The Power of One

Right now, as you read this blog, there are millions of people all over the world in desperate need. Need of food, shelter, clothing, love, protection, and hope.  As a Christian we are called by Jesus to intervene and be a blessing to those in need.

If someone came to you and said, "Could you give $1 dollar a month each month to help someone from suffering?" Most of us would do that without hesitation.  I would imagine that many people may even ask, "Only a Dollar a month, what good will that do?" $1 dollar certainly doesn't seem very significant by its self, however if you multiply that $1 dollar times a million donors it becomes very significant.  If a million people would commit to just $1 per month, $12 million dollars could be raised in a year. $12 million dollars could help a lot of people. Even though this seems like a no brainer, we all know it isn't that simple.

The need in this world is so great that we often get numb to all the requests. So how can we become more effective stewards of the blessings we have been given? It begins with prayer, bible reading and obediance. Go to God and ask him to open your eyes to a need and what He wants you to commit to regarding that need. It may be more than just writing a check. God may want you to get involved in other ways. What I do know is that God is looking for an open and willing heart to work through. We as Christians are the answer to the needs of the world. But we are given free will. We can listen and obey, or we can turn our heads and close our eyes and ears and ignore. The choice is always ours. I will begin a series of teachings on walking in God's blessings beginning on Oct 15th. I can tell you this, when you become a blessing, you receive a blessing.

Isaiah 58:10

If you pour yourself out for the hungry and satisfy the desire of the afflicted, then shall your light rise in the darkness and your gloom be as the noonday.

Proverbs 19:17

Who ever is generous to the poor lends to the Lord, and he will repay him for his deed.

Acts 20:35

In all things I have shown you that by working hard in this way we must help the weak and remember the words of the Lord Jesus, how he himself said, "It is more blessed to give than to receive."

Announcements:

This Sunday we will be celebrating World Communion Sunday where we are invited to remember that we worship and work for God's Kingdom with other faith communities and interfaith partners. But what does working for God's Kingdom in the world look like for a small local community? 
The message this Sunday will be delivered by Jordan Grammer and his sermon title is: Justice for All. 

Shauna Boad, who is developing Amazing Grace at Logan Place a place to mentor young girls, is looking for volunteers. She is currently looking for help to hang yard sale flyers in local businesses and for help at the sale on October the 21st. You can see all the progress Shauna and her volunteers have made by driving by the property at #7 Logan Place Edwardsville. You can reach Shauna at 618-971-5029.

It's About Your Outcome!

People everywhere are trying to figure out how to improve their life! It seems as if there is always something we wish we could make better; our work life, our health, our relationships, our financial stability, our attitude, etc...

This past week, Bonni and I returned home from two weeks of work travel with the Shriners Hospitals for children. We visited the Hospital in Erie PA. and ended at the hospital in Boston MA. The hospital in Boston is a burn trauma hospital. It is one of the best hospitals in the world when it comes to treating children with severe burns. While we were working at that hospital I sat in on the interviews with the doctors. These people are the best of the best. They are not only top rated doctors specializing in burn trauma but many of them are also involved in the research and development which continues to improve the outcomes for their patients.

As I listened to the interviews with these amazing men and women who are affecting the outcomes of children lives every day, I realized what they were saying and doing was practicing many of the things that Jesus taught.

Here are just a couple of the profound messages I got while listening tho these doctors speak about their work at Shriners Hospital for children.

The first thing that struck me was this saying, "We care beyond Costs!" The whole staff at Shriners hospitals live by this. It's all-about the children's "outcome!"  They love and care for these kids and have made a commitment that means they will do what ever it takes to restore them back to as close to normal as is within their ability to do so regardless of what it costs!

God has done this exact thing for you and I! He said, I love you so much, and want to restore you back to me so much, that I am willing to do what ever it takes, regardless of the cost!  And so He sent his only son Jesus to die for or sins so that we could be restored back to Him. Now that is love!

One of the doctors being interviewed said there was a time about 20 years ago when we defined success for these children with serious burns as survival. In other words if they lived, we considered it a successful outcome. The problem with that definition was quality of life after surviving the initial trauma. We knew we could get much better and redefine what success should look like. So over the years we have diligently poured ourselves into research and study, and have been continually developing new and better ways of doing treatments so that the "Outcome" for the patients  continues to improve. This doctor said there was a time when a patient who came in with 25% of their body severely burned, they would have about a 20% chance of survival. Now, a child can come in with 80% severe burns and there is more like a 90% chance of survival. But because of their tenacity of study and research, they are taking their patients far beyond just survival. With their ever improving treatments, the kids are now enjoying much greater outcomes for their lives.  

