Friday, September 20, 2024

One of my favorite pastimes (especially when times seem difficult), is pick up my Bible and turn to the Book of Psalms where I often let the Holy Spirit direct my reading. Today I read these words from Psalm 5.... 

                       "For surely, O Lord, you bless the righteous;
                         you surround them with your favor as with 
                                  a shield."   (Psalm 5: 12  NIV)

You know, so often in our lives the situation may seem impossible. Time has run out. You might be hoping against all odds for a passport to travel or be waiting nervously to get through customs. There might be a language barrier or a legal barrier keeping you from your goal. Maybe you are waiting to hear back on an audition or a job interview. Or maybe you're just standing in the customer service line, hoping to exchange a disappointing gift.
   
I have found that often you are just one person or one conversation away from your answer. To be shielded by God's favor is to receive the grace you need at a time when you need it most. Pray, believing that God's favor is surrounding you like a shield, and each hopeless situation is a platform for the miraculous. Tap into the favor of God simply by trusting in it.  
   
So when no one seems to want to help you, or you need a response from someone, or you have paperwork that needs to be approved, join me in praying... Shield me with Your favor, Lord. Amen. 

+++ Worship this week continues at 8:30am and 10:00am! This week is the 18th Sunday after Pentecost and our readings from James and the Gospel according to Mark have me thinking about improving my vision. My message is "Seeing with New Eyes" and I'm thinking about how it is that sometimes our familiarity with a subject can cause us to miss the underlying message of Jesus. Come and think this through with me. If you can't be here in person... join us for our Facebook "live-stream" at 10:00am on the church's facebook page or for the recorded worship service that we "upload" to our YouTube channel after completion. Our worship is usually marked by great music, important scripture, a time of celebratory prayer and, hopefully, the inspiration of the Holy Spirit on the preacher! However you can join us, we will save you a seat for worship on Sunday!

+++ Sam Paventi has asked to remind you that our neighbor, St. Michael's Lutheran Church has a Free Meal Give Away on Tuesday, 9/24. Just stop by the church and pick up a free Salisbury Steak dinner! The meals go fast so check with Sam for the best time to arrive!

+++ We are offering a New Member class on Sunday, October 6th following worship. We'll have a light lunch, and talk about membership in the United Methodist Church and Immanuel in particular. Then we will be blessed to receive New Members into our fellowship on Oct. 20th! If you are ready to take the step into membership, please sign up outside the Fireside Room on Sunday so we plan for the class. Thanks!      

+++ Sunday is also your last opportunity to sign up for our Saving Grace course. It may be that we will wait until springtime to offer this course that is designed to help people of faith develop and maintain healthy relationships with money and their financial lives. A decision will be made after checking the sign up list on Sunday and anyone who signs up will be contacted with an update.

+++ It has been determined that our Election Day Turkey Dinner will again be offered as a Drive Through meal on November 5th. In a few weeks signups to help will go up and we anticipate a wonderful time as we continue this long standing tradition in our community!  

Make this day a great day and always remember to join me in praying, Shield me with Your Favor, O Lord. Amen. 
Pastor Jack