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THIS WEEK AT IMMANUEL

Sunday (2/20)

• 7:30 am—Divine Service of the Word (On-Line Video)
• 9:00 am—Divine Service with Holy Communion
• 10:30 am—Bible Class & Sunday School
• 12:30 pm—Catechism Class

Wednesday

• 7:00 pm—Bible History Class

Saturday

• 9:00 am—Sunday School Teachers’ Meeting
• 3:30 pm—Individual Confession & Absolution
• 5:30 pm—Divine Service with Holy Communion

Sunday (2/27)

• 7:30 am—Divine Service of the Word (On-Line Video)
• 9:00 am—Divine Service with Holy Communion
• 10:30 am—Bible Class & Sunday School
• 12:30 pm—Catechism Class

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IN OUR PRAYERS

THE ANNOUNCEMENTS

NEXT WEEK’S READINGS . . . 1 Samuel 16:1–13; 1 Cor. 13:1–13; Luke 18:31–43

ABOUT THIS WEEK’S READINGS . . . The Sower sows the seed of His Word (Luke 8:4–15). This Word is living and powerful (Heb. 4:9–13) to conceive new life in those who hear it. But the planting of Christ is attacked by the devil, the world, and the flesh. Satan snatches the Word away from hard hearts. The riches and pleasures of this life choke off faith. Shallow and emotional belief withers in time of temptation and trouble. But see how Christ bears this attack for us! Christ’s cross was planted in the hard and rocky soil of Golgotha. A crown of thorns was placed upon His head. Satan and His demons hellishly hounded and devoured Him. Yet, through His dying and rising again, He destroyed these enemies of ours. Jesus is Himself the Seed which fell to the ground and died in order that it might sprout forth to new life and produce much grain. In Him, the weak are strong (2 Cor. 11:19–12:9). He is the Word of the Father which does not return void (Is. 55:10–13) but yields a harvest hundredfold.

THOUGHTS ABOUT STEWARDSHIP . . . Luke 8:5 “And as he sowed, some fell along the path and was trampled underfoot . . .” Know any farmers like this? Who just throws their crop seed wherever? That’s crazy! But God’s ways are not our ways—he is generous beyond compare! He delights in giving. As we are more and more conformed to his image, may we learn the joy of generosity and giving as well!

THE ALTAR FLOWERS . . . are given by Arleigh Jones to the glory of God in memory of Mary Jane’s birthday.

LENTEN MIDWEEK SUPPERS . . . will be served this year before the Midweek services beginning on Ash Wednesday. Serving time will be 5:30 pm–6:45 pm. We are returning to traditional way of providing food where each board provides a meal. Here is the schedule.

• March 2, Ash Wednesday—Church Potluck
• March 9, Midweek Len I—Board of Christian Education
• March 16, Midweek Lent II—Board of Mission & Evangelism
• March 23, Midweek Lent III—Board of Elders
• March 30, Midweek Lent IV—Boards of Trustees & Stewardship
• April 6, Midweek Lent V—Youth Group

LENTEN MIDWEEK SERMON SERIES . . . will be going through the Book of 1 Peter. Each week will focus on a chapter from 1 Peter. This Epistle St. Peter wrote to the converted heathen, and exhorts them to stand fast in faith and to increase through all manner of suffering and good works. In chapter 1, he strengthens their faith through the divine promise and the power of salvation to come, and shows that this has not been deserved by us but was proclaimed before by the prophets. Therefore they ought now to live holy lives, as new creatures, and forget the old life, like men who are born anew through the living and eternal Word of God. In chapter 2, he teaches them to recognize Christ as the Head and Cornerstone and, like true priests, to sacrifice themselves to God, as Christ sacrificed Himself, and begins to give instruction to all classes of men. First, he teaches generally to be in subjection to temporal rulership; afterwards he teaches particularly that servants are to be subject to their masters and suffer wrong from them for Christ’s sake, who also suffered wrong for us. In chapter 3, he teaches wives to be obedient, even to unbelieving husbands, and to adorn themselves with holiness; likewise, that husbands are to be patient with their wives and bear with them; and then that Christians, in general, are to be humble and patient and kind to one another, as Christ was because of our sins. In chapter 4, he teaches to subdue the flesh, with sobriety, watching, temperance and prayer, and to be comforted and strengthened with Christ’s sufferings; and he instructs the spiritual rulers to deal only with God’s words and works, and everyone to serve another with his gifts, and not wonder, but rejoice, if we have to suffer for Christ’s sake. In chapter 5, he exhorts the bishops and priests how they are to live and care for the people, and warns us against the devil, who without ceasing pursues us everywhere.

LENTEN BIBLE CHALLENGE . . . Since we will be meditating on 1 Peter through our Lenten midweeks, let us read through 1 Peter each week before each midweek service.

IMMANUEL’S 125^TH ANNIVERSARY COOKBOOK . . . The Board of Mission and Evangelism have prepared a cookbook for Immanuel’s 125^th anniversary, which is next July. The cookbooks will be available in early December and cost $15.00. You may pr-order using the order form.

SERVICES ONLINE . . . This video option will continue to be made available until our usual service times resume. You can access these online services in three places:

1. On Immanuel’s Facebook page
2. On Immanuel’s Website under the Sermons tab
3. On Immanuel’s YouTube channel

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CHURCH MEMBER INFORMATION UPDATE

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PRAYER REQUESTS

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