If there was anything the resurrection did, it conquered death and hell. The question is, what are we going to do about it?

When Jesus was arrested, crucified, and died, the disciples panicked. Most of them abandoned him when he was arrested. Some of them ran off so fast they left everything behind. Some went into hiding. Another tried following from a distance, but eventually denied knowing him. Many of them went home, back to the life they had before they knew Jesus. 

Even the women were left alone. Afterall, each account has them going to the grave without any of the men. When they discovered the empty tomb, they ran to tell some of the men. They could only tell some of them, who were in hiding by the way, because most of them had scattered. 

When the women told the men what had happened, they struggled to believe it. No one overcomes death. Sure, Jesus raised a few people from the dead, but how does one raise themselves from the dead? Except, God raised him from the dead. 

The disciples later realized that Jesus conquered death. The word death in Greek is θάνατος (thanatos). It has multiple meanings. One is literally the termination of physical life. Another is death as a penalty or spiritual death, divine punishment. There are others but focusing on these two means something for us. 

First, we no longer have to fear the end of our physical mortal life. We have eternal life through Jesus. Second, and maybe even more important, we are no longer bound to the penalty for sin, spiritual death, also known as hell. Jesus conquered that, too! In other words, all those things that come as a result of sin, we are no longer bound to them. These things include evil, hate, hostility, and division. All these things are what separate us from God and from each other. 

As a result, we are reunited with God and each other. We are made whole with God, and we can be made whole with one another. We are united again.

This is something the disciples treasured and struggled with. They embraced their new relationship with God. They struggled to translate that into new relationships with each other because they didn’t always agree. Yet, they found ways to work together despite their disagreements.  

The resurrection of Jesus united us all. It brought us together in new and greater ways. We see this take place throughout the New Testament.  They were all together and in agreement when the Holy Spirit came at Pentecost. They were in agreement when it came to sharing the good news of Jesus Christ. They were in agreement when it came to loving God by loving their neighbor. 

Even though they didn’t agree on everything, still they were united. They called it being all one and the same though Jesus Christ and in God. They called it the ministry of reconciliation, because God reconciled us to Godself, we ought to be reconciled to one another. 

The resurrection of Jesus not only brought us back into relationship with God, it brought us back together. It brought us together to forgive sins, to love one another, and to go out and be a church that shares the resurrected life with a world that desperately needs more God, more love, and more reconciliation. God has sent us, you and me, to be the church that shows the world what this looks like. So, this Easter, bring your friends, your family, your neighbors to church. Let’s be united again. Let’s show the world what the love of God looks like by how we live for Jesus. 

Grace and Peace,

Pastor Daniel 

The deadline for Easter lilies is Monday, April 3 by noon. They can be purchased for $18 each.  You can order by filling out a form at the church office, filling out an online form using the button below or calling the church office Monday-Thursday 8:00-4:00.  Payment for lilies can be made by check to the church, online via the website at fumcmh.org/give or using the direct link provided after you have submited your order. Remember to type "Easter Lilies" in the notes/memo section. 

Holy week begins April 2nd on Palm Sunday.  Children and youth will be processing with palms at both services and the children wil sing at both services.  This year we have something scheduled almost every day of Holy Week.  Wednesday, we will have our usual fellowship dinner at 5:30pm followed by a service of prayer and healing at 6:30pm.  Thursday we will have our Maundy Thursday service of Holy Communion at 6:30pm.  Friday will be our Tenebrae Service, a powerful service of shadows.  Saturday we will have our Easter Extravaganza for children and their families from 11:00am to 12:00pm.  There will be an egg hunt at the end of our time so bring your Easter baskets!  Then of course on Sunday morning we all gather for the joy of Easter morning! Services will be at the usual times.  What a powerful and meaningful Holy Week we have in store! 

Join us for a Service of Prayer & Healing. The Service of Prayer and Healing is a time to reflect on the love Jesus shows us through healing. We will hear scriptures about healing that build our faith and leads us into a deeper trust of God. Then, we will follow the scriptural teaching in James 5:13–16 of calling the elders of the church to pray and anoint with oil. This is a beautiful and meaningful service that could change your life. 

