“Greetings from all of us at Immanuel”
In our busy lives it is so easy to become consumers of Jesus and His Gospel message. We come to church when we can and when we want to. We sit in the pews or stream the worship service as customers consuming church as just another product that we enjoy, but Jesus desires more for His followers. Jesus desires for the life transformation of His grace to lead us to be not just consumers of His grace, but cultivators of His grace in our everyday lives. In what we give our time to and through the priorities which shape our lives, Christ calls us to be His cultivators in this world.
In this series, using the book “Surprise the World!” by Michael Frost as a supplement, we are looking at the 5 habits we must seek to live with as cultivators of Christ's work in the world. Today we will look at Matthew 5:13-16 and see how Christ calls us to bless others as He has blessed us.
The Approach to God
Pre-Service Music I Sing the Mighty Power of God -Watts/ Raney
*Songs O Praise Him -Crowder
You Are Good -Houghton
Prayer of Confession
Words of Assurance and Law of God
Kids Message
Installation of New Consistory Members
The Word of God
*Song Be Thou My Vision -Ballad/Ash
Scripture: Matthew 5:13-15
Message “Blessed to Be a Blessing”
Pastor Matt
Prayer for Blessing
The Response to the Word
*Song Lifesong -Hall
*Benediction
Postlude Joyful, Joyful, We Adore Thee -Albert Travis
Mission of the Month Offering Received
Offering
The ongoing ministry of the church relies on the generous giving of its members. At this time, we will not be passing the offering plates during the service. Please place your offering in the basket provided.
*Songs used by permission of CCLI #95502
ANNOUNCEMENTS
September Calling Team: Please call Mike J or Carrie B with any special concerns or requests.
September Mission of the Month: No Senior Without Christmas: This year, in order to meet increased demand, TRIAD will fill 400 boxes with household supplies, non-perishable food, and holiday cheer. The boxes are delivered to needy, older adults living in the tri-county region of Ingham, Eaton, and Clinton counties. Each box is delivered by uniformed public safety personnel, including law enforcement and fire personnel.
Flowers Provided By: Jennifer B, “For of both of my kiddos birthdays, Angel is 23 and Esperanza will be 13.” “They are my heart that beats outside my chest, they keep me in check and trying to be the best example that I can be for them. They are also the reason for my wrinkles and gray hairs. Lol!
Installation of New Consistory Members: Congratulations to Harold S will be installed as ICRC’s new Elder today, and Liz S who will be installed as our new Deacon. Please be in prayer for them as they begin their new positions. We would also like to thank Marcia J who will be rotating off of the Elders, and Julie L from the Deacons, for all of their hard work and dedication to this church.
Our Weekly CONNECT Program Begins This Wednesday, September 22: Please join us at 5:30 pm for free family dinner. The kids will then join together after dinner for a short lesson and fun activities. The theme for CONNECT Kids from September through December will be Superheroes!
We Would Like to Offer Life Skill Classes for Adults and Parents on Wednesday nights: If you have a special skill or talent that you would be willing to teach to a small group of adults on Wednesday nights during CONNECT, for about an hour, please contact Vivienne M to let her know. Viv's information is in the church directory, or you may contact Stacia in the office to pass that information along.
ICRC DOES IT AGAIN! In an incredible display of support, we collected the following for the Judson Clothing Closet: 18 pair of pants/leggings; 38 pair of socks; 61 shirts/sweaters/hoodies; 33 sports bras and 282 pair of underwear. There was also over $1600 donated for new clothing purchases. The clothing has been delivered in time for the September back-to-school appointments. Thank you for your donations and prayers.
Our Heartfelt Thank You to All of You That Have Contributed to the AV Project to Enhance Our Video and Audio Worship Experience: We have received more than $30,000 in contributions! Praise God! It's not too late, however, if you want to contribute to this worthy cause. We will continue to accept any and all gifts. To date, the components have been ordered and we're looking at a mid to late October delivery and installation time frame. We'll let you know if this changes. Again, thank you.
