I just got word that Immanuel Methodist has canceled their service. We will also cancel due to the forecast and poor conditions. We will resume next week.
Please get the word out NO SERVICE TOMORROW!
See you soon! Love, pastor kent
Saturday, February 28, 2015
Now and Tomorrow
Update on Brad Joiner
I talked with Brad this morning. He is sore! Still in the ICU with a fractured pelvis and bruised up due to hitting a tree on a snowmobile doing about 40 MPH. He is in good spirits and still says he will be able to come home soon. Let's continue our prayers for rapid and complete recovery.
Winter Weather. I spoke with Pastor Jackie yesterday about the possible weather moving in and she said she would call me in the morning with their decision regarding canceling church depending on the conditions. At this point our service is on go but I will send a blog out in the morning if weather begins to deteriorate.
I hope we can have service tomorrow because there are many possibilities before us to discuss.
See you soon. Love, pastor kent
I talked with Brad this morning. He is sore! Still in the ICU with a fractured pelvis and bruised up due to hitting a tree on a snowmobile doing about 40 MPH. He is in good spirits and still says he will be able to come home soon. Let's continue our prayers for rapid and complete recovery.
Winter Weather. I spoke with Pastor Jackie yesterday about the possible weather moving in and she said she would call me in the morning with their decision regarding canceling church depending on the conditions. At this point our service is on go but I will send a blog out in the morning if weather begins to deteriorate.
I hope we can have service tomorrow because there are many possibilities before us to discuss.
See you soon. Love, pastor kent
Friday, February 27, 2015
This Sunday
First let me start with some news I got early this morning about Brad Joiner. Brad went to Yellowstone to go snowmobiling and was involved in a snowmobile accident. He is currently in the ICU in a hospital in Bozeman Montana. So far I know there is a fractured pelvis involved. Hopefully he will be able to fly home Saturday morning depending on what more the doctors find out. Let's lift Brad with prayer because prayer is powerful!
This Sunday we will celebrate communion. As a reminder, the first Sunday of every month is communion Sunday. The first Sunday is also when we collect for the Glen-Ed pantry. We collect food items as well as personal hygiene items for the pantry. Please bring your items Sunday and we will collect them.
Some time ago our mission group took on a project of sending cards to a young girl from our area named Whitley who has brain cancer. Whitley is only 12. Whitley's parents have set up a website trying to raise $10,000 for a special treatment option for Whitley overseas. Evidently all options for treatment here have been exhausted. If you can find it in your heart to visit this site and donate it would be greatly appreciated by her parents.
The website is http://www.gofundme.com/mvc.php?route=search&term=wishes%20for%20whitley
Since Spring is approaching….I think…We will be talking about the promise of possibilities this Sunday. I hope you will join us as we gather together to sing, share communion, fellowship and worship.
See you Sunday at 12:00 noon, Immanuel Methodist Church, 800 N. Main Edwardsville.
Remember if you get there before 11:30 Immanuel will still be in service so please enter through the lower doors on either side of the parking lot!
See you soon! Love, pastor kent
This Sunday we will celebrate communion. As a reminder, the first Sunday of every month is communion Sunday. The first Sunday is also when we collect for the Glen-Ed pantry. We collect food items as well as personal hygiene items for the pantry. Please bring your items Sunday and we will collect them.
Some time ago our mission group took on a project of sending cards to a young girl from our area named Whitley who has brain cancer. Whitley is only 12. Whitley's parents have set up a website trying to raise $10,000 for a special treatment option for Whitley overseas. Evidently all options for treatment here have been exhausted. If you can find it in your heart to visit this site and donate it would be greatly appreciated by her parents.
The website is http://www.gofundme.com/mvc.php?route=search&term=wishes%20for%20whitley
Since Spring is approaching….I think…We will be talking about the promise of possibilities this Sunday. I hope you will join us as we gather together to sing, share communion, fellowship and worship.
See you Sunday at 12:00 noon, Immanuel Methodist Church, 800 N. Main Edwardsville.
Remember if you get there before 11:30 Immanuel will still be in service so please enter through the lower doors on either side of the parking lot!
See you soon! Love, pastor kent
Thursday, February 26, 2015
Getting Unstuck
I don't know about you but it is so easy for me to get "stuck" in so many things in this life. I get stuck in routines, thinking about things the same way, eating the same things, relating to people in the same way. We have all developed habits. Some habits are good, some are benign, and some are harmful. Over the past month or so I have observed a couple of people who have helped wake me up to new possibilities in this life. Neither of them know that they have played this role in my life but both affected me in a unique way.
I was recently able to spend some time with a friend that I have known for years but have never gotten to know beyond brief conversations and interactions. I observed someone who lives life as an endless series of possibilities. And the biggest of the possibilities is just keeping a positive attitude. Being happy at the grocery store, doing chores, no matter what, be happy and enthusiastic!
