“Almighty God, you give us the joy of celebrating our Lord’s resurrection. Give us also the joys of life in your service, and bring us at last to the full joy of life eternal; through Jesus Christ our Lord.  Amen.” — Prayer for Sundays of Easter, The United Methodist Hymnal, current edition. “The joy of celebrating…

Of all the names we might use to address The Supreme Ruler of The Universe, the one that is used here fits with this Easter Season: “Almighty God, you give us the joy of celebrating our Lord’s resurrection. Give us also the joys of life in your service, and bring us at last to the…

There’s a real obvious theme in this prayer.  It’s there three times.   Prayer for Sundays of Easter — “Almighty God, you give us the joy of celebrating our Lord’s resurrection. Give us also the joys of life in your service, and bring us at last to the full joy of life eternal; through Jesus…

Prayer for Sundays of Easter — “Almighty God, you give us the joy of celebrating our Lord’s resurrection. Give us also the joys of life in your service, and bring us at last to the full joy of life eternal; through Jesus Christ our Lord.  Amen.” — from The United Methodist Hymnal, current edition.

A week ago today was Holy Saturday, when traditionally Christians mourned the death and burial of Christ Jesus. Then came Easter.  The Tomb was empty because Christ is alive — and that makes all the difference! This first weekend after Easter 2014, where will you worship? Pastor Leanne and I get to narrate the Easter…

One more reason I’m honored to be in ministry with the people who are The United Methodist Church in general and the people who are Effingham (IL) Centenary UMC in particular — here’s a great video on this very significant day —  

Do you believe that Christ was raised from the dead?   Believe the same of yourself. — St. John of  Chrysostom Why is this so hard for us? Why so little evidence among Christians? What are we waiting for?

Thomas Jefferson had his own version of The New Testament. He edited out anything he deemed supernatural. What was left of The Gospels was, ironically for a slave owner, just the teachings of Jesus on morality. The life of Jesus ended with the words, “There laid they Jesus and rolled a great stone at the mouth of the sepulcher…

How would you finish this sentence? “Because of the Resurrection of Christ, _________________.” I’d love to hear from you; any of the usual contact methods will work. See you back here soon…because of the Resurrection of Christ.

Memo to Other Pastors on Easter Monday I’m tired.  You, too? In fact, I told Patty at lunch yesterday that I was depleted.  You know that feeling, too? I get accused of being so high-energy that I’m like the bunny in that battery commercial that just “keeps going and going and going.”  You’ve been there, too, I’m sure. Meanwhile, back here in the real…