We used a theme of the hobo.  A hobo is someone who is homeward bound.  During Holy Week we are all homeward bound.  Going home to our Father who is waiting for us to come home.

One evening, a young man walked up from the apartments behind the church.  He walked through the sacred space with Katelyn and Sammie.  He moved slowly from station to station, politely asking permission before he wrote on the paper or used any paint.  He also quietly talked to the girls.

This gentle young man, told the girls that he had many friends who did not believe in God, but that he had always known that God was real.  He said that he had always wanted to be closer to God, but he wasn’t sure how to be closer.

He told Katelyn that he had always wanted to go to church, but he thought you had to be invited, and no one had ever invited him.

INVITED HIM?  No one?  NO ONE?

His friends talk about God and about their churches, but no one had invited him!

How could this happen?

Katelyn and Sammie welcomed him, encouraged him to come Sunday, and come Wednesdays, and come to UMYF, to bring his family, to bring his friends, but mostly, they invited him to come to church.  To come in.  To come home.

For a while, we had very few people coming through the sacred space.  It had crossed my mind that we had done a lot of work for very little benefit.  I am ashamed that I ever thought about it that way.  Even if this young man does not return to Hickory Bend, he has been invited to a church.  He knows he is always invited to God’s house.  He knows where he is welcome and where he belongs.  He has been invited.

Another evening a real hobo visited!  He came to the end of Maundy Thursday service and stayed to go through the sacred space.  He introduced himself to all of us as Doug.  He insisted he didn’t need anything — any money or food — anything.   Larry helped him with the readings.  At the stations where everyone is invited to leave their burdens at the cross, Doug broke down sobbing.  Larry guided him to the chairs in the Hobo Rest station.  Larry was guiding him to the comfortable, pink chair that is usually in Brother Gary’s office.  Doug was resisting and looking at the other chairs, especially the folding chairs across the room.  He behaved as if he did not deserve to be in a special chair.  Doug kept apologizing for crying.  He finally composed himself and sat drinking tea and visiting with all of us for quite a while.

Others stopped and asked about being part of a church.  They didn’t know how to come in or where to sit.  It makes me wonder how many people are out there, waiting for a personal invitation.  Waiting for someone to ask them to their own Father’s house.  As Albert says, “Welcome to the house of the Lord.”  Come in.  Come home.

Grace and Peace,

Emalie

7:30 AM  Early Easter Service under the shelter

8:00  AM  Easter Breakfast

8:30 AM  Easter Egg Hunt

10:00  AM  Sunday School

11:00  AM  Easter Worship Service

12:00 PM  Deliver Food to Summit ICU

A hobo is someone who is homeward bound.

During Holy Week, we invite everyone to visit our sacred space, inspired by Lilly Lewin.  Please come any evening during Holy Week, Sunday, April 17th  through Saturday, April 23rd from 6:00 – 8:00 PM each evening.  In addition, we will have the Sacred Space open all day on Good Friday beginning at 8:00 AM.  Everyone is welcome to come and spend as much or as little time as needed.  Of course, there is absolutely no charge.  We hope to have many visitors and friends come share our sacred space.

Hickory Bend UMC
605 Stewarts Ferry Pike

Everyone is welcome.  Remember, like the Prodigal Son, when we come to ourselves, we are homeward bound.  Hobos traveling to our Father.

Come home.

Grace and Peace,

Emalie

Sacred Space opens early Wednesday night for a sacrificial meal of bread and water.  Please come and walk through the sacred space.  Tonight we will open at 5:15 and remain open until 8:00.  We welcome everyone to come and walk through.  We will also be open before and after the Maundy Thursday service, and all day Friday.  Call Emalie for more information.

Join us for fun and fellowship at our annual Easter Egg Hunt at approximately 9:00 Easter Sunday Morning.  We will begin our fun and games after Sunrise Service and Breakfast!

Please come and join us for Easter!  All are welcome!  We will be serving communion to everyone — yes, everyone!  Join us and celebrate the Resurrection!  He is risen!  He is risen, indeed!

Please come and join us for the Sunrise Service!  We will meet in the sanctuary and celebrate the Resurrection together!  All are welcome!

Please join us for breakfast on Easter Sunday shortly after the Sunrise Service.  The youth will prepare eggs, bacon, sausage, pancakes, and more!  We want everyone to come, and we will be accepting donations in any amount to help us cover our costs.  Please come to Sunrise Service at 7:00 and stay for breakfast!  Bring your friends.

The Easter Sunrise service on Aprl 12, starting at 6:30 a.m., will be held on the trail. The Youth is sponsoring this year’s Easter Breakfast at 7:15 a.m., so come eat! The Easter Egg Hunt will be on the playground at 9:00 a.m., followed by the church service at the regular time of 11:00 a.m. Come and celebrate the ressurection of Jesus Christ.

Three Legged Race

Watch Video