Daily Archives: April 30, 2025

Friday’s Word – “Only Love Works”

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It looks like the attempt at an American oligarchy will fail, and the leader of the movement will end up in disrepute.

More people are seeing that hatred and revenge lead to chaos.

And more people are turning against that chaos.

It may be that the world needed to see this once again—that the effort to destroy others always ends in self-destruction.

Always—eventually.

That’s because hatred and revenge are opposed to the fundamental power that sustains creation.

That power is love.

More specifically, that power is God’s love.

The great discovery of my (to-be-published) book, Discovering God, is that God has made all things from Himself.

Not my idea alone.

It is echoed in many NDEs and other kinds of encounters with God.

And in scripture.

Paul said, “In Him [God] we live and move and have our being.”

That means we are all, ultimately, one with God—and one with each other.

We are truly the human “family,” rooted in God.

So, revenge against the neighbor is finally revenge against the self—and against God.

“That which you do to the least of these, you do to me,” said Jesus.

What more people are beginning to see is that hatred and revenge do not work.

Indeed, it cannot work.

I will be saying in my sermon on Sunday that Jesus calls us to reject revenge.

But what about those Bible passages that tell us God is vengeful?

Join me Sunday, online or in person, at 11:00 a.m.

Online address below. Click on “video.”

Max’s Corner

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Memorial for Patsy Reeves

We will gather to give thanks for Patsy’s life on Saturday, May 3, at 11:00 AM, with lunch to follow in the fellowship hall—our love to her family and all who will join in remembering her.

Discovering God Resumes

This Sunday’s topic: “Where Do We Come From?”

Is the soul just a product of sperm and egg? Do we begin at conception? Can we know?

Yes. Of course. Come find out in class—Sunday at 9:45 AM.

Breakfast follows.

Breakfast This Sunday

It’s a Winston Sunday—but the rest of us can help, too.

Breakfast is at 10:30 AM.

The Concert

What a success! We raised $1,600 for Eastside Ministries, which was badly needed and gratefully received. The food was wonderful, and Shannon, Julian, and Joshua were beyond words excellent. It’s amazing that we have such gifted singers who bring real joy.

This Sunday’s Sermon

How different was the teaching of Jesus from what came before it?

If all we had were the Old Testament, could we somehow pull out the teachings of the Gospel?

Sermon title: How Different Was Jesus?

I think our choir will be singing. I know we’ve got some great hymns lined up.

Let’s worship—for the joy of it.

God bless—MB

Looking Ahead

📅 Saturday, May 3 at 11:00 AM – Memorial Service for Patsy Reeves

📅 Saturday, May 31 – Memorial Service for Dan Mitchell

Mary’s Corner

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Greetings to all of you in the name of the risen Christ. Easter is still with us—as is the miracle of God the Holy Spirit dwelling among us. All those years ago, when the stone was rolled back, it was God’s plan to stay with us, to comfort us, and to give us strength. I am grateful for a God who never leaves us.

Very soon, we’ll return to what the church calls Ordinary Time—the season when we get back to the everyday business of the church. And we’ve got quite a list of things to “get about.” First, we’re preparing to do a few upgrades around the building: a little fresh paint here, new bathroom stall doors there… just a few sprucing-up projects to keep our church home looking loved.

When I was growing up, that’s how my family sometimes paid our tithes. We owned a construction business, and there wasn’t always enough work to cover everything at home. But my parents were committed to giving back to God what God had blessed them with. Sometimes that meant working at the church when we didn’t have money for the offering plate. I’ve pulled up and laid carpet, installed pews, tiled bathrooms, replaced toilets, painted walls, and hung sheetrock—with my family and for my church. I’m looking forward to picking up a paintbrush again… and hopefully seeing a few of you with one too.

These past few weeks have also been full of conversations about funerals, as we’ve grieved the loss of several dear members. I just want you to know what an honor it is to be asked to participate in those services. I am moved beyond words every time.

The newsletter will be taking a short break, but know that you are all in my prayers.

Love you all,
Mary

Kids’ News – “Seeing and Believing”

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It had been a long, strange week for the disciples.

Jesus had been crucified. He had died and was buried in a tomb. But now, just days later, the disciples were saying He was alive again. Some of them had already seen Him. Others had heard stories from the women at the tomb. There was joy… but also confusion.

And Thomas wasn’t so sure.

He had seen the pain. He had watched Jesus be arrested, beaten, and taken to the cross. The grief was real, and the idea of resurrection just felt too hard to believe.

When the other disciples told him, “We have seen the Lord!” (John 20:25), Thomas replied, “Unless I see the nail marks in his hands and put my finger where the nails were… I will not believe.”

Thomas wanted more than a story—he wanted proof.

And that’s when Jesus showed up.

A week later, Jesus appeared again to the disciples. This time, Thomas was with them. And Jesus didn’t scold or shame him. He simply turned to Thomas and said,

“Put your finger here; see my hands. Stop doubting and believe.” (John 20:27)

Thomas didn’t need to touch after all. Just seeing Jesus was enough.

“My Lord and my God!” he said (John 20:28).

And Jesus responded, “Blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed.” (John 20:29)

What We Learned

✔ It’s okay to have questions about our faith—Thomas did too.
✔ Jesus meets us with grace, not judgment.
✔ We can believe, even when we haven’t seen everything.
✔ Faith grows when we stay curious, honest, and open to God’s love.

This week, we saw how Jesus met Thomas exactly where he was, not with anger, but with love. And that same love meets us today. See you in church, so we can “Grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.” – 2 Peter 3:18