And we celebrated the Resurrection of Our Lord with the Rites of Baptism of Hazim Kalil and Louis Estrada II.
New membership of parents: Chrissy McCormick and Louis Estrada ,Sr.
Easter Celebration with the children of St. John’s
Easter Message from Pastor Lynell Aljoe-Thuman - April 7, 2024
Why do you seek the living among the dead? He is not here, but is risen! " Luke 24:5-6
Christ is RISEN! ( He is Risen indeed ALLELUIA!)
When I think of Resurrection Sunday I think of Jesus our Redeemer with outstretch hands, ready to embrace us with profound and unconditional love. I envision people with smiles of Peace and Joy, ready to shout Alleluias and break out in a dance of high praise. Trumpets, Tambourines and all musical instruments playing loud and clear as if the player becomes on E with the instrument. I see saints of a times gathered in white around the Throne of God worshipping the Lord and speaking in tongues with hand raised.
And then, I think about all the Christians in war torn countries that are limited in their ability to rejoice and praise God above a whisper, yet, as best they can embracing each other in hope that one glad morning, before their life is over they will be able to freely with no restraints at all, breaking out in a parade of praise over broken mortal and brick, glass and other debris. What a beautiful scene that would be. Until this happens, I will shout and dance for those who cannot. Just watch me.
Like millions around the world I love to sing the following hymn written by Charles Wesley in 1739 ( based on Matthew 28:5-6), that has me moving and swaying in total bliss, even if not hearing all six verses.
1 Christ the Lord is risen today, Alleluia!
Earth and heaven in chorus say, Alleluia!
Raise your joys and triumphs high, Alleluia!
Sing, ye heavens, and earth reply, Alleluia!
2 Love's redeeming work is done, Alleluia!
Fought the fight, the battle won, Alleluia!
Death in vain forbids him rise, Alleluia!
Christ has opened paradise, Alleluia!
3 Lives again our glorious King, Alleluia!
Where, O death, is now thy sting? Alleluia!
Once he died our souls to save, Alleluia!
Where's thy victory, boasting grave? Alleluia!
4 Soar we now where Christ has led, Alleluia!
Following our exalted Head, Alleluia!
Made like him, like him we rise, Alleluia!
Ours the cross, the grave, the skies, Alleluia!
5 Hail the Lord of earth and heaven, Alleluia!
Praise to thee by both be given, Alleluia!
Thee we greet triumphant now, Alleluia!
Hail the Resurrection, thou, Alleluia!
6 King of glory, soul of bliss, Alleluia!
Everlasting life is this, Alleluia!
Thee to know, thy power to prove, Alleluia!
Thus to sing, and thus to love, Alleluia!
This song among others should make us celebrate because our Alleluias which were buried during Lent can now be heard loud and clear by a Resurrected people who serves a Risen Savior whose in the world today. Praise be to God for the victory over sin and death. We were worthy saved so rejoice because, "This is the day that the Lord has made, we will be glad and rejoice in it." Christ is Risen! ( He has Risen indeed ALLELUIA!!
In God's unfailing Love and Grace I will always remain,-
+ Pastor Lynell
CHRIST IS RISEN! HE IS RISEN INDEED! ALLEUIA! ~ CHRIST IS RISEN! HE IS RISEN INDEED! ALLEUIA!
Peace and Blessings from our Risen Savior Jesus Christ!
Happy RESURRECTION SUNDAY and EASTER SEASON!
