From Joy Sharing to...Letting it be Known

Christ is Risen! He is Risen Indeed, Alleluia! On Easter this year, we heard the story of the Markan resurrection in which everyone fled the tomb “in terror and amazement, saying nothing to anyone.” It is a curious ending, so curious in fact, that a later transcriber of the gospel added an alternative ending with a much more elaborate and comfortable ending.

But all of us who have lived through this past year of tumult (and the many other harsh realities of life: loss, death, life changes, bigotry, racism, and/or other hardships) know well that days and weeks rarely have neat and orderly endings. And Jesus, who walked in our shoes and suffered a violent death for his challenging of the status quo, shows us that our God is not a God of easy answers either. Our God is instead the kind of God who yearns for us all to take part in bearing witness to the promises that life always overcomes death and that God is consistently trying to make good out of hard situations.
  
The Resurrection was not a singular event that we celebrate once a year, but is instead a universal reality that calls us to the empty tombs of our own lives to look for the living, to seek how God is alive and well even when we feel lonely or afraid or troubled. The Resurrection and the ending that Mark provides reminds us that we are characters in the story of Jesus’ life, death, and resurrection. We now get to bear witness, or as the book of Acts shows again and again through the stories of the early apostles and church planters, we get to stand up and share how we have changed because of Christ’s actions in our world and life.  

One tangible way we want you all to do that is to send your “revelations” to Pastor Sara. Let us know who you are, “chipotle lady.” Tell us who you are, person who left awesome Easter tree stuff, etc. And if you have a wondering about the source of any of your shenanigans, let us know. In addition, we would love your thoughts, ponderings, and understanding of how the joyful shenanigans of Lent added to your Easter amazement. You can send emails, texts, pictures revealing who you are. Email Pastor Sara or comment on our Facebook page.
  
In addition, as not all of us were part of the shenanigans, we would also love to hear how this year of pandemic life has brought you to new life or new understanding. 
We’ll be working these ideas and “testimonies” into our worship throughout the Easter season. When we next meet in person for worship we’ll utilize this theme as well. It is our hope that by sharing how Christ has revealed Christ’s self to us that we might grow in our Easter faith and Easter hope.