Dear Friends,

I think that the word ‘hope’ characterizes what many are feeling right now. There is hope that we’ll soon be inoculated against Covid19 (many are receiving their first ‘jab’ this week), hope that the vaccine will work and hope that the pandemic will soon be over. It’s been a long, hard run of social isolation and inconvenience (e.g. mask wearing).  We need hope.

That being said, humans have always needed hope – hope of love, hope of a better life, hope that our children will thrive. In many ways we are motivated by hope and without it we wither. This brings me to Easter. Easter stands sky-high above all other things as a reason to hope.

There are two core events which we recall at Easter – the crucifixion of Jesus and his subsequent resurrection from the dead. The crucifixion brings us hope because through it we are assured of forgiveness and reconciliation to God (see 2 Cor. 5:18-21). The resurrection gives us hope because it demonstrates God’s power over death. As Paul writes, “Death is swallowed up in victory!” 1 Cor. 15:54  Not only are we promised everlasting life, but Jesus’ risen body is the beginning of a new creation where “there will be no more death or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away.” Take that Covid19!

On Good Friday,  April 2^nd, at 10:30 we will stream a meditative service on the sufferings of Christ, based on the Stations of the Cross scripture passages along with reflective hymns and music.  

On Easter Sunday, April 4^th, our online Easter service will include the Lord’s Supper. Remember to have bread and juice or wine on hand. I hope you will join in for these services and I also hope they will be live and in person next year.

Easter blessings, in Christ’s love,

Harry