THIS WEEK AT IMMANUEL
Sunday (8/16)
- 8:00 am – Bible Class
- 9:00 am—Divine Service
- 11:00 am – Divine Service (Broadlands, IL)
Wednesday
- 4:30 pm – Individual Confession & Absolution
- 6:00 pm – Divine Service
Sunday (8/23)
- 8:00 am – Bible Class
- 9:00 am—Divine Service
- 11:00 am – Divine Service (Broadlands, IL)
IN OUR PRAYERS
HEALTH CONCERNS: Jerry & Joyce Alexander; Clancy Appleby (nephew of Jack Appleby); Ryan Bailey (friend of Celeste Nau); Jami Bowles; Cheryl Bozarth (friend of Hilgendorfs); Ruth Bretz; Jack Britt (grandson of Sharon Allen); Brad Butler (friend of Hilgendorfs); Darla Combs (friend of Dave Holzrichter); Scott Dallas; Crystal Davis (friend of Dave Slaughter); Tim Flynn (friend of Dave Holzrichter); Nash Foreman (friend of Sofie Reifsteck); Randy Frye (friend of Dave Slaughter); Jerry Graham (teacher of Charlotte Cash); Rick Hardesty (family of the Hoels); Kim Hausman (friend of Ann Carroll); Ann Hilgendorf; Julie Holzrichter (sister-in-law of Dave Holzrichter); Nancy Holzrichter (wife of Dave Holzrichter); Dorothy Hostetler; 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); Rev. Doug Meyer; Noah Luke Owen; Tresa Pollock; Jo Richner (mother of Leigh Ann Whitson); Brent Reifsteck (brother of Bryce Reifsteck); Denny Reifsteck (cousin of Joan Vukelich); Emma Silver; Kim Travis (friend of Jaimee Whitson); John Waldrop (father of Matthew Waldrop); 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: Jerry & Joyce Alexander; 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 . . . Isaiah 29:17–24; 2 Corinthians 3:4–11; Mark 7:31–37.
ABOUT THIS WEEK’S READINGS . . . “And the Lord had regard for Abel and his offering, but for Cain and his offering he had no regard” (Gen. 4:1–15). For unlike Abel, Cain’s offering did not proceed from a heart that revered and trusted in the Lord. Thus, the lowly tax collector who prayed, “God, be merciful to me, a sinner!” was the one who went down to his house justified before God, not the respectable, outwardly righteous Pharisee who trusted in himself and his own good living (Luke 18:9–14). “For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast” (Eph. 2:1–10). The one who penitently despairs of his own righteousness and relies completely on the atoning mercy of God in Christ is the one who is declared righteous. For Christ died for our sins and rose again the third day (1 Cor. 15:1–10). Therefore, “everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, but the one who humbles himself will be exalted.”
THOUGHTS ABOUT STEWARDSHIP . . . Luke 18:11-12 “The Pharisee, standing by himself, prayed thus: ‘God, I thank you that I am not like other men, extortioners, unjust, adulterers, or even like this tax collector. I fast twice a week; I give tithes of all that I get.’” The Pharisees got so much right and so much wrong. It’s a good thing for this Pharisee to be faithful to his wife and faithful in his giving to the Lord’s work, but none of it is of any avail if it proceeds from a prideful heart!
THE ALTAR FLOWERS . . . are given by the The Simpsons 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 Naomi Furtek. Coffee Committee is the Munsons. August Funeral Chair is Celeste Nau. For September, the Altar Guild is Terra Waldrop and Willa Braaten. Coffee Committee is the Andrésens. September Funeral Chair is Celeste Nau.
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 Resumes . . . With summer break coming to a close, it’s time to start planning for Sunday School. Classes will resume on September 14th 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!
Volunteers Needed for Altar Guild and Funeral Chair . . . We are looking for volunteers to serve in these important areas of congregational life Altar Guild and Funeral Chair. 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.
PEACE MEAL VOLUNTEERS NEEDED — AUGUST . . . Each weekday in August, volunteers are needed to deliver Peace Meals to neighbors in need. Deliveries run Monday–Friday, 10:30 a.m.–12:30 p.m. — a two-hour commitment. You may sign up for a full week or just a few days. If you are able to serve, contact Tim Stumeier at (217) 841-4218.
MATINS RESUMES . . . Monday, August 31, at 7:30 am. It will be prayed Monday through Thursday each week. All are welcome to attend.
BIBLE HISTORY RESUMES . . . Wednesday, September 2, at 7:00 pm, following the Wednesday night Divine Service. We are beginning the time of the Judges. If you’re interested in a survey of Old and New Testament history, join us.
REGISTER FOR THE NOT ASHAMED CONFERENCE . . . Go ahead and mark your calendar right now for the 2026 Not Ashamed conference to be held at the Tuscola Community Building on Saturday, August 29, 9:00 am! Our guest speaker is Rev. Bryan Wolfmueller who is a well-known pastor, author, and podcaster. The theme is Not Ashamed of the Cross — Speaking the Truth Clearly in a Confused Age. This conference will help ordinary Christians understand why the faith will always offend, what must be confessed without apology, and how to speak the truth without fear or belligerence — in a way that remains accessible to all. We would love to see each and every one of you there. Plan now to attend and bring a friend! — register at immanueltuscola.org/not-ashamed-conference
ALTAR GUILD GIRLS CONFERENCE — OCTOBER 11 . . . St. Paul Lutheran Church, Hamel, is hosting a free Altar Guild Girls Conference on Sunday, October 11, from 1:00–7:00 PM. Open to girls in 4th grade through high school, adult altar guild members, and anyone interested in learning about altar guild service. Guest speakers Rev. David Buchs and Mrs. Tori Egger, dinner provided. Register by October 4 at the link in the bulletin, or contact altarguildgirls@proton.me with questions.
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