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Holy Humor Sunday - April 19, 2020

APRIL 19 - HOLY HUMOR SUNDAY
Blessed Eastertide!

For centuries Eastern Orthodox, Catholic, and Protestants, on the week following Easter Sunday, (sometimes called " Bright Sunday "), was observed by the faithful as " days of joy and laughter " with parties and picnics to celebrate Jesus' resurrection. Churchgoers and pastors played practical jokes on each other, drenched each other with water, told jokes, sang, and danced.

The custom was rooted in the musings of early church theologians (like Augustine, Gregory of Nyssa, and John Chrysostom)  that God played a practical joke on the devil by raising Jesus from the dead.  "Risus paschalis - the Easter laugh," the early theologians called it.

God’s laugh is not a snicker at our pain and turmoil but a laugh at the ones who think they can thwart God’s plan.  It’s a laugh of assurance and comfort to us, in our grief and misery, reminding us that the story is not over. It’s a laugh at the darkness because it will one day dawn into light; a laugh at pain because it will be transformed into relief; a laugh at sorrow because it will turn to joy.

Thanks to all who helped this week with our worship in celebrating the joy of resurrection!

Peace,
PV

Special thanks to those who contributed to our Holy Humor worship today: Nick Bohmann, Jerry Bostick, Kyleigh Castloo, Tom Causgrove, Matthew Cheesman, Olivia Cheesman, Kaden King, Belva and Larry Latshaw, Joan Leake, Betty Matejowsky, Dale Moquist, Chris Rea, Pam Wettstein, Sandra Wilson, and all who are in the chorus behind our hymns)

 Check out the new page on our website ( CLICK HERE ) that gathers together all the resources for worship and communication during this time.
SUNDAY WORSHIP VIDEO
The full worship video goes live at 9am on Sunday. You can watch it straight through, or click in the description the part of worship you want to jump too.
Holy Humor Sunday worship is printed in the downloadable bulletin to aid in your worship this weekend.
WORDS FOR WORSHIP
If you have a candle , light it and put it on a central place near you, as a way of marking this moment as sacred, as a reminder that the light of Christ is with you.
CALL TO WORSHIP

Joy is loose,
In the wiggles of the children,
The whispers of the youth,
The smiles of the adults.
We praise God for this glorious day,
Let the praise break forth
in the most unlikely places
and in silly ways.
Joy and praise fills our hearts
and in our songs
Let the laughter be deep,
for we are God's people.  
DWELLING IN THE WORD
 Martin Luther argued that “the ears are the only organs of a Christian,” since it is through the ear that life begins, through hearing the preached Word of God.

Read scripture from YOUR Bible at home. Remember the story of who gave you or how you got your Bible. May this story remind you of your connection to Christ & others.

READINGS FOR EASTER SUNDAY
ACTS 2:14a, 22-32 (Peter preaches his first sermon)
PSALM 16 (a song of joy in the Lord)
JOHN 20:19-31  (walking through walls & Thomas)

CLICK HERE for various ways to DWELL IN THE WORD .
YOUTH ACTIVITY SHEETS
REMEMBERING OUR COMMUNION
One thing that many miss is sharing in Holy Communion.  This time invites us to turn our question from, "How do we receive Holy Communion?” to “How does the Word of God come to us and how do we receive the Word of God?
PRAYER OF THE PEOPLE
Prayer is central to the life of faith because it connects us to God and each other, a reminder that we are never socially distanced in Christ. Please say these names aloud as a way of lifting them up to God this day. Names in bold were added this past week. You are welcome in this time of prayer to include your own joys and concerns.
Marci Wilde
Don Holle
Joe Manno
Jim Dipprey
Faith Trapp
Ruth Kjos
Marci Wilde
Ruby Sanders
Ken Smith
Ken Tate
Wyatt Crouse
Jerry Braeutigam
Jenny Braeutigam
Vondean Schmidt
Vince Wesch
Sandra Conners
Jake Boyd
Laverne Pullin
Dick Schroer
Jolene Williams
Carolyn Selman
Annie Woods
Nik Schappe
Doris Tate
Linda Williams
Mary Posey
Harold Brueckner
Michael Buffalo
Knox Walker
Craig Fields
Mary Langehennig
Julia Reitz
Lincoln Cortez
Jackie Meagher
Wayne Rhoades
Marnie Casteneda
Wade Herrington
Wanda Center
Charles Butler
Diane and Bill Burke
Amanda Morris
Crysta Guzman
Virginia Whatley
Pete Davis
Danette DeMont
Shane Carpenter
Mae Watson
Anne Hunnafin
Greg Schoonmaker
Bob Lenz
Toby Green
Tammy Whitman
Sibi & Don Kraemer
Brayden Ybarra
Larry Stahl
Margo Stahl
Bob & Kris Ward
Ann Huebner
Ron Burke
Greg Butler
OFFERINGS AND GIFTS TO GOD
Your continued generosity toward our operating budget will be more important than ever during this time.

Stewardship quote for the week:
“Live and give are only one consonant apart." - Josh Davis (UT swimmer)

 If you’re not using electronic giving, you can still mail your offering to the church at 1803 Highway 1431 West, Marble Falls, TX 78654 . And if you’re not already a sustaining member of our ministry through our Consecration Sunday process, I can’t think of a more important time to step in. A commitment of $5 or $10 a week can make a huge difference in this ministry we share.

CLICK HERE   to give online one time, 
or to set up a reoccurring offering.

Or, simply text the amount 
you want to give to 830-460-5757.
BLESSING FOR THE WEEK AHEAD
Easter Blessing
Because the tomb is empty your life can be full,
so go into every place and every day
as people brimming with the love of God.
Be grateful in spirit, hopeful in word, faithful in deed.
Live for the risen Christ as Christ lives in you.
Alleluia and Amen!
GO IN PEACE...TOGETHER, BOLDLY LIVING AND SHARING GOD'S GRACE WITH ALL!
LIVE STREAMS FROM OUR SISTER CHURCHES
If you would like to tune into a live-stream worship, some of our sister congregations are doing that this Sunday. Below are the times and links to a couple options to watch online.

SUNDAY - 9:30AM

SUNDAY - 10:00AM
PRAYER RESOURCES FOR YOUR WEEK
This is wonderfully elegant website with a daily scripture reading, music to go along with the reading, and a reflection.

It's also an app for your smartphone. Search for "pray as you go" and take with you for anytime a way to recenter your day.
EASTER LIVING OPPORTUNITIES
Cookies
COOKIES FOR MEALS ON WHEELS

In conjunction with St. Frederick’s Baptist Church, St. Peter’s contributes desserts to Meals on Wheels, serving 150 local community residents, once per month. Make a dozen or two of cookies by the 2nd Friday of the month and put in the church kitchen freezer. Contact Kathy Nobles for more information.