This Sunday, as we gather for worship, we'll be celebrating Mothers' Day, as well as highlighting United Methodist Women.
The day-by-day love, encouragement, and resilience of mothers in our lives, whether the mothers in our immediate families, or those women beyond our families whose love and care have shaped and influenced us, are holy gifts that speak to us of the love and presence of God.
This Sunday, we'll be rejoicing in God's creation with an Environmental Stewardship focus, "A New Heaven and a New Earth." Our scripture, Luke 24:34-48, gives us a glimpse of the Risen Christ empowering his disciples to be bearers of forgiveness and new life for the whole world.
Some of my favorite Sundays in this congregation are the Sundays right after Easter. Those Sunday mornings include special celebrations and observances that help to flesh out how we live as people of the Resurrection now.
Last Sunday, at the 11:00 service, 21 8th grade youth inspired us as they shared what being confirmed meant to them, before answering the Confirmation questions about being followers of Christ, and growing, active participants in the Body of Christ today.
Wow! Thank you to all who made our Easter celebration such a success - from our ushers who welcomed both members and visitors while trying to find seats for everyone, to those working the parking lot trying to park cars, to all the musicians who prepared long and hard for this special day. Also a very special thank you to the Worship work area for getting all of the lilies to face forward and blow their trumpets high, and generally making the sanctuary look beautiful.
The weather forecasters are telling us Easter will be a beautiful day - sunny, and with temperatures in the 70's. A great day to notice signs of new life outside on our way to church!
And Easter will be a beautiful day as we gather in the sanctuary for worship - the chancel filled with spring flowers, the choirs filling our hearts with glorious music, the scripture recounting the unexpected discovery of Jesus' resurrection, and we, the congregation, starting worship off by singing the powerful strains of "Christ the Lord is Risen Today!"
For the past several weeks in worship, we have focused on the season of Lent. We have used this time for self-examination and reflection as we prepare for Easter. This Sunday we celebrate Palm Sunday and the triumphal entry of Jesus into Jerusalem. At our 8:15 service, I will reflect on Matthew 21:1-11, which tells of his journey.
It's been somewhat of a quiet week here at church with Spring Break in full swing. Greta and I have enjoyed some free weeknights, but know that everything will pick up again as families return to town and we get ready for Easter.
To help us prepare for Easter, this Sunday I will preach on part of the story from John 18, which tells of the arrest, betrayal and sentencing of Jesus. We will listen to Pontius Pilate ask Jesus, "What is Truth?" and we will explore just what truth may be. At the 9:30 service, we will welcome back our Chapel Choir from their Spring Break tour.
Day 1 - Manchester, Missouri
Day 1 - Manchester, Missouri
Day 1 - Manchester, Missouri
Following their energetic Pre-Tour Concert last Sunday, the Chapel Choir will embark on the 2017 Spring Break Tour, Stand for Peace, tomorrow morning. The Choir will enjoy a week-long trip, making stops in Missouri, Mississippi and Louisiana on their way to their final destination, New Orleans. All are invited to welcome the Choir back to DGFUMC at their Home Concert on Sunday, April 2.
As I look out my window this morning, I can see a lawn maintenance truck cleaning up the park across the street, taking advantage of the nice, spring-like weather. It reminded me that the weatherman is, once again, predicting snow in a few days time. The problem with predicting the weather is that it's becoming much like the evening news - a lot of sound and flurry without any significance.