The other person I have gotten to know much better has had a life changing health event that forced them to re-evaluate everything in their life. Their thoughts, their attitude, what's really important and what things really are not important! I have had some amazing conversations over the past month on how this persons life has been redefined because of the health setback.
Both of these people's lives awakened me to two important conclusions:
1.) There are so many things that we need to be thankful for.
2.) There are so many possibilities for everyone to live a life with more Love, Peace, and Joy!
And, the common denominator of having more Love, Peace and Joy is knowing Jesus, knowing what He truly did for each of us. He set us free! The problem many of us Christians have, is that we do not yet understand this freedom. Jesus' sacrifice has set us free from condemnation and from death. If we can learn to walk in this freedom, we should be able to enter everyday with Gratitude, Joy, and be overflowing with His love to share with others. Ask this question frequently throughout your day, "How can I reveal this freedom and Love, Peace and Joy to all those who cross my path today?
In Acts 2:46 when the people of the very first church realized what Jesus meant to them by setting them free from sin and death, here is how they responded.
I was recently able to spend some time with a friend that I have known for years but have never gotten to know beyond brief conversations and interactions. I observed someone who lives life as an endless series of possibilities. And the biggest of the possibilities is just keeping a positive attitude. Being happy at the grocery store, doing chores, no matter what, be happy and enthusiastic!
The other person I have gotten to know much better has had a life changing health event that forced them to re-evaluate everything in their life. Their thoughts, their attitude, what's really important and what things really are not important! I have had some amazing conversations over the past month on how this persons life has been redefined because of the health setback.
Both of these people's lives awakened me to two important conclusions:
1.) There are so many things that we need to be thankful for.
2.) There are so many possibilities for everyone to live a life with more Love, Peace, and Joy!
And, the common denominator of having more Love, Peace and Joy is knowing Jesus, knowing what He truly did for each of us. He set us free! The problem many of us Christians have, is that we do not yet understand this freedom. Jesus' sacrifice has set us free from condemnation and from death. If we can learn to walk in this freedom, we should be able to enter everyday with Gratitude, Joy, and be overflowing with His love to share with others. Ask this question frequently throughout your day, "How can I reveal this freedom and Love, Peace and Joy to all those who cross my path today?
In Acts 2:46 when the people of the very first church realized what Jesus meant to them by setting them free from sin and death, here is how they responded.
Acts 2:46-47New International Version (NIV)
46 Every day they continued to meet together in the temple courts. They broke bread in their homes and ate together with glad and sincere hearts, 47 praising God and enjoying the favor of all the people. And the Lord added to their number daily those who were being saved.
They enjoyed the favor of all people with glad and sincere hearts. There was an awakening! A new reality bubbling over with POSSIBILITIES!
This Sunday we are going to start looking at the possibilities that all of us have for living a life with more Love, Peace, and Joy. There are possibilities for you to start changing your life for the better, right now, in this very moment.
What are you living with in your life that you know has to change?
Hope to see you this Sunday. Come and have the seeds of possibility planted into your life!
Love, pastor kent
Tuesday, February 24, 2015
Time to Think
Bonni and I just got back from Scottsdale AZ. That is why the Blog has not changed in about 6 days.
We had a chance to unwind, think, enjoy the sunshine, and good friends.
So here is the million dollar question I have for all of you receiving this blog. "Do you want to belong to an active church or a passive church?"
I will explain more in the days to come. In the mean time, keep thinking, praying, loving, forgiving.
Here is your bible passage for the day that I want you to think about and meditate on.
See you soon! Love, pastor kent
We had a chance to unwind, think, enjoy the sunshine, and good friends.
So here is the million dollar question I have for all of you receiving this blog. "Do you want to belong to an active church or a passive church?"
I will explain more in the days to come. In the mean time, keep thinking, praying, loving, forgiving.
Here is your bible passage for the day that I want you to think about and meditate on.
Romans 7:21-8:2
21 So I find this law at work: Although I want to do good, evil is right there with me. 22 For in my inner being I delight in God’s law; 23 but I see another law at work in me, waging war against the law of my mind and making me a prisoner of the law of sin at work within me.24 What a wretched man I am! Who will rescue me from this body that is subject to death?25 Thanks be to God, who delivers me through Jesus Christ our Lord!
So then, I myself in my mind am a slave to God’s law, but in my sinful nature a slave to the law of sin.
8 Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus, 2 because through Christ Jesus the law of the Spirit who gives life has set you free from the law of sin and death.
We are set free from condemnation! Celebrate your freedom.See you soon! Love, pastor kent
Thursday, February 19, 2015
Who is Your Lifeguard part 2
Jesus, the lifeguard, comes to our rescue when we call on Him. As we saw in yesterdays blog, He comes when we call regardless of how far we are from the shore or how we got ourselves into the predicament we are in. We call, He dives in to save us.
John 3:17
For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him.
