August 2009 Good News!
Who Is Deaf?
The Lord’s hand is not shortened, that it cannot save . . . . [But] your sins have hidden His face from you, so that He will not hear. —Isaiah 59:1-2
A man told his doctor that he thought his wife was going deaf. The doctor told him to conduct a simple test. When the man reached the front door of his home, he called out, “Darling, is dinner ready?” Hearing no response, he walked inside and repeated himself. Still no reply. On the third try, when he was just behind her, he finally heard her say, “For the third time, yes!”
Similarly, the ancient Israelites thought God was deaf when the problem was actually with them. Isaiah was a prophet sent to warn God’s people about impending judgment, but his message fell on deaf ears. Instead of being God’s covenant people, who were to bring light to those in darkness and release them from the dungeons of sin (42:7), they refused to hear Him. “They would not walk in His ways, nor were they obedient to His law” (v.24).
The prophet explained why their prayers seemed to fall on deaf ears: “The Lord’s hand is not shortened, that it cannot save; nor His ear heavy, that it cannot hear. But your iniquities have separated you from your God” (Isa. 59:1-2). One reason for not receiving answers from God is that sin may b e blocking our hearing. Let’s examine ourselves carefully.
Our God isn’t hard of hearing. —
Nothing between my soul and the Savior,
Naught of this world’s delusive dream;
I have renounced all sinful pleasure,
Jesus is mine; there’s nothing between. —Tindley
God speaks through His Word
to those who listen with their heart.
From the daily devotional “Our Daily Bread”. Available online at http://www.rbc.org/
LET’S CELEBRATE!!!
AUGUST BIRTHDAYS & ANNIVERSARIES
l Paul Norcross
Cash Norcross
6 Mary Stocker John & Jane Couture
11 JoEllen Truchan
12 Pat Palmer
17 Millie Shaffer
20 Murray & Betty Houghton
25 Dorothy Frick
Inez Wallace
Michelle Dyman
28 Joe & Betty Knowles
29 Zackery White Chuck & Linda DeMola
30 Verna McCullough
31 Charlie & Glenna Teets
“GOT” or “NEED”?
What is a “got” ad? It is an item that you no longer have any need of that you ware willing to freely give to a fellow church member. And what about a “need” ad? Well, it is an item or service that you need that one of us here at Emmanuel might be able to help you with. So, if you have an ad, either “got” or “need” — pass it along to the pastor. It will be included in future bulletins and newsletters as space permits.
STUFF WE CAN USE
Toilet Tissue
Paper Towels – Rolls
Copy Paper–any quantity, any color
Bleach
Hand Soap
Hand Sanitizer
A/C Filters – 24×24 & 20×20
9 oz. Cold Drink Cups
If you can help with any of these items, please bring them to church with you on Sunday morning and place them in the foyer. Any donation, large or small will help the church to stay within the budget.
PRAYER CHAIN
The following is an updated list of the Prayer
Chain members at this time, with phone numbers:
Robbie McIntosh 734-1237
Vickie Churchill 488-4812
Barb and Bill Reeder 738-0084
Betty Russell 791-3390
Glenna Teets 781-0595
Vicky Cyphers 734-3999
Jean C arrier 736-0491
Irene Norcross 785-4384
Jane Coatney 942-1847
Barbara Powers 736-9484
THANK YOU! THANK YOU!
For July
For Coffee Hour:
Doris Lambusta & Dottie Willis; Vicky Cyphers; Irene Norcross & Betsy Starkman.
For Greeters:
Mary Smith & Betsy Starknan; Barbara Powers & Jane Coatney; and Vicki Churchill.
For Worship Leader:
Ruth Warren, Clay Maxwell, Paul Norcross and John Carter..
For Flowers:
Jon & Sheila Cann- Poling, Chuck DeMola, Richard & Dottie Willis, Ruth Warren.
NEWS & NOTES
Dear Friends;
We would like to thank everyone for the cards, calls and prayers when Chuck Haddow passed. Also, thank you to all that helped celebrate his life at the Memorial Service. Thanks to Glenna and Vicki for coordinating the wonderful refreshments.
Lucy would also like everyone to know that she appreciated all cards and calls while she mended her hip and for the passing of her brother, Jack. Your support made this difficult time much easier.
God’s blessings to you.
Lucy Haddow, Chris Thornton and family.
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Glenna Teets will be in W. Va. for a few months helping out family members with serious health issues. She can be reached at:
c/o Gerald Carpenter
Route 1 Box 92A
French Creek, WV 26218
A phone number she can be reac hed at is:
1-(304) 924-5350
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Dear Paul,
First of all I wish to congratulate you, as the Pastor, and all the members of the Emmanuel Community Church for their faithfulness to the ministry of Christ in your community. Your church has made great strides under your leadership and the efforts of many able officers. You and your church have actively participated in the leadership of the American Baptist Churches of the South and Area IV for all the twenty years of your ministry in Palm Harbor and we thank you and compliment you for it.
May God continue to bless you for many more years, and may He be glorified by your ministry there at the Emmanuel Community Church in Palm Harbor, FL
Yours in Christian Ministry,
Rev. Joseph A. Ferreira, Ambassador for Area IV
COOKBOOK NEWS
Books will be here soon! We have already received enough prepayments to cover the printing and shipping costs. So all cookbooks sold from this point on will be profit for the church.
ANNIVERSARY CELEBRATION
The recent weekend of celebration was a great success. There was a wonderful dinner on Saturday evening where we had an opportunity to reminisce, to look at the old photos and enjoy a wonderful ‘old-fashioned’ potluck supper.
On Sunday we were inspired by the message brought to us by Rev. Dr. Keith Russell. His message, “Now What? challenged us to be what the community so desperately needs — a loving caring accepting family of faith. And a ‘shout-out’ to Ken and the choir for the excellent new anthem they presented.
On Monday night we wrapped everything up with a barbecue at the home of Chuck and Linda DeMola. A terrific meal and such gracious hosts!
Thank yous are definitely in order. First, a special thank you to Glenna Teets. It was Glenna who first brought up the idea of marking this significant anniversary in the life of the church.
For the Saturday dinner: Evelyn Ahn, Jerry Faticanti and Virginia Parrish.
For Decorating: Mary Smith, Linda DeMola & Sheila Cann-Poling.
For helping out, getting the church ready: Clay Maxwell, Bob Wilson and Jim Nelson.
For the Monday Barbecue: Chuck & Linda DeMola.
SO, NOW WHAT?
Plans are underway to continue the celebration of our 20 years in Palm Harbor. You can be a part of the process. Be on the lookout for notices in the church bulletin. Next up will be a ‘Homecoming’ event in the fall. If you have any ideas of how we can make this an extra-special time, please speak to Mary Smith or Sheila Cann-Poling. Or, come to the Program/Ministry Team meeting on Monday, September 14th. We need your ideas and your help!