First Christian Church of Rock Falls

Coming Events:

2011-05-25T18:05:00.001-05:00

May 29th
     Honoring Veterans
June   5th
     Worship Changes to 9:30a.m.
     2:00p.m. - Installation of new pastor, Richard Morris
     Reception to follow Installation
June 12th
     Pentecost Sunday
     Birthday of the Chruch party following worship
June 19th
     Fathers' Day
July   3rd
     Freedom Sunday
July 9-13
    General Assembly of The Christian Church (Disciples of Christ)
     Held in Nashville, Tenn.
July 16th
     Special Event - Details Soon

Flowered Cross from Easter Sunday

2011-04-25T13:47:00.000-05:00

Flowered Cross 4/24/11

A Prayer for Winter

2009-01-09T14:55:00.003-06:00

Dear Lord, the summer is over and gone, and the harvest is once more past.

All the wealth and warmth of the summer sun is marvelously packaged now, in seed and fruit and vegetable, and stored away in bins and cribs and basements.

Thank You, dear, generous God, for all Your goodness and for all Your gifts.

All summer long You are working for us, storing heat and health and nourishment in the fields and woods.

Now, when the air is cold, and there is no fruitfulness in the earth, we can live on what the summer and the harvest have stored up for us.

Thank You for Your unnumbered kindnesses to us, dear God.

Help us to make good use of the riches of the earth.

Help us to be generous, even as You are, and al ways avoid selfishness and greed.

Help us, too, to store up spiritual wealth in the summer of this life, while we can yet work. Otherwise life's autumn will come, death will call us, a spiritual winter will set in and we shall be found poor and unsheltered not for one season only, but for the winters of eternity.

Lord, we trust in You, that, cooperating with Your many graces, we may make good use now of our rich opportunities.

And may we then reap a rich spiritual harvest which we will enjoy with You and Your saints in the eternal spring and summer of heaven. Amen.

Autumn Prayer

2008-09-09T15:17:00.003-05:00

God of the seasons, there is a time for everything; there is a time for dying and a time for rising. We need courage to enter into the transformation process.

God of autumn, the trees are saying goodbye to their green, letting go of what has been. We, too, have our moments of surrender, with all their insecurity and risk. Help us to let go when we need to do so.

God of fallen leaves lying in colored patterns on the ground, our lives have their own patterns. As we see the patterns of our own growth, may we learn from them.

God of misty days and harvest moon nights, there is always the dimension of mystery and wonder in our lives. We always need to recognize your power-filled presence. May we gain strength from this.

God of harvest wagons and fields of ripened grain, many gifts of growth lie within the season of our surrender. We must wait for harvest in faith and hope. Grant us patience when we do not see the blessings.

God of geese going south for another season, your wisdom enables us to know what needs to be left behind and what needs to be carried into the future. We yearn for insight and vision.

God of flowers touched with frost and windows wearing white designs, may your love keep our hearts from growing cold in the empty seasons.

God of life, you believe in us, you enrich us, you entrust us with the freedom to choose life. For all this, we are grateful.
Amen.

A Prayer for Students and Teachers

2008-08-19T20:27:00.000-05:00

Lord our God,

in your wisdom and love

you surround us with the mysteries of the universe.

Send your Spirit upon students and teachers this school year

and fill them with your wisdom and blessings.

Grant that they may devote themselves to

their studies and draw ever closer to you, the

source of all knowledge.

We ask this through Christ our Lord.

Amen.

Rev. Christal Williams to visit

2008-07-13T17:19:00.000-05:00

Rev. Christal L Williams, associate minister of the Christian Church in Illinois and Wisconsin will be joining us on Sunday, July 20 to speak with us about the transition process involved in April's departure. All are invited to stay and be present for the meeting. Bring questions and concerns -- Christal will do her best to answer!

Blasting off to Cosmic City!

2008-07-11T18:55:00.003-05:00

It's been a great week at Vacation Bible School here at FCC Rock Falls! We've had great attendance, wonderful energy, and lots and lots of fun!

Our VBS Sunday will be this week, July 13, during worship! We're going to have a great time singing, enjoying a puppet show and praising God! You'll want to be there!

Scenes from a Summer Social

2008-06-29T23:19:00.013-05:00

We are so thankful for everyone's hard work to make the Summer Social a success! We raised $1100 for flood relief which will be matched dollar-for-dollar by Aegon Transamerica of Cedar Rapids, IA! We were honored to be able to host this event and so very happy to welcome our friends at Firehouse of God whose presence was just wonderful! Great food, great fun, great cause! Thanks so much to all!

Our grillmeisters

Custard courtesy of Culvers

Kids' activities from Firehouse of God

Homemade dessert

Conversation and blessed weather

Pastor Brian of Firehouse of God

Pastor Jerry of Firehouse of God

Adults and kids alike enjoying the fire truck rides

Old Fashioned Summer Social

2008-06-18T22:05:00.004-05:00

Summer is here! And with it has come some of the worst flooding seen in recent years in areas very near to us!

First Christian Church of Rock Falls is responding! We are hosting an Old Fashioned Summer Social on Sunday, June 29 from 11-1:30 p.m. We will be serving burgers and hot dogs, picnic sides, watermelon, desserts and ice cream all for your donation to a flood relief fund.

We are also pleased to announce that free firetruck rides and kids' activities will be provided by our friends at Firehouse of God Ministries.

All proceeds from this event will go directly to the flood relief effort and will be matched dollar-for-dollar by Aegon Transamerica of Cedar Rapids, Iowa (where one of our former congregants is employed)!

Plan to stop by our place after church on June 29! You gotta eat! Might as well help someone else in the process!

Get on board for Cosmic City!

2008-06-15T21:10:00.001-05:00

Our Vacation Bible School program this year will be centered around a trip to Cosmic City! The program will run from July 7-11 with a special Sunday service on July 13. We'll meet each night from 6:30-8 p.m. We'll also have a great kick-off party with firetruck rides from Firehouse of God on Monday evening!
We hope to see everyone there! Email the church for more info or call 815.626.2271.

Under the warmth of the summer sun

2008-06-02T23:33:00.007-05:00

Under the warmth of the summer sun
the world
awakes and
blossoms
into every imaginable colour.

You created a garden for us to enjoy
and within it planted the most magical
of flower and trees.

You needed no horticultural training
to plan your colour scheme,
no gardening expert
to recommend variety or design.

