Immanuel United Church of Christ

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Psalm 23--The Shepherd's Psalm

3/26/2025

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One of the most profound and comforting scriptures in all the Bible is the 23rd psalm.  God speaks to young David, the humble shepherd who is being prepared to be a king, in the quiet pastoral landscape with deep and profound truths.  A shepherd knows his sheep by name.  He also knows their individual personalities.  A good shepherd wants what is best for the sheep, but sheep don't always know what is best for them. 
Sheep are docile. They like to be in flocks, yet often wander off even though they have little defense against natural predators such as coyotes, foxes or mountain lions.  Sheep need to be led by their caring and knowledgeable shepherd so that they can feed in fertile and safe pastures.  The Lord is our shepherd, and we are God's sheep.  The Lord knows each of us by name, and our shepherd of love cares for us and wants what is best for us.  Take comfort in the fact that God loves you and knows you by name.  Follow God and you will not be in want; you will find green pastures and quiet waters.  If you are facing adversity or those who would seek to harm you, know that you are under the watchful eye of a strong shepherd who will protect you.  Take a moment and rest in the green pastures next to the quiet waters and know that God loves you.
 
(Verse of the week)
Psalm 23
The LORD is my shepherd, I shall not be in want.
 He makes me lie down in green pastures,
he leads me beside quiet waters,
  he restores my soul.
He guides me in paths of righteousness
  for his name's sake.
Even though I walk
through the valley of the shadow of death,
  I will fear no evil,
for you are with me;
  your rod and your staff,
  they comfort me.
You prepare a table before me
  in the presence of my enemies.
You anoint my head with oil;
  my cup overflows.
Surely goodness and love will follow me
  all the days of my life,
and I will dwell in the house of the LORD
  forever.
 
(Prayer of the week)
Heavenly Father, Shepherd of love, lead and guide me through the mountains and valleys of life.  Help me to open my life to your purpose and your plans.  Help me to trust your power to see me through.  Most of all open my heart to your love and make me a blessing to others, through your power and to your glory.  Amen.
 
Open your heart to God’s amazing love!-Pastor TJ
 
(Quote of the week)
We look forward to the time when the Power of Love will replace the Love of Power.  Then will our world know the blessings of peace –William Gladstone
 
Listen to recent sermons by Dr. TJ Jenney at YouTube &
http://inspiresundaymessages.blogspot.com/
Podcast: Inspire Messages
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Drawn in Loving-kindness

3/19/2025

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You have been designed with love.  You are engineered with compassion by the Great Designer!  The word for drawn in this week’s verse also implies “stretched out” or “to grow.”  We are not simply designed in love, we are also nurtured in love as God stretches us and challenges us to grow in faith and life.  Some of the challenges of life are designed by God to stretch us and draw us out to a greater level of faith and strength.  God has a plan for our lives, and God continues His work in us even in adversity.  We are God’s artistry “created anew” in Christ Jesus, a painting with the story of grace painted on the canvass of our lives with the artist’s brushstrokes of love for all to see.  Won’t you help God paint your life with the colors of love and faith that all may see and be touched by the work of beauty?  Trust God for His plan and purpose in your life.  Let the great Artist continue His work of love in your life as you touch the lives of those around you.
 
(Verse of the week)
I have loved you with an everlasting love;
I have drawn you with loving-kindness. (Jeremiah 31.3)
 
Open your heart to God's awesome love!
--Pastor TJ
 
 (Prayer of the week)
Gracious and loving God, thank you for the challenges of life that shape and strengthen us.  Give me faith to trust in your plan and your strength.    Mold me and make me that others may see your true reflection in me. Most of all may I experience your amazing love anew every day.   May I be joyful in all things, and may I be loving to all people, that others may see the light of your love in me.    Amen.
 
