​Stuck?

The story of Zacchaeus can be found in the Gospel of Luke (19:1-10).  This story begins as a short little man, a tax collector as well, climbs a tree to hear Jesus speak.  Was he stuck in his ways and possibly in the canopy of that tree?  It is likely that people were jeering at Zacchaeus as he was climbing that tree and perhaps thinking that he was stuck at the top. They surely didn’t want this type of man interrupting their chance to see Jesus and were likely frustrated that he was even there. After all, Jesus had come to save them from people like Zacchaeus. Hadn’t he?

Just like Zacchaeus, if Jesus would visit our house today, we might be asking how we can detach from our unhealthy circumstances.  He already knows who we are and He is ready to help us move onto a higher branch. All we have to do is ask.
 
His presence alone and his love for us will lead us to do things we never thought we could do. We can easily assume that Zacchaeus life became unstuck from the unhealthy choices and he experienced a fuller life after his encounter with Jesus.  I pray that each of us can have that important conversation with Jesus to help us get UNSTUCK!

KIDS, you are invited to Sunday School to learn more about Zacchaeus and Jesus’ journey through Lent SUNDAY @ 10AM!

North Scottsdale United Methodist church would like to INVITE the community  to “Journey to Easter” hosted on three Sundays in April (April 3, 10 and 17, 2022) from 10:00 to 11:00 am at North Scottsdale United Methodist church, 11735 North Scottsdale Road, Scottsdale, AZ 85254. All are welcome to stroll to Easter through scripture and art! Free to the public.

NSUMC will host nine stations, each with a mural and artwork. We will add artistic touches to represent each Bible story. Visitors are invited to stroll through the patio and open doors of the fellowship hall to view the stations and read the posted scripture stories.
The nine stations will include:

Jesus Enters Jerusalem -Luke 19:29-42
The Last Supper -Mark 14:12-31, 1 Corinthians 11:23-26
Jesus Prays in the Garden -Mark 14:32-42
Betrayal by Judas and the Arrest -Luke 22:47-53
Jesus if Denied by Peter -Luke 22:54-62
The Crown and the Cross -Matthew 27:27-37
Jesus is Crucified -Matthew 27:38-56
Jesus Is Placed in the Tomb -Matthew 27:57-61
Jesus Is Risen -Luke 24:1-11 

Jesus’ resurrection into heaven and His visits to the apostles, sparked amazing dedication to faith! Those moments are the ones that still make the Bible come alive today!

We invite the community to enjoy these scenes and also help us support Vista del Camino   Recreation Center.  VdC is a fundamental cornerstone of south Scottsdale.  They strive to prevent homelessness and to assist residents in maintaining self-sufficiency during times of great need. Their Emergency Support Services may include, but are not limited to, assistance with rent or mortgage payments, utility bills, transportation needs, prescription costs, and other emergency expenses.

If you can help support these local Scottsdale Families, please help us help them by donating at: Text GIVE @ 480-690-2442 then select the CHILDREN”S MISSION PROJECT (drop down button). The link can also be found HERE.

 The Journey to Easter Art-Walk was created to help all of us garner a new prospective on how Jesus' journey and our personal faith journeys may meet at the crossroads.   We are all on a journey; some paths are easier than others yet together we should strive to support each other  and make each other's load a little lighter. 

The Godly Play lesson about Bartimaeus presents just one moment in Jesus’ faith journey.  A moment of grace and compassion.
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Bartimaeus was a blind beggar sitting on the side of the road that led to Jerusalem.  Jesus was traveling from Jericho to Jerusalem when he came across him.  Bartimaeus called out in very loud voice, “Son of David, have mercy on me!”  Jesus went to the beggar and put mud on his eyes to heel his sight.  This was the last miracle that Jesus performed before His death. Bartimaeus received mercy from Jesus. Jesus last act was one of mercy.  Mercy is an act of grace and compassion. 

Jesus offers all of us the same mercy and He also wants us to remember that it is okay for each of us to call out to let Jesus know when we are struggling.   He already can feel us wrestling with  our difficulties but He wants each of us to know that He's open to having that tough conversation.  Even if it requires one or all of these:  shriek, scream, howl, shout, bellow or bawl!  He's open to it, just have faith!
 
This week our Sunday School lesson includes Bartimaeus crafts to help us see the mercy given to us and to remind us to always be humble and kind.  Mercy is love that responds to human need in an unexpected or unmerited way.  We are beyond grateful for the mercy that our heavenly Father shares with us!

​Kids are invited to participate in Lent through Sunday School by learning about Jesus’ Journey tomorrow (3/6) @ 10AM.
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"Faces of Easter" is a Godly Play story from volume four.  Lent is the season in which we prepare for Easter. This lesson helps children prepare for the Mystery of Easter. The mystery of Easter is so big it takes six weeks to get ready.  We move toward the Mystery by selecting and retelling six stories of Christ’s journey toward the cross and resurrection.  

There are seven plaques to help us tell the following stories about Jesus:  His birth, visiting Jerusalem on Passover with His family, His baptism, His travels in the wilderness, meeting Bartimaeus, His parable of the coin, the last supper, His crucifixion and His resurrection.    When we remember that Jesus died on the cross for us, we also remember that he is still with us. That is the Mystery of Easter. It includes all the sadness and happiness that could ever be. That is why the mystery is so huge, yet it ends with a new beginning!
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