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Immanuel News & Notes (Advent 1)

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THIS WEEK AT IMMANUEL

Sunday (12/2)

  • 9:00 am—Divine Service with Holy Communion
  • 10:30 am—Bible Class & Christmas Program Practice
  • 6:00 pm—Adult New Members Class
  • 6:30 pm—Ladies Bunco Night

Monday—Thursday

  • 7:30 am—Matins

Wednesday

  • 12:00 pmTAMA
  • 7:00 pm—Midweek Advent Service

Saturday

  • 9:00 am—Salvation Army Bell Ringing at Shopko
  • 3:30 pm—Individual Confession & Absolution
  • 5:30 pm—Divine Service with Holy Communion

Sunday (12/9)

  • 9:00 am—Divine Service with Holy Communion
  • 10:30 am—Bible Class & Christmas Program Practice

IN OUR PRAYERS

HEALTH CONCERNS: Mia Anderson (great-granddaughter of Joan Vukelich); Bernita Ashwill; Dale Brown (friend of Margaret Stilwell); Connie Hilgendorf Bruns (cousin of Mary Appleby); Jeff & Jo Coon (friends of the Holzrichters); Judy Cox (daughter of Ruth Sims); Ellie Crawford (daughter of Laran Crawford); Theresa Fields; Jenna Gustafson; Jim Harbaugh; Rick Hardesty (family of the Hoels); Kim Hausman (friend of Ann Carroll); Barbara Holste (friend of Arleigh & Mary Jane Jones); Marylin Joergens; Pat Maree; Delvin Meyr (father of Willa’s godmother); Rev. Ted Mitchell (friend of Pastor Braaten); Kimberly Mulvany (daughter of Pastor Doug Meyer); Bill & Mary Negangard (grandparents of Bryce Reifsteck); Debbie Rahn (wife of Leroy Rahn); Joan Rahn; Isabelle Richard (friend of the Naus); Ocil Slone (father of Carolyn Dyer); Bob Vukelich; Irene Wright (mother of Ann Hilgendorf); Jolene Young (mother of Ryan Bowles).

DEATH: Family and friends of Arlene Lee (sister of Dolores Ford).

SEMINARY STUDENT: Joshua Schiff.

DEACONESS STUDENT: Stephanie Wilde.

MISSIONARIES: Rev. Dr. Edward and Monica Naumann; Rev. Ryan and Emily McDermott; Julie Lutz.

HOMEBOUND: Bernita Ashwill; Bessie Benson; Dolores Byers; Marylin Joergens; Janet Pollock; Art Rahn; Ruth Rentschler.

MILITARY: Carl Crawford; Jeremy Gordon; Jack Leonard; Jake Lindgren; Raymond Longtin; Joey Pollock; Chase Reifsteck; Blake Stokes; Paige Stokes; Ruben Wilson.

THE ANNOUNCEMENTS

NEXT WEEK’S READINGS . . . Malachi 4:1–6; Romans 15:4–13; Luke 21:25–36.

ABOUT THIS WEEK’S READINGS . . . The new Church Year begins by focusing on the humble coming of our Lord. “Behold, your king is coming to you, humble, and mounted on a donkey” (Matt. 21:5). Even as He was born in a lowly manger, so Jesus rides into Jerusalem on a beast of burden. For He bears the sin of the world. He is the Son of David riding to His enthronement on the cross, where He shows Himself to be “The LORD is our Righteousness” (Jer. 23:5–6). Our Lord still comes in great humility to deliver His righteousness to us in the Word and Sacraments. Before receiving Christ’s body and blood, we also sing, “Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord! Hosanna in the highest!” (Matt. 21:9) And as we receive the Sacrament, we set our hearts on His return in glory, for “our salvation is nearer to us now than when we first believed” (Rom. 13:11).

THOUGHTS ABOUT STEWARDSHIP . . . Jeremiah 23:6 “And this is the name by which he will be called: ‘The LORD is our righteousness.’” Jesus is our righteousness, our justification, our all. In Jesus we are forgiven and free. This knowledge sets us free to live as children of the Heavenly Father without fear. Freed from the supposed need to justify ourselves, good works can be done by us for the right reason: to thank God and to serve our neighbor.

REMINDER: ANGEL TREE . . . offering envelopes are due today, Sunday, December 2. An envelope designated for Angel Tree was placed in your mailbox. You can place cash or check payable to Immanuel in this envelope and place it in the offering on December 2 or return it to the church office on or before December 2. Thank you for your generosity in helping area children receive a few gifts under the Christmas Tree.

