Worship Preview - EASTER 4.20.25

This Sunday: 10:30am –  Easter Sunday. Purveyors of Awe: Resurrection Rev. Christopher Eshelman preaching. Scriptures: Scriptures: Luke 23:50 – 24:12: 36-49 and Isaiah 53:1-12

Luke tells us that on a Friday night, as dusk began to fall, Joseph of Arimathea got permission to lay Jesus’ body in an unused tomb. The next day is the Sabbath. A day of rest. This first Holy Saturday passes – a solemn sabbath day as Jesus’ Jewish followers wonder how it all went so wrong.

Sunday, the first day of the week – early in the morning, each of the Gospels tells us women went to the tomb. They went to anoint the body. To prepare it for the next stage of burial. To honor. To mourn. In Luke’s telling, they find the stone rolled away. Angels tell the women “He is not here. He is risen” They run and tell the male disciples, who initially regard their news as “an idle tale.”

This is where Easter begins. In darkness. In silence and disbelief. And in awe and wonder.

Throughout Lent we have been singing an achingly beautiful song arranged by Mark Miller entitled “I Believe.” It is based on words reported to have been scratched on the wall of a concentration camp during World War II. Surrounded by the worst humanity has to offer, faith persists. We have sung “I believe in the sun, even when it’s not shining. I believe in love, even when I don’t feel it. I believe in God, even when God is silent.”

On Easter we proclaim that God is not silent. That evil, sin, and death do not have the final word. We proclaim that Christ is Risen! Christ is Risen indeed! We are filled anew with awe and wonder and we are called to commit to following Christ. To being Christlike. To living in the world as he lived in the world – even if that leads to a cross. We can do so because of the faith of Christ. We can do so because of grace. Sunday we will celebrate Easter, and we will be reminded of what Easter cost. We will be called to walk the narrow road that Christ, the pioneer and perfector of our faith, has shown us. A way of mercy, self-giving, and humility. A way of kindness and service that challenge ways of oppression and control. As we do so we will wrap up our Lenten series “Purveyors of Awe” and begin our new series which is entitled “Resurrection Stories: Unlock Yours.” We are an Easter people.

Whatever binds you, whatever locks you up, whatever keeps you from the life for which you were created…can be rolled away, opened, released… for we believe our stories can be rewritten each and every day. It is not easy or quick, but let this Easter be a vision of your life unlocked – your life resurrected.

Christ has shown us the way. Christ is Risen, indeed! And thus, so are we! You are invited to join the journey – bringing all that you are. Your questions and doubts; your hopes and dreams; your greatest success and your deepest stumblings. Bring it all to Christ, who transforms! God forgives us. Jesus embraces us. The Spirit enlivens us. We are made whole. With awe, we accept this belovedness. And all God’s people say, “Amen!”  Happy Easter!

Upcoming Events: 

Wednesday, April 23rd Feeding Families in His Name:  This “to-go” meal is distributed under the portico at 301 S. National. This free meal is available to everyone without obligation. A reminder: Please do not block nearby driveways while waiting. Thank you. If you would like to support this ministry, you can make donations online at: www.firstumcfortscott.org/onlinegiving. 

Friday, April 25th – Aging Forward returns – each 4th Friday afternoon at 1pm we’ll offer a chance for retired adults (and anyone else interested) to hear from local speakers about all sorts of topics and share a time of conversation and fellowship. Light refreshments provided. Mark your calendar and join in the fun! This month we’ll hear from Riggs Chiropractic about healthy living options and our own Jean Tucker reminiscing on how Feeding Families got started, celebrating that we’ve now served over 176,000 meals, and