Preparing for Sunday
Loneliness, depression, and anger - those are widespread in our society today. They are caused by feelings that no one cares, that we have no power over our lives, and that we have been hurt by others.
Over a sixth of Americans take anti-anxiety drugs because of their fears. Almost one in five take anti-depression drugs to feel happier. And we only need to look at our news and Facebook to see how widespread anger is.
And there is a certain truth behind these feelings. We are mostly anonymous, nameless people with few people who even know our names - at least compared to the celebrities we see on television and on our Facebook feeds. After all, how do we compare, with a couple hundred people who know us when there are people who are known to tens of millions of people?
We are sad because our lives don’t have what other’s lives have. We don’t travel to islands in the Caribbean, we don’t own fancy cars, we don’t wear heavy gold and rubies around our necks. Our homes don’t have in-ground swimming pools and we don’t have maids and butlers and gardeners. We cook for ourselves. Our lives are dull compared to the lives we see on our television shows.
And we are angry because we don’t have the things other people have. We are angry because we pay a quarter of our income or more in taxes. We are angry because prices keep rising as fast or faster than our incomes.
And this is an interesting historical fact. Even those of us who receive payments from the government and don’t earn any money on our own are wealthier than the average person of 150 years ago, and our individual poverty level income today - about $15,000 a year - is five times higher than the household income of half the people in the world, which is just under $3,000 a year.
So why are we upset?
Because we focus on other people and what they have. At the root of our troubles is envy. And forgetting our blessings.
For each of us is loved and blessed by God the Father. Each of us has access to speak to the Father because of the sacrifice of Jesus Christ the Son, who died on the cross to defeat death for each one of us. Each of us has the chance to receive the gentle, guiding whisper of the Holy Spirit through our belief in Jesus and our baptism. And if we do this, we will live eternally.
So look outside at the sunshine or the life-giving rain and be glad, joyful, and have peace. For it will all be okay if we focus on our relationship with God instead of focusing upon those we envy.
Personal
Saundra had her follow-up appointments from her hospital stay this week. Monday was the cardiologist. We met with the smart and delightful Dr. Brittany Cox, who listened well and laughed with Saundra and gave her a lightweight heart monitor to wear for a week. (The device is smaller and lighter than a cell phone, and even comes with an app for a phone.) I mowed the yard for the first time this year, because Monday was the only day without rain expected.
On Tuesday was an appointment with Saundra’s GP, Dr. Daniel Shank. As usual, he was efficient and fun, checking on what happened at the hospital and keeping an eye on any possible issues.
And then, both Saundra and I were into the research and the writing of our sermons, for she is speaking at Vaught Chapel this morning at 10 AM to a women’s retreat (There is still time to go if you hurry.)
And here comes the rain again this week. Stay dry!
Weekly Schedule
· Sundays, 9:00 AM – Worship at Vaught Chapel with Facebook Live. Sunday School follows
· Sundays, 9:00 AM – Radio broadcast of previous week’s sermon, WVVV-FM 96.9 FM. Also available on Tune-in App and in emailed podcast.
· Sundays, 9:30 AM – Sunday School at Cedar Grove UMC
· Sundays, 10:30 AM – Worship at Cedar Grove UMC with Facebook Live.
· Sundays, 2:00 PM – Worship at Cedar Grove Assisted Living (Except 3rd Sundays)
· Sundays, 6:00 PM - Questions and Answers with light meal in Fellowship Hall
· Mondays, 7:00 PM - Help & Hope - Support Group for parents of addicts at Cedar Grove UMC
· Wednesdays, 7:00 PM – Bible Study and Discussion at Cedar Grove UMC
Monthly Meetings
· 1st Tuesday, 9:00 AM – Breakfast at Cheryl’s, all welcome
· 1st Tuesday, 7:00 PM – Amateur Radio Club Meeting, Cedar Grove UMC
· 2nd Thursdays, 12:30 PM – United Methodist Women, Cedar Grove UMC
· 3rd Mondays, 10:00 AM – CEOS Service Group, Cedar Grove UMC
· 3rd Thursdays, 6:00 PM – CEOS Group, Vaught Chapel
· 4th Monday, 7:00 PM, Odd -numbered months – Administrative Council, Vaught Chapel
· Last Tuesday, 6:30 PM – Finance Committee, Cedar Grove
· Last Tuesday, 7:00 PM – Administrative Council, Cedar Grove
· 4th Thursday, - Gideon’s, Cedar Grove – See Brooks Layman for details
Special Upcoming Events
Saturday, April 20, 5:30 pm - Community dinner at Vaught Chapel. All welcome!
Sermon
“Receiving Joy” is the sermon this week. Perhaps the biggest effect of Jesus’ appearances to the disciples the first couple weeks after the Resurrection was the complete change in their attitude. And it should have much the same effect upon us.
Readings
First Reading – Acts 3:12-19 - Peter preaches to a group at the Temple
Psalm – Psalm 4 - the Lord hears when we call
Epistle – 1 John 3:1-7 - We are children of God!
Gospel – Luke 24:36-48 - Jesus appears to the disciples
Songs
Warmup Song “Trading My Sorrows” SCREEN WoF
Vaught – “Happiness” Blue 116
Praise Song: – “Joyful, Joyful” UMH 89
Hymn: “Rejoice the Lord is King” UMH 715
Vaught – “Jesus, the Very Thought of Thee” UMH 175
Hymn: “Surely the Presence” UMH 328
Vaught “Behold, What Manner of Love” Blue 115
Closing Hymn – “When We All Get to Heaven” UMH 701
Vaught – “He Lives” Green 164