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Important Dates - Week of 8/18/2025

Emanuel Events This Week Monday NO SCHOOL Opening service in church at 5:30 pm Ice cream social to follow in school Commons Tuesday NO BUSING First day of school for 6th-8th Doors open at 7:40 am Parents who wish to stay for orientation should go to the church coffee area 7th-grade volleyball tryouts at 5:30 pm Wednesday NO BUSING First day of school for 3K (M/W)-5th grade 6th-8th attend also Thursday NO BUSING First day of school for 3K (T/TH) A-team volleyball practice at 3:15 pm Soccer/Cross Country practice at 3:15 pm C-team volleyball practice at 3:15 pm B-team volleyball practice at 5:30 pm Friday NO BUSING School chapel at 8:05 am Saturday Worship at 5:15 pm Sunday Worship at 8:00/10:30 am Bible study between services

Anticipating Worship: Tenth Sunday after Pentecost, August 17, 2025—GOD’S WORD DIVIDES

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We often divide humanity into groupings that are not really significant: this ethnic group versus that one, men versus women, wealthy versus poor. Yet, every ethnic group is under God’s law. That law equally convicts men and women of sin. Because of sin, both the wealthy and poor will die. Only through faith in Christ is sin forgiven and the sting of death removed. God’s Word creates that saving faith, but not in everyone who hears it. Fallen mankind retains the awful power to reject the Word and God’s gift of faith. Therefore, God’s Word produces the only people distinction that matters—believers and unbelievers. We desire to live in peace with other people. But Jesus teaches, this side of heaven, that desire is a pipe dream. Those who embrace the gospel in faith will inevitably face hostility. Following Jesus will come at a price. Yet he promises that our perseverance will be rewarded. Want to hear more? See you this weekend: Saturday at 5:15 p.m. • Sunday at 8 a.m. • Sunday at 10:30...

Sunday School is Back!

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Our Sunday School year will kick off on September 14, beginning at 9:15 AM. School-aged children through 5th grade are invited to join us. Come and grow in your faith through Bible stories, music, and of course, lots of fun! Register at emanuelnl.org/grow and then come to the Ministry HUB on September 14 to start the learning adventure.

Anticipating Worship: Ninth Sunday after Pentecost, August 10, 2025—Undivided Attention: Our Concerns

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Last week, Jesus warned us against overvaluing earthly wealth. This week, Jesus warns against undervaluing heavenly treasure. Last week, Jesus exposed the folly of greed. This week, Jesus exposes the folly of worry, even when faced with the prospect of having a seeming shortage of resources. This week might be the bigger challenge! Jesus asks us to give our undivided attention to him, that he might take our worries away. Jesus points to our Father, who promises to give us the heavenly treasures of his kingdom. Jesus assures us that our Father will throw in any needed earthly possessions as well. Want to hear more? See you this weekend: Saturday at 5:15 p.m. • Sunday at 8 a.m. • Sunday at 10:30 a.m.

Anticipating Worship: Eighth Sunday after Pentecost, August 3, 2025—Undivided Attention: Our Priorities

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Money. Possessions. Perhaps more than anything else, those things have the power to turn our attention away from what is truly important. Christ wants us to understand that it is our heavenly Father who provides us with those useful resources. But we need to know why our Father gives them: what they are useful for, and what they are not useful for. This week, let us give our undivided attention to what Christ says about the useful resources our gracious Father provides to us. Want to hear more? See you this weekend: Saturday at 5:15 p.m. • Sunday at 8 a.m. • Sunday at 10:30 a.m.

Anticipating Worship: Seventh Sunday after Pentecost, July 27, 2025—Undivided Attention: Our Prayer

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In a sense, prayer comes naturally to us. We want, so we ask. We hurt, so we cry out. We are frustrated, so we vent. We are blessed, so we give thanks. What does not come naturally, however, is a proper understanding of the privilege of prayer. Prayer provides the opportunity to bring our will into conformity with God’s will, not the other way around. This week, we give our undivided attention to what God says about this access we call prayer. Want to hear more? See you this weekend: Saturday at 5:15 p.m. • Sunday at 8 a.m. • Sunday at 10:30 a.m.

Anticipating Worship: Sixth Sunday after Pentecost, July 20, 2025—Undivided Attention: Our Devotion

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Most would agree with Jesus’ teaching that “Few things are needed” (Luke 10:42). We understand that people often confuse their wants with needs. However, Jesus said more. “Few things are needed—or indeed only one.” Now we might object. There seems to be more than one true need. Yet, what Jesus said is true. Because only one thing—the gospel—can create and sustain the faith that makes one God’s dear child and an heir of the everlasting kingdom. We literally need the gospel more than water or oxygen. So, let us listen to Jesus speak, giving him our undivided attention. Want to hear more? See you this weekend: Saturday at 5:15 p.m. • Sunday at 8 a.m. • Sunday at 10:30 a.m.

Anticipating Worship: Fifth Sunday after Pentecost, July 13, 2025—Undivided Attention: Our Neighbor

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We tend to think of distraction and focus as opposites. If someone is focused, they are not easily distracted by random events and encounters. If someone is focused, every decision about how to spend time and resources is calculated. Apart from Christ, that type of focus spells disaster for our neighbor. We may dismiss the needs of our neighbor, thinking, “If I spend time helping him, that will distract me from other things that need my attention.” Jesus teaches us that he has set us free to live a life of such distraction. We are free to give our neighbor our undivided attention, even if that seems senseless. Want to hear more? See you this weekend: Saturday at 5:15 p.m. • Sunday at 8 a.m. • Sunday at 10:30 a.m.