Aloha, Cousins! That is the typical greeting used in Hawaii to greet both friends and family alike! Today we read some words from the Voice version of scripture in Matthew's Gospel...
 
                 "Disciples: We'll never find enough food for all these people, out here in the middle of nowhere!"   (Matthew 15:33 VOICE)
 
Imagine yourself as one of Jesus' disciples. You follow HIm, as thousands of other people tag along. The Lord is always imparting wisdom, sometimes specifically to your group of twelve, sometimes to you and the accompanying multitude.
   
Jesus takes in the scene: you're all in a remote place, and none of the eager listeners have eaten for a long while. He wants to feed this crowd; you respond in the words of the scripture above. You've never seen anything like what Jesus suggests.
   
Except you have seen this movie before. This is the "feeding of the four thousand"; not so long ago, you actually helped to feed a thousand people more, handing out a young boy's loaves and fishes that Jesus multiplied by His marvelous, mysterious power (Matthew 14: 13-21).
   
How could the Twelve so quickly overlook or forget Jesus' previous miracle? There's no good answer --- but neither is there a good answer when we doubt His power and goodness. All of us have seen God, through Jesus, doing marvelous, mysterious things in our lives. All of us should hold on to those memories in faith, believing that God will do similar or even greater things in our next time of need.  
 
       I know You are good and kind, Lord. Forgive my doubt and strengthen my faith. I thank you in advance for providing for my needs.  Amen.  
  
+++  We gather for worship at 8:30am and 10:00am this Sunday. We will hear from John's Gospel account where Jesus teaches about the Good Shepherd and the sheep. My message, Following the Shepherd's Voice, has me thinking about what voice or voices we listen to in our daily lives. Sometimes there are so many competing voices that we can lose sight of the true voice to whom we should be listening. If you can't be in the Sanctuary with us for worship, join us on the church's Facebook page for our 10:00am "live stream" or after the service is completed on the church's YouTube channel. After a couple of weeks away I can't wait to see you for worship on Sunday!

+++  Our Confirmation Class meets on Sunday from 12:00noon - 3:00pm for our next session on "DOING GOOD". We can't wait to see all of the group and any parents/mentors who might want to join us on our confirmation journey. The confirmands and their families will also be helping to set up for the garage sale from 11:30am - 12:00noon, as well! Thanks to all! 

+++ Check for information about the upcoming Garage Sale activities and times. It takes many dedicated hands to pull off this ministry event and the more hands we can acquire the more we can get done! And don't forget to come and shop for a treasure or two, as well! Thanks!  

+++ Who is going to church camp this summer? Don't forget we have camp scholarship monies to help out with expenses to send Immanuel's kids to camp. Please let the office know by 5/31 so we can get the checks distributed.   
 
Make this day a great day and always pray for an ever increasing faith!   
Pastor Jack 
  

An Easter prayer:

     "O God, our light, our beauty, our rest:  
          In the resurrection of your Son you have brought us into your new creation, form us into your people, and order our lives in you; through Christ our Lord. Amen.    Alleluia!"

+++ Our annual Spring Craft show is this weekend! Friday, April 17 from 4pm-8pm and Saturday, April 18 from 9am-3pm. Bring a friend or two and enjoy a full house of crafters as well as a homemade lunch at our Bistro and goodies at a bake sale.

+++ This Sunday, April 19, we will welcome back Rev. Candace Lawrence who will lead our worship services at both 8:30 and 10am. We will have special music at 8:30am and our choir will be singing at 10am. If you are not able to join us in person, we hope you will join online as we will be live on Facebook at 10am and after that, the service recording will be uploaded to our YouTube channel. However you join in, we are glad you are with us!

+++ This Sunday is also Native American Ministries Sunday. This is one of 6 churchwide special offerings we participate in each year. Your generosity supports Native American outreach within annual conferences, provides seminary scholarships for Native Americans, and strengthens, develops, and equips Native American congregations, ministries, and communities. There will be special offering envelopes in the Narthex for your use. Please mark "Native American Sunday" in the memo of checks.

+++ The May/June edition of our newsletter deadline is April 20. Please have any information you would like included to the church office by that date.

+++ The May/June edition of the Upper Room is available now on the table outside the window of the church office.

+++ Pam will be hosting coffee with the Pastor this Wednesday, April 22 at 9:30. If the airlines cooperate, Pastor Jack will also be with us. Come enjoy a hot cup of coffee and some wonderful fellowship.

+++ Don't forget that Immanuel has camperships available for kids attending church camp this summer. Please give your child's name, camp, and dates going to the church office no later than May 30. In the past, we have been able to give 50% of tuition. If you have a greater need, please see Pastor Jack. We want everyone to be able to attend church camp!

+++ Our Annual Garage Sale is April 30 and May 1 from 9am-6pm and May 2 from 9am-2. Find more information here.

Blessings from the church office.

Today's scripture reading takes us into Matthew's Gospel account...
 
                  "When Jesus landed and saw a large crowd, he had compassion 
                     on them and healed their sick."  (Matthew 14:14  NIV)
 
At it's simplest level, spiritual growth is our increasing resemblance to Jesus. And to achieve that, we have to know what Jesus is like, knowledge gained through Bible study. We must talk to Him in prayer and quietly listen for His response through the Spirit. And then... we need to practice what we learn.
   
