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Upcoming worship services

Jan 14, 10:00, Morning Prayer
Jan 21, 10:00, Morning Prayer
Jan 28, 10:00, Morning Prayer

Feb 4, 10:00, Holy Communion, Father Hillin
Feb 11, 10:00, Morning Prayer
Feb 18, 10:00, Morning Prayer
Feb 25, 10:00, Morning Prayer


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Sunday, April 12, 2009

Father Nissen's Easter Sermon, April 12, 2009

Today's text: John 20: 1 - 18

All of us go through grief. Many of us have suffered pain at the loss of loved ones in war; all of us have lost loved ones to disease and death.

Jesus' life and resurrection can help us. In the gospel reading today three people react to Jesus' death: Mary Magdelene, Peter, and John.

Mary Magdelene comes to the tomb to grieve because she had not found the strength to remove Jesus' life from her own life. Peter ran to the tomb probably out of guilt as he had denied Jesus at his trial. John ran to the tomb because he had listened to Jesus' words and knew that somehow things would be alright. He ran to the tomb out of excitement. "Surely something good will come out of all this," he may have been thinking. "Show me, Lord!"

All of their reactions are natural ones to have, but let us be like John. Let us have a sense of excitement in our lives despite all of the hurts, losses, pain, and self-pity. Jesus makes all things new! He makes all things new as we listen to his words and believe as John did. We need only to accept the new life, the resurrection life, that Jesus offers us each day and each moment.

HE IS RISEN!

*****

Many thanks to Chris and Robert Luehrs for the bountiful and beautiful Easter lilies.