Next Sunday, Oct. 6, on the feast of St. Francis of Assisi, everyone is invited to join their animal companions for a worship service celebrating the many joys brought to us by our animal friends and the creatures of the natural world. We will meet under the tent at 10:30 A.M.

Our 8:30 A.M. service will be traditional with Holy Communion, inside the church.

Direct us, O Lord God, in all our doings with your continual help, that in all our works, begun, continued, and ended in you, we may glorify your holy name; and finally, by your mercy, bring us to everlasting life, through Jesus Christ, our Savior and Lord.  Amen

Almighty God, you sent your Holy Spirit to be the life and light of your church.  Open our hearts to the riches of your grace, that we may be ready to receive you wherever you appear, through Jesus Christ, our Savior and Lord. Amen

School supplies – We are collecting school supplies for the students of our neighbor, Austin Elementary School. There’s a list of recommended items in the entryway, or you can internet search for “Weatherford ISD school supply list”.  The school nurse also appreciates child-size socks and underpants.

This is Christ’s church.

There is a place for you here.
We are the church that shares a living, daring confidence in God’s grace. Liberated by our faith, we embrace you as a whole person — questions, complexities and all. Join us as we do God’s work in Christ’s name for the life of the world.

Almighty God, your blessed Son, our Savior Jesus Christ, ascended far above all heavens that he might fill all things.
Mercifully give us faith to trust that, as he promised, Jesus abides with us on earth to the end of time.
It is he who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen.

O Lord God, you teach us that without love, our actions gain nothing.
Pour into our hearts your most excellent gift of love,
that, made alive by your Spirit, we may know goodness and peace,
through your Son, Jesus Christ, our  Savior and Lord,
who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit,
one God, now and forever. Amen

“You have turned my mourning into dancing;
you have taken off my sackcloth and clothed me with joy,
so that my soul may praise you and not be silent.
O Lord my God, I will give thanks to you forever.”
(Psalm 30:11-12)

Early on the first day of the week, while it was still dark, Mary Mag’dalene came to the tomb and saw that the stone had been removed from the tomb. 2 So she ran and went to Simon Peter and the other disciple, the one whom Jesus loved, and said to them, “They have taken the Lord out of the tomb, and we do not know where they have laid him.” 3 Then Peter and the other disciple set out and went toward the tomb. 4 The two were running together, but the other disciple outran Peter and reached the tomb first. 5 He bent down to look in and saw the linen wrappings lying there, but he did not go in. 6 Then Simon Peter came, following him, and went into the tomb. He saw the linen wrappings lying there, 7 and the cloth that had been on Jesus’ head, not lying with the linen wrappings but rolled up in a place by itself. 8 Then the other disciple, who reached the tomb first, also went in, and he saw and believed; 9 for as yet they did not understand the scripture, that he must rise from the dead. 10 Then the disciples returned to their homes.

11 But Mary stood weeping outside the tomb. As she wept, she bent over to look into the tomb; 12 and she saw two angels in white, sitting where the body of Jesus had been lying, one at the head and the other at the feet. 13 They said to her, “Woman, why are you weeping?” She said to them, “They have taken away my Lord, and I do not know where they have laid him.” 14 When she had said this, she turned around and saw Jesus standing there, but she did not know that it was Jesus. 15 Jesus said to her, “Woman, why are you weeping? Whom are you looking for?” Supposing him to be the gardener, she said to him, “Sir, if you have carried him away, tell me where you have laid him, and I will take him away.” 16 Jesus said to her, “Mary!” She turned and said to him in Hebrew, “Rabbou’ni!” (which means Teacher). 17 Jesus said to her, “Do not hold on to me, because I have not yet ascended to the Father. But go to my brothers and say to them, “I am ascending to my Father and your Father, to my God and your God.'” 18 Mary Mag’dalene went and announced to the disciples, “I have seen the Lord”; and she told them that he had said these things to her.   [John 20:1-18]

We have entered the most sacred week of the year in the Christian life. While we go forward with hearts full of confidence in God’s promises, on Thursday and Friday we worship with solemn attention to Jesus’ Passion, his suffering and death.

Maundy Thursday, April 18, 7:00 p.m.
It could be called “commandment” Thursday; on Maundy Thursday we will focus on the last supper Jesus shared with his disciples and his command to them that they love one another as he has loved them.

Good Friday, April 19, 7:00 p.m.
At this solemn service we remember our savior Jesus’ crucifixion and death and his final words from the cross. We will worship with reverence and conclude listening to “Were You There” sung in darkness.

EASTER SUNDAY, April 21
Christ is risen! We announce it to one another and to the world on Sunday morning. God’s love for us is boundless.

Sunrise Service with candles and Holy Communion, 7:00 a.m.
Potluck Easter breakfast, 8:30 a.m.
Egg hunt for the kids, 9:30 a.m.
Easter Festival Worship, with Holy Communion, 10:30 a.m.

Join us at Messiah on Wednesday evenings in Lent
at 6:00 for a light soup supper, devotions,
and a look at Jesus in the movies.