OUR WEEK - APRIL 15TH TO APRIL 21ST

SUNDAY, APRIL 15TH —
SECOND SUNDAY OF EASTER
COLOR: WHITE

• Our Scripture Readings •
ACTS 4:32-35
(Amplified Bible)
THE HOLY CHARITY OF CHRISTIANS.
Christians living in Jerusalem show clear signs
of the Risen Christ among them by sharing all
things, bearing witness to the resurrection of
Jesus, and caring for all who are in need. The
disciples loved one another. This was the
blessed fruit of Christ's dying precept to his
disciples, and his dying prayer for them. We
marvel that they were of one heart and soul,
when they sat so loose to the wealth of the world.
32 Now the company of believers was of one heart
and soul, and not one of them claimed that anything
which he possessed was exclusively his own, but
everything they had was in common for the use of all.33 And with great strength and ability and power the
apostles delivered their testimony to the resurrection
of the Lord Jesus, and great grace (loving-kindness
and favor and goodwill) rested richly upon them all.
34 Nor was there a destitute or needy person among
them, for as many as were owners of lands or houses
proceeded to sell them, and one by one they brought
back the amount received from the sales
35 And laid it at the feet of the apostles. Then
distribution was made according as anyone had need.
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PSALM 133 (UMH 850)
(New International Version) (NIV)
A psalm that celebrates the unity of those who
share spiritual life together. We must persuade
people to live together in peace. It is good for our
honor and comfort; and brings a peace to those
who live in unity.
A SONG OF ASCENTS.
1 How good and pleasant it is
when brothers live together in unity!2 It is like precious oil poured on the head,
running down on the beard, running down
on Aaron's beard, down upon the collar of
his robes.
3 It is as if the dew of Hermon were falling
on Mount Zion. For there the LORD bestows
his blessing, even life forevermore.
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1 JOHN 1:1-2:2
(New Century Version)
More signs of the presence of the risen Lord in
our midst: honest confession, assurance of God's
forgiveness, and lives where sin's power is being
overcome. The apostles had seen Him while they
witnessed his wisdom and holiness, his miracles,
and love and mercy, during some years, till they
saw him crucified for sinners, and afterwards
risen from the dead. They touched him,so as to
have full proof of his resurrection. The apostles
declared what they had seen and heard, that
believers might share their comforts and
everlasting advantages. They had free access to
God the Father.
LOVE ONE ANOTHER
1 We write you now about what has always
existed, which we have heard, we have seen
with our own eyes, we have looked at, and
we have touched with our hands. We write
to you about the Word that gives life.
2 He who gives life was shown to us. We
saw him and can give proof about it. And
now we announce to you that he has life
that continues forever. He was with God the
Father and was shown to us.
3 We announce to you what we have seen
and heard, because we want you also to have
fellowship with us. Our fellowship is with God
the Father and with his Son, Jesus Christ.
4 We write this to you so we may be full of joy.
GOD FORGIVES OUR SINS
5 Here is the message we have heard from
Christ and now announce to you: God is light,
and in him there is no darkness at all.6 So if we say we have fellowship with God,
but we continue living in darkness, we are
liars and do not follow the truth.
7 But if we live in the light, as God is in the
light, we can share fellowship with each other.
Then the blood of Jesus, God's Son, cleanses
us from every sin.
8 If we say we have no sin, we are fooling
ourselves, and the truth is not in us.
9 But if we confess our sins, he will forgive
our sins, because we can trust God to do
what is right. He will cleanse us from all the
