Fairfax

United Methodist Church

305 N. Broadway P.O. Box 318 Fairfax, MO. 64446

Office Hours: 8:00 am—12:00 pm Mon—Thurs

Office: 660-686-3314

Email: umc@fairfaxmo.net

Website: www.fairfaxumc.net

Sunday Worship:

Sunday School - 9:30 am

Worship - 10:30 am

Channel 61 Broadcast - Tues. 4:00 pm

Wednesdays:

Promise Keepers - 6:00 am

Pastor Mike Eighmy

Study: 660-686-3314

Cell: 660-920-9030

Email: mike63@fairfaxmo.net

FAIRFAX MESSENGERFAIRFAX MESSENGER

APRIL 2011

The Crucifixion of Jesus: What's it all about? The center of Christianity is the person of Jesus--not his teachings, or even his miracles--but rather his execution by crucifixion as a Roman criminal. Almost half of the gospels is devoted to the week of his crucifixion, and the epistles explain and apply the meaning of Jesus' execution.

Though virtually everyone agrees that this event took place, not everyone agrees on its meaning. Greeks viewed the message of a crucified Messiah as "foolishness". Jews viewed it as a "scandal." Because God would never allow his Son to die on a cross, they saw His crucifixion as proof that he was an impostor who got what he deserved. For similar reasons, Muslims believe that Judas, not Jesus, died on the cross. Many view his death as the tragic martyrdom of an otherwise good man and great prophet.

So in answer to several questions, we'll look at: What does the crucifixion of Jesus mean to you? As a child, I understood only that it was supposed to stir up feelings of reverence. But I only faked those feelings because I didn't "get it". Your appreciation of the crucifixion of Jesus is related to your understanding of its significance and your response to this understanding. We study the meaning of Jesus' crucifixion primarily by studying what Jesus said while he was being crucified. The gospel's record seven statements that he made from the cross; we will study four of them. These statements provide "windows" through which we may understand the meaning of his death, and how to respond to it. 1. What does it mean? Luke 23:34 - It is motivated by Jesus' concern that we receive God's forgiveness.

Read v.32,33. One of the noteworthy things about the gospel authors is the reserve which they describe Jesus' crucifixion. Luke is a good example here: "...there they crucified him." This is partially because they could take for granted that their audiences knew what crucifixion was like. But it is im-portant for us to get a basic grasp of what this phrase means. The victim was first scourged. The victim was then made to carry the cross-beam to the execution cite. After being publicly humiliated by being stripped naked, he was then held down and 5-7 inch spikes were driven through the hands and wrists. Roman historians tell us that victims usually filled the air with curses at this point, cursing the soldiers, the onlookers, the gods. But, we notice what Jesus cries out (read v.34: "but . . . "). Amazingly, his desire was not for retaliation for what was being done to him, but rather for God's for-giveness of the ones doing it to him!! This is the first glimpse of the spiritual significance of his crucifixion--it is connected to Jesus' concern for our for-giveness. " . . . for they do not know what they are doing." This statement applies first of all to Jesus' accusers. They are culpable for sentencing him blinded by hatred, however his compassion prompts him to ask God to for-give them.

Continued on page 2

One of the symptoms of our lostness: our deliberate ignorance of God's gracious gift and Jesus' com-

passion for us. But how can we be forgiven? This prayer, " . . . for they do not know what they are doing." Jesus' doesn't have any sins that need forgiven: free to pray for their forgiveness is our first indication that his death was substitutionary. 2. Mark 15:34 - It is God's predicted substitutionary payment for our sins.

This is the center-piece in order and importance. Jesus could pray Lk 23:34. Read v.33-36. The soldiers evidently thought he was crying out to Elijah to rescue him; but the reason Jesus cried this was two-fold: to notify his hearers that he was indeed being rejected by his Father at that moment, and that that rejec-tion was according to God's plan and purpose. Jesus is notifying us that his death is the fulfillment of Old Testament predictive prophecy and is a direct quote from Ps. 22.14-18. The Jewish hearers would cer-tainly have recognized its source. Mark is also notifying us that Jesus' death is the fulfillment of Passover. Jesus' death occurred during the afternoon of Passover, which is a whole body of rituals prescribed in the Old Testament centered on the sacrifice of an innocent offered as a substitute for the one offering it: God said he would "pass over" the judgment of our sins and accept us as we are. Theologians call this substitu-tionary atonement, and it is the key theological concept of the Bible. It is necessary because of the charac-ter of God himself. God is not an indulgent, half-senile grandfather; he is holy and righteous and implaca-bly insistent that all violations of his character must be paid for with death. Therefore, there can be no for-giveness without payment. But because God is also loving, he is willing to make that payment for us him-self through the death of his innocent Son. 3. John 19:30 - It is a complete payment for all of our sins.

