Pastor’s Corner “Life Groups”

I am the Vine, y’all are the branches. When y’all are joined with me and I with y’all,

the relationship intimate and organic, the harvest is sure to be abundant.

Separated, y’all can’t produce a thing.

(John 15:5, The Message [Southern Style])

Labor Day weekend 2026, we are planting Life Groups in the soil of Immanuel. Life Groups are community groups of up to twelve people (plus kids!) who cultivate worship, growth, and service through a simple format of welcome, conversation, engagement with Scripture, and prayer.

I’m convinced that Life Groups are one of the primary ways we can obey the command to abide in Jesus, enabling us to experience his promise, “If you abide in me, and my words abide in you, ask whatever you wish and it will be done for you. By this my Father is glorified, that you bear much fruit and so prove to be my disciples” (John 15:7-8). Remember each “you” in these sentences is plural, which is why I added the “y’alls” in the opening quotation.

A couple of weeks ago I met with potential Life Group leaders, and I asked them to share what they value about small groups. Almost all of them spoke of the significance of past experiences in such groups – getting to know others and be known, increased intimacy with Jesus, better understanding of Scripture, being cared for during difficult times, the fun of being with others, and good food!

Everyone agreed on the importance of community groups for the overall health of the church. Done well, community groups provide a safe place for genuinely loving relationships to form, for practical, honest grappling with God’s word, for praying with others, and for experiencing together the messy growth of becoming like Jesus.

In other words, Life Groups can be neighborhood pockets of our mission statement in action: We cultivate a Spirit-filled family that goes into our communities and the world to offer Refuge, Reconciliation, and Renewal, inviting everyone to experience life with God the Father in Jesus Christ.

This Sunday I’ll present more details on Life Groups at Immanuel, and ask you to begin praying about joining one in the fall. My prayer is that our Life Groups will become yet another place where you know you are loved.

Your Pastor in Christ,

P.S. Please take time to read the “Vestry Updates” provided by Deb Tomchek, our Senior Warden.