REMINDER: IMMANUEL BOARDS MEET . . . on Monday, December 10. If you have not done so already, please submit your 2019 budget request to the church office as soon as possible following your board meeting.

BIBLE HISTORY BIBLE STUDY . . . will not meet during Advent and Christmas; class will resume on Wednesday, January 9, 2019.

THE SUNDAY SCHOOL CHRISTMAS SERVICE . . . will be Sunday, December 16. The service is at 6:00 PM, followed by refreshments hosted by the Board of Education. Join us for a Christmas Service where our children will remind us of the real reason for the season with all your favorite Christmas hymns and then food and fellowship.

POINSETTIA ORDER FORMS . . . are included in this weekend’s bulletins. Please complete and return them by Sunday, December 16. Poinsettias are $13.00 this year and can be taken and enjoyed at home immediately following the Christmas Day service.

2019 OFFERING ENVELOPES . . . can be found in your mailboxes.

THE 2019 FLOWER CHART IS NOW AVAILABLE . . . Please sign up on the bulletin board across from member mailboxes. Flowers will be $35.00 again in 2019 and can be special ordered. Flowers can be taken home after the Sunday’s service.

COLES COUNTY BARBERSHOP SINGERS . . . will present two annual Christmas Benefit Concerts on Sunday, December 2. At 3:00 PM, the one-hour free concert will be presented at the Wesley United Methodist Church in Charleston. The First Presbyterian Church in Mattoon will host the 7:00 PM program. Admission is free, but a free will offering is collected. Both venues are wheelchair accessible and have adequate parking.

CHRISTMAS SEASON CONCERT at Grace Lutheran Church, Paris, Illinois, on Wednesday, December 5, 6:30 PM. Albrecht von Gaudecker, German-born renowned organist will be performing on the Phelps Pipe Organ. This was the last Phelps instrument to be built. In addition to the concert, the community will participate in music memories, singing many of our favorite seasonal hymns. Seating is limited; the cost is $5.00 per person with proceeds going to support the Grace Lutheran Child Development Center.

DECEMBER NEWSLETTER . . . is available in hard copy. Copies can be found on the table across from the member mailboxes. If you would like the newsletter through email, please tell Pastor Braaten or Leigh Ann Whitson.

UPCOMING SPECIAL SERVICES AND EVENTS

  • Saturday, December 1—9:00 am—Immanuel Christmas Decorating
  • Sunday, December 2—10:20 am—Sunday School Christmas Service practice
  • Wednesday, December 5—7:00 pm—Advent Midweek Service
  • Saturday, December 8—9:00 am—Salvation Army Bell Ringing at Shopko
  • Sunday, December 9—10:20 am—Sunday School Christmas Service practice
  • Wednesday, December 12—7:00 pm—Advent Midweek Service
  • Sunday, December 16—10:20 am—Sunday School Christmas Service practice
  • Sunday, December 16—6:00 pm—Sunday School Christmas Service
  • Monday, December 17—7:30 pm—Voters’ Budget/Officer Election Meeting
  • Wednesday, December 19—7:00 pm—Advent Midweek Service
  • Monday, December 24—7:00 pm—Christmas Eve Service with Communion
  • Tuesday, December 25—9:00 am—Christmas Day Service with Communion
  • Wednesday, December 26—IMMANUEL OFFICES CLOSED
  • Thursday, December 27—IMMANUEL OFFICES CLOSED
  • Monday, December 31—7:00 pm—New Year’s Eve Service with Communion
  • Tuesday, January 1—IMMANUEL OFFICES CLOSED

GREETERS

THIS WEEK

  • Kenny & Tammy Kresin (West)
  • Greg & Celeste Nau (East)

NEXT WEEK

  • Bryce & Deborah Reifsteck (West)
  • Dave & Michelle Stumeier (East)

COMMUNION HELPERS

THIS WEEK

  • Mark Whitson
  • Janet Stumeier; Isabel Burgener

NEXT WEEK

  • Mark Whitson
  • Donna Campbell; Marissa Russo

ACOLYTES

THIS WEEK

  • Oliver Braaten (Crucifer)
  • Jake Dyer (Torches)
  • Jonathan Braaten (Torches)
  • Isaak Burgener (Gospel)

NEXT WEEK

  • Jake Dyer (Crucifer)
  • Jonathan Braaten (Torches)
  • Isaak Burgener (Torches)
  • Caiden Russo (Gospel)

COFFEE COMMITTEE

  • Mark & Leigh Ann Whitson—December
  • Josh & Jaimee Whitson—January

FUNERAL CHAIR

  • Sharon Allen—December
  • Joan Vukelich—January

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