God is with His Church in Tuscola, Illinois, through Word and Sacrament

Immanuel Church News & Notes (Epiphany 2)

 


THIS WEEK AT IMMANUEL

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

Monday

  • 7:30 am – Matins
  • 11:00 am – Funeral (Broadlands, IL)
  • 3:45 pm – Catechism Class (Broadlands, IL)

Tuesday

  • 7:30 am – Matins
  • 7:00 pm – Elder’s Meeting (Broadlands, IL)

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 (1/25)

  • 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)
  • 6:00 pm – Youth Group Event

IN OUR PRAYERS

HEALTH CONCERNS: Glenda Abercrombie(friend of Linda Brewer); Jerry & Joyce Alexander; Ryan Bailey (friend of Celeste Nau); 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); 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); Kelli Manning (cousin of Joan Vukelich); 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); Lausanne Walter (mother of Tiffany Cash); Lynn Whitson (father of Mark Whitson); Darlene Wiesner (cousin of Joan Vukelich).

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 34:29–35; 2 Peter 1:16–21; Matthew 17:1–9.

ABOUT THIS WEEK’S READINGS . . . The coming of the Messianic kingdom means the restoration of creation. The sign of this restoration is that “the mountains shall drip sweet wine” (Amos 9:11–15). When the elements of a fallen creation fail and run short at a wedding feast, our Lord Jesus steps in to restore creation and miraculously changes water into an abundance of the very best wine (John 2:1–11). With this sign, Christ manifests His glory. The “back” of God (Ex. 33:12–23) is revealed to those who believe. The hour will come when Jesus will again manifest His glory by taking creation’s curse into His own body to release us from its power. The Bridegroom will give His life for the Bride (Eph. 5:22–32), and from His side will flow water and blood, the holy sacraments by which she is cleansed and made one with Him. Through this sacrificial love of Christ we are enabled to “love one another with brotherly affection . . .” and to “outdo one another in showing honor” (Rom. 12:6–16).

THOUGHTS ABOUT STEWARDSHIP . . . John 2:5 His mother said to the servants, “Do whatever he tells you.” What must Mary have thought when Jesus replied, “What does this have to do with Me?” But she knew this: whatever her Son said to do would be a blessing, so she knows what advice to give to the servants: Do whatever He tells you! That’s still good advice for us in every aspect of our lives – including in our generosity toward the Lord’s work in the Church.

REMINDER: VOTERS’ ASSEMBLY MEETING . . . is Sunday, January 18, 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.

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 FLOWERS ON THE ALTAR . . . are given by Dave Slaughter to the glory of God for blessings received.

THE 2026 FLOWER CHART IS NOW AVAILABLE . . . Please sign up on the bulletin board across from member mailboxes. 2025 flowers are $35.00 and can be special ordered. Flowers can be taken home after the Sunday’s service.

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!

JANUARY YOUTH GROUP EVENT . . . is Sunday, January 26. This is for our 7th–12th grade youth. Keep watch on the bulletin for more details.

 


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