The sermon text for May 6th

Grape vines at the Church of the Twelve Apostles
Capernaum, Israel

John 15:1-8 is our text for next Sunday, May 6th:

"I am the Real Vine and my Father is the Farmer. He cuts off every branch of me that doesn't bear grapes. And every branch that is grape-bearing he prunes back so it will bear even more. You are already pruned back by the message I have spoken.

"Live in me. Make your home in me just as I do in you. In the same way that a branch can't bear grapes by itself but only by being joined to the vine, you can't bear fruit unless you are joined with me.

"I am the Vine, you are the branches. When you're joined with me and I with you, the relation intimate and organic, the harvest is sure to be abundant. Separated, you can't produce a thing. Anyone who separates from me is deadwood, gathered up and thrown on the bonfire. But if you make yourselves at home with me and my words are at home in you, you can be sure that whatever you ask will be listened to and acted upon. This is how my Father shows who he is—when you produce grapes, when you mature as my disciples. [The Message]

Blessings in Iraan

 Joys from this morning:

+Kirke M. reported that fourteen young women (at First UMC in Monahans) who were confirmed last week!
+Cooler weather and the chance for rain this week.
+Prayers for the young people at the Texas Challenge Academy in Sheffield. Some of these teens took part in a recent walk for Autism Awareness and other took part in a walk for MS.
+Cole B., a student from Iraan H.S., earned a place at the state track meet in the high hurdles.
+Pastor Charles shared his counted cross-stitch works with the congregation.
+Krispy Kreme donuts during our fellowship time!
+We are looking forward to the annual lunch for the Iraan High School seniors this coming Wednesday (May 2 @ Noon).

Concerns from this morning:
+The family of the Wade and Kyle Richardson (from Ozona).
+Callie Jo A. hurt her knee this past week.  She also has the last big exam of the semester coming up.
+Prayers for the young people at the Texas Challenge Academy in Sheffield.
+Those absent from worship this week.
+Lee M. is at a wedding in Canadian, Texas (Dottie is being cared for here in Iraan).
+Student, faculty & staff at the Iraan schools who entering the final weeks of the school year.

Special Prayers: Please continue to lift the delegates gathered at the 2012 General Conference of The United Methodist Church in Tampa, Florida.  The General Conference continues through Friday, May 4th.  Visit this link to follow the work of the General Conference.

Continued Prayers for Healing:Callie Jo A., Aaron B., Tommy B., Jonnie D., Denise D., Greg H., Steven H., Billie Lou H., Burton L., Julie L., Shane M., Kathy P., Naomi S., Tom V., and Colton W.

Continued prayers:
+Our church +Our community youth +Our schools, athletes, coaches, teachers and students +Our nation, government, & leaders +Our military and their families +The homeless +The unemployed +Unspoken requests +Victims of natural disasters +Countries fighting for freedom.

A hymn for the Fourth Sunday of Easter

The Good Shepherd, mosaic in Mausoleum of Galla Pacidia
Revenna, Italy - first half of 5th century

A thought to go with you on this Fourth Sunday of Easter.  This hymn, written by Henry Baker in 1868, was sung in Westminster Abbey at the funeral service of Diana, Princess of Wales in 1997.

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The King of love my Shepherd is,
 Whose goodness faileth never,
 I nothing lack if I am His
 And He is mine forever.

Where streams of living water flow
 My ransomed soul He leadeth,
 And where the verdant pastures grow,
 With food celestial feedeth.

Perverse and foolish oft I strayed,
 But yet in love He sought me,
 And on His shoulder gently laid,
 And home, rejoicing, brought me.

In death’s dark vale I fear no ill
 With Thee, dear Lord, beside me;
 Thy rod and staff my comfort still,
 Thy cross before to guide me.

Thou spread’st a table in my sight;
 Thy unction grace bestoweth;
 And O what transport of delight
 From Thy pure chalice floweth!

And so through all the length of days
 Thy goodness faileth never;
 Good Shepherd, may I sing Thy praise
 Within Thy house forever.

