Emmanuel Episcopal Church
Dec 01, 2019 |
Happy New Year! Happy Advent!
| The Rev. Diane Tomlinson![The Rev. Diane Tomlinson](https://www.emmanuelrockford.org/uploads/images/img-6572_376_small.jpg)
Happy New Year! Happy Advent!
We greet the New Year in the Church, not with loud trumpets and voices, but with quiet contemplation as we await the birth of the Christ Child.
The First Sunday of Advent
The Scripture references are Isaiah 2:1-5, Psalm 122, and Romans 13:11-14. The Gospel reference is Matthew 24:36-44.
Nov 24, 2019 |
A Kingdom Like No Other
| The Rev. William Nesbit![The Rev. William Nesbit](https://www.emmanuelrockford.org/uploads/images/nesbit-head-shot_163_small.jpg)
A Kingdom Like No Other
When Charles I of England was about to be executed by his subjects, he modeled himself after his Lord and forgave those responsible for his death. As we end another Year in the Church calendar let us all celebrate the lordship of Christ in our own lives, remembering that we too are one year closer to His return, and as in Charles' words that we will one day exchange our corruptible crowns for those that are incorruptible.
Christ the King
The Scripture references are Jeremiah 23:1-6, Canticle 16 (The Song of Zechariah), and Colossians 1:11-20. The Gospel reference is Luke 23:33-43.
Christ the King
The Scripture references are Jeremiah 23:1-6, Canticle 16 (The Song of Zechariah), and Colossians 1:11-20. The Gospel reference is Luke 23:33-43.
Nov 17, 2019 |
The Apocalypse is Coming!
| The Rev. William Nesbit![The Rev. William Nesbit](https://www.emmanuelrockford.org/uploads/images/nesbit-head-shot_163_small.jpg)
The Apocalypse is Coming!
Jesus reminds his followers that there is only so much time. The world around us is turning dark, and we have the light. It is about time we got shining!
The Twenty-third Sunday after Pentecost.
The Scripture references are Isaiah 65:17-25, Canticle 9, and 2 Thessalonians 3:6-13. The Gospel reference is Luke 21:5-19.
Nov 10, 2019 |
Sometimes You Get to Dance With Jesus..
| The Rev. William Nesbit![The Rev. William Nesbit](https://www.emmanuelrockford.org/uploads/images/nesbit-head-shot_163_small.jpg)
Sometimes You Get to Dance With Jesus..
It's time for the Church to start acting like the Church. We may want to dance with Jesus, but there is work to do and it's going to be hard. The world needs to be reminded that the hard work of love is the way to move forward. And we need to be showing them the way.
The Twenty-second Sunday after Pentecost.
The Scripture references are Haggai 1:15b-2:9, Psalm 145:1-5,18-22, and 2 Thessalonians 2:1-5,13-17. The Gospel reference is Luke 20:27-38.
Nov 03, 2019 |
For All the Saints
| The Rev. Dcn. Douglas Rogers![The Rev. Dcn. Douglas Rogers](https://www.emmanuelrockford.org/uploads/images/doug-rogers_27_small.jpg)
For All the Saints
The Beatitudes are not just suggestions for a happy life, but are fully descriptive of God's mind and the heart of Jesus. On All Saints' Day, let us remember those who modeled their lives on these words, served God, and loved their neighbor as they lived their faith.
All Saints' Sunday The Twenty-first Sunday after Pentecost
The Scripture references are Daniel 7:1-3,15-18, Psalm 149:1-6,8-9, and Ephesians 1:11-23. The Gospel reference is Luke 6:20-31.
All Saints' Sunday The Twenty-first Sunday after Pentecost
The Scripture references are Daniel 7:1-3,15-18, Psalm 149:1-6,8-9, and Ephesians 1:11-23. The Gospel reference is Luke 6:20-31.
Oct 27, 2019 |
A Pharisee and a Tax-Collector Walk Into the Temple to Pray...
| The Rev. William Nesbit![The Rev. William Nesbit](https://www.emmanuelrockford.org/uploads/images/nesbit-head-shot_163_small.jpg)
A Pharisee and a Tax-Collector Walk Into the Temple to Pray...
Sounds a bit like the beginning of a joke doesn't it? It turns out that the joke is on us! Jesus uses a joke to teach his followers the importance of relying on God, and we fall for it as well... every time!
The Twentieth Sunday after Pentecost
The Scripture references are Joel 2:23-32, Psalm 63:1,6-14, and 2 Timothy 4:6-8,16-18. The Gospel reference is Luke 18:9-14.
Oct 20, 2019 |
Faith and Money
| The Rev. William Nesbit![The Rev. William Nesbit](https://www.emmanuelrockford.org/uploads/images/nesbit-head-shot_163_small.jpg)
Faith and Money
What does it mean to have God's law of love written on our hearts? How does the money we earn, and spend, and give reflect our faith? Hard questions with even harder answers.
The Nineteenth Sunday after Pentecost
The Scripture references are Jeremiah 31:27-34, Psalm 119:97-104, and 2 Timothy 3:14-4:5. The Gospel reference is Luke 18:1-8.
Oct 06, 2019 |
Genuine Faith
| The Very Reverend Thomas Rosa![The Very Reverend Thomas Rosa](https://www.emmanuelrockford.org/uploads/images/img-3728_409_small.jpg)
Genuine Faith
It is not how much greater or stronger one's faith is that matters, but how that faith is used rightly. God's gift of grace will be sufficient for that faith to accomplish what must be done.
