Christ is Risen! Alleluia! While the world has long moved on from Easter, we followers of Jesus continue to journey in this 50-day season celebrating Christ’s victory over death – and the power of God’s love to conquer all things! On the 6th weekend of Easter Season, we hear Jesus’ promise to never leave us alone in this world, but to bless each of us with the power & strength of the Holy Spirit that always connects us with Jesus and God, our Heavenly Parent! In our society, Sunday is also Mother’s Day. At worship, we offer special prayers of thanks & blessing for our living mothers, grandmothers, and other women who have played motherly roles in our lives. We offer prayers of thanks & remembrance for our mothers, grandmothers & others who have passed away, to life in the Church Triumphant. At 10:30, we have a very special musical offering from Deacon Lexanne (accompanied by Kris Fink, on guitar) – along with a moving slideshow featuring LS youth & children with their moms. And … on Mother’s Day, we offer an annual blessing for our Quilting & Pew Bear Ministries, two amazing efforts led by LS women that bring so much hope to people’s lives! We continue to be excited about our Spring Disciple gatherings, where we gather in small groups for support & fellowship focusing our emphasis of God’s growing hope. Be sure to check out times & dates in your Journal, bulletin, and e-news! Our Mental-Emotional Wellness task force will have thank-you cards at church for our 24 local school guidance counselors. Please mark your calendars for our big congregation Mental-Emotional Wellness Gathering on May 21 with SC Dept of Mental Health Suicide Prevention Program Director, Jessica Barnes. There are many special meals & gifts for Mother’s Day, but there is nothing more meaningful than gathering as a family to give thanks to God for our moms and dine together at the Lord’s Table for the meal of ultimate love. I leave you with words from Sunday’s Psalm 66, about our loving, motherly God: “Bless our God, all you peoples; let the sound of praise be heard, Blessed be God, who has not rejected our prayer – not withheld unfailing love from me.” We look forward to being together this Sunday in worship to celebrate Mother’s Day and the ongoing, growing hope of this Easter season! Christ’s peace!!
