Friday, March 28, 2025

Happy Friday, Friends!

As we end another work week, my reading takes me back into the Gospel of John to those well-loved words...

                     "For God so loved the world that he gave his one
                      and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall
                                  not perish but have eternal life."  
                                                (John 3:16)

What is love? Almost every popular song today mentions the concept; most movies and TV shows do as well. But often they aren't talking about real love. The "love" they profess is often a selfish feeling with no depth at all.
   
You see, real love isn't merely a feeling -- it's a decision, an act of the will. Love determines to care about another person, even if that love is not reciprocated. It's a commitment that doesn't change or fade if the desired result is not gained. It's a sacrifice.  
   
Real love is what God's Son, Jesus Christ, displayed for the whole world when He chose to sacrifice himself for all of us on the cross. God did not have to give up God's Son as a sacrifice for us.... but God did! God already knows that we don't deserve it. God knows the bad thoughts that we often entertain. God knows every awful thing about us, and yet God loves us.
   
The Lord of absolutely everything, who knew us before we were born, has decided to love us... often in spite of us! We mess up again and again; we fall short and still, God loves us. God is committed to us, and God will faithfully forgive, unconditionally accept, and perfectly love us always!  
   
So... does that change your perspective on love? God has decided to love YOU! What have you decided?

+++ We gather for worship on Sunday at 8:30am and 10:00am. This week we will dive into the 14th chapter of John's Gospel account and see how "Jesus is our Protector". What a friend we have in Jesus... who promises to protect us when we are in any kind of danger or peril. Join me as we look at this important role that Jesus plays for each of us.  We also celebrate UMCOR Sunday this week as we receive a special offering to support the relief work of this outstanding organization. We will also hear about how UMCOR and mission work is done right here at Immanuel. Look for the special giving envelopes when you enter the Narthex area and celebrate the fact that 100% of the gifts we give to UMCOR go directly to those in need! We will be "live-streaming" at 10:00am on the church's Facebook page and then "uploading" the completed worship to our YouTube channel when worship is completed. We look forward to "seeing you" in worship on Sunday!  

+++ Also, on Sunday we begin taking orders for Easter flowers to adorn our Resurrection Day altar in a few weeks. Make sure to get your order in soon so we can plan for this beautiful decoration in the Sanctuary.

+++ Next weekend is our spring CRAFT SHOW here at Immanuel! Crafters will be displaying their creations on both Friday and Saturday. Bring a friend, stay for a meal or snack and check out all the beautiful items available for sale. All proceeds of this event are used to support missions during the year here at Immanuel.  

+++ Don't forget to sign up for our last 2nd Sunday luncheon until the fall! On Sunday, April 13th we will gather for a delicious brunch after the 10:00am worship service and you are all invited. But we need you to sign up, outside the Fireside Room, to make sure we prepare enough food for all that day!

+++ I am leading worship at Summerfield Village on Wednesday, 4/2 at 9:30am if you would like to join us.     

Make this day a great day and try to love like Jesus loves us!   
Pastor Jack