WELCOME to our guests. Please complete the “Record of Fellowship” and/or sign our narthex guest book.  NURSERY available in church lower level during Sunday worship; “Wee Ones” care during Bible Class.  SOUND:  Special hearing devices available (ask usher). LARGE PRINT bulletin copies and COPIES of the worship services and sermons (cassettes, VCR tapes, DVDs, printed sermons and E-Mail sermons) are available.  IMAGES:  Our services are taped on DVD and/or VCR devices and are considered as public “exhibitions,” including presentation on radio and Cable TV.  By their presence, participants agree to the recording and display of these images.   

WELCOME to Immanuel Lutheran Church.  As the summer continues we find that our church body has completed its convention and that the youth and young people of our church have now gathered in New Orleans for a special time of study, worship and growth.  In essence, we find our entire church body sitting like Mary at the “feet of Jesus.”  We need to be careful that we do not follow the example of Martha and end up simply being “busy and troubled” about many things.  Please carefully and prayerfully consider the Bible studies available so that together we can focus on the “one thing needful.”  (Luke 10:38-42)
                 --Pastor Willis R. Schwichtenberg and Pastor Richard “Ros” Schultz 

THE LUTHERAN DIGEST: The summer issues have arrived! The Digest is now being published and printed by a new publisher after being sold this past year – changes have been made – there’s color on the inside pages – new stories including this meaningful quote by Mark Twain “Kindness is the language which the deaf can hear and the blind can see” and much more!  Be sure you pick up your free copy of this beautiful little booklet made possible by the advertisers printed inside.   

Our Small Group and Sunday Morning Bible Studies

SERVING NEXT SUNDAY, July 25, 2010

+ + IN HONOR AND REMEMBRANCE + +

Today’s Altar Flowers are placed by the Concordia Society and the Fideles Circle with love and honor to God our Heavenly Father for all blessings.                   

This week’s Eternal Light Candle is provided by the people of Immanuel Lutheran Church.

Today’s “Introspect” program is given in memory of Wayne Krueger by his family and friends.

Weekly Memorial and Special Gift Opportunities:  Altar Flowers ($15 for two side bouquets; $12.50 for center compote)…Eternal Light Candle ($12 each)…Weekly Bulletin ($15 each)…Introspect Radio ($36 each week).  Thank you for your support! 

OUR PRAYERS:  Those who have been sick or in the hospital or recovering from surgery this past week, including Pauline Hyle, Harrell Wiggins, Bob Wiederholtz, Curt Hollister, Marty Staska, David Schopf, Ethel Hollister, Amanda (Hollister) Collier, Baby Scott Collier, Bill Daughenbaugh, Geraldine Loppnow…for our Youth Gathering participants as they return home on Thursday…thanksgiving to our God for the completion of our Synodical convention…for our new Synodical president, Pastor Matthew Harrsion…for our shut ins and homebound…for all dealing with financial problems…for marriages in crisis…for the ability to share our faith in Jesus by what we do and say…for proper use of our TALENT…the fruit of the Spirit which is …GENTLENESS…for proper use of the Gift of the Holy Spirit which is …COUNSEL…for our Board of Elders…for the mission and ministry of Immanuel. 

PLANNING MEETING:  Our annual Administrative Planning meeting with a focus on the calendar and plans for the “new year” (August 2010-December 2011) will be on July 27.  Boards, officers and groups should submit their calendar items to Pastor Schultz, Pastor Schwichtenberg, Mike Welton or Judy Stanton by next Sunday. 

LAST DAY—YOUTH SCHOLARSHIPS:  The Immanuel Lutheran Youth Board is offering scholarships to its student members to be applied to the cost of secondary school tuition, books, fees, supplies, housing, and transportation.  These scholarships are funded by the Crouse Endowment, which was given by a generous man who desired to build up young people in Jesus Christ. Applications are available and are due, today, July 18, with the scholarships to be presented during Sunday Worship next Sunday, July 25.  If you need an application, please see Karen Luedtke, or they are available in the church office.  We are so blessed to be able to give these scholarships.  Questions?  Contact Karen Luedtke @ 815.238.7606 or by email @ bennettk76@yahoo.com. Thank you all! 

LAST MINUTE Newsletter items for the August newsletter can be given to Pastor Schwichtenberg today. 

NEXT SUNDAY’S SCRIPTURES:  (July 25 – Proper 12) Psalm 138, Genesis 18:20-33, Colossians 2:6-15, Luke 11:1-13. 

REMINDER! When signing up for flowers on the chart in the narthex please remember to also inform Betty Schlosser by calling her at 815.235.372.  It saves her a few calls. Thanks. 

REGISTRATION: Watch for the letter with information for the 2010-2011 school year.   

DINING DAY to BENEFIT FACC: Tuesday, July 20, Imperial Palace will be hosting a Dining D ay to benefit the Freeport Area Church Cooperative. Ten percent of dine-in and carry-out sales will be donated. To make a reservation or place a carry-out, call (815) 233.5944. 

NEW VICAR:  Our vicar “to be”, Mr. Brian Weaver, from Dallas, Texas, will marry Victoria Standifer on August 8 and the Weavers will be moving to Freeport the week of August 17, with their tentative arrival with the truck on August 18.  We would need help unloading the truck that day—watch for information.  He would be installed on Sunday, August 22.  His area of work will be parish education, Faith Odyssey, family life, and assistance with ministry to youth and young adults.  

ICE CREAM SOCIAL: Our Redeemer Lutheran Church, corner of Empire and Blackhawk, will hold its social this Wednesday, July 21, 2010 from 4 – 7:30 p.m. Pie or cake and ice cream including coffee and lemonade is $3.00. Bar-b-ques, hot dogs, coney dogs, potato salad, baked beans, potato chips also available. Visit their “Country Fair.”

LIFE QUOTE: “The Bible tells us that only in the heavenly home will we come to know the meaning of perfection (Revelation 7:16-17). Our neighbors, whose beautiful little girl is suffering from a brain tumor, will not have to wonder why she should be afflicted in this way for there will be no disease and imperfections that we live with while here on earth. We will not see bodies dying of malnutrition, and no more tears will be shed…Is it no wonder that St. Paul, knowing the heavenly home awaited him, said, ‘For me to live is Christ, but to die is gain’ (Philippians 1:21).” Rev. Homer Larson, speaker on the Christian Crusaders radio program. Life Quote from-www.lutheransforlife.org. 

DIRECTORIES:  The Pictorial Directories are available on the table in the narthex.  If you had your picture taken, a book with your name has been placed on the table.  A limited number are available at a cost of $5 if you did not have your picture taken.  Please see Judy Stanton or stop in the school or church office. 

NEXT SUNDAY’S SCRIPTURES:  (July 25 – Proper 12) Psalm 138, Genesis 18:20-33, Colossians 2:6-15, Luke 11:1-13. 

LOST AND FOUND: The lost and found box in the church is BURSTING! This box is located on the shelf above the east coat rack in the narthex. Please check it and remove any of your belongings. Thanks. 

CANOE  TRIP:  How does paddling a canoe across a beautiful lake, portaging around some rushing waterfalls and listening to the loon’s call sound - fishing, swimming and cooking over a campfire and you’ve got a great time. Reservations require a $50 per person deposit. The tentative dates are September 4 – 12. Contact Stuart Luedtke at 815.297.4826 – smlforchrist@yahoo.com for more info.

