THIS WEEK AT IMMANUEL

Sunday (11/15)

• 9:00 am—Divine Service with Holy Communion
• 10:30 am—Bible Class & Sunday School
• 11:30 am—Catechism Class
• 2:30 pm—Nursing Home Service

Monday–Thursday

• 7:30 am—Matins

Tuesday

• 9:00 am—CC Home School Coop
• 7:00 pm—LWML

Thursday

• 1:30 pm—Ladies Aid Bible Study

Saturday

• 5:30 pm—Divine Service with Holy Communion

Sunday (11/22)

• 9:00 am—Divine Service with Holy Communion
• 10:30 am—Bible Class & Sunday School
• 11:30 am—Catechism Class

IN OUR PRAYERS

HEALTH CONCERNS: Mia Anderson (great-granddaughter of Joan Vukelich); Ava Binion (schoolmate of Regann Bowles); Brenda Bunting (friend of Ann Carroll); Ellie Crawford (daughter of Laran Crawford); Don Czerwonka; Virginia Goble (friend of Joyce Alexander); Jim Harbaugh; Joel Hilgendorf; Marvin Kingery (father of Miranda Czerwonka); Dennis Lee (nephew of Dolores Ford); Scott McCumber (friend of the Russos) Laurie McMillen; Tiffany Meyer (friend of Rachel DeWitt); Sandra Oehmke (sister of Joan Vukelich); Rev. Lynn Podoll; Fred Rahn (son of Joan Rahn); Bob Vukelich (husband of Joan Vukelich); Harold Wattjes.

SEMINARY STUDENT: Hayden Folks.

DEACONESS STUDENT: Katelyn Lower.

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

MILITARY: John Bookas; Jeremy Gordon; Jack Leonard; Sam Leonard; Jake Lindgren; Raymond Longtin; Joey Pollock; Chase Reifsteck; Blake Stokes; Paige Stokes; Ruben Wilson.

THE ANNOUNCEMENTS

NEXT WEEK’S READINGS . . . Isaiah 65:17–25; 1 Thess 5:1–11; Matthew 25:1–13.

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 Bob & Joan Vukelich to the glory of God in thanksgiving for the blessings of all medical staff and for the care and concern everyone has shown with their prayers and cards during Bob’s illness.

MARK YOUR CALENDARS . . . because the first week of December (Tuesday, December 1, and Wednesday, December 2), Life Touch photographers will be at Immanuel to take family pictures for an updated church directory. Life Touch is offering a 20% discount on prints ordered in December. To schedule an appointment, sign up with Tammy Kresin in the last Sunday School room next to the Fellowship Hall or call her at home (217) 2534164.

THE 2016 FLOWER CHART IS NOW AVAILABLE . . . Please sign up on the bulletin board in the hallway by the sanctuary or call the church office. Flowers are $30.00 and can be special ordered. Flowers can be taken home after the Sunday’s service.

BINGO . . . at the Tuscola Senior Building, Thursday, November 19, after a menu of sweet and sour chicken with fruit and vegetables, brown rice, chunky applesauce, rool and warm fruit crisp, at 11:30 am. The meal is for people over sixty for a donation of $3.50. Reservations must be made by noon on Wednesday, November 18, by calling (217) 2532278.

THE THANKSGIVING EVE DIVINE SERVICE . . . will be Wednesday, November 25, 7:00 pm.

A PRAYER FOR THOSE WHO ARE ILL . . . O Lord, look down from heaven; behold, visit, and relieve Your servants who stand in need of our prayers, especially . . . . Look upon them with the eyes of Your mercy. Give them comfort and sure confidence in You. Defend them from every danger to body and soul, and keep them in perpetual peace and safety; through Jesus Christ, Your Son, our Lord, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen.

VOLUNTEERS NEEDED . . . Immanuel Lutheran Church will be entering a float in the Tuscola Christmastown Parade (Saturday, December 5) and hosting a live Nativity (Sunday, December 6) at our church. The live Nativity is an opportunity for Immanuel to display its spirit of Christmas for the benefit of all members of our community. YOUR help is needed to make this possible. For the Parade: help is needed decorating the float.  We also need volunteers to walk in the parade with the float. For the Live Nativity: volunteers are needed to serve as the shepherds and magi. Christmas carolers are needed to sing as cars drive through to view the Nativity. Help is needed painting the backdrop. To volunteer see the sign-up sheets in the Narthex or contact Deborah Reifsteck at 217-369-5468 or daplby13@hotmail.com. Questions may be directed to the Board of Missions and Evangelism.

GREETERS

THIS WEEK

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

NEXT WEEK

• Laverl Byers (West)
• Ruth Sims (East)

COMMUNION HELPERS

THIS WEEK

• Steve Hilgendorf
• Ann Hilgendorf; Lexie Russo

NEXT WEEK

• Steve Hilgendorf
• Janice Arthur; Cassie Russo

ACOLYTES

THIS WEEK

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

NEXT WEEK

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

COFFEE COMMITTEE

• Craig & Carol Munson—November
• Laverl Byers—December