Times of Refreshment

Mark 6:46

Rev. Juvenal Cervantes, Pastor
St. John’s United Church of Christ, Greeley, Colorado
July 25, 2021

Mark 6:46

After leaving them, he went up on a mountainside to pray.

Rest and fun ought to be an ongoing part of the Christian life. Some see having fun in church and in life as sacrosanct or disrespectful. However, our Lord Jesus Christ exemplified joy.

Reflecting on a picture entitled, “The Risen Christ by the Sea”, Linda Mainard of Milwaukie, OR, who teaches a fifth-grade religion class and a Bible study at her church wrote this poem:

Today I saw a picture of You with a smile upon Your face.
My heart became so joyful, I felt filled with loving grace.
So many times You've been remembered with expression full of pain.

As if the thought of portraying You happy would somehow be a shame.
Surely as a baby You giggled and filled Your Mother's heart with joy.

And there must have been some mischief too as You grew to be a boy.
I try to just imagine You at play or happily climbing up a tree.
At twelve, when You amazed the teachers, it must have set Your heart to glee.

When You became a man and others gathered in curious fascination,
I picture Your handsome face filled with wit and absolute jubilation.

That first miracle You performed, quietly at the wedding festivities,
records a time of merriment in Your amazing life's activities.

Those very solemn images have been depicted a million times it's true.
But I'm so glad I can now envision a smiling and joyful You.

I’d like to share with you 10 ways to rejoice in Lord:

1.    RE-Joice… He is Risen… Indeed!

2.    RE-Fresh… your body by sound sleep and good eats!

3.    RE-New… acquaintances and habits of health and hope!

4.    RE-Deemed… Know that you are loved forever by the Lord!

5.    RE-View… your past lumps and bumps… and know you're forgiven!

6.    RE-Late… Talk, and listen closely, to those around you!

7.    RE-Store… "unto me a clean heart, O God." (Psalm 51:10)

8.    RE-Vive… your faith through the Word and Holy Communion!

9.    RE-Focus… on all the great gifts the Lord has given you!

10.  RE-Member… those special people around you!

Now let us rejoice as we sing familiar Christian songs with new lyrics.

Deck the Halls

Deck the halls with Easter lilies,
Fa-la-la-la-la-le-lu-ia!
Dance a jig and sing the sillies,
Fa-la-la-la-la-le-lu-ia!
At the devil, mean, old bloke,
Fa-la-la-la-la-le-lu-ia!
On whom God has played a joke,
Fa-la-la-la-la-le-lu-ia!

Devil thought he'd won the battle,
Fa-la-la-la-la-le-lu-ia!
Pranced around high in the saddle,
Fa-la-la-la-la-le-lu-ia!
Did not know God's special plan,
Fa-la-la-la-la-le-lu-ia!
To resurrect the Son of Man,
Fa-la-la-la-la-le-lu-ia!

Merry Christians rejoice and sing,
Fa-la-la-la-la-le-lu-ia!
Now's the triumph of our King,
Fa-la-la-la-la-le-lu-ia!
Lord of Life is ris'n this day,
Fa-la-la-la-la-le-lu-ia!
Let the world rejoice and say,
Fa-la-la-la-la-le-lu-ia!

Songs of joy to Christ our head,
Fa-la-la-la-la-le-lu-ia!
Lives again who once was dead,
Fa-la-la-la-la-le-lu-ia!
Life was purchased by his loss,
Fa-la-la-la-la-le-lu-ia!
Died our death upon the cross,
Fa-la-la-la-la-le-lu-ia!

Joy to the World

Joy to the World, the Lord's alive, Awake, rejoice and sing!
It's just as He had said,
He's risen from the dead.
Salvation now He brings,
Salvation now He brings,
Salvation, salvation now He brings.

Joy to the World, the empty tomb,
Proclaims a victory.
Of light compelling,
A great dispelling
Of darkness in the world,
Of darkness in the world,
Of darkness, of darkness in the world.

Joy to the World,
Our Savior reigns,
Let Heaven and earth proclaim
The glories of His righteousness,
And wonders of His love,
And wonders of His love,
And wonders, wonders of His love.

It Came upon a Sunrise Bright

(Tune: "It Came upon a Midnight Clear")

It came upon a sunrise bright,
that glorious promise anew,
That Jesus, though he was crucified,
now lives for me and for you.

Peace on earth, goodwill to all,
from Heaven rejoicing on high,
The world with joyful dancing
shares the news that He is alive.

The women with their spices came,
the body to anoint,
They found the tomb was empty
and they heard an angel appoint.

The time, the place, the reason why,
you'll find your Jesus on high,
And then in joy the woman shared
the news that He is alive.

Go tell it on the Mountain

Chorus:
Go tell it on the mountain,
over the hills and everywhere,
Go tell it on the mountain
that Jesus is alive.

While soldiers watched the gravesite
That quiet Sunday dawn
There came a big commotion
and then the storm was gone.
The women found no body
their spices to anoint,
Instead they found an angel,
God's message to appoint.
Go from where He isn't