This Week …

WELCOME:  We welcome into membership in the 10:30 service today by Profession of Faith, a former member of our congregation, Mr. John Nichols.  He was baptized at Immanuel on February 20, 1930 and confirmed his faith at Immanuel on April 2, 1939. 

OUR NEW FLAGS: The new American and Illinois state flags at the school are given in memory of Paul Klaus II by Paul and Beulah Klaus. We thank them for their donation! 

FLOCK A FRIEND:  What would your friends say to a flock of 24 pink flamingos on their lawn?  Surprise them for a special occasion or for a good laugh.  The 8^th graders have a flock and will send it out at your request for a $20 donation.  (You can also pay to “block the flock.”)  8^th grader Nolan Ruthe can send the birds flying at your request.  His number is 821-5929.  Proceeds benefit the Class Trip Fund. 

MEN’S SOFTBALL: The Immanuel/Redeemer I.C.A.A. softball team will play East Gate on Thursday, July 22 at the Taylor Park ball field beginning at 7:30 p.m. 

BASIC LAKE PARTY – Sunday, August 22 – anytime after 2:00 p.m. Boat rides, lake fun as weather permits, food, entire family welcome…please bring hot and cold dish to share, your own table service and drink, lawn chair, sun screen and relaxing thoughts. It’s at the Gray’s lake property at Lake Carroll. If you need directions call Carol Gray at 815.493.2606.  

FACC; Those in Need Don’t Get the Summer Off…Please remember FACC during summer months. With many in need (and numbers continue to rise), keep in mind those students receiving district-provided breakfasts and/or lunches during the school year – they may be in need of some extra help during summer months while at home. Please continue to give generously to FACC or bring non-perishable food items to place in the food barrel located in the link between our church and school. Thank You.  

FLOWER CHARTS:  The 2011 Flower Charts are posted on the kiosk in the narthex with carry-overs from this year. Check your dates to be sure they are correct for the 2011 year. If not, call Betty Schlosser, 815.235.3721.
 

Sermon for July 22, 2010

Immanuel’s Ministry By Manuscript
Immanuel Lutheran Church - Freeport, Illinois

The Rev. Dr. Willis R. Schwichtenberg, Pastor  

 “I Believe in Jesus Christ…Died”
(Fifteenth in a series of “Creedal Seeds”)
(Sixth in the series on Second Article) 

Grace, mercy and peace to you from God our heavenly Father and from our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. Amen.  

Our text for this evening is from the book of Romans, chapter 7, verse (24) What a wretched man I am!  Who will rescue me from this body of death? 

This is our text for the day.  In the Name of Jesus, dear friends in Christ.  I don’t think that any of us really like to talk about death and dying.  I know.  I know.  Sometimes when a person is in a nursing home or is gravely ill in the hospital or at home, death almost comes as a relief.  I have certainly seen it as a pastor.  And I’m sure that once in a while there is a family member who sees in the death of a loved one…almost a sense of relief. 

But I really think that times like this are rare.  I really don’t think that we like to talk about death that much…especially when we are in fairly good health…or especially when we are talking with our loved ones.  We want to keep them as long as humanly possible. 

When my father celebrated his 96^th birthday my brother, Bud, said to him, “Dad, I hope that you live to be a hundred.”  And my Father looked at him and said, “Don’t wish that on me.”  

Death is not an easy subject to discuss.  The other day in the grocery story I saw one of our Immanuel graduates and I asked him how his grandpa was doing and he said, “Oh, didn’t you know?  He passed away in early May.”  I did not know and I said to him, “I’m sorry at your loss.”  And he looked at me and said with a brave faith, “That’s OK; he’s in a better place.” 

It takes some faith to talk like this, doesn’t it?  And in tonight’s sermon we would talk about the next in our series of messages on the Second Article of the Apostles Creed…we are talking tonight about “I believe in Jesus Christ…died.”  We have talked about…

·         “I believe in Jesus Christ suffered under Pontius Pilate (we said two weeks ago)

·         and “I believe in Jesus Christ crucified we said last Thursday…

·         and, now, “I believe in Jesus Christ…Died.”   (repeat) 

            But the death of Jesus was different from any other death in the history of time.  Because of the reality of sin in the world…starting with Adam and Eve…all people have faced death.   

            And in our world today we are even trying to disguise death or to say that it is something different from what it really is.

·         Some people would say, “Oh, it’s natural.  It’s a natural part of life and living.”

·         Or they will say, “Everything dies.  So it’s simply something that we have to accept.”

·         Or they will try to gloss it over and say

·         “It is best.”

·         Or, “It is better.”

·         Or, “They are in a better place.”

·         Or, “Just accept it.”

·         Or whatever. 

            But death is not really natural.  Oh, it’s natural in the plant world and the animal world and, because of sin, it is even natural in the human world…but it’s not really what God intended for the world and for humans.  God really had other plans for us…to live forever…and these plans have been thwarted by

·         Sin

·         And the devil

·         And by death.

These are the so-called “unholy” three—sin and death and the devil. 

            But that’s really not what God wanted.  And it’s certainly not what Jesus wanted…and certainly not what God wanted for His son…for Jesus. 

            We read in Romans 5, verse (12) Therefore, just as sin entered the world through one man, and death through sin, and in this way death came to all men, because all sinned. 

            Death is not a natural part of life and living and it certainly wasn’t a so-called natural part of the life of Jesus Christ.   

            Later in the book of Romans in this same chapter, the Apostle Paul writes in verse (19) For just as through the disobedience of the one man the many were made sinners, so also through the obedience of the one man the many will be made righteous. 

            In the Apostles Creed when we said the words, “I believe in Jesus Christ…died” we making one of the most profound statements in all of human history. 

·         Jesus Christ is the Son of God.

·         Jesus Christ is the very Son of God.

·         True God and true man.

·         Truly divine and truly human.

(Pause)

So, how can God die?  How can God die? 

            And please don’t try to explain this away and don’t try to gloss it over…and don’t say, “Oh, the man part of Jesus died but the God part didn’t.”  Please don’t say that.  That’s not the point.  And that’s not very good theology.  It may be good human logic but it’s not good theology and it’s not really Biblical.  Jesus Christ in His incarnation cannot be separated.  Jesus cannot be divided into two beings because He is not.  He is one being, totally united in the incarnation…God becoming flesh.

·         And Jesus Christ was really conceived.

·         Jesus Christ was really born.

·         Jesus Christ really suffered.

·         Jesus Christ was really crucified.

·         And Jesus Christ really died. 

I know it’s illogical.  I know it’s scandalous.  I know it’s amazing.  I know it’s profound.  I know it’s impossible!  (Pause)  But I also know it is true. 

In I Corinthians chapter 15…the great resurrection chapter in the Bible…Paul writes in verse (3) For what I received I passed on to you as of first importance:  that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures (4) that He was buried, that He was raised on the third day, according to the Scriptures. 

I cannot begin to explain this fifth step down in what we call the “humiliation” of Jesus.  I can’t begin to explain it.  But I do believe it.  And I would encourage you that we all must do the same.  We simply believe it because this was the only way in which our sins could be paid for.  We simply believe it.  (Pause; slowly) We simply believe it. 

That’s why we boldly and carefully say, “I believe in...“I believe in Jesus Christ…

·         conceived

·         Born

·         Suffered

·         Crucified.

·         Died. 

