Our Hope + Holy Communion This Sunday!
God is in the business of giving us better than we ask - lasting hope and joy in Christ.
“You ask and do not receive, because you ask wrongly, to spend it on your passions” (James 4:3).
Unanswered prayer can feel like a door slammed shut in a storm, leaving us wondering if God hears us. However, unanswered prayer is not evidence that God is ignoring us. It may, in fact, be evidence that God loves us too much to grant what would ultimately sabotage our joy. So often, we set our hope on things (even good things) that will inevitably disappoint us.
God, however, is in the business of giving us better than we deserve and more than we ask for — lasting hope and joy in Christ. So, he may allow our lesser hopes to be dashed, but he never does so without offering more of himself. He is a hope that doesn’t tease or mock us. He is a hope we can settle on. The 19th-century Scottish pastor, hymn writer, and author Horatius Bonar captured this beautifully:
But God quenches no hope without presenting a brighter one,—one that will last for ever; for He does not mock the creature that He has made, nor wither up his fairest flowers without a reason, and that reason fraught both with wisdom and with love. He cares for us. He yearns over us. He would fain make us happy. He loves us too well to cheat us with dreams.
Man’s hope must be destroyed, that God’s hope may be built upon its ruins.
Bonar, Horatius. The Night of Weeping. London, James Nisbet & Co., 1846
It is comforting to know that
"But this I call to mind, and therefore I have hope: The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases; his mercies never come to an end; they are new every morning; great is your faithfulness. 'The Lord is my portion,' says my soul, 'therefore I will hope in him'" (Lamentations 3:21-24).
This Sunday At Immanuel
Sunday Morning…
SUNDAY WORSHIP: Join us for our 9 a.m. and 10:45 a.m. HOLY COMMUNION services as Pastor Sam preaches from Matthew 1. All are welcome!
Sunday Seminars…
9 AM: Student Seminar led by Vince Greenwald (grades 5-12) in the gymnasium
9 AM: Last Word: The Gospel of Christ in the Book of Revelation, led by Dr. Russell Moore in the cafe
9 AM: Studying the Bible Together, led by Dr. Tom Cox, studying the book of Romans in the staff lounge
10:45 AM: How to Share Your Faith, led by Dr. Gavin Ortlund in the cafe
ON THE HORIZON…
Immanuel invites you to join us this December as we reflect on the coming, life, and message of Jesus Christ! Here’s what’s on the horizon:
Advent Sermon Series: Peace on Earth? How Jesus Makes Peace in a World of Chaos
Sunday, 12/1: First Sunday of Advent
9:00am & 10:45am servicesSunday, 12/8: Second Sunday of Advent
9:00am & 10:45am servicesSunday, 12/15: Third Sunday of Advent
9:00am & 10:45am servicesSunday, 12/22: Fourth Sunday of Advent
9:00am & 10:45am services
Special Events
Friday, 12/6: Carolfest: Immanuel Wishes You a Jazzy Christmas
5:30pm: Festive fun begins!
Cookies and dessert in the café (bring your best to share!)
Hot cocoa, cider, and bonfires in the courtyard
Logos Bookstore open in the lobby
6:15pm: Carol-singing in the Worship Center
7:00pm: A Charlie Brown Christmas LIVE performance
Tuesday, 12/24: Christmas Eve Holy Communion
4:00pm: First service (Children’s classes available for ages 3 and under)
5:30pm: Second service (No children’s classes)
Celebrate the season with us as we fix our hearts on the One who brings lasting peace!
Comforting indeed. Thank you so much Tony.