IMMANUEL IMAGES July & August 2017 Worship Schedule Sunday mornings – the heart of our life together 9:00am Sunday School 9:00 Nursery Care begins (infants – age5) 9:15 Choir Practice in the Sanctuary 10:00 Worship for All Ages – Sanctuary 11:00 Refreshments and Fellowship Time – in the Narthex July and August Worship Schedule Please note, Curtis White, our organist is taking a leave of absence during the month of July. Lynne Briel and Evelyn Perry will be our pianists during this time. Pastor Dale will be on vacation July 23. YoungLife of Dorchester County asked if several of their youth could share talk about their faith and the way YoungLife has helped them grow, so an invitation has been extended to them for that Sunday, but we have not yet heard if it a sure thing. If they are not able to be with us that week, we are planning to invite them another Sunday and ask another local pastor to fill the pulpit on July 23rd . With that in mind, here are the lectionary readings for each week. We will read a lot from the confusing words of Paul in his epistle to the Romans as well as many teachings and parables from the gospel of Matthew. They are subject to change! Sunday, July 2 Scripture: Jeremiah 28:5-9, Psalm 89:1-4, 15-18, Romans 6:12-23, Matthew 10:40-42 We begin our lessons this week with the prophet Jeremiah as he opposes a hopeful, but inaccurate, prophecy of Hananiah. The psalmist gives us a hymn of praise about God’s covenant with David, while in the letter to the Romans, Paul says everyone is under some dominion, and Christians should be slaves of righteousness. In Matthew, Jesus calls us to welcome one another as he says whoever welcomes you, welcomes me. Sunday, July 9 Scripture: Song of Solomon 2:8-13 or Zechariah 9:9-12, Psalm 145:8-14, Romans 7:15-25a, Matthew 11:16-19, 25-30 Although we probably won’t use it, the scripture from the Song of Solomon is a song of love in the springtime. We will more likely use the words of the prophet Zechariah who offers us a victorious song of God’s peace that refers to a triumphant and victorious king who is humble and rides on a colt, the foal of a donkey. The psalm begins with the words, “The Lord is gracious and merciful, slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love,” and continues declaring the greatness and goodness of God. In the letter to the Romans, Paul speaks about the inner struggle or conflict to do what is right. In the gospel Jesus considers the expectations of “this generation” and concludes with the teaching, “Come to me, all you that are weary and carrying a heavy burden, and I will give you rest.” Sunday, July 16 Scripture: Isaiah 55:10-13, Psalm 65:(1-8), 9-13, Romans 8:1-11, Matthew 13:1-9, 18-23 The Psalm is a song of thanksgiving for the bounty of the earth, and keeping with the farming theme, Jesus teaches us about the Word of God with the Parable of the Sower in Matthew. Isaiah, in his prophetic words, shares a promise stating that just as the rain and snow renew the earth, God will save Israel. Later, Paul compares life in the flesh and life in the Spirit and urges the Romans to live in the Spirit. Sunday, July 23 Scripture: Wisdom of Solomon 12:13, 16-19 or Isaiah 44:6-8, Psalm 86:11-17, Romans 8:12-25, Matthew 13:24-30, 36-43 Again, we begin with a choice of readings. A reading from the Wisdom of Solomon, found in the Apocrypha, tells us our God is a powerful but loving God who cares for us. Isaiah, the choice from the Old Testament, is about God who says he is the only God. The Psalm is a prayer asking God for help against enemies. Romans, in those often hard to follow words, Paul says we share in Christ’s suffering and glory, and are God’s children through the spirit of adoption. In Matthew, Jesus teaches us the parable of the wheat among the weeds and then tells us what it means. Sunday, July 30 Scripture: I Kings 3:5-12, Psalm 128, Romans 8:26-39, Matthew 13:31-33, 44- 52 The most familiar stories this week, as you might expect, are from the gospel of Matthew where Jesus teaches us using the parable of the mustard seed and three more parables about the Kingdom of heaven. The words of Romans are also familiar as well, because Paul asks us, “Who will separate us from the love of God?” In the Old Testament passage God appears to Solomon in a dream and asks the new King what he wants and Solomon replies, “Wisdom.” The Psalm includes instruction about the rewards of living a life of obedience to the Lord. Sunday, August 6 Scripture: Isaiah 55:1-5, Psalm 145:8-9, 14-21, Romans 9:1-5, Matthew 14:13- 21 An invitation to abundant life that begins with, “Everyone who thirsts, come to the waters; and you who have no money, come buy and eat! Come, buy wine and milk without money and without price,” are the words found in our Old Testament lesson. Again the psalm is about the greatness and goodness of God. Paul comments on what it means for Israel to be elected or chosen by God. In the gospel lesson Jesus feeds a whole lot of people with just a few fish and couple loaves of bread. Sunday, August 13 Scripture: I Kings 19:9-18, Psalm 85:8-13, Romans 10:5-15, Matthew 14:22-33 Elijah, in the passage in I Kings, found out God was not in the loud wind, or earthquake or fire, but he was in the silence. Jesus walks on water and tries to get Peter to do the same in the lesson from