The Daily + Good Friday & Easter Updates!
Good morning Immanuel. In today's Daily Pulse, we hear from iKids Director Taylor Cheek, catch up on the past week, and look forward to Good Friday & Easter.
“Beware of practicing your righteousness before other people in order to be seen by them, for then you will have no reward from your Father who is in heaven” (Matthew 6:1).
For the past few weeks, our Immanuel iKids Director, Taylor Cheek, has been teaching our Kids Discipleship Groups the spiritual discipline of fasting on Wednesday nights. We are happy to share a portion of these lessons adapted from her work in The Gospel Project For Kids Leader Bible Study (Lifeway). You are also invited to join her and others for Zoom prayer meetings on Thursdays at noon from March 9th to April 13th as we pray for the children of Immanuel.
Jesus knows we are wired to seek reward and that our sinful tendencies can distort even righteous practices. But He doesn’t tell us to stop seeking rewards entirely, just “don’t store up for yourselves treasures on earth … But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven” (Matt. 6:19-20). Jesus offers vastly better rewards to those who love Him. Fasting offers us a unique opportunity to humble ourselves before the Lord as we place our desire for Him above our desire to receive recognition or even our desire to find comfort in our physical lives. And it demonstrates our complete trust in Him to provide—whether in this life or the next. Which is why Jesus commanded: “So don’t worry, saying ‘What will we eat?’ or ‘What will we drink?’ or ‘What will we wear?’ For the Gentiles eagerly seek all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them. But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be provided for you” (Matt. 6:31-33).
Taylor Cheek, The Gospel Project For Kids, Leader Bible Study (Lifeway, 2023). Used with permission by the author.
April 5, 2023 - Immanuel At a Glance
Weekly Recap
THIS PAST SUNDAY - Pastor TJ delivered a timely message of hope from Psalm 42. Watch here.
LAST WEEK WEDNESDAY - Sam Allberry gave a short reflection on sorrow and grief from a gospel viewpoint. You can listen here.
Things To Know
TONIGHT - Join us tonight as we continue our study time in Acts led by Sam Allberry!
ONLINE PRAYER - Every week, Jenn Ross, one of our Discipleship Groups leaders, facilitates two online prayer meetings that everyone is welcome to join. Join every Thursday afternoon from 12:00-12:45 pm or every Sunday morning from 7:30-8:00 am.
LIVE ALBUM - Friday, April 7th, is the much-awaited release of the upcoming Immanuel Live Hymns album. Whet your appetite by streaming the single, “Tis So Sweet.”
Good Friday & Easter Schedule
GOOD FRIDAY HOLY COMMUNION - Join us for Good Friday Holy Communion on Friday, April 7th, at 6 pm as we remember the death of Jesus.
Livestream - For those unable to attend in person, feel free to watch on our live stream.
No iKids - There will be no iKids on Good Friday. Children are welcome!
EASTER SUNDAY - Join us for Easter Sunday on April 9th at 9 am & 10:45 am as we celebrate the resurrection of Jesus and believer’s baptisms.
Donuts - We will also host Donuts in the Breezeway between the 9 am and 10:45 am services. Feel free to bring as many dozen donuts as you’d like as we celebrate the resurrection of Jesus.
No Seminars - there will be no seminars on Easter Sunday.
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