The following words were spoken by Washington Irving and are still appropriate as Immanuel Church celebrates Mother’s Day on Sunday, May 11, during the morning worship hour.
               “A mother is the truest friend we have. When trials, heavy and sudden, fall upon us; when adversity takes the place of prosperity; when friends who rejoice with us in our sunshine, desert us when troubles thicken around us; still will she cling to us, and endeavor by her kind precepts and counsels to dissipate the clouds of darkness, and cause peace to return to our hearts.”    

                Wow! It seems like it has been so long since I have written to you!  I hope and pray that all is going well with you.  I hope that you enjoyed the Sunday morning sermon series “Walking with Jesus to the Cross and the Crown.”  Did you see all the people in church Sunday morning?  That was a beautiful sight.  Praise be to the King of Kings and Lord of Lords!  

               I am so excited about our “A Heart to Build” capital funds program!  People have been telling me from the beginning of my ministry here at Immanuel that we need wheelchair accessible bathrooms for our worship center.  They have also expressed a need for a welcome center/ gathering room where we can greet visitors and fellowship before and after the services.  I agree with you!  We need those things and we need them now!  That is why the stewardship committee, deacons, and I have prayerfully put together the “A Heart To Build” capital funds program to make those dreams become reality! To make those dreams come true we need you!  This church needs you!  The Lord needs you!  

               Jesus said, "For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also." (Matthew 6:21 NIV) Others have said that the opposite of that statement is also true, namely, "Where your heart is there your treasure will be also." If these statements are true, then as Christ's disciples, we must ask ourselves, "Where is our treasure?" and "Where is our heart?" It could take some honest soul-searching on our part to give an. honest answer to these questions.

               The most meaningful giving is that which is most passionate, that which is given from the heart. When we think about the heart, we think about love. This is a normal thought for the Christian, because living the Christian life is all about love. Jesus loved us so much that He gave His life. That is the supreme example of giving from the heart. Jesus asks us to give Him our best, our all, which requires us to give from the heart, with all our heart!

               On Sunday, May 18, you and your family will be given the opportunity to demonstrate giving from the heart. The offering should declare what it means to do as the Macedonians did: "They first gave themselves unto the Lord…" (2 Corinthians 8:5) How much should you give? Do what your heart tells you to do. Your offering will also illustrate what giving from the heart means to the Lord’s work  here at Immanuel.

               I am looking forward to seeing you and your family on Sunday, May 18, as we give from the heart.

                                 In Christ, forever and always,
                                 Pastor Willie

P.S.  Please make your reservations right away for the “A HEART TO BUILD” banquet (May 17th).