|
| |
Immanuel Lutheran Church is a Christ- centered family, sharing the Good News
of the love of God in Jesus Christ through Word and Sacrament
Who is Jesus?
"He shall be called Immanuel"
which means "God With Us"
Matthew 1:23
Click to jump to ...
Bulletin ... Sermon ...
Newsletter ... Past Vicars
Bulletin:
Immanuel Sunday Bulletin Announcements
+ Sunday, July 18, 2010 +
2009 –2010 The Year of Unity in the Body of Christ
Immanuel Lutheran Church is a
Christ-centered family, in mission,
sharing the good news of the love of God in Jesus Christ through Word and
Sacrament
(The Lutheran Church--Missouri Synod)
Web Page -
www.ourgodwithus.com
Pastor Willis R. Schwichtenberg + Pastor
Richard “Ros” Schultz
1993 West Church Street - Freeport,
Illinois 61032 (815.235.1993)
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.
SERVING TODAY:
Sermon Message/Celebrant: The
Rev. Willis R. Schwichtenberg
Organist/Music
Director:
Diane Dietmeier
Special
Music
Allison Bondele
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.
Immanuel Lutheran Church and School
1993 West Church Street -
Freeport, Illinois 61032 (815.235.1993)
Pastor Willis R.
Schwichtenberg
-
wschwichtenberg@immanuellutheranfreeport.com
Pastor Richard “Ros”
Schultz
-
rschultz@immanuellutheranfreeport.com
Diane Dietmeier,
Music Director
+ Judy Stanton, Office Manager
Marlene King,
Church
Secretary + Karen Luedtke, Youth Coordinator
Michael G. Welton,
Principal of Immanuel Lutheran School
(O/815.232.3511)
Stephanie Yarzak,
Director of Christian Child Development Center
(O/815.232.3443)
* Church 815.235.1993 *
Fax 815.233.9158 * School 815.232.3511 * Day Care 815.232.3443
OUR 2010 LIST OF THOSE TO CONTACT - PHONE NUMBERS
(815 area code) CHAIR (Tom Burt, 232-4683), VICE
CHAIR (Jeff Martin, 275-6271, 232-4683); BUS (Sam Bryant,
291-3176); E- PRAYER CHAIN (Pastor Switz, 235-1993); USHERS
(Neil Buettner, 232-7850); ACOLYTES (Lisa Pehl, 232-5261);
GREETERS (Carol Gray, 493-2606); NURSERY (Kathy Vehmeier,
235-4239); RADIO (Office, 235-1993); LECTORS (Sign Up in
Narthex); FLOWERS (Betty Schlosser, 235-3721); ALTAR GUILD
(Judy Stanton, 235-4857); ELDERS: Bob Wiederholtz (Chair, 235-1895)
Rick Andrews, Shawn Boldt, Ron Kohlbauer Stuart Luedtke, Larry Luy, Jeff
Martin, Dan Medler, Todd Schlichting, David Schopf, Carl Zulke, Robert
Brock; Honorary: Mike Welton (Principal), Tom Burt (Chairman),
Richard Miller (Funerals).
LCFS COUNSELING: Rev. Nick Bell (By appointment, 1-800-363-5237)
