WEDNESDAY, MAY 12TH —
PRAYER BREAKFAST AT HAPPY CHEF @ 7 AM
Everyone is welcome.
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CASEY AD COUNCIL - 6:30 AT CASEY U.M.C.
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THURSDAY, MAY 13TH —
T.T.T. - 9:30 TO 10:30 A.M.
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ABC FINANCE COMMITTEE - CASEY U.M.C. @ 6:30
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SATURDAY, MAY 15TH —
ANGEL FOOD DISTRIBUTION - 11 A.M. TO NOON
AT CASEY U.M.C.
ARMED FORCES DAY —This was written as a salute to our Armed Forces,
but it may serve as a salute to our own little church
army just as well:
Thank you for your determination.
Thank you for your patience.
Thank you for your spirit.
Thank you for your preparedness.
Thank you for your professionalism.
Thank you for your teamwork.
Thank you for your commitment.
Thank you for your perseverance.
Thank you for your selfless courage.
Thank you for your compassion. 
Thank you for enduring long, sleepless nights.
Thank your for your humanity.
Thank you, soldiers, for everything.You are truly the best of who we are.
We Salute You.
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SUNDAY, MAY 16TH —
AC GRADUATION DAY!
Best wishes to all of our kids who will be going into
the work force or higher education.
SEVENTH SUNDAY OF EASTER
ASCENSION SUNDAY
COLOR: WHITE
This week we focus on what it means to function
as one body in Christ both within and across the
specific communities with whom we worship.
READINGS FOR ASCENSION SUNDAY:
ACTS 1:1-11 (The Message)
1 Dear Theophilus, in the first volume of this book
I wrote on everything that Jesus began to do and
teach
2 until the day he said good-bye to the apostles, the
ones he had chosen through the Holy Spirit, and was
taken up to heaven.
3 After his death, he presented himself alive to them
in many different settings over a period of forty days.
In face-to-face meetings, he talked to them about
things concerning the kingdom of God.
4 As they met and ate meals together, he told them
that they were on no account to leave Jerusalem but
"must wait for what the Father promised: the promise
you heard from me.
5 John baptized in water; you will be baptized in the
Holy Spirit. And soon."
6 When they were together for the last time they
asked, "Master, are you going to restore the kingdom
to Israel now? Is this the time?"
7 He told them, "You don't get to know the time.
Timing is the Father's business.
8 What you'll get is the Holy Spirit. And when the
Holy Spirit comes on you, you will be able to be my
witnesses in Jerusalem, all over Judea and Samaria,
even to the ends of the world."
9 These were his last words. As they watched, he
was taken up and disappeared in a cloud.
10 They stood there, staring into the empty sky.
Suddenly two men appeared - in white robes!
11 They said, "You Galileans! - why do you just stand
here looking up at an empty sky? This very Jesus
who was taken up from among you to heaven will
come as certainly - and mysteriously - as he left."
EPHESIANS 1:15-23 (The Message)
There are three things the apostle wants these
congregations to know deeply:
• The hope to which Christ has called them
• The abundance of Christ's inheritance revealed
in God's people everywhere
• The immeasurable greatness of Christ’s power.
Paul wanted all these things, concretely, for the
Christians in the region around Ephesus, and
Christians for generations have understood he
wanted them just as concretely for them.
15 That's why, when I heard of the solid trust you have inthe Master Jesus and your outpouring of love to all the
Christians,
16 I couldn't stop thanking God for you - every time I
prayed, I'd think of you and give thanks.
17 But I do more than thank. I ask - ask the God of our
Master, Jesus Christ, the God of glory - to make you i
ntelligent and discerning in knowing him personally,
18 your eyes focused and clear, so that you can see
exactly what it is he is calling you to do, grasp the
immensity of this glorious way of life he has for Christians,
19 oh, the utter extravagance of his work in us who trust
him - endless energy, boundless strength!
20 All this energy issues from Christ: God raised him from
death and set him on a throne in deep heaven,
21 in charge of running the universe, everything from
galaxies to governments, no name and no power exempt
from his rule. And not just for the time being, but forever.
22 He is in charge of it all, has the final word on everything.
At the center of all this, Christ rules the church.
