The Vine - News Blog

A Word from the Pastor: The resurrection explains you

 
By Ben Disney
 
“I pray that they will all be one, just as you and I are one - as you are in me, Father, and I am in you. And may they be in us so that the world will believe you sent me.” John 17:21
 
A man was stranded on a deserted Pacific island for years. Finally one day a boat comes sailing into view, and the man frantically waves and draws the skipper’s attention. The boat comes near the island and the sailor gets out and greets the stranded man. After a while the sailor asks, “What are those three huts you have here?”
   
“Well, that’s my house there.”
   
“What’s that next hut?” asks the sailor. “I built that hut to be my church.”
   
“What about the other hut?”
   
“Oh, that’s where I used to go to church.”
   
It was his hope and prayer. How well has it worked out? Well, according to the Dictionary of Christianity in America there are approximately 20,800 Christian denominations worldwide. One of the great historical conundrums is the desire for unity in the Body of Christ over and against the reality of a splintered and fragmented Christian community.
 

The issues that keep us separated from one another are innumerable, ranging from essential differences in doctrine and theology to petty arguments and trivial disagreements. If there is a contradictory hope, maybe it’s Easter. Perhaps the most unifying force for the vast majority of Christians across the world is Easter. The resurrection and mystery of what God has done in Christ Jesus on the cross is what most followers point to as the foundational truth of our faith. The resurrection forever separates Jesus from being defined simply as a learned teacher, wise rabbi, miracle worker, or social revolutionist.
   
Why Easter? Because it’s bigger than any of us. It transcends the little truths we try to patch together on our own to make sense of our lives. Nothing about the resurrection makes any logical sense; which is why I like William Willimon’s take on it: “You don’t explain the resurrection. The resurrection explains you.”
 
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ArborlawnUMC.org

Palm Procession Sunday, April 1

 
Kids, join us this Sunday for our annual Palm Procession. All children are welcome to participate as we wave our palms before each service.
 

Meet in the Lower Commons at 8:30 a.m. to wave palms at the 8:45 a.m. service. Gather at 10:45 a.m. in the Lower Commons to wave palms at the 11 a.m. service. Or, meet outside of the InSearch service at 11 a.m. to wave palms at the 11:11 a.m. service. We will process down the aisle and then return to sit with our families.
 
If you have any questions please contact Kim Cordell.
 
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ArborlawnUMC.org

Children’s Easter Mission Project: “Bless My Sole”

 
“Now that I, your Lord and teacher, have washed your feet, you also should wash one another’s feet. I have set you an example that you should do as I have done for you.”  John 13:14-15
    
Jesus washed the feet of His disciples, a humble gesture, generally performed by lowly servants. To help us remember to serve others, as imitators of Christ, Arborlawn children are collecting new pairs of socks to be given to the clients of United Community Centers.  A clean pair of socks will bless the man who has none!
   
Look for the “Bless My Sole” collection station in the Children’s area outside of the Circuit Riders rooms. We will collect new socks through Easter Sunday, Apr. 8.
 
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ArborlawnUMC.org

Easter Celebration and Egg Hunt planned for Saturday, March 31

 
Contributed by Melissa Hedger

Attention Arborlawn Parents, mark your calendars! Our annual Easter Celebration will be on March 31st from 10 a.m. until Noon.
 

We will have a craft time for the kids where we will decorate cookies and other art projects.  After the craft time there will be two Easter egg hunts for the little and big kids. Lots of plastic eggs filled with candy are needed for the hunts; if you would like to make a donation, look for the donation box located at the base of the stairs by the nursery area. We look forward to seeing you all there.
 
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ArborlawnUMC.org

Easter Sunday: many guests expected

This coming Sunday is joyous Easter, and we anticipate a large gathering in our Sanctuary to celebrate the Resurrection of Jesus.

On this special day of the year, think about joining us at the 8:45 a.m. worship service to free more space for guests at our 11:00 and 11:11 worship services.  
 
If you are physically able, please consider parking in the outer parking lots to allow more places for our guests. We have ample additional parking at the back of the campus using the parking lot at the building just behind the church on International Plaza. 
 
Finally, if you can, consider sitting in the balcony to allow our guests more space on the floor section of the sanctuary. Having the members of Arborlawn willingly choose the worst seats in the house makes the best statement about who we are and our desire to reach out and welcome others into God’s house.
 
