THIS WEEK AT IMMANUEL

Sunday (1/6)

• 9:00 am—Divine Service with Holy Communion
• 10:30 am—Immanuel Officer Reception
• 10:30 am—Sunday School
• 2:30 pm—Nursing Home Service
• 6:00 pm—Adult New Members Class
• 6:30 pm—Ladies Bunco Night

Monday—Thursday

• 7:30 am—Matins

Tuesday

• 9:00 am—Circuit Pastors’ Meeting (Paris)

Wednesday

• 7:00 pm—Bible History Bible Study

Saturday

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

Sunday (1/13)

• 9:00 am—Divine Service with Holy Communion
• 10:30 am—Bible Class & Sunday School
• 11:15 am—Church Council Meeting
• 6:00 pm—Adult New Members Class

IN OUR PRAYERS

HEALTH CONCERNS: Mia Anderson (great-granddaughter of Joan Vukelich); Bernita Ashwill; Dale Brown (friend of Margaret Stilwell); Connie Hilgendorf Bruns (cousin of Mary Appleby); Carolyn Coon (mother-in-law of David Holtzrichter); Jeff & Jo Coon (friends of the Holzrichters); Judy Cox (daughter of Ruth Sims); Ellie Crawford (daughter of Laran Crawford); Theresa Fields; Jenna Gustafson; Cindy Harbaugh; Jim Harbaugh; Rick Hardesty (family of the Hoels); Kim Hausman (friend of Ann Carroll); Barbara Holste (friend of Arleigh & Mary Jane Jones); Marylin Joergens; Pat Maree; Delvin Meyr (father of Willa’s godmother); Rev. Ted Mitchell (friend of Pastor Braaten); Kimberly Mulvany (daughter of Pastor Doug Meyer); Bill & Mary Negangard (grandparents of Bryce Reifsteck); Debbie Rahn (wife of Leroy Rahn); Joan Rahn; Isabelle Richard (friend of the Naus); Ocil Slone (father of Carolyn Dyer); Joy Stenger; Bob Vukelich; Irene Wright (mother of Ann Hilgendorf); Jolene Young (mother of Ryan Bowles).

SEMINARY STUDENT: Joshua Schiff.

DEACONESS STUDENT: Stephanie Wilde.

MISSIONARIES: Rev. Dr. Edward and Monica Naumann; Rev. Ryan and Emily McDermott; Julie Lutz.

HOMEBOUND: Bernita Ashwill; Bessie Benson; Dolores Byers; Marylin Joergens; 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 . . . Isaiah 42:1–7; 1 Corinthians 1:26–31; Matthew 3:13–17.

ABOUT THIS WEEK’S READINGS . . The Feast of the Epiphany centers in the visit of the Magi from the East. In that respect, it is a “Thirteenth Day” of Christmas; and yet, it also marks the beginning of a new liturgical season. While Christmas has focused on the Incarnation of our Lord—that is, on God becoming flesh—the season of Epiphany emphasizes the manifestation or self-revelation of God in that same flesh of Christ. For the Lord Himself has entered our darkness and rises upon us with the brightness of His true light (Is. 60:1–2). He does so chiefly by His Word of the Gospel, which He causes to be preached within His Church on earth—not only to the Jews but also to Gentiles (Eph. 3:8–10). As the Magi were guided by the promises of Holy Scripture to find and worship the Christ Child with His mother in the house (Matt. 2:5–11), so does He call disciples from all nations by the preaching of His Word, to find and worship Him within His Church (Is. 60:3–6). With gold they confess His royalty; with incense, His deity; and with myrrh, His priestly sacrifice (Matt. 2:11).

THOUGHTS ABOUT STEWARDSHIP . . . Matt. 2:11, “And going into the house they saw the child with Mary his mother, and they fell down and worshiped him. Then, opening their treasures, they offered him gifts, gold and frankincense and myrrh.” Worship and the giving of gifts go together. This makes sense because God is the great Giver of every good gift, and we worship Him and desire to grow into His image. We receive His gifts in worship and then, being conformed to the likeness of His image, we imitate His generosity.

THE FLOWERS ON THE ALTAR . . . are given by Greg & Celeste Nau to the glory of God on the occasion of the anniversary of their wedding.

NEW OFFICER INSTALLATION . . . will be today, Sunday, January 6, during the Divine Service immediately following the offering. 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!

MANY THANKS FROM THE BOARD OF ED . . . to the Sunday School kids for their generosity toward our Secret Santa project! Gifts were delivered every day for 7 days to 14 members of our congregation. In addition to their weekly donations, the kids spent time decorating the sacks and signing cards. Thanks also go out to their parents, anonymous donors, and all who helped coordinate. Such a fun way to share God’s love!

THANK YOU . . . to my Secret Santa. I have enjoyed all of my gifts!  Irene Wattjes.

BIBLE HISTORY BIBLE STUDY . . . resumes on Wednesday, January 9, 2019, at 7:00 pm. If you’ve always wanted to learn more about the Bible, plan to attend to join in on the journey from Genesis through Revelation.

TAKING DOWN CHRISTMAS DECORATIONS . . . We will be putting away the Christmas decorations tomorrow, Monday, January 7, at 9:00 am. Please come and lend a hand!

POINSETTIAS . . . If you have not picked up your poinsettia, you will find it in the kitchen on the counter.

THIS WEEK ON KFUO.ORG . . . we wish our listeners a blessed Epiphany! Regular programming resumes this week with Sharper Iron: The New Covenant with Rev. Jonathan Fisk and guest pastors (weekdays at 8:00 am CT), curious topics on Cross Defense with Rev. Bryan Wolfmueller and his guest (1/7 at 2:00 pm CT), and in-depth study of our confession of faith on Concord Matters (1/8 at 2:00 pm CT). Find these programs on demand at kfuo.org.

A PRAYER FOR LIFE AS A BAPTIZED CHILD OF GOD . . . Merciful Father, through Holy Baptism You called us to be Your own possession. Grant that our lives may evidence the working of Your Holy Spirit in love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control, according to the image of Your only-begotten Son, Jesus Christ, our Savior.

A PRAYER FOR RIGHT RECEPTION OF THE LORD’S SUPPER . . . O Lord, our God, in Holy baptism You have called us to be Christians and granted us the remission of sins. Make us ready to receive the most holy body and blood of Christ for the forgiveness of all our sins, and grant us grateful hearts that we may give thanks to You, O Father, to Your Son, and to the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever.

A PRAYER FOR THANKSGIVING AFTER RECEIVING THE SACRAMENT . . . Blessed Savior, Jesus Christ, You have given Yourself to us in this holy Sacrament. Keep us in Your faith and favor that we may live in You even as You live in us. May Your body and blood preserve us in the true faith to life everlasting. Hear us for the sake of Your name.

GREETERS

THIS WEEK

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

NEXT WEEK

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

COMMUNION HELPERS

THIS WEEK

• Jack Appleby
• Carol Munson; Marissa Russo

NEXT WEEK

• Jack Appleby
• Carol Munson; Lexie Russo

ACOLYTES

THIS WEEK

• Coulson Poffenberger (Crucifer)
• Oliver Braaten (Torches)
• Jonathan Braaten (Torches)
• Caiden Russo (Gospel)

NEXT WEEK

• Oliver Braaten (Crucifer)
• Jake Dyer (Torches)
• Isaak Burgener (Torches)
• Jonathan Braaten (Gospel)

COFFEE COMMITTEE

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

FUNERAL CHAIR

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