“I am the resurrection,

and the life:

he that believeth in me,

though he were dead,

yet shall he live”     

John 11:25

To the friends and family of First Pres,

It's mind-boggling, this story of Jesus rising from the dead. I remember feeling that way as a kid, hearing the story of the empty tomb, imagining the scene where Jesus appeared to his friends after three days of death, and how awestruck they were in seeing him. What an incredible thing. It wasn’t that I didn’t love all the other Easter stuff – the holidays, the family time, the excitement of finding a basket crammed with chocolate bunnies and those multi-coloured chewy marshmallow things. But even then, I knew what the season was really about. When I look back, I’m so thankful that the resurrection story was at the core of my Easter.

Not to say that most of it isn’t just one huge mystery. I mean, we don't really understand it, at least not fully. How could we? New life coming out of stone cold death? The thing is, what we believe in we don’t always have to understand. Like, Handel’s Messiah. When you listen to the Hallelujah Chorus, you know that God

wrote it through Handel’s pen. You just know. But you don’t really know how.

Like, knowing that springtime will come again, after a long and cold winter. That week in May when the brown and faded world suddenly explodes in the greenest of greens. Talk about resurrection. Sure, I learned all about it in grade 8 science, but, understand it? I suppose I’ve learned to pretend I have.  

Like, what some people will give up for others because they love them. And the

way that act can change a life, and even the whole world. Even within all the mystery of Jesus’ resurrection, here’s what we are certain of: that in some way, the darkness and death of this world has been defeated. That in some way, dead things will return to life when the God of Jesus is in the picture. And that in the end, we are assured that all will be well. That's an incredible promise to believe in.

Here's the other promise that we believe in: that we can have a hand in the coming of this new life. More to the point, that this is our calling as Christian people. That

in the sharing of what God has gifted us with, we can witness resurrection even

today.

This is what Jesus spent his life modeling. Throughout Lent, we remember what he gave up, and what cost he was willing to pay, to show the power of God's love. We also remember that he said "Now, you go and do likewise." What an awesome thing for us to consider today: What miracles will happen when we also give up what we have in the name of love? When we also pick up our cross?

Our church has certainly "gone and done likewise". We've been a part of many faithful ministries carried out in Christ's name. We couldn't have done that without God's guidance and abiding presence. We also couldn't have done it without the

sacrifices we've all made. We, who are now the living body of Christ in the world.

We all give in different ways, as we are able. In doing so, we are walking in some awe-inspiring footsteps. If you are in a position where you are able to give a special offering that will support our continuing ministries, we encourage you to do

so.

Please take note of our Easter services. A suggestion: extend an invitation to a friend who may not have a church this weekend. You may be surprised the difference that might make to someone.  As we take hope and comfort in this season of restored life, may we always hold our community, our church, and each other in prayer.

And may the peace and joy of the risen Christ abide with you, now and forevermore,

Rev Tim

                                    Please join us for our Easter Services

Palm Sunday – Mar. 28 at 9:00 & 10:30am

Maundy Thursday – Apr. 1 at 7:00pm

Good Friday – Apr. 2 at 10:30am

Easter Sunday – Apr. 4 at 9:00 & 10:30am