Easter joy

Alleluia! Christ is risen! He is risen indeed! Alleluia!

It was a profound joy to gather for worship on Sunday out under the sunshine, and to see one another face to face after a long year of being apart. Thank you for making the effort to join us, and for caring for one another by wearing masks and observing safe distances. Thank you to John for leading the music; to Maggie, Colleen, Nate, and Wade for helping me decorate the basketball court with chalk; to Linda for coordinating the beautiful Easter flowers; and to everyone who helped set up and tear down the tables, flowers, and other furnishings that decorated our worship space. I am so grateful for a beautiful day, for voices raised in song, and for the way our presence together for worship embodied the promise and joy of resurrection.

Koenig, Peter. Mary Meets Jesus After the Resurrection, from Art in the Christian Tradition

We heard Mark's version of the resurrection at both services on Sunday morning, but as I reflect on our time together, John's resurrection account is what comes to mind. 

In John's account, Mary Magdalene is weeping outside the tomb. She sees Jesus standing there, but does not recognize him until he calls her by name. In this time of online worship, when we can often hear but not see one another, it's amazing how well we can recognize one another simply by voice! In this time of isolation, it's amazing how life-giving it is to be in the presence of others, and to hear them call us by name. 

After Mary moves to approach Jesus, he says to her, "Do not hold on to me, because I have not yet ascended to the Father." It feels strange to be in this in-between time of being together in person, but not yet being able to hold on to one another with handshakes or hugs. The time is coming, but it's hard to wait!

I know you are eager to be back in person for worship on a regular basis - I am, too! It's been so encouraging to hear of so many people receiving vaccines, but the reality is that only 20% of the county has been fully vaccinated so far. Though the number of new cases is lower now than the December/January spike, it's still higher than numbers from last summer and fall. Things are headed in the right direction, but we're not there yet. Conversation about re-opening for in-person activities continues to be on the Council agenda each month; please feel free to share your thoughts with me or with our Council members. As these conversations take place, know that my priority is safety, rooted in Jesus' commandment to love our neighbors.

As we continue to exercise caution - washing hands, wearing masks, practicing distancing, avoiding large indoor gatherings - we give thanks for a God who finds us wherever we are. As we'll hear in this Sunday's Gospel reading, even locked doors and fearful, grieving hearts cannot keep Jesus from showing up in our midst, offering peace and the empowering gift of the Holy Spirit. 

Bonus resources: 

• This version of "Jesus Christ is Risen Today" from the Association of Lutheran Church Musicians was shared during our 9am Easter service. The voices and instruments of over 1,700 musicians is just amazing!