This week's readings have taken me into Proverbs, where I read these words...
"Getting wisdom is the most important thing you can do!" (Proverbs 4:7 NLT) How can we know which way to go? How can we ever be sure exactly what to do? We are told to firmly grasp the will of the Lord, not to be like the foolish... but like the wise -- to be circumspect, discerning, and prudent --- to be led by the Spirit. Without the wisdom of God, we can't know the truth. Without the living Word and Spirit at work in our hearts and minds, we would not have a clue about how to be righteous, walk in love, or minister with grace. We are able to partake of God's divine nature, God's excellence, and virtue only because God's Word and Spirit live in each of us. It's the love of God in us that brings to us the knowledge of truth, an understanding of holiness, humility, and honor. God has provided us with all things pertaining to life and godliness, including the very mind and Spirit of Christ. So... when your heart and mind don't agree, when you are feeling confused, and when you just can't see the big picture, join me in praying, Give me your wisdom, O Lord. +++ This week we celebrate PENTECOST! I encourage you to search through the drawers and closets at home and find something RED to wear to worship! We will welcome and embrace the Holy Spirit at both our 8:30am and 10:00am worship experiences. We will be talking about "Rivers of Living Water" and we will, of course, be "live-streaming" the 10:00am worship service live on the church Facebook page. Following the conclusion of worship, we will "upload" the completed worship service to the church's YouTube channel for you, as well. So you have many opportunities to worship with us this week! +++ On Saturday the Cornell Cooperative Extension Master Gardner's group will be offering their annual plant sale starting at 9:00am. Be here early to get the best selection of these beautiful plants and flowers! And then, on Saturday afternoon, many will gather here for a Spring Maintenance Day beginning about 12:00noon. If you can spare a couple of hours on Saturday, please join us in your work clothes and we will gladly find a job for you that fits your abilities! +++ On Sunday afternoon at 1:00pm we will gather in the Sanctuary to remember and celebrate the life of Phyllis Girvan. This time was mostly designed by Phyllis and we hope you can join us to celebrate a life well lived! +++ Next Sunday, May 26th we will receive our Peace with Justice offering for work of justice ministries around our United Methodist connection. Look for the special offering envelopes next Sunday! +++ And, of course, some upcoming deadlines and events for your calendars...
Make this day a great day and don't ever forget to pray, Give me your wisdom, O Lord! Amen. Pastor Jack Hello Friends! It is so good to be home and I'm looking forward to seeing you all in worship on Sunday! This week I read these words from John's Gospel...
"Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you:... Let not our heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid." (John 14: 27 KJV) Pressed on all sides. Pulled in all directions. At times life just seems to be reeling out of control. We want so much for the circumstances of our lives to be predictable, our homes to be orderly, and our days to go as planned. When the kids get sick, the sink backs up, the car breaks down, and our boss makes unexpected demands, feelings of helpless exasperation can overwhelm even the bravest among us. But you and I have an anchor in Christ. Although the world around us often seems to be falling apart, we know that our steps are ordered by God. We can be at rest when the rest of the world isn't. We can cast our care on God knowing that God is working out every detail for our good. We are commanded not to be anxious but to allow the peace of God to reign in our hearts and minds -- making every thought obedient to the gospel of peace --- choosing peace, being at peace. Let God's peace work in you, whenever a deadline takes you by surprise, or you can't remember where you left your keys, or the dog next door just won't stop barking. At those times join me in praying, Lord, let me rest in Your peace. Amen. +++ This Sunday we celebrate the 7th Sunday of Easter and Mother's Day! When we gather at 8:30am and 10:00am we will also celebrate the Sacrament of Holy Communion together. And this week we will also be hearing from our Bishop, Bishop Hector Burgos Nunez, about some of the business conducted at the United Methodist Church's General Conference in Charlotte over the last few weeks. Look for us on the church's Facebook page as we "live-stream" worship at 10:00am and then on our YouTube channel as we "upload" the recorded worship when it is completed. I'm excited to see you all in worship on Sunday! +++ Lots of meetings are on tap for next week! Our Finance Team meets on Tuesday night at 6:00pm and our SPRC meets at the same time, as well. Then our Administrative Council meets at 6:45pm on Tuesday night in the Fireside Room. +++ On Saturday May 18th we have a plant sale by the Cornell Cooperative Extension Master Gardeners group. The sale takes place from 9:00am -12:00noon and you will find all the best selections if you arrive close to 9:00am! And then in the afternoon, we will hold our Spring Clean-up Day party! We have many jobs to accomplish that afternoon and we need you to sign up this weekend so we can make sure to accomplish as many of the tasks as possible. Thanks for your help and for spending an afternoon beautifying our church facility! +++ Next Sunday, May 19th is PENTECOST and you are encouraged to search your closets and wear RED that day! How RED can we get the place? Find something to help us turn the place RED for the celebration! +++ A couple of deadlines coming up for us to pay attention to....
