To Know Christ and Boldly Make Him Known

Worship

Rally Day Ministry Roundup

As part of our Rally Day celebration on Sunday, September 7, we’ll host a Ministry Roundup in Fellowship Hall during the Potluck "Brunch". This is your chance to discover new ways to get involved in the life of Emmanuel this fall —whether through short-term projects and/or ongoing ministries.

Some opportunities invite you into the ongoing heartbeat of our congregation:

• Serving as a Communion Assistant, Greeter, Lector, or Usher in worship
• Participating in Altar Guild, Bell Choir, or Sanctuary Choir
• Taking part in one of our Committees/Teams and their ongoing ministries: Arts at Emmanuel, Christian Education/Youth & Family, Church Council, Congregational Care, Fellowship, Finance, Outreach, Property, Stewardship 
• Joining Women of the ELCA (WELCA) or the Men's Ministry

Other opportunities are one-time or seasonal commitments:

• Chamber of Commerce Community Event & Expo (Wednesday, October 15, 4-7pm)
• 65th Anniversary Celebration (Ribbon-cutting event is Wednesday, October 29, 4-6pm at Emmanuel; Celebration is Sunday, November 2, following the 9:30am service in Fellowship Hall)
• God's Work Our Hands (Saturday, October 25, 8-11am, Downtown Venice)
• Emmanuel Float for Venice Holiday Parade (Saturday, November 29, 6pm)

Whatever your gifts, there is a place for you to serve! The Roundup will give you the chance to meet ministry leaders, ask questions, and sign up for specific opportunities that fit your schedule and passions. As we Walk in the Way of Life together, Rally Day is the perfect time to take your next step in service.

Missed Last Week's Sermon?

August 31, 2025, Twelfth Sunday after Pentecost

Click below to watch:

Faith Formation

Take a Journey Through This Week in God's Word

Welcome to This Week in God’s Word (TWGW)—a weekly video series walking through the daily lectionary readings that surround Sunday’s worship.

This week’s theme is The Cost of Discipleship ✝️. In Luke 14, Jesus tells us that following him means giving up everything—family, possessions, even life itself. These are hard words, but they aren’t an impossible checklist for us to achieve. Instead, they show us that discipleship is something only Christ can give. He strips away what cannot save and replaces it with his own life.

Here’s how the readings unfold:

📖 Thursday–Saturday prepares us for worship. We meet Joseph in prison, Epaphroditus risking his life, Israel called to radical loyalty, and Jesus saying, “Take up your cross.” These texts remind us that true life does not come from earthly security, but from belonging to God.

📖 Sunday’s readings (Deuteronomy 30, Philemon, Luke 14) sharpen the focus. Moses sets before Israel life or death. Paul calls Philemon to costly obedience in receiving Onesimus as a brother. And Jesus declares that discipleship costs everything—but in losing our lives, we gain his life.

📖 Monday–Wednesday send us out with reflection. Israel’s divided loyalty leads to destruction, Timothy is urged to train in godliness, and the rich ruler walks away sad because he clings to possessions. These passages show us that discipleship cannot be half-and-half—Christ claims us wholly 🙌.

Check out this week’s video - This Week in God’s Word: The Cost of Discipleship and join us on the journey through Scripture.

Thursday, September 04, 2025:

Complementary: Psalm 1; Genesis 39:1-23; Philippians 2:25-30

Friday, September 05, 2025:

Complementary: Psalm 1; Deuteronomy 7:12-26; Colossians 4:7-17

Saturday, September 06, 2025:

Complementary: Psalm 1; Deuteronomy 29:2-20; Matthew 10:34-42

Sunday, September 07, 2025:

Jeremiah 18:1-11 and Psalm 139:1-6, 13-18; Deuteronomy 30:15-20 and Psalm 1; Philemon 1:1-21; Luke 14:25-33

Monday, September 08, 2025:

Complementary: Psalm 101; 2 Kings 17:24-41; 1 Timothy 3:14-4:5

Tuesday, September 09, 2025:

Complementary: Psalm 101; 2 Kings 18:9-18; 1 Timothy 4:6-16

Wednesday, September 10, 2025:

Complementary: Psalm 101; 2 Kings 18:19-25; 19:1-7; Luke 18:18-30



Walking in the Way of Life:

2025 Fall Faith Formation Opportunities ✝️🍂

This fall at Emmanuel Lutheran Church, we’re excited to offer Faith Formation opportunities for every age — from nursery to adults. Together, we’ll grow in faith 🙏, connect with one another 🤝, and live out God’s love ❤️ in daily life.

✨ What’s happening this fall?

👧🧒 Sunday School (ages 4–5th grade) – fun, creative ways to explore God’s Word

📖 Adult Forum – a new 44-minute Sunday gathering with weekly topics like faith & technology, the Reformation, worship, and more

☕📚 Second Cup Bible Study – Wednesday mornings in person & on Zoom, deep-diving into Matthew and Romans

🎶🙌 Confirmation & Youth Group – Thursdays for middle and high school students, including retreats and community time

🍼💒 Nursery – a loving, safe space for our youngest children during Sunday mornings

Whether you’re brand new or have been part of Emmanuel for years, there’s a place for you here. Come early, stay late, or join us midweek — and discover how God is calling us all to open hearts 💜, open hands ✋, and a deeper life of faith. 📅 Programs begin in early September.

We can’t wait to see you this fall! 🍁

Click Below to Watch the Video

Congregational Care

Don Berg

Florence Canady

Karl Fraedrich

JoAnna Kane

Pr. Joseph Livenson

Janice Curle

Karen James

Edna Froelich

Jackie Miller

• Prayers for the family & friends of Bill Reidinger at the loss of his brother, David.

The Surprising Reason Why People Fall

We all know the obvious causes of a fall… dizziness from medication, a loose rug, poor eyesight, ill-fitting shoes, poor lighting, etc. But researchers found that just the fear of falling makes you 34% more likely to fall than someone with the same level of health and fitness who isn’t as afraid. Wow!

Click here to continue

Outreach

Click here to pay for Altar Flowers or Eternal Candle