Volume 4, Number 35                    The Fourteenth Sunday after Pentecost:                   September 2, 2007

Dear Friends:

I've been thinking about family recently.  Not surprising, since I have four children who seem to think that "family" means leaping into my arms from death defying heights every time I walk in the door.  But did you know about a very special family?  Its ancestors go back for millennia.  It is the wealthiest family in the world.  It has branches in virtually every country and was global long before the global economy was announced.  It behaves exactly like a family, warts to angel wings.  And you have promised to be a member of it.  In fact, if you attend Immanuel with any regularity, you have promised it many times.  And by oath.  To God Himself.  Will you who witness these vows do all in your power to support these persons in their life in Christ?  People (that's you and me):  We will.  In fact, the word family is central to the Bible story and the word itself is mentioned over 300 times.  The Jewish people were descended through Abraham (Genesis 21); Jesus is the descendant of David (Matthew 1); our spiritual ancestor is Jesus who saves us (Hebrews 7); and we promise on the basis of salvation itself through the baptismal covenant to be family to every member of the church (1 Peter 2).

So what does that mean when we have no Rector for another few months?  It means that we believe God's promises that everything will work for good to those who love Him (Romans 8); it means that we take seriously the promise that we are to be a blessing to all peoples and act on it (Acts 3); it means that we hold fast to the promise – do not be afraid (Revelation 1); it means that we respond to the call of Jesus allowing our hearts to leap within us as Elizabeth's baby did (Luke 1); it means we hear clearly the call of the Psalmist not to be downhearted but to put our hope in God (Psalm 42); it means we fear the Lord our God who answers our mistrust out of the storm:  Where were you when I laid the earth's foundation? (Job 38); it means we marvel at the story of Gideon who was told to send 31,700 troops home leaving him with 300 so that the glory of salvation would be the Lord's (Judges 7).

It is entirely counterintuitive – in the family of Jesus we are made perfect in weakness, not in our strength.  So I would suggest that this time at Immanuel is an opportunity for us to turn to God and rely on His strength, to turn to Jesus, the author of our faith, and trust in his grace, to turn to the body of Christ (each other) and see the power of God in each member.  God has already given us everything that we need.  Let the peace of Christ rule in our hearts and be thankful (Colossians 3).  In all things that are important, He has already given us the victory.

Simon Jeynes

THIS WEEK AT IMMANUEL:                                            COMING SOON:

Sun      2       Pentecost 14                                                       Sun      9/9     9:30 am       Sunday School Sunday

                    8:00 am          Holy Eucharist in Chapel                                       c. 12:00       RNO Bracelet Making

                     10:30 am        Sung Eucharist                                Sat       9/15   10 am         Corridor Painting

Mon    3                            Labor Day: Office Closed               Sun      9/16   9:30 am       1^st Sunday School Classes

Tue      4       7:00 pm          AlAnon (Common Room)                            9/16   10:30 am and 3 pm     Sea Sunday

Wed     5       6:30 pm          Quiet Prayer restarts (Common Room)

                     7:30 pm          Healing Service (Chapel)

Thu      6       5:30 pm          Picnic in the courtyard &

                                          1^st Practice, Choristers and Mixed Choir together

Sat       8       10:00 am        Decorating corridor and rooms for next day

                     noon              AlAnon (Common Room)

 To Contact Fred Guyott:  urbansquash@myexcel.com;   Home:  302-428-1897;   Cell:  215-435-2459

Fred Guyott’s Sermons that he has given at Immanuel are on our website (www.immanuel-highlands.org).  On the home page, click on the word Sermons.  If you have no access to the Internet, printed copies may be picked up in the lobby.                                                                                        Kay Wack, Interim Parish Secretary

Coins for Katrina:  Do you have coins at home that are sitting in a jar doing nothing?  Do you have spare change all over the house that would help the Katrina victims?  Please bring any loose change that you do not want to church with you any Sunday throughout the year and drop the coins in our Katrina water cooler bottle during coffee hour in the dining room after the 10:30am service.  All of the money raised from the coins will go towards our next trip in March.  Thank you in advance for your donations.                                   Vicki Anthos, Katrina Mission

