Friday, March 21, 2025

As we prepare for another weekend, today's scripture reading takes us to Hebrews, Chapter 13....

                "Marriage should be honored by all, and the marriage
                            bed kept pure."    (Hebrews 13:4)

In his book, Sin, Sex, and Self-Control, Norman Vincent Peale writes: "Martha took the kids away to the mountains for a month, so I was a summer bachelor. And about midway through the month, I met a girl, a beautiful girl looking for excitement. She made it clear that I had a green light -- so for one weekend I put my conscience in mothballs and arranged a date with her for Saturday night."
   
Peale said that he woke up on that Saturday morning, put on his swimming trunks, and took a walk on the beach to clear his head. As he walked, a strange thing happened.
   
He said, "I felt as if I were outside myself, looking at myself through a kind of fog that was gradually clearing. And suddenly I knew that what I had been planning for that evening was so wrong, so out of key with my standards and my loyalties and the innermost me... that it was out of the question." He canceled the date.
   
I think God's commandments have come to be viewed as stone tablets filled with restrictions on our fun. But in truth, they were given to protect, rather than prohibit, our happiness. God wants us to be truly safe -- safe to enjoy a happy and fulfilled life.  

+++ We worship on Sunday at 8:30am and 10:00am as we celebrate this 3rd Sunday of Lent. And this week we will be looking at "Jesus as our Encourager." We will meet a centurion from Matthew's Gospel account who also recognizes Jesus as one who encourages his people. What does it mean to submit to the encouragement that Jesus gives? I'll be thinking about this on Sunday. If you can't be in the Fireside Room or Sanctuary with us, look for us on the church's Facebook page for our "live-stream" at 10:00am. Or check out the recorded worship that is uploaded to our YouTube channel when the service is completed. However you choose to worship with us, we will "look for you" on Sunday morning!

+++ Our Lenten Bible study group continues on Monday at 12:00noon in the Fireside Room. We are making a pot of soup, so bring your lunch and join us for this study on Monday!  

+++ Our Lenten Mission Project is supporting the work of our friends at Sleep In Heavenly Peace. Look for the display on the table in the Narthex and join us in this important project to ensure that no kid sleeps on the floor in our town!  

+++ Coming up NEXT Sunday, 3/30 we will celebrate the work of UMCOR as we receive one of the United Methodist Church's special offerings. The United Methodist Commission of Relief are often the first emergency aid providers to arrive at the scene after an emergency. Look for the special second-mile offering envelopes next Sunday as we support the work of this great mission organization!  

+++ Also next Sunday, 3/30 we will begin taking orders for Easter plants to decorate our Altar on Resurrection Day! Orders can be placed in loving memory of or in honor of loved ones. Look for the table in the Narthex starting next Sunday.

+++ And make sure you have your calendar marked for Immanuel's Spring Craft Show on April 4th and 5th. This is a great opportunity to invite your friends to come shopping and show them the beautiful facility we worship in. We hope to see you all as we celebrate the talents of our crafters!  

Make this day a great day and enjoy the beauty of a strong relationship with God!  Pastor Jack