Your garden is perfect,
its colours harmonious,
its scale immense,
spoilt only
by the clumsiness
of those who tend it.

Creator God
who breathed this world into being
who is discernible within
the harmony of nature
the perfection of a butterfly's wing
the grandeur of a mountain range
the soaring eagle and humming bird,
thank you for this world which you have created

Thank you for summer sun which reminds us
that your creative breath
is still alive
and active.

Thank you for the
warmth of your love
sustaining this world
your garden.

A Mother's Reflection and a Mother's Prayer

2008-05-10T17:13:00.005-05:00

I gave you life, but cannot live it for you.
I can teach you things, but I cannot make you learn.

I can give you directions, but I cannot be there to lead you.
I can allow you freedom, but I cannot account for it.

I can take you to church, but I cannot make you believe.
I can teach you right from wrong, but I cannot always decide for you.

I can buy you beautiful clothes, but I cannot make you beautiful inside.
I can offer you advice, but I cannot accept it for you.

I can give you love, but I cannot force it upon you.
I can teach you to share, but I cannot make you unselfish.

I can teach you respect, but I cannot force you to show honor.
I can advise you about friends, but cannot choose them for you.

I can teach you about kindness, but I can't force you to be gracious.

I can pray for you, but I cannot make you walk with God.

I can teach you about Jesus, but I cannot give Him your heart.

I can tell you how to live, but I cannot give you eternal life.

I can love you with unconditional love all of my life... and I will ! ! !

~author unknown

Father, help me to do what I can to minister to those you have entrusted to me, for it is only by Your strength that it shall be so...

A prayer for Ascension Day

2008-05-02T12:53:00.002-05:00

Father, all-powerful and ever-living God, we do well always and everywhere to give you thanks.Today the Lord Jesus, the king of glory, the conqueror of death, ascended to heaven while the angles sang his praises. Christ, the mediator between God and man, judge of the world and Lord of all, has passed beyond our sight, not to abandon us but to be our hope. Christ is the beginning, the head of the Church; where he as gone, we hope to follow.The joy of the resurrection and ascension renews the whole world, while the choirs of heaven sing for ever to your glory.Holy, holy, holy ...

To rest in Thee

2008-04-19T16:20:00.003-05:00

In my Father's house are many rooms; if it were not so, I would have told you. I am going there to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back and take you to be with me that you also may be where I am. - John 14:2-3

Thou movest us to delight in praising Thee;
for Thou hast formed us for Thyself, and our hearts are restless till they find rest in Thee.
Lord, teach me to know and understand which of these should be first, to call on Thee, or to praise Thee;
and likewise to know Thee,
or to call upon Thee.
~St. Augustine of Hippo

Testament or testimony?

2008-03-31T21:53:00.000-06:00

After Dennis got home from Russia, he showed me photos of the many cathedrals and churches he visited. Because Christianity was not officially allowed to exist under the Soviet Union, many churches had become museums. After the fall of Communism, churches began to work hard at being relevant again to the people on the outside of the building. Now they are trying to do God’s work and make their churches active and vibrant places of worship where people see the testimony and hear the Good News of what the Lord has done for them.
You and I are blessed to live in a country in which we have the freedom to express our religious views. But in a sense, churches here have the same struggle as the Russian churches. We must work very hard at being relevant to the world around us and be active and vibrant places full of God’s Spirit.
As you know – we made some big changes to our sanctuary recently. This is the first major change to our sanctuary since the building was constructed in 1950. For the 60 years since the cornerstone was laid, our sanctuary has looked very similar. Some features have been added and others removed, but for the most part, the sanctuary has stayed the same.
I know that for many of us, it must be difficult to see the church we love, changed. Some of us are a little leary of the changes. Some of us are missing the familiarity of the old set-up. But I have also been hearing that some of us are very excited about the changes. Others of us are looking forward to seeing what God brings our way as a result.
As we go forward, and do the ministry God has in store for us here, we must be very careful to honor the past. But we must also communicate our faith and trust in a God who leads us into the future. It is easier to look backwards, sometimes, because that is what we remember. Looking forward – things aren’t so clear. What IS clear, however, is that the God who HAS been with us, WILL be with us. And He is that upon which we must fix our sight.
It would not do for our church to become a museum or a testament to what was. That is not who we are, and that is not what the many men and women who came before us worked so very hard to pass on to us. Our church must instead be an active, vibrant place – a testimony to our faith in God’s plan for us.
I believe that the changes we are making now will help us to be more relevant to the world beyond our doors that has changed so much in these last 60 years. I hope that the differences we are making will enable us to do ministry in new, important ways. And I pray these changes will open up all sorts of new, exciting possibilities to allow this church to minister well to God’s people for many, many years to come.
It is time now to go boldly into this opportunity God has given us, friends. There’s a world out there waiting to hear about what the Lord has done for them and God has chosen us to share our testimony with them.
May God bless us as WE here at First Christian Church tell the Good News.
God go with you! ~April

Calling all MEN!!

2008-03-25T21:43:00.003-06:00

FCC Rock Falls is starting a Men's Group! The first meeting will be Sat., April 12 at 10 a.m. at the church. Bring your friends!

The guys' first project will be a breakfast on Mother's Day. Tim McFadden will share all the details.

Also -- put on your calendar -- a meeting at New Bedford Christian Church on Wed., May 21. The meeting will involve dinner and a program. Please let Larry Siperly know if you would like to attend!

Happy EASTER!!

2008-03-23T07:01:00.001-06:00

Matthew 28

After the Sabbath, at dawn on the first day of the week, Mary Magdalene and the other Mary went to look at the tomb. There was a violent earthquake, for an angel of the Lord came down from heaven and, going to the tomb, rolled back the stone and sat on it. His appearance was like lightning, and his clothes were white as snow. The guards were so afraid of him that they shook and became like dead men. The angel said to the women, "Do not be afraid, for I know that you are looking for Jesus, who was crucified. He is not here; he has risen, just as he said. Come and see the place where he lay. Then go quickly and tell his disciples: 'He has risen from the dead and is going ahead of you into Galilee. There you will see him.' Now I have told you." So the women hurried away from the tomb, afraid yet filled with joy, and ran to tell his disciples. Suddenly Jesus met them. "Greetings," he said. They came to him, clasped his feet and worshiped him. Then Jesus said to them, "Do not be afraid. Go and tell my brothers to go to Galilee; there they will see me."

