Hello Friends and Family of RRUMC,
Happy Easter everyone. I hope and pray that you had a happy and holy Lent and that your Easter will be incredibly special as you celebrate the empty tomb and the resurrection of our Lord Jesus Christ again this year.
As I write this article, I have just finished my sermon about how love can cause us to take risks we never thought we would take.
I know that you have heard a lot about the closed Trinity UMC buildings and property that was offered to us by the East Ohio Conference as a gift. We held a Church Conference on Sunday, February 21, and after all the voting was completed we had 71 people vote YES and zero people vote NO. We, as a church, decided it was worth the risk to take on those buildings and property to support, expand, and invigorate the ministries of our Twice Blessed Free Store. That location at West 99th and Madison Avenue will be the start of so many other things as we will own all of it.
So why was the vote 71-0? LOVE!!! It was RRUMC having an incredible love for Jesus Christ and the work he is doing through our Twice Blessed Free Store. The woman who anointed Jesus’ head in Mark 14 took so many risks when she crashed that dinner party. She did it because she loved her Savior, her Messiah, her KING. Why? She loved Jesus because he first loved her. Love was way more powerful than any fear, condemnation, ridicule, or scolding she may face from all those men around that table that night. Her love for Christ caused her to risk it all. At RRUMC, our love for Jesus Christ and what he wants to do on the west side of Cleveland made the risk of taking on those buildings and property worth it.
What is Jesus and the love you have for him calling you to risk this Easter and beyond? When is the last time you risked something for your faith and for Christ? Has your faith journey been “easy” for way too long? There is nothing more exciting and terrifying than taking a leap of faith because you love Christ and you know he loves you.
RRUMC said unanimously, “YES, let’s take on that property at West 99th and Madison Avenue so we can change that corner, that community, and the west side of Cleveland.” It’s going to take a lot of sweat equity to make it happen. Are you going to help? It is going to take financial support. Can you help? It is going to take volunteers. Will you be there? It will take a lot of prayer. Will you fold your hands and bow your head?
Love = Risk and Risk = Love. Take a risk!
Peace and Blessings,
Rev. Dan