A Poem for Arbor Day

The Tree

Anne Finch, Countess of Winchilsea
(1661-1720)

Fair tree! for thy delightful shade 'Tis just that some return be made; Sure some return is due from me To thy cool shadows, and to thee. When thou to birds dost shelter give, Thou music dost from them receive; If travellers beneath thee stay Till storms have worn themselves away, That time in praising thee they spend And thy protecting pow'r commend. The shepherd here, from scorching freed, Tunes to thy dancing leaves his reed; Whilst his lov'd nymph, in thanks, bestows Her flow'ry chaplets on thy boughs. Shall I then only silent be, And no return be made by me? No; let this wish upon thee wait, And still to flourish be thy fate. To future ages may'st thou stand Untouch'd by the rash workman's hand, Till that large stock of sap is spent, Which gives thy summer's ornament; Till the fierce winds, that vainly strive To shock thy greatness whilst alive, Shall on thy lifeless hour attend, Prevent the axe, and grace thy end; Their scatter'd strength together call And to the clouds proclaim thy fall; Who then their ev'ning dews may spare When thou no longer art their care, But shalt, like ancient heroes, burn, And some bright hearth be made thy urn.

Senior Center Today

Pastor Charles and Belinda visited Iraan's Senior Center today and enjoyed good food and great fellowship.  Yea, God!!!

Today's lunch bunch

Another fun time in Iraan this morning as we met for the weekly lunch bunch at Godfather's Pizza. 

Prayers for General Conference

Please lift The 2012 General Conference of The United Methodist Church up in prayer as it begins today (and continues through May 4) in Tampa, Florida.
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O God, I pray for strength and stamina for the delegates of GC2012. Be their rock and firm foundation. Provide them with the spiritual grounding they need for the journey ahead. As they build their lives on Christ, the solid rock, develop your character in them!
    Lord, give them favor with one another and with the people you call them to be in ministry with.
    Give them wisdom so they may lead well, and discernment so they will be able to sift through all the distractions in order to focus on those things you call the church to be about!
    As they navigate the journey ahead, give them patience and persistence to stay the course in the midst of the challenges and obstacles that will arise during the slow-going work of transformation and revitalization!
And give them courage to follow the leading of your Spirit, even when it’s hard!
   Through your leadership in their lives, expressed and lived out at General Conference, make us a movement once again, a movement fully engaged in the mission of making disciples of Jesus Christ for the transformation of the world!
Amen.

-the Rev. Randy Willis
+++

Visit this link to follow the work of the General Conference.

Next week's sermon lesson



Jesus as the Good Shepherd from the early Christian catacomb of Domitilla
 (Crypt of Lucina, 200-300 CE).

Next Sunday, April 29th, we'll look at the role of Jesus as the Good Shepherd in John 10:7-18:

John 10:7-18 New International Version (NIV)

⁷ Therefore Jesus said again, “Very truly I tell you, I am the gate for the sheep. ⁸ All who have come before me are thieves and robbers, but the sheep have not listened to them. ⁹ I am the gate; whoever enters through me will be saved.  They will come in and go out, and find pasture. ¹⁰ The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full.

¹¹ “I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep. ¹² The hired hand is not the shepherd and does not own the sheep. So when he sees the wolf coming, he abandons the sheep and runs away. Then the wolf attacks the flock and scatters it. ¹³ The man runs away because he is a hired hand and cares nothing for the sheep.

¹⁴ “I am the good shepherd; I know my sheep and my sheep know me— ¹⁵ just as the Father knows me and I know the Father—and I lay down my life for the sheep. ¹⁶ I have other sheep that are not of this sheep pen. I must bring them also. They too will listen to my voice, and there shall be one flock and one shepherd. ¹⁷ The reason my Father loves me is that I lay down my life—only to take it up again. ¹⁸ No one takes it from me, but I lay it down of my own accord. I have authority to lay it down and authority to take it up again. This command I received from my Father.”

