United Methodist churches in Livingston Parish churches hold joint Easter celebration

SATSUMA, LA--Livingston Parish United Methodist churches will join forces to offer one Easter Service for all of their neighbors in the parish. Faith Crossing United Methodist Church in North Walker, Livingston UMC, Corbin UMC in Walker and James Chapel UMC in Holden will meet as one congregation Sunday morning, March 27 at 10 a.m. in the Suma Crossing Community Center Theatre.
 
Rev. Warren Clifton from Faith Crossing will deliver the message, “The Power of Love.” The pastors from the other participating churches will offer Holy Communion to all who gather for this community-wide event. A “Celebration Choir” consisting of members from the four churches will offer musical selections including traditional hymns and contemporary Christian music. The offering from this worship service will benefit the Louisiana Methodist Children’s Home. 
 
“The United Methodist Church is ‘connectional’ in nature, which means our churches are really one, just worshipping in different neighborhoods and cities. We come together often for worship and mission.  This is one more opportunity for us to work together to take church to where our neighbors live and where they gather. Suma Crossing is a growing area and central to most things in Livingston Parish. It seemed a perfect place to gather and celebrate Easter,” said Rev. Clifton.
 
“The average size church usually has about 75 people in worship. Our congregation is much smaller, sometimes only worshipping in the single digits. It is exciting to join with other churches in a theater designed to hold 400. I hope we fill the place to overflowing,” said Rev. Reid Day, pastor of Corbin UMC.
 
“Livingston United Methodist Church has been exploring how to offer worship in the I-12 corridor for some time now. We offer good news and we want to reach as many people as possible with that good news. Combining with other churches and working together to offer this service to our neighbors is just one way we hope to engage our community,” said Rev. Dr. Richard Stiltner, pastor of Livingston UMC.
 
“The United Methodist Church believes in an ‘open table,’ which means the table of Holy Communion is Christ's table, not the table of The United Methodist Church or of any one local congregation. The table is open to anyone who seeks to respond to Christ's love and to lead a new life of peace and love. We will offer bread and grape juice, instead of wine, to anyone who wants to participate,” said Rev. Renee Deaton of James Chapel UMC.
 
“Louisiana United Methodist Children and Family Services is a leading faith-based provider of behavioral health services in Louisiana. Providing care to children and families in communities throughout Louisiana, each year we touch the lives of 20,000 people. Our Family Plus program provides early intervention and prevention services in 25 communities in our state. Family Plus provides care, family education, parenting and professional services through partnerships with local congregations and other non-profits with similar missions. The donations we receive on Easter Sunday will go a long way to helping us set up a Family Plus office in Livingston Parish,” said Rebekah Durham, Director of Family Plus.
 
For more information, please contact Rev. Clifton at (225) 243-6094.