Feast of Holy Innocents, Martyrs
28 December 2025
The Holy Innocents, Martyrs
“A voice is heard in Ramah, lamentation and bitter weeping. Rachel is weeping for her children” (Jer. 31:15). Herod rages and sends to kill all boys two years and younger (Matt. 2:16), desperate to destroy the newborn King of kings. The Church remembers these innocent victims as martyrs. They died for the One who came to die for them. This dark commemoration bears witness to the cruelty of sinful men and the world’s hatred of Christ, who has sanctified our fragile life even from His conception and birth. But the boy who escaped Bethlehem’s bloody streets unscathed went on to face thorns, nails and spear for them and for us. He is the Lamb whose name is written with the Father’s name on the foreheads of His baptized saints (Rev. 14:1). By His death, He has redeemed an inheritance for Himself and brought peace at last by His blood. On the fourth day of Christmas, we sing “a new song” of the Lamb, of Christ the true martyr, whose death testifies that our redemption is won. We “follow the Lamb wherever he goes” (Rev. 14:3, 4), for He will bring our tears to an end.
Parish News
The Altar Flowers donated today to the Glory of God by Mr. and Mrs. Kris Bilyeu in memory of Bill and Doris Lawton.
Sanctuary Undecorating Please join us next Sunday, January 4, after Divine Service to pack up and put all of the Christmas decorations away. Many hands make light work!
2026 Altar Flowers Chart on the table in the Narthex. Please print clearly to sign up for the dates you would like to donate flowers and, if you wish, a designation “in memory of” or “in honor of” a person or occasion.
2026 Contribution Envelopes Please pick up your 2025 contribution envelopes from the table in the Narthex.
College Bible Study and Meal postponed (will resume on January 6, 2026) Our college students are invited to fellowship, a meal, and Bible Study on Tuesday evenings at 5:30 pm. Members, please check the bulletin board to sign up to bring a meal.
The Story of Scripture Wednesdays, 4:30–5:30 p.m. postponed (will resume on January 7, 2026) Strengthen your biblical literacy and grow in your understanding of God’s Word. For the upcoming week, we will read Numbers 20-24 at home with class time devoted to reviewing what was read and connecting the theology of Scripture to our lives today.
Study God’s Word In 2026… The Word of the Lord Endures Forever is a daily 15-minute, verse-by-verse Bible study produced by Lutheran Public Radio and hosted by LCMS Pastor Will Weedon. You can listen by phone, (618) 262-0078. You can also listen at thewordendures.org, the LPR mobile app and a podcast provider.
This Week at Immanuel
Today The Holy Innocents, Martyrs
- Sunday School /Adult Bible Study 9:00 am
- Divine Service, 10:30 am
- Didache, 3:15 pm
Saturday
- Council of Deacons Monthly Meeting, 8:00 am
Next Sunday The Baptism of Our Lord
- Sunday School/Adult Bible Study, 9:00 am
- Divine Service, 10:30 am
- Sanctuary Undecorating, 12:00 pm
- Didache, 3:15 pm
Pastor’s Open Office Hours
- Wed. & Fri., 3:45-4:45 pm
