And He (the returning Jesus) has on His robe and on His thigh a name written:

and

(Revelation 19:16)

Last Sunday of Church Year November 22, 2015 Volume 78, No. 59

IMMANUEL EVANGELICAL LUTHERAN CHURCH 421 North Second Street

Mankato, Minnesota 56001 (507) 345-3027 www.immanuelmankato.org

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CHRIST THE KING SUNDAY

Serving Us Today: Deacon: Nick Stelter; Organist: Lane Fischer

Sound: Craig Stelter; Video: Mike Schweim; Screen: Rachael Hanel Head Usher: Joseph Friedrichs; Asst. Usher: Kevin Moeri

WELCOME to all visitors! Please sign the guest reg-

ister in the narthex. Visitors and members: feel free to

speak with the Pastor after the service, or call: 387-

7035 for Pastor Nolting or 344-0898 for Pastor Eich-

stadt or 345-3027 for the church office.

PRE-SERVICE DEVOTION: Psalm 45 (p.133, red hymnal)

PRE-SERVICE PRAYER: “Jesus, Savior, Come to Me” (TLH 356:1-2)

Jesus, Savior, come to me; let me ever be with Thee,

Come and nevermore depart, Thou who reignest in my heart.

Lord, for Thee I ever sigh, nothing else can satisfy.

Ever do I cry to Thee: Jesus, Jesus, come to me! Amen.

ORDER OF SERVICE [Worship Supplement 2000, pp. 12ff]

PREPARATION FOR WORSHIP

ENTRANCE HYMN: 339 — “All Hail the Power of Jesus’ Name”

When the congregation is asked to stand, please do so only if you are able. You may remain seated if standing is difficult.

WELCOME in the name of Jesus—our glorious and eternal KING!

INVOCATION (Pastor): In the Name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit.

Congregation:

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CONFESSION AND ABSOLUTION Text: from Christian Worship: A Lutheran Hymnal © 1993 Northwestern Publishing House.

All rights reserved. OneLicense.net License #A-710933

Pastor: We have come into the presence of God, who created us to

love and serve Him as His dear children. But we have disobeyed Him

and deserve only His wrath and punishment. Therefore, let us confess

our sins to Him and plead for His mercy.

Congregation: Merciful Father in heaven, I am altogether sinful

from birth. In countless ways I have sinned against You and do

not deserve to be called Your child. But trusting in Jesus, my

Savior, I pray: Have mercy on me according to Your unfailing

love. Cleanse me from my sin, and take away my guilt.

Pastor: God, our heavenly Father, has forgiven all your sins. By the

perfect life and innocent death of our Lord Jesus Christ, He has re-

moved your guilt forever. You are His own dear child. May God give

you strength to live according to His will.

Congregation:

THE SERVICE OF THE WORD

Congregation (sings): Lord, have mercy on us,

Christ, have mercy on us.

Lord, have mercy on us. GLORY TO GOD, WE GIVE YOU THANKS

Text: Edwin LeGrice © 1991 Kevin Mayhew Ltd.

All rights reserved. OneLicense.net License #A-710933

1. Glory to God, we give You thanks and praise;

Of heav'nly joy and peace on earth we sing.

We worship You, to You our hearts we raise,

Lord God, almighty Father, heav'nly King.

2. Lord Jesus Christ, the Father's only Son,

You bore for us the load of this world's sin.

O Lamb of God, Your glorious vict'ry won,

Receive our prayer, grant us Your peace within.

3. Alone, O Christ, You only are the Lord,

At God's right hand in majesty most high:

Who, with the Spirit worshiped and adored,

With all the heav'nly host we glorify.

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PRAYER OF THE DAY P: Let us pray . . . . . . through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever.

Congregation:

FIRST LESSON: Ecclesiastes 12:10-14

Solomon ends this book by encouraging his son and each of us to listen carefully to his words, to keep God’s commandments, and to honor God before Whom we one day will stand in final judgment!

CHURCH CHOIR: “Before the Throne of God Above”

Before the throne of God above, I have a strong and perfect plea, A great High Priest whose name is Love, Who ever lives and pleads for me. My name is graven on His hands. My name is written on His heart. I know that while in heaven He stands, No tongue can bid me thence depart, No tongue can bid me thence depart. When Satan tempts me to despair And tells me of the guilt within, Upward I look and see Him there Who made an end of all my sin. Because the sinless Savior died, My sinful soul is counted free; For God the Just is satisfied To look on Him and pardon me, To look on Him and pardon me. Behold Him there, the Risen Lamb, My perfect spotless Righteousness, The great unchangeable I AM, The KING of glory and of grace, :: One with Himself, I cannot die. My soul is purchased by His blood. My life is hid with Christ on high, With Christ, my Savior and my God, With Christ, my Savior and my God! ::

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BEFORE THE THRONE OF GOD ABOVE. Writers: Charitie Bancroft, Vikki Cook Copyright © 1997 Sovereign Grace Worship (ASCAP) (adm. at CapitolCMGPublishing.com)

All rights reserved. Used by permission. License #576554

SECOND LESSON: Acts 28:16-31

Paul spent two years in Rome under house arrest. During that time he preached to all who would listen concerning the kingdom of God and the ultimate return of Jesus Christ—our glorious and eternal King!

