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….

Eastside Ministries 40th

It’s at the Botanical Gardens this Friday.

It starts at 6:30. Ticket price is $75 per plate. That’s because this is a fundraiser for the poor on the Eastside of Fort Worth. Raising money is what it is about. But the buffet will be good.

I am the event MC. Blake and Shannon will sing.

You can still get tickets. Just call Bill Parker: 817-296-0065.

Breakfast this Sunday

“Let’s Bring It” Sunday worked well for breakfast. The third Sunday (this Sunday) is a Winston week. Breakfast begins at 10:30.

Sunday’s Sermon

My sermon for Sunday is not the one I announced last week. The new title: Believe It or Not.

Our choir will sing: Jesus Never Failed Me Yet.

Help! Please

We have a temporary problem. But it won’t be a problem if enough people give a special gift on Sunday, May 5. (Or give it earlier—writing “Special gift” on your offering.)

We did not sufficiently prepare for this lag in our finances. I plan for us to do better next year. And we do need to increase our monthly income to avoid this happening again, but this will come with time.

By the way, your giving is entirely private. Only our Treasurer ever sees your gifts. There is never any pressure in giving.

This is God’s business we are in.

“Relax—and trust.”

God always sees us through.

Our love to our members who are ill.

You are in our prayers.

May the Lord hold you in his care.

God bless—MB

By the way—are you aware that in two years—2026—we will celebrate the 130th Anniversary of this congregation? We began life in 1896 in a Victorian clapboard church on Bessie Street. And the best is yet to come.

Greetings to you in the name of the risen Christ, 

I am grateful that our choir will be back this Sunday. We are singing a song, He Never Failed Me Yet. It is a beautiful song, in spite of the fact that God is identified as “HE.” I am looking forward to our spring choir events. I am also grateful to announce that our church concerts are starting back this spring. Max is arranging the first two concerts. In June, we will be blessed with performances by Cassandra Kirby and Nicholas Garza, professional musicians from the DFW area, and good friends of Blake. I will have more details as we get closer but the concert is on June 8th at 7 pm. This will be an event you do not want to miss and one that you will want to bring all your friends to enjoy.

On a serious note, I am requesting a committed and concerted prayer response from the members of our church for Julie and Tracy, Mac and Faith, and Doug and Sue. Also, our sister Suzanne is home but still battling leg issues. The prayer list is kept a private part of our website. If you have questions or concerns about our prayer list, please contact me at [email protected].

Blessings and love to all of you! Mary

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

A Good Sunday

The Sunday after Easter can sometimes feel like a let-down. This year, not at all. Mary had a fine sermon. Julien Rodriquez got a standing ovation for his rendering of Impossible Dream. And Kristi’s opening organ number from Handel rattled the window—several blocks down the street.

It was a spiritual morning.

Even with my hip hurting (gout), I felt good!

Breakfast this Sunday

This is “Let’s Bring It” Sunday.

Winston does weeks one and three.

Week two is up to us eaters.

I am bringing pigs-in-a-blanket.

You bring something. We’ll eat.

(Someone needs to set the serving table.)

Breakfast begins at 10:30.

Working on the Classroom

At the moment, the room where my sister will teach a course on near-death experiences is a junk room. It will take a couple of weeks to get it in shape as a really nice classroom. Sorry for the delay.

Eastside Ministries 40th

It’s at Botanical Gardens on Friday the 19th.

We will sell tickets this Sunday–$75 per plate dinner. That’s because this is a fundraiser for the poor on the Eastside of Fort Worth. Raising money is what it is about. But the buffet will be good.

I am the event MC. Blake and Shannon will sing.

More about it Sunday.

Sunday’s Sermon

Sermon: The Same—but Different.

Personal to Kristi: We open with Lift High the Cross.

Help! Please.

Yes, I can beg. We are entering a two-month period when we have a cash-flow problem until our investment income comes in in June. Please be faithful. Any additional giving will help.

God will get us through. Always has. Always will.

God bless—MB