Dear Friends,

On the behalf of our staff and church leadership, thank you for visiting the website of Emanuel Lutheran Church. We hope you will attend a worship service soon. We want to offer a warm welcome, so let us know if we can help you. Your spiritual and practical concerns are important to us.

 

Our motivation to help comes from our Lord Jesus Christ, who teaches us, “Love one another as I have loved you.”

 

May the Lord bless you and your family with joy.

  

Some thoughts for the day...

 

During my drive to work this morning I noticed a new blanket of green is covering the countryside around Modesto. A bit of rain makes all the difference, bringing forth grasses, plants and even little trees. The bright sunlight we had all week seems to have restored the earth around our parish. Surprising changes in the landscape caught my eye.

The movie, “Forest Gump” has a line about surprises: “Life is like a box of chocolates. You never know what you’re gonna get.” February is that kind of month: Will we get sunshine and flowers? Will we get fog and freezing temperatures? Both? God knows. Whatever comes, God is with us in Christ.

As you read the Echoes newsletter today, I pray that you’ll find interesting ideas for your ministry and your life. Notice how the Ministry Teams are developing the plans for our Spring season. Soon Transfiguration Sunday will shine forth, giving us the desire to listen and to serve. Ash Wednesday will begin our season of spiritual renewal, the season of Lent. Reflection and prayer will open the way.

Let the water of God’s Word stimulate growth within your soul and in your ministry. Watch for surprises!

May the light of Christ bless you,
Pastor Jo Ann