SHARING CHRIST'S LOVE THROUGH WORD AND DEED

Sixth Sunday after the Epiphany Phill E. Andreasen, Senior Pastor

February 12, 2006 Chad D. Kendall, Associate Pastor

Acolyte: 8:00 A.M.-Rylan Nitzschke Mary Lou Ayres, Organist

10:30 A.M.-Adam Dau

When we confess our sin, we acknowledge our grievous fault in thought, word, deed, and will. Our corrupt will entices us to sin not only in our actions, but in our failure to act. We are frequently complacent toward God's will. At times we are even bold enough to question it. Naaman, the mighty warrior afflicted with leprosy, doubted Elisha's instruction and raged in anger. Naaman did not trust God's Word as the sole source for daily living. In the Gospel of Mark, we hear the account of the leper who disobeyed Jesus' command to show himself to the priests. Instead he boasted unabashedly about Jesus' miracle and hindered Jesus' ability to preach in various towns and cities. The Church today is still plagued with doubt, apprehension, and rebellion against Jesus' words. At times we even neglect the means of grace. We claim a cheaper grace that inadvisably permits us to live according to our own will and allows us to avoid engaging in fervent discipleship. We fail to honor genuinely the name of Christ and frequently ignore the Sabbath rest. God alone is able to overcome all of our stubborn ways and grants us restoration and forgiveness. He sent Elisha to pursue Naaman so that he might be cleansed in the Jordan River. Jesus granted healing to the leper in spite of the leper's lack of obedience. So also He pursues us relentlessly, granting cleansing through the waters of Baptism and forgiveness through His Word. In all things, God's Word and His will prevail and accomplish what He desires. May God bless you this day with this bold reality. Welcome to Immanuel Lutheran Church!

The altar flowers are given by the family of Alice Gamble in celebration of the birthdays of

Alice and her twin brother Alvin on January 10^th and in loving memory of Joe Gamble and

Dennis Gamble.

Recovering at home: Robert Goyette, Dick Ayres, John Husman, and Jerry Miller

GUEST PREACHING TODAY is the Rev. Steven Turner of Trinity Lutheran Church in Algona. He and Pastor Andreasen are exchanging pulpits today. Pastor Turner is the Senior Pastor at Trinity and also serves the Iowa District West as our 2^nd Vice President. We thank him for sharing the message of God’s Word with us today from the pulpit as well as Bible Class in the Christian Life Center.

About the cover: In biblical times, Lepers had to call out, "Unclean!" The reality of such a

warning was that no leper could be part of society. "Unclean" still marks our lives of sin.

For our cure, that we might be clean, we follow the leper’s lead to our Savior, who was

willing not only to die and rise in our place, but also to bear the load of our uncleanness,

our sin and guilt, on the cross so we might be clean.

Stewardship Reading for the 6th Sunday after Epiphany: 1 Corinthians 9:24-27: Our Epistle

reading tells us that we will put forth our best effort to gain those things we consider important

and valuable. As God’s stewards we do not lose sight of the truth that so much of what the

world pursues is like chasing the wind. "Only one life, ‘twill soon be past; only what’s done for

Christ will last."

During the offertory please take a moment to fill out our fellowship book found at the outside end of the pew, sign it and pass to the next person. Please return the book to its holder when everyone has signed it. Note the names of those sitting near you and greet them after the service. Visitors, we would be grateful if you would please print your name and address so that we may thank you for worshiping with us. Following the 8:00 a.m. Sunday morning service everyone is invited to the social hall for a time of fellowship and coffee.

Audio amplifiers and large print hymnals are available for those desiring them. Please ask an usher to get one for you.

9:15 A.M. Sunday School and Adult Bible Classes

10:30 A.M. Worship Service

5:30 P.M. Valentine Supper

8:30 A.M. Staff Devotions

1:00 P.M. Quilting

2:00 P.M. Women of Hope

7:00 P.M. Board of Stewards

Pastor’s Conference in Lake Park

8:30 A.M. Staff Devotions

7:00 P.M. Jody Dixon’s ChristCare here at the church

7:00 P.M. Friends in Faith

Wednesday, February 15th:

8:30 A.M. Staff Devotions

3:45 P.M. MidWeek

6:00 P.M. Handbells

7:00 P.M. Choir

Thursday, February 16th:

6:30 A.M. Bible Class

8:30 A.M. Staff Devotions

8:30 A.M. Staff Devotions

Confirmation Retreat at Camp Okoboji

Confirmation Retreat at Camp Okoboji

8:00 A.M. Worship Service with Holy Communion

9:15 A.M. Sunday School and Adult Bible Classes

10:30 A.M. Worship Service with Holy Communion

Date: 02/12/2006

Hymn of Invocation LW # 151

+ Invocation p. 136

+ Confession/Absolution:.. pp. 136-137

+ Introit on insert

+ Kyrie p. 137

+ Gloria In Excelsis……….pp. 138-139

+ The Collect of the Day p. 139

Old Testament Reading on insert

Gradual on insert

Epistle on insert

+ The Alleluia Verse……………p. 140

+ Holy Gospel on insert

+ The Apostles’ Creed pp. 142-143

Hymn of the Day LW # 317

Sermon (Mark 1:40-45)

" I am Willing "

Tithes and Offerings

+ Offertory: ……………...pp. 143-144

"Create In Me"

+ The Prayers…………………..p. 144

+ The Lord’s Prayer................... p. 155

Hymn ....................................LW # 397

+ Collect……………………….p. 156

+ Benediction………………….p. 157

+ Silent Prayer