Read v.28-30. This is the "loud cry" mentioned by the other gospel authors, and it provides more confir-mation of the meaning of the cross. Notice that Jesus does not mumble "I am finished!" - rather he shouts "It is finished!" This is not a whimper of defeat - it is a proclamation of victory! What was finished? This was the word that was written as the first word on receipts acknowledging payment in the Roman world.

In other words, Jesus is announcing that our sin debt with God has been paid in full! This is certainly how Paul understood this statement--read Col. 2:13,14. The "certificate of debt" was the

document specifying crimes against society. Jesus had such a certificate nailed to his cross (Matt. 27:37), even though he was innocent. Paul says God took our spiritual "certificates of debt"--God's record of our sins against him--and "nailed it to the cross." Because Jesus paid our debt, God has cancelled ours out, taken it away. Through Jesus' death, God has completely dealt with the only barrier that ever separated him from us. The issue then, is not how much we have sinned, but rather we are willing to respond to God's solution for our sins. Now let's look at another incident that shows us how to respond . . . 4. How should we respond to it?

Read Lk. 23:39-43. What an amazing statement! Jesus promises that he will be in the presence of God, and that this man will also be there because of the way he has responded. What was it about this man's response that ensures him eternal life? It certainly wasn't the good life he had led! He was a thief (Matt. 27:38) who shortly before this moment, had mocked Jesus (Matt. 27:44; Mk. 15:32). It is as though God deliberately picked as the first beneficiary of Jesus' death the least deserving person. Does this of-fend you? Then you're still placing your confidence in your own goodness to earn God's acceptance. How-ever, it's based on your new attitude. In v.40-42, this man expresses the essence of what the Bible calls saving faith in Jesus: Instead of blame-shifting/rationalizing/minimizing, he accepts full responsibility for his sins and agrees that he deserves God's judgment (v.41). Instead of trusting his works (past or future), he casts himself on the mercy of Jesus to make him acceptable to God (v.42).

edited and adapted from an article by Gary DeLashmutt

Continued from page 1

The Beth Moore Steering Committee

(with most of our committee being from the)

Fairfax United Methodist Church 305 North Broadway Street – Fairfax, MO

Invites YOU to join us

April 1st

7:00 pm – 9:30 pm

April 2nd

9:00 am – Noon

(doors open one hour before)

For a Priscilla Shirer Live simulcast

TWO DAY EVENT!!

Priscilla’s message uses the life of Jonah as a guide on how to respond when God’s plans

don’t match our own.

I know how precious our weekends are for those who work during the week.

Do not feel that this will “take” time away from your busy schedule...

It will fill you – and bless your life!!

Tickets are only $5 a session --- $10 for both sessions. It really is much more fulfilling if you bring a close friend or family member.

If you have any questions, or need tickets, call Darla at the church office 660-686-3314

OR talk to any Beth Moore Steering Committee Member listed below!

Lois Wiley Connie Eighmy Carly West Michele Hawkins DeAnna Coggins Charla Graves Brenda McLaughlin Gale Ball Carla Smith – Tarkio (and her team of song leaders!) Many others help to put this program together, not just our planning committee. AND some are from other con-gregations, too. They enjoyed the Beth Moore Simulcast last September, and wanted to be a part of this special

event with us! I am afraid to begin listing any other names – I may leave someone out.

We would love to have you join us as we study God’s Word with Priscilla Shirer!

Come, sing, and be filled with God’s Word!!

One Great Hour of Sharing The United Methodist Committee on Relief’s (UMCOR) mission is to alleviate human suffering – whether caused by war, conflict or natural disaster – with open minds and hearts to all people. Today UMCOR is working in more than 80 countries worldwide including the United States. Every dollar you give to UMCOR goes to the program you designate. That means UMCOR is 100% efficient. How can they do that? All organizations have operation costs and it is common practice for those organizations to use a percentage of donated funds for those expenses. How can UMCOR give 100% of donated funds to the programs it supports? The answer is the One Great Hour of Sharing (OGHS) offering collected by Methodist congregations around the world. OGHS funds the cost of doing business for UMCOR. They do not receive apportionment funds or any other world service funds. The offering collected on one single Special Sunday sets the budget for the entire year. Please give generously to the OGHS offering on Sunday April 3, 2011.

Children’s Choir

On Palm Sunday, April 17th, we will have our Children’s Choir performing during our morning Worship Service at 10:30 am.

Please join us as we celebrate our Children’s joyfulness and many talents!!

The Simulcast Steering Committee

Fundraiser Dinner

Palm Sunday, April 17th

following worship

Menu: Ham, Cheesy Potatoes, Green Beans, Dinner Rolls and Desserts

Freewill Donation

UMW

will be visiting Tiffany Heights

in Mound City on Thurs., March 31st

We will leave from the church

at 11:30 am.

