The longer I am here at Emmanuel, the more I have come to appreciate the staff. While I mentioned them in the Annual Report, those kinds of mentions can feel very routine and not necessarily sincere. And yet, as those who interact with Carolyn, Michael, Keith (and now) Lori know, they each inspire sincere appreciation… Read More ›

It has been hard to get out of bed lately. Ever since the cold spell hit (well…cold for natives like myself) the warmth and coziness under the covers has seemed like a little Eden surrounded by the outer darkness of the early morning chill. But I don’t imagine everyone feels this way. For some, the… Read More ›

In the 56 years since Emmanuel was first planted as a church community, technology and commerce has sped up our lives exponentially. For example, as soon as we think of the perfect present for someone on our list, we can grab our phones, look it up on Amazon, purchase with one click and Santa’s Elves… Read More ›

Greetings to you, brothers and sisters in Christ! It is my great pleasure to join you in your ministry here at Emmanuel. I am so excited about the work, the fellowship and the worship that will unite us during this interim period. In preparation for October 1st (my start date at EPC), I have been… Read More ›

Dear Friends— George and I want to thank you for all your expressions of love and friendship upon my retirement. We have so many lovely memories of the worship service and luncheon on July 29, and so many tangible tokens of your thoughtfulness. The beautiful olivewood cross is hanging in our living room and the… Read More ›

For the past several years I have made a point of trying to celebrate Advent during Advent and Christmas during Christmas— Advent being the four- week period before December 25 and Christmas being the twelve-day season that begins on December 25 and ends on January 5. For many folks, Christmas begins before Thanksgiving and is… Read More ›

Lent and Easter arrive on the early side this year. Ash Wednesday fell on the same day as Valentine’s Day, and Easter will fall on April 1. A pastor friend of mine says he is going to preach on being “fools for Christ” (I Corinthians 4:10) this Easter Sunday since it coincides with April Fool’s… Read More ›

Dear Friends— On December 2, 1962, a group of 45 worshipers and their pastor, the Rev. Bill Barrett, met in a borrowed church sanctuary on Greenway Road and were chartered as Emmanuel Presbyterian Church. Things were different 55 years ago. Some of us remember those days. In 1962 the cold war was freezing over and… Read More ›

Each year November brings us to our stewardship emphasis time when each of us has an opportunity to express our gratitude for God’s blessings in our lives and the life of our church. With EPC’s 55th anniversary just around the corner, we certainly have many blessings for which to be thankful. Gratitude is more than… Read More ›

This past summer brought with it some challenges we hadn’t expected. The routine surgery Jimmy Tunnell underwent on May 1 resulted in a month in ICU and weeks in rehab. (We’re so grateful he’s now returned home and recovering well!) The monsoon storm in early August necessitated the cancellation of Sunday worship for the first… Read More ›