Welcome to our worship service on Sunday, March 2, 2025! The worship bulletin is available at this link.
Emmanuel’s News and Announcements
*Today’s March Communion Offering is designated for the United Methodist Committee on Relief’s UMCOR Sunday Offering collected annually during the month of March. UMCOR exists to bring humanitarian relief to people in the U.S. and around the world who are living in the aftermath of natural disasters, war, and other life-altering situations. The UMCOR Sunday offering helps to support UMCOR’s administrative costs so that 100% of all funds given to particular projects throughout the year can be given completely for that purpose. Our UMCOR buckets will be placed in the Sanctuary next Sunday and will remain in place through the last Sunday of March to receive your gifts. Please mark your gifts for UMCOR Sunday. Thanks for considering this opportunity.
*Lent begins THIS WEEK with Ash Wednesday on March 5. Please join us for the following:
*Our annual Community Ash Wednesday Observance at Hardees at Ambriar Shopping Center from 7:00-9:30 a.m. which includes a time of prayer and the imposition of ashes done in small groups throughout the time period. You are encouraged to come and invite a neighbor or friend to join you. +A traditional Ash Wednesday Service will be held in our Sanctuary at 6:00 p.m. Hopefully, the earlier time will enable those who are involved in other activities on Wednesday evenings to attend the service.
*Annual Scleroderma Walk/March for Scleroderma is THIS 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. 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 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. Guest singers should plan on joining us for practice no later than this Wednesday, March 5.
*The Lenten season invites us to devote more time and attention to spiritual disciplines, especially prayer. During Lent, join us for a special 4-week Lenten prayer study entitled Lord, Teach Us to Pray. This group experience will take a deeper dive into the familiar Lord’s Prayer through Scripture reading, discussion and prayer time together. Sessions will be held on the following Wednesdays from 5:30-6:30 p.m. in the Mattie Ware Classroom: March 19, March 26, April 2, April 9. A morning option may be offered if there is enough interest in doing so. All study materials will be provided. PLEASE indicate your interest on the back of your blue “Connect with Us” form if you would like to participate in this study. You may also call or email the church office to indicate your interest (434-946-7624; office@emmanuelamherst.org).
*A Sacred Silence/Contemplative Prayer Group will meet in our Sanctuary every Wednesday from 11:00-11:30 a.m. (PLEASE NOTE TIME CHANGE). All are welcome. Please use the side ramp entrance to the Sanctuary. If Amherst County Schools are closed due to inclement weather, the group will not meet.
*Thanks to everyone that participated in the Children and Youth Ministry Team project of collecting items for the service dogs of the Amherst County Sheriff’s Department and Amherst Town Police. We will dedicate these gifts at a later date.
*The Board of Trustees invites the congregation to sign up for a cleaning project at the church. Thanks to everyone that has been working to help us do some cleaning around the church building. 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.
