Dear Fellow Children of God,
We saw the opposite of God’s Easter victory at work in
our world this past week. ISIS terrorists
bombed the airport and metro station in Belgium killing 31 and wounding
270. The very word “terrorist” points to
fear, or terror. Fear is what we
experience when the evil of life is stronger than we are. Fear and terror are what we experience when
there is no answer to the trouble and destruction and death we face in this
world.
But, this week Christians celebrate the end of fear and the
destruction and terror. Jesus died for
the sins of all people and He rose from the dead. In His rising Jesus has defeated sin and
Satan and death. For those who believe
in Jesus’ resurrection victory we have the presence of God’s conquering love in this
life. For those who believe in Jesus’
resurrection victory God gives eternal life, not in this troubled world, but in
heaven where there is no more death, no more mourning, no more crying, no more
pain. (Revelation 21:4) Listen to what
God says to us about Jesus’ victory over sin and death and what God’s victory
means to our lives.
·
Isaiah 25:7-8 7 On this mountain he will destroy
the shroud that enfolds all peoples, the sheet that covers all nations; 8 he
will swallow up death forever. The Sovereign LORD will wipe away the tears from
all faces; he will remove the disgrace of his people from all the earth. The
LORD has spoken.
·
Luke 24:5b-6
5 . . . "Why do you look for the living among the dead? 6 He is not
here; he has risen!
·
John 14: 19 b Because I live, you also will live.
·
Hebrews 13:6 So we say with confidence, "The
Lord is my helper; I will not be afraid. What can man do to me?"
·
Revelation
1: 18 I am the Living One; I was dead, and behold I am alive for ever and
ever! And I hold the keys of death and Hades.
·
Revelation
21: 4 He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death or
mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away."
Do you hear the difference that Jesus’ rising from the
dead makes? When Jesus rose from death
to life this was the most important event in the history of the universe. In Jesus’ resurrection God defeated Satan,
good conquered evil, love conquered sin, and life conquers death. And, because Jesus has risen and gives
eternal life in heaven to all who believe in Him, we have nothing to fear. There is nothing in this world that overcomes
His victory. We can face the terror, the
disappointments, the failures, the betrayals, and the illnesses of this world
knowing that Jesus has risen and is victorious.
So we live in faith and love.
ISIS can threaten injury and even death. That threat can bring momentary fear. Life can cause fear because in our weakness there
are problems and enemies we cannot defeat.
But Christ has risen. He has
overcome sin and death, and all who know Jesus’ resurrection live in this
victory.
I pray the victory of Jesus’ resurrection for YOUR life.
A Child of God, Living in the Power of Jesus’ Rising from
the Dead,
Pastor Jonathan
P.S. Please note the opportunities below to
continue to observe and celebrate Jesus’ death for our sin and Jesus’ rising to
give us life.
P.P.S. Here are
some pictures from last Sunday’s Shane Woods Ice Fishing Outing. https://picasaweb.google.com/114993745799525883148/ShaneWoodsIceFishingMarch202016
P. P.P.S. Thank
you to Hunter Richards for filling in for me on Thursday as I work to recover
from the flu! Here are some pictures
from this year’s Passover Meal. https://picasaweb.google.com/114993745799525883148/PassoverMealStJohnMarch242016#
It is WONDERFUL to have a
faithful helper who is so effective at sharing God’s love. Thanks again,
Hunter!
****
ABOUT ‘THOUGHTS FROM THE
PASTOR’ - I am sending these e-mail messages, hopefully weekly, to
all St. John members and friends whose e-mails I have. (I am regularly
adding new names of friends and members – in case you are just receiving this
e-mail for the first time.) However, if you don’t want to receive this
e-mail, please let me know, and I’ll gladly leave your name off my list for
this message.
****
HOLY WEEK CELEBRATIONS!
·
GOOD
FRIDAY WORSHIP will again be presented by the youth of St. John, THIS Friday,
March 25, at 7:30 p.m. Plan to attend worship on Good Friday and
remember the sacrifice of love from our Lord Jesus!
·
EASTER
FESTIVAL AND EGG HUNT – There is an Easter Festival and Easter Egg hunt
planned THIS Saturday, March 26, beginning at 10 a.m. at church. The Easter Egg Hunt begins at noon. This is always a favorite with the
families. Plan to attend.
·
EASTER
WORSHIP Our Easter Sunday Schedule is different than a regular Sunday
Schedule. On Easter Sunday, March 27
(this year), our schedule is as follows:
·
Easter Sunrise Service is held at 7:00 a.m.
·
An Easter Breakfast is offered from 8:00 – 10:30
a.m.
·
There is no
Sunday School on this day.
·
There are Easter Celebration worship services at
9:00 and 11:00 a.m.