Matthew. The Psalm is song of praise and thanksgiving for God’s help and Paul tells us the salvation Christ offers is for all people. Sunday, August 20 Scripture: Isaiah 56:1, 6-8, Psalm 67, Romans 11:1-2a, 29-32, Matthew 15: (10-20), 21-28 The inclusiveness of God’s saving grace is a theme this week. In Matthew we hear the story of the Canaanite woman who, like a dog, craves the crumbs that fall from the Master’s table. The salvation Christ offers is still offered to those who, even though they were “chosen” disobeyed is the message found in the letter to the Romans and in the Old Testament, through Isaiah, God says salvation is for all who obey. The Psalm says nations are called to praise God. Sunday, August 27 Scripture: Isaiah 51:1-6, Psalm 138, Romans 12:1-8, Matthew 16:13-20 The prophet Isaiah shares God’s word as he tells Israel that blessings are in store for God’s people. Thanksgiving and praise is the theme of the Psalm. Paul’s words are more of an exhortation as he asks us not to conform to the ways of this world, challenges us to be transformed and live in the new life Christ offers. The gospel lesson has the conversation between Jesus and his disciples where Jesus asks his disciples, “Who do people say that I am?” and they respond with incorrect answers. Peter eventually proclaims Jesus as the Messiah. PASTOR’S MESSAGE The General Synod of the United Church of Christ is meeting in Baltimore from June 30 through July 4. It is a big event with roughly 4000 delegates and guests and a host of big time speakers and worship leaders. In 2007, at the General Synod that year, one of the guest speakers was Senator Barack Obama. And it caused a problem. Obama, an active member of the United Church of Christ for more than 20 years at that time, addressed the UCC's 50th anniversary General Synod in Hartford, Conn., on June 23, as one of 60 diverse speakers representing the arts, media, academia, science, technology, business and government. Each was asked to reflect on the intersection of their faith and their respective vocations or fields of expertise. The invitation to Obama was extended a year before he became a Democratic presidential candidate. The problem was that shortly after the Synod meeting, the Internal Revenue Service notified the United Church of Christ's national offices in Cleveland, Ohio, that they opened an investigation into U.S. Sen. Barack Obama's address at the UCC's 2007 General Synod. They were charging the church with engaging in "political activities." In the IRS letter dated Feb. 20, the IRS said it was initiating a church tax inquiry "because reasonable belief exists that the United Church of Christ has engaged in political activities that could jeopardize its tax-exempt status." Before Obama spoke to the national gathering of 10,000 UCC members, Associate General Minister Edith A. Guffey, who serves as administrator of the biennial General Synod, admonished the crowd that Obama's appearance was not to be a campaign- related event and that electioneering would not be tolerated. No political leaflets, signs or placards were allowed, and activity by the Obama campaign was barred from inside the Hartford Civic Center venue. In an introduction before Obama's speech, Thomas said Obama was invited as "one of ours" to provide reflections on "how personal faith can be lived out in the public square, how personal faith and piety is reflected in the life of public service." However, the IRS still opened an investigation because they believed the United Church of Christ violated the “Johnson amendment,” of the IRS Revenue Code. Specifically, Paragraph (3) of subsection (c) of section 501 of the Internal Revenue Code describes certain organizations that may be exempt from U.S. Federal income tax. The description of those organizations is worded (in part) as follows: (3) Corporations, and any community chest, fund, or foundation, organized and operated exclusively for religious [ . . . ] purposes [ . . . ] no part of the net earnings of which inures to the benefit of any private shareholder or individual, no substantial part of the activities of which is carrying on propaganda, or otherwise attempting, to influence legislation (except as otherwise provided in subsection (h) [relating to certain expenditures by charities to influence legislation]), . . . In 1954, Senator Lyndon Johnson of Texas, introduced the following amendment/addition to the code: . . . and which does not participate in, or intervene in (including the publishing or distributing of statements), any political campaign on behalf of (or in opposition to) any candidate for public office. This is the law, or code, that prohibits churches from engaging in political campaigns or endorsing political candidates. I share this because on May 4, 2017, President Donald Trump signed an executive order "to defend the freedom of religion and speech" for the purpose of easing the Johnson Amendment's restrictions. President Trump cannot, by himself, remove or eliminate the amendment, but he can direct the IRS not to enforce the clause. During his 2016 presidential campaign, Donald Trump called for the repeal of the amendment. Later on February 2, 2017, President Trump vowed at the National Prayer Breakfast to "totally destroy" the Johnson Amendment, White House Press Secretary Sean Spicer