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ArborlawnUMC.org 

A Word from the Pastor: Three movements of Easter at Arborlawn

By Rev. Ben Disney
 
1. THE PRAGMATIC
 
We already know what happens on Easter Sunday at Arborlawn. The crowds will be large, the music will be glorious, and the Spirit will lift our hearts as we worship God and celebrate the resurrection of Jesus Christ. Our actions on that day will say a great deal about what kind of people and church we aspire to be. We are called to be servant leaders. If you are physically able and your schedule allows please consider the following as we seek to welcome and make room for our guests:
  
* Consider joining us at the 8:45 a.m. worship service to free more space for guests at our 11:00 and 11:11 worship services. 
 
* If you are physically able, please consider parking in the outer parking lots to allow more places for our guests. We have ample additional parking at the back of the campus using the parking lot at the building just behind the church on International Plaza.
 
* If you’re able, consider sitting in the balcony to allow our guests more space on the floor section of the sanctuary. Having the members of Arborlawn willingly choose the worst seats in the house makes the best statement about who we are and our desire to reach out and welcome others into God’s house.
 

 
2. THE SENTIMENTAL
 
This will be the final Easter celebration in our current sanctuary. It’s a moment to reflect on the faithfulness of those who’ve gone before us, the memories of this special place where children were baptized, couples wed, students confirmed, faith professed, hymns sung, prayers offered, saints buried, and lives transformed by the love of God. Leaving this house of worship is something none of us should take lightly or do easily. We need to honor our past, celebrate the present, and look forward with confidence to the future God has planned for all of us. Because this is our last Easter in this sanctuary, I suspect feelings will run deeper and emotions will be higher once we realize the finality of the moment.
 
3. THE CELEBRATION
 
Easter is the day in which we celebrate the resurrection of Jesus Christ. It’s the day in which we proclaim God’s great promise with boldness and confidence. Invite your friends and join us for a grand celebration on April 24. He is Risen!
 
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ArborlawnUMC.org 

Easter Bunny here Saturday

Kids, you need to be here this coming Saturday, Apr. 16 from 10 a.m. until noon. The Easter Bunny is making a return trip to Arborlawn for the Children’s Easter Celebration! Enjoy crafts, cookie decorating, face painting, and more from 10-11 a.m., then the Egg Hunt at 11 a.m. 
 
Afterward, stay and picnic. Pack your own food and blankets and let the kids eat and play in the bounce house. This event is free and everyone is invited to join in.
 
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ArborlawnUMC.org 

Big day of fun coming April 16 for kids

Kids, you need to be here on Saturday, Apr. 16 from 10 a.m. until noon. We're planning a fun Children’s Easter Celebration! Enjoy crafts, cookie decorating, face painting, and more from 10-11 a.m. At 11 a.m. we’ll head outside for our annual Easter Egg Hunt.
 

 
After the egg hunt, you are invited to stay and have a picnic together. Pack your own food and blankets and let the kids eat and play in the bounce house. This event is free and everyone is invited to join in.
 
STUFFED EASTER EGGS NEEDED
 
We're still collecting plastic eggs stuffed with fun goodies for the kids. You can place your eggs in the marked box in the Gathering Area. Eggs may be filled with stickers, toys, wrapped candy (no chocolate, please!) and more. Thank you for helping us make the Easter Egg Hunt a success.
 
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ArborlawnUMC.org 

Inspiring art increases devotion in Holy Week

By Rev. Judy Williamson
 
Art based on the scripture for recent Arborlawn worship themes, sermons, and music is on display at the Kimbell Art Museum and in the Gathering Area showcases at Arborlawn. 
 
The Mar. 27 worship theme was based on the story of Jesus and the Samaritan woman at the well from John 4:7-26. One of the new acquisitions at the Kimbell is Christ and the Woman of Samaria by Giovanni Francesco Barbieri. In this oil painting, Jesus and the woman are larger than life discussing Living Water. The Apr. 10 worship theme was based on the story of Jesus raising Lazarus from the grave as found in John 11:1-45. Duccio di Buoninsegna painted The Raising of Lazarus. This is a small, brilliantly painted canvas that captures the joy, terror, and awe of the moment when Lazarus obeyed Jesus, left death behind, and simply walked out of his grave. Both paintings can be seen among the masterpieces in two adjoining rooms of the galleries to the left of the grand stairway at the Kimbell.
 
Arborlawn's showcases currently host art by Dallas artist Tom Huch. Huch’s work features scriptures from recent Arborlawn worship themes, vivid colors, and visual symbols. Some of the themes of his paintings are Waves of Grace, the Good Shepherd, a spiritual journey, and transformation. Some of the predominant symbols are light, illumination, circles, and crosses. More Huch paintings that pertain directly to Easter will be displayed during Holy Week. Huch’s wife is the Cantor at Highland Park United Methodist Church in Dallas. 
 
