Paradox
One of my favorite movies of my teenage years was the animated film, Aladdin. I loved the humor of Robin Williams that really shone in his depiction of the genie. One of his phrases has stuck with me this week. Genie is explaining his powers to Aladdin and he says, “It’s all part and parcel of the genie gig: PHENOMENAL COSMIC POWERS! itty bitty living space.” What a paradox this is for Genie! He longs for a free life, even while he enjoys the powers he has.
We live these paradoxes, too, don’t we? We have great wisdom in bodies that are failing us. We long for simple lives, while being stuck with the stuff we own. We laugh at a simple thing in the midst of our profound grief. We love kids so much but think they are making bad choices. We say we trust God’s movement while also making our own decisions.
Jesus is a lot like Genie, too. Jesus, God-made-flesh, has PHENOMENAL COSMIC POWERS in the itty bitty living space of the human body. Jesus is King of Kings and Lord of Lords who has no castle on earth, and no place to lay his head. Jesus is full of paradoxes.
This Sunday as we worship, we will experience that paradox. From the shouts of “Hosanna” of the palm parade to the shouts of “Crucify Him” of later in the week, we experience this paradox in a real way. Join us as we move through the paradox with song and scripture, with all three of our choirs leading us in our traditional worship services and our praise team leading us in our modern service.
Come, let us worship Jesus, the king on the donkey.
See you soon,
Pastor Lynn
This week’s pastoral Lenten devotion video can be found here.
EASTER SUNDAY WORSHIP SCHEDULE
Please note: Masks are encouraged and are required while singing.
Join us for worship:
· 6 a.m. Sunrise service led by the youth outdoors on the labyrinth
· 8:30 and 10 a.m. Traditional worship service with Chancel Choir in the Sanctuary
· 10 a.m. Modern worship service featuring Praise Team outdoors on the labyrinth
· 10 a.m. Youth and children’s Sunday School
· 10 a.m. Livestream worship premieres on YouTube and website
Join us for a pancake breakfast after all services! Donations will support youth missions.
To access our livestream service:
- From the main menu on our website click “Worship.” -OR-
- Go to YouTube and search for UMC St. Mark’s Oro Valley or use this link.