(quote of the week)
“Never be afraid to trust an unknown future to a known God.” 
― Corrie ten Boom
 
Listen to recent sermons by Dr. TJ Jenney at YouTube &
http://inspiresundaymessages.blogspot.com/
Podcast: Inspire Messages

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Waiting

3/12/2025

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How good are you at waiting?  I must confess that I am not all that good at waiting.  The truth is waiting is a hard thing for most of us.  We are a fast food, high speed internet, overnight delivery kind of people.  We think of waiting time as wasted time.  But so often our rush just runs us in circles; we run without true purpose or direction and we soon find that our strength alone is not enough.  God has a different view of waiting.  Waiting is a time we tune our spirit into God’s Spirit.  Waiting time is a time we reflect on Christ’s love and listen to His still small voice in our hearts.  Waiting time is a time that God molds and makes us.  Like a tree growing steadily from sunlight and soil as its roots dig deeper and its trunk grows stronger, waiting on God is one of the true secrets of life and a source of true strength.  Discover the true source of life!
 
(verse of the week)
“They that wait on the Lord shall renew their strength, they shall mount up with wings like eagles, they shall run and not be weary, they shall walk and not faint.” (Isaiah 40.31)
 
(Prayer of the week)
Almighty and Loving God, thank you for your great love that reaches out to us and forgives us and gives us new life and hope for tomorrow.  Help me to learn to wait on you as a source of strength and love.  Open my heart and mind to trust in your plan and purpose for my life.  Open my life to your power that touches and transforms life.  May your gifts of love, hope, peace, and joy grow within me as I draw my strength from you.   And let your love burn within me that others may see you in all I do.   Amen.
 
Wishing you a great week! –Pastor TJ
 
(quote of the week)
There is no greater power in the universe than prayer.  Prayer can change the world, because prayer puts us in touch with the One who made the world. . .
 
Listen to recent sermons by Dr. TJ Jenney at YouTube &
http://inspiresundaymessages.blogspot.com/
Podcast: Inspire Messages

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Ashes

3/5/2025

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This week marks the beginning of Lent.  Most of our culture knows more about Mardi Gras than Lent, just as most of us would prefer celebration over repentance.  But both have their place in the seasons of life.  Lent reminds us of the 40 days Jesus spent in the wilderness being tested by temptation and purified and empowered by prayer.  Lent comes right before Holy Week and Easter as a time for people to focus on faith and remember all that Christ endured on the cross that we might know true forgiveness and love.  It also reminds us of the good news of the hope of the resurrection and new life.  Ashes have long been a symbol of repentance and humility.  From early times many Christians have used the ashes of burned palm branches from the previous Palm Sunday, to mark the sign of the cross on their foreheads as a symbol of repentance and prayer and as a witness of their faith. 
  Even more important than the roots of these wonderful traditions, is the power of prayer.  It is easy to look around our world and see great needs that touch our hearts.  But let us truly discover anew the power of prayer.  There is no power equal to the power of believers gathering together to seek God and pray. Challenge yourself to a special time of prayer for yourself and the needs around the world.  Discover a fresh renewal as we pray for our world and for our lives that we may be filled with God's love and empowered by God's Spirit to reach out with a whole new passion to others in need.  Open your heart anew to God's love and power.  Discover the power of prayer!
 
 (Verse of the week)
"For I know the plans I have for you," declares the Lord, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.  Then you will call upon me and come and pray to me, and I will listen to you.  You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all of your heart.  (Jeremiah 29.11)
 
(Prayer of the week)
Lord, thank you for the privilege and power of prayer. Help me to discover in prayer your great love and help me to let your power touch my life that I may face the challenges and adversities of life with hope and peace, and be a light in your world.   Amen.
 
Have a great week!—Pastor TJ
 
(quote of the week)
A little faith and a great God is enough-- Alf Stanway
 
Listen to recent sermons by Dr. TJ Jenney at YouTube &
http://inspiresundaymessages.blogspot.com/
Podcast: Inspire Messages

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1526 South 18th Street

Lafayette, IN 47905

Phone 765-474-6496

Worship Service:
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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!