The Twin Steeples Podcast

This recording is a condensed version of the sermon preached at Immanuel Evangelical Lutheran Church in Mankato, Minnesota on October 26, 2025. You can watch the full recording on our YouTube Channel.   Sermon Text: Habakkuk 2:1-4 (NKJV) I will stand my watch And set myself on the rampart, And watch to see what He will say to me, And what I will answer when I am corrected. 2 Then the LORD answered me and said: "Write the vision And make it plain on tablets, That he may run who reads it. 3 For the vision is yet for an appointed time; But at the end it will speak, and it will not lie. Though it tarries, wait for it; Because it will surely come, It will not tarry. 4 "Behold the proud, His soul is not upright in him; But the just shall live by his faith. Theme: Watching, Writing, and Waiting by Faith 1. Watch for the LORD's Word 2. Write His Vision Plain 3. Wait for His Promises

This week we will be celebrating Reformation in our weekend worship. Reformation highlights those who have fought against error which the devil seeks to sow in the church and its teaching, and the need for Christians to continue that fight still today.  The hymn that we are studying this week is Luther's famous "A Mighty Fortress" which has as many as 80 different English translations, and has encouraged Christians for over 500 years. The hymn was written in the late 1520's during a very dark time in Germany. War, plague, sickness, and religious oppression surrounded the LORD's church there. In this turmoil, Luther turned to the LORD and the promises found in His word. He took comfort in the words of the Psalmist: “God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble… The nations rage, the kingdoms totter; he utters his voice, the earth melts. The LORD of hosts is with us; the God of Jacob is our fortress” (Psalm 46:1,6-7). Luther reminds God's people then and now of the LORD's power which is greater than that of every enemy we might face. The old evil foe? Devils eager to devour us? “We tremble not, we fear no ill.” “He can harm us none. He's judged; the deed is done.” Jesus -- the One whom God Himself elected, the Sabaoth Lord, the Valiant One -- is on our side, and fights for us! “The Kingdom ours remaineth.” Thanks be to God that we can have confidence in His work for us In Jesus, that our sins are forgiven, and that He is greater than every enemy we will face, including the devil himself!  This weekend as we thank God for His promise that His Church and His Word will not fail, and as we rejoice in those who fought for that truth in the past and as He gives us strength to fight that fight still today. Join us in our worship as we unite our voices to sing our confidence in God based on Psalm 46! 

Devotion Ecclesiastes 9:1-6   Announcements CLC Teachers' Conference Voters' Meeting Elections Land Purchase Cemetery Immanuel Service Organization Church Choir  Men's Breakfast Ladies Bible Study  Women's Retreat Weekend Worship Board of Deacons Board of Education Red Cross Blood Drive MN Mission Festival   Prayer List  Pastor John Hein Pastor Tim Wheaton Jim Lien Kenny Mary Mackey Susan Mutzke Betty Wolle David Born CLC Teachers' Conference Mission in India   Hymn of the Day TLH 476 “Ten Thousand Times Ten Thousand”

This recording is a condensed version of the sermon preached at Immanuel Evangelical Lutheran Church in Mankato, Minnesota on October 19, 2025. You can watch the full recording on our YouTube Channel.   Sermon Text: Luke 11:1-13 (NKJV) Now it came to pass, as He was praying in a certain place, when He ceased, that one of His disciples said to Him, “Lord, teach us to pray, as John also taught his disciples.” 2 So He said to them, “When you pray, say: Our Father in heaven, Hallowed be Your name. Your kingdom come. Your will be done On earth as it is in heaven. 3 Give us day by day our daily bread. 4 And forgive us our sins, For we also forgive everyone who is indebted to us. And do not lead us into temptation, But deliver us from the evil one.” 5 And He said to them, “Which of you shall have a friend, and go to him at midnight and say to him, ‘Friend, lend me three loaves; 6 for a friend of mine has come to me on his journey, and I have nothing to set before him'; 7 and he will answer from within and say, ‘Do not trouble me; the door is now shut, and my children are with me in bed; I cannot rise and give to you'? 8 I say to you, though he will not rise and give to him because he is his friend, yet because of his persistence he will rise and give him as many as he needs. 9 So I say to you, ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you. 10 For everyone who asks receives, and he who seeks finds, and to him who knocks it will be opened. 11 If a son asks for bread from any father among you, will he give him a stone? Or if he asks for a fish, will he give him a serpent instead of a fish? 12 Or if he asks for an egg, will he offer him a scorpion? 13 If you then, being evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to those who ask Him!” Theme: Absolute Confidence in God

This week we will be considering the confidence that we have in the one true God. We will study in particular the confidence that He gives us in the privilege of prayer. But "prayer" to any god is not really prayer. Only prayer addressed to the one and only God is true prayer. Our final hymn will emphasize the nature of that one true God, in whom we have absolute confidence and to whom we pray. This is hymn 541, O Blessed Holy Trinity in The Lutheran Hymnal. This hymn by Lutheran pastor Martin Behm, is both a prayer to the true God AND and confession of who that true God is. The hymn is based primarily on the Aaronic and Pauline blessings of the Old and New Testament. These blessings highlight the nature of what the Christian Church has called the "Triune" God. Both of these blessings bring out the three-fold nature of the true God. The Aaronic blessing (the blessing given to Aaron in the Old Testament) states: "The LORD bless you and keep you; The LORD make His face shine upon you, And be gracious to you; The LORD lift up His countenance upon you, And give you peace." (Numbers 6:24-26). The Pauline blessing (the blessing used by the Apostle Paul) says: "The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the communion of the Holy Spirit be with you all. Amen" (2 Corinthians 13:14). The stanzas of Behm's hymn develop and utilize these two Bible verses and what they tell us about God. He is three in person, but one in essence. The Triune God is Father and Maker, Son and Redeemer, and Holy Spirit and Comforter. This God has created and preserves us, protects us, instructs and cheers us, and illuminates and keeps us in the faith.  The hymn, which was written just under a hundred years after the start of the Reformation, also draws from and beautifully incorporates Luther's Morning Prayer in stanza 2. Luther wrote: In the name of God the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. Amen. I thank You, my heavenly Father, through Jesus Christ, Your dear Son, that You have kept all harm and danger away from me last night; and I pray that You would also protect me today from sin and every evil, that my life and all my behavior may please You. Into Your hands I entrust my body and soul and everything else. Let Your holy angel be with me, that the devil may have no power over me. Amen. There is inestimable value in knowing the true God and having absolute confidence in His power, love and mercy. There is joy in our ability to come to the true God in prayer, knowing that He can and will answer according to our need and His will for us. We worship and serve a wonderful God! Join us this weekend to be assured of that confidence and to blend our voices together to sing praise to Father, Son and Holy Spirit for all that our God does, has done and will do for you! 

