JOY AND PEACE 

Philippians 4:2-9

We return to Philippians this week and to two of God's great promises for us in this life - joy and peace. Paul continues to instruct the church in faithful living, and reminds us of the greatest promise we have as God's people, his very presence.

Matthew 6:33

Our guest preacher this week is Manny Efthymiadis. Manny is a former member of ICP who has recently sensed God calling him to serve his church in Milovice full time. ICP is partnering with him as he responds to this call. 

Join us this Sunday as Manny shares more about his ministry and brings us a message from God's word.

Ecclesiastes 1-12; Genesis 1-3

Work, toil, and labor - are these gifts or a curse? Could they be both?

This week we return to the wisdom of Ecclesiastes to explore the good things God has given us to do under the sun (even though “everything is meaningless”). We will follow a path that starts with Genesis and ends in the New Earth - and in between find the things that are good and that we are instructed to do.

The following verses were referenced in the message (listed in order of reference): Ecc 2:10b; Ecc 3:12-13; Gen 1:27-28; Gen 2:15; Gen 2:2-3; Gen 3:17-19a; Isaiah 65:17-18; Isaiah 65:21-22b; Ecc 10:18; Ecc 11:6a; Ecc 4:5; John 5:16-17; Ecc 9:4-5,§0; Ecc 5:12; Ecc 5:10; Ecc 6:7,9; Ecc 2:24, 3:12, 3:22, 5:18, 5:19, 8:15, 9:7-9  

John 1:19-23, 3:23-28

The guest preacher this week is David Novák, Chairman of the Council of Církev Bratrská (the Czech denomination with which ICP is connected) David joins us this week to officially install Paster Mike as the new pastor of ICP and to speak to us about John the Baptist.

Philippians 3:15-4:1 

Paul implores the church to follow his example in the faith. He knows that there are many who would lead them astray, but there are those who set a good example for them as well. Discerning between the two is an important task in our discipleship. 

Philippians 3:1-14

The Apostle Paul had a lot going for him by the world's standards. He held what we would say is a privileged position in society. And yet, in this week's passage Paul shares just how little those things mean to him and what he considers to be truly important in this life.

What does it mean to "work out your salvation with fear and trembling"? After his high exaltation of Christ in last week's passage Paul moves again to practical instructions for the Philippians. But for Paul, the exhortation is always grounded in who Christ is, and that we find our identity in him. 

Philippians 2:5-11

Considered to be one of his most powerful passages, here the Apostle Paul explains the significance of what Christ did for us. The life of Christ is the basis for everything else Paul says to the Philippian church, and to us, because we are all to have "the same mindset as Christ Jesus" (Phil 2:5). 

Philippians 1:27 - 2:4

Paul exhorts the Philippian church to "stand firm in the one Spirit, striving as one for the faith of the gospel" (1:27). Why does unity within the body of Christ matter for the spread of the gospel? And how do we get there? These are questions we'll be considering as we continue in our study of Philippians.  

Philippians 1:12 -26

This week we'll look at Paul's commitment to the advance of the gospel, regardless of what that means for his circumstances. We'll also consider his bold statement that for him "to live is Christ, and to die is gain" and what it says about the Christian view of life and death.

New Sermon Series 

This Sunday, we begin a new series of sermons working through the book of Philippians. Written from prison, likely near the end of his life and ministry, Paul wrote this letter to a community of people he considered to be his friends. Philippians has been called Paul's “happiest” letter, with the joy of the Lord as one of its main themes. However, its main emphasis is on knowing Christ and finding our life in him so that God may be glorified.

This Week - Partners in the Gospel

Philippians 1:1-11

Paul begins his letter by sharing his thanksgiving and affection for the church in Philippi, and his confidence in God’s work among them. We’ll consider Paul’s prayer for them at the end of the passage, and what it all means for us as Christ’s followers today.  

Advent is a season of preparation and waiting - leading up to Christmas (fulfillment). As we conclude this time of year and look at Luke 2:22-40, we look into the value and opportunity that waiting provides us. We also unpack the stories of two patient individuals featured in Luke - Simeon and Anna - who had both been patiently waiting for the arrival of Jesus.

Join us as we examine the relationship between waiting and fulfillment - and how they give meaning to each other.

Luke 2:1-20

"Unto you, is born this day...a Savior" 

Come and hear once again the powerful and personal good news about the birth of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.

Titus 2:11-14

This Sunday we'll be looking at a passage from the Apostle Paul that interprets for us what happened at Christmas, and what it means for our lives.

How is Christmas is God’s fulfillment of the promises made in the garden (after the fall) and how does Jesus meet the needs of his people’s deepest longings?

Genesis 3

Incarnation-God's Light Invades the Darkness

John 1:1-14

Psalm 103:1 Bless the Lord, O my soul: and all that is within me, bless his holy name.

Praising God on the mountain top and praising God in the valleys 

This Sunday we have very special guests from Youth Praha who will lead us in worship & teaching. 

Genesis 15:6 And he (Abraham) believed in the Lord, and He accounted it to him for righteousness.

God wants to challenge you to step out of your comfort zone and to press into His calling in your life. If you are committedto Jesus you will be tested. How has he tested you?

This week we will finish our series Grace in a Foreign Place. We’ll look at Jonah 4 and see how God’s compassion is greater than man’s, and that is good news.

Join us this week as we look at Matthew 12:38-42. When the Pharisees ask Jesus for a sign, his response is that the only sign they will be given is "the sign of Jonah." Come and hear more about how the life of this Old Testament prophet once again highlights God's work through his son, Jesus Christ.