Happy Friday, friends! Today we hear some scripture from Mark's Gospel account...
 
                    John had been telling Herod, "It is not lawful for you to have your brother's wife!"  So Herodias held a grudge against him and wanted to kill him.  
                                      (Mark 6: 18-19 HCSB)
 
The world we live in loves the idea of knowing the truth. Scientists dedicate their lives to the quest for knowledge. Celebrities are idolized for being honest about their personal lives. And countless books, movies, and songs repeatedly quote Jesus' famous line: "The truth will set you free" (John 8:32 AMPC).  
   
But what happens when the truth is something that people don't want to hear? What happens when the world that's in love with it's sin, hears that Jesus died to rescue them from sin? Do they stick to their guns and accept it like they do everything else? For some people, yes. Otherwise, the Church would be long gone. But usually people react much the same way Herodias acted when John told Herod the truth: anger. Even we Christians can become upset when brothers and sisters in Christ point out flaws in our lives that need to change.  
   
But it's our responsibility to uphold the truth, whether they (or we) like it or not. When confronted with hostility, strong faith doesn't back down --- it doubles down. By planting your roots in the truth, your faith will stand when the world's lies turn to ashes.  
 
                    Jesus, You are the truth upon which I want to build my life.  
                     May I never succumb to the easy lies around me. Amen. 
 
+++  Sunday worship is at 8:30am and 10:00am as we gather to celebrate PENTECOST! That's right... It's the celebration of the arrival of God's Holy Spirit. It is also international WEAR RED TO CHURCH DAY! Check your closets to see what red apparel you might have for worship on Sunday! Our Gospel lesson hears Jesus teaching about life-giving waters and that is also the title of my message!  We will, of course, be "live-streaming" the worship service on the church's Facebook page at 10:00am and then "uploading" the recorded  worship to our YouTube channel after it is completed. We hope to "see you" for worship on Sunday morning!  

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

+++ On Tuesday, 5/26 St. Michael's Lutheran Church is offering another of their Grab and Go dinners. The serving starts at 5:00pm in the parking lot and don't be late for this Chicken cacciatore dinner!   

+++ Next week Pam, Helen Forward and I will attend the Annual Conference sessions in Syracuse. I will have my cell phone in the case of pastoral emergencies and the office will be staffed by volunteers each morning. Thanks to those who offered to help out!  

+++ This is the last call for summer campership scholarships to be into the office!  Thanks! 
 
Make this day a great day and always stand on the truth of Jesus!   
​Pastor Jack 

"Sing praises to God, sing praises; For God is the king of all the earth; sing praises with a psalm." Psalm 47:6-7

+++ Join us for worship on Sunday, May 17!  Come in person at 8:30am or 10am. Join us on Facebook Live at 10am or later on YouTube. However you come, we are glad you came!

+++ Tomorrow, Saturday, May 16, the Cornell Master gardeners will hold a plant sale from 9am-11am in the Fellowship Hall. These are all locally grown plants and are indigenous to our area. Come early for the best selection!

+++ On Sunday May 17, our Highway Clean up crew will be heading out to pick up trash along Route 695. It's not too late to join in, and you will also get lunch!

+++ Our confirmation class will meet after Highway Clean up as many of our confirmands will be joining the work crew.

+++ Pray for Peace, Tuesday, May 19 at 6:30pm. Are you concerned about the growing tension around the world, our country, our communities, or even the growing tension within yourself? You are invited to join us for a time of communal prayer and quiet reflection as we raise our voices together. We will gather to seek peace through the reading of the Psalms, the lighting of candles, and reflective meditation.

+++ Coffee with the Pastor. Wednesday mornings at 9:30am in the Fireside room. All are welcome for this time of coffee and fellowship.

God is good. All the time.
All the time. God is good.

Blessings from the church office.

As we prepare for another weekend of worship and ministry, we hear some words from Matthew's Gospel account....
 
           When the disciples heard it, they fell facedown and were terrified. Then Jesus came up, touched them, and said, "Get up; don't be afraid."     
                                                                                                   (Matthew 17: 6-7   HCSB) 
 
The phrases "fear God," "fear of God," and "fear of the Lord" appear fifty-five times in the Holman Christian Standard Bible, from which today's scripture reading is drawn. While it's true that fear implies an element of strong respect for God, in many cases in scripture, it's an actual terror of the Lord's holiness and power.
   
Matthew 17 describes Jesus' transfiguration, when He granted Peter, James, and John a preview of His coming glory. That must have inspired awe: Jesus, accompanied by the long-ago prophets Moses and Elijah, "was transformed in front of them, and His face shone like the sun. Even His clothes became as white as the Light" (verse 2 HCSB). But when God's voice from heaven silenced Peter's babbling about erecting tents for Jesus and the prophets, the disciples fell on their faces in abject fear.
   
Jesus' response for them is the same as he has for us: "Don't be afraid." The fearsome God of the universe proved His love by sending Jesus to die for our sins (Romans 5:8). And when we follow Jesus by faith, however imperfectly, we are "blessed with every spiritual blessing in the heavens" (Ephesians 1:3 HCSB). So remember to fear.... but don't be afraid. 
 
                  Jesus, thank You for making Your Father my Father as well. Now I don't have to be afraid! Amen.  
 
