Immanuel United Church of Christ

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What’s Good About Good Friday?

3/28/2024

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 This is Holy Week when we will celebrate Easter, but before Easter we will celebrate Good Friday --a time when we remember the willing suffering and sacrifice of Jesus on the cross.  You might ask, "What's good about Good Friday?"-- We believe that Christ's willing sacrifice upon the cross paid the penalty for any sins and failures in our life and offers us new life and hope. Good Friday is good because as the old preacher once said, "It's Friday but Sunday’s coming!" Just as the tragedy of the cross became the triumph of the resurrection, we too know that God can take our greatest tragedies and through His eternal power turn them into triumph.  On Easter we celebrate the resurrection of our Lord with special exuberance, but the impact of Easter and the resurrection of Christ touches us each and every day of our life.  We know that the depth of Christ’s love is without limit, for He suffered all that could be suffered for us.  In the cross and resurrection, we find forgiveness for sin and failure, and hope for new life now and through all eternity.  Our heart may rest assured that God’s peace is a lasting peace.  And as we face trials and tribulation, we can be confident that God can take the most poignant tragedies and turn it into the greatest triumph.  Even death does not have the final word, for we know that we will one day be re-united with those who love God along with our Lord in eternity.  God has taken the tragedy of the cross and turned it into the triumph of the resurrection.  Why? --Because of God's amazing love!  This living hope touches our life each day.  Whatever you are facing, remember God loves you and God's love is life-changing!  Peter reminds us of this hope:
 
 (Verse of the week)
Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! In his great mercy he has given us new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, and into an inheritance that can never perish, spoil or fade—kept in heaven for you, who through faith are shielded by God’s power until the coming of the salvation that is ready to be revealed in the last time. In this you greatly rejoice, though now for a little while you may have had to suffer grief in all kinds of trials. These have come so that your faith—of greater worth than gold, which perishes even though refined by fire—may be proved genuine and may result in praise, glory and honor when Jesus Christ is revealed. Though you have not seen him, you love him; and even though you do not see him now, you believe in him and are filled with an inexpressible and glorious joy, for you are receiving the goal of your faith, the salvation of your souls.  (1 Peter 1.3-9)
 
(Prayer of the week)
Almighty and Loving God, thank you your great love expressed by Jesus on the cross, and thank you for your forgiving grace.  Forgive me of wrongs and shortcomings of the past, and fill my life with your peace and hope.  May each day I know your incredible love.  And may my life touch others with love like a candle in the night.  Amen.
 
Blessings in Christ!—Pastor TJ
 
(quote of the week)
Believe in God like you believe in the sunrise. Not because you can see it, but because you can see all it touches --C.S. Lewis
 
Listen to recent sermons by Dr. TJ Jenney at YouTube &
http://inspiresundaymessages.blogspot.com/
Check the latest leadership blog by Dr. TJ http://www.drtj.us

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Palm Sunday

3/20/2024

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This Sunday is Palm Sunday, the beginning of Holy Week.  Palm Sunday is a celebration of the triumphant entry of Jesus into Jerusalem, where people shouted praise and children laid palm branches along the path.  Jesus entered the city willingly even though he knew trouble and adversity and suffering awaited.  Jesus did it willingly to show his love for each of us.  Easter week reminds us more than anything else of the depth of God’s love –a love so great that Christ was willing to give his own life that we would know forgiveness and new life.  This is more than a religious truth, it is the promise of a personal relationship with a risen Lord.  In Christ we have the promise of love beyond measure, of forgiveness and new life, and the promise of a future filled with the hope that God has a plan and purpose for our lives.   Open your heart anew to the power of God’s life-changing love.
 
(Verse of the week)
A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. By this all people will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.  (John 13.34, 35)
 
(Prayer of the week)
Almighty and Loving God, thank you for the privilege of opening my heart and life to your love and power.  Help me to discover anew your love and learn to trust you for strength.  Fill me with your hope and peace and joy, and may I touch others with your love.  Amen.
 
Blessings in Christ—Pastor TJ
 
(quote of the week)
Do small things with great love—Mother Teresa
 
Listen to recent sermons by Dr. TJ Jenney at YouTube &
http://inspiresundaymessages.blogspot.com/
Check the latest leadership blog by Dr. TJ http://www.drtj.us
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Waiting

3/13/2024

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Are you anxious or frustrated your prayer seems to go unanswered?  Don’t lose heart.  Just because you do not yet see the answer to your prayers, does not mean God does not hear you.  Wait!  The Lord is working.  Waiting time is not wasting time.  Waiting time is time for God to mold us and strengthen us and deepen our relationship with Him.  God is at work.  Trust God!  God will see you through.  God is at work even though you might not be able to see it.  Hear again these encouraging words of the psalmist, David, who many times in his life experienced prolong periods of waiting on God’s plan and purpose:
 
(verse of the week) 
I would have lost heart unless I had believed
  That I would see the goodness of the Lord
 in the land of the living.
Wait on the Lord; be of good courage,
  And He will strengthen your heart;
  Wait, I say, on the Lord.  Psalm 27.13,14 (NKJV)
 
(Prayer of the week)
Loving Great Shepherd, lead me beside the quiet waters, and help me to find the green pastures for quiet rest.  Let me lean into your love and grace.  Restore my soul.  Renew my mind.  May I feel your arms of love around me.  As I rest in you, and you restore my soul, help me to learn to reflect your love to others that they may see your image in me.  Amen.
 
Blessings –Pastor TJ
 
(quote of the week)
Be sure you put your feet in the right place, then stand firm—Abraham Lincoln
 
Listen to recent sermons by Dr. TJ Jenney at YouTube &
http://inspiresundaymessages.blogspot.com/
Check the latest leadership blog by Dr. TJ http://www.drtj.us

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Peace

3/6/2024

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Most of us face some troubles and anxieties at some point in our lives.  So did the disciples.  They were anxious and troubled that Jesus was facing threats and they too would face many formidable obstacles in life.  Jesus took time to listen to their troubled hearts.  And Jesus took time to quiet their fears and anxieties with this most powerful promise that come what may, God's Spirit would be with us and give us guidance and peace.  Jesus even refers to God's Spirit as the Counselor, or the Paraclete, which literally means "the one called alongside" who will encourage and help us.  Whatever you are facing today, take a moment and hear the comforting words of our Lord:
 
(verse of the week) 
But the Counselor, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, Will teach you all things and will remind you of everything I have said to you. Peace I leave with you, my peace I give you.  I do not give to you as the world gives.  Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid. (John 14.26, 27)
 
(prayer of the week)
Loving Lord, in the midst of troubles that feel like waves breaking over us and anxieties that sometimes feel like stormy winds blowing us on the seas, let us find the true peace that only you offer us, as you banish the storm and calm the seas for the disciples.  Help us to be at peace knowing you are our Captain, and your Spirit will enfold us in peace and hope.  Let us embrace your peace and share it with others, through Christ Our Lord, amen. 
 
Blessings –Pastor TJ
 
(quote of the week)
Do you wish to rise? Begin by descending. You plan a tower that will pierce the clouds? Lay first the foundation of humility--Augustine
 
Listen to recent sermons by Dr. TJ Jenney at YouTube &
http://inspiresundaymessages.blogspot.com/
Check the latest leadership blog by Dr. TJ http://www.drtj.us

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1526 South 18th Street

Lafayette, IN 47905

Phone 765-474-6496

Summer Worship Services:
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Sunday School & Adult Ed 9:00am

Coffee & Conversation 9:45am

​Worship Service 10:00am  
 

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No matter who you are, or where you

are on life's journey, YOU are

welcome here!