The Seventeenth Sunday after Pentecost
The Scripture references are Lamentations 1:1-6, Psalm 137, and 2 Timothy 1:1-14. The Gospel reference is Luke 17:5-10.
The Seventeenth Sunday after Pentecost
The Scripture references are Lamentations 1:1-6, Psalm 137, and 2 Timothy 1:1-14. The Gospel reference is Luke 17:5-10.
Sep 29, 2019 |
Signs, Signs, Everywhere a Sign
| Dawn DiVenti![Dawn DiVenti](https://www.emmanuelrockford.org/uploads/images/img-5987-194_387_small.jpg)
Signs, Signs, Everywhere a Sign
Why do we never accept the signs of God's love that surround us every minute of our lives, but cry out for a sign when we are in pain or afraid? Let us not be like the rich man that ignored the beggar outside his gate and then cried out from his hellish torment, but instead imitate St Francis and share the love and good news that Jesus brought to all of us.
The Sixteenth Sunday after Pentecost
The Scripture references are Jeremiah 32:1-3a,6-15, Psalm 91:1-6,14-16, and 1 Timothy 6:6-19. The Gospel reference is Luke 16:19-31.
The Sixteenth Sunday after Pentecost
The Scripture references are Jeremiah 32:1-3a,6-15, Psalm 91:1-6,14-16, and 1 Timothy 6:6-19. The Gospel reference is Luke 16:19-31.
Sep 15, 2019 |
God Loves Us This Much
| The Rev. Dcn. Douglas Rogers![The Rev. Dcn. Douglas Rogers](https://www.emmanuelrockford.org/uploads/images/doug-rogers_27_small.jpg)
God Loves Us This Much
The parables Jesus shares in this Gospel lesson show just how much God loves each of us. It is not enough that nine of ten coins be found, or that ninety-nine of one hundred sheep are safe. God wants each of us to know His love.
The Fourteenth Sunday after Pentecost
The Scripture references are Jeremiah 4:11-12,22-28, Psalm14, and 1 Timothy 1:12-17. The Gospel reference is Luke 15:1-10.
The Fourteenth Sunday after Pentecost
The Scripture references are Jeremiah 4:11-12,22-28, Psalm14, and 1 Timothy 1:12-17. The Gospel reference is Luke 15:1-10.
Sep 08, 2019 |
Why is Jesus Breaking Up the Family?
| The Rev. William Nesbit![The Rev. William Nesbit](https://www.emmanuelrockford.org/uploads/images/nesbit-head-shot_163_small.jpg)
Why is Jesus Breaking Up the Family?
This week Jesus lays out the true cost of discipleship for his followers. Anything, and he means anything, that comes between you and God, you must be willing to leave behind. This is difficult, because God gives us such wonderful things. So, what is the way forward?
The Thirteenth Sunday after Pentecost
The Scripture references are Jeremiah 18:1-11, Psalm 139:1-4,16,16-17, and Philemon 1-21. The Gospel reference is Luke 14:25-31.
The Thirteenth Sunday after Pentecost
The Scripture references are Jeremiah 18:1-11, Psalm 139:1-4,16,16-17, and Philemon 1-21. The Gospel reference is Luke 14:25-31.
Sep 01, 2019 |
It Was A Dark And Stormy Night…
| The Rev. William Nesbit![The Rev. William Nesbit](https://www.emmanuelrockford.org/uploads/images/nesbit-head-shot_163_small.jpg)
It Was A Dark And Stormy Night…
Learning the Gospel imperative is never easy, and the Good News is always at risk. Why we help may even be more important than the fact that we help in the first place. Well, Jesus never said it would be easy.
The Twelfth Sunday after Pentecost
The Scripture references are Jeremiah 2:4-13, Psalm 81:1,10-16, and Hebrews 13:1-8,15-16. The Gospel reference is Luke 14:1,7-14.
Aug 25, 2019 |
Jesus Breaks the Sabbath. Again!
| The Rev. William Nesbit![The Rev. William Nesbit](https://www.emmanuelrockford.org/uploads/images/nesbit-head-shot_163_small.jpg)
Jesus Breaks the Sabbath. Again!
Jesus shows his disciples, and us as well, how important it is to be healing the hurts of the world. It is so important that he won’t even let sabbath get in the way. But why should it? Isn’t sabbath its own kind of healing? We have important news to share, so let’s get to it!
The Eleventh Sunday after Pentecost
The Scripture references are Jeremiah 1:4-10, Psalm 71:1-6, and Hebrews 12:18-29. The Gospel reference is Luke 13:10-17.
The Eleventh Sunday after Pentecost
The Scripture references are Jeremiah 1:4-10, Psalm 71:1-6, and Hebrews 12:18-29. The Gospel reference is Luke 13:10-17.
Aug 18, 2019 |
The Peace of God Which Passes All Understanding
| The Rev. William Nesbit![The Rev. William Nesbit](https://www.emmanuelrockford.org/uploads/images/nesbit-head-shot_163_small.jpg)
The Peace of God Which Passes All Understanding
Too often we confuse peace and quiet with the peace of God. They are not the same. They are not even related. The peace of God comes with Justice; a justice that makes the status quo very uncomfortable.
The Tenth Sunday after Pentecost
The Scripture references are Isaiah 5:1-7, Psalm 80:1-2,8-18, and Hebrews 11:29 -12:2. The Gospel reference is Luke 12:49-56.
The Tenth Sunday after Pentecost
The Scripture references are Isaiah 5:1-7, Psalm 80:1-2,8-18, and Hebrews 11:29 -12:2. The Gospel reference is Luke 12:49-56.