THIS WEEK AT IMMANUEL
Sunday (12/17)
- 9:00 am—Divine Service with Holy Communion
- 10:30 am—Bible Class & Sunday School
- 11:30 am—Voters’ Assembly Meeting
- 6:00 pm—Sunday School Christmas Program
Wednesday
- 7:00 pm—Midweek Advent Service
Saturday — NO SATURDAY NIGHT SERVICE
Sunday (12/24)
- 9:00 am—Divine Service with Holy Communion
- 7:00 pm—Christmas Eve Divine Service with Holy Communion
Monday (12/25)
- 9:00 am—Christmas Day Divine Service with Holy Communion
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 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; John Stewart (grandson of Laura VanCleave); Kim Travis (friend of Jamiee Whitson); Lausanne Walter (mother of Tiffany Cash); Irene Wattjes; Lynn & Jane Whitson (parents of Mark Whitson).
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 . . . Deut. 18:15–19; Philippians 4:4–7; John 1:19–28
ABOUT THIS WEEK’S READINGS . . . The voice of John the Baptist cried out in the wilderness: “Prepare the way of the Lord . . .” (Isa. 40:1). John called the people to be made ready for the Messiah’s coming through repentance, for “all flesh is grass” (Isa. 40:6). Now He asks from prison, “Are you the one who is to come?” (Matt. 11:2). Jesus’ works bear witness that He is. The sick are made well; the dead are raised, and the poor have the Gospel preached to them. Their iniquity is pardoned; they have received from the Lord’s hand double forgiveness for all their sins. The “stewards of the mysteries of God” (1 Cor. 4:1) still deliver Christ’s overflowing forgiveness to the poor in spirit, comforting God’s people with the word of the Gospel which stands forever. This Gospel produces rejoicing among all those who believe.
THOUGHTS ABOUT STEWARDSHIP . . . 1 Corinthians 4:2 “Moreover, it is required of stewards that they be found trustworthy.” A steward manages the property of the owner for the owner’s purposes. We are stewards of all that God has given us. So we are called to use all that we are and all that we have for God’s purposes. How do we know what these are? Consider your vocations, your callings from God, in the Home, the Church, and Society: what are the roles God has called you to play? And how should you be using the gifts He’s given you to fulfill those roles?
OUR CHILDREN’S CHRISTMAS PROGRAM . . . is today Sunday, December 17, at 6:00 pm, and each and every one of you are invited to come hear the children speak and sing the story of our Savior’s birth. There will be refreshments in the fellowship hall following the service, so please plan to attend. Parents, please have your children at church by 5:40 pm to assemble in the double classroom. Thank you!
THE VOTERS’ ASSEMBLY BUDGET AND ELECTION MEETING . . . is, today Sunday, December 17, at 11:30 am. Just a reminder that any voting member who is absent from the voters’ meetings for a full year without a valid excuse shall have his/her name removed from the roster of voting members. Those who are 65 and older can submit a written request to have their name placed on the senior voting member list and will be automatically excused. If any senior member is unsure whether or not there is a written request on file, please contact the office. If any member has been removed from the roster of voting members, he/she can be reinstated by a request to the elders and attendance at the voters’ meeting approving that request.
CHRISTMAS CARDS FOR SEMINARY STUDENTS . . . If you’d like to send Christmas greetings to our seminary students, their addresses are: David Scarborough and Jackson Scofield at: 6600 North Clinton Street, Fort Wayne, Indiana, 46825-4996.
THANK YOU . . . to the many volunteers who came out to decorate and beautify the church for Christmas. To those who helped set up and tear down all the pieces of the live nativity, those who participated in the nativity scene, those who brought food and warm drinks, those who gathered together for a couple hours of friendship and fellowship, and to those who came out in support by driving through, thank you all
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.
SATURDAY NIGHT SERVICE. . .on December 23 will be canceled due to the evening service on Christmas Eve.
PASTOR WILL BE OUT OF OFFICE . . . Pastor will be out of the office Tuesday, December 26 and returning on Friday, December 29. For immediate assistance or emergencies please contact his mobile phone (217)-460-2077, or one of the elders.
ALTAR GUILD. . .Please sign up for a month to serve on the Altar Guild, caring for our Lord’s body & blood just as the woman who went to be tomb sought to care for the body of Jesus. There are spots for both Senior and Junior members to sign up.
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