Now we are on the beach. Safe, but worn out, scared, and possibly needing medical attention. Now what? Once we come to recognize the gravity of our situation and how it could have played out if Jesus had not jumped in to save us, there will come a time of deep gratitude. You saved me! Thank you. How can I ever repay you? From that moment on, we have a choice. Do we live our lives in gratitude for what has been done for us, or do we return to our old ways of careless swimming? Will we resort back to our old ways of disregarding the conditions or the warning signs of danger in the ocean of life?
Many of us forget what Jesus has done for us. Some of us are still struggling in the waves, not sure if we are in need of His help yet. Others are calling for help but then continue to fight Him when He comes to us. Jesus wants to take you safely to the beach. The place where He can help you, restore you, and teach you how to read the ocean of life and respect it. He can teach us how to enjoy the ocean of life within parameters that will help keep us safe. He will instruct us not to venture out of His view.
The ocean of life can be a blessing or a curse. It is our choice. Call on Jesus. Let Him save you. Then become lifelong friend, filled with gratitude for what He has done for you. Go to Him and let Him teach you a better way to enjoy the ocean of life!
See you soon! Love, pastor kent
Wednesday, February 18, 2015
Wednesday Thought for the Day!
Who is Your Life Guard?
Most people who have been around Christians will know John 3:16.
Most people who have been around Christians will know John 3:16.
John 3:16
For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.
This verse captures, in the simplest most direct way, how much God loves us. But the very next verse is also extremely powerful and should also be written in your heart.
John 3:17
For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him.
Jesus came to "Save" not condemn! Look at the powerful words these two verses give us.
God loved the "world!" I think that pretty much includes everyone.
Who can be saved? The answer is "Whoever!"
What are the requirements to receive this saving love and grace? "Belief!"
Belief in what? "Gods one and only Son!"
And if I believe, what is the reward? "Eternal Life!"
Did Jesus come to condemn any one? "No, He came to save the world!"
Now, when you look at these two verses in the bible, does it say anything about us having to change in any way shape or form before we receive this saving grace and eternal life? I don't see that anywhere in these two verses do you?
It doesn't say I have to follow the ten commandments!
It doesn't say that I have to stop drinking or smoking!
It doesn't say I have to stop living with my girl friend!
It doesn't say I have to quit cussing!
It doesn't say I have to become a Republican or a Democrat!
It doesn't say I have to join a church!
It doesn't say I have to read my bible!
It doesn't say I have to give 10% of my money to a charity or the church!
I think we need to focus on what it does say! Look at the definition of WHOEVER.
Whoever: Any person at all, whatever person, no matter who
Looks to me as if the only qualification then is belief in Jesus!
Now, I know what many of you are probably thinking, but Kent what kind of example would we be setting if we allowed all of the above behaviors to be part of the church? That is why I preach that all of us who have accepted Jesus are on a life long journey or path moving toward the Truth. Jesus being the truth. Jesus being the model. Jesus being the way. The greatest thing about Christianity is the "Whoever!" Come just as you are. The bible says in Romans:
Romans 5:8 New International Version
But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.
Jesus saves us right where we are! Not where He wants us to be. If you are caught in a riptide while swimming in the ocean, you want the life guard to swim out to wherever you are. You don't want Him standing on the beach yelling at you to swim harder, try harder, you have to get closer to the shore before I can come out to save you! You would drown!
Listen, all of us are swimming in this ocean of life and some are further from the shore than others and some are stronger swimmers than others. I don't know about you, but if I get in trouble while I'm out in the ocean I want a life guard that is going to dive in and get out to me regardless of who I am, what color I am, what my political beliefs are, what my bad habits are. I don't want a life guard who is going to stand on the shore and start running down a list of questions about who I am, and then demand that I try harder to save myself before they commit to saving me. Would you?
Jesus is the perfect lifeguard. He will dive right in and save "Whoever" calls on His name! Amen!
Ash Wednesday service tonight at 6:30PM at Immanuel Methodist.
See you soon. Love, pastor kent
Ash Wednesday service tonight at 6:30PM at Immanuel Methodist.
See you soon. Love, pastor kent
Monday, February 16, 2015
The One Month Challenge!
One of my goals for PCF is to somehow start removing the "Bad Rap" about Christianity! Maybe Bad Rap is too strong of a term but I read enough to know that many people are down on the religion called Christianity. Here are a few common "knocks" I regularly hear or read about:
We are too judgmental!
Too self righteous!
We are unrealistic!
We don't practice what we preach!
Look at the scandals happening within the church!
Church is too political!
What makes Christianity the one right religion?
And on and on….Why do I think we as a church should take this on?
Because I want to fill the church with people who currently do not believe or go to church! And, the people who do not go to church and or do not believe, are usually the ones who fall into one of the reasons mentioned above.
We obviously have our work cut out for us.
So how do we begin implementing this change? Through the power of the Holy Spirit.
How do I receive the Holy Spirit? You ask through prayer and you make time to read the bible every day. Finally you ask for strength and wisdom to practice the Big Three:
1.) Love God with all hour heart.
