Finding Your Purpose: Listening to Your Heart

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Then Jesus went with them to a place called Gethsemane… And going a little farther, he threw himself on the ground and prayed, “My Father, if it is possible, let this cup pass from me; yet not what I want but what you want.”  – Matthew 26: 36-46
 
Jesus’ prayer life was described most often in the scriptures as something he did “away” from the crowds or disciples. And as we come to the last week of this Lent journey, we have experienced the blessings of turning away from the noise of the world in order to turn inward to hear that “still small voice” of God and finding our own voice of wisdom there as well. This Sunday begins the story of the end of Jesus’ human life and the scripture contains one of the rare examples of how Jesus prayed. It was honest, it was gut-wrenching, and it finally was a letting-go of expectations about life and a turn toward the acceptance that gives the courage to move onward.
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Don’t be conformed to the patterns of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your
minds so that you can figure out what God’s will is—what is good and pleasing and mature.
Because of the grace that God gave me, I can say to each one of you: don’t think of yourself
more highly than you ought to think… Be happy in your hope, stand your ground when
you’re in trouble, and devote yourselves to prayer. – Romans 12: 2-12

We often have a “cast of characters” living inside our heads that love to carry on endless
conversations–each from their own perspective. The chatter of our minds can sometimes
keep us from a deeper listening and it is often difficult to decipher exactly what constitutes
a mystical connection to God. Getting our True Self into the chairperson’s seat in the
committee meeting does not mean ignoring those voices of pessimism, people-pleasing or
accusation, but instead listening intently to them and not letting them bully us into action
based on fear. Letting them in and letting them go is the prayer of the mystic within.

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the day he wore my crown

CUMC MUSIC MINISTRY presents “The Day He Wore My Crown” arranged by  David Clydesdale, featuring the CUMC Chancel Choir with orchestra, Dr. James Calhoun, conducting with Jeff Ball, narrator; Good Friday, March 30, 2018; 7:00 p.m.

This 45 minute cantata will leave you speechless and spell-bound. You will be moved by lyrics that take every heart on a journey from the crowds crying out, “Hosanna!” to the passion of Christ on the cross.

 

Good Friday Service

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looking for hope

Looking for Hope? Find it in Easter!

When the women approached Jesus’ tomb early that morning, they were wondering who would roll away the large stone for them. Instead, an angel sitting within the tomb greeted them. They were understandably confused and alarmed! Can you imagine feeling the immense raw grief of losing your leader, mentor, and friend, only to find his tomb empty three days later? What would you expect? You probably would jump to immediate conclusions that the same people that convicted and crucified him stole the body to add insult to their immense pain.   

“But [the angel] said to them, “Do not be alarmed. You seek Jesus of Nazareth who was crucified. He is risen! He is not here.” Mark 16:6

He is risen! He is not here! These words portray the hope of Easter. In the midst of alarm, confusion, and hurt, Jesus triumphed. He rose! He defeated sin and death and rose. Let us celebrate this wonderful news together on Easter Sunday!  

When is Easter 2018?

April 1, 2018

When are Easter Sunday Services at Community UMC?

Community UMC will have three Easter celebration services, all with childcare provided.

8:00 AM Classical

9:30 AM Family Friendly

11:00 AM Classical with Communion

ALL ARE WELCOME

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