THIS WEEK AT IMMANUEL

Sunday (11/11)

• 9:00 am—Divine Service with Holy Communion
• 10:30 am—Bible Class & Sunday School
• 6:00 pm—Adult New Members Class

Monday—Thursday

• 7:30 am—Matins

Monday

• 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—Circuit Pastors’ Meeting (Sadorus)

Wednesday

• 7:00 pm—Bible History Bible Study

Saturday

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

Sunday (11/18)

• 9:00 am—Divine Service with Holy Communion
• 10:30 am—Bible Class & Sunday School
• 11:30 am—Immanuel Potluck
• 6:00 pm—Adult New Members Class
• 7:00 pm—Men’s Bible Study

IN OUR PRAYERS

HEALTH CONCERNS: Mia Anderson (great-granddaughter of Joan Vukelich); Bernita Ashwill; Dale Brown (friend of Margaret Stilwell); Connie Hilgendorf Bruns (cousin of Mary Appleby); Jeff & Jo Coon (friends of the Holzrichters); Judy Cox (daughter of Ruth Sims); Ellie Crawford (daughter of Laran Crawford); Theresa Fields; Jim Harbaugh; Rick Hardesty (family of the Hoels); Kim Hausman (friend of Ann Carroll); Barbara Holste (friend of Arleigh & Mary Jane Jones); Marylin Joergens; Pat Maree; Kimberly Meyer (daughter of Pastor Doug Meyer); Delvin Meyr (father of Willa’s godmother); Rev. Ted Mitchell (friend of Pastor Braaten); Bill & Mary Negangard (grandparents of Bryce Reifsteck); Debbie Rahn (wife of Leroy Rahn); Joan Rahn; Ocil Slone (father of Carolyn Dyer); Bob Vukelich; Irene Wright (mother of Ann Hilgendorf); Jolene Young (mother of Ryan Bowles).

DEATH: Family and friends of John Eakin (brother of Ruth Sims).

SEMINARY STUDENT: Joshua Schiff.

DEACONESS STUDENT: Stephanie Wilde.

MISSIONARIES: Rev. Dr. Edward and Monica Naumann; Rev. Ryan and Emily McDermott; Julie Lutz.

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

MILITARY: 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 . . . Ex. 32:1–20; 1 Thess 4:13–18; Matthew 24:15–28.

ABOUT THIS WEEK’S READINGS . . . A shroud of darkness engulfs us.  Sin, death, and disease threaten to sever us from life’s fullest measure. Without new life in Christ Jesus, there would be no light to dissipate, dispel, or curb grief and sadness.  But Jesus has qualified us “to share in the inheritance of the saints of light” delivering us from the dark domain (Col. 1:9–14).  “I have put my words in your mouth and covered you in the shadow of my hand,…You are my people” (Is. 51:9–16).  The presence of Christ, in word, wine, bread, and water, confronts our sinful nature with forgiveness.  In the sacraments, God claims us to be His very own children, creating, and sustaining our faith.  So in Christ, we humbly receive the words, “your faith has made you well” (Matt. 9:18–26).  On the last day God will surely awaken us also from slumber in resurrection glory.

THOUGHTS ABOUT STEWARDSHIP . . . Col. 1:10: “. . . so as to walk in a manner worthy of the Lord, fully pleasing to him, bearing fruit in every good work and increasing in the knowledge of God.” Living a godly life really is its own reward. Does the life St. Paul describes here sound more enjoyable than a life of worry, self-aggrandizement, and self-centeredness? God wants us to walk closely to our Lord and imitate Him for a reason: so that we will be blessed and happy.

ALTAR FLOWERS . . . are given by Sue Rothe to the glory of God in memory of loved ones who have passed.

THANK YOU, CHURCH FAMILY, . . . for your prayers and concern during Melinda’s health issues; it was such a comfort to our family during a difficult time. Her health continues to improve every day; she has returned to work and grandpa and grandma are spoiling the grandchildren. Sincerely, Gary and Becky Kappes.

FROM THE MCDERMOTT FAMILY . . . Thank you for joining our network of supporters! We are grateful for your partnership in the Gospel. Your prayers and encouragement are a blessing to us, and we pray that this may be a blessing to you also. In pace domini.

JOSHUA SCHIFF, OUR ADOPTED SEMINARY STUDENT, . . . and his family will be visiting Immanuel next weekend, November 17–18. Joshua will be delivering the sermon that weekend. We’ll hear more about his trip to Israel and his studies during Bible Class at 10:30 on Sunday; following Bible Class is a potluck at 11:30 to have the opportunity to talk more with Joshua and his family.

