On this last couple of days of August, I offer you these thoughts after re-reading some of the Book of Hebrews.....

                     "So do not throw away your confidence; it will be
                          richly rewarded."     (Hebrews 10:35  NIV)  

An opportunity arises for you to pray with a stranger. They have a need; and you know the Answer. Their eyes are on you; they are waiting. What hope do you have to offer them? Never before have the fields been as ripe for harvest as they are today. So the question for today is....Will you labor with the Lord to bring light to a dark place?   
   
I believe that we don't lack for opportunities to share Christ, but we often lack the confidence. Even if you could never see yourself praying with a stranger, could you let them know that you will be praying for them? Could this be the first step you need to help develop your confidence? Peter lacked confidence, but he was transformed from a cowering follower to one of the boldest leaders in church history. Paul asked his readers to pray for his boldness to increase. Paul prayed that his disciples would have confidence in Christ and the boldness required to share the Gospel. Throughout the New Testament, we are encouraged to grow in confidence and boldness as we share our testimony. Today, I will pray and ask the Lord to give you confidence to reach out with His love -- even if only in a small way.  
   
So the next time you have an opportunity to pray with or for someone, when you're asked to do something outside your comfort zone, or you're not sure if you're on the right track... join me in praying, Be my confidence, Lord. Amen.  

+++ This Sunday, September 1st is the last week of our summer worship schedule with one worship service at 9:00am in the Sanctuary. We will be celebrating the 15th Sunday after Pentecost and we will celebrate the Sacrament of Holy Communion, as well. There is also some wonderful Special Music planned for us, as well! I will be finishing my summer sermon series, What Would Jesus Do.... as I review several of Jesus' "Keys to a Useful Life". If you're not able to join us in person in the Sanctuary, prepare your communion elements at home and join us on the church's Faceook page for our "live-stream" at 9:00am. We will, of course, upload the completed worship service to our YouTube channel when worship is completed. However you are able, we look forward to worshipping with you on Sunday!   

+++ Coming up this week....

• Monday is Labor Day and the church office will be closed.  We will reopen on Tuesday morning.
• Worship at Summerfield Village is on Wednesday, 9/4 at 9:30am.
• The first Choir Rehearsal of the new season will take place on Thursday, 9/5 at 6:30pm.  See Dan with any questions!

+++ Next week, on Sunday 9/8 lots of things are happening!   Our worship times will return to 8:30am (in the Fireside Room) and 10:00am in the Sanctuary. The choir will return at the 10:00am worship service, and Kidz Club restarts and will enjoy the last installment of our summer VBS program, Food Truck Party! We will all have a chance to meet DJ Cupcake, the Master Chef, and our apprentice chefs in worship and enjoy some of the music the kids enjoyed so much! Following worship next Sunday, we will also deliver our monthly Meal Ministry meals to our friends in the church community. 

+++ We have recently been made aware of a new program offered in our community called "GoGoGrandparent". This county run program provides free transportation for folks 60 years or older. Four one-way trips (or 2 round trips) are offered per month.... but folks must be registered with the Onondaga County Office for Aging. There is information available on the table across from the office door also!

+++ Our Sleep In Heavenly Peace bed build is on schedule for Saturday, September 14th in our church parking lot. We have slots available at both the 9:30am-11:00am shift and the 11:30am-1:00pm shift. PLEASE CONTACT SHELLEY to get the web link to register with Sleep in Heavenly Peace. All registrations are being done online this year and we can help you register if you need it. We have an energetic plan to build 40 beds for kids in Central NY on this day and we need YOUR help (and maybe the help of a few of your friends) to do that! Thanks for being a missionary in this way!     

Make this day a great day and always remember to pray, Be my confidence, Lord.  Amen.   
​Pastor Jack 

Today's reading finds me back in the Book of Isaiah, where I read these words...

                           "He awakens My ear to hear as a disciple...
                            The Lord God has opened My ear, and I 
                       have not been rebellious or turned backward."
                                           (Psalm 50:4 AMP)

Early in the morning we rise to pray. And half asleep we may call upon the name of the Lord. We offer our praise and thanksgiving. We make our requests known. We pray in the Spirit. But do we take the time to listen? Do we know how to hear the still, small voice of the Lord in those quiet times, or do we fill our prayer time with a running monologue of all our problems, desires, and requests?  
   