Devotion Ecclesiastes 8:14-17   Announcements Wedding Trunk or Treat CLC Teachers' Conference Church Choir  No Men's Breakfast Ladies Bible Study  Weekend Worship Voters' Meeting Women's Retreat Red Cross Blood Drive MN Mission Festival   Prayer List  Pastor John Hein Pastor Tim Wheaton Jim Lien Kenny Mary Mackey Sue Heise Susan Mutzke Betty Wolle Daryl Pischner David Born Ben and Julia Radermacher CLC Teachers' Conference Mission in Nigeria   Hymn of the Day TLH 540 “With the Lord Begin Thy Task”

This recording is a condensed version of the sermon preached at Immanuel Evangelical Lutheran Church in Mankato, Minnesota on October 12, 2025. You can watch the full recording on our YouTube Channel.   Sermon Text: Titus 3:1-7 (NKJV) Remind them to be subject to rulers and authorities, to obey, to be ready for every good work, 2 to speak evil of no one, to be peaceable, gentle, showing all humility to all men. 3 For we ourselves were also once foolish, disobedient, deceived, serving various lusts and pleasures, living in malice and envy, hateful and hating one another. 4 But when the kindness and the love of God our Savior toward man appeared, 5 not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to His mercy He saved us, through the washing of regeneration and renewing of the Holy Spirit, 6 whom He poured out on us abundantly through Jesus Christ our Savior, 7 that having been justified by His grace we should become heirs according to the hope of eternal life.   Theme: Living with Liars, Evil Beasts, and Lazy Gluttons 1. Both Without and Within 2. Washed Free from Sin

Last week we looked at a hymn which was instructional on the Sacrament of the Lord's Supper. This weekend we will focus on the Sacrament of Baptism. Both the the Lord's Supper and Baptism are works of God, not of man. The Apostle Paul wrote in Titus 3:4-7: "But when the kindness and the love of God our Savior toward man appeared, not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to His mercy He saved us, through the washing of regeneration and renewing of the Holy Spirit, whom He poured out on us abundantly through Jesus Christ our Savior, that having been justified by His grace we should become heirs according to the hope of eternal life." Notice how Paul shows clearly that this is the work of God, not of man. God is at work in the "Washing of regeneration." In Baptism, the blessings of Christ's work for sinners becomes mine (and yours) personally! Jesus died for the world of sinners, but the benefits of His work (forgiveness of sins, life and salvation) only become ours through the working of the Holy Spirit who creates faith in the hearts of sinners. In Baptism, God puts His name on us, and receives us, by adoption, into His family. This is what Baptism is all about. Paul writes in Ephesians 5:25-27: "...Christ also loved the church and gave Himself for her, that He might sanctify and cleanse her with the washing of water by the word, that He might present her to Himself a glorious church, not having spot or wrinkle or any such thing, but that she should be holy and without blemish." Thanks be to God! All that God has done for us in Christ and through Baptism gives us motivation to sing praises to God, faithfully, thankfully, and joyfully! Lift your voices this weekend and join together with your fellow believers to sing praise to God for His work of salvation in the cross and received through Baptism! May the LORD bless your worship!

Devotion Ecclesiastes 8:10-13   Announcements MN Pastoral Conference Youth Group Church Council Church Choir  Men's Breakfast Ladies Bible Study  Bible Class and Sunday School Trunk or Treat CLC Teachers' Conference Voters' Meeting Women's Retreat Red Cross Blood Drive   Prayer List  Pastor John Hein Pastor Tim Wheaton Jim Lien Pat Howley Jamie VanGeest Mary Mackey Dan Fleischer Sue Heise Matt and Trina Mincey Eunice Mutzke Betty Wolle Daryl Pischner Val Landon MN Pastoral Conference CLC Teachers' Conference Missions in Congo   Hymn of the Day CW21 556 “All Mankind Fell in Adam's Fall”

This recording is a condensed version of the sermon preached at Immanuel Evangelical Lutheran Church in Mankato, Minnesota on October 5, 2025. You can watch the full recording on our YouTube Channel. Sermon Text: Psalm 115:1-8 (NKJV) Not unto us, O LORD, not unto us, But to Your name give glory, Because of Your mercy, Because of Your truth. 2 Why should the Gentiles say, “So where is their God?” 3 But our God is in heaven; He does whatever He pleases. 4 Their idols are silver and gold, The work of men's hands. 5 They have mouths, but they do not speak; Eyes they have, but they do not see; 6 They have ears, but they do not hear; Noses they have, but they do not smell; 7  They have hands, but they do not handle; Feet they have, but they do not walk; Nor do they mutter through their throat. 8 Those who make them are like them; So is everyone who trusts in them. Theme: The LORD alone is God

This weekend we will be celebrating the Lord's Supper in our worship services. The Lord's Supper is a very special way in which the Lord offers and gives the forgiveness of sins which Jesus won on the cross for sinners. There are times that we doubt whether we could really be forgiven and whether Jesus really died for MY sins. The Lord's Supper is a visible way that the Savior assures His people that the forgiveness He has won is for us. The hymn was written by Lutheran pastor Frederic Baue for the congregation he served in Arizona. Lutheran worshippers have been encouraged and instructed in the truth of the Lord's Supper for the past generation and it will bless countless more in the years to come.  The hymn is based on the words of the Apostle Paul in 1 Corinthians 10:16 which teaches us the "Real Presence" of the Savior's body and blood in the Lord's Supper: "The cup of blessing which we bless, is it not the communion of the blood of Christ? The bread which we break, is it not the communion of the body of Christ?" Baue also uses Psalm 34:8 to conclude each verse, reminding us that we taste with our mouths the very body and blood of Jesus: "Oh, taste and see that the LORD is good; Blessed is the man who trusts in Him!" May the LORD bless your worship this weekend, as well as your worthy reception of the Sacrament of the Lord's Supper. Let Him assure you that He is surely present in the bread and wine, and that it is given and shed for YOU!

Devotion Ecclesiastes 8:1-9   Announcements CLC Board Meetings Preparing Phoebe's Man Up Retreat Freshman Carnival Church Choir  Men's Breakfast Women's Bible Study  Bible Class and Sunday School MN Pastoral Conference Women's Retreat   Prayer List  Pastor John Hein Pastor Tim Wheaton Jim Lien Pat Howley Mary Mackey Dan Fleischer Kenny Sue Heise Matt and Trina Mincey Eunice Mutzke Joel and Anika Enter MN Pastoral Conference CLC Teachers' Conference Mission in Bangladesh   Hymn of the Day TLH 584 “Swell the Anthem, Raise the Song”

