Greater Works Than Those of Jesus
Very truly, I tell you, the one who believes in me will also do the works that I do and, in fact, will do greater works than these…” - John 14:12
What? I will do greater works than those of Jesus? My first reaction to this statement is: “No way! There’s no way I will do works greater than those of Jesus!” A few days before this, Jesus raised someone from the dead. Can you think of a greater work than raising someone from the dead? I can’t. Have you ever raised someone from the dead? I haven’t. Have you done something greater than raising someone from the dead? Me neither.
However, if I truly believe in Jesus then I should believe what he said. And he definitely said the words of verse John 14:12. I will admit that I don’t fully understand those words. I don’t understand how I can do the works Jesus did, much less works greater than his.
Yet “doing the work of Jesus” is the heart of the Church of the Brethren’s Mission Statement: Continuing the Work of Jesus Peacefully, Simply, Together. This mission statement is also the theme of the 2012 Church of the Brethren Annual Conference.
In preparation for that meeting, the Annual Conference office has asked each congregation to reflect on three questions: 1) How is your congregation “Continuing the Work of Jesus” in your local community? 2) How is your congregation being changed by that ministry? 3) In what ways can the Annual Conference help you do that more effectively? We are then asked to share our answers by email with Conference Moderator Tim Harvey.
We can do better than that. We can share them with Tim Harvey in person when he visits our congregation on Sunday, April 15. During Adult Sunday School, we will study Jesus’ words in John 14:12, reflect on the three questions above, and share our reflections with Tim. We may even come to understand what it means to do works greater than those of Jesus.
Blessings, David
Love Feast – April 5 at 6:00pm
Just before Jesus said the words of John 14:12, he did a truly remarkable work: He washed his disciples’ feet. This is a work of Jesus that we do continue to do in Love Feast. Love Feast is a celebration of the acts of fellowship and service first done by Jesus and his disciples on the night before his death on the cross. It includes a time of self-reflection, foot washing, a fellowship meal, and communion.
Our next Love Feast is on April 5 -- Thursday night of Holy Week. Everyone is invited (especially those who have never attended Love Feast). We will be happy to explain and orient you to the various elements of the service.
THANK YOU!!!
Thanks to Lael for serving as Moderator pro-tem in my absence and thanks Dayle, Colleen and Lael for filling the pulpit during February.
Our Shut-ins:
Charleyne Roberts
Norm & Rose Delabarre
Bill & Johnnie Ham
Carolyn Storme
Mustard Seed
Residents at Garden Terrace
Clients from the Drug & Alcohol Center
April Birthdays
3rd Judi Delabarre
13th Ernie Holland
18th Gary Shaw
22nd Merry Kay Shaw
Margie Lee
Rachel Davis
26th Linda Vickery
Leanne Ford
April Anniversaries
18th Bill & Johnnie Ham
Attention Deacons:
The next Deacon Meeting will be held Tuesday, April 3, at 6:30pm
Maundy Thursday Foot Care Clinic
Wenatchee Brethren Baptist Church will sponsor a foot care clinic on Thursday, April 5 from 8:30am until 3:00pm.
This free clinic is for people who have diabetes, but who do not have health insurance (or whose health insurance does not adequately cover foot care). Foot care will be provided by a team of nurses and diabetes educators led by foot care specialist, Sue Anez, RN, and Irene Morrow, ARNP, CDE.
To receive this service, you must make an appointment by calling the church at 662.3681. The clinic is being held on Thursday of Holy Week to remember Jesus’ humble act of service in washing his disciples’ feet.
Please Note!
Council Meeting Potluck following worship on April 22. Please bring a salad (only) and we will have a baked potato meal with all the toppings. No desserts needed. You will need to bring your own table service.
Leanne Ford
Holy Week Services
Every year during Holy Week, noontime services are held at a church in the community. This year’s series will be held at St. Luke’s Episcopal Church, April 2-6, beginning at 12:05 each day.
This year’s preachers will be:
Monday, Dale Linge, Pastor of the King’s Orchard Church of Christ
Tuesday, Jerry Beebe, Pastor of First Assembly of God
Wednesday, Lt. Sergio Garcia, Pastor of the Salvation Army
Thursday, Steven Whitney, Pastor of the Calvary Bible Church
Friday, Fr. Lee Kiefer, Pastor of St. Luke’s Episcopal
They’re Back!
February’s newsletter featured a story about Bill Kaysen’s upcoming mission trip to Burundi, and Irene and David’s upcoming mission trip to Honduras and El Salvador. All three short-term missionaries had successful and enjoyable trips. Thank you for supporting them financially and in prayer.
David and Irene gave a presentation about their trip on March 25. Bill and John Braun (who organized the Burundi trip) are tentatively scheduled to give a presentation about their experience sometime in May. Check the May newsletter for a definite date and time.