Of his life on earth, Jesus said He "did not come to be served, but to serve (Matthew 20:28; Mark 10:45  NIV). That is obvious in today's scripture passage. After learning of the beheading of His relative John the Baptist, Jesus "withdrew by boat privately to a solitary place" (Matthew 14:13 NIV). But the crowds, tipped off to His movement, rushed to His presumed landing spot. Jesus, in His humanity undoubtedly distressed by the death of John, immediately began serving the people.
   
What about us? When needs arise, will we leave our comforts to serve others? Yes, "self-care" is important --- we want to maintain the well-being of our bodies, "temples of the Holy Spirit," in the apostle Paul's words (1 Corinthians 6:19 NIV). But if Jesus could rouse Himself from a quiet time of rest to serve people in need, shouldn't we do the same?
   
It won't be easy. But never forget that every good thing we accomplish is done in God's strength anyway.  
 
    Make me more like You, Jesus, ready to serve whenever needed.  Amen.  
 
+++ The family gathers for worship on Sunday at 8:30am and 10:00am and Rev. Candace Lawrence will be leading worship for the next 2 weeks as I am away. Candace's message this week is "Do I Have to Go To Church?". We hope you are here to welcome Candace back to Immanuel and that you receive a great blessing from her words. If you can't be here in person with us, join us on the church's Facebook page for our "live-stream" at 10:00am or later for the recorded worship service on the church's YouTube channel. We hope to "see you" in worship this Sunday!

+++ Following worship this week we will enjoy our last Second Sunday Luncheon until the fall. Hopefully you have had a chance to sign up and are planning on joining in the great food and fellowship! Our shut-in Meal Ministry will be delivered following the luncheon, as well! This great ministry work continues to brighten the day of those who receive a meal each month. Thanks for all you do to make this important ministry happen!

+++ On Tuesday our Finance Team meets at 6:00pm in the Fireside Room and the Administrative Council meeting follows at 6:45pm. Please try to be in attendance for these important meetings this week!

+++ On Wednesday, 4/15 come and enjoy "Coffee with Pam" at 9:30am in the Fireside Room. It is a wonderful hour of fellowship and good conversation each week.  

+++ Our Springtime edition of our Craft Show occurs next weekend, April 17th and 18th.  Plan to stop by and check out the crafters, enjoy a tasty snack and bring a few friends to see where it is you worship each week. All of the proceeds from these shows are used to support mission work here at Immanuel!

+++ The deadline for articles for the May/June edition of our church newsletter is coming up on April 20th! Team leaders please make sure your articles are in the office by this date so we can meet our publishing deadlines. Thanks!   

+++ While I am away, emergency pastoral care will be covered by our Certified Lay Minister, Jim Sokolowski. Jim can be reached by contacting the church office directly.  

Make this day a great day and always pray to be more like Jesus!   
Pastor Jack   

As we move through this Holy Week we hear some words from Psalm 41...
 
                  "O Lord," I prayed, "have mercy on me. Heal me, for I have sinned against you."  (Psalm 41: 4 NLT)
 
Many centuries ago, the apostle John wrote, "If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness"  (1 John 1:9 NIV).
   
FAITHFUL AND JUST. That means that God will keep God's promise to forgive us when we come to Him and confess our wrongdoings. In today's scripture verses, David gave further voice to this truth when he cried out to the Lord to have mercy on him and to heal his heart, for he had sinned against Him.
   
Sin carries with it very severe consequences, namely eternal punishment and separation from God. But God mercifully forgives and cleanses the believer who recognizes and confesses their sin. God truly desires to forgive and restore the penitent believer.
   
Are you aware of some sin in your life that has created separation between you and God? Then run to God now and confess --- then believe in your heart that God has forgiven and cleansed you.  
 
                  Lord God, I thank You for Your mercy upon a miserable sinner like me. When I sin against You, may I run to Your throne and seek mercy, forgiveness, cleansing, and restoration --- not away  from You in shame and discouragement. You truly are a God who delights in showing Your people mercy.  Amen. 
 
+++ Here are our worship plans for this Holy Week......

• Maundy Thursday worship - 7:00pm in the Sanctuary on April 2nd. We will remember the Last Supper on Jesus' last night here with us as we celebrate Holy Communion and strip the Altar in preparation for Good Friday.
• Good Friday worship - Our sanctuary is open for your private devotions from12:00noon - 3:00pm on April 3rd. Come when you can and stay as long as you would like as you spend some time remembering Jesus' time on the cross.
• Easter Sunday worship - We gather in our beautiful Sanctuary at 8:30am and 10:00am to celebrate the resurrection! Special music, uplifting scripture lessons and the Sacrament of Holy Communion await us on this celebration morning!

+++ Next Wednesday, 4/8 Coffee with the Pastor returns at 9:30am. Come and join us for this time of fellowship and conversation.  

+++ Worship leadership will be offered by Rev. Candace Lawrence on April 12th and 19th as I am away on vacation. And Jim Sokolowski, our CLM, will be available for emergency pastoral coverage during this time.  Jim can be reached through Pam in the church office. 

+++ Don't forget our upcoming Craft Fair on April 17th and 18th here at Immanuel. Come and check out all the wonderful crafts as we support mission work here and throughout the world. Bring a friend or three, as well to this fun event!  

+++ Our annual Garage Sale takes place on April 30, May 1, & 2 here at the church. See Shelley for information and to offer to help during the sale!  
 
Make this a great day and remember that God forgives us when we confess and repent!!
​Pastor Jack