Happy Friday, Friends!   Today's scripture reading is from the Book of Psalms...
 
             "When the foundations are destroyed, what can the righteous do?"  
                                              (Psalm 11:3  NIV)
 
What can I do? 
   
In recent years, many --- possibly most --- committed Christians have asked questions just like that! When the foundations of civil governments seem to be crumbling, what can the righteous do? When the foundations of churches and denominations seem to be dissolving into mush, what can the righteous do? When the very foundations of basic reality are jackhammered by obvious falsehoods, what can the righteous do?
   
On their own, very little. But the righteous are never really "on their own." They have God on their side, and that changes everything.
   
Notice the quotation marks around today's scripture. They indicate that these words were spoken by someone other than the psalmist. The question was posed by fearful people who couldn't accept the writer's declaration: "in the Lord I take refuge" (verse 1). The writer, possibly David, strongly believed in God's protection, so he asked, "How then can you say to me...' When the foundations are being destroyed, what can the righteous do?'" (verses 1,3).
   
Sure, bad things were happening then; and they still do today. But "the Lord is in his holy temple; the Lord is on his heavenly throne" (Psalm 11:4). And "on the wicked he will rain fiery coals and burning sulfur" (verse 6).  
   
What can the righteous do? Trust God for protection and ultimate justice. Don't worry... God will surely come through! 
 
              You are my refuge, Lord. Thank You for standing strong in this crumbling world.  Amen.  
 
+++ We worship on Sunday at 8:30am and 10:00am. This week we will welcome Rev. Dr. Sherri Rood, our District Superintendent, who will be leading worship with me and bringing the message to us. We will be celebrating Transfiguration Sunday, when Jesus' appearance was transfigured (changed) on the mountainside with some of his closest disciple friends. The choir will be back at our 10:00am worship service and then we will have some great fellowship with Rev. Rood after each worship service. If you can't be in the sanctuary with us, check out our Facebook page for the "live stream" at 10:00am or the recorded worship service on YouTube after it is completed.  

+++ Just a couple of reminders... the deadline for articles for our March/April newsletter is on Friday, 2/20. Team leaders please make sure your articles are in by this date so we can get the newsletter published on a timely basis! Thanks! And... you'll find copies of our 2025 Annual Report on the back table in the Narthex. Please pick up one per household so you'll know about all the important ministry work we did in 2025!  

+++ The church office is closed on Monday, 2/16 for the observance of President's Day and will reopen on Tuesday morning at 9:00am. 

+++ Lent begins on Ash Wednesday, February 18th! We will worship at 7:00pm on Ash Wednesday and offer the Imposition of Ashes during the worship service. Please plan to join us as we begin our Lenten theme, "Dying His Death, Living His Life". We will offer a Lenten Bible Study each Monday at 12:00noon in the Fireside Room as we take a closer look at our weekly installment of lectionary scripture readings. The study begins on Monday February 23rd and you can sign up outside the Fireside Room. Plan to bring your lunch and enjoy a bowl of soup, as well!  

+++ One last reminder... in order to plan accordingly, please make sure any requests for PowerPoint screens are into the church office by Wednesday for the following Sunday. This helps us be thoroughly prepared and keep up the publishing parameters we have established for everyone's ease of viewing. Thanks!  
 
Make this day a great day and plan to rely fully on God for ultimate justice in our world! See you Sunday as we welcome Rev. Rood!      
                                                                                                                                                         Pastor Jack   

Today's scripture reading comes from the first book of our Bible, Genesis...
 
                 "The Midianite traders arrived in Egypt, where they sold Joseph to Potiphar, an officer of Pharaoh, the king of Egypt."     (Genesis 37:36  NLT)
 
So, begins Joseph's rise to prominence and power. It was to be a long and winding road.
   
A quick recap of the story: Joseph was a son of Jacob, born in the patriarch's old age to his favored wife, Rachel. The eleventh of twelve boys was daddy's favorite, and his older brothers hated him --- so much that they wanted to kill him. In the end, they traded Joseph for money, selling him to a group of traveling merchants. Resold to an Egyptian official, he spent years in prison after the man's wife --- furious that Joseph had spurned her advances --- accused him of sexual misconduct. In prison he interpreted dreams of fellow detainees and ultimately explained Pharaoh's strange dreams. Impressed by Joseph's God-given wisdom, the king names the Israelite second-in-command of all Egypt. 
   
