Midweek: Wednesday, April 20th, 2022

 

Midweek 4/13/22

IN THIS ISSUE:

• Music notes
• Performance of The Wurlitzer Organ in Indy, the 24th
• Greeters
• Softball
• The Power of Who

“Why do you look for the living among the

dead? He is not here, but has risen.” Luke 24:5b

“. . . that we may be mutually encouraged by each other’s faith, both yours and mine.” Romans 1:11

Thank you for the beautiful music, all you gifted musicians who shared with us over the Lenten/Easter season! No rehearsals for choir or Presbyterian Ringers this week or next week.

This Sunday wear your most colorful outfits . . . loud prints . . . Go crazy with color and have fun with it! This Sunday is “Bright Sunday”, with a focus on joy and humor and fun. Come ready to celebrate life!

There is a wonderful opportunity this Sunday the 24th to hear the ISO’s Mighty Wurlitzer Organ. At 2pm at the Hilbert Circle Theatre in Indianapolis. R. Jelani Eddington is performing and apparently is quite amazing. A wide variety of music will be presented, as well as a silent film on the original purpose of the organ. Tickets available online and at the door.

Great smiles to meet you at the door,

Ready hearts to share,

Eager to welcome every soul,

Empathetic to your cares.

The Greeters are gathering!

Enter in!

Right on cue to invite you:

Share in this fellowship of friends!

    Still needing more sign-ups for greeters! Sign-up on the sheet outside the office or contact Gretel in the office and she will put your name down on the day of your choosing.

Softball anyone? The Lebanon Park Department hosts a Co-Ed Softball League over the summer and has invited us to join the league. Please contact Gretel in the office if you would like to be a part of this. Join the few who have already stepped up. Questions? Gretel can connect you with more information.

Have you ever noticed that the question “how?” could be the same as the question “who?” except for the rearranging of the letters? And yet the implications of the two questions are profoundly different. For instance, take the example of the women on the way to the tomb the morning of the Resurrection. They asked, “Who will roll away the stone for us from the entrance to the tomb?” (Mark 16:3) They were going to anoint the body of Jesus. They had a plan, but in order to carry out that plan they would need some help. They recognized that what they needed was a “who”, not a “how”. They did not need to know in what manner the stone should be moved (how): there were grooves in which the stone was rolled into place. They did not need to know for what reason the stone should be moved (how): it was too big for them to move and they could not get into the tomb unless it was moved. They were not asking what condition the stone was in (how): they were certain it was firmly in place at the mouth of the tomb. What they needed was a person (who).

    How often in our lives do we ask “how” when we should be asking “who”? How often do we make plans and as we go forward with those plans, we are busy considering the reasons behind our plans, the manner in which we need to carry out those plans, or the conditions of circumstances surrounding those plans rather than first asking who? Who supports those plans? (Is this primarily our idea we are running away with, or did we consult the Lord first and wait on Him for discernment and direction?) Who carries out these plans with us? (Are we standing on our own or leaning on the Lord?) Sometimes in the life of a believer, asking “who” reminds us to turn to the Lord for help, instead of relying on ourselves and asking “how can I do it”. Let us first address the “who” (You, Lord) and then ask the “how” (How are You working here, Lord?)

    Are there giant boulders in your life today? Challenges too big for you to move on your own? Label that obstacle with a “WHO” and take it to the Lord. Do you have plans in the works? Are you boggled trying to figure out how to make everything fit? Make the first item on your agenda: “WHO” and go to the Lord. Are you walking a weary road? Burdened with grief or concern? There is a word written on those boulders before you: “WHO”. Turn to the Lord. It is the power of God that moved that stone. The stone was moved to let people into the tomb – not to let someone out. Jesus did not need the stone moved to let Him out of the tomb. He had just conquered sin and death – a stone, no matter how big, was no barrier for Jesus. The stone was rolled away so it could be clearly seen: the tomb was empty; Jesus had risen. Jesus is alive today – His body is not in the tomb. Do we need to revisit that empty tomb? Do we need to duck inside to see again the power of God displayed in our risen Lord? Do we need a reminder of the power of “who”?

    “Who will roll away the stone?” (from Mark 16:3) Could you use a “Who” reminder? There are prayer cards in a bucket on Gretel’s desk in the office. The cards are in the shape of a stone, each with the word “Who” on it. Please feel free to take one (or more!). You can take it home and write on it your own personal concerns, put it on your mirror or in your car - somewhere you will see it regularly - and use it as a reminder for Who to take those concerns to, Who has the power to address each and every care on your heart. You can also write a prayer request on the “Who Prayer Card”, stick it in the envelope on the back of the bucket, and the request will be covered in prayer.

Interested in joining the prayer chain? Contact Phyllis Duff at (765)482-1485/ raduff2@att.net. The following prayer is taken from the hymn “Bless the Lord, My Soul and Being!”, #34 in the Glory to God Presbyterian hymnal.

Dear Heavenly Father,

Bless the Lord, my soul and being! Lord my God, you have such might. Cloaked with honor, grand and glorious, you are clothed with purest light. Stretching out the heavens like tent cloth, you are chambered on the deep. Riding on the wings of windstorm, flame and fire your biding keep.

Lord, how great are all your workings; wisdom marks them through and through. All the earth is your possession; great and small belong to you. Food you give in each due season; at your hand come all good things. By your Spirit, you create us; Lord, your breath renewal brings.

May your glory reign forever. Lord, rejoice in all you make! As you look on your creation, mountains smoke, foundations shake. May these words and thoughts be pleasing, for in you my joy is found. Bless the Lord, my soul and being! With this song let praise abound! Amen.