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Sixth Sunday of Easter and we find ourselves in the middle of May and still dealing with a pandemic...
Yet, God continues to make us smile... At least that is what we should be doing when it snows in the springtime! When we are told to stay home ~ stay safe, is it not beautiful to look out and be surprised as to what God is up to?!?! The weather is only one thing that assures me that the Spirit dwells among us. No matter where we are in our faith journey, God is present ~ even when we are unaware! May we always have the desire to be near our Creator. The scriptures for this coming Sunday, tells us that God is the one "in whom we live and breathe and have our being." Lessons for May 17th: John 14:15-21; Acts 17:22-31; Psalm 66:8-20; I Peter 3:13-22 The day is coming soon when we will gather once again as the family of God... I so look forward to that day... Until then ~ each of you are in my prayers. A Prayer: Keep us alive to thee, lest by our hardness we block our children's way or by our blindness lead them down the wrong road. Keep us faithful to thee, that we may be as a door opened to warm spring days, inviting them out into the fullness of life... Amen.
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Happy Mother's Day to all the mothers, stepmothers, grandmothers, Godmothers, foster mothers and all others out there!  Fifth Sunday of Easter is Mother's Day and the Festival of the Christian Home... we might ask, "What is a home?" At its best, it is a place where we are nourished, protected, and equipped to go out into the world.
Today's scriptures remind us that as Christians, we have a home in God. For Jesus promises to show us the way to God's house where there is room for all! Lessons for May 10th: John 14:1-14; Acts 7:55-60; I Peter 2:2-10; Psalm 31:1-5 On Mother's Day, my mother is in my thoughts with all the women that over the years have guided me in my journey of life... I am so thankful for all the Christian women that have been in my church families over the years... God's Blessings for EACH of YOU! Note: When we get back to worship... everyone will need a face mask... SO, if you know how to make these... perhaps you could be making them for us to have on hand. A Prayer: O God, we thank you for our mothers ~ for all those who mothered us when we were young. This Mother's Day, we pray for all mothers ~ for all who parent in these frantic times, difficult days. Loving God, be with the parents of today, that they might give their children what they need to find their own way to do Your will and to live in Your secure love... Amen. In scripture we read:
"The Good Shepherd calls his sheep by name." We should rejoice that Jesus our shepherd calls us each by name, and is the one who came that we may have abundant life (John 10:10b). This abundant life is described in Acts as a result of fellowship, breaking bread together, praying for one another, and sharing together. I CANNOT WAIT UNTIL WE CAN BE IN WORSHIP TOGETHER... HOPE YOU FEEL THE SAME WAY! Scripture lessons for Sunday ~ May 3rd: John 10:1-10; Acts 2:42-47; I Peter 2:19-25; Psalm 23 As we begin the month of May, let us be mindful that the 1st is May Day... Make a May basket for someone... Be the reason someone SMILES. Note: Anyone that would like the May/June Upper Room, please let the Pastor know (885-1916). A Prayer: Living God, we marvel at the gift of life, at being here at all; at the touch of the sun's warmth, the wash of the rain, the near presence of each other, thy care surrounding us, supporting us, Praise be to our creator... Amen. "Stay with us," say the disciples on the road to Emmaus to their unknown companion. In that invitation, and in the breaking of the bread together, they recognize they are communing with Jesus himself.
When we stay with God and God's word for long periods of time, amazing things happen... Peter proclaims that new birth grows from the seed of God's enduring word. Invite God to stay with you, and wait for amazing growth! Until we can be together ~ enjoy your personal time with God and reading the word of God... The scripture lessons for Sunday ~ April 26 are: Luke 24:13-35; I Peter 1:17-23; Acts 2:14a, 36-41; Psalm 116 From Psalm 116 comes an invitation: "Let's keep our promises to God, as we offer our love to God's world (and our "church") through our gifts..." Please remember to send your pledge or gifts to the treasurer, so she can continue to pay the monthly bills... thanks! (Springfield UMC - 10 Valley Street - 05156) A Prayer: Loving God, help us to pay attention to thy silence... to thy Word... to thy presence... in Jesus name... Amen. Message from the Pastor...
With all that it going on in the world... may we be mindful that this is Holy Week... with its cycle of life ~ death ~ and NEW LIFE! This RESURRECTION SUNDAY ~ I hope that each of you will find new life for the days ahead. As spring blooms and the sun warms our hearts... and the presence of our Lord is seen in the smallest things around you! Our Bishop has said there shall be no services other than through the devices of technology... Thus, the Sonrise Service will NOT be at the boat landing on the Connecticut River. Instead, at 6:00 AM, you can go on ZOOM and participate in the worship at: https://youtube.com/channel/UCXV0DNO33dbMdXTJ5ZKUxTQ The ID: 158 640 613 Password: 013654 Also, at 8:00 AM, on Springfield radio station WCFR... 106.5 FM or 1480 AM, I will have an Easter Message for the community and surrounding areas. As Christ died for our sins... and then arose again ~ as he said he would, so that we have the assurance of eternal life... It is in faith that I know we will once again gather together in God's House to worship... please send your gifts and pledges to our treasurer, Karen Therrien at 10 Valley Street 05156. A Prayer: Savior of resurrection, the empty tomb shows you bring life from death, hope from despair. Dissolve our worries, grant us wholeness, give us Easter Faith. In the name of the Risen Savior, Alleluia! Amen. THIS SUNDAY MORNING, PALM SUNDAY, OUR LOCAL RADIO STATION WCFR - AM 1480 and FM 106.5 - WILL BROADCAST A SPECIAL MESSAGE FOR HOLY WEEK AT 8:00 AM!
PLEASE TUNE IN AND LET US SHARE THE WORDS OF WORSHIP TOGETHER! Together in spirit, as we approach Palm Sunday and the events of Holy Week... the Passion of our Lord and Savior gives us hope and courage to face the future unafraid.
During Holy Week, select a Gospel, and each day read what happened in Jesus' life that last week of his earthly life... IF possible, read it to a child! On Palm Sunday, radio station WCFR here in Springfield will broadcast a message for Holy Week... Come Easter, I will hold an ecumenical worship service of Resurrection down at the Connecticut River, beginning at sunrise - 6:00 AM. Share the news... Call me if you would like to order a lily for a loved one... call me if you need anything 802-885-1916. IF possible send your pledge to Karen Therrien - United Methodist Church - 10 Valley Street... THANKS A Prayer from the Conference: Jesus, we praise and acknowledge that you are the Messiah. You are the one who has come to save us. We may be confused, burdened and even sick but we know that it is you that we need. You come to us, humble and yet a King. You reach out to us as we shelter in our homes, or as we serve where we are needed. Lord, we remember the events in the days before your Crucifixion. We know that you suffered as you showed us how to love. Teach us your way, O Lord. Teach us to love you and love each other even in the midst of our fear and our anxieties. Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord! Amen. Easter Lillies... we will, once again, have Easter Lilies in memory of loved ones when we celebrate Resurrection Sunday on whatever day we are able to return to worship.
If you would like to order Easter Lilies, please call Aleks at 802-558-4413. The lilies are $13.99 and will be ordered from Woodbury’s Florist so that we can support a local business in their time of need! |
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