04/11/2025
Pastor Laura here. I'm not sure what happened to the newsletter this week, but this is the article I wrote for it earlier in the week. See you on Sunday!
Visiting youth, lots of kids, extra donuts, first baptism, special music and grandkids - all of this was on my mind as I rushed around on Sunday to get ready for worship. And then Suzanne came up to me and Cara and told us she wanted to come forward and join the church. What wonderful news! Cara and I had already talked through how she would do the invitation since I would be back getting ready for the baptism. Cara looked at me to see if we needed to change any of our plans, and the only thing I could say was, “The Holy Spirit is in charge of the service now!” And worship is so much better when the Holy Spirit is in charge!
It was such a great morning, and so many people stepped in to help. Thank you to everyone for doing what you could to help our guests feel welcome and to make the service flow beautifully. And even though we know that many of the young people we saw on Sundays were guests, they gave us a vision for what we pray to see on a typical Sunday here at Smithville First Christian. The Hospitality Task Force will begin working on how to make that happen. If you want to be a part of that conversation and work, let me know.
There are more opportunities to do your spiritual work in the next few weeks. Wednesday is our last Bread and Broth gathering, but the devotional booklet has readings through Easter. Sunday is Palm Sunday, and we will celebrate with waving palms, remembering the triumphal entry of Jesus into Jerusalem. We will also remember the week leading up to his death. On Good Friday, we will gather at 7 pm for a somber and reflective tenebrae service. We will hear the Gospel story of Christ’s death, sing hymns, and extinguish candles until the room is dark. We will then leave in silence. This is the only service all year when we don’t share in communion. For Disciples, that feels strange and awkward and we feel its absence. That’s the point.
Sometimes people tell me they don’t want to go to the Good Friday service because it’s sad. And it is. But it’s a crucial part of the Gospel. And we can’t run to the empty tomb on Easter if we haven’t passed through the cross on Friday.
On Easter we’ll have brunch and an egg hunt and joyous worship - with a baptism! - and a church photo on the steps after worship. Call up a friend and invite them to come to church with you on Easter!
Have a great week,
Laura
First Christian Church is a warm and welcoming Disciples of Christ congregation in downtown Smithville, MO. All means all!
