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Anticipating Worship: Twenty-first Sunday after Pentecost, October 13, 2024—FOLLOWERS OF CHRIST MAINTAIN PROPER PRIORITIES

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People think that establishing priorities is about ranking things in order of importance. But it is more than that. We do not have unlimited time and energy. So, establishing priorities enables us to say “no” to things that might be good yet not truly important. Without proper priorities, one inevitably will pursue that which is nice while downplaying that which is needed. Throughout Scripture, believers are urged to prioritize. It is the heart of the First Commandment: “You shall have no other gods before me” (Exodus 20:3). Jesus calls for prioritization when he says, “Seek first his kingdom and his righteousness” (Matthew 6:33). Good news: followers of Christ maintain proper priorities. Even better news: followers of Christ receive his forgiveness for all the times their priorities have been improper. 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. **Please remember that during renovation, worship is held in the school commons.
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Anticipating Worship: Twentieth Sunday after Pentecost, October 6, 2024—FOLLOWERS OF CHRIST KNOW HOW TO LOVE THEIR FAMILIES

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Love can cause harm. Consider the wife whose husband wants little to do with church. She loves him and does not want to upset him. So, when her husband wants her and the children to stay home Sunday morning, she complies without protest. That wife’s love for her husband hurts him, her children, and herself. Or consider the father who loves his child so much that he gives the child everything that the child asks for. That father’s love is toxic. It is shaping that child to be a selfish, entitled adult. In our families, it is not enough that there is love. We need to rightly love, to love in a way that leads to blessings for those we claim to love. This illustrates the need for followership. In Jesus, we see perfect, self-sacrificial love. Jesus loves us as we are. He also loved us too much to leave us as we are. So, in love, he gave his life up so that we might be holy and blameless. His love for us shapes the way we love our spouse, our children, our parents. Today we see that follower
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Anticipating Worship: Nineteenth Sunday after Pentecost, September 29, 2024—FOLLOWERS OF CHRIST HAVE POWERFUL ALLIES

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Green Berets. Rangers. SEALs. Delta Force. These special forces groups are part of the United States military. They are elite: highly trained with unique skill sets. Many of their important missions are carried out in total secrecy. Two weeks ago, we acknowledged that we are in the middle of a massive spiritual war. Today, we thank God that we fight this war with the protection of special forces. Since the fifth century, Christians have observed the Festival of St. Michael and All Angels. We commemorate that God has sent Michael, one of the great archangels described in Scripture, and countless of his fellow angels to protect and serve mankind. Let us rejoice that followers of Christ have powerful allies! 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. **Please remember that during renovation, worship is held in the school commons. If you have questions, visit  www.emanuelnl.org/worship-relocation .
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Trunk or Treat—October 31, 4-7p.m.

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Join us for a fun-filled Trunk or Treat event! Enjoy candy, hot dogs, and more in our east parking lot. Bring the whole family for a safe and enjoyable evening—Thursday, October 31, 4-7 PM. We're excited to see you there! Don't forget to come back for worship on Saturday at 5:15 p.m., Sunday at 8 a.m. or 10:30 a.m. https://www.emanuelnl.org/events
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Anticipating Worship: Eighteenth Sunday after Pentecost, September 22, 2024—FOLLOWERS OF CHRIST ARE HUMBLE SERVANTS

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Humility and pride are polar opposites. Pride exalts self at the expense of God and others. Humility exalts God and others at the expense of self. Pride is the essential vice, for it increases one’s hunger for all other sins. Humility increases one’s hunger for the forgiveness and healing found in Christ. The one who is proud demands to be served. The one who is humble is not content unless serving others. St. Augustine described it this way: “It was pride that changed angels into devils; it is humility that makes men as angels.” As we see all Christ did to serve us, our hearts melt. Within us grows a Christ-like obsession to serve others, without counting the cost, without any desire to be repaid. Those who are in positions of Christian leadership understand that their leadership can only be achieved through service. For followers of Christ are humble servants. 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. **Please remember th
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MOTO Featured in Forward In Christ Magazine

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Hey everyone! We have exciting news about our Men of the Outdoors (MOTO) ministry! We're thrilled to share that our guys were recently featured in the WELS  Forward in Christ magazine —a testament to the amazing work and camaraderie happening within our group. If you're a man looking for fellowship, adventure, and spiritual growth, MOTO is the place to be! We offer exciting activities and a strong sense of community. Want to learn more? Visit emanuelnl.org/moto and subscribe to our MOTO Devotions and News blog to stay connected! 
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Anticipating Worship: Seventeenth Sunday after Pentecost, September 15, 2024—FOLLOWERS OF CHRIST SEE THE TRUE PURPOSE OF HIS POWER

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What is the worst war in human history? One might point to World War II, which had the highest death toll of at least 90 million people. Or consider the Three Kingdoms War, which resulted in over 40 million deaths and lasted for most of the third century. There is no end to the sad list of nominations: the Thirty Years War, the Taiping Rebellion, the American Civil War, World War I. None of those is the correct answer. The worst war in human history began when the first shot was fired in Eden. It has been raging since. It is a war against “spiritual forces of evil” (Ephesians 6:12). This is not a war over land or resources. It is a war for souls. The reality is that there are demonic forces that want to do more than kill you; they want to claim you for all eternity. The good news: Christ has already called you his own and equipped you for this war. Followers of Christ are armed for the battle. Want to hear more? See you this weekend: Saturday at 5:15 p.m. • Sunday at 8 a.m. • Sunday at
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