Our Small Group and Sunday Morning
Bible Studies
|
Date |
Time |
Subject |
Location |
Leader |
|
Sunday
Mornings |
9:25am |
Adult
Membership |
Switz Office |
Alice Sch’berg |
|
Sunday
Mornings |
9:20am |
Fellowship
Hall Class |
Fellowship
Hall |
Pastors |
|
Sunday
Mornings |
9:20am |
Deep
Discussion-Witnessing |
Church Library |
Various |
|
Sunday
Mornings |
9:20am |
What is
Islam-Men’s Class |
Art/Storage
Room |
Jeff Martin |
|
Sunday
Mornings |
9:20am |
Old Testament
Challenge |
3rd
Grade Room |
Rick Andrews |
|
Sunday
Mornings |
9:20am |
Class-Women of
Faith |
School Library |
Various |
|
Sunday
Evenings |
6:00pm |
Completed –
New class Fall |
Fellowship
Hall |
Pastors |
|
Sunday
Evenings |
4:00pm |
Completed –
New class TBA |
763 E.
Winneshiek |
Stuart Luedtke
|
|
2nd/4th
Monday |
3:30pm |
Holy Land
Videos |
Meadowridge
Apts |
Pastors |
|
2nd/4th
Tuesday |
6:00pm |
Iron Sharpens
Iron
Bible Study |
528 E.
Illinois |
Glen/Linda
Auman |
|
Third Tuesday |
6:30pm |
Growing to Be
Like Christ |
Youth Room |
A & C Garnhart |
|
Fourth
Wednesday |
7:00pm |
Parenting-Early Years |
Fellowship
Hall |
Brian Elmer |
|
Fourth
Wednesday |
7:00pm |
Parenting-Teenage Years |
1745 W.
Stephenson |
John Wichmann |
|
Every Thursday |
8:15 am |
Completed –
New class Fall |
School Library |
Pastors |
|
2nd/4th
Thursdays |
10:00am |
ASKERS-Liturgy |
Fellowship
Hall |
Pastors |
|
Every Saturday |
7:00am |
Men/Breakfast
–Luke |
Landmark |
Pastors |
SERVING NEXT SUNDAY, July 25, 2010
|
LECTORS: |
TBA |
TBA |
|
ELDERS: |
Ron Kohlbauer, Dave Schopf |
Volunteers |
|
GREETERS: |
Dale and Joyce Sasse |
Ben and Karen Luedtke |
|
USHERS: |
Team #5, Ben Luedtke |
Team #6, Jeff Martin |
|
ACOLYTES: |
Morgan & Susan Waye |
Olivia Wainman/Andrew Stevens |
|
CROSSBEARER: |
Isabelle Frautschy |
Daniel Slechta |
|
BIBLE
CARRIER: |
Volunteer |
Volunteer |
|
ALTAR
GUILD: |
Virginia Thompson and Becky Roethe |
|
NURSERY: |
Nichole Le |
Kathleen Dittmar |
|
BUS
DRIVER: |
Eric Dietmeier |
|
LAWN
CARE: |
Doug Wagner Team w/John Wichmann and Jerry Funk |
Immanuel Sunday
Messenger
July 18, 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.
SUNDAY SCHOOL:
Do you like hanging out with kids? Have you ever thought about being a
Sunday school teacher? We are looking for teachers for the upcoming school
year. Teaching Sunday school is a great way to give your time and talents,
connect with your fellow members, and touch the lives of children! We are
looking for two more people willing to help with Pre-School, two more for
Wee-Ones, and about six for Faith Odyssey. The plan is to put teachers on
a rotation schedule so the responsibility would be to teach every other
week or find a substitute for weeks you will be gone. Curriculum is
prepared for all the teachers. The biggest part of the job is interacting
with children. We have some awesome kids at Immanuel, and they need you to
help them realize the family they have here. To sign up, or if you have
any questions regarding this opportunity please contact Jennifer Martin
(815.275.8819).
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 …
|
Today – July 18 |
Mon – July 19 |
Tues – July 20 |
Wed – July 21 |
|
8:00- Morning Worship Service
9:10-Sunday School Classes
10:30- Morning Worship Service
w/Holy Communion
5:30-Jr. Youth Group Only
Senior Youth in New Orleans |
6:00-Board of Trustees
6:30-Bethesda Bible Class #2
6:30-Board of Personnel
7:30-Church Council
Senior Youth in New Orleans |
9:30-Stephenson Inspiration Hour
11:00-Memorial Service for Charlotte Holdeman
Shalom Service cancelled
Senior Youth in New Orleans |
8:50-Chapel w/Pastor Switz
2:30-Worship Service at FRH Center (Manor)
6:30-Board of Parish Ed
7:00-Board of Parish Health/Welfare
Senior Youth in New Orleans-last day |
|
Thurs – July 22 |
Friday – July 23 |
Sat – July 24 |
|
10:00-ASKERS
6:30- Evening Worship Service
w/Holy Communion
7:30-ICAA Softball East Gate vs. Immanuel/Redeemer
7:30-Cable TV Channel 17 Broadcast
Senior Youth traveling home |
Open |
7:00-Men’s Bible Class at Landmark
|
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 8th
graders have a flock and will send it out at your request for a $20
donation. (You can also pay to “block the flock.”) 8th 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:
To view older sermons,
please check at:
http://pastorswitz.wordpress.com/
|
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 96th 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.
|
Newsletter:
Immanuel
M e s s e n
g e r
Immanuel Lutheran Church and School – Freeport, Illinois
(www.ourgodwithus.org)
815/235-1993
For
August 2010
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.