Pastor: Blessed are they who hear the Word of God and keep it.

Congregation (sings):

Alleluia! Alleluia! Alleluia! These words are written that we may believe

that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God. Alleluia! Alleluia! Alleluia!

APOSTOLIC CREED

I believe in God, the Father almighty, maker of heaven and earth.

I believe in Jesus Christ, His only Son, our Lord,

Who was conceived by the Holy Spirit, born of the virgin Mary, suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, died, and was buried.

He descended into hell. The third day He rose again from the dead. He ascended into heaven

and is seated at the right hand of God the Father almighty.

From there He will come to judge the living and the dead.

I believe in the Holy Spirit;

the holy Christian Church, the communion of saints;

the forgiveness of sins; the resurrection of the body; and the life everlasting. Amen.

CHILDREN'S SERMON: “What will heaven be like?”

Children (pre-school-2nd grade) are invited to come forward and gather around the pastor in the front of the church.

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HYMN OF THE DAY: 341—“Crown Him with Many Crowns” SERMON: Text – Revelation 21:1-7

CHRIST IS KING! HE IS AND WILL RULE FOREVER!

HOW OUGHT WE RESPOND. . .?

I. . . .with the joy of a bride!

II. . . .with the hope of the rescued!

III. . . .with the confidence of the victor!

Pastor Paul D. Nolting

SERMON NOTES:

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OFFERTORY—Congregation (sings):

Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a right spirit within

me. Cast me not away from Your presence. Take not Your Holy

Spirit from me. Restore to me the joy of Your salvation. Uphold

with Your Spirit free. OFFERING OF THANKSGIVING

PRAYER OF THE CHURCH LORD'S PRAYER BENEDICTION

Congregation:

CLOSING HYMN: “When Peace, like a River”

Grade School Children: Stanzas 1-3

Congregation Joins Children: Stanza 4—see next page

1. When peace, like a river, attendeth my way;

When sorrows, like sea billows, roll;

Whatever my lot, God has taught me to say,

“It is well, it is well with my soul.”

It is well . . . with my soul.

It is well, it is well with my soul.

2. Though Satan should tempt me, though trials should come,

Let this blest assurance control,

That Christ has regarded my helpless estate

and has shed His own blood for my soul.

REFRAIN

3. He lives – oh, the bliss of this glorious thought;

My sin, not in part, but the whole

Is nailed to His cross, and I bear it no more.

Praise the Lord, praise the Lord, O my soul!

REFRAIN

8

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Scripture taken from the New King James Version®. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson. Used by permission. All rights reserved.

Unless otherwise noted, the text, tune, and/or setting of service elements are in public domain.

Immanuel’s WEEKLY Activities

This afternoon:

• 2:00 P.M. ILS Drama Matinee “Crumpled Classics”

Mon. Nov. 23

• 3:00-7:30 P.M. ILS K-6 Conferences

Tues. Nov. 24

• 3:00-7:30 P.M. ILS K-6 Conferences

• 3:00-5:00 P.M. Pastor’s Office Hours [WCE]

• 4:00-7:30 P.M. ILS 7-12 Conferences

• 7:00 P.M. Board of Education meeting

Wed. Nov. 25

• 12:45 P.M. Immanuel Church Service on KTV Charter Ch.181 or Consoli-

dated Communications Ch. 7

• 7:00 P.M. Thanksgiving Eve WORSHIP Service (PDN)

Altar Flowers: Katie Dick; Deacon: Nick Stelter; Sound: Craig Stelter; Screen: Rachael Hanel

Thurs. Nov. 26

• 9:30 A.M. Thanksgiving Eve WORSHIP Service (PDN)

Altar Flowers: Katie Dick; Deacon: Charles Olmanson; Sound: Andrew Stelter; Screen:

Clifford Kuehne

• 10:30 A.M.-4:00 P.M. Family Use of Basement and MPF

• 5:45 P.M. Immanuel Church Service on KTV Charter Ch. 181 or Consoli-

dated Communications Ch. 7

Sat. Nov. 28

• 9:00 A.M.-noon Christmas Decorating of Church (see announcement)

• Noon-7:00 P.M. Family Use of Basement

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Church Decorating Saturday, November 28

A time of fellowship, music, and fun

while decorating God’s House for

celebrating the birth of His Son!