This morning in Iraan

Joys from this morning:
+Teacher, staff, and students at Iraan ISD entering the final few weeks of the school year.
+Colton W. had some good treatment news.  He may be able to come for a visit to Odessa soon.
+Callie Jo A. had some great results from recent school exams.
+Terrific breakfast potluck this morning!
+We're looking forward to the lunch for the Iraan seniors on May 2nd.  Deanna J. has a sign-up sheet for items needed for the lunch.

 Concerns from this morning:
+Family of J.T. Weaver (Bobbie Johnson's dad)
+Renee K. (Deanna J.'s cousin) has been admitted to hospice care.
+Churches and others recovering from the tornadoes that struck near Dallas recently.  UMCOR is on the scene providing relief support.  Visit this link to learn more.
+Traveling mercies for those away from worship this week.

Special Prayers: Please lift the delegates gathering from across the globe as the The 2012 General Conference of The United Methodist Church begins on Tuesday in Tampa, Florida.  Visit this link to follow the work of the General Conference.

Continued prayers:
+Our church +Our community youth +Our schools, athletes, coaches, teachers and students +Our nation, government, & leaders +Our military and their families +The homeless +The unemployed +Unspoken requests +Victims of natural disasters +Countries fighting for freedom.
Continued Prayer Concerns:
Aaron B., Tommy B., Jonnie D., Denise D., Greg H., Steven H., Billie Lou H., Burton L., Julie L., Shane M., Kathy P., Naomi S., Tom V., and Colton W.

A prayer for Earth Day

O GOD, we thank you for this earth, our home; for the wide sky and the blessed sun, for the ocean and streams, for the towering hills and the whispering wind, for the trees and green grass.

We thank you for our senses by which we hear the songs of birds, and see the splendor of fields of golden wheat, and taste autumn's fruit, and rejoice in the feel of snow, and smell the breath of spring flowers.

GRANT US a heart opened wide to all this beauty; and save us from being so blind that we pass unseeing when even the common thornbush is aflame with your glory.  Amen.
(from appleseeds.org)

A reflection for the season of Easter

The act of pilgrimage is one of the most ancient and honored actions of the Christian faith.  The cycle of the church year reminds us that we are continuing to walk the path of faith and to that our faith compels us to take the time and make the effort to remember that we are on a life-long journey.

Sometimes, however, it seems that we get so wrapped up in our day-to-day busyness of life that we forget that we are on that  pilgrimage of faith. 

As we continue along the path of our post-Easter experiences, a reminder that we do not walk alone.  May the Via Lucis help to center your walk on the reason we call ourselves Christians, 'little Christs."

To learn more, visit the Via Lucis website.

Holocaust Remembrance Day

The United States Congress established the Days of Remembrance as our nation’s annual commemoration of the Holocaust and created the United States Holocaust Memorial Museum as a permanent living memorial to the victims. The day marks the anniversary of the start of the Warsaw ghetto uprising in 1943. In Hebrew, Holocaust Remembrance Day is called Yom Hashoah.
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Almighty God, we remember before you this day those killed during the Holocaust, for the innocents murdered, for those who wrongly used your name to kill, and for those who did not speak up against such injustice. Guide us in our efforts to root out intolerance and prejudice in our world, that we may not make peace with oppression and may stand as witness to those who died. Help us to work towards the day when no one will fall to such a sword. We ask this through him who was executed as a criminal by an oppressive state, Jesus Christ our Redeemer. Amen.

(from stpetesrock.blogspot.com)

A prayer for the journey

[from Pastor Charles: I'm "breaking commo blackout" to share a prayer that we've used here at the Two-year Academy]

Cross drawn by Father Thomas Merton

O Lord God, I have no idea where I am going. I do not see the road ahead of me, I cannot know for certain where it will end. Nor do I really know myself, and the fact that I think I am following Your will does not mean that I am actually doing so.

