» Seeing is believing?

The week’s lessons are the same every year – after Jesus has risen, he goes and shows himself to the disciples, yet Thomas wasn’t present and didn’t believe his fellow disciples. For this, he gained a nickname that we still use – Doubting Thomas.

Is this fair? Didn’t the other disciples need to also see Jesus in order to believe the news that Jesus had risen? Hmm.

I think that there are more questions for us today – especially as we are the heirs of the Good News. Where do we find ourselves in this lesson? With the 11 or with Thomas? Given that Jesus is in heaven, how do we see, touch, smell, taste, hear Jesus in our lives? What does it mean to be blessed if we believe without seeing?

These are questions that we continue to wrestle with and to explore. Please join us for service of the Word at 8 AM & 10:15 AM

Thank you…
To those who gave their Saturday morning sprucing up the grounds and the church for our Easter worship.

To Amy and Helenea for setting up our Easter breakfast and to Celeste & Rudi for cleaning up our breakfast.

To the folks who said yes when they were asked to help our worship on a moment’s notice.

First Communion Preparation – Spring Edition:
Twice a year, classes are held for our fourth grade students to prepare to receive communion. This is a 5 week class, which includes a lock-in, for the youth and their parents. If you have a child in fourth grade or feel that your child is ready to receive communion instruction, please contact Denise Roberts. The first class will begin on Monday May 5 at 6:30 PM.

Helping Others:

Due to the cuts in feeding and unemployment programs, folks are unable to meet the needs of their families with food and transportation. After going to Social Services and the local food banks, folks in need often head to the local churches seeking assistance. However, there is a limit in our spending plan for this kind of assistance.

An easy and beneficial way to help is to buy food or gas cards and donate them to Pastor Tina. It is preferable to give the gift cards than a check because the recipient must use them at those locations. Any denomination is accepted. These cards help folks keep staples like cereal, milk, and bread on the table until they are able to eligible to return to the food pantries or they receive their next payment. The gas cards help them to keep their appointments and job interviews.

While not a perfect solution to the rampant poverty and low wage jobs in the area, this is one way we that as Christians can help the least of those in times of need. Thank you for your prayers and your help in advance.

Brown Bag Bible Study:
Our Wednesday bible studies begin again on Wednesday April 30. We will dive into a study of the Gospel of Matthew. Materials are available to read through before class – please see Pastor Tina. We meet at Noon and at 7:30 PM in the Office Study.

It’s the BIG church clean up:
Saturday May 31 from 8:30 AM until we drop. This is a fun family day (seriously) with projects inside and outside that need your hands and feet. Please mark your calendars so that we can truly make this place shine!

With praise and thanksgiving,
Pastor Tina 🙂