”And we are witnesses to these things, and so is the Holy Spirit” (Acts 5:32)
Christ is Risen! He is risen indeed! Alleluia! This is the good news we have been given to share with the world! This is the season we hear it and shout it together, but really it’s the message we get to proclaim all the time. That even when we thought death was the last word, Jesus has been raised, and we have been given new life because of God’s grace. Each day is a new day to love, serve, give, and receive the goodness of God! I’m grateful to share this good news here in the heart of our city, to partner with you in ministry, and to continue to faithfully share in mission here.
Worship is one way we give witness to God’s grace. Our Lenten midweek worship services centered on themes of healing, including prayer for healing and wholeness, recovering from trauma, addiction, mental health, and for caregivers and healthcare workers. On Maundy Thursday we washed feet and remembered our Lord’s command to love one another as we gathered for holy communion. At our Good Friday worship we heard the passion story and hammered nails into the cross.
We work together and serve our community as witness to the ways God has served us, as thankful response to all God has given us, and in service to our neighbors. We give thanks to God for all who showed up to help with our campus clean-up on April 2nd. We were able to fix the landing on the stairwell, paint the front entrance, and clean up around the property. In the weeks to come, we will be giving some attention to irrigation and possibly planting a few things!
On Palm Sunday, April 10, we held a special congregational meeting to authorize the purchase of two new HVAC units for Edwins Hall, and with help from our recovery community and church members were able to raise the funds to complete this project as well as updating our signage on Saint Louis Ave! I am pleased to say that the new air-conditioning in Edwins Hall was installed on 4/11 and is working great, just in time for the higher temperatures!
We tell the story of the resurrection of Jesus as the reason for the hope that is in us! Easter Sunday was a joyful celebration, with more than 20 in attendance at our 7:00am worship, and over 65 at the 9:00am worship. At the 9am service we included local brass players, and guest organist Richard Wilson. Our Easter breakfast was well attended and enjoyed by all – thank you to our council for providing great food, and for all who helped setup, decorate, and clean up! The little ones and families enjoyed the Easter Egg hunt after church, thanks to Dana Russell and our youth group! We even finished the day with an adult baptism, welcoming our friend Mohammed to the family of faith.
We open our doors and our hearts to the community to show God’s love. We hosted the Beverly Green neighborhood meeting this past Monday, and will host a meeting of clergy of the Colorado River Conference here on April 21st. Our recovery groups continue to meet here daily, and are grateful for this place.
There is excitement here at Living Hope! Our values of welcoming, giving, serving, and worshipping were on full display this month, and we look forward to more to come. In the coming months we will gather for more fellowship activities and strengthen our relationships here. We will prepare for Campformation, Leadership Lab and Vacation Bible School, here at church, and travel to Phoenix for the Grand Canyon Synod Assembly June 10-11. We give thanks for all who share in our mission and give witness to the great love and mercy of our God. Thank you for showing up, for your leadership, and all you do to give witness to Jesus’ love!
In Christ,
Pastor Jason Adams
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