Alexis Update

Good morning everyone. I was with Alexis this morning before she went into surgery. She was doing well. I met her doctor and he seemed to be a very kind spirited man who was very comforting and confident that her surgery should turn out fine. I was told that the surgery take approximately 6 hours so I won't have any updates until later today. I will post to this blog as I have additional information.

I know several of you have requested info on how to help Barb Weiss and Alexis after she comes home from the hospital. Below is a link to a sign up calendar with various things that we anticipate we will need. This calendar should help everyone know what is needed and who is signed up to help out and when.  That link is www.carecalendar.org/248671.  Security code: alexis

Yesterday we saw and felt the outpouring of God's spirit when we all surrounded Alexis in prayer. We truly have a wonderful little church! 

I will be posting more later this afternoon as I have more information. 

Sincerely, pastor kent

This Sunday!

Don't Lock The Door To New Realities in Your Life

 I am going to take a look at what the setback in the Garden of Eden can teach us about our life today. 

All of us are living our life by a set of rules that determine how we see the world.  Some of those rules move us toward God and others move us away from God. There are also other influences in our daily life that are either helping us move toward God or away from God such as the people in our inner circle. "Where is Your Crowd Taking You?" 

Praise Community Fellowship will be leading worship this Sunday. Service time is at 8:45am.  We are located at 800 North Main Street Edwardsville. 

Prayer Requests

Alexis Tharp prayers for healing of brain aneurysm. Her surgery will be on January 23rd at SLU hospital. She is expected to be in the hospital for 3 or 4 days. It is at this time that we will be looking for extra help for Audrey, her 4 year old daughter and support for Barb Weiss who has graciously opened her home to Alexis and Audrey during her time of recovery. We will have a website sign up sheet available soon to help coordinate meals and other help like getting Audrey to pre-school. More info to come!

Colin Rives. We continue to lift up Colin to our healing God. Colin continues to battle cancer. Bill and Judy Daubenspeck are Colin's grandparents. 

Lee and Mary Knapp's grandson Connor and his family need continued prayer for healing and residential solutions for Connor.  

Stan Rutkowski, Gods healing touch and God's peace. Stan is Darlene Hank's brother. 

Mike Rodgers, Healing from back surgery and success to alleviate back pain. 

If you have a need of prayer or other needs, please contact Anita in the church office so we can get you on our prayer list or to offer other help. The office number is 618-656-4648.

KID’S NIGHT OUT This Friday! January 20th

Children ages 3 through those in 5^th grade are invited to attend Kid’s Night Out on Friday, January 20^th beginning at 5:30 pm.  The children will share a meal together, play games and do various other activities, and watch a movie together while munching on popcorn.  The evening concludes at 8:30 pm.  Please RSVP by replying to this message, or phone the church office, 656-4648.  More helpers are needed, as this program continues to grow.  Please consider whether you can help serve and clean up after the meal, help supervise during games, or give aid in any other way.  If you have questions, call Kiffon Lewis at 210-9628 or Jill Winte at 314-422-6734.

Jackie Havis Shear  United Methodist Pastor   618-656-4648

Kent Schuette    Neutral Denomination Pastor  618-334-3575

Stay Home!

Based on all the latest weather reports, I have decided to call off the service tomorrow. I am doing this just to be safe in case there is ice on sidewalks. I will miss all of you but I will be back next Sunday!

Root in, stay warm, be good!

No service tomorrow! Please get the word out!

Love, pastor Kent

I Think We Are On Go for Tommorrow!

The Storm of the century seems to have fizzled. So, unless something radically changes, church is on go for tomorrow! Obviously, if you wake up and there is ice everywhere, stay home! But it doesn't look like that is going to be the case.  I will send out another blog if the weather should begin to deteriorate.

Look forward to seeing everyone at 8:45am.

Love, pastor kent

Stay Informed, Mark Your Calendars!

This Sunday I will be giving the sermon weather permitting. Here is the updated preaching schedule through February. All services begin at 8:45am except for the service on the 29th which will be at 10:00am! 

SUNDAYS

• January 8           Kent 
• January 15th      Kent 
• January 22         Kent
• January 29        Jackie  One service and Brunch to follow worship in Fellowship Hall. *
• February 5         Kent
• February 12th    Jackie
• February 19       Kent
• February 26th    Jackie

* The service on January the 29th is a 5th Sunday service which will be held at 10:00am. We will be recognizing the volunteers who help make the services possible as well as the board members who serve behind the scenes. Following the service that day, Praise Community Fellowship will be sponsoring a catered lunch for everyone in the fellowship hall following this service. It is a time the two churches to come together for some fun, food and fellowship. 

Important Happenings!

The weekend Lunch program is still delivering lunches every weekend at two locations in the Glen Carbon Area.  This ministry is lead by Faye Heuchert. Faye is always looking for volunteers to help with this wonderful ministry, feeding kids! If you can help Faye out give her a call at 618-444-5650.

Our two churches will begin planning an after school program soon. There will be several of us meeting to plan the activities. This after school program will be held a couple time each month to start. If you are interested in being part of this program contact pastor Jackie or Kent.

KID’S NIGHT OUT

Children ages 3 through those in 5^th grade are invited to attend Kid’s Night Out on Friday, January 20^th beginning at 5:30 pm.  The children will share a meal together, play games and do various other activities, and watch a movie together while munching on popcorn.  The evening concludes at 8:30 pm.  Please RSVP by replying to this message, or phone the church office, 656-4648.  More helpers are needed, as this program continues to grow.  Please consider whether you can help serve and clean up after the meal, help supervise during games, or give aid in any other way.  If you have questions, call Kiffon Lewis at 210-9628 or Jill Winte at 314-422-6734.

