THIS WEEK AT IMMANUEL

Sunday (8/12)

• 9:00 am—Divine Service with Holy Communion
• 10:30 am—Bible Class

Monday

• 8:00 am—Church Office Closed
• 5:00 pm—Board of Mission & Evangelism
• 6:00 pm—Board of Education
• 6:30 pm—Board of Trustees

Wednesday—Thursday

• 7:30 am—Matins

Wednesday

• 6:00 pm—Sohrt Fund Review Committee
• 7:00 pm—Bible History Bible Study

Saturday

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

Sunday (8/19)

• 9:00 am—Divine Service with Holy Communion
• 10:30 am—Bible Class
• 11:30 am—Parent-Pastor Confirmation Meeting
• 7:00 pm—Men’s Bible Study

IN OUR PRAYERS

HEALTH CONCERNS: Mia Anderson (great-granddaughter of Joan Vukelich); Bernita Ashwill; 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); Theresa Fields; Jim Harbaugh; Rick Hardesty (family of the Hoels); Kim Hausman (friend of Ann Carroll); Barbara Holste (friend of Arleigh & Mary Jane Jones); Marylin Joergens; Pat Maree; Melinda Marmion (daughter of Becky Kappes); Jim McIntosh (cousin of Jerry Alexander); Kimberly Meyer (daughter of Pastor Doug Meyer); Delvin Meyr (father of Willa’s godmother); Rev. Ted Mitchell (friend of Pastor Braaten); Bill & Mary Negangard (grandparents of Bryce Reifsteck); Janet Pollock; Art Rahn: Debbie Rahn (wife of Leroy Rahn); Ocil Slone (father of Carolyn Dyer); Carl Smith (husband of Lynnette Ashwill-Smith); Greg Wamsley (best friend of Dave Slaughter).

SEMINARY STUDENT: Joshua Schiff.

DEACONESS STUDENT: Stephanie Wilde.

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

HOMEBOUND: Bernita Ashwill; Bessie Benson; Dolores Byers; Marylin Joergens; 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 . . . Isaiah 29:17–24; 2 Corinthians 3:4–11; Mark 7:31–37.

ABOUT THIS WEEK’S READINGS . . . “And the Lord had regard for Abel and his offering, but for Cain and his offering he had no regard” (Gen. 4:1–15). For unlike Abel, Cain’s offering did not proceed from a heart that revered and trusted in the Lord. Thus, the lowly tax collector who prayed, “God, be merciful to me, a sinner!” was the one who went down to his house justified before God, not the respectable, outwardly righteous Pharisee who trusted in himself and his own good living (Luke 18:9–14). “For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast” (Eph. 2:1–10). The one who penitently despairs of his own righteousness and relies completely on the atoning mercy of God in Christ is the one who is declared righteous. For Christ died for our sins and rose again the third day (1 Cor. 15:1–10). Therefore, “everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, but the one who humbles himself will be exalted.”

THOUGHTS ABOUT STEWARDSHIP . . . Luke 18:11-12 “The Pharisee, standing by himself, prayed thus: ‘God, I thank you that I am not like other men, extortioners, unjust, adulterers, or even like this tax collector. I fast twice a week; I give tithes of all that I get.’” The Pharisees got so much right and so much wrong. It’s a good thing for this Pharisee to be faithful to his wife and faithful in his giving to the Lord’s work, but none of it is of any avail if it proceeds from a prideful heart!

PASTOR WILL BE AWAY. . . August 13–14. 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 Mark Whitson).

CHURCH OFFICE . . . will be closed on Monday, August 13.

REMINDER: IMMANUEL BOARDS . . . The Boards of Mission & Evangelism, Christian Education, and Trustees are scheduled to meet on Monday, August 13. You will find your agendas and supporting information in your member mailboxes.

FREEZER MEAL PREP . . . is Saturday, August 18, at 9:00 am. It is yet another opportunity to be a blessing to someone in our congregation! Grab your apron and come to 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. No experience in the kitchen required; however, we may ask you to help with the dishes. Contact Leigh Ann Whitson or Lauren Braaten with any questions.

