HELLO!

Most of you know our April 17/18 Dinner Theatre “Lost in the 50s” is sold out and has been for some time. Over 400 people, over two nights will be entertained by a cast of 20, songs, dancing and a dialogue written by my colleague Rev. Bethe. The other offering we make that night is a delicious meal. Fay needs your help! She needs volunteers to help with the food. There are many duties involved. If you are attending the theatre one night, maybe you could volunteer for the other evening. Please contact Fay Gunter 902-495-6532 or faygunter@hotmail.com In the coming Sundays Fay will be set up at coffee time if you need more information.

And in other church news…we have our Annual General Meeting after the March 22 church service. You have time to go downstairs (Room Q?), get a coffee and a slice of “Welcome to the church” cake, and return to the sanctuary for the meeting. And why the cake you ask? 33 people are joining our church, they have come here, beginning in July 2024, and we felt now was the time to welcome all of them, together. Some are being baptized, some confirmed, some are joining by Profession of Faith, and some have transferred from other churches. We welcome them all!

Believe it or not (and I know many of you don’t…) even with all 33 persons being welcomed, acknowledged and celebrated there is room for a very short sermon on Sunday (I can see you smiling). The focus of our prayers, hymns and sermon is Jesus’ friend Lazarus. I need to say, from the beginning, Lazarus does die and we should not sentimentalize that truth. Death is not easy. Death stings personally. Jesus is responding, our text, to Mary’s indictment: “Lord, if you had been here, my brother would not be dead!” How many of us have also cried out to God with similar words: “If you loved us, you would not have let _____ die!”? Jesus can also observe the weeping of Mary, and the tears of those who were coming out from the house with her.

Grace is not grace (the word means “gift”) if it’s predictable, programmable, on demand. Maybe that’s why God sometimes takes God’s own good time to show up, to reach out, to move, and to save. Martha and Mary had called for Jesus. He was down near the Jordan where John had been baptizing. Close enough to get to Bethany. But Jesus, doesn’t seem too concerned. He sees a far bigger perspective than everyone else who is in a panic Jesus hasn’t arrived. Then suddenly it is too late. Lazarus is dead. Only then does he decide to go to nearby Bethany. He arrives on the fourth day. The day beyond all hope. All through Scripture the third day is the day that God acts. Jesus arrives on the hopeless day, the fourth. He bears the ire of Martha. Jesus himself weeps at his dead friend’s tomb. Then he calls forth life and liberation on that hopeless day, amidst a hopeless crowd. He calls forth life in the midst of death. I have been there. On moments when I called out in despair to God something mysterious came to me. Just like Lazarus, for me life and liberation came. I was able to stand up, against all the odds and understand the meaning of Lazarus’ name. It means, “God has helped” On the fourth hopeless day, God has helped. Now untie me and let me go! Peace, Kevin

PS Yesterday, while serving coffee at Margaret’s House, I met a man who once supervised the costumes Cher used for her concerts. It reminded me of this YouTube channel, MODEL STRANGERS. Chris Ward approaches strangers and asks them if he could take five minutes of their time. During these conversations with strangers he has had heard many life-affirming stories. https://www.youtube.com/@modelstrangers