As we start another weekend, I read these words from 1 Peter...

                  "Casting the whole of your care... on Him, for He
                    cares about you affectionately and cares about 
                             you watchfully."  (1 Peter 5:7 AMP)

More money, a better marriage, stronger medicine. Improved health, increased wealth, greater wisdom. So much weighs on our minds. What if the day when we finally pay our debts our health fails, or we become physically fit and financially secure just to lose our marriage. We all make mistakes; we all stumble and fail at times. But those who run to the Lord will find mercy and grace in their time of need. They will find their answer hidden in God.
   
We can look to doctors, bankers, counselors, and experts for answers. But scripture reminds us that those who put their trust in the Lord will never be forsaken or ashamed. God is faithful even when we're not. I dare you to test God, prove God, and make your need known to God today. God waits patiently and mercifully for you to place your hope in Him once and for all. Our God is the God that provides all the answers and meets all your needs. God is your solution.
   
So when your problems seem out of hand and you are in the middle of managing that next crisis, pray with me, I cast all my cares on You, O Lord. Amen.

+++ Worship this week is at 9:00am in the Sanctuary and we will hear about Jesus encountering 2 women in need of healing from Mark chapter 5. My message, "The Person Next to You" has me thinking about how we are called, as Christians, to live in community and to care for the people around us. Join me as I think this through! We will, of course, be "live-streaming" on the church's Facebook page at 9:00am and then "uploading" the completed worship service to our YouTube channel, as well. We might have a few surprises in store, as well, so I hope to see you in worship here in the Sanctuary this week!  

+++ Remember that the Chair Yoga group will NOT be meeting this week (7/2) but will resume next week (7/9)!

+++ To allow the staff to enjoy the holiday weekend, the church office will be closed on Thursday and Friday next week (7/4 & 7/5) and reopen on Monday 7/8. 

+++ In July and August our church office will be open on  Monday - Thursday from 9:00am - 3:00pm. Please note this for your office needs! Thanks!  

+++ In July we will welcome Rev. Beth Quick on Sunday 7/7 and Rev. Bill Gottschalk-Fielding on Sunday 7/14. Beth and Bill will be leading worship while I am away on those 2 Sundays. I know you will be blessed as they lead worship on these special Sundays!  

+++ We will welcome a Mission Team from Calvary UMC in Harrisburg, PA from July 15th - July 19th. This group will be doing several mission projects on the Onondaga Nation and we are glad to offer them housing and hospitality here at Immanuel.  

+++ Please make sure you have saved the dates on your calendar for:

• Our Annual Mini Golf for Missions event on Saturday August 10th!
• Our Vacation Bible School on Wednesday nights during August.

          YOU CAN REGISTER FOR BOTH OF THESE EVENTS BY FOLLOWING THE LINKS ABOVE. Register soon!
 
Make this day a great day and always remember to pray, I cast all my cares on you, O Lord. Amen. 
​Pastor Jack

Happy First Day of Summer!

As we mark the start of this new season, my reading continues in the Psalms where I read these words...

                     "Your promises are backed by all the honor of
                                your name."   (Psalm 138:2 NLT) 

Your unsaved friend is in the hospital undergoing heart surgery. You send him an encouraging note including your heartfelt prayer for a smooth procedure and a complete and quick recovery, and include several scriptures telling of God's will to heal and deliver. You wait, hoping he has not only made it through the surgery successfully, but also that he wasn't offended by your spiritual overtones.  
   
God will make himself known through each word you share. Release your concern, and allow the Holy Spirit to minister God's grace. God works through God's Word. And God's Word is spirit and life and will not return to God void. You must be ready to deliver it to those who inwardly seek after the hope that is outwardly evident in you. Lift up the word and let it go. Pray for God to reveal himself, and know that it is through God's Word that God makes himself known in the hearts of all people -- including those you love. 
   
So you can join me in praying, Make yourself known, O God  whenever loved ones are suffering or the world around you seems so hopelessly ignorant. Or whenever you feel weak or are praying for the sick. Make yourself known, O God. Amen.   

+++ This week we begin our summer worship schedule with one worship service at 9:00am in the Sanctuary! The church is both prayer conditioned and air-conditioned and I think this week we will appreciate both! We will hear once again the story of young David and the giant Goliath from 1 Samuel and my message is entitled, "Overcoming the Odds". How do you overcome the odds that often seem stacked against you? I will share with you a time in my life when the odds were definitely not with me. The Facebook live-stream begins at 9:00am this week and then we will "upload" the completed worship to the church YouTube channel when completed. We will save you a great seat in the Sanctuary on Sunday!  

+++ A couple of dates to save on your calendar this week:

• Our annual Mini Golf for Missions event at the Fairmount Glen course on Saturday, August 10th! Begin getting your team together for a fun morning of fellowship and laughs. Mark your calendars to save this date! 
• Vacation Bible School will occur each Wednesday night during August. Our theme this year is "Food Truck Party" and you can register on the church's  webpage. Registration is open now and we are planning on a fun time each week at our VBS!  

​
+++ This week we received an email communication form our Bishop, Bishop Hector Burgos-Nunez about some staffing changes in the appointed Cabinet and additional information about decisions made at General Conference and how we will live into these. Click on this link  to read Bishop Hector's thoughts for the church.  

Make this day a great day and always be ready to pray, Make yourself known, O God. Amen. 
​Pastor Jack

Happy Flag Day, Friends! 
 
This week's reading takes me to 1 John....

