PENTECOST 10                         July 16, 20, 2008

Immanuel Ev. Lutheran Church

Wisconsin Synod

Pastor Stephen Smith...682-1878   Sunday Service...9:30 a.m.

Church Telephone...682-4573   Wednesday Service...7:00 p.m.

Organists……..........Mrs. A Smith or Miss Crystal Smith

WELCOME, VISITORS: We are glad you could be with us and we welcome you back any time. Please sign our guest register in the narthex/entry.

PRAYER: O Lord, Your ears always open to the prayers of Your humble servants. Teach us always to ask according to Your will that we may never fail to obtain the blessings You have promised. Amen. .

HYMNS: 421, 418, 349, 256 vs 1-2

ORDER OF SERVICE: The Common Service, page 15ff

THE WORD

FIRST LESSON: 1 Kings 3:5-12

The Lord offered King Solomon whatever he wanted. Solomon did not ask for the earthly props like money or power. He was struck by his solemn, God-given responsibility and his own inability. Solomon asked for a heart that would lead God’s people God’s way.

PSALM OF THE DAY: Psalm 119b on page 110

God’s people treasure the Word of life and delight in the Lord’s ways.

SECOND LESSON: Romans 8:28-30

Before He created us, God knew us and destined us to be His. In this life He called us to faith by the gospel and justified us. Even now there are no accidents in life, no blind twists of fate. God turns Satan’s evil into good for those who love Him.

GOSPEL: Matthew 13:44-52

The parables of the hidden treasure and the pearl show us the inestimable value of the kingdom of heaven.

THE SERMON: Hosea 1:3

THEME: Gomer—The Unfaithful Wife

Note: We are celebrating Holy Communion today. The Sacrament gives public confession of our unity in the Christian faith as we joyfully receive Christ’s body and blood in and with the bread and wine. Since we follow the Scriptural practice of “close communion,” we ask visitors to see pastor before coming to communion.

ATTENDANCE AT THE LORD’S HOUSE 68

THE SCHEDULE

Wednesday 7:00 PM WORSHIP SERVICE

Sunday (Jn 20) 9:30 AM WORSHIP SERVICE

7:00 PM Church Council

Next Sunday (Jn 27) 9:30 AM WORSHIP SERVICE

10:30 AM Quarterly Voters’ Meeting

OUR FATHER’S BUSINESS

VACATION BIBLE SCHOOL will be August 10-14^th this summer. (Sunday through Thursday) from 6-8 PM. It is for kids four-years-old through going into grade 8. The Theme is “Soaring HIGH!” If you can help put out door hangers, please see Pastor Smith. Invite unchurched children in your neighborhood to our VBS! This is a great way to reach out with the gospel to families in our community!

UPCOMING VOTERS’ MEETING items include some maintenance projects including new shingles for parsonage (old ones have been on for 23 years) and for main part of church (replaced 15 years ago). We will also deciding on the final go-ahead for a “Jesus Cares” program.

MATCHING FUNDS Gifts to the Building/Improvement fund for debt retirement will be matched up to a total of $15000 from the Pautzke Fund. This is for 2008.

NEW ORLEANS Cross Lutheran in Rockford will host a concert on Tuesday, Aug 12 at 7:30 PM. It will last 80 minutes and have music and experiences from Crown of Christ in the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina. The musician is a WELS member from that congregation.