SRCA NEWS AND NOTES

On Sunday we celebrate the fourth Sunday of Easter. Our readings will include Acts 2:42-47, Psalm 23, 1 Peter 2:19-25, and John 10:1-10. We hear in Acts of the loving community that sprang up in the early church, and in John the comforting words of Jesus as he describes himself as the "Good Shepherd." We are assured that "his sheep hear his voice."

 

As members of the Christian Church, we are those sheep. We are supposedly able to hear the voice of Jesus leading and guiding us. It's his voice that calls us together to break bread, to fellowship, and to worship joyfully. Why then do so many Christians struggle with knowing what to do and which path to take as they follow the Lord? What is it that deafens our ears to the voice of our master?

 

Sunday is the Lord's day, and I pray you chose to worship with us. My prayer is that you will know God's blessing as you encounter Jesus as we worship in Spirit and in Truth.

 

Faithfully,

 

Becki+

The Rev. Becki Neumann+

Rector, South Riding Anglican Church

Office  703-961-1983

Cell  240-217-4370

Home  717-762-0924

"When it's all been said and done; there is just one thing that matters. Did I do my best to live for truth, did I live my life for you?" 

SRCA NEWS AND NOTES

ANNOUNCEMENTS

YARD SALE: Saturday, May 14 at the Branches' home. Sign up to help on the hospitality table.

YOUTH BIBLE STUDY: Sunday, May 15 from 5 - 7 at the 304. Open to all in grades 5 and up.

WOMEN"S RETREAT: June 3 - 5 at the Crab Shack. (It's also fine to come on Saturday morning rather than FRiday night.) Topic: The Women of the Bible. Sing up on the hospitality table or by talking to Maryann or Becki.

FOR SUNDAY

This week we celebrate the third Sunday of Easter, as we still celebrate the echoes of the alleluias, and the wonder of the empty tomb.  The Lord has risen, and has appeared to the women, and to those locked away in the room in Galilee. This morning we hear of his encounter with the men on the Road to Emmaus. There is ample evidence and eyewitness account to tell us that the resurrection did, in fact, occur.  While we celebrate this great truth, we always must live in the shadow of the cross.

It is the cross Peter references in his sermon in Acts 2. Addressing the multitude, Peter says, ""Let the entire house of Israel know with certainty that God has made him both Lord and Messiah, this Jesus whom you crucified." Now when they heard this, they were cut to the heart…" Even while we stand at the doorway of the empty tomb, the knowledge of the cross is never far from our minds, and we, too, are cut to the heart.

Peter's solution for their grief was a call to repentance and to baptism so that they might receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. We are offered that same gift. It is not enough for us to stand in awe at the empty tomb, or enough for us to cry over the cross. We are called to action – to repentance, to affirmation of our faith, and to receive the Holy Spirit.

Our readings Sunday inclued Acts 2:14a,36-41, Psalm 116:1-3, 10-17, 1 Peter 1:17-23, and Luke 24:13-35. Let's join our voices together to worship the Lord Jesus.

Faithfully, 

Becki+

--

Rev. Becki Neumann+

Rector, South Riding Anglican Church

Office 703-961-1983

Cell 240-217-4370

Home 717-762-0924

"When it's all been said and done; there is just one thing that matters. Did I do my best to live for truth, did I live my life for You?"