THIS WEEK AT IMMANUEL
Sunday (7/12)
- 8:00 am – Bible Class & Sunday School
- 9:00 am—Divine Service
- 11:00 am – Divine Service (Broadlands, IL)
Sunday (7/19)
- 9:00 am—Divine Service
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; 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); Randy Frye (friend of Dave Slaughter); Jerry Graham (teacher of Charlotte Cash); 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); 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: 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 . . . Jeremiah 23:16–29; Romans 8:12–17; Matthew 7:15–23.
ABOUT THIS WEEK’S READINGS . . . In the Garden of Eden, our first parents received food freely from the gracious hand of God, apart from any burdensome work (Gen 2:7–17). But after the fall, food would be received only through toil and labor. The curse declared, “By the sweat of your face you shall eat bread, till you return to the ground . . .” (Gen. 3:19). In other words, “The wages of sin is death” (Rom. 6:23). But into this wilderness world came Jesus the Messiah to restore creation. Having compassion on the weary multitudes, He renewed the bounty of Eden on the third day, freely granting an abundance of bread to the 4,000 (Mark 8:1–9). So also our Lord Jesus, having endured the burden of our sin, was raised on the third day to bring us back to Paradise. He now miraculously turns the bread of death into the Bread of Life in the Sacrament, giving us His very body and blood for our forgiveness. For “the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord” (Rom. 6:23).
THOUGHTS ABOUT STEWARDSHIP . . . Romans 6:19 “For just as you once presented your members as slaves to impurity and to lawlessness leading to more lawlessness, so now present your members as slaves to righteousness leading to sanctification.” To be sanctified means to be set aside for God’s purposes. St. Paul encourages us to see ourselves, our bodies, our souls, and all that we are as set aside for God’s work—in all that we do whether in the home, church, or society at large.
ALTAR FLOWERS . . . are given by the DeWitt Family to the glory of God on the occasion of their wedding anniversary.
ALTAR GUILD, COFFEE COMMITTEE, & FUNERAL CHAIR . . . For July, the Altar Guild is Ann Carroll and Willa Braaten. Coffee Committee is the Andrésens. July Funeral Chair is Krista Freebairn. For August, the Altar Guild is Dorothy Hostetler and Naomi Furtek. Coffee Committee is the Munsons. August 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
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.
LCMS Young Singles Retreat: . . . Saint John Lutheran Church in Sycamore invites LCMS singles (high school graduates thru age 30ish, not dating, dating, even engaged) to join them on Saturday, August 1 (1:00-7:00pm) for a Singles Retreat titled The Underappreciated Love: Philia. This retreat will feature a prayer office, presentations by Pr. David Petersen, indoor and outdoor activities, food, and fun. Participants are welcome to hang around after 7:00pm to visit and/or play board games. Come and get to know other LCMS singles who faithfully confess Jesus Christ and the one true faith. More info and registration are available: https://stjohnsycamore.360unite.com/singles-retreat. Saint John is located at 26555 Brickville Road in Sycamore, Illinois.
PASTOR WILL BE AWAY . . . Monday, July 13–Friday, July 31, for vacation. In case of emergency, please call his mobile phone, or contact one of the Elders.
WEDNESDAY NIGHT DIVINE SERVICE . . . is canceled while Pastor is away on vacation. Services will resume on Wednesday, August 5, 6pm.
OUR GUEST PASTOR . . . this morning is Rev. Richard Salcido. He has been in church work in the Lutheran Church – Missouri Synod his entire career. After graduation from Concordia Teachers College, River Forest, Illinois (now Concordia University Chicago) from 1976-1982 he served as the Director of Christian Education of Blessed Savior Lutheran Church, New Berlin, WI. From 1982-1988 he served as the Director of Christian Education of Trinity Lutheran Church, Decatur, IL. Since his completion of Colloquy (1988-1991) at Concordia Seminary, St. Louis, he has served from 1991-1994 as Pastor of Our Savior Lutheran Church, El Paso, TX.; from 1994-2008 as Associate Pastor of Salem Lutheran Church, Jacksonville, IL., (including 1998-1999 as Interim Principal, Salem Lutheran School, Jacksonville, IL), and as Senior Pastor of St. Paul Lutheran Church, Ida Grove, IA, from 2008 until his retirement in August, 2023. He now lives in Grace Lutheran Village in Paris, Illinois with his wife, Suzanne.
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
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