Make this day a great day and always remember to join me in praying, Lord, let me rest in Your peace! Amen! Pastor Jack "Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer." Romans 12:12
+++ We worship on Sunday at 8:30am and 10:00am as we celebrate the 6th Sunday of Easter! This week Pam Kelsey-Gossard will be leading our worship services. Her message title is "I choose you" and is based on the Scripture of John 15:9-17. Take a look and see what stands out for you. We will welcome Adam and Chris from Casowasco at our 10am service. We will be delivering meals to our shut in friends as well as part of our Meal Ministry. Look for us on the church's Facebook page at 10:00am with our "live stream" or after worship is over on our YouTube channel. +++ Camping Sunday is also this Sunday at the 10:00am worship service. We will be joined by friends from Casowasco. If you have thought about camp or know someone (neighbor, grandchild, friend) who might want to learn more, this is a great opportunity and there will be lots of fun. Don't' forget, we have camperships to assist with the cost of camp! Check out Casowasco's website for more information. +++ Please keep Pastor Jack in prayer as he travels back to NY from his vacation. He has had a restful time and has enjoyed the warm weather. We will celebrate his return with the sacrament of Holy Communion on Sunday, May 12 (for both services) this month. +++ Our conference delegates for the United Methodist Church's General Conference are wrapping things up in Charlotte, North Carolina There have been some changes made and Pastor Jack will provide a summary of those changes when he returns to worship next week. If you would like to read updates on our Upper NY conference website, you can access the website here. +++ Applications for the Gordon Williams Scholarship are available on our website and in the church office. This scholarship is available to members of Immanuel that have graduated high school and will continue their education, which includes both college and trade school. +++ Our Trustees will meet on Thursday, May 9 at 4pm. Trustees don't forget we changed the meeting to Thursday instead of Wednesday this month. Blessings from the church office. "This is the day that the Lord has made, let us rejoice and be glad in it." Psalm 118:24
Isn't it nice of Pastor Jack to send us sunshine and warmer weather (I hear it's coming) from sunny Florida!? Thanks for sharing Jack! +++ We worship on Sunday at 8:30am and 10:00am as we celebrate the 5th Sunday of Easter! This week we welcome Reverend Dr. Russ Hall to the pulpit and the title of his sermon is "Lessons Learned." Look for us on the church's Facebook page at 10:00am with our "live stream" or after worship is over on our YouTube channel. +++ Our conference delegates for the United Methodist Church's General Conference are in Charlotte, North Carolina to conduct the business of our church. Ten folks from across our Annual Conference represent us and there will be many decisions needing to be made for the future of our denomination. Please keep all the delegates in prayer as they serve to help us make disciples of Jesus Christ! Our Upper NY Conference website will contain updates on General Conference happenings each day, as well! You can access the website here. +++ The Chair Yoga class offered here at Immanuel will resume on Tuesday, April 30th at 9:30am. See Barb Merckel to let her know you plan on attending. +++ The great Spring Garage Sale is right around the corner on May 2, 3 & 4! Volunteers are needed on Saturday at 11am and all of the following days to help set up, run the sale and clean up (see the sign up list outside the Fireside Room.) Donations can be dropped off at the church on Sunday from 11am-4pm, Monday and Tuesday from 9am-6pm. Please no drop offs after Tuesday. Please see Shelley Dawson Smith to see how you can help! Many hands make light work. +++ Camping Sunday is coming up on May 5th at the 10:00am worship service. We will be joined by friends from Casowasco. If you have thought about camp or know someone (neighbor, grandchild, friend) who might want to learn more, this is a great opportunity and there will be lots of fun. Don't' forget, we have camperships to assist with the cost of camp! Check out Casowasco's website for more information. Blessings from the church office. Happy Friday!
