Friday, December 13, 2024

Today my reading took me to Luke's Gospel account, where Jesus asks us this question...

                        "Who then is that faithful and wise servant, whom
                           his lord shall make ruler over his household?"
                                              (Luke 12:42 KJV)

Jesus taught many parables on the significance of stewardship. In addition to servant leadership, it is one of the primary principles I think we must take hold of as Christians. We are called to reach out to the lost, perfect one another in love, be examples of righteousness, and to grow in our faith. But we don't often hear about taking care of what we already have --- our bodies, our finances, our families, our careers. We might pay careful attention to one area just to neglect another. 
   
Being a faithful steward is akin to being a faithful servant. It is in going about our daily responsibilities with inward faithfulness, but this attitude also becomes an outward expression as we take care of our homes, cars, physical bodies, personal appearance, and so on. Taking good care of such things is like tending a garden. We are called to keep them healthy and well. How are you keeping the garden God has given you?
   
When you just don't have enough time or you receive a beautiful gift or you finally purchase something you've wanted for a long time, remember to join me in praying, Make me faithful, Lord. Amen.    

+++ We join together for our Living Nativity on Saturday night at 6:00pm in the parking lot as our kids reenact the Christmas story for us. We are planning on lots of music, some barnyard animals and Christmas cookies with hot chocolate to round out the evening. Dress warmly and bring your family and friends as we hear once again the story of Jesus' birth! 

+++ We worship this Sunday, the 3rd Sunday in Advent, at 8:30 and 10:00am. I will be continuing my Advent sermon series The Word Made Flesh and this week's installment is entitled, "Rock of Ages". How do we relate to Jesus being the Rock of our faith? And how are we called to be Rocks for others? Join me as I think these things through on Sunday morning. This week we will sing a couple more carols of Christmas as we move closer to the arrival of the beautiful babe of Bethlehem. We will, of course, be "live-streaming" on the church Facebook page at 10:00am and then "uploading" the completed worship service to both our Facebook and YouTube channels for you. Did you know that on both of these channels you can go all the way back to the start of the Covid pandemic and view our recorded worship services? Technology is pretty amazing... especially when it works! 

+++ Following worship we will meet at Brookdale Summerfield Village on Velasko Rd. for some Christmas caroling at 1:00pm! And then a stop at Brookdale at Bellevue on  Onondaga Blvd. will complete our afternoon of bringing cheer to our shut-in friends! You are invited to join us and bring your Christmas caroling voices! We will be ringing and singing together this Sunday! 

+++ This Sunday is the final Sunday to sponsor a part of our Heifer International Mission project and order your poinsettias for the Christmas altar. We have done great mission work this Advent and these projects will be completed this Sunday.

+++ The deadline for articles for our January/February church newsletter is coming up on 12/20. Please make sure all articles are in the office by this date so we can meet our publishing schedule. Thanks! 

+++ Christmas Eve worship is at 4:00pm and 7:30pm again this year. We will be celebrating Communion and singing with candles at each worship service that evening!

+++ On Christmas morning you are invited to join us for breakfast in the Fireside Room at 10:00am. Please sign up on the board outside the room and let us know what you might bring to enjoy that morning.  

+++ And a reminder that the last date for 2024 giving is Sunday, December 29th! All 2024 contributions need to be in the office by that date to allow us to close one set of the Treasurer's books and open another in a timely fashion. Thanks for all you do and have given to keep Immanuel on solid financial ground for those who will someday follow us in this place!   

 +++ Angela Keida received the following email from Big Brothers/Big Sisters after they picked up the gifts we gathered for the children in their program:

     "Our most sincere "thank yous" go out to you and all the members of your church for the generous donation of toys and blankets and warm weather wear to our holiday party. Wow, the items were SO nice and they put smiles on the faces of a lot of kids that ordinarily would not have gifts such as this given to them.

     PLEASE pass our appreciation on to all of your people. Let them know what a positive impact they made with their generosity.

      Click on this link to get a brief look at all the fun we had on Sunday.

     Lastly, I hope all of you have a great holiday season.

John F. Bruzdzinski, Director
PEACE Inc. Big Brothers Big Sisters
215 Bassett St.
Syracuse NY 13210
315-470-3369 ext. 362

Make this day a great day and always remember to pray, Make me faithful, Lord. Amen.     
​Pastor Jack