The Daily + This Sunday!
Good morning, Immanuel. Here's some encouragement and the weekend at a glance!
“Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or danger, or sword?” (Romans 8:35)
The trouble with lists is that it’s easy to skim over them and miss something significant. A few years ago, I was struggling with severe anxiety, and as I read through Romans 8 one day, I got to verse 35, where Paul lists things that might think would rob us of God’s love. I must have read this dozens of times over the years and suddenly noticed a word in there I hadn’t seen before:
Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or danger, or sword?
There it was, staring at me: distress. Distress shall not separate us from the love of Christ. In the midst of it, it feels like it could. But there is Scripture telling me in black and white that my experience of distress was in no way affecting my place in Christ’s heart. Whatever else was being (or feeling like it was being) upended in my life, the love of Christ for me was entirely undisturbed. More than that, the presence of this verse must mean that Paul was writing under the guidance of a Savior who knew that, 2,000 years later, I would be reading this text in the heat of enormous distress. What a kind and wise Savior to anticipate our needs and to minister to them so clearly!
This Sunday At Immanuel
MORNING SERVICES: Join us this Sunday for worship at 9 a.m. or 10:45 a.m. All are welcome! Catch up on previous sermons on our YouTube Channel.
SUNDAY CLASSES
Sadler Hall
Studying the Bible Together, led by Dr. Tom Cox, studying the book of Romans in the blue room at 9 AM.
The Bible’s Big Story, led by David McLemore, helps you read and apply the Bible by showing how the entire storyline points to Jesus, His grace, and His gospel. The class meets in the blue room at 10:45 AM. All are welcome!
Sadler Chapel
Our 9 AM class with Dr. Russell Moore is taking a summer break. We’ll be back in August with a new series!
Student Ministry
Student Classes (grades 5-12) are on summer break! We’ll see you back again in the fall!
ON THE HORIZON
SUMMER WORK PROJECTS - This summer, we’re coming together for a series of projects to spruce up and care for our church home! We invite you to sign up for one (or more) of the project dates below:
Saturday, June 21 (indoor cleaning & organizing)
Friday, July 18 (cleaning, paint prep, painting)
Saturday, July 19 (painting, grounds maintenance)
No matter your skill level, there’s a place for you on the team. Thank you for making Immanuel an even more welcoming place for all who enter!
INFANT BAPTISM & DEDICATION SEMINAR - Interested in baptizing or dedicating your baby at Immanuel? Sign up to participate in our Infant Baptism & Dedication parent seminar on Sunday, June 8th at 10:45 am! Sign up here!
MARRIAGE FOUNDATIONS SEMINAR - If you are considering marriage, engaged, or are young in your marriage, join us for our next Marriage Foundations Seminar. The seminar will take place on Saturday, August 23, from 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. in the café. Lunch will be provided. Register here.