EMMANUEL EVANGELICAL LUTHERAN CHURCH Mission: "To Share God's Salvation with Everyone! Second Sunday in Advent December 4, 2016 WELCOME VISITORS! We are glad to have you with us today and pray our service is a blessing to you. It is our sincere hope that you will come to worship with us again. SECOND SUNDAY IN ADVENT Malachi 4:1 6 Romans 15:4 13 Luke 21:25 36 The Lord Comes on the Last Day The day on which our Lord returns will be a great and awesome day (Mal. 4:5). For He will come in a cloud with great power and glory. To the wicked and the proud, it will be a Day of Judgment that will set them ablaze (Mal. 4:1). The signs preceding this Day will bring them fear and fainting. But to those who believe, who fear the name of the Lord, this Day is one to look forward to and rejoice in:... straighten up and raise your heads, because your redemption is drawing near (Luke 21:28). Christ our Redeemer is coming; the Sun of Righteousness will bring healing in His wings. Let us, then, give attention to the words of the Lord, which do not pass away. Let us through endurance and through the encouragement of the Scriptures (Rom. 15:4) be strengthened in our hope by the Holy Spirit and watch diligently for Jesus coming. Then, by God s grace, we shall escape all these things that will come to pass and stand before the Son of Man. Everyone His Witness John the Baptist was sent by God to prepare the way for the first coming of His Son as the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world. We, like John the Baptist, have the opportunity to give a bold witness to Jesus, our Savior, who wants all people to be saved and come to the knowledge of the truth. May the Holy Spirit bless our witness and use it to change hearts for eternity. Page 1
THOSE NEEDING OUR DAILY PRAYERS THIS WEEK: Death: Family & friends of Charlene Montgomery (sister of Chuck Strode) who died Sat., 11/26; Hospitalized: Dorothy Gari; Recovery: Al Burmeister, Joe Prieto, Marianne Stephens, Leah Paulson (Lois Patzer s cousin); On-Going Care: Steven Fahnestock, Mary Flatt, Susan Gordon, Dave Gumz, Alex & Alma Schmalz; Homebound: Dorothy Gari, Louise Reim, Dorothy Straits; Mission: LCMS missions in Peru, South America; our sister LCMS congregations: Hope Lutheran Church, Aurora, IL Pastor Fritz & his wife Sharla; Radio Ministry; For Janet Acosta & family during this holiday season. FLOWERS are given to the glory of God by Bill & Rosemary Swenson for all of God s blessings. THE RADIO BROADCAST today is being sponsored to the glory of God by Marlys Odean in memory of Walter Odean's entry into eternal life on December 9, 2014. Classes Everyone is welcome and encouraged to attend. SUNDAY ADULT BIBLE CLASS- Undercroft-10:30 am Topic: The Book of Galatians SUNDAY SCHOOL Church Library-10:30 am TUESDAY BIBLE CLASS - Church Library-9:30 am Topic: The Book of Revelation MEN S BIBLE BREAKFAST - the first Saturday of each month at 8:00 am at Maxfield s Pancake House & Restaurant located the corner of Montgomery Rd. & Ogden Ave (Rt. 34) Topic: The Gospel of Mark Page 2
Mission Corner Rev. Joshua and Amanda Gale serve the Lord as career missionaries of The Lutheran Church Missouri Synod in Peru. In this role, Joshua plants new churches and mission centers in Lima, Peru. He forms and develops groups of believers into mature, self-sustaining and self-replicating congregations through Word and Sacrament ministry. Joshua is from Danville, Ill., and his home congregation is Trinity Lutheran Church in Bloomington, Ill. He earned his bachelor s degree in philosophy at Illinois State University, Normal, Ill., and his M.Div. from Concordia Theological Seminary in Fort Wayne, Ind. Before becoming a career missionary, Joshua served as a missionary pastor with Philadelphia Lutheran Ministries (2011-2013). Amanda grew up in Normal, Ill. In his free time, Joshua loves to read, while in her free time, Amanda loves to read and cook. Joshua and Amanda both love spending time with their two beautiful children, Katharina and Zechariah. Please pray for Joshua and Amanda as they serve the Lord in Peru. Ask God to give them and their children peace as they transition to life in Peru, learning the culture and the Spanish language so they may effectively communicate the Good News of Jesus Christ. Please pray that the Holy Spirit works mightily through the reading and proclamation of the Word to create and sustain faith in the hearts of those individuals who hear it. In addition, please ask God to strengthen and give joy to Joshua has he works to plant new churches and mission centers. Let us give thanks that Joshua and Amanda have answered the call to serve God s children in Peru! Page 3
