A note from Pastor Travis 4/8/22

Posted on Posted in A Message from Our Pastor

Dear FUMC Family and Friends,

Pretzels, palms, and a good old-fashioned bake sale!

I always look forward to worship on Sundays. Worshiping with you in person and virtually is a blessing and a gift. However, this Sunday is extra exciting! It will be the first time that I have been able to celebrate Palm Sunday in our sanctuary, and I look forward to waving my palms and shouting “Hosanna!” in our sacred space. But more than that, I look forward to the First United Methodist Church tradition of pretzels! 

One of the first things that I learned about our congregation is that our children make pretzels every Palm Sunday. Though I have been pastor here for nearly 3 years, I have not yet had the pleasure of seeing, smelling, and, hopefully, tasting these pretzels. I cannot wait to hear the laughter of our children and see the pretzels. It will help make Palm Sunday even more special.

“But,” to quote many infomercials, “wait! There’s more!” Just in time for Holy Week, the UMW is having a bake sale! I have had the privilege of experiencing our church’s bake sales, and they are fabulous. Our church has some wonderful bakers, and I cannot wait to snack on the treats they make. It will give me the sugar rush I will need for a busy Holy Week. We ask that you bake some items for the sale and buy some of the creations of our other bakers. As always, the proceeds will go to a good cause.

Speaking of Holy Week. We invite you to join us for our Holy Week services.

Sunday, April 10: we will celebrate Jesus’ triumphant entrance into Jerusalem, and the children will make pretzels.

Thursday, April 14, at 7:00 PM: we will celebrate the Last Supper through our Maundy Thursday service.

Friday, April 15, at 7:00 PM: we will reflect on Jesus’ crucifixion at our Good Friday service. 

Easter Sunday, April 20, will be a day of joy and celebration. It will be the first time we have celebrated Easter in our building in 3 years. 

As you can tell, I am excited. As I consider gathering for worship with you in person and virtually, a portion of George Hubert’s Praise II leaps to mind:

“Seven whole days, not 

One in seven, I will praise thee;

In my heart, though not in heaven,

I can raise thee.

Small it is in this poor sort 

To enroll thee;

E’en eternity’s too short

To extol thee!”

See you Sunday!

Pastor Travis