First off this morning, I wish you all a safe and healthy holiday weekend. On Sunday, July 3rd, we will be worshiping God and celebrating our nation. Hymn sing starts this week–so I’m sure we can sing some patriotic hymns. The sermon is called : “A Practical Message for Impractical People” And is based on Jesus’ statement that “My yoke is easy and my burden light.”
A reminder about our July Schedule:
Mook (Meaningfully Obeying Our King)–Thursday, July 14th at 7 p.m. We will be meeting at the Norwalk Daily Grind in Plum. We will be discussing Christianity in fiction–reading a story by Flannery O’Connor, “The Life You Save May Be Your Own” and one I wrote, “Psalm 102:19.” Anyone can come and join the MOOK Group.
Painting of the Porch will be on July 16th at 9 a.m. (To finish up the beams above the Steele building porch.) Volunteers welcome.
Vaction Bible School is from July 25th to July 28th. The Theme is the Big Apple Adventure–New York City. 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. If you would like to sign up as a volunteer or to enroll a child, call the office or email Chris Ericson.
July 31st is Emmanuel’s Emergent Experience. From 5:30 to 6:30 is Prayer time, coffee time and chit chat time in the Steele Building. At 6:30 pm, we will meet in the Sanctuary for Emmanuel’s Emergent Experience: Get right with the Lord.
Grace and Peace,
Pastor Joseph
A Prayer for Our Country, from the Book of Common Prayer:
Almighty God, who hast given us this good land for our heritage:
We humbly beseech thee that we may always prove ourselves a people mindful of thy favor and glad to do thy will. Bless our land with honorable industry, sound learning, and pure manners. Save us from violence, discord, and confusion; from pride and arrogance, and from every evil way. Defend our liberties, and fashion into one united people the multitudes brought hither out of many kindreds and tongues. Endue with the spirit of wisdom those to whom in thy Name we entrust the authority of government, that there may be justice and peace at home, and that, through
obedience to thy law, we may show forth thy praise among the nations of the earth. In the time of prosperity, fill our hearts with thankfulness, and in the day of trouble, suffer not our trust in thee to fail; all which we ask through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
Emmanuel Reformed Church of the United Church of Christ 
