard Boerngen; Dale Brown (friend of Margaret Stilwell); Connie Hilgendorf Bruns (cousin of Mary Appleby); Owen Clark (friend of Mark & Leigh Ann Whitson); Jeff & Jo Coon (friends of the Holzrichters); Judy Cox (daughter of Ruth Sims); Ellie Crawford (daughter of Laran Crawford); Mike Ekstrom; Susan Hall (friend of Arleigh & Mary Jane Jones); Jim Harbaugh; Rick Hardesty (family of the Hoels); Kim Hausman (friend of Ann Carroll); Barbara Holste (friend of Arleigh & Mary Jane Jones); Pat Maree; Rev. Ted Mitchell (pastor of Tuscola United Methodist Church); Bill & Mary Negangard (grandparents of Bryce Reifsteck); Debbie Rahn (wife of Leroy Rahn); Carl Smith (husband of Lynnette Ashwill-Smith); Joy Stenger; Randy Wallace (friend of the Campbells); Kevin Weaver (friend of Guy & Margie Stevens); Jill Zartler.

SEMINARY STUDENT: Joshua Schiff.

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 . . . 1 Samuel 16:1–13; 1 Cor. 13:1–13; Luke 18:31–43

ABOUT THIS WEEK’S READINGS . . . The Sower sows the seed of His Word (Luke 8:4–15). This Word is living and powerful (Heb. 4:9–13) to conceive new life in those who hear it. But the planting of Christ is attacked by the devil, the world, and the flesh. Satan snatches the Word away from hard hearts. The riches and pleasures of this life choke off faith. Shallow and emotional belief withers in time of temptation and trouble. But see how Christ bears this attack for us! Christ’s cross was planted in the hard and rocky soil of Golgotha. A crown of thorns was placed upon His head. Satan and His demons hellishly hounded and devoured Him. Yet, through His dying and rising again, He destroyed these enemies of ours. Jesus is Himself the Seed which fell to the ground and died in order that it might sprout forth to new life and produce much grain. In Him, the weak are strong (2 Cor. 11:19–12:9). He is the Word of the Father which does not return void (Is. 55:10–13) but yields a harvest hundredfold.

THOUGHTS ABOUT STEWARDSHIP . . . Luke 8:5 “And as he sowed, some fell along the path and was trampled underfoot. . .” Know any farmers like this? Who just throw their crop seed wherever? That’s crazy! But God’s ways are not our ways—he is generous beyond compare! He delights in giving. As we are more and more conformed to his image, may we learn the joy of generosity and giving as well!

THE ALTAR FLOWERS . . . were given by Greg & Donna Campbell to the glory of God on the occasion of Gunnar’s baptismal birthday (February 1).

SUPER BOWL PARTY HAS BEEN CANCELED . . . The Youth Group will not be meeting here at church on Sunday as had been planned.

BI-MONTHLY MISSION FOR BETHS PLACE . . . is today, Sunday, February 4. For your convenience, an envelope designated for BETHS Place has been placed in your church mailbox. Checks are payable to Immanuel Lutheran Church. Thank you!

CAN YOU DICE AND CHOP? . . . Do you like stirring and sautéing? Are you a whiz at baking frozen pizzas? Want to be a blessing to someone in our congregation? Then grab your apron and mark your calendars for Saturday, February 10, at 9:00 am in the church kitchen. We will be making freezer meals to take to some of our members as a way to bless them and show them that we care. This is a trial run to see if this is something we as a church family can do routinely when there is a need within the congregation. The LWML has graciously donated seed money to start this endeavor, and we are very grateful. No experience in the kitchen required; however, we may ask you to help with the dishes. Please continue to watch the bulletin for more information and contact Leigh Ann Whitson or Lauren Braaten with any questions.

THE FINANCIAL REVIEW COMMITTEE . . . is requesting the deposit ledgers and bank statements of all groups associated with Immanuel so that they may be reviewed as mandated by the church constitution. They may be set in the church office.

WITTENBERG LUTHERAN CENTER AT ISU . . . is sponsoring a free Forum on Saturday, February 10, 2018, beginning at 10:00 am–3:00 pm. Speakers include Tim Goeglein and John Rosemond. The Forum will be held on campus in Lecture Hall 130 of Schroeder Hall. A free pizza lunch will be provided. See the bulletin boards for more information.

FORMER LUTHERAN HOUR SPEAKER . . . Reverend Gregory Seltz and Congressman John Shimkus will team up to help us discover the challenges and opportunities of being God’s people in the Culture today. Together they will talk about the unique challenges that modern culture and politics are presenting to the church and how God’s people can respond. This event is part of the Central Illinois District LLL Convention on March 17, 2018. See today’s insert and bulletin boards for more information and registration.

 

FEBRUARY BOOK OF THE MONTH . . . is Lutheranism 101 Worship, which presents background information on the development of Lutheran worship and gives us a deeper look into how we worship and why we worship the way we do. Check it out!

FEBRUARY NEWSLETTER . . . is available in hard copy as well as on Immanuel’s website. Copies can be found on the table across from the member mailboxes. If you would like the newsletter through email, please tell Pastor Braaten or Leigh Ann Whitson.

MARK YOUR CALENDAR . . . for our annual spring cleaning day on Saturday, March 10, 2018. More details will be announced in the coming weeks.

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, Feb 14 — Congregational Potluck
  • Wed, Feb 21 — Boards of Stewardship & Trustees
  • Wed, Feb 28 — LWML
  • Wed, Mar 7 — Board of Mission & Evangelism
  • Wed, Mar 14 — Board of Christian Education
  • Wed, Mar 21 — Board of Elders

GREETERS

THIS WEEK

  • Joan Vukelich (West)
  • Laverl Byers (East)

NEXT WEEK

  • Donna Campbell (West)
  • Tim Hoel (East)

COMMUNION HELPERS

THIS WEEK

  • Mark Whitson
  • Ann Carroll; Marissa Russo

NEXT WEEK

  • Mark Whitson
  • Ann Carroll; Lexie Russo

ACOLYTES

THIS WEEK

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

NEXT WEEK

  • Coulson Poffenberger (Crucifer)
  • Josh Dyer (Torches)
  • Oliver Braaten (Torches)
  • Isaak Burgener (Gospel)

COFFEE COMMITTEE

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

FUNERAL CHAIR

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

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