Beloved congregation,  

I bring greetings to you in the name of our risen Savior, he is risen, he is risen indeed!  

“HE IS NOT HERE: FOR HE IS RISEN.”  

1 After the Sabbath, at dawn on the first day of the week, Mary Magdalene and the other Mary went to look at the tomb. 

² There was a violent earthquake, for an angel of the Lord came down from heaven and, going to the tomb, rolled back the stone and sat on it. ³ His appearance was like lightning, and his clothes were white as snow. ⁴ The guards were so afraid of him that they shook and became like dead men. 

⁵ The angel said to the women, “Do not be afraid, for I know that you are looking for Jesus, who was crucified. ⁶ He is not here; he has risen, just as he said. Come and see the place where he lay. MATTHEW 28:1-6 

A friend who is far away sometimes is much nearer than one who is at hand, is not a mountain far more awe-inspiring and more clearly visible to one passing through the valley than to those who inhabit the mountain? Khailil Ghram  

My dear people, that’s what the experience of resurrection does. It takes our fear, our worry, our hurt, our sadness…and it puts it all into the right perspective, an awe-inspiring perspective. 

In the Gospel of Matthew, we read how an angel appeared to the women at the tomb early that first Easter morning, Mary looked on in fright. The angel explained to her that Jesus was not there because he had been raised from the dead, just as he said! And not to be afraid. Matthew tells us that the women hurried away from the tomb, afraid yet filled with joy. 

The whole ordeal of his passion, crucifixion, death, burial is in the past, it is finished.  The fact that Jesus is now risen from the dead, victorious over death and sin, is reason to celebrate. It’s that fact that gives us joy despite our circumstances and through whatever we may face. What happened on that first Easter day still brings us joy and it still changes lives today, for all that believe and look up to him. 

I exhort and encourage you to come join us at church or  log in on our Easter Sunday zoom service to celebrate the resurrection of Jesus. May you all be filled with joy no matter what your circumstances, no matter what you face. Come let us rejoice and sing as we celebrate how Jesus still changes lives today. 

Please note there will be special Easter offering envelopes available for pick up at the church office and or at the Easter Service on Sunday.

In Christ,