                       "He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins."
                                         ( 1 John 1:9  KJV)

It's the little foxes that spoil the vine. We've probably all heard Solomon's expression. Perhaps we have stretched the truth just a little bit, or lost our temper, or watched something we shouldn't have on TV. It's often the littlest of things that cause us to stumble, the seemingly endless and harmless temptations that come between us and walking in fellowship with God.
   
When we do turn to God in prayer, we are convicted of our sins. Deep within ourselves we know we haven't walked uprightly before God -- we've not been holy even as God is holy -- with singleness of heart, pursuing first the kingdom of God and God's righteousness. The Lord compels us to put away the entanglements that so easily grab and hold us, those habits that keep us from continually walking in God's presence. But we are also assured that God is faithful to forgive our trespasses... if we but ask. 
   
So this week, when you realize you haven't used your time wisely, or you find yourself speaking negatively about another, or you see someone in need and look the other way, join me in praying, Forgive me, Lord. Amen. 

+++ This Sunday is our last Sunday to worship at both 8:30am and 10:00am until fall! At 8:30am we will be looking at Mark 4 and my message is entitled, "The Best Stuff Is Invisible". We will hear some wonderful Special Music during this service... the last in the Fireside Room until September. And then at 10:00am we will celebrate Music Sunday in the Sanctuary! We will celebrate the musical gifts of our church musicians and hear about the important part music plays in the worship of God. This service promises to be a day of rejoicing for us all! Look for us on the church's Facebook page at 10:00am with our "live stream" and then later we will have the recorded worship posted on our YouTube channel. And just like last Sunday's Youth Celebration Day... you will not want to miss the fun!  

+++ The July/August edition of the Upper Room devotional magazines are now on the back table for those using them.  

+++ The deadline for articles for the July/August edition of our church newsletter is next Thursday, 6/20.... so that we can meet our publication deadline. Thanks for making sure your article arrives on time! It makes the job of publishing the newsletter so much easier. 

+++ Next Sunday, June 23rd we begin our summer worship schedule with one worship service at 9:00am each Sunday morning. The Facebook live stream will also switch to 9:00am beginning on June 23rd! How will you use the extra time each Sunday to be the hands and feet of Jesus in our community?  

+++ A couple of advance planning dates for your calendars...

• Summer Vacation Bible School will be offered on Wednesday nights during the month of August. Register your children and their friends now to beat the rush!
• Plan to attend Immanuel's annual Mini Golf Tournament for Missions scheduled for Saturday, August 10th! Start practicing now for this fun event held  at the Fairmount Glen mini golf course.    

Make this day a great day and join me in praying.... Forgive me, Lord. Amen.   
​Pastor Jack 

Happy Friday, friends!
  
This week my reading took me to Paul's letter to the Romans where I was reminded of these simple words....

                      "Be transformed by the renewing of your mind."
                                           (Romans 12:2  NIV) 

Self-imposed limitations. Preconditioned thinking. Limited perceptions. We've all heard how our thoughts determine our life experience and level of success. Visualization and positive thinking can be powerful forces while negative mindsets and destructive thought patterns limit us. We are told in Romans 12:2 to be transformed by the renewing of our minds -- but what exactly does that mean? 
   
Ephesians 4: 23-25 (AMP) tells us to be "constantly renewed in the spirit of our mind [having a fresh mental and spiritual attitude], and put on the new nature... created in God's image, [Godlike] in true righteousness and holiness." But often that seems to be such a tall order! But we have been given all things pertaining to life and godliness so that we can do just that. (See 2 Peter 1:4) Put on the mind of Christ by reading and meditating daily on the Word. There is no surer way to renew the mind, be transformed, and become the success you long to be.  
   
So when you don't know how to pray or need to try to understand someone better... or you just need a fresh perspective... join me in praying, Renew my mind, O Holy Spirit.  Amen. 

+++ This week we worship at 8:30am and 10:00am and the services will be quite different. At 8:30am I will be thinking about how it is that we are called to be people who are "Living By Faith". I will be talking about this thought as I look at 1 Timothy 4. And then at 10:00am we will celebrate the accomplishments of our young people with Youth Celebration Sunday! Join us to hear about the faith of these extraordinary young people. And parents... please try to have all the kids here for the celebration! And everyone is invited to wear their Picnic clothes... as we will enjoy our annual Church Picnic following the 10:00am worship service! And this picnic is a rain-or-shine event as we can always move into our Fellowship Hall if the weather is not cooperative!   

+++ Don't forget to return your M2 pledge cards during worship this week. We are so blessed by your gifts... that allow us to do mission and maintenance here at Immanuel and around the world. Thanks for all your support!

+++ Our SPRC and Finance Teams both meet at 6:00pm on Tuesday night and then our Administrative Council gathers at 6:45pm. Members please try to be here for these important meetings. 

+++ Next Sunday, June 16th is our Music Sunday Celebration and we will celebrate the musical gifts of all our church's musicians at the 10:00am worship service. Wait until you hear the special music they will offer! What a blessing to have such talented people among us and leading us in worship each week!

+++ On Sunday, June 23rd we begin our summer schedule with one worship service at 9:00am each week! I apologize if I misquoted the time...WE WILL WORSHIP AT 9:00 AM each Sunday through the Labor Day weekend! Thanks! 

+++ On Saturday, June 22nd I will be riding my bike 20.2 miles in the Ride For Roswell in Buffalo to raise needed funds for cancer treatment and research. See the display in the Narthex if you'd like to be involved!  

+++ We have a new resident of Camillus Point who is looking for a ride to the 10:00am worship service each week. Is this a ministry you could help with? If so, see me on Sunday!   

Make this day a great day and always pray,   Renew my mind, O Holy Spirit.  Amen.    Pastor Jack