May I share a bit of our testimony? My wife, Becky and I, first attended Immanuel in the late 70’s.  As newlyweds and new arrivals to RVA, a coworker of Becky’s heard we were looking for a church and suggested we visit Immanuel.  At the invitation of people we met, we began attending the Builder’s Sunday school class taught by Jim Woolard.  We loved the Bible teaching but most importantly we got to know a group of folks on an personal level.  We not only met on Sundays but regularly we would get together in homes for “Socials.”  This taught us the importance of small groups in our growth as followers of Christ.

From the beginning of time, God stated that it wasn’t good that man should be alone.  Interesting that He said this before the fall when man had perfect intimacy with God. Dr. Gilbert Bilezikian says,

“Community is deeply grounded in the nature of God.  It flows from who God is. Because he is community, he creates community. It is his gift of himself to humans. Therefore, the making of community may not be regarded as an optional decision for Christians. It is a compelling and irrevocable necessity, a binding divine mandate for all believers at all times.”

Jesus knew the importance of ministering in small numbers and he chose 12 disciples to be his main relational community.  He formed this motley crew from various backgrounds into the first “small group.”

One of the great blessings at Immanuel has been the Soma Life small groups.  Soma is a Greek word that means a close group of individuals that share life together.  Some of the Soma groups study books together, others watch a video series, and some discuss sermon application questions.  We all share refreshments together, lively discussion, and pray for each other.   Soma groups will kick-off on September 17^th, and if you are not part of one of the groups, please consider joining one.  You can sign-up on August 27th and Sept 3rd at the Welcome Center following the AM service.

Paul Dreiling

Children’s Book Club Party
Wednesday, August 23rd
after Family Worship.

Read the details here!

Baptism will be held on Sunday, September 17. If you have any questions about baptism or church membership, please contact Kelly at kober@immanuelbaptist.org

Volunteers are needed for the month of September:

•Teachers in the 2’s during church time
•Teachers in the 4’s & 5’s during church time class

Contact Gloria at gduffey@immanuelbaptist.org

Word of Life Kids Clubs start September 13! Contact Peter or Sara Bunn (peterandsarabunn@gmail.com) if you’d like to serve in this Wednesday evening children’s ministry:
Small Group Coaches: (no planning needed)
Bible Coaches: (on a rotation, curriculum provided)
Game Time Coach: (1 hr)
Check-In Coaches: (Listening to memory work, 15-20 minutes, leaving time to join another Wednesday ministry afterwards)

Girls Bible Study

Thursdays, August 17, 24, & 31 from 6 to 7 p.m. in the Annex
Rising 7th grade girls and up
Study on the Book of Ruth

Senior Sendoff

Saturday, August 19 from 2 to 7 p.m.
Papi Webel’s Pool 4161 Rockhill Rd, Mech., 23111
Rising 7th graders through Class of 2017. Bring a snack, dessert, or a 2 liter to share. Questions? Beth Webel 804.781.0906

When the Bible speaks of eternal life, it refers to a gift of God that comes only “through Jesus Christ our Lord” (Romans 6:23). This gift is in contrast to the “death” that is the natural result of sin.  However, the Bible inextricably links eternal life with the Person of Jesus Christ. John 17:3 is an important passage in this regard, as Jesus prays, “Now this is eternal life: that they know you, the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom you have sent.” Here, Jesus equates “eternal life” with a knowledge of God and of the Son. There is no knowledge of God without the Son, for it is through the Son that the Father reveals Himself to the elect (John 17:6; 14:9).
This life-giving knowledge of the Father and the Son is a true, personal knowledge, not just an academic awareness. There will be some on Judgment Day who had claimed to be followers of Christ but never really had a relationship with Him. To those false professors, Jesus will say, “I never knew you. Away from me, you evildoers!” (Matthew 7:23). The apostle Paul made it his goal to know the Lord, and he linked that knowledge to resurrection from the dead: “I want to know Christ—yes, to know the power of his resurrection and participation in his sufferings, becoming like him in his death, and so, somehow, attaining to the resurrection from the dead” (Philippians 3:10–11).

