Easter Greetings! Christ is Risen! He is Risen indeed! First of all, let me say thank you to the many people who were involved in the events of the last week. Many hearts and hands prayed for, planned and prepared for, and participated in the events and worship services during Holy Week and Easter. Greeters, acolytes, dancers, choirs, Altar Guild, Andrew Ministers, ushers, Stations of the Cross volunteers, communion servers, staff and many more gave of

their time and gifts to help us celebrate anew the resurrection. Thank you! On the wall in my office is a picture with the following words from Galatians 5, "The fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control." This picture is a daily reminder for me of how God wants me to live. With our vision at BUMC of "living like Jesus, and bringing joy to God" I've been doing a lot of thinking about what it really means to live like Jesus lived - not in the way of culture or social norms like walking from village to village in a robe and sandals, or eating fish and flatbread cooked on an open fire, but living like Jesus did in thought, word and deed; to show love, be patient, use self-control, and so on. Carlo Carretto has written "Each of us is called to follow Jesus in his footsteps. And our greatness on this earth is precisely the fact that we are called to live the same life of Jesus." As I study the scriptures, and learn about how Jesus lived, I am struck by the notion that living like Jesus is as much about our attitude as it is our actions. It might be more about who we are than what we do.

Jesus himself told us how we should live in his Sermon on the Mount. In the coming weeks, Bishop Bill McAlilly, Rev. Kaye Harvey, and Rev. Travis Garner will help us unpack these instructions in the sermon series "Like Jesus? - Lessons on Living from the Sermon on the Mount." We will hear about things like loving your enemies, worry, being salt and light, and spiritual practices. These are not suggestions, but answers to some of life's toughest challenges. I hope you will be here to be encouraged, blessed and inspired by these words from Jesus. There are several important events coming up that you will want to be a part of:

• Like Jesus? Sermon Series and weekly worship - Click for details • Habitat House build in Williamson County • Confirmation of 111 students as disciples of Jesus Christ, and as

members of BUMC • 2nd Saturdays @ Graceworks - Click to register • Starting Point - a class for guests and new members, beginning

May 5 • Ongoing Bible studies, small groups, mission trips, and more

You can learn about these and other opportunities on our website at www.bumc.net. "I'm thankful for all of you every time I pray, and it's always a prayer full of joy." Phil. 1:4 Blessings, Leslie