First Tucumcari Digest 4/15/2014

Is it right to say, "Happy Tax Day?"  For some of you, it might be a happy day, and for others, perhaps not.  For those who are "self employed," or others who must pay their own taxes in full, it can be painful day of reckoning.

It is just one of those many reminders that we believers are "in betweeners."  We have hope for the day of the resurrection, but for now we continue in awareness that we live alongside the brokenness of this world.  See Jesus' Parable of the Weeds Mt 13:24-30  

It's a fascinating story of how there are weeds grown up alongside the wheat.  The explanation is given in the text as to why God allows good and evil to grow up together.  The idea is that the good stuff, the wheat, could accidentally get uprooted with the weeds, if pulled up right now. The weeds and wheat look an awful lot alike when they're still young.

But there is more.  For out there in God's creation, there good little grasses of wheat growing up among the weeds.  God is at work "out there," even as God is at work "in here," in our church.  

Just yesterday, Eric Rivera and I decided that we couldn't allow all those potluck leftovers go to waste in our refrigerator, nor could they be refrozen following Barbara's funeral.  There was an entire pan of red chile enchiladas, and part of a pan each of beans and Spanish rice.  I worry about wasted food. It was Eric's idea to call Deputy Chief of Police Pete Rivera (no relation!), and see if they could use it.  They were grateful that we thought of them, especially for the night shift when officers need to eat but have just a couple of options.  I taped our church brochures to the pans, and wrote on them, "Thank you for all you do!" and we brought them all down there.

It felt good to let them know we appreciate them.  While we all have our complaints that our government needs a little "weeding out," there are also those good blades of wheat who need to be reminded we appreciate them.  They could use our nurture.  

As the church grieves losing members and the changes in our society and culture that has played a part in that loss, we can't forget that we are partners - fellow subjects in God's kingdom - with those who are doing good in the world.  They could use us to cheer them on while they stand at the front lines of evil and brokenness. 

This week is a different sort of week, Holy Week.  Things are a little more topsy-turvy this week than usual.  
There will be NO YOGA this Wednesday, 
We do have a Session meeting at 5:30PM Wednesday
The Maundy Thursday service is at 6:00PM
Lydia Ebell's birthday is this week. Please send her a birthday card so she knows we're thinking of her and praying for her!
Easter Sunday worship is at 11:00AM.  We're keeping it simple this year so there's no egg hunt or brunch.  We've got enough going on with upcoming presbytery meeting and the rummage sale!

Also, just a few words of thanks - to Ron and Wayne for coordinating the ongoing building repairs to our shingles and the ceiling tiles in the Christian Ed. Wing.  To Dr. Corey for buying us  a lovely uplifting poster to put over the termite damage (it's cool, about belonging to God).  To Sharon and Wayne for hosting potluck, and for the beautiful singing we heard on Sunday from Julie Sursa.  Also thanks to Iola, Mickey (and Amy) for cleaning up that crafts room.  It looks better in there.  We are a very intricate web of service and gratitude, aren't we?

The Spring Newsletter is here!  You can download it by scrolling up from here and click once on "Bulletin Board," just below our phone number. 


May God bless you this week of Holy Week.  We look forward to seeing you in worship.  
Blessings,
Pastor Amy