+++ On Sunday we will gather once again for worship at 8:30am and 10:00am. We will be celebrating not only the 6th Sunday of Easter, but also Mother's Day! In worship we'll continue hearing from Jesus' words to his disciples on the last night he would spend with them and his assurance never to leave them alone. My message is entitled, "Jesus Will Never Leave Us" and I am thinking about all the ways Jesus demonstrates to us that he accompanies us always. Come and join me as I think this through, please. There will be great special music at each of our worship services on Sunday and we will save you a seat! We also continue our "live streaming" on the church's Facebook page and "uploading" the recorded worship on our YouTube channel, as well. However you can join us, we can't wait to see you in worship on Sunday!

+++ On Tuesday our Finance Team will meet at 6:00pm in the Fireside Room and then our Administrative Council meeting follows at 6:45pm. We hope to see you all at these important meetings next week!

+++ Each Wednesday morning we gather for Coffee With the Pastor at 9:30am in the Fireside Room. Great conversation and fellowship is always available (along with a good cup of coffee or tea)!  

+++ Next Saturday, May 16th is the plant sale offered by the Cornell Cooperative Extension's Master Gardeners group. The sale starts at 9:00am.....so be here early for the best assortment of plants for your summer gardens.   

+++ Have you signed up yet to help with the Highway cleanup project after worship on May 17th? Many hands make light work and a luncheon will be offered here as well! Please sign up on the white board today!   

+++ Mark your calendars to attend a new gathering of our Prayer for Peace group which meets on Tuesday night, May 19th at 6:30pm in the Fireside Room. We will join together to pray for peace in our lives and in the world. We hope to see you there!  
 
Make this day a great day and always be fearful but never afraid!   
​Pastor Jack 
  

Hello Friends! Today we encounter a word of scripture from Exodus...
 
             "Moses and Aaron did just as the Lord had commanded."
                                  (Exodus 7:20  HCSB)
 
Tell an eight-year-old to clean their room, and you may be disappointed. There's a good chance they'll argue, probably for longer than it takes to actually do the job. There's an equally good chance that the finished work won't quite rise to your standards!  "Pick up everything and put it away" ultimately leads to a few things shoved under the bed, with toys, clothes, and candy wrappers still dotting the landscape.  
   
But give that child a few years, and they'll probably do better. Someday, hopefully, they'll do everything exactly as they should. That's a growth process all of us should pursue, in every aspect of life --- especially the spiritual.  
   
In Exodus 7, Moses and Aaron followed God's instructions perfectly as they initiated the plagues that would free Israel from slavery to Pharaoh. Soon, as they left Egypt, the people "did just as the Lord commanded" regarding the Passover (Exodus 12:50 NCSB). Centuries later, their king, David, "did exactly as the Lord had commanded him, and he struck down the Philistines all the way from Gaba to Gezer" (2 Samuel 5: 25  HCSB).
   
Exacting obedience to God's commands brings blessing. Carelessness and rebellion bring trouble. The New Testament puts it pretty succinctly: "It is a sin for a person who knows to do what is good and doesn't do it" (James 4:17  HCBS).  
 
  O God, I want to do things right. Help me to know and obey your will. Amen. 
 
+++ We gather for worship on Sunday at 8:30am and 10:00am and this week we will be celebrating the Sacrament of Holy Communion together! We'll also hear some words of comfort from Jesus about making sure we are following the way. And that's the title of my message, "Following the Way". At 10:00am the choir will be back with another wonderful anthem for us and the 8:30am congregation will enjoy some wonderful Special Music. If you can't join us here in the building, look for us on the church's Facebook page for our "live stream" at 10:00am or later on the church's YouTube channel. However you can, please try to join us for worship on Sunday!

+++ The great Garage Sale continues today and Saturday so stop by and check out all the treasures just waiting for you to take them home! On Saturday morning there will also be a gigantic BAG sale for you to take advantage of. Thanks to all who have donated, bought and worked so hard to make this event a success again this year! 

+++ Thanks to the hard work of our youth and your generosity Lorlie delivered 431 pairs of socks to the folks at In My Father's Kitchen! They were thrilled and amazed at this donation and many, many people will benefit from this effort!

+++ Make sure to sign up for the upcoming Highway Cleanup project taking place on May 17th after worship. Lynne has a luncheon planned and we will help to beautify God's creation along Route 695 on this day!  See the signup on the white board in the Narthex! 

+++ "Coffee with the Pastor" continues on Wednesday mornings at 9:30am in the Fireside Room and YOU'RE INVITED! Come expecting a good cup of coffee or tea and great fellowship as we gather for an hour together!  

+++ Applications for the Gordon Williams scholarship program are available from Jerry Holbrook on Sunday morning. Immanuel is blessed to be able to offer these scholarships to our young people.  See Jerry for more information.  

+++ On May 16th the Cornell Cooperative Master Gardeners will offer another plant sale here at Immanuel. See the white board in the Narthex for exact times and information.  

+++ On Tuesday, May 19th we will gather for the first time to Pray for Peace in the Fireside Room at 6:30pm. See the article in the recent edition of our newsletter for more information as we gather to pray for peace throughout our world!  
 
Make this day a great day and always strive to obey God's will!   
Pastor Jack