Dear Children of God,Christ is risen! Alleluia! HE IS RISEN INDEED! ALLELUIA! ALLELUIA! I pray that you all are well and prepared to celebrate the resurrection of our Lord. I miss our time together so much and that feeling is especially pronounced at Easter. Last year’s Easter worship can be seen at the following link: https://youtu.be/taBF-NOiIBI
Also, I have attached pictures of the Resurrection Window from our sanctuary and our new Easter Banner – thanks to Judy and Larry Middendorf.
Here is your Sunday Message
Sunday’s Message for Resurrection of Our Lord / Easter Day
April 12, 2020
Prayer of the Day
O God, you gave your only Son to suffer death on the cross for our redemption, and by his glorious resurrection you delivered us from the power of death. Make us die every day to sin, that we may live with him forever in the joy of the resurrection, through your Son, Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen.
First Reading Acts 10:34-43
Psalm 118:1-2, 14-24
Second Reading Colossians 3:1-4
Gospel Matthew 28:1-10
Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord and Savior, Jesus the Christ.
In a time of uncertainty and anxiety, God has sent us a message of “peace by Jesus Christ – he is Lord of all.” (Acts 10:36) This message of peace was first delivered in a place of death and at a time of great fear, just a stone’s throw from the site of the Lord’s cross. The message was “He has been raised from the dead.” (Matthew 28:7) Echoing around the world for more than two millennia, this message of peace is desperately needed today.
God’s message to us that Christ is risen overcomes all obstacles. It was this way from the beginning. God did not permit a stone-covered, guard-protected tomb to prevent the two women named Mary from receiving the message. The stone was rolled away, the guards were disabled, and the message was delivered. “He is not here; for he has been raised, as he said. Come, see the place where he lay.” Matthew 28:6
Our time of physical separation on our high Holy Day does not prevent God from reaching us with the message of his Son’s resurrection. The fear and anxiety antagonizing people today will not be permitted to diminish or obstruct God’s word. Around the world, in many wonderful ways, the children of God are rejoicing that “Christ is risen! Alleluia! He is risen indeed! Alleluia! Alleluia!” This message is powerful, joyful, and hopeful.
Through the resurrection of Jesus, God is telling us that he is at peace with us. Nothing is held against us. Nothing, not even death, can separate us from him and his love for us. God’s certain message to us is that even though we will experience “the cross” in this life; even though there will be suffering and adversity, we will survive. One thing we will never experience is Divine condemnation and abandonment. God is at peace with us. All is forgiven because of the death and resurrection of Jesus.
Colossians 3:1 announces that “you have been raised with Christ.” The resurrection of Jesus is our resurrection. The triumph of Jesus is our triumph. This is the great gift of God. Life survives all hardship, disease, and death. God is faithful! In our time of testing, even though we suffer, he provides a way out so that we can survive. (See 1 Corinthians 10:13)
When this message is received in the human heart, it causes great joy. That was the case for the women who were at the tomb of Jesus. “So they left the tomb quickly with fear and great joy, and ran to tell his disciples.” Matthew 28:8 I wonder if the song of joy from Psalm 118 rang out within them as they departed from the tomb.
Psalm 118:14 proclaims, “The LORD is my strength and my song, and has become my salvation.” The message that Christ is risen and that we have been raised with him is our source of strength in a time of weakness. The resurrection of the dead is a sweet song that soothes aching hearts. It is a song of salvation; of ultimate healing after the experience of brokenness and death. Because Jesus lives, we have faith that disease, death, and destruction is not the end for us. Jesus is the end. Jesus lives and he is “the life.” John 14:6 “[He} is your life.” Colossians 3:4 (Emphasis added.) He is your salvation. He is your peace.
“I shall not die, but live, and declare the works of the LORD,” Psalm 118:17 announces confidently. “Declare the works of the LORD” was precisely the instruction given to the first witnesses to the resurrection. The risen Jesus himself met the women and directly commanded them to “go and tell.” Matthew 28:10 The message of the Lord’s resurrection has penetrated our hearts just like Mary Magdalene and the other Mary. By God’s grace it brings forth within us faith, hope and joy. We too have been instructed to “go and tell” and to “declare the works of the LORD.”
This message is critically important today. In these uncertain times, many people are searching for an improved understanding of God and a sense of peace within. No more beneficial message can be delivered and received than that of the death and resurrection of Jesus for the salvation of all. The peace of God in Christ Jesus may surpass all human understanding but it certainly does not bypass the human heart. You are God’s instruments for proclaiming the gracious and saving work of Jesus. When you share the message that “the free gift of God is eternal life through Christ Jesus our Lord” (Romans 6:23) you are providing hope to those in need. By the way, the phrase “those in need” includes anyone and everyone.
It is Easter Sunday and we have a song to sing. Jesus Christ is Risen Today! God is at peace with his creation. Take heart in this amazing message we have received from the Father and freely share the good news of Christ with a hurting world. Amen.
Jesus Christ Is Risen Today
Jesus Christ is risen today, Alleluia!
Our triumphant holy day, Alleluia!
Who did once, upon the cross, Alleluia!
Suffer to redeem our loss, Alleluia!
Hymns of praise then let us sing, Alleluia!
Unto Christ, our heavenly King, Alleluia!
Who endured the cross and grave, Alleluia!
Sinners to redeem and save, Alleluia!
But the pains which He endured, Alleluia!
Our salvation have procured, Alleluia!
Now above the sky He’s king, Alleluia!
Where the angels ever sing, Alleluia!
Sing we to our God above, Alleluia!
Praise eternal as His love, Alleluia!
Praise Him, all you heavenly host, Alleluia!
Father, Son, and Holy Ghost, Alleluia!
With prayers for a blessed Easter season,
Pastor Bill
