THIS WEEK AT IMMANUEL

Sunday (12/7)

• 9:00 am—Divine Service with Holy Communion
• 10:30 am—Bible Class & Sunday School
• 11:30 am—Catechism Class

Monday—Thursday

• 7:30 am—Matins

Monday

• 5:00 pm—Board of Mission & Evangelism
• 6:00 pm—Board of Education
• 7:00 pm—Board of Elders

Tuesday

• 9:00 am—Mattoon Circuit Meeting

Wednesday

• 7:00 pm—Midweek Advent Service

Thursday

• 12:00 pm—Midweek Advent Service

Saturday

• 5:30 pm—Divine Service with Holy Communion

Sunday (12/14)

• 9:00 am—Divine Service with Holy Communion
• 10:30 am—Bible Class & Sunday School

IN OUR PRAYERS

HEALTH CONCERNS: Mia Anderson (great-granddaughter of Joan Vukelich);  Brenda Bunting (friend of Ann Carroll); Ellie Crawford (daughter of Laran Crawford);  Jim Harbaugh; Erica Kremitzki; Amy Lee (sister of Jim Dyer); Steve Leonard (son of Betty Leonard); Laurie McMillen; Barb Pearson (friend of Joyce Alexander); Virginia Poke (sister of Anne Koss); Fred Rahn (son of Joan Rahn); Harold Wattjes.

DEATHS: Family of Lois Wilson (mother of Margie Stevens)

SEMINARY STUDENT: Dustin Fry.

DEACONESS STUDENT: Allison Gummerus.

HOMEBOUND: Bernita Ashwill; Bessie Benson; Cora Jahnke; Neil Oliger; Corinne Oye; Art Rahn; Ruth Rentschler.

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

THE ANNOUNCEMENTS

NEXT WEEK’S READINGS . . . Isaiah 40:1–8; 1 Corinthians 4:1–5; Matthew 11:2–10.

ABOUT THIS WEEK’S READINGS . . . The day on which our Lord returns will be a “great and awesome day” (Mal. 4:5). For He will come in a cloud with great power and glory. To the wicked and the proud, it will be a Day of judgment that will “set them ablaze” (Mal. 4:1). The signs preceding this Day will bring them fear and fainting. But to those who believe, who fear the name of the Lord, this Day is one to look forward to and rejoice in: “. . . straighten up and raise your heads, because your redemption is drawing near” (Luke 21:28). Christ our Redeemer is coming; the Sun of Righteousness will bring healing in His wings. Let us, then, give attention to the words of the Lord, which do not pass away. Let us “through endurance and through the encouragement of the Scriptures” (Rom. 15:4) be strengthened in our hope by the Holy Spirit and watch diligently for Jesus’ coming. Then, by God’s grace, we shall escape all these things that will come to pass and stand before the Son of Man.

THOUGHTS ABOUT STEWARDSHIP . . . Romans 15:4 “For whatever was written in former days was written for our instruction.” God’s Word was given to us to bless us. The Bible warns us of our sin and points us to Christ for our salvation. The Bible also instructs us as to how to live out our Christians lives—this is the “third use of the Law.” As Christians we should welcome this instruction in humble faith.

SUNDAY SCHOOL TEACHERS NEEDED . . . We are still in need of one teacher for the 4^th–6^th grade class. If this position is not filled those grades will not have Sunday School. Also beginning in January, we will need one teacher for the 1^st–3^rd grade class.

THE SUNDAY SCHOOL POTLUCK AND CHRISTMAS SERVICE . . . is set for Sunday, December 14. The service is at 7:00 pm, preceded by a potluck at 5:30 pm hosted by the Board of Education. The Board of Education is providing the main dish and is asking members from Immanuel to prepare a side dish or a dessert. Join us for food, fellowship, and then for a Christmas Service where our children will remind us of the real reason for the season with all your favorite Christmas hymns.

LWML COOKIE WALK . . . is Sunday, December 15 immediately following the Divine Service. Any cookie donations are much appreciated. Please be sure to come and fill a tin. Matching funds up to $300.00 will be provided by Thrivent Financial for Lutherans.

SPECIAL EVENTS . . . in Advent:

• Sunday, November 30—3:00 pm Christmas Caroling with Youth
• Wednesday, December 3—7:00 pm Advent Midweek Service
• Saturday, December 6—9:00 am Church Christmas Decorating
• Sunday, December 7—10:30 am Sunday School stays until noon
• Wednesday, December 10—7:00 pm Advent Midweek Service
• Thursday, December 11—12:00 pmLadies Aid Christmas Lunch
• Sunday, December 14—10:15 amLWML Cookie Walk
  • 10:30 am Sunday School stays until noon
  • 5:30 pm Potluck before SS Christmas Service
  • 7:00 pm Sunday School Christmas Service
• Monday, December 15—7:30 pm Voter’s Budget Meeting
• Wednesday, December 17—7:00 pm Advent Midweek Service
• Wednesday, December 24—7:00 pm Christmas Eve Service
• Thursday, December 25—9:00 am Christmas Day Service
• Wednesday, December 31—7:00 pm New Year’s Eve Service

GREETERS

THIS WEEK

• Jim Dyer (West)
• Joan Vukelich (East)

NEXT WEEK

• Laverl Byers (West)
• Ruth Sims (East)

COMMUNION HELPERS

THIS WEEK

• Steve Hilgendorf
• Ann Hilgendorf; Lexi Russo

NEXT WEEK

• Steve Hilgendorf
• Ann Hilgendorf; Cassie Russo

ACOLYTES

THIS WEEK

• Gunnar Campbell (Crucifer)
• Ethan Stumeier (Torches)
• Josh Dyer (Torches)
• Caleb Stumeier (Gospel)

NEXT WEEK

• Gunnar Campbell (Crucifer)
• Caleb Stumeier (Torches)
• Jake Dyer (Torches)
• Ethan Stumeier (Gospel)

COFFEE COMMITTEE

• Laverl Byers—December
• Pastor & Lauren Braaten—January