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

We had a wonderful lesson on Sunday—Praying in The Garden. Our Bible story begins after Jesus and the disciples shared the Last Supper. Jesus knew his death was coming soon. He didn’t want to die and was probably sad and anxious. He prayed that God would present him with a solution so he wouldn’t have to die, but he also knew it was up to God. After fervently praying, Jesus was visited by an angel. The angel set his mind at peace, and Jesus knew what he had to do.

In this story, Jesus provides us with a model for prayer, taking his sadness and his fear and turning it over to God—as we are taught to do. Jesus asks for what he wants but ultimately prays for God’s will to be done. This is what we are expected to do. Everyone needs to know that no matter what is happening, we can go to God, just like Jesus did. It might not change the outcome, but it will bring comfort to know that God goes with us and is present amid our fear and sadness.

We need to remind all of you that we will have an Easter egg hunt before church on Easter Sunday. Get to church early that day. Have Mom and Dad get you to church by 9:45! And ask Grandma or Grandpa! We have some real goodies this year! Lots more than just candy, I noticed the bunny already left a really big golden egg with big bucks inside!! The bunny says there are lots of toys inside. Talk to Mom about this egg hunt. We also have a movie during church complete with popcorn and juice.

See you there! Blessings….

It appears that Spring Break from school has taken our kids out of town! We missed you this Sunday as we were studying the Passover meal.

The Passover meal is celebrated each year to mark the Israelites’ escape from slavery in Egypt. The Passover meal with Jesus would be different, but they did not know that. During the meal, Jesus gave thanks for the bread and broke it and then took the cup and blessed it. Jesus used the bread and the cup, everyday items, to remind the disciples of His Body (the bread) and His Blood (the cup) given for them and for us. They have become symbols in our church today. Symbols of God’s love in Christian churches.

During Communion, we recite the familiar words, “Do this in remembrance of Me”, and share the bread and cup to remember the life and death of Jesus. We all might practice and participate communion differently; however, we can remember Jesus and His example by simply sharing a meal. Whether we share a meal with friends and family or come forward to receive the elements in worship, we have the opportunity to remember.

On Easter Sunday, we have a big celebration in the way of an Easter egg hunt right before church! Be sure to remind Dad and Mom to get you to church early!! When I arrived home from church last
Sunday, I found a big box filled with eggs that contained monster trucks, dinosaurs, puppies, army men, teddy bears, puppies, bugs, bubbles and Mom’s favorite, slime!! Of course these will also be filled with candy for your hunt!! Last year, the kids took the plastic eggs home, so we need donations of plastic eggs and small individually wrapped candy to fill all our eggs with sweets!

Can you help us by donating plastic eggs or candy we can use for our kids? Just drop it off in our room any time before Easter!

Thanks for your help… Blessings!