This recording is a condensed version of the sermon preached at Immanuel Evangelical Lutheran Church in Mankato, Minnesota on September 21, 2025. You can watch the full recording on our YouTube Channel. Sermon Text: Mark 9:14-27 (NKJV) And when He came to the disciples, He saw a great multitude around them, and scribes disputing with them. 15 Immediately, when they saw Him, all the people were greatly amazed, and running to Him, greeted Him. 16 And He asked the scribes, "What are you discussing with them?" 17 Then one of the crowd answered and said, "Teacher, I brought You my son, who has a mute spirit. 18 "And wherever it seizes him, it throws him down; he foams at the mouth, gnashes his teeth, and becomes rigid. So I spoke to Your disciples, that they should cast it out, but they could not." 19 He answered him and said, "O faithless generation, how long shall I be with you? How long shall I bear with you? Bring him to Me." 20 Then they brought him to Him. And when he saw Him, immediately the spirit convulsed him, and he fell on the ground and wallowed, foaming at the mouth. 21 So He asked his father, "How long has this been happening to him?" And he said, "From childhood. 22 "And often he has thrown him both into the fire and into the water to destroy him. But if You can do anything, have compassion on us and help us." 23 Jesus said to him, "If you can believe, all things are possible to him who believes." 24 Immediately the father of the child cried out and said with tears, "Lord, I believe; help my unbelief!" 25 When Jesus saw that the people came running together, He rebuked the unclean spirit, saying to it, "Deaf and dumb spirit, I command you, come out of him and enter him no more!" 26 Then the spirit cried out, convulsed him greatly, and came out of him. And he became as one dead, so that many said, "He is dead." 27 But Jesus took him by the hand and lifted him up, and he arose. Theme: The Paradox of Christian Life 1. Sin in the Midst of Grace 2. Doubts in the Midst of Faith

This weekend our worship service is going to discuss faith. Christians and non-Christians alike talk about faith often. But there are often misunderstandings about what faith is, or whose work it it. Faith is a gift from God, and it is the means by which we become recipients of Christ's work for us. True faith rests in the promises of God and His strength, and not our own.  This weekend we are studying a hymn which prays for the kind of faith that will help us in the troubles of life. William Bathurst wrote the familiar hymn "Oh, for a faith that will not shrink" which is hymn 396 in The Lutheran Hymnal. Bathurst was a priest in the Church on England for most of his life and this is probably his best known hymn. The first 5 stanza develop a prayer for a faith that stands firm against the enemies of our God, and in the pain, storms, and afflictions of life in a sinful world. As we sing these stanzas many Biblical examples will come to mind. David as he faced the mighty Goliath. The widow who was about to prepare her last meal, but whose jar of oil did not run out. The disciples in the storm on the Sea of Galilee. Joseph facing the temptation of Potiphar's wife. Daniel as he was thrown into the Lion's Den. The Children of Israel in the wilderness. The Apostle Paul as he faced death.  The Apostle John writes:  "And this is the victory that has overcome the world—our faith" (1 John 5:4-5). Jesus has already won the victory over our greatest enemies. He is greater than any storm, trial or persecution we will face. We are "More than conquerors in Christ." May the LORD bless your worship this weekend, as we pray for a faith that trusts in the LORD, whatever difficulty we face!

Devotion Ecclesiastes 7:26-29   Announcements Mission Presentation ERC Presentation Outdoor Adventure Day See You at the Pole Ladies' Auxiliary Preparing Phoebe's Board of Deacons Church Choir  Men's Breakfast Friday  Women's Bible Study  Bible Class and Sunday School   Prayer List  Pastor John Hein Pastor Tim Wheaton Jim Lien Mary Mackey Sue Heise Manup Weekend Outreach Missionary Ohlmann and Raju CLC Boards and Coordinating Council   Hymn of the Day OSoC 441 “In Adam We Have All Been One"

This recording is a condensed version of the sermon preached at Immanuel Evangelical Lutheran Church in Mankato, Minnesota on September 21, 2025. You can watch the full recording on our YouTube Channel. Sermon Text: Luke 6:6-11 (NKJV) Now it happened on another Sabbath, also, that He entered the synagogue and taught. And a man was there whose right hand was withered. 7 So the scribes and Pharisees watched Him closely, whether He would heal on the Sabbath, that they might find an accusation against Him. 8 But He knew their thoughts, and said to the man who had the withered hand, "Arise and stand here." And he arose and stood. 9 Then Jesus said to them, "I will ask you one thing: Is it lawful on the Sabbath to do good or to do evil, to save life or to destroy?" 10 And when He had looked around at them all, He said to the man, "Stretch out your hand." And he did so, and his hand was restored as whole as the other. 11 But they were filled with rage, and discussed with one another what they might do to Jesus.   Theme: A Lesson about Hands, Words, and Hearts

This weekend we are digging into a hymn in the Christian Warfare section of our hymnal. "Soldiers of Christ, Arise" was written by the prolific English hymnwriter, Charles Wesley. Wesley may be best known for his involvement in founding the "Methodist Church" with his brother John Wesley. He was the author of over 6,000 hymns during his lifetime, hundreds of which are still sung in Christian churches of many different denominations today.  This hymn was originally written with 16 stanzas of 8 lines each. You will find it dramatically reduced in the version we have, but this is a very popular hymn and because there were so many original verses, you will find it in many different forms in different hymns and traditions.  It is based on Ephesians 6:10-18 where Paul writes: "Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord and in the power of His might. Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places. Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand. Stand therefore, having girded your waist with truth, having put on the breastplate of righteousness, and having shod your feet with the preparation of the gospel of peace; above all, taking the shield of faith with which you will be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked one. And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God; praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, being watchful to this end with all perseverance and supplication for all the saints." This hymn reminds us that whether we realize it or want to acknowledge it or now, every Christian is engaged in a battle against forces that are greater than we are. But the LORD desires our deliverance and has provided everything necessary for us to win in the end. So, like David who fought Goliath, or Gideon or the Apostle Paul, we stand firm in this battle, upon God's Word, with the confidence of His strength, and know that we will win the battle and the war has already been won by Jesus! So fight on, fellow Christian! Go with the LORD's strength! "Wrestle and fight and pray" knowing that we will "overcome through Christ alone" and win at last! May the LORD bless your worship this weekend, and your ongoing fight against sin and temptation with the LORD on your side!

Devotion Ecclesiastes 7:23-25   Announcements Mission Presentation Church Choir  Men's Breakfast Friday  Women's Bible Study  Bible Class and Sunday School Board of Elders and Deacons Board of Education See You at the Pole Ladies' Auxiliary Preparing Phoebe's   Prayer List  Pastor John Hein Pastor Tim Wheaton Jim Lien Distant Members Missionary Ohlmann and Raju   Hymn of the Day TLH 284 “Father of Mercies, in Thy Word"

This recording is a condensed version of the sermon preached at Immanuel Evangelical Lutheran Church in Mankato, Minnesota on September 14, 2025. You can watch the full recording on our YouTube Channel. Sermon Text: Proverbs 2:1-8 (NKJV) 1 My son, if you receive my words, And treasure my commands within you, 2 So that you incline your ear to wisdom, And apply your heart to understanding; 3 Yes, if you cry out for discernment, And lift up your voice for understanding, 4 If you seek her as silver, And search for her as for hidden treasures; 5 Then you will understand the fear of the LORD, And find the knowledge of God. 6 For the LORD gives wisdom; From His mouth come knowledge and understanding; 7 He stores up sound wisdom for the upright; He is a shield to those who walk uprightly; 8 He guards the paths of justice, And preserves the way of His saints. Theme: The LORD invites us to SEEK and FIND Him in His Word! 1. God's Word Offers True Wisdom and Understanding 2. The LORD's Gifts are Treasures which are Unmatched