Learning to listen during times of prayer is as important as knowing how to whole-heartedly exalt God and come before God with our needs. We have been taught in our culture to state our opinion, make demands, boldly ask, and claim what is ours while the skills of waiting, listening, and hearing seem to have become a lost art. So join me thinking about cultivating the ability to sit and listen --- not only to others, but also to the Lord. Hear what the Spirit is saying. Be patient, be still, and listen.
   
So the next time you are in a panic, when you need guidance, or when you don't know what to say, join me in praying... I'm here to listen, O God. Amen. 

+++ This Sunday marks the 14th Sunday after Pentecost and we gather in the Sanctuary at 9:00am. I will be continuing my summer sermon series What Would Jesus Do. This week our scriptures have me thinking about "Getting Rid of Our Resentment". We'll hear again from Paul's letter to the Ephesians and the Gospel of Luke. I think Jesus gives us a pretty good idea of how to deal with the challenging folks in our life and when we can lay down our resentments we can truly be more like Jesus. Join me in thinking this through on Sunday. If you can't be in the Sanctuary with us in person, look for us on the church's Faceook page for our "live-stream" at 9:00am or see the recorded version on our YouTube channel when worship is completed. Did you know that you can review worship services for the last couple of years on either the church's Facebook page or YouTube channel? What a great tool this technology is for helping to spread the Good News of Jesus to your friends and family. Just hit the SHARE button on the Facebook page and you will automatically invite all your Facebook friends to worship! Try it this week! Remember.... Sharing is Caring!  

+++ New copies of the September/October Upper Room magazine are now available on the table in the Narthex. Thanks for your donations that allow us to continue offering this resource for many people in our congregation and community.   

+++ From Sam Paventi: Tuesday August 27th is the FREE Dinner 'Grab-N-Go" at St. Michael's Lutheran Church on W. Genesee St. Parking lot (About 150 Chicken Boxed Meals) FREE to anyone and people from Church of the Bells are always welcome to come and get a meal also.

+++ New Wednesday, August 28th, is our last installment of our summer Vacation Bible School program.  The kids and adults have been having a great time at our Food Truck Party each week!  

+++ Remember to contact Shelley Dawson Smith about the upcoming Sleep In Heavenly Peace bed building party in our parking lot on Saturday, September 14th.  Due to changes at Sleep in Heavenly Peace, all workers must register online this year and Shelley can help you do just that. We will run 2 shifts of workers this year, as well.  Come and help us insure that no kids sleep on the floor in our community!  

+++ So far signups to help at our Election Day Turkey Dinner have been going pretty slowly. Remember we need 50-60 people to make a Sit Down meal a possibility this year.... so if you are interested and available to help, September 9th is the sign-up deadline if we are to offer a Sit Down event. Otherwise we will offer only a drive-through event again this year. Thanks for checking your calendar and being willing to make and keep this commitment to the Election Day Dinner. 

+++Our website is updated often! Please check our New/Events menu to get the most current News/Events and to see pictures of happenings around here. (VBS, Mini Golf, Mission projects)

Make this day a great day and join me in praying... I'm here to listen, O God. Amen.    Pastor Jack 

As we are preparing for another beautiful Central NY weekend, I read these words from Psalm 91....

                             "He ordered his angels to guard you wherever
                               you go. If you stumble, they'll catch you;
                                  their job is to keep you from falling."
                                           (Psalm 91: 11-12 MSG)

There they go. You watch your children get on the school bus. You wave goodbye as your spouse drives off for work. You call out after them "Be careful!" as they walk down the street on their way to school or a friend's house. You release them to the care of the Lord as they get on the plane. There seems to be so little you can do once they are out of your sight.
   