The Holy Gospel According to St John 20:1-18 (NRSVUE)
“Early on the first day of the week, while it was still dark, Mary Magdalene came to the tomb and saw that the stone had been removed from the tomb. So she ran and went to Simon Peter and the other disciple, the one whom Jesus loved, and said to them, “They have taken the Lord out of the tomb, and we do not know where they have laid him.” Then Peter and the other disciple set out and went toward the tomb. The two were running together, but the other disciple outran Peter and reached the tomb first. He bent down to look in and saw the linen wrappings lying there, but he did not go in. Then Simon Peter came, following him, and went into the tomb. He saw the linen wrappings lying there, and the cloth that had been on Jesus’s head, not lying with the linen wrappings but rolled up in a place by itself. Then the other disciple, who reached the tomb first, also went in, and he saw and believed, for as yet they did not understand the scripture, that he must rise from the dead. Then the disciples returned to their homes. But Mary stood weeping outside the tomb. As she wept, she bent over to look into the tomb, and she saw two angels in white sitting where the body of Jesus had been lying, one at the head and the other at the feet. They said to her, “Woman, why are you weeping?” She said to them, “They have taken away my Lord, and I do not know where they have laid him.” When she had said this, she turned around and saw Jesus standing there, but she did not know that it was Jesus. Jesus said to her, “Woman, why are you weeping? Whom are you looking for?” Supposing him to be the gardener, she said to him, “Sir, if you have carried him away, tell me where you have laid him, and I will take him away.” Jesus said to her, “Mary!” She turned and said to him in Hebrew, “Rabbouni!” (which means Teacher). Jesus said to her, “Do not touch me, because I have not yet ascended to the Father. But go to my brothers and say to them, ‘I am ascending to my Father and your Father, to my God and your God.’ ” Mary Magdalene went and announced to the disciples, “I have seen the Lord,” and she told them that he had said these things to her.”
Resurrection is here- Alleluia! We have surpassed the Alleluias so long it feels good to say it, again and again and again. Let your Alleluia’s resound loud and clear so that the whole world can hear, for Christ our Savior is Risen. Go ran tell others that Christ I alive. Jesus abides in our hearts and rules in our soul. What does Resurrection Sunday mean to you? For me it means that-this is the Day that the Lord has made to make your hearts leap forth with JOY. So Rejoice like never before. Jesus is worthy of all of your praise because he loved us so much he was willing to die for us. Our Good News is that Christ did not just stay dead, He defeated sin and death with one mighty blow. As the chorus of a song I love to sings and hear goes, “Because He lives, I can face tomorrow, Because He lives, all fear is gone; Because I know He holds the future, And life is worth the living, Just because He lives!”
Have a Blessed Easter Season.
I remain a humble servant CHRIST IS RISEN! HE IS RISEN INDEED! ALLEUIA!
+ Pastor Lynell A. AlJoe-Thurman
Good Friday Message from Pastor Lynell,
Peace and Blessings It’s Good Friday!
For me, it is the most emotional day of this and any Holy Week. This is the day that our loving and Holy Savior, who has a merciful and has the absolute best forgiving heart, was hung high and spread wide for all of our sins. On this day just pause and thank Jesus because his precious heart just stopped beating so that we could have everlasting life. This was all in God’s Divine Plan. With these three word’s “IT IS FINISHED” this part of his mission was complete. All of our sins were nailed to the cross with him and buried in the tomb to remain FOREVER in the Sea of Forgetfulness (Micah 7:18-20). All of the suffering he encountered as was prophesied in Isaiah 53 did happen. All of this and more happened so that we could be reunited with God our blessed Creator. We are loved that much! Reflect upon the love our Creator has for us to give his only begotten Son to die for us all. God sees all that we are and all that we have done, is doing and will do and yet loves us with all of his heart. We are the apple of his eyes. This is our Good News and it is “As Good As It Gets”.
The Holy Gospel According to St. John 19: 16-30
“ So he delivered him over to them to be crucified. They took Jesus, and he went out, bearing his own cross, to the place called The Place of a Skull, which in Aramaic is called Golgotha. There they crucified him, and with him two others, one on either side, and Jesus between them. Pilate also wrote an inscription and put it on the cross. It read, “Jesus of Nazareth, the King of the Jews.” Many of the Jews read this inscription, for the place where Jesus was crucified was near the city, and it was written in Aramaic, in Latin, and in Greek. So the chief priests of the Jews said to Pilate, “Do not write, ‘The King of the Jews,’ but rather, ‘This man said, I am King of the Jews.’” Pilate answered, “What I have written I have written.” When the soldiers had crucified Jesus, they took his garments and divided them into four parts, one part for each soldier; also his tunic But the tunic was seamless, woven in one piece from top to bottom, so they said to one another, “Let us not tear it, but cast lots for it to see whose it shall be.” This was to fulfill the Scripture which says, “They divided my garments among them, and for my clothing they cast lots.” So the soldiers did these things, but standing by the cross of Jesus were his mother and his mother's sister, Mary the wife of Clopas, and Mary Magdalene. When Jesus saw his mother and the disciple whom he loved standing nearby, he said to his mother, “Woman, behold, your son!” Then he said to the disciple, “Behold, your mother!” And from that hour the disciple took her to his own home. After this, Jesus, knowing that all was now finished, said (to fulfill the Scripture), “I thirst.” A jar full of sour wine stood there, so they put a sponge full of the sour wine on a Hyssop branch and held it to his mouth. When Jesus had received the sour wine, he said, “It is finished,” and he bowed his head and gave up his spirit.”
