THIS WEEK AT IMMANUEL
Sunday (1/11)
- 8:00 am – Bible Class & Sunday School
- 9:00 am—Divine Service
- 10:30 am – Church Council Meeting
- 11:00 am – Divine Service (Broadlands, IL)
- 12:30 pm – Catechism Class (Broadlands, IL
- 2:30 pm – Tuscola Healthcare Center Service
Monday
- 7:30 am – Matins
- 5:00 pm – Board of Mission & Evangelism
- 6:00 pm – Board of Christian Education
- 6:30 pm – Board of Trustees
- 7:00 pm – Board of Elders
Tuesday
- 7:30 am – Matins
- 9:00 am – Mattoon Circuit Meeting
Wednesday
- 7:30 am – Matins
- 8:00 am – Catechism Class
- 4:30 pm – Individual Confession & Absolution
- 6:00 pm – Divine Service
- 7:00 pm – Bible History Class
Thursday
- 7:30 am – Matins
Sunday (1/18)
- 8:00 am – Bible Class & Sunday School
- 9:00 am—Divine Service
- 10:30 am – Voters’ Assembly Meeting
- 11:00 am – Divine Service (Broadlands, IL)
- 12:30 pm – Catechism Class (Broadlands, IL
IN OUR PRAYERS
HEALTH CONCERNS: Glenda Abercrombie (friend of Linda Brewer); Jerry & Joyce Alexander; Cheryl Bozarth (friend 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); Brent Reifsteck (brother of Bryce Reifsteck); 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 . . . Exodus: 33:12–23; Romans 12:6–16; John 2:1–11.
ABOUT THIS WEEK’S READINGS . . . In the days of Solomon, the Lord dwelt among His people in the temple. The glory of the Lord filled the house of the Lord in the form of a cloud (1 Kings 8:6–13). Now Jesus, who is the glory of the Lord in the flesh, enters the temple to show that He Himself is the everlasting temple and dwelling place of God (Luke 2:41–52). Our young Lord, true man, subject to Mary and Joseph, reveals Himself also to be true God, whose father is not Joseph but the Almighty Father in heaven. Jesus does this at the time of the Passover. For He came to be the sacrificial Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world. Even as He was found by his parents after three days, so He would later rise from the dead on the third day that the favor of God might rest also upon us. It is by these mercies of God that we present our bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God through Christ (Rom. 12:1–5).
THOUGHTS ABOUT STEWARDSHIP . . . Luke 2:49, “Did you not know that I must be in my Father’s house?” Jesus was in His Father’s house, the Temple, because He was doing His Father’s business. That business is giving His life as a sacrifice to take away the sin of the world. He gave of Himself, so that we would be freed from sin, death, and the devil. Thus, we live our lives, offering our bodies as spiritual sacrifices for the good of our neighbor (Romans 12:1). As Jesus gave Himself for us, so we also give of ourselves–our time, our talents, and our treasures–for the good of those around us, beginning with the household of faith, the church.
THE FLOWERS ON THE ALTAR . . . are given by Dave Slaughter to the glory of God on the occasion of Joe Slaughter’s birthday.
ALTAR GUILD, COFFEE COMMITTEE, & FUNERAL CHAIR . . . For January, the Altar Guild is Jaimee & Ava Whitson. Coffee Committee is the Campbell family. January Funeral Chair is Krista Freebairn. For February, the Altar Guild is Dorothy Hostetler & Maggie Braaten. Coffee Committee is Laverl Byers. February Funeral Chair is Lauren Braaten.
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.
JANUARY YOUTH GROUP EVENT . . . is Sunday, January 25. This is for our 7th–12th grade youth. Keep watch on the bulletin for more details.
POINSETTIAS . . . If you did not get your poinsettia after the Christmas Day Divine Service, you will find it in the kitchen on the counter.
REMINDER: VOTERS’ ASSEMBLY MEETING . . . is Sunday, January 18, at 11:30 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.
PASTOR WILL BE AWAY . . . January 28–31 at the Board of Directors meeting for The Lutheran Church Extension Fund. He will have limited access to his mobile phone. For emergencies, please contact one of the Elders: Jack Appleby (217.369.2708), Paul Freebairn (217.497.4200) , Les Sluder (217.253.3029), Mark Whitson (217.202.4630).
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.
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!
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
Sunday School Art Project . . . We’re excited to share that LCMS artist, Ed Riojas, has begun work on a special series of drawings and paintings depicting the 12 Apostles. These beautiful works will be displayed over the rock panels on the face of the choir loft balcony, adding a rich visual confession to our sanctuary. The Sunday School has already raised with the help of some other donations, around $10,000. This is two-thirds of the needed $15,000 in just a few months. If you are interested in supporting this Sunday School art project alongside of our Sunday School students, please contact pastor or speak with one of the members of the Board of Christian Education. Thank you for helping make this vision a reality for our congregation!
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