I pray my friends in Christ, that this is what we believe and this faith is ours as we repent of our sins and lay them at the feet Jesus. And it’s ours as we receive that forgiveness that only Jesus can give to us, through the power of His Holy Spirit.

            May God grant this to us for Jesus’ sake.

Sermon for July 18, 2010

Immanuel’s Ministry By Manuscript
Immanuel Lutheran Church - Freeport, Illinois

The Rev. Dr. Willis R. Schwichtenberg, Pastor  

“Mary Has Chosen What Is Better”
(based on Luke 10:38-42; especially verse 42)

            Grace, mercy and peace to you from God our heavenly Father and from our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.  Amen.   

            Our text for today’s sermon message is the Gospel lesson for today…and especially the words of Jesus in verse (42) But only one thing is needed.  Mary has chosen what is better, and it will not be taken away from her.  This is our text for the day! 

In the Name of Jesus, dear friends in Christ.  You can find anything on the Internet.  Even lists of excuses for not going to church.  One such site that I checked out this past week was “The Mother of All Excuses Place.”  It was actually a site for a variety of excuses that people use and make…and it had a special section for excuses for missing church…some 180 excuses.  Here’s a few. 

Number 15.  It’s boring.

Number 24.  I don’t have time for God.

Number 46.  I don’t want to be around a bunch of Bible thumpers.

Number 51.  I don’t like the songs we have to sing.

Number 74.  The pews are too hard.

Number 81.  They’re always asking me for more of my money.

Number 95.  (And I toned this one down a bit) The guy I was with last night…you know…what’s his name…couldn’t tell me where the nearest church was…heathen that he must me.

Number 107.  I’m sorry I can’t come to church because I’m all out of peanut butter.  It doesn’t have anything to do to keep you from going to church but it is just as good of an excuse as any of the others.

Number 125.  I didn’t go to church because I had a dream.  God was in it and He said not to go!

Number 160.  I felt compelled by the Holy Spirit to go fishing.

Number 167.  The pastor works on the Sabbath (Day)!  What a hypocrite!

Number 180.  I might get saved and have to go all the time. 

            Some of these excuses would be funny…if they weren’t so sad.  Some of us could probably add to the list.  And I doubt that any of us have to come up with more reasons about not going to church or Bible study.   

            In our text for today the words of Jesus in our “Finishing Touches” message are very simple.  Very simple indeed.  Mary has chosen what is better.  And, by the way, this was not the Virgin Mary or Mary Magdalene…it was another Mary…part of a family of three who were good friends with Jesus…Mary and Martha and Lazarus. 

            And Martha…sometimes the “goat” or “scapegoat” of this story…was really a pretty good and nice lady.  She was “open”…”open” to Jesus.  We read in verse (38) As Jesus and His disciples were on their way, He came to a village where a woman named Martha opened her home to Him.” 

            Now, the Bible doesn’t say whether or not all of the company of the disciples came to Martha’s home…I think that maybe they did…and this would mean even more work.  But note that Martha was such an “open” person and note that you and I definitely have a need to be “open” to. 

            We need to be open to the special work of Jesus.  We need to be open about going to church and Bible study.  And, yes, we need to be “open” to our brothers and sisters in Christ.  Now, not everyone of us would be able to entertain people…or to entertain “angels” like Abraham did in our Old Testament lesson for today…that Abraham entertained “angels unaware” as the King James Version translates in Hebrews 13, verse (2) Do not forget to entertain strangers, for by so doing some people have entertained angels without knowing it. 

            But Martha definitely had that gift of hospitality…and then some.  And I guess that we could ask the question about what we can learn from this?  But Martha had a deeper problem.  She was so caught up in the logistics of the situation that she didn’t notice the Lord Jesus who was sitting in her home.  We read in verse (39) She had a sister called Mary who sat the Lord’s feet listening to what He said.  (40) But Martha was distracted by all the preparations that had to be made.  She came to (Jesus) and asked, “Lord, don’t you care that my sister has left me to do the work by myself?  Tell her to help me!” 

            Now, is there anything wrong with cooking and cleaning?  Hardly.  And I’m certainly not suggesting that we should neglect our home or the work that needs to be done around the house.   

But…but…there is a big difference between making a living and making a life.  There is a big difference in being busy and in spending time…real time…with family and friends.  And there’s a time and a place for everything.  And Martha’s problem was a problem of timing.  A problem of timing.  Verse (41) Martha, Martha,” the Lord answered, “you are worried and upset (busy and troubled) about many things, (42) but only one thing is needed. 

There is a need to choose what is better.  There is a need to choose what is better.  And what was better…and what is better…was sitting there…what was and is better was sitting there in front of Mary…and in front of Martha too.  And, yes, in front of us, too! 

We read in verse (42) but only one thing is needed.  Mary has chosen what is better, and it will not be taken away from her. (repeated)   

And why is this better?  There’s nothing wrong with serving, of course, and this was the point of the parable of the Good Samaritan that we considered last Sunday.  There’s nothing wrong with serving and helping and taking care of what needs to be done.  In fact, what Martha was doing was not wrong.  It was her timing. 

And the point that Jesus is making here is the point of listening to and responding to the Savior of the world who gave His very life in payment of and for our sins. 

Doing the dishes and sweeping the floor and organizing the kitchen and baking and cooking and dusting and cleaning are all good.  But if we miss Jesus teaching and preaching and suffering under Pontius Pilate and crucified and dying on the cross in payment of our sins because we’re too busy with the mundane things of life…we haven’t just missed a little…we have missed it all…and can’t “TiVo” life and turn back time and start over…we have missed it all.  We have missed it all. 

            Jesus said, as recorded in verse (42) but only one thing is needed.  Mary has chosen what is better, and it will not be taken away from her. 

            I can’t really stress and emphasize this enough.  Weekly worship of our Lord is not just a commandment or a suggestion…it is one of the most important things that we do.  It isn’t just something to keep the church going or to provide some relief from the problems of the world…it needs to become the very fabric of our being. 

            The other commandments—four through ten--are filled with things to do and not to do that have a moral dimension and a profound effect on the character of our being…killing and stealing and gossiping and so forth.  But the Third Commandment, on the other hand, is about expressing to our God our faithfulness and obeying what He would have us do. 

            When Jesus was saying, “Mary has chosen what is better” Jesus was saying it all.

·         Worship is better. 

·         Study of God’s Word is better. 

·         Yes, helping others in the Name of the Gospel of Jesus Christ is better. 

·         Listening to and modeling Jesus is better. 

            So, how do we learn and grow?  Well, the dishes and the house cleaning and the cooking and the dusting and the laundry and mowing the lawn and taking out the garbage would still be there when Jesus was done teaching.  Such things are always there. But, armed with the Gospel of Jesus Christ…armed with our faith…armed with a new resolve from God the Holy Spirit…we can do our tasks with a new sense of purpose. 

            And that happens as we confess our sins…as we repent of them…and as we believe the Gospel…the Good News that Jesus Christ is our Savior and Lord.  May God grant this to us for Jesus’ sake.  Amen.
 

Sermon for July 15, 2010

Immanuel’s Ministry By Manuscript
Immanuel Lutheran Church - Freeport, Illinois

The Rev. Dr. Willis R. Schwichtenberg, Pastor  

 “I Believe in Jesus Christ…Crucified”
(Fourteenth in a series of “Creedal Seeds”)
(Fifth in the series on Second Article)

Grace, mercy and peace to you from God our heavenly Father and from our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. Amen.  