New Vicar—August
22
Laity Sunday
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:
|
Date |
Theme |
Leader |
|
August 1 |
Youth Gathering Report |
Kerry Hoops |
|
August 8 |
Our New Church Theme |
Pastor Schultz |
|
August 15 |
Our Church Goals |
Pastor Switz |
|
August 22 |
Shower and Roast for
the Weavers |
|
|
August 29 |
Teacher Welcoming |
Mike Welton |
|
September 5 |
Fellowship Hour –
Narthex |
No Classes (9:10-10:25) |
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.
BASIC
LAKE PARTY
– Sunday, August 22 – anytime after 2:00 p.m. Boat rides, lake fun
as weather permits, food, entire family welcome. Please 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.
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 8th graders have
a flock and will send it out at your request for a $20 donation. (You can
also pay to “block the flock.”) 8th 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!
YOUNG
AT HEART,
our Senior Citizen group, meets for its monthly potluck on Thursday,
August 19 at 11:30 a.m. Featured will be the music of Nicky J and Vera.
Bring a dish to share.
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.
SHALOM
COMMUNION will be offered on Tuesday, August 3
and 17 at 11:00 a.m. These services are designed for individuals
having a difficult time walking, standing or just getting out for our
regular services. Wheelchairs and walkers are especially welcome but all
are invited. They are short devotional services (about ½ hour in
length.) with Holy Communion served in the pews.
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 27th
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!
SUNDAY SCHOOL:
Do you like hanging out with kids? Have you ever thought about being a
Sunday school teacher? We are looking for teachers for the upcoming school
year. Teaching Sunday school is a great way to give your time and talents,
connect with your fellow members, and touch the lives of children! We are
looking for two more people willing to help with Pre-School, two more for
Wee-Ones, and about six for Faith Odyssey. The plan is to put teachers on
a rotation schedule so the responsibility would be to teach every other
week or find a substitute for weeks you will be gone. Curriculum is
prepared for all the teachers. The biggest part of the job is interacting
with children. We have some awesome kids at Immanuel, and they need you to
help them realize the family they have here. To sign up, or if you have
any questions regarding this opportunity please contact Jennifer Martin
(815.275.8819).
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 25th as well as at both the 8 and 10:30 church services on
Sunday, August 29th 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 3rd 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 3rd,
4th, and 5th 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 25th,
at 9:00 a.m. School starts on Wednesday, August 25th, for K-8
students, with a half day, 8:45-11:45. Preschool for 3 year-olds begins on
Thursday, August 26th. Four-year olds begin school on Friday,
August 27th. 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!
|
Month |
Area |
Offerings |
|
August |
Praise Expense |
$139.36 |
|
September |
Biloxi Mission Trip |
$444.20 |
|
October |
FACC |
$300.07 |
|
November |
Bible Sticks for
Soldiers |
$610.76 |
|
December |
Guatemala – Ginny Holmes |
$399.23 |
|
January |
Smile Train Operations |
$375.09 |
|
February |
Hearts for Jesus – Intercity school |
$1,265.88 |
|
March |
Africa Bikes |
$280.94 |
|
April |
Wittenberg Center |
$331.08 |
|
May |
Food for Poor – chicks & sleeping bags |
$310.00 |
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)
MISSION STATEMENT:
Immanuel Lutheran Church
is a Christ-centered family, in mission, sharing the good news of the
love of God
in Jesus Christ through Word and Sacrament.
|
Past Vicars contact info:
|
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
|
Sunday Worship 8:00am & 10:30am
with Sunday School 9:10am
Wednesday School Chapel 8:50am
Thursday Evening Worship 6:30pm
|
Church Worship |
|
"Our God With Us" TV program is at 7:30 pm
on Thursday evening - Cable TV channel 17
|
|