Immanuel United Church of Christ

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Joyous Singing

12/21/2017

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Amid the darkness… light.
Amid the silence… joyous singing. 
Amid violence and brokenness… the promise of peace and hope.
Amid hurt and heartache… love—amazing love…
This Christmas season enjoy the holiday, celebrate the season, but above all find a quiet place to experience again in your heart this wonderful love of Christ come to us.  Let us quiet ourselves for the most important sound of all--the voice of God quietly calling us to the serenity of a humble manger where lies the Savior of the world.  Listen….in the quiet stillness hear the music of angels, the quiet joy of shepherds and sojourners who have found hope…see… the trembling smile of joy not just of a mother and father, but of those who see the hope of Almighty God willing to share our life and give us a new life of forgiveness and grace and love.  Come closer…Peer into the manger as if for the first time…see the Savior.  Listen…Hear in the hush the Holy Spirit’s words of love.  Hear the whisper of God’s words of love that God has a plan and purpose for your life.  Come before this baby Jesus, and see the Lord of love willing to share life as the least among us, showing the humble path of life and love, and bearing our burdens and sin on a cross, that we might have forgiveness and new life.  This same Jesus offers you hope, and peace, and life and love.  Shhhhh!  Feel God’s loving tug on your heart…Listen to God calling your name in love…Open…your heart to God’s forgiveness and love…Listen…God is whispering. . .
 
(Verse of the week)
And there were shepherds living out in the fields nearby, keeping watch over their flocks at night. An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid. I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is Christ the Lord. This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger.”
Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God and saying,
            “Glory to God in the highest,
            and on earth peace to men on whom his favor rests.”
When the angels had left them and gone into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, “Let’s go to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has told us about.”
So they hurried off and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby, who was lying in the manger. When they had seen him, they spread the word concerning what had been told them about this child, and all who heard it were amazed at what the shepherds said to them. But Mary treasured up all these things and pondered them in her heart.  (Luke 2.8-19)
 
(Prayer of the week)
Loving Heavenly Father, I open my heart to your amazing love, forgive me of failures of the past, and give me new life through the miracle of Christ, and fill my life with your love and hope and peace and joy.  And may I find a new purpose in life and a new promise for the future, through your grace and to your glory.  Amen.
Amid the hustle and bustle of Christmas, open your heart to God’s amazing love…and the miracle of Christmas!—Pastor TJ
 
(quote of the week)
And know that I am with you always; yes, even to the end of time--Jesus
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    Author

    Pastor Dr. TJ Jenney
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1526 South 18th Street

Lafayette, IN 47905

Phone 765-474-6496

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Sunday School & Adult Ed 9:00am

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​Worship Service 10:00am  
 

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