"If he who raised Jesus from the dead dwells in you, he who raised Christ Jesus from the dead will give life to your mortal bodies also through his Spirit which dwells in you." (Romans 8:11)

These words of St. Paul are a confident exhortation. They remind us, challenge us, assure us that because God raised Jesus from the dead, Believers have access to that same power of New Life. This power is not like a Smart phone strapped to a belt or kept in a purse. This power is not a GPS or an EZ-pass mounted to the dashboard of a car. This power is the Holy Spirit, the presence of God, the free gift of grace who dwells in you! This spiritual fact ought to amaze us and perhaps even frighten us.
This means we, who believe in the atoning death of Jesus on the cross that assures us of God's mercy and the gift of everlasting life in the next world, have access to the New Life. We, who do not just say the Creed ("talk the talk") but are doers of the Creed ("we walk the walk"), possess within our souls and lives the presence of the Risen Lord.
So, let us get on with this New Life. Let us refuse the gossip and self-aggrandizement, that motivates so much of TV and FaceBook. Let us spend time outside in our gardens, walk in a park, get to know our neighbors, give food to the hungry, be real Christians who actually tithe time, talent and treasure for God's Kingdom. Let us teach our children and grandchildren that the Ten Commandments are the way to live. Let us teach them, by example, to love God, love neighbor and to love enemy. Let us forgive others as we have been forgiven. Let us confess our distracted and promiscuous hearts and concentrate on the Word of God each day. Let us forgot ourselves and the ceaseless stream of discouragements, pains and doubts the enemy uses to keep us from Sunday worship. Let us give thanks and praise to God as a way of life and a foretaste of eternal life with God. Let us live heavenward in the power of the Risen Lord Jesus!
Alleluia! Christ is Risen! The Lord is Risen indeed! Alleluia!
See you in Church!

Father Hastings

Our last Youth Group event was at Go Vertical Rock Climbing in Center City. I hope you were able to see the pictures on St. Anne’s Facebook page. Duane Howard led the group, took the pictures and Ann Avallone was there with snacks and water bottles for all. We had 7 kids from Youth Group come. Joe Avallone, who also works there, handled the ropes and belayed for the kids. (Belay: a climbing term that, I think, means make sure that no one falls.) Ann, Duane and I stood around getting stiff necks watching these brave kids climb walls that were nearly 50ft high. Thanks to Ann, Duane, Kim and her friends, Thomas, Kate, Jeffrey, and especially Joe Avallone. We had a great day.
Our next Youth Group meeting will be Friday, May 11 @ 6:30.
Thanks to all who were there during our beautiful Palm Sunday and Easter celebrations and those who helped the Easter bunny with generous donations of filled Easter Eggs. We were able to make Easter cards with the help of one of our moms, Amber Kinckner. The young girls sang beautifully with the choir on Palm Sunday. I’m looking forward to the next time they will sing together…coming up soon.
Mother’s day is another celebration at St. Anne’s. Thank you to all the hard working moms who could stay home and have a well deserved rest on Sunday mornings, but instead, dress, feed and get the kids out of the house one more day so that they can worship, learn and have fun together with their Church School friends and teachers.
Proverbs 31: 25-31
Strength and dignity are her clothing,
and she laughs at the time to come.
She opens her mouth with wisdom,
and the teaching of kindness is on her tongue.
She looks well to the ways of her household,
and does not eat the bread of idleness.
Her children rise up and call her happy;
her husband too, and he praises her:
‘Many women have done excellently,
but you surpass them all.’
Charm is deceitful, and beauty is vain,
but a woman who fears the LORD is to be praised.
Give her a share in the fruit of her hands,
and let her works praise her in the city gates.
Happy Mother’s Day!
Kathy Vera

Greetings from the Choir Loft!

Many thanks to our choir members for another year of dedication of enhancing our worship with song. Our junior choir, small but mighty, and our senior choir continue to provide wonderful renditions of a variety of musical genres and styles with great energy and enthusiasm.

Again, our thanks to Jim White for his over 55 years of service to Saint Anne's music department. He continues to be an inspiration to us all.

Our last Sunday as an organized choir for the church year will be June 3rd. If you have a musical offering you would like to share, please let me know and we will get it on the schedule for one of the Sundays in the summer. The choir will be back with renewed vigor in September.
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