:: Life Journey :: Immanuel Church of the Nazarene ::

Happy New Year from your ICN family: we pray 2010 will bring you many new blessings for you and your loved ones in all that you do. The year 2010 comes with excitement and hope as the new decade means the beginning of many exciting events including ICN's eighth season of Upward Basketball League. You won't want to miss out on this incredible opportunity.

Even if you do not have children participating in the season, you can make an enormous difference in these children's lives by donating your time, love and energy to Upward. There are many areas you can help with from working in the Cafe serving food to refereeing, and even setting up and tearing down. We need many helping hands this Upward season as hundreds of children have fun learning great values, skills and the love of their Savior. Be sure to visit our Upward site to learn more about this great ministry, and dates for upcoming events or read this great press release to hear how we're impacting the community.

Christmas is just around the corner - what are you doing this Christmas Eve? We hope you will join us for a wonderful Christmas Eve service at Immanuel Church of the Nazarene. Please note that the service begins at 4:00pm. We apologize for any clerical errors that stated the service began at 3:00pm.

The Advent season is upon us and Christmas is soon arriving. What are your plans for this wonderful season? At a time where we are easily distracted, and overwhelmed by various activities, why not take time out of your schedule to watch the children of ICN perform an inspiring Christmas musical?

This is one story the whole family can enjoy. When a group of church kids decide they want to go to the mall to sing for Christmas but are turned down, little do they realize what God had in mind. Instead, a trip to the local homeless shelter teaches them lessons about God’s unselfish love for us, our need for Him to speak His plan to us, and that we all have a treasure to offer. You will not want to miss this special presentation!

A lot of traveling occurs during the Christmas season. There are frequent trips to stores to buy gifts and goodies and of course there are usually at least a few trips to relative’s homes for family gatherings. Some journeys aren’t very far and don’t take that long, while others take hours. This Christmas season at ICN, you’re invited to take another kind of journey; a journey of the heart back to the first Christmas. Each week of advent, we will look at a different person connected to the Ch istmas story to see the journey each of them made and how to make the same journey ourselves.

Be sure to join us for a worship experience each Sunday of December. From November 29th to December 12th, we will still have our regular service times of 9:30AM and 11:00AM. However, please remember to mark your calendar that on Sundays December 20 & 27, we will have one combined worship service at 10:00AM for the whole family! On December 20th, our children will present their wonderful Christmas Musical called No Wonder! Lastly, on December 24th at 4:00PM we will hold our Christmas Eve Service.

The Advent season can be a busy time, but we pray that even during the hectic times, you experience the love and peace of Christ. May you have a blessed Thanksgiving holiday.

In the North Penn area, there is a new support group for dads with children who have special needs. Starting October 5th, the group will meet the first Monday of every month from 7:00PM - 8:30PM. The group will be held at Immanuel Church of the Nazarene (1260 Welsh Road, Lansdale, PA 19446) in the teen area, which can be accessed using the door by the side entrance. Come find support, encouragement, and hope with other local dads in a relaxed Christian enviroment. Share how you have dealt with issues such as endless medical appointments, insurance companies, social challenges, and other struggles. For more information, please contact Eric Nixon.

School is in session, and the weather is getting colder. But the changing seasons also ushers in great new small groups. This Fall starting in September and October, we have numerous small groups that meet the needs of a variety of ages, and circumstances. Don't miss out on this great opportunity for you and your family, and find the small group, which best suits you:

Financial Video Series by Crown Financial Ministries
Wednesday Evening 6:30 - 7:45pm
Sept. 23 - Nov. 11
Led by: José Zambrana
Book Cost: $10.00

Ladies Small Group
First Place 4 Health; by Carole Lewis
Tuesday Evening at 7:00pm Beginning Sept. 22
Led by: Amanda Hartnett
Book Cost: $19.99 (approx.)

Ladies Small Group
Living Beyond Yourself; by Beth Moore
Wednesday at 10:00am Beginning Sept. 23
Led by: Marie Jansen
Book Cost: $18.99 (approx.)

Men’s Small Group
The Driving Force
by Kyle Petty
Wednesday Evening 6:30 - 7:45pm
Sept. 23 - Nov. 11
Led by: TJ Hartnett
Book Cost: $8.75

Grief Share
A Support Group for those
who have lost a loved one.
Monday Evening at 7:00pm
Beginning Sept. 14
Led by: Larry & Nancy Gottshall

...and there are plenty more! To read a complete list of small groups offered throughought the week this upcoming fall, please visit our Small Groups page.

I'f you're around the ages of 18 to 30, we've got a great new happening small group for you! Come every Thursday evening at 8:30PM to the ICN Café for our Young Adult Bible Study called CLIMB. CLIMB stands for "Christ Lives in my Body" and is led by Jay & Dorie Geistdorfer. Come alone or bring a friend - we love new friends!

Also, we have another Adult Bible Study called Fruit of the Vine led by Ivan and Robin Markley. The group is beginning Sunday, June 7th so join us at 11:00AM in Room 205 to study Paul's first letter to the Corinthians.

Teen Camp is one of the highlights of our summer…and you should NOT miss this year’s camp! There will be fun & games, new friends, paintball, swimming, canoeing…and a GREAT times of worship! Parents…this is an AWESOME week of spiritual awakening and revival for our times. Don’t allow your teenager to miss it! Teens: download a camper application today and get it to Pastor Stretch before the deadline, June 8th.

ADULTS…we need more Counselors! (Especially WOMEN COUNSELORS!) Download an application and get it to Stretch before May 18th

We believe that every church, in every community needs to prayer walk its community. Prayer moves the heart of God. It transforms us as we seek to see God transform our communities. It helps us identify where God is leading us to serve; and allows us to gain a fresh perspective, God's view, of our community. Our physical presence in the community communicates with our neighbors that we care, that our church believes that prayer matters. It also communicates to our membership that everyone can get involved with the ministries of our church.

Sound interesting?? Come join us and let the walking and the weather invigorate our sluggish souls. As we walk together, our hearts will be refreshed by sensing the greatness of God as we uplift our neighbors in prayer.