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Weekly Update

Bethesda UCC

April 3, 2024

Last Sunday's Worship

Easter Sunday

"Look Up!"

Sunday's Easter service was a glorious celebration of the Risen Christ. A trumpet announced the beginning of service and joined in with several of the hymns we sang. We flowered the cross, turning it from a weapon of torture and death into a symbol of life.

Our scripture was from Mark's gospel; a short account of the women arriving at the tomb to anoint Jesus' body and finding the heavy stone rolled away, no sign of Jesus' body, and a strange man in a white robe who tells them "He is not here" and "he has risen." The angelic being instructs them to go tell the disciples to go to Galilee, where Jesus waits for them.

Unfortunately, the short ending of Mark accuses the women of being too afraid to tell the disciples. The longer version says that Mary Magdalene tells them, but they don't believe her. But we know that somehow the disciples were told. Later gospels like John, describe Mary seeing Jesus, telling the disciples, and two of them investigating the empty tomb.

The important thing is that the word got out and everything changed. It is important for us to remember that Jesus' resurrection is not the end of the story. It is the beginning of the story of our relationship with the resurrected Christ, the begining of the story of the church, and the beginning of our involvement in Jesus' mission.

So let's hear it for new beginnings. I pray that this Easter season (from now until Pentecost!) blooms with possibility and blessings for all.

Maundy Thursday

We celebrated the Last Supper around the dining table then moved through the garden to remember Jesus' betrayal, trial, crucifixion, and burial. Big thanks to the worship team for a huge effort setting up and cleaning up and to Bette and Jim for supplying the fabulous Middle Eastern food!

Palestinian Egg Dying

We prepared eggs with small sprigs of herbs and flowers, secured them with nylons, then they were boiled with onion skins. The eggs were distributed at Easter Sunday service. A Big THANKS to Marla and Leo who supplied everything and then boiled all the eggs!

Pastor's Message

What's Going On at BUCC?

With Spring comes new blooms, lighter afternoons, new birth, and new beginnings. Lots is bursting forth at BUCC! Our established teams are working on all those things we expect of them -- worship, education, sharing, trustees, congregational care, welcoming, etc. But, with the advent of our strategic plan, we have additional things going on!

Also, it has been a while since we've had a church breakfast/brunch where we can all socialize and catch up with each other. After church coffee hour is great, but it is always good to have an opportunity to sit down and share with each other.

So, on Sunday, April 21st we will gather together after worship to share a meal and share what's going on, not only in our church, but in our lives. And although we will ask for updates on what is happening in the church, especially in the ad-hoc groups that are planning activities -- we won't be building flip charts or doing group work, and I won't be facilitating anything! (YAY)

Carla has generously offered to doff her chef's hat and create her magic in the kitchen. We ask only that you sign up, so she knows how many to cook for, and that you donate $3.00 cash toward the expense of the food.

So, make sure you come to worship that day (I promise a good sermon) and stay for brunch! It will be well worth it!

Blessings

Pastor Jill

Bethesda UCC