Good News 

We don’t need to fear the future because God is going to be there every step of the way.

He Holds the Future

Valerie Winston

 

It is August and plans are underway for the beginning of a new school year. Part of those plans include celebrating the 170th anniversary of the school. The beginning of every school year brings a rush of excitement as we look forward to what is planned for the year. I can only imagine how those early pioneers of this school must have felt as they planned not just for the school year, but for the  establishment of the actual school. I’m sure the early focus was the lessons to be taught as well and being sustainable enough to continue the school itself. I’m not sure if they could have imagined that 170 years later the school would still be going strong.

 

Our theme for the upcoming school year is “He Holds the Future”. It is based on Philippians 1:6 which says, “Being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus.” I’m sure those early founders were concerned about just how long the school would last. Starting something can sometimes lead to fear and trepidation. But we do know that within the first month of school more teachers needed to be hired. So maybe that led to less fear about the future.

 

Throughout the history of Immanuel there have been ups and downs. Enrollment has wavered from time to time. There may have been other issues and factors that led to some stress regarding the    future of the school. There have been name changes, faculty and staff changes, building changes, and a variety of other changes. But God has seen fit to bless our school and it has persevered.

 

With the many changes there has probably been worry and concern about what would happen to the school. Those worries continue to arise from time to time, but while we don’t know the future, we know who holds it. We don’t need to fear the future because God is going to be there every step of the way. Matthew 6:26 says, “Look at the birds of the air, they neither sow nor reap nor gather into barns and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not of more value than they?”

 

It is my hope that as we plan for this school year and plan for our anniversary celebration that in another 170 years, others will look back and see how God continue to hold the future of Immanuel in His perfect and all-powerful hands.

 

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Celebrating Immanuel Christian Academy’s Milestone

By Pastor Steve • September 1, 2022
Greetings in the name of Jesus, I hope your summer has turned out to be better than you expected. We now move into the fall months with more regularity in our schedules. Where does the summer go? We all ask the same question. But, that’s life, as we move through its rhythms and cycles. A return to school for students is clearly one of the most noticeable changes. For Immanuel Christian Academy, this school year is one of great achievement. ICA will reach an historic milestone. This year we will celebrate our 170th year of continued Christian education in Hillside. That is no small feat. Just think about how ICA has contributed to the community throughout its history. Imagine the thousands of students who received an outstanding education for seventeen decades. That is truly something to praise God for. “Be glad in the Lord, and rejoice, O righteous, and shout for joy, all you upright in heart!” (Psalm 32:11). ICA has been “Glorifying God and Impacting Our Community” long before our vision statement was created. Just think about the thousands of lives that have been impacted since 1852 and continue to be impacted to this day. That’s remarkable and worthy of celebrating, which will take place beginning with a big “Kick-Off Celebration” on Saturday September 17. Both school and church will come together for a time of fun, food, and festivities. Now that we are returning to a more normal lifestyle, we can actually gather with people without all the restrictions, fears, and limitations. The timing couldn’t be better. With that said, we need your help to make this a memorable and exciting event for all. Both the ICA 170th Planning Committee and Stewardship Commission have been working diligently to ensure that this celebration will be a rich and rewarding experience. As I said, we need you, the congregation of Immanuel to step forward by using your gifts of service and hospitality. Look for announcements and volunteer opportunities. What a great way to live out the vision of Immanuel. This celebration provides an opening for us to show our love and support for the most significant ministry in Immanuel’s history. I encourage you to join us for a time of community building and an overall coming together to share life in the name of Jesus. I look forward to seeing you on Saturday, September 17, as we rejoice in this landmark celebration. Thank God for blessing Immanuel Christian Academy for 170 years. May He continue to bless this enduring Christian institution well into the future, guided by the Holy Spirit, all to the glory of God. In the Fellowship and Love of Christ, Pastor Steve Deombeleg