We will be at the church for our Fish Fry from 11-3 PM. If you would like to volunteer, please do so. Our Good Friday Service will be held at 5 PM. You are invited to join us. Have a Blessed Day!
Peace and Blessings- Happy Maundy Thursday. 04/06/2023
Peace and Blessings on this Maundy Thursday!
So far we have had the Triumphant entry into Jerusalem, Jesus Flipping over the tables in the Temple and the freeing of sacrificial animals and Judas and the High Priest plans to betray Jesus. The week is not even over yet. This is the day that we commemorate Jesus' washing the feet of the his Disciples, which does prove that he was a servant to all including his disciples, even the one that betrayed him. Now it was Passover and as we read yesterday right before Passover Judas Iscariot had already went to see the Chief Priest and the officers of the Temple and had agreed to betray Jesus. Even knowing all of this Jesus greatly loved his disciples as he loves us all today. He took on the role as a servant so that we would also know how to serve others. This was a humbling act for someone to leave the dinner table and place a towel around their waist and wash people’s feet and then return to the table. He gave them an example to follow and I am sure it was a lesson learned by the Disciples and all of us today. So how do we serve others? Do we do it with a cheerful heart? Do we serve others as we would want to be served? Jesus tells us over and over again that we are to love one another and even if we do not like their actions, we are to pray from them anyway.
When was the last time you did something so incredibly nice for someone without expecting anything in return? Did your gesture come from your heart? I believe with my entire being that all of Jesus actions came from his sacred heart. Do you recall the song in our LBW 105 'The Lamb Goes Uncomplaining Forth' ? Verse 3 comes to mind it says. "He answered from his tender heart that he take the burden: "My Father's will is my command; I'll do as I am bidden."" And we should also do what God tells us to do.
The Holy Gospel According to St. John 13:1-17, 31-35
“Now before the Feast of the Passover, when Jesus knew that his hour had come to depart out of this world to the Father, having loved his own who were in the world, he loved them to the end. During supper, when the devil had already put it into the heart of Judas Iscariot, Simon's son, to betray him, Jesus, knowing that the Father had given all things into his hands, and that he had come from God and was going back to God, rose from supper. He laid aside his outer garments, and taking a towel, tied it around his waist. Then he poured water into a basin and began to wash the disciples' feet and to wipe them with the towel that was wrapped around him. He came to Simon Peter, who said to him, “Lord, do you wash my feet?” Jesus answered him, “What I am doing you do not understand now, but afterward you will understand.” Peter said to him, “You shall never wash my feet.” Jesus answered him, “If I do not wash you, you have no share with me.” Simon Peter said to him, “Lord, not my feet only but also my hands and my head!” Jesus said to him, “The one who has bathed does not need to wash, except for his feet, but is completely clean.And you are clean, but not every one of you.” For he knew who was to betray him; that was why he said, “Not all of you are clean.” When he had washed their feet and put on his outer garments and resumed his place, he said to them, “Do you understand what I have done to you? You call me Teacher and Lord, and you are right, for so I am. If I then, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also ought to wash one another's feet. For I have given you an example, that you also should do just as I have done to you. Truly, truly, I say to you, a servant is not greater than his master, nor is a messenger greater than the one who sent him. If you know these things, blessed are you if you do them.”
Have a Blessed Day on Purpose and if you are able please join us at 3PM for our Maundy Thursday Worship Service with Communion and Foot Washing.
It’s all about God’s Love.
