The Newsletter of Jones Chapel UMC April 1, 2022
HAPPY SPRING!
We have had 2 full weeks of spring, so spring has sprung! Spring brings new beginnings. Take time to smell the roses and enjoy what God has done and is doing in your life. He loves you beyond measure!
April 17 HAPPY EASTER
Let my teaching fall like rain and my words descend like dew, like showers on new grass, like abundant rain on tender plants. Deut. 32:2
“No matter how chaotic it is, wildflowers will still spring up in the middle of nowhere.” – Sheryl Crow
So they departed and went throughthe towns, preaching the gospel and healing everywhere. ~ Luke 9:6 NKJV
Pastor Brad’s Scribbles:
Easter
Christ Jesus is alive, and because he lives, we can live also. Hallelujah!! He lives! This is the greatest day in the Christian year. EASTER, the Day of Resurrection! He is risen! He is risen indeed! Read the Mark 16:1-6 account of the resurrection.
If you look at a map of the Pacific, you’ll discover a small speck called Easter Island. It was named on Easter day in 1722 by a Dutch navigator. Because of its name, many people pay a short visit to Easter Island on Easter day. It is something of a novel experience for the people who visit Easter Island for one day. After the tour is finished, these people climb back aboard their boat and return to the mainland. Their visit to Easter is over.
Easter is not an island or a day to be visited. It is a daily experience of living with the Risen Lord! Easter is not an island but where we live every day. Easter is the heart of our Christian faith.
Easter enabled David Livingston to say, “I go through the jungles of Africa, and Jesus is by my side!” Samuel Rutherford said from his prison cell, “Jesus came into my cell last night; I was not alone.”
Easter is at the heart of our faith. The Apostle Paul felt that if there were no resurrection, there would be no basis for our faith. Remember Easter Sunday and our Sunrise service at the cemetery at 7:00 a.m. Our Easter Sunday morning celebration will be at 11 a.m.
Easter is not something we just talk about, but it is something we experience in our own lives! Don’t just visit Easter but celebrate it!! He is risen!! He is risen indeed!!
Hope to see you soon,
Pastor Brad
“The message of the cross is foolish to those who are headed for destruction! But we who are being saved know it is the very power of God” 1 Corinthians 1:18
“God proved His love on the Cross. When Christ hung, and bled, and died, it was God saying to the world, ‘I love you.'” -Billy Graham
HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO:
12-Shelia Studdard
18-Martha Rose McDowell (In Memoriam-2022)
22—Kim Farris
HAPPY ANNIVERSARY TO:
5-Larry & Evelyn Rowland (In Memoriam-2022
26-Tim & Lisa Crabtree
April Church Notes:
- Recovery: a worship service for everyone. Great music and message every Sunday at 4:45 PM in FLC 10th, & 24th.
- Sunday Eve. Worship starts at 6 PM in the Chape 10th, & 24th
- Wed. Night Bible Study 6 PM in the Chapel, 6th & 27th
- Please remember to bring Blessing Box items anytime.
- Easter basket items due April 10
- Maundy Thursday Service, 14th 6 PM
- Sunrise Service, Easter Sunday, 7 AM
- Board Mtg. 20th 6 PM
- 2nd Qtr. Mission Offering-Morning Star Ministries
- Any inspirational items you may have for the Newsletter, please give to Pastor Brad, Perry, or Leslye. Or text to Leslye at 423-506-4139. Text me your favorite Bible Verse, also. Thank you to those who have sent items.
- Any church questions, Pastor Brad. Financial questions, Kim Farris.
Important dates for your calendar:
May 3, Aug. 4, and Nov. 8 are Election Days.
Devotional: The Meaning Of Easter
Many people are wondering what Easter actually means, as the true meaning of Easter has been lost. What I can tell you is it isn’t about cute little fluffy chickens, nor does it have anything to do with Easter bunnies. It isn’t even about Easter eggs. Although an egg can represent ‘new life’ because new life hatches from the egg, and Jesus was resurrected on the third day—giving us new life in Him. But just like Christmas, the real meaning has been forgotten. For those of us who are Christians, we understand what Easter is all about. But for those who haven’t experienced this ‘new life’ in Jesus, I want to share with you the Easter story.
In Old Testament times, the priest would bring bulls, goats or a spotless lamb without any blemishes to be sacrificed as a sin offering for himself and for the people. The blood would purify and make atonement (forgive, make amends) for their sins. This was the old order of atonement. When Jesus came, He was a representation of the sacrificial lamb to take away the sins of the world. He was the final sacrifice. We no longer have to sacrifice animals to make atonement for our sins. Jesus has done this once and for all. It’s His blood that cleanses us from all sin. He was crucified on the cross (the form of execution in those days). The sin of the world was upon Him, yet He was without sin and blameless. He bore it all. This is why Jesus is referred to as the ‘Lamb of God’. He was bodily resurrected (came back to life) on the third day. He appeared to many, eating and drinking with them. He appeared to them for 40 days, then ascended (went up to) Heaven (Acts 1:1-11) (NKJV).
Be sure to read the Crucifixion story and the Resurrection story from the Bible. For further study, look at:
- Hebrews chapter 9 (NKJV)
- Leviticus chapter 4 (NKJV)
- Isaiah chapter 53 (NKJV)
If you want to read more about Jesus, click on About Jesus (Online only). © By M.S.Lowndes
JONES CHAPEL UNITED METHODIST CHURCH
Pastor Brad Brown (Jenny)
Services: 590 County Road 778, Athens, TN 37303
Parsonage: 381 CountyRoad 775, Riceville, TN 37370 423-306-0702 Pages: Jones Chapel Facebook Page; Recovery at Jones Chapel; Website: joneschapel.net
Items underlined are links for email and online newsletter info. Click on the links.
Until next month, May God bless you richly!