This week we had a nice lesson about a community of believers who worked together for the good of everyone in their community. They held everything in common—meaning that they shared and looked out for one another.

By doing this, they created a community where no one was needy. They even sold their properties and houses to add to the wealth of the community. Their shared resources were managed by the apostles, who distributed them to those in need. This was not mandatory, but people did this to share and honor God. Sharing was a way of showing love and friendship.

As Christians today, we are called to share what we have with those in need. Sharing is hard sometimes for kids. It can also be hard for adults as we might feel ill-equipped or unable to help those who need the most. We often want to hold close to the things we have worked hard for.

This story reminded me of our very own Mr. Bill Parker, who donates so much time and energy to Eastside Ministries. We all have a chance to help Bill by donating our good used clothing to Eastside. They are always in need of donations of food and clothing.

I learned that they give out sack lunches, lots of bottled water, and boxes of food donated to them by stores to those in need. If you would like to volunteer to help Eastside Ministries, they could use your help — see Mr. Parker at church on Sunday for more information.

Blessings, see you in church Sunday….

This Sunday, we heard one of the amazing stories of Jesus’ wonders and his amazing power to heal.

During biblical times, poor people who needed assistance would sit by the gates of the temple and ask for help from people who passed by. People sometimes would give them money, food, or clothes. Jesus instructed people to give to anyone who asked.

In this story, when a man who is crippled sees Peter and John, he immediately asks them for money. However, Peter tells the man they have no money for him but offers something better. Peter commands the man to rise in the name of Jesus and then pulls him up by the hand. The man is healed by the power of Jesus and begins to walk, leap, and praise God. He even joins Peter and John in the temple. People are amazed to see the man who was unable to move on his own for so long up and able to move freely.

Children also encounter people who need help. They may not know what to do, but we can all help with a small task or assist one person at a time.

This story includes amazement and surprise, common responses to these kinds of healings. When we don’t know what to do, we can pray. Our kids made prayer jars to remind them that they could write prayers and put them in their jars to be taken out when they needed to pray. See you in church.

Blessings

In our story this week, Jesus gathered his eleven disciples around him on a mountaintop in Galilee. Jesus commissioned his disciples with the task of forming a community of believers. This community was to embody Jesus’ presence in the world to strengthen and guide God’s children.

Some of the disciples, however, expressed doubt. They were still having trouble grasping the mystery of the resurrection. While some worshiped Jesus immediately, others had questions.

There are many times in the Gospels when the disciples expressed doubt even though they were devoted to Jesus. It’s natural that we, Jesus’ modern-day disciples, also experience some doubt. Just like the disciples before us, we need to accept a little mystery with our faith. Like them, we must accept that there are some answers that we do not have and some things that can’t be explained.

Jesus knew this was a lot for the disciples to take in, and promised to be with them always as they spread the gospel.

We call Jesus’ instructions to form a community of believers The Great Commission. A commission is a call for something God wants us to do. God commissions us all to share Jesus with the world.

We can do this in many ways such as ministry, showing kindness, love, and respect. We are called to teach and serve others. This is what we do in Sunday school each week. See you in church on Sunday.

Blessings

Thank you, wonderful parents, and grandparents, for bringing all those sweet kids to join our Easter egg hunt. It was a joy to stand back and watch the excitement. Molly and Bridget helped Vickie and Doug put out at least a zillion eggs! Many of them were filled with prizes, they all had candy.

We had 2 golden eggs containing enough cash to make me wish I was a kid again! The kids had to look extra hard for those eggs. Noah and Reese each found one! Danny Eades took a picture of these happy guys. I am sure Danny has more pictures to share!

After our Egg Hunt, the kids went inside to watch The Easter Promise. They all had popcorn and juice. The kids all sit quietly as the Easter story unfolded before them.

The women were the first to see the empty tomb. As they approached the tomb, there was a great earthquake and they saw an angel roll away the stone and sit on top of it. The angel told the women not to be afraid; Jesus was not in the tomb. Jesus is alive!

As the women ran down the path to tell the others, Jesus appeared to them! They fell to their knees when they saw Jesus. He told them that they should “go tell the disciples I will see them in Galilee.” A direct command from Jesus to the women to remember his resurrection and share the Good News with others.

Thanks again for being with us Sunday. Hope we see you all again on Sunday. Blessings

Be at church early this Sunday! We will have lots of eggs for our kids to find! The Easter Bunny told me that there are a lot of goodies in the eggs!

Be at church by 9:45. Our Easter Egg Hunt will begin at 10:00 sharp. Please do not be late!

Bring Mom and Dad to help you open all your eggs! You may be the lucky one to find the Golden Egg! We will have crafts in the fellowship hall that you can work on before our hunt! Remember that time — 9:45!! We will have a movie and popcorn during church for all you kids to enjoy while Mom and Dad are in church!

This last Sunday our kids carried in palm leaves and shouted as they entered church! All this shouting was to welcome Jesus as he entered Jerusalem. People were excited as Jesus entered the city, they gave him the same greeting that a king would receive in those days. They spread palm leaves and their clothes on the road for Jesus to walk on.

As Jesus passed, the crowds shouted, “Hosanna to the Son of David! Blessings on the one who comes in the name of the Lord.” By riding a donkey instead of a horse, Jesus said that he came in peace. We can remember the palm leaves as a symbol and a way to praise God.

See you all in church on Sunday! Blessings