Our text for this evening is Luke chapter 23, verses (32) Two other men, both criminals, were also led out with (Jesus) to be executed. (33) When they came to the palce called the Skull, there they crucified Him, along with the criminals—one on His right, the other on His left. (34) Jesus said, “Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing.” And they divided up His clothes by casting lots. 

In the Name of Jesus, dear friends in Christ. How do you like your hamburgers or brats? Rare? Medium? Well done? I’m not sure that too many of us like our brats rare. But some would like a nice steak or hamburger rare or medium…and some like it well done or very well done. Some, not too many, like it when you can see red or pink in the middle of the hamburger or steak or even red juices running out. Whoa. I’m getting a little too specific, don’t you think? 

Many of you who worship with us regularly on Thursday night know that Pastor Schultz and I are committed to a lengthy series of messages on the Apostles Creed that we are calling “Creedal Seeds.” Tonight’s message on the second article is the fourteenth message in that series and the fifth on the Second Article of the Apostles Creed. 

Our messages have been
• “I believe in Jesus Christ” and we looked at the names “Jesus” and Christ…
• And we had “I believe in Jesus Christ…conceived”
• “I believe in Jesus Christ…born”
• And “I believe in Jesus Christ…who suffered under Pontius Pilate.”
• And tonight our theme is “I believe in Jesus Christ…Crucified.” 

When Diane Dietmeier and I met yesterday to discuss our worship services for tonight and Sunday when I said, “The Thursday theme is ‘Jesus Christ Crucified’” she just sort of looked at me as if to say, “That’s going to be pretty heavy for an outdoor service” or she gave me that look, “That’s going to be pretty dry, pastor” or “Do you really want to do that?” 

I remember in the old church on South Chicago Avenue that we had a guest speaker for mission Sunday about 20 years ago…and I’m not sure why he did this…because it wasn’t the season of Lent…it was in September when our mission Sunday is usually held…but he went into a rather gory and graphic description of the crucifixion…and the medical and biological aspects of this horrible way to die and the terrible suffering that Jesus faced. He gave us way too much information. 

I remember this Sunday pretty well because 2 or 3 people literally got up and left the church…really…and I seldom hear very much about guest speakers…but after the service in the following week or two…several people spoke with me…several men, in fact…and a couple of the elders…but they spoke with me about how much they did not appreciate what this guest speaker said and did. They said that he had said too much about the “how’s” of the crucifixion. 

And I had to agree. It was just too much. Now, it wasn’t that what Jesus did and faced was not that tough. It was. The death of Jesus on the cross was a horrible experience. Horrible and excruciating. But I suppose that it’s possible to say too much about it or to be too graphic. 

I’ve said it several times from the pulpit and in other settings…that this was the beauty and the bane of Mel Gibson’s movie on the “Passion of the Christ.” (Well, Mel Gibson definitely has some banes and blessings of his own right now.) 

But the challenge of this movie was that we saw what really happened to Jesus. And in that aspect, I enjoyed (if I can use that word… enjoyed) the movie…but as I have said several times from the pulpit…I really don’t want to see the movie again. It really was too graphic…and I was almost reminded too much of what my Lord suffered for me. 

And other movies on the passion have not really done this to me. I think of “Jesus Christ: Superstar” and I love watching that movie…even the well-done crucifixion scene. Or the movie “The Greatest Story Ever Told” from several decades ago…pretty slow moving but pretty good.  

And I really liked Johnny Cash’s movie on the crucifixion of Jesus…called “The Gospel Road.” (In my first church in Wisconsin we actually rented the movie and got a movie projector…remember those?…and had a special showing in church.) 

Is it possible to be too graphic when we talk about Jesus Christ…crucified? Perhaps. Perhaps. In our annual depiction of the passion of Jesus we struggle a bit with this…especially the crucifixion scene and some of the events leading up to it. 

One year I had the idea to have the water turn red in the bowl as Pilate washed his hands. One of our cast members cautioned me to be careful and advised me not to do it.

Others have said that to have Jesus depicted in the nice white gown on the cross almost seems too pristine.  

But others don’t like it when we make the sounds of the nails which entered the hands of Jesus and secured him to the cross. Some think we should include the scene of Jesus being whipped. Others are glad that we do not include it. Some wouldn’t miss the drama on Maundy Thursday or the Tenebrae service on Good Friday and others literally refuse to come. 

One year as we were watching the crucifixion scene as we present it, one little child in the audience said the words, “Mommy, why are they killing that man?”

It was sort of funny…but sort of special. Why indeed were they killing this man? Why indeed were they killing Jesus when the events of the crucifixion unfolded? And we know that the answer is sin…and the reality of death…and the payment that Jesus made for our sins. 

The tension here is great. We have the tension of making the cross so pretty…so beautiful…so ornate…that we lose the reality of what happened to Jesus there. I’m sure that this is why some people don’t appreciate the crucifix in church…but others are saying, “Why not?” “Why not?” Some of us need to see what Jesus experienced. 

And I suppose that we can so totally remove the cross and crucifixion from the reality of suffering, that we can make Christianity into a beautiful but not very graphic religion. I suppose that we can so totally remove the cross and the crucifixion from the reality of suffering that we simply make the tenets of Christianity into a set of rules and regulations and make the Christian faith into a moral or intellectual decision, far removed from pain and suffering and death. 

I hope not. Christianity is not a moral or intellectual decision. Christianity is not a set of moral principles. In fact, we could speak very frankly of the scandal of the cross. Jesus really lived. And Jesus really died…much to the scandal of society and his followers. 

That’s why we boldly and carefully say, “I believe in...“I believe in Jesus Christ… crucified.” Jesus Christ Crucified. 

I pray my friends in Christ, that this is what we believe and this faith is ours as we repent of our sins and lay them at the feet Jesus. And it’s ours as we receive that forgiveness that only Jesus can give to us, through the power of His Holy Spirit.

May God grant this to us for Jesus’ sake. 

Sermon for July 4, 2010

Immanuel’s Ministry By Manuscript
Immanuel Lutheran Church - Freeport, Illinois

The Rev. Dr. Willis R. Schwichtenberg, Pastor 

“Rejoice That Your Names Are Written in Heaven”
(based on Luke 10:1-20; especially verse 20)

            Grace, mercy and peace to you from God our heavenly Father and from our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.  Amen.  Our text for today’s sermon message is the Gospel lesson for today…this account of Jesus sending out the 72 two by two…His instructions for them on what to do…and the great joy that they had as they returned… 

”Things are happening,” they said…”things are going on”…”We can’t believe what we saw”…and then the words of Jesus in verse (20) However, do not rejoice that the spirits submit to you, but rejoice that your names are written in heaven.  This is our text for the day! 

In the Name of Jesus, dear friends in Christ.  In our old church at 615 South Chicago Avenue we had a unique Baptismal font…it’s still there, by the way…and at the top of the font there was this angel…and I’m not sure about it…but when I would look at that angel, it seemed as if the angel had a long quill (or some kind of writing instrument) in his hand…and he seemed to be writing something…and it always reminded me of the Baptismal hymn that we used to sing in the old hymnal…

Dearest Jesus, we are here…

Gladly Thy command obeying…

and especially the last verse of the hymn…

Write the name we now have given…

Write it in the book of heaven.  (repeat) 

            When I read this verse from Luke chapter 10, verse 20, in preparation for this sermon, that little phrase came back to me as I considered the words of Jesus…(20) However, do not rejoice that the spirits submit to you, but rejoice that your names are written in heaven. 

