“As they were talking about these things.”—The two disciples who had gone to Emmaus and seen the risen Lord had returned to Jerusalem to tell the disciples there all that had happened. While the disciples are talking to each other about these resurrection appearance, Jesus stands among them and says, “Peace to you!”—Luke 24:36
Have you ever experienced a time in your life when you lost track of time—Not when you forgot what time it was, but when you were so awake, so present, that you seemed to enter a new world. Think about a time when life seemed more real than it ever had and you touched or tasted life in a way you have never experienced before. Recall a moment when your heart opened, softened, and you knew you were somehow different. Remember that day when you sensed something new was being offered you; possibilities that you did not create for yourself—They just opened-up. Reflect on that moment when you realized that everything was OK, and you could again start to live.
These are the moments when Christ opens our eyes and our minds to understand. They are moments of awe and wonder that leave us in sacred silence. They fill our eyes with tears. We weep, not from sorrow or pain, but because we gain a breath of new life. They are the moments in which we say, “I never want this to end”—”I don’t ever want to leave this place.” In each of those moments the one who is fully alive and risen, Jesus the Christ, is calling us to see and recognize him, to join him, and to discover and accept our new lives in Him. This is the authentic self we long to become, the self that we were created to be, and the self we are becoming. This is living a resurrected life.
Join us this week at Sedona United Methodist Church as the Rev. Fred Mast continues a series of Easter messages in a message entitled “Living a Resurrected Life” as we continue our post-resurrection Easter celebrations. Sunday mornings we enter the spirit of worship at 9:30 am featuring uplifting music, special times of prayer and passionate life changing messages designed to move you closer in your relationship with Jesus Christ and others. Immediately following worship, you are encouraged and invited to stay and join us in our Fellowship Hall for the friendliest and best fellowship time anywhere featuring delicious snacks and great coffee and always friendship.
You are invited! —To our “Second Friday – Family Movie Night” TONIGHT, April 13th –Beginning at 6 PM. We will be serving a delicious dinner (so come hungry) followed by our featured movie “Let There Be Light” an emotional story of the world’s greatest atheist who finds his purpose and faith after a near death experience. Starring Kevin Sorbo, written by Dan Gordon and Sam Sorbo and featuring the music of Dionne Warwick. This is a FREE event as always so invite, pick up, and bring your friends and family—and of course we will also have amazing desserts, movie popcorn, nacho’s and great movie snacks.
On Saturday, April 14th and again on Sunday, April 15th our beautiful sanctuary will be filled with celestial sound! SUMC is hosting the Third Annual Piano on the Rocks International Festival for two concerts with the theme “The Divine – Myths, Magic and Mysteries through Music and Literature. Tickets for both events will be available at the door and more information can be found at www.pianoontherocks.org. You are encouraged to attend both performances, as the program is different each afternoon. Both performances begin at 3:00 PM. Don’t miss a moment of this extraordinary amazing music.
We offer a number of book and bible studies: Wednesday’s our Men’s Bible Study at 9am; and Thursday’s our Women’s Bible Study at 9:45am. So many great missions, ministries and events happening at Sedona UMC—Visit our website at us on www.sedonaumc.org and “Like” us on Facebook. We would love to pray for you!—Prayer requests may be submitted online or by calling us at 928-282-1780. We are conveniently located at 110 Indian Cliffs Road off the Back O’Beyond roundabout on Route 179 in Sedona. Come and grow with us!
