Pray! Pray! Pray!

“Blessed is the nation whose God is the LORD, the people whom he has chosen as his heritage!” (Psalm 33: 12)

This is the month when our nation celebrates its birthday! Many call that day, “the 4th of July.” Some call it, “Independence Day.” It is aptly named “Independence Day” since “Independence” was the thing being declared on July 4, 1776. Our young nation wasn’t even quite a “nation” yet, but the American colonies were celebrating their independence from Great Britain.

Human Beings often long for “independence.” A “3-year old” wants to establish him/herself as an individual and therefore he/she will seek to defy the will of his/her parents. That same mindset comes back around in the early “teen years.” This longing for “independence” is nothing new! It began in the Garden of Eden when Adam and Eve established themselves as “independent” from God!

The Scripture verse at the top of this page is a Vision—a picture of something that any nation should strive for. Many, many nations in the world are NOT striving for this ideal—the ideal that says, “As a nation, our God is the God of the Bible.

Our own nation may have begun as a nation that sought to have God as its Lord, but it seems that as a nation we are drifting farther away from God. Not that this has been stated as an official decision, but the morals and choices being lived out by so many of our nation’s people are giving “Independence Day” a new meaning. It almost seems as though many people are seeking to be “independent” from God. Although perhaps this is nothing new, since people of every time and era have been sinners in need of God’s grace through our Lord Jesus Christ.

The point of this writing is not to denigrate our great nation, but rather to remind us of how blessed we are to live in a nation that still afford us the freedom to worship the God of Jesus Christ without the threat of official persecution. (This freedom may not last forever, but praise be to God, it still exists today.

The title at the top of this article is: “Pray! Pray! Pray!” As we once again, here in the month of July, celebrate the freedoms that we have in this nation, may you and I also exercise the freedom to “Pray” to the God our choice: namely our Triune, Christian God! And shall we pray for His patience, mercy, grace, and continued blessings upon our beloved nation so that we may truly be the “United” States of America!

God’s Peace, Pastor Jim

Mark your Calendar for July 24 @7pm – Annual Budget Meeting

The purpose of this meeting is to review the proposed budget for the upcoming fiscal year beginning on August 1 through the following July 31. As we do not yet have the books closed from the prior year, a review of the current budget cannot be conducted until November. However, we can provide year-to-date and estimates to carry out the finances through the end of the July.

Staying Rooted in Service:

Why Summer Matters at Immanuel Lutheran Church

As the warmth of summer settles over St. Clair, many of us look forward to vacations, family gatherings, and a slower pace of life. But while the rhythm of the season may change, the mission of Immanuel Lutheran Church remains constant: to serve God, one another, and our community with love and purpose.

1. Ministry Doesn’t Take a Vacation
The needs of our congregation and community don’t pause for the summer. Whether it’s providing snacks, supporting local outreach, or maintaining our worship services, the church continues to be a place of refuge, hope, and spiritual nourishment. Your presence and participation help ensure Immanuel’s ministries remain strong and effective year-round.

2. A Season of Opportunity
Summer brings unique opportunities to connect with others—through Vacation Bible School, home huddles, groups, and classes. These moments are powerful ways to share Christ’s love and build lasting relationships. Serving during this season allows us to reach people who might not otherwise step through our doors.

3. Strengthening Our Church Family
When we serve together, we grow together. Summer service fosters deeper bonds among members, especially across generations. Whether you're greeting at the door, helping with tech, reading at service, or assisting in children’s ministry, your involvement strengthens the fabric of our church family.

4. Leading by Example
For our youth and children, summer is a time of exploration and learning. When they see adults continuing to serve faithfully, even when it’s tempting to take a break, it sends a powerful message about commitment, faith, and the joy of giving back.

5. Keeping the Spirit Alive
Worship and service are not just Sunday activities—they are a way of life. By staying engaged during the summer, we keep our spiritual momentum going, both individually and as a congregation. It’s a way to honor God with our time and talents, no matter the season.