This weekend we will focus on the power of God's Word in our lives, and one hymn that emphasizes that is "Thy Strong Word" by Martin Franzmann. Franzmann was the son of a Lutheran pastor and knew from a young age that is what he wanted to be as well. After seminary he served as a teacher of Greek and as a professor of New Testament during very tumultuous years at the end of the Synodical Conference. He was known as a staunch defender of the inerrancy of God's Word against the Historical Critical method which was taking root in the Missouri Synod at that time. This hymn is a reflection of that conviction.  In the opening verse he presents the power of God's Word which brought the natural world into existence. God said, and it was! We thank Him for His work of creation. Verse 2 shows that God was also concerned about the spiritual darkness that overtook His creation after the Fall. In His Son, God revealed a path to salvation. The world which was lost in darkness was given the light of salvation in Jesus, "the Light of the world." How did God accomplish this? By declaring sinners "righteous" in the person of Jesus, who took our sin and its punishment upon Himself. We are covered with the righteousness of Christ by faith in Him. And God did this, in His wisdom, through the "foolishness" (from the world's perspective) of the cross. This was the tool that God used to accomplish salvation for sinners. Like the Apostle Paul, our boast is in the cross of Christ. And so our prayer is that God would give us the ability to reflect that LIGHT to the world around us, through our words and actions. Give us lips to sing Thy glory! The final verse concludes with a doxology (word of praise) to the Triune God: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. Thanks be to God who has shone into our lives the Light of salvation in Jesus! May the LORD bless your worship this weekend!

Devotion Ecclesiastes 7:19-22   Announcements Recruiter to the Public Ministry Choir  Coffee and Creativity Bible Class and Sunday School Church Council ERC Men's Breakfast Friday  Women's Bible Study  Women's Study Guild See You at the Pole   Prayer List  Pastor John Hein Pastor Tim Wheaton Jim Lien Ryleigh Hanel Mary Mackey Gary and Gloria Schuft Bob and Norma Carlson Dave and Julie Busse Outgoing Church Leaders Mission in India   Hymn of the Day TLH 639 “For Many Years, O God of Grace"

This recording is a condensed version of the sermon preached at Immanuel Evangelical Lutheran Church in Mankato, Minnesota on September 7, 2025. You can watch the full recording on our YouTube Channel.   Deuteronomy 30:11-20 "For this commandment which I command you today is not too mysterious for you, nor is it far off. 12 "It is not in heaven, that you should say, ‘Who will ascend into heaven for us and bring it to us, that we may hear it and do it?' 13 "Nor is it beyond the sea, that you should say, ‘Who will go over the sea for us and bring it to us, that we may hear it and do it?' 14 "But the word is very near you, in your mouth and in your heart, that you may do it. 15 "See, I have set before you today life and good, death and evil, 16 "in that I command you today to love the LORD your God, to walk in His ways, and to keep His commandments, His statutes, and His judgments, that you may live and multiply; and the LORD your God will bless you in the land which you go to possess. 17 "But if your heart turns away so that you do not hear, and are drawn away, and worship other gods and serve them, 18 "I announce to you today that you shall surely perish; you shall not prolong your days in the land which you cross over the Jordan to go in and possess. 19 "I call heaven and earth as witnesses today against you, that I have set before you life and death, blessing and cursing; therefore choose life, that both you and your descendants may live; 20 "that you may love the LORD your God, that you may obey His voice, and that you may cling to Him, for He is your life and the length of your days; and that you may dwell in the land which the LORD swore to your fathers, to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, to give them."   Theme: Choose Life in Christ 1. The Command Is Clear 2. The Consequences Are Eternal 3. So Cling to the Cross

Josiah Conder was a well known poet, author and hymnwriter in England in the 1800's. He edited a hymnal for his generation and contributed many of his own hymns to the projects. The majority of those hymns are still in use today, either in England or in America, testifying to the value of his work. We only have one of his hymns in TLH, but it has also been included in the Worship Supplement in an updated form, and with a different final verse.  In its current form, this hymn is a wonderful treatment on the doctrine of justification by grace. There are two foundational Scriptures for this hymn. In John 15:16, Jesus said: “You did not choose Me, but I chose you and appointed you that you should go and bear fruit, and that your fruit should remain, that whatever you ask the Father in My name He may give you." The Apostle Paul also wrote: "For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, not of works, lest anyone should boast. For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand that we should walk in them." The word "grace" is beautifully defined in this hymn, showing our natural human condition "this heart would still refuse You" (v.1) and "taught my darkened heart and mind" (v.2). It also highlight what God has done for us: "Your grace [has] chosen me" and "You removed the sin that stained me" and "grace in Christ has called me." The hymn also points us to the conclusion of our faith: "from grace to glory," "hope soon change to heavenly glory, faith to sight and prayer to praise" (v.3). The Apostle Peter wrote: "But you are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, His own special people, that you may proclaim the praises of Him who called you out of darkness into His marvelous light; who once were not a people but are now the people of God, who had not obtained mercy but now have obtained mercy" (1 Peter 2:9-10).  Thanks be to God's grace in Christ, both in giving us an opportunity to serve Him now, and the assurance that we will be with Him in eternity. Rejoice in that grace, this weekend, and every day of your life!

Devotion Ecclesiastes 7:15-18   Announcements Bible Class and Sunday School Start Bible Study on Colossians Completed Board of Elders Men's Breakfast Friday  Women's Bible Study  Coffee and Creativity Board of Education Board of Property See You at the Pole   Prayer List  Pastor John Hein Pastor Tim Wheaton Jim Lien Ryleigh Hanel Mary Mackey Gary and Gloria Schuft Sunday School Teachers Mission in Togo   Hymn of the Day TLH 617 “There Is an Hour of Peaceful Rest”

In our hymn study this weekend we look at a famous hymn by Welsh hymn writer, William Williams. Williams was known as the "Watts of Wales" comparing him to Isaac Watts of England. In this hymn Williams uses the history of God's Old Testament people as an analogy for our earthly lives. He uses historical accounts of the Manna God provided from heaven for the Israelites, the pillar of cloud and fire, the water that God brought forth out of a rock, and finally the crossing of the Jordan river into the Promised Land of Canaan as illustrations of God's guiding and protecting hand in our lives today. Just as the Children of Israel were strangers in the wilderness, looking ahead to the Promised land of Canaan, so we are also strangers in this world of sin, looking ahead to the Promised Land of Heaven. Our prayer is that God would guide us, defend and protect us and feed and nurture us both physically and spiritually throughout our earthly lives, until He finally brings us across the river of physical death and delivers us into His eternal kingdom.  May the LORD enrich our understanding of His word and cause us to appreciate His presence in our lives and His defeat of death in Christ, which gives us confidence in our eternal future!

