The story of Jesus’ earthly ministry began in heaven when he left and came to earth. The story began with contention and ends with ascension, began with incarnation and ends with exaltation, began with expectation and ends with consummation. It began with the Son of God being born of a virgin, descending to earth, and it ends with the Son of God being risen from the dead ascending to heaven. The story began with hope unrealized and ends with hope fully realized. It began with a promise and ends with a fulfillment and a new promise. The story began with praise and worship, and it continues in that same way today.
We have come from the beginning to the end of Jesus’ earthly life and ministry, and in between is the incomparable magisterial history of his life, his teaching, his miracles, his rejection, his death and resurrection – a history scribed by Luke and Matthew, Mark and John as well. But Luke is given the privilege of recording in detail the culminating event of Jesus’ time here on earth—The Ascension. It’s how Luke ends his Gospel, and it’s how he begins his next volume of history and expectation called the book of Acts.
Luke tells the story of Christ on earth; Acts tells the story of the coming of the Holy Spirit and the fulfillment of the Great Commission in the birth of the church. Join us this week at Sedona United Methodist Church as Rev. Fred Mast continues a series of Easter season sermons in a message entitled, “The End of the Beginning”. Sunday mornings we enter the spirit of worship at 9:30 a.m. featuring meaningful times of prayer, joyous music, and life messages that will help move you closer in your relationship with Christ. Our worship is upbeat and lively, and spirit filled!
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.
Join us for an inspirational study based on Max Lucado’s book entitled “Grace: More Than We Deserve—Greater Than We Imagine” continuing each Tuesday through June 18th. We will be offering two times and locations—10:30am at the Church (110 Indian Cliffs Rd.) & 2pm at “The Gathering Place” (1835 W. State Rte. 89A) in West Sedona. The entire community is encouraged and welcomed to attend—Please Call the church office for more details (928)282-1780.
We offer several weekly 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. All are welcome at Sedona UMC—Come and grow with us!