Decorating Begins 9:00 a.m. (coffee/juice provided; feel free to bring a breakfast item to share!)

Families are welcome!

Sun. Nov. 29 — 1st Sunday in ADVENT (the start of a new Church Year)

• 8:15-8:20 A.M. Immanuel Meditations KTOE 1420 AM or 102.7 FM ra-

dio sermon

• 8:15-9:15 A.M. Sunday School, Ambassadors, & Bible Study

• 9:30 A.M. Advent WORSHIP [WCE]

Altar Flowers: Katie Dick; Deacon: Charles Olmanson; Sound: Brent Schreyer; Video: Alan

Olmanson; Screen: Clifford Kuehne

Ushers: Fifth Sunday of the Month = Church Council: Head Usher: Mark Stelter

(625.5343) Council chm.; Asst. Usher: Omar Olmanson (387.3732) Deacon chm.; Ron

Anderson; Jim Buckley; Jacob Busse; Joe Casto; Jon Clobes; Jeff Dauer; Jason Dick; Fred

Friedrichs; Ryan Hammett; Ty Hanel; Kyle Hulke; Wesley Kranz; Mark Matzke; Bennett

Olmanson; Charles Olmanson; Leif Olmanson; Daniel Pfeiffer; Craig Stelter; Nick Stelter.

THANKSGIVING EVE/DAY: Please join together in thanksgiving to our God

on Wednesday, Nov. 25th, 7:00 p.m. or Thursday, Nov. 26, 9:30 a.m.

Susan Nelson will join her sister Bonnie Cornish to play organ on Thanks-

giving Day. Immanuel’s Church Choir will sing on Thanksgiving Day.

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The Parable of the Lost Sons: the younger son was lost

in the world, while the older son was lost in the church.

The FATHER loves His children--all of them! His

arms and, therefore, our arms are to be open: “Be glad,

for your brother was dead and is alive again, and was

lost and is found." (Luke 15:11-32) NKJV™

Victoria Emma Fennern was summoned in the spirit

into the heavenly presence of our Savior on November 15, 2015. Funeral

service was held at Immanuel Lutheran Church on November 19, 2015.

Prior to the service, interment was at Pilgrims Rest Cemetery.

In the Hospital:

Address Directory Updates: Please change the following in your address

directory.

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Holiday Lights

Still in search of THREE volunteers for Saturday, December 5th,

and TWO volunteers for Thursday, December 17th. Both shifts

start at 4:30 PM. Park closes at 9 PM on Thursday and 10 PM on

Saturday. Volunteers are asked to stay until all guests leave the

park.

Additional volunteers are needed January 2 from 9:00 am to

12:00 (lunch included) for park cleanup. Contact Kirsten Becker

to volunteer or for more information.

Immanuel’s Website: If you are having problems when you use Im-

manuel’s Church or School website/calendar through Internet Ex-

plorer, try using Chrome. If problems persist, contact Kirsten Becker

(kirstenrbecker@yahoo.com).

Book for Sale: Copies of the book “Steeple in the Distance” are still avail-

able for purchase. The historical setting presents Lutheran fiction with a

spine, the spine of the cross. Consider it for a gift of encouragement to a

friend, perhaps as a witness for a co-worker or an avid reader’s Christmas

gift. The saint/sinner struggles of the characters' daily lives are also ours.

If interested speak with Kathleen Olmanson; visit the author’s web site:

www.UdeBooks.com

CLC News: Gethsemane Lutheran, Spokane Valley WA, has called Pastor Michael Gurath, Holy Cross Lutheran, Phoenix AZ. Creation Magazine Vol. 37 No. 4: borrow from the entryway table:

Why Did God Give Us a Book?; Transhumanism; Fish Dislike Heavy Metal; Cats: Big and Small; Creation for Kids: Why Are there Prickles?, and many more articles.

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Excerpted from Ministry by Mail—November 8, 2015 / Pastor P. Mark Weis / Full sermon available at: www.lutheransermons.org / Scripture quotations are taken from the HOLY BIBLE, NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION®. NIV®. Copyright © 1984 by International Bible

Society. Used by permission of Zondervan. All rights reserved.

BE PERSISTENT IN PRAYER REASON #1

Be a persistent pray-er, because God has

invited you to pray. That is a simple enough

reason to go on praying, but it is nonetheless important. When we

call someone they may be busy and unable to talk so we ask: “Do

you have time to talk now?”

There is never a time or situation, no matter how trivial, when you

need to inquire of God: “Do you have time to talk with me?” God is

always ready to listen to you. You can never intrude. You can never

bore Him with details. You can never talk too long or ask for too

much. God wants you to come to him with every problem and

concern. Here are but three of his invitations. “Call upon me in the

day of trouble” (Psalm 50:15). “Come now, let us reason

together” (Isaiah 1:16). “Come to me, all you who are weary and

burdened” (Matthew 11:28).