The mistreatment Joseph suffered is almost unimaginable. But throughout his story, scripture says the Lord was with him (Genesis 39: 2,3,21,23). God's presence and guidance helped him survive every reverse --- and not only to survive, but thrive. From hated kid brother to second most powerful man on earth is a story that only God could write.  
   
Our road probably won't be as dramatic. But the same God who helped Joseph also helps us. Stick with God, work with God, and just watch what God will do in your life!  
 
                  Lord, be with me --- and accomplish great things through me. Amen.  
 
+++ We gather for worship on Sunday at 8:30am and 10:00am. This week, the 5th Sunday after the Epiphany, we will continue looking at the Gospel according to Matthew. We will look at salt and light and in my message, "Living Without Compromise". I will be thinking about how each of us is called to live boldly and faithfully for Christ. If you can't be with us here at church look for us on our Facebook page for the "live-stream" of worship at 10:00am. And, of course, we will "upload" the completed worship service to our YouTube channel when it concludes.  

+++ This week is also our "SOUPER BOWL" celebration! Wear the jersey of your favorite sports team (even if they are not in the big game) and bring along a few cans of soup (or a monetary donation) for voting on which team you think will win the big game later that afternoon! All the donations will be delivered to 2 area food pantries and we will have lots of fun! Following worship... our Second Sunday Luncheon is a tailgate party! We hope you have signed up and plan to join us in the fellowship!

+++ Our Finance Team meets on Tuesday night, 2/10 at 6:00pm in the Fireside Room.

+++ COFFEE WITH THE PASTOR continues each Wednesday morning at 9:30am. Come and join our light-hearted discussions about almost any topic!  

+++ Next Sunday, February 15th we look forward to welcoming Rev. Dr. Sherri Rood, our District Superintendent to worship. Sherri will be preaching and leading worship with me at both worship services next week and we hope you can plan to be here and make her feel welcome!

+++ Lent begins on Ash Wednesday, February 18th when we gather for worship at 7:00pm. We'll offer the Imposition of Ashes at this service and begin our Lenten theme, "Dying His Death, Living His Life".  Join us as we look each week at how we are called to die to self... to really live with Jesus!  

+++ We will offer a Lenten Bible Study each Monday at 12:00noon throughout Lent. Plan to bring your lunch and join us for this time of study and preparation for the joy of Easter! Please sign up on the white board outside the Fireside Room!  
 
Make this day a great day and let God work through you to change the world!   
​Pastor Jack

Happy Friday Friends! Today we hear some words from the 24th chapter of the Book of Genesis....
 
                     Her brother and mother said, "let the girl stay with us for about 10 days. Then she can go. But he responded to them, "Do not delay me, since the Lord has made my journey a success."  (Genesis 24: 55-56  HCSB)
 
In scripture, waiting is often good. But delay... not so much.
   
The difference you ask? Waiting is our response to God, a conscious choice to calm ourselves and allow God to work, however long that takes (see Psalm 27:124, 37:7; Proverbs 20:22; Zephaniah 3:8). But delay is a hesitation to do what God clearly expects.  
   
In Genesis 24, Abraham's servant saw delay as an affront to God, who had answered his prayer for success in finding a wife for Isaac. Given the deciding vote, Rebekah herself chose to leave immediately.
   
Sadly, the nation that descended from this couple, through their son Jacob, delayed when given the chance to enter into the promised land. A report of giants caused them to hesitate and rebel --- and, as punishment, only two men from their entire generation would live to see Canaan (See Numbers 13-14). Decades later, when Israel was finally in the land, Joshua still had to prompt the people to do what God said: "How long will you delay going out to take possession of the land that the Lord, the God of your fathers, gave you?  (Joshua 18:3 HSBC).
   
When you know what God wants, just do it. Delay only brings trouble.  
 
                          Help me, Lord, to obey You, confidently and quickly. Amen. 
 