Join Us This Summer
At Immanuel Lutheran Church, every act of service—big or small—makes a difference. Whether you’re here every week or just a few weekends, your gifts are needed and appreciated. Let’s continue to love God, love people and make disciples who make disciples.
Ways to serve:

Lay Reader—When you serve as a Lay Reader, you are given the readings the week before the service. This helps you get familiar with reading and tackle any of those difficult names!
Coffee & Fellowship on Sunday—Coffee is always provided! We need bakers! The more bakers we have in rotation, the better! If you don’t bake, feel free to bring a purchased item. Cookies and pastries seem to be favored, but snack meats, cheese and fruit are quite popular too. The calendar for the balance of the year is posted on the food counter in the Welcome Center. Consider adding your name to an upcoming Sunday. Much gratitude!
Sunday Nursery Care—You can be a blessing to the parents of young children by serving in the Nursery on a rotating basis during the 10:30 AM service. If you would like to hear more about this ministry, please sign up at the “Next Step” Station near the Pastors’ Offices.
Audition for the Worship Team—Auditions are on July 2 from 6 to 7 pm. We are looking for Singers and Musicians. Full details along with preparation materials can be found in the display outside the church office.

How to Celebrate the Fourth

Remembering “Independence Day” is always traditional for celebrating the 4th of July. Every year on July 4th we recognize our nation’s freedom. Many people have fought in past wars for our freedom. It’s a wonderful feeling to live in a free country, I think many of us take that for granted.

There is a celebration in heaven every time one person turns to Christ. We read in Luke 15 how, when the prodigal son returned to the father, the father said, ‘And bring the fattened calf and kill it, and let us eat and celebrate’ (Luke 15:23).

As a disciple for Jesus, we must not be a spectator during these summer months. When we’re out and about this summer, let’s always be aware of discipling the lost. Our forefathers who were leaders for our country were instrumental in fighting for our freedom. We also need to be leaders for reaching the unchurched.

As disciples, we need to reach out to all people, and lead them to the freedom of following Jesus. The freedom from bondage and sin is only accomplished through our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.

The Bible has much to say about celebration. What should you celebrate now? How should you celebrate?

Celebrate answered prayers. In past times, I have written down a list of ‘troubles’ and situations for which I am crying out to God for mercy and help. As I look back, it is amazing to see the way in which he has answered these prayers.

“The eyes of the LORD are toward the righteous and his ears toward their cry” (Psalm 34:15).

Our Lord and Savior always hears our prayers. So celebrate the fact that God, the creator of our heavens and earth, never has a hearing or language problem for hearing our prayers.

“O my God, incline your ear and hear. Open your eyes and see our desolations, and the city that is called by your name. For we do not present our pleas before you because of our righteousness, but because of your great mercy”(Daniel 9:18).

It is important to remember to celebrate answered prayers – to praise God’s name and celebrate his goodness.

“Lord, thank you that you have listened to my cry when I have been in desperate need and you have rescued me. Lord, again today I cry out to you for…”

Celebrate before the throne in heaven. We have a beautiful church at Immanuel, but worship and prayer doesn’t just have to be at our church, it should be twenty-four hours a day, seven days a week: ‘night and day, never taking a break.’

You do not need to wait until heaven to experience ‘heavenly’ worship. This worship is happening now – 24-7 – in heaven.

Every time you worship you join in with the worship of heaven. God is at the center of the universe, surrounded here by images of who He is and what He has done. The ‘throne’ suggests the highest authority.

The Holy Spirit comes to each one of us because He knows us by name, so we can reach out and share in the celebration of our Triune God.

“My Lord and my God, I thank you that I don’t have to wait until the new heaven and the new earth to worship you. Help me to worship you today and every day, for you are worthy to receive glory, honor and power.”

Celebrate the great acts of God. Sometimes as we look at the world it seems that evil is winning. Good people suffer and are even being persecuted for their faith. Will things ever be put right?

Yes they will. God has come to earth in the person of his son, Jesus (the incarnation, which we celebrate at Christmas). He has defeated evil through the cross and resurrection (which we celebrate at Easter). The final victory will take place when Jesus comes again. In the meantime, he has given you the Holy Spirit so that you can experience a foretaste of that final victory right now (this we celebrate at Pentecost).

The church also has three great celebratory festivals: Christmas, Easter and Pentecost. These should be joyous celebrations of happiness, gladness, honor and feasting – celebrating the great acts of God in history: the incarnation, the resurrection of Jesus who died for us on the cross, and the outpouring of the Holy Spirit. As well as the annual celebrations, celebrate these great events daily in your heart.

“Lord, thank you that you have given us so much to celebrate. Thank you for the birth, death and resurrection of Jesus and the outpouring of the Holy Spirit. Help me to celebrate these great events, annually in our church festivals and daily in my heart. Amen.”

As we think of this summer and the July 4th celebration, think first of who our first and foremost hero is; Jesus Christ. ✝

God’s blessings,
Pastor Dave

Immanuel Disciples Softball Team
July is the last month to catch the Immanuel Disciples at play! Who doesn’t play better when you are cheered on! Join the fun!