2.) Love your neighbor as much as you love yourself.
3.) Treat others the same way you expect to be treated.
If you will practice minute by minute the big three with the help of the Holy Spirit, you will see God change your life and the lives of others around you. This in turn will show the world why Christianity really does offer humanity the best answers for a better world. It's called LOVE!
Announcements: There will be a mission board meeting Thursday February 26th at 6:00 PM at Immanuel Methodist Church. Everyone is invited to be part of this group.
PCF Youth! Ok I know we have been trying to get a group of youth together for some time now so I think you will appreciate this news. We are going to incorporate with the Immanuel Methodist Youth Group. They have an established Group that meets on the first Sunday of every month. I know they have some great activities and a mission trip in the works. I will be posting all the details for you next week so stay tuned!
Garden Club will not meet this week but will resume next week Wednesday February 25th at 6:30 at the church. For those of you interested in joining this group we will begin a book study on Mitch Albom's book, "Have A Little Faith" I hope you will consider joining this great group of people. Always fun, lively, and interesting.
Immanuel Methodist Church will have an Ash Wednesday service this Wednesday at 6:30 we are invited to attend.
Bob Ahrens is starting a photography club that meets the second Thursday of each month at 7:00PM at Esic Baptist church. If you are interested and want more information on this group email Bob at bobahrensphoto@yahoo.com
Please lift up Faye Heuchert and Mary Knapp in prayer for healing. Also pray for our church and for God's strength, guidance, and blessing as we move into this new year. Let's also pray for people of Immanuel Methodist who have so graciously opened their doors to us as well as our friends at Esic Baptist who gave us such a wonderful start.
Lot's of great things coming this year!
Love, pastor kent
We are too judgmental!
Too self righteous!
We are unrealistic!
We don't practice what we preach!
Look at the scandals happening within the church!
Church is too political!
What makes Christianity the one right religion?
And on and on….Why do I think we as a church should take this on?
Because I want to fill the church with people who currently do not believe or go to church! And, the people who do not go to church and or do not believe, are usually the ones who fall into one of the reasons mentioned above.
We obviously have our work cut out for us.
So how do we begin implementing this change? Through the power of the Holy Spirit.
How do I receive the Holy Spirit? You ask through prayer and you make time to read the bible every day. Finally you ask for strength and wisdom to practice the Big Three:
1.) Love God with all hour heart.
2.) Love your neighbor as much as you love yourself.
3.) Treat others the same way you expect to be treated.
If you will practice minute by minute the big three with the help of the Holy Spirit, you will see God change your life and the lives of others around you. This in turn will show the world why Christianity really does offer humanity the best answers for a better world. It's called LOVE!
Announcements: There will be a mission board meeting Thursday February 26th at 6:00 PM at Immanuel Methodist Church. Everyone is invited to be part of this group.
PCF Youth! Ok I know we have been trying to get a group of youth together for some time now so I think you will appreciate this news. We are going to incorporate with the Immanuel Methodist Youth Group. They have an established Group that meets on the first Sunday of every month. I know they have some great activities and a mission trip in the works. I will be posting all the details for you next week so stay tuned!
Garden Club will not meet this week but will resume next week Wednesday February 25th at 6:30 at the church. For those of you interested in joining this group we will begin a book study on Mitch Albom's book, "Have A Little Faith" I hope you will consider joining this great group of people. Always fun, lively, and interesting.
Immanuel Methodist Church will have an Ash Wednesday service this Wednesday at 6:30 we are invited to attend.
Bob Ahrens is starting a photography club that meets the second Thursday of each month at 7:00PM at Esic Baptist church. If you are interested and want more information on this group email Bob at bobahrensphoto@yahoo.com
Please lift up Faye Heuchert and Mary Knapp in prayer for healing. Also pray for our church and for God's strength, guidance, and blessing as we move into this new year. Let's also pray for people of Immanuel Methodist who have so graciously opened their doors to us as well as our friends at Esic Baptist who gave us such a wonderful start.
Lot's of great things coming this year!
Love, pastor kent
Saturday, February 14, 2015
This Sunday!
It's cold out! It's winter!
It will be warm in the sanctuary tomorrow at 12:00 noon.
Tomorrow's sermon, "When Jesus Speaks We Should Listen!" Two parables to think about.
Praise Community Fellowship is a gathering of people who are seeking the Truth, a closer walk with God, and are learning to Love the way Jesus wants us to Love! It's a journey not a destination!
We are open to anyone who also seeks the truth, would like a closer walk with God, and wants to learn to Love like Jesus wants us to love. If you join us, understand that none of us has it down pat. We are all somewhere on the path seeking to move toward the truth, toward God, toward His kind of love.
See you tomorrow at 12:00 noon at Immanuel Methodist Church, 800 North Main, Edwardsville. I'm expecting something real good to happen!
Love, pastor kent
It will be warm in the sanctuary tomorrow at 12:00 noon.
