Dear Peace Members,
What a wonderful Holy Week we had at Peace!Maundy Thursday, Good Friday, and Easter Sunday worship—the Scripture, the music, the gathered people of God—all proclaiming the Good News: “He is risen! He is risen, indeed!”
Now the question is: what does it mean for how we live….now! Does the Risen Christ make a difference—not just about death after life but life before death? That’s why the church calendar gives us 50 days to take the Good News in. And that is why we will, over these next six Sundays of Easter, reflect on the implications for us of God raising crucified Jesus from the dead in a sermon series entitled, “Living the Resurrection.”
I’ll begin this Sunday (9:30am) with the famous and traditional week-after-Easter Gospel reading of Jesus and the disciple Thomas meeting behind locked doors. We know him as “doubting Thomas.” Of course, he doubts the reality of the resurrection; who wouldn’t? I suspect that, if you’re like me, there is a little (or a lot) of Thomas in you, too. I’ll say more about doubt and faith in a message, “Living the Resurrection: Believing Thomas.” We’ll also keep singing Easter hymns, hear a children’s message from Pastor Joe, and gather around the Lord’s Table. Join in!
Following worship in Adult Education (10:45am) we’ll reflect on the Gospel accounts of the resurrection of Jesus. All the Gospel writers agree on three things: the empty tomb, Jesus’ appeared multiple times, and his followers changed—significantly. But also, Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John tell that story in different ways. We’ll look at some of those details, talk further about what they mean for us, and share together some Easter/Holy Week reflections. Join us!
See you Sunday!
Mark