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Tags: Luke
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Hallelujah! Christ is risen!
What a glorious service we shared on Sunday. Our choir set the tone for a service filled with light, love, and praise through their passionate rendition of He Never Failed Me.
And then…
God sent a messenger of the gospel to speak to us. A prophet, filled with the Holy Spirit and transformed by love, who helped draw the line between going to church and being the body of Christ. What an indescribable blessing it was to have Hanna Newcomer Sliva preach to us on Sunday. Our lives were touched by the words, the tone, and the presence of God in her message. I have listened to the sermon again and have pulled out some of the things that were especially meaningful to me, and I encourage you to do the same, to listen again and discover what speaks to your heart.
Here are a few of the reflections that stayed with me:
- The grace, providence, and sustenance of God’s power
- A priesthood of believers… we all together make up the body of Christ
- Understanding different phases of life and the importance of intergenerational ministry
- God designed us to live in holy unity with one another
- We are more than our individual selves… we are called to live and grow in faith together
- Chances are, to somebody in the world, God looks like you
These words remind us that the Church is not just something we attend. It is something we are. Together, we are called to reflect God’s love, to grow in unity, and to carry that love into the world.
The United Methodist Church is raising up young pastors like Hanna all across the world. Her message, delivered with sincerity and tenderness, gives me hope. I look forward to welcoming her again.
God’s blessings to you, the Body of Christ, as you spend this week being the church beyond the walls of 2414 Hitson Lane. Love to all.
And don’t forget our Congregational Business and Ministry Meeting this Sunday, April 26, immediately following worship. Lunch and dessert will be served.
Blessings,
Mary
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Have you ever worked really hard at something and still came up empty?
After Jesus had risen, some of the disciples went back to fishing on the lake (John 21:1–14). They fished all night long but didn’t catch a single fish. As morning came, they saw someone standing on the shore. At first, they didn’t realize it was Jesus.
Jesus called out to them and told them to throw their net on the other side of the boat. It might have sounded strange, but they listened, and suddenly their net was so full of fish they could barely pull it in. When they finally counted them, there were 153 fish, so many that they could hardly believe it.
That’s when they realized it was Jesus. Peter was so excited that he jumped right into the water and swam to shore to be with him. When the others arrived, they found that Jesus had already prepared breakfast, with fish and bread waiting for them by the fire.
Even after everything that had happened, Jesus was still caring for them, providing for them, and spending time with them.
This story reminds us that Jesus is always with us, even when we don’t recognize him right away. When we feel tired, discouraged, or unsure, Jesus meets us where we are. He provides what we need, and he invites us to trust him, even when things don’t seem to be working.
What We Learned
- Jesus is with us, even when we don’t realize it
- We can trust Jesus, even when things don’t go as planned
- Jesus provides more than we expect
- We are never alone
We loved seeing all of our wonderful kids this Sunday as we started working on something special for Mother’s Day. We hope to see you again this week!
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We give thanks for the many ways God’s love is shared through the life of our church.
This past Sunday, our choir offered a beautiful and moving expression of worship. Their singing was truly transcendent, lifting our hearts and filling the sanctuary with a spirit of reverence, joy, and praise.We are also grateful for Hanna Newcomer Sliva and the message she shared with us. Through her words and presence, we were reminded of what it means to be the body of Christ, living and growing together in love.
Each week, we continue to come together in worship, fellowship, and service, experiencing the love of God in meaningful ways through music, prayer, and shared life.
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