We had Science Week with the Explorers. We started the week with the movie “Cloudy With a Chance of Meatballs” to have some fun with the science side. Kaitlyn came and taught about God parting the Red Sea and did an experiment that showed pepper separating in water when dish soap is added. We examined our fingerprints to see how God had made each one of us unique. We talked about the wind and how it relates to God’s love. We can’t see it but we can see the effects of it, and we played with bubbles to see this in action.
Midweek Meal & Activities
Our Wednesday evening fellowship meal and bible studies are going great! Let’s keep the momentum going, inviting others to join us and enjoying the deepening of our fellowship.
Please spread the word. And remember, preschoolers and college students’ meals are free, grades 1 to 12 are $7, and adults are $11. Join us!
REMINDER: Reservations must be made before noon on Mondays.
Below is the schedule for our Wednesday evening activities:
The meal begins at 5:30 p.m. each Wednesday. Group time begins approximately 6:10 p.m. and goes to 6:45 p.m. This group time is for college students and adults.
Our youth will meet from 6:10 to 7:00 p.m. in the youth room.
Our children also meet from 6:10 to 7:00 p.m, and they will be in the children’s department for a devotional, activity and play time.
Choir rehearsal follows at 7:00 p.m.
We can’t wait to see you on Wednesday evening!
Holy Week Schedule
Holy Week Worship Schedule
April 13: Palm Sunday (includes children's processional)
April 16: There will be no meal or services in deference to Maundy Thursday.
April 17: Maundy Thursday Service at 6:00 p.m. Choir will rehearse at 7:00 p.m.
April 18: Join the Good Friday Service at John’s Episcopal Church at noon.
April 20: Resurrection Sunday. 7:00 a.m. at the park, hosted by Sylva United Methodist Church.
10:30 a.m. Holy Easter service begins following morning Bible study.
Mission Moment 4.9.25
Rick Burnette
CBF Field Personnel, Immokalee, Fla.
“Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance. Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything.” – James 1:2-4
I’m not going to lie. These are challenging times. Now in our early 60s, Ellen and I have entered an interesting stage of life. We lost one parent recently and the surviving three are very elderly and increasingly frail. We feel the pain of hardships being faced by our adult children. And our farmworker neighbors in Immokalee are caught between a rock and a hard place with unbearable conditions in their homelands while facing increased hostility in the United States.
The world is on fire and it’s easy to slip into some stage of despair. Despair desiccates the soul and can paralyze efforts related to my role as a husband, son, dad, grandad, neighbor, coworker and missionary. As I am not immune from despair, its prevention requires intentionality.
Joy is the opposite of despair. Joy is the antidote to despair. I used to think that joy was mostly serendipitous. But I’ve come to realize that as much as I might choose to expect despair, I can also nurture joy.
My black and brown friends are teaching me about joy. In recent years I’ve become familiar with the term “Black joy.”
In a January 24, 2024, Center for Action and Contemplation post, African American theologian and teacher, Barbara Holmes, asserted that resilience is needed for our current circumstances, along with a “steadfast belief that joy is a healing inner event and a spiritual practice.”
I confess that I’ve been holding out on joy. Unless things were just right in my personal universe, I reserved the right to express thankfulness and entertain the possibility of joy. Joy is not merely passively received. It’s within reach. And it’s necessary for a healthy spiritual ecosystem, allowing us to engage with a world of need and opportunity.
or me, joy has three key precursors: gratitude, awe and positive action. Gratitude is doable. Counting blessings isn’t a heavy lift, starting with the low-hanging fruit of family, health, vocation and the natural beauty that surrounds me.
Thankfully, awe comes quite easily in my usual outdoor settings. During morning walks, I am awestruck by the sunrise grandeur. The stained glass of dawn—orange, gold and pink clouds—never fails to generate wonderment. Routine garden activities induce awe as I observe everyday botanical miracles: germination, emergence, growth, flowering and fruit formation.
Even though our work is heavy, despair-destroying joy is often derived alongside coworkers, in the presence of the least of these. Lord, bless those with whom I’m privileged to rub shoulder
The American congressman and civil rights leader, John Lewis, summed it up best:
“Do not get lost in a sea of despair. Be hopeful, be optimistic. Our struggle is not the struggle of a day, a week, a month, or a year, it is the struggle of a lifetime. Never, ever be afraid to make some noise and get in good trouble, necessary trouble.”
Yes, there’s also that good trouble—necessary trouble—that awaits us all, if we dare.
Pray, Practice, Ponder
Walk prayerfully and meditatively along the street, in the woods, or in the garden. Allow awe, presented in any manner, to penetrate your senses to be recognized within your mind and soul. Offer it back to God in gratitude.
Pray. . .Give. . .Go.
Maundy Thursday Service
Holy Week is upon us. A significant scheduling difference involves Wednesday and Thursday of next week. On Wednesday, April 16, there will be NO evening activities at church, including choir rehearsal.
On Thursday, April 17 at 6:00 p.m., we will gather in the sanctuary for a time of worship, as we commemorate our Lord’s inaugural communion. As you know, Maundy Thursday is the catalyst for Good Friday, Holy Saturday, and Glorious Easter. The service will be live-streamed.
On Maundy Thursday, we’ll observe the Lord's table through intinction. If coming forward presents a barrier to participation, the elements can easily be brought to you.
At approximately 6:45, the service will conclude and choir rehearsal will follow at 7:00 p.m.
Giving the Jesus Way
United Christian Ministries is in need of: canned soup, canned chicken and Boost. To donate items, please drop them off at UCM’s building at 191 Skyland Drive. Thank you!
Holy Week Schedule
Holy Week Worship Schedule
April 13: Palm Sunday (includes children's processional)
April 16: There will be no meal or services in deference to Maundy Thursday.
April 17: Maundy Thursday Service at 6:00 p.m. Choir will rehearse at 7:00 p.m.
April 18: Join the Good Friday Service at John’s Episcopal Church at noon.
April 20: Resurrection Sunday. 7:00 a.m. at the park, hosted by Sylva United Methodist Church.
10:30 a.m. Holy Easter service begins following morning Bible study.
Giving the Jesus Way
United Christian Ministries is in need of: canned soup, canned chicken and Boost. To donate items, please drop them off at UCM’s building at 191 Skyland Drive. Thank you!
1st Explorers After-School Ministry Update
This week we celebrated a little bit of women’s history month by learning about Queen Esther and Mary Magdalene. Generation Kids came and taught on “Love Never Fails” with a story based on the Good Samaritan. We ended the week with another field trip to City Lights Bookstore. We got to tour the store, pet the store cat, and they had a section where the kids got to pick some free books!
Midweek Meal & Activities
Our Wednesday evening fellowship meal and bible studies are going great! Let’s keep the momentum going, inviting others to join us and enjoying the deepening of our fellowship.
Please spread the word. And remember, preschoolers and college students’ meals are free, grades 1 to 12 are $7, and adults are $11. Join us!
REMINDER: Reservations must be made before noon on Mondays.
Below is the schedule for our Wednesday evening activities:
The meal begins at 5:30 p.m. each Wednesday. Group time begins approximately 6:10 p.m. and goes to 6:45 p.m. This group time is for college students and adults.
Our youth will meet from 6:10 to 7:00 p.m. in the youth room.
Our children also meet from 6:10 to 7:00 p.m, and they will be in the children’s department for a devotional, activity and play time.
Choir rehearsal follows at 7:00 p.m.
We can’t wait to see you on Wednesday evening!