As we prepare to turn another page on our calendars, we hear these words from John's Gospel account...

                  Jesus shouted to the crowds, "If you trust me, you are trusting not only me, but also God who sent me. For when you see me, you are seeing the one who sent me. I have come as a light to shine in this dark world, so that all who put their trust in me will no longer remain in the dark."        (John 12: 44-46 NLT)

You know, if you want to know how God feels about you and other people, how God wants you to treat other people, how you are to relate to God... closely watch and listen to Jesus as you read His earthly story in the four gospel accounts.
   
In today's scripture verses, Jesus told a crowd of His followers that trusting Him was the same thing as trusting the heavenly Father. Earlier in the Gospel of John, Jesus said, "My teaching is not my own. It comes from the one who sent me. Anyone who chooses to do the will of God will find out whether my teaching comes from God or whether I speak on my own"  (John 7:16-17 NIV).
   
You can trust Jesus and build your life of faith around Jesus' every action and word.

   Loving Father, thank you for sending your only Son to earth, where He would teach and heal many before dying a sacrificial death so that we could be saved. Thank you, Jesus, for revealing the heart and mind of God during your time here on earth. Amen. 


+++ Join us on Sunday for worship at either 8:30am or 10:00am, when we will celebrate the 7th Sunday of Easter. We will hear Jesus' prayer that we all might be one in our faith and my message is entitled, "Helping the World to Believe". We will celebrate the Sacrament of Holy Communion at each worship service and at 10:00am we will also welcome Emma and Hugh to the family of God through the Sacrament of Holy Baptism. We will also hear information about Immanuel's M2 ministry work and begin to think about how we can support our church ministries through this program. We will, of course, be "live streaming" the 10:00am worship live on the church's Facebook page and then "uploading" the completed worship to our YouTube channel.  However you can join us, we look forward to "seeing" you in worship on Sunday!

+++ Following the 10:00am worship, a group of folks will be heading out to do some highway clean-up work along Route 695. It isn't too late to participate and you can talk to our coordinator Lynne H. to get more information.

+++ Our Board of Trustees meet on Wednesday afternoon at 4:00pm in the Fireside Room. All trustees please try to attend this important meeting. 

+++ Next Sunday is Pentecost and there is a lot going on...

• We hope you will try to wear something RED from your closet on Pentecost!
•  It will be Commitment Sunday for M2 pledging during worship.
•  Following worship, we'll enjoy our annual church picnic! Are you signed up yet??
• Our young people will also be offering a fundraising Car Wash for their animal rescue mission project!
• We will deliver our monthly Meal Ministry deliveries. Let Marilyn V. know if you have a name to add for a meal delivery.  

Make this day a great day and keep an eye out for Jesus at work in your life today!  Pastor Jack      

This message comes to you as we are in our second day of our Annual Conference at the On-Center in Syracuse. Please keep all the members of our Annual Conference in your prayers as we do the "business" of our church! Here are some thoughts from 2 Samuel for your day...

             "David was grieved and offended because the Lord had broken forth upon Uzzah, and that place is called Perez-uzzah (the breaking forth upon Uzzah) to this day."  (2 Samuel 6:8 AMPC)

Poor Uzzah, struck dead for trying to do good.
   
Of course, there's more to the story than just that.
   
David, the recently crowned king of all Israel, had made the newly-conquered Jerusalem his capital. In a celebratory mood, he decided to bring the ark of the covenant to the city from its resting place several miles to the north. Along the way, David and his subjects "played before the Lord with all their might, with songs, lyres, harps, tambourines, castanets, and cymbals" (2 Samuel 6:5 AMPC). This man after God's own heart was leading God's people in a rousing time of praise and worship. What could possibly be better?
   
Well, it would have helped for the ark to be transported properly. This gold-plated box, where God manifested Himself to Israel, was supposed to be carried by poles inserted through the solid gold rings. When David moved it, the ark was simply set on an ox cart -- and when the animals stumbled and Uzzah reached out to steady the load, tragedy followed.
   
Perhaps that seems extreme. But we need to remember that God sets the rules, and we are usually very wise to follow them exactly. Don't ever do your own thing and assume that God will just bless you.  Do everything God's way!

                  Lord, thanks for your grace -- but help me to honor You by
                              following Your rules precisely. Amen.

+++ Sunday worship continues at 8:30am and 10:00am. As we celebrate the 6th Sunday of Easter, we will hear once again about Jesus' idea of love from the 14th Chapter of John's Gospel. My message is entitled, "Who Loves You, Baby?" and if that brings back memories of a favorite television character from years ago... that is good! If you can't be here in the Sanctuary with us, look for us on the church's Facebook page for our 10:00am "live stream". And, of course, after worship is completed we will upload the recorded service to our YouTube channel, as well.  

