To Know Christ and Boldly Make Him Known

THIS WEEK AT EMMANUEL

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Third Sunday after Pentecost

June 26 - July 2, 2025

"Discipleship Asks Everything"

Dear Church,

What does it mean to follow Jesus—not just in theory, but in real, daily life?

That’s the question at the heart of this Sunday’s readings, and the answers are both inspiring and deeply challenging.

We begin in 1 Kings, where the prophet Elijah is nearing the end of his ministry and instructed by God to anoint a successor: Elisha. There’s no ceremony, no long goodbye—just a prophet’s cloak laid across Elisha’s shoulders as he’s plowing a field. Elisha’s response is immediate and costly: he sacrifices his oxen and burns his plow, severing ties with his old life to say “yes” to the call of God. That’s not a symbolic gesture—it’s everything. And yet, God equips him for what lies ahead.

In Galatians, Paul reminds us that we have been set free in Christ—not for self-indulgence, but for service and transformation. He contrasts the works of the flesh (selfishness, jealousy, division) with the fruit of the Spirit—love, joy, peace, patience, and more. These are not just traits of a “nice person.” They are the visible signs of a life shaped by the Spirit of God, the kind of life that emerges when we take discipleship seriously.

Then in Luke’s Gospel, we see what that call looks like from Jesus himself—and it’s not easy to hear. People want to follow, but they want to do it on their own timeline, with their own terms. Jesus doesn’t leave space for that. He’s heading to Jerusalem, and the road is urgent. “Follow me,” he says. But only if you’re ready to put your hand to the plow and not look back.

These readings ask a lot. Discipleship means sacrifice, transformation, and wholehearted commitment. It’s no wonder there’s resistance—then and now. And yet, the promise running through all of this is that God never calls without also empowering. The same Spirit who strengthened Elisha, who shaped the early church, and who bore fruit in Paul’s communities is the Spirit alive in us today.

Friends, let us hear this week’s call not with fear, but with faith. The journey of following Jesus is demanding—but it is also rich with grace, growth, and purpose. May we be bold to say “yes” with our whole hearts, and trust that the Spirit will give us all we need.

In Christ,

Pastor Will

“If we live by the Spirit, let us also be guided by the Spirit.” – Galatians 5:25

WORSHIP

Coffee Hour Sundays at 9:00am

The Call Committee and Pastor Will met Tuesday June 24th at the church office and on Zoom to hold a mock interview. The committee was very grateful to Pastor Donna Batchelor who was the “pretend” pastoral candidate which allowed each of the members to practice the skill of asking creative and valuable questions. This is an integral part of the call committee process because it is vital to pose questions which give the candidate the opportunity to share their vision and their leadership skills. The ultimate goal of the interview is to determine which candidate would make the best associate pastor for Emmanuel.

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Missed Last Week's Sermon?

Click the video to watch:

June 22, 2025, Second Sunday after Pentecost

CHRISTIAN EDUCATION

Daily Bible Readings

From The Revised Common Lectionary

(Click each day to read)

Lectionary Preview

June 29, 2025

Third Sunday after Pentecost

In this week’s video, we preview the lectionary readings for the Third Sunday after Pentecost (Year C):

📖 1 Kings 19:15-16, 19-21

📖 Galatians 5:1, 13-25

📖 Luke 9:51-62

These powerful scriptures challenge us to reflect on what it truly means to follow Jesus. From Elisha leaving everything behind to answer God’s call, to Paul urging believers to walk by the Spirit and bear spiritual fruit, to Jesus calling his followers to commit without hesitation—each passage shows that discipleship asks everything of us. But the good news? God also gives everything we need through the Holy Spirit. Join us as we explore this theme of "Asking Everything"—and consider what it means to say yes to Jesus today.

Click Below to Watch the Video

CONGREGATIONAL CARE

Don Lutz

Barb McLauchlin

Carol Pofelski

Phyllis Sell

There is a need for new leaders (aka facilitators) for our Grief and Grace program. July 7^th at 8:30 – 11:30, there will be a training class in the church office. This is a very rewarding ministry which you only have to do (hopefully) once a year, and it reaches out to the whole community but especially our members. If this is something that you feel you would enjoy and could contribute your time and your heart to, please contact Barb Spenks at the church office for more details and information.

Medical Minute

COOKING OILS

There are lots of different oils out there for cooking, salad dressings, etc., so which one do you use? You need to know what the smoke point is, which is when the oil starts smoking and breaking down, releasing free radicals and chemicals that give food an undesirable flavor. So let me help break it down for you, unless you are like me and just use butter.

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OUTREACH