I Give Myself Away!

When life has hit you hard. When sadness has filled your heart, when you find yourself discouraged, let down, frustrated, maybe it's time to "Give Yourself Away!"

This Sunday's message was inspired by William Mcdowell's song, "I Give Myself Away" which we will be playing. It is a beautiful, powerful song that speaks to so many of us who need God's touch.  The PCF singers are awesome on this song!

We will be sharing Holy Communion, honoring loved ones who have left this world this past year and sharing a moving, yet uplifting service.

I hope you will join us this Sunday. Bring that friend that needs to have God's love restored into their life.

Important Announcements:

1.) This Saturday is the Halloween Free Hotdog giveaway at the parade. I know the weather is iffy so we are monitoring that situation but Brad Joiner assures me he will have a tent and plans on making it happen. This will take place at Barb Joiners Law office located at 116 West Street. There is limited parking so plan on coming early and find parking spot and walk to the office. Set up time is at 4:30.

2.) We will be participating in the "Shoeman" project again this year. We have containers at the church to bring old shoes. These shoes are then sold and used to drill wells for water in 3rd world countries. Look through your closets and bring in those old shoes and put them to good use. If you have questions see Sally McLachlan. Say has also run with the flower bulb planting at the prayer garden. I will keep you posted on when this is going to take place. But to get ready for it, if you get a chance go buy some bulbs to plant so we can have an awesome display this coming spring. Let's go for 1,000 bulbs! Thanks Sally!

3.) I am looking for volunteer chaperones for the new youth bible study, "Double-Edged" which meets every other Saturday. The next meeting is on November 7th at 6:00PM and I already have a volunteer signed up for that date. Chaperone does not participate in the study so there is no preparation required other than to bring a 12 pack of Mountain Dew and a 12 pack of Dr. Pepper. Chaperone will also order and pay for Pizza depending on how many kids show up. You will be re-imbursed by the church for these expenses. I will have sign up sheet Sunday.

4.) Get your friends and family on our Blog. Let's get the word out that we are a wonderful church that wants to make life changing impact on peoples lives by demonstrating the love of Jesus to those who come to us.

Prayers:

1.) Brad Heuchert as he continues his recover from for and ankle surgery.
2.) Mike Rodgers, Lori's husband who is having severe back pain and issues from surgery.
3.) Phil Mckiney who has been diagnosed with cancer.
4.) Connor Mcaleenan, Mary and Lee Knapp's grandson, critical condition from head trauma.
5.) Stan Rutkowski dealing with compression wounds again.
6.) Alice Gallina as she adjusts to life without Paul who passed away this past week.

There is so much we can do together when we learn to Give ourselves away!
See you Sunday, 9:00 AM 800 North main St. Edwardsville.
Love, pastor kent and pastor Jackie

Why Do I Do it?

Why do I continue to preach and talk about God with people?
For me the number one reason is so that people can experience God's Peace!  I know some of you are probably saying wait a minute, shouldn't a pastors number one priority be to bring people to Jesus? Yes, my answer and bringing them to know Jesus are completely tied together. Need more peace in your life?

Important announcements for this coming week

1.) We will be celebrating "All Saints Day" this Sunday. We will be honoring and remembering loved ones that have passed away this past year. If you have a love one you would like to be included, please call or email Anita in the church office with the name. Her email is edw8iumc@sbcglobal.net or her phone is: 618-656-4648. Names must be in by Thursday!

2.) The Halloween Parade Free Hotdog giveaway and social event will be held this Saturday starting about 6:00PM at Barb Joiners law Office located at 116 West Street. Brad Joiner is looking for help to set up about 4:30 if you can make it then. There will be tables but lawn chairs will be needed. He suggests you stop by and drop them by early so you don't have to carry them. There is not enough parking so please park close and walk to the office. Last year was a blast handing out free drinks and hot dogs to the parade goers.

