Longview First United Methodist Church

On Palm Sunday the Chancel Choir and Orchestra performed their Easter Cantata, No Greater Sacrifice. I was privileged to narrate. The last line of the final narration paraphrased John 15:13, “There is no greater love than one who lays down his life for his friends.” This is a highly appropriate passage to capture the theme of the cantata and the meaning of the Passion of Christ. Ironically, it is also the passage of Scripture that Vladimir Putin cited in his war rally a few weeks ago in Moscow.

As we find ourselves in the midst of Holy Week with Easter right before us, we have the opportunity to give these words faithful response in how we acknowledge and celebrate the sacrificial love and grace of God that we know in Jesus Christ. In these days ahead, we remember how God demonstrated his love through Christ. We also have the opportunity to embrace and embody that sacrifice through faithful engagement in this Holy Time.

Unfortunately, many will find excuses and allow other things to distract them and prevent them from being part of the continued witness to the incredible sacrificial love of God in Jesus Christ. The weather, other commitments, and other excuses will prevent our faithful witness to the immense gift of God’s grace that we have received and are called to share. We will fail to make the slightest sacrifice in response to the greatest sacrifice that God has made out of love for you and me.

I hope you will join us in experiencing the power of Christ’s Passion and celebrating the victory of Christ’s Resurrection. We are providing many opportunities starting this evening at 6 PM with “Holy Week in an Eggshell” in the Faith Center for our families with children and “Stations of the Cross” in the Sanctuary for everyone. We will then have 6:30 services on Holy Thursday and Good Friday in the Sanctuary with Livestreams for those who physically can’t come.

On Easter we begin early with a Community Sunrise Service at Heritage Plaza at 6:30 AM. Bring a lawn chair and join us for an exciting celebration for our whole community. Our Easter Celebration continues with our Easter worship services at 8:30 and 10:45. It really shouldn’t be a sacrifice to join in the many opportunities to celebrate the Risen Lord and Savior Jesus Christ! I look forward to seeing you!

                                                                                                                                                                     Grace and Peace,

                                                                                                                                                                     Pastor Jay

Join us in welcoming our new members!

Jason & Lisa Scrimpsher and their children Nolan & Charlotte joined this past Sunday, April 10th.

We will not have regular children’s activities this week. Instead, families and children are invited to...

Holy Week in an Eggshell is TONIGHT, Wednesday, April 13th! Families of all ages and stages are invited to participate in a worship service that allows for a unique way to experience the story of the last week of Jesus’ life. This service will be offered at 6:00 pm in the Faith Center.

The children will be singing a special song at the 10:45 Beacon worship service this Sunday for Easter titled "Easter Alleluias". This song is based on Beethoven's "Ode to Joy" and is arranged by Becki Slagle Mayo and Lynn Shaw Bailey. The children need to meet in the Sanctuary at 10:15am on Easter Sunday for a short rehearsal. (Dress code is 'Sunday Best'.)

We had so much fun kicking off Holy Week with our Easter Eggstravaganza!

Tonight the youth will meet in the youth wing for dinner & rec at 6 p.m. followed by Stations of the Cross at 7 p.m. We will finish at 8 p.m.  Parents are invited to join us for the Stations of the Cross in the Sanctuary.

For church members interested in joining us for Stations of the Cross, you may follow the signs to the entrance of Stations of the Cross to begin the journey. The stations are open from 6-8 p.m.

Draw Near to God and God will Draw Near to you (James 4:8).

If our Lenten study of the prodigal son has left you longing for a deeper relationship with the Father, please consider joining Pastor Debbie for Exploring the Spiritual Disciplines of the Christian Tradition on Wednesdays starting April 20th at 6:15pm or Thursdays at 10:00am, both located in the Genesis classroom.

The Gospels According to David

Have you ever wondered why there are 4 Gospels? Or why they are called Gospels? In this short 4 week study, we will peek into Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John and talk about what makes them the 4 Gospels of the New Testament.

To submit an article for The Voice, please email [email protected]. Info must be submitted by

Friday at 5 PM in order to be in next week's edition of The Voice.