Friday, April 5, 2024

As we begin moving through this new month of April, I read these words in Luke's Gospel account...

                      "Love your enemies, do good to them which hate
                         you, bless them that curse you, and pray for
                                 them which despitefully use you."
                                             (Luke 6: 27-28 KJV)

There are some people that just know how to push your buttons. Or worse, they might really mean to do you harm. People might think or speak negatively about you, or unintentionally offend you. Maybe circumstances just don't seem to be working out in your favor. We want to take control, so things work out for our benefit -- or we are tempted to justify ourselves at any cost.
   
It seems no matter what the situation, love is always the right answer. Proverbs tells us "A soft answer turns away wrath" and "a merry heart does like a medicine" (Proverbs 15:1 and Proverbs 17:22 NKJV). Our joy and peace and gentleness can often bring healing to people or situations around us.... like a much-needed dose of antibiotics. Love, often displayed through patience, is a powerful anecdote. After all, it's the goodness of God that brings repentance (Romans 2:4). We often underestimate the transforming power of mercy -- but just think of how God's grace and mercy has transformed you!  
   
So, when you find yourself around someone with selfish motives, or you lose faith in your leaders, or when you want to strike out at someone.... join me in praying, Help me overcome evil with goodness, Lord. Amen.  

+++ This Sunday we worship at 8:30am and 10:00am and we celebrate the Second Sunday of Easter. We will hear once again the story of Thomas the doubter and in my message, "Kindness, Forgiveness, and Love" I am thinking about how important our simple acts toward others really are to spreading the love of the Risen Savior. We will be celebrating the Sacrament of Holy Communion and we've got lots of great music planned to help us worship God! If you can't be with us here in the Sanctuary, check us out on the church's Facebook page at 10:00am for our "live-stream" or catch the recorded worship on the church's YouTube channel. However you can, we hope to "see you" in worship on Sunday! 

+++ On Sunday you can sign up for our Second Sunday Luncheon.... which this month is being held on the 3rd Sunday! We will enjoy this time of fellowship on Sunday, April 21st but we need you to sign up, so we are sure to have enough food for all! Thanks! 

+++ On Monday our staff will be working from home and emergency telephone numbers are on the church answering machine if needed.

+++ Our Finance Team meets on Tuesday night at 6:00pm in the Fireside Room and then our Administrative Council meets at 6:45pm. And then the church Trustees meet on Wednesday at 4:00pm, also in the Fireside Room. If you are a member of one of these ministry teams, please plan to be with us to help us complete our business! 

+++ The great Spring Craft Show is taking place next Friday and Saturday, April 12 and 13. We need help in the Barb's Bistro and you will find a signup sheet outside the Fireside Room. Thanks for lending a hand to make this another successful fundraiser for Immanuel's mission work. 

+++ Next Sunday, April 14th we will receive our annual Native American mission offering. Did you know that we have 3 native American congregations within the boundaries of our Upper New York Annual Conference? And these congregations benefit greatly from our church-wide offering appeal. Look for the special giving envelopes and thanks for your generosity.   

+++ Our first AED/CPR training class is gathering on Wednesday night, April 17th at 6:30pm at the church. If you are interested in joining us, we need you to sign up outside the Fireside Room as soon as possible. It appears we can now have more than the 10-12 we originally thought.... but we do need to have a firm number so that enough materials can be made available. The cost of the class is $45 per person and can be paid at the class. 

Make this day a great day and always remember to pray.... Help me overcome evil with goodness, Lord.  Amen. 
​Pastor Jack