MUMC Plugged IN

God's grace continues even on the other side of death. For those who have been saved by grace, we will at once be what Christ is.

Grace has changed us, is changing us and will ultimately change us into the perfect image of Christ.

We continue our journey through grace this week and talk about Sanctifying Grace. If Justifying Grace is what God does for us, Sanctifying Grace is what God does in us. It is a continuing cycle of growth and glory. 

God isn't finished with us yet. 

Last week we talked about how God's grace opens our blinded eyes to the light of the reality of who He is. The problem with that is that once we realize who He is (and consequently who we are) we also then realize that we are hopelessly far from Him, mired in our own sin. 

We have a better chance to control a sunset than to find a way to make things right on our own.

It is there though, at the foot of the cross that the grace of Christ's sacrifice becomes real to us and His justifying grace makes us right again. 

We got a chance to sit down with Marilyn Kasmiersky with Family Promise to talk about the ministry and care they provide for families in need. If you are not familiar with them, Family Promise is a 90 Day Program in partnership with local congregations that provides shelter, meals, transportation, and compassionate assistance for homeless families with children.

For more information visit their website: www.familypromiseofmc.org 
You can also email Marilyn with any questions at: [email protected]

There is an aspect to God's grace that pursues us, awakens us, and opens our hearts to the reality of who we really are, who God is, and what our place is in His world.

CLICK HERE to read Pastor Cabe's article about the seven signs of Jesus in the gospel of John.

It had been a difficult and confusing couple of days. The disciples had watched Jesus die and watched as they sealed him in a tomb. Now, they were afraid, lost, and facing an uncertain future.

Under the cover of early morning, some of Jesus' disciples visit the tomb to find that it has been broken and his body removed. Emboldened by her tears, Mary challenges the Gardner to tell her how to find Jesus. 

In the history of mankind from the first moment that God breathed dust into life, there has never been a breath more important than the one Jesus uses to say her name..."Mary"

In the span of that breath, everything changes. Christ has risen!

On this Good Friday, we invite you into the story of Jesus' betrayal, trial and death on the cross. Where do you find yourself in the story? 

From Peter's denial, to Pilate's questions, from Mary's tears to the disciple's fears the reactions those there on that day span the entire spectrum of human emotion. 

On Friday, everything is going to change. There will be accusations, denials, betrayals, and crucifixions. After the events of tomorrow, literally, nothing will be the same.

But today isn't Friday, it's Thursday and Jesus finds himself with his disciples for the last time. If you know what is going to happen tomorrow, what do you do? What do you say? How do you want those closest to you to remember you?

On this Thursday night, Jesus chooses to have a Passover meal with his disciples and at some point in the evening gets up from the table, puts on the clothes of a servant, and picks up a basin of water.

The son of God, on this not-so-ordinary Thursday, his last Thursday on earth, washes the feet of his disciples.

At the beginning of this journey, we found Jesus at a wedding celebration; this final sign sees Him at the funeral of His friend. Lazurus was more than just a passing acquaintance or a face in the crowd, he and Jesus were close. 

Not only has Lazarus died, but the storm clouds of political and social upheaval are brewing as Jesus and His disciples go to Jerusalem - the epicenter of the storm.

There is a difference between being blind and not being able to see. 

In the ninth chapter of the Gospel of John, Jesus heals a man who has been blind from birth and sets in motion a chain of events that finds this man betrayed by his family, denied by his friends and neighbors, and thrown out of his church by his religious leaders. 

Even though he was the one who was born blind, we find him surrounded by people who cannot see who is standing right in front of them.