Maundy Thursday

2008-03-20T20:00:00.004-06:00

Tonight we held our Maundy Thursday dinner here at church. The service is really beautiful -- a candlelit dinner around tables in the shape of a cross. A chair draped in white and lit from within is at the head. We enter in silence and begin to eat and then hear nine readings from the Gospel of Matthew concerning the Last Supper. At the end, we leave in silence, just as the disciples left Jesus after his arrest.

During this service, different phrases always seem to jump out and resonate. One wonders, What was Jesus thinking during this time? As he sat with his disciples and share that meal, was his heart full of sorrow or pity? Was he worried or concerned? Did the disciples have any understanding of what was to come? Were they frightened?

Take a moment, if you'd like, to read the story, too. What words and phrases jump out and resonate with you? Where do your thoughts lead you on this Maundy Thursday?

From Matthew 26...
17 On the first day of the Feast of Unleavened Bread, the disciples came to Jesus and asked, "Where do you want us to make preparations for you to eat the Passover?" 18 He replied, "Go into the city to a certain man and tell him, 'The Teacher says: My appointed time is near. I am going to celebrate the Passover with my disciples at your house.'" 19 So the disciples did as Jesus had directed them and prepared the Passover. 20 When evening came, Jesus was reclining at the table with the Twelve. 21 And while they were eating, he said, "I tell you the truth, one of you will betray me." 22 They were very sad and began to say to him one after the other, "Surely not I, Lord?" 23 Jesus replied, "The one who has dipped his hand into the bowl with me
will betray me. 24 The Son of Man will go just as it is written about him. But woe to that man who betrays the Son of Man! It would be better for him if he had not been born." 25 Then Judas, the one who would betray him, said, "Surely not I, Rabbi?" Jesus answered, "Yes, it is you."
26 While they were eating, Jesus took bread, gave thanks and broke it, and gave it to his disciples, saying, "Take and eat; this is my body." 27 Then he took the cup, gave thanks and offered it to them, saying, "Drink from it, all of you. 28 This is my blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many for the forgiveness of sins. 29 I tell you, I will not drink of this fruit of the vine from now on until that day when I drink it anew with you in my Father's kingdom."
30 When they had sung a hymn, they went out to the Mount of Olives.
31 Then Jesus told them, "This very night you will all fall away on account of me, for it is written: "'I will strike the shepherd, and the sheep of the flock will be scattered.' 32 But after I have risen, I will go ahead of you into Galilee." 33 Peter replied, "Even if all fall away on account of you, I never will." 34 "I tell you the truth," Jesus answered, "this very night, before the rooster crows, you will disown me three times." 35 But Peter declared, "Even if I have to die with you, I will never disown
you." And all the other disciples said the same.
36 Then Jesus went with his disciples to a place called Gethsemane, and he said to them, "Sit here while I go over there and pray." 37 He took Peter and the two sons of
Zebedee along with him, and he began to be sorrowful and troubled. 38 Then he said to them, "My soul is overwhelmed with sorrow to the point of death. Stay here and keep watch with me." 39 Going a little farther, he fell with his face to the ground and prayed, "My Father, if it is possible, may this cup be taken from me. Yet not as I will, but as you will."
40 Then he returned to his disciples and found them sleeping. "Could you men not keep watch with me for one hour?" he asked Peter. 41 "Watch and pray so that you will not fall into temptation. The spirit is willing, but the body is weak." 42 He went away a second time and prayed, "My Father, if it is not possible for this cup to be taken away unless I drink it, may your will be done." 43 When he came back, he again found them sleeping, because their eyes were heavy. 44 So he left them and went away once more and prayed the third time, saying the same thing. 45 Then he returned to the disciples and said to them, "Are you still sleeping and resting? Look, the hour is near, and the Son of Man is betrayed into the hands of sinners. 46 Rise, let us go! Here comes my betrayer!"
47 While he was still speaking, Judas, one of the Twelve, arrived. With him was a large crowd armed with swords and clubs, sent from the chief priests and the elders of the people. 48 Now the betrayer had arranged a signal with them: "The one I kiss is the man; arrest him." 49 Going at once to Jesus, Judas said, "Greetings, Rabbi!" and kissed him. 50 Jesus replied, "Friend, do what you came for." Then the men stepped forward, seized Jesus and arrested him. 51 With that, one of Jesus' companions reached for his sword, drew it out and struck the servant of the high priest, cutting off his ear. 52 "Put your sword back in its place," Jesus said to him, "for all who draw the sword will die by the sword. 53 Do you think I cannot call on my Father, and he will at once put at my disposal more than twelve legions of angels? 54 But how then would the Scriptures be fulfilled that say it must happen in this way?" 55 At that time Jesus said to the crowd, "Am I leading a rebellion, that you have come out with swords and clubs to capture me? Every day I sat in the temple courts teaching, and you did not arrest me. 56 But this has all taken place that the writings of the prophets might be fulfilled."
Then all the disciples deserted him and fled.

Soup for the Soul

2008-02-05T23:43:00.000-06:00

Soup for the Soul begins Wed. Feb. 6! Services will be at 5:30 p.m. A simple soup supper will follow at 6 p.m.

Our church will host our services on Feb. 6, 20 and Mar. 5.

Services will be at First Christian, Sterling on Feb. 13, Feb. 27 and Mar. 12.

Laissez les bon temps roulez!! (Let the good times roll!)

2008-02-04T16:43:00.000-06:00

Mardi Gras is Tues. Feb. 5 and all are invited for gumbo, french bread and king cake at First Christian Church! Stop by anytime between 11:30 a.m. and 1 p.m. to celebrate this last day before Lent!

Presentation at the Temple

2008-02-02T17:50:00.000-06:00

When the time came for their purifica-tion according to the law of Moses, they brought him up to Jerusalem to present him to the Lord (as it is written in the law of the Lord, ‘Every firstborn male shall be designated as holy to the Lord’), and they offered a sacrifice according to what is stated in the law of the Lord, ‘a pair of turtle-doves or two young pigeons.’