LET’S PLAY TRIVIA!!

How big of a movie buff are you?  Come find out as our youth host “A Night at the Movies” Trivia Night on Saturday, January 21^st.  All questions will be movie-themed from different decades and types of movies.  Doors open at 5:30 pm, with play beginning at 6:00 pm.  Cost is $10 per person, with 8 people per table.  Popcorn will be provided free, and there will be soda and bottled water available to purchase.  Please sign up on the sheets in the Hospitality Room, or call the church office, 656-4648 to reserve a spot.

 55+ FELLOWSHIP

Bring in the new year with your 55+ friends!  Come join us for a warm evening of fellowship and hot soups or chili.  On Sunday, January 22^nd at 6:00 pm, come join us in the Journey’s Inn Room.  Bring a small pot of soup or chili to share with everyone, or bring a side dish or dessert.  We always have good foods and an enjoyable time.  Tableware and drinks are provided.  All are welcome – young and older.  If you have any questions, call Sharon at 633-2659.  You are encouraged to also bring some supplies for the Glen-Ed Food Pantry: canned goods, paper goods or personal items.  Hope to see you on January 22nd.

Prayers Requested

Alexis Tharp prayers for healing of brain aneurysm. Alexis is scheduled for her first procedure on Jan. 12th at SLU hospital. This procedure is to map out the aneurysm prior to surgery. The actual surgery will be on January 23rd. She is expected to be in the hospital for 3 or 4 days. After her release Alexis will be going to one of our members homes for recovery. It is at this time that we will be looking for extra help for Audrey, her 4 year old daughter and support for Barb Weiss who has graciously opened her home to Alexis and Audrey during her time of recovery. 

Colin Rives. We continue to lift up Colin to our healing God. Colin continues to battle cancer. 

Lee and Mary Knapp's grandson Connor and his family need continued prayer for healing and residential solutions for Connor.  

Stan Rutkowski, Gods healing touch and God's peace. Stan is Darlene Hank's brother. 

Prayers for God's direction and mission for our two churches. If you have a need of prayer or other needs, please contact Anita in the church office so we can get you on our prayer list or to offer other help. The office number is 618-656-4648.

Weather Conditions  There is the possibility of icy conditions for this weekend. I will keep you posted via this Blog regarding this Sunday's service.

Love, pastor kent 

"Come to Me, and I Will Give You Rest!"

This Sunday, January 8th, I am going to look at the hard question, "Where is God When Bad Things Happen?" I know this looks as if it is not a very uplifting topic to start the new year, but I think you will find out that this is a very important topic that will have a lot of meaning to quite a few people in our congregation. 

This life is very fragile. Too often we take our times of blessing and good health and good fortune for granted. I believe this service will be a blessing for all. If you have family or friends that may be going through some tuff times, something that may have them questioning the reality of God, this would be a good service for them to come to. Service time is 8:45am and lasts an hour. We are located at 800 North Main Street Edwardsville in the Immanuel Methodist Church.

This will be a service of Hope, God's Word, and uplifting music. Sometimes there is great peace and comfort in meeting with others who are walking down a tough path. "Come to Me all who are weary and burdened and I will give you rest!"  Love, Jesus.

This Sunday we will also share in Holy Communion. "Come for all things are now ready!"

Prayers Requested:

Alexis Tharp, Healing and God's peace. 

Bill and Judy Daubenspeck's grandson Colin, prayers for healing and God's peace. Colin is 13 and has cancer. 

Mary and Lee Knapp's grandson Connor, healing for severe head trauma and complications. Peace for his mother and family.

Stan Rutkowski, God's peace, love and healing.

Mike Rodgers, healing for back and God's peace.

All those who are suffering and need God's healing and peace.

Announcements:  

2016 contribution tax letters will be available Sunday for pick up from Jenny Baugher. The rest will be mailed. 

We are needing to update the address and phone numbers of our members. Jenny Baugher will be set up before and after the service this Sunday. Please stop by and make sure she has you correct information. 

Happy New Year with God's blessing! Today is a good day to spend time with God! 

See you Sunday! Love pastor Kent

Day One! 2017

The best "two word" question for the first day of this New Year, "What If?"

This New Year I am asking huge "What If" questions for our little church. I will be sharing them soon. 

Here is what I observe and what is being placed on my heart as a Christian. There is immense suffering in this world. It is found all over in all kinds of ways. Much of the worlds suffering is caused by political, religious, and racial intolerance and hate. As a Christian, I have to ask myself, "What is my obligation and responsibility to the suffering I see in so many places?" Do I just go about my life and ignore it, or do I do something, try something, get involved in some way to at least make a difference in one persons life? If I fail, at least I fail while trying.

Another observation.  There are enough Christian Churches in Edwardsville alone to make a big dent in some of the un-neccessary suffering around us. If we took the amount of money we are spending on the operating budgets of just our local churches, I bet it would be well over a million dollars a year. Think about all the salaries, the insurance, the utilities, the maintenance, etc. just to keep the church buildings open and comfortable. 

I have to ask myself is this simple question, "What is more important to Jesus, maintaining a beautiful church building that keeps it's members happy and comfortable, OR feeding, clothing, housing, caring for and loving the poor, the outcast, and the suffering? "

Kick that question around in your heart this coming week and then get back with me what the Holy Spirit whispers in your ear! 

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.

See you next Sunday January 8th! Love, pastor kent

Two churches worshipping as one. Immanuel Methodist and Praise Community Fellowship. 800 North main St. Edwardsville. Sunday mornings at 8:45am.