THIS WEEK AT IMMANUEL
Sunday (12/3)
- 9:00 am—Divine Service with Holy Communion
- 10:30 am—Bible Class & Sunday School
- 2:30 pm—Tuscola Healthcare Center
- 4:30 pm—Live Nativity
Wednesday
- 7:00 pm—Midweek Advent Service
Saturday
- 9:00 am—Christmas Decorating
- 3:30 pm—Individual Confession & Absolution
- 5:30 pm—Divine Service with Holy Communion
Sunday (12/10)
- 9:00 am—Divine Service with Holy Communion
- 10:30 am—Bible Class & Sunday School
IN OUR PRAYERS
HEALTH CONCERNS: Joyce Alexander; Mike Braaten; Connie Bruns (cousin of Mary Appleby); Tim Burk (friend of Joan Vukelich); Brad Butler (friend of Hilgendorfs); Darren Cooper (friend of Joan Vukelich); Rev. Perry Copus (friend of Pastor Braaten); Lynn Corrie (friend of Arleigh Jones); Tammy (Snyder) Dolman (friend of Hilgendorfs); Nash Foreman (friend of Sofie Reifsteck); Rick Hardesty (family of the Hoels); Kim Hausman (friend of Ann Carroll); Sharon Helm (friend of Ann Carroll); Deanna Henningsen (sister-in-law of Jerry & Joyce Alexander); Youn Heredia (friend of Reifstecks); Matthew Hostetler (nephew of Dorothy Hostetler); Mary Houvanagle (friend of Hilgendorfs); Glenda Klim (sister-in-law of Irene Wattjes); John Lamkin (friend of Dave Slaughter); Eva McCall (daughter of Rev. Jonathan McCall); Larry Munro (father of Megan Hilgendorf); Steven Pingolt (friend of Mathew Waldrop); Rebecca (friend of Celeste Nau); Christy Sharp (wife of Pastor John Sharp); Emma Silver; Carl Smith (husband of Lynette Ashwill-Smith); Kim Travis (friend of Jamiee Whitson); Irene Wattjes; Lynn & Jane Whitson (parents of Mark Whitson); Brooklyn Wiegel (great granddaughter of Linda Brewer).
SEMINARY STUDENT: David Scarborough, Jackson Scofield.
MISSIONARIES: The Jastram Family (Japan); The Preus Family (Romania)
HOMEBOUND: Bernita Ashwill; Leona Czerwonka; Janet Pollock; Ruth Sims; Glen Stumeier; Irene Wattjes.
MILITARY: Carl Crawford; Josh Dyer; Jeremy Gordon; Jack Leonard; Jake Lindgren; Raymond Longtin; Blake Stokes; Scott Walter.
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 3. An envelope designated for Angel Tree has been placed in your mailbox. You can give cash or a check, payable to Immanuel. Use the envelope to return your gift in the offering on December 3. Or you may return it to the church office on or before December 3. Thank you for your generosity in helping area children receive a few gifts under the Christmas Tree.
REMINDER: IMMANUEL BOARDS MEET . . . on Monday, December 11. If you have not done so already, please submit your 2023 budget request to the church office as soon as possible following your board meeting.
THE SUNDAY SCHOOL CHRISTMAS SERVICE . . . will be Sunday, December 17. 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 located on the table by this weekend’s bulletins. Please complete and return them by Sunday, December 10 Poinsettias are $13.00 this year and can be taken and enjoyed at home immediately following the Christmas Day service.
CHRISTMAS DECORATING . . . Saturday, December 9, 9:00 am. The Christmas season is near! With it come the sights, the sounds, and the fellowship that unite Christians as we anticipate the birth of our Savior. Come on December 3 to help put up the Christmas trees and decorations that beautify Immanuel.
THE DECEMBER CALENDAR . . . with birthdays and anniversaries is available on the table across from members’ mailboxes.
LUKE LUTHERAN CHURCH, RURAL SAN JOSE, . . . will host its annual Chili and Oyster Stew Supper on Monday, December 4, from 3:30 to 6:30 p.m. Chili, oyster stew, chicken salad, ham sandwiches, hot dogs, and a wide variety of desserts will be served for a donation. The church is located at 15757 N. County Road 3600 E., San Jose. Please come and enjoy food and fellowship!
BOARD OF MISSIONS & EVANGELISM . . . will be selling our church cookbooks again this Holiday season. They are $15 each. See one of the Board members: Terra Waldrop, Lauren Braaten, Ann Carroll, Sue Rothe, Linda Brewer or Deborah Reifsteck.
PASTOR WILL BE OUT OF OFFICE . . . Pastor will be out of the office Monday, December 4 and returning on Wednesday, December 6. For immediate assistance or emergencies please contact his mobile phone (217)-460-2077, or one of the elders.
UPCOMING SPECIAL SERVICES AND EVENTS
- Saturday, December 2—11:00 am, ChristmasTown Parade (Line up at 10:30)
- Sunday, December 3—4:30 pm, Live Nativity
- Wednesday, December 6—7:00 pm, Advent Midweek Service
- Saturday, December 9—9:00 am, Immanuel Christmas Decorating
- Sunday, December 10—10:20 am, Sunday School Christmas Service practice
- Wednesday, December 13—7:00 pm, Advent Midweek Service
- Sunday, December 17—10:20 am, Sunday School Christmas Service practice
- Sunday, December 17—11:30 am, Voters’ Assembly
- Sunday, December 17—6:00 pm, Sunday School Christmas Service
- Wednesday, December 20—7:00 pm, Advent Midweek Service
- Sunday, December 24—7:00 pm, Christmas Eve Service with Communion
- Monday, December 25—9:00 am, Christmas Day Service with Communion
- Tuesday, December 26—Immanuel Offices Closed
There will be no evening New Year’s Eve Service since New Year’s Eve falls on Sunday
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