CWS CROP Hunger Walk: Sunday, October 10. This year we will be walking together as a church right here in the neighborhood that surrounds Immanuel! We have decided to do this immediately following the service that Sunday. We will have signs made to carry and show the community why we are walking, to help end hunger, and the walk will only be about a mile long. Pastor Matt has mapped directions for our walk through the neighborhood that we will share with you very soon, or if you would rather sit in a rocking chair and rock instead, you may do that too. We will have rocking chairs available underneath the entrance canopy in the parking lot.
If you plan on walking or rocking for CROP that day, please sign your name on the sign-up sheet that Marcia J has placed on the bulletin board just outside of the sanctuary.
CROP has also offered a "Youth Team" challenge once again, so if we have at least 3 or more youth walking with us, raising at least $250 or more, then CROP will give another $125 as a credit towards the amount raised by our congregation!
CROP is also our Mission of the Month for October: If you will be making a monetary donation to the CROP Hunger Walk, please place it in the offering baskets during the Sunday Services during the month of October, and if you will be writing a check, please make it out to ICRC, with CWS CROP written in the memo line. You may also raise money for CROP like we did in years past by asking your friends, family, co-workers and neighbors to support your walk with a donation. If you would like to do that, please contact Marcia Jackson, and she will give you an envelope.
Thanksgiving Baskets: We would like to provide Thanksgiving baskets once again to families in need this year. The cost of each basket is $40 and will include the following items: Turkey, Stuffing, vegetables, potatoes, rolls, pie, and more. If you would like to purchase a basket to provide for a family in need this year, please write your name down on the sign-up sheet located on the bulletin board just outside of the sanctuary. Please also include the number of baskets that you would like to purchase.
The Deadline to Sign Up to purchase a Thanksgiving Basket is Sunday, October 3: Payments will be due at that time. Please make your payments by mailing them directly to the church office located at 3200 Delta River Dr., Lansing MI, 48906, or you may place them in the collection plate during the Sunday service times. If you are paying by check, please write “Thanksgiving Baskets” in the memo line.
Your Leaders are so thankful for your fervent prayers:
Staff: Pastor Matt L, Joey S, Stacia W
Consistory: Carrie B, Sandy C, Eric C, Sue F, Rick H, Mike J, Harold S., Liz S, and our ministry teams
Prayers for RCA Missionaries- Denise Kingdom Grier, Africa
There are thousands of children in Botshabelo, Africa who do not have a family that can support them. Denise works to keep vulnerable children in their own homes and to place orphans into loving foster or adoptive families. Denise also works with the Setshabelo Family and Child Services staff to raise awareness about family-based care and to establish family and child support ministries with area churches. Please pray for Denise’s ministry to continue and for the children of Botshabelo.
To hear more prayer requests from ICRC, please call 321-2495, extension 191, or if you have a personal prayer request, please contact Marcia J. You may also submit a prayer request on our website at www.icrclansing.org.
Friends with Health Concerns
Shelby A, Mark and June B, John B, Joe C
Howard C, Sandy F, John F, Carol G,
Kathy G, Roland H, and other Parkinson’s sufferers,
Lon H, Marcia N, and Sandi S
for continued healing.
Save the Dates
September 28- Men’s Study, 7:00 pm.
September 29- CONNECT, 5:30 pm.
September 30- Outreach Team Meeting, 7:00 pm.
October 3- Jr. & Sr. High Youth Group, 5:30 pm
Sending prayer for our city and our neighborhoods
Written By: Lee Hardy (Reformed Worship)
Lord God, as we go to our neighborhoods now and in this coming week,
by the power and promise of Your Holy Spirit, open our ears
to hear what You are saying to us,
in the things that happen to us,
and in the people we meet.
Open our eyes
to see the needs of the people around us.
Open our hands
to do our work well, to help when help is needed.
Open our lips
to tell others the good news of Jesus
and bring comfort and laughter to other people.
Open our minds
to discover new truth about You and our world.
Open our hearts
to love You and our neighbors
as You have loved us in Jesus.
Let us go forth in the name of Christ.
Thanks be to God.