Welcome New Members
Friends
Last weekend 45 members and friends spent three days in Granbury experiencing time out of the world, spending time with God. I have heard that it was a transforming experience, and I am looking forward to welcoming them back this coming Sunday. These experiences can help us in deepening our understanding of God and God’s purpose for our lives and I sincerely hope that you might consider going on “The Walk” when it is offered again in the future.
We held our new member’s orientation this past Saturday in the Interfaith Peace Chapel here at Cathedral of Hope. Eighteen new members gathered to learn more about the church and their role in it. Membership in a church like Cathedral of Hope is a choice. It is one than involves a covenant between the church and the individual and the individual and the church. We will welcome these new members on Sunday, and I will continue our sermon series, “Ask Me Anything”. This Sunday we will think about what it means to be a member, and while membership is not a requirement to be a part of this community, many say that becoming a member says something about our claiming our place in a spiritual community.

I am carefully watching the swing in societal and political attitudes that are affecting us spiritually. Many of us are awaiting decisions that will be coming from the Supreme Court in the coming weeks. These decisions will have their impact regardless of how they fall. As people of faith we believe in fairness, justice, and equality for all. These are values that are lived out in Jesus and that we are called to live by as well. Please be assured that your church, while not partisan, politically, will respond with these values at the center of its being. It is the Christ-like thing to do!
Friends, we need one another, and we need to gather as often as possible to claim that God is still speaking and making a difference in our lives. I do hope that you are planning to join me, in person or online this Sunday. Check out our website for relevant information.
Peace and blessings,

Was Jesus Married?
Greetings
We are now in the third week of our current sermon series, “Ask Me Anything”, and as I add, “theologically!” Over the past couple of weeks, we have been responding to some of the questions that you requested us respond to as we grapple with faith and the deeper questions that we may have pondered.
This Sunday is Mother’s Day and the question that we ponder is “Was Jesus Married?” I am eager to tackle this question, especially considering the Scripture that has been selected for this Sunday. Over this past week there has been a lot to process, specifically in relation to the unrest in our country and in our world.
The leaked opinion of a potential reversal of Roe vs. Wade and the domino effect that this opens, affecting minority groups and legal protections. It is another time in our movement to remain vigilant and activated and I want to assure you that we will do everything we can, in response to our faith, to protect the most vulnerable in our community and in our world. Jesus speaks of his mother often and we see her at many significant moments in Jesus’ life.
As we gather on Sunday, we too will honor those who have been “mothers” to us. Some will have been biological and others who have stepped in and been “mothers” toward us. I look forward to sharing worship this Sunday as we gather in person and online to respond to this question and the many other questions that we face in today’s world.
We are better, together.

Are My Kid’s Really Welcome?
It is always a blessing to be able to take some time away from the office and the many responsibilities that I have the joy of undertaking as Senior Pastor of this amazing congregation. It is also good to visit and worship with friends in other places, knowing that Cathedral is in good hands during my absence!
This past Sunday Reverend Dr. Michael Diaz launched our new sermon series, “Ask Me Anything”, pondering the question, “Is There Only One Way to God?” Reverend Andre Vlok preached our 11:45am service and Salvador Sotelo preached at our 1:30pm Spanish Speaking Service. If you missed out on any of these, please remember that our services are available on our website, Facebook, and YouTube every week.
This Sunday we will welcome our children back into the main worship service with a special “Children’s Moment” and many of our youth will also be joining us in worship. I will also be answering the question, “Are My Kid’s Really Welcome?” We will reflect on the way that Jesus welcomed the little children to come to him and how we might follow in this example.
Later in the month we will respond to the question. “What Does it Mean to be a Church Member”. On this Sunday we will also welcome new members into our community. Our next Membership Class is on Saturday, May 14 at 10:30am, and if you are not already a member, you might consider joining this class. While you are not obligated to become a member following the class, it does give much more information about what it means to be a member of Cathedral. You can sign up for this class now by clicking this link. (More info here) I am already looking forward to being in community with you this Sunday and I hope you are too!

Eastertide
Welcome to Eastertide, Easter people!
Since last Thursday we had a myriad of worship services that helped us to follow in the footsteps of Jesus throughout Holy Week – Maundy Thursday, Good Friday and yes, Easter Sunday!
This is the season of resurrection. This past Sunday we welcomed the Risen Christ in our Easter services. It was so good to see so many visitors join us and to have a packed Sanctuary. So many have said that it felt like pre-COVID times!
I sincerely hope that you found Holy Week and Easter profoundly spiritual and give you hope for the days that lay ahead. This Sunday we will begin our new sermon series, “Ask Me Anything”. Before Easter, we asked you to let us know some of the questions of faith that you would like addressed and expanded on.
Over the next few weeks, we will explore these questions and seek answers from our Biblical text and experience of God. We all have doubts and questions about our faith and spirituality. Our God allows us to doubt, wonder, think, and ask tough questions. Our small groups will continue these conversations throughout the week, and I know how important it is to connect our preaching and our small groups. For more information about small groups, please reach out to Reverend Jeremy Rose (jrose@cathedralofhope.com)
I am delighted that Reverend Dr. Michael Diaz will be launching this new sermon series. He will preach at the 8:30am and 10am services and Reverend Andre will preach the 11:45am service. Salvador Sotelo will preach the 1:30pm service. Please check out important dates and other information in this email to remain connected to the life and ministry of Cathedral of Hope.
Together we are proclaiming Christ through faith, hope and love and making a difference in the world.