Come and celebrate Jesus’ victorious rising from the dead!
·
EASTER
BREAKFAST – Easter Breakfast is held on Easter Sunday, March 27, from 8:00
– 10:30 a.m. Men, please feel free to
join us in cooking and serving. Others
are requested and welcome to donate hot cross buns or cinnamon rolls.
·
EASTER
LILIES – If you would like to donate Easter Lilies for Easter Worship
please bring them to St. John by Good Friday
APRIL EVENTS
AND ACTIVITIES
APRIL 3 -
CONFIRMATION DAY – Confirmation Day 2016 is held on Sunday, April 3. This year 10 young people will share their
faith with the congregation in late worship as they are confirmed. Those being confirmed include Lauren Bang,
Jade Ellis, Hannah Grosz, Anna Maxwell, Emily McNiven, William Nichols, Gracie
Payne, James Stanley, and Luke Theisen .
Please keep these young people in prayer as they seek to live as God’s
children in a world that fights against faith in Jesus.
FAMILY PROMISE - Family
Promise will possibly have families at St. John for help in a time of
homelessness beginning Sunday night,
April 3 through Sunday noon, April 10.
Opportunities to serve and volunteer are available. Kirsten Nelson will be calling those who
previously volunteered. However, she
says, “If there is anyone that wants to help, but hasn't previously given me
their contact information, they could call me at 414-1688.”
A Basic Teachings of the
Bible / New Member Class started on March 6 in the Pastor’s Office during
the Sunday School Hour beginning at 9:45 a.m.
If you
want to refresh your knowledge of Scripture, or consider for the first time
what God teaches, please feel welcome to attend. In addition, if someone wants to join St.
John you could do so by attending this class.
OTHER OPPORTUNITIES FOR GROWTH AND SERVICE
“DUO AMICI” CONCERT
Dr. Tamara McCoy, pianist and mezzo
soprano, and classical guitarist Valerie Hartzell, will perform in a concert of
instrumental and vocal music to delight the senses, on Tuesday, April 12 at 6:00 p.m. at St. John.
Ms. Hartzell will present Libra Sonatine
by Roland Dyens for guitar.
After a short lecture on the first
programmatic piano concerto, 'Totentanz' by Franz Liszt, Dr. McCoy will create
a multi-sensory experience by performing the solo transcription of
Totentanz while displaying the artwork upon which this piece is based. Duo
Amici will collaborate on works by de Falla, Carulli, and Boccherini.
(Dr.
McCoy is the granddaughter of long time valley residents, Sig and Carol
Restad.)
ACOLYTE TRAINING COURSE – An acolyte training class will offered on Saturday, April
16, at 11:00 a.m. If a young person,
grade 2 and older, would like to help light candles and serve in worship, plan
to attend this class. After class we
will visit our local McDonalds.
ALASKA MISSION FOR CHRIST LICENSED DEACON CONTINUING
EDUCATION COURSE
Pastor
Todd Roeske and Pastor Jonathan Rockey will teach a 2 day continuing education
course at St. John for Alaska Licensed deacons, entitled, “Pictures of the Gospel.” This will be offered on Friday, April 29 and
Saturday, April 30. Watch for more
information.
CHURCH NURSERY OFFERED AGAIN! – The St. John nursery is
again being offered, staffed by Cathy
Grosz from 9:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m. each Sunday. This provides nursery
service during Sunday School and late worship.
The nursery will
be available for children ages 1-4 (up to age 5).
While Cathy is
the permanent person, we are also
looking for volunteers to help staff the nursery. We will keep
nursery numbers safe, so the more volunteers the more children can be cared
for. Cathy will have a sign-up sheet available.
If you want to donate
to support the nursery, please do so. But
the nursery is funded for the foreseeable future.
UAA DENTAL HYGIENE CLINIC – Chiemi Karino has been a member of St. John
for quite a number of years. She is
currently finishing school at UAA to be a Dental Hygienist.
Chiemi says their clinic at UAA needs patients. The clinic does cleanings, exams, Fluoride,
X-rays, and Sealants. While there is a
cost, the price is greatly reduced over a regular dentist, because this clinic
gives students an opportunity to practice their trade.
If you are interested in dental
hygiene at a reduced cost, and in helping students, Chiemi asks that you call
the UAA Dental Hygiene Clinic at 786-6960.
Chiemi says, Please call!
DID YOU KNOW THAT ST. JOHN HAS
A FACEBOOK PAGE? Go to https://www.facebook.com/stjohnpalmer/ and click to be a “friend.”
++++++
DID
YOU KNOW THAT MUCH INFORMATION ABOUT ST. JOHN is available on our church
website? On our web page you can find sermons, newsletters, and these
weekly devotions. The link is: http://www.stjohnpalmer.org
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