Friday, September 13, 2024

Today's reading takes me to Proverbs 4, where I read these words...

                  "Above all else, guard your heart, for it is the 
                       wellspring of life."   (Proverbs 4:23 NIV)

So much around us threatens to disturb our hearts. Every day we have to beat back the cares of this world that threaten to choke out the fruitfulness of God's truth at work in our lives. We may toil hard at sowing the truth in our heart --- hearing and studying His word, contemplating and praying the truths we learn there --- just to have God's enemy steal it away.
   
A farmer can put more effort into protecting his harvest than in sowing and reaping it. Although our willing hearts provide the rich soil for God's word to flourish -- and His kingdom to take root in our lives --- we must be careful not to let the little foxes, birds, and thieves in this world trespass and destroy what God planted there.
   
We must guard our hearts with all diligence... because it is the source of our fruitfulness. Let the peace of God reign in your heart. May His love, peace, faith, hope, and joy rain continually on the fertile soil of your heart. So when the future seems bleak, or circumstances seem beyond your control, or it's a challenge to be joyful or stay positive, join me in praying, Guard my heart, Father. Amen.     

+++ Tomorrow is our big bed Build for Sleep In Heavenly Peace! Look for the tents in the parking lot as we build 40 beds for children here in Central New York! What a great ministry and we thank all of you who have signed up to be a part of this mission project! We'll have more details for you in worship on Sunday!

+++ Sunday worship is at 8:30am and 10:00am and this week we celebrate the 17th Sunday after Pentecost! We will be hearing about the wisdom of God and I will be offering some thoughts entitled "God's Wisdom," as we compare our human version of wisdom with that of God. The scriptures come from Proverbs 1 and Mark 8 this week. If you can't be in the Fireside Room or Sanctuary with us this week... just look for us on the church's Facebook page for our "live stream" at 10:00am. When worship is completed we'll upload the recorded version to our YouTube channel, as well. You are missed when you're not here with the church family to worship!  

+++ This week our Staff Parish Relations Committee (SPRC) meets on Tuesday evening at 6:00pm in the Fireside Room. 

+++ I will be leading worship at Summerfield Village at 9:30am on Wednesday, 9/18. You're invited if you'd like to join us.  

+++ Don't forget to wear your nametag each week for worship. If you need a name tag... please let the church office know and we will be ordering again soon.

+++ If you are considering church membership, join us for the New Members Class on Sunday, October 6th at about 11:45am. We'll have a light lunch together and talk about all the wonderful privileges and responsibilities of being a member of Immanuel's church family! New members will join the church on Sunday, October 20th! Sign up outside the Fireside Room please... so we are sure to have enough lunch for all!   

+++ Beginning on Wednesday night, September 25th we will be offering a 6 week course entitled, SAVING GRACE. This course is designed to help people of faith create healthy relationships with money and bring our financial lives in line with our faith journeys. The course is designed for both couples and individuals and we'll talk about earning, spending, saving, debt and giving and how to build a sustainable financial plan. The course is being taught both in-person and via ZOOM, so please sign up outside the Fireside Room and let us know how you'll be joining the group. Thanks!

Make this day a great day and remember to always pray, Guard my heart, Father. Amen.   
Pastor Jack