Pastor's Message
May 2013
To the children of God at Emmanuel:
Some special events and notices of interest are coming up throughout the summer at Emmanuel. One of the most significant notices is that council has decided to adjust Emmanuel’s summer worship to only one service. This adjustment begins on June 2. Emmanuel’s worship service will be at 9:30am. This service will blend traditions used by the 8:15 and 10:45 worship services.
Emmanuel will continue to develop S.A.F.E. this summer as well. Summer Art and Fun at Emmanuel will develop several opportunities for us to be a growing and relating congregation. The first of these events will take place on Saturday June 8 from 9:00 a.m. until 4:30 p.m. B.R.R.I.C.K. (Building Racial Reconciliation in Christ’s Kingdom) of the Southeast Michigan Synod will help Emmanuel, the Washtenaw Cluster and other local congregations talk about racism. Individuals in elected position of leadership and all members of Emmanuel are invited to attend this exciting and stimulating conversation and workshop on racism.
June 30 will be the official installation of (you know who) as Emmanuel’s regularly called pastor. The details of this service are still in the works, but it will most likely take place later in the afternoon due to the availability of a synod representative to preside over the installation. Emmanuel will use this opportunity to invite people in the community to celebrate with us as we hold special activities outside and within the facilities. This is another excellent chance for us to have fun and to be a witness to God’s love with people in our neighborhood.
Members of Evangelism and the Transformational Ministry Team are also looking into several other opportunities to witness to people in the community. We are looking into an opportunity to work with Bethel (the Ethiopian immigrant congregation that shares some of our space) and help them with Vacation Bible School.
Finally, we are trying to see how feasible it would be to have a Block Party for our neighbors and friends immediately surrounding our congregation. One of my dreams is to ask several of our very talented youth to share their gifts in music and art with local children. This might be something that could be a separate event or tied to Emmanuel’s sponsoring of a block party.
I hope you will support these ministry opportunities at Emmanuel. If you are unable to be present for them I then encourage you to take time to pray for all those involved with a particular event.
One of Christ’s servants,
Pastor David A. Hendricks - Child of God