Devotion Ecclesiastes 7:11-14   Announcements Adopt a Highway Johnson Property "Open House" Ladies' Auxiliary Board of Elders Board of Deacons Thursday night Bible Study on Colossians Men's Breakfast Friday  Women's Bible Study  Labor Day Outreach Committee   Prayer List  Pastor John Hein Pastor Tim Wheaton Jim Lien Ryleigh Hanel Women's Groups Mission in Congo   Hymn of the Day TLH 420 "My Jesus, as Thou Wilt"

Devotion Ecclesiastes 7:7-10   Announcements Women Who Hike at Seven Mile Creek Church Council School Open House School Begins Board of Elders Evening Ambassadors Thursday night Bible Study on Colossians Men's Breakfast Friday  No Women's Bible Study  Rescheduled Adopt a Highway Johnson Property "Open House" on Sunday Board of Education   Prayer List  Pastor John Hein Pastor Tim Wheaton Jim Lien Ryleigh Hanel Marvin Schweim Mark Demars Ezekiel Schrader and Emery Schreyer Expansion Relocation Committee Mission in Nigeria   Hymn of the Day TLH 498 "Rise, Thou Light of Gentile Nations"

This recording is a condensed version of the sermon preached at Immanuel Evangelical Lutheran Church in Mankato, Minnesota on August 17, 2025. You can watch the full recording on our YouTube Channel.   Psalm 147:12-13 Praise the LORD, O Jerusalem! Praise your God, O Zion! For He has strengthened the bars of your gates; He has blessed your children within you.   Theme: Faith's Strong Gates Protect God's Blessed Children

We will be celebrating Christian Education in our worship this weekend. As we gather this weekend, our hearts and minds will be directed to the importance of God's Word which He has entrusted to His Church as a treasure. Because it is a treasure, Christians are called to pass that treasure of God's truth down from generation to generation as an inheritance.   Our closing hymn will reinforce these truths. This hymn, written by Danish pastor and hymn writer Nikolai Grundtvig, was originally written as a fifth stanza to Martin Luther's "A Mighty Fortress." While it serve well in that intended role, this hymn also serves as a stand alone hymn, which is how it has been primarily used for the last century. This hymn is based in part on Psalm 119:105 and 111: "Your word is a lamp to my feet And a light to my path... Your testimonies I have taken as a heritage forever, For they are the rejoicing of my heart." God's Word is a precious treasure that "guides our way" through life and is our support in death.  Our prayer in this hymn is that God would help us and strengthen us for the task of Christian Education, and the passing on of His Word of truth to the generations to come: "That the generation to come might know them, The children who would be born, That they may arise and declare them to their children, that they may set their hope in God, And not forget the works of God, But keep His commandments" (Psalm 78:6-7). Lord, thank you for the treasure of Your Word and all the blessings that You offer through it. Give us the wisdom and the strength to pass Your truth on to succeeding generations! Amen.

Devotion Ecclesiastes 7:1-6   Announcements Special Voters' Meeting next Monday School Parent Meetings Women Who Hike at Seven Mile Creek today Church Council today School Open House tomorrow Thursday night Bible Study on Colossians Men's Breakfast Friday  Women's Bible Study  Adopt a Highway Committal Service for Betty Grams Third Sunday Communion School Begins August 18   Prayer List  Pastor John Hein Pastor Tim Wheaton Jim Lien Ryleigh Hanel Marvin Schweim Mark Demars ILS Teachers, Parents, and Students Dedication Service of Mt. Zion Lutheran Church (Detroit, MI)   General Pastoral Conference Paper The Hidden Kingdom Devotions By Pastor David Ude   Hymn of the Day TLH 589 "Oh, How Blest Are Ye Whose Toils are Ended"

This recording is a condensed version of the sermon preached at Immanuel Ev. Lutheran Church on August 10, 2025. You can watch the full recording on our YouTube Channel. Hebrews 10:23-25   Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for He who promised is faithful.  And let us consider one another in order to stir up love and good works, not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as is the manner of some, but exhorting one another, and so much the more as you see the Day approaching.  1 Corinthians 1:10-12   Now I plead with you, brethren, by the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that you all speak the same thing, and that there be no divisions among you, but that you be perfectly joined together in the same mind and in the same judgment.  2 Timothy 2:14-18   Remind them of these things, charging them before the Lord not to strive about words to no profit, to the ruin of the hearers.  Be diligent to present yourself approved to God, a worker who does not need to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.  But shun profane and idle babblings, for they will increase to more ungodliness.  And their message will spread like cancer. Hymenaeus and Philetus are of this sort,  who have strayed concerning the truth, saying that the resurrection is already past; and they overthrow the faith of some. Theme: Fellowship - A Gift from God to be Preserved and Maintained

This weekend our worship will focus on fellowship. The fellowship that we share with God by faith, and the fellowship which God creates between believers united in the teachings of God's Word. One visible aspect of fellowship is joining together in worship with our fellow believers. This hymn highlights what worship is about as it joins us to God and describes what worship is and why we do it. The main Scriptural foundation for this hymn is Psalm 95:6 - "Oh come, let us worship and bow down; Let us kneel before the LORD our Maker."  Like the hymn, this verse describes worship and humbly kneeling before the LORD in repentant praise. This hymn is simple and relates simple Scriptural truths. In verse 1 we have a description of worship through the mention of prayer and our need for forgiveness. Part of our worship is acknowledging that we are sinful and that we need the forgiveness that the LORD alone can give.  In verse 2 we pray that the LORD would help us grow in grace, and produce fruits of faith, even through the challenges of life. This stanza incorporates 1 Peter 2:21-24 into the prayer. There Peter writes: "For to this you were called, because Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example, that you should follow His steps: “Who committed no sin, Nor was deceit found in His mouth”; who, when He was reviled, did not revile in return; when He suffered, He did not threaten, but committed Himself to Him who judges righteously; who Himself bore our sins in His own body on the tree, that we, having died to sins, might live for righteousness—by whose stripes you were healed." In verse 3 we return to the theme of worship again, highlighting praise, singing, and prayer. In the final line, the hymnwriter reminds us that our service is not really over when "church" ends. As we walk out of church our worship and service continues. "All that I have and am, to Thee I offer through eternity!" Worship is a blessing the LORD gives to His church. Through it He strengthens us, He comforts and forgives us, and He, the One whose mercies, faithfulness, and compassions fail not and are new to us every morning, is WORTHY of our prayers, our praise, our thankfulness, our worship. It is good for us to sing to Him and praise Him, with our fellow believers, for all that He has done and continues to do for us!  

Devotion Ecclesiastes 6:7-12   Announcements Funeral Service for Pastor L. Dale Redlin VBS Weekend Evening Ambassadors Thursday night Bible Study on Colossians at 6pm Men's Breakfast Friday 6:30am No Women's Bible Study on Friday night Special Voters' Meeting next Monday Church Council next Wednesday ILS Open House next Thursday School Begins August 18   Prayer List  Pastor John Hein Pastor Tim Wheaton Jim Lien Ryleigh Hanel ILS Teachers Seminary in Tanzania   General Pastoral Conference Paper Rest is for the Shepherd, Too: Clergy Self-Care: Necessity, Biblical Support, and Practical Approaches By Professor Paul Naumann   Hymn of the Day TLH 532 "Thy Way, Not Mine, O Lord"

This recording is a condensed version of the sermon preached at Immanuel Ev. Lutheran Church on August 3, 2025. You can watch the full recording on our YouTube Channel. 1 Corinthians 3:9-13  (NKJV) For we are God's fellow workers; you are God's field, you are God's building. 10 According to the grace of God which was given to me, as a wise master builder I have laid the foundation, and another builds on it. But let each one take heed how he builds on it. 11 For no other foundation can anyone lay than that which is laid, which is Jesus Christ. 12 Now if anyone builds on this foundation with gold, silver, precious stones, wood, hay, straw, 13 each one's work will become clear; for the Day will declare it, because it will be revealed by fire; and the fire will test each one's work, of what sort it is. Theme: Build on the Rock!

