Another week has flown by and here we are on another Friday! Today's scripture reading comes to us from the Book of the prophet Jeremiah... 

                    "As the clay is in the potter's hand, so are you in my hand."   
                                           (Jeremiah 18:6  NKJV)

The word vessel can refer to any type of container. It's a word that seemed to have much more significance in ancient cultures. In antiquity, clay pots were important, perhaps like saucepans or sealed plastic containers today. They were the primary instrument used to cook, store, or transfer food or water. If a pot was cracked or weak, it would cause many problems!
   
Throughout the Bible, God uses the illustration of clay pots, or vessels, to describe the role of nations and individuals. In Jeremiah, God says that as clay is in the potter's hands, so we are in God's hands. David cries out in Psalm 31:12 (AMP), "Like a broken vessel am I."
 
Hosea condemns Israel as being among nations of useless vessels. We are called "vessels of mercy" in Romans 9:23 (NKJV) and are told in 2 Corinthians 4:7 that we possess the precious treasure of the gospel in earthen vessels. We are also instructed in 2 Timothy 2:21 to separate ourselves from all wrongdoing that we might be vessels of honor fit for the Master's use and prepared for every good work.   
   
So when you want to undertake a new ministry or be an example to your children or even set goals for the future, join me in praying....
                         
                             Make me a vessel of honor, O Lord.  Amen.  

+++ Sunday worship is at 8:30am and 10:00am! This week we will hear Paul's words to the Corinthians about love and my message is entitled, "Putting our Love to the Test". How can we live out Jesus' command to truly love others as ourselves Especially when we might not agree with everything people say and do? Join me Sunday as I look to Jesus for the guidance we all need. We will celebrate the Sacrament of Holy Communion at each worship service on Sunday and we'll hear some wonderful music of our faith. We hope to see you in worship this Sunday! If you can't be here in the Sanctuary or Fireside Room, join us on our Facebook "live stream" at 10:00am on the church Facebook page.  And, of course, we will upload the completed worship to our YouTube channel once it is completed.

+++ This week is our monthly shut in Meal Ministry delivery, as well. Thanks to Sam, Marilyn and all who are a part of this ongoing ministry to remember and visit our shut-ins!  

+++ I will be leading worship at Summerfield Village on Wednesday, February 5, at 9:30am and you are invited to join us!

+++ Make sure to sign up for our Super Bowl Tailgate party (2nd Sunday luncheon) being planned for Sunday, February 9th. We're going to have a great time celebrating that day! Listen to the announcements this Sunday for more about our Super Bowl plans!  

Make this day a great day and always remember to pray... Make me a vessel of honor, O God.  Amen.       
​Pastor Jack   

Greetings, Friends!

Another week has flown by and we are looking at the weekend ahead with great anticipation! Today’s scripture thought comes to us from Matthew’s Gospel account…

            “There is nothing covered that will not be revealed, and hidden
                        that will not be known.”   (Matthew 10:26   NKJV)
 
Is there anything more frustrating than not being able to find what you’re looking for? You search and search and can’t find it anywhere. It’s enough to drive you crazy. A gamut of emotions overtakes you… from frustration, to anger, to panic, to grief, and finally…. when all else fails, you meekly ask the Lord to help you find it… you put side your vain attempts to tear through closets and drawers and humble yourself in prayer.
  
You ask the Holy Spirit to please reveal where this thing is hidden – you let go and choose peace, putting it momentarily out of your mind. If it’s something you need right away, you calmly relax, turn your attention inward, and prayerfully yield yourself to follow wherever the Holy Spirit prompts you to look. You feel prompted to look again somewhere you may have already searched --- and there it is!
  
When you can’t find your car keys, or your glasses, or you saw something and now you can’t recall where… join me in praying, Where is it, Lord? Amen. 
 
+++ We hope to see you for worship on Sunday at either 8:30am or 10:00am. This week we will hear the teaching of Ezra the High Priest as we think about how our faith requires both hearing and doing. We are reminded that while it is important to hear God’s Word, it is also important to act on that Word. Join me as we think this through together. We will offer our weekly “live-stream” on the church’s Facebook page at 10:00am and then “upload” the completed worship service to our YouTube channel when worship is completed. We’ll save you a great seat for worship on Sunday!

