2023 April

 

This Week We’re on a Journey

                        Rev. Jeffrey B. Childs 4/1/23

 

This week we’re on a journey with Jesus Christ our Lord.

We are guided on the pathway following the Lord's word.

There is time for reflection at each stop on the way.

Grow your faith in Jesus and follow him each day.

 

Jesus will lead us deeper into the realm of God,

For he's the Good Shepherd armed with his staff and rod.

With him we have protection no danger can come near,

for we've received salvation to overcome all fear.

 

Christ gathered the disciples for a Passover meal.

He washed feet like a servant that his love they might feel.

He blessed the bread and broke it and likewise blessed the cup,

that they would be blessed by this and it would lift them up.

 

We walk out to the garden where he would be betrayed.

He prays for the disciples who run away afraid.

And Peter will deny him. Denying what he knows,

three times he will repeat it all before the cock crows.

 

Then Jesus stands on trial though Pilate finds no wrong.

We hear shouts, “Crucify him!” by the malicious throng.

And we can barely take it this devastating loss,

to Calvary they take him and nail him to a cross.

 

A darkness covers the earth his body’s laid to rest,

and darkness covers our souls we are both grieved and stressed.

This week has been a journey where can we go from here?

Without Jesus to lead us the future is unclear.

 

It Began at the Tomb

                        Rev. Jeffrey B. Childs 4/2/23

 

It began at the tomb,

Where Christ’s body was buried.

Palpable the grief and gloom,

As women their spices carried.

 

What a weekend it had been,

First, they stood there at the cross.

Christ died there to forgive sin,

A sacrificial loss.

 

By Sabbath rules, the burial rushed,

Left so much to be done,

Their spirits were nearly crushed,

In dire desperation.

 

Early on the next day's dawn,

To the tomb they made their way.

They were shocked as they looked upon,

The stone had been rolled away.

 

Disciples were called to come,

The empty grave to see.

Peter and John came on the run,

Because this cannot be.

 

The grave clothes were neatly laid,

There where the body was.

A miracle was displayed,

The resurrection of Jesus.

 

Easter Begins in Darkness

                        Rev. Jeffrey B. Childs 4/3/23

 

Easter begins in darkness,

In the middle of the night,

But it reveals its brightness,

At the first rays of daylight.

 

Mary Rose in the darkness,

Of that night and of her soul,

That in burial cloth she'd dress,

Christ’s body. That was her goal.

 

She found the tomb was empty,

The Lord's body was not there.

“Did someone take the body?”

She would ask the gardener.

 

But in his response to her,

When he called her by name,

Revealed Christ is the answer,

All her fears he overcame.

 

To overcome our worst fear,

On Easter Jesus arose.

Go share the good news this year,

So that everybody knows.

 

Easter Comes as a Surprise

                        Rev. Jeffrey B. Childs 4/5/23

 

Easter comes as a surprise!

We cannot believe our eyes!

What we thought was dead and gone,

Rose again and now lives on.

 

Jesus cannot be contained,

Neither hindered nor constrained,

Not in a tomb, nor a box,

Not bound by rules, chains, or locks.

 

Jesus rose to set us free,

Now and for eternity.

By God's grace we are forgiven,

And set on the path to heaven.

 

We Sing of Christ’s Resurrection

                        Rev. Jeffrey B. Childs 4/5/23

 

We sing of Christ’s resurrection,

On this Easter Sunday.

Christ made for us a connection,

That for us he's the way.

 

Just as he rose up from the dead,

New life was given him.

Death no longer holds for us dread,

We sing salvations hymn.

 

Easter Is a Time for Singing

                        Rev. Jeffrey B. Childs 4/6/23

 

Easter is a time for singing,

Of the love Christ has for us.

May we with faith ever follow,

Our Lord and savior Jesus.

 

Easter is a time of sharing,

The Lord's vast abundant love.

The world desperately needs it,

It's what we're by God made of.

 

Easter is a time of loving,

All that God has done for us.

From the depths of our darkness,

God raises us like Jesus.

 

Easter Is a Dramatic Change

                        Rev. Jeffrey B. Childs 4/7/23

 

Easter is a dramatic change,

Over what had come before.

From the cross and from the grave,

There is life forevermore.

 

When all seems to be said and done,

And we think that all is finished.

Watch as new life comes springing forth,

No miracle’s diminished.

 

After winter's dormant season,

Nature springs forth with new life.

After all of the worst of times,

Good News overcomes the strife.

 

Easter Comes upon Life’s Journey

                        Rev. Jeffrey B. Childs 4/8/23

 

Easter comes upon life's journey,

At the very lowest place.

When we feel our life is over,

Then we're blessed by the Lord's grace.

 

When we are down at our lowest,

In the darkness of despair,

When we don't know where to go next,

Jesus lifts us up from there.

 

Join Now in the resurrection,

As God's love dispels your gloom.

May the joy of Easter bless you,

As you're raised up from your tomb.