Today I am spending the day at the county 911 Center in ministry with those affected by the recent deaths of 2 young men serving their communities as law enforcement officials. And as I prepare for this difficult day of ministry today, I read these words from the Prophet Isaiah... "The Lord God has given me the tongue of the learned, that I should know how to speak a word in season to the one who is weary." (Isaiah 50:4 NKJV) Maybe it's Friday, and you are asked to fill in at the church office. You're in a hurry. Nothing has gone right all day. A woman comes to the front door looking for financial help. She asks if you could help her out with some grocery certificates or a gas voucher. "No, we don't have any today. Sorry, " you say, wanting to get back to work. She asks if you know where else she might go for help. "No," you say. You don't have any idea. You just want to finish your work so you can leave on time. She walks away and you stand there for several long moments gazing after her, your heart sinking at the missed opportunity. "What could I have done?" you think to yourself. The answer rises up in your spirit -- you could have prayed with her, given her an encouraging word, pointed her to the Provider of all things. Yes, you did know where else she could turn for help. And suddenly Peter's words ring in your ears, "always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have" (1 Peter 3:15 NIV). So when a stranger asks you for money, or a coworker is angry, or a hurting friend calls for advice... join me in praying... Give me your words, O Lord. Amen +++ We worship on Sunday at 8:30am and 10:00am as we celebrate the 4th Sunday of Easter! This week we will hear Jesus talking to us from John's Gospel account about being the Good Shepherd. And my message is entitled, "Hearing the Shepherd's Voice". How are you doing at hearing the voice of Jesus in your life? Join us as I try to think this through for my own life. Look for us on the church's Facebook page at 10:00am with our "live stream" or after worship is over on our YouTube channel. +++ Following worship, we will offer this month's Second Sunday Luncheon in the Fellowship Hall. This will be our last luncheon for the spring season and luncheons will resume in the fall so we hope to see you on Sunday. +++ New copies of the Upper Room magazine are available on the back table, as well. +++ Our conference delegates for the United Methodist Church's General Conference are on their way to Charlotte, North Carolina to conduct the business of our church. Ten folks from across our Annual Conference represent us and over the next 2 weeks there will be many decisions needing to be made for the future of our denomination. Please keep all the delegates in prayer as they serve to help us make disciples of Jesus Christ! Our Upper NY Conference website will contain updates on General Conference happenings each day, as well! +++ The Chair Yoga class offered here at Immanuel resumes on Tuesday, April 30th at 9:30am. See Barb Merckel to let her know you plan on attending. +++ The great Spring Garage Sale is right around the corner on May 2, 3 & 4! We need lots of helpers to pull this event off! Please sign up to help on the white board outside the Fireside Room this week. Thanks! +++ And kids... don't forget that Camping Sunday is coming up on May 5th at the 10:00am worship service. We will be joined by friends from Casowasco and boy will we have fun. Bring a friend to hear all about the camping ministry in our Conference! Make this day a great day and always remember to pray, Give me your words, O Lord! Amen! Pastor Jack |
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