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New Richmond United Methodist Church!
We're a friendly and inclusive church right here in Richmond Township, Crawford County, Pennsylvania, where everyone is invited to connect, grow, and share in faith together.
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April 12, 2026 - Pastor Harry Zurasky
Rewards Both Now and Then
Below is the latest devotional from Pastor Harry.
To see more devotionals, please visit our Blog.
2 Timothy 4:3 – 5
You’re going to find that there will be times when people will have no stomach for solid teaching, but will fill up on spiritual junk food—catchy opinions that tickle their fancy. They’ll turn their backs on truth and chase mirages. But you—keep your eye on what you’re doing; accept the hard times along with the good; keep the Message alive; do a thorough job as God’s servant.
In our modern world, it has become increasingly common to approach scripture with the intent to confirm our own perspectives. Rather than allowing God’s Word to shape our worldview, we sometimes search the Bible for passages and seek out spiritual leaders who affirm what we already believe. When faced with scriptures that challenge us, we may be tempted to avoid or ignore those texts. This tendency is not new—it has been present throughout history. We find ourselves trying to fit God into the limitations of our own understanding, instead of striving to see the world as God intends. In doing this, we risk replacing our devotion to the Creator with a focus on worldly distractions and priorities.
To remain faithful and avoid these pitfalls, we must use the two greatest commandments as our guide: first, to love God, and second, to love our neighbor. Everything we are taught and everything we believe should be measured against these core principles.
Additionally, we are called to practice what John Wesley described as Christian (Holy) Conferencing. This involves engaging in meaningful and constructive dialogue—not only with those who share our views, but also with those who hold different perspectives. By actively listening and considering all viewpoints, we create space for the Holy Spirit to guide our understanding together.
Finally, it is important to recognize that even as we serve the same God and are led by the same Spirit, there will be times when we do not agree. In these moments, we are called to continue loving one another through our differences. By doing so, we fulfill God’s command to love, showing respect and compassion for each other even in the midst of disagreement.
Scripture for Sunday April 12, 2026
1 Peter 1:3-9
1 Peter 1:3-9 The Message
3-5 What a God we have! And how fortunate we are to have him, this Father of our Master Jesus! Because Jesus was raised from the dead, we’ve been given a brand-new life and have everything to live for, including a future in heaven—and the future starts now! God is keeping careful watch over us and the future. The Day is coming when you’ll have it all—life healed and whole.
6-7 I know how great this makes you feel, even though you have to put up with every kind of aggravation in the meantime. Pure gold put in the fire comes out of it proved pure; genuine faith put through this suffering comes out proved genuine. When Jesus wraps this all up, it’s your faith, not your gold, that God will have on display as evidence of his victory.
8-9 You never saw him, yet you love him. You still don’t see him, yet you trust him—with laughter and singing. Because you kept on believing, you’ll get what you’re looking forward to: total salvation.
Scripture for Sunday April 5, 2026
Luke 24:13-49
13 Now that same day two of them were going to a village called Emmaus, about seven miles[a] from Jerusalem. 14 They were talking with each other about everything that had happened. 15 As they talked and discussed these things with each other, Jesus himself came up and walked along with them; 16 but they were kept from recognizing him.
17 He asked them, “What are you discussing together as you walk along?”
They stood still, their faces downcast. 18 One of them, named Cleopas, asked him, “Are you the only one visiting Jerusalem who does not know the things that have happened there in these days?”
19 “What things?” he asked.
“About Jesus of Nazareth,” they replied. “He was a prophet, powerful in word and deed before God and all the people. 20 The chief priests and our rulers handed him over to be sentenced to death, and they crucified him; 21 but we had hoped that he was the one who was going to redeem Israel. And what is more, it is the third day since all this took place. 22 In addition, some of our women amazed us. They went to the tomb early this morning 23 but didn’t find his body. They came and told us that they had seen a vision of angels, who said he was alive. 24 Then some of our companions went to the tomb and found it just as the women had said, but they did not see Jesus.”
25 He said to them, “How foolish you are, and how slow to believe all that the prophets have spoken! 26 Did not the Messiah have to suffer these things and then enter his glory?” 27 And beginning with Moses and all the Prophets, he explained to them what was said in all the Scriptures concerning himself.
28 As they approached the village to which they were going, Jesus continued on as if he were going farther. 29 But they urged him strongly, “Stay with us, for it is nearly evening; the day is almost over.” So he went in to stay with them.
30 When he was at the table with them, he took bread, gave thanks, broke it and began to give it to them. 31 Then their eyes were opened and they recognized him, and he disappeared from their sight. 32 They asked each other, “Were not our hearts burning within us while he talked with us on the road and opened the Scriptures to us?”
33 They got up and returned at once to Jerusalem. There they found the Eleven and those with them, assembled together 34 and saying, “It is true! The Lord has risen and has appeared to Simon.” 35 Then the two told what had happened on the way, and how Jesus was recognized by them when he broke the bread.
36 While they were still talking about this, Jesus himself stood among them and said to them, “Peace be with you.”
37 They were startled and frightened, thinking they saw a ghost. 38 He said to them, “Why are you troubled, and why do doubts rise in your minds? 39 Look at my hands and my feet. It is I myself! Touch me and see; a ghost does not have flesh and bones, as you see I have.”
40 When he had said this, he showed them his hands and feet. 41 And while they still did not believe it because of joy and amazement, he asked them, “Do you have anything here to eat?” 42 They gave him a piece of broiled fish, 43 and he took it and ate it in their presence.
44 He said to them, “This is what I told you while I was still with you: Everything must be fulfilled that is written about me in the Law of Moses, the Prophets and the Psalms.”
45 Then he opened their minds so they could understand the Scriptures. 46 He told them, “This is what is written: The Messiah will suffer and rise from the dead on the third day, 47 and repentance for the forgiveness of sins will be preached in his name to all nations, beginning at Jerusalem. 48 You are witnesses of these things. 49 I am going to send you what my Father has promised; but stay in the city until you have been clothed with power from on high.”
Upcoming Events & Announcements
On April 18th there will be a pie auction at Little Cooley at 6:30 pm
Join us this Wednesday April 15th for Sub sandwiches, chips, salad, drinks and a little something sweet! Invite your neighbors.
This year's Richmond Township Clean-up Day is April 25
Our Schedule:
Sunday Service is at 10:00am
The second Sunday of the month is Friendship Sunday. During the service,
we have Communion, and after the service we have fellowship and snacks.
The third Sunday is Home Missions Sunday. This is an opportunity to help
bless our neighbours with an additional offering.