PARENT-PASTOR CATECHISM MEETING . . . Sunday, August 19, 11:30 am, in the Fellowship Hall to discuss what we will learn during the year, what is expected of the student, and what your responsibilities as a parent of a catechism student are. Catechism Classes will begin on Sunday, September 9, 12:30 pm–2:00 pm, at church for all students prepared to begin.

SUNDAY SCHOOL RALLY DAY . . . is Sunday, September 9, 10:30 am. Come and join in the celebration and register your child(ren) for the 2018–2019 Sunday School year.

WHIPPOORWILL CHALLENGE GOLF OUTING . . . is Friday, September 28, 2018, at Hickory Point, Forsyth, Illinois. You can form a foursome or go and be added to a team. Check-in is at 11:30 am; Shotgun starts at 1:00 pm. Registration is $60 per person which covers your golf, cart, meal, and prizes. See the flyer on Immanuel’s bulletin boards for additional information. Let Pastor Braaten or Leigh Ann Whitson know if you are interested.

LLL RETREAT—CAMP CILCA . . . September 8, 2018, sponsored by CID LLL. Dr. Joel Biermann, professor at Concordia Seminary, St. Louis will share on the topic of “What Lutherans really believe about the Two Kingdoms.” Many have not explored what Luther himself taught about these realms. The day will begin with registration at 8:30 am and conclude around 3:00 pm.  The cost is $10 per person which includes the noon meal. Please contact Deloris Blessman by September 2 at 24204 ECR 1850N, Topeka, IL 62665, or at delorisblessman@yahoo.com in order to register.

EXPERT GUESTS, EXPANSIVE TOPICS, EXTOLLING CHRIST . . . Issues, Etc. is a radio talk show and podcast hosted by LCMS Pastor Todd Wilken and produced by Lutheran Public Radio in Collinsville, IL. This week’s teachings include: A Military History of Islam and the West, Mary, the Mother of Our Lord, Old Testament Prophet Isaac, 17th Century Lutheran Theologian Johann Gerhard, 11th Century Hymnwriter & Theologian Bernard of Clairvaux and more. You can listen live or on-demand at www.issuesetc.org and on the LPR mobile app.

ISSUES, ETC . . . How does a Christian rightly understand himself as both saint and sinner? How does a Christian rightly understand Scripture as both Law and Gospel? Dualities in Scripture like these sometimes confuse us, but if rightly understood, make the Gospel of Jesus Christ all the more clear. Issues, Etc. has just concluded an eight part series on “Dualities in Scripture” with Dr. Alfonso Espinosa. You can listen to the entire series of interviews at http://issuesetc.org/dualities-in-scripture/. The series is based on his new book Faith That Sees Through the Culture.

THIS WEEK ON KFUO.ORG . . . hear from guests and guest co-hosts on topics including social media, identity theft, and the hardship of early Lutheran immigrants on The Coffee Hour (weekdays at 9:00 am CT); study 1 Corinthians with Rev. Jonathan Fisk and guest pastors on Sharper Iron (weekdays at 8:00 am CT); dig into Hebrews with Rev. William Weedon and guest pastors on Thy Strong Word (weekdays at 11:00 am CT); and worship with us in Daily Chapel at 10:00 am CT. Find programs on demand at kfuo.org!

GREETERS

THIS WEEK

• Mark Whitson (West)
• Jim Dyer (East)

NEXT WEEK

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

COMMUNION HELPERS

THIS WEEK

• Jack Appleby
• Donna Campbell; Mackenzi Bowles

NEXT WEEK

• Jack Appleby
• Donna Campbell; Marissa Russo

ACOLYTES

THIS WEEK

• Coulson Poffenberger (Crucifer)
• Jake Dyer (Torches)
• Jonathan Braaten (Torches)
• Isaak Burgener (Gospel)

NEXT WEEK

• Oliver Braaten (Crucifer)
• Jake Dyer (Torches)
• Caiden Russo (Torches)
• Jonathan Braaten (Gospel)

COFFEE COMMITTEE

• Greg & Celeste Nau—August
• Erin Pangburn—September

FUNERAL CHAIR

• Tammy Kresin—August
• Joy Stenger—September