As we come to this last day of February, the good news is SPRING IS COMING! And while there still may be some winter weather left... warm sunshine is closer every day! Today, I read these words in Psalm 71...

                      "You will give me greater honor than before
                             and turn again and comfort me."
                                      (Psalm 71: 21 TLB)

Scorned. Humiliated. Laughed at. Ridiculed. Have you ever been in a situation where others looked at you with disdain? It could be the result of some failure on your part, or the fact you don't fit in with the crowd, or because you have been abused. Or perhaps you have been falsely accused of something. Any of these situations would cause you to hang your head in shame.
   
But this is not the stature of a child of God. This is not the end of your story. No situation is beyond the help of God. God will cleanse you if you need cleansing. God will restore your reputation. God honors you and places great value on you because you are God's child. God loves you and surrounds you with favor as a shield. Instead of being bowed down then, stand up and hold your head up high. You are a child of the King!   
   
So when you have failed, or been rejected, or are ashamed of yourself, join me in praying, Restore my honor, O Lord. Amen.    

+++ On Sunday we will gather for worship at 8:30am and 10:00am on our usual worship schedule. This week we celebrate Transfiguration Sunday, when Jesus' appearance changed in front of his disciple's eyes! My message, "Just A Glimpse" has me hoping and praying for the vision to truly see Jesus, as well. We will celebrate the Sacrament of Holy Communion this week also. We hope to see you in worship! And we will save you a seat at the table! We will, of course, "live-stream" worship on the church's Facebook page at 10:00am and then "upload" the completed worship service to the church's YouTube channel when worship is completed. Join us for Transfiguration Sunday!

+++ This Sunday is also our Meal Ministry Sunday as we deliver meals to our shut-in friends. Thanks to Marilyn, Sam and all those who are a part of this exciting ministry!

+++ Make sure to sign up for two events this week when you attend worship...

• Our Second Sunday Luncheon is next Sunday, 3/9 and we need to have you sign up for this delicious Roast Pork luncheon.
• And our Lenten Bible Study, "Savior, Servant, Friend" starts this Monday at 12:00noon in the Fireside Room. Bring your lunch and we will share a delicious pot of soup, as well! See me for books, which are free for this study!   

+++ Next week's schedule includes...

• Summerfield worship on Wednesday at 9:30am.
• Trustees meeting on Wednesday at 4:00pm in the Fireside Room.
• ASH WEDNESDAY worship on Wednesday night at 7:00pm in the Sanctuary. We will offer the Sacrament of Holy Communion and the Imposition of Ashes at this meaningful worship, as we start our Lenten journey.

+++ Next week the office will also be staffed by volunteers each morning from 9:00am- 12:00noon as Pam is away on vacation.

+++ Our Lenten Self Denial offerings this year will be used to support the ministry of our friends at Sleep in Heavenly Peace. You will find Lenten coin boxes in the Narthex for your use and we also hope to have a Sleep in Heavenly Peace display in the Narthex, as well.   

Make this day a great day and remember to pray, Restore my honor, O Lord. Amen.   
​Pastor Jack  

After a week away in southern California, it is good to be home... even if the weather does not match that which I enjoyed in Palm Springs! Today's scripture reading takes me into the book of the prophet Jeremiah...

              "For I know the thoughts and plans that I have for you,
                        says the Lord."       (Jeremiah 29:11 AMP)

Most of us have wondered about our unique purpose ever since we were very young. Who are we in this world? Were we born at a particular time and place for a reason --- with our own particular set of gifts and talents? These are the questions most of us have churning around in the back of our minds. Are we moving closer to -- or farther away from -- God's plan for our lives? And how can we know it?
 
"I know the plans I have for you," the Lord told Jeremiah. And God's plan is that we must seek the Lord with all our heart, and the Lord will make himself known to us. (See Jeremiah 29:11-14.) We know that when we seek God with our whole hearts the Lord directs our steps. "And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are called according to His purpose" (Romans 8:28 KJV). Seek first God's heart and purpose, and there you will find your own.  
   
So when you feel like you are lacking direction, or don't know which way to go, or need to prioritize your commitments, join me in praying, 
 
              O Lord, open my heart to your plans for my life. Amen.  

+++ We gather for worship on Sunday at 8:30am and 10:00am and, hopefully this week, we will be able to welcome Diane Sokolowski, who will help to lead our worship. I will be here and I am looking forward to hearing Diane's thoughts about "Having Faith". Make sure you wear your nametag and introduce yourself to Diane in worship. We will be "live-streaming" worship at 10:00am on the church's Facebook page and then "uploading" the completed worship to our YouTube channel when it is completed. However you join us for worship, we look forward to seeing you on Sunday!

+++ Our parking lot continues to be icy so please use caution on Sunday. And pray for a warming trend that will help the melt to begin!  

+++ I will be leading worship at Camillus Ridge Terrace on Wednesday morning, 2/26 at 11:00am!

+++ Our Lenten season begins with Ash Wednesday worship on Wednesday, March 5th at 7:00pm in the Sanctuary. We will offer the Imposition of Ashes as we begin looking at our Lenten theme, "Savior, Servant, Friend". Each week we will look at another of the roles Jesus fills in our lives (forgiver, listener, protector, comforter, etc.) We will also have materials for each family to take home to remain focussed on our theme.  

