Immanuel United Church of Christ

  • Home
  • About
    • Meet the Pastor
    • Next Steps
    • Who We Are >
      • Who We Are
      • Staff
      • Church Committees
      • United Church of Christ
      • History
      • Stained Glass@Immanuel
    • First Time Visitor
    • Find Immanuel
    • Weddings@Immanuel
    • Contact
  • Sundays@IUCC
    • Worship >
      • Listen to Sermons
    • Sunday School >
      • Adult Education
  • Connect
    • Youth Groups >
      • Junior Youth
      • Senior Youth
      • VBS & Sports Camp 2021
    • Women's Groups
    • Men's Groups
    • Interest Groups
    • Family Ministry
    • Mental Health Resources
  • Grow
    • Small Groups
    • Adult Study
    • Devotional Blog by Pastor TJ
    • Devotional Resources
    • Still Speaking
  • Serve
    • Missions >
      • Afterschool Program
      • Summer Club
      • Grant's House
      • Laces for Lisa Faith & Fitness Trail
      • LUM Christmas Jubilee
      • Growing Hope Globally
      • Pancake Brunch
      • Fish Fry
      • Community Outreach
      • Other Missions >
        • UCC Missions
      • Serving our Youth
      • Serving Immanuel
    • Music
    • Health Ministry
  • News@IUCC
    • Covid Response Plan
    • Weekly e-Spire
    • Calendar
  • Give to IUCC
  • Pastor TJ's Sermons
    • Pastor TJ's Sermons YouTube
    • Listen to Sermon Podcast

God's Work of Art

10/25/2017

0 Comments

 
It is amazing to watch an artist at work.  It doesn’t matter whether it is at the county fair or the Guggenheim in New York City.  An artist can take a lump of clay and turn it into a beautiful vase or bowl or even a statue with incredible human likeness.  An artist can take ordinary pieces of metal and bend and weave and weld them together to make the ordinary extraordinary. 
 
The Apostle Paul reminds us that God’s love does not stop at salvation. Nor does God’s love stop when tough times come our way.  No, God, who is infinitely more loving and wise beyond what we could possibly imagine, continues the work of love in us.  The Creator who knit the tapestry of the night sky and wove the fabric of the rainforest; the One who sculpted the masterpieces of the great canyons and paints each sunset, then limns the canyons with the first light of dawn, is still at work in each of us.  The Master Designer of the universe is creating a masterpiece in you. Through all of life God continues to shape and mold each of us.  In fact, the word Paul uses for the good work God is doing is us is the Greek word “poew” from which we get the word poem.  We truly are God’s works of art.  Together you and God can create a great work of art for the good of others and the glory of God. Trust God!  God has a purpose and a plan for you and God’s love and power will see you through!
 
(scripture of the week)
Being confident of this, that God who began a good work in you will carry it on until the completion until the day of Jesus Christ. (Philippians 1.6)
 
(Prayer of the week)
Almighty and Loving God, thank you for the gift of life and your great love.  Open my heart and mind to trust in your plan and purpose for my life and your power to see me through.  Renew within me a fresh appreciation of your love and a new love for others, through your power and to your glory.  Amen.
 
Blessings in Christ--Pastor TJ
 
(quote of the week)
Earth is crammed with heaven
But only those who see take off their shoes
The rest stand around and pick blackberries—Elizabeth Barrett Browning
0 Comments

The Road Less Traveled

10/20/2017

0 Comments

 
This is a beautiful season for a walk along a path in the forest or wooded park to enjoy the beauty of the leaves changing colors and the cool, crisp autumn air.  The poet Robert Frost once spoke so eloquently about choosing the road less traveled, and how it wonderfully changed his life.  It is a beautiful picture of the choices we have in life, and the paths we may take. The psalmist uses this very same imagery, painting a picture of our journey down the path of life. Choosing the way of truth is not drudgery or boredom; rather it is choosing the path of life . . . and in the end, we discover that it empowers and sets our hearts free.
 
(Verse of the week)
I have chosen the way of truth;
I have set my heart on your laws. . .
I run in the path of your commands,
You have set my heart free.
(Psalm 119.30-32 selections)
 
Prayer of the Week

Loving Creator, help me to set my heart on your ways, and discover anew the joy of living in your purpose and plan.  Let me find strength and power in your Spirit.  Help me to allow your Word to take root in my heart and life and bear the fruit of a deep and abiding faith and a life that gives you honor and praise. May I live a blessed life and be 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)
The challenge is to be a light, not a judge; to be a model, not a critic
-Stephen R. Covey

0 Comments

Our Name

10/12/2017

0 Comments

 
What wondrous news! –God, who created all that is, calls us by name.   There are times in our lives when we hear our name and our heart is warmed just by the sound of our name spoken by someone who loves and cares for us deeply.  God knows us, loves us, and calls us by name.  It is the call of love and forgiveness.  It is the call of the One who formed and fashioned us.  It is the call of the One who has a plan and purpose for our lives.  Listen for a moment . . . and hear God’s call.  Hear your name spoken in love by God.  Come to God and know God’s love.  For God loves you and calls you by name like a loving and forgiving parent.  And God’s promise comes to us, come what may, like a quiet, comforting whisper, “I will be with you!”  Trust God.  God loves you!
 