Lenten Bible Study

continues through April

No other 24-hour event in human history has had more

impact than the last 24 hours of Jesus’ life.

Join author Adam Hamilton as he guides you from the Last

Supper to Gethsemane to the trial and to the

Crucifixion in 24 Hours that Changed the World.

Experience and understand the significance of

Jesus’ final hours in ways you never have before.

We are meeting in the Hackett/Arnold Memorial Conference Room

at 9:30 am each Sunday morning.

Everyone in invited to attend!

Children’s Stewardship Project The children have started a stewardship project to raise money to replace the old wooden tables in the basement with the lightweight white ones. Starting with a...

Fundraiser Bake Sale

Sunday, March 27

before Worship (until items are gone)

The new tables are $80 each. The children’s goal is 17 tables.

We would like to purchase the tables first and then we may start with the chairs (4 Chairs for $80)

—Perhaps you would like to buy a table in honor of your family? Or in memory of a loved one— Please fill out the certificate below and mail it with your payment to the church office.

I would like to purchase a table . . .

In Honor of __________________________________________________________

In Memory of _________________________________________________________

Name: _________________________________________________________________

Address/State/Zip _______________________________________________________

Mail completed certificate, along with payment, to:

Fairfax UMC, PO Box 318, Fairfax, MO 64446

Tha

nk Y

ou

HOTLINES:

Child Abuse and Neglect ------ 1-800-392-3738

Elderly Abuse and Neglect ---- 1-800-392-0210

Gambling Addiction ------------ 1-888-BETSOFF ----------------------------------- (1-888-238-7633)

Mental Health Crisis Line ----- 1-800-392-0280

Missouri School Violence ------ 1-866-748-7047

Poison Control ------------------ 1-800-392-9111

Sexual Assault/Domestic Violence ------------------------------------- 1-800-548-2480

Suicide Prevention Lifeline-- 1-800-273-TALK ----------------------------------- (1-800-273-8255)

April Birthdays

Amy Sefrit 04/02 Tracy Barnes 04/04 Josh Oswald 04/07 Markus Shepard 04/07 Pastor Mike Eighmy 04/08 Elizabeth Martin 04/09 Ashley Gomel 04/10 Bill Hecker 04/10 Ryan Hopkins 04/13 Sandy Burke 04/16 Mendy Houghton 04/17 Jayne Martin 04/24 Katrina O'Farrell 04/25 Ellen Simpson 04/28 Gale Ball 04/30

April Anniversaries

Danny & Alice Kemerling 04/12

If you or your loved ones are not

on the list, contact the church office: umc@fairfaxmo.net or 686-3314 with your info and we will get

our records updated.

Thank You to all those that helped at Second Harvest in March. They were: Jim & Mary Brown, Melvin & Karen Rogers and their 2 grandchildren, Richard Oswald, Alice Kemerling and Bob Sefrit.

Carol Ball has moved to an assisted living community, Country Squire, in St. Joseph

this past Tuesday. If you have time to send her a note or a card, she would love

to hear from you! Her address is: Carol Ball

Country Squire 1602 Buckingham Street Apt #114

St. Joseph, MO 64506

Church Council

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7:00 pm

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Got Spirit?

UM Missouri Camp 2011

Making God Real Everyday!

Anyone wanting to attend a camp

this summer needs to be

signed up

before April 15th.

There will be scholarships available!

UMM’s Spring Roast Beef Dinner

Sunday, April 3rd

(following the worship service)

We will be serving: roast beef, green beans, lettuce salad,

rolls and terrific desserts (with help from the wives of UMM).

The donation will be freewill and it is open to all denominations, tell all your friends.

Money will go towards our UMM projects.

Please join us and don’t forget to invite your friends & neighbors!

FRB Gathering &

Dedication Service Sunday April 10th

at 5:00 pm

(one and a half mile east on 46 hwy)

Weiner Roast and

Rides for the Kids

Everyone is

Welcome!!

Seed & Soil Sunday April 10th during our 10:30 am Worship

Fairfax, MO 64446

U.S. Postage Paid Non-Profit Org.

Permit #10

Address Service Requested

Fairfax United Methodist Church 305 N. Broadway P.O. Box 318 Fairfax, MO 64446

APRIL 2011

FAIRFAX MESSENGER EastEr HappEnings…

April 17th Palm Sunday Children’s Choir singing during our 10:30 am Worship

Simulcast Steering Committee Fundraiser Dinner at 11:30 am Freewill donation.

April 21st Maundy Thursday Holy Communion Worship Service 6:00 pm (we will also have fingerfood)

April 22nd Good Friday Community Good Friday Service 12:00 pm at the Presbyterian Church

April 24th Easter Sunday Community Easter Sunrise Service 6:30 am at the Baptist Church

Fairfax UMC Worship Service 10:30 am