THIS WEEK AT IMMANUEL
Sunday (12/15)
- 9:00 AM—Divine Service with Holy Communion
- 10:30 AM—Bible Class & Christmas Program Practice
- 6:00 PM—Sunday School Christmas Service
Monday
- 7:30 PM—Voters’ Assembly Meeting
Wednesday
- 5:30 pm—Catechism Class
- 7:00 pm—Advent Midweek Service
Saturday
- 3:30 pm—Individual Confession & Absolution
- 5:30 pm—Divine Service with Holy Communion
Sunday
- 9:00 am—Divine Service with Holy Communion
- 10:30 AM—Bible Class
Tuesday
- 7:00 pm—Christmas Eve Divine Service with Holy Communion
Wednesday
- 9:00 am—Christmas Day Divine Service with Holy Communion
IN OUR PRAYERS
HEALTH CONCERNS: Bernita Ashwill; Mindy Bell (friend of David Holzrichter); Dale Brown (friend of Margaret Stilwell); Burnie Campbell (father of Greg Campbell); Connie Hilgendorf Bruns (cousin of Mary Appleby); Jeff & Jo Coon (friend of David Holzrichter); Ellie Crawford (daughter of Laran Crawford); Whitney Czerwonka; Cindy Ekstrom; Theresa Fields; Jenna Gustafson; Jim Harbaugh; Rick Hardesty (family of the Hoels); Kim Hausman (friend of Ann Carroll); Deanna Henningsen (sister-in-law of Jerry & Joyce Alexander); Barbara Holste (friend of Arleigh & Mary Jane Jones); Mary Jane Jones; Pat Maree; Rev. Ted Mitchell (friend of Pastor Braaten); Kimberly Mulvany (daughter of Pastor Doug Meyer); Bill & Mary Negangard (grandparents of Bryce Reifsteck); Cary & Beth Rahn; Debbie Rahn (wife of Leroy Rahn); Thomas Roughton (infant son of John & Christine Roughton); Emma Silver; Ruth Sims; Ocil Slone (father of Carolyn Dyer); Joy Stenger; Brian Walker (uncle of Bryce Reifsteck); Irene Wattjes.
DEATHS: Family of Rev. Darrell Hoerle
SEMINARY STUDENT: Gunnar Campbell; Logan Smith.
DEACONESS STUDENT: Emily McLean.
MISSIONARIES: Rev. Dr. Edward and Monica Naumann; Rev. Ryan and Emily McDermott; Julie Lutz.
HOMEBOUND: Bernita Ashwill; Leonard Boerngen; Mary Jane Jones; 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 . . . 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?
THE ALTAR FLOWERS . . . given to the glory of God in the blessing of the marriage of Tyler Kresin and Carson Alexander.
OUR CHILDREN’S CHRISTMAS PROGRAM . . . is tonight, Sunday, December 15, 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!
POINSETTIA ORDER FORMS . . . are due today, Sunday, December 15. Order forms are still available in the Narthex. Please complete and return them today, to the office or in the secretary’s box. Poinsettias are $14.00 this year and can be taken and enjoyed at home immediately following the Christmas Day service.
THE VOTERS’ ASSEMBLY BUDGET AND ELECTION MEETING . . . is tomorrow, Monday, December 16, at 7:30 pm. 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.
PICTURE DAY . . . It’s time to get your smile on! We will be updating our church directory in 2020. This will take place the week of January 20, 2020. If you have any pictures of our church family and fun times here at Immanuel over the past five years, we would love to have them to add to the directory (e.g., youth group, pot lucks, Easter egg hunt, VBS, confirmation, etc.). Any questions can be directed to Jaimee Whitson (217) 714-8136 or the Board of Mission and Evangelism. We hope to see you and your smiles there! Coming soon: A sign-up sheet posted next to the flower sign up for you to pick a convenient time to be photographed.
CHRISTMAS CARDS FOR SEMINARY STUDENTS . . . If you’d like to send Christmas greetings to our seminary students, their addresses are: Mr. Gunnar Campbell, Mr. Logan Smith, and Mrs. Emily McLean, at: 6600 North Clinton Street, Fort Wayne, IN, 46825-4996.
CONNIE WILL BE OUT OF OFFICE . . . at noon on Tuesday, December 24, and will return on Monday, December 30.UPCOMING SPECIAL SERVICES AND EVENTS . . .
- Sunday, December 15, 10:30 am—Sunday School Christmas Service Practice
- Sunday, December 15, 6:00 pm—Sunday School Christmas Service
- Wednesday, December 18, 7:00 pm—Advent Midweek Service
- Tuesday, December 24, 7:00 pm—Christmas Eve Service with Communion
- Wednesday, December 25, 9:00 pm—Christmas Day Service with Communion
- Thursday, December 26—IMMANUEL OFFICES CLOSED
- Friday, December 27—IMMANUEL OFFICES CLOSED
- Tuesday, December 31, 7:00 pm—New Year’s Eve Divine Service with Communion
- Wednesday, January 1—IMMANUEL OFFICES CLOSED
GREETERS
THIS WEEK
- Jim Dyer (West)
- Jack & Mary Appleby (East)
NEXT WEEK
- Laverl Byers (West)
- Craig & Carol Munson (East)
COMMUNION HELPERS
THIS WEEK
- Kenny Kresin
- Donna Campbell; Ava Whitson
NEXT WEEK
- Kenny Kresin
- Donna Campbell; Cailin Munson
ACOLYTES
THIS WEEK
- Coulson Poffenberger (Crucifer)
- Oliver Braaten (Torches)
- Trey Waldrop (Torches)
- Beau Whitson (Gospel)
NEXT WEEK
- Oliver Braaten (Crucifer)
- Jonathan Braaten (Torches)
- Caiden Russo (Torches)
- Evan Reifsteck (Gospel)
COFFEE COMMITTEE
- Greg & Celeste Nau—December
- Josh & Jaimee Whitson—January
FUNERAL CHAIR
- Sharon Allen—December
- Joan Vukelich—January
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