Emmanuel United Methodist Church

(Audio)

​​​Fall is coming . . . . .

Update 8-18-2021

Greetings Emmanuel Church Family,

    I pray that this letter finds you well, and enjoying these beautiful days God has gifted to us!

    I know that so many of us are eager to get back to life “as normal” and that includes life in the church. As a church council, we have been intentionally praying and planning for the fall and what new rhythms of life God is calling us to at this time.  

    As we have witnessed the number of COVID cases rise, especially within our own congregation, we have decided to postpone our 40th Anniversary celebration and our new fall worship schedule.Our new discipleship time on Sunday evenings will also be postponed. All other current ministries and planned events will continue. 

    This means that we will continue the drive-in service at 8:45 a.m. and the Indoor service at 11:00 a.m. The online service will also continue to be available. We are keeping a close eye on the COVID numbers in our congregation and community, and will choose new dates when we feel it is safe for our whole congregation to worship back inside together. 

    Last week, Bishop Park sent out a letter about best practices to resume or continue during this pandemic. Here is a short expert from the letter:
Reflecting on the recent trends in COVID transmission, I am convinced it is our responsibility as loving Christians to take the following precautions against spreading this new variant, especially to our children and others who are most vulnerable. If we faithfully observe these practices, we are more likely to be able to continue in-person worship and other activities. Health practitioners and others in our conference met to review the research and they offer the following recommendations. I wholeheartedly endorse these and strongly recommend them to our congregations and their safety/protocol teams.
•    Our worshipers, including the vaccinated, are strongly encouraged to wear masks at all of our worship services, meetings, and gatherings.
•    In our times together, please continue to practice social distancing.
•    Pastors and congregational leaders: please urge people to get vaccinated. This is not a political statement, but rather a plea to avoid putting others at risk of sickness and even death. (Of course, the encouragement to get vaccinated does not apply to those who are too young or whose doctors advise against it.) As people of faith and leaders in our communities, we can share the most up-to-date, medically determined evidence and clarify misinformation.
•    Those who are vulnerable: please, for your health and safety, do not attend in-person worship at this time.
Thank you for considering our bishop’s words. 


    We are continuing to plan for the new rhythms of ministry outlined in previous letters. When we are able to all gather back inside, we will have a traditional service at 8:45 a.m. which will include Junior Church for our children, and a new, intergenerational service at 10:15 a.m. This service is being intentionally designed to include traditional hymns, contemporary songs, and interactive elements. This service is intended to engage our youngest children to our oldest adults. I invite you to join me in covering our new worship schedule in prayer, as we seek to be faithful to the vision God has given us. 
     
    While there is some discomfort in the unknown, I encourage you to come and be a part of this new season of ministry at Emmanuel. If you have any questions or concerns, I would love an opportunity to talk with you. Please contact me via email at mgochnaur@susumc.org or by phone at 717-732-1713. 

    
In Christ,
Pastor Mindi 
Pastor Mindi 


 

 




 

May 31, 2020

​​​WORSHIP  ​at Emmanuel

 Weekly Worship Service with a message from Pastor Mindi Gochnaur, traditional hymns, contemporary praise songs and special music by Emmanuel's Sanctuary, Hand Bell and Children's  Choir. ​​

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​Prayer

Dear Lord: Your children come before you today with grateful and thankful hearts. You are so good to us and to those who are suffering with serious illnesses and losses of friends and family.  We know You care and are willing to guide and protect us. Please help those in authority to make decisions that are helpful and that will be a benefit to us so that we can live a life that is free of distress.  Guide all who deal with children as they attend school.  Support those who are losing homes and properties because of storms and protect the men and women who serve during these occasions. Bless all in the military and help them serve and be safe. Support their families.  Thank You, Lord, for listening to our prayers and supporting all of Your children.. 

In the name of Jesus.  Amen