The doctors at Shriners Hospitals develop a specific program for each patient and keep these patients "In Treatment" over a period of years so that greater functionality can be restored so that their life experience is greatly enhanced. Outcomes at Shriners Hospitals keep improving.

Christians please reread that last paragraph. How are we defining success within the church? Are we continuing to to improve the outcomes for people who come to us? Are we continually researching, and studying, and then practicing new ways of thinking and doing? 

Do you want a better outcome for your life?

I think the church could learn a great deal from the Shriners Hospitals for Children because they continue to study, stay focused, and develop new ways to positively affect the outcomes of peoples lives!

One of the doctors commented that they have a had a few children come in for treatment, and then for whatever reason the parents decide not to stay with the treatment program. They drop out. The doctor made this profound statement about these kids, "Children who drop out of the treatment program have significantly reduced "Outcomes" for their lives. The message is clear, if you want a better outcome, you need to stay in the treatment program! I believe this is the exact message Christians need to hear today. If you want a better outcome for your life, you must remain in treatment!  In other words, if you want the blessings that are possible for Christians, meaning a better life outcome, you must do what the doctors at Shriners Hospitals do. Research, study, change your ways of thinking and then start doing according to the teachings of Jesus. 

I will begin a teaching series coming up in October on Walking in God's Blessings. 

The bottom line, if you want to change the outcome of your life for the better! Stay in Treatment! and for the Christian that means we remain in treatment our entire life!

Please continue t lift these people in prayer:

Cathy Watson Praises for good days, continued healing from cancer.

Emily Norris, continued healing from cancer and God's direction and peace.
Linda Cassens  continued prayers for healing.

Stan Rutkowski continues to battle pressure wounds.

Brad Fultz, God's peace and healing!
Jeff Wiles for back pain!
Cynthia Bastholm prayers for healing.
Mary Knapp praises for good days and continued healing!
Mike Rodgers, continued healing from latest back surgery
Gaye Kell, Krista's mom praises for good surgery results and cont, healing!

Hope to see you soon. Need to talk? Call me or text me at 618-334-3575.
Love, pastor kent

One more thing about this Sunday

This Sunday, Sept. 24th Pastor Jackie asked me to announce the following: Immanuel Methodist will be having a service at the church this Sunday at 8:45am. That means you have two options for worship this coming Sunday. Praise Community Fellowship informal outdoor service at Glik Park at 8:45am or Immanuel United Methodist service at the church at 8:45am. 

See you soon! Love, pastor kent

John 10:10

10 The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full.   Love, Jesus

This Coming Sunday, September 24th

Glik Park here we come!

Praise Community Fellowship will be leading worship this coming Sunday and since the weather is predicted to be absolutely beautiful, we will plan on meeting at Glik Park once again! We will meet at our regular time at 8:45am at the big pavilion. This is a perfect place to invite a friend to hear about Jesus in a very casual, informal atmosphere.

I really enjoy this type of very informal meeting, I think it is more representative of the way Jesus taught and interacted with people.

Bonni and I were able to attend the Brooklyn Tabernacle this past Sunday, we had a break over the weekend from our Shriners Hospital work tour. Attending the Brooklyn Tabernacle is always a highlight for us when ever we get to New York City because it is always a spiritual blessing.

This Sunday

"Being Blessed" I will be looking at God's instructions for receiving His blessing.  Here is what I have learned,  "All" blessings come from God! Everything that can possibly fill your life to the full, comes from Him. When the bell finally goes off and you realize that staying in God's circle is where all blessings flow, your life will never be the same. 

Our Prayer List

Cathy Watson Praises for good days, continued healing from Great cancer.

Emily Norris, continued healing from cancer.
Linda Cassens  continued prayers for healing.

Stan Rutkowski continues to battle pressure wounds.

