THIS WEEK AT IMMANUEL

Sunday (11/25)

• 9:00 am—Divine Service with Holy Communion
• 10:30 am—Bible Class & Christmas Program Practice
• 2:30 pm—Nursing Home Service
• 6:00 pm—Adult New Members Class
• 7:00 pm—Youth Group

Monday

• 7:30 am—Matins

Tuesday

• 7:00 pm—LWML

Wednesday—Thursday

• 7:00 am—Matins

Wednesday

• 7:00 pm—Bible History Bible Study

Saturday

• 9:00 am—Immanuel Christmas Decorating
• 3:30 pm—Individual Confession & Absolution
• 5:30 pm—Divine Service with Holy Communion

Sunday (12/2)

• 9:00 am—Divine Service with Holy Communion
• 10:30 am—Bible Class & Christmas Program Practice
• 6:00 pm—Adult New Members Class
• 6:30 pm—Ladies Bunco Night

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); Jeff & Jo Coon (friends of the Holzrichters); Judy Cox (daughter of Ruth Sims); Ellie Crawford (daughter of Laran Crawford); Theresa Fields; 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); 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 . . . Jeremiah 23:5–8; Romans 13:11–14; Matthew 21:1–9.

ABOUT THIS WEEK’S READINGS . . . “The day of the Lord will come like a thief in the night” (1 Thess. 5:1–11). The arrival of the bridegroom will be sudden and unexpected. Therefore you are to be watchful and ready like the five wise virgins. “For you know neither the day nor the hour” when the Son of Man is to return. (Matt. 25:1–13). The lamps are the Word of Christ. The oil in the lamps is the Holy Spirit, who works through the Word to create and sustain the flame of faith in Christ. The foolish are those who do not give proper attention to the working of the Holy Spirit in baptism, preaching, and the supper, and so their faith does not endure. The wise, however, are those who diligently attend to these gifts of the Spirit, and who therefore have an abundance of oil. The flame of faith endures to the end. By God’s grace they are received into the eternal wedding feast of the Lamb in His kingdom, the new heavens and the new earth created by the Lord for the joy of His people (Is. 65:17–25).

THOUGHTS ABOUT STEWARDSHIP . . . Matthew 25:4 “ . . . but the wise took flasks of oil with their lamps.” Why did they take flasks of oil with them? Because they listened to the Bridegroom’s words and believed them. Our actions always start with and flow from our beliefs. What do your actions in the realm of stewardship say about what you believe?

ALTAR FLOWERS . . . are given by Bill & Peggy Brough to the glory of God on the occasion of their 50th wedding anniversary.

BI-MONTHLY MISSION . . . is Sunday, December 2, and will be going toward the Angel Tree. An envelope designated for Angel Tree has been placed in your mailbox. You can place cash or check payable to Immanuel in this envelope and place it in the offering on December 2 or return it to the church office on or before December 2. Thank you for your generosity in helping area children receive a few gifts under the Christmas Tree.

SALVATION ARMY BELL RINGERS NEEDED . . . December 8, from 9:00 AM–12:00 PM. Bell ringers representing Immanuel will be inside of Shopko in Tuscola. Ideally, we could have enough volunteers to allow for reasonable time commitments. Please let Leigh Ann know if you would like to volunteer, so Salvation Army can finalize scheduling. Thank you!

CHRISTMAS DECORATING . . . Saturday, December 1, 9:00 AM. The Christmas season is near! With it come the sights, the sounds, and the fellowship that unite Christians as we anticipate the birth of our Savior. Come on December 1 to help put up the Christmas trees and decorations that beautify Immanuel. Come and enjoy fellowship, Christmas music, and refreshments.

COLES COUNTY BARBERSHOP SINGERS . . . will present two annual Christmas Benefit Concerts on Sunday, December 2. At 3:00 PM, the one-hour free concert will be presented at the Wesley United Methodist Church in Charleston. The First Presbyterian Church in Mattoon will host the 7:00 PM program. Admission is free, but a free will offering is collected. Both venues are wheelchair accessible and have adequate parking.

CHRISTMAS SEASON CONCERT at Grace Lutheran Church, Paris, Illinois, on Wednesday, December 5, 6:30 PM. Albrecht von Gaudecker, German-born renowned organist will be performing on the Phelps Pipe Organ. This was the last Phelps instrument to be built. In addition to the concert, the community will participate in music memories, singing many of our favorite seasonal hymns. Seating is limited; the cost is $5.00 per person with proceeds going to support the Grace Lutheran Child Development Center.

THIS WEEK ON KFUO.ORG . . . as the church year comes to a close, we talk with Deaconess Heidi Goehmann about Divine Calls and the Ministry Family on The Coffee Hour (11/27 at 9:00 AM CT), continue in the new Sharper Iron series “The New Covenant” on 2 Corinthians 3-7:1 with Rev. Jonathan Fisk and guest pastors (weekdays at 8:00 AM CT), an study more of the book of Revelation on Thy Strong Word (weekdays at 11:00 AM CT). Find these programs on demand at kfuo.org or wherever you get your podcasts!

UPCOMING SPECIAL SERVICES AND EVENTS

• Sunday, November 25—10:20 am—Sunday School Christmas Service practice
• Saturday, December 1—9:00 am—Immanuel Christmas Decorating
• Sunday, December 2—10:20 am—Sunday School Christmas Service practice
• Wednesday, December 5—7:00 pm—Advent Midweek Service
• Saturday, December 8—9:00 am—Salvation Army Bell Ringing at Shopko
• Sunday, December 9—10:20 am—Sunday School Christmas Service practice
• Wednesday, December 12—7:00 pm—Advent Midweek Service
• Sunday, December 16—10:20 am—Sunday School Christmas Service practice
• Sunday, December 16—6:00 pm—Sunday School Christmas Service
• Monday, December 17—7:30 pm—Voters’ Budget/Officer Election Meeting
• Wednesday, December 19—7:00 pm—Advent Midweek Service
• Monday, December 24—7:00 pm—Christmas Eve Service with Communion
• Tuesday, December 25—9:00 am—Christmas Day Service with Communion
• Wednesday, December 26—IMMANUEL OFFICES CLOSED
• Thursday, December 27—IMMANUEL OFFICES CLOSED
• Monday, December 31—7:00 pm—New Year’s Eve Service with Communion
• Tuesday, January 1—IMMANUEL OFFICES CLOSED

GREETERS

THIS WEEK

• Tim Hoel (West)
• Laverl Byers (East)

NEXT WEEK

• Kenny & Tammy Kresin (West)
• Greg & Celeste Nau (East)

COMMUNION HELPERS

THIS WEEK

• Kenny Kresin
• Janet Stumeier; Cailin Munson

NEXT WEEK

• Mark Whitson
• Janet Stumeier; Isabel Burgener

ACOLYTES

THIS WEEK

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

NEXT WEEK

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

COFFEE COMMITTEE

• Janet Stumeier—November
• Mark & Leigh Ann Whitson—December

FUNERAL CHAIR

• Lauren Braaten—November
• Sharon Allen—December