THIS WEEK AT IMMANUEL

Sunday (9/24)

• 9:00 am—Divine Service with Holy Communion
• 10:30 am—Bible Class & Sunday School
• 12:30 pm—Catechism Class

Monday—Thursday

• 7:30 am—Matins

Tuesday

• 9:00 am—Classical Conversations Home School Coop

Wednesday

• 7:00 pm—Bible History Bible Study

Friday

• 7:00 pm—Illinois/Nebrask Football Game

Saturday

• 9:00 am—Sunday School Teacher’s Lesson Planning
• 3:30 pm—Individual Confession & Absolution
• 5:30 pm—Divine Service with Holy Communion

Sunday (10/1)

• 9:00 am—Divine Service with Holy Communion
• 10:30 am—Bible Class & Sunday School
• 12:30 pm—Catechism Class
• 6:30 pm—Ladies Bunco Night

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); Connie Hilgendorf Bruns (cousin of Mary Appleby); 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); Fred and Barbara Holste (friends of Arleigh & Mary Jane Jones); Mike Kerner (friend of Josh and Jaimee Whitson); Richard Lading (brother of Mary Jane Jones); 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); 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; Jill Zartler.

DEATH: Family and friends of John Hofer (relative of Jerry Alexander).

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 . . . 1 Kings17:17–24; Ephesians 3:13–21; Luke 7:11–17.

ABOUT THIS WEEK’S READINGS . . . “You cannot serve God and money” (Matt. 6:2434), for they require two contrary forms of service. Worry is the worship given to the false god of mammon, an unbelieving anxiousness and focus on the things of this world. Faith is the worship of the true God, a confident trust that He is a loving Father who will care for all of our needs in both body and soul. The widow of Zarephath served God—that is, she believed the word of the Lord spoken by Elijah that the bin of flour would not be used up nor would the jar of oil run dry (1 Kings 17:8–16). He who feeds the birds and clothes the flowers will certainly provide for our daily needs. For He has already provided for our eternal needs, clothing us with Christ’s righteousness in Baptism and feeding us His body and blood for our forgiveness. With such confidence we are liberated from worry and freed to do good with our material resources, especially to those who are of the household of faith (Gal. 5:25–6:10).

THOUGHTS ABOUT STEWARDSHIP . . . Matthew 6:25 “Therefore I tell you, do not be anxious about your life, what you will eat or what you will drink, nor about your body, what you will put on.” Our anxieties and fears all come down to one thing: worrying that we will not get our way. But God is our loving heavenly Father: He will always care for us and His will is always best. That confidence should set us free from worry and free us for service according to the callings God has given us.

THE ALTAR FLOWERS . . . were given by Craig & Carol Munson to the glory of God in thanksgiving for blessings received.

ILLINI FOOTBALL IS UPON US! . . . Tickets are in the church office—check with Leigh Ann to pick up your tickets. We will be parking and tailgating in the Research Park in a grassy area. Complete information is included with your tickets.

BI-MONTHLY MISSION . . . is Sunday, October 1, LWML Sunday. Envelopes designated for LWML can be found on the small table in the Narthex. Please make checks payable to Immanuel Lutheran. LWML ladies are reminded to adorn the altar area with mums for LWML Sunday and join together in the front pew for the Divine Service. Following the service, the LWML ladies invite the congregation to the Fellowship Hall for hot apple cider and cookies to thank you for your ongoing support.

THE WEDDING SHOWER . . . for Bethany Glock is fast approaching (Saturday, October 7, 10:00 am, in the Fellowship Hall)! All the ladies of the church should have received invitations and recipe cards either in member mailboxes or through the mail. Don’t forget to RSVP, and if you are unable to attend, we would still love for you to share your favorite recipe with Bethany. Simply fill out the recipe card and give it to Lauren, Jaimee, Michelle, or Leigh Ann. Thanks and hope to see you there!

SPORTING CLAY SHOOTOUT . . . on Saturday, November 18, 9:00 am, at the Olde Barn Sporting Clays, Oakland, Illinois. Proceeds will go to the LCMS Hurricane Relief Fund. Registration is due by November 15. Can register individually or as a 4-shooter team. Registration fee of $75 per shooter includes lunch, and prizes will be awarded to the top shooters. If you are interested in participating, registration forms with additional information can be found on the table across from member mailboxes.

THE CRUCIBLE OPENS 2017–2018 THEATRE SEASON . . . at Parkland College September 28–October 8, 2017. A modern adaptation of a classic American drama based on the 1692-93 Salem witch trials, The Crucible was written as a reflection on Miller’s own harrowing experience with McCarthyism in the 1950s. The Communist “witch hunt” of that era parallels the fear, ignorance and paranoia that prevailed in the witch trials of the 17th century. The play shows that it is heroism in the face of injustice that brings hope and redemption. More information about performances can be found on the bulletin board outside the kitchen.

LAUDAMUS . . . a select choir of seminarians from Concordia Seminary in St. Louis, delights in proclaiming the Gospel of Jesus Christ through music. Their Fall 2017 tour includes a performance at St. John’s Lutheran Church in Mattoon on Friday, October 13, at 7:00 pm. For more information about Laudamus and their tour, visit www.csl.edu/laudamus.

NOVEMBER 2–4: REFORMATION SYMPHONY: . . . Celebrating 500 Years of Reformation Through Music, Minneapolis, MN. The Minnesota Orchestra, conducted by Osmo Vanska, will perform the Reformation Symphony: Celebrating 500 Years of Reformation Through Music, at 11:00 am on Thursday, November 2, 2017, 8:00 pm on Friday, November 3, 2017, and at 8:00 pm on Saturday, November 4. Those not able to attend in person can listen on Friday evening at 8:00 pm nationally through live web-stream by going to https://www.mpr.org/.

GREETERS

THIS WEEK

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

NEXT WEEK

• Dave & Michelle Stumeier (West)
• Jim & Carolyn Dyer (East)

COMMUNION HELPERS

THIS WEEK

• Bryce Reifsteck
• Judy Legg; Cassie Russo

NEXT WEEK

• Bryce Reifsteck
• Becky Kappes; Mackenzi Bowles

ACOLYTES

THIS WEEK

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

NEXT WEEK

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

COFFEE COMMITTEE

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

FUNERAL CHAIR

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