Whoever does not carry the cross and follow me cannot be my disciple.
Luke 14:27 (NRSV)
It may be hard for an egg to turn into a bird: it would be a jolly sight harder for it to learn to fly while remaining an egg.
We are like eggs at present. And you cannot go on indefinitely being just an ordinary, decent egg. We must be hatched or go bad.
C.S. Lewis
Did it have to be like this?
Did Jesus need to die, and if so, why?
Holy Week is a time for each of us who seek to be Jesus’s disciples to place ourselves in these stories, whether or not we counted the cost before we began to follow. I can provide you with the best answers to the above questions I have encountered in my studies, prayers, and experiences, but it’s up to each of us to work out our salvation with fear and trembling. Search the scriptures, spend time in contemplation of the cross, and reflect on these tremendous mysteries this week.
I find the above excerpt from C.S. Lewis’s Mere Christianity to be a helpful reminder of what Jesus himself taught while he was with us. He reminded those with him that unless the grain of wheat fell to the earth and died, there could be no bountiful multiplication. Unless the egg cracks and the bird is born, there can be no flight. Without Good Friday there can be no Easter, yet what a cost. What a price.
Over the next two days, I will share materials for home worship for both Maundy Thursday and Good Friday for you to travel deeper into the mystery of salvation, even at home. I pray you will make time to recommit yourself to the work of discipleship. Remember: God’s grace is free but it’s not cheap. Take up your cross with the intention to carry it until the end.
Keep the Faith,
Pastor Ben
Announcements
Easter Morning Worship Schedule
We will once again have a sunrise prayer service on Easter morning in the Memorial Garden. Sunrise is officially at 6:38am, so we will seek to begin our service just a little before then at 6:30am.
The 10:30am service will likely be our best attended since last March, but rest assured we will have safe space and ventilation for everyone who desires to participate in person to come. I believe there may be an Egg Hunt for our youngest disciples, also, but weather or other considerations could stand in the way of that. Parents – please stay posted for another message soon.
Continuing Coffee Hour Over Zoom
Laura Newton will host a weekly time of conversation and connection at 11:30 am after our worship service each week. Login available at 11:15am or conclusion of worship, whichever is later.
Here is a link to that time –
https://zoom.us/j/97755587686?pwd=NVdETlJhTmZncmpCdi85UUJOanJLUT09
If you have questions or need help, you can ask Pastor Ben or Laura. Don’t be shy, you are missed and a part of this church family, too!
New Upper Rooms are Available in the Church Office
The new Upper Room Daily Devotionals are also available now. If you’d like to pick yours up, Gretchen is in the church office from 9am-noon Tuesday – Friday each week. Please call ahead so she can set whatever you are picking up out for you.
Staying Connected
You will find every newsletter, worship service, devotional, and additional material posted to our Facebook page:
https://www.facebook.com/FlemingtonUnitedMethodist/
Even if you don’t use Facebook, you can access everything we have there. If you do have a Facebook account, “like” to follow our page and be notified when new things are posted or when videos are about to go live so you don’t miss anything.
Coffee Hour is a time of sharing after Sunday morning worship hosted by Laura Newton at approximately 11:30am. All are welcome!
If you have any difficulties accessing any of those links, please reply to this message or call the church office at (908)782-1070 and we will get you connected right away.
Lost and Found