Pastor Jack's Weekly Chimings Message
|
Weekly Inspirational Message & Church Happenings for the Upcoming Week
|
|
Happy Friday after Thanksgiving, Friends!
Today's scripture continues some thoughts about Thanksgiving... "Is anyone among you suffering? They should pray. Is anyone cheerful? They should sing praises." (James 5: 13 HCSB) As we continue our thoughts on Thanksgiving, most Christians have no problem practicing the first part of today's verse. When disaster strikes and grief grips the heart, prayer is often just as natural as breathing. Even hardened atheists, when presented with a problem too big for them to handle, might subconsciously mumble prayer to the God they've spent their lives denying. But what about Thanksgiving? Sure, there's an entire holiday devoted to it, but how many of us practice it on the other 364 days of the year? When God works powerfully in our lives, how eager are we to jump at the chance to Praise God for God's intervention? Sadly, it seems the answer is usually "not eager enough." Living in a first-world culture has taught us to expect comfort and complain when it's taken away. It's dulled our senses to the spiritual reality all around us, making us care more about preserving the status quo than strengthening our souls. Sometimes growing your faith means enduring a trial that's been thrust upon you. Other times, it means actively calling to mind the God who has given you so much beyond what some people could even imagine. Both routes are necessary for a Christian to become the person God meant us to be. How are you showing thanksgiving to God? Father, may my life be a continual song of thanksgiving for Your grace and blessings. Amen. +++ Sunday worship is at 8:30am and 10:00am as we celebrate the First Sunday of Advent. Our Advent theme is "Our Dear Christ Enters In" and this week I will be talking about "Family Trees". What does your family tree look like? We will be lighting the first candle of our Advent wreath, and we'll start singing Advent songs, as well. If you can't be in the Sanctuary, look for us on our Facebook "live-stream" at 10:00am on Sunday or on our YouTube channel after the worship service is completed. +++ Sunday is also our United Methodist Student Fund offering. These second-mile gifts help to provide scholarships for United Methodist students in our country and abroad. Look for the special offering envelopes on Sunday. +++ You can also still return your 2026 Estimate of Giving cards this week. We thank all of those who completed their cards last week, and we are off to a good start in fully supporting our 2026 spending plan. +++ Our Advent Bible Study begins on Monday, December 1st at 12:00noon in the Fireside Room. Bring your lunch and join us for this time of study each Monday in Advent. +++ Our Advent mission projects are coming along nicely...
+++ We will be Christmas caroling at Brookdale Summerfield and Brookdale Bellevue on Sunday, December 7th, starting at 1:00pm. Plan to join us as we spread some Christmas cheer to the residents on that day! +++ Our Trustees meet on Wednesday, December 3rd at 4:00pm in the Fireside Room. +++ Immanuel's annual Living Nativity celebration will be held on Saturday, December 13th, at 6:00pm. Plan to join us as our young people retell the Christmas story, and we welcome many of God's barnyard creatures to Immanuel. Hot chocolate and cookies will be served to all as part of this celebration! +++ Please take a minute after reading this to send an email to Jim Sokolowski ([email protected]) with your birthday and anniversary dates. Jim is rebirthing Immanuel's greeting card ministry and needs this information. Thanks! Make this day a great day and always remember to stop and give God thanks... in all things! Pastor Jack Comments are closed.
|
Get Chimings by EmailIf you would like to receive Chimings via email, notify the church office to be added to the list. Archives
November 2025
|