+++ We gather for worship on Sunday at 8:30am and 10:00am. This week, the 4th Sunday after Epiphany, we will hear about the individual call God places on each of our lives and my message, Let God Do the Choosing, has me thinking about how we respond to that call. And this week once again, we'll be looking at the Corinthian church to use as an example. We will celebrate the Sacrament of Holy Communion together on Sunday and at 10:00am the choir is back with another beautiful anthem. If you can't join us in the sanctuary look for us on the church's Facebook page for our "live stream" at 10:00am! And then, after worship is completed, we will "upload" the recorded worship service to our YouTube channel, as well. However you join us, we can't wait to "see you" in worship on Sunday!

+++ Next Sunday, February 8th is our Second Sunday luncheon and this month it's a tailgate party in celebration of the big football game that day. Be sure to sign up this week please... so we can plan on how much food to prepare and then plan to wear your favorite team's apparel (even if they aren't in the big game) next Sunday!    

+++ Sunday is your last chance to pick up your 2025 giving statements on the table in the Narthex to save the church the cost of a stamp. Since we are required to provide them, please pick them up (even if you don't need them for tax purposes) to save us the cost of postage. Thanks... and thanks for all your gifts that support the important ministry work we are doing here at Immanuel!

+++ Mark your calendar to be here on Sunday, February 15th when we will welcome the Rev. Dr. Sherri Rood, our District Superintendent who will bring the message that day!  Sherri will be joining us for both worship services that day and is looking forward to worshipping with us and getting to know Immanuel even better!

+++ Ash Wednesday worship, marking the beginning of Lent, will be on Wednesday night, February 18th at 7:00pm in the Sanctuary.  We will offer the Imposition of Ashes as we start our Lenten theme, Dying His Death, Living His Life. In Lent, we are reminded that we are buried with Christ in his death so that we might live with him in his resurrection. The old is gone. The new has come. Each day affords us a chance to die to self and live for him. In word and song, we will contemplate those things that were put to death on the cross so that we might receive the blessings of new life in Christ. Join us on Ash Wednesday and throughout Lent as we journey together to new life on Easter.  

+++ All Annual Reports are due to the office NOW. Thanks for helping us keep our publishing schedule for the report booklet by getting your reports in on time! 
 
 Make this day a great day and wait on God... but never delay!   
​Pastor Jack 

As we move through January, today we hear some words from Matthew's Gospel account...
 
                  "Do not judge and criticize and condemn others, so that you may not be judged and criticized and condemned yourselves."      (Matthew 7:1  AMPC)
 
This verse is one of the world's most popular Bible verses. For many people --- including professed Christians --- it means questioning of others' beliefs or behaviors is off-limits.
   
But as is usually the case, a single verse needs context to be properly understood. In this case, the next four verses elaborate Jesus' true meaning. It's not that we as Christians can never challenge other people --- but we must never attack others for things that we ourselves are doing. Jesus described this kind of hypocrisy as a "beam of timber" in our eyes while we're seeking to remove the "very small particle" from another's eye (Matthew 7:3 AMPC). 
   
Elsewhere, Jesus taught, "Be honest in your judgement and do not decide at a glance (superficially and by appearances); but judge fairly and righteously" (John 7:24  AMPC). As Christians, we have a biblical responsibility to challenge those on a bad path, believers and unbelievers alike (See 1 Thessalonians 5:14; Jude 1: 22-23). But we must only judge according to biblical standards, and always with mercy and grace.
   
Finally, let's admit that the only person anyone can judge with total accuracy... is ourselves. We should expend our greatest energy in dealing with our own faults and failures before we ever attempt to judge anyone else.
 
          Lord, help me to judge fairly and righteously, starting with myself. Amen.  
 
+++ I am glad to be back to see you for worship at 8:30am and 10:00am on Sunday!  Thanks to all who stepped up to help lead worship last week and did such a great job! This week we will celebrate the 3rd Sunday after the Epiphany and we will hear from Matthew's Gospel about fishing for people. My message, "Called to Belong, Follow, and Share" will be examining how we are called to fulfill each of these 3 steps if we are to be true Jesus followers! And we'll use the church in Corinth to gauge our effectiveness. Join us on Sunday as we worship together. We will be "live-streaming" on the church's Facebook page at 10:00am and then "up-loading" the completed worship to our YouTube channel when completed. We can't wait to "see you" in worship on Sunday!

+++ All ministry and team leaders please remember that Annual Reports are due in the church office by January 30th so that we can prepare the report booklet for the congregation. This is a great opportunity to tell everyone about the work of your team and to invite others to join your group.