These are the “finishing touch” words that we are considering this morning in this the fourth in our series of messages on the “Finishing Touches” of Jesus. 

Some years ago a famous television preacher made a serious charge about the church.  In his sermon he claimed that many people in the church act as if they are not saved.  “How do I know this?” he asked.  And he answered, “Because their lives are not different.”  Because their lives are not different. 

            Actually, this same idea came up in a recent Bible study.  One of the participants in the study asked the question of whether or not the people of the world can tell the Christian from the non Christian.  And that’s a good question indeed, isn’t it?  Can you tell a Christian from a non Christian? 

            Well, what would some of the criteria be? 
·         What we wear?
·         What we watch on TV? 
·         What movies we go to? 
·         What kind of books we read? 
·         What kind of language we use? 
·         What kind of scruples we have?   

Well, we hope so!  There’s a story of an elderly janitor who was serving in the church for many years.  And he had seen it all.  And it seemed over the years that when someone had a problem with the pastor or with an officer or with a Sunday School teacher or with anyone in the church, it seemed as if they would talk to the janitor about it. 

            And there wasn’t much that the janitor could do about it.  But often the janitor would go to the pastor and discuss what he was hearing.  Sometimes it was a major conflict.  Sometimes it was just pretty minor petty behavior or bickering.  Sometimes it didn’t even seem to be a problem. 

            Well, the janitor would share the concerns with the pastor and sort of shake his head as he would talk about all of the negative things that he had heard and then as he would get out of the chair and go to the door of the office he would always end his conversation with the same little litany or refrain.  He would turn to the pastor at the door and he would say, “I tell ya, I tell ya, if you can be a Christian in the church you can be a Christian anywhere.” 

            This little story raises this question about behavior... behavior of all kinds...and it reminds us of those 36 teams that returned from this every member visit that was anticipating the coming of Jesus.   

Jesus had given them some instructions on what to do and on what not to do.

The harvest is plentiful said Jesus in verse 2.

Pray to the Lord of the harvest said Jesus.

(Then) Go said Jesus.  Verse 3.

Don’t worry about purse or bag or sandals said Jesus.  Verse 4

Don’t greet anyone on the way said Jesus.  …Don’t get distracted Jesus was saying.

When you enter a house said Jesus in verse 5

First say, “Peace to this house.”

And stay there is this is a house of peace.

Eat what is set before you says Jesus, Verse 8.

Heal the sick…and tell them, “the kingdom of God is come near you.”  Verse 9. 

And so on.  And, wow, things really happen and the disciples come back “rockin’ and rollin”…but Jesus calms them down and brings them back to reality. 

I saw Satan fall like lightning from heaven Jesus says in verse 18.  And then He concludes in verse (20) However, do not rejoice that the spirits submit to you, but rejoice that your names are written in heaven.  

<Pause>  The disciples, I suggest, were very different at the end of that day.  Are Christians different?  <Pause> Are they supposed to be different?  The simple answer is this.  Yes.  Yes, they are.  Christians are to be different.  No, not weird.  Not misfits.  Not strange.  But different, yes.  Last Sunday in his message Pastor Schultz talked about this in terms of the phrase, “What Would Jesus do?”  And that’s something different. 

            I think that Jesus Himself in the Sermon on the Mount makes this very clear in some of the admonitions and encouragements that He gives, doesn’t He?  Just listen to a short list of some of these things that suggest that we are to be different.
·         “Blessed are you when people insult you and persecute you.”  (Matthew 5:11)  That’s different!
·         “You have heard that it was said...’Do not murder,’...but I tell you that anyone who is angry with his brother will be subject to judgment.” That’s different!  (Matthew 5:21-22)
·         “Settle matters quickly with your adversary who is taking you to court.”  (Matthew 5:25) That’s different!
·         “You have heard that it was said, ‘Do not commit adultery,’...but anyone who looks lustfully has already committed adultery.”  (Matthew 5:27,28) That’s different!

            Or how about these:
·         “Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you.”  (Matthew 5:44)
·         “Do not do your ‘acts of righteousness’...to be seen.”  (Matthew 6:1)
·         “But when you pray, go into your room, (and) close the door.”  (Matthew 6:6)

            And so forth.  Actually, we could spend our whole time today in the Sermon on the Mount talking about being different.  I haven’t even scratched the surface.  Christians are to be different. 

            But how different are Christians to be?  <Pause> How different?  I think that there is a real tension in our world today on this very issue.  Sometimes the media depicts Christians as being mindless robotic nerds who talk strange, dress strange, and in secret are bigoted or hiding grave character errors.  Now, I know that this is not true of every program, book, or magazine, but for many years this has been more of the rule than the exception. 

            But what should mark the people of God if they are really to be different?  I’m sure that we could come up with a host of suggestions…but here are just a few. 

First of all, we read in I Thessalonians chapter 4, verse (1) “Finally, brothers, we instructed you how to live in order to please God, as in fact you are living.”   If we are going to be different we need to “live in order to please God” not men.  Someone has said that to become a Christian does not mean to attain a certain degree of piety, or to become a moral superman.  It simply means to act like a normal human being and to rejoice in our salvation. 

            And to become such a human being is living to please God.  But of course, without the Holy Spirit working in my heart and life I’m not sure that I can answer this question.  But the Holy Spirit is working in my heart and life...and therefore I am different. 

            Again, I Thessalonians 4, verse 1, says “Finally, brothers, we instructed you how to live in order to please God, as in fact you are living.”  Christians are different because they live in order to please God. 

            And we read in verse 1 and on to verse 2, “Now we ask you and urge you in the Lord Jesus to do this more and more.  For you know what instructions we gave you by the authority of the Lord Jesus. 

            We are under the authority of Jesus Christ.  When Jesus stretched out His arms on the cross for us He was paying a price that goes beyond human comprehension.  He was claiming us.  He was dying for us.  And that’s different.  Different from any other religion.  Different from any other person in our life.  We are under the authority of Jesus Christ and that makes us different.  Verse (20) However, do not rejoice that the spirits submit to you, but rejoice that your names are written in heaven. 

            Also, as Christians we are sanctified.  We read in I Thessalonians chapter 4, verse (3) “It is God’s will that you should be sanctified.”  And that’s different too.  It is God’s will.  Not church rules.  Not rules from Pastor Schwichtenberg or Pastor Schultz or a Sunday School or Day School Teacher.  Not constitutional rules or even Synodical rules.  It is God’s will that we should be different...it is God’s will that we would be sanctified. 

            And in this same chapter in verse 4 and following the Apostle Paul talks about what this means in terms of our sexuality and our moral sense and sensibilities. 

            He writes:  (3) “It is God’s will that you should be sanctified:  (4) that you should avoid sexual immorality; that each of you should learn to control his own body in a way that is holy and honorable, (5) not in passionate lust like the heathen, who do not know God; (6) and that in this matter no one should wrong his brother or take advantage of him.”   

            Now, obviously, Paul is talking about bodily urges and so forth, but I think that he is being even more inclusive.  Moral decisions.  How we care for our health.  What we eat and drink.  Yes, Christians are to be different.   And he continues in verse 6: 

            (6) “The Lord will punish men for all such sins, as we have already told you and warned you.  (7) For God did not call us to be impure, but to live a holy life.” 

