For Sunday, March 29

Scriptures:
Jeremiah 31:31-34 They shall all know me...
Psalm 51:1-12 Create in me a clean heart...
Hebrews 5:5-10 Christ the high priest
John 12:20-33 Unless a grain of wheat falls to the earth and dies....

Sunday Bulletin Service Theme: Deep in Our Hearts

In the bulb, there is a flower, in the seed, an apple tree,
In cocoons, a hidden promise-- butterflies will soon be free.
(Natalie Sleeth, Hymn of Promise)

"Unless a grain of wheat falls to the earth and dies, it remains just a single grain; but if it dies, it bears much fruit." (Jesus, according to John)

Now that most of the snow has melted into the earth-- though, as I write, fresh snow is expected-- I have been out to inspect the garden beds, where even now little spears of green are poking up through the masses of dead leaves. The hosta, the chives, the iris are the early risers. Evergreen thyme and pinks persevered through the winter. The rose canes sport tiny, promising buds. The earth reminds us that the cycle of death and rebirth is the natural order of things. Why should it be any other way with us?

In our end is our beginning, in our time, infinity;
in our doubt, there is believing, in our life, eternity.
In our death, a resurrection; at the last, a victory,
Unrevealed until its season, something God alone can see.
(Natalie Sleeth, Hymn of Promise)