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Immanuel News & Notes (Trinity 8)

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THIS WEEK AT IMMANUEL

Sunday (8/2)

  • 7:30 am—Divine Service of the Word (On-Line Video)
  • 9:00 am—Divine Service with Holy Communion
  • 10:30 am—Adult Bible Class

Saturday

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

Sunday (8/9)

  • 7:30 am—Divine Service of the Word (On-Line Video)
  • 9:00 am—Divine Service with Holy Communion
  • 10:30 am—Adult Bible Class
  • 12:00 pm—Board of Elders Meeting

IN OUR PRAYERS

HEALTH CONCERNS: Bernita Ashwill; Mindy Bell (friend of David Holzrichter); Leonard Boerngen; Dale Brown (friend of Margaret Stilwell); Connie Hilgendorf Bruns (cousin of Mary Appleby); Jeff & Jo Coon (friend of David Holzrichter); Lynn Corrie (friend of the Joneses); Ellie Crawford (daughter of Laran Crawford); Whitney Czerwonka; Lynn Davis (cousin of Mark Whitson); Cindy Ekstrom; Theresa Fields; Jenna Gustafson; Jim Harbaugh; Rick Hardesty (family of the Hoels); Kim Hausman (friend of Ann Carroll); Deanna Henningsen (sister-in-law of Jerry & Joyce Alexander); Barbara Holste (friend of the Joneses); Kimberly Mulvany (daughter of Pastor Doug Meyer); Mary Negangard (grandmother of Bryce Reifsteck); Sandra Oehmke (sister of Joan Vukelich); Dennis Pickett (friend of Ann Carroll); Art Rahn; Cary & Beth Rahn; Debbie Rahn (wife of Leroy Rahn); Emma  Silver; Ruth Sims; Ocil Slone (father of Carolyn Dyer); Joy Stenger; Brian Walker (uncle of Bryce Reifsteck); Irene Wattjes; Lynn & Jane Whitson (parents of Mark Whitson).

SEMINARY STUDENT: Gunnar Campbell; Logan Smith.

DEACONESS STUDENT: Emily McLean.

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

HOMEBOUND: Bernita Ashwill; Leonard Boerngen; Janet Pollock; Art Rahn; Ruth Rentschler.

MILITARY: Carl Crawford; Josh Dyer; Jeremy Gordon; Jack Leonard; Jake Lindgren; Raymond Longtin; Joey Pollock; Blake Stokes; Ruben Wilson.

THE ANNOUNCEMENTS

NEXT WEEK’S READINGS . . . 2 Sam 22:26–34; 1 Cor 10:6–13; Luke 16:1–9.

ABOUT THIS WEEK’S READINGS . . . “Beware of false prophets, who come to you in sheep’s clothing but inwardly are ravenous wolves” (Matt. 7:15). Deceit has its strength in masquerading as the truth. False prophets speak a vision of their own heart, not from the mouth of the Lord (Jer. 23:16–29). They deny the judgment of the Lord, speaking peace to the unrepentant, when in truth there is condemnation and wrath. “You will recognize them by their fruits” (Matt. 7:20). The “fruits” of a true prophet are not outward righteousness or success but faithfulness in proclaiming the Word of the Lord. This is the will of the Father in heaven, that pastors take heed to the flock, the Father’s adopted ones (Rom. 8:12–17), warning them against the wolves and their lies, and shepherding the Church of God which He purchased with His own blood (Acts 20:27–38). For indeed, the cross is that good tree bearing good fruit—namely, the body and blood of Christ, given and shed for you for the forgiveness of sins.

THOUGHTS ABOUT STEWARDSHIP . . . 2 Corinthians 9:6 “The point is this: whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows bountifully will also reap bountifully.” St. Lawrence was in charge of the church’s almsgiving to the poor in Rome. When the Emperor demanded him to bring the treasures of the Church to the government coffers, St. Lawrence showed up the next day with the throngs of the poor and said: “Here, O Emperor, are the treasures of the Church!” Lawrence was martyred for his faith in Christ, which overflowed in his generous life toward others.

THE CURRENT CHURCH SECRETARY . . . position has been eliminated. The Board of Elders is working on producing a new administrative position description in line with the church’s upcoming needs. In addition to the secretarial duties, the church will need someone who is able to take on a more active role in helping the Church Treasurer pay the bills, process payroll, and compile the financial statements of the congregation. Currently the Church Treasurer volunteers approximately six hours per week to do this. When our current Church Treasurer steps down to serve in other capacities, the new Church Treasurer will need help. As soon as those specifications are sorted out, we will commence the search process. At that time, Connie will be asked to apply should she have an interest in the restructured position. In the meantime, Pastor will absorb the secretary’s duties.

