THIS WEEK AT IMMANUEL
Sunday (12/21)
- 8:00 am – Bible Class
- 9:00 am—Divine Service
- 10:30 am – Voters’ Assembly Meeting
- 11:00 am – Divine Service (Broadlands, IL)
- 6:00 pm – Sunday School Christmas Program (Broadlands)
Wednesday
- 7:00 pm – Christmas Eve Divine Service
- 11:00 pm – Christmas Eve Divine Service (Broadlands)
Thursday
- 9:00 am – Christmas Day Divine Service
- 11:00 am – Christmas Day Divine Service (Broadlands)
Sunday (12/28)
- 9:00 am—Divine Service
- 11:00 am – Divine Service (Broadlands, IL)
IN OUR PRAYERS
HEALTH CONCERNS: Glenda Abercrombie (friend of Linda Brewer); Jerry & Joyce Alexander; Cheryl Bozarth (friends of Hilgendorfs); Brad Butler (friend of Hilgendorfs); Darla Combs (friend of Dave Holzrichter); Crystal Davis (friend of Dave Slaughter); Tim Flynn (friend of Dave Holzrichter); Nash Foreman (friend of Sofie Reifsteck); Carol Gaddey (friend of Joan Vukelich); Jerry Graham (teacher of Charlotte Cash); Susan Hall (friend of the Alexanders); Rick Hardesty (family of the Hoels); Kim Hausman (friend of Ann Carroll); Julie Holzrichter (sister-in-law of Dave Holzrichter); Nancy Holzrichter (wife of Dave Holzrichter); Mary Houvanagle (friend of Hilgendorfs); Bob Kresin; John Lamkin (friend of Dave Slaughter); Lois Love (sister of Mary Appleby, Ruth Bretz, Steve Hilgendorf); Mike Marana (friend of Josh Whitson); Candace McElhaney (daughter of Corky Fields); Cathy Minear (friend of Josh and Jaimee Whitson); Jo Richner (mother of Leigh Ann Whitson); Emma Silver; Dave Slaughter; Les Sluder; Kim Travis (friend of Jaimee Whitson); Joan Vukelich; Lausanne Walter (mother of Tiffany Cash); Lynn Whitson (father of Mark Whitson).
SEMINARY STUDENT: Ethan Baumbach; Reece Parlier.
MISSIONARIES: The Jastram Family (Japan); The Preus Family (Romania).
HOMEBOUND: Bernita Ashwill; Wanda Long; Janet Pollock; Joan Rahn.
MILITARY: Carl Crawford; Josh Dyer; Jeremy Gordon; David W. Holzrichter; Jack Leonard; Jake Lindgren; Raymond Longtin; Scott Walter.
CHURCH NEWS & ANNOUNCEMENTS
NEXT WEEK’S READINGS . . . Isaiah 11:1–5; Galatians 4:1–7; St. Luke 2:33–40.
ABOUT THIS WEEK’S READINGS . . . The coming of God in all His unveiled power at Mount Sinai was terrifying to the people of Israel. The thundering voice of the Lord puts sinners in fear of death (Deut. 18:15–19). God, therefore, raised up a prophet like Moses—the Messiah, the Christ. God came to His people veiled in human flesh. The skies poured down the Righteous One from heaven; the earth opened her womb and brought forth Salvation (Introit) through the blessed Virgin Mary, the mother of the Lord (Luke 1:39–56). The fruit of her womb is the very Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world, the One whose sandal strap John was not worthy to loose (John 1:19–28). In Jesus we are delivered from fear and anxiety. In Him alone we have the peace of God which surpasses all understanding (Phil. 4:4–7).
THOUGHTS ABOUT STEWARDSHIP . . . Philippians 4:6 “Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God.” Paul puts two things in opposition to each other: anxiety and prayer. So trade your worries for prayers! You have a Father who loves you and desires to hear your prayers and bless you.
NEW OFFICER INSTALLATION . . . will be Sunday, January 4, during the Divine Service immediately following the offering. If you are a newly-elected officer, please plan to attend. A reception will be held in the Fellowship Hall following the Divine Service to say thank you to out‑going, current, and in-coming officers. Their hard work and dedication are to be commended!
