Pastor’s Corner So Many People Involved

As I was catching up on email after my extended sabbath, one in particular made me smile. The Rev. Sam Pascoe wrote, “Thanks again for the chance to worship with your amazing congregation. I rarely see a congregation in which so many people are involved in so many ways.”

So true!

Immanuel is the amazing congregation that it is because of the multitudinous ways you express the love of Jesus to each other, and to our communities. Here are just a few of so many examples:

·       Melissa Byers and her incredible team of volunteers (I can’t name them all, but I will add that many of our youth were among them!) creating a VBS experience that lived our mission in such tangible and fun ways —Refuge, Reconciliation, and Renewal in Jesus on full display!

·       Tuesday morning in the office, Tyra Harpster providing a listening, caring, wise presence to multiple people stepping in to share their lives with her.

·       Paul and Cathleen Giannini attending to people at home and in the hospital during July when a pastoral presence was needed.

·        Jeannie Brill walking people to their cars with an umbrella during the downpour after church.

·        Lee and Jennifer Roberds organizing the Blessing Bags ministry, and many of you making possible the 44 purses filled with necessities we’ve given to the ACTS Domestic Violence Shelter so far this year.

·       Josephine and Gabriel McGrath, along with Scott and Sheridan Knowles, providing beautiful, worshipful music for Bridget (formerly Eveie) and Chris Morgan’s wedding, and Kathy Westcott preparing the Sanctuary with her usual attention to reverent detail. And ensuring we could hear and see it all—Scott Cheatham on sound, Barbara Finney on video, Scott Finney on slides.

·        Taira Oravetz and Mike Wright behind the scenes, cleaning and arranging furniture.

·       Jean Ellerbe and Josephine McGrath filling in on the piano with faithfulness, joy, and skill as Meredyth Stirling continues recovering from her shoulder surgery. And Dan Ellison and the Music Ministry leading us in singing praises every week.

·       Kevin Robertson going to the Poconos for Joni and Friends Family Retreats (Aug. 2 - Aug. 7) to serve families affected by disability.

·       So many of you who provided meals for the Oravetz and Stirling families.

·       Open up the ACTS cabinet or look on the Rock the Block donation table and you’ll see visual (and edible!) evidence of your generous involvement in the needs of our community.

I could easily continue the list of examples. I am genuinely grateful for the clear expression of God’s love through your involvement.

I thank my God in all my remembrance of you, always in every prayer of mine for you all making my prayer with joy, because of your partnership in the gospel from the first day until now. (Philippians 1:3-5)

Your Pastor in Christ,