Brad Fultz, God's peace and healing!
Jeff Wiles for back pain!
Cynthia Bastholm prayers for healing.
Mary Knapp praises for good days and continued healing!
Mike Rodgers, continued healing from latest back surgery
Gaye Kell, Krista's mom praises for good surgery results and cont, healing!

See you Sunday at Glik park at 8:45am!  Love, pastor kent

This Sunday and more....

Jesus taught by the seaside and along the streets to everyday people. He kept it short, simple, and always life changing. This coming Sunday, Praise Community Fellowship will lead worship at Glik Park at 8:45am. It looks as if it is going to be a beautiful morning and I hope you can join us for this very informal gathering. There will be hot coffee and other goodies as well.  We meet under the large pavilion and have seating for about 70 but if it is easy to bring a lawn chair please do.

Should You Buy Life Insurance?  I was a life insurance agent for some years prior to becoming a pastor. Life Insurance is one of those products that in most cases requires two things before anyone would purchase it.

1.) Love for someone other than self

2.) An understanding of how the product works

It is interesting that many people today still cannot quite comprehend the value that a properly designed life insurance policy can provide for a family. You noticed I didn't say financial security, I said value. In the years I spent as a life insurance agent I delivered my share of what I think was improperly named "death benefits" to families who had a loved one die with an in-force life insurance policy. What I brought to them as a life insurance agent was more than a large, tax free check. I was bringing them peace of mind in the form of relieving financial pressures that can arise from an unexpected death of a loved one, especially a parent who is providing income for the family. There are also certain types of life insurance that provide what we called "Living Benefits!" These types of policies also served as a savings plan along with a death benefit. If a finical emergency came up, these types of policies had the ability to provide needed cash either through a loan or a withdrawal. 

Life insurance does not remove the risk of death, but it does provide a means for people to take a breath, and figure out their new reality without the worries and pressures of having a financial burden on top of the many other decisions that must be made when a close family member dies. Life insurance is a promise to the policy holder. The policy promises to pay a determined amount of money, tax free, to the named beneficiary. It is a legal agreement that is backed by hundreds of millions of dollars of assets of the issuing company.

Jesus is offering us eternal life beyond this life. It is a covenant agreement to anyone who comes to him and believes in him and follows him and his teachings. Unlike the life insurance policies I used to sell which required a premium to be paid for the policy to stay in force, Jesus has paid the premium in full for anyone who is willing to receive his promise. It is backed by the creator of the universe. It is truly valuable. And, just like some of the life insurance policies designed by man, Jesus offers many living benefits which are too many to mention here, but I will be talking about these benefits when we meet. Consider getting in on it today!

Ephesians 2:8-9For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, 9 not of works, lest anyone should boast.

Announcements

Please join the Metro East Community Rotary Club after your worship service on 9/24/17 from 11am to 2pm at the Edwardsville Moose Lodge for an all you can eat chicken dinner. Tickets are $9 for adults and $4 for children ages 3-12. We will also be selling desserts. We hope to see you there

Kid’s Night Out Resumes

Our very popular monthly Kid’s Night Out will resume in September, with chil- dren ages 3 through those in 5th grade meeting on Friday, September 15th from 5:30 – 8:30 pm. The children eat a meal together, and then enjoy crafts, games, and various other activities before ending the evening with watching a movie and munching on popcorn. You can RSVP to the church office via phone or e-mail, 656-4648, or anita@immanuelonmain.org, or sign up on the sheet in the Hospitality Room. There is no cost to attend, and all children and friends are welcome! Helpers are always needed! Speak to Kif- fon Lewis or Jill Winte.

Our Prayer List

Linda Cassens Praises for good scan and continued prayers for healing!

Cathy Watson Praises for good days, continued healing from Great cancer!

Emily Norris, Praises for good attitude and feeling stronger, continued healing!

Stan Rutkowski continues to battle pressure wounds.

Brad Fultz, Faye Heucherts nephew praises for better strength and off life support, cont. healing!
Jeff Wiles for back pain!
Cynthia Bastholm heart failure and other complications!
Jack Butler, praises for feeling better, continued healing prayers!
Mary Knapp praises for good days and continued healing!
Mike Rodgers, continued healing from latest back surgery
Gaye Kell, Krista's mom praises for good surgery results and cont, healing!

See you at Glik Park at 8:45am Sunday Sept. 10th, located on East lake Drive, Edwardsville.
Love, pastor kent