Friday, May 31, 2024

Happy Friday!
  
As you read this, I am attending the Upper New York Annual Conference gathering at the SRC Arena with about 700 other United Methodists from the Upper New York Conference. Please continue to pray for us as we do the "business" of our church!
   
My reading this week took me into Proverbs, where I read these words...

                     "We can make our plans, but the Lord determines 
                                    our steps."   (Proverbs 16:9 NLT) 

You head out into your day full of purpose, determined to check everything off your to-do list. You pray as you go, asking the Lord to help you do it all. Things come up throughout the day -- fires need fighting, crises need managing, friends call seeking our advice -- and the next thing you know your whole day's plans have been derailed. Or have they?  
   
Sometimes God has goals for us that need to go to the top of our list.  That friend who calls, that fire we put out -- maybe were things God has for us to do. Yes, God has called us to be steady, purpose-driven people, and God has given us the spirit of power, love, and a sound mind -- a calm, well-balanced mind, disciplined and self-controlled. (See 2 Tim 1:7) Yes, we can do all things through Christ. In fact, we are told we have the very mind of Christ! (See 1 Corinthians 2:16) And that is the key. Staying on God's track for your life might involve tasks that don't appear on your list. So always keep checking in with God! 
   
When you are having trouble meeting all your commitments, or there is more to do than there is time to do it, or you have a pressing deadline join me in praying, "Keep me on your path, Lord.  Amen." 

+++ On Sunday we will gather at 8:30am and 10:00am for worship and we will hear from Paul's second letter to the Corinthians about where Paul is talking about the treasure we have in clay pots. My message, "We Have This Treasure" has me thinking about exactly what our "treasure" is. We will also celebrate the Sacrament of Holy Communion together and hear lots of great music of our faith. Join us here in the Sanctuary or on our Facebook page at 10:00am on Sunday for the "live-stream" of our worship service. And, of course, following worship we will upload the completed worship service to our YouTube channel, as well! We will also get to hear a presentation about our M2 program that provides for our Mission and Maintenance needs here at Immanuel! We'll save you a great seat on Sunday!

+++ Summerfield worship is next Wednesday, June 5th at 9:30am!

+++ Our church Board of Trustees meet next Wednesday, June 5th at 4:00pm in the Fireside Room. 

+++ Mark your calendars for next Sunday, June 9th when we celebrate Youth Celebration Sunday! We will recognize our Kidz Club attendees, provide Bibles to some of our young people and celebrate the accomplishments of 3 of our young people who are graduating this year! And then, following worship, we will celebrate with a Church Picnic on the back lawn! Please sign up and let us know what dish you will be bringing so we have all the food needs covered. We'll have some games, and watermelon as well!  

+++ On June 16th we will celebrate Music Sunday as we recognize the gifts of our church musicians. This will be a special celebration at our 10:00am worship that day!

+++ We begin our summer schedule on Sunday, June 23rd with one worship service on Sunday morning at 9:00am. Mark your calendars!

+++ I will be riding my bike 20.2 miles in the upcoming "Ride for Roswell" in Buffalo on Saturday, June 22nd! Look for the "Ride for Roswell" display if you'd like to sponsor me and/or leave me a message of encouragement which I take along in my backpack on the day of the ride and read at the rest stops along the way! 

Make this day a great day and always remember to pray with me, Keep me on your path, O Lord!  Amen.     
​Pastor Jack