One of my favorite things about the celebration of Easter is the reminder that God's outpouring of love in the Resurrection allows us to become one family in Jesus Christ. No matter who we are or where we come from, we are brothers and sisters in spirit. It's easy, though, to overlook how our bond goes even further: it extends not only to those we share creation with now but to all those generations who came before, each celebrating the living God in heart and voice, and it is in that voice that we can still celebrate together, all these years later! On Sunday, the Chancel Choir will present excerpts from the Easter portion of Handel's Messiah, an incredible work that still holds a special place in the core tradition of worship music. 

Messiah first premiered in 1741 in Dublin, Ireland, with an ensemble not too different from our own: a choir of 32 volunteer singers and a small collection of local instrumentalists and soloists. The work was performed as a benefit concert for the release of people incarcerated in debtors' prison and raised enough money to free 128 from the bondage of their debts. How appropriate it is, then, to use this music in celebration of our own release from bondage to sin and death through the resurrection of our risen Lord, Jesus Christ! This music is part of our global church's heritage, and it is our honor to present it as an offering for our community in faith. We hope you'll join us for worship at 11 am this Sunday to enjoy this beautiful music and share in a form of praise that has touched hearts for the last three hundred years.

Greetings Vineville UMC,

We want to thank you for hosting another meal-packing event with us. Your meals are going to feed the hungry in Haiti! Thank you so much for your continued support and for sharing our vision of a world without hunger. We look forward to partnering with you again. Great job, Vineville!

Sincerely,

Rise Against Hunger Atlanta Team

I want to invite all new members and visitors to coffee with the clergy. Teresa, Jon, and I would love to spend some time with all of you. We will gather on Sunday, April 16th at 9:45 in the dining room. There will be pastries or doughnuts, so get a cup of tea or coffee from Holy Roast and join us. We will make some introductions, take a tour of the building, and answer questions.

If you have joined the church in the last year or have been visiting and want to know more, then this is for you. Maybe you have been here longer than a year but are looking for a new place to get plugged in or want to learn about our Sunday school offerings; you are welcome, too. Email me at jasbell@vinevillemethodist.org, so we will have enough chairs and food.

Peace,

Wow! We have had a great response from so many of you to make our new ministry Caring Times Three a reality. I am so thankful for your caring hearts and willingness to serve in this way.

At this point, our next step is organizing the teams for cards, calls, and casseroles. Right after Easter, we will be ready to get the ball rolling in all three areas. I will be in touch with all those who volunteered with the details you will need to get started whether it be cards, calls, or casseroles at that time. If you know of someone who would benefit from receiving a card, call, or casserole, please let me know! Please be in prayer that God will use these simple yet powerful caring acts to bring joy and healing to those in our church and community.

Lenten Blessings,

Senior recognition and scholarship forms are open! Youth group members and members of the church graduating this May are encouraged to participate in our senior recognition program and scholarship opportunity. Both forms can be found on the Vineville website in the "Vineville Youth" section under "Connect & Grow".

The deadline for senior recognition is April 17th. Be sure to send a high-resolution baby picture and a senior picture to mhaines@vinevillemethodist.org and have both forms completed in order to be included in the senior recognition program!

Scholarship applicants need to email a transcript and senior resume to mhaines@vinevillemethodist.org.

Coming to Vineville this summer: Hero Hotline Headquarters, the beating heart of the hero community where everyone’s gifts are valued and every hero has a role to play, will be setting up shop from June 12^th – 16^th. Each day at the Headquarters, superheroes of all ages will spring into action as they learn to share the great story of God’s love with both their community and the whole world.

Registration for Hero Hotline VBS is open. Children, ages 4K - 5^th Grade, are invited to come and discover their strength in God. (Children aged 2K and 3K are welcome with an adult volunteer.) 5^th graders will, once again, participate in a week of service around the Macon community.

I would also love for you to be a part of the VBS team this summer. If you would like to volunteer, please email me at rmccurry@vinevillemethodist.org.

April 19, April 26, and May 3

10:30 - 11:45 in the library

Teresa Edwards - Leader

Join Mary Magdalene, Thomas, and the Men on the Road to Emmaus in the wondrous excitement of meeting the Risen Lord in this 3-week Easter Bible Study.

All you need is your Bible, a spirit open to learning, and the desire to meet Christ anew! Let’s discover together the true beauty of the Easter season.

IN-PERSON

ATTENDANCE

9:00: 102

Barbara Flournoy

Sally Buxton

Mary Mitchell

W. G. Shockley, Jr.

Sally Buxton

Mick & Margaret Anne Anderson

Inger Harris

Milton Heard III

Libby & Richard Penn

Jim & Ann Bowen Smith

Deborah & M B Wynn III

Send prayer requests to vinevillemethodist@gmail.com.

We have several ways to give to the church. You can mail a check to the church or click here to give online. Thank you for your generosity.