But I believe that the desire to please You does in fact please You. And I hope I have that desire in all that I am doing. I hope that I will never do anything apart from that desire to please You. And I know that if I do this You will lead me by the right road, though I may know nothing about it.

Therefore I will trust You always though I may seem to be lost and in the shadow of death. I will not fear, for You are ever with me, and You will never leave me to make my journey alone. Amen.

-Fr. Thomas Merton

Next Sunday's text

This coming Sunday, April 22, is the third Sunday of Easter.  The sermon comes from Luke 24:36b-49.  We'll focus most of our attention on verses 44-49 which looks at the commissioning of the Apostles.

A question to consider then is this: How did the companions of Jesus get from disciples to aposltes?  How about you, are you ready to be an apostle?

Holy Humor Sunday!

The tradition that is "Holy Humor Sunday" dates back many centuries to the Orthodox churches of eastern Europe. 

“Holy Humor Sunday services not only give Christians an opportunity for ongoing celebrations of the greatest miracle in human history – Jesus’ resurrection – it also gives each of us an opportunity to celebrate, and give thanks for, our own smaller resurrections in this world and this life.”
— from The Joyfulnoiseletter website.

Joys from this morning:
+The recent rain we've gotten in this area.
+Burton L. was back in worship this morning!
+Wanda C., Lee M., and Marie R. brought home-made treats to share with us during our fellowship time.
+We have a potluck next Sunday (at 8:30 a.m.).
+We have an Ad Board meeting this coming Wednesday at 6:00 p.m., and yes, this is a good thing :)
+Wanda C. fell yesterday but had no injuries!
+Kirke M. was here leading the singing today!
+The Iraan Archeology seminar was a success - thanks to Marie R. for bringing some of the leftover treats to share with us today!!!

 Concerns from this morning:
+Those recovering from the recent tornadoes in Texas and elsewhere.
+Billie Lou H. (Lois Ann M.'s aunt) has been admitted to hospice.
+Those absent from worship today.
+The people of Syria.

 Continued prayers:
+Our church +Our community youth +Our schools, athletes, coaches, teachers and students +Our nation, government, & leaders +Our military and their families +The homeless +The unemployed +Unspoken requests +Victims of natural disasters +Countries fighting for freedom.

Continued Prayer Concerns:
Aaron B., Tommy B., Jonnie D., Denise D., Greg H., Steven H., Billie Lou H., Burton L., Julie L., Shane M., Kathy P., Naomi S., and Colton W.

Holy Humor Sunday

In recognition of Holy Humor Sunday, here is something to enjoy as you prepare your hearts to worship together tomorrow morning:
There were two men shipwrecked on an island. The minute they drifted onto the island one of them started screaming and yelling, "We're going to die! We're going to die! There's no food! No water! We're going to die!" The second man was propped up against a palm tree and acting so calmly it drove the first man crazy. "Don't you understand?!? We're going to die!!" The second man replied, "You don't understand, I make $100,000 a week….we'll get found soon"

The first man looked at him quite dumbfounded and asked, "What difference does that make?!? We're on an island with no food and no water! We're going to DIE!!!" The second man answered, "You just don't get it, do you: I make $100,000 a week, and I tithe ten percent of that $100,000 each week to my church----I give $10,000 each week to my church."

The First Man, still dumbfounded said, " I still don't understand!" The Second Man said: "Listen, I said to relax, I TITHE $10,000 a week to my church, BELIEVE ME, My pastor will find me!"

Yesterday at the MCC

It was a blustery morning in west Texas on Thursday but that didn't stop the community from gathering with the residents of the McCamey Convalescent Center!  We even had a baby visitor, the grandchild of one of the staff members to liven things up a bit!

Texas tornado response

From Kirke McKenzie - Maybe we can help this UMC in S. Arlington a little bit.  Brandon Akins. Brandon A. reached me through our mutual social club (KIVA) network:
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"I'd like to ask for some prayers. I live in South Arlington in a neighborhood that was hit by last weeks tornadoes. I was very lucky that my house was not destroyed. I'll get a new roof and all of my fences need to be replaced as they were destroyed, but starting just three houses down there is some devastating destruction. Some houses just have broken windows and holes in the roof, but many are almost completely gone. A few there is just a few bricks left, lots everything from the brick line up is gone.

