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Beyond bunnies, colored eggs, bonnets and hot cross buns, Easter has deep meaning for Christians. Ten of us have been studying six ways to understand the resurrection story including substitution, ransom, moral example, reconciliation, cleansing and victory each Tuesday morning in Bible Study. Some of us may not realize that there are so many ways to understand our savior’s sacrifice for us. However you understand and experience the Easter story, I hope that you will lean in to the incredible gift we have during this season by sharing time together over meals and in worship and remember that we are a resurrection people! We are those who believe in new life and transformation for ourselves, for our church and for the world!
Bible Study: Our Easter season study will be The Complete Gnostic Gospels Collection: The Gospels of Philip, Judas, Mary, Truth, and others from 4/30 through 6/4. Responding to requests for an evening study we are going to try Wednesday evenings at 6pm in a hybrid version. That is, you can attend either in person at the church or via Zoom. The study enables the reader to dive into the enigmatic world of early Christian thought and spirituality including the Gospels of Philip, Judas, Mary, and Truth which offer a unique and alternative perspective on the life and teachings of Jesus Christ. We will delve into the mystical and esoteric traditions of ancient Christianity, as these texts reveal hidden knowledge, spiritual insights, and visionary experiences cherished by Gnostic communities. These long-lost scriptures invite readers to explore the deeper mysteries of the universe, the soul's journey, and the nature of divine revelation. The Kindle version of the book is available for $0.49 on Amazon at this link.
Worship: On Palm Sunday, April 13th the Trustees will sponsor a pancake breakfast at 9:00 am hoping that this less busy day will be a good time to gather together and enjoy a meal before worship where we will wave our palms celebrating Jesus’ triumphal entry into Jerusalem.
On Maundy Thursday, April 17th we will enjoy a Potluck meal together at 6:00 pm that will include prayers and scripture in a remembrance of the Last Supper. Please come and share this precious meal with your church family.
On Good Friday, April 18th from noon to 3:00 pm you are welcome to stop by the sanctuary to participate in prayer stations during a vigil remembering the time of Jesus’ crucifixion. Each station will present an activity with an opportunity for prayer and reflection on those last moments of Jesus’ life. You may drop in and also leave any time within those hours.
We will hold our annual Easter Sunrise Service at the Old Stone Church on Sunday, April 20th, at 6:00 am. Please use the postcards at either entrance to share with your family, friends and neighbors inviting them to join us at this service. Who can you invite?
The Sunday after Easter, April 27th is Holy Humor Sunday and I invite you to bring kind religious jokes and gentle humorous stories to share. This custom was rooted in the musings of early church theologians (like Augustine, Gregory of Nyssa, and John Chrysostom) that God played a practical joke on the devil by raising Jesus from the dead. "Risus paschalis - the Easter laugh," the early theologians called it. In 1988 the Fellowship of Merry Christians began encouraging churches and prayer groups to resurrect Bright Sunday celebrations and call it" Holy Humor Sunday," with the theme: "Jesus is the LIFE of the party."
Our Easter season worship series is called Cup of Freedom and focuses on “freedom,” whatever that may look like for our community. The resurrection is but the beginning of living as “Easter People” who proclaim freedom from the limitations of death-dealing entities. And, as disciples of Jesus who are called to freedom in so many ways, we are called to work to eradicate anything that leaves people less free to be fully who they were created by God to be. It is a journey towards the celebration of the Holy Spirit on Pentecost that will help fuel us, and it is a sense of the abundance we experience “overflowing” from the cup of salvation that is our hope.
We are delighted to share that thanks to part of a generous donation from Jane Erickson’s family we have purchased new microphones for the livestream that are working beautifully. If you’re on the road or worshipping from home, please plan to join us for worship each Sunday at 10:30 at the church or on our YouTube livestream at this link.
Pastoral Care: Please contact me when you have a graduation, anniversary, or other special event that you would like me to pray for. When you are facing a difficult decision and would like someone to discuss it with, I am a trained Spiritual Director, here to listen and to offer prayer for wisdom and guidance. When planning a wedding, I can provide premarital counseling and planning for a Christian ceremony. When anticipating a death in the family, let me pray for you and your loved one as they transition from this life to the eternal. I am here to serve you and encourage you in all of life’s situations. I am available by appointment or by chance at the church office.
In Christ's Love,
Pastor Cheryl
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