THE VOTERS’ ASSEMBLY BUDGET AND ELECTION MEETING . . . is, Sunday, December 21, at 10:30 am. Just a reminder that any voting member who is absent from the voters’ meetings for a full year without a valid excuse shall have his/her name removed from the roster of voting members. Those who are 65 and older can submit a written request to have their name placed on the senior voting member list and will be automatically excused. If any senior member is unsure whether or not there is a written request on file, please contact the office. If any member has been removed from the roster of voting members, he/she can be reinstated by a request to the elders and attendance at the voters’ meeting approving that request.
CHRISTMAS CARDS FOR SEMINARY STUDENTS . . . If you’d like to send Christmas greetings to our seminary students, their addresses are: Mr. Ethan Baumbach and Mr. Reece Parlier, at: 6600 North Clinton Street, Fort Wayne, Indiana, 46825-4996.
ALTAR GUILD, COFFEE COMMITTEE, & FUNERAL CHAIR . . . For December, the Altar Guild is Deborah & Sofie Reifsteck. Coffee Committee is the Munson family. December Funeral Chair is Lauren Braaten. For January, the Altar Guild is Jaimee & Ava Whitson. Coffee Committee is the Campbell family. December Funeral Chair is Krista Freebairn.
Updates Needed for Funeral Dinner Food Call List . . . Any volunteers willing to bring food for funeral dinners, please check the list at the back of the church to make sure your phone number is up to date. In addition, if you would like your name added or taken off, please also note that on the list. Thank you!
Volunteers Needed for Altar Guild, Coffee Committee, and Funeral Chair . . . We are looking for volunteers to serve in several important areas of congregational life.
- Altar Guild: Help care for the Lord’s body and blood, the altar linens and vessels, and ensure the altar is ready for next week’s worship.
- Coffee Committee: Provide hospitality by setting up and serving refreshments on Sunday mornings.
- Funeral Chair: Assist in coordinating meals and hosting for funeral services, offering comfort and care to grieving families.
If you are willing to serve in any of these areas—or would like to learn more—please sign up in the narthex or contact the church office. Your service is a blessing to our congregation and to all who gather here in Christ’s name.
BIBLE HISTORY CLASS . . . There will be no Wednesday evening Bible History class November 26 through January 7. Bible History class will resume on Wednesday, January 14, 2026.
THE 2026 FLOWER CHART IS NOW AVAILABLE . . . Please sign up on the bulletin board across from member mailboxes. 2026 flowers are $35.00 and can be special ordered. Flowers can be taken home after Sunday’s service.
MATINS WILL RESUME . . . on Monday, January 5, 2026.
THE 2026 FLOWER CHART IS NOW AVAILABLE . . . Please sign up on the bulletin board across from member mailboxes. 2026 flowers are $35.00 and can be special ordered. Flowers can be taken home after Sunday’s service.
CHRISTMAS CARDS TO THE HOMEBOUND . . . If you would like to send Christmas greetings to our members who are homebound and can no longer be with us in person, you may mail cards to: Bernita Ashwill, 1231 N CR 1050 E, Tuscola, IL 61953; Wanda Long, Carriage Crossing, 909 Green Mill Road, Room 130, Arcola, IL 61910; Janet Pollock, Newman Rehabilitation & Health Care Center, 418 S Memorial Dr, Newman, IL 61942; Joan Rahn, Odd Fellows Rebekah Home, 201 Lafayette Ave E, Mattoon, IL 61938.
UPCOMING SERVICES AND EVENTS
- Sunday, November 30, 8:00 am Sunday School Christmas Service practice
- Wednesday, December 3 6:00 pm Advent Midweek Service
- Friday, December 5 5:30 pm Christmastown Parade (Line up at 5:30 pm)
- Saturday, December 6 9:00 am Immanuel Christmas Decorating
- Sunday, December 7 8:00 am Sunday School Christmas Service practice
- Wednesday, December 10 6:00 pm Advent Midweek Service
- Sunday, December 14 8:00 am Sunday School Christmas Service practice
- Sunday, December 14 6:00 pm Sunday School Christmas Service
- Wednesday, December 17 6:00 pm Advent Midweek Service
- Sunday, December 21 10:30 am Voters’ Assembly Meeting
- Wednesday, December 24 7:00 pm Christmas Eve Service with Communion
- Wednesday, December 24 11:00 pm Christmas Eve Service (Broadlands)
- Thursday, December 25 9:00 am Christmas Day Service with Communion
- Thursday, December 25 11:00 am Christmas Day Service (Broadlands)
- Friday, December 26 Immanuel Offices Closed
- Wednesday, December 31 6:00 pm New Year’s Eve Service
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