wrongs we have done.
10 If we say we have not sinned, we make
God a liar, and we do not accept God's teaching.
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JOHN 20:19-31
(New International Reader's Version)
In his resurrection appearances Jesus continues
to reveal the glory of God by manifesting the
grace and love that characterize God. This love
is seen in the gentleness, care and humility with
which he shows his disciples. To help Thomas
believe, Jesus showed him his real scars and
invited him to touch them.
JESUS APPEARS TO HIS DISCIPLES
19 On the evening of that first day of the week, the
disciples were together. They had locked the doors
because they were afraid of the Jews. Jesus came
in and stood among them. He said, "May peace be
with you!"20 Then he showed them his hands and his side.
The disciples were very happy when they saw the
Lord.
21 Again Jesus said, "May peace be with you! The
Father has sent me. So now I am sending you."
22 He then breathed on them. He said, "Receive
the Holy Spirit.
23 If you forgive anyone's sins, they are forgiven.
If you do not forgive them, they are not forgiven."
JESUS APPEARS TO THOMAS
24 Thomas was one of the Twelve. He was called
Didymus. He was not with the other disciples when
Jesus came.
25 So they told him, "We have seen the Lord!" But
he said to them, "First I must see the nail marks in
his hands. I must put my finger where the nails were.
I must put my hand into his side. Only then will I
believe what you say."
26 A week later, Jesus' disciples were in the house
again. Thomas was with them. Even though the
doors were locked, Jesus came in and stood among
them. He said, "May peace be with you!"27 Then he said to Thomas, "Put your finger here.
See my hands. Reach out your hand and put it into
my side. Stop doubting and believe."
28 Thomas said to him, "My Lord and my God!"
29 Then Jesus told him, "Because you have seen
me, you have believed. Blessed are those who have
not seen me but still have believed."
30 Jesus did many other miraculous signs in front of
his disciples. They are not written down in this book.
31 But these are written down so that you may
believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God. If
you believe this, you will have life because
you belong to him.
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MONDAY, APRIL 16TH —
Pastor Bob's and Naomi's day off.
Office is closed today.≈≈≈≈≈≈≈≈≈≈≈≈≈≈≈≈≈≈≈≈≈≈≈≈≈≈≈≈≈≈≈≈≈≈≈≈≈≈≈≈≈≈
WEDNESDAY, APRIL 18TH —
MARTHA CIRCLE MEETS AT 7 P.M. IN CASEY U.M.C.≈≈≈≈≈≈≈≈≈≈≈≈≈≈≈≈≈≈≈≈≈≈≈≈≈≈≈≈≈≈≈≈≈≈≈≈≈≈≈≈≈≈
THURSDAY, APRIL 19TH —
DEBORAH-MARY CIRCLE MEETS AT CASEY U.M.C.
AT 2 P.M.≈≈≈≈≈≈≈≈≈≈≈≈≈≈≈≈≈≈≈≈≈≈≈≈≈≈≈≈≈≈≈≈≈≈≈≈≈≈≈≈≈≈
The Commission on the General Conference has
selected “Make Disciples of Jesus Christ to
Transform the World” as the theme for The
United Methodist Church’s 2012 General
Conference, April 24-May 4 in Tampa, Fla.
The 2012 session of the Iowa Annual Conference
will meet from June 2-5, 2012. It will be held at
the Iowa Events Center in Des Moines, which
includes Hy-Vee Hall and the newly-renovated
Veterans Memorial Auditorium.
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RIVER OF LIFE THEATER PRESENTS
>>>>> GODSPELL <<<<<I remember this production from my youth. It is
the story about how Jesus and his disciples
might have come together and interacted if they
lived today. (In my case, it was the 1970s - You
know - - - Flower Children and Psychedelic
Manifestations, “Trippy”! Jesus was the one in
a Superman shirt.)
The production can be seen on these dates, in
these locations. I really think you'll like it.
• APRIL 27TH
NEW HOPE UNITED METHODIST CHURCH
4525 BEAVER AVENUE
DES MOINES, IOWA 50310
(515) 278-2097 — CALL FOR TICKETS

• APRIL 28TH
ALDERSGATE UNITED METHODIST CHURCH
URBANDALE, IOWA

• APRIL 29TH
HORIZON ELEMENTARY SCHOOL
5905 NORTHWEST 100TH STREET
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God Bless and Keep You,
Pastor Bob