 

At First Thomas Was Called the Twin

                        Rev. Jeffrey B. Childs 4/9/23

 

At first Thomas was called the “Twin,”

In Greek he was Didymus.

So, was there some resemblance in,

The look of our Lord Jesus?

 

Perhaps the role that Judas played,

Marking Jesus with a kiss,

And with his identity made,

The twin they could then dismiss.

 

But Thomas got a new nickname,

The name “Doubting” he’d receive.

He would receive infamous fame,

Because he could not believe.

 

Let's stop using negative names,

That are derogatory,

And help people to thus proclaim,

Their personal faith story.

 

Raise Your Voice and Let Us Sing

                        Rev. Jeffrey B. Childs 4/11/23

 

Raise your voice and let us sing.

Praise the Lord for everything.

Sing and let your voice be heard.

Worship God with every word.

May the Lord be blessed by you,

In all that you say and do.

Let us worship as we should,

For the Lord our God is good.

 

Let us sing with voices raised.

May the Lord our God be praised.

By the Lord we have been blessed,

When God sent to us the best.

For the Lord has so loved us,

That the Lord sent us Jesus.

Through Christ we are forgiven.

Our home is prepared in heaven.

 

Mary Said to Elizabeth

                        Rev. Jeffrey B. Childs 4/12/23

 

Mary said to Elizabeth,

“My soul magnifies the Lord.”

She would praise God with every breath,

For God she greatly adored.

How might we praises to God sing,

As each day for God we live?

What two God might we also bring?

May our all we freely give.

 

Mary's a perfect example,

Of a dedicated heart.

May our faith also be ample,

That we each may do our part.

Mary knew her life was special,

With a unique role to play.

We have a purpose to fulfill.

Surely live your life that way.

 

Magnify the Lord every day.

Reveal the Lord to someone.

What is it we might do and say,

Now before the day is done?

Mary spoke of God's prophecy,

Much as Jesus would someday.

Rich people would all go hungry,

While the poor would feast that day.

 

For the World that Is in Turmoil

                        Rev. Jeffrey B. Childs 4/14/23

 

For the world that is in turmoil,

Grant us peace. Grant us peace.

For the world that is in turmoil,

Grant us peace. Grant us peace. Grant us peace.

For the world that is in turmoil,

Grant us peace.

 

For concerns affecting our hearts,

 

For the strength to face injustice,

 

For our souls so deeply troubled,

 

The Triune God

                        Rev. Jeffrey B. Childs 4/15/23

 

We celebrate all God has done.

In Jesus Christ we are made one.

The Spirit fills our hearts with love.

The triune God reigns above.

 

God may be three, but God is one,

As Spirit, Father and the Son.

God is also our Creator,

Our Redeemer and Sustainer.

 

Praise be to God who is and was,

And forever will be for us,

The only God. So let it be.

Our God is one in persons three.

 

Where There Is Dark, Let There Be Light

                        Rev. Jeffrey B. Childs 4/16/23

 

Where there is dark, let there be light.

Where there is wrong, make it be right.

Where there is strife, let there be peace.

Where there is war, make fighting cease.

 

Where there is doubt, help us believe.

Where there is hurt, our pain relieve.

Where there is hate, wrap us in love.

Where chaos reigns, send us your dove.

 

Where there is need, may we be there,

To share our faith and offer care.

In all of life may we share you,

May all be blessed by all you do.

 

Bless Us, O Lord

                        Rev. Jeffrey B. Childs 4/17/23

 

Bless us, O Lord, with loving grace,

As we meet here in sacred space.

In our souls may your Spirit fill,

And send us forth to do your will.

 

Bless us, O Lord, with blessed peace,

And by your love may love increase.

May we so love our neighbors too,

And do to them as we'd have them do.

 

Bless us, O Lord, as we obey,

Your commandments throughout the day.

And when we sin, please forgive us,

By your grace through our Lord Jesus.

 

O Loving God, We Worship You

                        Rev. Jeffrey B. Childs 4/19/23

 

O loving God, we worship you,

By what we say and what we do.

Almighty God, we give you praise,

And worship you, all of our days.

 

We offer you our heartfelt prayer,

And give thanks for your loving care.

Help us to love as you've loved us,

In the name of our Lord Jesus.

 

You proclaim to us your Good News,

To seek the lost, not one to lose.

By our changed lives, new life we proclaim,

As we reach others in your name.

 

We Magnify the Lord

                        Rev. Jeffrey B. Childs 4/20/23

 

We magnify the Lord,

As to the Lord we pray.

Eternity, we look toward,

And live that way each day.

 

Christ gave abundant life,

To those who live that way.

We live for Christ beyond all strife.

We live that way each day.

 

Good News we share with all,

By what we do and say.

Following Christ, we live our call.

We live that way each day.

 

In this World as Time Flies

                        Rev. Jeffrey B. Childs 4/21/23

 

In this world, as time flies,

Along our life’s journey,

There opportunities arise,

To venture faithfully.

