THIS WEEK AT IMMANUEL
Sunday (2/12)
- 9:00 am—Divine Service with Holy Communion
- 10:30 am—Bible Class
Monday
- 5:00 pm—Board of Mission & Evangelism
- 6:00 pm—Board of Christian Education
- 6:30 pm—Board of Trustees
- 7:00 pm—Board of Elders
Wednesday
- 7:00 pm—Bible History Class
Saturday
- 3:30 pm—Individual Confession & Absolution
- 5:30 pm—Divine Service with Holy Communion
Sunday (2/19)
- 9:00 am—Divine Service with Holy Communion
- 10:30 am—Bible Class & Sunday School
IN OUR PRAYERS
HEALTH CONCERNS: Bernita Ashwill; Connie Bruns (cousin of Mary Appleby); Jack Bubb (classmate of Sofia Reifsteck); Brad Butler (friend of the Hilgendorf’s); Connie Coats; Lynn Corrie (friend of Arleigh Jones); Nash Foreman (friend of Sofie Reifsteck); Lisa Hall (sister of Holly Wikoff); Rick Hardesty (family of the Hoels); Kim Hausman (friend of Ann Carroll); Adriane & Baby Heins (sister of Lauren Braaten); Deanna Henningsen (sister-in-law of Jerry & Joyce Alexander); Glenda Klim (sister-in-law of Irene Wattjes); John Lamkin (friend of Dave Slaughter); Clara Ruth McCumber (cousin of Tim Hoel): Kurt McDaniel (friend of Joan Vukelich); Joan Rahn; Emma Silver; Carolyn Stremming (sister-in-law of Arleigh Jones); Doris Threet (sister of Wanda Long); Irene Wattjes; Lynn & Jane Whitson (parents of Mark Whitson); Brooklyn Wiegel (great granddaughter of Linda Brewer).
SEMINARY STUDENT: Gunnar Campbell, Preus Hasselbrook
DEACONESS STUDENT: Elizabeth (Fodor) Dobbelaire.
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 . . . 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 Dorothy Hostetler to the glory of God for blessings received.
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.
- February 22, Ash Wednesday—Church Potluck
- March 1, Midweek Lent 1—Board of Christian Education
- March 8, Midweek Lent 2—Youth Group
- March 15, Midweek Lent 3—Board of Mission & Evangelism
- March 22, Midweek Lent 4—Boards of Stewardship and Church Council (Chair, Vice-Chair, Treasurer, Financial Secretary)
- March 29, Midweek Lent 5—Boards of Elders and Trustees
LENTEN MIDWEEK SERMON SERIES . . . will be going the book of James. Each week will focus on one chapter from book. The Epistle of James is sometimes called “the Proverbs of the New Testament,” the book of James practically and faithfully reminds Christians how to live. From perseverance to true faith to controlling one’s tongue, submitting to God’s will, and having patience, this book aids readers in living authentically and wisely for Christ. Many have claimed that James and the apostle Paul differed on the question of faith versus works, but in reality the spiritual fruit that James talks about simply demonstrates the true faith of which Paul wrote. Their writings are complementary rather than contradictory. Possibly one of the earliest of the New Testament writings (A.D. 40–50), the book is believed to have been written by Jesus’ brother James (Gal. 1:19).
LENTEN BIBLE CHALLENGE . . . Since we will be meditating on the Book of James through our Lenten midweeks, let us read through the Book of James each week before each midweek service.
ATTENTION ALL LADIES . . . We are bringing the Altar Guild back! During COVID, Pastor and Lauren Braaten and the younger ladies of our congregation (Annabelle Cash, Willa Braaten, and Ava Whitson) assumed the role of communion ware clean up and altar cloth care—and for that we thank them. If you would like to assist them with this role, please sign up for monthly commitments on the sign-up sheet at the back of church. Like Mary Magdalene, Mary the mother of James, and Salome (Mark 16:1), who came to the tomb upon Jesus’ death to take care His body, as members of the Altar Guild, we participate in caring for Jesus’ body and blood post communion. Thank you for your willingness to serve. We will be scheduling a refresher for those interested in what is involved with caring for the linens and communion ware in March.
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:
- On Immanuel’s Facebook page
- On Immanuel’s Website under the Sermons tab
- On Immanuel’s YouTube channel
0 Comments