+++ Remember your donations for our young people's mission project to restock the supplies at Helping Hounds of CNY and the CNY Cat Coalition. You'll find the donation boxes in the Narthex for your gifts and we celebrate our young people getting involved in mission work here in Central NY.        

+++ The church office will be closed on Monday, May 26th in observance of the Memorial Day holiday. The office will reopen on Tuesday morning at 9:00am.

+++ Next Sunday, June 1st is our Highway Clean-up ministry along Route 695. If you have any questions, please speak to our Coordinator Lynne Hessney. Please sign up on the board outside the Fireside Room and join the group as we do the work of maintaining this section of God's creation!

+++ Pentecost is on Sunday, June 8th! Try to wear RED for this celebration and plan to stay and join us for the church picnic after worship! Please sign up this week so we can plan accordingly for the food needs for our annual Church Picnic.

+++ We have camping scholarships available for kids heading off to summer camp! We can pay 50% of the costs for camp from our Eli Whitney Campership Fund. The deadline for applying is June 15th... so we can be sure to get the funds to the camp's location before the kids arrive!   

Make this day a great day and we can't wait to see you on Sunday!   
Pastor Jack  

As another work week comes to a close for many, I read these words from John's Gospel account...

                 "The bride belongs to the bridegroom.  The friend who attends the  bridegroom waits and listens for him, and  is full of joy when he hears the bridegroom's voice. That joy is mine, and it is now complete.  He must become greater; I must become less."  (John 3: 29-20   NIV)

Had Jesus used social media, He might have responded to John the Baptist's statement above with a single word: "This!"

This is the attitude every maturing Christian person must have. This is the mindset that honors our Lord and makes us better people. This is the countercultural, self-diminishing perspective that sets Christians apart -- positively -- from the world around us.
   
Will John's words make you a greater success in your career, your finances, your public notoriety? Though God could bless your humility like He did Solomon's (1 Kings 3: 1-15), chances are you'll be relatively poor and obscure in this world. But the one person who truly matters, God, will definitely see and ultimately reward your deference to His Son.
   
Jesus said there wasn't "anyone greater" than John (Matthew 11:11 NIV) -- and he was arrested, imprisoned, and beheaded. His humility toward Jesus was repaid by the "well done" he heard when entering heaven.  
 
So let's keep our eyes on heaven. This life is passing quickly, but the eternal Jesus invites us to enjoy His presence and provision forever. That's totally worth "becoming less" now.

I want to give You all the glory, Jesus -- only You deserve to be praised.                    Amen.    

+++ On Sunday we gather for worship at 8:30am and 10:00am. At 8:30am I will be thinking about Psalm 23 and how we are called to follow the Good Shepherd. And then at 10:00am we will celebrate CAMPING SUNDAY, when we are joined by friends from Camp Aldersgate. Plan on some camp songs, and camp stories as we talk about the importance of our Annual Conference's camping program. Bring the kids, you're even invited to dress in camping attire as we worship "Around the Campfire" on Sunday. We will be offering the 10:00am worship service "live-streamed" on our church's Facebook page and then "upload" the recorded worship to our YouTube channel when it is completed. We hope to "see you" in the Sanctuary as we celebrate CAMPING SUNDAY! 

+++ Click here for more information on our conference's camping ministry.

+++ On Saturday the Cornell Master Gardeners group is offering their annual Plant Sale here at Immanuel. The sale runs from 9:00am until 12noon.but the best selection of plants will be found closer to 9:00am!

+++ Our annual Church Picnic will be held, after worship, on Sunday June 8th! But we need you to sign up so that we plan accordingly for the food needs. And who might like to organize this year's Cornhole Tournament? See Barb M. if you'd like to get involved in helping out at this fun event.          

+++ On Sunday, Mike Block will be leading another Mission Trip group heading for Vermont. We will pray them off between worship services in the parking lot. 

+++ Next week is the Upper New York Annual Conference being held at the On-Center on Thursday-Saturday. Volunteers will be staffing the church office on Thursday and Friday next week. Please keep Helen, Pam, and I in prayer as we represent Immanuel doing the business of our Annual Conference.  

+++ Don't forget the mission project being done by our Kidz Club kids. The kids are trying to help out the CNY Cat Coalition and Helping Hounds programs. They are collecting pet food and litter, new or gently used toys, beds, scratching posts, cat furniture and carriers among other items. Check out the donation location in the Narthex for further information! And thanks for supporting our young mission do-ers!    

Make this day a great day and always give the glory to Jesus!   
​Pastor Jack   

Happy Friday, Friends!

