Brightest Spring Greetings, Dear Family and Friends! Lovely April days take me back, many years ago, to walks with our children, looking and listening for signs of spring. Crocus, daffodils, ‘Glory of the Snow’ flowers, snowdrops, tulips, pussy willows; the Pileated Woodpecker’s drumming; so many birds returning to nest. And MUD everywhere! This April we will celebrate the 5th Sunday in Lent on April 6th; Palm Sunday on April 13th ; and Holy Thursday, April 17 at the Minetto UMC with Rev. J.D. Park, Oswego 1 st UMC, Rev. Alan Kinney, Trinity UMC; and Rev. Michael Ingersoll, Journey of Faith UMC joining in the special service. The Good Friday Service will be celebrated at Oswego 1st, led by Rev. J.D. Park, joined by Journey of Faith UMC, Trinity UMC and the Minetto UMC. We look forward to Easter Sunday, April 20th, celebrating our Risen Savior Jesus with all of you, your families, friends and neighbors! Many of you read The Upper Room Daily Devotional, with contributors from 100 countries around the world, published in 35 languages. The Minetto UMC weekly Bible study –open to all - has been richly blessed with the thought-provoking devotionals and our discussions. We look forward to this very special gathering each week, and we invite you to join us @ 11:00 each Thursday. This inspiring Easter Sunday devotional was submitted by John Alter (Florida, USA). “In 1965 I was a US Navy pilot serving aboard an aircraft carrier. I was on a plane that returned to the ship just before sunrise—when that narrowest sliver of light begins to separate the ocean’s invisible horizon from the black sky. As I walked from my plane for the debriefing room, I noticed a group of sailors setting up chairs on the flight deck - normally a bustling scene of people and planes. It suddenly dawned on me that it was Easter morning! Under the direction of our chaplain, the crew was creating a temporary chapel for a sunrise service. The usual earsplitting flight deck had been transformed into a peaceful sanctuary where a group of Christians worshipped the risen Christ - just as dawn broke over the sea. As we celebrated the resurrection of Jesus, I was reminded that sunrise is a never-ending event. As the Earth turns, the sun peeks over the horizon - inch by inch, moment by moment, millions of other Christians would witness the same miracle of dawn in their own corner of the world. The sun’s daily ritual speaks to Christianity’s most fundamental belief: The LORD has risen! God’s creation of land, sea, sun, and sky serves as the never-ending sunrise experience shared daily around the globe. Each moment is a testament to the risen Christ. Prayer: Worldwide God, thank you for being everywhere around this planet Earth that all your children call home. We give you thanks for the risen Christ! Amen.” Dear Family and Friends, How I thank God for each of you! Your welcoming love and friendship, extended to all God sends our way, continues to bless our fellowship and community with Christ’s love. May every blessing and promise of Easter be yours in abundance. “I have loved you with an everlasting love; I have drawn you with unfailing kindness” (Jeremiah 31: 3b) Easter Blessings, Pastor Maureen and Joe Berson “He is not here; He has risen!” (Luke 24:6-7) Have a wonderful Easter!
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