THIS WEEK AT IMMANUEL

Sunday (2/1)

• 9:00 am—Divine Service with Holy Communion
• 10:30 am—Bible Class & Sunday School
• 11:30 am—Catechism Class
• 2:30 pm—Nursing Home Service
• 4:00 pm—Answers New Members Class

Monday—Thursday

• 7:30 am—Matins

Monday

• 9:00 am—Classical Conversations Home School Coop
• 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

Tuesday

• 9:00 am—Mattoon Circuit Meeting

Saturday

• 5:30 pm—Divine Service with Holy Communion

Sunday (2/8)

• 9:00 am—Divine Service with Holy Communion
• 10:30 am—Bible Class & Sunday School
• 11:30 am—Catechism Class
• 4:00 pm—Answers New Members Class

IN OUR PRAYERS

HEALTH CONCERNS: Mia Anderson (great-granddaughter of Joan Vukelich); Jack Appleby (surgery); Brenda Bunting (friend of Ann Carroll); Ellie Crawford (daughter of Laran Crawford); Jake Dyer; Jim Harbaugh; Marvin Kingery (father of Miranda Czerwonka); Erica Kremitzki; Beverly McDade (friend of Mary Appleby and Joan Vukelich); Laurie McMillen; Mike Merna (friend of Joan Vukelich); Sandra Oehmke (sister of Joan Vukelich); Barb Pearson (friend of Joyce Alexander); Fred Rahn (son of Joan Rahn); Ruth Sims; Agnes Joan Spence (mother of Sherrie Hoel); Harold Wattjes.

SEMINARY STUDENT: Dustin Fry.

DEACONESS STUDENT: Allison Gummerus.

HOMEBOUND: Bernita Ashwill; Bessie Benson; Dolores Byers; Joan Mulligan; Corinne Oye; Art Rahn; Ruth Rentschler.

MILITARY: Jeremy Gordon; Jack Leonard; Sam Leonard; Jake Lindgren; Raymond Longtin; Joey Pollock; Chase Reifsteck; Blake Stokes; Paige Stokes; Ruben Wilson.

THE ANNOUNCEMENTS

NEXT WEEK’S READINGS . . . 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 throw 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 . . . were given by Ronald & Judy Legg to the glory of God on the occasion of Judy’s birthday.

THANK YOU . . . for all your prayers, cards, food, and get-well notes that members provided during Jack’s surgery and recovery. Your care and concern are humbling, and we are grateful to God for you. Yours in Christ, Jack and Mary Appleby.

PRAYER CHAIN . . . The Prayer Chain needs to be updated. Pastor is looking for a volunteer to compile and publish a list of all the people who would like to serve on the prayer chain.

NEW MEMBERS CLASS . . . will begin today, Sunday, February 8, 4:00 pm–5:00 pm.

THE AUDIT COMMITTEE . . . is requesting the deposit ledgers and bank statements of all groups associated with Immanuel so that they may be audited as mandated by the church constitution. They may be set in the church office.

MIDWEEK LENTEN SOUP & SANDWICH SUPPERS . . . We are trying something slightly different this year during Lent. Instead of having refreshments after our midweek Lenten services, we will be having a light soup and sandwich supper before the service, 5:30 PM—6:45 PM. The schedule is as follows.

• Wed, Feb 18—Board of Mission & Evangelism
• Wed, Feb 25—Board of Education
• Wed, Mar 4—Men’s Club
• Wed, Mar 11—LWML
• Wed, Mar 18—Board of Elders
• Wed, Mar 25—Board of Stewardship

GREETERS

THIS WEEK

• Tim & Teri Pollock (West)
• Donna Campbell (East)

NEXT WEEK

• Harold Wattjes (West)
• Jim Dyer (East)

COMMUNION HELPERS

THIS WEEK

• Steve Hilgendorf
• Lauren Braaten; Lexie Russo

NEXT WEEK

• Mark Whitson
• Donna Campbell; Cassie Russo

ACOLYTES

THIS WEEK

• Gunnar Campbell (Crucifer)
• Ethan Stumeier (Torches)
• Josh Dyer (Torches)
• Caleb Stumeier (Gospel)

NEXT WEEK

• Gunnar Campbell (Crucifer)
• Caleb Stumeier (Torches)
• Coulson Poffenberger (Torches)
• Ethan Stumeier (Gospel)

COFFEE COMMITTEE

• Craig & Carol Munson—February
• Arleigh & Mary Jane Jones—March