According to Pastor Sarah, head of the church’s Events Department, planning for the venue and schedule is currently in full swing. It is expected that approximately 260 participants will join the retreat, including 140 adults and 120 children.

“We hope this summer retreat can provide our members with a deeply sacred spiritual experience, along with holistic renewal and rest for body, mind, and spirit—helping everyone enter the second half of the year’s ministry with greater strength,” Pastor Sarah shared. “That’s why we are doing our utmost to arrange the most suitable schedule for everyone.”

The specific dates, location, schedule, and registration details for the retreat will be announced soon. All brothers and sisters are encouraged to stay tuned to church updates and lift up prayers for the ongoing preparations.

May God personally guide every aspect of this retreat so that all who attend may receive spiritual nourishment, genuine fellowship, and soul-deep rest during this summer season. Let us prepare our hearts together and welcome the renewal and blessings that the Lord will pour out.

On the afternoon of July 16, Senior Pastor Anthony Chiu of STL Immanuel Church, along with other pastoral leaders, welcomed Rev. John Roberts, Headmaster of Covenant Christian School, for a time of meaningful fellowship and exchange.

The discussion centered on the mission of Christian education, school culture building, faculty development, and community engagement.

Rev. Roberts offered constructive insights regarding the Christian education’s long-term planning and the potential for collaboration among Christian Educational Institutions in the St. Louis area. He concluded his visit by offering a prayer of blessing for the STL Immanuel Church’s continued growth and Kingdom impact.

Pastor Anthony expressed his deep gratitude to Rev. Roberts for the visit and shared his hope that stronger partnerships could be built among local Christian institutions in the future—working together in mutual encouragement to build up the Kingdom of God.

On the afternoon of July 14, pastors and members of STL Immanuel Church gathered to offer a farewell prayer and blessing for Brother Yanhao, who will soon return to China with his family to settle there long-term.

During the prayer, Senior Pastor Anthony Chiu lifted up intercessions for Yanhao’s journey home, for their life, faith, and ministry after returning, and for God’s ongoing protection and provision over his family. He prayed that Yanhao and his daughter Manman would enjoy sweet and joyful moments of reunion with their loved ones, continue to walk in faith, and move forward with hope under the loving guidance of the Lord.

In response, Brother Yanhao expressed heartfelt gratitude for the blessings and encouragement from the pastors and church family. He briefly shared his hopes and expectations for life back in China, and affirmed that though he and his daughter are physically leaving, their hearts remain deeply connected to the Immanuel Church family:”We are still one big family, and we will always be united in spirit.”

At the close of the prayer time, Pastor Anthony offered a touching reminder: although Sister Xiaoxiao has already returned to her heavenly home, the family she built with Brother Yanhao will always be a beloved and inseparable part of the St. Louis church community.”We will always be one in the Spirit, until the day we meet again in the presence of the Lord.”Pastor Anthony said.

After the prayer, church members gathered for group photos with Brother Yanhao and his family, blessing their journey home and praying that their future life would be filled with peace, joy, and the ever-present love and grace of the Lord.

Following the service, members joined in prayer to begin their 40-day Lenten journey with humility and perseverance. Lent calls believers to spiritual renewal, preparing their hearts for the joy of resurrection.

The Meaning of Ash Wednesday

The tradition of marking ashes on the forehead symbolizes repentance and acknowledging sin. A personal reflection recalls witnessing this practice for the first time in America, highlighting its deep spiritual significance. Lent encourages believers to confront sin, ensuring its true death through repentance.

Embracing the Lenten Journey

STL Immanuel Church provides devotional materials for guiding members through this sacred season. Lent is a time of self-examination, calling for endurance through physical and spiritual challenges.

Suffering in Faith

Suffering, both physical and spiritual, plays a vital role in faith. Whether through ministry efforts, missionary work, or personal trials, believers are reminded that hardships refine their devotion. Christ’s greatest suffering was not just physical but in loving those who rejected Him—an example for all to follow.

A Call to Transformation

As Lent progresses, the pastor encourages members to reflect on suffering’s role in strengthening faith. Through this journey, believers are called to embody enduring love, trusting that the path of sacrifice leads to the glory of resurrection.

On Saturday, December 7, at 6 p.m., members of St. Louis Immanuel Community Church participated in the annual St. Ann Christmas tree lighting ceremony at Tiemeyer Park, located near the church. The festive event, organized by community leaders, brought together over hundreds of attendees to celebrate the start of the Christmas season.

The Immanuel Kids Choir took center stage, performing three heartwarming songs that filled the air with Christmas spirit and set the tone for the evening. The celebration also featured a variety of attractions, including food, drinks, photo opportunities with Santa, and a raffle that added excitement to the night. Church members also served for the phototaking and photo printing needs at the event.

The event showcased the strong community bonds in St. Ann and the joy of coming together to welcome the holiday season.

On November 28, 2024, STL Immanuel Church gathered for a heartfelt Thanksgiving celebration, marked by gratitude and fellowship. Pastor Anthony Chiu delivered an inspiring sermon based on Psalm 69:30-36 during the Thanksgiving Service, reflecting on the deeper meaning of giving thanks.

In his message, Pastor Chiu reminded the congregation of the origins of Thanksgiving, reflecting on the Pilgrims’ gratitude for God’s faithfulness and provision during their challenging journey in a new land. He emphasized that Thanksgiving is fundamentally about acknowledging God’s blessings, even in difficult circumstances, and not merely a cultural or historical tradition.

