Friday, May 26, 2023

Happy Memorial Day Weekend! On this traditional "start of the summer" I found this little meditation, based on Psalm 91:4....

                 "He will cover you with His feathers, and under His wings
                 you can hide. His truth will be your shield and protection." 
                                             (Psalm 91:4  NCV)

There's a lot more to your skin than meets the eye. 

First of all, your skin is actually an organ -- just like your heart, lungs, and kidneys. In fact, it's the largest organ of your entire body. The average-sized person has 22 square feet of skin! That's about the size of a small blanket. Skin comes in all different colors -- all created by God using a pigment called melanin. Think of melanin like an artist would think about paint. The more melanin you have, the darker your skin. The less you have, the paler your skin. 

Skin not only covers your bones and muscles, it also senses the environment around you and helps control your body's temperature. Your skin sweats to cool you off when you get hot, and it closes up its pores to keep in the heat (think of the goose bumps!) when you're cold. But one of the skin's most important jobs is to protect the rest of your body from injury and disease. It's like a shield for your body. 
   
And while your skin is a shield for your body, God is the shield for your heart, mind, spirit, and body. It's easy to be anxious and afraid about the bad things that could happen in the world. But the Bible is filled with God's promises to watch over and protect you, like these...
   

• The Lord's words are pure. He is a shield to all who trust him. (Psalm 18:30)
• He is our help, and shield to protect us. (Psalm 33:20)
• The Lord is my strength and shield. I trust Him, and He helps me. (Psalm 28:7)

   
The list could go on and on. So, when you're feeling scared or threatened, run to God, and God will be your shield!   

+++ Worship on Sunday begins at 8:30 and 10:00am. This week we celebrate PENTECOST, the arrival of the Holy Spirit and the birthday of the church! Please try to wear something RED to help us celebrate! If you can't be with us in the Sanctuary, catch us in our weekly worship "live-stream" at 10:00am on the church's Facebook page.  Or... join us on our YouTube channel after worship is completed. However, you are able.... we hope to "see you" in worship on Sunday!

+++ Our church picnic is next Sunday, June 4th following the 10:00am worship service and WE NEED YOUR FAMILY TO SIGN UP this Sunday! We will have a great time with lots to celebrate but we need to know how many people to prepare for! Please, sign up this week so we can be ready for a great time together!

+++ The church office is closed on Monday in observance of the Memorial Day holiday. The office will reopen on Tuesday morning at 9:15am!  

+++ The Upper NY Annual Conference session is next week from Thursday 6/1 through Saturday 6/3 at Onondaga Community College. Immanuel is represented by Helen Forward and Pam Kelsey-Gossard. My cell phone will be available in case of any emergencies while we are attending Annual Conference.

+++ Next Sunday, June 4th is also our Shut-in Meal Ministry for June. Thanks to all whom prepare and deliver these wonderful meals to folks unable to attend worship each week!
 
+++ The deadline for summer Campership requests is June 9th! Please make sure your request is into the church office by that date so the funds can be at the camp prior to the kid's arrival. 

+++ Our summer worship schedule begins on Sunday, June 11th and continues through Sunday, September 3rd. During this time, we will gather for ONE worship service on Sunday mornings at 9:00am. Our "live-stream" will also change to 9:00am during the summer!  

Make this day a great day and always look to God as your shield!   
​Pastor Jack