Happy Friday after Thanksgiving, Friends!

Today's scripture continues some thoughts about Thanksgiving...

            "Is anyone among you suffering? 
                   They should pray. Is anyone cheerful?
                           They should sing praises."  (James 5: 13   HCSB)
 
As we continue our thoughts on Thanksgiving, most Christians have no problem practicing the first part of today's verse. When disaster strikes and grief grips the heart, prayer is often just as natural as breathing. Even hardened atheists, when presented with a problem too big for them to handle, might subconsciously mumble prayer to the God they've spent their lives denying.
   
But what about Thanksgiving? Sure, there's an entire holiday devoted to it, but how many of us practice it on the other 364 days of the year? When God works powerfully in our lives, how eager are we to jump at the chance to Praise God for God's intervention? Sadly, it seems the answer is usually "not eager enough." Living in a first-world culture has taught us to expect comfort and complain when it's taken away. It's dulled our senses to the spiritual reality all around us, making us care more about preserving the status quo than strengthening our souls.
   
Sometimes growing your faith means enduring a trial that's been thrust upon you. Other times, it means actively calling to mind the God who has given you so much beyond what some people could even imagine. Both routes are necessary for a Christian to become the person God meant us to be.

How are you showing thanksgiving to God? 
 
          Father, may my life be a continual song of thanksgiving for Your grace and blessings. Amen.  
 
+++ Sunday worship is at 8:30am and 10:00am as we celebrate the First Sunday of Advent. Our Advent theme is "Our Dear Christ Enters In" and this week I will be talking about "Family Trees".  What does your family tree look like? We will be lighting the first candle of our Advent wreath, and we'll start singing Advent songs, as well. If you can't be in the Sanctuary, look for us on our Facebook "live-stream" at 10:00am on Sunday or on our YouTube channel after the worship service is completed.

+++ Sunday is also our United Methodist Student Fund offering. These second-mile gifts help to provide scholarships for United Methodist students in our country and abroad. Look for the special offering envelopes on Sunday.  

+++ You can also still return your 2026 Estimate of Giving cards this week. We thank all of those who completed their cards last week, and we are off to a good start in fully supporting our 2026 spending plan.  

+++ Our Advent Bible Study begins on Monday, December 1st at 12:00noon in the Fireside Room. Bring your lunch and join us for this time of study each Monday in Advent.

+++ Our Advent mission projects are coming along nicely...

• All angels have been adopted, and we need to return all the angel tree gifts by Thursday, 12/4, please. This will allow the organizations we are supporting to deliver the gifts prior to Christmas!
• The mitten tree is available for the next couple of weeks and there is lots of room for mittens, scarves, and hats on and around the tree.
• The Heifer International project begins on Sunday, as well. See Helen or Sara to get involved in this mission project that Immanuel has supported for many years.

+++ We will be Christmas caroling at Brookdale Summerfield and Brookdale Bellevue on Sunday, December 7th, starting at 1:00pm. Plan to join us as we spread some Christmas cheer to the residents on that day!  

+++ Our Trustees meet on Wednesday, December 3rd at 4:00pm in the Fireside Room.

+++ Immanuel's annual Living Nativity celebration will be held on Saturday, December 13th, at 6:00pm. Plan to join us as our young people retell the Christmas story, and we welcome many of God's barnyard creatures to Immanuel. Hot chocolate and cookies will be served to all as part of this celebration!    

+++ Please take a minute after reading this to send an email to Jim Sokolowski ([email protected]) with your birthday and anniversary dates. Jim is rebirthing Immanuel's greeting card ministry and needs this information. Thanks! 
 
Make this day a great day and always remember to stop and give God thanks... in all things!   
​Pastor Jack 

As we prepare for another weekend of excitement, here are some thoughts for us from Matthew's gospel account...
 
                Jesus said, "A prophet is taken for granted in his hometown and his family."  He didn't do many miracles there because of their hostile indifference.  (Matthew 13: 58   MSG)
 
What would it have been like to live in Jesus' day and actually see and hear him in person?
   
Well consider how many people had that privilege and hated Him. Or, like those in today's scripture, saw and heard Jesus so often that they just took Him for granted or ignored Him altogether.  
   
Though none of us have experienced the physical presence of Jesus, we Christians today have a huge advantage over the people who surrounded Him two thousand years ago: His Holy Spirit lives within us to teach and to guide.
   
Still, even now, it's possible to take Jesus for granted. Sometimes we are so blessed -- with health and family and resources and pleasures --- that our Lord can sometimes fade into the background of our lives. But hopefully we never exhibit a "hostile indifference" to Jesus, but any indifference is problematic. Jesus deserves every bit of our attention and affection we can give Him, and our lives are always the fullest when we make Him our highest priority.  
   
