Bill’s Bestowals:
“A Message of Hope”
“But Peter got up and ran to the tomb; stooping and looking in,
he saw the linen cloths by themselves;
then he went home, amazed at what had happened.”
(Luke 24:12, NRSV)
I hope you all gleaned much from our “Life-Changing Words” series that ended on Easter (if you missed any, the messages are online at Sermons | First Presbyterian Church, Mena, Arkansas). The final word (“WOW!”) expressed the emotion we should feel at Easter if we truly recognize the extent to which God was willing to go for our sakes.
You don’t just have to take MY WORD for it, though! /// Our presbytery (The Presbytery of Arkansas), also puts out a monthly newsletter, and I was fascinated to see that Jim Poinsett, our interim executive presbyter, expressed the same “WOW!” sentiment for Easter, but in a different way. I’d like to place that before you today, as we continue in this Easter season through Pentecost (June 8). Read on:
“In Luke’s telling of the resurrection, we read that when Peter saw the empty tomb, ‘he went home, amazed at what had happened.’ (Luke 24:12)
That word—amazed—says a lot. It’s not just wonder or awe; it’s the stunned recognition that God has done something no one expected. Something that changes everything.
But let’s not forget—Easter didn’t start with joy. It started in grief, confusion, and fear. The women were perplexed. The disciples didn’t believe them. Peter was dazed. And yet, God was already at work—turning despair into amazement.
We know something about that kind of world. There’s war in Gaza, Ukraine, and Myanmar. Tornadoes and floods have upended lives close to home. Many are anxious about tariffs and economic instability, keeping their jobs and health insurance. Some families live in fear of deportation. Inclusion and free expression are under pressure in universities and workplaces. Nonprofits that care for the most vulnerable are losing critical funding. There is so much fear, so much noise, so much that feels out of our control.
That’s why we need Easter.
We need to hear again that death and despair and tyranny do not have the last word. That love is stronger than hate. That no grave—no war, no injustice, no personal heartache—is beyond God’s reach. Christ is risen, and nothing will ever be the same.
This Easter (season), I’m praying that your congregation will not just hear this good news, but be changed by it. I’m praying that Easter will become more than a day on the calendar—that it will become a way of life.
Because the world doesn’t just need people who celebrate resurrection. The world needs people who live it. People who dare to hope. Who practice mercy. Who work for justice. Who speak truth. Who carry love into places that feel forgotten or broken.
People like you. People like us.
So may you walk through this (season) with open hearts. May the (Easter) story shape you. May the Spirit strengthen you. And may the good news of Christ’s resurrection take root in your life and in our life together—until we all become Easter people.
May we be amazed—again and again—by what God has done, and what God is doing through the Church, through our communities, and through us.
Peace be with you,
Jim”
What is YOUR word for Easter? If understood rightly, it must be a synonym of “wow,” and it will lead you to be amazed! Let’s be Easter people … all year long!
“May the Lord bless and keep you …” always!
Pastor Bill
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May, 2025 Calendar:
Sunday: Fellowship Hour at 9:00 a.m.
Sunday School at 9:45 a.m.
Worship at 11 a.m.
Wednesday: LIFT (Living in Faith & Trust) at 5 p.m.
May 3: Presbyterian Women’s Meeting – 10 a.m.
May 4: Men’s Meeting follows worship (Shhhh: Regarding Mother’s Day!)
May 6: Mission Committee Meeting – 5 p.m.
May 10: Pilgrimage Reunion at Ferncliff – 10 a.m. – 3 p.m.
May 11: Mother’s Day! Lunch follows Worship.
May 13: Building & Grounds Committee Meeting – 10 a.m.
May 13: Membership & Evangelism Meeting – 5 p.m.
May 17: Ouachita Strings Recital – 4 p.m.
May 18: Fellowship Meal following Worship.
May 19: Stewardship, Finance and Administration Committee Meeting – 1 p.m.
May 22: Fellowship Committee Meeting – 1 p.m.
May 22: Session Meeting – 5:30 p.m.
May 26: Memorial Day – Office Closed
BIRTHDAYS AND ANNIVERSARIES:
7 – Tatelynn Pullen 18 – JoAnn Coogan
9 – Lois Morrow 23 – William Edwards
11 – Effie Dantiacq 25 – Annet Forsyth
15 – Linda & Jim Murphy 31 – Joyce Phelps
SERVING THIS MONTH:
Ushers: Chuck Schroyer & David Spurgin
Communion Preparers: Susan Seitz
Communion Servers: Leon Myers, Linda Murphy
Wes Stiefer, William Edwards & Annette Hays
SPECIAL COLLECTION SUNDAYS:
May 4: Personal Care Collection
May 25: Goodland Academy
