Emmanuel Episcopal Church

We must always remember that God works outside our expectations. Just as the faith of the Magi called them to Bethlehem to see God in the infant Jesus, so too can any seeker find their way to the manger.

Luke's Gospel reminds us that the Holy Family was still very much a human family; we don't have to go searching for Jesus, because Jesus is always with us. While we often think that God is not there unless we need Him, we need to remember that God is always in the room whether we see Him or not. We can learn to see God more clearly, more easily, with just a little practice.

The Gospel reference is Luke 2:41-52.

Our words can help or harm, nurture or hurt, raise up or tear down. The Word of God, the Word made flesh in Jesus Christ, brings comfort, inspiration, and ultimately transformation and salvation.

God staked everything on His profound capacity to see the good in His creation by sending His only Son, Jesus, to show us a way back from Darkness to Light. Faced with all the trials in our society and in our lives, now more than ever we can pray,"God, show me the goodness here, and help me to see it always."

The Gospel reference is Luke 2:1-20.

At Emmanuel's Christmas Eve family service, Pastor Andria and the children of Emmanuel share with us the Christmas story, reminding us that the infant Jesus was not only a gift to Mary and Joseph but also God's gift to the whole world.

Dent Davidson, missioner for liturgy and the arts in the Episcopal Diocese of Chicago, tells us how The Song of Mary describes the very nature of a God who loves us beyond our wildest dreams. A God who chooses song, and babies, to change the world and our view of it.

The Gospel reference is Luke 1:39-45.

John the Baptist told the people to take his lessons home and to live their lives justly, ethically, and generously. Part of what John was saying is that we too can prepare the way for Christ in how we act in our lives, with truth, compassion, justice, and mercy.

The Gospel reference is Luke 3:7-18.

Fr. David Beauvais, former pastor of St. James Church, shares with us the mission of John the Baptist and what it means for us today. As John, in quoting Isaiah, called the Jewish people to prepare for the coming of Christ, we are called to prepare ourselves to receive God in our lives through Christ.

The Scripture references are Malachi 3:1-4 and Philippians 1:3-11. The Gospel reference is Luke 3:1-6.

The Rt. Rev. Jeffrey D. Lee, Bishop of the Diocese of Chicago, tells us our Christian faith is not about escaping, but engaging. Through our baptism and our Eucharist we are called to pay closer attention to the world around us, not as people lost in our fears but committed to meeting them with our faith in Christ.

The Gospel reference is Luke 21:25-36.

We look at our lives through the lenses of gratitude, and are better for it. This mindset positions us to do the ministry that Jesus has called us to do, and to see that all we need for God's Kingdom is here in front of us.

The Gospel reference is Matthew 6:25-33.

The widow who gave two small copper coins already knew her greatest happiness in living wholeheartedly for God. Giving our whole selves to God - our heart, soul, and mind - quite naturally flows from who we are to what we have - our time, talent, and treasure.

The Old Testament reference is 1 Samuel 1:4-20; the Gospel reference is Mark 12:38-44.

In this Stewardship Sunday talk, Senior Warden Robert Parker and Vestry member Phil James tell us that stewardship is so much more than mere fundraising. Stewardship is honoring the gifts that God has given us, the support and renewal of the mission of the parish, and continuing our outreach to our neighborhood and the community.

God has promised Resurrection Life not only for a chosen people, but for all. It is not only a promise for us when we die but also while we live, to help us move past all the things that keep us bound.

The Scripture references are Isaiah 25:6-9 and Revelation 21:1-6; the Gospel reference is John 11:32-44.

Stanley Campbell, Executive Director of Rockford Urban Ministries, shares his thoughts on mission: Speak from the heart; listen for God's call in all places, with all people; however you choose to serve, serve with love.

The Gospel reference is Matthew 5:43-48

Does a culture of entitlement affect our faith and what we expect from God? Jesus doesn’t promise that our lives will be wonderful, but He does turn our eyes to the needs of those around us. Our greatest reward is found not when we ask what God will give to us, but when we ask God what we can give to Him.

The Gospel reference is Mark 10:35-45.

Living a good life is more than just following the Ten Commandments. It is looking within ourselves to find the stumbling blocks that keep us from truly living as children of God, and then taking action that lets us move past them in service to God. The Gospel reference is Mark 10:17-31.

Giving voice to the voiceless is our responsibility and our duty as children of God and followers of Christ. This is not limited only to the human family but is for all living creatures, as God's life is in them also.

In the pursuit of worldly greatness we tend to forget "the least of these", the little ones and the vulnerable among us. Greatness for its own sake is an empty pursuit; to truly be great in God's Kingdom, greatness cannot come at another's expense. Mark 9:38-50

Emmanuel Episcopal Church's 2015 confirmands Elora, Hannah, Lindsey, and Sam share their faith experiences in mission and worship during their confirmation year as we celebrate the parish's youth.

The author of the letter of James was right when he wrote of the power of our words. We need God's grace to bring about a change in our hearts to make sure that what we say, and how we say it, is directed to the larger goal of speaking words of truth to others and to ourselves.