Friday, September 6, 2024

Welcome to September, friends! A new month, a return to school-year schedules, and the excitement of fall are in the air! As I was thinking about our young ones returning to their classrooms, I read these words from Matthew's Gospel account...

                    "If you then, being evil, know how to give good gifts
                       to your children, how much more will your Father
                       who is in heaven give what is good to those who
                                     ask Him!"   (Matthew 7:11 NASB)

As parents, we often ask ourselves whether we are doing everything possible to cultivate our children's God-given gifts and talents. There are just so many choices to make about what is best for them, so many decisions about how best to raise them for the glory of God.
   
We are blessed with easy access to the Bible through a variety of translations. We can worship freely, preach, teach, and proclaim our faith openly. Christian schools, youth ministries, and even Christian radio stations abound. We do not lack for Christian opportunities for our children in the wider community, but I am wondering... is Christianity lived out in our homes? How do we conduct ourselves privately? Are we "talking the talk" or "walking the walk" in our homes?  
   
We can enroll our kids in Christian schools and send them to the best Christian camps (and our conference has 5 of them!) -- but what are they learning as they watch us? So when our kids' needs don't align with our personal agendas or you can't give them all they want or school is just hard, we can pray, Make me the parent You are, Father. Amen.    

+++ This coming Sunday, September 8th we return to our fall schedule of 2 worship services. We'll gather at 8:30am in the beautiful Fireside Room and at 10:00am in our beautiful Sanctuary. At 10:00am the choir will be back, and our Kidz Club program kicks off with a final edition of our summer Vacation Bible School theme, Food Truck Party. Come meet DJ Cupcake and all his friends! Don't you just love a family reunion? That's kind of what these first few September Sundays are. And the best news of all is that... You're Invited! In fact, we'll even save you a seat! This week I am speaking about "Christ-like Love" and I'll be telling a story about how that love got lived out in one person's life. If you can't be here in person, check out worship on the church's Facebook page at 10:00am... or watch the recorded version on our YouTube channel after worship is completed. Did you know that you can use either of these two platforms to go back and rewatch previous worship services? If you might have heard something you really liked.... you can watch and listen to it once again. And if you're watching on Facebook, make sure to SHARE the worship with all your friends on your friends list!  Sometimes technology has amazing benefits, huh?

+++ This Sunday is the deadline for those willing to commit to helping with a sit-down Turkey Dinner on Elections Day.  We are not yet close to the needed number of helpers and the Turkey Dinner Team will be making a decision next week about what format we will use this year. Sign up on Sunday if you can commit to helping out in this way! Thanks! 

+++ Meetings next week include...

• Our Finance Team meets on Tuesday night (9/10) at 6:00pm.
• Our Administrative Council meets on Tuesday night (9/10) at 6:45pm. 
• Our Board of Trustees meet on Wednesday afternoon (9/11) at 4:00pm.

+++ On Wednesday morning I will be leading worship at Camillus Ridge Terrace at 11:00am. And you're invited to join me! 

+++ Next Saturday, September 14th is our bed-build for Sleep In Heavenly Peace. We are running two shifts for workers this year, one from 9:30am - 11:00am and the second from 11:30am to 1:00pm. We plan to build 40 beds for kids in the Central NY area and we need you to contact Shelley to get the link to register to help us out! We have spots available during each shift... but we need your help to complete our goal of making 40 beds. Remember... Everyone must sign up on the Sleep in Heavenly Peace website and that's what Shelley can put you in contact with.  

+++ Coming up in our District and Conference.... Our Crossroads District will be offering the Basic Lay Servant Ministries class beginning on Monday night 9/30/24. This will be a 5 week course, taught each week from 6:30pm - 8:30pm via ZOOM, and is the foundational course for all those considering Lay Servant ministries. Speak to me if you'd like more information or would like to sign up for the course!  

+++ Happening here at Immanuel

• We will offer a New Members class on Sunday, October 6th following worship. And then, New Members will take their membership vows at either worship service on Sunday, October 20th! Sign up outside the Fireside Room to join the group!
•  A Wednesday evening session of Wespath's SAVING GRACE class will be offered live and via ZOOM on 6 successive Wednesday evenings beginning on September 25th. This course is designed to help families and individuals with developing and living into a Basic Spending Plan and we'll talk about saving, giving, and spending and how all of these elements should really be combined for a strong financial plan. Once again... sign up outside the Fireside Room!

Make this day a great day, watch for stopped School buses and always remember to pray... Make me the parent that You are, Father. Amen.     
​Pastor Jack