Hymn of Promise

I first heard the Hymn of Promise, by Natalie Sleeth, while attending worship at the First United Methodist Church in Cache, Oklahoma. It is an easy hymn to sing, and the melody quickly caught my attention. It took some time to appreciate the beauty of the three verses of this song. At first, they seemed simple, but there is a depth to them that speaks hope to me each time I sing this wonderful, modern hymn.

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Paul Skenes

It is spring time in Oklahoma. The signs are everywhere. The trees are blooming. I have started cutting our grass. The iris and tulips in our yard are beautiful, bringing color to our once dormant landscape. Perhaps the biggest sign of spring is that baseball and softball games are being played all over.

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Luke 24:13-18, 28-32

That very day two of them were going to a village named Emma′us, about seven miles from Jerusalem, and talking with each other about all these things that had happened. While they were talking and discussing together, Jesus himself drew near and went with them. But their eyes were kept from recognizing him. And he said to them, “What is this conversation which you are holding with each other as you walk?” And they stood still, looking sad. Then one of them, named Cle′opas, answered him, “Are you the only visitor to Jerusalem who does not know the things that have happened there in these days?”

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Psalm 86:1-7

Hear me, Lord, and answer me,
for I am poor and needy.
Guard my life, for I am faithful to you;
save your servant who trusts in you.
You are my God; have mercy on me, Lord,
for I call to you all day long.
Bring joy to your servant, Lord,
for I put my trust in you.
You, Lord, are forgiving and good,
abounding in love to all who call to you.
Hear my prayer, Lord;
listen to my cry for mercy.
When I am in distress, I call to you,
because you answer me.

-Psalm 86:1-7

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God’s Word

It was my first Easter Sunday as a pastor. I was nervous to be in the pulpit on such a sacred day. Aimee and I were serving two churches at Highland and Fort Cobb. Although I was nervous, I was excited to preach on that special day. I woke up early to make sure I was prepared. Our family left the house early for what was sure to be a fun day. We made the long drive to the church. With each mile my excitement grew.

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Teaching Children about Jesus

Through loving God I’ve learned to love and appreciate my neighbors more than ever before. I see how the mutual love for God brings everyone together as a community. On Sundays, I get to teach two- and three-year-old children all about God and how He loves us. I teach them about Jesus. One of my 3-year-old kids came into the nursery and asked me, “Miss Molly, are we going to learn about Jesus today?”

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Peace be with you

They had endured the trials of that holy week in Jerusalem. Jesus entered the city to the waving of palms and the shouting of “Hosannah.” Shortly after that Jesus was betrayed, arrested, brutalized, and killed. This struck fear into the hearts of the ones who followed Jesus so closely.

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Up From the Grave He Arose

While Easter doesn’t have as many Easter songs and we’re not inundated with Easter carols, there are still favorite Easter hymns. And one of my favorite traditional Easter hymns is “Up from the Grave He Arose.”

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Easter People

Easter people raise your voices
Sounds of heaven in earth should ring
Christ has brought us Heaven’s choices
Heavenly music let it ring
Alleluia, alleluia
Easter People let us sing

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Luke 23:39 – 43

One of the criminals who were hanged railed at him, saying, “Are you not the Christ? Save yourself and us!” But the other rebuked him, saying, “Do you not fear God, since you are under the same sentence of condemnation? And we indeed justly; for we are receiving the due reward of our deeds; but this man has done nothing wrong.” And he said, “Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom.” And he said to him, “Truly, I say to you, today you will be with me in Paradise.”

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