Maundy Thursday commemorates the Last Supper when Jesus shared the Passover meal with his disciples on the night before he was crucified. This service is solemn, marked by the shadow of Jesus’ betrayal. The service will include Holy Communion and the stripping of the altar in preparation for Good Friday & Easter Sunday.

A Tenebrae Service, sometimes referred to as a Service of Shadows, includes the gradual diminishing of light through the extinguishing of candles to symbolize the approaching darkness of Jesus' death and hopelessness in the world without God. The service concludes in darkness. We leave in silence to ponder the impact of Christ's death and await the Resurrection.

You will not want to miss this family event on Saturday, April 8th from 11:00-1:00! Kids and their families will experience the true joy and excitement of Easter as they make their way through the stations at Rise Up With Jesus! You will travel together as a family from station to station and experience fun, hands on activities. Our hope is that you will experience the promise of Easter while having a super-fun time! Preregister online using the button below or the QR code.

Thank you to everyone who donated plastic eggs and Easter candy.  This is a huge help! We are looking forward to our Easter Extravaganza and the egg hunt on Saturday!

All are invited to our Wednesday Fellowship Meal.  Dinner begins at 5:30pm with a short devotional from Pastor Daniel. 

APRIL MENU

April 5 Soup & grilled cheese sandwiches Tomato Basil & Thai Chili Lime Coconut
April 12 Lasagna
April 19 Burgers, Brats & Beans
April 26 Stir fry 

A huge thank you to everyone for the deluge of plastic bags for our Backpack program.  We appreciate it!  We continue to do about 300 backpacks each week.
We were blessed to receive a $4000 capacity grant from the Arkansas Hunger Relief Alliance for installing asphalt on a portion of the driveway in front of the backpack room, as well as a $500 grant for food from________________.
Finally, a huge welcome and thank you to Fran Thueson, who has agreed to join our team of Backpack coordinators.  We are so glad to have you!

Stewards:
Betty Fulton
Vicki Kauth
Beth Pierson

9:00 Servers:
Zack & Lila Campbell
Fran & Daniel Thuesen

11:00 Servers:
Stephanie & Linley Reubin
Bella Chance & Daniel Thuesen

On April 13th we will begin our next study entitled  “Esther:  It’s Tough being a Woman” by Beth Moore.  This is a 10-week study which will include Beth’s wonderful and energetic DVD presentations along with class discussion.  A study book is recommended and costs $16.50. 

Thursday Morning Joy meets Thursday mornings at 9:30 AM in the Seeker’s Classroom, #213.  New members are always welcome -  just come, listen and try us out.  It’s a great way to spend a Thursday morning!  Call or text Sandra Bainbridge at 656-3950 for more information or to order a book.

Hello Families!

If you’re the parent, grandparent, teacher, or caregiver child, you know from experience that there are times when telling God’s story leads to conversations for which you feel incredibly unprepared. Those kinds of talks often begin with questions like “How did Jesus walk on water?” or “What did the animals eat on the ark?” and of course the question once asked to me while the Christmas story in Luke: “What’s a virgin?” 

One year, I was reading the Easter story with my kids who are now in their 20's. As we came to the end of the story, my then 5-year-old daughter looked up at me with tears streaming down her sweet little face and said, “So the Jesus who died on the cross is the same Jesus from Christmas?” I don’t remember how I responded. Probably with a hug and an acknowledgment that “Yes, it’s the same Jesus” and “I know, it’s so sad” along with an encouraging “But he came back to life!” I do remember feeling terrible, like I’d taken her innocence away. I certainly wished I’d been better prepared to respond. These are the things nobody teaches you before you have kids.

So years later, as the Director of the Preschool here at the church, I wasn’t surprised when a young mom approached me one Spring afternoonwhen picking up her child and told me she was struggling with how to talk with her son about Jesus’ death and resurrection. Bible stories that feature anger, betrayal, pain, and grief aren’t easy to tell. As parents it’s tempting to pave over the potential conversation potholes that fill the pathway between Palm Sunday and Easter. But these stories are essential in our faith formation. To understand the depth of Christ’s sacrifice and the amazing gift and power of the resurrection, the stories of Holy Week are essential. We must enter the darkness and pain of Holy Week to really understand the joy and light of Easter. 