This week at VBS our students were encouraged to "Build on the Rock" and learned that Jesus and the Bible are a firm foundation for our faith and lives. This hymn serves as a valuable summary of what the kids were reminded of this week and what we all need to be reminded of. The hymn has an interesting background, in that we don't know for certain who wrote it. It was also originally sung to the melody of "O Come, All Ye Faithful," a strange combination indeed! In the opening two verses the hymnwriter assures us of the power of Jesus and that He and His word are a firm foundation for us as we face trials in this life. This has been true for every generation of Christians, and it is true for you and me as well. In verses 3-7, the format changes. In these verses the LORD speaks to us personally. You can see this with the quotes in the text. These verses are taken from the LORD's words to His people in the Old and New Testament, and especially from the book of Isaiah. Several Biblical examples are given by the LORD as evidence for the promises that He makes to us. These real-life examples are proof that the LORD can and will be with us, deliver us, and never forsake us. What a joyful assurance for us all! The words of this hymn serve as a great source of comfort for the LORD's people, especially in the trials of this sinful world! Lord, bless our worship this weekend!

Devotion Ecclesiastes 6:1-6   Announcements VBS this week Board of Elders Ladies' Auxiliary Board of Deacons Thursday night Bible Study on Colossians at 6pm NO Men's Breakfast Friday 6:30am Women's Bible Study on Friday night Dale Redlin Victory Service Saturday at 11am Communion this weekend Outreach Committee next Tuesday at 7pm   Prayer List  Pastor John Hein Pastor Tim Wheaton Jim Lien Alex, Miranda, and Ryleigh Hanel VBS helpers and students Mission to the Philippines   General Pastoral Conference Paper Study of the Pastor's Role as both Servant and Leader By Pastor Andrew Schaller   Hymn of the Day TLH 592 “I Know of a Sleep in Jesus' Name”

This recording is a condensed version of the sermon preached at Immanuel Ev. Lutheran Church on July 27, 2025. You can watch the full recording on our YouTube Channel. Joshua 24:14-28  (NKJV) “Now therefore, fear the LORD, serve Him in sincerity and in truth, and put away the gods which your fathers served on the other side of the River and in Egypt. Serve the LORD! 15 And if it seems evil to you to serve the LORD, choose for yourselves this day whom you will serve, whether the gods which your fathers served that were on the other side of the River, or the gods of the Amorites, in whose land you dwell. But as for me and my house, we will serve the LORD.” 16 So the people answered and said: “Far be it from us that we should forsake the LORD to serve other gods; 17 for the LORD our God is He who brought us and our fathers up out of the land of Egypt, from the house of bondage, who did those great signs in our sight, and preserved us in all the way that we went and among all the people through whom we passed. 18 And the LORD drove out from before us all the people, including the Amorites who dwelt in the land. We also will serve the LORD, for He is our God.” 19 But Joshua said to the people, “You cannot serve the LORD, for He is a holy God. He is a jealous God; He will not forgive your transgressions nor your sins. 20 If you forsake the LORD and serve foreign gods, then He will turn and do you harm and consume you, after He has done you good.” 21 And the people said to Joshua, “No, but we will serve the LORD!” 22 So Joshua said to the people, “You are witnesses against yourselves that you have chosen the LORD for yourselves, to serve Him.” And they said, “We are witnesses!” 23 “Now therefore,” he said, “put away the foreign gods which are among you, and incline your heart to the LORD God of Israel.” 24 And the people said to Joshua, “The LORD our God we will serve, and His voice we will obey!” 25 So Joshua made a covenant with the people that day, and made for them a statute and an ordinance in Shechem. 26 Then Joshua wrote these words in the Book of the Law of God. And he took a large stone, and set it up there under the oak that was by the sanctuary of the LORD. 27 And Joshua said to all the people, “Behold, this stone shall be a witness to us, for it has heard all the words of the LORD which He spoke to us. It shall therefore be a witness to you, lest you deny your God.” 28 So Joshua let the people depart, each to his own inheritance. Theme: Relationship Equals Service

The hymn for our study this weekend was one of the first Lutheran hymns published during the Reformation in Germany. The author, Lazarus Spengler is not well known but was a contemporary of Martin Luther and a strong supporter and "co-worker" of Luther in the Reformation. He was condemned with Luther in Pope Leo X's letter of excommunication and was by Luther's side at the Diet of Worms in 1521. He was also deeply involved in the work of creating a Lutheran liturgy and hymns which were in German.  This hymn beautifully describes the two major doctrines of the Bible, Law and Gospel or Sin and Grace. It is based primarily on Romans 5 which highlights the problem of the human condition, inherited from Adam, and God's solution to the problem of sin in Christ, the Second Adam.   Spengler reminds us of the Biblical truth that "they have all turned aside; They have together become unprofitable; There is none who does good, no, not one" (Romans 3:12) in the opening three verses and that "through one man's offense [Adam] judgment came to all men, resulting in condemnation" (Romans 5:18).  But Spengler also points us to God's solution and His work of service to mankind in accomplishing our salvation through Jesus. For "Christ, the second Adam, came to bear our sin and woe and shame" (verse 4). Jesus work was one of substitution: "So by one Man, who took our place, we all received the gift of grace" (verse 5). Certainly we thank Jesus for coming, not to "be served, but to serve" and to "give His life a ransom for many" (Mark 10:45). Lord, bring us to a deeper appreciation of our natural condition and its consequences, and of Your service to us in Your perfect life and death as our substitute! Amen!  