THE ALTAR FLOWERS . . . are given by Ron & Sara Urban in celebration of their wedding anniversary.

PEACE MEALS . . . August is Immanuel’s month to deliver Peace Meals. Peace Meals delivers Monday–Friday; meal pick-up time is 10:30 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.

IMMANUEL MEMORIAL GARDEN . . . The church is in the process of establishing a memorial garden to recognize and remember our members: those who have gone to their eternal reward and even those who now stand beside us. The focal point of the garden (located between the south classrooms and the sidewalk) will be a 5 foot, 8 inch granite cross with a message that reads: “Dedicated to those who came before us, those who stand beside us, and those who carry on after we are gone.” The project is funded by current memorial funds. Around that cross extends a cross-shaped sidewalk edged by granite pavers. We hope that past and current members will choose to honor their loved ones by purchasing a granite paver with their names inscribed. The cost for a paver is $150.00. Purchase forms are available in the church office. Questions may be addressed to the Memorial Fund Committee (Darrell Ford and Steve Hilgendorf).

RURAL KING CHURCH WEEK . . . Rural King is hosting Church Week, August 2–15, 2020. Through this program, Rural King customers can support their local Christian churches, schools, and radio stations. The Board of Christian Education has registered for this program and asks for your support of Sunday School, VBS, and Youth Group programming. Receipts must be dated between August 2–15, 2020, and Rural King will donate 10% of each valid Rural King receipt’s total after sales tax to the registered organization of their choice. All receipts must be uploaded to www.ruralking.com/churchweek by September 1, 2020. If you need help uploading receipts please contact the Board of Christian Education (Sharon Allen, Lauren Braaten, Celeste Nau, Deborah Reifsteck, or Pastor Braaten).

REMEMBER TO CHECK THE FLOWER CHART & BULLETIN BOARD . . . for opportunities and updated announcements.

THE AUGUST CALENDAR . . . with birthdays and anniversaries is now available on the table across from the church mailboxes.

REGARDING PASTOR MEYER’S RETIREMENT CELEBRATION . . . Salem Lutheran Church regrets that the planned Retirement Celebration for Pastor Doug Meyer is canceled. They will not be holding the Open House on August 15 or the celebration on August 30. These festivities are postponed until 2021. In the meantime, if you would like to send a card and a note of appreciation for Pastor Meyer on his final Sunday (August 30), you may send them to Salem Lutheran Church, Attn: Ange, 1401 Hawthorn Road, Salem, Illinois, 62881.

THERE ARE SOME OPENINGS FOR FLOWERS . . . on the flower chart. Sign up individually or team up with someone. Flowers are $35.00 per weekend. Thank you!

HOLY COMMUNION . . . The offer still stands that if you desire the Holy Communion, you can make an appointment with Pastor to receive the Lord’s Supper either at church or in your home until services resume.

SERVICES ONLINE . . . A copy of the service bulletin, which includes all the responses and the hymns, is available at Immanuel’s website under the Sermons tab by clicking on the button labeled PDF. This video option will continue to be made available until our usual service times resume. You can access these online services in three places:

  1. On Immanuel’s Facebook page
  2. On Immanuel’s Website under the Sermons tab
  3. On Immanuel’s YouTube channel

MEMORY WORK . . . If a Sunday School student has been able to learn the next level of the Catechism Learn-By-Heart Program and would like to recite it to Pastor, you can schedule a meeting with him to do this through Zoom, Skype, or Facetime. Contact Pastor by e-mail or phone.

CHANGES IN MANDATED REPORTER LAW . . . The state of Illinois recently made significant changes to the mandated reporter law. By law, any person affiliated with the church who, in their role, comes into contact with children, either in a paid position or as a volunteer, is now a mandated reporter. As such, s/he must undergo training within three months of first serving. This new law would include the following at Immanuel: all Sunday School teachers, VBS volunteers, youth group chaperones, and those on Altar Guild who work with the Jr. Altar Guild. To that end, we ask that those individuals in the groups listed, follow THIS LINK to take the online training. This training takes roughly 60 minutes to complete. Upon completion of the training, a certificate is awarded which will need to be printed off and a copy be given to Pastor to keep on file. For those who are unable to access this online training at home, time will be available for you to complete this in the church office. Please find time to complete the online training as soon as possible. While we understand that this may be a burden for some, please know that we are willing to help you get the necessary training so that we as a church are compliant with this new law. If you have any questions or concerns, please talk with one of the members of the Board of Christian Education or Pastor. Thank you!


PRAYER REQUESTS


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