Greetings to all!
The Easter Sunday violence in Sri Lanka was a horrific expression of the
deep animosities between peoples based on ethnicity, religion, politics and
the like. The message of Easter Sunday is a response to such violence even
as the Resurrection of Jesus was a response to the Crucifixion. On that first
Easter Sunday, God answered hatred and death with love and life. May our
response to this most recent example of hatred and death, and others, be
of a kind with the Good News we celebrated last Sunday. In the meantime,
consider this prayer for your use…
God of life and love:
You bring life in the midst of death,
love in the midst of hate.
We pray for the people of Sri Lanka,
and other places in the world,
where hatred and death are present realities.
May your love and life be equally present and real,
and may we do all within our power to make
your love and life known to all.
In the Spirit of the Risen Christ we pray. Amen.
Visit World Council of Churches and National Council of Churches to read
responses to Sunday's events from the global and national ecumenical
communities.
The lectionary texts for April 28, the Second Sunday of Easter…
Blessed Are…an exploration of the Beatitudes begins this Sun, Apr 28,10am,
as we explore the first beatitude, "Blessed are the poor in spirit.." (Matt 5:3).
Use reply email to request a participant guide for your individual use in
reflecting upon this beatitude and/or preparing for Sunday's conversation.
Confirmation study resumes this Sunday, April 28, 10am, as youth explore
their faith and consider their relationship with God and with the Church.
Hospitality as Mission - Mike Ward will be attending a workshop this week
focusing on mission as an expression hospitality.
Thanks to all who participated in the One Great Hour of Sharing offering
through the use of OGHS collection boxes at home and/or special contributions.
Our early total is over $500, before counting the collection boxes. Collection
boxes are still welcome through next Sunday, April 28, after which we will send
your gifts on their way to support hunger/disaster relief, water projects and
community development around the world.
Summer Camp: It is not too early to make plans for summer camp for children
and youth, including programs at Camp Burnamwood and Cathedral Domain.
Remember that Walnut Hill will sponsor 1/2 the cost of attending any program
at Burnamwood or the Domain.
Peace to all.
Mike Ward
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