Palms, Bread, Nails & Tombs

We are Easter People!

Ah, the exciting childhood memories of Easter - decorating easter eggs, egg hunts, chocolate easter bunnies, jellybeans, getting dressed up for church because the whole family was gathered, the smell of easter lilies, and the odor of food baking in the oven! And the impatient questions: Is it time to eat yet? When are we hunting for easter eggs? I hope you have fond memories and continue to make more as you enjoy the season that is nearly upon us.

As Lutheran’s we live in the joy of Easter every day! When we wake up, we are given new life and called to live into the hope and glory of the resurrection. But before we get to the great holy day, we will face the darkest, most difficult week of the church year – Holy Week!

As I shared in the sermon last week, we live in the “Divine inevitability, that requires human complicity, in order to reach fulfillment.” What does this mean? We must go through holy week. We welcome the palms this Sunday as we lift them high to wave for Jesus’ triumphal entry into Jerusalem. We will break the bread our First Communion students made to celebrate with them the holy meal with its new meaning of Jesus body and blood sacrificed for us. We endure the nails and punishment Jesus suffered for us and for our sin. Good Friday is difficult reminder he was crucified and placed in his graveclothes. We come together on Easter morning, not expecting the tomb to be empty.

Surprise! Jesus has done it! We live by faith in that hope, believing and sharing the blessings of being Easter people!

Worship with us in-person or on-line Palm Sunday 9:15am, Maundy Thursday 6:30pm, Good Friday 11am, 6:30pm and Easter 7:30 & 9:15am!

Christ’s Lenten Blessings & Peace,

Pastor Nate