23 The church, you see, is not peripheral to the world; the
world is peripheral to the church. The church is Christ's
body, in which he speaks and acts, by which he fills
everything with his presence.
LUKE 24:44-53 (The Message)
The ascension of Christ.
44 Then he said, "Everything I told you while I was
with you comes to this: All the things written about
me in the Law of Moses, in the Prophets, and in the
Psalms have to be fulfilled."
45 He went on to open their understanding of the
Word of God, showing them how to read their Bibles
this way.
46 He said, "You can see now how it is written that the
Messiah suffers, rises from the dead on the third day,
47 and then a total life-change through the forgiveness
of sins is proclaimed in his name to all nations -
starting from here, from Jerusalem!
48 You're the first to hear and see it. You're the witnesses.
49 What comes next is very important: I am sending
what my Father promised to you, so stay here in the city
until he arrives, until you're equipped with power from on
high."
50 He then led them out of the city over to Bethany.
Raising his hands he blessed them,
51 and while blessing them, took his leave, being carried
up to heaven.
52 And they were on their knees, worshiping him. Theyreturned to Jerusalem bursting with joy.
53 They spent all their time in the Temple praising God.
Yes.
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READINGS FOR THE
SEVENTH SUNDAY OF EASTER
ACTS 16:16-34
(The Message)
When the evil spirit is cast out of a slave girl,
Paul and Silas are scourged and imprisoned.
As a witness to the saving power of God available
even to captors, Paul and his companions sing
God's praise in prison, prisoners freed by an
earthquake remain inside, and the guard's
household comes to faith.
16 One day, on our way to the place of prayer, a
slave girl ran into us. She was a psychic and, with
her fortunetelling, made a lot of money for the
people who owned her.
17 She started following Paul around, calling
everyone's attention to us by yelling out, "These men
are working for the Most High God. They're laying out
the road of salvation for you!"
18 She did this for a number of days until Paul, finally
fed up with her, turned and commanded the spirit that
possessed her, "Out! In the name of Jesus Christ, get
out of her!" And it was gone, just like that.
19 When her owners saw that their lucrative little
business was suddenly bankrupt, they went after Paul
and Silas, roughed them up and dragged them into the
market square. Then the police arrested them
20 and pulled them into a court with the accusation,
"These men are disturbing the peace. They are
dangerous Jewish agitators
21 subverting our Roman law and order."
22 By this time the crowd had turned into a restless
mob out for blood.
23 After beating them black and blue, they threw
them into jail, telling the jailer to put them under
heavy guard so there would be no chance of escape.
24 He did just that - threw them into the maximumsecurity cell in the jail and clamped leg irons on them.
25 Along about midnight, Paul and Silas were at prayer
and singing a robust hymn to God. The other prisoners
couldn't believe their ears.
26 Then, without warning, a huge earthquake! The
jailhouse tottered, every door flew open, all the prisoners
were loose.
27 Startled from sleep, the jailer saw all the doors swinging
loose on their hinges. Assuming that all the prisoners had
escaped, he pulled out his sword and was about to do
himself in, figuring he was as good as dead anyway,
28 when Paul stopped him: "Don't do that! We're all still
here! Nobody's run away!"
29 The jailer got a torch and ran inside. Badly shaken, hecollapsed in front of Paul and Silas.
30 He led them out of the jail and asked, "Sirs, what do I
have to do to be saved, to really live?"
31 They said, "Put your entire trust in the Master
Jesus. Then you'll live as you were meant to live - and
everyone in your house included!"
32 They went on to spell out in detail the story of the
Master - the entire family got in on this part.
33 They never did get to bed that night. The jailer
made them feel at home, dressed their wounds, and
then - he couldn't wait till morning! - was baptized, he
and everyone in his family.
34 There in his home, he had food set out for a festive
meal. It was a night to remember: He and his entire
family had put their trust in God; everyone in the house
was in on the celebration.
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PSALM 97 (UMH 816)
(The Message)
All have reason to rejoice in Christ's government.
There is a depth in his counsels, which we must
not pretend to fathom; but still righteousness and
judgment are the habitation of his throne.
1 God rules: there's something to shout over! On the
double, mainlands and islands - celebrate!
