Summary
Our Easter service was filled with regulars, guests, and soon-to-be northern migration travelers. It began with a piano duet, “Amazing Grace” by Joanne Van Wyhe and Sue Johnsen. It was fabulous – please enjoy on the video.
We sang hymns, prayed prayers, read Scripture, and heard about the various reactions to the discovery of the alive and risen Jesus. Two women prepared spices the evening of the crucifixion, but stopped to honor Sabbath Law. By the time they arrived at the tomb with their burial spices, Jesus had already risen. Peter and John heard the news and ran to the tomb, John peeking in from the entrance, Peter rushing right in to the interior of the tomb, to find the grave clothes neatly folded. No grave robber does that…
The two men walking home to Emmaus were trying to figure out what had just happened in Jerusalem. A man joins them in their walk, and they learn from him what all the prophets and historical writing have said about the Messiah. He is so interesting and knowledgeable, they invite him for dinner, and it dawns on them, when He breaks the bread, that He is the risen Christ.
All this, interwoven with tales of a great killer whale sighting and differing response to it, and being left out in the cold, illustrates our various responses to the truth of Christ, experiencing the joys to be had, and the feelings of being left out in the cold.
We are challenged daily to be alert, aware, know more of the God who is with us always, and to celebrate that He loved us so deeply he suffered horribly; and then conquered the grave. The grave – our graves – is not the end of our stories; it is the beginning of an eternity of peace, no judgment, just joy in His presence.
Easter Blessings,
His,
Rev. Cheri