JULY 2011
THE
GOOD NEWS
July 2011
The Law of the Harvest
Scripture says that when you sow, you will reap a harvest, and the harvest depends on how much you sow. Once you determine what you want to harvest, you will know what you need to sow. If you want supernatural and spectacular things from God, you won’t just sow ordinary seeds. “Each one must do just as he has purposed in his heart, not grudgingly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver” (2 Corinthians 9:7).
The harvest also depends on where you sow. The seeds must be planted in “good soil” (Matthew 13:8). When we invest in the kingdom of God, He returns our investment in abundance. We must plant our seeds in fertile ground, in ministries that are actually about ministry instead of money. Matthew 6:33 tells us that we can maintain the growth of our crop when we “seek first His kingdom and His righteousness.”
The harvest also depends on when you sow—different crops demand different amounts of time to grow. If we plant in the spring, we won’t see a crop in the spring. We must be patient and wait for God to bring the harvest in due time.
Finally, your harvest depends on why you sow. Is the motivation for seed-planting so that you can benefit from the prosperity of the harvest, or so that God will be glorified by a large harvest? Motivation is everything in stewardship, and if we trust God, we will sow great things and reap great things by His grace.
Adapted from Alternative View
with Dr. Tony Evans.
LET’S CELEBRATE!!!
JULY BIRTHDAYS & ANNIVERSARIES
1. Bob & Pat Foor
3. Sheila & Jon Poling
4. Richard Willis
6. Jane Coatney
8. Anthony Lambusta
9. Lucy Haddow
12. Linda DeMola
13. Jim & Chris Nelson
16. Gerry Barber
17. Sheila Cann-Poling
20. Dorothy Willis
23. Andrea Adams
26. Dick Warren
27. Bill Cook
31. Max Starkman
THANK YOU!
To All the members and friends at Emmanuel,
Dick and I wish to thank you for your concern, prayers, cards and expressions of kindness during my unexpected hospitalization last month. You were truly a blessing and it is good to know that we can count on your prayers and love.
Yours in Christ,
Ruth Warren
THANK YOU!
Dear Friends,
Thank you all so much for your prayers, cards flowers and well wishes during my dad’s final weeks. After a long spring of assorted issues, he died very peacefully in his sleep. It is indeed wonderful to have the support of such special friends.
Love,
Jim & Mary Smith.
THANK YOU!
To Everyone at Emmanuel,
Thank you very much for all the cards, flowers and get well wishes and especially your prayers during my recent two hospitalizations. It’s great to know that you are always there and care so much. Again, thanks!
Sincerely,
Lenora Puthoff
THANK YOU
Emmanuel;
Bob and I wish to thank you for your prayers and support during Bob’s recent hip replacement surgery. Bob is now back home and doing well. We attribute much of the success to your prayers. Again, thanks for being such good brothers and sisters of love in Christ.
Bob & Pat Foor
MEETING SCHEDULE
For July 2011
Weds 13 July at 11:30 Church By-Laws meeting in the pastor’s office.
Weds 13 July at 1 p.m. Church Growth Focus Group meeting in the sanctuary.
NEW PHONE DIRECTORY
Over the next few weeks we will update the church telephone directory. Please check your current listing and contact Linda DeMola with any changes to your phone number, address or e-mail. A copy of the directory will be available in the foyer Sunday mornings during the month of July to make changes. If the info is correct please initial to let us know hyou have reviewed it. Cross out any incorrect info and write in the correct information. New members and those not included in the previous directory are asked to complete an info form that will be with the phonebook in the foyer of the sanctuary. If you are are away for the summer or do not reside in Palm Harbor, contact Linda at (727) 939-4138 or e mail ldemola@tampababy.rr.com with updates.
The deadline for updates is 14 August.
PROPERTY & FINANCE
June was a challenging month for the property and finance team as we worked through the requirements for a mortgage contract renewal and a new insurance policy for the church. Despite the challenges, we have made significant progress and anticipate that by the time you receive this newsletter, both of those projects will be accomplished. We wish to thank you for your prayers during the process and also, thank those providing administrative and technical support. Very special thanks are due to Chuck & Linda DeMola, Pat Foor and Jim Nelson.
Another special thanks is extended to Linda DeMola for her leadership in the improvement of the church memorial garden. Please take a look at it when you have the chance. You will be impressed. An irrigation system and flowers will be placed around it soon.
