THIS WEEK AT IMMANUEL

Sunday (8/27)

• 9:00 am—Divine Service with Holy Communion
• 10:30 am—Bible Class

Saturday

• 5:30 pm—Divine Service with Holy Communion

Sunday (9/3)

• 9:00 am—Divine Service with Holy Communion
• 10:30 am—Bible Class

Monday (9/4) — Church Offices Closed (Labor Day)

IN OUR PRAYERS

HEALTH CONCERNS: Joyce Alexander; Mia Anderson (great-granddaughter of Joan Vukelich); Bernita Ashwill; Mark Ashwill; Jimmee Barger (friend of the Alexanders); Randy Bergeson (friend of Pastor Braaten and Ann Carroll); Dale Brown (friend of Margaret Stilwell); Judy Cox (daughter of Ruth Sims); Ellie Crawford (daughter of Laran Crawford); Jim Harbaugh; Rick Hardesty (family of the Hoels); Kim Hausman (friend of Ann Carroll); Patti Heath (friend of the Hoels); John Hofer (relative of Jerry Alexander); Fred and Barbara Holste (friends of Arleigh & Mary Jane Jones); Mike Kerner (friend of Josh and Jaimee Whitson); Laurie  McMillen; Rev. Ted Mitchell (pastor of Tuscola United Methodist Church); Robert Murkin (brother of Rhonda Harbaugh); Bill Negangard (grandfather of Bryce Reifsteck); Virginia Osborne; Ena Raaymakers (friend of Josh and Jaimee Whitson); Debbie Rahn (wife of Leroy Rahn); Ruth Rentschler; Rev. Michael Schuermann; Carl Smith (husband of Lynnette Ashwill-Smith); Joy Stenger; Janet Stumeier; Jane Whitson (mother of Mark Whitson); Jill Zartler.

SEMINARY STUDENT: Joshua Schiff.

DEACONESS STUDENT: Carolyn Walsh.

MISSIONARIES: Rev. Dr. Edward and Monica Naumann; Rev. Alan and Patricia Ludwig; Julie Lutz.

HOMEBOUND: Bernita Ashwill; Bessie Benson; Dolores Byers; Marylin Joergens; Joan Mulligan; Janet Pollock; Art Rahn; Ruth Rentschler.

MILITARY: John Bookas; 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 . . . 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 Greg & Celeste Nau to the glory of God on the occasion of the birthday of their daughter, LaNece.

PASTOR WILL BE AWAY. . . August 27 (following Bible Class)–September 3. If you need assistance you may contact him on his mobile phone or call one of the Elders (Jack Appleby, Kenny Kresin, Greg Nau, or Bryce Reifsteck). Pastor Mark Elliott will be serving next week, and Pastor John Sharp (Circuit Visitor) is on call for any emergencies.

SUNDAY SCHOOL RALLY DAY . . . is Sunday, September 10, 10:30 am. Come and join in the celebration and register your child(ren) for the 2017–2018 Sunday School year.

MARK YOUR CALENDARS. . . for Immanuel’s Church Picnic on September 10, 2017, 3:00–6:00 pm (eat at 4:00 pm). The Board of Missions and Evangelism will be cooking hot dogs and hamburgers, and the Men’s Club will be frying fish. Bring your favorite side dish or dessert to share. Come out and enjoy the food and camaraderie that our Lord gives in the family of His church.

THE CAMP CILCA CHICKEN FRY AND AUCTION IS ONE WEEK AWAY! . . . Come on September 3 at 10:30 am to thank God for 100 years of work from the LLL in a worship service with special guest speaker Rev. Ken Schurb.  Lunch is served from 11:30 am–2:30 pm and the live auction begins at 1:00 pm.  Auction donations can be brought to the camp office or call 217-487-7497 to arrange for pick-up.  Camping, swimming, games, and devotions are available all weekend long!

GREETERS

THIS WEEK

• Craig & Carol Munson (West)
• Tim & Teri Pollock (East)

NEXT WEEK

• Donna Campbell (West)
• Kenny & Tammy Kresin (East)

COMMUNION HELPERS

THIS WEEK

• Greg Nau
• Dolores Ford; Cassie Russo

NEXT WEEK

• Bryce Reifsteck
• Dolores Ford; Mackenzi Bowles

ACOLYTES

THIS WEEK

• Ethan Stumeier (Crucifer)
• Caleb Stumeier (Torches)
• Coulson Poffenberger (Torches)
• Jonathan Braaten (Gospel)

NEXT WEEK

• Caleb Stumeier (Crucifer)
• Ethan Stumeier (Torches)
• Josh Dyer (Torches)

COFFEE COMMITTEE

• Greg & Celeste Nau—August
• Erin Pangburn—September

FUNERAL CHAIR

• Tammy Kresin—August
• Joan Rahn—September