(verse of the week)
Fear not for I have redeemed you,
I have summoned you by name; you are mine. . .
I will be with you.  (Isaiah 43.1,2)
 
(Prayer of the week)
Almighty and Loving God, thank you for your great love and the way you know us and call us by name.   Open my heart and mind to trust in your plan and purpose for my life and your power to see me through.  Renew within me a fresh appreciation and confident hope in your love and plan and purpose for my life.  And may my life, radiant with your love, touch others today.   Amen.
 
Open your heart to God's amazing love!
--Pastor TJ
 
(quote of the week)
Love is the abridgment of all theology—Francis de Sales

0 Comments

Deep Longing

10/6/2017

1 Comment

 
Deep Longing
 
Most of us have a deep inner longing for God.  The trouble is we stay so busy in life that we are often not in touch with that yearning until we are forced into quiet solitude or loneliness or desperation by a crisis in life.  Then we feel the void that is there and the quiet tug of eternity on our heart.  But we can also quiet ourselves from the busyness of the world, of deadlines and demands-and simply listen for the still small voice of God.  Listen for a moment and feel the quiet whisper of God’s love in your heart; feel the steadfast strength of His grace encircling you.   Renew the hope in God’s love and grace and rekindle the song in your heart.
 
(Verse of the week)
As the deer pants for streams of water,
      so my soul pants for you, 
O God.
My soul thirsts for God,
 for the living God.
      When can I go and meet with God?
My tears have been my food
      day and night,
    while others say to me all day long,
      “Where is your God?” . . .
Why are you downcast, O my soul?
      Why so disturbed within me?
    Put your hope in God,
      for I will yet praise him,
      my Savior and my God.
Deep calls to deep
      in the roar of your waterfalls;
    all your waves and breakers
      have swept over me.
By day the LORD directs his love,
     at night his song is with me-
 a prayer to the God of my life.
Why are you downcast, 
O my soul?
   Why so disturbed within me?
    Put your hope in God,
      for I will yet praise him,
         my Savior and my God.
 (Psalm 42.1-11 selections)
 
(Prayer of the week)
Loving Heavenly Father, help me slow down from the busyness of life and quiet myself in your presence and love.  Fill me with your strength and grant me grace to face life with hope and joy.   And strengthened by your love, may I touch others with care and compassion.  May others see your love and grace in all I do.  May I be 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)
It is not how long you live but how well you live---Ben Franklin

1 Comment

    Author

    Pastor Dr. TJ Jenney
    ​Awarded Top 30 Devotional Blog  
    Listen to Inspire Podcast

    Picture

    Archives

    March 2023
    February 2023
    January 2023
    December 2022
    November 2022
    October 2022
    September 2022
    August 2022
    July 2022
    June 2022
    May 2022
    April 2022
    March 2022
    February 2022
    January 2022
    December 2021
    November 2021
    October 2021
    September 2021
    August 2021
    July 2021
    June 2021
    May 2021
    April 2021
    March 2021
    February 2021
    January 2021
    December 2020
    November 2020
    October 2020
    September 2020
    August 2020
    July 2020
    June 2020
    May 2020
    April 2020
    March 2020
    February 2020
    January 2020
    December 2019
    November 2019
    October 2019
    September 2019
    August 2019
    July 2019
    June 2019
    May 2019
    April 2019
    March 2019
    February 2019
    January 2019
    December 2018
    November 2018
    October 2018
    September 2018
    August 2018
    July 2018
    June 2018
    May 2018
    April 2018
    March 2018
    February 2018
    January 2018
    December 2017
    November 2017
    October 2017
    September 2017
    August 2017
    July 2017
    June 2017
    May 2017
    April 2017
    March 2017
    February 2017
    January 2017
    December 2016
    November 2016
    October 2016
    September 2016
    August 2016
    July 2016
    June 2016
    May 2016
    April 2016
    March 2016
    February 2016
    January 2016
    December 2015
    November 2015
    October 2015
    September 2015
    August 2015
    July 2015
    June 2015
    May 2015
    April 2015
    March 2015
    February 2015

    Categories

    All

    RSS Feed

Picture
Picture

1526 South 18th Street

Lafayette, IN 47905

Phone 765-474-6496


Worship Services;

Contemporary Service 8:30am 

Coffee & Conversation 9:30am 

Sunday School & Adult Ed 9:45 am

Traditional Worship ​10:45am 
 
​
​
No matter who you are, or where you

are on life's journey, YOU are

welcome here!