Holy Week is upon us! As we begin to approach the biggest celebration of the Christian year, we are reminded that we have a new relationship with God through Jesus’ victory on the cross.

Relationships change everything, with God and with people. Unhealthy relationships can cause long-term challenges, but healthy relationships keep us moving forward with hope, and lead us toward growth and healing. The story of Holy Week teaches us that relationships can be fickle or deep, forgiving or unforgiving, and harmful or healthy.

Jesus was greeted as a hero on Palm Sunday, but then rejected and hated in less than a week. Sometimes people only care for us because of what they think they can get from us. Jesus calls us into a deep relationship. We are valued by God! Not for what we are, for what we have, or even for what we do. In our relationship with God, we are loved simply because we are God’s own children. This love is deep!

Jesus knew that his friends would abandon him in his hour of need. He prayed that they might be strengthened, but despite their abandonment, he welcomed them back with open arms. Jesus is always ready to forgive and start over with us!

Jesus knew that all of his followers needed to be connected with God to live a healthy life. After Jesus rose, he visited with them and encouraged them once more. When we live life with Jesus, we become more and more healthy. The Holy Spirit works within us to make us new people! We shed the harmful beliefs and habits that hold us back. We reconnect with the image of God stamped upon us, and God shapes us into healing people for our community.

This Easter, we’ll celebrate the Resurrection. But let’s also celebrate the blessing of our relationships as the Body of Christ. We are forgiven, free, and called bring to new life to others!

Yours in the joy of Christ’s service,
Pastor Steve

July  24-28 from 6:30 – 8:30.

At Sky VBS, kids imagine what it would be like to bounce among the clouds, soar with eagles, and reach for the stars. The Bible comes to life in new and powerful ways as kids explore why nothing is impossible with God. Through every experience, kids find that they can trust God. Start soaring now--register to be a part of Amlin UMC's Sky Vacation Bible School.

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