THIS WEEK AT IMMANUEL
Sunday (2/8)
- 8:00 am – Bible Class & Sunday School
- 9:00 am—Divine Service
- 11:00 am – Divine Service (Broadlands, IL)
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 (2/15)
- 8:00 am – Bible Class & Sunday School
- 9:00 am—Divine Service
- 11:00 am – Divine Service (Broadlands, IL)
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); 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 . . . 1 Samuel 16:1–13; 1 Cor. 13:1–13; Luke 18:31–43
ABOUT THIS WEEK’S READINGS . . . The Sower sows the seed of His Word (Luke 8:4–15). This Word is living and powerful (Heb. 4:9–13) to conceive new life in those who hear it. But the planting of Christ is attacked by the devil, the world, and the flesh. Satan snatches the Word away from hard hearts. The riches and pleasures of this life choke off faith. Shallow and emotional belief withers in time of temptation and trouble. But see how Christ bears this attack for us! Christ’s cross was planted in the hard and rocky soil of Golgotha. A crown of thorns was placed upon His head. Satan and His demons hellishly hounded and devoured Him. Yet, through His dying and rising again, He destroyed these enemies of ours. Jesus is Himself the Seed which fell to the ground and died in order that it might sprout forth to new life and produce much grain. In Him, the weak are strong (2 Cor. 11:19–12:9). He is the Word of the Father which does not return void (Is. 55:10–13) but yields a harvest hundredfold.
THOUGHTS ABOUT STEWARDSHIP . . . Luke 8:5 “And as he sowed, some fell along the path and was trampled underfoot . . .” Know any farmers like this? Who just throws their crop seed wherever? That’s crazy! But God’s ways are not our ways—he is generous beyond compare! He delights in giving. As we are more and more conformed to his image, may we learn the joy of generosity and giving as well!
ALTAR GUILD, COFFEE COMMITTEE, & FUNERAL CHAIR . . . For February, the Altar Guild is Dorothy Hostetler & Maggie Braaten. Coffee Committee is Laverl Byers. February Funeral Chairs are Lauren Braaten & Jaimee Whitson. For March, the Altar Guild is Lauren & Maggie Braaten. Coffee Committee is Dorothy Hostetler. March Funeral Chair is Ruth Bretz.
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 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
LENTEN MIDWEEK SUPPERS . . . will be served this year before the Midweek services beginning on Ash Wednesday. Serving time will be 5:30 pm–6:45 pm. We are returning to traditional way of providing food where each board provides a meal. Here is the schedule.
- 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.
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