Quiet Prayer resumes on September 5th at 6:30pm in the Common Room.  Join us to develop a practice of listening to what the Holy Spirit is saying to you.  Invite your friends.         Maria duPont

Wanted: a Few Good Men—to sing in Immanuel’s Choir!  If you enjoy singing, or would like to enjoy it more, or even if you think you can’t sing at all, you could be just weeks away from a rewarding and stimulating new “career” as a member of the men’s section of our choir.  The only prerequisite is a willingness to risk learning something new.  Musical talent is not required—all skills and knowledge will be provided (If you don’t believe this, ask me about the legendary Marshall Guthrie!).  To find out more, call me, e-mail me, or speak to me on Sunday.

The Girl and Boy Choristers offer young people a unique opportunity: in return for a commitment to attend one weeknight rehearsal and sing each Sunday, Choristers receive group voice lessons, ear training and instruction in music reading skills, exposure to some of the world's greatest music old and new, practical experience in teamwork and personal responsibility, and possibly the beginning of a life-long love of singing and music, all at no cost.  To learn more, for your own child  or for someone you know, speak to me after any service, or call me during the week at church (658-7327, ext 22) or at home (994-6029), or send me an e-mail (jwburnam@immanuel-highlands.org).

The All-Choir Picnic and First Practice is September 6.       Jack Burnam, Parish Musician

RNO Bracelets:  “Remember New Orleans” bracelets will be our next big Katrina trip fundraiser.  We will have a bracelet-making session after the 10:30 a.m. service on Sunday, Sept. 9th.  All ages are welcome to join in this important venture as we will be taking these bracelets to our diocesan-wide church visits and numerous craft shows in the fall to help raise money for the Diocese of Louisiana.  Contact Vicki Anthos with questions (302) 731-0311.                                                                                  Vicki Anthos, Katrina Mission

Christian Education Memory Joggers!

Saturday September 8,  10-11am  Decoration party for the Sunday School corridor and rooms.  Please come and                                                        participate bringing balloons, streamers, etc.  Barb Volko is leading this.

Sunday September 9,     9:30 am  Sunday School registration.

                                    10:00 am  Practice for the 10:30 service up in the Sunday School rooms.

                                    10:30 am  Special Service where we will commission the Sunday School staff, bless the                                                      backpacks and briefcases, and generally have a good time.

Why does it matter that you are "there"?

1. Because Christ is the Head of the Church (1 Colossians 1:18), and
2. through Him we are to continually offer to God a sacrifice of praise (Hebrews 13: 15), and
3. in Christ we are to be members of one body and thus belong to each other (Romans 12: 5).

It matters!                                                                               Simon Jeynes, Christian Education Coordinator

Coffee Hour Update:  We’ve had a few volunteers for hosting the fellowship hour that follows the 10:30 service (thank you).  Our most pressing needs for hosts are for September 9 and September 30.  Other dates are still available, as well.  Coffee Hour is an important activity that allows parishioners and visitors to enjoy fellowship over a cup of coffee or tea and a small snack.  If you would like more information, please contact me at gibson@biochem.dental.upenn.edu.  If you know this request is for you, just sign your name on the Coffee Hour Hosts list on the bulletin board at the top of the stairs or send me an email.  Thanks.                                                                                                                                                             Carolyn Gibson

Search Committee:  Please let us know by Friday, September 14, if you would like to be considered for the new committee.  Submit your name to any Vestry member ― in person, in writing, by phone or email.  Members are:

      Sophie Day          Al LeSieur        Maria duPont          Charles Meehan   Ron Bauman        Connie Shultz

      Carolyn Gibson     Diana Swartz    Carolyn Hendrix      Joe Stoeckle         Craig Folkert        Kay Wack

      John Lampinen                                                                    (article submitted by Kay Wack for the Vestry)

Sea Sunday is September 16th!  Pray for seafarers and attend a celebration at the Port of Wilmington from 3-6 pm.  See the bulletin board – more details in next week’s Voice!          Sue Welles, Outreach Ministry