How can you know that you have eternal life? First of all, confess your sin before our holy God. Then accept God’s provision of a Savior on your behalf. “Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved” (Romans 10:13). Jesus Christ, the Son of God, died for your sins, and He rose again the third day. Believe this good news; trust the Lord Jesus as your Savior, and you will be saved (Acts 16:31; Romans 10:9 –10).

John puts it so simply: “God has given us eternal life, and this life is in his Son. Whoever has the Son has life; whoever does not have the Son of God does not have life” (1 John 5:11–12).

(Excerpts from Got Questions mobile app entitled ”What is eternal life”)

For quite some time now the sound in our sanctuary has been less than optimal. You may have noticed that there were places, especially in the back, that it was very difficult to hear. We obtained the services of Lee Hartman and Sons, a sound engineering company, to provide us with a solution that would meet the criteria of our church. Last week the new speakers were installed by the sound company and this week the speakers were calibrated to the sanctuary.  Special thanks to Al Collins who has worked extensively with Lee Hartman to iron out all the details.

The new center speaker actually contains five speakers in one. Because of the size of our sanctuary simply having speakers up front, like we have had above the doors on the piano and organ sides, requires blasting the front rows to get the sound to the back. The new speaker uses the latest technology found in places like Richmond’s Altria Theatre. Because of the convex shape of the speaker, the sound is directed evenly throughout the room. Amazingly the speaker also has a 160 degree horizontal range, even sending sound into parts of both transepts.

As the men were working, one of them made an interesting comment to me.  He said one of the drawbacks of any sound system is sound that bounces off the walls. But then he said, “Thankfully you have that world map quilt hanging on the back wall and it is the perfect sound absorber.” Thanks to Lois McLean for her handiwork in making the world map quilt which reminds us of our commitment to reach the world with the gospel and deadens the sound in the sanctuary.

King Solomon wrote in Ecclesiastes that “there is no new thing under the sun.”  Of course when he wrote this, he wasn’t referring to the newest invention, the latest iPhone or Detroit’s newest car models.  Certainly these things are new, but from the larger perspective of life, human nature has remained and always will remain the same.  The timeless truths that we find in God’s Word provide a secure foundation for our lives.

This truth hit home last Sunday as Pastor Michael preached on Jesus’ teaching on faith.  As I listened to his message I was struck by the three levels of faith that are so applicable today. The first, was the “faithless generation” that Jesus rebuked for their unbelief. They looked for a sign wanting to be amused, were negative, and overly critical.  Secondly, Jesus referred to his disciples as having “little faith.” He could see fear and anxiety in their eyes, they just couldn’t trust Him entirely.  And thirdly, there was “mustard seed” faith that believes that there’s no task or situation that is impossible with God.

The mustard seed is one of the tiniest seeds found in the Middle East, so the conclusion is that the amount of faith needed to do great things is very small indeed.  Ask God for the faith that can overcome distress, anxiety and doubt. May we be known for our mustard seed faith, for “when it is full grown, it is larger than the garden plants.”

Paul Dreiling

(If you missed last week’s message I highly recommend that you listen to it at http://smiling-elixir.flywheelsites.com/sermons/  or on the IBC app.)

Preparing for Sunday

Sermon:
Kingdom Principles: On Taxes
(Matthew 17:24-27)

Scripture:
Exodus 30:11-16

Evening Service:
Business Meeting/
Only By Grace
Psalm 30

Wednesday Evenings
Mizpah Room 107
6:00 p.m.

VBS
July 31st – August 4th
9-12 noon

REGISTER HERE!

