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Bits from Beth – April 11, 2025
Sometimes we have a week we do not anticipate. My week started with an early morning phone call from my mother’s home Monday morning. As a result of the events of that morning, my brothers and I agreed that she needed more care than could be provided in the home she shares with her almost 96 year-old husband. Most of you have been here multiple times. You have shared your stories and your heartache with me and your witness prepared me for the difficult task ahead. Thank you for your words of understanding and encouragement. Thank you especially to Erin who never fails to get done what I cannot do. Thank you to our Lay Leader, Wade Green, who will lead our worship service, to Rebecca Roark who will be bringing our Children’s Message, and to our DS, Deedee Autry, who will be preaching in my place as I go to spend a few days with my children and their families before my son and his family leave to move to New Zealand.
I love Palm Sunday! I love the children processing with the palm branches! I will miss the music of our choir. I will miss watching you greet each other with enthusiasm and affection. It will be a great Sunday so I hope you come. Remember, you can watch it live on Facebook or watch it later on our channel on Facebook or YouTube. Be sure and like it because it helps the algorithm promote our channel. That afternoon, we will have a 6th Annual Berg Egg Hunt. Please, someone take pictures!
Palm Sunday also launches us into Holy Week. On Wednesday, we will have a short Healing Service at 6:00pm. We tried the last year and while the crowd was small, it was very meaningful for those who were there. We are not aiming for crowd size – we are trying to create the worship experience people need in their journey to the cross. On Thursday night, we will experience Maundy Thursday. Rev. Ron Matheny and Rev. Greg Nettles will be assisting with that service. Even though our Thursday evening service will combine events of both The Lord’s Supper and Good Friday, we will have a Facebook live discussion of how we experience the events of Jesus arrest and crucifixion.
Silent Saturday has no events. It was the Jewish Sabbath and Jesus’s body was sealed in the tomb. We know what happens that next morning but the disciples did not. We do hope you will join us for the great celebration of Easter!
Please note in our weekly email, that the Conference Volunteers in Mission/Disaster Relief has run out of Cleaning Kits (they were once called Flood Buckets. We have the instructions in the newsletter but you can also donate. Mark your check for Arkansas Disaster Relief. The recent storms have wiped out the inventory. Also remember that Sunday, April 27th, will be our UMCOR Sunday. Bring your coin jars or your wallet and we will be blessing this offering during Children’s time.
Have a great weekend and join us for Palm Sunday!
Grace and peace,
Beth
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