Welcome to our worship service on Sunday, February 16, 2025. The worship bulletin for this service is available at this link.
Emmanuel’s News and Announcements
*A Sacred Silence/Contemplative Prayer Group will meet in our Sanctuary every Wednesday from Noon to 12:30 p.m. All are welcome. Please use the side ramp entrance to the Sanctuary. If Amherst County Schools are closed, the group will not meet.
*The Chancel Choir has begun rehearsal for The Living Last Words, a musical and dramatic worship experience for Palm/Passion Sunday and Holy Week, and we welcome any interested singers to join us. We meet each Wednesday in the Choir Room at 7:00 p.m. for rehearsal of regular Sunday service music, and at 7:30 p.m. for the special program practice. Please join us!
*February is Heart Havens Month: Our February Communion Offering which we collected on the first Sunday of the month is designated for Heart Havens, a ministry of the Virginia Conference that provides residential care for adults with intellectual disabilities. Our Heart Havens home is located near Heritage UMC off Leesville Road in Lynchburg. They greatly appreciate our donations, and welcome individuals and groups that wish to come and provide activities and spend some time with the residents. Please let Pastor Nancy know if you are interested in this ministry. If you would like to make a contribution to this month’s Heart Havens offering, please use your February Communion offering envelope, or clearly mark your gift for Heart Havens. You may place your gift in the offering plate during worship, or mail it to the church office (Emmanuel UMC, P.O. Box 451, Amherst, VA 24521).
*Church Office Hours: Cindy Sale began working as our new Administrative Assistant in the church office in mid-January. As we continue the training period, the church office hours will be 9:30-1:30 on Tuesday, Wednesday and Friday. Please note that items for the weekly announcements or changes to the weekly calendar are due to the office by phone or email (434-946-7624; office@emmanuelamherst.org) no later than NOON on Wednesday of each week. You may also leave your written announcement in the marked folder inside the wall box outside the church office door.
*Inclement Weather: During the week, information about church office closure, postponed meetings, etc. will be posted on WSET Channel 13 news. Generally speaking, if Amherst County Schools are closed due to weather, the church office will not be open and meetings will not be held (unless the members of the group are contacted otherwise). If Sunday Services need to be cancelled, an email will be sent to the congregation in addition to the notice on WSET. If you do not use email and would like to be on the phone call list for these notifications, please call and leave a message on the church answering machine as soon as possible so you can be added to the list. If the church office is closed for bad weather, the answering machine will not be checked.
*The Children and Youth Ministry Team invites the congregation to join us in a community project. From now until March 2, we will collect items for the service dogs of the Amherst County Sheriff’s Department and Amherst Town Police. Suggested items include dog treats, toys (squeak or chew), blankets, etc. Place your items in the Narthex tub by March 2. We will dedicate these items at a later date.
*Annual Scleroderma Walk/March for Scleroderma, Saturday, March 8 at the Sweet Briar College gym. Registration starts at 8:15 a.m. and the walk begins at 10:00 a.m., followed by a live auction at 11:00 a.m. Registration is $35. We will have Team Emmanuel again this year. If you would like to register ahead of time, registration forms are available from Margaret Ann White or Cat Brandell, who are happy to assist you with the registration process. Please understand that you do not have to walk to participate in this event. This event is all about raising money for scleroderma research and raising community awareness. Please share this information with your family and friends. If you have questions, please contact Amherst Women’s Club Members Cat Brandell, Jill Clark, Gail Hewes or Margaret Ann White. Emmanuel is a silver level sponsor of the March for Scleroderma each year.
*The Board of Trustees invites the congregation to sign up for a cleaning project at the church. The sign-up sheet is on the back check-in table. You may come at a time that suits you, but please do not work alone. You may bring your own cleaning supplies and get reimbursed if you wish. Thanks for helping us care for our beautiful church facility. Further instructions are on the sign-up sheet.
*2025 Offering Envelopes and remaining Christmas have been moved to the Youth Room for pick up. Thanks for picking up yours at your earliest convenience.
*Worship Assistants are needed for 2025. The sign-up sheet has been posted on the big bulletin board in the hallway leading to the educational wing. If you can assist as an usher, greeter or Lay Reader in worship, please sign up on the big bulletin board in the hallway to the left of the choir loft. If you have any questions about ushering or greeting, please see Paul Ogden, Head Usher. If you have questions about serving as a Lay Reader, please contact Pastor Nancy. Thanks for considering these ministries.
Words of Thanks
*The church received a thank you letter from Nancy Banton, Coordinator for Blue Ledge Meals on Wheels, for our outstanding service and support of this vital program in Amherst County.
*The church received an acknowledgement from Beth Gamble, President of Amherst Cares, for our continued, faithful support of this ministry.
