NEXT WEEK’S READINGS . . . Isaiah 12:1–6; James 1:16–21; John 16:5–15.

ABOUT THIS WEEK’S READINGS . . . The people of God are pilgrims and sojourners in this world, looking ahead to a destination yet to come (1 Peter 2:11–20). Though we are now children of God, the fullness of what we shall be has not yet been revealed (1 John 3:1–3). We are those who wait on the Lord. “The Lord is good to those who wait for him, to the soul who seeks him” (Lam. 3:25). Jesus tells us that the wait is just a little while. “A little while, and you will see me no longer; and again a little while, and you will see me” (John 16:16). Though you must experience sorrow for a time, though you must live as strangers in a world that is at enmity with Christ, yet your sorrow will be turned to joy when He returns. “But they who wait for the Lord shall renew their strength” (Is. 40:31). The little while of weeping shall be replaced with an eternity of rejoicing in the presence of Christ the crucified and risen Savior. “And no one will take your joy from you” (John 16:22).

THOUGHTS ABOUT STEWARDSHIP . . . 1 Peter 2:11—“Beloved, I urge you as sojourners and exiles to abstain from the passions of the flesh, which wage war against your soul.” Surely one of the “passions of the flesh” we all struggle with is greed: the desire to have more things to bring us comfort and peace of mind. But that shows us the real problem with greed: it wages war against our soul—it urges us to place our trust in the things of this world and not in God. But St. Peter reminds us that we are sojourners and exiles: we belong to the Kingdom of God. We have been purchased by the blood of Christ and belong to Him.

IMMANUEL JUNIOR CHOIR . . . will be singing on Sunday, May 18. Choir members, please come up to the choir loft prior to the start of the service. Thank you!

THE FLOWERS ON THE ALTAR . . . are given by Darrell & Dolores Ford to the glory of God in remembrance of their mothers.

ALTAR GUILD & COFFEE COMMITTEE . . . For May, the Altar Guild is Dorothy Hostetler and Willa Braaten. Coffee Committee is Ann Carroll.

THE 2025 FLOWER CHART IS AVAILABLE . . . Please sign up on the bulletin board across from the member mailboxes. 2025 flowers are $35.00 and can be special ordered. Flowers can be taken home after the Sunday service.

ALTAR GUILD . . . Please sign up for a month to serve on the Altar Guild, caring for our Lord’s body & blood just as the woman who went to be tomb sought to care for the body of Jesus. There are spots available for Junior members to sign up.

FUNERAL CHAIR . . . Please sign up for a month to serve as funeral chair; the chair is responsible for placing calls requesting food donations and volunteers to help with serving and cleaning up after the funeral dinner. The current call list is included with the chair sign-up list on the clipboard located in the Narthex.

RATE & REVIEW IMMANUEL ON GOOGLE . . . Did you know that throughout the United States each month over 2 million people search on Google for “Churches Near Me.”? That’s how a majority of people find churches to visit. Therefore, being visible on Google as one of the top results for searches is important to get found. One way to increase your visibility on Google is through their Rate & Review feature. Please consider rating and review Immanuel on Google by going to: https://g.page/r/CdbSahe0h2B0EAI/review

MARK YOUR CALENDARS FOR VBS . . . This year’s VBS is June 9–13. The theme for this year is UNSHAKEABLE: A Journey through God’s Promises. Registration will begin in May.

CHANGE TO SATURDAY NIGHT SERVICE . . . In consultation with the Board of Elders, beginning on Memorial Day Weekend (May 24–25) and, at least, throughout the summer, there will be no Saturday night service. Instead, on Wednesday evenings at 6:00 pm, a spoken Divine Service will be offered. This service will have a different sermon than Sunday morning. This will accommodate anyone who travels or works weekends, or would like another opportunity to attend the Divine Service.

STAMP OUT HUNGER FOOD DRIVE . . . benefitting SAM Food Pantry is Saturday, May 17. Pick-up begins at 9:00 am. Place donations of non-perishable food items in bags beside your mailbox. If you wish to make a monetary donation, make checks payable to SAM Food Pantry and mark the memo line with USPS Food Drive. Checks may be mailed to SAM Food Pantry, 901 N Prairie St. Tuscola, IL 61953.

UPDATE FROM SEMINARY STUDENTS . . . Tuesday, April 29, was Call Night for the seminary students we have supported the last couple of years. That means they received their placements in the LCMS to be pastors of particular congregations. Nicholas Sinatra was called to St. John Lutheran Church, Sandborn, IA. Jacob Garrison was called to Centennial Lutheran Church, Superior, NE, and St. John Lutheran Church, Chester, NE. Jackson Scofield was called to River of Life Lutheran Church, Channahon, IL, and Friends in Christ Lutheran Church, Morris, IL.

GRADUATION OPEN HOUSE . . . You are all invited to a graduation open house for Oliver at the parsonage on Saturday, May 31, from 1–4 pm. – Pastor and Lauren.

VICAR PARIER IS ARRIVING . . . in Tuscola on Thursday, May 29. If anyone is interested in blessing him with some staples for his pantry, a gift card, or providing a meal, you can drop those off at church and we will get them to him. (He is allergic to tree nuts and is a tea drinker, not a coffee person.) Or, you can also deliver them in person to his rental at 702 East Daggy. He’s very excited to be coming to Immanuel. He will be installed on Sunday, June 1, and following the service there will be a cake and punch reception in lieu of Bible Class. During this time, he will introduce himself, so please come down to the Fellowship Hall and greet our summer vicar.