Immanuel United Church of Christ

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Wishing You a very Happy Thanksgiving!

11/25/2020

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I know many of you are fatigued from navigating these unusual times as well as navigating work and school and society as a whole.  There is lots of guidance on celebrating Thanksgiving with safety in mind for you and your family and we encourage you to do so.  Remember it is not how many gather at our tables, but how thankful our hearts remain.  An attitude of gratitude is also one of the secrets to resilience that we encourage each other to practice, so Thanksgiving helps us lean into this great truth as well as enjoy time with those closest to us.  Thankfulness lifts our hearts and those around us.  If you cannot be with those closest to you either because of the pandemic or simply the distance, then remember there is nothing quite like a good call from a family member or friend to brighten the day.
  As we continue to navigate these challenging times, we are reminded that the first Thanksgiving was not simply a big meal but a time of true thankfulness.  Our forefathers and mothers had endured a very challenging winter and even lost many loved ones, but with the help of their Native American friends planted a crop that turned into a bountiful harvest, so they showed their gratitude by sharing with their new Native American friends.  It was a time of unity, celebration and true thankfulness.  May it be for us as well.
  Edward Winslow, one of 53 colonists who survived the first winter of in Plymouth and records events of the first autumn celebration in 1621 records it this way:  "our harvest being gotten in, our governor sent four men on fowling, that so we might after a special manner rejoice together, after we had gathered the fruits of our labors; they four in one day killed as much fowl, as with a little help beside, served the Company almost a week, at which time amongst other Recreations, we exercised our Arms, many of the Indians coming amongst us, and amongst the rest their greatest king Massasoit, with some ninety men, whom for three days we entertained and feasted, and they went out and killed five Deer, which they brought to the Plantation and bestowed on our Governor, and upon the Captain and others. And although it be not always so plentiful, as it was at this time with us, yet by the goodness of God, we are so far from want, that we often wish you partakers of our plenty."
  Wishing you and your family a very Happy Thanksgiving!
--Pastor TJ
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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Thankful

11/19/2020

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 Psalm 136 is a wonderful psalm with a wonderful refrain “His love endures forever.”  Try reading it aloud and feel free to add a few lines of your own.  It is wondrous how a thankful heart opens your life to the love that is around you from God and others and stirs the joy within.  A thankful person shines light and love where they go, and touches the hearts of many.  Take a moment…rejoice.  And may you have a very Happy Thanksgiving!
 
1 Give thanks to the LORD, for he is good.
His love endures forever.
2     Give thanks to the God of gods.
His love endures forever.
3     Give thanks to the Lord of lords:
His love endures forever.
4     to him who alone does great wonders,
His love endures forever.
5     who by his understanding made the heavens,
His love endures forever.
6     who spread out the earth upon the waters,
His love endures forever.
7     who made the great lights--
His love endures forever.
8     the sun to govern the day,
His love endures forever.
9     the moon and stars to govern the night;
His love endures forever.…
26   Give thanks to the God of heaven.
His love endures forever. Psalm 136
 
(prayer of the week)
Lord, our lives overflow with blessings.  Help us like our forefathers and mothers of so long ago, to give you thanks as you have seen us through adversity to a season of blessing.  And remind us as you did them, that you are faithful whatever season we find ourselves in, come battles or blessings. Amen. 
 
Let’s start early--Happy Thanksgiving—Pastor TJ
 
(quote of the week)
Giving is the highest level of living --John Maxwell

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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Unity

11/12/2020

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What would happen if all of us as Christians, regardless of denominational
or cultural boundaries, treated each other with the love of Christ?  How
exciting to find that we share so much more than we realized?  After all, the
greatest thing we can share is the love of Christ.  It should not surprise us that others often see things differently, just as family members often have differences of opinion, yet remain united by being a family.  The Apostle Paul wrote:
 
(scripture of the week)
“Whatever happens, conduct yourselves in a manner worthy of the gospel of
Christ.  Then. . .I will know that you stand firm in one spirit, contending
as one person for the faith of the gospel. . .(Phil.1.27)
 
(prayer of the week)
Lord, give us a spirit of unity that embraces our deep love for you in all we do, and a deep appreciation to honor the differences of others so that we might truly be the family of God, through Christ Our Lord, we pray, amen.
 
Have a great week! –Pastor TJ
 
(quote of the week)
“In essentials unity, in non-essentials diversity, in all things charity” –St. 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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Halloween Hospitality

11/4/2020

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  Halloween has often been at the center of tensions in faith.  One the one hand, there are people who think it has a tendency to celebrate evil or at least the darker side.  It is after all a holiday we sometimes seem to celebrate scary ghouls and goblins.  On the other hand, there are those like me who simply view it as a fun night for kids to dress up with a great deal of imagination.  In our home, my daughter has typically been a princess, movie star, or some fluffy animal.  But what if Halloween really has a sacred side?  What if it was a night of radical hospitality?  Someone once said, “One sunrise is all that separates a trick-or-treater from a beggar.”   Think of it.  A complete stranger dressed in very strange clothes comes to your house and you give them a gift--If that happened on any other night, you would call the police!   And certainly, no gift or treat.  Perhaps it is more holy than we would ever realize.  For our doors are more open on Halloween than on any other night as we open our homes to complete strangers.
   On Halloween evening our church had a wonderful Trunk-or-Treat with people hosting cars spread out along our Lisa’s Faith and Fitness Trail decorated full of treats, games and snacks as a safe place to trick or treat during the pandemic.  The guests ranged from the scariest of monsters to the cutest of princesses, young and old and everywhere in between.  None of us were scared.  Well maybe for a moment--There were a few pretty scary ghouls.  But then we laughed and welcomed them with open arms.  It was a night of wonderful warmth and cheer.  The truth was in the end not only were the strangers we welcomed blessed, we also were blessed in return. 
  I was reminded of Abraham and Sarah who welcomed three strangers into their home and then after sharing a meal with them received the blessing of a confirmation of God’s promise of a son and a people from whom all nations would be blessed. 
  Where might we open our doors anew to a stranger or just someone different than ourselves and feel God’s blessing as individuals and a family of faith?  For in so doing we might not only bless a stranger that may well become a friend, we may also discover a hidden blessing of God in the starry night.
 
(verse of the week)
Do not forget to show hospitality to strangers, for by so doing some people have shown hospitality to angels without knowing it. Hebrews 13:2
 
(prayer of the week)
Lord, I am reminded in John’s Gospel that you came into this world which you created and still were often regarded as a stranger, yet those who did welcome you felt touched and transformed by the Light of the World.  Help me to be open to the strangers along life’s way that I may share your love and discover new friends and new blessings along life’s way.  Amen.
 
Blessings in Christ—Pastor TJ
 
(quote of the week)
There are no strangers here; Only friends you haven't yet met--William Butler Yeats
 
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


Worship Services;

Contemporary Service 8:30am 

Coffee & Conversation 9:30am 

Sunday School & Adult Ed 9:45 am

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

are on life's journey, YOU are

welcome here!