Easter Is More than One Sunday

“We need the Resurrection to be a reference point in our lives rather than one Sunday on our calendars." This is a quote from Bishop Tom Berlin’s Book, The Third Day.

As I gave this some thought, it occurred to me that the crucifixion shows what we are capable of doing. The Resurrection focuses on what God is capable of doing. The crucifixion teaches me that God is willing to stay the course--even through my

wickedness, my shame, my guilt. Not only will God stay the course, but God will also take the cursing, the denial, the betrayals, the anger, the wickedness, the backbiting--whatever my shameful fear produces--and God will say, “It is finished.”

It is finished. Jesus’s words moments before he draws his last breath. It is finished.

Jesus didn’t say, “I am finished.” Jesus did not say, “You are finished.” Jesus said, “It is finished.”

The Resurrection of Jesus will always call us to something more. And maybe that’s why we’d rather stay at the foot of the cross instead of making our way to the empty tomb. At the foot of the cross we can confess our anger, our wretchedness, our fear, our sin, our shame—and we’re not asked to do anything. But at the empty tomb? We’re asked to name our “Why?" We’re called to name our grief. We’re confronted with the shame that is no longer there. It is where we face the confusion of how we see Jesus. It is where we hear him call our name. It is where we are asked to go and tell others what we’ve experienced.

For surely, Christ is risen! Christ is risen indeed! Christ has risen above our guilt, above our sin, and above our shame. Through his saving grace, Christ invites us to do the same.

We’re going to dig deep into this beautiful story as we journey together through the Sundays of Easter that will guide us to Pentecost. Join us! For surely our journey continues.

Pastor Jo

April 1, 2024

How Much is Enough?

I should be in the office more.

I should be out in the community more.

I should pray more.

I should visit more.

I should spend more time studying.

I should leave now or I’m going to be late to my next meeting.

I read a lot about how pastors are experiencing burnout and are struggling with self-acceptance. But even I know that pastors don’t have a monopoly on feeling the pressures of day-to-day life and second guessing every move. We all have the potential to believe the rumblings that tell us we are not enough, we are not doing enough, we should be farther along by now.

When I am overcome with “I should” moments that rumble “I am not enough,” is it possible I am forgetting that I am a part of something greater than myself?

Brené Brown reminds us that belonging starts with self-acceptance. “Your level of belonging, in fact, can never be greater than your level of self-acceptance, because believing that you're enough is what gives you the courage to be authentic, vulnerable and imperfect.”

In Paul’s letter to the Romans we are reminded of this acceptance with others.

May the God of endurance and encouragement give you the same attitude toward each other, similar to Christ Jesus’ attitude. (Romans 15:5 CEB)

I am grateful for a community of faith who reminds me that I am not alone. I am enough. I am loved.

I should not forget that!

Pastor Jo

September 18, 2023

Milestones...

This past Sunday we shared in the confirmation of 5 youth. We also renewed our commitment and reaffirmed our faith. As we prepare for “Senior Sunday” we will celebrate another milestone in the lives of our graduating seniors.

What do these milestones mean to us as a community? After the birthday, the anniversary, the confirmation, the graduation — do we simply pack it all away as a memory? Is it meant to be more?

Milestone. What an interesting word! According the Webster a milestone is best seen as a milepost. A post set along the way to designate distance in miles.

For most of us milestones are events that have happened. But dare we look ahead at the markers that are ahead of us? Considering the next marker on our journey, what do we hope to gain? Who do we hope to become when we reach the next milestone?

As we prepare to gather this Sunday, Ephesians 1:17-8 stands out.

“I pray that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give you a spirit of wisdom and revelation as you come to know him, so that, with the eyes of your heart enlightened, you may know what is the hope to which he has called you”

May we continue the journey celebrating what has been and what is yet to be, with the “eyes of our hearts enlightened.”

Blessings,

Pastor Jo