THIS WEEK AT IMMANUEL
Sunday (12/24)
- 9:00 am—Divine Service with Holy Communion
- 7:00 pm—Christmas Eve Service with Holy Communion
Saturday
- 3:30 pm—Individual Confession & Absolution
- 5:30 pm—Divine Service with Holy Communion
Sunday (12/31)
- 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 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 . . . Isaiah 11:1–5; Galatians 4:1–7; St. Luke 2:33–40.
ABOUT THIS WEEK’S READINGS . . . Though Ahaz would not ask, the Lord gives a sign to the house of David, that “the Virgin shall conceive and bear a Son, and shall call His name Immanuel” (Is. 7:14). With this promise, He signifies that salvation is by His grace alone; it is no work or achievement of man, but the Lord’s own work and free gift. The promise is fulfilled as the Son of God is conceived and born of the Virgin Mary, and the sign is received in faith by the house of David in the person of Joseph (Matt. 1:20–24). “Incarnate by the Holy Spirit of the Virgin Mary”(Nicene Creed), God is with us (Immanuel) in the flesh of Jesus, Mary’s Son. Joseph believes that Word of God and so demonstrates a marvelous example in his immediate and quiet obedience, taking Mary to be his wife and caring for her in faith and love. He loves her because the love of God is manifest in this, that “the Father has sent His Son to be the Savior of the world,” “to be the propitiation for our sins” (1 John 4:9–10).
THOUGHTS ABOUT STEWARDSHIP . . . Philippians 4:6 “Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God.” Paul puts two things in opposition to each other: anxiety and prayer. So trade your worries for prayers! You have a Father who loves you and desires to hear your prayers and bless you.
JANUARY YOUTH GROUP EVENT . . . is Sunday, January 21. Our 7th–12th grade youth have been invited to attend an English Country Line Dance event at a congregation in southern Illinois. The event is from 2pm–7pm. If you’re interested, please email Pastor Braaten by January 7 to reserve your spot.
NEW OFFICER INSTALLATION . . . will be Sunday, January 7, during the Divine Service immediately following the offering. If you are a newly-elected officer, please plan to attend. A reception will be held in the Fellowship Hall following the Divine Service to say thank you to out‑going, current, and in-coming officers. Their hard work and dedication are to be commended!
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.
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.
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.
One Comment
We appreciate the receipt of the updates. We continue to pray for God’s everlasting grace and support of the mission of the church and supply of workers to harvest. Though we desire to be closer to “home” we have Faith is our God to sustain us until we are all together in our heavenly home. Blessings to you and yours this HOLY season.