THIS WEEK AT IMMANUEL

Sunday (10/2)

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

Monday—Wednesday — NO MATINS

Tuesday

• 9:00 am—Classical Conversations Home School Coop

Wednesday

• 7:00 pm—Bible History Bible Class

Thursday

• 7:30 am—Matins

Saturday

• 5:30 pm—Divine Service with Holy Communion

Sunday (10/9)

• 9:00 am—Divine Service with Holy Communion
• 10:30 am—Bible Class & Sunday School
• 11:15 am—Church Council Meeting

IN OUR PRAYERS

HEALTH CONCERNS: Mia Anderson (great-granddaughter of Joan Vukelich); Jimmee Barger (friend of the Alexanders); Brenda Bunting (friend of Ann Carroll); Ellie Crawford (daughter of Laran Crawford); Leona Czerwonka; Scott Dallas; Janice Funk (mother of Mike Ekstrom); Virginia Goble (friend of Joyce Alexander); Paula Hancock; Jim Harbaugh; Kim Hausman (friend of Ann Carroll); Patti Heath (friend of the Hoels); Joel Hilgendorf; Raymond & Kay Kingery (friends of the Joneses); Trena Knauss (sister of Tresa Pollock); Jeff Knight (friend of the Campbells); Anne Koss; Dennis Lee (nephew of Dolores Ford); Scott McCumber (friend of the Russos); Laurie McMillen; Ken Moen (friend of the Vukeliches); Bill Negangard (grandfather of Bryce Reifsteck); Joan Rahn; Ellen Shawgo (niece of Ruth Rentschler); Roland Spomer; Sara Urban (wife of Ron Urban); Rich Zartler.

TATE AND LYLE ELEVATOR EXPLOSION:  Employee Glenn Thiede and all others injured in the September 27 grain elevator explosion in Francisville, Indiana.

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; Anne Koss; 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 . . . Isaiah 55:1–9; Ephesians 5:15–21; Matthew 22:1–14.

ABOUT THIS WEEK’S READINGS . . . The Lord does not require us to ascend to Him; in mercy He descends to us (Gen 28:10–17). The ladder in Jacob’s dream was not for climbing; it was the means by which the Lord came to bless Jacob. This event finds its fulfillment in Christ who descended from His throne to save and bless us. By His incarnation He is the eternal bridge between heaven and earth. “The Son of Man has authority on earth to forgive sins” (Matt 9:1–8). The Lord was present in the flesh to absolve the paralytic. Jesus also healed and restored this man’s body. “For where there is forgiveness of sins, there is also life and salvation” (Small Catechism). The Lord still has power on earth to forgive sins. In holy absolution He raises up the new man (Eph 4:22–28) and bestows the healing medicine which will bring about our resurrection on the Last Day. Thus we say with Jacob, “This is none other than the house of God, and this is the gate of heaven!” (Gen 28:17).

THOUGHTS ABOUT STEWARDSHIP . . . Ephesians 4:24 “Put on the new self, created after the likeness of God in true righteousness and holiness.” The battle between the old self in Adam and the new self in Christ is fought in the heart and mind of every Christian. Paul encourages us to put on the new man which is created in the image of God. Our sanctification, our growth in godliness, is a growth into God’s image. So we do this by keeping our eyes on Christ and imitating Him in everything: in love, in kindness, in self-giving generosity.

ALTAR FLOWERS . . . are given by Craig & Carol Munson to the glory of God on the occasion of Craig’s birthday and blessings received.

BI-MONTHLY MISSION . . . is today, Sunday, October 2, LWML Sunday. All loose cash in the offering will go to support Immanuel’s LWML Chapter. For more information about the LWML and how it serves the church and the community, or to inquire about how you can join, speak with Joyce Alexander, Theresa Fields, Irene Wattjes, or Lauren Braaten.

LWML LADIES INVITE YOU . . . to the Fellowship Hall today after the Divine Service for hot apple cider and cookies to thank you for your ongoing support.

LADIES BUNCO NIGHT . . . Attention ladies of all ages: You are invited to a night of fun and games. Join the ladies of Immanuel at the parsonage, 6:30 pm–8:30 pm, for Bunco! If you’ve never played, don’t worry. The game is easy to learn and fun to play. Please bring a dessert or appetizer to share and be prepared to have a great time. If you have questions please talk with Celeste Nau, Jaimee Whitson or Lauren Braaten.

PLEASE CHECK YOUR MAILBOXES . . . for a letter that includes additional information on the rite of First Communion Prior to Confirmation. During the last two weeks, a question was raised regarding the rite and why it is not in the pew edition of the LSB.

PASTOR WILL BE AWAY . . . attending the Central Illinois District Fall Pastors’ Conference in Peoria, Illinois, this week, Monday, October 3–Wednesday, October 5. There will be no Matins or Looking Forward to Sunday Bible Study on those days. Pastor is planning to be back for the Bible History Bible Study on Wednesday evening. If you have an emergency, please call him on his mobile phone or notify one of the Elders (Ron Legg, Greg Nau, Bryce Reifsteck, Mark Whitson).

THE BOARD OF EDUCATION IS HOSTING A BOOK SALE . . . by Concordia Publishing House (CPH) during the month of October. Please check the narthex for resource catalogs where you can place your order. Want to check some out first before placing an order? In the coming weeks we will also have several of their most popular and helpful books available for you to look at and purchase. This is just in time for Christmas and next year’s 500th anniversary of the Reformation!

THERE ARE STILL . . . openings to put flowers on the Altar. Please sign up on the bulletin board in the hallway by the sanctuary or call the church office. Flowers are $30.00 and can be special ordered. Flowers can be taken home after the Sunday’s service.

PLEASE NOTE . . . The contact number for Harold and Irene Wattjes in the new Immanuel directory lists Harold’s mobile number. Please change the number to Irene’s mobile number: (217) 508-7824. Thank you.

OCTOBER 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.

GREETERS

THIS WEEK

• Dave & Michelle Stumeier (West)
• Jim & Carolyn Dyer (East)

NEXT WEEK

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

COMMUNION HELPERS

THIS WEEK

• Greg Nau
• Becky Kappes; Mackenzi Bowles

NEXT WEEK

• Greg Nau
• Becky Kappes; Marissa Russo

ACOLYTES

THIS WEEK

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

NEXT WEEK

• Ethan Stumeier (Crucifer)
• Caleb Stumeier (Torches)
• Coulson Poffenberger (Torches)
• Oliver Braaten (Gospel)

COFFEE COMMITTEE

• Pastor & Lauren Braaten—October
• Pastor & Lauren Braaten—November

FUNERAL CHAIR

• Ruth Bretz & Janice Arthur—October
• Joyce Alexander—November