APR 13, 2016

This Week at Grace

Being Eastered

Dear Grace,

Easter is not just one day, but a season - 50 days in the life of the church when we celebrate resurrection and shout our alleluias. As we move through the Easter Season, I invite you to join me in praying this prayer by Walter Brueggemann, from his book Awed to Heaven, Rooted in Earth. It's a powerful reminder that just as Christ is risen, the world is still broken-how may we be a people who respond with God's good news of life?

We are baffled

Christ is Risen
He is risen indeed!
We are baffled by the very Easter claim we voice.
Your new life fits none of our categories.
We wonder and stew and argue,
and add clarifying adjectives like "spiritual" and "physical."
But we remain baffled, seeking clarity and explanation,
we who are prosperous, and full and safe and tenured.
We are baffled and want explanations.

But there are those not baffled, but stunned by the news,
stunned while at minimum wage jobs;
stunned while the body wastes in cancer;
stunned while the fabric of life rots away in fatigue and despair;
stunned while unprosperous and unfull
and unsafe and untenured . . .
Waiting only for you in your Easter outfit,
waiting for you to say, "Fear not, it is I."
Deliver us from our bafflement and our many explanations.
Push us over into stunned need and show yourself to us lively.
Easter us in honesty,
Easter us in fear;
Easter us in joy,
and let us be Eastered. Amen.

This Easter season, let us be Eastered.

I look forward to seeing you this Sunday for worship at 11am as we welcome Chuck Bell as our interim director of music ministry for the next few months. And you are invited to stay at 1pm for music from our finalist for the permanent Director of Music and Worship Arts position.

Think about who you can invite!

Grace and Peace,

Kate

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Calendar

Calendar of Events

Wednesday, April 13

Women's Group (Bible study and fellowship), 7pm, Calissa's home

Wednesday, April 14

Church Council Meeting, 6:30pm, Grace Cafe

Sunday, April 17

Director of Music and Worship Finalist; Rehearsing with Choir - 12:30pm; Lead Music in Sanctuary, 1:00pm

Sunday, April 24

Music Interest Meeting, 12:15pm, Sanctuary

Tuesday, April 26

Needles & Prayers, 7pm

Wednesday, April 27

Women's Group (Bible study and fellowship), 7pm, Calissa's home

Thursday, May 5

Grace Reads, 7pm, Starbucks in Whole Foods Ponce Plaza

Tuesday, May 10

Needles and Prayers, 7pm

Wednesday, May 11

Women's Group (Bible study and fellowship), 7pm, Calissa's home

Event Spotlight

Music Interest Meeting

NEXT Sunday, April 24th

12:15-12:30pm, Sanctuary

If you have musical gifts or an interest in getting involved (from ringing a chime to singing to playing an instrument), then this gathering is for you!

Our interim music director, Chuck Bell, wants to get to know you and the many gifts of our community. And its for ALL AGES - children and youth are encouraged to attend.

GRACE UNITED METHODIST CHURCH

458 Ponce de Leon Ave. NE

Atlanta, GA 30308

404-876-2678

graceonponce.org

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