As you attempt to put your concern for them out of your mind, you breathe a prayer: "Keep my children safe, Lord." You pray that God's angels would encamp around them and that the Holy Spirit would direct their steps to safety; that they would be blessed in their going and coming. What a comfort it is to know that God hears our prayers and God's Word does not return to Him void. (See Isaiah 55:11)
   
So, when your children head off to school, or your spouse goes on a business trip, or family and friends serve in the military, join in praying "Keep them safe, O Lord.  Amen. 

+++ We continue with our 9:00am worship time on Sunday as we celebrate the 13th Sunday after Pentecost. I will be continuing my summer sermon series, "What Would Jesus Do?" This week I will be talking about Jesus' Formula for Success. What makes a person successful? And how would Jesus have us each be successful people? I think Jesus has a pretty easy formula for us to follow. Let's talk about it in worship on Sunday. This week we'll enjoy some Special Music from Colin and Melissa, and I'll have a Children's Time for the kids, as well. Look for us on the church Facebook page for our "live-stream" at 9:00am and then we will "upload" the completed worship to the church's YouTube channel as well. However you join us, we hope to "see you" on Sunday morning for a great time of praise and worship!  

+++ We hear that a new leader, Ursula Snow, will step in to help lead the Chair Yoga group in Barb's absence. So, the class will continue at 9:30am on Tuesday mornings! Thanks, and welcome Ursula!   

+++ I'll be offering worship at Summerfield Village on Wednesday 8/21 at 9:30am if you'd like to join us!

+++ Plan ahead... your articles for the Sept/Oct edition of our church newsletter need to be in the office by 8/20. Thanks for helping us to keep to our publishing deadlines! 

+++ Our Vacation Bible School continues on Wednesday nights at 6:00pm for the next 2 weeks! Everyone has been enjoying our Food Truck Party theme and there are still 2 sessions to go. Talk to Lorlie to get involved... it's not too late!

+++ Remember our Sleep In Heavenly Peace bed build in the parking lot on Saturday, September 14th. See Shelley for details and remember everyone must sign up on-line for this year's build! Work shifts are from 9:30am - 11:00am and from 11:30am to 1:00pm.  

+++ We have received a supply of information about Senior living services from the Onondaga County Office of Aging. Check out the table across from the office door to pick up this information.   

+++ Our Saving Grace course is coming in late September! Watch for future details in the upcoming announcements and newsletter!

Make this day a great day and pray always, Keep them safe, O Lord.  Amen.    
​Pastor Jack 

Hello Friends!

I just love to try to read a Psalm each and every day and today I gleaned these words from Psalm 86....

                  "Give me an undivided heart, that I may fear your name."
                                          (Psalm 86:11  NIV)

A divided mind. A divided heart. A divided tongue. We have all, I think, fallen prey to either our own double-mindedness, or what we would sometimes call a "two-faced" colleague or relative. We know from reading the letter of James that "a double-minded person is unstable in all their ways" and will not receive anything from the Lord.  (James 1: 7-8 KJV)
   
David cries out throughout the Psalms for God to unite his heart to fear the Lord; and we know from Proverbs that the fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom. The Israelites were commanded to worship God with their whole heart, mind, and strength. In today's "divided world," we must keep our hearts from being divided if we are to be in a position to help others. We must love and fear God with all our heart -- our whole heart -- and not just the convenient portion of it. 
   
So when you are setting priorities, or making financial or time management decisions, or even deciding what to watch on television, you can join me in praying... Unite my heart, O God. Amen. 

+++ In our worship on Sunday at 9:00am, we will be celebrating the 12th Sunday after Pentecost. I'll be continuing my summer sermon series, What Would Jesus Do? and this week's installment is "The Sociable Outcast". I'll be thinking about how Jesus just didn't fit in very well with the society of his day but still shows us how "sociable outcasts" can change the world for good. We've got some great Special Music planned and we'll be thinking about what it really takes to bring peace to our world. Join us Sunday as we gather to praise and worship God.  And if you can't be here in person you can always catch the worship service on the church's Facebook page.  We "live-stream" the worship at 9:00am and then it is available after worship ends on either the Facebook page or the church's YouTube channel. And if you're watching on Facebook... don't forget to say "Hi!" in the comment section! However you can join us, we look forward to "seeing you" in worship on Sunday! 

