Hello Church!
Peace to you in this strange time.
Was anyone else feeling the joy of the resurrection and hoping you’d wake
up the next day with this all just have been a bad dream? Yet, this seems to be
our reality. In some ways, I have noticed some pretty good blessings: increased
family time, reading, working on house projects, cooking more, to name a few. I
also realize that these "blessings" are the result of some pretty
significant privileges. The salaries in my household have continued and much of
our work can be done remotely. We have the internet. We can afford to buy
groceries and to keep the heat on - even if we are always running low on toilet
paper!
Last Sunday was Easter. We entered
into a time in the church calendar known as Eastertide. We stay in Easter for
50 days until Pentecost. Can we continue to experience resurrection in this
strange time? Can our lives be uplifted out of the normal? I think so.
I’ve become pretty good friends with
Chip & Laura Hutler, the directors of Wesley Woods Camp & Retreat
Center down here in Indianola. Their ministry revolves around creating an
atmosphere similar to what we are experiencing. One of the ways they see God's
work is when folks get out of the normal routines of life. They shake things up
for people.
On the other hand, a man referred to
only as Brother Lawrence of the Resurrection, said something else about
the presence of God. He served as a lay brother in a Carmelite monastery
in Paris in the 17th century. He suggested that the presence of God is found in
the most mundane aspects of life: In the washing of dishes, the cooking, the
staring out the window. Has anyone been doing any of those things lately? So.
Many. Dishes. Am I right?
So whether this time feels like
you’re out of your routine or it all feels so mundane, know that God is
present. God is not just at the church building. That has become clear to us
all. Peace to you, friends.
Blessings!
Pastor
Trevor
Pastor Trevor Vaughn
West Des Moines United Methodist Church
720 Grand Ave.
West Des Moines, Iowa 50265
515-279-0826
Pastor Trevor Vaughn
West Des Moines United Methodist Church
720 Grand Ave.
West Des Moines, Iowa 50265
515-279-0826
Announcements:
- Join us for live worship on Facebook at 9:30 am on Sundays!
- Just Read Bible Study is going virtual next week! Tuesdays at 4:30 pm.
- https://zoom.us/j/91418695206?pwd=SlJVc2trd3lqK2dPelRoSVI4c0NHZz09
- Meeting ID: 914 1869 5206
- Password: 004957
- Are you funny? Know any good jokes? This upcoming Sunday is Holy Humor Sunday. Text Pastor Trevor a short video of you telling a joke to 515-333-8489. We’ll select a few to play live on Sunday.
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