Immanuel Lutheran Church holds prayers for military service personnel over Fourth of July weekend

By Matt Helm

REPORTER

Immanuel Lutheran Church hosted prayers for military servicemen and women on Saturday, July 2 at 6 p.m. and on Sunday, July 3 at 8 a.m., 9:30 a.m., and 11 a.m.

After a special Independence Day service, Senior Pastor Reverend Allan Buss invited members of the U.S. Armed Forces, including the Air Force, Army, Coast Guard, Marine Corps, and Navy, to come to the front of the church and be recognized by the congregation.

“You’ve served our God and our country so well,” Pastor Buss told the veterans before leading them in a stirring rendition of “God Bless America.”

Pastor Buss’ sermon dealt with vocations versus vacations.

“I know it’s nice outside so we are all focused on our summer vacation, but we should also keep in mind our vocation which is what we do every day,” Buss said. “We should do our job and what we have been called to do well because that gives glory to God.”

The pastor also encouraged his congregation to keep prayer in mind while heading to the polls in November.

“We don’t have to imitate the ways of the world, we just have to pray,” Buss said. “The world’s a mess but Jesus came to clear that mess. We must give some of our energy and commitment to the government, but everything goes to God at the end of the day.”

Immanuel Lutheran Church is currently remodeling their parking lot with handicap parking and an extended church canopy. Renovations are also occurring inside the church and school as well, with new paint on lockers and remodeled bathrooms.

Summer Confirmation is July 26 from 7 a.m. to 4 p.m. Care Ministry Cancer Training was July 9 from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Immanuel Lutheran Church is sending a group to the National Youth Gathering from July 16 through July 20 in New Orleans.

For more information on upcoming events, visit: www.immanuelbelvidere.org/church. The website features live streaming of all Sunday services. Call (815) 544-8058 for more information.