65^TH ANNUAL PANCAKE & SAUSAGE SUPPER . . . on Sunday, November 11, 4:00–7:00 pm at St. John’s Mattoon. All proceeds will go to church and youth activities. All are invited!

VETERANS DAY PARADE AND ACTIVITIES . . . will be held on Monday, November 12. The parade will start from the park at 2:00 pm and proceed down Main Street and over to the veterans memorial on the east side of the Courthouse, where a short ceremony will take place, featuring guest speaker Sean Conner, TCHS Honors Choir, and the ceremonial firing squad. All persons in attendance, veterans and non-veterans, are welcome to come to the Tuscola Moose Lodge for a free luncheon, prepared and served by the Women of the Moose and paid for by the two veterans organizations.

TUSCOLA COMMUNITY THANKSGIVING SERVICE . . . sponsored by the Tuscola Area Ministerial Alliance (TAMA), Sunday, November 18, 6:00 PM, at the Unity Church of Christ, 114 E. Pembroke, Tuscola. Guest speaker is Minister Les Evans of First Christian Church, Tuscola. Light refreshments will be served after the service.

TODAY’S HYMN OF THE DAY . . . forces us to confront living in a sinful world, while also providing assurance that our holy and mighty God is the only one who eternally saves us from it. According to tradition, stanza 1 existed before Martin Luther wrote stanzas 2 and 3. These two additional stanzas clearly confess the Christian’s refuge during gloomy times of life: Jesus and His mercy. In stanza 1, death is described as an enemy; in stanza 2, death is portrayed as a valley through which we currently walk; in stanza 3, death is depicted as utter woe. While each stanza begins by sounding the realistic note of despair, each stanza ends by clearly pointing the singer to the merciful Savior. Yes, we constantly endure the sadness of living in a sinful world. This hymn helps us confront that reality and at the same time helps us look beyond that reality and cling to Jesus. Our holy and righteous God does show His mercy to us and saves, preserves, and keeps us!

A PRAYER FOR THE ARMED FORCES OF OUR NATION . . . Lord God of hosts, stretch forth Your almighty arm to strengthen and protect those who serve in the armed forces of our country. Support them in times of war, and in times of peace keep them from all evil, giving them courage and loyalty. Grant that in all things they may serve with integrity and with honor; through Jesus Christ, our Lord.

A PRAYER FOR THOSE WHO MINISTER TO THE ARMED FORCES . . . O Lord, almighty God, as You have always granted special gifts of the Holy Spirit to Your Church on earth, grant Your continual blessing to all who minister in Your name in the armed forces, that by Your gracious working they may honor Christ and advance the good of those committed to their care; through Jesus Christ, our Lord.

THIS WEEK ON KFUO.ORG . . .  we wish our listeners a blessed Veterans Day, finish our study of Job on Thy Strong Word (weekdays at 11:00 a.m. CT), begin an in-depth study of 2 Corinthians 3 with Rev. Jonathan Fisk and guest pastors on Sharper Iron (weekdays at 8:00 a.m. CT), and celebrate KFUO Radio’s Rally Week all week. Hear your favorite programs on demand at kfuo.org or wherever you get your podcasts!

NOVEMBER NEWSLETTER . . . is available in hard copy. 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.

GREETERS

THIS WEEK

• Greg & Celeste Nau (West)
• Josh & Jaimee Whitson (East)

NEXT WEEK

• Craig & Carol Munson (West)
• Jim Dyer (East)

COMMUNION HELPERS

THIS WEEK

• Mark Whitson
• Sharon Allen; Marissa Russo

NEXT WEEK

• Mark Whitson
• Janet Stumeier; Lexie Russo

ACOLYTES

THIS WEEK

• Oliver Braaten (Crucifer)
• Jake Dyer (Torches)
• Isaak Burgener (Torches)
• Jonathan Braaten (Gospel)

NEXT WEEK

• Jake Dyer (Crucifer)
• Oliver Braaten (Torches)
• Jonathan Braaten (Torches)
• Caiden Russo (Gospel)

COFFEE COMMITTEE

• Janet Stumeier—November
• Mark & Leigh Ann Whitson—December

FUNERAL CHAIR

• Lauren Braaten—November
• Sharon Allen—December