            Purity.  Purity in thought.  In actions.  In how we talk to people.  In our business dealings.  In our talk with people.  In our care and concern.  Verse (7) “For God did not call us to be impure, but to live a holy life.” 

            And he concludes in verse 8, “Therefore, he who rejects this instruction does not reject man but God, who gave you his Holy Spirit.” 

            And that’s our final point that I would mention.  Christians are different because they have the Holy Spirit.  It’s not our will... our good intentions...even our own spirit...that does these things.  It is God’s Spirit.  It is the Holy Spirit.  He is that who makes us different. 

            Oh, we are becoming different all the time.  And for some of us we are not as different as we should be.  But there is grace.  There is forgiveness.  And there is power.  Power to change.  Power to grow.  Power to be.  That’s why Jesus says, (20) However, do not rejoice that the spirits submit to you, but rejoice that your names are written in heaven. 

And I pray that we have that joy.  And it is ours as we repent of our sins.  And it’s ours as we receive that forgiveness that only Jesus can give…and it’s ours as we realize that our names are written in the book of heaven.  May God grant this to us for Jesus’ sake.  Amen. 

Sermon for July 1, 2010

Immanuel’s Ministry By Manuscript
Immanuel Lutheran Church - Freeport, Illinois

The Rev. Dr. Willis R. Schwichtenberg, Pastor 

“I Believe in Jesus Christ…
…Born of the Virgin Mary”
(Twelfth in a series of “Creedal Seeds”)
(Third in the series on Second Article)

            Grace, mercy and peace to you from God our heavenly Father and from our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.  Amen.   

            Tonight we return to our sometimes series on the Apostles Creed…and particularly the Second Article of the Creed (and this is the third in our series on the Second Article…) and the words “I believe in Jesus Christ…Born of the Virgin Mary.” 

This thought about the Virgin Birth is one that probably doesn’t bother or trouble many of us that much because we’ve recited it so many times in the Apostles Creed…and it has become a common phrase in our society and in our world.  The Virgin Birth. 

But for some people it becomes a real stumbling block in their understanding of God and in their understanding of the reality of

·         science

·         and biology

·         and order

·         and the very separation between God and humans. 

Does it bother you very much to say and to believe that Jesus was not born in the usual way?…that Jesus was born in a miraculous way?…and that from “day one” the very birth of Jesus becomes a matter of faith?  Does that bother you?   

You know what?...it doesn’t bother me that much.  I don’t know…maybe I’m not that deep…and, hey, if you believe in one miracle, you believe in all of them.  Don’t you? 

And, yet, some people react to this teaching and get very concerned and say, “Well, if Jesus was born in this miraculous way…then what about His mother…and His mother’s mother?  How were they born?” 

Well, I don’t think I even want to go there tonight…because we are not talking about other people.  And we’re not talking about his brothers or sisters or his mother or earthly father or the so-called “Immaculate Conception.”  We’re talking about Jesus.  And the birth of Jesus…the miraculous birth of Jesus. 

In the Apostles Creed when we say, “I believe in Jesus Christ…born of the Virgin Mary”

·         we are expressing a reality about prophecy…

·         a reality about the plans of God…

·         and the order of God…

·         and the timing of God…

·         and the grace of God…

·         and, yes, even the justice of God.   

It’s almost like an episode of “Mission Impossible.”  “Mr. Phelps, this mission, should you choose to accept it…”

(Long Pause)

“Mr. Christ…Mr. Jesus, this mission, should you choose to accept it…

Is to come to this earth which I created…

This earth that is covered in sin…

This earth that is filled with evil…

This earth and this people that has totally rebelled against me…

And your mission, should you chose to accept it,

Is to be born

And to live

And to teach

And to face humiliation

And rejection

And more

And to suffer

And to die

Your mission, should you choose to accept it,

Is to pay for the sins of this often rebellious and stubborn people

And your mission, should you choose to accept it,

Is to pay for their sins.

And if you are captured

Or killed.”

(Long Pause)

And if you are captured

Or killed

We in the eternal Trinity will choose to disavow that we even know You.”

(Long Pause)

“My God, my God, why have You forsaken me.” (Luke 27:46)

(Repeat)
(Pause) 

            Well, it’s hardly and scarcely an episode from “Mission Impossible”…and, yet, it is.  It is!  And one big difference in the TV program (and movie) is the fact that the tape did not self-destruct after the message was delivered…the words remain…the words remain…and we have them as recorded in pages of the sacred Scriptures…the Holy Bible. 

            We read in Luke chapter 1, beginning with verse (26) In the sixth month, God sent the angel Gabriel to Nazareth, a town in Galilee, (27) to a virgin pledged to be married to a man named Joseph, a descendant of David.  The virgin’s name was Mary.  (28) The angel went to her and said, “Greetings you who are highly favored!  The Lord is with you.” 

            (29) Mary was greatly troubled at his words and wondered what kind of greeting this might be.  (30) But the angel said to her, “Do not be afraid, Mary, you have found favor with God.  (31) You will be with child and give birth to a son, and you are to give him the name Jesus.  (32) He will be great and will be called the son of the Most High.  The Lord God will give him the throne of his father David, (33) and He will reign over the house of Jacob forever; His kingdom will never end.”  (34) “How will this be,” Mary asked the angel, “since I am a virgin?” 

            (35) The angel answered, “The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you.  So the holy one to be born will be called the Son of God.   

(36) Even Elizabeth your relative is going to have a child in her old age, and she who was said to be barren is in her sixth month.  (37) For nothing is impossible with God.”   

(38) “I am the Lord’s servant,” Mary answered.  “May it be to me as you have said.”  Then the angel left her. 

            But the story is not so much about Mary or the angel as it is about Jesus.  The story is about Jesus and the fact that He was born in a unique and unnatural way…and, yet, it is the fact that He was also born in a very common and ordinary way.  True God and truly human.  True God and truly and fully human. 

            And in the Apostles Creed when we say, “I believe in Jesus Christ, born of the Virgin Mary” we are really say both.

·         Unique and unnatural.

·         God’s one and only Son.

·         God’s only begotten Son.

·         And we are also saying,

·         Common and ordinary.

·         He was born.

·         He laughed.

·         He cried.

·         He did all of the things that human beings do.

·         And was even tempted.

·         He did all of the things that human beings do.

·         Yet... 

Yet, without sin…as it says in Hebrews 4, verse (15) For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but we have one who has been tempted in every way, just as we are—yet without sin.   

And it continues in verse (16) Let us then approach the throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need. 

That’s the grace that we have…and that’s the reason that we believe in the Virgin Birth…the fact that Jesus lived and died for you and for me…and the fact we have that grace because of God’s love for us. 

“I believe in Jesus Christ…born of the Virgin Mary.”  This is what we believe and this faith is ours as we repent of our sins and lay them at the feet Jesus.  And it’s ours as we receive that forgiveness that only Jesus can give to us, through the power of His Holy Spirit. 

May God grant this to us for Jesus’ sake.
 

Our last summer outdoor worship service for the season will be Thursday, August 19 at 6:30.  The pre-service food (5:30-6:30) will be served by the Board of Youth and, once again, Culvers is graciously providing ice cream after the worship service. Our Immanuel Praise Team will be presenting music and you will get your first chance to meet and greet the new vicar, Brian (and Victoria) Weaver. 

