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

Table

8/4/2021

0 Comments

 
 We have been looking at the simple yet deep and profound 23rd Psalm - the shepherd's psalm.  The Shepherd-King David reminds us that life is like a journey, where the path leads us along scenic vistas, sometimes winding over treacherous cliffs and then again along quiet waters.    He also reminds us that enemies do sometimes surround and assault us, but God will protect us and even prepare a table of His blessing before us in their presence.  God's provision is not thwarted by enemies and those who would undercut or seek to destroy us.  Instead we can have full confidence in God's bounteous provision.  Don't live in fear, live in faith.  God's plan and power will see you through.  When we have fought long and hard in the heat of the day, God's Holy Spirit will be the oil of healing.  And when we feel depleted God will pour a cup that overflows with love and mercy, and restores our soul.  God's presence is with us to guide and uplift us and fill us with hope and peace.   The images remind us to invite others to sit at table with us and to allow the oil of God’s Spirit to overflow and touch their lives.  Amid challenge and adversity, reach out to others.  Share grace!  Know that come what may the Shepherd of Love leads the way and will see you through.
 
(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)
Gracious Lord, Shepherd of Love, lead and guide me through the challenges and adversities of life.  Protect me from that which would destroy and guide me that I may always follow your way and grow each day.  Prepare a bounteous table that I may share with others when difficulties threaten.  Help me to trust your power to see me through.  Through your power, I am strong and well-able to overcome.  Open my heart to your love and make me a blessing to others every day, through your power and to your glory.  Amen.                                                                   
 
Blessings in Christ--Pastor TJ
 
(quote of the week)
    Words to live By-Mother Teresa
People are often unreasonable, ill-logical and self-centered;
  Forgive them anyway.
If you are kind, people may accuse you of selfish, ulterior motives;
  Be kind anyway.
If you are successful, you will win some false friends and some true enemies;
  Succeed anyway.
If you are honest and frank, people may cheat you;
  Be honest and frank anyway.
What you spend years building, someone could destroy overnight;
  Build anyway.
If you find serenity and happiness, they may be jealous;
  Be happy anyway.
The good you do today, people will often forget tomorrow;
  Do good anyway.
Give the world the best you have, and it may never be enough;
  Give the world the best you've got anyway.
You see, in the final analysis, it is between you and God;
  It was never between you and them anyway!
 
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

0 Comments



Leave a Reply.

    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!