announced to the press that the President "committed to get rid of the Johnson Amendment", "allowing our representatives of faith to speak freely and without retribution", and Republican lawmakers introduced legislation that would allow all 501(c)(3) organizations to support political candidates, as long as any associated spending was minimal. It is interesting that this is even news, since by most accounts it is only a few religious leaders like Jerry Falwell, Jr., president of Liberty University, and other prominent evangelicals who supported Mr. Trump’s presidential campaign who would like the amendment repealed. According to several polls about 75% of Americans believe clergy should not endorse candidates during worship services. Evangelicals were more likely to say pastors should be able to do so — 25 percent compared to 16 percent according to one survey — but support for clergy endorsements was low across the board. There was a lot of news coverage about President Trump’s executive order regarding the Johnson Amendment, but personally, I think there are many bigger issues that concern me. Like most Americans I do not think it is my duty to endorse political candidates from the pulpit, and I doubt we at Immanuel, or any of the other churches I have served, will be funding any political campaigns. However, I offered this because I do think we need to be aware of the legal requirements that govern our actions. If by chance you do want me to tell who to vote for in the next election, call or text me – just kiddin BELLS OF THE BAY The Bells of the Bay, have been invited back to Immanuel for a summertime concert. Pending approval by the Council, the Bells of the Bay bell choir will present, "Potpourri," on Sunday, August 6 at 4:00 pm. Come listen to Bells of the Bay play a great "potpourri of songs" including Beach Spring Stomp, Do-Re-Me, Blue Tango, and Misty, as well as theme music from Pirates of the Caribbean and The Addams Family! There is also a moving tribute to the nineteen firefighters who lost their lives in the 2013 Arizona wildfire. BAKE SALE? We’re having a bake sale. Oops! too hot to bake? It’s a bakeless bake sale. In July and August a “Cake” box will be out every Sunday for our donationsl. Donate what it would cost to make something for a real bake sale or put in your pocket change each week. The money will go toward church expenses. INVITATION TO MEMBERSHIP In the coming month, we would like to welcome at least one person into our membership and are inviting others who worship with us to consider becoming members of Immanuel United Church of Christ. Membership, and its benefits and responsibilities, vary from denomination to denomination. In some traditions churches are governed by one person, frequently the pastor. In other denominations, the congregation is run by a group or board of elected leaders, often called elders. In the United Church of Christ and many other denominations, congregations are most frequently governed by all of the members. These types of polities are often called episcopal, Presbyterian, and congregational polities. So, at Immanuel, while the Council, elected by the members, supervises the day to day operations and ministries of the church, all of the big and binding decisions, again including the election of the Council and President, falls to every member of the congregation. This is why we must maintain an accurate list of members. Pastor Dale does not look at a membership before visiting a member in the hospital, or marrying a couple, or burying a family member, but membership is needed to serve on the Council and to participate in the votes taken as a congregation. Please consider membership at Immanuel and join all of those who shepherd and officially care for this community of faith. CONTRIBUTIONS During the summer months, churches always suffer a reduction in giving. Immanuel is no different. People go on vacation and attend other activities with family and friends. However, the expenses at your church continues on – they don’t take a vacation. This is especially significant when it comes to paying our mortgage(s). The mortgage on the New Church Loan is $425,698.70 with a monthly payment of $2997.83; the Parsonage loan balance is $115,670.96 with a monthly payment of $1066.69. As you can see, these are major expenses, which has to be met each month. Along with all the other expenses, our reduction in giving is starting to have an effect on Church finances. Please continue to give even if you aren’t in church every Sunday and use your offering envelopes. This is a big help in keeping track of your contributions for the end of the year reporting. You may, of course, give extra to help cover the Church’s expenses at any time. Please take a moment to review the financial report which is posted on the bulletin board outside the office and also on the easel in the Narthex. Diana Jackson, Treasurer CHRISTIAN EDUCATION BOARD VACATION BIBLE SCHOOL We sure hope you will join us July 31 – August 4, Monday through Friday for Hero Central, starting with dinner for the whole family at 5:15pm. A sign-up sheet will be posted at the registration desk during VBS and we ask that you sign up for dinner so we can prepare enough food. Our evening program will run from 6:00 – 8:00pm and is a great time to meet new friends, play crazy