NEXT WEEK’S READINGS . . . Genesis 4:1–15; 1 Cor 15:1–10; Luke 18:9–14.

ABOUT THIS WEEK’S READINGS . . . Our Lord wept over Jerusalem for the destruction that would soon come upon her. For she did not recognize the time of God’s visitation in Christ, who had come to bring her peace (Luke 19:41–48). Through His prophets God had consistently called His people to turn from their deceit and false worship. “But My people do not know the judgments of the Lord” (Jer. 8:4–12). They sought to establish their own righteousness rather than receive Christ’s righteousness through faith (Rom. 9:30–10:4). So it was that God was in His temple to cleanse it, a precursor to the once-for-all cleansing from sin which He would accomplish in the temple of His own body on the cross. God grant us to know the things that make for our peace—His visitation in the Word and Sacraments—that by the Holy Spirit we may penitently confess “Jesus is Lord” (1 Cor. 12:1–11).

THOUGHTS ABOUT STEWARDSHIP . . . Proverbs 3:5 “Trust in the LORD with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding.” Here is the key to faithful stewardship—and a faithful life in general! God’s Law is not given to us to hamper our fun, but to show us God’s own wisdom. All things being equal, won’t a life lived in accordance with God’s Word be more fulfilling and satisfying than a life lived at odds with God’s Word? Doesn’t He know better than we?

THE ALTAR FLOWERS . . . are given by Matthew & Terra Waldrop to the glory of God on the occasion of their wedding anniversary.

ALTAR GUILD, COFFEE COMMITTEE, & FUNERAL CHAIR . . . For August, the Altar Guild is Dorothy Hostetler and Willa Braaten. Coffee Committee is the Braaten family. August Funeral Chair is Ann Carroll. For September, the Altar Guild is Lauren, Maggie, and Willa Braaten. Coffee Committee is the Andrésen family. September Funeral Chair is Lauren Braaten and Jaimee Whitson.

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!

Sunday School Resumes . . . With summer break coming to a close, it’s time to start planning for Sunday School. Classes will resume on September 7th and will take place at 8:00 am to coincide with the Bible Class. It’s a great opportunity to bring your children (Pre-K to 6th grade) to Sunday School while parents join Bible Class. We are looking forward to another great year!

WHY? . . . Why do the Readings always include Epistle and Gospel, in that order? As it was with the sacred Scriptures in Israel’s day, so today there are two parts to the Scriptures of the New Testament. Then, there were Moses and the Prophets. Now, there are the Gospels and the Epistles. And yet, as the books of Moses (the first five books of the Bible, called the Pentateuch) were the foundation upon which the Prophets were laid, so also, the Gospels are the foundation upon which the Epistles are laid. This is the reason the Gospels appear first in the New Testament, and it is also the reason the Gospel Reading is given last. In order of placement in the New Testament, the Gospels are given the most prominent position, that is, first, and in order of public reading they are also given the most prominent position, which in the case of oral utterance is last. Moreover, it is also fitting that an Old Testament Reading regularly accompany these two Readings to show that the New Testament arises out of the Old Testament, and that all the sacred Scriptures are a unity.

FAREWELL & GODSPEED TO VICAR PARLIER . . . As we say good-bye to Vicar this weekend, we first want to thank the congregation for all the donations, gift cards, prayers and kind words they’ve shared with him over the summer. Knowing this was something new to Immanuel, we weren’t entirely sure how this would go, but we knew the congregation would welcome and include him, even for the short time he was here. While serving here for three months, Vicar was a part of almost everything we do here at Immanuel. From board meetings to VBS, daily Matins to weekly Bible History, walking neighborhoods and knocking on doors, going to Rotary and TAMA and circuit meetings, spending time in study and prayer, and then adding in Immanuel Broadlands to his Divine Service routine, he got a sneak peek into the life of our congregation. We promise it wasn’t all work and no play! If you drove by his house in the evening, you might have caught him outside with his tiki torches and fire pit, reading. He was also spotted at Adult Swim, playing pickleball, and eating at his favorite local spot, The Breakfast Place.  As we send him off for his second year at the seminary, he won’t be away long, as he is one of our adopted seminarians for next year, so we’ll be sure to invite him back to preach. Oh, and did we mention he met a lovely young lady while here too? I’m sure he’ll be back for her as well. Godspeed and farewell, Vicar, and best wishes for another year of studying, learning, and being formed into a shepherd for our Lord’s flock. – Board of Mission and Evangelism