 

God gives us each new day,

With opportunities,

Calling us to follow the way,

Of possibilities.

 

Follow the Lord humbly,

With each step let us pray.

In faith take leaps of faith boldly,

For God will lead the way.

 

We Care for the Whole Earth

                        Rev. Jeffrey B. Childs 4/22/23

 

We care for the whole earth,

As thanks to God, we've prayed.

God who creates, gives sacred worth,

To all that God has made.

 

Where e’er we are today,

We are never alone.

Come before God, give thanks and pray.

For the earth is our home.

 

Each day, by the Lord's grace,

God's will, let us pursue.

Let's make the earth a better place,

By something good we do.

 

God, Be with Us Always

                        Rev. Jeffrey B. Childs 4/23/23

 

God, be with us always,

And walk with us all days.

May all we do, glorify you.

To you be all the praise.

 

We come to you in prayer,

And you are always there.

We know that you will see us through,

With tender loving care.

 

In you we do believe.

Our pains you do relieve.

When we're in need you're there indeed.

Your blessings we receive.

 

To you we sing our song.

To you we do belong.

When all is dark, your love’s the spark.

Your right overcomes wrong.

 

Come before God in Reverence

                        Rev. Jeffrey B. Childs 4/24/23

 

Come before God in reverence,

Baring your heart and inner soul.

That through Christ’s death and resurrection

Our lives are by God's grace made whole.

 

Receive from the Lord this new life.

Live life fully for Christ each day.

For his life was given for us,

That we might live our lives that way.

 

In the Midst of All Our Worry

                        Rev. Jeffrey B. Childs 4/25/23

 

In the midst of all our worry,

In the hustle and the hurry,

May we find the peace of Christ,

For our souls he was sacrificed.

 

Christ calls to us, “Take up your cross.”

To find gain, first we must find loss.

Denying ourselves sets us free,

To be what Christ calls us to be.

 

Christ shows us and becomes the way,

That we might live for him today.

Take up your cross now if you choose,

And share with others the Good News.

 

Jesus at the Last Supper

                        Rev. Jeffrey B. Childs 4/26/23

 

Jesus at the Last Supper,

Became a real fixer upper.

To wash their feet when stooped no one,

Humbly Jesus got the job done.

 

As he shared the bread and cup,

Sins forgiven fixed sinners up.

He commanded, “Remember Me.”

His blood and body set us free.

 

No matter how bad your life was,

It's never too much for Jesus.

When we don't think we have a prayer,

Our Fixer Upper is always there.

 

Invite Jesus into your life,

Begin to live your afterlife.

Remember who you were and are,

By God's grace you have come far.

 

Our God’s Love Endures Forever

                        Rev. Jeffrey B. Childs 4/27/23

 

Our God's love endures forever.

Our God's love endures forever.

Our God's love endures forever.

Children blessed by God.

 

Choose this day then whom you will serve.

Choose this day then whom you will serve.

Choose this day then whom you will serve.

Children blessed by God.

 

As for my house we will serve God.

As for my house we will serve God.

As for my house we will serve God.

Children blessed by God.

 

We are called to love our neighbors.

We are called to love our neighbors.

We are called to love our neighbors.

Children blessed by God.

 

As we've been blessed be a blessing.

As we've been blessed be a blessing.

As we've been blessed be a blessing.

Children blessed by God.

 

Isaiah Saw the Lord (Isaiah 6)

                        Rev. Jeffrey B. Childs 4/28/23

 

Isaiah saw the Lord,

When king Uzziah died.

The Lord was seated on a throne,

With royal robes spread wide.

 

Above were seraphim,

And each one had six wings.

They flew and glorified the Lord,

Creator of all things.

 

“Woe is me! I'm undone!”

I am a sinful person,

With fire from the altar’s coals,

My sins were forgiven.

 

God said, “Whom shall I send,

And for us who will go?”

I replied, “Here I am, send me!”

That all people might know.

 

And so, the prophet went,

Proclaiming the Lord's word,

That all people might change their ways,

God's prophecy was heard.

 

Give to God Thanks and Praise

                        Rev. Jeffrey B. Childs 4/29/23

 

Give to God thanks and praise,

For all that God has done.

God has been with us all our days.

God bless us everyone.

 

Gift to God thanks and praise,

God of the universe.

The Lord's word will guide us always,

Each chapter and each verse.

 

Give to God thanks and praise,

Our God who rules above.

God loves us all both straights and gays.

God is a God of love.

 

Dear Holy Spirit, Come

                        Rev. Jeffrey B. Childs 4/30/23

 

Dear Holy Spirit, come,

Into my heart today,

That I may feel your presence here,

For this I humbly pray.

 

Dear Holy Spirit, come.

We need you every day,

To empower us that we might do,

All that to us you say.

 

Dear Holy Spirit, come.

Guide us along the way,

That we might always do God's will.

All this today we pray.