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THIS WEEK AT IMMANUEL

Sunday (8/20)

• 9:00 am—Divine Service with Holy Communion
• 10:30 am—Bible Class
• 11:30 am—Parent-Pastor Catechism Meeting

Wednesday

• 7:00 pm—Bible History Class

Saturday — Saturday Night Service is canceled

• 9:00 am—Not Ashamed Conference (Community Building)

Sunday (8/27)

• 9:00 am—Divine Service with Holy Communion
• 10:30 am—Parent Meeting for Sunday School
• 6:00 pm—Youth Group Event

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IN OUR PRAYERS

THE ANNOUNCEMENTS

NEXT WEEK’S READINGS . . . Isaiah 29:17–24; 2 Corinthians 3:4–11; Mark 7:31–37.

ABOUT THIS WEEK’S READINGS . . . “And the Lord had regard for Abel and his offering, but for Cain and his offering he had no regard” (Gen. 4:1–15). For unlike Abel, Cain’s offering did not proceed from a heart that revered and trusted in the Lord. Thus, the lowly tax collector who prayed, “God, be merciful to me, a sinner!” was the one who went down to his house justified before God, not the respectable, outwardly righteous Pharisee who trusted in himself and his own good living (Luke 18:9–14). “For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast” (Eph. 2:1–10). The one who penitently despairs of his own righteousness and relies completely on the atoning mercy of God in Christ is the one who is declared righteous. For Christ died for our sins and rose again the third day (1 Cor. 15:1–10). Therefore, “everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, but the one who humbles himself will be exalted.”

THOUGHTS ABOUT STEWARDSHIP . . . Luke 18:11-12 “The Pharisee, standing by himself, prayed thus: ‘God, I thank you that I am not like other men, extortioners, unjust, adulterers, or even like this tax collector. I fast twice a week; I give tithes of all that I get.’” The Pharisees got so much right and so much wrong. It’s a good thing for this Pharisee to be faithful to his wife and faithful in his giving to the Lord’s work, but none of it is of any avail if it proceeds from a prideful heart!

THE ALTAR FLOWERS . . . are given by Matthew and Tera Waldrop to the glory of God in celebration of theirwedding anniversary.

PARENT MEETING FOR SUNDAY SCHOOL . . . will be on Sunday, August 28, following the Divine Service during the Bible Class hour. This is a time to register your child for Sunday School, hear about what will be studied and how you can aid their learning, and get other helpful information.

FIRST DAY OF SUNDAY SCHOOL . . . is Sunday, September 11. The opening begins at 10:20 am in the Sanctuary. Music will be in the choir loft. And then classes in the Sunday School classrooms.

CID GOLF FUNDRAISER . . . the Lutheran Legacy Foundation is hosting a golf scramble at Hickory Point in Forsyth, Illinois, on Friday, September 15. The fee is $65.00 with any further donations going directly to Camp CILCA and CILCA Endowment Fund. You may email your registration to: revdms@gmail.com.

HELP-A-CHILD FUND . . . The jug to collect milk money for Northward will be set out since school is about to start. The Board of Mission and Evangelism has been in contact with the school about where the funds are needed most. So, the funds collected in the milk money jug will go toward the “Help-A-Child Fund” this year. Thank you for your ongoing support.

WHY? . . . Why does the pastor hold aloft the Host and Chalice and face the people for the Pax Domini, following the Words of Institution? Immediately after the Words of Institution, the celebrant turns to face the people, holding the chalice aloft in this left hand and the Host above it with this right hand, while saying, “The peace of the Lord be with you always.” This is because of the words of the risen Christ to His disciples, “Peace be with you.” These words indicate the putting away of their sins, even as the Resurrection itself demonstrates this. When the celebrant repeats these words here, while holding the elements of the Sacrament aloft, he is to make a clear connection between the eternal peace of Christ, won for us by His bodily crucifixion and the shedding of His blood, and this very same body and blood, given to us here in the Sacrament.

BIBLE HISTORY CLASS . . . will resume on Wednesday, September 6, 7:00 pm.

YOUTH GROUP EVENT . . . next weekend will be an outdoor activity. So, dress in gym shoes and outside clothing.

NOT ASHAMED CONFERENCE . . . is next Saturday, August 26 at 9:00 am. Registration is open to everyone. Join us to hear about sharing the Good News of Jesus in a bad-news world. Tell your friends, family, and neighbors. Registration is free but limited. Register at this website: https://immanueltuscola.org/not-ashamed-conference/

SATURDAY NIGHT SERVICE . . . on Saturday, August 26, will be canceled. In consultation with the Board of Elders, Pastor encourages all members to worship together as one family on Sunday, August 27 and attend Bible Class after service to discuss what was learned at our one-day conference with Rev. Dr. Koontz and talk about what we might incorporate from it in our ministry to Douglas County.

PLEASE . . . consider donating to the Immanuel Cooking Fund!  We use the money to purchase ingredients in order to make food for those in our congregation who we are blessing with a warm meal during a difficult time or just to show them we care. There is a box at the back of the church for your donations. Thank you!

MARK YOUR CALENDARS . . . for Saturday, September 9 at 9:00 am as our next cooking day at Immanuel. Many hands make light work! We use these meals to bless those in our congregation who may need extra love during a difficult time or to show them how much we care as their church family. No need to bring anything, except maybe an apron. If you have questions, please talk to Ann Carroll or Lauren Braaten.

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CHURCH MEMBER INFORMATION UPDATE

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PRAYER REQUESTS

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