Life – The Days After Easter

What were the days following Jesus’ resurrection like for the first disciples? Jesus had died, and he was dead no longer. Just as He promised, He had overcome death, the last enemy. But, what did it all mean?

Surely, it took time for them to fully comprehend the whirlwind of events that had taken place the previous week. Before He returned to his Father, Jesus helped His followers to realize some of the implications. (Lk. 24:27) His death and resurrection were no deviation in God’s plan. They were the plan. (Lk. 24 :26) God had accepted Jesus’ payment for the sins of His people. Animal sacrifices were no longer necessary. (1 Cor. 15:17) Jesus’ resurrection assured us that those He had redeemed would also receive glorified bodies on the last day. (1 Cor. 15:20)

Jesus died that we might live through Him. He holds out a new way, a resurrected way to live our daily lives. What does resurrected living look like? This kind of living could be described, “It’s living like Jesus would if he were in my place”. That helps us to understand. But, to know the real meaning of what Jesus would do, we have to know a little more about Jesus.

“By myself I can do nothing; I judge only as I hear,  for I seek not to please myself but him who sent me.” John 5:30

“I do nothing on my own but speak just what the Father has taught me. The one who sent me is with me; he has not left me alone, for I always do what pleases him. ” John 8:18

Clearly, Jesus was humble. Certainly, he lived to please God above all else. Commonly, he lived among the people, human flesh walking about the dirt paths with everyone else. Common living created a need to seek to hear God in this “earthly life” … learning from Him. And in humility, seeking to live to please His Father, He ended up living an uncommon life. He died. He was buried. He rose so that we could live past the Easter services, and celebrations. His resurrection power is alive in those who believe.

A somber meal on Maundy Thursday, tears on Good Friday, triumphant majesty on Easter-now what do we do? That’s probably what the disciples were thinking. Quiet, a little lonely, a little apprehensive, a little determined. But Jesus says, “I am with you always.”

That means alongside us when we face the dentist, when we are apprehensive about medical tests, when we lose a loved one, when we have fears for our security, when we lose our temper, when we are cut up by regrets, when we are tactless and say the wrong thing, when we feel other people looking past us and don’t even see us, when someone we love snaps at us …

Jesus says “I am with you always.” Alongside of you.

You see, the Easter message was never intended to be a one Sunday a year event! We are to live out the message of the good news that Jesus was indeed crucified, buried and He rose again on the third day with all power and glory. So this week and the next and the next, continue living out every week as if it were Easter.

Pastor Bob

Sunday School. Sunday mornings 9:00 AM. Open to all youth pre-k through high school. Volunteers to substitute when regular teacher are absent needed! For questions or more information, please contact Robin Stolarcyk.  Please join us!

Christian Fellowship Class. Sunday mornings 9:00 AM. Room B6.  Please join us. Leader: Shirley Prentice: 648-3485.

Pastor’s Study & Prayer Group. Sunday mornings 11:30 AM, Room B6. Everyone is welcome to join.  Questions contact Pastor Bob. No class 4th Sunday’s please join us for Pot luck luncheon after service in fellowship hall.

Unity Circle: Ladies Group, 2nd Monday of every month 11 AM. All ladies are invited to join. Contact Bev Hamm for more information.

Ladies Monday Night Book Study. Monday evenings 6:30-8:00 PM. Please join us as we explore the book 12 Women of the Bible. Class begins March 26.  All are welcome.  For questions contact Karen MacKenzie.

Knitting for the Lord. Tuesday evenings at 6 PM. Room B2. Contact Lynn Masland at or Sue Alcott.

Women’s Group. Tuesday’s 12:45 p.m. in the Disciple Room, for a time of friendship, good food, & great conversation.  Questions contact Dottie Brownlow or Pat Winters. All are invited!

Rachel Circle: Ladies Group, 3rd Tuesday of every month 10 AM—11:30 AM in the Frazer Room (B18). All ladies are invited to join. Contact Marita Root  for more information.

WordGirls: Wednesday 9:15—11:15 a.m.  All ladies are welcome to join. Questions contact Amy O’Brien.

Choir. Thursday evenings 7:00-8:00 PM.  Everyone is welcome to join. Contact Carla Fako for more information.

*Note: If you wish to contact any of the leaders listed in the announcements please contact the church office at 648-4339 or email: chenbridgeumc@outlook.com for their contact information.

