What does it truly mean to be a witness? In the contemporary context, bearing witness is often associated with providing testimony in legal proceedings. It entails recounting firsthand experiences or observations to establish truth before an authority.

However, within the framework of our Christian heritage, witnessing transcends mere testimony. It is a sacred duty bestowed upon us by our faith in Christ. As followers of the Lord Jesus, we are called to embody His teachings and reflect His love through our words, actions, and attitudes. Our witness is not confined to specific moments or situations, but our witness is to be a continual expression of our faith, manifesting every day, every hour, and in every interaction.

In the United Methodist tradition, we understand ourselves as ambassadors of Christ, commissioned to make His presence known in the world. Our court is not a legal one but the entirety of human existence, and the judge we testify before is the Savior who extends grace to all. This understanding of witness was reaffirmed by the 2008 United Methodist General Conference, which added the term "witness" to our Baptismal Covenant. This addition serves as a reminder of our mission and evangelistic responsibilities as members of the Church. It calls us to live out our faith boldly and publicly, engaging with our communities in ways that reflect the transformative power of God's love.

In line with our Wesleyan heritage, bearing witness encompasses both personal piety and social holiness. It involves not only leading lives of integrity and compassion but also actively working for justice and mercy in the world. Whether it's feeding the hungry, visiting the homebound, providing sanctuary for immigrants, caring for at-risk youth/elderly, or advocating for the marginalized - our witness is an outward and tangible expression of our inward commitment to embody the love of Christ in every aspect of our lives.

As those called by Christ to make disciples for the transformation of the world, our understanding of bearing witness is rooted in our theological convictions and Wesleyan principles. It is a call to faithfully live out our discipleship, proclaiming the Gospel not only in words but through our deeds, as we seek to help transform the world with God's grace and love.

In this Eastertide worship series, we will explore and discern the ways that Stilwell United Methodist Church might grow in our witness to this community and our witness to the world

April 7 - Second Sunday After Easter

• Scripture Reading: John 20:19-31 (Thomas encounters the risen Jesus)
• Worship Themes: Thomas experiences a profound encounter with the risen Christ, moving from doubt to belief. As believers, we are called to witness to the reality of Christ's resurrection and the life-changing impact it has on us. To experience life after death is shocking – sometimes even we have questions/doubts…

April 14 – Third Sunday After Easter

• Scripture Reading: Luke 24:36b-48 (Jesus appears to the disciples)
• Worship Themes: As followers of Christ, we are called to boldly proclaim the good news of salvation, inviting others to experience the forgiveness and new life offered through Him. Our worship becomes a testimony to God's redemptive work in Christ, inspiring us to share His saving grace with a world in need of hope and reconciliation.

April 21 – Fourth Sunday After Easter - United Women in Faith

• Scripture Reading: 1 Corinthians 13:1-13
• Worship Themes: Faith, Hope, and Love in Action

April 28 – Fifth Sunday After Easter

• Scripture Reading: Acts 4:5-12 (Peter proclaims salvation in Jesus' name)
• Worship Themes: Witnessing can be confrontational sometimes. We are called to speak truth to power, to proclaim life in the midst of death, generosity in a world of greed… We bear witness to the authority and saving grace found in the name of Jesus Christ, recognizing Him as the source of our hope and redemption. Our worship becomes a declaration of the supremacy of Jesus' name, inspiring us to exalt and proclaim His name in all aspects of our lives.

May 5 – Sixth Sunday After Easter

• Scripture Reading: John 15:9-17 (Jesus' commandment to love one another)
• Worship Themes: We have been commanded to love… To love as Christ loves… This makes love an intentional act – it is a conscious decision that each of us must make. Every aspect of our lives must be a response to Christ's love, inspiring us to abide in Him, bear fruit, and demonstrate His love to the world around us.

May 12 – Ascension Sunday - Mother's Day

• Scripture Reading: Acts 1:1-11 (Jesus' ascension)
• Worship Themes: “You will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth." In Acts 1, we witness Jesus' ascension into heaven, signaling His exalted status and authority over all creation – It is good and right for those of us who know, love, and serve the Lord to actually do what he said…
  

For more information about participating or leading in worship, please click the following links:

• Sunday Morning Worship Information
• Stilwell UMC's Worship Ministries