Third Sunday in Lent (Oculi)
23 March 2025
Jesus Overcomes the Strong Man
Jeremiah was charged with speaking evil when he spoke the Word of the Lord (Jer. 26:1–15). So also, Jesus is accused of doing evil when in fact He is doing good. He casts out a demon from a mute man so that he is able to speak (Luke 11:14–28). But some said Jesus did this by the power of Beelzebub, Satan. Like Pharaoh of old, their hearts were hard (Ex. 8:16–24). They did not recognize the finger of God, the power of the Holy Spirit at work in and through Jesus. Jesus is the Stronger Man who overcomes the strong man. He takes the devil’s armor of sin and death and destroys it from the inside out by the holy cross. He exorcizes and frees us by water and the Word. We were once darkness, but now we are light in Christ the Lord (Eph. 5:1–9). As children of light, our tongues are loosed to give thanks to Him who saved us.
Parish News
Lenten Vespers and Midweek Meal Vespers service at 7:00 pm, Midweek Meal at 5:45 pm. The theme for the meal this week is Mexican. Make your reservation the bulletin insert. It’s not too late to host a meal, it’s easy! Contact Leslie Bilyeu or Kari Cress or pick a card from the KANBAN board in the Narthex.
Campus Ministry Bible Study and Meal Tuesday evenings at 5:30 pm All college students are welcome to attend. Members, please sign up to bring dinner. We have 4-7 college students every week and they really appreciate the home-cooked meals!
Easter Lilies Order Form is on the back table in the Narthex. The order deadline is today. Please clearly print your name and the name of the person(s) you would like to honor or memorialize. The cost is $14.00.
Choir Rehearsal is Thursday evenings at 6:45 pm and in the Loft at 10:00 am on those Sundays when the choir sings during Divine Service. It’s not too late to join us!
Altar Guild Work Day Saturday, April 19, 9:00-noon. We will polish the communion ware and set up the Sanctuary for Easter service. Husbands are welcome. Come when you can, leave when you need to. Many hands make light work!
Sermon on Website Due to security concerns, the sermon will no longer be posted on our website. Anyone who would like the sermon emailed to them, please contact Stacy at stacy.gibbens@ielcth.org.
Book of Ecclesiastes Bible Study… The Word of the Lord Endures Forever is a daily 15-minute verse-by-verse Bible study produced by Lutheran Public Radio in Collinsville, IL and hosted by LCMS Pastor Will Weedon. Pastor Weedon recently started a study on the Book of Ecclesiastes. You can listen on-demand at thewordendures.org, Amazon Alexa, Google Home, Apple HomePod, the LPR mobile app and a podcast provider.
This Week at Immanuel
Today Third Sunday in Lent (Oculi)
- Sunday School, 9:00 am
- Divine Service, 10:30 am
Tuesday
- Campus Ministry Bible Study and Meal, 5:30 pm
Wednesday
- Catechesis 2025: Learning by Heart, 5:15 pm
- Lenten Midweek Meal, 5:45 pm
- Lenten Vespers Service, 7:00 pm
Thursday
- Choir Rehearsal, 6:45 pm
Next Sunday Fourth Sunday in Lent (Laetare)
- Sunday School, 9:00 am
- Divine Service, 10:30 am
Pastor’s Open Office Hours
- Wednesday, 4-5 pm
- Friday, 4-5 pm