Our youth had an exciting time at the national LCMS Youth Gathering in New Orleans and they will be “reporting to the congregation on the activities during the Bible Class hour in the Fellowship Hall on Sunday, August 1 from 9:20-10:10.  Kerry Hoops will be leading the presentation and our youth will be sharing thoughts and showing slides and videos.  Plan to be a part of this exciting morning. 

The theme for this year’s Gathering was WE BELIEVE as the youth and leaders learned what it means to confess through our lives that we believe in Jesus Christ as our Savior.  The words LOOK, LISTEN, and LIVE were all important themes as more than 30,000 young people gathered for worship, study, fellowship and service. 

Once again this year on August 1 our congregation has the joy of welcoming members of our Board of Elders in leading our worship services.  Pastor Richard O. Schultz is preparing the sermon message and Pastor Willis Schwichtenberg will be preparing the order of service.  Dan Medler will be reading the sermon in the 8:00 service and Rick Andrews will be reading it in the 10:30 service.  Other elders assisting with the worship services will be David Schopf, Carl Zulke, and Shawn Boldt. 

Our Sunday classes in August and early September feature a variety of special gatherings, including a look at our theme for the new program year, welcoming of our new vicar and our teaching staff and a special fellowship hour on Labor Day weekend, as noted below: 

NEW VICAR:  The new vicar for Immanuel Lutheran Church and School is Mr. Brian Weaver, from Concordia Seminary, St. Louis.  He and his fiance, Victoria Standifer, who has been serving as a Director of Christian Education (DCE) in Abilene, will be married on August 8 and plan to move to Freeport August 16-18.  They are both 2008 graduates of Concordia College in Austin, Texas.  Vicar Weaver’s installation will be Sunday, August 22 and his ministry focus at Immanuel includes parish education, family life, Sunday School/Faith Odyssey, youth, and other regular vicarage duties.   

FLOCK A FRIEND:  What would your friends say to a flock of 24 pink flamingos on their lawn?  Surprise them for a special occasion or for a good laugh.  The 8^th graders have a flock and will send it out at your request for a $20 donation.  (You can also pay to “block the flock.”)  8^th grader Nolan Ruthe can send the birds flying at your request.  His number is 821-5929.  Proceeds benefit the Class Trip Fund.     

PLAYGROUND:  An Immanuel Lutheran School family has offered to match gifts to the proposed Immanuel playground climbing apparatus during this summer, for a total amount of up to $5000.  Envelopes marked “Immanuel Playground” or so designated in the “other” portion of the member envelopes will be matched.  The present wooden climber is 20 years old, and has served us well.  A new climber would be built, hopefully next spring.  An artist’s rendering of a proposed apparatus is in the school hallway.   

OUR NEW FLAGS: The new American and Illinois state flags at the school are given in memory of Paul Klaus II by Paul and Beulah Klaus. We thank them for their donation! 

PLANNING:  Our Church Council leaders are having a special planning meeting session Monday, August 16 beginning at 6:30 (with soup and sandwiches from 5:30-6:30).  The special meeting will replace the Council meeting for the month and will look at the new church theme and goals for the congregation for the future. The chairman of each board (or their representative) should make plans to attend this important meeting. 

CAFÉ VERITAS:  A video-based discussion gathering regularly takes place at 9 East Coffee.  It will be held Monday, August 9 and Monday, September 13 from 6:30-7:30 p.m.  All are welcome to discuss Biblical truths, led by Rick Andrews.  The coffee is free.   

CANOE  TRIP:  Still thinking about the August canoe trip set for September 4-12?  Contact Stuart Luedtke at 815.297.4826 smlforchrist@yahoo.com for more information. 

MEMBERSHIP CLASSES for Immanuel Lutheran Church are held each Sunday mornings from 9:15 – 10:15 am in the Pastor’s office.  A basic Bible and doctrine study, called “I Have Good News for You” is used.  Completion of this class could lead to adult membership at Immanuel Church.  Alice Schwichtenberg is the teacher. Call 235-1993 or talk to either pastor or Alice for more information. 

ANNIVERSARY: Our radio program “Introspect” will celebrate its 27^th anniversary on the air on Sunday, August 1.  It is heard each Sunday at 8:30.

The weekly Sunday broadcast at 8:30 a.m. on WFPS-FM 92 (92.1) started as a 20 minute program for the first couple of years and then expanded to a half hour.  It reaches homebound individuals, shift workers and others unable to attend Sunday morning or Thursday evening worship services. It’s financed by members and friends of Immanuel. Sponsorships (at $35 for a Sunday) are available by calling the church office at 815.235.1993. 

TELEVISION MINISTRY: “Our God With Us,” Immanuel’s television ministry, is broadcast on Freeport Comcast cable TV (channel 17) Thursday evenings at 7:30, and has been broadcast for ten years!

REMINDER! When signing up for flowers on the chart in the narthex please remember to also inform Betty Schlosser by calling her at 815.235.372.  It saves her a few calls. Thanks. 

DIRECTORIES:  The Pictorial Directories are available on the table in the narthex.  If you had your picture taken, a book with your name has been placed on the table.  A limited number are available at a cost of $5 if you did not have your picture taken.  Please see Judy Stanton or stop in the school or church office. 

SUMMER YOUTH activities will include Bible study, service events, Six Flags, outdoor retreats and everything in between.  Keep an eye out for the Hot New Summer Calendar! 

MEN’S SOFTBALL: The Immanuel/Redeemer I.C.A.A. softball team will play Thursday, July  at the Taylor Park ball field beginning at p.m. 

FACC; Those in Need Don’t Get the Summer Off…Please remember FACC during summer months. With many in need (and numbers continue to rise), keep in mind those students receiving district-provided breakfasts and/or lunches during the school year – they may be in need of some extra help during summer months while at home. Please continue to give generously to FACC or bring non-perishable food items to place in the food barrel located in the link between our church and school. Thank You. 

FLOWER CHARTS:  The 2011 Flower Charts are posted on the kiosk in the narthex with carry-overs from this year. Check your dates to be sure they are correct for the 2011 year. If not, call Betty Schlosser, 815.235.3721. 

FEELING DESPERATE?  Your brothers and sisters in Christ in the congregation care about you.  If you are feeling depressed or desperate, pray about it and talk to one of our pastors, one of our elders, our LCFS counselor, Nick Bell, or any fellow Christian whom you trust.  

NAME TAGS:  Please consider wearing your name tag every Sunday as a way of connecting with others in our congregation.  It is always helpful to wear your name badge when we welcome new members and our pastors appreciate it when our children wear their tags for the children’s sermon.  If you need a new or replacement badge, talk with Bonnie Larson, Brenda Glandorf, Kathie Miller or Pastor Switz.

THEME:  Our school theme for the new year will be “By The Book” and the focus combines living by Biblical truths of love and respect, as well as academic growth and an emphasis on the curriculum and text books. 

MEETINGS:  Back-to-School parent-teacher meetings will take place on Tuesday and Wednesday, August 17 & 18 (10 am - 7:30 pm).  All families (grades 1-8) are asked to schedule their 20 minute conferences through the following e-mail: school@immanuellutheranfreeport.com.  Please note “School Conference” in the ‘subject’ line.  Please include your name, child/ren’s names, date and time for the conference in the e-mail.  Meetings will be confirmed by the teachers.  Preschool and kindergarten families will be contacted by their teachers;   Mrs. Yarzak (3 year olds), Mrs. Tiesman (4 year olds) and Mrs. Larson (kindergarten), to schedule their conferences.   