 April Mission:  Health Kits.  We will be collecting items in the month of April 1st – combs, April 8th – towels, April 15th – Wash clothes, April 22nd – tooth brushes & soap (see insert in back of church for full list or request one from the church office).  Assembling kits the week of April 22. Those interested in helping or have any questions, please contact Karen Hojsik or Joyce Neumann.

Mission Moment:  please bring a non-perishable food item for donation to a local food pantry.  It will be collected by our youth the 4th Sunday of the month. 

Volunteers requested: We will be providing dinners for the Men’s  Rescue Mission at 5 PM every 4th Wednesday.  Please join us as we cook and serve!   Questions?  :Karen and Wes MacKenzie (contact the church office 648-4339 for Karen’s contact information).

CVNS 6th Annual Run/Walk For Our Future! Saturday, May 5th, 2018. Start time 9:30 AM; Packet Pick Up 8:30 AM. Race will begin at CVNS and end at Chenango Bridge Community Park. $20 Run/Walk Registration fee includes T-Shirt. NEW! Pay $20 to “sleep in” and get a unique T-Shirt without having to leave the comfort of your bed! Registration forms in the back of the church or the church office. Registration forms due by April 20th. (Find registration form in sign up forms section of website or contact the church office for a form.)

Plant Sale: Saturday, May 12, 2018; 9:00 am – 12:00 Noon: Fellowship Hall. Order Forms are available in the Narthex. Guarantee quantity, color, and price by pre-ordering. Pre-orders due by Sunday, April 22, 2018. Please deposit orders and payments (by check) in the Plant Orders box in the Breezeway.

12th Annual United Methodist Night at the Ball Game: Thursday, June 28th; 6:35 pm; $9.00 Adults; $6.00 Children. Please contact Pam Wasley to purchase tickets (contact the church office for Pam’s contact information).

Church Women United May Friendship Day, Halupki luncheon is Saturday, May 5, 2018, 11 am at the Choconut Center United Methodist Church, Lewis and Airport Roads, Binghamton.  Theme: “In Gratitude for God’s Presence.” The price is $12.  Contact Marita Root by April 25 for tickets.  Checks payable to Church Women United.

Trustees Project Board in the back of the Narthex for those of you that may want to sign up for projects or may wish to contribute to a project. Please contact Hudda Aswad if you have any questions. Thank you.

Liturgists Needed: If you would like to volunteer to be a liturgist please contact Pam Wasley or the church office 648-4339. If you cannot do a month at a time, that is fine. We will fill in the weeks around what you can do.

Audio & Video Volunteers are Needed: Training will be provided. Please contact the church office; 648-4339 or Mike Howard (contact the church office for Mike’s contact information)  if you would be able to help.

Summer Camp Registration opens:  The Upper New York Camp & Retreat Ministry Area is excited to share our 2018 summer camp and retreat programs with you!  Discover five awesome sites with over 200 programs. Summer Camp provides endless laughter, meaningful worship, and important friendships. Retreats provide a unique experience in a  beautiful   setting. Click link below to discover the best program for you or your child based on age, interests, and sites http://campsandretreats.org/summer-camp-2018/search

Rummage Sale: Save the Date, June 9th, 8 AM – 1 PM. Start saving items to donate for sale. Volunteers are needed to help set up on 6/8 at 9:00 am until?  We welcome clothing, tools, books, small household items, toys, etc. Please no large  furniture, CRT (fat) TV sets, exercise equipment or outdated computers.” Contact Jill Lyon (204-0032) if you are able to volunteer or donate things. You may drop off items from Monday June 4th – Friday, June 8th. Save your items to drop off. 

Fund Raiser for First United Methodist Church of Chenango Bridge.     Present this advertistment (below) and 10% of all work done will be donated to the church. For all questions and appointments please contact Quality Steam Cleaning. (You may also find this coupon in the back of the church or contact the church office.

Reminder: Maines Food & Party Warehouse – GiveBack Program. 1^st United Methodist Church of Chenango Bridge/Maines GiveBack Program: “Chenango Bridge UMC” endowment current totals 50% members as of February 1, 2018. FUMC’s goal is 90% membership by the end of 2018. Important: Upon receipt of your membership card application Maines will turn around the application in (2) weeks). Maines account is “Chenango Bridge UMC” in order to receive the proper credit. Obtain your application of a Maines membership card from David Lewis or the church secretary Monday – Thursday 8 AM – 1 PM. For every twenty (20) dollars spent, God’s church receives $1.00.