Christ is Risen!
Christ is Risen! He is Risen indeed!
We have experienced a truly holy weekend at Schweitzer. I am deeply grateful for all the incredible people who worked so hard for us to experience the living Christ from Good Friday through Easter Sunday! The choir, drama team, praise band, musicians, custodial staff, altar guild, media teams, prayer warriors, stage productions of the jail and tomb, ushers, greeters, servers, breakfast cooks, puppeters, Easter Egg distributors, storytellers, office workers and countless others gave their all to the Glory of God this past week! A lot of people (paid and unpaid staff) gave up their entire Saturday and/or served long hours other days so the greatest message of all could be told and experienced in fresh and powerful ways!
Schweitzer also continues to reach out beyond our walls in amazing ways! Several Schweitzer disaster relief personnel were hard at it in response to the recent flooding in the Ozarks. Two van loads of college students under the leadership of Matt Kerner left Sunday evening for Beaumont Texas to spend their spring break helping flood victims from the lingering effects of Hurricanes. And we are still counting the nets collected for NOTHING BUT NETS. We'll let you know how many nets we are sending to Mozambique, Africa to protect children from malaria. If you forgot to bring your net, please bring it to church with you this weekend.
There's more good news! We are excited to announce that Bishop Robert Schnase and his Cabinet will appoint Matt Kerner as Schweitzer's fourth pastor, effective July 1. While Matt pursues part time his MDiv degree online per semester through Asbury Theological Seminary, he continues to work full time leading our media/arts and college ministries. Upon Matt's appointment, the conference will be paying one-half of his salary for the next year as he spends half of his time leading and overseeing our college ministry. Through two different Missouri Annual Conference grants totalling $57,500, Schweitzer is providing a United Methodist presence on the MSU Campus. Our college ministry this fall will expand its monthly worship to a weekly schedule, create multiple small groups and numerous mission excursions.
What's next? We are beginning this weekend a new five week message series and small group experience called LIFE U. We pastors are writing this new material based on Christ's Sermon on the Mount. We believe that the messages and lessons will be challenging and inspirational as we look over the syllabus of the life Christ is calling us to live. It's not too late to enroll in a small group at LIFE U! Call Deanna today or sign up this weekend as you come to worship.
One final word of encouragement: If you are currently a leader in this congregation and/or desire to grow in your leadership capabilities, I encourage you to participate in LEADERSHIP SCHWEITZER, April 11 and 12. This event will be led by the Rev. Sue Nilson Kibbey, a dynamic UM pastor and author. We believe this will prove invaluable in shaping the servant leadership in this congregation for years to come. To learn more about this event, read other related articles in this Newsletter or contact Stephanie Haase, Director of Leadership and Service Ministries.
Christ is Risen! Thank you Schweitzer for your continuous witness and service to the living Christ! He is Risen indeed!
--Bob