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THIS WEEK AT IMMANUEL

Sunday (8/6)

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

Wednesday

• 7:00 pm—Bible History Class

Saturday

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

Sunday (8/13)

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

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IN OUR PRAYERS

THE ANNOUNCEMENTS

NEXT WEEK’S READINGS . . . Jer 8:4–12; 1 Cor 12:1–11; Luke 19:41–48.

ABOUT THIS WEEK’S READINGS . . . “The master commended the dishonest manager for his shrewdness” (Luke 16:1–9). The steward’s shrewdness is praiseworthy for two reasons. First, he knew the master would be merciful. He trusted that the master would honor the debts he forgave in the master’s name. In the same way, though we have squandered our heavenly Father’s possessions in selfishness and sin, Jesus is the Steward who has canceled our debt, knowing that His forgiveness will be honored by the Father because of the holy cross. Secondly, the steward was shrewd in using oil and wheat to provide for his earthly welfare. So also do these earthly elements aid us when pressed into heavenly use in the anointing of baptism and the wheat of the Lord’s Supper. Those who have the Sacraments will have an eternal home when their earthly home fails. These provide us aid in times of temptation (1 Cor. 10:6–13). For the Lord is our strength and a shield to all who trust in Him (2 Sam. 22:26–34).

THOUGHTS ABOUT STEWARDSHIP . . . Luke 16:8 “For the sons of this world are more shrewd in dealing with their own generation than the sons of light.” Money is a tool that can be used for good or wicked purposes. Often unbelievers show more shrewdness in this than we Christians. If we really believe all that stuff we say in the Creed every Sunday . . . won’t that affect how we use our money?

PARENT MEETING FOR SUNDAY SCHOOL . . . will be on Sunday, August 27, following the Divine Service during the Bible Class hour. This is a time to register your child for Sunday School, hear about what will be studied and how you can aid their learning, and get other helpful information.

FIRST DAY OF SUNDAY SCHOOL . . . is Sunday, September 10. The opening begins at 10:20 am in the Sanctuary. Music will be in the choir loft. And then classes in the Sunday School classrooms.

CID GOLF FUNDRAISER . . . the Lutheran Legacy Foundation is hosting a golf scramble at Hickory Point in Forsyth, Illinois, on Friday, September 15. The fee is $65.00 with any further donations going directly to Camp CILCA and CILCA Endowment Fund. You may email your registration to: revdms@gmail.com.

CONTRIBUTIONS & ATTENDANCE . . . Total YTD offerings $92,400.18, YTD expenses $102,994.82 through 6/30/2023. Average weekend attendance for June, 66.

HELP-A-CHILD FUND . . . The jug to collect milk money for Northward will be set out since school is about to start. The Board of Mission and Evangelism has been in contact with the school about where the funds are needed most. So, the funds collected in the milk money jug will go toward the “Help-A-Child Fund” this year. Thank you for your ongoing support.

WHY? . . . Why is the Triple Hallelujah sung before the Gospel? The Hebrew word Hallelujah means “Praise God,” and is carried into the Latin tongue without translation as Alleluia. Its use in the medieval Roman Church was restricted to Eastertide, as an expression of the Church’s highest joy. It was sung with long musical phrases on a single syllable, as an expression of joy too deep for words, the joy of the resurrection of Christ. Our use of the Triple Hallelujah before the Gospel is a related use, since we know that our hearing of the words of Christ in the Gospel is nothing less than a hearing of the Resurrected One speaking among us. Such knowledge gives abinding joy, and thus it is fitting to rise in anticipation of the Gospel and to Hallelujahs. In the Western Church, we omit the Hallelujas from Septugesima until Easter as a kind of fast. There is even an ancient hymn sung for Septuagesima which bids farewell to the Hallelujah. This serves to make the anticipation for Easter, and the joy of Easter, all the greater. The joy of Christ’s resurrection can scarcely be better expressed than by simple Hallelujahs.

NOT ASHAMED CONFERENCE . . . Registration is open to everyone. Join us to hear about sharing the Good News of Jesus in a bad-news world. Tell your friends, family, and neighbors. Registration is free but limited. Register at this website: https://immanueltuscola.org/not-ashamed-conference/

ALTAR GUILD . . . We are still in need of volunteers to help caring for the vessels after the Sacrament for the months of August through November. Please sign up on the sheet in the Narthex.

THE ALTAR FLOWERS . . . are given by Tom and Ruth Bretz to the glory of God in honor of their 47^th wedding anniversary.

SATURDAY NIGHT SERVICE . . . on Saturday, August 26, will be canceled. In consultation with the Board of Elders, Pastor encourages all members to worship together as one family on Sunday, August 27 and attend Bible Class after service to discuss what was learned at our one-day conference with Rev. Dr. Koontz and talk about what we might incorporate from it in our ministry to Douglas County.

PLEASE . . . consider donating to the Immanuel Cooking Fund!  We use the money to purchase ingredients in order to make food for those in our congregation who we are blessing with a warm meal during a difficult time or just to show them we care. There is a box at the back of the church for your donations. Thank you!

MARK YOUR CALENDARS . . . for Saturday, September 9 at 9:00 AM as our next cooking day at Immanuel. Many hands make light work! We use these meals to bless those in our congregation who may need extra love during a difficult time or to show them how much we care as their church family. No need to bring anything, except maybe an apron. If you have questions, please talk to Ann Carroll or Lauren Braaten.

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CHURCH MEMBER INFORMATION UPDATE

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PRAYER REQUESTS

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