+++ When you enter the Sanctuary, feel free to look for one of our new prayer shawls in the pews. If you’re cold or need to feel closely surrounded by the prayers of others for you, please feel free to use one for the worship service. As you enjoy the comfort, make sure to pray for those who will use that Prayer Shawl next! Thanks to our Knit and Stitch group for providing these beautiful reminders of how we are held up by the prayers of others!

+++ We are planning a “Super” event for Sunday February 9th! It seems there is some sporting event occurring that day…. and we are going to get in on the action. Listen to the announcements this week to hear more about our “Super” plans!  

+++ Remember to clip on your name tag when entering the Sanctuary. It’s so nice to be able to call each other by name when we worship together!
 
Make this day a great day and remember to join me in praying…..   Where is it, Lord?  Amen. 
Pastor Jack Keating

Happy Friday, Friends!

Today’s scripture reading takes us into Matthew’s Gospel where we are taught to pray…
                   
                            “Lead us not into temptation but deliver us from evil.”
                                                  (Matthew 6:13   KJV)
 
Temptation. It comes in many forms, and often seemingly out of nowhere! We don’t intend or desire to be tempted. We make every effort to avoid temptations of all sorts – temptations to overindulge, get angry, speak negatively, or waste time – or any number of other bad habits we have struggled to overcome. The list sometimes seems endless.
  
The thing you’ve tried most to avoid is the one thing you stumble across time and time again. If it’s doughnuts, all of a sudden coworkers are bringing doughnuts into the office. And strength of will doesn’t always provide the answer, but I believe prayer does. Jesus taught his disciples when praying to not only ask God for daily protection, but also for protection from temptation. Ask the Lord to keep temptation far from you, to clear your path of the stones that might cause you to stumble.
  
So, when you are commuting to work, or you’re headed to meet with someone who often rubs you the wrong way, or thoughts come into your mind that you don’t want to give in to, join me in praying, Protect me from temptation, Lord. Amen.   
 
+++ Worship on Sunday is at 8:30am and 10:00am. This week we will hear about Jesus’ first miracle… turning water into wine at a wedding in Cana. I think there are several important messages for each of us in this story and I’d like to explore them with you on Sunday. At 10:00am the choir will hopefully be back, and we’ll also enjoy some wonderful special music at each service. At our 10:00 am service we will also be praying over some new worship tools in the Sanctuary, as well. If you can’t be in the Fireside Room or Sanctuary with us, you can find us on our Facebook “live-stream” at 10:00am. And, of course, we will upload the completed worship service to our YouTube channel when worship is completed. 

+++ On Sunday we will also receive our special Human Relations Day church-wide offering that supports the important work of community developers throughout the world. Look for the special  envelopes for this offering in the Narthex on Sunday and thanks for your support of this important mission work.
  
+++ Also, in the Narthex you will find your annual offering statements for the 2024 church year. Please pick yours up on Sunday, to help us avoid the cost of mailing them out. If you don’t need or want these statements, please let us know and we will send yours off the shredder.  Thanks! 

+++ The church office will be closed on Monday in observance of the Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. holiday. The office will reopen on Tuesday morning at 9:00am. 
 
Make this day a great day and remember to pray with me, Protect me from temptation, Lord. Amen. 
​Pastor Jack 

Greetings, Friends!

Today's reading comes from Paul's letter to the Philippians...

                "Rejoice in the Lord always.  I will say it again: Rejoice!
                Let your gentleness be evident to all.  The Lord is near."
                                           (Philippians 4: 4-5)

Rejoice in the Lord always. Somedays that's a pretty tall order. We often face such great difficulties and tumultuous situations and remaining joyful is hard work. But I have come to learn that rejoicing is a moment-by-moment choice. We are called to sometimes make the very hard choice to rejoice in spite of the conditions of our lives. When things aren't going well we have to find some reason to be joyful.
   
I think that is possible only if, and because, we can remember that Jesus promises us always to be near to us. In spite of our circumstances and the messes we might get ourselves into, Jesus promises always to be available to help us. This week and forever we rely on that presence as we start out this New Year.
   
Rejoice in the Lord always... and again I say Rejoice!

