In October at Emmanuel, we have a tradition of sharing our “Emmanuel Stories.” These are stories of impactful ministry shared by our members during the sermon time. Pat Duff shared this story on Sunday, October 19th:
I was in Cary, NC, last weekend keeping my 3-year-old grandson, Declan, for my son and his wife. On Sunday, I went to church with my daughter’s family. This church was just bustling. They have four different services on Sunday, lots of young families and kids, and it was a perfectly nice contemporary service that my granddaughter had requested we attend—a praise band, all the service elements up on a big screen, and a lively young pastor who was very engaging with the worshipers. All was very good!
Driving home that afternoon, though, I felt bothered—and maybe a little jealous of this church. I began asking God all these “whys”:
Why is this church so big, and my dear Emmanuel so small?
Why do they have all these services?
Why this, why that?
And then I asked myself, “If this church were in High Point, would you go there instead of Emmanuel?”
A wave of remorse came over me, and I felt so guilty, as if I had insulted my beloved church. I began to think of all the things I love about my home church.
Here are some of the things that came to mind:
- I love that I know almost everyone here by name, and many of you know me and my family.
- I love when we pass the peace and I see all these precious faces who have been part of my life for 24 years.
- I love the voices in the choir; the music from the organ and piano; sometimes Shelby on the flute, Carson on the clarinet, the pastor on the drums; the joyful sound of solos or the bell choir.
- I love that I probably taught your grown children in Sunday School, or that I attended the Augsburg class with many of the adults as we grew in our faith together.
- I love that I have the privilege of assisting in serving you the Lord’s communion and seeing the beautiful faces and humble hearts of my brothers and sisters in Christ.
- I love the meaningful presentation of the pastor’s sermons, where he speaks with us rather than preaching at us.
- I love visiting our seniors with communion, listening to their church stories, and sharing a bit of their present lives.
- I love how the mighty workers on the Managing Ministry so lovingly care for our church building—Pastor Jennifer used to call them “the church mice,” who come in inconspicuously and maintain the building with such care and love.
- I love organizing and preparing fellowships where we can all come together, break bread, and share time with one another.
- I love that we genuinely care for one another, as well as for our outreach into the community.
- I love that we are a family. We are concerned for one another, whether you are a longtime member, a visitor, or new to the congregation. My church has meant so much through your love and support of our family during Wayne’s ongoing health challenges.
- I love that we all gather at the end of service to sing to our neighbors, inviting them to “come and see,” prayerfully leaving with the hope they will hear us and respond.
After a lot of pondering this week, I realize how much I love and appreciate my Emmanuel Lutheran Church—small but mighty in the love and dedication of our pastor, leaders, and congregation.
I invite you to join me in my resolve to fervently pray not only on Sunday mornings but each day in thanksgiving for the blessings of this community of believers, past and present, and for God’s almighty wisdom and guidance to move us into the future:
“O God, our help in ages past,
Our hope for years to come,
Be Thou our guide while life shall last,
And our eternal home.”
Our beloved Emmanuel Lutheran Church: God With Us.