Pastor Ritter ~ June
Whoa it’s Summer already! Well, it will be soon; technically June 21 this year is both the beginning of Summer and it also happens to be Father’s Day. In either case let the backyard grilling commence! We just wrapped up school for this year at Immanuel and I have another ILS graduate in my house! Congratulations to all of our graduates and a special thanks to all of our teachers at all levels of education for your hard work and dedication that you show throughout the year. I hope in the midst of the continuing education many of you take part in during the summer, you are also able to relax and find some time for yourself.
Our final monthly theme verse for the academic year was taken from Ecclesiastes 3:1 “For everything there is a season, and a time for every matter under heaven.” There is great wisdom found in scripture. During the season of Summer, many of the activities of the church take a break. School is out for the Summer, Sunday School doesn’t meet, we don’t have EPH4, and a few of our Bible Study groups also take a break at some point in the summer. Here at Immanuel, we have so many things going on that even in the Summer you can still find something to get involved in. Keep checking the announcements for great ways to stay connected all Summer long.
Is it wrong to stop holding Sunday School and Bible Study in the Summer? The answer is no, many churches stop all their classes during the Summer and for good reasons. Many people travel for vacation during the summer which greatly affects attendance both in church and Bible Study. However, perhaps the biggest reason many churches take this break is because their leaders need a break. For everything there is a season, for most the Summer is a season of getting rest for both your body and for your soul. Thank you to all who serve in various ways all year long, if you’re taking a break over the summer, we support you!
That’s not to say that nothing is happening until the fall. Quite the opposite. Church leaders use this season of the Summer to plan and prepare for activities that will not only take place in the Fall when everyone’s Summer travels are done, but in the Winter and in the Spring as well. Planning ahead for every season and for every matter. It’s a lot of work! You can help.
We are having our next congregation meeting on June 7th. After the meeting we will be looking for people willing to serve on Ministry Action Teams (MAT’s). Additionally, we have identified 9 specific ministry areas where MATS will be implemented. While Ministry Action Teams is a new term for us at Immanuel, what these teams do is something many of us are already familiar with and are already actively involved in. Some MAT’s are ongoing, while others are very short term or seasonal. There is something for everyone, for every season and for every matter. Check them out and help us carry out the mission and ministry of Immanuel. Have a blessed Summer and we will see you in church.