+++ Our Lenten Bible Study group will meet on Mondays at 12:00noon in the Fireside Room each week beginning on 3/3! Bring your lunch, a pot of soup will be available, and be a part of our Lenten learning experience. Please SIGN UP outside the Fireside Room and get a copy of the free study guide from me for this exciting time of learning.    

Make this day a great day and join me in praying, O Lord, open my heart to your plans for my life. Amen.    
Pastor Jack 

Happy Valentine's Day!

"Let all that you do, be done with love."  1 Corinthians 16:14

+++ Please keep Pastor Jack in prayer as he takes some time for rest and relaxation.

+++ We gather for worship on Sunday at 8:30am and 10:00am. This week we welcome Diane Sokolowski, CLM as our worship leader at both services. Please come and hear Diane's thoughts on "Having Faith." Be sure to introduce yourself too! We will, of course, be "live-streaming" at 10:00am on the church Facebook page and then "uploading" the worship to our YouTube channel when it is completed!  

+++ The March/April newsletter deadline is February 20.  Please have anything you would like included to the church office no later than Feb. 20.

+++ The March/April Upper Rooms are available now! Stop by the table outside the church office window and pick up a copy.

+++ Pastor Jack will be leading a Bible Study entitled "Savior, Servant, Friend" during Lent. The study will be on Mondays at 12 starting on March 3 and ending on April 7. Bring your lunch and soup will be provided. Please sign up outside of the Fireside Room. Books will be supplied at no cost.

+++ There are still copies of the 2024 Annual Report available on the table outside of the church office window. If you haven't gotten a copy yet, please take one.

+++ The church office will be closed on Monday, February 17 for President's day. 

In the spirit of Valentine's day, hear this prayer of St Thomas Aquinas:

"Give us, O Lord,
steadfast hearts, which no unworthy thought can drag downward,
unconquered hearts, which no tribulation can wear out,
upright hearts, which no unworthy purpose may tempt aside.
Bestow upon us also, O Lord our God,
understanding to know you, diligence to seek you, wisdom to find you, and a faithfulness that may finally embrace you; 
through Jesus Christ our Lord.  Amen.

Blessings from the church office.

As we head into another weekend, today's scripture reading comes to us from Paul's second letter to the Corinthians...

                 "Our faces, then, are not covered.  We all show the Lord's
                     glory, and we are being changed to be like him. This
                     change in us brings more and more glory. And it comes
                                      from the Lord, who is in Spirit."    
                                       (2 Corinthians 3: 18   ICB)

Lately it seems so true, doesn't it? The only thing that is constant in our lives... is change! Things we have loved, people we have spent our lives with, situations we are really comfortable with... are changing all around us.  
   
Our kids take jobs out of town (and take our grandkids with them!), the employer we've been with for years moves its operations out of town, or a much loved family member goes home to be with Jesus. And we are left behind feeling like all these changes are just overtaking us and filling us with sorrow. How can we ever continue to live with all these changes???
   
But scripture reminds us that many of these changes come directly from the Holy Spirit to allow God's plan for us and the world to be brought to fruition. But still... all these changes are tough! Maybe.... just maybe... it will help us to hear the words of God in these times...
  
"I am shaping you into the person I want you to be. Don't fight the changes, or try to speed them up. Let Me set the pace as I create a better You!"

+++ We gather for worship on Sunday at 8:30am and 10:00am. This week we will hear from Luke's Gospel account as Jesus takes his friends on a fishing trip! They learn (and I hope we will as well) that sometimes it takes a view from a different perspective to really find the fish we seek. Join us as we hear this story and think about what it says to each of us in worship this week! We will, of course, be "live-streaming" at 10:00am on the church Facebook page and then "uploading" the completed worship to our YouTube channel when it is completed!  

+++ Also on Sunday we celebrate "SOUPER Bowl Sunday".  Wear your favorite team's gear (whether they are in the big game or not!) and bring a few cans or boxes of soup to use to vote for the team you think will win! You get to vote with SOUP! All the donated soup will be shared by the food pantries at St. Joseph's church and Brown Memorial UMC. And Lisa will offer us a special musical offering as we bring the SOUP forward to cast our votes. Who says you can't have FUN while worshipping? Come prepared to enjoy SOUPER Bowl Sunday here at Immanuel. (There will be buckets for monetary donations if you would like to do so, also one for each team so you can vote for the winner.)

+++ Following worship our Second Sunday Lunch offering is an indoor tailgate party! Thanks to all who have signed up, as we enjoy tailgate foods together in the Fellowship Hall!      

+++ Our Finance Team meets on Tuesday night at 6:00pm in the Fireside Room to do their important work. 

+++ Our Annual Report books are completed and available on the table in the Narthex. Pick one up if you would like. Thanks to all those who lead here at Immanuel and got their reports in in a timely manner!  

+++ The deadline for articles for our March/April newsletter is coming up on February 20th. Please make sure your articles are in the church office by that date.  Thanks!  

Make this day a great day and try to embrace life's changes as God moves among us!    Pastor Jack