Peace and Blessings- Happy Holy Wednesday:
On this day we read the accounts of Judas Iscariot agreeing to betray Jesus. All for the love of money. Remember "for the love of money is the root of all evil" - (1st Timothy 6:10). When I read the Gospel below, I always think of that classic song by the O'Jays. You know the one. The song was called 'For The Love of Money'- When it comes to Judas it was always about the Money. John 12:6 says that Judas really did not care for the poor. He was a thief that often times stole from the other disciples. Jesus knew his weakness. So, it was not a surprise that he would be chosen to betray Jesus.
Often times when we go over the Apostles' Creed in Confirmation class the conversation always surround whether or not Judas was forgiven by Jesus, since he betrayed him and then committed suicide. I would always say something to the effect of, "Since Jesus descended into hell and he was sent to forgive all including those that died before he was crucified and was resurrected, it is believable, that he did. Jesus has that much compassion, grace and mercy for all.
Judas Iscariot has always been and will continue to be that one disciple that has the most controversy attached to his name. He betrayed Jesus for 30 pieces of silver which in today's US currency could be anywhere between $90-$3000 based on the weight of the silver. When the devil enters Judas he knew what his weakness was. But, everything that happened was within God's Divine Purpose for our Salvation and this is the Good News.
The Holy Gospel according to St. Luke 22:1-4
"Now the Festival of Unleavened Bread, called the Passover, was approaching, and the chief priests and the teachers of the law were looking for some way to get rid of Jesus, for they were afraid of the people. Then Satan entered Judas, called Iscariot, one of the Twelve. And Judas went to the chief priests and the officers of the temple guard and discussed with them how he might betray Jesus."
Have a Blessed day on purpose. Remember that Jesus' betrayal was so that you could have as many opportunities as needed to get right with God.
+Pastor Lynell
A Holy Tuesday message from Pastor Lynell
Peace and Blessings. Happy Holy Tuesday. Today, we acknowledge Jesus' teaching at the Temple. After Jesus makes his triumphal entry into Jerusalem and flipped the tables over in the Temple, he decided to spend his last few days teaching in the city. What powerful Parable do we learn from Jesus from this timeline ? 'The Vineyard Tenants, of course.. Jesus always brought us the Word that helps to keep us on the right path. No wonder it rattled the nerves and the core being of those other Rabbis and Pharisees, who wanted to have him killed. Rest assured that his teachings landed on fertile ground. Not all the Rabbis and Pharisees gathered wanted to quiet him permanently. There were some who acknowledge that he was the true Messiah and kept his words alive by sharing the Good News with others. Consider Joseph of Arimathea. This is perhaps why we have even this day the Messianic Jews. These are those who never lost their Jewish identity as they followed Jesus and his teachings. They like the Disciples and Apostle, didn't hide their faith and love for Jesus. In fact, in these very days and years, they stand right between Judaism and Christianity. They call Jesus- Jeshua. Yes, they know that they are often criticized by both sides, and they do not care and why should they. Jesus is for all who believe and receive him. They Celebrate Passover and The Resurrection of Christ as well. They will tell you in a heartbeat that they Love Jesus. Here is something else that you might not know, some of them actually speak in tongues as the Holy Spirit directs them and sing powerful worship songs that will make you rejoice and shout for joy. So, when Jesus was teaching in the Temple before his death, he did so with them, us and others in mind. Although he taught by day, he spent his nights in Bethany. This was to ensure that the prophecies which foretold of him as the Suffering Servant sent from God our heavenly Father in Isaiah the 53rd Chapter would be fulfilled according to God's divine plan. Please read this scripture in its entirety. There is power and healing with in these verses. When questioned by those that followed the Mosaic Law, his wisdom was unmatched. Why? Because Jesus is God's only begotten Son, and he wrote the law they questioned him about. Keep the Trinity in mind as you read that last sentence over again.
The Holy Gospel According to St Mark 12:28-34 28 One of the teachers of the law came and heard them debating. Noticing that Jesus had given them a good answer, he asked him, “Of all the commandments, which is the most important?” “The most important one,” answered Jesus, “is this: ‘Hear, O Israel: The Lord our God, the Lord is one. Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength.’ The second is this: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ There is no commandment greater than these.” “Well said, teacher,” the man replied. “You are right in saying that God is one and there is no other but him. To love him with all your heart, with all your understanding and with all your strength, and to love your neighbor as yourself is more important than all burnt offerings and sacrifices.” When Jesus saw that he had answered wisely, he said to him, “You are not far from the kingdom of God.” And from then on no one dared ask him any more questions."