INSTALLATION of our staff will take place during the opening Chapel Service at 9:15 a.m. on Wednesday, August 25^th as well as at both the 8 and 10:30 church services on Sunday, August 29^th at Immanuel Lutheran Church.  A reception will take place on Sunday during the Sunday School hour from 9:15 to 10:15 in the church fellowship hall. 

MEMORIALS:  A memorial to Bob Stone, an Immanuel parent and grandparent, as well as chair of the Board of Education in the mid-1990’s, has been received.  It has been used to purchase an entire set of student desks for the 3^rd grade.  Those desks were over 30 years old, and many were in disrepair. 
Memorials to Doris Larsen, Sandi Fluechting, and Fremont Short were approved by that committee to purchase computer and PowerPoint projectors for the 3^rd, 4^th, and 5^th grade classrooms.  What a blessing this technology will be, as lessons that can be visually enhanced have a greater impact on learning than many traditional modes of presentation. 
These memorials will be acknowledged and dedicated on Sunday, August 29 – part of the focus on the school ministry.  

SCHOOL DATES:  Opening chapel takes place on the first day of school: Wednesday, August 25^th, at 9:00 a.m.  School starts on Wednesday, August 25^th, for K-8 students, with a half day, 8:45-11:45. Preschool for 3 year-olds begins on Thursday, August 26^th.   Four-year olds begin school on Friday, August 27^th.  Their classes run from 8:45-11:15.  

VOLUNTEERS:  Classroom, office, and library volunteers are needed. Mrs. Karen Gieseke will by coordinating the classroom volunteers, and Mrs. Chris Truckenmiller will be organizing the library volunteers.  They can be reached at 232-3511.  Coaches are needed for fall sports.  If you would like to coach or serve as assistant soccer or volleyball coach, please let Principal Welton know.  Cheerleading coaches will be needed this winter as well.   

APPLICATIONS are being accepted for the position of Administrative Aide.  This part-time person would assist Mr. Welton with classroom-related and administrative duties.  Contact Mr. Welton at 232-3511 for more information and an application.   

CHAPEL offerings for the past school year featured a variety of mission projects supported by the children and parents of our school.  Here is a breakdown of last year’s support.  Thank You!

LABELS:   Immanuel ONLY collects General Mills “Box Tops for Education” (we need that particular part) and Campbell Soup product UPC symbols to help with education opportunities for our students.  Please deposit these items in the drawer stand near the pop dispenser or in the collection box in the church.  Thank you for your help. 

WORLD BOOK ONLINE Immanuel students and friends of Immanuel and their families can log into www.worldbookonline.com. The access ID is “Immanuelfreeport” and the password is “lancers.” 

REGISTRATION:  Are you interested in having your child attend Immanuel Lutheran School? Call the school office, 815/232-3511.  Some classes have only a few openings.   

IWM: The Board of Friendship and Evangelism will hold the summer Immanuel Women’s Ministry Brunch on Saturday, July 10 (9-11 a.m.) Mark this date. All women and girls are invited! 

MID-WEEK E-MAILS:  If you wish to get school E-mail updates send your E-mail address to school@immanuellutheranfreeport.com. 

Smart Tuition:  In an effort to offer easier billing and payment options, Immanuel will be using Smart Tuition as the tuition and fees payment center for the 2010-11 school year for all families.  They offer more variety in payment options than Immanuel presently does and easier tracking for those paying the bills.  This “outsourcing” is to an American company with 24 hour on-line and phone customer service.  Participation is included in the tuition costs for next year. 

CHECK UPS:  All Kindergartners need to have a physical, dental and eye exam to enter school for the 2010-2011 year.  All second graders will need a dental exam and all 6th graders need physical and dental exams.  It may seem early, but schedules fill up fast.  Make that appointment now.  All exam forms are due by the first day of school. 

MOMENTS

…with our Senior Pastor 

Here’s a little poem shared from one of the newsletters that we receive at church.  We pray that it goes a long way in expressing our feelings about church and worship. 

Why Do I Go to Church 

The reasons why I go to church are really quite a few,
And I’ve been asked to humbly tell just some of them to you.
As citizen of this fair land I feel I’m truly blessed
That I may worship as I please, in manner I like best. 

My family sits beside me as we hear the truths of God
Expounded by our Pastor, a true servant of the Word.
I like to go to church to pray. True, one can pray at home,
Or any other time or place that he may be  alone.

But in the quite House of God, united with your friends,
A broader depth is added to your prayer as it ascends.
I go to church to satisfy with manna pure and whole,
The ever re-occurring thirst and hunger of my soul.

The Bible is a fountain pure, from which we all may draw
Our spiritual food and drink, through Gospel and the Law;
When explained from the pulpit though, it always seems to me
This heavenly manna truly is served more abundantly.

The peace and quiet of God’s house, the organ’s swelling notes,
The hymns of praise and thankfulness that rise from grateful throats,
All join to fill my heart with joy, and serve to humble me,\
And fill me with the grace and hope of Heaven’s glory free. 

Sometimes when daily cares and strife just seem to multiply,
And things look dark and darker and there seems no reason why,
Perhaps a word or else a phrase the Pastor speaks or reads,
Just seems to be the answer to my very cares and needs.

 
And when the sermon’s over, and the last prayer has been said,
The Pastor’s hands in blessing raised o’er rev’rently bowed heads,
I feel refreshed and strengthened for the weekly tasks I face,
And that is why I like to go to church – a friendly place. 

                                          ---Mabel  Warnke, July 12, 1946

In Christ,

 Pastor Switz

(The Rev. Willis R. Schwichtenberg, Senior Pastor)

The Rev. David and Robin Lukefahr
712 S Osteopathy
Kirksville, MO  63501
revluke@sbcglobal.net

The Rev. Patrick and Lisa Cox
780 Blossom Hill Lane
Dallastown, PA  17313
pstpic@comcast.net

The Rev. Richard and Rita Mau
1780 E Algonquin
Des Plaines, IL  60016
maushaus@juno.com

The Rev. Stephen and Pamela King
8636 SM 36
Baldwin, MI  49301-9781
vaterking@sbcglobal.net

The Rev. Mark and Corrine Brase
710 W Tyler Avenue
Fairfield, IA  52556
mcbrase@iowatelecom.net

The Rev. Gary and Sara Scharrer
663 North Main
Wilkes-Barre, PA  18705-1732
garyandsara@saltlightcity.com

The Rev. Mark and Kristen Wiesenborn
2516 Sunfish Drive
Pearland, TX  77584
wiesenmark@earthlink.net

The Rev. Brad and Lori Klein
4726 Spinning Wheel Drive
Brighton, CO  80601
blnjklein@comcast.net

The Rev. Paul and Jackie Roggow
258 S Marion Parkway
Denver, CO  80209
paulroggow@gmail.com

The Rev. David and Laurie Daniel
4401 Depot Drive
Swartz Creek, MI  48473
ddaniel@toast.net

The Rev. Richard and Jessica Schultz
806 S Park
Freeport, IL  61032-4653
rschultz@immanuellutheranfreeport.com

The Rev. Philip and Heather Robarge
3935 Merced
DesMoines, IA  50310
probarge@gloriadeionline.com

Church Worship

   "Our God With Us" TV program is at 7:30 pm
on Thursday evening - Cable TV channel 17