Church guide

HAPPY BIRTHDAY, CHURCH! Hey, Jesus followers: did you know it was your birthday this weekend? It is! Across the world, Christians everywhere are celebrating the festival of Pentecost. On this Sunday 2,000 or so years ago, just 50 days after Passover when Jesus was executed on a cross then raised from the dead on the third day, the followers of Jesus – a small band in those early days – gathered together in a house. When suddenly INSIDE THAT HOUSE a mighty wind blew through, and “tongues” of fire appeared above each head, and they began to speak loudly about Jesus, in many different languages. That was the day when the Church was born – the Jesus movement was given the mighty power to speak to everyone in words they could hear and understand the good news of Jesus Christ: God saves all people! We are invited to wear red on this day, because red says STOP! As in, stop living in despair and doubt. Stop believing life has no point and nobody cares. Stop hurting and put an end to all suffering by feeding the hungry, welcoming the stranger, and doing good to all and for all, even your enemies. It may seem beyond your power – but NOTHING is beyond God’s power, to love and save and bring life out of death. Let your best life begin right now! Why not? You are the Church, we are the Church together, and this is our birthday!

Our middle school youth are participating in the Pittsburgh Project at the end of June. This mission trip is very important as the youth will have a chance to help out those that need assistance in the Pittsburgh area. If you would like to help out please click on the following link… https://thrivent.cotribute.co/events/261340/detail?src=crowd-fundraise-active-charity-mailto-185

Maundy Thursday worship service, 7pm. Holy Communion, Laying on of hands for forgiveness and healing, and foot washing.

What is your favorite song? Maybe you find that hard to answer. If you keep track of current music, you might have a favorite that changes each month, based on the Top 40 hits. If you like different styles, you might have a favorite song in each of your favorite genres: country, rock, gospel, and so on. Or maybe you like “oldies” and so your favorite is a classic from another era. Whenever you hear it, it brings you back to a special time and place in your life. This Sunday is Palm Sunday in many Christian Churches. So we will sing old favorites like "All Glory, Laud and Honor," “Ride On in Majesty,” or “The Palms.” We might remember being a kid, and waving palm branches in the air, or twisting them into a cross. Good memories. All connected, of course, to the moment when Jesus rode into Jerusalem, and the city crowds cheered, waved palms, and sang their favorite song, “Hosanna!” which means “Hooray for the King!” But we also know, in the course of just one week, this same crowd will change their tune, and becoming a murderous mob who will cry: “Crucify him!” But Jesus marches to a different beat. Though he dies at the hands of all of us who deny, betray, and harm each other and ourselves (and thus do the same to him) Jesus takes on the suffering of all, takes on our death, and is raised from the dead – to reveal God’s ultimate plan: to turn all our sad, hurting and hateful tunes into songs of healing, forgiveness, joy and life.