“Christ Jesus is alive again!” —Matthew 28:1-10 and Mark 6:1-8 and Luke 24:1-12 and John 20:1-29 The Apostles’ Creed says it well: “I believe in Jesus Christ our Lord, who was…crucified, dead, and buried…and on the third day He rose from the dead.” A song we’ll all probably sing today, whatever church we’re a part…

“Jesus was buried.” — Matthew 27:60, Mark 15:46, Luke 23:53,  John 19:42 and 1st Corinthians 15:4 Holy.  Saturday.       Let’s not run too quickly to Easter.       The Gospel Accounts and St. Paul weren’t kidding.       As the Apostles’ Creed bluntly says, “…crucified, dead and buried.”

Hark! the Herald Angels Sing and O For a Thousand Tongues to Sing are just two of more than 6,000 songs Charles Wesley wrote.  Most church’s hymn collections have at least one of his works, and many have several. Along with his brother John, he helped birth and develop what we now know as The Methodist…

Jesus died. — Mark 15:37 There’s not much more to say than this: “Jesus died.”

It’s Maundy Thursday, or as many call it, Holy Thursday. John 13:12 gives us this moment from that evening: “After Jesus had washed their feet, and put on his robe, and returned to the table, he said to them, ‘Do you know what I have done for you?’” He still asks us that same question.…

Live and In Person Nine spiritual growth and worship opportunities at Effingham Centenary United Methodist Church for you the rest of this week      Wonderful Wednesday      12:15pm & 6pm            Maundy Thursday            12:15pm & 6pm                Good Friday                12:15pm & 6pm                     Holy Saturday                     5:45pm                          Easter Sunday                           8:15am & 10:45am Bring a…

[On that first Palm Sunday, Jesus Christ was welcomed into Jerusalem with great fanfare from regular people. It’s long past that day, we’re not in Jerusalem, and he’s not riding on a donkey today.  How can we honor and celebrate Christ today?  Four chapters after the Palm Sunday scene, Matthew’s gospel account gives us three stories…

[On that first Palm Sunday, Jesus Christ was welcomed into Jerusalem with great fanfare from regular people. It’s long past that day, we’re not in Jerusalem, and he’s not riding on a donkey today.  How can we honor and celebrate Christ today?  Four chapters after the Palm Sunday scene, Matthew’s gospel account gives us three…

Elsie has now built a snow-person using 3 Palm Branches, if I’m counting correctly! Ours is on our front door, but the wind keeps blowing it off.  I put it back up like four times while shoveling yesterday. Where’s yours? Have you seen others using theirs creatively? Erin and Elsie have set the standard high…

All four Gospels tell some version of the Palm Sunday scene.  Four chapters after Matthew’s version, Jesus tells us what to do between his first triumphal entry and his Second Coming. There, in Matthew 25:1-13, Jesus presents a parable of ten bridesmaids getting ready for a wedding.  Some were prepared, some were not.  Spiritual maturity is…