Tomorrow's sermon, "When Jesus Speaks We Should Listen!" Two parables to think about.
Praise Community Fellowship is a gathering of people who are seeking the Truth, a closer walk with God, and are learning to Love the way Jesus wants us to Love! It's a journey not a destination!
We are open to anyone who also seeks the truth, would like a closer walk with God, and wants to learn to Love like Jesus wants us to love. If you join us, understand that none of us has it down pat. We are all somewhere on the path seeking to move toward the truth, toward God, toward His kind of love.
See you tomorrow at 12:00 noon at Immanuel Methodist Church, 800 North Main, Edwardsville. I'm expecting something real good to happen!
Love, pastor kent
Wednesday, February 11, 2015
Something New…"Walking in the Light!"
Walking in the Light is a new ministry that our own Jamie Stumpf is starting. Jamie is one of our younger members at PCF. She and her fiancé' Ryan Stunkle are both eager to get involved in growing our congregation.
Walking in the Light is an exercise group that will meet weekly to walk, probably at Glik Park. Jamie said she found the following scripture when she was developing the Facebook page for this new ministry.
1 John 1:7 "But if we walk in the light as He is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus Christ His Son cleanses us from all sin."
This will be a ministry of health and fellowship. Walking is a great way to pray and enjoy the company of friends. Let's help Jamie get the word out and support this new ministry.
Here is a link to her new Facebook page. Please go there and like it and get the word out; Walking in the Light is coming soon! Thank you Jamie Stumpf
https://www.facebook.com/pages/Walking-in-the-Light/338449396363091
Announcement: The Garden Club Group led by Jennifer Kaburik will meet tonight at 6:30 at Immanuel Methodist Church on the lower level. The double glass doors on the lower level of the north side of the church will be open. Hope to see you there. This is a really great open discuss group and all are invited to attend.
Join us this Valentines Sunday at 12:00 noon at 800 North Main St. Immanuel Methodist Church.
See you soon! Love, pastor kent
Walking in the Light is an exercise group that will meet weekly to walk, probably at Glik Park. Jamie said she found the following scripture when she was developing the Facebook page for this new ministry.
1 John 1:7 "But if we walk in the light as He is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus Christ His Son cleanses us from all sin."
This will be a ministry of health and fellowship. Walking is a great way to pray and enjoy the company of friends. Let's help Jamie get the word out and support this new ministry.
Here is a link to her new Facebook page. Please go there and like it and get the word out; Walking in the Light is coming soon! Thank you Jamie Stumpf
https://www.facebook.com/pages/Walking-in-the-Light/338449396363091
Announcement: The Garden Club Group led by Jennifer Kaburik will meet tonight at 6:30 at Immanuel Methodist Church on the lower level. The double glass doors on the lower level of the north side of the church will be open. Hope to see you there. This is a really great open discuss group and all are invited to attend.
Join us this Valentines Sunday at 12:00 noon at 800 North Main St. Immanuel Methodist Church.
See you soon! Love, pastor kent
Tuesday, February 10, 2015
Is Going To Church A Waste of Time?
Surely I'm not the only one who has ever asked themselves that question! I'll let you in on another secret, I still ask myself that question now and then. I have to for a couple of reasons!
1.) When I am studying and praying about a sermon, I have to feel that what I am going to teach on is going to be of value to the listener, otherwise I could not do this week after week.
2.) I value my own time too much to continue to do something that I think is a waste of time.
So, is "Going To Church A Waste of Time?" My answer is: It definitely can be! It depends on you and where you heart is when you attend.
Church is not how you get saved, but it can definitely play an important role.
Church definitely does not have all the answers, but it may get you thinking about your relationship with God.
Church is not going to solve all your problems, but it may help you through them with a little less stress and pain.
Church is NOT where God lives, but I do believe He has been known to show up there now and then.
Do I think there is some incredibly stupid and unfortunate stuff that happens at church? What, are you kidding? Absolutely, it is a place where a flock of messed up humans meet.
Can we make it better? I certainly hope so! I'm counting on it! But I will tell you I'm not sure exactly how, but I'm certainly open for suggestions.
Here is a little story that I think pretty well explains what you are going to get out of church.
An old barber sat out in front of his barber shop one beautiful Saturday morning when a young man came up to him and asked, "I'm new to the area and am thinking about buying a home here in this town. I've heard you have lived here your whole life, tell me are the people friendly here?" The barber looked at the young man and said, "How were the people where you used to live?" The man said, "Oh they were really nice, most of us all got along real well. We respected one another and never had any real problems!" The barber looked the young man in the eye and said, "I think you will find the same thing here. People are really nice and get along quite well with one another!" The young man smiled and and thanked the barber for confirming what he already felt.