A devotional book is a nice place to start. Thoughtful reading and study of scripture is much better. And focused, quiet time in the Lord's presence is absolutely essential.  Jesus gave His all for us. Never take Him for granted.  
 
                 Thank you, Lord Jesus, for everything. Please remind me, every day, of the incredible privilege I have in knowing You. Amen.   
 
+++ We gather on Sunday for worship at 8:30am and 10:00am. This Sunday is our final installment of "What Gift Can We Bring" as we complete our annual Stewardship Drive in preparation for our 2026 Spending Plan. Don't forget to return your 2026 Estimate of Giving Card on Sunday and you'll be invited to place it on the Altar as a sign of your commitment. Please remember... EVEN IF YOU GIVE ELECTRONICALLY... please fill out an Estimate of Giving Card, so that our Finance Team can plan our 2026 ministry spending levels accurately. On Sunday we'll be thinking about our stewardship of Treasures as I offer my message, "Walking Humbly with God." Look for our "live-streaming" on the church's Facebook page at 10:00am and then a little later on our YouTube channel, as well. And if you're watching from home, just mail in your Estimate of Giving cards to be included in God's great offering.  

+++ For your calendars... 

•  Completed Door Sprays can be picked up this Sunday following worship. Thanks for your support of this mission project that not only beautifies your home, but supports mission efforts throughout the year.
• Tuesday morning is the annual Hanging of the Greens holiday decorating party under the direction of Julie D. Speak to Julie to offer your time and talents to help!
• The church office will be closed in celebration of the Thanksgiving holiday on Thursday and Friday next week. The office will reopen on Monday, 12/1 at 9:00am.   
• Next Sunday, 11/30 is the First Sunday of Advent. Join us each week as we prepare our hearts for the arrival of the Christ Child. Our theme this year is "Our Dear Christ Enters In!" Each week we will look at another part of the Christmas story as we journey toward Jesus' birth! 
• Our Advent Bible Study, "Our Dear Christ Enters In" begins on Monday 12/1 at 12:00noon. Bring your lunch and we will meet each Monday to expound on our worship theme and enjoy great mealtime fellowship together. There is also a ZOOM option available so please sign up and let us know you're planning to attend!  
• Christmas Caroling will take place following worship on Sunday, December 7th.  We'll visit the Brookdale Summerfield communities on Velasko Road and Brookdale Bellevue community on Onondaga Blvd. beginning at 1:00pm that afternoon. The residents include some of our church members and they certainly enjoy the visit and the music. Plan to spend a couple of hours spreading the holiday cheer on December 7th!   

+++ The Angel Tree has only about 20 angels left to be adopted.  Make sure you get yours this weekend and remember that the return date is 12/4 for all these gifts for children in our Central NY community! Thanks for sharing with others this and every holiday season! The Mitten Tree is also ready for your gifts of hats, gloves, mittens and scarves, as well! 

+++ NEEDED... a couple of Communion Stewards for the 10:00am worship service. After many years of service Ed and Judy are ready to step back from this commitment and we are looking for a couple of folks who might serve, on a rotating schedule, in this capacity. Please speak to Pastor Jack for more details about this fulfilling job!  

+++ And finally... St. Michael's Lutheran Church is offering another Grab and Go Dinner on Tuesday, Nov. 25th. This month is a Ham and Scalloped potatoes Dinner and there will be 200 dinners available at 5:00pm. But don't be late! These free dinners (donations are accepted but not required) don't last long.  
 
Make this day a great day and remember to never take your relationship with Jesus for granted!     
​Pastor Jack 
  

Today's scripture reading comes to us from Paul's first letter to the Corinthians...
 
                   I was glad when Stephanas, Fortunatus and Achaicus arrived, because they have supplied what was lacking from you. For they refreshed my spirit and yours also. Such people deserve recognition.  (1 Corinthians 16: 17-18   NIV)
 
Many people crave recognition. One person buys a great new sports car to turn other people's heads. Another person makes a ton of money, then donates toward a building that will carry their name.  
   
But even the people who don't pursue flashy, public notoriety would like to be recognized in some way. The apostle Paul, in today's scripture, describes a beautiful method for being remembered, one with lasting value: service.
   
Stephanas and his family were the first Christian believers in Achaia, the region surrounding the city of Corinth (1 Corinthians 16:15). He was one of just a handful of people baptized by Paul, who saw his mission mainly as preaching (1: 14-17). Along with Fortunatus and Achaicus, men named only in today's scripture, Stephanas served -- and Paul said that was deserving of recognition. 
   
You don't have to be rich, famous, or good-looking to serve -- nor should these qualities stand in the way of service. You might have business, athletic, musical, or medical skills -- or you may not. You can serve either way. Any committed Christian, following God's leading, can refresh another believer's spirit. When you do, you're guaranteed notice and appreciation -- by the other person and God. And that's plenty.  
 
   I'd like You to recognize me, Lord ... please empower me to serve. Amen.      
 