You may have read the story I put in the newsletter last Easter about this subject.  If not, I'd be happy to share it with you.  Anyway, my point is that families need to spend time in God’s story. This includes the story of Easter and the events leading up to the the resurrection . I thought I would help by sharing this family devotional resource with you called God’s Big Easter Story: A Holy Week Journey for Families. 

It uses language that invites families into eight stories that begin with Palm Sunday and end with Easter, each of the devotionals creates space for meaningful, open-ended conversations between parents and children as they dwell in the stories together. And the encouraging introduction to families acknowledges that there’s no one right or wrong way to use the series: some households might read one devotion each day during Holy Week, some might combine a few devotions and read them over a few days; others might select just a few to read this year.  

As parents, we don’t need theology degrees to have faith-nurturing conversations with our kids. We also don’t need to have all the answers. What we do need is a willingness to wonder about God’s Story and a desire to dwell into it together. Use the button below to access the God’s Big Easter Story family devotional. I ecourage you to attend as many of the Holy Week activities scheduled this week.

This Sunday, April 2nd is Palm Sunday.  Children & Youth will process with palm branches at both services and the children will be singing at both services!  The kids are all invited to attend Sunday school between the 2 services will be sprocessing and singing at the start of the 11:00 service. If you attend the 9:00 service and don't want to stay for the entire 11:00 service, you can leave after the Children's Moments. We are singing "Give Me Oil in My Lamp - Sing Hosanna".  The kids are so excited and sing it very well.  Please have your kids meet me at the back of the Contemporary Worship Center at 8:50.

Then next Saturday is our Easter Extravaganza family event. You can pre-register for the event using the registration button or the QR code in this newsletter. This is a very fun hands-on event for families that focuses on Jesus. It will also include a light lunch and an egg hunt so bring your baskets! Invite your friends and neighbors! Rise Up With Jesus takes place from 11:00am-1:00pm on Saturday, April 8th.  See you there!

God Bless!

Laura

April is a month for me that is filled with anticipation. Grass turns green, warmer temps come and set in, and new growth happens. This is true with mushrooms, flowers, and hopefully each of us.  

The month begins with my favorite holiday (No not April fools day) EASTER!  Proceeding this joyous holiday is one week of mixed emotions. It begins in triumph, becomes very solemn as Jesus shares his final meal with those he walked with in his ministry, grows dark with betrayal and scourging, and ends with the loudest silence in history. During this week we see things go full circle as Jesus was celebrated entering Jerusalem and ending by some of those same people jeering and mocking Him. So much in our faith happens during this week and so much of this week is directly related to our faith that it has always been a week of contemplation for me. A time when I can not escape the awesomeness of my God.  The Bible reminds me over and over just how great God is yet I can never fully comprehend. Finally, God just came down lived on this earth and showed me his greatness. It is during this week that I often find myself renewing my desire to walk closer with the Lord. It is during this time that I cannot deny His greatness. That is why it is during this time that such new growth can happen.  I know many people favor Christmas as their favorite, but I tell you without Easter Christmas just wouldn't matter as much.  I hope this year you will join me in standing in Awe of His greatness!

Monthly Plans:
April 5th: Prayer and Healing Service
April 6th: Maundy Thursday
April 7th: Tenebrae Service
April 8th : Easter Extravaganza
April 14-16th : Spring Musical at MHHS 
April 22-23: 30 hr Famine

**Anyone wanting to volunteer with youth ands children will need to finish a safe gatherings training. See me for more info.

Tom

Eli is an 8th grader at MHJHS and is such a well-rounded young man. He runs cross country, plays basketball, baseball, is a strong chess player, is a champ at Ninja and pretty much any other game we play in youth group. Eli is a fantastic student and received a 4.0 shirt during basketball this last season. He has just retired from a stellar career of Acolyting where he would often accompany his sister.  He has a hidden smart wit to him that you have to know him to get to experience. Perhaps my favorite attribute to Eli is his sensitive caring soul. Please be sure to say Hi to him and strike up a conversation when you see him in church next time. 

