Like bread and wine, Jesus both makes the heart glad and strengthens it, for which we are thankful. Gratitude is key to understanding the Christian Eucharist: gratitude for God’s good creation; gratitude for Jesus Christ, and our redemption in him, both present and future; and gratitude for the Holy Spirit, by whom the risen Christ becomes present to us and for us.” (Ronald P. Byars, The Sacraments in Biblical Perspective)
New Worship Series: “With Glad and Grateful Hearts”
Rev. Chris Keating
Easter is more than one day. While the candy may be gone, the energy and joy of resurrection continue. Our lives grow and mature in the promises of Christ. We shout our Alleluias, joyfully proclaiming this good news: Jesus is here. The Lord remains with us, and invites us, in the words of John 15, to abide with him.
Yet practicing resurrection is not easy–especially in a world where God is one option among many, and attending church often feels like a tired habit from another time. “It’s easy to dismiss the church as ineffective and irrelevant,” wrote Eugene Peterson, translator of the The Message version of scripture. “And many do dismiss it.” We dismiss faith as a relic from another time, and the gospel as a charming, but outdated artifact with little relevance to our lives.
That’s the story many will be telling this spring. But as red buds blossom and flowers bloom, we dare to hear a different story. The story of Easter is a reminder us that the risen Christ’s appearances strengthened the disciples’ hearts with gladness and joy. We break bread, and shout our cries of “He is Risen,” leaning into the hope God offers us for creating a better, more peace-filled world of faith and justice. During April and May, our worship and sermon themes will explore ways we each can experience this joy by practicing resurrection faith. “With Glad and Grateful Hearts” will show how simple practices: telling stories, breaking bread, taking walks, seeking peace, relieve our over-burdened hearts.
Stop by for worship — either in person or online. Discover a community of faith that is welcoming and open, devoted to serving others, and which never expects you to leave your brain at the front door. Belief and doubt mingle together, becoming the seedbeds of a growing and sustained faith. For more information, email or call the church office.