Now there was a man in Jerusalem whose name was Simeon; this man was righteous and devout, looking forward to the consolation of Israel, and the Holy Spirit rested on him. It had been revealed to him by the Holy Spirit that he would not see death before he had seen the Lord’s Messiah. Guided by the Spirit, Simeon came into the temple; and when the parents brought in the child Jesus, to do for him what was customary under the law, Simeon took him in his arms and praised God, saying, ‘Master, now you are dismissing your servant in peace, according to your word; for my eyes have seen your salvation, which you have prepared in the presence of all peoples, a light for revelation to the Gentiles and for glory to your people Israel.’
And the child’s father and mother were amazed at what was being said about him. Then Simeon blessed them and said to his mother Mary, ‘This child is destined for the falling and the rising of many in Israel, and to be a sign that will be opposed so that the inner thoughts of many will be revealed—and a sword will pierce your own soul too.’
There was also a prophet, Anna the daughter of Phanuel, of the tribe of Asher. She was of a great age, having lived with her husband for seven years after her marriage, then as a widow to the age of eighty-four. She never left the temple but worshipped there with fasting and prayer night and day. At that moment she came, and began to praise God and to speak about the child to all who were looking for the redemption of Jerusalem.
When they had finished everything required by the law of the Lord, they returned to Galilee, to their own town of Nazareth. The child grew and became strong, filled with wisdom; and the favour of God was upon him.

~Luke 2:22-40

An ancient prayer at Candlemas

2008-02-02T17:36:00.001-06:00

A medieval Anglo-Saxon plowing prayer, said when the first furrow was laid on Candlemas day.

Whole be thou Earth
Mother of men.
In the lap of God,
Be thous as-growing.
Be filled with fodder
For fare-need of men.
The farmer then took a loaf of bread, kneaded it with milk and holy water and laid it under the first furrow, saying:

Acre full fed,
Bring forth fodder for men!
Blossoming brightly, Blessed become;
And the God who wrought the ground,
Grant us the gifts of growing,
That the corn, all the corn,
may come unto our need.

New life in the midst of winter

2008-02-01T08:35:00.000-06:00

As I write this, it is snowing... Again.
I don’t know about you, but I’m getting a little tired of winter. This stark weather can have a slightly demoralizing effect on a person. After looking at lots of grey, we may begin to feel a little colorless ourselves.
The ancient church had a unique way of recognizing the winter-fatique that many feel. On Feb. 2, the mid-point of winter, halfway between the winter solstice and the spring equinox, the church held a service called Candlemas, wherein members would bring their candles into the church to be blessed. Candlemas recognized that sometimes we need a little encouragement to get through the dark times of our lives. Sometimes we need a reminder to believe that the light of the sun really is advancing and spring will come again.
I know many of us are ready for sunshine and green grass, tulips and daffodils, robins and wrens... We’re ready for our souls to feel vibrant again!
Until renewal comes, however, we must trust that the Son, the Light of the World is gaining against any spiritual darkness.
At this midwinter point, we might do well to "candlemas" ourselves (instead of our candles) by asking for God’s blessing during this stark time and praying that the Light will bring fire to us and give us a spark and warmth and glow that will lead others to receive God’s blessings also!
After all, we’ve still got six more weeks till spring!
God go with you, friends! (And stay warm!)
~April

Praying as we go

2008-01-21T12:44:00.000-06:00

For so many of us, prayer is something that we may do, at best, a couple of times a day before meals. Or it is something we do as we're trying to fall asleep at night. Or something we do when we really need something.
But prayer is a necessary and nourishing part of the Christian life. It is not only what gives us strength to get through difficult times; it is also that which can become so essential to our spirits that when we don't spend enough time practicing the discipline of prayer, we feel as though our spiritual lives are almost non-existent.
Wherever you fall on the prayer continuum -- whether you are one who prays constantly, or one who hardly ever prays, or one who is yearning for more opportunities to pray, here are some resources for your journey.

Pray As You Go is a wonderful resource online. You can listen to short meditations with beautiful music and scripture on your computer or download them in podcast form.

Sacred Space is associated with the pray-as-you-go folks and is an excellent online daily prayer. If you would like to access a prayer resource on your computer but are unable to listen to something, this is a great choice.

The Daily Office is a device that has been used for millenia by the church to separate the day into hours at which point certain prayers are said. If you would like to pattern your day around prayer, The Divine Hours by Phyllis Tickle is a wonderful print resource. It is also available online.

Intercessory prayers are prayers that are offered for those in need. We intercede on their behalf to God. Consider praying for those folks listed in the church bulletin, as well as people you don't know. A pastor can provide a list of global and national prayer concerns. Or you can make a point to listen to the news or read the paper and pray for the situations you notice.

Lectio Divina is another excellent technique that integrates scripture reading with prayer. In this technique a passage of scripture is read. After a brief period of meditation, it is re-read with special attention paid to any words of phrases that seem to resonate with the reader. The reader then meditates about those words or phrases, praying for God's guidance and message to be revealed.

These are just a very few of the ways one can increase and expand one's prayer life. Keep exploring, keep desiring to hear God's voice, and most of all -- keep praying!

Epiphany

2008-01-06T13:12:00.000-06:00

Arise! Shine! For your light has come! And the glory of the Lord has shown upon you! Isaiah 60:1-6

God's gift to us

2007-12-24T23:50:00.000-06:00

In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was in the beginning with God; all things were made through him, and without him was not anything made that was made. In him was life, and the life was the light of all. The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it.

An Advent Prayer

2007-12-11T08:54:00.000-06:00

Heavenly Father, during Advent, may we remember the greatest gift ever given: Your only Son, Jesus Christ. Fill our hearts with joy day by day as we think of our Savior putting aside His heavenly glory and coming among us.

As a newborn, only a stable roof sheltered Him and ordinary, impoverished parents cared for Him. Your angels couldn’t contain themselves, but broke into the quiet night-watch of a group of humble shepherds. The heavenly messengers proclaimed the glorious news of the Savior who would pay the price for our sins, the sign of Your goodwill to all men, and Your desire for peace on earth.

As we prepare to celebrate Christmas, grow our understanding and wonder of His birth. By Christmas day, may our hearts overflow with rejoicing and thanksgiving. Let our gratitude overflow to each person we meet by demonstrating the peace and goodwill in our hearts -- not just at this joyful season but all the year round.