Pastor Chiu shared a historical perspective, highlighting how Thanksgiving became a national holiday under President Abraham Lincoln, and how faith influences our expression of gratitude. He challenged the congregation to examine their reasons for thanksgiving, emphasizing that true thankfulness stems from recognizing God’s grace and intervention in our lives.

After the service, the congregation shared a banquet of love, enjoying warm fellowship and reflecting on the grace of God. The celebration was enriched by newcomers, adding to the joyous atmosphere of unity and thankfulness.

STL Immanuel Church continues to be a beacon of faith and community, reminding all to give thanks to the Lord for His enduring goodness.

From August 31 to September 1, a summer retreat was held in St. Louis, Missouri. The retreat was centered around Galatians 6:14, which states, “May I never boast except in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, through which the world has been crucified to me, and I to the world.” During the retreat, participants had the opportunity to deeply study and reflect on the Apostle Paul’s letter to the Galatians.

On the opening day, Pastor Mark delivered a sermon based on Galatians 3:1-5, urging the congregation to never lose sight of the cross and to make it the center of their lives. In the book of Galatians, Paul rebukes the Galatian believers for losing focus on the cross and returning to legalism. Paul strongly emphasizes that the image of Christ crucified is the true essence of the gospel, and when we lose sight of the cross, we are drawn toward the desires of the flesh and become spiritually foolish. Pastor Mark applied this warning to modern believers, stressing that without focusing on the cross, we risk spiritual death and distraction by worldly things.

He also reminded the attendees of the central truth that Jesus Christ was crucified for us, and this sacrifice empowers us. The most important thing to remember is that if we lose sight of the cross, we will inevitably focus on the flesh. To make the cross truly effective in our lives, we must follow Jesus. As Matthew 16:24 says, “Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross and follow me.” While it may be easy to say no to others, it is far more challenging to deny ourselves. Often, we want to follow our own desires, but we must learn to say no to ourselves. Sometimes, when Jesus calls us to act, we hesitate or refuse. But the call is clear: deny yourself, take up your cross, and follow Jesus. If we want the power of the cross to manifest in our lives, we must carry our cross daily.

The three-day retreat featured various speakers, Bible studies, prayer meetings, worship services, and a children’s retreat. The church members had a blessed time of spiritual growth and rich fellowship.

Through this summer retreat, many participants rediscovered the profound teachings of Galatians and were reminded of the importance of standing before the cross. This event is expected to serve as a foundation for the local church community to grow in faith and unity.

On June 30th,  Pastor Anthony delivered the Sunday Sermon at St.Louis Immanuel Chapel from the main passage in 1 Corinthians 2:1-5, which emphasizes the importance of trusting in God. The sermon’s beginning mentioned that the source of Independence Day is seeking freedom of faith, the reason why this nation was established is to worship Jesus Christ freely. 

When Apostle Paul preached in Corinth, he decided to evangelize through Jesus Christ and his crucify, not by eloquent speech or persuasive words. Corinth is a materialistic city. Where riches are great, people become all the more lost. But the great riches exposed a greater emptiness in the soul, and it is souls like those that were captivated by the undesirable life of Jesus Christ, and the truth he spoke. So Apostle Paul told them nothing other than Jesus. 

To his people who became captives in Assyria, Isaiah told the prophecy of a future where God will redeem them in Isaiah 54. To those who have lost everything and have all kinds of challenges ahead, God said do not be afraid to extend their tent, because in God they will not be pushed to shame, he will give salvation and greater blessings to the one who trusts in God.

We become afraid when we lose sight of the Lord and focus on the wind and the waves. When Peter focused solely on the Lord, he was able to walk on water. He gained this amazing miracle because he trusted the Lord who called him to come. But the moment he feared and lost his focus to the waves beneath him, he sank immediately. Endurance in faith is important. It does not end with just starting with faith, you have to believe until the end until you reach that finish line. Your faith has to remain unchanging. 

No matter how shabby the starting point is, if you place your faith in Christ, stretch your tent curtains wide, and lengthen the stakes where your faith has been called to reach, God will not put you to shame. From small beginnings will come glory that could only be testified as miracles. These are miracles not done by men, nor by the might of our own strength, but by the Spirit who trusts our all to the God who is always faithful to those who believe in him. 

May 18th, 2024, St. Louis Immanuel Church hosted its Special Pentecost Worship Event, in collaboration with Jubilee, with a mission-focused approach.

The Pentecost Event commenced with a powerful praise session led by Jubilee members. During the worship, both members and newcomers rose with passionate praise for the Lord.

In between praise sessions, Pastor Anthony delivered a brief sermon on Philip’s evangelism of the Ethiopian eunuch. Pastor Anthony explained that the Holy Spirit came upon the earth and was poured out on all people. Whether young or old, rich or poor, male or female, the Spirit is given equally. He emphasized that this is the immense grace given after the death, resurrection, and ascension of Jesus Christ, the Son of God. He reminded the congregation that we could not receive the Holy Spirit before; it was only given to certain people chosen by God. Through the blood of Jesus Christ, the veil was torn, allowing us to enter the Most Holy Place with Him and making heavenly things accessible to us through Him.

A 40-minute group sharing session was included in the event.

The event concluded with a fervent prayer session infused with the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit moved participants’ hearts, uniting them in the name of Jesus Christ. Their prayers were not for their own needs but for one another and for the entire church earnestly.

The Immanuel Church community emerges from this spiritual event invigorated, ready to advance the Kingdom of God with renewed vigor and Holy Spirit empowerment. May their journey be blessed and their faith be a beacon of hope and inspiration.