The Holy Scriptures is the book of faith and the first language of our faith.  During the coming 12 months we invite you to join an effort to learn and memorize what might (humbly) be called “52 Great Verses of the Bible.”  This is a way for us to take hold of some of the notable passages of Scripture and take them into our lives and ourselves – letting them guide and support us.

 For many of us, our encounter with Scripture is limited to the portions read on Sunday mornings.  Many of us – and many of our neighbors – do not know the Bible as well as we could.  Here is an opportunity to grow.

For the coming year Pastor Paul has selected a total of 52 Bible verses.  Some short; some a bit longer.  Some of the verses might be called ‘comfort’ verses – these are the verses that we turn to when challenges come to us.  But, even as important are those verses are, there are many others that give meaning/direction to our lives and ministries.  They all help us understand God and God’s interactions with God’s people a little better. 

 The list of verses is varied.  They will be noted each month in The Open Door, on our website (www.immanuelwebster.org) and weekly in the bulletin.

 As a “Monthly Bonus” – 12 longer passages are offered (one per month) to challenge you.  These passages are more than just a verse or two – such as Psalm 23 or the Beatitudes (Matthew 5:1-12).  Again, they are some of those memorable passages of Scripture that uphold and encourage us in life.

 So…let’s start with the first month’s weekly verses –

September 5 – John 3:16-17

September 12 – Genesis 1:1-3

September 19 – Matthew 28:19

September 26 – Romans 5:6-8

 The September Monthly bonus passage is Psalm 23.

As we look forward to another year of learning and growing in faith please join us on Sunday, September 12, 2010, at 9:30AM to kick off the upcoming Sunday School year. Grades 6-12 will hold their annual car wash while 3 year olds – 5th Grade will gather in the sanctuary for a brief Opening Worship, visit their classrooms and meet their teachers. Refreshment will follow downstairs in the lounge area. Parents are welcome and encouraged to attend.

Wellness On Wednesdays meets every Wednesday, and is for those 55 and older. Join us from 10 am to 12:30 pm for blood pressure checks, light exercises, speakers and lunch.

The program schedule for the months of August, September and October are –

AUGUST

August 4       Author of “The Shoemaker’s Gospel” Daniel Brent

 August 11    Webster History – Museum Curator Carol Saylor, presenter

 August 18    Comedy Fashion Show by the East Rochester Seniors

 August 25    “Cooking with Frank Lamanna”

                                                           SEPTEMBER

Sept. 1  ~ ‘Bye, Bye Clutter, Bye Bye’ -Theresa Downham, a move manager and owner of “Everything Has a Place” will share tips on clutter control.

Sept. 8 – ‘Life is a Ball’  – presented by MVP – come and hear how humor afftects health, stress, creativity and productivity.  Learn ways to inject some fun into your everyday life!

Sept. 15 –Tickle Your Funny Bone! – Bring funny stories, predicaments, jokes to make others have a good laugh!

Sept. 22 – WOW’s High Tea Party – Come and enjoy singing some of the old-time favorite songs; bring a charming hat/gloves, boa “dress-up to wear as we enjoy ‘tea party foods’ and fun.

 Sept. 29 – Handmade Greeting Cards – Kate Rowland will share her wonderful expertise with us!

                                                            OCTOBER

 Oct. 6 – Putting Your Garden to Bed for the Winter – Dave Reville, Master Gardener

 Oct. 13 – South Africa! – Mark Geckle will share travels and experiences from his work with  nuclear power in South Africa.

 Oct. 20 – ‘How to Prevent Falls – a FUN Approach to a Serious Subject’ – Dr. Betty Perkins-Carpenter, a renown Rochester presenter will have us in stitches while we all learn from this popular program!

 Oct. 27 – Halloween Craft Fun – Come, have fun and help create Halloween decorations we can share with Maplewood Nursing Home for the holiday season.

Grace@5 is a ‘different’ worship service now held every Sunday (5:00 PM) at Immanuel Evangelical Lutheran Church, 131 West Main Street, Webster.  Grace@5 is not traditional, not contemporary, not alternative…it is different. 

You are invited to come and see what Grace@5 is all about.  If you like sleeping in on Sunday mornings, Grace@5 might just be for you.  If you know someone who has been away from church for a while, Grace@5 is a good place to start again.  If you are searching for answers about life or God, Grace@5 offers you an opportunity to explore and find a way with others who are also exploring and seeking a way.