Welcome Moderator Tim Harvey
Tim Harvey, Moderator of the Church of the Brethren Annual Conference will visit Wenatchee on Sunday, April 15. He will preach on Sunday morning at Wenatchee Brethren Baptist Church during a joint service of WBBC and Sunnyslope Church. Members of the Ellisforde and Whitestone Brethren congregations have also been invited. This trip by Tim Harvey is part of a Northwest tour that will include visits to Seattle (and the meeting of the Pacific Northwest District), Portland, and Idaho.
Tim is pastor of Central Church of the Brethren in Roanoke, Virginia. He is a native of Virginia and graduated from Virginia Tech University with a degree in chemistry. He worked as an analytical chemist before answering a call to the ministry. Tim has served as a youth pastor and lead pastor. His wife, Lynette, is a high school math teacher. They have three children.
Please welcome Tim Harvey as he encourages us in our work of ministry here in Wenatchee and we encourage him in his challenging work as Moderator. The duties of Moderator of Annual Conference are to preside over the meetings of Standing Committee and Annual Conference (held this year in St. Louis), serve as an ex officio member of the General Board, and act as the official representative of the national Church of the Brethren.
Save This Date!!!
Friday, August 17th
Golf Tournament · Dinner · Auction, to benefit the children of the Mustard Seed Neighborhood Center.
Participate in the Golf Tournament at the Highlander Golf Course with dinner and auction, or get a ticket for the dinner and auction only.
Contact Merry Roy for additional details (884.2874)
CASA Thank You
Thank you so much for allowing CASA to use your beautiful church for our training. We appreciate your hospitality!
Arlene Grover, Volunteer Coordinator, Court Appointed Special Advocates for Children
MARK YOUR CALENDARS!!
Songs of faith for “small and tall” with singer/songwriter Bryan Moyer Suderman Sunday evening, April 29, 2012 at Sunnyslope Church, 3330 School Street.
5:30 - Finger Food Fellowship
6:30 - Intergenerational Concert
Suggested donation: 16+ years - $10; ages 6 through 15 - $5; ages 5 and under - free
Bryan has a gift for writing songs that are deeply scriptural, musically memorable, and readily singable; songs that are at once simple, catchy, profound, and fun. Since his first studio album, his songs have become favorites of families and congregations across North America and beyond. Many are published in hymnal, songbook, and curriculum resources, including the Gather' Round curriculum used by Church of the Brethren, the Mennonite Church, and the United Church of Christ. Audiences respond to the warmth of Bryan's voice, the contagious nature of his songs, and his signature interactive style of singing and song leading. (You can find out more about Bryan at www.smalltallmusic.com.) PLAN now to join us for this memorable time of fellowship and song!!
Carol Bowman, Sunnyslope Church
Remember the Date!
Rebuilding Together Work Day
May 19, 2012
Working towards May 19, 2012, brings many challenges to our group. The cost of materials is rising as well as the needs of those on fixed incomes. Please think about donating your time, talents and funds to our program.
On behalf of the Board of Rebuilding Together, thank you for helping and caring. As an all-volunteer organization, we are very grateful for your monetary and in-kind donations and your time and energy. Without you, our program would not be able to help as many people on low or fixed incomes in our community. Your donations and volunteer hours help them live in warmth, safety and independence.
Please know and remember that you are important to us and to those whom we help.
Marilyn Lancaster, Event Co-coordinator
Phone: 509.881.4721
Email: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it
Thank You for the Souper Bowl Offering
Thank you for the $317 Souper Bowl offering for Hospitality Heights Family Shelter. All of us at Hospitality House Ministries, including our Board of Directors, Jim Zumini, Executive Director, staff, and residents are extremely grateful for your kindness expressed in donations to Hospitality Heights – which will be opening very soon!
Our prayer is that you feel equally, or more blessed by your giving and the kindness you have shown. You make our lives richer with the encouragement we receive every time you come bearing gifts and/or volunteer precious house, and/or financially give.
God bless you,
Teria Kelly
Director of Hospitality Heights
New Job for Ken Neher!
Ken Neher, former Director of Donor Development for the Church of the Brethren national office, was recently hired by Sterling Health Plans of Washington (rated in the top 5% in the nation). He would like to help you review your Medicare health plan and supplements to be sure you are getting the most out of your plan. Don’t wait for him to contact you.
Ken can be reached at 847.644.1168 (cell) or you can leave a message at his home office 509.665.0441. Don’t put a plan review off until you are sick or hospitalized. The best time to review your plan, and when you have the most options, is when you are healthy.
INNOCENCE IS PRICELESS
One Sunday morning, the pastor noticed little Alex standing in the foyer of the church staring up at a large plaque. It was covered with names and small American flags mounted on either side of it. The six-year old had been staring at the plaque for some time, so the pastor walked up, stood beside the little boy, and said quietly, 'Good morning Alex.' 'Good morning Pastor,' he replied, still focused on the plaque. 'Pastor, what is this?’
The pastor said, ‘Well son, it's a memorial to all the young men and women who died in the service.’
Soberly, they just stood together, staring at the large plaque. Finally, little Alex's voice, barely audible and trembling with fear asked, 'Which service, the 8:30 or the 11:00?
-via internet, Author unknown