Yesterday’s sermon is now online at: http://blog.coffeyvillefirstumc.org/podcasts.
You can also subscribe to our podcast through iTunes.
(iTunes is available as a free download.)
PPRC Meeting Rescheduled
The next meeting of the Pastor Parish Relations Committee has been pushed back one week from Monday, April 25 to Monday, May 2, 2011 due to a scheduling conflict.
Easter Brunch
There will be an Easter Brunch from 9:15 to 10:30 am on Easter morning, Sunday, April 24, 2011. Biscuits and Gravy, Egg Bake, Fruit, Juice and Coffee. The entire congregation (and any guests who might want to come along) is invited to join in the fellowship. You’re welcome, but certainly not required, to bring sweet breads, casseroles, or fruit.
Text Message Notification Available
The church is now using a bulk text messaging service to send out important notifications and updates (think weather related cancellations, etc.) to via text messages to cell phones. You can sign up Clark Alexander Kirk Born Yesterday
We’re happy to announce that Clark Alexander Kirk was born to Jeremy and Nikki Kirk yesterday. Clark was 6lbs 5oz and 19″. To those of you who are disappointed that the child was not named James Tiberius, please know that the management of this blog (or at least the half of the management that is male) shares your disappointment.
"Infant Soothing Room" Taken Out for a Spin
The infant soothing room isn’t yet finished but Connor Dobbins and his parents took it out for a spin this morning. It worked well and seems well suited for the task. We hope to get a lot of use out of it in the years to come (and by we, I mean the congregation, not Jenny and I personally). I’ll get some pictures posted once it’s finished.
Thanks to Passion Readers
We want to thank all those who helped read the passion story this morning during worship: Mark Frank, Bethanie Frank, Atlantis Frank, Carla Herring, Pat McCoy, Carmen Winston, and Elizabeth Collins.
Good Friday Service of Tenebrae
A week from today, Friday, April 22, 2011, we’ll be observing Good Friday with a traditional service of Tenebrae. This service does not include a sermon, but will include the sacrament of Holy Communion. According to The United Methodist Book of Worship, “A Service of Tenebrae, or “Darkness,” is is based on a twelfth-century late night/early morning service and is an extended mediation on the passion of Christ.” This meditation includes sixteen scripture readings from the passion story according to the Gospel of John 18.1-19.42 with during which time fifteen lit candles are extinguished.
No Book Study Tonight Due to Weather
Because of the inclement weather, tonight’s book study will be postponed. We’ll just add a week.
Voice of the Day: Prayer
[Prayer] is something we do, but even more it is a gift of God to us.
— Roberta Bondi, To Love As God Loves
If we think about that it changes everything about prayer, it’s not something we do to please God or to curry God’s favor, but a gift from God. The gift of communication and deepened relationship.
Camp Scholarships
Our recent special offering for scholarships to Camp Chippewa and Institute received $423.61 (the 61¢ was donated by a generous 8 year old). Thanks to everyone who contributed. Your gifts change lives.
Verse of the Day: Proverbs 22.16
Given the way our elected representatives seem to be intent on balancing our state and local budgets on the backs of the poor I thought it would be appropriate to share the following passages (these are only a few examples out of hundreds):
“Because the poor are despoiled, because the needy groan, I will now rise up,” says the LORD; “I will place them in the safety for which they long.” (Psalm 12.5, NRSV)
Thus says the LORD of hosts: Render true judgments, show kindness and mercy to one another; do not oppress the widow, the orphan, the alien, or the poor; and do not devise evil in your hearts against one another. (Zechariah 7.9-10, NRSV)
“Is not this the fast that I choose: to loose the bonds of injustice, to undo the thongs of the yoke, to let the oppressed go free, and to break every yoke? Is it not to share your bread with the hungry, and bring the homeless poor into your house; when you see the naked, to cover them, and not to hide yourself from your own kin?” (Isaiah 58.6-7, NRSV)
“The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he has anointed me to bring good news to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim release to the captives and recovery of sight to the blind, to let the oppressed go free, to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor.” (Luke 4.18-19, NRSV)
And finally given the extension of tax cuts for the extremely wealthy at the same time that programs that help the poor and middle class are being cut:
Oppressing the poor in order to enrich oneself, and giving to the rich, will lead only to loss. (Proverbs 22.16, NRSV)
I apologize for the rant, but given what’s unfolding, I felt that I had to say something. My conscience (which John Wesley believed is actually the Holy Spirit at work within us) would not let me remain silent.