The Resurrection occurred without a hitch, but church services aren’t always as fortunate. Pastors shared Easter goofs with Outreach magazine —
During a prayer, one pastor said, “Jesus, we love you to death.” Though it was fitting, the slip-up led to chuckles.
Actors in Passion Plays apparently tend to fall off crosses. After one did so and muttered a swear word, the pastor said, “At least he’s the unbelieving thief.” And when a man playing Jesus had to be reattached to his cross, a pastor said the real Jesus “would have climbed back on out of love.”
Shocked by the early rehearsal time, a guitarist asked, “Whose idea was it for Easter to be in the morning?”
Before leading a sunrise service, a pastor was informed of a member’s death. So he was briefly “thrown … when she walked up in the early morning shadows.” Turns out there’d been a name mix-up. “I believe in resurrection power,” says the pastor. “But I was more than a little surprised at what I was seeing!”
“Then they told what had happened on the road, and how he had been made known in the breaking of the bread.” Luke 24: 35
One thing that is not an error is the truth about the Risen Christ sending us into the world with a message for sharing. And frankly, we sometimes jumble the message and thankfully we are given the unlimited grace of God to help us recover from all kinds of miscommunications.
The days following the resurrection were filled with clear messages from Jesus even when folks didn’t recognize him. Jesus revealed all the scriptures and truth we need to have faith and to live in it. Every day brings an opportunity to hear and tell the good news that Jesus brings salvation and life by the Resurrection.
May the season of Eastertide roll over you and set the message free inside of you. God will take the message and our mixed-up messages for Good. This is my prayer for you and me.
In Christ’s Peace, Pastor Laura
More Daily Thoughts
Breath of the Spirit
The breathing I did yesterday will not keep me alive today. I must continue to breathe afresh every moment, or my life will cease. In like manner, yesterday’s grace and spiritual strength must be renewed, and the Holy Spirit must continue to breathe on my soul from moment to moment in order that I may continue to enjoy him and to work the works he has assigned me.
—Augustus Toplady
Our proper role
“We’re called to be witnesses, not lawyers or judges.” This quip may bring a chuckle, but it’s also a good reminder as we celebrate the Ascension of Our Lord (May 18 this year). Jesus directed his disciples to spread the good news he had taught them: “You will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you, and you will be my witnesses ...” (Acts 1:8, NRSV).
While professional lawyers and judges certainly have their place in society and can serve God by working for genuine justice for all, we are not called in daily life to judge others’ morality or relationship with God. “Do not judge,” Jesus says, “and you will not be judged. Do not condemn, and you will not be condemned. Forgive, and you will be forgiven” (Luke 6:37, NIV). And what is one of the most powerful forms of witness to Christ? Forgiveness.
Come as you are
As a young pastor, Stan Purdum de-husked black walnuts one Saturday, not realizing his hands would be badly stained. They looked filthy, he recalls, and the marks would not wash off; they’d have to wear off. Then Purdum realized he’d be serving Holy Communion the next day.
Before distributing the elements, the pastor apologized to congregants, explaining that his hands were washed but just stained. Years later, Purdum reflected: “Now that I have a fuller grasp of theology under my belt, I think a better thing for me to say would have been, ‘Nobody comes to Communion with clean hands.’”
We’re all unworthy to receive Jesus’ body and blood, but that’s exactly why he offers it. Thanks be to God for redeeming and forgiving us — wiping away the stain of our sins!
—adapted from The Wired Word
A thank you letter from Andrew with CROP Hunger Walk:
THANK YOU for your dedication to ending hunger around the block and around the world! It was a beautiful day on Sunday and I chatted with Kevin Murphy and he confirmed it was a perfect day to walk – and even better when you’re walking for neighbors near and far!
As of this morning – you’ve raised $9,220 – which is INCREDIBLE! The website (www.crophungerwalk.org/LeanderTX) will be open for the remainder of the spring so please don’t hesitate to continue to reach out to folks you may have missed. Any physical donations should be received by Julie Ramsey, our walk treasurer, as soon as possible. You can reach out to her at juramsey@gmail.com.
Again, thank you for your dedication to helping our most vulnerable neighbors in Central Texas and around the world! It’s easy to get distraught hearing about so much need, especially as of late, but the Walk is one way you are truly taking steps to help alleviate that for so many.
Walking Together,
Andrew
A letter from the board:
There have been some questions about our financial status, so I would like to share some information with you. The LUMC board passed a balanced budget for 2023 of $361,100. Our 1Q23 actuals are $84,194 income and $85,168 expenses.
Operation and Programming expenses are currently dependent on allocations from some of our reserve and designated gifts rather than being fully covered by tithes and offerings of the congregation.
We also assumed $17,400 in fundraising including the Birthday Bash, Pumpkin Patch and Chili Chowdown & Auction. The Birthday Bash on April 30th will be our first fundraiser of the year which is critical to our ongoing operational expenses. While we are asking for a suggested donation of $1 for every year of life at the birthday bash, we understand that those on fixed incomes or in difficult financial circumstances may not be able to do this. Everyone is welcome to attend and celebrate God’s love and generosity.
Changing the World, Apportionments & Other Missional Giving:
1Q $9172 Rio Texas Conference Apportionments (100% YTD)
Total: $13,003 CTW, Apportionments & Other Mission Gifts
The remolding projects that have been submitted by the Facilities Team are partially covered by designated gifts in our Building Remodel Fund and future funds to be raised during the next year.
Thank you for giving mightily!
Grace & Peace,
Jeri Hilsabeck
LUMC Board Chair
Summer Reading Buddies Needed.
Come to our Open House and learn what it is all about!
Celebrate good times, come on! Mark your calendars for April 30. We're having a birthday party and you're invited! We'll have cake and lunch, and as a fundraiser for the church, we'll be collecting an optional donation of $1 for every year God has blessed you with!
At the party, we'll also share plans to remodel the kitchen and start raising funds for new pew cushions and replacing carpet (likely 2024 unless we raise enough this year).
This past week, our HTP Preschool Director resigned and Vanessa Foskey has step into the role of Interim Director while we look for a new Preschool Director. The HTP staff is busy tending to all the wonderful children and families that we serve. Registration for the new school year has begun and you can find information at www.heritagetreepreschool.com .
Also, we are still in the process of searching and selecting a new Director of Music Ministries. Please keep those important leadership roles in your prayers as we seek for God’s gifted servants.
Leander United Methodist Church
107 S West Drive
Leander, TX 78646
