A New Song!

Continued Easter blessings to you in the name of our risen Christ.  Hallelujah!!

Today’s Psalm is Psalm 98:

O sing to the Lord a new song, for he has done marvelous things. His right hand and his holy arm have gotten him victory.

The Lord has made known his victory; he has revealed his vindication in the sight of the nations.

He has remembered his steadfast love and faithfulness to the house of Israel. All the ends of the earth have seen the victory of our God.

Make a joyful noise to the Lord, all the earth; break forth into joyous song and sing praises.

Sing praises to the Lord with the lyre, with the lyre and the sound of melody.

With trumpets and the sound of the horn make a joyful noise before the King, the Lord.

Let the sea roar, and all that fills it; the world and those who live in it.

Let the floods clap their hands; let the hills sing together for joy at the presence of the Lord, for he is coming to judge the earth. He will judge the world with righteousness, and the peoples with equity.

Psalm 98 is clearly written at an exciting and triumphant moment in the history of God’s people.  Or maybe the Psalm was written on the anniversary of a great triumph in Israel’s past.  Whatever the reason, a tired, old song will not do.  A new song must be sung.  A song that even the trees and all of creation must sing.

I’m not sure we’re in quite such a triumphant moment, but there are glimpses that a new moment is breaking forth.  A few weeks ago, we started singing as a congregation again.  It was an occasion for great rejoicing.  It had been over a year since we had sung together in our sanctuary and it felt good to express our faith in an old way that felt new all over again.

What new thing is God doing in your life?  What is the occasion for you to make a joyful noise today? Find a way to burst forth in song.

Or, if it’s not that kind of moment for you right now, rejoice in the assurance that the right hand of the Lord will eventually triumph.  And these words will one day be your song.  In the meantime, continue to be full of faith and good courage.

*****************************

Our Worship Schedule Each Sunday (Summer, too!):
**8:30am – worship in person, or online
**9:30am – worship on KWAD (920AM or 101.7FM)
**10am – worship in person

 

Help Pack for the Weekend Backpack Program TODAY (May 6) @ 3pm
The weekend backpack program provides discreet, weekend food to kids in need every week at WDC schools.  We are filling backpacks on Thursday, May 6 at 3pmin the elementary cafeteria.  All are welcome.  Wear a mask.

Frozen Meals TODAY (May 6), 1-2pm
Catholic Charities is holding their monthly food drop in Immanuel’s lot from 1-2pm on Thursday, May 6.  Seniors 60+ can receive up to 30 FREE meals.  A simple, one-time registration (name, address, DOB), gives you access to these monthly meals.

Geraniums
We are going to adorn the sanctuary with red geraniums Memorial weekend, May 30.  If you would like to sponsor a flower in honor or memory of a loved one, or simply as a gift, they are $5/plant.  After May 30th, the flowers will be planted to add color to our grounds throughout the summer.  Call the church office (631-2738), email church@wadenaimmanuel.org, or visit (http://bit.ly/ilcflowers) to sign up.

We’re Retooling our Prayer List
In an effort to keep a more timely and accessible prayer list, we’re making some changes.  Starting June 1, we will send our prayer list in this weekly email and will post the prayer list on our website.  We’re also changing our prayer list so that a prayer request will be added to our Sunday prayers for 4 weeks, unless a request to remove comes sooner.  Of course, you or your loved one can continue to be on our prayer list as long as you would like, but you would need to “renew” that request every four weeks.  Military prayers will remain on the list for six months, unless a request to remove comes sooner.  Email (church@wadenaimmanuel.org) or call (631-2738) the church office with prayer requests.  Or fill out this form: https://www.wadenaimmanuel.org/prayerrequest

Check out our news page to learn more and for other important announcements: https://www.wadenaimmanuel.org/announcements

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