The text for May 6th

Grape vines at the Church of the Twelve Apostles
Capernaum, Israel

John 15:1-8 is our text for next Sunday, May 6th:

"I am the Real Vine and my Father is the Farmer. He cuts off every branch of me that doesn't bear grapes. And every branch that is grape-bearing he prunes back so it will bear even more. You are already pruned back by the message I have spoken.

"Live in me. Make your home in me just as I do in you. In the same way that a branch can't bear grapes by itself but only by being joined to the vine, you can't bear fruit unless you are joined with me.

"I am the Vine, you are the branches. When you're joined with me and I with you, the relation intimate and organic, the harvest is sure to be abundant. Separated, you can't produce a thing. Anyone who separates from me is deadwood, gathered up and thrown on the bonfire. But if you make yourselves at home with me and my words are at home in you, you can be sure that whatever you ask will be listened to and acted upon. This is how my Father shows who he is—when you produce grapes, when you mature as my disciples. [The Message]

Blessings in McCamey

Joys from morning:
+Louise C.'s daughter, Patricia, celebrates a birthday today.
+Dollie L. and son Wayne, had good health news this week.
+Sara H. has improved health news to report.
+Nadine A. is home from the hospital in Kerrville.
+The chance of cooler weather and rain this coming week.
+Glen S. is back in McCamey!
+The brisket lunch being served this afternoon at the First Assembly of God Church (in support of a mission trip this summer).
+Three weeks of school left!

Concerns from this morning:
+Those recovering from the recent fires near Fort Davis/Alpine.
+Those dealing with stress.
+The many folks in our congregation away from worship today.
+Three weeks of school left!
+The family of Kyle and Wade Richardson (from Ozona).

Special Prayers: Please continue to lift the delegates gathered for the 2012 General Conference of The United Methodist Church in Tampa, Florida. The General Conference continues through Friday (May 4).  Visit this link to follow the work of the General Conference.
Healing prayers: Tony A., Nadine A., Elena B., Sandy C., Billy C., Denise D., Bob F., Samantha F., Louisa G., Terri G., Elizabeth H., Sara H., Julie L., Colton W., Tom V., Arnold W., and Simone W.

Continued prayers: +our church +our community youth +our schools - including athletes, coaches, staff, students & teachers +our military members and their families +the homeless +the unemployed +our nation, government & leaders +victims of natural disasters +countries fighting for freedom +unspoken requests.

Hymn for the 4th Sunday of Easter

The Good Shepherd, mosaic in Mausoleum of Galla Pacidia
Revenna, Italy - first half of 5th century

A thought to go with you on this Fourth Sunday of Easter. This hymn, written by Henry Baker in 1868, was sung in Westminster Abbey at the funeral service of Diana, Princess of Wales in 1997.

The King of love my Shepherd is,
Whose goodness faileth never,
I nothing lack if I am His
And He is mine forever.

Where streams of living water flow
My ransomed soul He leadeth,
And where the verdant pastures grow,
With food celestial feedeth.

Perverse and foolish oft I strayed,
But yet in love He sought me,
And on His shoulder gently laid,
And home, rejoicing, brought me.

In death’s dark vale I fear no ill
With Thee, dear Lord, beside me;
Thy rod and staff my comfort still,
Thy cross before to guide me.

Thou spread’st a table in my sight;
Thy unction grace bestoweth;
And O what transport of delight
From Thy pure chalice floweth!

And so through all the length of days
Thy goodness faileth never;
Good Shepherd, may I sing Thy praise
Within Thy house forever.

A poem for Arbor Day

The Tree

Anne Finch, Countess of Winchilsea
(1661-1720)

Fair tree! for thy delightful shade 'Tis just that some return be made; Sure some return is due from me To thy cool shadows, and to thee. When thou to birds dost shelter give, Thou music dost from them receive; If travellers beneath thee stay Till storms have worn themselves away, That time in praising thee they spend And thy protecting pow'r commend. The shepherd here, from scorching freed, Tunes to thy dancing leaves his reed; Whilst his lov'd nymph, in thanks, bestows Her flow'ry chaplets on thy boughs. Shall I then only silent be, And no return be made by me? No; let this wish upon thee wait, And still to flourish be thy fate. To future ages may'st thou stand Untouch'd by the rash workman's hand, Till that large stock of sap is spent, Which gives thy summer's ornament; Till the fierce winds, that vainly strive To shock thy greatness whilst alive, Shall on thy lifeless hour attend, Prevent the axe, and grace thy end; Their scatter'd strength together call And to the clouds proclaim thy fall; Who then their ev'ning dews may spare When thou no longer art their care, But shalt, like ancient heroes, burn, And some bright hearth be made thy urn.

Thanks from the Phillips' family

Thanks to each and every one of you for the kindness shown my family during the recent illness and death of our beloved husband and father Jack Phillips.

All our family was ever so grateful for the love you shared with us. The meal(s) were wonderful. It seemed as though the news of his passing was barely out when people from our church, as well as our community, began to arrive at our door. What a blessing all this was to us.    

Sherry Phillips and family

Prayer for General Conference

Special Prayer Request:
Please lift The 2012 General Conference of The United Methodist Church up in prayer as it begins today (and continues through May 4) in Tampa, Florida. 
+++
   O God, I pray for strength and stamina for the delegates of GC2012. Be their rock and firm foundation. Provide them with the spiritual grounding they need for the journey ahead. As they build their lives on Christ, the solid rock, develop your character in them!
   Lord, give them favor with one another and with the people you call them to be in ministry with. 
   Give them wisdom so they may lead well, and discernment so they will be able to sift through all the distractions in order to focus on those things you call the church to be about!
   As they navigate the journey ahead, give them patience and persistence to stay the course in the midst of the challenges and obstacles that will arise during the slow-going work of transformation and revitalization!  
   And give them courage to follow the leading of your Spirit, even when it’s hard!
   Through your leadership in their lives, expressed and lived out at General Conference, make us a movement once again, a movement fully engaged in the mission of making disciples of Jesus Christ for the transformation of the world!
Amen.
-the Rev. Randy Willis
+++
Visit this link to follow the work of the General Conference.

Thank you note

From Gloria Odom -

I wish to sincerely thank all of those who have been so kind to remember me during my illness.  All of the kind expressions of concern, the flowers, visits, food and phone calls have surely blessed my path through this trying time.  God bless each and every one of you for you love and concern.