Thoughts on Stewardship

2007-11-03T09:39:00.000-06:00

I was thinking the other day about the words I use in worship. I know I’m not telling you anything new here, but I use a lot of the same words again and again!
I am especially guilty of this when it comes to issuing the invitation to our time of Offering. I know I say, “This is not a time of obligation, but a time of opportunity” at least once a month. You probably know my other phrases better than I do!
I wish I was more creative, but the thing is – I think the Bible sees issues of ownership, offering, stewardship, etc. pretty simply. We’re the ones who make it complicated. What and how much we give, whether we’re required to tithe, what constitutes an offering – all of these are covered pretty clearly in scripture. But more important than these details is the message that everything is God’s. We’ve been entrusted with it. God has offered us all, even unto the cross. And because of God’s overwhelming generosity, we not only have everything on Earth, we also have eternity in Heaven. It’s amazing, really.
And it’s simple. But it’s not easy. We are guaranteed to struggle in turning our lives over to God. But we are called to go beyond the balance-sheet mentality of “what and how much” and develop a gratitude for God’s gifts that encompasses all areas of our lives. Our goal is to respond with ourselves. Our desire is to give God not only our 10%, but also everything we have been, are and will be.
Not obligation – opportunity. An opportunity to worship God with all of our lives.
May God bless us as we strive to do so.
God go with you!

Photos from the Sunday School kick-off carnival

2007-09-16T18:59:00.000-05:00

We rented a jumpy thing that was the hit of the afternoon!

2007-09-16T18:53:00.000-05:00

The hula hoops were a popular choice

2007-09-16T18:52:00.000-05:00

It was fun for everyone, especially those who refuse to grow up!

Week of Compassion update on Indonesian earthquake

2007-09-14T13:56:00.000-05:00

Original found here.

Quakes Rock Sumatra, Indonesia

Thursday, September 13, A.D. 2007

The second earthquake in as many days struck off the coast of the Indonesian island of Sumatra earlier today. The magnitude 7.8 quake followed the magnitude 8.4 quake that hit Wednesday. Telephone and electric lines were disrupted across the island, making damage assessments and casualty information difficult to obtain.

[Note: A third quake has just struck in Indonesia - this one near Sulawesi on the eastern side of the archipelago.]

Church World Service-Indonesia has two field offices in Sumatra and is in contact with its two Action by Churches Together Indonesian partners. Week of Compassion is expecting an assessment report and possible appeal from CWS in the next few days.

CWS and its ACT partners in Indonesia continue to respond to the December 26, 2004 magnitude 9 quake and tsunami that killed an estimated 230,000 people in a dozen countries, most of them in Sumatra’s Aceh province.

These quakes are just the latest in a series of significant disasters and ensuing humanitarian crises that have occurred across the world in recent weeks, including hurricanes in the Caribbean and the Pacific, a major quake in Peru, and serious flooding across several southern Asia countries as well as in several U.S. Midwestern states. In the past 74 days since July 1, WOC has responded to 65 appeals for disaster relief and recovery.

Humberto Sneaks Ashore in Texas and Louisiana

Hurricane Humberto developed overnight in the Gulf of Mexico and quickly came ashore in southeast Texas and southwest Louisiana – areas still recovering from the damages two years ago caused by Hurricane Rita. Week of Compassion is making contact with pastors whose congregations and communities might be affected. Disciples already have hurricane recovery mission stations working in Beaumont/Pt Arthur, TX and Lake Charles, LA.

Quake Relief and Recovery Efforts Continue in Peru

Members of Action by Churches Together (ACT) International in Peru are continuing their response following last month’s magnitude 8.0 earthquake. More than 500 people were killed and nearly 35,000 families were affected, mostly by the loss of their homes. The ACT members in Peru – PREDES, Diaconia and Lutheran World Relief – are coordinating their efforts to provide temporary shelter, emergency food kits, psycho-social care and other relief aid to the most vulnerable families in some of the hardest hit communities. Week of Compassion has already made initial grants in response to the quake and is readying an additional grant to a forthcoming appeal from ACT.

La Casita Project Underway at SWGSM

As we begin the second year of the two-year Disciples Hurricane Recovery Initiative, Disciples work groups are needed to support the recovery and rebuilding work out of the seven Disciples mission stations situated across the Gulf South. One of those stations is located at Southwest Good Samaritan Ministries (SWGSM) in Los Fresnos, TX. A special initiative – La Casita Project – is building small (200 square foot) homes for impoverished Mexican families in Matamoras. SWGSM is hoping to build 12 homes by the end of the year and another 20-30 in 2008. While the homes are small and simple, they are a significant improvement to homes beneficiaries have been living in – indeed, in their words, the new homes are “little palaces.” For more information visit the SWGSM website.

Mother Teresa's cricis practice of faith

2007-09-09T20:17:00.000-05:00

I recently read this article in our Time magazine about a new book that will reveal letters written by Mother Teresa over a 66-year period. Teresa requested that these letters be destroyed, but the Vatican decided against her wishes and published them in book form.

Apparently, in these letters, she writes to several confessors/ spiritual directors about her inability to sense the presence of God, or hear God's voice. She is able to see God's work, but feels as though God is removed and far from her. At some points she even voices her terrifying doubt that God is there, though she quickly apologizes for her "unbelief."

Despite the fact that Teresa's wishes were ignored, which is somewhat troubling, I think, I'm glad that these letters are published. Mother Teresa is arguably the most well-known servant of Christ in the world. To find that she was someone who struggled in ways familiar to most of us, yet still did extraordinary things will be helpful to many, I think.

Of course, as the article mentions and recent letters to Time following the publication of the article demonstrate, those who wish to disprove the existence of God quickly latch on to Mother Teresa's seeking and distress. They find it hypocritical that she would profess the joy of Christ even while not feeling it herself.

But, for Christians, if we are honest, I think most of us will confess times in our lives when the well has run dry. And most of us have not done anything near as spiritually challenging as serving the poorest of the poor in Calcutta. But I think it is a near-universal experience among the faithful to have had times when we have felt removed from God, or had a "crisis of faith" (the term the magazine used to describe as the article described Mother Teresa's long sojourn in the spiritual desert).

What comes to light in these excerpts from Teresa is the difference between those who turn from God and those who continue to move forward towards the hope of a resurrection of faith and that is -- even while we are distressed by our circumstances and challenged by our fears and doubt, we also believe that this is part of the very essence of faith. We believe the words Paul writes in Hebrews, "Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things unseen." And we realize that belief is not real until it is lived out. Put into our lives. Practiced.

I can't imagine what life was like for Teresa. I can't imagine doing what she did without daily assurance that she was being accompanied by the Spirit of God. But despite the apparent fact that she did not feel the Spirit moving, she moved. And she moved in God's name, doing everything to God's glory.

