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 services; “Wee Ones” care during Bible Class.  SOUND:  Special hearing devices available (ask usher). LARGE PRINT bulletin copies are available from the ushers.  COPIES of the worship services and sermons (cassettes, VCR tapes, printed sermons, E-Mail sermons) are available.     

FAMILY SUNDAY SCHOOL:  Today  we are having “Family Sunday School” in the Fellowship Hall from 9:10-10:10 a.m. Featured will be the second part of the DVD movie “The Nativity Story.”  Our presentation is open to all children, youth and adults.  Refreshments will be served before and during the presentation.  Come for a time of fellowship, growth, and mutual encouragement.  “Regular” Sunday School and Bible Classes for all ages will resume on Sunday, January 4, 2009!

HELP US…help you! Please remember to designate “Immanuel Lutheran, Freeport” as your church when admitted to the hospital. Our pastors only have room information access for those so designated.

THIS WEEK’S SCHEDULED ACTIVITIES FOR
IMMANUEL LUTHERAN CHURCH AND SCHOOL

Week of December 28 – January 4, 2009

OUR  PRAYERS: Many who have been in the hospital and ill or facing treatments, recovering from surgery or facing surgery, including Margaret Koch, John McKenzie, Harrell Wiggins, Ira Nesler, Eleanor Daughenbaugh, Glen Auman, Jimmie Boddie, Bob Harloff, Judy Spratler, Gary Price, Larry Julius, Ellen Gordon, Bev Ralston, Charlotte Holdeman, Shirley Klipping, Donald Frank, Carol Sue Howe, Natasha Lei…grieving families…for our continued Commitments…for our shut ins…for the ability to share our faith in Jesus by what we do and say…for proper use of our “TALENTS”…for the fruit of the Spirit which is PEACE…for proper use of the gift of the Holy Spirit which is UNDERSTANDING…for our congregation’s Board of Publicity and its work…for the mission and ministry of Immanuel.

PASTOR AND ALICE Schwichtenberg are in Phoenix today visiting friends and relatives.  They will be returning to Freeport Tuesday evening. 

+ + IN HONOR AND REMEMBRANCE + +

Today’s Altar Flowers are placed by the Concordia Society and the Fideles Circle wishing all of you a Blessed and Happy New Year! 

Today’s Bulletin is given by the people of Immanuel Lutheran Church.

Today’s “Introspect” program is given in loving memory of Mary Bowers by her Concordia friends.                 

PRISON CALENDARS:  As part of her ministry to those incarcerated Alice Schwichtenberg is selling a special 2009 calendar consisting of prison art made by some of those she writes to.  This year’s theme is lighthouses and the full color calendar features 12 pictures.  This is the fifth year for the calendar but the first time it has been professionally printed.  The cost is $15 with all profits going toward expenses and prison ministry.  The sample calendar is in the church office and Marlene King, our church secretary, would be glad to show you a copy.  See Marlene or Alice Schwichtenberg for more information.

NEW BROCHURES…and they’re free! Please check out the track rack located in the narthex. There are new brochures available – for you to read - including “Self Control in an Active World” and “Managing Your Money.” They are free of charge – take one or many.

BASIC: The Basic Group will “undecorated” the church and celebrate their 12^th night feast on Sunday, January 4. Gather in the sanctuary at 5:30 p.m. Adults only please. The sign-up sheet for food needed for the feast is on the clipboard in fellowship hall. Be sure to bring a talent to entertain the king. Questions contact Carol Gray. 

THANK YOU:  Pastor and Alice Schwichtenberg and Pastor and Jessica Schultz wish to express their appreciation to the Immanuel family for the many cards, gifts, greetings, thoughts and remembrances shared with them during the Advent Christmas season.

GREETERS: Have you thought about using your talents to become the new Greeter Coordinator???  It involves scheduling individuals or families to greet on Sunday morning.  Call Judy or Marlene in the office if you would consider doing this task. 

USHER:  The Board of Worship needs someone to be the new “Head Usher.”  It involves scheduling the teams and overseeing work of the ushers. Speak with Carol Gray, Neil Buettner, or Pastors for details. 

SERVING NEXT SUNDAY, January 4, 2009

FACC: Volunteers are needed to make dinners for 10-12 homeless people at FACC. Meals are to be delivered to the shelter located at 514 S. Chicago Avenue between the hours of 5:30 p.m. and 7:00 p.m.  Immanuel has been assigned to the 3^rd Wednesday of each month during Nov. through April. Please sign up on the board located in the narthex.  

NEEDY:  Your help is needed to help “those in need.”  When shopping, pick up a few extra non-perishable items to place in the F.A.C.C./Salvation Army barrel located by the front doors.  Thank you.

Immanuel Evangelical Lutheran Church
(The Lutheran Church--Missouri Synod) 
  www.ourgodwithus.org
1993 West Church Street - Freeport, Illinois 61032 (815-235-1993)
The Rev. Dr. Willis R. Schwichtenberg, Senior Pastor (H/815-235-8689)
E-mail – wschwichtenberg@immanuellutheranfreeport.com
Rev. Richard "Ros" Schultz, Associate Pastor (H/815-297-0833)
E-mail – rschultz@immanuellutheranfreeport.com
Diane Dietmeier, Music Director + Judy Stanton, Parish Assistant
Michael G Welton, Principal of Immanuel Lutheran School (O/815-232-3511)
Stephanie Yarzak, Director of Christian Child Development Center (O/815-232-3443)
Karen Bennet Luedtke, Youth Coordinator (815-238-7606)
SUNDAY WORSHIP 8:00 and 10:30 a.m. (Nursery Provided)
Sunday School For All Ages – 9:10-10:10 a.m. THURSDAY WORSHIP 6:30 p.m.
Introspect Radio – Sundays 8:30 a.m. - WFPS-FM 92 
"Our God With Us" Cable TV Ministry – Thursdays 7:30 – Comcast Cable, C. 17
* Church 815/235-1993 * School 815/232-3511 * Day Care 815/232-3443 * Fax 815/233-9158