Christ is Risen!

 

Christ is Risen!  He is Risen Indeed!  Alleluia!    After a most meaningful season of Lent, wonderfully moving and well attended Maundy Thursday and Good Friday services (over 200 at worship at each service), and a most beautiful Easter morning (over 800 total at worship at our 3 services!) we now enter the 7 weeks of the Easter Season.   To have so many at worship and to experience the spirit everyone brought to those places says a lot to me about God being very much at work, in spite of, or maybe because of, our increasingly secular world. 

 

Of all of the things “the world” and our society has to offer, only God can meet the most basic spiritual needs that lie deep within every person.  We can fill our lives with all kinds of things and distractions, but when it gets right down to it, only God can fill the deepest need.  And that need is to be connected with God and with one another.  That’s what Easter is about.  God coming to us and breathing into us Resurrection Life, Hope, Joy and a Peace that passes all understanding.   When that happens, that makes us a part of a new community, a community of faith, a community of other Easter people, a New Creation!  (As mentioned in the sermon yesterday, the Garden of Eden was the site of the first creation, in which Adam and Eve disobeyed and were driven out in shame…but then the Garden of the Empty Tomb became the site of God’s New and Renewed Creation in which Mary met the Risen Lord and went out in joy and wonder sharing the Good News that Christ is Risen!)

 

That is the Good News that we need to hear!  Because as we look at the news around us, we see that there are still so many dark, diabolical forces at work in the world.  Life can be discouraging.  But the Easter message is that the Last Word over all of those forces is Victory and Life and Hope. 

 

So, as the seven weeks of the Easter season unfold, let us keep gathering together to nurture that Resurrection Life that has been given us and the peace that God continues offer.  And along with gathering to worship together, for other ways to help you live out that Easter Life, see our website (www.oursaviorelca.com)  for Bible Studies, Youth, Women’s, Men’s gatherings and more.  Also, visit www.vibrantfaithathome.org , a new resource for nurturing family faith and life.  This is from the same folks who provide our great every Sunday bulletin insert with prayers and conversation starters for nurturing faith at home.

 

Finally, if you’re interested in learning more about Our Savior, or in becoming a member, please join us for a 3 session, informal, “get acquainted” series on: Wednesday, April 11 at 6:30pm, Sunday April 15 at 9:45am and Wednesday April 18 at 6:30pm.   These are always interesting, informative, and even fun gatherings! 

 

See you in church!    Pastor Jack Diehl +