3.) Looking for chaperone volunteers for the new youth bible study that kicked off this past Saturday. This group will meet twice a month for now. Chaperone will supply soda and order pizza for the group. This group is self directed and the chaperone is only there for adult presence. There is no need to participate in the group. I told the group that it will not be hindered by an adult! You will be reimbursed by the church for the pizza and soda. I was with the group this past Saturday and they are an amazing group of young adults!  This group will meet from 6:00 until about 8:30. I will have a sign up sheet at church for those who would like to help out with this ministry.

4.) Communion this Sunday!

I will be giving the message and the PCF Praise choir has several new songs that will be introduced. This will be a very upbeat service of celebration! Bring a friend that needs a lift!

See you soon! Love, pastor kent and pastor jackie

I Don't Think God Loves Me!

Have you ever thought that?  I know I have. You find yourself distant, not thinking of God very often, not praying very often, never opening your bible, saying and doing things that God would probably disapprove of. But life goes on. 

Could it be that God has turned His back on you? That you have broken the relationship for good?

Some of you reading this are parents and grandparents. It is going to be easier for you to understand my answer because you have children of your own. We are all created in God's own image. He gave us  many attributes of Himself such as the ability to create other little humans. Isn't that amazing? We can create another person. Not in the same way God did but we were designed to be able to create a person by loving another person.  We can create children and we can experience love for our children just like the love God experiences with all of us. 

So as a child grows, sometimes they get involved in things that we do  not approve of. Do we stop loving them? NO  Sometimes they move away and do not stay in touch very often. Do we stop loving them? NO It seems that we never give up on our children no matter what. We love them because we created them!

We as parents are not perfect. Our children that we created are not perfect. Therefore, neither our love or our children's love is perfect. Therefore our relationships will not be perfect. God is perfect and His love is perfect. 

Feeling distant from God? He is there waiting to hear from you. Open up a conversation with Him. He loves you and wants a close relationship. He is there to guide you through this complicated life. 

Need someone to talk to about all this? Contact me or pastor Jackie and we will help you reconnect.

Immanuel Methodist and Praise Community Fellowship. We are reaching out into the community to be Jesus to people outside the church. Don't go through life alone. You are a child of the creator of the universe. You have an amazing inheritance waiting for you.

Events:

This Saturday 6:00 PM High School Bible Study "Double - Edged" Starts. Youth will meet in the lower level.

Saturday the 31st  All church members are invited to come to Barb Joiners law office 116 West Street to be part of the annual Free Hotdog and drink give away at the Halloween Parade. 

In Need Of Prayer:

Stan Rutkowski is dealing with compression wounds again.

Phil Mckinney has been diagnosed with cancer.

Paul Gallina battling cancer.

Mary Knapp's grandson Connor Mcaleenan in critical condition with head trauma.

Brad Heuchert recovering from foot and ankle surgery.

Hope to see you all Sunday, 9:00 AM. 800 North main Edwardsville. 

Love, pastor kent and pastor jackie.

Let's become…..

At Praise Community Fellowship and Immanuel Methodist we are creating a church for people outside of the church.

1 John 3:17-1817 If anyone has material possessions and sees a brother or sister in need but has no pity on them, how can the love of God be in that person? 18 Dear children, let us not love with words or speech but with actions and in truth.

Come and get involved in a church that gets involved in peoples lives outside the church.

This Saturday we kick off a new youth group: Double Edged, October 24th at 6:00PM.

All High School Students are invited to discuss biblical concepts in a non-denominational group. Come ready to discuss topics that are prevalent in our lives in a judgement free zone. This will be a student led discuss every other Saturday. Come join us at 800 North main Street Edwardsville. Immanuel United Methodist church, lower level.

Halloween Parade Activities: All PCF and IUM families are invited to the parking lot of Barb Joiner Law office located at 116 West St. We will be giving away hundreds of free hotdogs and drinks to parade goers. Come and enjoy the evening with your church family. Parking is limited so consider parking and walking to the office. Bring a lawn chair.

In Need Of Prayer:

Stan Rutkowski is dealing with compression wounds again.

Phil Mckinney has been diagnosed with cancer.

Paul Gallina battling cancer.

Mary Knapp's grandson Connor Mcaleenan in critical condition with head trauma.

