This week we tell our holiest story, of the passion and death and resurrection of Jesus.  It is a story that transforms us – if we let it.  It is a story of commitment, of loyalty, of ultimate love and sacrifice.  It is a story that has the power to change the world.

Deacon's Corner

Yo God, the sun peeks through the edge of the trees as it awakens this cool spring dawn. The hint of orange becomes larger and larger as the sun raises to take its place in the morning sky.  It brings warmth, and life, and laughter to the earth as birds and flowers dance in her glory.

This week we remember Your son, Jesus, and His steps through life and death. His ministry awakened the hearts and souls of so many and continues to do so each new day.
His life still brings warmth, and life, and laughter to the earth as all of Your creatures dance in Your glory. God, let us remember the gift of Your Son this Easter week. Let us remember that like the sun this morning, He too rises to take His place next to You. The music dances in my heart..."Because He lives I can face tomorrow."  Amen

Deacon Debbie

MCC Laity Awards Nomination:
The Laity of MCC presents at each General Conference awards to the Laity. Laity are non-clergy in good standing within the Fellowship who have done outstanding ministry
This year Open Arms MCC has nominated the following individuals.

Faithfulness Award:
I believe that if it were not for John W.’s faithfulness to Open Arms MCC, over the past twenty-five years plus, our doors would have closed. John is one of the founding members of Open Arms. He helped name us and continues to ensure that we do ministry with open arms. He has served on the Board of Directors for many years. He has been our bookkeeper as well as treasurer. John has also been a strong financial supporter and holds part of the note on our church mortgage. He rarely misses a Sunday and has attended many General Conferences as our lay delegate often covering his own expenses. Even when he went in for heart surgery he was concerned about who would do the bank drops and write checks while he was out. He is a man of deep faith and belief in the Church. He has been touched by God and believes in giving back to God what God has given him. John’s faithfulness is part of the foundation that is Open Arms MCC. Please honor this man for his unselfish ministry to Open Arms MCC and our Fellowship. Thank you
___________________________________________________________________
JoNee Shelton Lay Leadership Award, Social Justice, Social Action
Bess W and Anne T jumped into the fire of social justice and action without really knowing it or planning it. They wanted to get married; so they applied for a marriage license and were denied. They were the first same sex couple to do so in the city of Rochester. Still wanting to get married after being denied a license, they held their wedding on a sunny spring day in April 2004, in a small park in downtown Rochester. That morning they awoke finding their picture on the front page of the local newspaper above the fold. All the local TV stations and newspapers covered the wedding. From that moment in time, their ministry for social justice took hold.  Bess & Anne partnered with another couple in our church to develop a Social Justice team. This team has partnered with the New York State Pride Agenda for equal marriage. They offered training sessions so that others could become ambassadors for equal marriage. For the second year in a row they are signing folks up to go to Albany for Lobby Day and speak with the Governor and other government leaders. They partnered with Monroe Community College offering panel discussions. Bess worked, along with Anne’s support. to have domestic partner benefits recognized at Monroe Community College where she works. They organized an all day “Gay History” fair at our church bringing our community together. They have spoken before and met with political leaders to champion the call for justice within Rochester. Over the past three years these two women have taken Open Arms MCC down the path of ministry called social justice and action. They have taken our mission statement, Empowering People: Embracing the Journey: Changing the World: and done just that.  Please recognize and honor their faith and hope through the JoNee Shelton Lay Leadership Award for Social Justice, Social Action. Thank You

Until next time, oremus pro invicem, (let us pray for one another)

Rev. Jim

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It is no mistake that Easter comes in springtime.  As the feast of ultimate hope, it is fitting that it happens amidst the world waking from a long sleep under the snow and cold.   Each year, intellectually, we know spring will come again, but while we're going through it, we feel that winter is endless and we often get discouraged and even depressed in the darkness and lack of sunshine.  It's no surprise that we lose our sense of hope when surrounded by darkness.

Easter and the Resurrection remind us that there IS hope in the darkness.  Hope of new life, of renewal, of connection with Spirit and with others.  There is also great hope that we will rediscover ourselves and let the light of God shine through us.

Holy Week was the most wonderful and satisfying since I've been pastor.   Steve, Lu, and Gene prepared a wonderful Seder meal for Holy Thursday.   It was, all at the same time, faith-filled, instructive and fun.   For many attending, it was the first time they ever tried gefilte fish.  The evening was filled with prayer and response as well as with laughter.

Good Friday was a somber and reflective service at Tawa Pano Unity Christian Fellowship.  We had a huge turnout of Open Arms People.  One of our people described the service as "unexpectedly moving."

Easter Sunday was an incredible service.  The choir was better than ever before (and they've been GOOD before).  The joy in their faces set the tone for the service.  Our Steve has really come into his own with our choir.  The brunch after service was, as usual, very complete and satisfying.  Our thanks go to Chef Karen Lasky.  She had able assistance from Katie.  Sue W outdid herself with the countless elegant desserts she brought.  Jim and Paula joined us from Buffalo and brought an excellent home-made dessert.

Holy Thursday and Good Friday were better attended than any evening service in our history.

If you have not grabbed the hope of what God has done and continues to do for us, today is a good day to do it.  If your hope has become tarnished, today is a good day to polish it.  For us all, today is a good day to let God's love shine through us in the certainty that God is with us and loves us unrestrainedly.

And finally, a word of thanks to Terry K, our worship coordinator, who is behind the scenes each week to make sure that our weekly worship goes smoothly with all the needed participants.  Terry serves quietly, not seeking praise, but give her a word of thanks when you see her.

Rev. Jim

Deacon's Corner

Yo God, the last of the expecting Mom's did her thing.
Zoey Rose just a little bundle of four pounds was born this past Easter week.  She joins her cousins Payton Grace and Carter William within our family circle.  Birth is such a mystery and miracle gift from You.
These three little one's bring hope and faith into a world that truly needs it.
Thank You for that blessing.
Thank You  indeed, for this is the season of birth and rebirth.
This is the time when life emerges from winters deep sleep.
This is the moment that Jesus once again brings us the phenomenon of His life.
This season, this time, this moment, calls us to reaffirm our faith...
Christ has died...
Christ has risen...
Christ will come again! - Amen.

Deacon Debbie

Until next time, oremus pro invicem, (let us pray for one another)

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