I hope that in examining these letters published against her wishes, her demonstrated faith is what, once again, emerges as Teresa's legacy. She may indeed have had a "crisis" of faith for 66 years. But it was the extraordinary practice of those 66 years in light of her very human struggle that truly instructs.

A parent's prayer for the beginning of the school year

2007-08-16T21:12:00.000-05:00

Thank you God, for fresh starts.
God bless this brand-new backpack, filled as it is with survival gear for the year to come.
Bless the pristine paper, the uncreased texts, the pencils whose erasers have yet to be rubbed raw.
Bless the workbooks and the notebooks, both the three-ring binder and the spiral variety.
Bless the pencil case and protractor, the sharpener and the compass.
Bless the thermos and the sandwich bags and the unbruised apple, gleaming and firm.
Bless all 84 crayons, each with its own contribution to make.
Bless the hands that will use these tools and the minds that will imagine how.
Bless the hearts that will guide our children—and the ache in our own hearts as we watch them leave yet one year more.

A prayer for teachers

2007-08-14T20:21:00.000-05:00

Lord God,
your spirit of wisdom fills the earth
and teaches us your ways.

Look upon teachers.
Let them strive to share their knowledge wtih gentle patience
and endeavor always to bring the truth to eager minds.

Grant that they may follow Jesus Christ,
the way, the truth, and the life,
for ever and ever.

from the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops

A Puritan prayer

2007-08-11T18:24:00.000-05:00

Plough deep in me,
great Lord,
heavenly husbandman,
that my being may be
a tilled field,
the roots of grace
spreading far and wide,
until
Thou
alone
art seen in me,
Thy beauty
golden like summer harvest,
Thy fruitfulness
as autumn plenty.

Keep Close

2007-08-05T11:37:00.000-05:00

Keep close to Me and you shall know the Way because, as I said to My disciples, I am the Way. That is the solution to all earth's problems.
Keep close, very close to Me. Think, act, and live in My Presence.
How dare any foe touch you, protected by Me! That is the secret of all Power, all Peace, all Purity, all infulence, the keeping very near to Me.
Abide in Me, Live in My Presence, Rejoice in My Love. Thank and Praise all the time.
Wonders are unfolding.
~from God Calling edited by AJ Russell

Contributed by Carl who said, "Do we even notice the wonders in our lives? Wonders ARE unfolding!!"

Week of Compassion News

2007-08-02T14:37:00.000-05:00

Week of Compassion is the disaster relief agency of the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ). These updates will be posted to the blog periodically to keep us up to date on this very important work of our denomination. For more information, visit http://www.weekofcompassion.org.

Disciples Approach Halfway Point of Recovery Initiative

Friday, July 27, A.D. 2007

In just a little over a month, Disciples will arrive at the halfway point of the two-year Disciples Hurricane Recovery Initiative – a joint effort of Week of Compassion, the Office of Disciples Volunteering in Disciples Home Missions and the Great River and Southwest Regions. A major part of this effort to help in hurricane recovery is to send 750 Disciples work groups to the Gulf Coast. As we approach the halfway point, 459 groups have gone and/or are signed up to go. Below is one of numerous emails we’ve received from returning groups – this one from D’Arcy Blosser of First Christian Church, Lincoln, NE. Won’t you come be a part of the next 300 groups we need? For details visit the WOC website. A limited of work trip grants are available.

Our church's mission team just returned home this afternoon from hurricane
relief work at Port Arthur, TX. What a wonderful experience we had!! We worked
all week continuing the repair work on an 83-year-old woman's home. Our small
team of four (including one youth) joined with two folks from First Christian
Church, Quincy, IL, to put in a mighty effort. We left our new friend's home
much closer to completion and pray that the next group that comes can get things
finished up for her. She has lived nearly two years in a storm-damaged home! Can
you imagine living in such a mess for such a long time?? We could not!! It made
us very grateful for what we have, and even more grateful that we could be part
of an effort to return her life to normalcy.

We worked with SETIO -
Southeast Texas Interfaith Organization. They have nearly 1,400 homes still on
the list to be fixed. They need many more volunteer groups to even begin to put
a dent in the need. And this is just the Beaumont/Port Arthur area. We are proud
to be part of the Disciple Initiative to help in hurricane recovery, and we are
already talking about the possibility of going again in the next six to nine
months. The blessings we received this week far outweigh the aches and pains of
tired muscles and the sweaty dirty clothes and bodies!

Peace!
D'Arcy

Appeal Issued for Growing Iraqi Refugee Crisis

Earlier today Action by Churches Together issued a major appeal to its member organizations to assist Iraqi refugees who are fleeing the violence in Iraq at the rate of some 2000 people a day. Indeed, one of the under-reported stories of the Iraq war is the growing humanitarian crisis of more than 4 million people who have been displaced, including more than 2.2 million who have fled to neighboring Jordan and Syria.

ACT members International Orthodox Christian Charities, Norwegian Church Aid, and long-time Disciples and Church World Service partner, the Middle East Council of Churches, are coordinating their efforts to assist thousands of displaced Iraqis in Jordan and Syria and within Iraq with emergency relief aid that includes food parcels, hygiene kits, medicines, shelter, water and psycho-social care.

Week of Compassion is responding with an immediate grant of $6000 from the Compassion Response Fund. Many Disciples from across the whole church have been asking how they can help. Designated gifts to the Response Fund would be a great help and can be sent to WOC, P.O. Box 1986, Indpls, IN, or made online. WOC will continue to post updates and personal stories as the appeal is implemented.

Turning off, tuning in

2007-08-01T15:47:00.000-05:00

Did you know that 99 percent of American homes have at least one television? Did you know that the average American spends 6 hours and 47 minutes each day watching tv? Did you know that by the time the average American is 65 years old, he or she will have spent at least 9 years of their lives watching television?
There is already a national "Turn off your TV" week and there is a movement within some Christian circles to declare August "Turn off your TV" month. Instead of watching television the folks at Family Life Today have compiled this list of alternatives.

Sleep
Talk
Play Games
Read Books
Home Projects
Pray
Intimacy
Minister
Get to Know People
Get to Know God's Word

Only you can decide whether turning off the tv would benefit you and/ or your family. It's a big decision, but you may find that by turning off the tv, you are able to tune in to God's blessings in your life much better!

