Sundays at 10:30 a.m. via Facebook Live · Details

  412 North Church Street, Rockford, IL 61103  ·   (815) 964-5514  ·    

Emmanuel Episcopal Church
  • Welcome
    • Who We Are
    • Mission & Values
    • Leadership
  • Worship
    • Services
    • Liturgy & Traditions
    • Sermons
    • Service Bulletins
    • Music
    • Worship Ministries
  • Families
    • Sunday School
    • Children at Heart Service
    • Baptism
    • Spirituality for Adults
  • Connect
    • Beyond Our Walls
    • Parish Life
    • Subscribe
    • Monthly Newsletter
    • Calendar
    • Contact Us
  • Give
    • Support Emmanuel
    • Support Jubilee Center

Bountiful Spirit - February 24, 2021

Matthew 4:1-11

Then Jesus was led by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted by the devil. After fasting forty days and forty nights, he was hungry. The tempter came to him and said, “If you are the Son of God, tell these stones to become bread.”
Jesus answered, “It is written: ‘Man shall not live on bread alone, but on every word that comes from the mouth of God.” Then the devil took him to the holy city and had him stand on the highest point of the temple. “If you are the Son of God,” he said, “throw yourself down. For it is written:
“‘He will command his angels concerning you, and they will lift you up in their hands, so that you will not strike your foot against a stone.” Jesus answered him, “It is also written: ‘Do not put the Lord your God to the test.” Again, the devil took him to a very high mountain and showed him all the kingdoms of the world and their splendor. “All this I will give you,” he said, “if you will bow down and worship me.” Jesus said to him, “Away from me, Satan! For it is written: ‘Worship the Lord your God and serve him only.’ Then the devil left him, and angels came and attended him.

Reflection by Tyler Hillman
Oh, the ever-present “if”! How many times have we heard this in some form or another, in our own lives or the lives of those we know? “If you really loved me, you would…” “If all the cards weren’t stacked against me, I could…” “If only everybody would just see things my way, then…” I particularly like this translation’s use of “the tempter” for the devil; he doesn’t coerce or force but tries to tempt a hungry and exhausted Jesus to abandon his Father just as he tempts us in our weakest moments. For the devil everything is a transaction, while in Jesus everything is freely given. When the devil requires a show of power for bread, Jesus offers His body as bread for us all. When the devil requires Jesus to throw himself down, Jesus promises each of us a room in God’s heaven. When the devil requires Jesus to bow down and worship him, Jesus bows down and washes the feet of his disciples. So the next time you hear the tempter whispering in your ear, be sure to tell him you are sure in the promise Jesus made for all of us – no ifs, ands, or buts about it.

Tags: Aspire / Archive / latest post / Welcome to Emmanuel Episcopal Church / Latest Posts


Related Posts

Three ways to prepare for the Advent Forum: Come to Emma…
1 year ago
Rockford Dance Company dancers will perform immediately a…
2 years ago
Continuing on Sunday, August 24, the ASPIRE showing of F…
2 years ago
Please join us for an Aspire event featuring Father Rosa…
2 years ago

Celebrate Holy Eucharist with us!

Online Giving is Available Now

Connect

Online Morning Prayer Archive


Copyright © 2021 Emmanuel Episcopal Church. All Rights Reserved.
412 North Church Street, Rockford, IL 61103 · (815) 964-5514 · Privacy Policy · Powered by Membership Vision
  View Entire Post

Christmas Eve Candlelight Service

Friday, December 24, 4:00 PM - 5:00 PM

Come celebrate Christmas with Emmanuel! Our Festal Choral Eucharist begins with music of the season at 9:30 p.m. followed by a special 10:00 p.m. candlelit service. Stick around afterward for a Martinelli's or champagne toast!

Christmas Eve Candlelight Service

Friday, December 24, 9:30 PM - 11:00 PM

Come celebrate Christmas with Emmanuel! Our Festal Choral Eucharist begins with music of the season at 9:30 p.m. followed by a special 10:00 p.m. candlelit service. Stick around afterward for a Martinelli's or champagne toast!

Christmas Eve Candlelight Service

Saturday, December 24, 4:00 PM - 5:00 PM

Come celebrate Christmas with Emmanuel! Our Festal Choral Eucharist begins with music of the season at 9:30 p.m. followed by a special 10:00 p.m. candlelit service. Stick around afterward for a Martinelli's or champagne toast!

Christmas Eve Candlelight Service

Saturday, December 24, 9:30 PM - 11:00 PM

Come celebrate Christmas with Emmanuel! Our Festal Choral Eucharist begins with music of the season at 9:30 p.m. followed by a special 10:00 p.m. candlelit service. Stick around afterward for a Martinelli's or champagne toast!

Christmas Eve Candlelight Service

Sunday, December 24, 4:00 PM - 5:00 PM

Come celebrate Christmas with Emmanuel! Our Festal Choral Eucharist begins with music of the season at 9:30 p.m. followed by a special 10:00 p.m. candlelit service. Stick around afterward for a Martinelli's or champagne toast!

Christmas Eve Candlelight Service

Sunday, December 24, 9:30 PM - 11:00 PM

Come celebrate Christmas with Emmanuel! Our Festal Choral Eucharist begins with music of the season at 9:30 p.m. followed by a special 10:00 p.m. candlelit service. Stick around afterward for a Martinelli's or champagne toast!

Service Times

~ our in-person services are currently suspended during the stay-at-home order ~

Please join on Sundays at 9:00 a.m. on Zoom for Adult Forum

Please join us on Sundays at 10:30 a.m. on Facebook for Morning Prayer

Emmanuel's doors, altar, sacraments, and community are open to full participation of people of all faiths, genders, gender identities, sexualities, disabilities, and nationalities.

Location

Emmanuel Episcopal Church
412 North Church Street
Rockford, IL 61103

(815) 964-5514

Contact Us