2017 VBS Offering Collection List

(Church Hill Activities & Tutoring)
Monday: Jump Ropes or Art Pad or Pastels
Tuesday: Hula Hoops or Silly Bands or Acrylic Paints
Wednesday: Balls (basketballs, kickballs, footballs) or Frisbees
Thursday: Sidewalk Chalk or Play Dough
Friday: Bubbles or Paint Brushes

VBS DECORATIONS

Work has begun on VBS decorations! Looking for help between now and July 29 for:
-crafters to paint pirate flags and striped banners
-crafters to build barrels from cardboard
-crafters to paint boxes to look like crates
Contact Jessica Preas: jessicaapreas@gmail.com

“Read For the Stars”
It’s not too late to sign up for the children’s book club. Stop by the library to register and pick up information on how to play and win prizes!

More details

Looking for a particular book? Try out the library’s new online catalog:
library.ibcrichmond.org

What if you could actually see the prayers you pray? The prayers being prayed for you? In John’s vision of heaven in Revelation 8:5 he saw the prayers of the saints ascending with incense into the presence of God. And there were noises, thunderings, lightnings, and an earthquake. Behold the power of prayer. You ask God for help, and bam! You lift your concerns to heaven and turbulence happens!

Go ahead. Stand up on behalf of those you love. And yes, stand up on behalf of those you do not. The quickest way to douse the fire of anger is with a bucket of prayer. Rather than rant, rave, or seek revenge… pray. Scripture tells us (Luke 23:34) that while hanging on the cross, Jesus interceded for his enemies. Shouldn’t we do the same? Pray—then wait for the earth to shake.

Max Lucado

On Saturday, June 17th, at 1:30 am in the morning the USS Fitzgerald, a Navy destroyer, collided with a 30,000 ton container ship, off the coast of Japan. The USS Fitzgerald is part of the US Pacific fleet stationed in Japan. The collision ripped open the right side of the destroyer sending sea water into two berthing areas where the sailors sleep.

As the water began to pour into the ship’s hull, 37 year old Fire Controlman 1^st class, Gary Leo Rehm, Jr. “leapt into action.” He called the sailors under his command on his ship “his kids” and often had them in his home when they were in port in Hampton, Virginia.   As the water flooded into the ship, Officer Rehm went under and saved at least 20 sailors. However, when he went back down to get the last six sailors, the ship began to take on too much water, and in order to save the ship the command was given to close the hatch he had been using. He had said before, “If my kids die, I’m going to die” and this came true.  Officer Rehm was one of seven sailors who lost their lives.

“Greater love has no one than this, that one lay down his life for his friends.” (John 15:13) It’s easy to think that this type of love and courage is extinct today.  What was lived out aboard the USS Fitzgerald, is alike in kind of what Jesus did for us.  Jesus willingly gave his life, went out and found us drowning in our sin, and rescued us.  What a Savior!

Preparing for Sunday

Sermon:
A Glimpse of the Kingdom
(Matthew 17:1-13)

Scripture:
Malachi 4:1-6

Evening Service:
Church Family Meeting

Please attend the evening service on Sunday, July 2nd for an update on church staffing and the organization of future leadership. All are welcome.

VBS

July 31st – August 4th
9-12 noon

Pre-Register Today!

VBS would love to have paper towel rolls, toilet paper rolls and metallic markers to use for crafts. You can drop them off at Gloria Duffey’s office or give them to Liza Chaulklin.

10 Minutes with Ernie Johnson Jr. on journalism, humility, baseball, fatherhood, and the Christian life.

Preparing for Sunday

Sermon:
The Postponement of the Kingdom (Matthew 16:24-28)

Scripture:
Psalm 49:1-9

Evening Service:
PromisedLand Quartet Concert
No tickets needed.

VBS
July 31st – August 4th
9-12 noon

We would love to have paper towel rolls, toilet paper rolls and metallic markers to use for crafts. You can drop them off at Gloria Duffey’s office or give them to Liza Chaulklin.