From your board chair -- August newsletter edition

2007-07-30T00:01:00.000-05:00

Vacation Bible School was a good lesson for me. I learned that sometimes you just have to jump in and do something and trust God to make it work. And, that's exactly what happened.
We were hoping for 20 kids, and that's exactly what happened. Some nights there were less than that, but on the biggest night, we had 20. It was nice to see kids seeing us having fun outside and wanting to be part of it. So they came the next night.
We were hoping to have fun and have the kids have fun. That's exactly what happened.
We were hoping to help them learn something about Jesus. That's exactly what happened.
One of the older girls was embarrassed to do the motions with the songs. She and her friends hung back and wouldn't participate. Finally, they got involved, and on the last night she wrote: "VBS Rocks!" on her craft project. AND she showed up on Sunday to stand in front of the whole church and sing and do the motions! If nothing else had happened that week, I'd have counted it as a huge success just because of that one child.
So, we will press forward with Sunday School in the fall and trust God once again to make it work. I guess we probably should have done that all along. Sometimes we need a little knock on the head to get our attention. If you would like to help in any way, please let April or me know. It would really be nice to have three teachers. We'll see what happens. It would also be nice to have a substitute if one of us needed to miss a Sunday.
Think about it. Pray about it. And, don't count anything out. Just jump in with the rest us, and we'll hold each other up!
~Kathy

Freedom

2007-07-29T16:18:00.000-05:00

It is so easy to get caught up
with the trappings of wealth in this life.

Grant, O Lord, that I may be free
from greed and selfishness.

Remind me that the best things in life are free.
Love,
laughter,
caring
and
sharing.

reprinted from Sacred Space

A prayer for the nation

2007-07-01T00:39:00.000-05:00

Lord God Almighty,
you have made
all the peoples of the earth
for your glory,
to serve you in freedom and in peace:

Give to the people of our country
a zeal for justice
and the strength of forbearance,
that we may use our liberty
in accordance with your gracious will;

through Jesus Christ ourLord,
who lives and reigns
with you and the Holy Spirit,
one God,
for ever and ever.

Amen.

-from the Book of Common Prayer

Re-create us, Lord

2007-06-30T22:19:00.000-05:00

A summer prayer

2007-06-18T21:51:00.000-05:00

Long warm days...
The pace of life slows...
A time for picnics and rest in the shade...

Lord,
help me to rest awhile
in the cooling shade
of your presence.

Slow down
my restless heart
and fill me
with gentle compassion
for all your people.
Amen.

Words for Fathers

2007-06-16T17:56:00.000-05:00

There is a great article here about spirituality for fathers. It is written for a Catholic online publication, but has wonderful information in general about forming godly relationships. Check it out and be inspired.

Morning prayer

2007-06-13T08:30:00.000-05:00

My Jesus, thank you
For another day.
Lead me,
Guide me,
Keep me
in your way.

If I should stray
Show not your wrath,
But place me firmly
Back on the Path.

On faith

2007-06-05T21:53:00.000-05:00

If it can be verified,
we don't need
faith...

Faith is for that
which lies
on the
other side
of reason.

Faith
is what makes life
bearable,
with all its tragedies
and ambiguities
and sudden,
startling
joys.

~Madeleine L'Engle

Waterworks Park VBS

2007-06-04T16:30:00.000-05:00

Waterworks Park Vacation Bible School is coming to First Christian Church, July 9-13 on evenings!

We can't wait to play water games, learn great music, do some wonderful crafts and find out more about Jesus' love for us!

If you know of children Preschool (age 3)- 5th grade who would like to participate, please contact the church office at 815.626.2271 or Pastor April at 815.499.0470! We'd love to see the little ones in your life there!

On gratitude

2007-06-03T22:32:00.000-05:00

Gratitude ... goes beyond
the "mine" and "thine"
and claims the truth
that all of life
is a pure gift.

In the past
I always thought of gratitude
as a spontaneous response
to the awareness of gifts received,
but now I realize
that gratitude
can also be lived
as a discipline.

The discipline of gratitude
is the explicit effort to acknowledge
that all I am and have
is given to me
as a gift of love,
a gift to be celebrated
with joy.

~Henri Nouwen

The paradox

2007-05-29T21:58:00.000-05:00

I have found the paradox,
that if you
love until it hurts,
there can be no more hurt,
only more love.
~Mother Theresa

A prayer for Memorial Day

2007-05-28T09:00:00.000-05:00

Let us give thanks to God for the land of our birth with all its chartered liberties. For all the wonder of our country's story.
For leaders in nation and state, and for those who in days past and in these present times have labored for the commonwealth.
For those who in all times and places have been true and brave, and in the world’s common ways have lived upright lives and ministered to their fellows.
For those who served their country in its hour of need, and especially for those who gave even their lives in that service.
We give you thanks, O God.
O almighty and merciful God, as we remember these your servants, remembering with gratitude their courage and strength, we hold before you those who mourn them. Look upon your bereaved servants with your mercy. As this day brings them memories of those they have lost awhile, may it also bring your consolation and the assurance that their loved ones are alive now and forever in your living presence.

~adapted from The Book of Worship for the United States Forces

What we call God

2007-05-26T15:11:00.000-05:00

Did you know that according to some branches of Judaism, there are 72 names for God found in the Old Testament? They even have a very long name, Shemhamphorasch, each letter of which reminds them of God’s names. And Christians, of course, have even more names for God when we consider those given to Jesus in the New Testament.

When I was a teenager, I saw a poster that fascinated me. It had names of Jesus in rainbow colors with biblical references under each name. In the center were the words, “I AM.” I had a copy of it in my bedroom and would often fall asleep while meditating on it. As I thought about each of those names and the attributes of God that each described, I realized that my understanding of God’s limitlessness is very, well...limited! God is so much bigger than our imaginations can conceive and yet wants to be deeply known by us. It’s a wonderful paradox!

This summer, I’ll be preaching a sermon series on the Names of God. We’ll start with the very beginning verses of the Bible. It is my hope that exploring God’s names together will challenge us and broaden our understanding both of God’s greatness and how much God loves us. If there’s a particular name you’d like to hear about, let me know!