The hardest part for my family is that our church (just two streets over) St. Barnabas UMC was hit very hard. There was a ton of damage. Our family life center and education wing were almost completely destroyed. The roof is gone off both I think every window in the entire church is gone. ...The Lord had his hand over everyone there as there were no injuries. My two year old daughter was at the church in the preschool, and she physically is ok, but is still emotionally stressed. She about freaked out when we walked to the church Thursday afternoon to look around, and then when a very small storm blew in yesterday she got really scared when she heard the thunder.

Please keep the folks all over the Metroplex and all of our church in your prayers. As a sign a friend put up at the church reads "Our building is down, but the church is still standing. Happy Easter." We will rebuild and we will be ok, but we sure can use the prayers."
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
Please visit the UMCOR response page and see how you can help in the recovery.

Pizza Bunch Today!

The pizza lunch bunch met this morning for another fun and delicious time of food and fellowship.  What a great group this is!

A prayer for Easter Monday

A worship service at the Taize` community (in France)

If you were not risen,
 Lord Christ,
 to whom would we go
 to discover a radiance
 of the face of God?

If you were not risen, 
 we would not be together
 seeking your communion.
 We would not find in your presence forgiveness,
 wellspring of a new beginning.

If you were not risen,
 where would we draw the energy
 for following you
 right to the end of our existence,
 for choosing you again and anew?

– Brother Roger of Taize`

Easter Sunday in Iraan

The cross on the hill

Everyone got a treat today!

There was such joy in evidence today in Iraan!  Evans reported that 15 were on hand for the community Easter sunrise service and the gathering was quite nice.  

At the FUMC-Iraan Easter service, 23 came to praise God as we celebrated once more the resurrection of our Lord.  We had a number of guests in worship this morning as Marie R. had a pew filled with family, Evans T. had two family members with him and Wanda M. brought June Nixon, a former FUMC - Iraan member (now living in Lubbock) along to share the festive morning with us.

Joys from this morning:
+Jonnie (Wanda M.'s sister) & JC Dempsey celebrated their 70th anniversary yesterday in San Angelo.  Marie R. and Wanda M. were present for the festivities.
+The RAIN we got last night was amazing!!!  1.1" - 1.9" were reported by members of the congregation.
+Ed C. has an uncle who will be 101 in May and still dancing and gardening!
+Dottie and Lee M. celebrate their 60th anniversary this week.

Concerns from this morning:
+Pat L.'s daughter-in-law lost her father, Bill Bancroft this past week.
+Burton and Jo L. have moved to Austin to be close to family.
+Traveling mercies for those away from Iraan this week.

 Continued prayers:

+Our church +Our community youth +Our schools, athletes, coaches, teachers and students +Our nation, government, & leaders +Our military and their families +The homeless +The unemployed +Unspoken requests +Victims of natural disasters +Countries fighting for freedom.

Continued Prayer Concerns:
Aaron B., Tommy B., Jonnie D., Denise D., Greg H., Steven H., Billie Lou H., Burton L., Julie L., Shane M., Kathy P., Jack P., Naomi S., and Colton W.

Christ is Risen!

The Resurrection window, Canterbury Cathedral

Easter Prayer of St. Hippolytus of Rome

Christ is Risen: The world below lies desolate
Christ is Risen: The spirits of evil are fallen
Christ is Risen: The angels of God are rejoicing
Christ is Risen: The tombs of the dead are empty
Christ is Risen indeed from the dead, the first of the sleepers,
Glory and power are his forever and ever.  Amen.

St. Hippolytus (AD 190-236)

Meditation for Holy Saturday

Today, hell cries out groaning: "I should not have accepted the man born of Mary  He came and destroyed my power.  He shattered the gates of brass.  As God, he raised the souls that I had held captive."  Glory to Thy cross and resurrection, O Lord!