Emmanuel News & Events EMMANUEL OUTREACH VIA ELECTRONIC MEDIA: Now you can listen to the recording of the Sunday Morning Adult Bible Class online by visiting the Emmanuel webpage www.emmanuellutheranaurora.com. You can also download the study guide with Bible verses. One important feature is that you can ask questions and make comments about the study to engage in conversation with people who listen. Invite your friends to attend the online class and join in the conversation. WHEN YOU TRAVEL ANYWHERE you may listen to the service online at http://www.wbig1280.com Click on the Listen Live button in the upper right hand corner of the page. FELLOWSHIP AFTER CHURCH: Join us after the worship service for coffee and fellowship in the Undercroft. PLEASE SUBMIT ITEMS & PRAYER REQUESTS for the bulletin by 11:00 am on Thursday. BIBLE CLASS will follow the Voters Meeting today, time permitting. 2017 ENVELOPES: The 2017 Envelopes are available in the Undercroft. NOTE: Envelope numbers have been reassigned. Please start using the new envelopes on January 1 st. NEW ISSUES of Strength for the Day are available in the Narthex and on the back door table. ADVENT DEVOTIONAL BOOKLETS are available on the table in the Narthex and on the back door table. HELPING HANDS is a group that works on sewing projects for missions. They will meet on Tues., Dec. 6 th after Bible class at 12:00 pm. Please bring a sack lunch. Page 4
CHRISTMAS CHOIR: We are again putting together a choir to sing for Christmas Day. The rehearsals will be held on Sunday, December 11, 18 and 25 at 8:15 AM in the balcony. Anyone wishing to sing is welcome to join us for these rehearsals. Please consider joining us. JANET ACOSTA is looking for sitters that could watch any or all of her children during any of the hours of 5 pm to midnight on Fridays and/or from noon to midnight on Saturdays, so she can work. Any hours you or someone you know, can give would be greatly appreciated so she can make as much money as possible as the family is going through tough times. THANK YOU to everyone who worked to put up the church's Christmas decorations: Kurt Chione, Beth, Bob & Rob Meier, Jean Meyer, Gary Moore, Mark Moser, Jan Pittman, Denise Pryor, Andi & Tim Seifrid, Shirley Stallmann, and Bill & Rosemary Swenson. Your time is much appreciated! LCMS News & Events FOR ITS 10 th ANNIVERSARY, the Lutheran Service Book (our hymnal) will be on sale for $20.00 ($5.99 off regular price) at Concordia Publishing House from now until Ash Wednesday. SACRED MUSIC for the world: Listen at www.lutheranpublicradio.org and on the LPR mobile app. Local News & Events DO IT YOUSELF MESSIAH will be held at 3:00 pm today at Our Savior Lutheran Church, 420 W. Downer Place, Aurora, IL. Admission is free; donations are welcome. A reception is provided. See flyer on Narthex and Undercroft bulletin boards for more details. Page 5
Those serving in today s service: 12/4/2016 Preacher: Rev. Michael Graham Elder: Gary Moore Communion Assistant: Jim Davis Radio Announcer: Art Cooper Oil Candle Care: Art & Joyce Cooper Altar Care: Joyce Cooper Flower Care: Janice Pittman Ushers: Paul Odean, captain; Jaime Graham, Michele Odean, William Swenson Those serving in next Sunday s service: 12/11/2016 Preacher: Rev. Michael Graham Elder: Jim Davis Communion Assistant: Gary Moore Radio Announcer: Margaret Bauman Oil Candle Care: Art & Joyce Cooper Altar Care: Joyce Cooper Flower Care: Jill Hauser Ushers: Mark Moser, captain; David Gumz, Jack Hauser, Cole Stephens Page 6
THIS WEEK AT EMMANUEL December 4, through December 11, 2016 TODAY 9:00 am Divine Service w/communion 10:30 am Bible Class (time permitting) 10:30 am Sunday School 10:30 am Voter s Meeting-Elections 1:00 pm Altar & Flower Guild Christmas Party Tuesday 9:00 am Morning Prayer Office 9:30 am Bible Class 12:00 pm Helping Hands 12:00 pm Church Council Meeting Wednesday 10:00 am Advent Morning Service 7:00 pm Advent Evening Service Sunday 8:15 am Choir Practice 9:00 am Carol Service w/communion 10:30 am Bible Class 10:30 am Sunday School LWML Mites Sunday Next Sunday: Third Sunday in Advent Readings: Isaiah 40:1-8, 1 Corinthians 4:1-5, Matthew 11:2-10 + + + + EMMANUEL EVANGELICAL LUTHERAN CHURCH LUTHERAN CHURCH - MISSOURI SYNOD (LCMS) Parish Office Hours: 9 am 2 pm / Tuesday-Friday 550 Fourth Avenue, (Jackson St.), Aurora IL 60505-4860 Office Phone: 630-851-2200 / Fax: 630-851-7269 Website: www.emmanuellutheranaurora.com Emergencies after hours call Rev. Michael Graham at 630-806-8241 Live Broadcast of Sunday Service @ 9am on WBIG, 1280AM Listen online at http://www.wbig1280.com ISSUES, ETC. can be heard Mon.-Fri. from 3-5 at www.issuesetc.org. + + + + Page 7
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