Many of us have images in our minds of who Jesus is... maybe from a picture we saw on the wall in grandma's house, from a child's story book, or from a song we used to sing in church. And depending on the era in which we grew up, we might remember the Jesus depicted in the "Jesus" movie of the late 1970's, or the rock opera "Jesus Christ Superstar," or Mel Gibson's "The Passion of Christ." It may be that our only image of Jesus is from vague cultural references or social media memes. But who does Jesus say that he is? In the Gospel of John, Jesus said, "I am... the light of the world, whoever walks with me will never walk in darkness." It's nice to know that in the dark, scary moments of life, we have One with us to light the way! Worship Link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZcqVglXR3W0
Union Chapel Indy Minister of Music and Friends present "A Morning of Encouragement & Worship!" Through music, Scripture, prayer, and song experience joy, hope, and encouragement. We will walk through the P-R-A-Y model that we learned last Fall. This will be an exciting morning of prayer and worship. Let us be encouraged! Worship Link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AzsL2-WYxKA
The old wartime tune, "Pack Up Your Troubles in Your Old Kit Bag and Smile, Smile, Smile" makes it sound like it's very easy to pack away your problems, guilt, shame, and anger and just... smile. In reality, we know that the problems, burdens, and worries of life cling to us, and we tend to carry them with us. Old hurts, failed relationships, lost jobs - the things we'd rather forget - seem to be those things that haunt us most tenaciously. What would it feel like to truly ditch those burdens and live more freely into a hopeful, possibility-laden future? With Jesus it's possible. Worship Link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lkgDEfpdCQQ
Sometimes resentment, anger, and grudges begin because someone didn't meet our expectations. The new coworker never pulled their weight - and you suffered for it! Your new friend just hasn't been there for you. You are writing them off - you won't be burned again! It's one thing to hold a grudge against another person and arrange our lives to minimize our interaction with those people. But what if it's God who doesn't meet our expectations? What if it's God who has let us down? What do we do with our grudges and anger toward God? We can walk away from that relationship, too. But God is open to another strategy. Are you? Forgiving is hard, and forgiving God is harder. But a little deeper understanding of who God is might go a long way in restoring that relationship. Worship Link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M2TrzCx1jN8
No one gets through this life unscathed. Whether it has been small slights by thoughtless friends, or deep betrayals by those dearest to us, we all carry scars of past hurts. Enough of these kinds of hurts can leave us calloused, bitter, and resentful. The burden of carrying these grudges becomes an everyday reality. But there is another way. You have the power to let go of the pain that you carry with you. It's as easy as... forgiving. Doesn't sound so easy? With Jesus, even freedom from grudges is possible... Worship Link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ai6pnHi-aoA
Forgiving Offenses When someone hurts you, the pain that follows can weigh you down and keep you from moving forward. But you have the power to let go of the hurt that you’ve been carrying. Forgiveness leads to freedom. Find it this week at Union Chapel Indy... Worship Link: https://www.facebook.com/UnionChapelIndy/videos/1792085841308160
Here we are, just days into a New Year, and many of us have already lost the wonder and excitement of beginning a new year. We may have celebrated on New Year's Eve and had grand visions for this new season, but already we have fallen back into comfortable routines and familiar patterns. How might we be inspired to carry the hope of a new year into and through the months to come? The Magi (whom many of us know as the Three Wise Men of Christmas) had a long journey to find the Christ Child. Commitment, community, and a sense of curiosity encouraged them on an uncertain journey. May we find that their story inspires us to enthusiastically journey into this new year with our own sense of hope and wonderment. Worship Link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DGwf_1a-Tlw
Fitness Clubs and Diet Plan marketers are taking advantage of the seasonal urge to renew ourselves. As the calendar turns over a new year, many of us feel the desire to turn over a new leaf in ourselves. The allure of a new body or renewed health makes the gym membership tempting. The new year is also a time we might turn the page of our spiritual lives. What can we leave behind of the old year, celebrate of today, and work towards over the next twelve months that could enliven and deepen our relationship with God? On this New Year's Eve at Union Chapel Indy we celebrate the God of our yesterdays, today, and tomorrows, and look forward to a year of renewed faith. Worship Link: https://www.facebook.com/UnionChapelIndy/videos/278946768138739
Wherever you journey this night, this week, this next year... - to the streets and neighborhoods - across your office to a co-worker - down the street to the new family that just moved in... ...go with God to be light and love to a world in need of all that God gives... - Hope - Love - Joy and - Peace.... - Share generously the light and love of Christmas... Worship Link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pw4Xf3ZeWpI
There are so many beautiful Christmas Carols to enjoy this time of year. And near the top of every list of favorites is "Silent Night." Maybe it is beloved for its beautiful, lilting melody - or maybe for its poetic words that paint such beautiful images in our mind. Or maybe it is so loved because it calls us to be still in the middle of a hectic season and in that quiet, lift our hearts to the One who is born Savior on the most holy of nights. And while we may know that any night on which is baby is born is not really a silent night, we can be assured that as we draw near the Babe of Bethlehem, we will find peace and rest. Worship Link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=udOOtwVk1F4