THIS WEEK AT IMMANUEL
Sunday (3/15)
- 8:00 am – Bible Class & Sunday School
- 9:00 am—Divine Service
- 11:00 am – Divine Service (Broadlands, IL)
Monday
- 7:30 am – Matins
Tuesday
- 7:30 am – Matins
- 7:00 pm – Board of Elders (Broadlands)
Wednesday
- 7:30 am – Matins
- 8:00 am – Catechism Class
- 4:30 pm – Individual Confession & Absolution
- 5:30 pm – Lenten Meal
- 7:00 pm – Lent Midweek Divine Service
Thursday
- 7:30 am – Matins
Sunday (3/22)
- 8:00 am – Bible Class & Sunday School
- 9:00 am—Divine Service
- 11:00 am – Divine Service (Broadlands, IL)
- 2:30 pm – Tuscola Health Care Center Service
IN OUR PRAYERS
HEALTH CONCERNS: 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); Anya Knecht (daughter of Gretchen Krieger); 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); Denny Reifsteck (cousin of Joan Vukelich); Emma Silver; Dave Slaughter; Kim Travis (friend of Jaimee Whitson); 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.
CHURCH NEWS & ANNOUNCEMENTS
NEXT WEEK’S READINGS . . . Genesis 22:1–14; Hebrews 9:11–15; John 8:42–59.
ABOUT THIS WEEK’S READINGS . . . The Lord provided bread from heaven for His people in the wilderness (Ex. 16:2–21). Now He who is Himself the living bread from heaven miraculously provides bread for the five thousand (John 6:1–15). This takes place near the time of the Passover, after a great multitude had followed Jesus across the sea, and when He went up on a mountain. Seen in this way, Jesus is our new and greater Moses, who releases us from the bondage of Mount Sinai and makes us free children of the promise (Gal. 4:21–31). Five loaves become twelve baskets—that is, the five books of Moses find their goal and fulfillment in Christ, whose people continue steadfastly in the doctrine and fellowship of the twelve apostles, and in the breaking and receiving of the bread of life, which is the body of Christ together with His precious blood, and in the prayers (Acts 2:41–47). So it is that God’s people “shall not hunger or thirst” (Is. 49:8–13). For He abundantly provides for us in both body and soul.
THOUGHTS ABOUT STEWARDSHIP . . . John 6:8–9 “One of his disciples, Andrew, Simon Peter’s brother, said to him, ‘There is a boy here who has five barley loaves and two fish, but what are they for so many?’” The disciples focus on the numbers: so little for so much! But the Lord’s grace will not be limited by the narrow vision of His disciples. The Lord has a plan to use even the little for His work of greatness. So let us be faithful even in the little and watch the Lord use it for His great works!
THE ALTAR FLOWERS . . . are given by Greg & Celeste Nau to the glory of God for blessings received.
EASTER LILY ORDER FORMS . . . are in your bulletins and can also be found on the back table in the Narthex. Please return them to the office by Sunday, March 22. Lilies are $15.00 each.
ALTAR GUILD, COFFEE COMMITTEE, & FUNERAL CHAIR . . . For March, the Altar Guild is Lauren & Maggie Braaten. Coffee Committee is Dorothy Hostetler. March Funeral Chair is Ruth Bretz. For April, the altar Guild is Carol & Cailin Munson. Coffee Committee is the Braatens. April Funeral Chair is Gretchen Krieger.
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 the Sunday’s service.
REGISTRATION NOW OPEN . . . for the 2026 Martin + Katie Conference at University Lutheran Church in Champaign, Illinois, on Saturday, March 28, 2026. At this free conference, grow as Christian mean and women, meet new friends, get to know each other, and have fun. The conference is open to ages 18-30. Married or single are welcome. Registration is required as capacity is limited. Please register no later than Friday, March 20. Info and registration are available at http://martinpluskatie.org.
Volunteers Needed for Altar Guild and Funeral Chair . . . We are looking for volunteers to serve in these 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.
- 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 either 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!
WEDNESDAY NIGHT SERVICES DURING LENT . . . Services during Lent on Wednesday nights are at 7:00 pm. These services are preceded by a Lenten Meal, starting at 5:30 pm. Please join us.
- February 18, Ash Wednesday—Church Potluck
- February 25, Midweek Lent 1—Board of Christian Education
- March 4, Midweek Lent 2—Youth Group
- March 11, Midweek Lent 3—Board of Mission & Evangelism
- March 18, Midweek Lent 4—Boards of Stewardship and Church Council (Chair, Vice-Chair, Treasurer, Financial Secretary)
- March 25, Midweek Lent 5—Boards of Elders and Trustees
LENTEN MIDWEEK SERMON SERIES . . . The Way of Christ’s Kingdom. Join us this Lent for a five-week midweek series on Jesus’ Sermon on the Mount (Matthew 5–7). In these services we will hear Christ’s words not as moral advice, but as the voice of our King—blessing the poor in spirit, exposing false righteousness, teaching true prayer and trust, and calling us to build our lives on Him alone.
EASTER SERVICES THIS YEAR . . . Our services on Easter this year will look a little different due to the vacancy at Immanuel, Broadlands. Saturday night at 7:00 pm is the Easter Vigil. Easter Sunday the Easter Breakfast will be from 8:00 am – 9:00 am. The Easter Day service is at 9:30 am. We will not have an Easter Sunrise service this year. If you would like an Easter Sunrise service, Immanuel, Broadlands will have an Easter Sunrise Service at 7:00 am.
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
WHY ARE THE VESTMENTS ROSE THIS SUNDAY? . . . The Fourth Sunday in Lent is traditionally called Laetare Sunday, from the first word of the Latin Introit: “Laetare, Jerusalem” — “Rejoice, O Jerusalem” (Isaiah 66:10). Because of this theme of rejoicing, the Church’s traditional color briefly changes from the penitential purple of Lent to rose. Rose is not meant to replace the solemn character of Lent but to soften it for a moment, reminding us of that there is joy in repentance because of what lies ahead in Christ’s victory. Historically this day was sometimes called “Refreshment Sunday” because it offers encouragement and relief in the middle of the Lenten fast and discipline. Even as we continue our Lenten repentance, the Church reminds us that the goal of Lent is not sorrow but the joy of Christ’s saving work. Just as travelers are strengthened by a brief rest on a long journey, so the Church pauses on this Sunday to rejoice in the mercy of Christ who feeds His people and prepares them for the greater feast of Easter.
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