Dear Fellow Saints at Resurrection,
Christ is risen! He is risen indeed! Alleluia!
"But the angel said to the women, 'Do not be afraid; for I know that you seek Jesus who was crucified. He is not here; for he has risen, as he said." (Matthew 28)
As you read my pastoral column, the 40 days of the Easter Season are upon us. Beginning with the most glorious day in the history of humanity, Easter Sunday, God's people celebrate the physical resur-rection of our Lord Jesus Christ and His appearances to His disciples and followers. For many, Easter is just one day in the year and then life moves on. For the Christian, the Season of Easter embraces all the depth of God's love for His precious creation. The Season of Easter is about God fulfilling His promises to His people. As Jesus and His disciples journeyed to Jerusalem the last time, He reminded them by these words: "Behold, we are going to Jerusalem, and the Son of Man will be delivered … mocked and scourged and crucified, and he will be raised on the third day" (Matthew 20).
Indeed, these words were fulfilled as Jesus said, for our Lord was physically resurrected from the grave! His resurrection proclaimed His victory over sin, death, devil and hell! As His called and bap-tized disciples, we live as Easter Christians everyday of our lives. The guilt of sin has been removed! We are blessed with the assurance of eternal salvation through Christ our Lord! Nothing shall separate us from His love, mercy, grace and forgiveness! Throughout the Season of Easter, our resurrected Lord and Savior Jesus Christ continued to appear to His disciples to comfort them and to assure them of the profound truth of His resurrection. The proclamation of the Christian Church has always been rooted in a crucified and resurrected Lord. Because of Easter, we know that God shall always have the last word in our lives and the lives of those we love. The Season of Easter is precious to us because we are encouraged in our life of discipleship as we witness through the Gospel accounts of God's patience and love for His creation – a creation redeemed through His Son and our Savior, Jesus Christ.
A Most Blessed Easter Season to Each of You, for
Christ is risen! He is risen indeed! Alleluia!
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This article was too good not to share, so let me introduce to you …
The World’s Worst Funeral Director
There was a 12 year old girl. She contracted a horrible disease. In a few days she was dead. Her father had run for help while she was still alive, but when he returned he was greeted with the news, “Your daughter is dead.” He rushed into the room only to find it filled with friends, relatives, and some mourners who were paid to cry at occasions like this. Jairus returned to the Help he brought and cried, “I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to bring you to a funeral. I wanted you to do something for my daughter when she was still alive.” The Man turned and said, “Jairus, your daughter is not dead; she is only sleeping.” And the Bible says that “. . . the people in the room laughed at the Man who made that statement.” Then the Man took the girl by her hand, and she got up off her death bed and started walking around. He ruined the funeral. And that’s Jesus Christ, our Lord the world’s worst funeral director.
Another funeral at Nain. This one is in progress. A man, not even 25 years old, had suddenly died. They were taking him out to the cemetery for burial. Jesus stops the procession, goes to the coffin, and says, “You man, I tell you to get up.” He did. Jesus then presented him to his mother. And Jesus ruined that funeral.
Now to a third funeral. Mary and Martha had already buried their brother. It was four days after the funeral. Jesus goes to the gravesite and says, “Roll that stone away.” Then Jesus says to the dead man, “Lazarus, I want you to come out of that grave now!” Immediately he makes his way out. And Jesus ruined that funeral.
Another funeral. The Man is dead and buried. Early on Sunday morning He bursts forth from the tomb and shows Himself alive to many people. He broke up every funeral He ever attended and this was His fourth—His own! He ruined that funeral, too.
There is one more important funeral to visit—yours! The Bible talks about it in 1 Corinthians 15:20, “But the fact is that Christ did actually rise from the dead and has become the first of all people who will come back to life someday.” Yes, Jesus Christ is the world’s worst funeral director, and He promises to ruin yours, too. What a Savior!
Christ is risen! He is risen indeed! Alleluia!
(reprinted by permission from the Rev. Don Ginkel's newsletter)
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During the month of May, we not only continue the joyful celebration of our Lord's resurrection, but we also recognize and celebrate the work of our congregation's AUXILIARIES, and the many good things that they accomplish – their dedicated contributions to God's Kingdom and our Congregational Mission and Ministry of "LOVING & OBEYING the Savior… EQUIPING believers for ministry … SHARING the Good News of Jesus our Savior!"
Our monthly Memory Verse emphasizes this theme for May:
“Never be lacking in zeal, but keep your spiritual fervor, serving the Lord … Share with God’s people who are in need. Practice hospitality” (Romans 12:11, 12b) .
Indeed, we are chosen to be “Raised Up and Called to Serve Others through Ministry!”
Together, with YOU, in Service to Our Lord,
Pastor Hank |
