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Immanuel News & Notes (Trinity 8)

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THIS WEEK AT IMMANUEL

Saturday (7/24)

  • 1:00 pm—Open House for Jim Harbaugh’s 90th Birthday
  • 3:30 pm—Individual Confession and Absolution
  • 5:30 pm—Divine Service with Holy Communion

Sunday (7/25)

  • 7:30 am—Divine Service of the Word (On-Line Video)
  • 9:00 am—Divine Service with Holy Communion
  • 10:30 am—Bible Class
  • 3:00 pm—Installation of Rev. Andy Herzberg (St. John, Mattoon)

Wednesday

  • 7:00 pm— NO Bible History Class

Saturday

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

Sunday (8/1)

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

IN OUR PRAYERS

HEALTH CONCERNS: Bernita Ashwill; Connie Bruns (cousin of Mary Appleby); Lynn Corrie (friend of Arleigh Jones); Ellie Crawford (daughter of Laran Crawford); Leona Czerwonka; Lynn Davis (cousin of Mark Whitson); Cindy Ekstrom; Lisa Hall (sister of Holly Wikoff); Rick Hardesty (family of the Hoels); Forrest Harvey (son of John Harvey); Kim Hausman (friend of Ann Carroll); Deanna Henningsen (sister-in-law of Jerry & Joyce Alexander); Reuben Hostetler; Mary Miller (friend of David Holzrichter); Mary Negangard (grandmother of Bryce Reifsteck); Dennis Pickett (friend of Ann Carroll); Cary & Beth Rahn; Joan Rahn; Jody Reifsteck (mother of Bryce Reifsteck); Emma Silver; Ocil Slone (grandfather of Josh & Jake Dyer); Joy Stenger; Carolyn Stremming (sister-in-law of Arleigh Jones); Doris Threet (sister of Wanda Long);Debbie Tiffan (friend of Deborah Reifsteck); Aurelia Tuegal (grandmother of Bethany Campbell); Bob Vukelich; Brian Walker (uncle of Bryce Reifsteck); Pete Walker (friend of Glenda Rahn); Lynn & Jane Whitson (parents of Mark Whitson); Dennis Wiltzius (father of Michelle Stumeier).

SEMINARY STUDENT: Gunnar Campbell; Logan Smith.

DEACONESS STUDENT: Emily McLean.

MISSIONARIES: The Naumann Family; The McDermott Family, Julie Lutz

HOMEBOUND: Bernita Ashwill; Leonard Boerngen; Jim Harbaugh; Janet Pollock; Ruth Rentschler; Ruth Sims; Irene Wattjes.

MILITARY: Carl Crawford; Josh Dyer; Jeremy Gordon; Jack Leonard; Jake Lindgren; Raymond Longtin; Joey Pollock; Blake Stokes; Scott Walter; 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 ALTAR FLOWERS . . . are given by Corkie Fields to the glory of God on the occasion of his and Theresa’s wedding anniversary.

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

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

MONTHLY BIBLE CHALLENGE . . . Beginning February 1, join the Board of Christian Education as we begin to read the entire Bible over the next 12 months. Recognizing that God chose each Book of the Bible to be included, this is an opportunity to read portions of the Bible we may not often read and learn things we may not have known before. This is also a great way to get the full picture of our rich history and events that have taken place, increasing our faith, knowledge and wisdom. Each month a daily reading map will be available at the church and online at Immanuel’s website under the News tab (immanueltuscola.org). The August reading list is now available! We look forward to learning with you!

SIGN UP FOR PEACE MEALS . . . August is again Immanuel’s month for Peace Meal delivery. Meals are delivered to homes Monday through Friday. Deliveries are easier for two people to do together and take one to two hours (depending on how much visiting with recipients you do). Volunteers are needed. You make volunteer to take a day or more, or even a week. A generous long-time volunteer has already spoken for the third week of August. All other days are open. If interested in helping, please contact Joyce Alexander (217) 493-9015. Thank you.

WHY? . . . Why do we sing “Lord, have mercy” right after the Introit? The words “Lord, have mercy” are a translation of the Greek Kyrie eleison, which is why this part of the Divine Service is call “the Kyrie” (pronounced kee-ree-yay). Since the Introit is the “entrance,” wherein we all enter by faith into the presence of the living God, it is most appropriate for us to utter these words at once: “Lord, have mercy!” If even people as pious as Isaiah (see Isa 6:5) or St. Peter (see Luke 5:8) find themselves woefully and miserable out of place in the presence of the holy God, certainly it is right for us to see ourselves in this way, upon first entering into His sacred presence in the Divine Service. But we also rightly cry at once for mercy, using the very same words as blind Bartimaeus, the ten lepers, and others who were brought to Jesus. We cry for mercy in the sure confidence that we shall receive it, for God is merciful and ends to His people. Our crying out for mercy immediately upon entering the holy place by faith indicates our awareness both of our own unrighteousness, and of the righteousness which He freely gives to us who claim no merit of our own.

PASTOR BRAATEN WILL BE OUT OF THE OFFICE . . . July 26–29, presenting at The Bugenhagen Conference in Racine, Wisconsin. If you need assistance you may contact him on his mobile phone or call one of the Elders (Jack Appleby, Bryce Reifsteck, Joshua Whitson, or Mark Whitson).

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

CHURCH MEMBER INFORMATION UPDATE


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