games, enjoy lip-smacking snacks, have wild Bible adventures, do fun crafts and learn some lively new songs! VBS is for children ages 2-4 (our preschool class) and those age 5 and older (elementary school age group). We also welcome older children and youth to come as helpers. Early registration is appreciated. Please send or bring your registration form to the church as soon as possible, so we can make plans. If you would like to be an adult or youth volunteer, please call Diana Krotee, 443-487-2504. Closing celebration for VBS will be Sunday, August 6, during worship at 10:00am. As always, our dinner and program is open to all and is free of charge. Hope you can join us! A registration form is attached with this newsletter. If you need more than one, please photocopy or call the office to get additional forms sent to you. Forms are also available in the church nursery and in the Narthex. Early registration is appreciated. OPPORTUNITES TO HELP OTHERS MISSION NOTES SCHOOL SUPPLIES DRIVE Our Mission Board will soon be busy with the start-up of school gathering supplies for the following elementary schools: Choptank, Hurlock, South Dorchester, Maple, Warwick, Vienna and Sandy Hill. Last year we also provided supplies to Cambridge-South Dorchester High School and North Dorchester High and Middle School, as well as Maces Lane Middle School, although in smaller quantities. We provide, among other items, notebooks, pencils, crayons, glue sticks, rulers, pencil cases and backpacks. These supplies provide a much needed resource for the children attending these schools. The cost of providing these items to our schools is approximately $700.00. School supply lists are usually available at Walmart and you may purchase any items that would help out a student for the 2017-2018 school year. If you would like to help provide some of these items, please bring your purchases to the church anytime between 9am and 1pm Monday through Friday or bring them with you on Sunday when you attend worship. Supplies needed by August 13. We will dedicate these supplies with our annual “Blessing of the Backpacks” liturgy on Sunday, August 20. You may, of course, make a monetary contribution. Your gifts to Special Benevolence help many! Thank you for making the school year a little easier for others in our community. Blessing of the backpacks is not only for the supplies being donated to our local schools, but your own backpacks and supplies too. So bring them to church with you on Sunday, August 21. LOLLIPOP LANE THANKS IMMANUEL The following thank you note was received from Lollipop Lane: Pastor Dale & Immanuel Church Members – Thank you again for allowing us to have our program in your beautiful sanctuary. During the chaos of our “small ones” starting the program, I forgot to announce a HUGH THANK YOU!! We appreciate your time and effort it took to rearrange the stage. Everything was perfect; the families thoroughly enjoyed themselves. Thank you for your generosity. Sincerely, Deenie Reges and Staff The search is on for Ringers! Bells of the Bay, a Mid-Shore based community handbell choir, is holding “try us outs” on Monday, July 10 and Monday, July 17. Experienced ringers and unexperienced alike are cordially invited to join us and see if you might like to be a part of this fun group. We are a teaching choir, reaching out to the community to bring the art of ringing to small churches, churches with no handbell choir, and other community organizations. We teach others how to ring and also hold workshops as part of our mission. We ring both a Christmas and Spring/summer series of concerts. If you would like to join us on either July 10, 17 or both, please meet with us at Saints Peter and Paul Roman Catholic Church on Route 50 in Easton at 6:00 pm. If you are an unexperienced ringer, but a good music reader and would like to learn, we can easily teach you. We promise you a great learning experience, a wonderful close family of ringers and just a lot of fun! Come be a part of Bells of the Bay!! Please contact Shelley Reel, 443-786-9010 or [email protected] if you have any questions or need more information. REGISTRATION FORM (one per child) VACATION BIBLE SCHOOL July 31 – August 4, 2017 5:15pm Light Family Dinner 6-8p.m. VBS Program Child’s Name: _____________________________________________________ Child’s Age: ___________ Date of Birth _______________________ Last School Grade Completed: ________________ Name of parent(s): _________________________________________________ Street Address: _______________________________________________________ City: ________________________________ State: _________ Zip: ___________ Home Telephone: ______________________________________________________ Parent/Caregiver’s Cell Phone: __________________________________________ Home e-mail address: __________________________________________________ In case of emergency, contact: __________________________________________ Relationship to Child: _________________________________________________ Allergies or other medical conditions: _________________________________________________________________ _________________________________________________________________ Home Church: _________________________________________________________________ Crew Number (for church use only): __________________________________