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Church of the Lutheran Confession

FINANCIAL REPORT October 2015October 2015October 2015October 2015

The following summarizes the operating funds of

the Church of the Lutheran Confession (CLC) and six significant auxiliary funds.

Comments: Comments: Comments: Comments:

• The General Fund deficit is ($65,394) at the end of October

• General Fund offerings are $54,083 less than budget year-to-date

• General Fund spending was $11,311 over budget year-to-date

• ILC balance is positive $80,238 because of fall registration payments

• September MDF expenditures totaled $16,882, major items included $9,000 for disas-

ter relief, $1,357 for Germany conference, and $2,000 for Liberia seminar

• IIF spent $1,663 for work on the professorages in October

Dr. James A. Sydow, CLC Treasurer

Philip E. Radichel, Chairman, CLC Board of Trustees

BalanceBalanceBalanceBalance Year to Year to Year to Year to

DateDateDateDate Year to Year to Year to Year to

DateDateDateDate FY 2016FY 2016FY 2016FY 2016

BudgetBudgetBudgetBudget BalanceBalanceBalanceBalance

Operating FundsOperating FundsOperating FundsOperating Funds 7/1/20157/1/20157/1/20157/1/2015 RevenueRevenueRevenueRevenue DisbursedDisbursedDisbursedDisbursed 4 Months4 Months4 Months4 Months 10/31/201510/31/201510/31/201510/31/2015

General Fund 0 253,917 319,311 $308,000 (65,394)

ILC Operations 0 479,907 399,669 $445,433 80,238

TotalTotalTotalTotal $0$0$0$0 $733,823$733,823$733,823$733,823 $718,980$718,980$718,980$718,980 $753,433 $14,843$14,843$14,843$14,843

Auxiliary FundsAuxiliary FundsAuxiliary FundsAuxiliary Funds ILC Improvement

Fund (IIF) 21,975 13,073 4,420 30,628

ILC Building Fund 16,899 31,773 38,363 10,309 Mission

Development Fund

(MDF) 92,551 79,089 99,199 72,441

Kinship 54,418 20,688 20,755 54,351 Church Extension

Fund (CEF) 1,463,337 271,624 722,804 1,012,157 Student Aid Fund

(SAF) (6,833) 75,114 53,006 15,275

CEF Loan (ILC Academic Center)

Beginning Balance (January 1, 2010) $1,751,804

Current Balance (October 31, 2015) $1,352,798

Change in PrincipalChange in PrincipalChange in PrincipalChange in Principal $399,006$399,006$399,006$399,006

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Our Response of Faith

Attendance:

11/15 Sunday School = 45 / Ambassadors = 5 / Bible Study = 47

11/15 Sunday Worship = 354

11/18 Wed. Bible Study = 14 / Wed. Worship = 31

The following gift is received with thanks by

Immanuel….

In Memory of Vicki Fennern

Immanuel Lutheran School $20

Immanuel

Sunday Current NEED $10,644

CLC

Weekly Missions NEED $1307

Sunday Current = $8,421 Missions = $979

Endowment = $100 ILC Building = $40

Expansion / Relocation = $10 ILC Student Aid = $50

Major Improvement = $92 MDF: Mission Develop. Fund = $50

OTHER: OTHER:

Benevolent = $195 Nepal Relief Fund = $50

Food Shelf = $10

Imm. Student Aid = $19* *from aluminum cans

Tuition Aid = $50

Tuition = $50

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Doctrinal Discussions Continue between the CLC, the ELS, and WELS

Representatives from the Church of the Lutheran Confession, the Evan-

gelical Lutheran Synod, and the Wisconsin Evangelical Lutheran Synod

met in Waukesha, Wisconsin, on November 13 to continue formal doc-

trinal discussions. The group made final edits on a joint statement on the

biblical doctrine of fellowship. This statement had been adopted by the

group as a draft in an earlier meeting and had been shared with the doc-

trinal committees of all three synods. Comments from those committees

were considered in the writing of the latest draft. The revised statement

will be shared again with the doctrinal committees for additional input.

The group also spent a portion of the meeting addressing how the biblical

doctrine of fellowship is applied in various situations. One significant area

of discussion is how the biblical fellowship principles impact participation

in various organizations that may have religious elements in their govern-

ing documents or in how the organizations function. Another subject for

discussion was the biblical doctrine of the role of men and women in the

church, in marriage, and in society. Discussion of these matters will con-

tinue at the next meeting, planned for early in 2016.

The talks have been constructive and positive, with all involved fully com-

mitted to a faithful understanding and application of God’s Word.