The Daily + Pastor Sam Allberry TONIGHT
Good morning, Immanuel. Our need is not a disadvantage but an opportunity for the Lord's power.
“So Peter was kept in prison, but earnest prayer for him was made to God by the church” (Acts 12:5).
Peter was imprisoned, restrained by bars strong enough for any man or beast. However, against these seemingly insurmountable odds, the church prayed. Bound in chains, facing the rage of King Herod, and standing powerless in earthly terms, the church found its great equalizer in prayer. This contrast is what Luke aims to highlight. As earthly power waged war against the church, one thing rendered them unstoppable: not their money, political power, connections, or strategies, but their complete and utter dependence on the risen Jesus. So, the church prayed.
As Spurgeon once wrote, “Prayer girds human weakness with divine strength.” This is not because prayer itself holds power. Our dependence is on the Lord, who is mighty and delights in showing His power through our weakness. Our need is not a disadvantage but an opportunity for the Lord's power. Our strength is the Lord!
TONIGHT AT IMMANUEL (NOVEMBER 1, 2023)
Between now and Christmas, we will embark on a new Wednesday Night series titled “Trending Questions.” We will cover questions like:
How can God allow suffering?
Has the church done more harm than good?
Why does God care who I sleep with?
…and more!
Tonight, Pastor Sam Allberry will kick off the series by addressing the question, “How should we think about gender identity?” Join us tonight at 6:30 pm at Immanuel, and invite a friend!
MIDWEEK UPDATES
Celebration…
SUNDAY - If you missed this Sunday, no worries! Catch the service, baptisms, and sermon from Pastor Sam Allberry here on Immanuel’s YouTube channel!
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…
Church-wide Tenth Generation Gathering - Our Tenth Generation campaign is still underway (learn more here). We invite you to come out on Wednesday, November 8th at 6:30 pm to Immanuel for a church-wide Tenth Generation Gathering, where we will share important updates on our campaign thus far. We look forward to seeing you there!
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.
I would like to ask for prayer for the International House of Prayer and Forerunner Church in Kansas City, this church and ministry are a differently stream than Immanuel but nonetheless they are family. The people there are experiencing one of the hardest challenges that we continue to see in the Body "accusations" against a leader/the person who started the prayer house/church. Please pray for clarity on this issue, that the leaders would follow wise discernment as they navigate these waters, for the hearts of families as parents (some friends of ours) are having to explain to their children what's going on (these things tend to make people question and leave church...) pray for those who have made these accusations that they would get the healing that they need
I pray for the leadership at Immanuel that you all continue to live in transparency with each other and “walk in a manner worthy of the calling to which you have been called” too many leaders keep making the same mistakes - our enemy just keeps using the same tactics...
So thankful for the new Wednesday night series, it's needed in our cultural