Today, hell cries out groaning: "My dominion has been shattered.  I received a dead man as one of the dead, but against Him I could not prevail.  From eternity I had ruled the dead, but behold, He raises all.  Because of Him do I perish." Glory to Thy cross and resurrection, O Lord!

Today, hell cries out groaning: "My power has been trampled upon.  The Shepherd is crucified and Adam is raised.  I have been deprived of those whom I ruled.  Those whom I swallowed in my strength I have given up.  He who was crucified has emptied the tomb.  The power of death has been vanquished."  Glory to Thy cross and resurrection, O Lord!

- from the Orthodox liturgy for Vespers on Holy Saturday

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Remember tomorrow's services:
Community Sunrise Service, 7:00 a.m. at the cross on the hill
Breakfast follows the service at the First Baptist Church

Easter Service at First UMC, 9:30 a.m.

Meditation for Good Friday



"Christ of Saint John of the Cross" by Salvador Dali, 1951 

Here is love (An old Welsh hymn)

Here is love, vast as the ocean,
Lovingkindness as the flood,
When the Prince of Life, our Ransom,
Shed for us His precious blood.
Who His love will not remember?
Who can cease to sing His praise?
He can never be forgotten,
Throughout Heav’n’s eternal days.

On the mount of crucifixion,
Fountains opened deep and wide;
Through the floodgates of God’s mercy
Flowed a vast and gracious tide.
Grace and love, like mighty rivers,
Poured incessant from above,
And Heav’n’s peace and perfect justice
Kissed a guilty world in love.

Let me all Thy love accepting,
Love Thee, ever all my days;
Let me seek Thy kingdom only
And my life be to Thy praise;
Thou alone shalt be my glory,
Nothing in the world I see.
Thou hast cleansed and sanctified me,
Thou Thyself hast set me free.

In Thy truth Thou dost direct me
By Thy Spirit through Thy Word;
And Thy grace my need is meeting,
As I trust in Thee, my Lord.
Of Thy fullness Thou art pouring
Thy great love and power on me,
Without measure, full and boundless,
Drawing out my heart to Thee.

Prayer for tonight

Communion table at First UMC - McCamey

Almighty God, whose dear Son, on the night before he suffered, instituted the Sacrament of his Body and Blood: Mercifully grant that we may receive it thankfully in remembrance of Jesus Christ our Lord, who in these holy mysteries gives us a pledge of eternal life; and who now lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.


-from the Book of Common Prayer

Easter is coming to the MCC

Signs of Easter are in evidence at the McCamey Convalescent (MCC) with pretty decorations and and many of the residents sporting their pink Easter-themed t-shirts.  It was a nice gathering today with community guests at the coffee/donuts time. 

Come and share the fun next Thursday morning (starting at around 9:45 a.m.).

Meditation for Holy Thursday

The Last Supper, First Presbyterian Church - Belmont, NC

We have completed our Lenten pilgrimage and arrive today at the beginning of the Great Three Days - Holy Thursday, Good Friday, and Easter.  May this time draw you ever closer to the heart of our Lord and may Easter's dawn find you strengthened for the task of proclaiming the Risen Christ to the world around you.
+++

O thou, who at thy Eucharist didst pray
that all thy Church might be for ever one,
grant us at every Eucharist to say
with longing heart and soul, "thy will be done."
O may we all one Bread, one Body be,
through this blest Sacrament of unity.

For all thy Church, O Lord, we intercede;
make thou our sad divisions soon to cease;
draw us the nearer each to each, we plead,
by drawing all to thee, O Prince of Peace;
thus may we all one Bread, one Body be,
through this blest Sacrament of unity.

We pray thee too for wanderers from thy fold;
O bring them back, good Shepherd of the sheep,
back to the faith which saints believed of old,
back to the Church which still that faith doth keep;
soon may we all one Bread, one Body be,
through this blest Sacrament of unity.

