APRIL 2020 EDITION
THE WOODLANDS UMC
POINT WHAT EASTER STANDS FOR “Where, O death, is your victory? Where, O death, is your sting? The sting of death is sin, and the power of sin is the law. But thanks be to God! He gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.” — 1 Corinthians 15:55-57 Once again we find ourselves celebrating the Day of Resurrection, simply known to Christians around the world as Easter! This season represents the cornerstone of our faith, and the foundation on which all our beliefs are built. Easter stands for victory! It stands for several kinds of victory. In the first place, it stands for the victory of life over death. Everything we know about life seems to indicate that God intends to have the last word, and Easter proves it. The early explorers dispelled the ancient belief that if you sailed far enough on the ocean you would come to the place where the world sloped downhill, and ships would slide down into the abyss and be destroyed by monsters. But when these explorers returned with proof that other worlds existed beyond their horizons, it ended that theory once and for all, because they had gone where no person had ever gone before and returned. The resurrection marked the end of our misconception of death in exactly the same way. Why? Because Jesus had gone beyond the grave and returned alive! Easter stands for the victory of goodness over evil. When Jesus was betrayed, he continued to love; when he was denied he continued to be loyal; and when he was crucified he continued to be forgiving. The message of Easter reminds us that even these kinds of evil do not have the last word. Goodness has the last word. Even though the priest and government officials conspired to put Jesus to death, God restored him to life. And lastly, Easter stands for the victory of hope over fear. It is safe to say that the oldest hope of the human race is that life would continue beyond death. Primitive cultures as well as advanced civilizations have cherished that same hope. Ancient graves and even the great Pyramids contain food stored away for the journey into the next world, indicating our obsession with the unknown. The resurrection marks the victory of that hope over our fears. In John Masefield’s play, “The Trial of Jesus,” Pilate’s wife asks the Roman centurion, “Do you think he (Jesus) is dead?” The centurion replies: “No lady, I don’t” “Then where is he?” she persists. The centurion answers, “Let loose in the world, lady, where neither Roman nor Jew can stop his truth.” “Where, O death, is your victory? Where, O death, is your sting?”
A MESSAGE FROM
CLIFF RITTER
PASTOR TO SENIOR ADULTS
God is doing great things among us! It’s a simple proclamation of an elementary truth. If we look closely, we see God at work in our community, in our church, and in our families. God moves in ways that are grand, and in ways that are almost imperceptible. In both cases, our best strategy is to ride the wave that follows in the wake of God’s work. I always rejoice when I see God at work doing the big things of God, especially when those things yield life impacting results. We celebrate the victories we find when God shows up in a big way. But, I have come to appreciate the small moves of God even more intensely. When we sense the presence of God it gives us clarity of thought and spirit. We may not see the path, but we know God directs our every step. It is an act of faith that allows us to persevere, to press on toward the goal, to ultimately overcome. God is good, all the time! In great victories, and in small gains that build our trust day by day, God is good. I trust you are celebrating a glorious Easter this year! As you read this newsletter, you are either planning all the events of Easter around your house, or you are basking in the wonderful experience of Resurrection Sunday. I know one thing for sure, our church does Easter well! I hope you have been able to enjoy all the moments celebrated in the church. They draw us near to God. At the orchard, Easter marks the last and final guarantee that the freezing weather is behind us. At least the Almanac says we are done with winter. The seedlings are ready to be planted. In addition to the fruit trees, I hope to get some red potatoes in the ground early this year. Of course, I always attempt to grow my tomato crop in containers at my house. I think we should have a contest to see who can grow the biggest tomato this year. I’m always a fan of the “Big Boy” but you may have a secret seed stash. Challenge made and accepted! Well, it’s on to Spring in earnest! I pray for our families, each and every day. Celebrate every day, as a gift from God designed just for you! With grace and peace,
Bishop Hayes, Bishop in Residence
Photo submitted by Jean Drummond with The Woodlands Camera Club.
Cliff Ritter