THIS WEEK AT IMMANUEL

Sunday (7/19)

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

Monday–Thursday

• 7:30 am—Matins

Monday

• 7:30 pm—Voters’ Assembly Meeting

Wednesday

• 6:30 pm—Summer Confessions Study

Friday

• 4:30 pm—Bretz/DeWitt Wedding Rehearsal

Saturday

• 2:30 pm—Bretz/DeWitt Wedding
• 5:30 pm—Divine Service with Holy Communion

Sunday (7/19)

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

IN OUR PRAYERS

HEALTH CONCERNS: Mia Anderson (great-granddaughter of Joan Vukelich); Brenda Bunting (friend of Ann Carroll); Ellie Crawford (daughter of Laran Crawford); Dwain Ford (nephew of Darrell Ford); Jim Harbaugh, Sr.; Jim Harbaugh, Jr.; Joel Hilgendorf; Marvin Kingery (father of Miranda Czerwonka); Nancy Kingery (niece of Dolores Ford); Erica Kremitzki; Dennis Lee (nephew of Dolores Ford); Laurie McMillen; Mike Merna (friend of Joan Vukelich); Sandra Oehmke (sister of Joan Vukelich); Fred Rahn (son of Joan Rahn); Joan Rahn; Roland Spomer; Bob Vukelich (husband of Joan Vukelich); Harold Wattjes; Troy Wolte (son-in-law of Roland Spomer).

SEMINARY STUDENT: Dustin Fry.

DEACONESS STUDENT: Allison Gummerus.

HOMEBOUND: Bernita Ashwill; Bessie Benson; Dolores Byers; Joan Mulligan; Corinne Oye; 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 . . . Jeremiah 23:16–29; Romans 8:12–17; Matthew 7:15–23.

ABOUT THIS WEEK’S READINGS . . . In the Garden of Eden, our first parents received food freely from the gracious hand of God, apart from any burdensome work (Gen 2:7–17). But after the fall, food would be received only through toil and labor. The curse declared, “By the sweat of your face you shall eat bread, till you return to the ground . . .” (Gen. 3:19). In other words, “The wages of sin is death” (Rom. 6:23). But into this wilderness world came Jesus the Messiah to restore creation. Having compassion on the weary multitudes, He renewed the bounty of Eden on the third day, freely granting an abundance of bread to the 4,000 (Mark 8:1–9). So also our Lord Jesus, having endured the burden of our sin, was raised on the third day to bring us back to Paradise. He now miraculously turns the bread of death into the Bread of Life in the Sacrament, giving us His very body and blood for our forgiveness. For “the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord” (Rom. 6:23).

THOUGHTS ABOUT STEWARDSHIP . . . Romans 6:19 “For just as you once presented your members as slaves to impurity and to lawlessness leading to more lawlessness, so now present your members as slaves to righteousness leading to sanctification.” To be sanctified means to be set aside for God’s purposes. St. Paul encourages us to see ourselves, our bodies, our souls, and all that we are as set aside for God’s work—in all that we do whether in the home, church, or society at large.

THE ALTAR FLOWERS . . . are given by Corky & Theresa Fields to the glory of God on the occasion of their wedding anniversary

PEACE MEALS . . . August is Immanuel’s month to deliver Peace Meals. Peace Meals delivers Monday–Thursday, beginning at 11:00 am. Team up with someone from church to help get these low-cost, nutritious meals to those in need. Please contact Roger & Wanda Long to volunteer.

BINGO . . . at the Tuscola Senior Building, Thursday, July 23, after a meal menu of Shepherd’s Pie, cucumber onion salad, biscuit, hot cinnamon apples, and graham crackers at 11:30 am. The meal is for people over 60 for a donation of $3.50. Reservations must be made by noon on Wednesday, July 22, at (217) 2532278.

PASTOR WILL BE AWAY . . . with Immanuel’s Youth Group, Monday, July 27–Saturday, August 1, at the Higher Things Youth Conference in Seward, Nebraska. If you have an emergency you may contact him on his mobile phone or call one of the Elders.

BI-MONTHLY MISSION . . . is Sunday, August 2. All loose cash in the offering will go to SAM Pantry. SAM (Social Action Ministry) food pantry is a ministry of TUMC that serves families all over Douglas County. Unfortunately, in today’s economic environment, people are having to make choices about buying food or paying utility bills or medical bills. The SAM food pantry exists to make that choice a little easier. Staffed by a number of the community churches (including members from Immanuel), patrons receive a supply of food, no more often than once a month, appropriate to the number of persons in their home.

SUMMER CONFESSIONS STUDY . . . is underway. We will meet every Wednesday that Pastor is in town at 6:30 pm. We’ll be making our way through the Lutheran Confessions in the Book of Concord. Besides Sunday morning Bible Class, this is the perfect place to ask any and all of your questions about what Lutherans believe, teach, and confess. Join us.

SUNDAY SCHOOL TEACHERS NEEDED . . . for the 2015–2016 Academic Year. If you are willing to teach for one, two, or three months out of the year, please contact Pastor Braaten. We are in need of three teachers. If these positions are not filled those grades will not have Sunday School.

COME TO THE ALL CHURCH PICNIC . . . on Sunday, August 2, 2015, 3:00 pm6:00 pm. The Men’s Club is frying fish. The Board of Mission & Evangelism is providing hot dogs and  hamburgers. Come with a side dish or a dessert to pass. We will be eating at 4:00 pm. Come out and enjoy the food and camaraderie that our Lord gives in the family of His church.

GREETERS

THIS WEEK

• Joan Vukelich (West)
• Laverl Byers (East)

NEXT WEEK

• Ruth Sims (West)
• Tim & Teri Pollock (East)

COMMUNION HELPERS

THIS WEEK

• Mark Whitson
• Becky Kappes; Marissa Russo

NEXT WEEK

• Mark Whitson
• Becky Kappes; Lexie Russo

ACOLYTES

THIS WEEK

• Caleb Stumeier (Crucifer)
• Ethan Stumeier (Torches)
• Coulson Poffenberger (Torches)

NEXT WEEK

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

COFFEE COMMITTEE

• Josh & Jaimee Whitson—July
• Harold & Irene Wattjes—August