The Friday Pulse + This Sunday at Immanuel (New Seminar on Sept. 8)!
Good morning, Immanuel. Catch up on the Daily Pulse and this Sunday at Immanuel!
“Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you are like whitewashed tombs, which outwardly appear beautiful, but within are full of dead people’s bones and all uncleanness” (Matthew 23:27).
The heart of Pharisaism is masking inward death with outward beauty. And that tendency exists in us all.
“How are you today?”
“I’m good. And you?”
“Good.”
Really? I’ve never met a person doing “good” in Christ who was content with such a weak reply.
And isn’t it often the case that we are not truly “fine,” “good,” or “well”?
“But if I tell people how I’m really doing, it may reflect poorly on Jesus.”
Really? Is He the Savior of the strong or the weak, the sick or the poor, the put-together or the falling-apart?
“C’mon, Pastor, are you trying to turn all my conversations into therapy? I can’t open to everyone who asks!”
True. But if you’re open to the Lord, then surely you can open to some who ask.
How many doors for effective ministry open only with the key of honesty!
“I feel like a failure in the eyes of God today.”
“I’m troubled by the fear of death today.”
“I’m soaring in the grace of Christ today!”
“I don’t really know how I’m doing today.”
“Really? Me too. I thought I was the only one.”
When we moat our internal lives with outward okay-ness and raise the drawbridge of honesty, we sentence ourselves to the slow death of isolation. But honesty before the Lord and others shatters isolation and creates the opportunity for friendship. Immanuel family, we have the best reasons for being honest today. Our weaknesses are a better backdrop than our accomplishments for exalting the grace of our Lord. Let’s stay honest with Him and with one another. And let’s invite others to do the same.
Exciting News!
Last Friday, we announced that Immanuel Worship’s new song, "But For the Cross of Christ," would be released today. But we have good news! We are postponing the song's release briefly because our friends, The Gettys, are interested in debuting the song at the upcoming SING Conference in Nashville next week! We will keep everyone updated once we have a new release date!
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 Allberry begins a new series in the book of James.
Sunday Seminars…
9 AM: Student Seminar led by Vince Greenwald (grades 5-12) in the gymnasium
9 AM: Studying the Bible Together, led by Dr. Tom Cox, studying the book of Romans in the staff lounge
9 AM: Last Word: The Gospel of Christ in the Book of Revelation, led by Dr. Russell Moore in the cafe
On the Horizon…
NEW SEMINAR SEPT. 8TH: Starting September 8th, we are happy to announce a new Sunday Seminar led by Dr. Gavin Ortlund titled “How to Talk About Jesus Without Being Weird.” The Seminar will meet every Sunday at 10:45 AM in the Café
Men & Women’s Retreat: We’re excited to announce that registration is now open for our upcoming men’s and women’s retreats! This is a fantastic opportunity to build deeper relationships at Immanuel, whether you have been at the church for a week or a decade. We also have the wonderful privilege of hearing from Ray and Jani Ortlund as our respective speakers. Register for the women’s retreat here and the men’s retreat here.
Men’s & Women’s Fellowship: Starting September 9th, men's and women’s fellowship kicks off at Immanuel! Every Monday from 7 pm to 8:30 pm, the women, led by Amy Cox, will gather in the cafe, and the men, led by Tony Shepherd, will gather in the gymnasium. We hope to see you there!
Women’s Bible Study: Starting September 19, Heidi Faulks will kick off our Immanuel's Women's Bible Study. This study meets every Thursday morning from 10:00-11:30 AM. They will go through Abide, Jen Wilkin's study on 1, 2, and 3 John. Childcare will be provided. Register here!
Next Steps: If you missed our recent Next Steps but would like to learn more about Immanuel membership, our Next Steps Seminar is on Saturday, September 14, 2024, from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the Immanuel Cafe. RSVP here!