+++ Lent begins on Ash Wednesday, February 18th... when we will gather for worship at 7:00pm. This year's Lenten Theme is: "Dying His Death, Living His Life".  Each week we will look at how each of us is called to "die" to a part of ourselves in order to "live" into Jesus. We will also offer a Lenten Bible Study group at 12:00noon on Mondays each week beginning on February 16th. Plan to commit to a Lenten devotion with us each day and week. Just bring your lunch and be a part of our weekly study group each Monday in Lent.

+++ A NEW PROGRAM OPPORTUNITY begins next week! Each Wednesday morning at 9:30am I will be hosting a "Coffee With the Pastor" time in the Fireside Room! We'll engage in conversation, maybe a devotion or scripture or piece of poetry, or just enjoy fellowship together! We will meet from 9:30am - 10:30am and you can feel free to come and go as needed. I will put on the coffee, tea, or hot water and you can bring a snack if you'd like to do so. I hope you will join me on Wednesday mornings each week!  

+++ 2025 Year End giving statements are available for you to pick up in the Narthex. Please help us save on postage by picking yours up when you are here next. We are so grateful for your continued support of our great church.
 
Make this day a great day and try to be a fair and righteous judge!   
​Pastor Jack

Happy Friday! 
 
Today's scripture reading takes us into the 17th chapter of Genesis... to a conversation between God and Abram...
 
            "I am changing your name. It will no longer be Abram. Instead, you will be called Abraham, for you will be the father of many nations."   (Genesis 17:5 NLT)
 
A childless man when he stepped onto the biblical stage, Abram bore an ironic name: it means "exalted father." But after God promised to give Abram a child and make his descendants into a great nation, he was renamed Abraham, "father of a multitude."
   
Abram had grown up pagan in Ur of the Chaldeans, among people who "worshipped other gods" (Joshua 24:2 NLT). But the real God had big plans for Abram, as indicated by his new name.  
   
In a way, God renames each of us when God calls us to faith. The apostle Paul identified sexual sinners, the greedy, drunks, abusers, and idolaters as the kind of people naturally separated from God (1 Corinthians 6: 9-10). But when in God's love, the Lord reaches out and we respond to Jesus, God has much better names for us: "cleansed... made holy... made right with God by calling on the name of the Lord Jesus Christ" (verse 11 NLT).
   
Now, like Abram, we please God by simply believing what God says (Genesis 15:6). If God calls you a clean, holy, righteous person through faith in Christ, accept that truth and live into it.  
 
               Lord, thank You for calling me worthy through my faith in Jesus. Help me to live up to the honor You've shown me. Amen. 
 
+++ We gather for worship on Sunday at 8:30am and 10:00am. This week, we welcome back Rev. Dr. Russ Hall, who will be preaching and leading worship while I am away in NYC. Russ's message is entitled, "Love Given and Love Received". We will, of course, be "live-streaming" the worship service on the church's FaceBook page at 10:00am and then "uploading" the completed worship service to the church's YouTube channel when the worship is concluded. Thanks to all those who are stepping up to help with the task of worship leadership this week. Plan to join us for worship either here in the Sanctuary or online on Sunday! 

+++ Congratulations to all the winners of last week's "Chili-Chowder-Soup Cookoff".   We had a wonderful time with great food and fellowship, and we thank the Fellowship Team and all who worked so hard that we could enjoy this wonderful event.  

+++ This Sunday we receive one of our 6 church-wide offerings when we pledge to help with the work of improving Human Relations in our world. Look for the special offering envelopes in the Narthex on Sunday for your second-mile gifts and thanks for supporting this important mission work!  

+++ The church office will be closed on Monday, January 19th as we celebrate Rev. Martin Luther King Jr.'s birthday. The office will reopen on Tuesday morning at 9:00am. Emergency phone numbers are on the church answering machine if needed. 

+++ For team and ministry leaders... Please remember that Annual Reports for 2025 are due in the church office by January 30th! We will be publishing the Annual Report of the congregation in early February and we want to make sure each team/ministry is represented in this important report of our ministry.   
 
Make this day a great day and enjoy the new name God gives us all when we believe and accept God's call!   
​Pastor Jack