Car Needed: One of our missionaries, Winnie Minear, is coming to Richmond this summer for a visit on July 19-Aug 8. If you have a car that she could use for local RVA travel, please contact her at 804.915.7345

Please attend the evening service on Sunday, July 2nd for an update on church staffing and the organization of future leadership. All are welcome.

Summer Hours: June – August
9–9:30 AM & 12–12:45 PM Sundays
11–4:00 PM Most Mondays
(Call church office)
7–7:45 PM Wednesdays after Family Worship

President Lyndon B. Johnson signed an executive order on June 15, 1966 establishing the third Sunday in June as a day to honor our fathers. Six years later, President Richard Nixon signed a proclamation making Father’s Day a National Holiday. Father’s day gives each of us the opportunity to say thanks to our Fathers for their influence in our life. For many of us, our dads are no longer physically with us here on this earth. Please allow me to share with you a letter from me to my Dad sharing what Father’s Day means to me.

Dear Pop,

As Father’s Day 2017 approaches, it give me the opportunity to reflect on the tremendous influence you have had on my life. There are so many things you have taught me through your words and your actions.

First, thank you for teaching me the importance of our Christian faith. You showed me that salvation only comes from trusting in our Lord Jesus Christ to save us. You taught me to be faithful to our Heavenly Father. You taught me to be committed to our local church with our time, our giving and our faithfulness in attendance. You taught me to pass this legacy on to my children and now to our grandchildren. (All 8 of them, with one more to come.)

Secondly, thank you for showing me how to love my wife. I watched as you loved mom for over 54 years. You taught me the importance of hard work and sacrifice. I watched as you constantly put the needs of mom above your own personal needs. I watched you protect and provide for her.

Thirdly, thank you for modeling for me the importance of family. You taught me how to be a son. You taught me about loyalty and love. The teaching did not stop when Pam and I got married 35 years ago. You taught me how to be a loving husband who worked to place Christ in the center of our home.  I learned how to be a Father myself when Sara, Heather and Matthew were born. You were always there for wise counsel. I watched you love your grandkids (my kids) and wondered how could you love them so much. Jackson, Ellie, Ian, Julia, Kylie, Hailey, Addison and Levi have shown me how easy it is.

Pop, thanks for the many lessons you have taught me and for the legacy of a strong Christian Father you have left to me.

Love,

Dick

My relationship with my dad is one I will always cherish, but there is a relationship which is more important–your relationship with your Heavenly Father. Please take the opportunity this weekend to reflect on your relationship with our Heavenly Father. Is your relationship a warm, loving relationship or do you have some fences to mend? May the Lord bless you as your reflect on your relationship.

The PromisedLand Quartet
Sunday, June 25
In the Sanctuary at 6:30 p.m.
No tickets required

Listen to their music here.

Tickets on sale after church Sunday at the Welcome Center and by the Library!
Sunday, June 25th
Fellowship Hall, 5:00 p.m.

Imagine that Texas de Brazil or Fogo de Chao is coming to Immanuel, and you have an idea of what thrill of the grill is all about. That’s right, meat, meat, and more meat served on skewers and cooked to perfection on the grill. If a fantastic meal and fellowship aren’t enough, you won’t want to miss the concert after dinner, “The PromisedLand Quartet”.

VBS
July 31st – August 4th
9-12 noon

VBS would love to have paper towel rolls, toilet paper rolls and metallic markers to use for crafts. You can drop them off at Gloria Duffey’s office or give them to Liza Chaulklin.

Car Needed: One of our missionaries, Winnie Minear, is coming to Richmond this summer for a visit on July 19-Aug 8. If you have a car that she could use for local RVA travel, please contact her at 804.915.7345

Church Library

Summer Hours: June – August

9–9:30 AM & 12–12:45 PM Sundays
11–4:00 PM Most Mondays
(Call church office)
7–7:45 PM Wednesdays after Family Worship