So, Lord, at length when sacraments shall cease,
may we be one with all thy Church above,
one with thy saints in one unbroken peace,
one with thy saints in one unbounded love;
more blessèd still, in peace and love to be
one with the Trinity in Unity.

Words: William Harry Turton, 1881

Meditation for Wednesday in Holy Week

Annointing of Jesus' feet, by Peter Paul Ruebens

Kassia (810 - 865) was a Byzantine abbess, poet, composer, and hymnographer. She is one of the first medieval composers whose scores are both extant and able to be interpreted by modern scholars and musicians. Approximately fifty of her hymns are extant and twenty-three are included in Orthodox Church liturgical books.

The Hymn of Kassiani is chanted only once a year during Holy Week, at the Matins of the Great and Holy Wednesday, traditionally served in Tuesday evening. The music for the hymn is slow, sorrowful and plaintive. It requires a very wide vocal range, and is considered one of the most demanding, if not the most demanding, pieces of solo Byzantine chant, and cantors take great pride in delivering it well. The faithful make a point of going to church specifically "to listen to Kassiani" that evening:

Sensing Thy divinity, O Lord, a woman of many sins takes it upon herself to become a myrrh-bearer, and in deep mourning brings before Thee fragrant oil in anticipation of Thy burial; crying:

"Woe to me! For night is unto me, oestrus of lechery,  a dark and moonless eros of sin.

Receive the wellsprings of my tears, O Thou who gatherest the waters of the oceans into clouds.

Bend to me, to the sorrows of my heart, O Thou who bendedst down the heavens in Thy ineffable self-emptying.

I will kiss Thine immaculate feet and dry them with the locks of my hair;

Those very feet whose sound Eve heard at dusk in Paradise and hid herself in fear.

Who shall reckon the multitude of my sins, or the abysses of Thy judgment, O Saviour of my soul?

Do not ignore Thy handmaiden, O Thou whose mercy is endless."

Today in Iraan

 
If it's Tuesday, you can be sure to find many First UMC members gathering at Godfather's Pizza for lunch!  There were nine of us on hand today and was it ever fun!
After lunch, Lee & Dottie showed Pastor Charles and Belinda around their garden including a special tour of Lee's rock polishing efforts.  If you have not been to their house, schedule your own tour soon!

Burton L. is doing much better and is hoping to go home tomorrow and to be in worship on Easter Sunday!

Meditation for Tuesday in Holy Week

The Lamb of God (Agnus Dei) 
St. Ignatius Church - Chestnut Hill, Massachusetts

Jesus went through Holy Week with but one purpose, to be obedient to the will of the Father.  As you continue in your journey this week as yourself this question:  Am I obedient to the will of my Father?

Words: Paul Ger­hardt, in Prax­is Pi­e­ta­tis Mel­i­ca, third edi­tion, by Johann Crüger, 1648 (Ein Lämm­lein geht); com­po­site trans­la­tion.  Music: An Was­ser­flüss­en Ba­by­lon, gen­er­al­ly at­trib­ut­ed to Wolf­gang Dach­stein, in Teutsch Kirch­en­ampt mit lobi­gseng­en (Strass­burg, Ger­ma­ny: 1525)

A Lamb goes uncomplaining forth, The guilt of all men bearing; And laden with the sins of earth, None else the burden sharing! Goes patient on, grow weak and faint, To slaughter led without  complaint, That spotless life to offer; Bears shame and stripes, and wounds and death, Anguish and mockery, and saith, “Willing all this I suffer.”

This Lamb is Christ, the soul’s great Friend, The Lamb of God, our Savior; Him God the Father  chose to send To gain for us His favor. “Go forth, My Son,” the Father saith, “And free men from the fear of death, From guilt and condemnation. The wrath and stripes are hard to bear, But by Thy Passion men shall share The fruit of Thy salvation.”