+++  On Sunday we will worship at both 8:30am and 10:00am. As we celebrate this first Sunday after Epiphany, we'll look at Peter and John's visit to Samaria and the coming of the Holy Spirit on these new Christians. My message, "Passing on the Flame" has me wondering how it is that we too, pass on the flame of our relationship with Jesus to the unchurched. Join me as I think this through and revisit a memory from my past in which I was blessed to meet the Spirit as shared by others. We will, of course, offer our Facebook "live-Stream" at 10:00am and then we will upload the completed worship to the church YouTube channel when completed. If the weather isn't cooperating for you on Sunday... join us on Facebook or YouTube as you remain safe and warm at home.  

+++  Following the 10:00am worship service we will move to the Fellowship Hall for our Second Sunday Luncheon. This month we'll enjoy Immanuel's famous "Chili/Chowder/Soup" cook off! Come and sample a wonderful array of tasty treats and vote for your favorite!  

+++ Next Thursday, January 16th I will be offering an annual Memorial Service at Brookdale Summerfield at 2:00pm. At this worship we will remember 23 of the Summerfield community who now rest in the arms of Jesus. 

+++ Next Sunday, January 19th we will receive one of the United Methodist Church's 6 special annual offerings as we remember Human Relations Day. This special offering supports our work in providing neighborhood ministries. We support Community Developers, offer community advocacy and support work with at-risk teens throughout the world. Look for the special offering envelopes as you enter the church next Sunday!

+++ Committee and Team leaders... Please remember that your Annual Reports are due in the church office by Jananuary 31 so that we can complete our statistical reporting and preparation of our Annual Report. Thanks!   

+++ Also... beginning next week and continuing for the next few weeks, our church office will be covered by volunteers as Pam is away playing nurse as her husband Mike recovers from surgery. In an emergency my cell phone number is on the church's answering machine message.  

Make this day a great day and remember to    Rejoice always!  And again I say Rejoice!    Pastor Jack    

Happy New Year, Friends! 
 
Welcome to 2025! As we start out this new year, my reading takes me to Psalm 50 where the psalmist offers us these words from God...

                     "And call upon me in the day of trouble; I will deliver
                                   thee, and thou shalt glorify me."   
                                               (Psalm 50:15  KJV)

Oppression comes in many forms. A job or town we don't like, a family situation or financial obligation that has us in its grip. We can feel captive to a variety of things all at the same time. There may seem to be no way out -- no way of escape.
   
We all go through seasons of captivity.  We have all experienced a "wilderness time" of confusion and fear. But God always delivers those who fully rely on Him. God always rewards the faithful with freedom. Fear not; only believe. Hang on to the Lord, God will see you through your rough spot and promote you, lifting you up and out in due time. You are never alone, never forsaken. God is with you. God will deliver you.  
   
When you're feeling trapped in your job, when you are hemmed in by circumstances, or when you find yourself in a dangerous situation, join me in praying.... Deliver me, Lord!  Amen.   

+++ This week we return to our normal worship schedule at 8:30am and 10:00am.  We celebrate Epiphany Sunday, the arrival of the Magi at the feet of Jesus. We will also celebrate the Sacrament of Holy Communion together! And we've got some wonderful Special Music planned as our choir enjoys another week of rest. My message, "Moving Toward the Light" has me thinking about how we are called to join the Magi in following directions to find the Savior. We will be "live-streaming" on the church's Facebook page at 10:00am and then "uploading" the completed worship service to our YouTube channel when it is completed. We hope to "see" each of you in worship this Sunday!  

+++ Following worship we will be delivering this month's Shut In Meal Ministry meals. Thanks to those who cook and deliver these meals that remind our shut-ins that their church cares for them and misses them in worship!

+++ On Tuesday, January 7th the Chair Yoga and Tuesday Morning Ladies Bible study groups resume after their holiday break. You are invited to join the groups as we start a new year of ministry and learning.

+++ Our church Trustees meet on Wednesday, January 8th at 4:00pm in the Fireside Room. All Trustees we hope to see you on Wednesday!

+++ Our Choir resumes their rehearsals under their new Director on Thursday, January 9th at 6:30pm. If you'd like to join the choir speak to Colin on Sunday!

+++ Next Sunday, January 12th is our Second Sunday Luncheon. This month it's our famous Chili/Chowder/Soup Cook off competition! Recipe boxes are being searched, samples are being cooked, and our expert cooks are preparing for the fun event! Please sign up outside the Fireside Room to let us know you'll be joining us and whether or not you'll be entering this fun competition!   

Make this day a great day and always remember to pray, Deliver me, Lord! Amen.      Pastor Jack