OUR WEEK — MAY 2ND - MAY 8TH

REMINDERS —
WEDNESDAY, APRIL 28TH —
AD COUNCIL MEETING ~ ADAIR U.M.C. - 6:30 P.M.
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THURSDAY, APRIL 29TH —
T.T.T. #2 - 9:30 TO 10:30 A.M.
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SATURDAY, MAY 1ST — MAY DAY!In days gone by, children often celebrated May Day with
a Maypole Dance. Cinco de Mayo (5th of May) is another holiday
celebrated with a "Maypole." It commemorates the
Mexican army's victory over French forces May 5, 1862.
Cinco de Mayo is observed in the United States and
around the world as a celebration of Mexican heritage
and pride.
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SUNDAY, MAY 2ND
IT IS STILL EASTER!
5TH SUNDAY OF EASTER
COLOR: WHITE
WE HAVE COMMUNION TODAYWhile last week focused more on "actions" or even
"stuff we do," this week focuses on relationships.
The Spirit's work is all about calling us into
relationship with people we had never imagined
being connected to. Are there people, some in
our congregation have been hesitant to live with,
or to serve, or to love?
SCRIPTURE READINGS:
ACTS 11:1-18
(The Message)
We hear both the hesitation of some in the Christian
community to offer love, service, and full recognition
to non-Jewish believers. Peter testifies about his
experience of being called to share the gospel with
non-circumcised believers and about the undeniable
work of the Holy Spirit in and through them.
1 The news traveled fast and in no time the leaders
and friends back in Jerusalem heard about it - heard
that the non-Jewish "outsiders" were now "in."
2 When Peter got back to Jerusalem, some of his old
associates, concerned about circumcision, called him
on the carpet:
3 "What do you think you're doing rubbing shoulders
with that crowd, eating what is prohibited and ruining
our good name?"
4 So Peter, starting from the beginning, laid it out for
them step-by-step:
5 "Recently I was in the town of Joppa praying. I fell
into a trance and saw a vision: Something like a huge
blanket, lowered by ropes at its four corners, came
down out of heaven and settled on the ground in front
of me.
6 Milling around on the blanket were farm animals,
wild animals, reptiles, birds - you name it, it was there.
Fascinated, I took it all in.
7 "Then I heard a voice: 'Go to it, Peter - kill and eat.'8 I said, 'Oh, no, Master. I've never so much as tasted
food that wasn't kosher.'
9 The voice spoke again: 'If God says it's okay, it's okay.'
10 This happened three times, and then the blanket
was pulled back up into the sky.
11 "Just then three men showed up at the house where
I was staying, sent from Caesarea to get me.
12 The Spirit told me to go with them, no questions
asked. So I went with them, I and six friends, to the
man who had sent for me.
13 He told us how he had seen an angel right in his
own house, real as his next-door neighbor, saying,
'Send to Joppa and get Simon, the one they call Peter.
14 He'll tell you something that will save your life -
in fact, you and everyone you care for.'
15 "So I started in, talking. Before I'd spoken half a
dozen sentences, the Holy Spirit fell on them just as
he did on us the first time.
16 I remembered Jesus' words: 'John baptized with
water; you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit.'
17 So I ask you: If God gave the same exact gift to
them as to us when we believed in the Master Jesus
Christ, how could I object to God?"
18 Hearing it all laid out like that, they quieted down.
And then, as it sank in, they started praising God.
"It's really happened! God has broken through to the
other nations, opened them up to Life!"
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PSALM 148 (UMH 861)
(The Message)
All orders of creation, living and inanimate,
are called to praise God.1 Hallelujah! Praise God from heaven, praise him from
the mountaintops;2 Praise him, all you his angels, praise him, all you his
warriors,3 Praise him, sun and moon, praise him, you morning
stars;4 Praise him, high heaven, praise him, heavenly rain
clouds;5 Praise, oh let them praise the name of God - he spoke
the word, and there they were!
6 He set them in place from all time to eternity; He gave
his orders, and that's it!
7 Praise God from earth, you sea dragons,
you fathomless ocean deeps;
8 Fire and hail, snow and ice, hurricanes obeying his
orders;
9 Mountains and all hills, apple orchards and cedar
forests;
10 Wild beasts and herds of cattle, snakes, and birds
in flight;11 Earth's kings and all races, leaders and important
people,12 Robust men and women in their prime, and yes,
graybeards and little children.13 Let them praise the name of God - it's the only
Name worth praising. His radiance exceeds anything
in earth and sky;
14 he's built a monument - his very own people!
Praise from all who love God! Israel's children,
intimate friends of God. Hallelujah!
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REVELATION 21:1-6
(The Message)
God makes a final home among mortals on a new
earth in a new universe.
1 I saw Heaven and earth new-created. Gone the first
Heaven, gone the first earth, gone the sea.
2 I saw Holy Jerusalem, new-created, descending
resplendent out of Heaven, as ready for God as a bride
for her husband.
3 I heard a voice thunder from the Throne: "Look! Look!
God has moved into the neighborhood, making his
home with men and women! They're his people, he's
their God.
4 He'll wipe every tear from their eyes. Death is gone
for good - tears gone, crying gone, pain gone - all the
first order of things gone."
5 The Enthroned continued, "Look! I'm making
everything new. Write it all down - each word
dependable and accurate."
6 Then he said, "It's happened. I'm A to Z. I'm the
Beginning, I'm the Conclusion. From Water-of-Life
Well I give freely to the thirsty.
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JOHN 13:31-35
(The Message)
Jesus washes the disciples' feet, and exhorts them
to humility and charity. It is likely that Christ arose
near the beginning of the Passover Meal, washed
their feet, and then sat down again. He said "One
of you will betray Me." As Jesus heads toward the
events leading to his execution, he gives his
disciples a new commandment:
"Love one another as I have loved you."
31 When Judas had left, Jesus said, "Now the Son
of Man is seen for who he is, and God seen for who
he is in him. The moment God is seen in him,
32 God's glory will be on display. In glorifying him,
he himself is glorified - glory all around!
33 "Children, I am with you for only a short time longer.
You are going to look high and low for me. But just as
I told the Jews, I'm telling you: 'Where I go, you are not
able to come.'34 "Let me give you a new command: Love one another.
In the same way I loved you, you love one another.
35 This is how everyone will recognize that you are my
disciples -
when they see the love you have for each other."
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MONDAY, MAY 3RD —
Pastor Lynn's and Naomi's day off.
Office is closed today.
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TUESDAY, MAY 4TH —
Bible Study - Adair U.M.C. - 9 to 11 A.M.
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WEDNESDAY, MAY 5TH —
Adair U.M.W. meets at 9:00 A.M.

