Emmanuel Reformed Church of the United Church of Christ

First Sunday in Advent — December 2, 2018

Featured image is from https://www.maxpixel.net/Solitude-Snow-Winter-City-574512 Good morning friends and members of Emmanuel Church, It’s Advent time again up on God’s hill! We’ve had a snowy morning up here and it’s chilly outside. We’re entering into a new church season on Sunday and it looks like we’ve entered a new season when we look out the window…

Sermon of February 10, 2019 — “A Terrible Kind of Imprisonment”

Matthew 7:1-14, 24-29 “Do not judge, so that you may not be judged. 2 For with the judgment you make you will be judged, and the measure you give will be the measure you get. 3 Why do you see the speck in your neighbor’s eye, but do not notice the log in your own eye? 4 Or how can you say…

“The Kingdom Calls for Detachment” –Sermon of February 3, 2019

Matthew 6:7-34 “When you are praying, do not heap up empty phrases as the Gentiles do; for they think that they will be heard because of their many words. 8 Do not be like them, for your Father knows what you need before you ask him. 9 “Pray then in this way: Our Father in heaven, hallowed be…

Sermon of January 27, 2019 — “The Kingdom Calls for Charity”

Matthew 5 When Jesus saw the crowds, he went up the mountain; and after he sat down, his disciples came to him. 2 Then he began to speak, and taught them, saying: 3 “Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. 4 “Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted. 5 “Blessed are…

Sermon of January 13, 2019 — “Feasting in the Forest”

Matthew 3:1-17 In those days John the Baptist came, preaching in the wilderness of Judea 2 and saying, “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven has come near.” 3 This is he who was spoken of through the prophet Isaiah: “A voice of one calling in the wilderness,‘Prepare the way for the Lord, make straight paths for him.’”[a 4 John’s clothes were made of camel’s…

Sermon of January 6, 2019 — “We Were In the Neighborhood and Decided to Stop By”

Matthew 2: 1-23 In the time of King Herod, after Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea, wise men from the East came to Jerusalem, 2 asking, “Where is the child who has been born king of the Jews? For we observed his star at its rising, and have come to pay him homage.” 3 When King Herod heard…

“Recycled Wrapping Paper” Sermon of December 30, 2018

Matthew 1:1-17 An account of the genealogy of Jesus the Messiah,[b the son of David, the son of Abraham. 2 Abraham was the father of Isaac, and Isaac the father of Jacob, and Jacob the father of Judah and his brothers, 3 and Judah the father of Perez and Zerah by Tamar, and Perez the father of Hezron, and…

Christmas Eve Worship with Communion and Candlelight

Monday, December 24th, at 7 p.m. You and your family are invited to participate in one of the most special worship events of the year: Christmas Eve. The service will consist of carol singing, Scripture readings, and the theme is: “Christmas Bells: The Postures of Christmas.” See you in church!

Sermon of December 16, 2018 — “Right Time, Right Place, Right Person”

Isaiah 42 Here is my servant, whom I uphold, my chosen, in whom my soul delights;I have put my spirit upon him; he will bring forth justice to the nations.2 He will not cry or lift up his voice, or make it heard in the street;3 a bruised reed he will not break, and a dimly burning wick he will not…

Weekly Update — 3rd Sunday in Advent

Good morning friends and members of Emmanuel Church, It’s a clear and somewhat warm Friday up on God’s hill! This Sunday, December 16th is the Third Sunday in Advent. At 10:15 a.m. we will have worship and focus on the Advent Candle/Theme of JOY. After worship, our Prayer Angels will meet together to make a blanket. At…

Sermon of December 9, 2018 — “For Such a Time As This”

Esther 4 When Mordecai learned all that had been done, Mordecai tore his clothes and put on sackcloth and ashes, and went through the city, wailing with a loud and bitter cry; 2 he went up to the entrance of the king’s gate, for no one might enter the king’s gate clothed with sackcloth. 3 In every province, wherever…

Sermon of December 2, 2018 — “Faith as a Way of Life”

Habakkuk, Selected Verses: The oracle that the prophet Habakkuk saw. 2 O Lord, how long shall I cry for help, and you will not listen?Or cry to you “Violence!” and you will not save?3 Why do you make me see wrongdoing and look at trouble?Destruction and violence are before me; strife and contention arise.4 So the law becomes slack and justice never prevails.The wicked…

December/January Hilltopper Newsletter Double Issue

Featured image, First Sunday in Advent at Dionysos Church in Esslingen am Neckar, Germany, is used with permission of a Creative Commons License. Inside this issue of the Hilltopper you will find the invitation to this Sunday’s Christmas party along with instructions on how to get a present for your child from St. Nick! Click Here…