About an hour later a young couple came up to this same barber and in a hurried and somewhat aggravated tone asked, "We are not from here but have been transferred by our company and are looking in the area for a nice neighborhood to settle in. We are hoping that we could find a place where people will leave us alone and respect our privacy. Do you think this town would suit us?" The barber looked at the young couple and asked them, "How were the people where you lived before?" The young couple both looked at each other and with a frown on their face and some disgust said, " Oh the people where we lived were rude, arrogant and not trustworthy at all. We had constant battles with our neighbors over the most trivial things!" The barber looked up at them both and said, "Well, I'm afraid that's pretty much how your going to find the people here to be also!" And the young couple shook their head and walked away rapidly.
This life seems to be reflection of who we are. Church? It can be a great experience and it can be a waste of time or even an awful experience. I have experienced all three at church in my lifetime. As I look back, I pretty much see what ever the mirror reflected!
Hope to see you at church this Sunday. The worship team and myself have to put the same amount of time and effort into creating the service whether you come or not. We really do appreciate your support.
I promise to do my part to make it "Not a Waste of Time!"
Love, pastor kent
1.) When I am studying and praying about a sermon, I have to feel that what I am going to teach on is going to be of value to the listener, otherwise I could not do this week after week.
2.) I value my own time too much to continue to do something that I think is a waste of time.
So, is "Going To Church A Waste of Time?" My answer is: It definitely can be! It depends on you and where you heart is when you attend.
Church is not how you get saved, but it can definitely play an important role.
Church definitely does not have all the answers, but it may get you thinking about your relationship with God.
Church is not going to solve all your problems, but it may help you through them with a little less stress and pain.
Church is NOT where God lives, but I do believe He has been known to show up there now and then.
Do I think there is some incredibly stupid and unfortunate stuff that happens at church? What, are you kidding? Absolutely, it is a place where a flock of messed up humans meet.
Can we make it better? I certainly hope so! I'm counting on it! But I will tell you I'm not sure exactly how, but I'm certainly open for suggestions.
Here is a little story that I think pretty well explains what you are going to get out of church.
An old barber sat out in front of his barber shop one beautiful Saturday morning when a young man came up to him and asked, "I'm new to the area and am thinking about buying a home here in this town. I've heard you have lived here your whole life, tell me are the people friendly here?" The barber looked at the young man and said, "How were the people where you used to live?" The man said, "Oh they were really nice, most of us all got along real well. We respected one another and never had any real problems!" The barber looked the young man in the eye and said, "I think you will find the same thing here. People are really nice and get along quite well with one another!" The young man smiled and and thanked the barber for confirming what he already felt.
About an hour later a young couple came up to this same barber and in a hurried and somewhat aggravated tone asked, "We are not from here but have been transferred by our company and are looking in the area for a nice neighborhood to settle in. We are hoping that we could find a place where people will leave us alone and respect our privacy. Do you think this town would suit us?" The barber looked at the young couple and asked them, "How were the people where you lived before?" The young couple both looked at each other and with a frown on their face and some disgust said, " Oh the people where we lived were rude, arrogant and not trustworthy at all. We had constant battles with our neighbors over the most trivial things!" The barber looked up at them both and said, "Well, I'm afraid that's pretty much how your going to find the people here to be also!" And the young couple shook their head and walked away rapidly.
This life seems to be reflection of who we are. Church? It can be a great experience and it can be a waste of time or even an awful experience. I have experienced all three at church in my lifetime. As I look back, I pretty much see what ever the mirror reflected!
Hope to see you at church this Sunday. The worship team and myself have to put the same amount of time and effort into creating the service whether you come or not. We really do appreciate your support.
I promise to do my part to make it "Not a Waste of Time!"
Love, pastor kent
Monday, February 9, 2015
Prayer Requests for now and this week!
I just received a text from Jeff Wiles the acoustical guitar player on our worship team. Jeff is requesting prayers for his mother who was just admitted to the hospital with chest pains. Let's lift up Jeff's mom in prayer.
We also want to continue our prayers of healing for Faye Heuchert and Mary Knapp. Faye had another foot operation and Mary had a back operation.
I want to lift up Ryan Stunkle and Jamie Stumpf who are engaged to be married this Summer. Ryan has decided to go back to school to become a history teacher, let's pray that God will give him the strength and determination to complete this awesome goal! And his Fiance' Jamie is working on her masters degree who we also lift up for God's direction and guidance. Congratulations to both of you!
Let us all pray for one another!
Love, pastor kent
We also want to continue our prayers of healing for Faye Heuchert and Mary Knapp. Faye had another foot operation and Mary had a back operation.
I want to lift up Ryan Stunkle and Jamie Stumpf who are engaged to be married this Summer. Ryan has decided to go back to school to become a history teacher, let's pray that God will give him the strength and determination to complete this awesome goal! And his Fiance' Jamie is working on her masters degree who we also lift up for God's direction and guidance. Congratulations to both of you!
James 5:16
16 Therefore confess your sins to one another, and pray for one another, so that you may be healed. The prayer of the righteous is powerful and effective.