You will also notice an improved exterior access to the pastor’s office. We are now in compliance with regulations for disabled access. There is much more working being done to include the completion of the pastor’s office, improved lighting over the pulpit and improvements to the parking lot. Great things are happening because great people like you are working hard and giving generously. Please continue.
MISSION & OUTREACH
The July mission focus will be Clothes to Kids. This local charity provides clothes to school age children and their families who unable to afford new purchases. The greatest need is newly purchased underwear and socks. As in the past, Rosalie Longenecker is heading up this project for us and we will learn more about on Sunday, 10 July. Also, please accept our thanks for your generous support of the Retired Ministers and Missionaries Offering. Over $500.00 was contributed.
A SPECIAL REQUEST FOR PRAYER
Members and friends of Emmanuel Community Church are invited to participate in a congregational moment of prayer that is focused on the growth of our church. We are asking that if possible, all members and friends of Emmanuel pause at 11 a.m. each Saturday morning and devote 5 minutes to prayer for the growth of our church. Your prayers are and will be appreciated.
MUSIC MINISTRY
CHOIR NOTES
The choir is currently on summer break but we will begin rehearsals again in the first week of August. This is a change to plans that were made a few months ago to start rehearsing again in mid July. During our absence, we are being blessed with solo and group performances by wonderful local singers and we are indeed grateful for their willingness to bless us in song.
When we begin again in August, we hope you will join us. There are no auditions. All that is needed is your enthusiasm and a willingness to make a joyful noise unto the Lord. Have a great summer and see you in August.
Amy
PROGRAMS & MINISTRY
The Programs & Ministry Team is beginning their summer break but would like you to know that your participation in the events of the past nine months was greatly appreciated. We are already planning new events for the fall. Save the following dates:
6:30 17 September Bingo night with ice cream social.
6 p.m. 15 October 3rd Annual Potluck N Pie dinner.
Our next meeting is scheduled for 6:30 p.m. 12 September. Please join us as we are always looking for new members of this team.
BOOK CLUB
Our next meeting will take place on the 2nd Wednesday of August. If you like to read, join us for lively discussion and a light lunch. RSVP to the hostess listed below.
August 17 –Host is Linda DeMola. The book is “Between Sisters” by Christine Hannah.
September 14 – Host Irene Norcross. The book is “Safe Haven” by Nicholas Sparks.
Linda
VERY SPECIAL THANKS
TO
RUTH WARREN
&
ROSALIE LONGENECKER
Rosalie Longenecker and Ruth Warren worked to create an excellent presentation of our church that will be shared throughout our community. The presentation was shown during the 19 June worship service and it was thoroughly enjoyed by all.
We also anticipate making it available on the church web site. We are blessed to have very creative individuals like Rosalie & Ruth in our family of faith and we thank them for this invaluable resource.
ECC REACH OUT AND TOUCH PROGRAM
As we move forward in the development of this program the ABWM has discussed ways in which to implement the program. A four pronged approached has been outlined.
A. Food: Provide food as needed for shut-ins, caregivers, recently hospitalized, memorial services etc. A Food Team Coordinator and volunteers willing to assist in this area of responsibility are needed.
B. Transportation: Provide transportation or respite care as requested for church services/events, doctors appointments etc. A Transportation Coordinator and a team of volunteers are needed to serve in this area of responsibility.
C. Community Resource Library and Communication Center. A listing of community resources will be available in the pastor’s office and communicated through the newsletter, church bulletin and possibly a brochure. Robbie McIntosh has volunteered to be the coordinator for this area of responsibility.
D. Community Outreach to Assisted Living Facilities: Deliver Sunday flowers (when not claimed by members) to near –by ALF’s on a rotating basis and do a needs assessment of how Emmanuel might provide additional services to ALFs in the future. A volunteer coordinator and team are needed for this area of responsibility.
ABWM members will be contacting members of our church to see if any of our members are in need of any of the above services.
JUST FOR LAUGHS
A wife invited some people to dinner. At the table, she turned to her six-year old daughter and said, “Would you like to say the blessing?” “I wouldn’t know what to say, “ the girl replied. “Just say what you hear Mommy say,” the wife answered. The daughter bowed her head and said, “Lord, why on earth did I invite all these people to dinner?”