ABC FINANCE COMMITTEE -
AT CASEY U.M.C. @6:30 P.M.
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THURSDAY, MAY 6TH —
NATIONAL DAY OF PRAYER
Pastor Lynn will be out of town from the 6th to the 8th.
Her son has just been granted a MASTER'S DEGREE
from the University of Minnesota and Pastor Lynn is
attending Graduation. CONGRATULATIONS!
This is indeed an honor and we wish him all the best.
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SATURDAY, MAY 8TH —
LAST DAY TO ORDER ANGEL FOOD MINISTRIES≈≈≈≈≈≈≈≈≈≈≈≈≈≈≈≈≈≈≈≈≈≈≈≈≈≈≈≈≈≈≈≈≈≈≈≈≈≈≈≈≈≈≈≈≈
SENIOR RECOGNITION DAY —
Last Sunday ABC Parish recognized our graduating
seniors. It was a great attendance and an outstanding
group of graduates. We are very pleased to know you
and wish you all the best as you go into the world making
your own choices. Keep in mind that the guide lines that
are constructed for you and me to live by, are there with
the purpose of keeping us safe and well. I have learned
we are never too old to ask questions.

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THE FIT CHALLENGE—
(FOCUSING, INVESTING, TELLING)
Here in the SW District, we’re focusing on the mission
of forming world-changing disciples.
We are investing in leadership for revitalization in
every possible place, with a commitment to tell the
stories of the transforming power of Jesus Christ.

As part of the Annual Conference’s FIT Challenge
extended by Bishop Trimble last year, we are asked
to make a commitment to
disaster recovery work throughout Iowa.

At District Conference on May 2nd we will gather
in Atlantic to prepare for Annual Conference.
We will receive a special offering for the district
FIT CHALLENGE.

For Annual Conference in Des Moines, June 5 - 8,
we want the Southwest District to “lead the pack” in
supporting the Conference FIT Challenge.

Shall we take a special offering in our church for this
project to deliver to Annual Conference June 5th?

Thank you for your kind support.
God Bless and Keep You,
Pastor Lynn