Devotion Ecclesiastes 5:13-20 Announcements Outdoor service Parenting / Mentoring Workshop Quarterly Voters' Meeting Preparing Phoebes - Monday, July 21 from 7-9pm (5-8th grade girls bible study and fellowship) Board of Education - last night Ambassadors (as we speak) Thursday night Bible Study on Colossians at 6pm Men's Breakfast Friday 6:30am NO Women's Bible Study on Friday night VBS is next week Ladies Auxiliary next Wednesday at 2pm Prayer List  Pastor John Hein Pastor Tim Wheaton Jim Lien Alex, Miranda, and Ryleigh Hanel Karl Mueller Mike Schweim Mary Mackey New Teachers Rick Mariner Michael Wheaton Debra Mayhew Jackie Friedrichs Paul Nolting CLC Missions Bangladesh (South Asia) Hymn of the Day TLH 625 “Oh, Blest the House, Whate'er Befall”

This recording is a condensed version of the sermon preached at Immanuel Ev. Lutheran Church on July 20, 2025. You can watch the full recording on our YouTube Channel. 2 Peter 1:1-4 (NKJV) Simon Peter, a bondservant and apostle of Jesus Christ, To those who have obtained like precious faith with us by the righteousness of our God and Savior Jesus Christ: 2 Grace and peace be multiplied to you in the knowledge of God and of Jesus our Lord, 3 as His divine power has given to us all things that pertain to life and godliness, through the knowledge of Him who called us by glory and virtue, 4 by which have been given to us exceedingly great and precious promises, that through these you may be partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world through lust. Theme: God's Precious Promises Are for You! 1. His Promises Are Great 2. His Promises Are Certain  

The Trinity Season directs us to the RESULTS of Christ's work for us in our lives. This weekend we will be looking at God's Call. The Savior calls us to salvation and calls us into His service. His call comes with great and rich blessings. Our hymn for this weekend was written by a 17th century European hymnwriter named Johann Scheffler. Scheffler was raised in a Lutheran home but was influenced by mysticism and in his later years left Lutheranism to become Roman Catholic. He was a prolific writer and many of his hymns became very popular in European churches of all branches. His hymns are simple and contain beautiful poetry. As we study this hymn we will notice that it does not specifically point to Jesus as Savior, but as an example. It is found in the New Obedience section of our hymnal, which highlights its sanctification theme. While it is grounded in Scripture, we have to be careful not to think of Jesus only as our example, but to know and confess that He is (more importantly) our Redeemer.   The hymn is written in a unique way, as Jesus Himself speaks to us in the words of this hymn. It is primarily based on Jesus' words in Matthew 16:24: “If anyone desires to come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow Me.” We see Jesus as our "example" in verse 1. In verse 2 Jesus shows "how you must sojourn here below." And in verse 4 He teaches us "how to shun and flee what harms your soul's salvation." The only subtle emphasis on Jesus as Savior comes at the end of verse 4 where Scheffler writes: "I am the Refuge of the soul and lead you to your heavenly goal." But even there he does not explain how Jesus has done that. The apostle Peter wrote: "For to this you were called, because Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example, that you should follow His steps: “Who committed no sin, Nor was deceit found in His mouth”; who, when He was reviled, did not revile in return; when He suffered, He did not threaten, but committed Himself to Him who judges righteously; who Himself bore our sins in His own body on the tree, that we, having died to sins, might live for righteousness— by whose stripes you were healed" (1 Peter 2:21-24). Notice how Peter connects Jesus as our example to Jesus as our Savior in those verses. Jesus is both. But His work our our Savior is more important.  While this hymn can be an encouragement for the believer who knows that Jesus is his Savior, but need encouragement in his life of Christian sanctification, this hymn is not intended for the unbeliever. The unbeliever first needs to know Jesus as Savior, before he can follow Jesus as an example.  May the LORD who has called us into His family by the blood of Jesus, bless each of us in living out our lives to His glory!

Devotion Ecclesiastes 5:8-12   Announcements North Mankato Fun Days Parade Ambassadors Midweek Bible Study Men's Breakfast Ladies Bible Study Door Canvasing Saturday Outdoor Service Parenting Seminar Quarterly Voters' Meeting Preparing Pheobes Board of Education VBS   Prayer List  Pastor John Hein Pastor Tim Wheaton Jim Lien Family of Fred Brandt Jr. Family of Dale Redlin Alex, Miranda, and Ryleigh Hanel Joan Strand Ty Landon Karl Mueller Mike Schweim Mary Mackey Land Purchase and Budget Mission work in India   Pastoral Conference Paper Review  The Sin of Idleness - 2 Thessalonians 3 By Pastor Johnathan Schnose   Hymn: TLH 540 “With the Lord Begin Thy Task” 

This recording is a condensed version of the sermon preached at Immanuel Ev. Lutheran Church on July 13, 2025. You can watch the full recording on our YouTube Channel. Isaiah 43:8-137:40-53 (NKJV) "Bring out the blind people who have eyes, And the deaf who have ears. 9 Let all the nations be gathered together, And let the people be assembled. Who among them can declare this, And show us former things? Let them bring out their witnesses, that they may be justified; Or let them hear and say, "It is truth." 10 "You are My witnesses," says the LORD, "And My servant whom I have chosen, That you may know and believe Me, And understand that I am He. Before Me there was no God formed, Nor shall there be after Me. 11 I, even I, am the LORD, And besides Me there is no savior. 12 I have declared and saved, I have proclaimed, And there was no foreign god among you; Therefore you are My witnesses," Says the LORD, "that I am God. 13 Indeed before the day was, I am He; And there is no one who can deliver out of My hand; I work, and who will reverse it?""   Theme: "You Are My Witnesses" Witnesses of the Only God Witnesses of the Savior God  

Devotion Ecclesiastes 5:1-7   Announcements 4th of July Parade Ambassadors Midweek Bible Study Church Council Men's Breakfast Ladies Bible Study North Mankato Fun Days Parade Outdoor Service Parenting Seminar VBS Registration   Prayer List  Pastor John Hein Pastor Tim Wheaton Jim Lien Family of Fred Brandt Jr. Family of Dale Redlin Alex, Miranda, and Ryleigh Hanel Marvin and Mary Schweim Anniversary Sue Heise Ethan Kranz Texas Flooding Mark Stelter Joan Strand Finance Committee Mission Helpers to Nepal   Pastoral Conference Paper Review  The Eternal Continues to Roar from Zion: The Judgment of Judah and Israel By Missionary Peter Evensen   Hymn: TLH 578 “Lord, While for All Mankind We Pray”

This weekend we will be considering the importance of exercise in our worship service. Not physical exercise, but spiritual exercise. As we consider HOW we exercise spiritually, we will reflect on the "gym equipment" that the LORD has given us to remain spiritually fit and healthy. This weekend we will be singing Hymn 292 in our worship. It was written by a reformer who struggled with confessional purity during a very dark and trying time in Church history. Yet the Lord preserved His church and promises to do the same today. He defends, protects, sustains and builds up His Church and people through His Word and Sacrament. This hymn highlights both the power of God's Word, which is our "shield and sword" as well as the dangers that surround us in this evil world, from both the world and the devil. For "falsehood's spirit wide has spread, and error boldly rears its head." May the Lord enable us to stand firm against error and false teaching and strengthen us through His Word of truth, preparing us for eternity.  Join us this weekend as we are reminded of God's spiritual blessings in His Word and Sacrament, and as we reflect on how we can exercise our faith in both heart and body!