+++ We gather for worship on Sunday at 8:30am and 10:00am. This week, the second in our Stewardship program, we look at Matthew 5 and I'll be speaking about "How is Your Light Shining?" We will be talking about how we are called to share the Stewardship of our Talents and we will hear from another of Immanuel's lay people about how they share their talents both here at Immanuel and in other areas of their lives. The choir is back this week with another beautiful anthem to help lead us in worship, as well! We will look for you on the church's Facebook page for our "live-stream" at 10:00am on Sunday or you can watch the completed worship service on the church's YouTube channel following worship. However you can join us, we look forward to "seeing you" in worship on Sunday!

+++ Following worship on Sunday, you will have the chance to place your order for a Door Spray at the table in the Narthex. These beautiful holiday door decorations will brighten your doorway, and the proceeds will help with mission work here at Immanuel.  

+++ The Angel Tree will be available starting on Sunday, as well. Each holiday season, we help young people throughout the Central NY area to be able to enjoy the holiday. Look for an angel or two from the tree and bring in the requested gift to brighten a young person's holiday!  

+++ The Crossroads District will be here at Immanuel next Wednesday, Nov. 19th, for a Clergy Day Apart. The group will be meeting in the Fireside Room on Wednesday as pastors in the district prepare for Advent with a day apart. We are glad to welcome Crossroads District pastors on Wednesday!

+++ We are in the process of reforming a Greeting Card ministry here at Immanuel! To help us start up this new ministry, we ask you to contact Jim Sokolowski at (315) 532-2864 OR [email protected]. Please provide your names, children's names, and birthdays and anniversaries. Jim will be gathering this information to help this new ministry get started. Thanks!     
 
Make today a great day and find new joy in life through serving others!   
Pastor Jack 

Happy Friday Friends! On this first Friday in November, we hear from Luke's Gospel as Jesus teaches us about having teachable hearts...

         Be careful therefore how you listen. For to those who have [spiritual knowledge] will more be given; and from those who do not have [spiritual knowledge], even what they think and guess and suppose that they have, will be taken away from them.     (Luke 8: 18 AMPC)   

One of the greatest compliments a high-level athlete can receive is that they are coachable. Imagine that -- you're at the top of your profession, but you're aware that there's always more to learn. The same is true for faith. The day you think you've got it all figured out is the day you start sliding. 
   
For context, Jesus was discussing putting your light under a bushel. Eventually though, the full truth about everyone will come out --- good and bad. Bad would be hiding your relationship with Jesus, playing down the gifts He has graciously given you in order to maintain your rep.
   
If you stop longing for truth, even what you think you know will fade. Christians must always be in the learning mode, teachable, willing to admit something we don't know. That kind of humility is genuine, and it opens people to hearing what you do know.
   
Everything you can earn or win in this life will fade over time, or at the end of time, until only God's glory is left. Focus on that now by seeking truth and righteousness in all you do.

           Teach me, Lord, more about You and how You want me to live this life you've given me. Amen.  


+++ Our annual Charge Conference will be held this Saturday, November 8th at 1:00pm at St. Paul's UMC on Valley Drive in Syracuse. All Administrative Council members should plan to attend this important meeting, which will be completed at 3:00pm. 

+++ We gather for worship on Sunday at 8:30am and 10:00am and this week is the first of our 3 week stewardship emphasis as we hear about WHAT SHALL WE BRING?  On Sunday, we will hear the story of Naaman and his healing from leprosy as we consider how "We Don't Have to Give to Get".  We will be thinking this week about how we practice the stewardship of our TIME. And we'll hear from one of our church family on how important the stewardship of time really is. Look for us on Facebook live at 10:00am or the recorded worship on the church's YouTube channel and be a part of the Immanuel family this week!   

+++ Following our 10:00am worship service, we will gather for another Second Sunday Luncheon in the Fellowship Hall. Hopefully you had a chance to sign up and we can enjoy a time of fellowship together!

+++ On Tuesday our side of the building will be closed for CARPET CLEANING. All groups meeting on Tuesday will use the Kasson Road doors and meet in the upper Sunday School classroom area.  This includes:

• Chair Yoga at 9:30am
• Ladies Bible Study at 10:30am
• SPRC at 6:00pm
• Finance at 6:00pm
• Administrative Council at 6:45pm.  

The church office will be closed on Tuesday as well and will reopen on Wednesday morning at 9:00am. Thanks for helping us to beautify the building with this needed cleaning work!  

+++ For your calendars, please note...

• Advent begins on Sunday, November 30th!  
• An Advent Bible Study will be offered each Monday at 12:00noon in the Fireside Room. The study begins on Monday, December 1st and continues through Monday, December 22nd! Bring your lunch, and enjoy the season of Advent as we study together!   

Make today a great day and always be open to the teachings of God in your life!   
​Pastor Jack