Here are some words for us from the 10th chapter of John's Gospel account...

                "And many came to him and said, "John did no miracle,
                  but all things that John spoke of this man were true."  
                              And many believed in Him there."    
                                    (John 10: 41-42  SKJV)

Are you a leader or a follower? Do you prefer to be in front of people or in the background? There's no "right" answer to these questions, since God has made every person differently. mmThe important thing is that you're faithful to God with the personality and skills God's given you. 
   
John the Baptist was a powerful preacher who drew large crowds, as he prepared the way for the Lord (see Matthew 3:3). When Jesus arrived on the scene, though, John immediately stepped aside, introducing "the Lamb of God" to all who would look to the one "who takes away the sin of the world" (John 1:29 SKJV). And due to John's influence, many did. 
   
People who had heard John's preaching later came to Jesus, praising the Baptist's truthful, accurate words. "John did no miracle," they said, "but all things that John spoke of this man were true." Even more people put their faith in Jesus. 
   
Every one of us, whatever our level of intelligence, talent, or success, can speak truthful, accurate words about Jesus. There's no need for us to perform miracles, literal or figurative, to serve our Lord and help our fellow human beings. We just have to be willing to be obedient to the Spirit's leading. 
   
So join me in praying.... Lord, I'm willing. Please speak Your truth through me. Amen.  

+++ We gather for worship on Sunday at 8:30am and 10:00am and I am so happy to be back and celebrating Mother's Day with you all! Our lectionary reading brings us to John 13 and I'll be thinking about what our Moms.... and Jesus.... really wanted for each of us. Come and join me as we celebrate in worship. And if you can't make it to the church on Sunday, we will "live-stream" the worship on the church's Facebook page at 10:00am and then "upload" the completed service to our YouTube channel after it's completed. However you worship... we'll be glad to "see you" on Sunday!

+++ The Tuesday morning Chair Yoga class will resume next Tuesday, May 13th at 9:30am in the Fireside Room! See Barb M. to get further information about this group! 

+++ We also have a bunch of church meetings taking place next week...

• Our Finance and SPRC teams meet on Tuesday night at 6:00pm.
• Our Administrative Council meeting occurs on Tuesday night at 6:45pm.
• The Trustees Board meets on Wednesday at 4:00pm in the Fireside Room.  

+++ Also on Wednesday I will offer worship at Camillus Ridge Terrace at 11:00am!

+++ Next Sunday, May 18th is Camping Sunday. We will be joined by friends from Camp Aldersgate at our 10:00am worship service... as we celebrate the ministry of camping in our Annual Conference. Remember that Immanuel offers camping scholarships for our young people attending a camping program. Speak to me to find out about scholarship help.

+++ Our Scholarship program also offers scholarships for graduating high school seniors who are attending college or trade schools.  Check with the church office for a scholarship application.  

+++ And don't forget the Plant Sale being offered here by the Cornell Cooperative Master Gardeners group on Saturday, May 17th from 9:00am- 1:00pm. You'll find many beautiful plants for your summer gardens here!  

Make this day a great day and spread the good word about Jesus!   
​Pastor Jack 

"O Lord my God, I will give thanks to you forever."  Psalm 30:12b

It's not too late to help or shop at our annual Garage Sale. The sale is today, May 2 from 9am-6pm and tomorrow, May 3 from 9am -12 noon with a $5 bag sale. Many thanks to all who make our garage sale a great success!!!

We will worship on Sunday, May 4 at 8:30 and 10am. Reverend Candace Lawrence will be leading our worship time and she will be reflecting on John 21:1-14. Her message is entitled "Come and Have Breakfast." We will share in the Sacrament of Holy Communion at both services. Our 10am service will be livestreamed on our Facebook page and later uploaded to our YouTube channel. However you are able to join us, we are happy you are here!

Also, this Sunday we will collect a special church wide offering for Native American Sunday which benefits Native American ministries of the United Methodist church. There will be special offering envelopes available for your use.

Our Board of Trustees are scheduled to meet on Wednesday, May 7 at 4pm.  

Even though Casowasco is not hosting kids summer camp this year, there are 3 other camps in our conference that are. These are Sky Lake, Aldersgate and Sky Farm.  You can click here for more information on summer camps. Immanuel has camperships to assist with the cost of camp, please see Pastor Jack or Pam for more information.

If you are a member of Immanuel and are graduating from high school, we have a scholarship fund to help with college or trade school expenses. For more information  contact Jerry Holbrook at 315-345-1081.

Please continue to pray for Pastor Jack as he continues his renewal leave. He will be back in town Wednesday, May 7.

Blessings from the church office.