Immanuel Baptist Church

Information may not be reliable

Immanuel's stained-glass window. Read more about Immanuel's architectural history.

"To the paralytic Jesus said,'Do you want to be healed?' Who is this Jesus who will not stop loving and calling us to more
life with him?"

Thank you for visiting our website. We have included text and photos to introduce ourselves
to you, but there is so much more to us than
you will find here. Look at our pages. Get
a feel for who we are and what we value. We
hope that you will find something that invites
you to visit in person. You are always welcome.

5:15 Wed Family Supper (Make a reservation!)

I buried a very close friend last week. Margaret, affectionately known as Maggie, embarked on the final leg of a journey inaugurated at her baptism. I flew back to New Orleans and joined a host of saints to accompany her to the edge of the mystery that Paul describes beginning in the twinkling of an eye.
I loved Maggie. I called on her. I looked for her. When with her, I was confident. Five years ago this past August, I rode out a hurricane with Maggie. Sitting in her condominium as Katrina made landfall I wondered if I should be afraid or not. One particular gush of gale force wind rattled the floor to ceiling window in her living room. She broke the silence, saying, We could move to the stairwell if you want.
I will be a while working out the terms of my endearment for her. The feelings are deep, in the bone deep, and have yet surfaced so as to be put to words. This much is clear. Love always leaves a mark.
The funeral was held in a sanctuary, but the main venue for the Christian funeral is a road. One friend observes that the metaphor of the journey to God has all but collapsed. He cites several factors in the shift. One is the separation of cemeteries from churches. A colleague pastors in Cross Plains, Tennessee. The cemetery is located on a parcel of land contiguous to his church. When the service is completed in the church, the congregation joins him in an actual journey to the graveside. They reenact the drama of the resurrection story. He has remarked how powerful the walk to the grave is for his congregation.
In Johns Gospel one finds seven I am sayings. It is John 14.6 that sets the metaphor of journeying to be with God. The Twelve shuddered at his prediction of betrayal by a disciple and death at the hands of his enemies. He said, I am the way, and the truth, and the life; no one comes to the Father but by me. These I am sayings do not reveal the essence of Jesus. He was not a road any more than he was bread or light. Jesus is telling us what he does for us; he blazes a trail (the way) through death to God.
It was this time last year that Maggie called. There was a spot on her lung. By all indications it was aggressive and deadly. After speaking with her family she took a bold position. Mustering a measure of resurrection nerve she declared she would forego treatment. It was the ultimate declaration of Gods grace. I promised to honor her decision and received the instructions she had re a funeral.
I recently said in a sermon that some Christians have lost their resurrection nerve. Not all Christians. Though several influences have led to the spiritual anemia, one course shall lead us out of this. It is to find our way back on the way Jesus prepares for us. It is to take up again the journey toward God until we arrive in a place where there shall be no fears or hopes but one equal possession, no ends or beginnings but one equal eternity, world without end.