Friday, May 16, 2025

As another work week comes to a close for many, I read these words from John's Gospel account...

                 "The bride belongs to the bridegroom.  The friend who attends the  bridegroom waits and listens for him, and  is full of joy when he hears the bridegroom's voice. That joy is mine, and it is now complete.  He must become greater; I must become less."  (John 3: 29-20   NIV)

Had Jesus used social media, He might have responded to John the Baptist's statement above with a single word: "This!"

This is the attitude every maturing Christian person must have. This is the mindset that honors our Lord and makes us better people. This is the countercultural, self-diminishing perspective that sets Christians apart -- positively -- from the world around us.
   
Will John's words make you a greater success in your career, your finances, your public notoriety? Though God could bless your humility like He did Solomon's (1 Kings 3: 1-15), chances are you'll be relatively poor and obscure in this world. But the one person who truly matters, God, will definitely see and ultimately reward your deference to His Son.
   
Jesus said there wasn't "anyone greater" than John (Matthew 11:11 NIV) -- and he was arrested, imprisoned, and beheaded. His humility toward Jesus was repaid by the "well done" he heard when entering heaven.  
 
So let's keep our eyes on heaven. This life is passing quickly, but the eternal Jesus invites us to enjoy His presence and provision forever. That's totally worth "becoming less" now.

I want to give You all the glory, Jesus -- only You deserve to be praised.                    Amen.    

+++ On Sunday we gather for worship at 8:30am and 10:00am. At 8:30am I will be thinking about Psalm 23 and how we are called to follow the Good Shepherd. And then at 10:00am we will celebrate CAMPING SUNDAY, when we are joined by friends from Camp Aldersgate. Plan on some camp songs, and camp stories as we talk about the importance of our Annual Conference's camping program. Bring the kids, you're even invited to dress in camping attire as we worship "Around the Campfire" on Sunday. We will be offering the 10:00am worship service "live-streamed" on our church's Facebook page and then "upload" the recorded worship to our YouTube channel when it is completed. We hope to "see you" in the Sanctuary as we celebrate CAMPING SUNDAY! 

+++ Click here for more information on our conference's camping ministry.

+++ On Saturday the Cornell Master Gardeners group is offering their annual Plant Sale here at Immanuel. The sale runs from 9:00am until 12noon.but the best selection of plants will be found closer to 9:00am!

+++ Our annual Church Picnic will be held, after worship, on Sunday June 8th! But we need you to sign up so that we plan accordingly for the food needs. And who might like to organize this year's Cornhole Tournament? See Barb M. if you'd like to get involved in helping out at this fun event.          

+++ On Sunday, Mike Block will be leading another Mission Trip group heading for Vermont. We will pray them off between worship services in the parking lot. 

+++ Next week is the Upper New York Annual Conference being held at the On-Center on Thursday-Saturday. Volunteers will be staffing the church office on Thursday and Friday next week. Please keep Helen, Pam, and I in prayer as we represent Immanuel doing the business of our Annual Conference.  

+++ Don't forget the mission project being done by our Kidz Club kids. The kids are trying to help out the CNY Cat Coalition and Helping Hounds programs. They are collecting pet food and litter, new or gently used toys, beds, scratching posts, cat furniture and carriers among other items. Check out the donation location in the Narthex for further information! And thanks for supporting our young mission do-ers!    

Make this day a great day and always give the glory to Jesus!   
​Pastor Jack