‘Tis the weeks after Easter at Harmony Place,

We go back to normal by entering our race.

Throughout the church—the story, the cross, the tomb, the crown;

The songs, the people, the services—all come down.

The celebration seems complete and life goes on.

We can hear the world say to us with a big yawn,

“Out with your bright colored eggs!  Out with your lilies!

It’s time to take down that cross!  Won’t you do it?  Please?”

So now, the stage is set.  It’s up to me and you.

We have a decision to make.  What will we do?

On the one hand, we can stop our great jubilee:

We quit rejoicing; stop singing the melody.

On the other hand, we can relive our great joy:

We proclaim a triumph that no one can destroy.

May everything we do stay pointed at the cross,

That beautiful place where all is counted as loss.

May we always speak eagerly of Easter cheer

Today, tomorrow, and every day of the year.

Peace,

Dexter

Over the next few weeks, the town of Union will change into the town of Mayberry.  Andy, Opie, Barney, and, of course, Aunt Bea will be at Harmony Place Church as we study their lives, learning from their stories. 

The use of parables is a common way for Christians to grow.  Our adult Sunday school class is applying the parables of the “Andy Griffith Show” to our lives today.  We will watch an episode every week and explore its depths through a class discussion.

We meet upstairs following the worship service, every Sunday.  Come out and join us or we’ll send Barney after you!

Why do we sing songs when we gather together?  Why are there times in our worship service when we are called to respond?  Why do we even gather to worship God?  Can’t we just do this at home? 

Starting this Wednesday night, April 9, we begin a new study series about the concept of worship, led by Bob Kemp-Baird, our Minister of Music and Worship.  It is a study that will help us explore the basics of worship.  And in the end, it will challenge us to worship God more fully.

This is a new worship site of Florence Christian Church.  Our church was established in 1831 on Main Street and US 42 in Florence.  In 2006, we felt that it was important that we expand our ministry and reach out to the Union area.  We know there are many people moving into this area who are looking for a community of faith that is “open and accepting” of all.  Our vision has been to create a place where peoplpe can explore what they BELIEVE, find a community where they can BELONG, and join with others in discovering what God wants them to BECOME.

Being a part of an existing church gives us the benefit of having strong programs already developed.  In addition to music, drama, men and women’s ministries, there are opportunities for youth and children, for people to serve in mission, and study groups for all to explore their faith.  We hope you will find ways to use your God-given gifts to honor God.

Come and join in this new adventure of faith.  We will welcome you with open arms and open hearts.

Blessings,

Revs. Diane and Jerry Zehr

Meet the Simpsons:

By way of introduction, I am an ordained minister in the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ).  I am a Florida native holding a Masters’ degree and currently pursuing a doctoral degree in ministry with a focus on faith development.  I have been in ministry for fourteen years, serving churches in Alabama and in North Carolina.  And I come to Harmony Place from Stokesdale (NC) Christian Church where I served as its pastor. 

Emily and I have been married for eight years.  She works as an infectious disease physician in Cincinnati.  We have two children, Olivia and Jack.  Olivia is four years old.  She loves movies and playing dress up with her dolls.  Jack is six months old and he loves to smile at anyone who wants one. 

Harmony Place is a new campus of Florence Christian Church, which is one of 3,500 congregations in the United States and Canada who call themselves “Disciples”.  The Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) is the first Christian denomination founded on American soil.  Presently, we number approximately one million in membership.

Our faith perspective is one of religious freedom and responsibility.  We believe that each person has a unique and valuable insight into God’s Word in scripture.  Together, we encourage each other by sharing our perspectives and intentionally seeking to grow in faith and understanding.

Disciples of Christ celebrates Communion weekly, as we gather for worship.  Everyone who believes in Jesus Christ is invited to share in Communion at the Lord’s Table.  Disciples believe in the “priesthood of all believers”.  Men, women, and children take their place along side ordained ministers in worship and in church leadership.

Disciples strive for Christian unity.  We seek to unite all Christians, affirming the one body of Christ.

To become a member of Harmony Place/Florence Christian Church, one need only confess their faith in Christ and be baptized.  We practice Believer’s Baptism by immersion.  One may also transfer membership by reaffirming faith and all forms of Baptism are accepted. 

By the grace of our Lord, may we ever do justice, love kindness, and walk humbly with our God (Micah 6:6-8).

For more information about The Christian Church (Disciples of Christ), please visit www.disciples.org or contact us at: Harmony Place/Florence Christian Church, 300 Main Street, Florence, KY  41042; or call 859-647-5000.  We’d love to hear from you!

Christ-Centered: We are united through our Lord and Savior, Jesus.  We observe Communion weekly.

Practical: We promote practical preaching, connecting scripture and everyday life, encouraging thought, questions and growth in faith.

Concern for Children and Youth: We offer our children opportunities to explore positive biblical values in creative and fun-filled ways.  We have fun, meaningful programs for youth of all ages.

Open: We recognize that there is more than one path to faith and we are open to sharing our differences.

Caring: We are big enough to provide exciting programs–yet small enough to get to know you personally.

Worshipping: We give glory to God with a joyful music ministry and a wide range of styles.

Outreach: We seek justice and mercy for humans here and abroad, both with our offerings and our own hands through mission opportunities.

This Wednesday, March 26, we are going to spend some time in prayer and we are going to walk as we do it.  The book of Joshua explains that the people of Israel march around the city of Jericho, claiming it in God’s name.  We are going to do the same here at Harmony Place.  We are going to walk around the building in prayer. 

No, we don’t want the walls to fall down like they do in Jericho but we do want to seek God’s face.  This is something that we hope to do from time to time as a way for us to see more clearly and follow more nearly,

(Based on a prayer from the Episcopal Book of Common Prayer)

Gracious Father, we pray for your holy Church.  Fill is with all truth, in all truth with all peace.  Where it is corrupt, purify it; where it is in error, direct it; where in any thing it is amiss, reform it.  Where is is right, straighten it; where it is in want, provide for it; where it is divided, reunite it; for the sake of Jesus Christ your Son our Savior.  Amen. 

Do you remember your first love?  Who was it?  Was it someone who made your knees weak and your throat dry?  Feelings of love can be so powerful.  We cannot explain them nor can we contain them.  The earth moves under our feet when we are in love.  God’s love for us is like this: making the impossible possible and changing the world.  When Jesus gives up his spirit on the cross, the Bible says,

“There is an earthquake, and rocks are split in pieces.  What’s more, tombs are opened up, and many bodies of believers asleep in their graves are raised.” 

With God’s ultimate act of love, the earth literally moves.  Life enters those who are dead.  The love of the Creator changes the very foundation of the creation.  As you celebrate Easter over the next week, remember that it is more than a story about death and new life.  It is a love story between you and God.  Does it stir you as well?  Is the love of God enough to change you?

Have you ever seen this house overlooking Highway 42/127 in Union, Kentucky? 

This beautiful home is the current location of Harmony Place as we build our new facility.  It offers plenty of space for our weekday childcare program, Discover Zone, as well as giving us the room we need to serve God through worship and study. 

Our address is 9779 Old Union Road, Union, Kentucky, 41091.

To see us on a map or to get directions, follow this link:

http://maps.live.com/#JnE9eXAuOTc3OStPbGQrVW5pb24rUm9hZCUyYytVbmlvbiUyYytLWSU3ZXNzdC4wJTdlcGcuMSZiYj01Mi44MDI3NjE0MTU0MTk3JTdlLTU3Ljc0NDE0MDYyNSU3ZTIyLjI2ODc2NDAzOTA3NCU3ZS0xMTEuMTgxNjQwNjI1