Good News 

Using our Abilities for God’s Purpose

This month we will be offering our stewardship emphasis, Stewards Living with Purpose. Through faith, we understand that we were made by God and for God. God’s amazing love is seen in His creation and in His desire to have all people live with Him for eternity. To fulfill His purpose, God gives us different abilities and talents in all areas of life so that we may do His work. Not only is God the source of our abilities and talents, He gives us motivation to develop them and opportunities to use them in His service. Whether we are given many or few abilities, we can be thankful for what we receive and use our gifts to extend His kingdom and in service to others.


God wants us to be productive people. The Apostle Paul wrote, “For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them” (Ephesians 2:10). God wants people to be “zealous for good works” (Titus 2:14). He does not appreciate laziness, idleness, or fruitlessness. He calls us to bear fruit (John 15:16), to serve (Ephesians 6:7), to give (Matthew 10:8), to love (Matthew 22:37-38), to witness (Ephesians 3:7), and to obey (John 14:23). God seeks people through whom He can work.


Through our lips, He tells others of His life-saving Gospel; through our hands and feet, He brings love and care to those in need; and through our minds, hearts, and checkbooks, He financially supports the work of the Church As Christians, we are called into ministry. Through faith, we become more than just spectators. We are God’s representatives who are called to serve, just as our Master, Jesus, ministered to the people of His time. “For I have given you an example that you also should do as I have done for you” (John 13:15). Our ministries take place wherever we are. Rev. Robert Morris in his book Beyond Blessed wrote, “I believe the Bible calls us to live our life on mission. Living on mission means that we don’t focus on ourselves and our desires but on what God is doing in the world and how we can partner with His work.”


As God’s people, we are to use what we’ve been given in service for the Lord and to bring glory to Him. With the help of the Holy Spirit, we are enabled to resist the temptation to use our time, abilities, and money for our own purposes. The Holy Spirit through Word and Sacrament enables us to use all of our blessings according to God’s plan and for His glory. We are not given the same or equal abilities or opportunities. We are called only to serve our Lord as He equips and enables us.


Serving Christ Together,


Pastor Steve Deombeleg

Informer

Return to the Lord

By Steve Deombeleg • February 1, 2025
Return to the Lord

Keep Calm and Listen On

By Pastor Steve • November 1, 2022
Faith comes from hearing, and hearing through the word of Christ. - Romans 10:17

God is Our Refuge and Strength

By Pastor Steve • October 1, 2022
God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble Psalm 46:1

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

He Holds the Future

By Valerie Winston • August 1, 2022
We don’t need to fear the future because God is going to be there every step of the way.