April 9, 2020
Dear Friends,
As we prepare to celebrate Easter, I want to remind us all that even though we cannot be together in body we, with Christians around the world, will gather in spirt this Sunday to celebrate the glorious news of the resurrection. The empty tomb is a reminder that nothing, not a virus, not even death, can separate us from the love of God who breathes new life into every situation.
We have been able to create a wonderful Easter service for you to enjoy. Within the rules of social distancing, we videotaped members of our congregation leading various parts of our worship and then through the magic of video editing stitched them together to create our Easter service. I encourage you to go to our website, sequimtumc.org and click on the link to our video sermons. This is the most reliable way to find our services. At the end of this message are the words to two of our great Easter hymns. I encourage you to print them off and be ready to sing with our soloist. Several people besides those on camera need to be thanked for making this happen: Curt Alexander and Pam Bennett for spending much of a day at the church recording and doing the sound, Luke Kisena for the video editing, Lawrence Charters for maintaining our YouTube Channel and Ole Olson for providing our original Easter art piece.
We continue to lift up people in prayer:
- For all those impacted in so many ways by the COVID 19 virus.
- For those facing health concerns at this time when going to doctors or hospitals is such a scary thing.
- For those who are grieving
- For our new pastor Brad Beeman as he prepares with Dorothy to come and serve amongst us.
Even though you can’t be with those having birthdays this week, sending emails or making phone calls would be appreciated.
Just a few reminders: Marian or I are in the office in the mornings to answer your calls. I am available to you by email or at home at any time. And again, thank you for your faithfulness in sending in your offerings.
It is a challenging time for us all but God is with us. May the spirit of Easter fill you with joy as we anticipate all the new and wonderful things life is preparing us to receive.
Christ is Risen!
Pastor Bill
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HYMN 302: Christ the Lord Is Risen Today (verses 1, 2, & 3)
Christ the Lord is risen today, Alleluia!
Earth and heaven in chorus say, Alleluia!
Raise your joys and triumphs high, Alleluia!
Sing, ye heavens, and earth reply, Alleluia!
Love’s redeeming work is done, Alleluia!
Fought the fight, the battle won, Alleluia!
Death in vain forbids him rise, Alleluia!
Christ has opened paradise, Alleluia!
Lives again our glorious King, Alleluia!
Where, O death, is now thy sting? Alleluia!
Once he died our souls to save, Alleluia!
Where’s thy victory, boasting grave? Alleluia!
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HYMN 310: He Lives (verses 1 & 3)
I serve a risen Savior, he’s in the world today;
I know that he is living, whatever foes may say.
I see his hand of mercy, I hear his voice of cheer,
and just the time I need him, he’s always near.
Refrain:
He lives, he lives, Christ Jesus lives today!
He walks with me and talks with me along life’s narrow way.
He lives, he lives, salvation to impart!
You ask me how I know he lives? He lives within my heart.
Rejoice, rejoice, O Christian, lift up your voice and sing
eternal hallelujahs to Jesus Christ the King!
The hope of all who seek him, the help of all who find;
none other is so loving, so good and kind.
Refrain:
He lives, he lives, Christ Jesus lives today!
He walks with me and talks with me along life’s narrow way.
He lives, he lives, salvation to impart!
You ask me how I know he lives? He lives within my heart.