Devotion Ecclesiastes 4:13-16 Review Monday, June 30 - Special Voters' Meeting ERC / CC meeting Outreach meeting Upcoming Board of Elders meeting tonight Evening Ambassadors @ Lien House tonight 7-9pm No Mid week Bible Study on Colossians this week No Men's Breakfast this week No Women's Bible Study on Friday night Fourth of July Parade in St. Peter (talk to Hilary to help!) Communion this weekend (please register for communion) Outdoor service on July 20th @ Erlandson Park Games and lunch Sunday after church Saturday night will be at church Third Sunday communion will be moved to the Second Sunday in July Parenting/Mentoring Seminar - July 20 4-7pm (RSVP) VBS Registration Open (July 28- August 1) Prayer List Cancer Patients Pastor John Hein Pastor Tim Wheaton Jim Lien Other health issues Ethan Kranz Mark Stelter Joan Strand (hip) Marty Flowers (elbow /arm) Alex, Miranda, and Baby Hanel Caroline Matzke (infection) Dale Redlin (hospice) Prayer Highlight Church - Outreach Efforts: Outreach Committee organize events: two parades, worship in the park, invite a friend to church, adopt a highway, Flyers on billboards, signs on the roads, Facebook ads; etc. Personal invitation! CLC Missions - Nepal – Prayers continue for the eight CLC Mission Helpers who are doing VBS outreach in Nepal with Pastor Raju and his family. The Mission Helpers will divide into two teams as they spend the next few weeks proclaiming the simple Gospel message to approx. 2,000 children in towns and mountain villages where HCLCN congregations are located. They will be helping  pastors, leaders, and members of the Himalayan Church of the Lutheran Confession of Nepal (HCLCN) to spread the Gospel in Nepal. You can follow along with the Mission Helpers through the trip blog at: www.2025clcmhtnepal.blogspot.com. Your prayers are requested and much appreciated. GPC Paper Review Motivation for Ministry - Ben Libby Hymn of the Day: TLH 584 “Swell the Anthem, Raise the Song”  

This recording is a condensed version of the sermon preached at Immanuel Ev. Lutheran Church on June 22, 2025. You can watch the full recording on our YouTube Channel. John 7:40-53 (NKJV) Therefore many from the crowd, when they heard this saying, said, “Truly this is the Prophet.” 41 Others said, “This is the Christ.” But some said, “Will the Christ come out of Galilee? 42 Has not the Scripture said that the Christ comes from the seed of David and from the town of Bethlehem, where David was?” 43 So there was a division among the people because of Him. 44 Now some of them wanted to take Him, but no one laid hands on Him. 45 Then the officers came to the chief priests and Pharisees, who said to them, “Why have you not brought Him?” 46 The officers answered, “No man ever spoke like this Man!” 47 Then the Pharisees answered them, “Are you also deceived? 48 Have any of the rulers or the Pharisees believed in Him? 49 But this crowd that does not know the law is accursed.” 50 Nicodemus (he who came to Jesus by night, being one of them) said to them, 51 “Does our law judge a man before it hears him and knows what he is doing?” 52 They answered and said to him, “Are you also from Galilee? Search and look, for no prophet has arisen out of Galilee.” 53 And everyone went to his own house. Theme: Wrestling with Who Jesus Is  

This weekend we will be dealing with the questions: "Who is Jesus?" and "What does that mean for me?" During the ministry of Jesus there were many people who had questions about who He was, and what that meant for them. The same is true today. Jesus declared that He was the Messiah, the Savior promised by God to the world, and He showed that to be true by His words and actions. If that is true, then His words have implications for us today. He invites us to come to Him for forgiveness, life and salvation.  This hymn, written by Anne Steele, repeats that invitation. It reminds us that Jesus has invited us to come and never thirst, and it reminds us that we are also to invite others to come to Jesus as well. The hymn is based on several passages from the Old and New Testament that contain God's gracious invitation to sinners, but foremost it is based on Jesus' words in Matthew 11:28 and John 7. Jesus says: "Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For My yoke is easy and My burden is light” (Matthew 11:28). And “If anyone thirsts, let him come to Me and drink. He who believes in Me, as the Scripture has said, out of his heart will flow rivers of living water" (John 7:37-38). What rich blessings our Savior offers to undeserving sinners such as us through this invitation! Thank God for His Mercy in Jesus! Join us this weekend as we are reminded of God's gracious call, and as we reflect on the rich blessings that He offers through heeding that invitation!

Devotion Ecclesiastes 4:7-12   Announcements Pastoral Conference Christian Family Weekend Ambassadors Midweek Bible Study Men's Breakfast Ladies Bible Study Voters' Meeting Outdoor Service Parenting Seminar VBS Registration   Prayer List  Pastor John Hein Pastor Tim Wheaton Jim Lien Ethan Kranz Mark Stelter Joan Strand Marty Flowers Hanel Family Bible Study Leaders Mission Helpers to Nepal   Common Christian Q&A  Why does Luke record the lineage of Jesus through Mary?   Hymn: TLH 622 “The Voice that Breathed o'er Eden” 

This recording is a condensed version of the sermon preached at Immanuel Ev. Lutheran Church on June 22, 2025. You can watch the full recording on our YouTube Channel.   2 Timothy 3:14-17 (NKJV) 14  But you must continue in the things which you have learned and been assured of, knowing from whom you have learned them, 15  and that from childhood you have known the Holy Scriptures, which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus. 16  All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness, 17  that the man of God may be complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work. Theme: A Family Is Incomplete without Christ 1. His Word Is a Reliable Authority 2. He Gives Us True Purpose

This weekend we enter the second have of the Church Year with the Trinity Season. The coming 20+ weeks of the church year will focus on the RESULTS of Christ's work for us in our lives. This weekend we will be looking at the Family. The family has been created by God, and it is blessed by God. This hymn reminds us that the family is completed in Jesus.  The hymn was written by a very popular German hymnwriter in the 18th Century by the name of Christoph Pfeil. His hymn was originally eight verses long and was shortened by Catherine Winkworth when she translated it.  The hymn highlights the blessings that God imparts to us through the family, and weaves in Bible passages and historical accounts from the Bible as examples for us. Pfeil reminds us that Christ completes the family. Without Jesus as the center of the family, the family is incomplete. For "if He [Jesus] were not dwelling there,  How dark and poor and void it were."  Verse 2 is based in part on Psalm 128: "Blessed is every one who fears the LORD, Who walks in His ways." Faith in Jesus is going to bring about results. We will walk in His ways when we are brought to faith in Him. We will not be perfect, but knowing that His way is good and best, we will desire to live as He desires. Parents who instruct their children in the Word and point them to Jesus who is our all in all, will be blest (v.3). That doesn't mean that our children will not fall away from the Christian faith. They may reject Jesus as they get older. But the foundation parents give their children will help protect them from the world and its temptations.  Two examples from Scripture are alluded too in this hymn. One is Luke 2:41-52 and the other is Joshua 24:15. Mary and Joseph served as a godly example of raising Jesus, bringing Him to the LORD's house, and instructing Him in the Christian faith. They are an example for us. Joshua is another example. The last verse of the hymn is a paraphrase of Joshua's words: "And if it seems evil to you to serve the LORD, choose for yourselves this day whom you will serve, whether the gods which your fathers served that were on the other side of the River, or the gods of the Amorites, in whose land you dwell. But as for me and my house, we will serve the LORD." What an confession and example for us! "I and my house will serve the LORD!" May it be true for all of us! May the LORD bless your worship this weekend, and give you strength in you family callings, assuring you of the forgiveness that is found in Jesus!