Easter is not just a day it is also a season. In the church calendar we are now in the Easter season until the Day of Pentecost [May 19th]. In addition, the Sunday liturgy of the Church every Sunday is a minor Easter (the celebration the Lord’s death and resurrection).
In my Easter homily this year I reminded all that: “those who look and listen, every day is Easter!” For God’s power and presence are now available to us continually. Jesus is ever knocking on the door of our hearts. All we need to do is let him in.
Let our constant song be Christ the Lord Is Risen Today. Of all of Charles Wesley's hymns this one is sung the most. It was first called "Hymn for Easter," and has known wide popularity from the time it was written in 1739. It originally consisted of eleven stanzas. The "Alleluia's" were added later, but appropriately, for this is a hymn one never gets tired of singing.
It is the most widely used Easter hymn among United Methodists and probably all of Protestantism. It expresses the meaning of eternal life and the significance of our participation in Christ's victory over death and the fear of the grave.
Charles Wesley wrote in excess of 8000 pieces of religious verse in the 50 years. That makes him the most prolific English poet of all time, producing more lines of poetry than Shakespeare, Milton, Pope or Wordsworth.
Christ the Lord Is Risen Today
1.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!
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4.Soar we now where Christ has led, Alleluia!
Following our exalted Head, Alleluia!
Made like him, like him we rise, Alleluia!
Ours the cross, the grave, the skies, Alleluia!
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2.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!
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5.Hail the Lord of earth and heaven, Alleluia!
Praise to thee by both be given, Alleluia!
Thee we greet triumphant now, Alleluia!
Hail the Resurrection, thou, Alleluia!
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3.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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6.King of glory, soul of bliss, Alleluia!
Everlasting life is this, Alleluia!
Thee to know, thy power to prove, Alleluia!
Thus to sing, and thus to love, Alleluia!
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Blessed Easter season!
Pastor Lane
“GO TO THE FOOT OF THE CROSS”
We urge you to actually go to the foot of this cross; looking up at the crown of thorns will move you. Feel the rough surface of the wood and see the cruel nails still in place. The extra nails and a hammer are at the base, along with Jesus’ discarded garments that soldiers rolled dice to win. The cruel shackles are there too, along with a sword, shield, and two spears carried by Jesus’ Roman executioners. All of these things are a remembrance of the horrible yet glorious day when one man, Jesus of Nazareth, gave his life to save ours and the entire world.
FUMC AT HELPING HANDS
April is FUMC’s month to help with grocery assistance at Helping Hands Food Pantry. On April 8 and April 22 volunteers are needed starting at 9:15 a.m. at Helping Hands (please note the change in start time as the trucks are now arriving earlier).
NEW SPORTS ADDED TO FUMC ACADEMY
Under the direction of Joel Johnson, summer softball and baseball for 5th and 6th grade girls and boys has been added as a new ministry of the FUMC Sports Academy. If you would like to make donations to help with the initial start up cost of this new portion of the sports academy please mark checks payable to FUMC with “sports academy” in the memo or a love envelope with “sports academy” indicated.
The annual preschool catalog fundraiser will be available to order from in the church office. Everything from snacks and goodies to spring flowers for your garden. Orders are due by Friday April 12.
NATIVE AMERICAN MINISTRIES SUNDAY – APRIL 14
Native American Ministries Sunday is one of the six church wide Special Sundays of The United Methodist Church. Native American Ministries Sunday nurtures mission with Native Americans and provides scholarships for United Methodist Native American seminarians.
The United Methodist Women invite the men and women of the church to a Guest Day breakfast at Knoxville FUMC on Saturday, April 13 at 9:00 a.m. The program will be given by exchange student, Anna Shevehenko. Make your reservation by April 6 to Pat Haning at 842-2790 or pahaning@iowatelecom.net.
KNOXVILLE COMMUNITY CHORUS
The Knoxville Community Chorus will be performing their annual spring concert on Sunday, April 14th from 3:00-4:00 p.m. in the sanctuary with a reception and refreshments following in WFH. The chorus will be under the direction of Paul Peterson and accompanied by Cynthia Thill and Christine Meyers.
It is that time of year again when the Education Cluster gathers the names of all graduating high school seniors. If you are or know someone within our church that will be graduating in May please let Heather in the office know so that we can make sure we have the entire list.
VBS
Believe it or not it is time to start planning VBS! If you would like to help plan our FIESTA this year please let Julie Purvis or Katie Bishop know. Planning meetings will begin in May but we are trying to put together our initial list of helpers. Thanks!!
April 7 – 4:00-6:00 p.m.
April 14 – 4:00-6:00 p.m.
April 21 – 4:00-6:00 p.m.
YOUTH GROUP MISSION TRIP MEETING
All youth attending the mission trip to Denver need to attend a meeting on Sunday, April 7 at 3 pm with at least one parent. We will be going over the online forms that have to be filled out by each person. The group will also be discussing the big fundraiser in May.
SAVE THE DATE – MAY 10
The whole church and the community are asked to save the date of Friday, May 10. More details will come next month but the Youth are planning a fun and exciting night with a meal, live auction, and other entertainment to raise funds for the Denver Mission Trip.
CONGRATULATIONS
Congratulations to Diane McCombs who was named to the 2013 list of Great Iowa nurses. Each
year, the 100 Great Iowa Nurses organization receives nominations and selects 100 nurses based on their concern for humanity, contributions to the nursing profession, and their leadership and mentoring.
Congratulations to Alex Purvis who has earned the rank of Eagle Scout.
Congratulations to Larry and RoseAnn Rowley on the birth of their grandson, Corbin Aichner Rowley!
Congratulations to Doris and George Werts on their 68th wedding anniversary on March 18th!
Congratulations to Brian and Bre Brooks on the birth of their son, Brody Bane!
THANK YOU
The Trustees would like to thank Park Woodle for volunteering to look after the Activity Center. His experience will be a great help and an asset for the center.
To My Church Community, I would like to let you know how much your cards and prayers have meant to me. You words of encouragement have helped me to keep in focus and the prayers to keep my faith strong. I know God has carried me through these treatments. I’ve also prayed to him for blessings to each of you. “What a mighty God we serve”. Love, Cheryl and Brian Hennefeld
Thanks to everyone that purchased hoagies!! The sale was a success.
CONDOLENCES
Condolences to Bob Hardman and family on the passing of his mother.
Condolences to Susanna Swank and family on the passing of her son-in-law.
Please come and wish Gordon and Janna Kassel well at their open house/going away party on Sunday, April 21st from 2-4 in WFH.
2013-2014 CHURCH SCHOLARSHIP FORMS
Church scholarship application forms for the 2013-2014 school year are available in the church office window ledge. Please complete and return the form to the office by April 15th for consideration.
COST SAVINGS/
ENERGY CONSERVATION
With a longer winter this year our first quarter utility bills have been high, costing $6,593 January through March compared to $5,118 for the first quarter of last year. If your group has to change the thermostat for heat or air conditioning for evening meetings, please remember to reset the thermostat and turn off lights when you leave. Please help us with energy conservation. Thank you.
(Memorial Day - Labor Day)
Our summer Sunday worship schedule begins Sunday, May 27th and ends Sunday, September 2nd. Our summer Sunday worship will take place at 9:00 a.m. as a blend of both contemporary and traditional worship styles.
Saturday 5:30 p.m. Chapel Service
Sunday 9:00 a.m. Combined Sanctuary Service
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