1 Thessalonians 5:16-18
16 Rejoice always, 17 pray without ceasing, 18 give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.
Hebrews 4:16
16 Let us therefore approach the throne of grace with boldness, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need.
God gave us the power of prayer to bring the unseen spiritual power of His Kingdom to help accomplish His work here in this world.
Let us all pray for one another!
Love, pastor kent
Friday, February 6, 2015
This Sunday!
"The Other Reality!"
If you or someone you know is struggling with life, this Sunday's sermon may be just what the doctor ordered. We will be looking at Matthew 17:1-13 about the Transfiguration of Jesus. If you get a chance read this text and think about it before Sunday's service.
We are going to look at what I call the "unseen" reality that is happening all around us all the time and how grasping this other reality should bring us great comfort and peace.
I look forward to seeing you Sunday at 12:00 noon at Immanuel Methodist Church located at 800 North main St. Edwardsville. A reminder, if you get to the church before 11:40, please enter through the lower doors because Immanuel Methodist may still be in service.
We are invited to bring our children to Sunday school which is available at 9:45 Sunday mornings. Immanuel Methodist also has an active youth group which I will be getting more information to you soon.
See you Sunday! Come and bring someone who does not attend church! Let the power of God become part of you and your friends lives!
Love, pastor kent
If you or someone you know is struggling with life, this Sunday's sermon may be just what the doctor ordered. We will be looking at Matthew 17:1-13 about the Transfiguration of Jesus. If you get a chance read this text and think about it before Sunday's service.
We are going to look at what I call the "unseen" reality that is happening all around us all the time and how grasping this other reality should bring us great comfort and peace.
I look forward to seeing you Sunday at 12:00 noon at Immanuel Methodist Church located at 800 North main St. Edwardsville. A reminder, if you get to the church before 11:40, please enter through the lower doors because Immanuel Methodist may still be in service.
We are invited to bring our children to Sunday school which is available at 9:45 Sunday mornings. Immanuel Methodist also has an active youth group which I will be getting more information to you soon.
See you Sunday! Come and bring someone who does not attend church! Let the power of God become part of you and your friends lives!
Love, pastor kent
Thursday, February 5, 2015
When God Intervenes
James 5:13-18
13 Is anyone among you suffering? Let him pray. Is anyone cheerful? Let him sing praise.14 Is anyone among you sick? Let him call for the elders of the church, and let them pray over him, anointing him with oil in the name of the Lord. 15 And the prayer of faith will save the one who is sick, and the Lord will raise him up. And if he has committed sins, he will be forgiven. 16 Therefore, confess your sins to one another and pray for one another, that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous person has great power as it is working.[a]17 Elijah was a man with a nature like ours, and he prayed fervently that it might not rain, and for three years and six months it did not rain on the earth. 18 Then he prayed again, and heaven gave rain, and the earth bore its fruit.
2 Chronicles 7:14
14 if my people who are called by my name humble themselves, and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven and will forgive their sin and heal their land.
Luke 11:9-13
9 And I tell you, ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you. 10 For everyone who asks receives, and the one who seeks finds, and to the one who knocks it will be opened. 11 What father among you, if his son asks for[a] a fish, will instead of a fish give him a serpent; 12 or if he asks for an egg, will give him a scorpion? 13 If you then, who are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will the heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to those who ask him!”
When rescuers arrived to Missouri's Lake Sainte Louise on Jan. 19 after reports that three 14-year-old boys had fallen through the ice, John Smith had already been underwater for 15 minutes. The St. Louis Post-Dispatch reports he was taken to a hospital with no pulse, and while his companions were treated for hypothermia, staff performed CPR on John for 27 minutes. "He was dead for 45 minutes," Dr. Kent Sutterer tellsKSDK. There was a "very poor chance of survival." But when the doctor called John's mom into the room, "she started praying loudly," he says. Adds Joyce Smith, "I don't remember what all I said. But I remember, 'Holy God, please send your Holy Spirit to save my son.' ... All of a sudden I heard them saying, 'We got a pulse, we got a pulse.'"
Today, John's brain function is normal and he's at home walking and talking like any other teenager, KSDK reports. He's getting physical therapy to regain some movement in his hands, but otherwise he's only battling a cough. "After listening to what the paramedics and doctors said I'm pretty surprised at the outcome," John says. Dr. Sutterer, who says John's heart started within "a minute or two" of his mom's prayers, later wrote a note to make sense of the experience. "His heart was jump started by the Holy Spirit listening to the request of his praying mother," it reads. Another doctor adds that "it's a bonafide miracle." John's rescuers from Lake St. Louis Fire and Emergency had practiced ice rescues just days before he was saved.
What do you think?
Love, pastor kent
Wednesday, February 4, 2015
Prayer Walk in February
Just got back from my prayer walk in Glik Park. Very snowy, cold, and had the entire park to myself.
And when I speak out with my voice do you really hear me pray?
I'm just a speck in a sea of billions of people, how could you possibly even know my name?
