Immanuel United Church of Christ

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Congratulations Class of 2020!

5/28/2020

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  One of the challenges of the pandemic has been the inability to celebrate milestones in the traditional fashion.  The class of 2020 has had some special heartaches as they have had to forgo traditional celebrations such as prom and graduation speeches and walking across the stage to receive a diploma.  There have been some great online celebrations, but still for many there is a bit of a heartache for what was long anticipated.  So, this week we lift up our graduates and all that they have accomplished.  It is the end of a semester of hard work and dedication as well as the end of one chapter of life and the beginning of another.  All this amid the special challenges of adversity.  But this is important—they have met this unique challenge with innovation and perseverance.  Congratulations!  We applaud your dedication and hard work! 
  I wonder if this might become one of the most innovative classes of all time. In any case, we must learn to be thankful for the accomplishments, let go of disappointments, and celebrate the future as we open our lives to God leading us in new directions and new possibilities.  Wherever your life leads, use your gifts and talents to serve God and others.  Know that whatever you do, you can have an impact on the lives of others.  Always live out your faith in whatever work you find yourself and take time to share the love of Christ.  This week I share a word from the Apostle Paul that always challenges and inspires me:
 
(verse of the week) 
Never let the fire in your heart go out. Keep it alive. Serve the Lord. (Romans 12:11)
 
(prayer of the week)
Lord, we pray a special blessing on our graduates.  Bless this time of celebration and bless their future as you lead them into new avenues of life and service.  Help us to celebrate the milestones of life even amid adversity and help us to be open to the new chapters of life with energy and enthusiasm.  May all we do serve others and give honor and glory to you, through Christ Our Lord, amen.
 
Blessings--Pastor TJ
 
(quote of the week)
Christ has no body now on earth but yours;
No hands but yours;
No feet but yours;
Yours are the eyes through which to look out Christ’s compassion to the world; Yours are the feet with which He is to go about doing good; Yours are the hands with which He is to bless now--St Teresa of Avila
 
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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Renew

5/21/2020

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I have never longed quite for spring as I have this year.  The pandemic kept many of us home, and the weather kept us inside.  It was so great when the weather finally became warm enough to enjoy the outdoors and be reminded of the promise of spring.  Spring gives us pause of the beauty of budding trees and blossoming flowers.  We hear again the singing of birds and enjoy the summer sun.  Were it not for winter perhaps we would always take these great miracles for granted.  Our faith is that way, too.  Were it not for adversity, we would forget the miracle of God’s infinite love and grace.  Take a moment and remember God’s great love for you.  Lean into God’s strength.  Take some time to renew your faith and yourself.  Whatever else may come and go, know that God’s compassion never fails.  God’s love is new every morning.   Let your heart say again, “Great is your faithfulness!” 
 
(verse of the week) 
For this I call to mind, and therefore I have hope: Because of the Lord’s great love we are not consumed, for God’s compassions never fail.  They are new every morning; great is your faithfulness.  Lamentations 3.21-24
 
(prayer of the week)
Lord, like the prophet, let our hearts rejoice and say, “Your compassions never fail. Your love is new every morning.  Great is your faithfulness!”  Fill my life with your forgiveness and grace.  Fill my heart to overflowing with faith, hope, peace, joy and, most of all, love, that others may be touched by your grace in my life, through Christ Our Lord, amen.
 
(quote of the week)
I am not bound to win, but I am bound to be true. I am not bound to succeed, but I am bound to live by the light that I have. I must stand with anybody that stands right, and stand with him while he is right, and part with him when he goes wrong—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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Battles

5/14/2020

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Many of us feel burdened and more than a little wearied of the present global struggle with the pandemic.  Whether we are at home struggling with social distancing and isolation or on the front lines serving food to the under-resourced or a medical professional serving those who are struggling with illness or have a loved one struggling with the illness itself, we feel the impact of the long struggle.  But battles and burdens are as much a part of the rhythm of life as are joys and celebrations.  Sometimes the road ahead seems difficult.  Sometimes the challenges and obstacles seem overwhelming.  But God will see us through.  Joshua faced overwhelming challenges as he led the people into intense opposition and daunting challenges; yet Joshua remained calm.  Faith fortified him.  Hope inspired him.  If the road ahead seems difficult and the challenges you are facing threaten to overwhelm you, take a moment and look up to God. Whisper a prayer and listen to the still small voice of faith in your heart.  God is there.  God is leading you.  God will be faithful.  Take heart!  Rekindle your faith.  God will see you through!  Listen to these words of encouragement the Lord spoke to Joshua:
 
(verse of the week) 
“Be strong and courageous.  Do not be terrified, do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go” (Joshua 1.9)
 
(prayer of the week)
Lord, the challenges and adversity of life sometimes seem discouraging, but help me to lift my eyes to you, where comes my strength.  Strengthen me.  Lift my heart.  Renew my spirit.  May I face the challenges and adversity of life with faith and trust in you, that I may stand strong, through your power and to your glory, amen.
 
Friends, we are all in this together and God will see us through.  Blessings and prayers—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

5/7/2020

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As most of us are learning to navigate the current pandemic and even wondering what a new normal will eventually look like for us, we may find our lives with a whole new level of stress and anxiety.  Most of us have faced some troubles and anxieties at different points in our lives.  So too 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.  Today know that you are not alone.  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 even as you banished the storm and calmed the seas for the disciples.  Help us to be at peace knowing you are our Counselor, and your Spirit will enfold us in peace and hope.  Help 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

Sunday Schedule
8:30 AM Contemporary Worship
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9:45 AM  Sunday School for all ages
10:45 AM  Traditional Worship
No matter who you are, or where you are on life's journey, YOU are welcome here!