Immanuel Weekly Newsletter

Dear Friends,

It has been my honor and privilege to be invited to preach, on two different occasions, on the Sunday before a new pastor begins to serve a church. For me, this is such an exciting time, filled with new possibilities. It always reminds me of Isaiah 43:19, which reads:

I am about to do a new thing;

now it springs forth; do you not perceive it?

I will make a way in the wilderness

and rivers in the desert.

My dear friends, you have heard me say again and again that God has loved us extravagantly and that our only possible response is to love others extravagantly. The corollary to that is this: God is on the move! God is on the move in Tucson! God is on the move on the east side! God is up to something right now!

The time when a new pastor is called is an exciting time to discern together what God is up to, and what role Immanuel will play in it. Every one of you who reads this knows that I can use a lot of words, but this isn’t the occasion for it.

Welcome your new pastor wholeheartedly! Recognize what God has done! Seek to understand what God is doing in your neighborhood right now! See where God is on the move and grab hold as though your life depended on it!

I love every one of you,

John Cheek

Upcoming News and Events

Wear Your Name Tag - We all know how disconcerting it is to be in a gathering where you don’t know most of the people in attendance. There is a simple way to ensure this doesn’t happen with our new pastor, Duane Mullen, and his family. Wear your name tag! If you misplaced yours or need a new one, please sign up on the yellow legal pad outside the sanctuary. The nametags can be worn by clip, lanyard or a paper one made each Sunday. Let’s welcome the Mullens with open arms and give them the ability to place a name with a face.

Connect, Grow and Have Fun

Sunday School Classes for All Ages at 9:45am:

Preschool and Kindergarten - Room 3
1st through 5th grade – Room 6
6th through 12th grade - Youth Room
Adult Class meets in Witherspoon Hall Rooms 12/13

Youth Group Sundays at 5:00pm, includes dinner! View youth events HERE

Bible Studies:

Men’s Bible Study on Mondays at 10:00am in Witherspoon Hall.
Women’s Bible Study on the first and third Wednesday of each month at 10:00am in Witherspoon Hall.
Agape Women’s Circle meets on Wednesday, September 9. Meets on the second Wednesday of each month at 9:00am, held off campus. Contact Mary Kay at ausmbush3@gmail.com for more information.
Lydia Women’s Circle on Monday, September 21 at 6:30pm. Join us for refreshments and the Horizons Book Study. We meet on the third Monday of each month at 6:30pm in Towner Hall.

Fellowship Groups:

Desert Sages Games on Tuesdays from 10:00am – 12:30pm. Come make new friends, play a variety of card and board games, Mahjong and dice games too. Eat popcorn and then top it off with dessert! Held in Witherspoon Hall.
Crafters Group on Thursdays from 10:00am – 2:00pm. Want to unleash your inner artist? Express your creative talents? Join our Crafters Group and bring your favorite project or try something new – adult coloring, painting, sketching, crochet and knitting – all skill levels and craft projects welcome. Meets in Witherspoon Hall 12/13.
Wednesday Night Meals – Let us do the cooking! Join us on the first and third Wednesday of the month from 5:30 -6:30pm. Meals are $10.00 each/$5.00 for kids 12 and under. Meets in Witherspoon Hall.

Mission:

Casa Maria Sandwich Day on Saturday, August 29 from 8:00 - 9:00am. If you want to participate - each brown bag lunch should include two sandwiches (no mayo please); one fruit item, and two cookies. Special note: If making a sandwich without meat, label the bag (PB&J for example). Donations of hygiene products and other non-perishable food items are welcome too! Drop off area is back parking lot by Withespoon Hall Kitchen. As of today, we have donated 2,150 lunches this year.