I pray, I seek, I try to understand. My conclusion for today: "I'm an expert at not being an expert!"
Please pray for Faye Heuchert who had foot surgery yesterday and for Mary Knapp who had back surgery yesterday!
Happy birthday Chuck Weiss who I think is "62" today!
See you Sunday! love pastor Kent
Monday, February 2, 2015
Monday's Thoughts
Yesterday I confessed that my stance on "God is in control of everything" has been modified. My theology is changing and I think that is a very healthy thing. I think the healthiest way to approach God and the bible is to understand that they both have infinite wisdom. And as that wisdom is unveiled to us, our understanding of the world and our world view must change if we are to grow and be able to participate in God's plans.
To have "decided" on what "The Truth" is, that you know the truth about God and the bible, is a very limiting way to live. It puts God into a very small box! It is basically saying, "You have everything figured out so there is no sense exploring any other ideas!"
One only needs to look at history and see how many times man has changed his views on things as new information has become known. I like to call things that I think I know "my current reality!" And I have found that the more I read, study and pray that my reality is subject to change.
Now getting back to my previous reality that "God is in control of everything!" I have had to change that view because of my new understanding of our role in the world. God has given all of us free moral choice. He put us in this world to have dominion and to participate with him in the dominion. We are free to choose, good or evil, love or hate, compassion or selfishness. That is the way God made us and the way he set up the world. Although God could control everything, it now appears to me that he chooses not to. Instead we are given the choice of going to Him in prayer and the bible for guidance or not. I believe it is definitely Gods desire for all people to come to him and to believe in Him and His ways. But, we can choose not to realizing of course that with all decisions there will be consequences.
The reason this theory makes much more sense to me is because of the evil and tragedy we all witness and experience in this world. When I see the cruelty and tragedies unfold, it made no sense to me that God was in complete control of such things. It left a huge unanswerable why, if He controls everything, would He allow this? But when I look at these things from the standpoint of people having free moral choice, I can see God also weeping with pain over some of the choices that His creation is making.
God chooses not to interfere with our choices in most cases because if He did, He would be changing us from free moral agents, that have to deal with the consequences of our own choices, to a remote control society that he is operating like a puppet master from somewhere in heaven. He created us to love and worship him. And He gives us the choice to do so. Because then, when we choose to go to Him with or needs, our prayers, our worship and our love, He is exalted.
To understand this I only have to look at my grand daughter Dylan. If her parents made her come to my house out of obligation because she did not want to come visit me, the visit just wouldn't be the same. I want her to "want" to come and spend time with me and grandma Bonni. That is what makes love so special! When we choose to love someone! When we choose God, and go to Him with our life, we are asking Him to be our partner in our journey. Then, even when things go very wrong in our life, we can still rejoice in our hope and know:
To have "decided" on what "The Truth" is, that you know the truth about God and the bible, is a very limiting way to live. It puts God into a very small box! It is basically saying, "You have everything figured out so there is no sense exploring any other ideas!"
One only needs to look at history and see how many times man has changed his views on things as new information has become known. I like to call things that I think I know "my current reality!" And I have found that the more I read, study and pray that my reality is subject to change.
Now getting back to my previous reality that "God is in control of everything!" I have had to change that view because of my new understanding of our role in the world. God has given all of us free moral choice. He put us in this world to have dominion and to participate with him in the dominion. We are free to choose, good or evil, love or hate, compassion or selfishness. That is the way God made us and the way he set up the world. Although God could control everything, it now appears to me that he chooses not to. Instead we are given the choice of going to Him in prayer and the bible for guidance or not. I believe it is definitely Gods desire for all people to come to him and to believe in Him and His ways. But, we can choose not to realizing of course that with all decisions there will be consequences.
The reason this theory makes much more sense to me is because of the evil and tragedy we all witness and experience in this world. When I see the cruelty and tragedies unfold, it made no sense to me that God was in complete control of such things. It left a huge unanswerable why, if He controls everything, would He allow this? But when I look at these things from the standpoint of people having free moral choice, I can see God also weeping with pain over some of the choices that His creation is making.
God chooses not to interfere with our choices in most cases because if He did, He would be changing us from free moral agents, that have to deal with the consequences of our own choices, to a remote control society that he is operating like a puppet master from somewhere in heaven. He created us to love and worship him. And He gives us the choice to do so. Because then, when we choose to go to Him with or needs, our prayers, our worship and our love, He is exalted.
To understand this I only have to look at my grand daughter Dylan. If her parents made her come to my house out of obligation because she did not want to come visit me, the visit just wouldn't be the same. I want her to "want" to come and spend time with me and grandma Bonni. That is what makes love so special! When we choose to love someone! When we choose God, and go to Him with our life, we are asking Him to be our partner in our journey. Then, even when things go very wrong in our life, we can still rejoice in our hope and know:
Romans 8:28" And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose."
See you soon! Love, pastor kent
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