Have a Blessed Day on Purpose. Get Rooted and Grounded in the Word of God as he prepares you for higher depths and deeper understanding of what you have studied and learned as you follow and do his will. + Pastor Lynell
A Holy Monday message from Pastor Lynell Thurman -
April 3, 2023
Peace and Blessings: On this Holy Monday, one day after Palm Sunday!
Jesus got busy cleaning out the Temple by freeing all the animals and turning over the tables. Why did he turn over the tables? Jesus did this for both you and I. Historically speaking, this was the only place that Non-Jewish individuals (Gentiles) were allowed to enter. Jesus knew this one small part of the temple gave them hope. He also knew that many Gentiles went there to pray. The animals had to be freed because they were not up to par with the Mosaic Law of being without a blemish in order to be sacrificed by a Priest. Read Leviticus 4:1- 5:13. They were also selling these sacrificial animals above cost. Simply put Jesus got angry behind this and flipped the tables.
The Holy Gospel according to St. Mark 11:15-18 "15 On reaching Jerusalem, Jesus entered the temple courts and began driving out those who were buying and selling there. He overturned the tables of the money changers and the benches of those selling doves, 16 and would not allow anyone to carry merchandise through the temple courts. 17 And as he taught them, he said, “Is it not written: ‘My house will be called a house of prayer for all nations? But you have made it ‘a den of robbers.” 18 The chief priests and the teachers of the law heard this and began looking for a way to kill him, for they feared him, because the whole crowd was amazed at his teaching."-
Keep praying and believing that Jesus is the Perfect Sacrificial Lamb.
Have a blessed day on purpose!
+ Pastor Lynell Thurman+
A LETTER FROM PASTOR LYNELL THURMAN FOR HOLY WEEK - MARCH 31, 2023
"The next day the great crowd that had come for the festival heard that Jesus was on his way to Jerusalem. They took palm branches and went out to meet him, shouting, “Hosanna!” “Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord!” “Blessed is the king of Israel!” - John 12:12-13 (NIV)
Peace and Blessings from Our Lord Jesus Christ whose triumphant entry into Jerusalem led to his crucifixion and powerful Resurrection.
Can you imagine Jesus' Triumphant Entry into Jerusalem. Yes, it was fit for a King, The Messiah and Lord of Lord. Coats and palm branches thrown on the ground as the donkey carried Christ into the Great City of Jerusalem. With shouts of "Hosanna! Hosanna! Hosanna!" and "Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord!" This had to be the best parade of all times. Why? Because Jesus was acknowledged as King. Not just any old king, but a humble king, the KING. Traditionally speaking, when Kings of Jerusalem arrived on a donkey it meant they came in PEACE. In this case, it was the peace that surpasses our human comprehension. I say so because, the disciples and the participants did not understand the significance, until after the Resurrection, of what was happening. In fact, many that praised Jesus denied and abandon him within the short period of time of a few days.
All four Gospels, St. Matthew 21:8-11, St. Mark 11:8-11, St. Luke 19:36-44 and St John 12:12-16 tells us of this powerful event. Please take the time to read each Gospel accounts. Visualize how this must have felt to the Disciples and Jesus' followers. Now envision, from what you know about the days leading to Jesus' Crucifixion. Talk about a rollercoaster ride of emotions. Well, here it is. It was written for us to witness by reading all that was done for us out of the pure, steadfast LOVE that God has for all of creation. Jesus was sent to make all things "Good" again. God did this for all of us. So yes, rejoice and get deep in thought, prayer and emotions of what Christ went through in order for each of us to obtain Salvation. Here is just a glimpse of what happened after this triumphant entry into Jerusalem. Jesus wept for Jerusalem, ate the Last Supper, was betrayed by his own disciple, prayed for us all as he experienced Hematidrosis. This happens when the capillary blood vessels rapture. It was caused by emotional stress. The emotional stress of all the sins of the world past, present and future was placed on his shoulders and in his heart. Yes, Jesus wanted this cup to pass, but he yielded his own desire to that of our heavenly Father's. He woke up his very sleepy disciples and told them to pray, not once or twice, but three times. He was surrounded by guards and kissed in betrayal, Jesus was arrested, yet showing compassion, healed the soldier's ear that Peter cut off. Christ was abandoned, humiliated, mocked, spit on, slapped, denied, and stripped, crowned with thorns and finally hung on a cursed tree all for you and I. Yes, it is a bit emotional, as it should be. After all, it is Holy Week.
