Hidden With Christ (+TONIGHT)
Good morning, Immanuel. Our lives are walled in by the fortress of Christ's love and power.
“For you have died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God” (Colossians 3:3)
Did you ever play hide and seek as a kid? You want to find the best hiding place so that you can’t be found. For you parents, when you get your kids Christmas presents, you hide them. Where? Somewhere those nosey, industrious progeny of yours can’t find them. Or consider the story of Corrie ten Boom, the courageous Dutch woman who helped save hundreds of Jews from the Nazis during World War 2, many of whom hid in a secret room in her house.
Hiding, as we think of it, always comes with the risk of being found–it entails suspense or even fear. It is about secrecy and sneakiness.
But when Paul tells us in Colossians 3:3 that “your life is hidden with Christ in God” he is reframing and redefining our understanding of “hidden.” If you are a follower of Christ, you need not suffer from suspense, wondering if your salvation, your faith, or your relationship with Jesus will be snatched away. A life hidden with Christ means a life secured with Christ. It is walled in by the fortress of his love and power. Your life in Christ is out of reach of any enemy because to be hidden in Christ isn’t a risk. It’s a guarantee of joy and peace and eternal glory.
TONIGHT (NOVEMBER 8, 2023)
Church-wide Tenth Generation Gathering - Our Tenth Generation campaign is underway. We encourage you to come out tonight at 6:30 pm so we can share important updates on our campaign thus far and our path forward. We anticipate seeing you there!
MIDWEEK UPDATES
Celebration…
Sunday - If you missed this Sunday, no worries! Catch the service and sermon from Pastor TJ Tims here on our YouTube channel!
Trending Questions - This past Wed. night, Pastor Sam Allberry delivered a very helpful message, addressing the question, “How should we think about gender identity?” If you missed it or would like to share it with others, you can check that out here!
Engage…
Park Avenue Elementary Gift Card Drive - One of the ways we welcome all kinds of people into our orbit is through our generosity and hospitality. Please join us again this year to provide the means for families to have a Thanksgiving meal by donating, preferably, a $25 KROGER gift card (or a cash donation to be used to buy them). We will collect these cards on November 5, 12, and 19 at the connect desk in the lobby. This will enable us to serve those needing extra help this season to provide for their family in a special way. We appreciate this so much! Please direct any questions to carolineegreenwald@gmail.com.
On the horizon…
Discover Reception - New or newish to Immanuel? Formerly known as the Discover Luncheon, the new Discover Reception is an opportunity to connect at 10:45 a.m. in the cafe for an overview of Immanuel and a time for Q&A. Our next Discover Reception is November 12th. RSVP here.
YOUNG PROFESSIONALS: FRIENDSGIVING POTLUCK - Our next monthly Young Professionals Fellowship is November 16 at 6:30 pm. Come and enjoy some food, fellowship, and friends together in the cafe. There will be individual and group games available. Did we mention this gathering is potluck style? Sign up to bring a meal here.
Praise God. I have been thinking on this verse. What a wonder and comfort! It makes me rethink past, present, or future tragedies. My life is SAFE! It's hidden with Christ in God!