THIS WEEK AT IMMANUEL

Sunday (1/8)

• 9:00 am—Divine Service with Holy Communion
• 10:30 am—Bible Class & Sunday School
• 11:15 am—Church Council Meeting
• 2:30 pm—Nursing Home Service

Monday—Thursday

• 7:30 am—Matins

Monday

• 5:00 pm—Board of Mission & Evangelism
• 6:00 pm—Board of Education
• 6:30 pm—Board of Trustees
• 7:00 pm—Board of Elders
• 8:00 pm—Men’s Club

Tuesday

• 9:00 am—Classical Conversations Home School Coop
• 9:00 am—Mattoon Circuit Meeting (Immanuel, Tuscola)

Wednesday

• 10:00 am—Looking Forward to Sunday Bible Study
• 7:00 pm—Bible History Bible Study

Saturday

• 3:30 pm—Individual Confession & Absolution
• 5:30 pm—Divine Service with Holy Communion

Sunday (1/15)

• 9:00 am—Divine Service with Holy Communion
• 10:30 am—Reception for Outgoing Church Officers

IN OUR PRAYERS

HEALTH CONCERNS: Mia Anderson (great-granddaughter of Joan Vukelich); Bernita Ashwill; Jimmee Barger (friend of the Alexanders); Judy Cox (daughter of Ruth Sims); Ellie Crawford (daughter of Laran Crawford); Janice Funk (mother of Mike Ekstrom); Jim Harbaugh; Kim Hausman (friend of Ann Carroll); Patti Heath (friend of the Hoels); Joel Hilgendorf; Trena Knauss (sister of Tresa Pollock); Scott McCumber (friend of the Russos); Laurie McMillen; Ken Moen (friend of the Vukeliches); Bill Negangard (grandfather of Bryce Reifsteck); Ellen Shawgo (niece of Ruth Rentschler); Roland Spomer.

SEMINARY STUDENT: Hayden Folks.

DEACONESS STUDENT: Carolyn Walsh.

MISSIONARIES: Rev. Dr. Edward and Monica Naumann; Rev. Alan and Patricia Ludwig; Julie Lutz.

HOMEBOUND: Bernita Ashwill; Bessie Benson; Dolores Byers; Marylin Joergens; Joan Mulligan; Janet Pollock; Art Rahn; Ruth Rentschler.

MILITARY: John Bookas; 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 . . . Exodus: 33:12–23; Romans 12:6–16; John 2:1–11.

ABOUT THIS WEEK’S READINGS . . . In the days of Solomon, the Lord dwelt among His people in the temple. The glory of the Lord filled the house of the Lord in the form of a cloud (1 Kings 8:6–13). Now Jesus, who is the glory of the Lord in the flesh, enters the temple to show that He Himself is the everlasting temple and dwelling place of God (Luke 2:41–52). Our young Lord, true man, subject to Mary and Joseph, reveals Himself also to be true God, whose father is not Joseph but the Almighty Father in heaven. Jesus does this at the time of the Passover. For He came to be the sacrificial Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world. Even as He was found by his parents after three days, so He would later rise from the dead on the third day that the favor of God might rest also upon us. It is by these mercies of God that we present our bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God through Christ (Rom. 12:1–5).

THOUGHTS ABOUT STEWARDSHIP . . . Luke 2:49, “Did you not know that I must be in my Father’s house?” Jesus was in His Father’s house, the Temple, because He was doing His Father’s business. That business is giving His life as a sacrifice to take away the sin of the world. He gave of Himself, so that we would be freed from sin, death, and the devil. Thus, we live our lives, offering our bodies as spiritual sacrifices for the good of our neighbor (Romans 12:1). As Jesus gave Himself for us, so we also give of ourselves–our time, our talents, and our treasures–for the good of those around us, beginning with the household of faith, the church.

THE FLOWERS ON THE ALTAR . . . are given by Immanuel to the glory of God in thanksgiving for officers serving Immanuel.

THE 2017 CHURCH OFFICERS . . . will be installed today, Sunday, January 8, during the 9:00 am Divine Service immediately following the offering.

IMMANUEL MEN’S CLUB . . . please note that the Men’s Club will meet on Monday, January 9, at 8:00 pm.

RECEPTION FOR CHURCH OFFICERS . . . will be held next Sunday, January 15, following the Sunday Divine Service. Please plan to attend to say thank you to outgoing, current, and in-coming officers. Their hard work and dedication are to be commended!

THANK YOU . . . to all who helped with the LWML cookie walk; those who brought cookies—and those who bought cookies! We were blessed with profits of over $300 to use for donations to various organizations and charities this next year. Any suggestions for donations can be given to any LWML member to take to our next meeting in February.

THANK YOU . . . to all who helped take down Christmas decorations yesterday. Your continued help and support are very much appreciated!

2017 YOUTH GROUP SIGN-UP SHEET . . . for refreshments can be found outside the kitchen on the bulletin board.

GREETERS

THIS WEEK

• Jim & Carolyn Dyer (West)
• Craig & Carol Munson (East)

NEXT WEEK

• Laverl Byers (West)
• Dave & Michelle Stumeier (East)

COMMUNION HELPERS

THIS WEEK

• Bryce Reifsteck
• Carol Munson; Lexie Russo

NEXT WEEK

• Bryce Reifsteck
• Carol Munson; Cassie Russo

ACOLYTES

THIS WEEK

• Caleb Stumeier (Crucifer)
• Ethan Stumeier (Torches)
• Coulson Poffenberger (Torches)
• Oliver Braaten (Gospel)

NEXT WEEK

• Ethan Stumeier (Crucifer)
• Caleb Stumeier (Torches)
• Josh Dyer (Torches)
• Oliver Braaten (Gospel)

COFFEE COMMITTEE

• Josh & Jaimee Whitson—January
• Bryce & Deborah Reifsteck—February

FUNERAL CHAIR

• Joan Vukelich—January
• Ruth Sims & Tammy Kresin—February