During these final days of Lent, be sure to take the opportunity to spend some quality time with our Lord in prayer. In gratitude, give thanks, for all that was done for you, your family and our congregation and continue Pray. Do so for our congregation and community and sister congregations within our DE/MD Synod and our Bishop William J. Gohl, Jr. Pray for the entire Evangelical Lutheran Church of America and our Bishop Elizabeth A. Eaton. Pray for all religious institutions. For those behind the walls of prison and jail and for all returning citizens keep praying. Pray for those recently hospitalized and especially for those homebound within our congregation. Pray for creation, schools and those that attend, especially our children. Pray for those in our armed services and those who once served. Pray for our politicians and leaders. Pray for those who are neglected, abandon and having suicidal thoughts, abused, suffering as a result of Gun Violence, mental, physical, financially challenges. Christ will return, pray for that to soon come, Please pray for this Pastor who of these is the less of all.
Here is a listing of our Holy Week Activities:
Palm Sunday Processional 10:00 AM with Holy Nativity and St Ambrose beginning @ Wylie Circle at Edgecombe. The reason for this time is because the other two congregation have earlier worship times.
Our Worship will begin at 11 AM
Sermon- 'Do You Have The Passion'
April 6, 2023-Maundy Thursday Services With Communion at 3 PM
Sermon- 'Sharing The Meal' - St John 13:1-17, 31b-35
April 7, 2023-Good Friday Services at 5PM
Sermon- 'As Good As It Gets'- St 18:1-19:42
Other Activities:
April 3-8, 2023, Sprucing up our Church. 10-3 PM
April 7, 2023 Good Friday Fish Fry 11 AM- 3 PM, $15 per plate.
Please join us at any or all of these activities. May God's Grace be with you and keep you.
A Humble Servant of Jesus I remain,
+Pastor Lynell A. AlJoe-Thurman
December 24, 2022
" An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid. I bring you good news that will cause great joy for all the people. Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is the Messiah, the Lord. This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger.”- Luke 2:9-12
Peace and Blessings from our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ whose birth we celebrate and whose return we anticipate. Soon and very soon Jesus indeed will come, and we will see him face to face.
God gave us what is known as the Perfect Gift. That Perfect Gift is our Emmanuel, which means God is with us. And God truly is with each of us as we journey in this thing called Life. Our Perfect Gift is called the greatest Love story of all times. Each year as we read the scripture from the Gospel of St. Luke the 2nd chapter, we revisit the story of long ago. A story that we have heard over and over again. Mary in Labor after a long journey on a colt and Joseph trying to find a comfortable, cozy and sterile room to no avail. The miracle of the story is that Jesus' birth happened in what we think of as extremely unsterile conditions, however when God blesses a place with his presence it becomes HOLY, thus being STERILE.
Siblings in Christ, the Baby in the manger was well protected by God and all of the Heavenly host who first told another group of marginalized workers, The Shepherds what had taken place. The Shepherds believed and went with haste to see the Newborn King. They witness the Light of the world, the Word Incarnate. What of us today?
Some of us, no scrap that, a majority of us our the marginalized. The ones that are oppressed, forgotten and neglected. Many that are abuse and suffer needlessly at the hands of others. Yet, when we hear the call, we come to worship the King of King and Lord of Lord. We come as we are with open hearts and minds. From the infant Jesus, we come to understand the power of the greatest Love ever told. God's unconditional and immeasurable Love is for all. Will you make room for Jesus in your hearts? I have an inkling that you already have. Enjoy all 12 days of Christmas for we have Joy in knowing Christ was Born for all.
In God's Love I remain a Humbled Servant,
+ Pastor Lynell
April, 2022