Friday, January 30, 2026

Happy Friday Friends! Today we hear some words from the 24th chapter of the Book of Genesis....
 
                     Her brother and mother said, "let the girl stay with us for about 10 days. Then she can go. But he responded to them, "Do not delay me, since the Lord has made my journey a success."  (Genesis 24: 55-56  HCSB)
 
In scripture, waiting is often good. But delay... not so much.
   
The difference you ask? Waiting is our response to God, a conscious choice to calm ourselves and allow God to work, however long that takes (see Psalm 27:124, 37:7; Proverbs 20:22; Zephaniah 3:8). But delay is a hesitation to do what God clearly expects.  
   
In Genesis 24, Abraham's servant saw delay as an affront to God, who had answered his prayer for success in finding a wife for Isaac. Given the deciding vote, Rebekah herself chose to leave immediately.
   
Sadly, the nation that descended from this couple, through their son Jacob, delayed when given the chance to enter into the promised land. A report of giants caused them to hesitate and rebel --- and, as punishment, only two men from their entire generation would live to see Canaan (See Numbers 13-14). Decades later, when Israel was finally in the land, Joshua still had to prompt the people to do what God said: "How long will you delay going out to take possession of the land that the Lord, the God of your fathers, gave you?  (Joshua 18:3 HSBC).
   
When you know what God wants, just do it. Delay only brings trouble.  
 
                          Help me, Lord, to obey You, confidently and quickly. Amen. 
 
+++ We gather for worship on Sunday at 8:30am and 10:00am. This week, the 4th Sunday after Epiphany, we will hear about the individual call God places on each of our lives and my message, Let God Do the Choosing, has me thinking about how we respond to that call. And this week once again, we'll be looking at the Corinthian church to use as an example. We will celebrate the Sacrament of Holy Communion together on Sunday and at 10:00am the choir is back with another beautiful anthem. If you can't join us in the sanctuary look for us on the church's Facebook page for our "live stream" at 10:00am! And then, after worship is completed, we will "upload" the recorded worship service to our YouTube channel, as well. However you join us, we can't wait to "see you" in worship on Sunday!

+++ Next Sunday, February 8th is our Second Sunday luncheon and this month it's a tailgate party in celebration of the big football game that day. Be sure to sign up this week please... so we can plan on how much food to prepare and then plan to wear your favorite team's apparel (even if they aren't in the big game) next Sunday!    

+++ Sunday is your last chance to pick up your 2025 giving statements on the table in the Narthex to save the church the cost of a stamp. Since we are required to provide them, please pick them up (even if you don't need them for tax purposes) to save us the cost of postage. Thanks... and thanks for all your gifts that support the important ministry work we are doing here at Immanuel!

+++ Mark your calendar to be here on Sunday, February 15th when we will welcome the Rev. Dr. Sherri Rood, our District Superintendent who will bring the message that day!  Sherri will be joining us for both worship services that day and is looking forward to worshipping with us and getting to know Immanuel even better!

+++ Ash Wednesday worship, marking the beginning of Lent, will be on Wednesday night, February 18th at 7:00pm in the Sanctuary.  We will offer the Imposition of Ashes as we start our Lenten theme, Dying His Death, Living His Life. In Lent, we are reminded that we are buried with Christ in his death so that we might live with him in his resurrection. The old is gone. The new has come. Each day affords us a chance to die to self and live for him. In word and song, we will contemplate those things that were put to death on the cross so that we might receive the blessings of new life in Christ. Join us on Ash Wednesday and throughout Lent as we journey together to new life on Easter.  

+++ All Annual Reports are due to the office NOW. Thanks for helping us keep our publishing schedule for the report booklet by getting your reports in on time! 
 
 Make this day a great day and wait on God... but never delay!   
​Pastor Jack