Friday’s Word

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The Great Miscalculation

Paul told the Corinthians, “We will not all die.”

He was saying that many of them would still be living when the Lord came again.

But everyone Paul was writing to died.

And so did Paul.

Paul was so certain Jesus was returning soon that he advised people not to marry (I Cor. 7:32+).

No reason to bother. Jesus was coming soon.

We are glad to say most Christians ignored him.

(Except the Shakers. They are all gone. There were no children to continue the faith.)

This was the great miscalculation of the early church—the idea that Jesus would soon return.

But instead of dropping an obviously faulty idea—the church hung on to it.

For 2,000 years!

And all that time, preachers have been telling people Jesus is coming soon.

For 2,000 years!!!

And this idea is based on another equally bad idea: that this world God has made is evil, cursed, hopelessly broken.

So God wants to shut it down. End it—as soon as possible.

But the first creation story tells us God looked at his creation and declared it “good.”

And in the Beatitudes, Jesus tells us we are all “blessed,” even with all the pain we may live with.

And God keeps sending us here—into his world.

It’s like the school all souls must go to. This world is where we have the freedom to grow in grace and understanding.

The world has a purpose.

The world serves God’s purpose.

Sorry, all you endtimers.

I don’t think God is calling it quits any time soon. Stop the nonsense.

The Lord has already come. He is with us now.

Max’s Corner

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PENTECOST
With Dinner!

Pentecost is one of the BIG THREE—Christmas, Easter, and Pentecost.

No, it doesn’t have the pull of the other two—but it should. It is our Big Red Day—the only Sunday officially designated for red paraments. (We sometimes keep them up a few weeks—just because they are beautiful.)

Wear something red—if you have it. (If not, don’t worry.)

We have lunch after worship—and we all bring. (If you can. If you can’t, don’t worry.) Bring something good. I’m hungry.

The sermon on Sunday will be: “There Is Power Available.”

But—No Breakfast!

On dinner days, the kitchen is busy with dinner preparation. So no breakfast this Sunday. Eat that egg before you leave home. (Or stop by the Golden Arches.)

A Production Number

The Anthem last Sunday was HUGE.

With a guest playing bass guitar.

And several people—including Mary Teague—doing solos.

And we had quite a few guests for Mother’s Day.

We thank God for inhabiting our worship and filling our hearts with joy.

God Bless—MB

ON MY MIND—the folks we love who are sick and others who have lost loved ones. May God’s grace and comfort be with those who need it most.

Mary’s Corner

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Greetings, dear Church, in the name of the risen Christ.

I had so much fun Sunday morning with the song that we sang, and with the time that we spent together before church having breakfast together. For some reason, everything seems lighter. The decisions of the general conference this year have made a way for everyone to be at the table of our Lord. There are no words for me to adequately express what that kind of freedom means. I am grateful to you for your continued love and support.

I’m also very grateful to those who showed up Saturday to clean the church. Nan and Winston cleaned the entire church in two hours. It doesn’t seem like a huge task, however, only two people showed up. We’ll have a sign-up sheet on Sunday to get a more organized and consistent schedule for cleaning the church.

Anna is progressing well after having a major surgery on Monday. She was up walking today with physical therapy. I look forward to spending time with you again this weekend. I miss you between these Sundays, Mary.