THIS WEEK AT IMMANUEL

Sunday (9/3)

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

Monday—Church Offices Closed (Labor Day)

Tuesday—Thursday

• 7:30 am—Matins

Tuesday

• 9:00 am—Classical Conversations Home School Coop

Wednesday

• 10:00 am—Looking Forward to Sunday Bible Study
• 7:00 pm—Bible History Bible Study

Saturday

• 3:30 pm—Individual Confession & Absolution
• 5:30 pm—Divine Service with Holy Communion

Sunday (9/10)

• 9:00 am—Divine Service with Holy Communion
• 10:30 am—NO Bible Class
• 10:30 am—Sunday School Rally Day Activities
• 2:30 pm—Nursing Home Service
• 3:00 pm—Immanuel Church Picnic

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); Mike Ekstrom; 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); Jane (Rahn) Maxwell; 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; 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 . . .2 Chron 28:8–15; Galatians 3:15–22; Luke 10:23–37.

ABOUT THIS WEEK’S READINGS . . . A man who was deaf and therefore also had an impediment in his speech was brought to Jesus (Mark 7:31–37). In the same way, all are by nature deaf toward God and therefore also unable to confess the faith rightly. For “faith comes from hearing, and hearing through the word of Christ” (Rom. 10:9–17). Jesus put His fingers into the man’s ears, and He spat and touched His tongue. Even so in Holy Baptism, water sanctified by the words of Jesus’ mouth is applied to us; and the finger of God, that is, the life–giving Holy Spirit (2 Cor. 3:4–11) is put into our ears in the hearing of the baptismal Gospel. Jesus’ sighing “Ephphatha” opened the man’s ears, and his tongue was loosed to speak plainly as Isaiah prophesied of the Messiah, “In that day the deaf shall hear the words of a book” (Is. 29:18–24). So also, He who sighed and breathed His last on the cross for us has given us to hear and believe in Him and has opened our lips that our mouths may declare His praise.

THOUGHTS ABOUT STEWARDSHIP . . . 2 Corinthians 3:5 “Not that we are sufficient in ourselves to claim anything as coming from us, but our sufficiency is from God.” We are not sufficient, not enough, not capable in and of ourselves. But God gives us what is enough, what is sufficient, and makes us capable. That is the beginning of wisdom: we are utterly dependent on God’s mercy. Our whole Christian life flows forth from this dependence.

THE ALTAR FLOWERS . . . are given by Greg & Celeste Nau to the glory of God on the occasion of the birthday of their daughter, Alexis.

SUNDAY SCHOOL RALLY DAY . . . is next Sunday, September 10, 10:30 am. Come and join in the celebration and register your child(ren) for the 2017–2018 Sunday School year. There will be a parent meeting with Pastor Braaten, a balloon release, and fun games for the kids. If the weather permits, the games will be outside—kids are welcome to change into play clothes.

CATECHISM CLASSES WILL BEGIN . . . next Sunday, September 10, 12:30–2:00 pm, for all students prepared to begin.

IMMANUEL’S CHURCH PICNIC . . . is also next Sunday, September 10, 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.

FIGHTING ILLINI FOOTBALL . . . We have a total of 36 signed up for the September 29 football game. One last chance to come on board! Final information will be in the next bulletin.

SEPTEMBER NEWSLETTER . . . is available in hard copy as well as on Immanuel’s website. Copies can be found on the table across from the member mailboxes. If you would like the newsletter through email, please tell Pastor Braaten or Leigh Ann Whitson.

HURRICAN AID THROUGH LCMS . . . Hurricane Harvey continues to dump water onto Houston and other parts of Texas and now threatens communities further to the east, in Louisiana. We pray for the thousands of people who have been affected by this storm, or will soon be affected:

Lord of heaven and earth, we know that You hold all things in Your hands. In Your mercy, provide for the needs of those who have been affected by Hurricane Harvey and the rain that continues to fall, work through those who bring relief and aid, and protect all from any further harm. Draw all to the cross of Christ, who is our salvation now and always. We ask this in Jesus’ name. Amen.

Our Synod’s disaster response people are already at work. They are gearing up to provide help, temporal and spiritual, to those who lie in Harvey’s path or who have been left in its wake.  See a short informative video with LCMS President Matthew Harrison and LCMS Disaster Response Director Ross Johnson at

https://www.lcms.org/harvey?srctid=1&erid=14141188&trid=3f541860-3c78-4827-8482-da2b73c683b9.

Resources will be needed. The video urges both individual and congregational giving. Individuals can donate online via the webpage mentioned above. But it is also suggested that congregations receive a special offering this coming Sunday, September 3. Churches may send funds received to LCMS Disaster Response at the International Center, 1333 S. Kirkwood Rd., St. Louis, MO  63122-7295.

Thank you for your generous and heartfelt response.

In Christ,

Dr. Ken Schurb

Executive Assistant to the President for Missions, Evangelism, Stewardship, and Human Care

Central Illinois District

The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod

MEMBERS OF IMMANUEL . . . For increased opportunity and ease of giving, we will also accept donations through Sunday, September 10. An envelope has been placed in your mailbox for this purpose; please make your check payable to Immanuel Lutheran. Thank you for your generosity!

GREETERS

THIS WEEK

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

NEXT WEEK

• Jim & Carolyn Dyer (West)
• Joan Vukelich (East)

COMMUNION HELPERS

THIS WEEK

• Bryce Reifsteck
• Dolores Ford; Mackenzi Bowles

NEXT WEEK

• Bryce Reifsteck
• Theresa Fields; Marissa Russo

ACOLYTES

THIS WEEK

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

NEXT WEEK

• Ethan Stumeier (Crucifer)
• Caleb Stumeier (Torches)
• Jake Dyer (Torches)
• Jonathan Braaten (Gospel)

COFFEE COMMITTEE

• Erin Pangburn—September
• Jerry & Joyce Alexander—October

FUNERAL CHAIR

• Joan Rahn—September
• Ruth Bretz & Janice Arthur—October