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ArborlawnUMC.org 

Children's Easter Celebration planned for Saturday April 16

Come join us for a great morning of fun at the Children’s Easter Celebration on Saturday, Apr. 16 from 10 a.m. until noon. We will have crafts, cookie decorating, face painting, and more from 10-11 a.m. At 11 a.m. we’ll head outside for our annual Easter Egg Hunt. 
 


After the egg hunt, you are invited to stay and have a picnic together. Pack your own food and blankets and let the kids eat and play in the bounce house. This event is free and everyone is invited to join in.
 
STUFFED EASTER EGGS NEEDED
 
Starting Apr. 3 we will be collecting plastic eggs stuffed with fun goodies for the kids. You can place your eggs in the marked box in the Gathering Area. Eggs may be stuffed with stickers, toys, wrapped candy (no chocolate, please!) and more. Thank you for helping us make the Easter Egg Hunt a success.
 
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ArborlawnUMC.org 

Series for families looks into events leading up to Easter

Many people know plenty about Easter Sunday, but sometimes the rituals leading up to Resurrection Day are less studied. This year, families with children age 3 through elementary school are invited to attend our series Families Preparing for Easter to learn more about Palm Sunday, Maundy Thursday, and Good Friday.
 
The series begins tomorrow night (Thursday, Mar. 31, 6:30 p.m.) and continues on Apr. 7 and Apr. 14. We invite families to attend and embrace the observances of Lent. Families can choose to come to any or all of the evenings. The series is free.  
 
Call Nell Cantwell in the church office if you’re interested in the available nursery during this series. Questions? Contact Beth Evers or Kim Cordell.
 
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ArborlawnUMC.org 

Series for kids and parents to study Holy Week

Many people know plenty about Easter Sunday, but sometimes the observances leading up to Resurrection Day are less studied. This year, families with children age 3 through elementary school are invited to attend our series Families Preparing for Easter to learn more about Palm Sunday, Maundy Thursday, and Good Friday.
 


The three-week series begins Thursday, Mar. 31 from 6:30-7:30 p.m. and continues on Apr. 7 and Apr. 14. On each of those nights, we invite families to attend and embrace the observances of Lent. Families can choose to come to any or all of the evenings.
 
We'll be covering Palm Sunday on Mar. 31, Maundy Thursday on Apr. 7, and Good Friday on Apr. 14. The series, which is free of charge, includes plenty of interactive stories and activities for the whole family. 
 
Call Nell Cantwell in the church office if you're interested in the available nursery during this series. If you have any questions about Families Preparing for Easter, contact Beth Evers or Kim Cordell.
 
We look forward to your family joining us this Lenten season.
 
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ArborlawnUMC.org 

Families Preparing for Easter planned for three Thursday evenings

Our Methodist tradition is alive during the Lenten season with meaningful observances, including Palm Sunday, Maundy Thursday, and Good Friday. Families with children age 3 through elementary school have a chance this spring to learn more about these special days.
 
A three-week series called Families Preparing for Easter begins Thursday, Mar. 31 from 6:30-7:30 p.m. and continues on Apr. 7 and Apr. 14. On each of those nights, we invite families to attend and embrace the observances of Lent. Families can choose to come to any or all of the evenings.
 


 
We'll be covering Palm Sunday on Mar. 31, Maundy Thursday on Apr. 7, and Good Friday on Apr. 14. The series, which is free of charge, includes plenty of interactive stories and activities for the whole family.
  
Call Nell Cantwell in the church office if you're interested in the available nursery during this series. If you have any questions about Families Preparing for Easter, contact Beth Evers or Kim Cordell.
 
We look forward to your family joining us this Lenten season.
 
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ArborlawnUMC.org 

Family Lenten series begins March 31 for three Thursdays

A three-week series to help families of young children prepare for Easter begins Thursday, Mar. 31. Families Preparing for Easter is for families with children from 3 years old through elementary school are invited to join us from 6:30-7:30 p.m. on Mar. 31, Apr. 7, and Apr. 14. (You can choose to come to just one or all three evenings.)
 


The topics are: Mar 31 - Palm Sunday; Apr. 7 - Maundy Thursday; and Apr. 14 - Good Friday. We will have interactive stories and activities for the whole family.
  
This series is free, and a nursery will be available. If you have any questions, please contact Beth Evers or Kim Cordell. 
 
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ArborlawnUMC.org