Who is Worthy to Receive Communion?!!

Today is our third week on the Lord’s Supper/Communion.  So far, we have discovered that this is God’s meal, not the result of human actions or work.  Also, we discussed last week the importance of our faith that the bread and wine actually become Christ’s body and blood.

Today, we focus on the question of who is worthy to receive the gifts of communion.  This is a topic of special interest to Luther.  He is especially interested in the idea that one could be too sinful to receive this gift.  For Luther, it is easy to look at your sins and shortcomings and decide you are not worthy to receive such a gift.  God’s goodness contrasts so sharply with our sinfulness, “then because of this, such people will not go to the sacrament and wait until they are prepared, until one week passes into another and one half-year into yet another.  If you choose to fix your eye on how good and pure you are, to wait until nothing torments you, you will never go” (Large Catechism, p. 473.56ff).

Luther would only exclude those who are so self-righteous that they don’t think they even need forgiveness.  Anyone else, should come, eat, and drink.

So, however, you join us during this time of ongoing pandemic – in the sanctuary, on the radio, on Facebook – come and eat!  And receive the gifts of God.

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National Youth Gathering Fundraiser: Winter Survival Kits
The youth attending the National Youth Gathering this summer are selling winter survival kits for $20.  They will available early to mid-December and make GREAT Christmas gifts!!  Be on the lookout for kids selling in the coming weeks.  The youth are requesting donations of the following items: chewing gum, hard candy, matches, band-aids, safety pins, granola bars, and sandwich bags.  Kits will also include gloves, hats, blankets, candles, hand warmers, etc.  Financial gifts to the project are also appreciated.  Talk to Jil or Pastor Nate with any questions.

Dinner Club November 16

The dinner club will meet Tuesday, November 16 at the Pirate’s Den in Verndale at 5:30.  Join us for a time of fellowship.

Thanksgiving Eve Service November 24 at 6:30pm
Join us for an evening of Thanksgiving on Wednesday, November 24 at 6:30pm.  You are encouraged to bring non-perishable items for the food shelf.  A financial offering will be gathered to benefit the Northwestern Minnesota Synod’s “Leadership Next” campaign, which will fund leadership development, debt relief for Seminary graduates, and grants for congregations in a renewal process.  The Endowment Committee is offering a 1:1 match on all gifts up to $1,000.

Endowment Fund Notes
The Endowment Committee met recently and put together some amazing grants.  We gave $500 to Lutheran Campus Ministry at both Bemidji and Moorhead State Universities, $500 to Empty Stocking Fund, $250 to the Santa’s Workshop Project at WDC Schools, and a $1000 challenge match to our Thanksgiving Offering for the NW Minnesota Synod’s “Leadership Next” campaign.  That’s $2750 total in grants!  If you have mission grant ideas, forward them to the Endowment Committee.  And consider a gift to the fund.  All gifts are endowed, and the principal is never spent.  Interest from the fund generates wonderful giving opportunities every year.

Our Worship Schedule Each Week:
Sunday:
**8:30am – worship in person, or online
**9:30am – worship on KWAD (920AM or 101.7FM)
**10am – worship in person
Wednesday (Fellowship Hall)
**5:30pm – Light meal
**6:00pm – Praise Worship
**6:30pm – Education & Service Projects

**7:00pm – Choir

In our Prayers This Week
Josh & Tamara Bratton Family
Will & Christina Bratton Family
Keith Wood
Jessica Miller
Dale Hendrickson
Jerry Buse (Doug and Ellen Carlstrom’s brother-in-law)
Elizabeth Teeuwen (Stephanie Drange’s mother)

Marilyn Broding and family in the death of her husband Rodney Broding
Karen Erkenbrack and family in the death of Karen’s brother, David Reece
Pam Nelson and family in the death of Pam’s brother, Jim Hedlund

Military Prayers
Members of Immanuel:
Max Labarre
James Kloss

Friends of Immanuel:
Victor Barbado (Darlene Hennagir’s son-in-law)
Sean Evans (Greg & Alicia Johnson’s nephew)
Joe Holweger (Charles & Gladys Chase’s grandson)
John Kloss (David Kloss’ son)
Erik Naley (Wayne & Carol Aspengren’s nephew)

If you or someone you know would like to be included in our weekly prayers, please email (church@wadenaimmanuel.org) or call (631-2738) the church office.  Or fill out this form: https://www.wadenaimmanuel.org/prayerrequest Names will stay on our prayer list for 4 weeks.  Military prayers will remain on the list for six months, unless a request to remove comes sooner.