Our students will be hosting a 30 hour famine April 22-23.  We have invited other mUnited methodist Churches from the North East District as well as a couple local area churches to participate with us.  Prior to the first day of the fast, students are encouraged to collect all the canned goods they can.  During the 30 hours they will participate in service projects, enjoy fellowship activities, worship, bible study and prayer.  Overnight they wil live in a cardboard box and experience a night where they must give up amenities they are so used to. We will break our fast together with a soup breakfast.

Arrive at FUMCMH on April 22nd at 9am (or whenever available) Students can be picked up after breaking the fast with us on April 23rd at 1pm.

Scholarship applications for the 2023/24 school year are now available for graduating High School seniors who plan to pursue a post secondary academic education. Applications are available on the youth page of the website fumcmh.org or download here using the button below.  Application deadline is May1st to be announced at the school awards night. July 1st is the final deadline to apply for the scholarship.

There were no memorials or honorariums this month.  This does not include Easter Lilies.  That list will be published as an insert in the Easter Sunday bulletins.

Prayers after loss:
Kay Owens & family on the loss of her husband, Don Owens
Andrew Nelson on the loss of his wife, Brandy Nelson

Concerns:
Gail House (4/2/23)
Tom Yoder (4/2/23)
Joanniee Fritz (4/2/23)
(John Smith & Monica Cole’s granddaughter)
Deborah Harrison (3/26/23)
Mike Thompson (3/19/23)
(Bev Thompson’s son)
Kristine Doornbos (3/12/23)
(Bill & Donna Kimes’ daughter)
Shannon Owens (3/5/23)
(Don & Kay Owens granddaughter)
Jim Brown (2/26/23)
Melissa Duncan (2/26/23)
(Judy Kuenzli)
Reba Long (2/26/23)
(Justin Long)
Kim Miller (2/26/23)
(Justin Long)
Anita Buswell (2/19/23)
Chuck Burch (2/19/23)
(Vicki Kauth)
Matthew Hawthorne (2/12/23)
(Gail House’s niece’s stepson)
Ann Steelman (2/12/23)
Dave Epperson (2/12/23)
Scott Cain (2/5/23)
(Jill Chandler’s son)
Rina Vargas (1/29/23)
Chris Holsted (1/29/23)
(Joyce Holsted’s son)
John Rice (1/22/23)
Lonnie Burch (1/22/23)
(Terre Ware)
Mike Mallory (1/22/23)
(Mike Densmore)
Ruth Clark (1/8/23)
Lyn Yarborough (11/27/22)
(Christine Rohr)
Rexene Watson (11/13/22)
(Dr. Tom Yoder’s sister-in-law)
Julie Bates (11/13/22)
(Dovie Tinsley’s cousin)
Jackie Knight (11/6/22)
Guyla Morris (11/6/22)
(Shirley Poynter)
Nancy Reed (10/16/22)
(Mary Margaret Pearson)
Nira Wilkerson (10/3/21)
Andrew Youngblood (9/11/22)
(Carolyn Youngblood’s husband)
Russel Jones (9/4/22)
Beth Pierson (9/4/22)
Doug Engle (9/4/22)
(Beth Pierson’s brother)
(Johnny Brown & Gail House)
Monica McElyea (8/21/22)
Bobby Myers (8/14/22)
(Gail House’s cousin)
Don Pickett Jackson (7/31/22)
(friend of Carl Pickett)
Terri Chapman (6/26/22)
(Cindy Long’s sister)
Denise Rohr (5/22//22)
Joe Bodenhamer (5/1/22)
Richard Henderson (5/1/22)
(Hazel Long’s nephew)
Darrell & Ann White (4/17/22)
(Iva Jones)
Rob Holmes (4/10/22)
(Phyllis Holmes’ son)
Alan Erickson (2/20/22)
Marti Gilbert (2/13/22)
Ron Odegard (1/30/22)
(Sandy Odegard’s husband)
Glenda Bodenhamer (1/9/22)