+++ Tomorrow, Saturday, August 10th is our annual Mini Golf for Missions event at Fairmount Golf Course! Registration starts at 8:30am and the shotgun start is at 9:00am and then it's back to the church for a wonderful brunch and prizes! Even if you're not registered...please join us in praying for good weather for this event! Thanks!  

+++ Tuesday morning's Chair Yoga class will be the last for a few weeks as the group takes a summer break and the leader gets a new knee! We will let you know when the class begins again!  

+++ On Tuesday, August 13th there will be a planning meeting here at 7:00pm for the upcoming Mission Trip to Vermont. Come and join Mike Block to get signed up or ask him for the ZOOM invitation and you can attend the meeting that way, as well! We need people with all kinds of skills (and limited skills, as well) to make this trip work. Speak to Mike today!

+++ Also on Tuesday, I will be leading worship at Camillus Ridge Terrace at 11:00am.  You are invited to join us that morning! 

+++ Our first session of Vacation Bible School was held on Wednesday night and will continue each Wednesday night during August. We had a great time together and you're invited to see Lorlie to get involved or register your child(ren)! Turns out our Food Truck Party theme is really popular with the kids!      

Make this day a great day and join me in praying, Unite my heart, O God. Amen.  
Pastor Jack 

Today's reading comes from the little-read book of Lamentations...

                       "It is of the Lord's mercies that we are not consumed,
                           because his compassions fail not. They are
                           new every morning: great is thy faithfulness."
                                      (Lamentations 3: 22-23   KJV)

How many times throughout the course of the week do we stumble and regret something we've said or done? We run to God for forgiveness while at the same time a voice inside our head tells us that we're not worthy, not good enough, and completely unable to walk in God's will. So why should we even try? It seems sometimes we'll never get it right. Why should God continue to forgive us time and time again?  
   
Perhaps this is why God assures us over and over of His mercy. God tells us His mercies are new every morning; they never come to an end. God proves God's faithfulness by always responding to our repentance with forgiveness. (See 1 John 1:9) God wants our hearts more than good works. In Psalm 51: 17 (AMP), we are reminded that "the sacrifice acceptable to God is a broken spirit; a broken and contrite heart (broken down with sorrow for sin and humbly and thoroughly penitent), such, O God, you will not despise."  
   
So when you neglect to do something, or continue to do something you said you would no longer do, or turn away from the needy... join me in praying, Thank You for Your mercy, Lord. Amen.   

+++ Sunday worship is at 9:00am in our beautiful Sanctuary and this week we celebrate the Sacrament of Holy Communion together! My sermon series, What Would Jesus Do? continues with "Dealing with Difficult People". Do you know any of them? If so, come and hear Jesus' words to us in Luke 12: 54-59 and hear Jesus' formula for developing and maintaining good relationships. If you can't be in the Sanctuary at 9:00am on Sunday... look for us on the church's Faceook page when we "live stream" the worship service for you. And, of course, we will "upload" the completed worship service to our YouTube channel when it is completed. However you can... join us for worship this week!  

+++ Worship at Brookdale Summerfield takes place on Wednesday, August 7th at 9:30am. You are invited to join us that morning.

+++ Our Board of Trustees meets on Wednesday at 4:00pm also. We hope to see all the Trustees for this important meeting.

+++ And then... that same night, August 7th we will gather for our first session of Vacation Bible School 2024 at 6:00pm for dinner! Why... it will be a Food Truck Party at Immanuel's own version of a food truck! We hope to see all the kids and many adults join us for this fun time in the life of the church!

+++ Our MINI GOLF FOR MISSIONS tournament takes place on Saturday, August 10th at the Fairmount Glen golf course. Registration starts at 8:30am that morning and we prepare for a shotgun start at 9:00am. Then we head back to church for a delicious brunch and awarding of prizes. Do you have your team registered? It's not too late to see Shelley to register on Sunday!    


Make today a great day and always remember to pray, Thank You for Your Mercy, Lord. Amen.   
​Pastor Jack