Brad Heuchert recovering from foot and ankle surgery.

See you soon! Love, pastor kent and pastor Jackie

What Love Is

1 John 4:7-8

7 Dear friends, let us love one another, for love comes from God. Everyone who loves has been born of God and knows God. 8 Whoever does not love does not know God, because God is love.

But what is this love that comes from God? How do we participate in that kind of love?

Love is when you make the health, happiness, success and wellbeing of another person as important or more important than you own health, happiness, success and wellbeing. And, when you begin living like this….everything changes. When you make others quality of life a priority of yours, your focus, your purpose, and most importantly, the quality of your own life changes for the better. 

Hope to see you all soon, at CHURCH, the training place for creating ways to love others!

Sincerely, pastor kent

This Coming Sunday

"It's in the Word!"

When you don't know what to pray, what to say, or what to do….

I hope you will join us this Sunday as I look at the power of the Word. Brad and Faye, you inspired this sermon. I will also fill you in on some very interesting developments happening in our church because of the Word!

See you Sunday! 9:00 AM  Sunday.    We meet at 800 North Main St. Edwardsville. An old church building with new life and new ideas. We are a new wine skin. Come join us! Praise Community Fellowship AND Immanuel Methodist all meeting together as one congregation! Unheard of….and Amazing!

Love, pastor kent & pastor jackie

Huge Opportunity!

When you hear the word Opportunity! What do you think of?
A new and better Job?
A way to make more money?
A way to better yourself?

You have an opportunity everyday to be Jesus to someone. What does that mean?
"Lord, let me live my life as a demonstration of Jesus' love, forgiveness, kindness, compassion, and healing to everyone I meet!"

Prayers:

• Mary and Lee Knapp's grandson Connor McAleenan. He is in critical condition and in the intensive care unit in Jacksonville Florida.

• Paul and Alice Gallina as Paul continue his fight with cancer.

• For our church the PCF/Immanuel Methodist congregation that God will use us in a very powerful way in our community.

See you soon! Love, pastor kent

What Will Make The Biggest Difference in Your Life?

When I think about all the positive things one can do to improve their life:

1.) Eat Healthy

2.) Exercise

3.) Read more

4.) Love more

5.) Give more

6.)….and we could on and on.

But what ONE thing can change your life in the most profound, life altering way?

                           Connecting with God in prayer! 

Philippians 4:66 "Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God."

Pray! See you soon! Love, pastor kent

Tomorrow and Sunday!

Saturday: For those who want to help out with the 15 Block Project the materials are at the front door of the church. PCF and Immanuel are partnering on a door to door campaign where we are asking the people of Edwardsville to answer two questions:

1.) What do you feel is your greatest need?
2.) How can we at Immanuel United Methodist and Praise Community Fellowship be better neighbors?

SUNDAY:  This Sunday is World Communion Sunday. Christians all over the world will be celebrating.  This Sunday's Sermon is, "Love Your Neighbor!"

There will be some awesome music, friends, fellowship, and worship. Hope to see you there!

Love, pastor kent and jackie

Bored with Church?

How to have a brand new powerful experience with Sunday morning worship!

You are the temple of God's Spirit. We bring the Spirit of God with us on Sunday mornings….or not! Temple preparation is the key to having a powerful worship experience. How do you currently prepare for Sunday worship?  If you are like I used to be, you don't! No preparation, you just try to get there on time without feeling too hungover, tired, frazzled or frustrated. That makes it real difficult for The Holy Spirit, which lives within you, to be able to express Himself through you, the temple of the Holy God! 

Prepare the sanctuary for worship. Read the bible. Pray. Get a good nights rest. Pray before you come to worship that God will fill your heart and the hearts of all those who come together with His fullness of love, grace, peace, and joy. When many begin to prepare for worship and they show up with their fire burning for God it becomes like a bonfire. Another word might be "A Revival!"

I believe you will find that preparing for Sunday morning worship feels so good that you will begin maintaining your temple all week so that life becomes worship!

Prepare the temple for worship and experience God in a brand new powerful way! 

See you soon! Love, pastor kent