2 Bright clouds and storm clouds circle 'round him;
Right and justice anchor his rule.
3 Fire blazes out before him, Flaming high up thecraggy mountains.
4 His lightnings light up the world; Earth, wide-eyed,
trembles in fear.
5 The mountains take one look at God And melt,melt like wax before earth's Lord.
6 The heavens announce that he'll set everything
right, And everyone will see it happen - glorious!
7 All who serve handcrafted gods will be sorry -
And they were so proud of their ragamuffin gods!
On your knees, all you gods - worship him!
8 And Zion, you listen and take heart! Daughters of
Zion, sing your hearts out: God has done it all, has
set everything right.
9 You, God, are High God of the cosmos, Far, farhigher than any of the gods.
10 God loves all who hate evil, And those who love
him he keeps safe, Snatches them from the grip of
the wicked.
11 Light-seeds are planted in the souls of God's
people, Joy-seeds are planted in good heart-soil.
12 So, God's people, shout praise to God,
Give thanks to our Holy God!
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REVELATION 22:12-14, 16-17, 20-21
(The Message)
Jesus, who is the Spirit of prophecy, has given his
churches this morning-light of prophecy, to assure
them of the light of the perfect day approaching.
All is confirmed by an open and general invitation
to mankind, to come and partake freely of the
romises and of the privileges of the gospel.
12 "Yes, I'm on my way! I'll be there soon! I'm bringing
my payroll with me. I'll pay all people in full for their
life's work.
13 I'm A to Z, the First and the Final, Beginning and
Conclusion.
14 "How blessed are those who wash their robes!
The Tree of Life is theirs for good, and they'll walk
through the gates to the City.
16 "I, Jesus, sent my Angel to testify to these things
for the churches. I'm the Root and Branch of David,
the Bright Morning Star."
17 "Come!" say the Spirit and the Bride. Whoever
hears, echo, "Come!" Is anyone thirsty?
20 He who testifies to all these things says it again:
"I'm on my way! I'll be there soon!" Yes! Come,
Master Jesus!
21 The grace of the Master Jesus be with all of you.
Oh, Yes!
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JOHN 17:20-26
(The Message)
The more they dispute small things, the more they
cast doubts upon Christianity. Let us endeavor to
keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace,
praying that all believers may be more and more
united in one mind and one soul.
20 I'm praying not only for them But also for those
who will believe in me Because of them and their
witness about me.
21 The goal is for all of them to become one heart
and mind - Just as you, Father, are in me and I in you,
So they might be one heart and mind with us. Then
the world might believe that you, in fact, sent me.
22 The same glory you gave me, I gave them, So they'll
be as unified and together as we are,
23 I in them and you in me. Then they'll be mature in this
oneness, And give the godless world evidence That
you've sent me and loved them In the same way you've
loved me.
24 Father, I want those you gave me To be with me,
right where I am, So they can see my glory, the splendor
you gave me, Having loved me Long before there ever
was a world.
25 Righteous Father, the world has never known you,
But I have known you, and these disciples know That
you sent me on this mission.
26 I have made your very being known to them - Who
you are and what you do - And continue to make it known,
So that your love for me Might be in them Exactly as I am
in them.
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MONDAY, MAY 17TH —
Pastor Lynn's and Naomi's day off.
Office is closed today.
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TUESDAY, MAY 18TH —
Bible Study - Adair U.M.C. - 9 to 11 A.M.
SPRC MEETING:
(STAFF, PARISH RELATIONS COUNCIL) - 6:30 - CASEY
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WEDNESDAY, MAY 19TH —
DORCAS/RUTH CIRCLE @ 9:30 A.M.-LOUISE ARTER
MARTHA CIRCLE - CASEY U.M.C. @ 7 P.M.
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THURSDAY, MAY 20TH
DEBORAH/MARY CIRCLE - CASEY U.M.C. @ 2 P.M.
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FUTURE FOCUS
FOR CHURCH SERVICE ON MAY 23RD
(DAY OF PENTECOST) - WEAR RED
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For a tribute to all of our hard-working congregation,
go back to the "Armed Forces Day" tribute.
Yes, it all fits perfectly - with the possible exception
of long sleepless nights!
God Bless and Keep You,
Pastor Lynn