“Yea, Father, yea, most willingly I’ll bear what Thou commandest; My will conforms to Thy decree, I do what Thou demandest.” O wondrous Love, what hast Thou done! The Father offers up His Son! The Son, content, descendeth! O Love, how strong Thou art to save! Thou beddest Him within the grave Whose word the mountains rendeth.

From morn till eve my theme shall be Thy mercy’s wondrous measure; To sacrifice myself for Thee Shall be my aim and pleasure. My stream of life shall ever be A current flowing ceaselessly, Thy constant praise outpouring. I’ll treasure in my memory, O Lord, all Thou hast done for me, Thy gracious love adoring.

Of death I am no more afraid,  New life from Thee is flowing; Thy cross affords me cooling shade When noonday’s sun is glowing. When by my grief I am oppressed, On Thee my weary soul shall est Serenely as on pillows. Thou art my Anchor when by woe My bark is driven to and fro On trouble’s surging billows.

And when Thy glory I shall see And taste Thy kingdom’s pleasure, Thy blood my royal robe shall be, My joy beyond all measure. When I appear before Thy throne, Thy righteousness shall be my crown— With these I need not hide me. And there, in garments richly wrought As Thine own bride, I shall be brought To stand in joy beside Thee.

Meditation for Monday of Holy Week

Rescue of John Wesley from the fire at the Epworth Rectory, 1709

Each day during Holy Week, a hymn will be offered here for your meditation.

Behold, The Saviour of Mankind: The Rev. Samuel Wesley, Sr.

Written previous to the fire at his Rectory of Epworth, which was burnt down in 1709. At this fire John Wesley was saved from death by being rescued through the bedroom window by some of the parishioners. During the fire the manuscript of this hymn was blown into the Rectory garden, where it was subsequently found.

  

It was first published in J. Wesley's Psalms & Hymns, Charlestown, South Carolina, 1736-7, p. 46; also in the Wesley Hymns and Sacred Poems, 1739, in 4 stanzas of 4 lines; and again in the Wesleyan Hymn Book in 1780, revised edition, 1875, No. 22. From that collection it has passed into various hymnals both in Great Britain and America. The original contains 6 stanzas of 4 lines. Stanzas ii. and v. are usually omitted.

-- John Julian, Dictionary of Hymnology (1907)

Behold The Savior Of Mankind

Behold the Savior of mankind
Nailed to the shameful tree!
How vast the love that Him inclined
To bleed and die for thee!

Hark, how He groans, while nature shakes,
And earth's strong pillars bend!
The temple's veil in sunder breaks;
The solid marbles rend.

'Tis done! the precious ransom's paid!
"Receive my soul!" He cries;
See where He bows His sacred head!
He bows His head and dies!

But soon He'll break death's envious chain,
And in full glory shine;
O Lamb of God, was ever pain,
Was ever love, like Thine?

Palm Sunday in Iraan

Holy Week began today in Iraan with the faithful gathering for fellowship, worship and learning.

Joys from this morning's worship service:

+People preparing for Holy Week

+Jonnie Dempsey (Wanda M.'s sister) and her husband will be celebrating their 70th anniversary this Saturday, April 7th.

+Burton L. got permission to leave his hospital bed in Iraan to come to church today with his wife Jo and their daughter Carol.

+Family reunions at Easter.

+Kirke M. was in the Texas Hill Country and was happy to meetr with the Kerrville District's DS, the Rev. Bill Henderson, who sends his greetings to the people of this church.

Concerns from this morning:

+Travelling mercies for those travelling this next week.

+People of Syria.

+We need moisture.

Continued prayers:
+Our church +Our community youth +Our schools, athletes, coaches, teachers and students +Our nation, government, & leaders +Our military and their families +The homeless +The unemployed +Unspoken requests +Victims of natural disasters +Countries fighting for freedom.

Continued Prayer Concerns:
Aaron B., Tommy B., Jonnie D., Denise D., Greg H., Steven H., Billie Lou H., Burton L., Julie L., Shane M., Kathy P., Jack P., Naomi S., and Colton W.