God go with you! ~April

From your board chair -- June/ July newsletter

2007-05-26T15:09:00.000-05:00

Things to consider:
1. We only had six people at the Board meeting this month (May). We have decided to have the board meeting on the same night as the ministry team meetings. It will only add financial information and the minister's report to the length of the meeting. Please consider coming to this meeting, even if you don't think you are on a ministry team. We feel very uncomfortable running the church with so few people making the decisions. If you want a say, you have to be there.
2. A reminder that we are meeting on June 4 to discuss updates to the sanctuary. Again, if you want a say, you have to be there.
3. I talked to Ruth Wolf from the Congregational church this week. Apparently, for Let's Feed the Children, we are only asked to help for one week this summer. And of that week, Tuesday is the only day when they need extra help. That date is July 10. That is the same week we are having Vacation Bible School, however, VBS will be in the evening, whereas, Let's Feed the Children is during the morning hours up until around noon. Of course, if you want to help on Wednesday ane Thursday, I am sure you won't be turned away. Please consider helping. It's actually lots of fun.
4. Vacation Bible School can always use helpers. This is going to be a really fun program, I think. Hopefully, we'll be able to get some kids to some and have fun. If you'd like to be a part of it, see April or me.
5. Summer is a very busy time for everyone. Please don't forget that worshiping God should be a part of your plans. We'll be waiting for you! ~Kathy

Prayer of St. Augustine

2007-05-24T18:15:00.000-05:00

Eternal God, you are the light of the minds that know you,
the joy of the hearts that love you, and
the strength of the wills that serve you.

Grant us so to know you that we may truly love you,
and so to love you that we may fully serve you,
whom to serve is perfect freedom.
~Augustine of Hippo

Fashioned for joy

2007-05-22T08:35:00.000-05:00

As the hand is made for holding and the eye for seeing,
you have fashioned me for joy.

Share with me the vision that shall find it everywhere:
in the wild violet's beauty;
in the lark's melody;
in the face of a steadfast person;
in a child's smile;
in a mother's love;
in the purity of Jesus.

~A Gaelic prayer (Chalice Hymnal #692)

Board Chair Business

2007-05-21T12:16:00.000-05:00

Don't forget ministry team meetings this week! Even if you don't think you're on a ministry team, come anyway. We can always use the input, and we value your opinion. Kathy

We are not alone

2007-05-20T13:49:00.000-05:00

We are not alone.
We live in God's world.

We believe in God,
who has created and is creating,
who has come in Jesus to reconcile
and to make all things new.

We trust God,
who calls us to be the church;
to love and serve others,
to seek justice and to resist evil,
to proclaim Jesus,
crucifed, dead and risen;
our judge and our hope.

In life,
in death,
in life beyond death,
God is with us.

We are not alone.
Thanks be to God.
~from The Iona Community Worship Book

Come I this day

2007-05-17T09:29:00.000-05:00

Come I this day to the Father,
Come I this day to the Son,
Come I to the Holy Spirit powerful;

Come I this day with God,
Come I this day with Christ,
Come I with the Spirit of kindly balm.

God, and Spirit, and Jesus,
From the crown of my head
To the soles of my feet;

Come I with my reputation,
Come I with my testimony,
Come I to you, Jesu;
Jesu, shelter me.

~ancient Scottish prayer

Amazing grace, indeed

2007-05-16T10:48:00.000-05:00

In What's So Amazing about Grace?, Phillip Yancey writes:

"Not long ago I received in the mail a postcard from a friend that had on it only six words, "I am the one Jesus loves." I smiled when I saw the return address, for my strange friend excels at these pious slogans. When I called him, though, he told me the slogan came from the author and speaker Brennan Manning. At a seminar, Manning referred to Jesus' closest friend on earth, the disciple named John, identified in the Gospels as "the one Jesus loved." Manning said, "If John were to be asked, 'What is your primary identity in life?' he would not reply, 'I am a disciple, an apostle, an evangelist, an author of one of the four Gospels,' but rather, 'I am the one Jesus loves.'"
What would it mean, I ask myself, if I too came to the place where I saw my primary identity in life as "the one Jesus loves"? How differently would I view myself at the end of a day?
Sociologists have a theory of the looking-glass self: you become what the most important person in your life (wife, father, boss, etc.) thinks you are. How would my life change if I truly believed the Bible's astounding words about God's love for me, if I looked in the mirror and saw what God sees?"
Brennan Manning tells the story of an Irish priest who, on a walking tour of a rural parish, sees an old peasant kneeling by the side of he road, praying. Impressed, the priest says to the man, "You must be very close to God." The peasant looks up from his prayers, thinks a moment, and then smiles,
"Yes, he's very fond of me." [pp. 68-69]
I am the one Jesus loves. So are you. Such good news, eh?

Everywhere

2007-05-14T22:30:00.000-05:00

"Help me, Lord, to remember that religion is not to be confined to the church, or closet, nor exercised only in prayer and meditation,

but that everywhere I am in Thy presence.

So may my every word and action have a moral content....
May all things instruct me and afford me the opportunity of exercising some virtue and daily learning and growing towards Thy likeness... Amen. "

~Susanna Wesley

Lord, I go nowhere apart from your Presence. You are with me everywhere. And everything I say or do today speaks to my "religion," my relationship with You. How am I growing towards Your likeness?

~Ann Voskamp of Holy Experience

Being Easter people everyday

2007-05-12T22:16:00.000-05:00

It is hard to believe that the Church just celebrated Easter not too long ago. The weeks of Lent leading up to Easter are such a busy time for us. Easter happens in all its glory and then we take down the fancy decorations, the lilies get planted or tossed out, and we return to worship as usual.

But we must be careful to not put away Easter entirely. In fact every Sunday should have a little Easter in it. And for that matter so should every day.
After all, we are celebrating the Risen Christ with us. In our worship service, the Risen Christ is the recipient of our songs of praise. It is Him to whom we lift our prayers. It is Him who sits as host at the table. It is Him who is amongst the fellowship we experience.

It is also Him who is guiding us beyond the worship service and walking with us as we go out into the world. It is for Him that we are working and striving. In fact, everything is all about Him!!

I have shared with my congregants an excerpt from a song that we sang when I was in my church's Junior Choir in elementary school. The words are still as clear in my head as they were back in third grade,

"Every morning is Easter morning from now on. Every day’s resurrection day;
The past is over and gone! Goodbye guilt, goodbye fear, good riddance! Hello
Lord, hello sun! I am one of the Easter people! My new life has begun!"

No, we mustn’t let go of Easter yet. The fact is, we are all Easter people now. We are no longer living for ourselves; we are living for the Risen Christ. If we are tempted to see this time as mundane or meaningless, we should remember – we are Easter people! And every morning is Easter morning as long as the Risen Lord is among us.

God go with you!